"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" - Proverbs 11:25, (NIV)
Do you need refreshing today? So many people go around overwhelmed, tired, worn down, barely getting by. But that's not God's best. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be refreshed. Here's the key: be generous and refresh others. Is there someone at the office you can be a blessing to? Can you lighten someone's load? Maybe a family member is going through a hard time. Can you help them out? Can you cook them a meal? Refreshing someone can be as simple as a smile or an encouraging word. Don't wait until you feel like doing it, that day may never come! Do it because the Scripture tells us to. Do it because it blesses the Lord.
Today, look for someone to be a blessing to. As you step out and refresh others, as you live a life of generosity, you will be refreshed and experience His blessing in your own life in return.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. Thank You for blessing me so that I can be a blessing to others. Teach me to be generous. Show me how I can refresh others and bring glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Walking in the Spirit
"16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh ; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control ; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. " - Galatians 5:16-25 (New American Standard)
The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.
Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.
God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.
Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.
Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.
The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.
Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.
God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.
Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.
Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.
A Position of Submission - Ed Young Ministries
But he gives more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God... Come near to God and he will come near to you. - James 4:6-8
When you drill down nearly every emotional, relational and spiritual struggle in your life, you’ll come to one root cause: pride. We all have a tendency to want to be in charge. We want to be our own god, to call the shots. But control is far from ours, no matter how much we may want it.
The Bible tells us that God opposes the proud. So when pride causes you and me to attempt to wrestle the reins of life from God, we end up facing some major opposition.
To get back to a place of peace with God, James tells us to place ourselves in a position of submission. In this context, the word "submit" is a military term. It conveys the idea that we need to get under God’s plan for our lives. He is the one who is in control; He has set forth the battle strategy. And when we submit to His plan rather than trying to follow our own, we will discover victory over every other battle in life.
A Prayer for Today
Dear God, I admit to you that I want control of my life. I want to call the shots. But I also realize that my pride causes a rift between you and me. So I humbly ask that when I try to wrestle control from you, that you help me get back to a place of submission. Because only by following you will I discover true peace. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
When you drill down nearly every emotional, relational and spiritual struggle in your life, you’ll come to one root cause: pride. We all have a tendency to want to be in charge. We want to be our own god, to call the shots. But control is far from ours, no matter how much we may want it.
The Bible tells us that God opposes the proud. So when pride causes you and me to attempt to wrestle the reins of life from God, we end up facing some major opposition.
To get back to a place of peace with God, James tells us to place ourselves in a position of submission. In this context, the word "submit" is a military term. It conveys the idea that we need to get under God’s plan for our lives. He is the one who is in control; He has set forth the battle strategy. And when we submit to His plan rather than trying to follow our own, we will discover victory over every other battle in life.
A Prayer for Today
Dear God, I admit to you that I want control of my life. I want to call the shots. But I also realize that my pride causes a rift between you and me. So I humbly ask that when I try to wrestle control from you, that you help me get back to a place of submission. Because only by following you will I discover true peace. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Main Event - DevoMail with Skip Heitzig
Dear Connection Friend,
In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright sent a telegram to their family from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It said, "We actually flew 120 feet. We'll be home for Christmas." Their sister Katharine took it to the editor of the local newspaper. His response was interesting. "Oh, how nice," he said. "The boys will be home for Christmas." He missed the main event: Mankind had flown!
Much bigger news happened in a little town outside Jerusalem 1900 years earlier, but some people missed it.We find one of them in Luke 2. The innkeeper at Bethlehem missed the main event because he was too preoccupied with his business. Although there's always room available for a stranger in that part of the world, he showed no hospitality whatsoever. He sent Joseph and Mary to a stable. This shows the attitude of the world toward God. When it comes to spiritual things, and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, most people's response is that they're too busy. But if you're too busy for God, you are just too busy!
In Matthew 2 we find the second one who missed the main event, a paranoid politician. King Herod was fearful and perturbed when the magi came looking for a newborn "King of the Jews." This was Herod's title, and he didn't want any competition. He didn't want to lose control. There are people today who won't let God interfere with their personal kingdoms. God is fine as long as He doesn't invade their space. Like Herod, they claim to worship God, but it's really all about them.
