Cracker Jacks and The Presence of God
Monday, December 2, 2024
As a child, I liked the snack, Cracker Jacks. It was unique in that, deep inside every box was a prize. In some ways, it shows the difference between our faith and every other ideology, or religion. With other belief systems, you try to follow the teachings and practices. But the Gospel isn’t just about trying to follow a teaching or practice. It contains a gift, something real that’s given to you. It’s not about what’s true. It’s the giving of the Gift of Truth itself – Himself. You can’t live the Christian life without His supernatural presence residing in you. It’s like holding a box of Cracker Jacks, but not reaching in for the prize. For God so loved the world that He gave the greatest of gifts. That giving isn’t complete by teaching, doctrine, going to church, or Bible studies. They’re good, but the giving is made complete by receiving. It’s time you reach deep down into your faith, into the blessing of the gift. It’s as simple as pulling a prize out of a box of Cracker Jacks.
From Message #1080 – The Presence & the Power Word
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15
Today’s Mission – Today, take time to go deep into the Lord’s presence… and obtain the Prize.
The Secret of The Greatest
Friday, November 29, 2024
Yochanan the Immerser or John the Baptist was in a sense the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was also a priest, a Nazarite, and Messiah called him the greatest of those born of women. Yet he said “I immerse you with water for repentance, but He who comes after me is above me. I am not worthy to untie His sandals.” Everything he was, all he did, said, and stood for – all of it had only one purpose – to lead to Messiah. That’s why he was the greatest of all. His life, more than any other, led directly to Messiah’s redemption. If you want to live a great life, then make Messiah the object and purpose of all you do. Make Him the goal, aim, and reason. Whatever you do, do it for Him and to His glory. Whatever thing you endeavor to do, or spend time and energy pursuing, if it doesn’t lead to Messiah, put it away. Make your life 100% leading directly to Messiah- your words, actions, gifts, endeavors, and your heart. Then the life you lead will lead to greatness.
From Message #224 – Yochanan The Immerser
Scripture: Acts 11:23
Today’s Mission – Today, make it your aim that everything you say and do is aimed at and leads to Messiah.
The Red Sea Vs The Creation
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Some theologians struggle with believing the Red Sea parting. They’ve theorized that the sea consisted only of about a foot of water and the Israelites were able to just walk across it. But that begs the question “How did the Egyptian army drown in a foot of water? That, in itself, would have been a miracle! And which is harder, for God to create the universe with countless galaxies, stars, planets, oceans, and seas or making one of those seas part in two? After creation, parting a little sea is a piece of cake. You may be dealing with a problem in your life. It may seem there’s no way out, no way to overcome and have victory, or no end in sight. Is your problem any greater than it was for the Hebrews? Your Red Sea isn’t too big for the God who created the galaxies. Trust the Lord and believe the miracles. Start proclaiming the victory. Then the hand of God will move again, the waters will split, and the horse and rider will be swept into the sea.
From Message #1331 – Crossing The Red Sea
Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17
Today’s Mission – Today, proclaim the victory over your Red sea crossing. Give thanks before the water parts.
The Genesis of Love
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
The word ahavah is Hebrew for love. In Genesis 22:2 God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering…” It’s the first appearance of the word ‘love,’ or ‘ahavah’ in Scripture. And this first appearance is speaking of the love of a father for his son. The Bible is about the love of the Father, for His Son. This is the first love of the universe. This is the love that makes all other loves possible. It’s a sacrificial love. It’s not a love that demands, needs, requires, or loves only to get back. It’s an offering. It is to give without seeking anything back. So, too, love with the same love in your life; the love that asks for nothing in return, expects nothing, lets go, and sacrifices everything. Bless somebody today with total sacrificial giving, and selfless love. For this is the first love. This is Ahavah. This is Calvary. This is Messiah. This is our salvation, and this is our faith.
From Message #134 – Love Notes
Scripture: 1 John 4:16
Today’s Mission – Today, seek to live a day of sacrificial love; loving, and blessing others while expecting nothing in return.
