Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
“…We can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place…”
by David C. Coleman
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:19-22
They say there are two things that are certain in this life – death and taxes. I submit to you the fact that they missed one other critical certainty – the fact that we will either decide to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior or reject Him as a fraud. Of course, we don’t have control over death and taxes, but we do have a choice when it comes to making a decision for Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” We did not choose to be born, nor will we choose when our final breath will occur. But we can choose our destination before that final day comes. For those of you who are familiar with tax returns, the government has set in place a very complex set of rules by which we must live. We must pay our taxes every year, and the forms we must fill out can be overwhelming at times. But Jesus has given us a very simple “form” to fill out. On the form Jesus presents to each and every one of us, He asks “do you believe I came to earth as a man, lived, died, and was resurrected from the grave in order to pay the price for your sinful nature so that you may have eternal life in heaven?” It’s a “yes” or “no” question. There are no complex calculations or confusing clauses. It’s simply a matter of faith. The Jewish Messiah was prophesied hundreds and hundreds of years prior to Christ’s birth. There were over one hundred very precise stipulations that needed to be met in order to fulfill the prophecies. He met EVERY ONE. In addition, after His death on the cross, there were over 500 confirmed witnesses to Jesus being alive after His death and resurrection. Many of those witnesses were executed because they would not recant what they’d seen with their own eyes. Jesus is not asking us to lay down our lives to attest to this fact. He’s simply asking us to step out in faith and trust in Him. It’s a simple choice – “yes” or “no”. Do you believe Jesus Christ is alive? Do you believe He was raised from the dead? Do you believe He conquered death in order to pay the price for your sin and my sin? If so, you can be assured that you will have everlasting life in heaven. If you deny Jesus as Savior, that choice will lead to eternal damnation and torment. If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Savior but do not yet know Him, say this simple prayer from your heart:
Dear Lord Jesus, I come before You now and ask You to forgive my sin. I believe that You were crucified on the cross and that You rose from the dead three days later. I believe that Your death was a sacrifice made on my behalf. I ask You to come into my heart and mold me into Your image. I pray that any attempts by the devil to deter me from this decision or from following You will be bound by your Holy Spirit. I pray Your victory into my life this very day. I pray for protection by Your angels as I seek to follow You daily. Although I am not perfect, I know that, because I’m humbling myself before You and thanking You for Your forgiveness, You are faithful and just to forgive me of those sins. Help me grow into Your image, Jesus. Help me to become more like You. Help me learn to love like You do. Help me learn to forgive like You do. Help me learn to give and serve like You do. I thank You for Your sacrifice, Jesus, and ask that You use me to affect others for the sake of Your kingdom. Change my life radically starting this very day. I love You and thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - To Everything There Is A Season
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
“To every thing there is a season…”
by David C. Coleman
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-10
Have you ever considered why the Jews have been the most persecuted people in history? I proffer it is due to the fact they are, indeed, God’s chosen people. We must understand that Satan seeks to destroy that which is God’s – whether it be the Israelites as a people or the plans God has for our lives as Christians. Do not be deceived, dear brethren! When considering the lessons of the bible, we must consider not only the parts which are palatable to us, but rather the full counsel of God as evident in the bible’s entirety. We can’t simply pick and choose the parts that seem “right” or “fair” to us. In Ecclesiastes 3, God makes it clear there is a season for all things…even including hate and war! That seems rather contradictory when considering the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. But, once again, we must consider the entirety of what Jesus said and did (as well as the lessons derived from the Old Testament). God does not change, thus the God concealed in the Old Testament is the same God revealed in the New Testament who walked among us over 2,000 years ago. We all know the parts about “turn the other cheek”, etc., but how many of us account for Jesus’ rampage in the Temple when considering the breadth of Jesus’ lessons? Righteous anger was aroused when He witnessed money changers profiting from selling animals for sacrifice to those who had come to worship before the Lord at the Temple. In Mark 3, Jesus exhibited anger toward the Pharisees when they challenged Him for healing on the Sabbath. Anger in the right context is acceptable. When considering the acceptability of war in the eyes of God, there are countless examples of God instructing the Israelites to go to war with other nations. The Promised Land was not acquired through “negotiations”. The Philistines were not defeated through passivity. Recent events have the entire world focused on a small strip of desert land in the Middle East. As prophesied, Israel has become a burden unto the world. As Christians, we must support Israel in this time of turbulence. As Christians, we must stand with our step-brothers and sisters to which we have been grafted through Jesus Christ. Remember, Satan seeks to destroy that which is God’s. Be forewarned – the bible is clear about what happens to those who turn against Israel. We must understand that God has allowed these current events to happen. We must trust that the Israelites still hear the voice of God and heed His word.