And then there was a group of passive theologians. Herod asked the scribes and priests where Christ would be born, and they knew the exact place. I think that's amazing--not because of what they knew, but because of what they didn't do. Why didn't they go to Bethlehem? It was only five miles away! It's not enough to know the text or be able to analyze it or quote it. You have to respond in obedience. Do you have a passion for God, to know Him and have His peace? Or has this "church thing" become routine?So there was no room in the inn, no room in the court, no room in the religious system. No room for Jesus. How about you? Are you preoccupied with other things? Are you paranoid about losing your position as king of your own life? Or are you just passive and can't be bothered?
Don't miss the main event. Don't let distractions or pride or apathy keep you from Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, the Savior, and the only one worthy of our worship. "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"
In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig
In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright sent a telegram to their family from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It said, "We actually flew 120 feet. We'll be home for Christmas." Their sister Katharine took it to the editor of the local newspaper. His response was interesting. "Oh, how nice," he said. "The boys will be home for Christmas." He missed the main event: Mankind had flown!
Much bigger news happened in a little town outside Jerusalem 1900 years earlier, but some people missed it.We find one of them in Luke 2. The innkeeper at Bethlehem missed the main event because he was too preoccupied with his business. Although there's always room available for a stranger in that part of the world, he showed no hospitality whatsoever. He sent Joseph and Mary to a stable. This shows the attitude of the world toward God. When it comes to spiritual things, and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, most people's response is that they're too busy. But if you're too busy for God, you are just too busy!
In Matthew 2 we find the second one who missed the main event, a paranoid politician. King Herod was fearful and perturbed when the magi came looking for a newborn "King of the Jews." This was Herod's title, and he didn't want any competition. He didn't want to lose control. There are people today who won't let God interfere with their personal kingdoms. God is fine as long as He doesn't invade their space. Like Herod, they claim to worship God, but it's really all about them.
And then there was a group of passive theologians. Herod asked the scribes and priests where Christ would be born, and they knew the exact place. I think that's amazing--not because of what they knew, but because of what they didn't do. Why didn't they go to Bethlehem? It was only five miles away! It's not enough to know the text or be able to analyze it or quote it. You have to respond in obedience. Do you have a passion for God, to know Him and have His peace? Or has this "church thing" become routine?So there was no room in the inn, no room in the court, no room in the religious system. No room for Jesus. How about you? Are you preoccupied with other things? Are you paranoid about losing your position as king of your own life? Or are you just passive and can't be bothered?
Don't miss the main event. Don't let distractions or pride or apathy keep you from Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God, the Savior, and the only one worthy of our worship. "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"
In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig
Above and Beyond
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' - Acts 20:35
There’s a philosophy in our culture that breeds mediocrity. Most people do only what is necessary to get by.
If there’s a job to be done, it’s done adequately. We tolerate people we work with, instead of actually taking an interest in them. And when it comes to really important matters, like our relationship with God, our spouse, our family and friends—some offer indifference instead of creativity and an eagerness to engage.
Our God is not a lack-luster God. Our God is overflowing with power and a desire to know you, to bless you, and to offer you his peace and hope for the future. But to receive that, you have to be willing to share what you have now with others. God’s design is that in order to get more, you have to give more. And once we understand that, our lives will be blessed and go above and beyond anything we’ve ever dreamed.
A Prayer for Today
Dear God, It’s so easy to become complacent and only do the bare minimum. Help me to live life with excitement and joy. Help me to put forth effort in helping others, building relationships, in being generous with my time and resources and in going the extra mile in everything that I do. In your Son’s name I pray, Amen.
There’s a philosophy in our culture that breeds mediocrity. Most people do only what is necessary to get by.
If there’s a job to be done, it’s done adequately. We tolerate people we work with, instead of actually taking an interest in them. And when it comes to really important matters, like our relationship with God, our spouse, our family and friends—some offer indifference instead of creativity and an eagerness to engage.
Our God is not a lack-luster God. Our God is overflowing with power and a desire to know you, to bless you, and to offer you his peace and hope for the future. But to receive that, you have to be willing to share what you have now with others. God’s design is that in order to get more, you have to give more. And once we understand that, our lives will be blessed and go above and beyond anything we’ve ever dreamed.