More Than Forgiveness
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Luke 6:37 says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” The Greek word translated as forgive in that Scripture is apoloo’oh. In Acts, the same word is used to speak of the disciples ‘sending away’ the other disciples on their journey. We tend to think of forgiveness as an overlooking of sin. But the word apoloo’oh means far more. God’s forgiveness isn’t just to overlook a sin. It’s to literally ‘send it away.’ Forgiveness is an act of actively sending the sin or issue into the hands of God, never to be taken back. When the disciples sent the other disciples on their journeys, they laid hands on them, prayed for them, escorted them out of the city, or sent them off on ships – apoloo’oh. So it is with God’s forgiveness. It isn’t enough to overlook sin, you have to take the time to send it out of your life once and for all. Take that offense, hurt, or wound, and by the power of God’s love, escort it out of your heart, and life. Set it off in a ship of grace, into the sea of God’s mercy.
From Message #153 – Notes on Forgiveness
Scripture: Titus 3:5
Today’s Mission – Today, practice actively sending away from your life that which has no business being there.
UFO Cults Vs Christians
Monday, November 25, 2024
At a meeting in Oregon a man claiming to represent beings from another planet contended that soon, selected people from earth would be taken to this planet. But, in order to prepare for their departure in a UFO, they would have to sell all their worldly goods. About twenty people were convinced, sold everything and followed the man out of their town. Every so often a cult leader comes along speaking of some apocalyptic event, and people give up everything to follow a lie. And yet the followers of the true Messiah are often the least likely to give up their comforts to follow Him. We of all people have something so great that letting go of anything else should be an easy thing. The Lord never called us to be foolish or crazy. But He does call us to give up our hold on what is only temporary. So let go of that thing you’re holding on to. Give to the poor, and those in need, because you have a sure hope and a real destination… and you don’t need a UFO to get there.
From Message #412 – The Radical Heart
Scripture: Proverbs 23:17,18
Today’s Mission – Today, let go of anything that is distracting, keeping, or hindering you from your time, your love, and your devotion of God. Spend the time with Him.
Counterfeit and Real Blessing
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Four salesmen perpetrated a hoax on a farmer in Brazil. They tricked him into investing his life savings into a machine that would ‘print money.’ They loaded it with real cruzeiro notes, worth about $20 each. When they demonstrated the machine, the farmer was astounded. He handed over the equivalent of $45,000 for it. After the salesmen left, the machine wouldn’t print out anything anymore. Outraged the farmer brought the machine to the police and pleaded with them to make it work! The truth is, you can’t buy a money-making machine. If you want to make money, you have to work for it. So it is with things which are worth far more than money; a great marriage, a good prayer life, a life of integrity, joy, peace, and fullness. All these things take work. You can’t just demand a good life or a happy marriage. All these things must be cultivated. All of them require godly habits, godly attitudes, and godly actions. Follow the way of righteousness day in and day out. You’ll end up with more treasures and riches than you ever could’ve printed with a money-making machine.
From Message #1191 – The Pleasure Principle
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7
Today’s Mission – Today, practice cultivating the foundations of blessings, actions of integrity, self-control, righteousness, prayer, purity, and love.
Steam Kettle Theologians
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
A missionary cleverly trying to teach natives in Africa about the locomotive train by using planks of wood to represent the tracks, lined up carts one in front of the other, and oxen at the front with a steam kettle around one’s neck to represent the engine. Yet, if one of the natives had looked at this and rejected the idea of the train as ridiculous, maintaining that nothing of the kind existed, he would have been right. So it is with all our theologies, ideas, and imaginings of God. All our words and thoughts fall far short of the real thing. God is far more. He’s greater and better than anything we’ve ever preached, sung, thought of, or dreamed about Him. God is more. And so there is so much more of God that we have yet to discover, learn, and know. That’s why the Scriptures tell us to seek the Lord continually. Never stop seeking Him. Get beyond the words, the doctrines, and the thoughts. Come into the Holy of Holies where the real presence of God is. For everything else is just wooden planks and steam kettles.
From Message #22 – The Stranger
Scripture: Isaiah 55:9
Today’s Mission – Today, block out some real good time to just meditate on the awesomeness and majesty of God.