Dear Lord, I come before you now, joined in prayer with those who will read this. We ask that your sovereign will be done in these troubling times. We don’t fully understand the events that are taking place. Many of us find the death of innocent men, women and children horrifying and unacceptable. But we know that all things happen for a reason. Death and tragedy exist on this earth because of our sinfulness. We know You are slow to anger but when Your anger is aroused, judgment will be meted out according to Your standards – not ours. We pray that You will give us discernment as we watch and wait for Your return. Continue to work in our hearts, Lord, so that, on the day of Your glorious return, we will be found faithful and blameless before You. Our future is in Your hands, Lord, and we trust that You know what is best. Have mercy on us and bless us as we continue to fall deeper in love with You. Amen.
“To every thing there is a season…”
by David C. Coleman
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-10
Have you ever considered why the Jews have been the most persecuted people in history? I proffer it is due to the fact they are, indeed, God’s chosen people. We must understand that Satan seeks to destroy that which is God’s – whether it be the Israelites as a people or the plans God has for our lives as Christians. Do not be deceived, dear brethren! When considering the lessons of the bible, we must consider not only the parts which are palatable to us, but rather the full counsel of God as evident in the bible’s entirety. We can’t simply pick and choose the parts that seem “right” or “fair” to us. In Ecclesiastes 3, God makes it clear there is a season for all things…even including hate and war! That seems rather contradictory when considering the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. But, once again, we must consider the entirety of what Jesus said and did (as well as the lessons derived from the Old Testament). God does not change, thus the God concealed in the Old Testament is the same God revealed in the New Testament who walked among us over 2,000 years ago. We all know the parts about “turn the other cheek”, etc., but how many of us account for Jesus’ rampage in the Temple when considering the breadth of Jesus’ lessons? Righteous anger was aroused when He witnessed money changers profiting from selling animals for sacrifice to those who had come to worship before the Lord at the Temple. In Mark 3, Jesus exhibited anger toward the Pharisees when they challenged Him for healing on the Sabbath. Anger in the right context is acceptable. When considering the acceptability of war in the eyes of God, there are countless examples of God instructing the Israelites to go to war with other nations. The Promised Land was not acquired through “negotiations”. The Philistines were not defeated through passivity. Recent events have the entire world focused on a small strip of desert land in the Middle East. As prophesied, Israel has become a burden unto the world. As Christians, we must support Israel in this time of turbulence. As Christians, we must stand with our step-brothers and sisters to which we have been grafted through Jesus Christ. Remember, Satan seeks to destroy that which is God’s. Be forewarned – the bible is clear about what happens to those who turn against Israel. We must understand that God has allowed these current events to happen. We must trust that the Israelites still hear the voice of God and heed His word.
Dear Lord, I come before you now, joined in prayer with those who will read this. We ask that your sovereign will be done in these troubling times. We don’t fully understand the events that are taking place. Many of us find the death of innocent men, women and children horrifying and unacceptable. But we know that all things happen for a reason. Death and tragedy exist on this earth because of our sinfulness. We know You are slow to anger but when Your anger is aroused, judgment will be meted out according to Your standards – not ours. We pray that You will give us discernment as we watch and wait for Your return. Continue to work in our hearts, Lord, so that, on the day of Your glorious return, we will be found faithful and blameless before You. Our future is in Your hands, Lord, and we trust that You know what is best. Have mercy on us and bless us as we continue to fall deeper in love with You. Amen.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - Honor The Lord With Your Wealth
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
Honor The Lord With Your Wealth
by David C. Coleman – November 9, 2009
“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.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord and, throughout Scripture, God has always asked for our first…and for our best. So often, we resort to giving Him our leftovers. Instead of cutting our tithe off the top after receiving our paycheck, we give what’s left after paying our bills and allocating for our needs and wants. Regarding prayer or devotional time, we often resort to praying/reading at the end of the day if we happen to get around to it. In many areas of our lives we seem to be comfortable treating God as an afterthought. Yet we continue to expect abundant blessings in return. This certainly is not honoring to God.
