Read Psalm 45:1-5
We often think of Jesus as gentle, meek and mild. He was that, of course. "I am gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29) is what He said in His invitation to us. But the Lord is also a conqueror. The psalmist said about Him: "Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, with Your glory and Your majesty. And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility and righteousness" (vv. 3,4). That doesn't sound like the meek and gentle carpenter of Nazareth!
Have you ever considered Christ as Conqueror?
So often we view Jesus only through the four Gospels, where we find Him a Servant. We see Him as a humble man, the Servant of God, ministering to people. But here we read about a Conqueror with a sword who is riding in majesty. On the cross, Jesus completely defeated Satan. He also overcame the world. He said to His disciples, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33). And He certainly overcame the flesh. Christians are identified with His victory. We have crucified the flesh (Gal. 2:20). We have been raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). And Christ wants to give us victory today.
But first, we must want victory. Some people would rather walk on the margin of the battlefield and be a walking victim instead of a marching victor. So examine your heart and say, "Lord, I want victory today."
Second, we must yield ourselves to Christ. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. The simple secret of winning in the Christian life is to identify ourselves with Christ, trust Him and follow Him. We'll have battles to fight, to be sure, and sometimes we might stumble and fall. But keep in mind that Christ is riding in majesty. Why don't you ride right along with Him by faith?
Jesus has conquered life, and we may stand with Him in victory. Before we can, though, we must want victory, and we must yield ourselves to Him. Are you a conqueror? By faith identify with Christ and share His victory.
- Warren Wiersbe, backtothebible.org
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Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Does God care?
President George W. Bush is expected to veto a bill congress has recently passed approving stem cell research. He says it destroys life because stem cells are extracted from a human baby fetus. In the extraction process, a human life is killed. What do you think?
Speaking of life...I had someone abandoned a black kitten in my front yard Sunday and it was apparently sick so I brought him into the house and tried to nurse him back to life. His legs were paralyzed and he couldn't walk or stand up. I kept him in a box and spoon-fed him milk for about a day. I thought he might make it and kept praying for him. However by evening time yesterday he started crying and crying while I was watching the evening news. I picked him up and put him on my lap. While I petted him he began going into spasms and finally died in my arms.
I was so sad afterwards. I said to the Lord, "Why did you bring this kitten into my life just to break my heart?" I figured it was so that I could give the kitten some love in his last moments and let him know he didn't die alone.
Our God loves His creatures great and small. He cares about everything we go through. He is concerned about little kittens and sparrows too. He is such a loving and compassionate God that nothing we may go through in this life escapes His awareness and loving care.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" - Luke 12:6
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
- Lu Castillo, Free Indeed Ministries
Post your comments. We appreciate your feedback.
These devotional messages are made possible through the generous gifts of supporters like you. Your gift is appreciated to help keep this ministry touching the lives of lost and hurting people. To partner with us, go here to make a donation, or write us at: Free Indeed Ministries, P.O. Box 1671, Moore Haven, FL 33471.
Email: befreeindeed@att.net / Website: www.befreeindeed.com
Need Counseling? Visit our counseling website at: http://www.befreeindeed.com/counseling2
Post your prayer requests and let us pray for your needs.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“If the Son, therefore, will make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7
If you wish to be unsubscribed from this list, please email us at: befreeindeed@att.net
Speaking of life...I had someone abandoned a black kitten in my front yard Sunday and it was apparently sick so I brought him into the house and tried to nurse him back to life. His legs were paralyzed and he couldn't walk or stand up. I kept him in a box and spoon-fed him milk for about a day. I thought he might make it and kept praying for him. However by evening time yesterday he started crying and crying while I was watching the evening news. I picked him up and put him on my lap. While I petted him he began going into spasms and finally died in my arms.
I was so sad afterwards. I said to the Lord, "Why did you bring this kitten into my life just to break my heart?" I figured it was so that I could give the kitten some love in his last moments and let him know he didn't die alone.
Our God loves His creatures great and small. He cares about everything we go through. He is concerned about little kittens and sparrows too. He is such a loving and compassionate God that nothing we may go through in this life escapes His awareness and loving care.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" - Luke 12:6
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
- Lu Castillo, Free Indeed Ministries
Post your comments. We appreciate your feedback.
These devotional messages are made possible through the generous gifts of supporters like you. Your gift is appreciated to help keep this ministry touching the lives of lost and hurting people. To partner with us, go here to make a donation, or write us at: Free Indeed Ministries, P.O. Box 1671, Moore Haven, FL 33471.
Email: befreeindeed@att.net / Website: www.befreeindeed.com
Need Counseling? Visit our counseling website at: http://www.befreeindeed.com/counseling2
Post your prayer requests and let us pray for your needs.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“If the Son, therefore, will make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7
If you wish to be unsubscribed from this list, please email us at: befreeindeed@att.net
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Work That Honors God
Did you know that your secular work can be used in a way that honors God? It's true. Pastor Woodrow Kroll explains how to turn your 9 to 5 job into a form of worshipping God.Work That Honors God
"And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house." - Ruth 2:7
There's a delightful story about a king, many years ago, who called his wise men together and gave them this commission: "I want you to compile for me the wisdom of the ages and put it in book form so we can leave it to posterity." The men left the king and worked hard. Sometime later they returned with 12 volumes. The king looked at the imposing volumes and said, "It's too long and I fear people will not read it. Condense it!" Still later the wise men returned with only one volume. Again the king said, "Condense it." They then reduced the volume to a chapter, then to a page, then to a paragraph and finally to a sentence. When the king saw the sentence, elatedly he announced. "Gentlemen, this is truly the wisdom of the ages." The sentence simply said, "There are no free lunches."
Ruth recognized that sage truth as well. She did not wait for someone to come along with a handout; instead, she worked from "morning until now." She was diligent in her labors and made a very favorable impression on the other harvesters.
God expects those who bear the name of Christ to honor Him through their work. Paul taught that "if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). He also reminded the Christians at Thessalonica, "Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you" (v. 8). A slacker is not only a disgrace to himself, but he brings shame upon the Lord as well.
Consider your job a blessing, not a burden. No matter how menial it might seem, see your work as an outlet to honor the Lord. Approach it every day with enthusiasm and dedication. After all, even the ability to work for a living is a gift from God (Eccl. 5:18-19).
Work can be worship when you do it for God
- Woodrow Kroll, www.backtothebible.org
Post your comments. We appreciate your feedback.
These devotional messages are made possible through the generous gifts of supporters like you. Your gift is appreciated to help keep this ministry touching the lives of lost and hurting people. To partner with us, go here to make a donation, or write us at: Free Indeed Ministries, P.O. Box 1671, Moore Haven, FL 33471.
Email: befreeindeed@att.net / Website: www.befreeindeed.com
Need Counseling? Visit our counseling website at: http://www.befreeindeed.com/counseling2
Post your prayer requests and let us pray for your needs.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“If the Son, therefore, will make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7
If you wish to be unsubscribed from this list, please email us at: befreeindeed@att.net
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