Duped By The Stuffed Bear
Monday, November 18, 2024
When I was growing up the carnival would come to town every year. They had games that were rigged to make it nearly impossible to win the prize. They had basketball with a hoop so small that it was almost impossible to get the ball into it. But hoping to win a stuffed bear for my mother, I made attempt after attempt to win the prize – each time shelling out more money. People tried to stop me, but I would not be stopped. I finally won, and it only cost me $34.00… for a stuffed bear that cost about .50¢ to produce! So, too, there are a lot of pursuits in life that are not worth winning. You might be striving for success, money, position or possessions but losing everything that’s truly valuable in the process. Don’t strive to win a worldly victory that will end up making you lose your family, your marriage, your peace, your intimacy, and life with God. Give up that empty pursuit, and find your peace with God… or you could end up paying $34.00 to win a stuffed animal that’s only worth .50¢.
From Message #673 – The Pyrrhic Victories
Scripture: Psalm 34:14
Today’s Mission – Today, put aside any pursuit that is not of God and is fruitless. Pursue Him.
Broken Pieces And The Carpenter
Friday, November 22, 2024
It’s actually a Jewish tradition that the Messiah would be a carpenter. Why a carpenter? A carpenter specializes in putting things together. A carpenter takes pieces of material and out of them forms something beautiful. If you’re human and living on this planet, chances are you’ve seen parts of your life break apart – dreams, relationships, promises, and hearts. We’ve all experienced missing pieces. Our lives need the hands of a carpenter. Messiah’s specialty is to take the brokenness and piece it together until your life turns out to be something beautiful. Your part is to let Him have all the pieces. Bring to Him all of your brokenness – your sorrows, losses, frustrations, hurts, and wounds. Give Him your broken dreams, relationships, promises, and broken hearts – all of it. Put them all into Messiah’s hands. You don’t have to struggle with your life. You can entrust it into His hands because His hands are the hands of a carpenter. He is the Master Carpenter of life. So, let Him be the Carpenter of your life. That’s when your life will come together and become something beautiful.
From Message #86 – The Fallen Sukkah of David
Scripture: Isaiah 44:24
Today’s Mission – Today, give the Lord any part of your life or heart that is or has been broken. Trust Him to redeem the broken pieces.
Don’t Lose Your Head!
Friday, November 15, 2024
As a child, before I knew the Lord, I participated in Halloween. The most inexpensive costume was the headless man. We would lift our jackets over our heads, ring the doorbell and stand there with our bags out, trusting they would be filled since we couldn’t see anything. A man walking around without his head is the stuff of horror movies. However, a lot of believers are basically running around without their heads. They run after the latest trend, movement, teaching, emotion, sign, wonder, problem, or circumstance. They’re following everything but the Lord. They think it’s the Spirit, but they’re really following feelings and circumstances. One day they think God’s telling them to get married, and the next day to be single. It’s the amazing headless Christian. We must be open to the moving of God’s Spirit but we must also make sure we are grounded in His Word. God gave you a head, use it! In order to love the Lord with all your mind, you must keep your head. For headless Christians are just plain scary.
From Message #652 – Little Monsters
Scripture: Acts 20:29-30
Today’s Mission – Today, take a Word of God and root and ground yourself in it. Stand by it the entire day.
The Cub Scouts Who Worked Against The Police
Thursday, November 14, 2024
In Surrey, England, two cub scouts decided to do a very special good deed for all the motorists in their area. They stood on the side of the road warning the cars of a police radar trap just ahead. When the organization found out what was happening, they quickly put an end to it. Sometimes what we think are good deeds aren’t really good. They may be nice, but nice isn’t always good. It might be nice to agree with people to make them feel good, but sometimes the very thing that makes them feel good hinders them from ever becoming good. Living simply to please people, giving them what they demand, isn’t the way of righteousness. If someone is drunk and wants to drive home, you can be nice and let them go. The good thing to do is to stop them. It doesn’t feel good, but it’s the most loving thing you can do. You’re not called to be agreeable and nice, you’re called to be good, and sometimes love has to be tough. God isn’t always agreeable, but He’s always good. You be the same.
From Message #376 – Truth in Love
Scripture: 3 John 1:11
Today’s Mission – Walk in righteousness and do what is good today.
On The Edge of The Race
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
When I was a boy, I would go sledding with friends. We always started out sitting on top of the hill, right on the edge. It only took the slightest push for gravity’s momentum to kick in and do the rest. That little nudge made all the difference between going somewhere or going nowhere. So too it is in our lives. It is written that God has already prepared good works for you to enter into, but it’s not going to happen if you just sit there on the edge of fulfilling God’s calling on your life. All it takes is just a little push for you to begin, that first step of righteousness, of holiness, of courage, of ministry, of overcoming fear. Take the first step against fear, worry, complacency, apathy, inertial, and that rut. Start moving to victory. One little nudge is the difference between a life of going nowhere and a life that’s moving in God’s Spirit. Do what God is calling you to do. Then, in the momentum of the Spirit, the ride will begin!