As Christians, our Sabbath is Sunday – the first day of the week. Choosing Sunday for worship is a symbolic gesture indicating we are sacrificing the first day of each week unto the Lord. This is a prime example of offering our firstfruits. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord actually gives us permission to test Him regarding the law of firstfruits. “Test me,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” So shall we not apply this rule to all areas of our lives? Proverbs 3:10 refers to “new wine”, a term which symbolically represents a spiritual renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit. By understanding this concept, it becomes evident that God not only offers a return on material sacrifice, but also promises a spiritual renewal as part of the sacrificial process. If we bless God with the first moments of each day through prayer and devotion, will He not spiritually enrich us accordingly? If we bless God with the first day of each week in service, will He not bless our effort abundantly? And as we bless God through our tithes and offerings, will He not bless our sacrifice tenfold? When we learn to place the Lord first and trust in His promises, we can rest assured knowing we will never be left wanting.
Dear Lord, I come before You humbly with a spirit of thanksgiving. Teach me, O Lord, to be more sacrificial with the firstfruits from all areas of my life. Give me the strength and the courage to make my life a living sacrifice. My desire is to place You first in all things. In doing so, I am admitting You are the center of my life and the source of all good things. I realize that spiritual and material abundance only come through You. I pray that as I continue to grow in the understanding of the law of firstfruits, I will continue to become a greater blessing to others. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Honor The Lord With Your Wealth
by David C. Coleman – November 9, 2009
“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.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord and, throughout Scripture, God has always asked for our first…and for our best. So often, we resort to giving Him our leftovers. Instead of cutting our tithe off the top after receiving our paycheck, we give what’s left after paying our bills and allocating for our needs and wants. Regarding prayer or devotional time, we often resort to praying/reading at the end of the day if we happen to get around to it. In many areas of our lives we seem to be comfortable treating God as an afterthought. Yet we continue to expect abundant blessings in return. This certainly is not honoring to God.
As Christians, our Sabbath is Sunday – the first day of the week. Choosing Sunday for worship is a symbolic gesture indicating we are sacrificing the first day of each week unto the Lord. This is a prime example of offering our firstfruits. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord actually gives us permission to test Him regarding the law of firstfruits. “Test me,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” So shall we not apply this rule to all areas of our lives? Proverbs 3:10 refers to “new wine”, a term which symbolically represents a spiritual renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit. By understanding this concept, it becomes evident that God not only offers a return on material sacrifice, but also promises a spiritual renewal as part of the sacrificial process. If we bless God with the first moments of each day through prayer and devotion, will He not spiritually enrich us accordingly? If we bless God with the first day of each week in service, will He not bless our effort abundantly? And as we bless God through our tithes and offerings, will He not bless our sacrifice tenfold? When we learn to place the Lord first and trust in His promises, we can rest assured knowing we will never be left wanting.
Dear Lord, I come before You humbly with a spirit of thanksgiving. Teach me, O Lord, to be more sacrificial with the firstfruits from all areas of my life. Give me the strength and the courage to make my life a living sacrifice. My desire is to place You first in all things. In doing so, I am admitting You are the center of my life and the source of all good things. I realize that spiritual and material abundance only come through You. I pray that as I continue to grow in the understanding of the law of firstfruits, I will continue to become a greater blessing to others. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - If I Were To Testify
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
"If I were to testify..."
by David C. Coleman
"If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true." - John 5:31-32
How true are these words from the mouth of Jesus? We can testify on our own behalf, but our words won't ring true with others until they can verify the authenticity of our words in action. We can claim to be one thing, but others often see through insincerity. Our witness is not in our words...but rather in our deeds. Let your life be a witness to Christ. Take up your cross daily and continue to grow into the image of our Savior.
Lord Jesus, I pray that the world will be able to see You in us rather than actions that betray our profession as Christians. May each and every person who claims to be a Christian be convicted and transformed through your love, your grace, and your Word. Create in us a clean heart that we may become a living testament to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ! Amen.
"If I were to testify..."
by David C. Coleman
"If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true." - John 5:31-32
How true are these words from the mouth of Jesus? We can testify on our own behalf, but our words won't ring true with others until they can verify the authenticity of our words in action. We can claim to be one thing, but others often see through insincerity. Our witness is not in our words...but rather in our deeds. Let your life be a witness to Christ. Take up your cross daily and continue to grow into the image of our Savior.