A Prayer for Today
Dear God, It’s so easy to become complacent and only do the bare minimum. Help me to live life with excitement and joy. Help me to put forth effort in helping others, building relationships, in being generous with my time and resources and in going the extra mile in everything that I do. In your Son’s name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Come On In - DevoMail with Skip Heitzig
I gave my son Nathan some instructions when he was small. I told him he had my permission to come into my office whenever he wanted, no matter what, no matter when. I wanted him to know that his concerns and questions were important to me, because he was important to me. And he took advantage of that right--sometimes to the surprise of my visitors or people I was counseling!
Did you know that we have the same access to God? It's true. The God of heaven and earth, the Creator of all that exists, is available to you at all times, for any reason.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The reason we can come "boldly" is in verse 15. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." That High Priest is Jesus Christ. He understands it all, and He is never surprised at our struggles.
God doesn't condemn us for our sin when we approach the Throne of Grace. After all, when we come to Him, we've already admitted we're in the wrong, we have a problem, and we need His help. If we didn't want to admit we were wrong, we would hide.
That brings me to the scripture that I want you to read. Psalm 139 is full of wonderful truths about God and His knowledge and love for us. Read it over slowly several times and digest it.
Verse 7 in particular stands out. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?" The psalm goes on to explain how that very idea is nonsense. There's nowhere to hide. But that's the great part. Not only is there nowhere to hide, there's no reason to even try. We can come to Him at any time, with any problem.
Are you struggling with a sin? Come to the Throne of Grace. Are you depressed or grieving? Come to the Throne of Grace. Are you angry, or confused, or full of doubt? You guessed it--come to the Throne of Grace. God is waiting there, eager to hear your problem, eager to give you His solution, His care, and His love. You can come anytime.
Isn't that what being a child of God is all about? He's never too busy, and He's never annoyed that you want to talk to Him. What a wonderful God we serve! What a wonderful Father we have!
In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig
Did you know that we have the same access to God? It's true. The God of heaven and earth, the Creator of all that exists, is available to you at all times, for any reason.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The reason we can come "boldly" is in verse 15. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." That High Priest is Jesus Christ. He understands it all, and He is never surprised at our struggles.
God doesn't condemn us for our sin when we approach the Throne of Grace. After all, when we come to Him, we've already admitted we're in the wrong, we have a problem, and we need His help. If we didn't want to admit we were wrong, we would hide.
That brings me to the scripture that I want you to read. Psalm 139 is full of wonderful truths about God and His knowledge and love for us. Read it over slowly several times and digest it.
Verse 7 in particular stands out. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?" The psalm goes on to explain how that very idea is nonsense. There's nowhere to hide. But that's the great part. Not only is there nowhere to hide, there's no reason to even try. We can come to Him at any time, with any problem.
Are you struggling with a sin? Come to the Throne of Grace. Are you depressed or grieving? Come to the Throne of Grace. Are you angry, or confused, or full of doubt? You guessed it--come to the Throne of Grace. God is waiting there, eager to hear your problem, eager to give you His solution, His care, and His love. You can come anytime.
Isn't that what being a child of God is all about? He's never too busy, and He's never annoyed that you want to talk to Him. What a wonderful God we serve! What a wonderful Father we have!
In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Three R's of Revival
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works . . ." - Revelation 2:5
Before we can ever talk about revival in the church, every Christian must ask themselves, Am I personally revived? Am I living as a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ?
Ask yourself that question right now. If your answer is that you are not a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ, you exist as part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Listen to what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation. He says,
"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent." (Revelation 2:2--5)
Jesus gave the church of Ephesus the three R's of revival: remember, repent, and repeat.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen," and then He says. "Repent." In other words, turn away from your sins. And finally repeat, "Do the first works." Get back and serve God like you once did.
Remember, repent, and repeat. Put the three R's of revival into practice, because we need to be revived before God.
Before we can ever talk about revival in the church, every Christian must ask themselves, Am I personally revived? Am I living as a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ?
Ask yourself that question right now. If your answer is that you are not a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ, you exist as part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Listen to what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation. He says,
"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent." (Revelation 2:2--5)
Jesus gave the church of Ephesus the three R's of revival: remember, repent, and repeat.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen," and then He says. "Repent." In other words, turn away from your sins. And finally repeat, "Do the first works." Get back and serve God like you once did.
Remember, repent, and repeat. Put the three R's of revival into practice, because we need to be revived before God.
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