From Message #294 – Healing
Scripture: John 16:7
Today’s Mission – Today, take that first step towards victory and break out of that rut.
The Sons of Deity
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Greek mythology tells of supernatural beings who were children of the gods. There was Hercules, son of Zeus, and Perseus, another son of Zeus. Of course, it’s all a myth. The amazing thing is that something even more supernatural than this actually does exist. Those who are born again are divine beings. They are children of the Living God. That’s much greater than being a child of Zeus. What an awesome thing it is to be born again. In mythology, the children of the gods were considered to be supernatural beings, with supernatural powers, heroes who overcame great odds, colossal foes, and bringing deliverance. You are a supernatural being, with the supernatural powers of the Spirit. You are called to be a hero, to overcome great odds, and to bring deliverance in every situation by the power of Messiah. In the new birth you’re a child of God- by His Spirit, more valiant than Perseus and stronger than Hercules. Live like it, for it’s no myth.
From Message #608 – The Butterfly’s Child
Scripture: Galatians 3:26
Today’s Mission – Today, live as a child of Deity. Walk in the supernatural power of God and overcome all things.
To
The God of The Everyland Land
Monday, November 11, 2024
One of the many things that makes Israel so amazing is that it’s filled with landscapes of every kind. Its western coast is the Mediterranean seashore. Its northern border has a snow capped mountain. In its middle is the fertile valley of Jezreel. Above the valley is the beautiful hills and Sea of Galilee. In its south is the barren moonscape of the Negev… and so much more – all in a piece of land no larger than the state of New Jersey. Our God is the God of Israel. He’s the God of the everyland land. He’s not only the God of the mountains, He’s the God of the valleys, the high places and the low, the beautiful planes, and the dry and barren wilderness. In your life, He’s not only the God of your mountaintops, but of your valleys as well. His love for you is everywhere. He will be with you in every landscape of your life. As He is faithful to you in every moment and place, so live faithful to Him. He’s your everyland God – you be His everyland disciple.
From Message #451 – The Waters of Zion
Scripture: Acts 17:24
Today’s Mission – Today, see yourself walking hand in hand with your Father God, whether it’s a mountain top or a valley.
Interrogating The Interrogator
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned for his faith by the communist government of Romania. He was interrogated and tortured day in and day out. One day he said to his interrogator, “You interrogate me all the time. Now I want to interrogate you. Have you ever been in love?” “What kind of question is that?” said the interrogator. Wurmbrand answered, “I once fell in love with the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Not long after we met, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. She loved me! When anybody asked how I was, I answered, ‘She loves me.’ So here you are, asking me so many questions, and the one thing I can tell you is, ‘Jesus loves me.’ So when you come to know the love of God, you won’t have to ask so many questions. His love will answer the questions in your heart.” So, you too might have a lot of questions in your life, but remember the words of the prisoner. In the end, it’s God’s love that’s going to matter. Whatever you’re going through, let go and say, “But God loves me.”
From Message #502 – Mercy and Truth
Scripture: 1 John 4:16
Today’s Mission – Today, no matter what comes your way, dwell on and rejoice in the fact that God loves you.
Facing The Ninevites
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The prophet Jonah was called to preach judgment to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the royal city of the Assyrians. The Assyrians were some of the fiercest, most savage peoples of the ancient world. So why wasn’t Jonah afraid to confront the Assyrians? He first ran away. But after three days in the stomach of a fish sent by God, Jonah was more afraid of God than of man. If you’re a child of God and you’re afraid to share the Gospel because of what people might think of you or whether they’ll accept or reject you, what you’re saying is you fear man more than God. Jonah could only fear the Assyrians if he didn’t fear God, and you could only fear others if you don’t fear God. If you fear God most of all and He’s with you, then it’s impossible to fear anything or anyone else. Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world. Therefore, go and preach the Gospel to all men and fear no man- only God.