Lord Jesus, I pray that the world will be able to see You in us rather than actions that betray our profession as Christians. May each and every person who claims to be a Christian be convicted and transformed through your love, your grace, and your Word. Create in us a clean heart that we may become a living testament to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Daily Feast Devotional - Create In Me A Clean Heart
Daily Feast Devotional from JesusWired.com
“Create in me a clean heart”
by David C. Coleman
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." - Psalm 51:10-13
It has been said that when you reach the end of your rope, it is there that you will find God. We often create the circumstances which lead us to this end. God has provided a process of reconciliation with Him through His son Jesus Christ. All He asks from us is that we are humble enough to acknowledge our sin, confess it to Him, and attempt to remain free and clear of that sin. It is ONLY when we cease to struggle with our sin and fail to confess it that it becomes unforgiven. In 1st John 1:9 the bible states that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The interesting thing about God is that He most often asks us to take the initial action. In these instances, WE must move first in order to receive His blessings. He is big into "if/then" propositions. Think about the seal exhibit at a Seaquarium. The seal performs the “trick” and the trainer throws a fish reward. If the seal performs the trick, it then receives the reward. God similarly asks us to step out in faith in order to receive the blessings He has promised. If we take the initiative to step out in faith and ask forgiveness (i.e. "perform the trick"), he will separate our sin from us. We will no longer own that sin, and the conduit to His joyful blessings will no longer be blocked.
God requires a clean heart in order to bless us. In Romans Chapter 12, we are challenged not to be conformed by this world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This renewing is available to all on a daily basis, but it requires action on our part. We can remain in God’s good graces if we simply continue to acknowledge our sinful nature and ask Him to deliver us.
Dear Lord, I stand before you with a humble and contrite heart. I know I am a sinner, Lord. I know that I grieve your Spirit on a daily basis as I pursue my own selfish desires. I want to remain pure before You, O Lord. I ask that you reveal my sin to me and give me the strength and courage to confess, and the gratitude to willingly accept the grace available to me each and every day. I pray for those reading this. I pray for those who’ve been confronted with their sin and have chosen not to respond. May you use your Holy truths to change the hearts and minds of unrepentant sinners. I pray for a supernatural awakening in their spirit right now. Show them your love, compassion and mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
“Create in me a clean heart”
by David C. Coleman
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." - Psalm 51:10-13
It has been said that when you reach the end of your rope, it is there that you will find God. We often create the circumstances which lead us to this end. God has provided a process of reconciliation with Him through His son Jesus Christ. All He asks from us is that we are humble enough to acknowledge our sin, confess it to Him, and attempt to remain free and clear of that sin. It is ONLY when we cease to struggle with our sin and fail to confess it that it becomes unforgiven. In 1st John 1:9 the bible states that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The interesting thing about God is that He most often asks us to take the initial action. In these instances, WE must move first in order to receive His blessings. He is big into "if/then" propositions. Think about the seal exhibit at a Seaquarium. The seal performs the “trick” and the trainer throws a fish reward. If the seal performs the trick, it then receives the reward. God similarly asks us to step out in faith in order to receive the blessings He has promised. If we take the initiative to step out in faith and ask forgiveness (i.e. "perform the trick"), he will separate our sin from us. We will no longer own that sin, and the conduit to His joyful blessings will no longer be blocked.
God requires a clean heart in order to bless us. In Romans Chapter 12, we are challenged not to be conformed by this world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This renewing is available to all on a daily basis, but it requires action on our part. We can remain in God’s good graces if we simply continue to acknowledge our sinful nature and ask Him to deliver us.
Dear Lord, I stand before you with a humble and contrite heart. I know I am a sinner, Lord. I know that I grieve your Spirit on a daily basis as I pursue my own selfish desires. I want to remain pure before You, O Lord. I ask that you reveal my sin to me and give me the strength and courage to confess, and the gratitude to willingly accept the grace available to me each and every day. I pray for those reading this. I pray for those who’ve been confronted with their sin and have chosen not to respond. May you use your Holy truths to change the hearts and minds of unrepentant sinners. I pray for a supernatural awakening in their spirit right now. Show them your love, compassion and mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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