His

"Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, you His servants, the descendants of Israel, His chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth"- 1 Chronicles 16:12-14 (NIV).

From the beginning of creation, God has lavished his love upon us. That unfathomable love, His love, endures forever; and it has never wavered. He's the same God who made Abraham into a great nation, brought the Israelites out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea and gave the promised land to them as an inheritance (Psalms 136:13-26). How great is our God! We are such an infinitesimally small part of God's overarching plan, yet He has never stopped loving each and everyone of us. "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). His plans are set; nothing can stop the course of events that will eventually bring you into His presence. He is God! And you are His!

Spiritual Fruit

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"- Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV).

Fruit is produced, harvested, and then carefully canned and stored away for later use. Each jar contains the carefully preserved fruit ready to fill the need of the person who opens the treasure, whether they are the producer or the recipient of the stored up gift. Similarly, fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are fruits that get stored up in the hearts of both the producer and the recipient. These heavenly treasures of spiritual fruit fill a great need in ourselves and in others, and they cannot be stolen from either of you. The time for harvest is now. Produce the fruits of the spirit and fill both your needs and the needs of others, both now and stored for later consumption. The shelf-life of spiritual fruit is eternal.  

Narrow Road

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it"- Matthew 7:14 (NIV).

Everyone wants the "Easy Button." Why choose the hardest way to go, when there is a much more simple...easy...road to take. Many ask, "What's the least I have to do to accomplish my goal?" If you choose the harder path you'll find yourself traveling alone most of the time, because as you look around most everyone else seems to be on the faster, easier path. Don't be fooled. The two paths don't end up in the same place. Your friends may even taunt you or plead with you to change your course, but be diligent. Scripture says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (v.13). Take the narrow road; there is life at the end. The adage is true that the best things are worth the wait. 

Blinding Effect

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God"- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV).

The Pew Research Center released news that there has been an 8% drop among Americans who describe themselves as Christians in the past seven years. Jesus spoke of this blinding effect: "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). Blind Bartimaeus cried out for mercy when he heard the Lord Jesus was near, even though he was being scolded to be silent. Two beautiful words follow: Jesus stopped. Jesus, knowing what Bartimaeus wanted, still asked him: "What do you want Me to do for you?" And Bartimaeus told Jesus he wanted to see. Bartimaeus' faith healed him (Mark 10:46-52). There is a very real spiritual battle raging over the spiritual sight of every human being. Don't allow the god of this age to blindside your faith by trying to pull the wool over your eyes: Jesus is near. 

Exercise for the Day

"I will give You thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise You"- Psalm 35:18 (NIV).

We need physical exercise, mental exercise and spiritual exercise. Each, once done, produces rewards of renewal and increased strength. Here is a spiritual exercise plan for your day: Don Moen wrote the lyrics to Give Thanks, a song many Christians know and love: "Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say, "I am strong," let the poor say, "I am rich," because of what the Lord has done for us." Giving thanks is a rewarding exercise that strengthens your inner spirit; it builds faith, trust and fills with hope. It's time to do your exercise for today: Raise your voice, raise your hands; give thanks and feel God's peace renew you.