From Message #392 – Keys of Revival
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17
Today’s Mission – Today, fear God only, and don’t be afraid to share Messiah with everyone.
Facing The Ninevites
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The prophet Jonah was called to preach judgment to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the royal city of the Assyrians. The Assyrians were some of the fiercest, most savage peoples of the ancient world. So why wasn’t Jonah afraid to confront the Assyrians? He first ran away. But after three days in the stomach of a fish sent by God, Jonah was more afraid of God than of man. If you’re a child of God and you’re afraid to share the Gospel because of what people might think of you or whether they’ll accept or reject you, what you’re saying is you fear man more than God. Jonah could only fear the Assyrians if he didn’t fear God, and you could only fear others if you don’t fear God. If you fear God most of all and He’s with you, then it’s impossible to fear anything or anyone else. Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world. Therefore, go and preach the Gospel to all men and fear no man- only God.
From Message #392 – Keys of Revival
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17
Today’s Mission – Today, fear God only, and don’t be afraid to share Messiah with everyone.
Before The Bread
Monday, November 4, 2024
There’s a secret of abundant life and victory found in The Lord’s Prayer. It said, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and, “Give us this day our daily bread-“. The secret is right there: the will- “Your will be done”- and the want- “Give us this day our daily bread”. Notice, it’s the will that comes first. Messiah gave us this to be the model prayer of our heart. God does care about your needs and desires, but He doesn’t want you to be wrapped up in them. If you want to live victoriously, do it according to The Lord’s Prayer. Put His will before your want, even before your need. If you live by what you want or need, your life will always be wanting and needy. But if you live by His will, your life will always be in His will. So, seek His will above your needs and you won’t dwell in need. Live by His will, not by your want, and you’ll never be wanting for any good thing.
From Message #482 – As it is in Heaven
Scripture: Psalm 34:10
Today’s Mission – Today, put the Lord’s will before your wants and needs.
AMERICA’S REAL PROBLEM
Friday, November 1, 2024
Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
Many Christians believe that if they can elect the right people, place into position the right Supreme Court justices, pass the right laws, they can save America. We should, by all means, vote and do all we can to impact our government. I am the first to encourage that. But that alone won’t save America. Though politics play an important part, America’s problem is not ultimately political. It is not ultimately economic, and not even ultimately cultural.
America’s problem is ultimately spiritual – and so only a spiritual answer can solve it. If we change laws but not hearts, then the unchanged hearts will, in time, change back the laws. We should seek to change unrighteous laws, but if we don’t change hearts, we will lose everything in the end. The overturning of Roe V. Wade was momentous and by the hand of God. But without the overturning of hearts, people will seek abortion, if not one way, then another, if not in one state, then another, until they can overturn the overturning itself. A recent poll found that 66% of Americans oppose the total overturning of Roe V. Wade with 29% in favor. How long can that be sustained if hearts don’t change.
According to another recent poll, the percentage of Americans who want to overturn the legalizing of gay marriage is 28%. The percentage in favor of legalized gay marriage was found to be around 70%. As for the more conservative, as in Republicans, the percentage was somewhere around 50%. Among young Americans, the percentage is even higher than 70%, but then about 1-in-5 to 1-in-4 young Americans now consider themselves LGBT in one form or another. With regard to America’s future, it is that last percentage, that of the young, that will prove the most important. We must face the fact that we are living in a nation in a state of apostasy.
In the years 2016 to 2020, the American government was led by a Republican and conservative administration. And there were many accomplishments that conservatives and Christians could boast in – executive orders issued on behalf of life and religious liberty, the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, the Jerusalem Declaration, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Abrahamic Accords, the recognition of Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights, and more. But at the same time, America’s spiritual, moral, and cultural decline, apostasy, and fall, did not stop. If anything the indoctrination of its children in the classroom, online, and in mass media, into the ways of immorality and godlessness only increased. If we don’t change those things, we will not change America’s trajectory – or its fall.
Electing a more godly or moral administration will not matter in the end, if there is no changing of hearts, no turning back to God, no revival. On the other hand, electing an ungodly or immoral administration will not matter in the end, even if we do change hearts, if the nation does turn back to God, and if true revival does come to America.
This month, let us now vote with our prayers, and fervently plead with God for revival. It is that only that can save this nation. And May God greatly bless you this month as you do!
Your brother and co-laborer
in His love and service,