A FULLER MORE FERVENT LIFE

Acts 19:18
Many who became believers
confessed their sinful practices.



The most common way to hide sin is through lying. Jesus taught us about Satan, "the father of lies," in John 8:44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Sin is bondage, and the way to be free from bondage is to know and obey the Truth who is Jesus. Confess your sins to Christ and you will be free from the bondage that keeps you from experiencing a fuller more fervent life.

MANAGEMENT MATERIAL

Luke 12:42
And the Lord replied, "I'm talking
to any faithful, sensible servant
to whom the master gives the
responsibility of managing his
household and feeding his family.



The task mentioned in this verse reveals the highest paying job in the world. To qualify one must display faithfulness and sensitivity to His children. The verses just prior taught about an applicant that left because he wouldn’t let go of his possessions. Jesus said, "Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe – no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." You can't manage God’s treasures and yours at the same time because there will be a conflict of interest, so you have to give up one. Regardless, because He is fair and just, God will always pay the exact and appropriate wages to His managers.

EXPERIENCE THE BLESSINGS

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."



Disobeying God's instruction is the reason that Adam and Eve fell into sin and lost all their blessings. It’s through simple obedience that we can return to the original state of creation and experience the blessings of God. Romans 5:19 teaches us that, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous." Philippians 2:8 teaches us about Jesus, “Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Obey the instructions of God and you’ll move closer to experiencing His blessings.

ENTICED BY LUST

James 1:14-15
But every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of
his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death.



Craig Brian Larson from one of his illustrations said that, “Ocean water contains seven times more salt than the human body can safely ingest. Drinking it, a person dehydrates because the kidneys demand extra water to flush the overload of salt. The more salt water someone drinks, the thirstier he gets. He actually dies of thirst. When we lust, we become like this man. We thirst desperately for something that looks like what we want. We don’t realize, however, that it is precisely the opposite of what we really need. In fact, it can kill us.” Be content with what you have and in the process of life, delight yourself in the sight of the Lord because He will give you the desires of your heart. Don't lust after what appears to be desirable because lust just might the death of you.

YOUR PATH AND PURPOSE

Galatians 1:15-16
But then something happened!
For it pleased God in his
kindness to choose me and call
me, even before I was born!
What undeserved mercy! Then he
revealed his Son to me so that
I could proclaim the Good News
about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When all this happened to me,
I did not rush out to
consult with anyone else.



God was involved in your life while you were still being formed in the womb as we learn from Psalm 139:15, "You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb." In Jeremiah 1:5, God tells the prophet Jeremiah, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." Every person was created for a purpose and to find your purpose you have to surrender your life to God. You've got to make Him the Lord of your life by giving your life over to Him. Only then will your path and purpose, which was determined before you were born, be made clear.

UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE

Romans 9:16
So receiving God's promise
is not up to us. We can't get
it by choosing it or working
hard for it. God will show
mercy to anyone he chooses.



Romans 9:16 can be a major eye opener for people. Paul said that we can’t get God’s promise by choosing it or working hard for it, but rather He will deliver the promise according to His will. History teaches us that the great chief of the Blackfoot confederacy in southern Alberta gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to cross the Blackfoot land. In return, the chief was given a lifetime Canadian Pacific Railway pass to travel anywhere he chose. He carried it around his neck for the rest of his life, never using it to travel and never realizing its value. If you choose to have God come into your life and make Him as your Lord and savior, you have with you everything that His promise can give – that is, if you realize the value of what has been given to you.

OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS

Romans 6:18
Now you are free from sin,
your old master, and you
have become slaves to your
new master, righteousness.



This world has only two masters, the Righteous One and the sinful master. Paul taught us in Romans 6:16, “Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.” The Righteous One is God, and the Bible is His written instruction manual. Obey those instructions regardless of your own thoughts and flesh, and you’ll live a righteous and blessed life under the Righteous One.

YOUR BEST WEAPON

2 Corinthians 10:4
We use God's mighty weapons,
not mere worldly weapons,
to knock down the
Devil's strongholds.



There is a very real spiritual battle going on all around us at this very moment. This battle is the main reason that Jesus taught His disciples about the power of prayer. Paul told us in Ephesians 6:11 to, “Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.” The armor that Paul is writing about is the defensive method that will protect you during the spiritual battles. Paul teaches about your attacking weapon in Ephesians 6:18 when he tells us, “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” James told us in James 5:16 that people need to, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” The mighty weapon of God is prayer. Use this weapon and you'll score the victory over the spiritual enemies that are at hand.

GIVE GENEROUSLY

2 Corinthians 9:11
Yes, you will be enriched so that
you can give even more generously.
And when we take your gifts to
those who need them, they will
break out in thanksgiving to God.



I’d about read about a preacher who was just about to baptize someone when the person said, “Wait! I forgot my wallet in the dressing room, I want you to baptize it with me!” Sound strange? A little odd? Well, this person understood the very serious financial responsibility of God’s work. God’s promise is that you’ll be enriched so that you can give more generously so that the beneficiaries of your generosity will break out in praise and thanksgiving to God. Are you giving generously to the point where you can see the blessings upon those around you?

SAFE HAVEN

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is able,
once and forever, to
save everyone who comes
to God through him.
He lives forever to plead
with God on their behalf.



History tells us that in ancient Israel, six cities were founded as cities of refuge. Anyone that had taken the life of another without malice or premeditation could take refuge in one of these cities. Once that person was inside those city walls that person could not be touched for vengeance or judgment. Once a year, rabbis would have the roads leading to these cities repaired and cleared, so that men fleeing for their lives would have a clear path to their safe haven. It's in this very same way that we run to Jesus Christ for refuge and salvation. It is Christ that pleads to the Father on our behalf, clearing our way to His forgiveness. Always remember that even though you're covered in sin, Jesus Christ is your Bridge to the Father where you might find peace, rest and refuge. He is your Safe Haven.

FOLLOWING THROUGH

Ecclesiastes 5:4
So when you make a promise to God,
don't delay in following through,
for God takes no pleasure in fools.
Keep all the promises you make to him.



Have you ever promised God anything? Was there ever a time when you prayed for something and tried to make a deal with God? Well, if you ever did and if you’ve forgotten about it, I assure you that God has not forgotten that moment. God created us in His image and likeness, and we should behave with integrity and keep our promises. Hebrews 6:18 teaches us, “So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.” Put some effort into fulfilling all your promises and you’ll soon realize the value of His promises made to you.

FINDING OUT YOUR PURPOSE

Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing
unless I use it for doing
the work assigned me by the
Lord Jesus – the work of
telling others the Good News
about God's wonderful
kindness and love.



The difference between living and existing is knowing your purpose as designed by God. An Indian Chief once said, “When you know who you are, when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will, no cold can touch your heart, no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.” Many times we surrender to the challenges of life simply because we really don’t know why we’re here. That’s exactly why Acts 20:24 says, “life is worth nothing” unless you use your life for your Godly purpose. Are you interested in living and not just merely existing? Just know your purpose. So, have you spent time finding out what your life's purpose is?

REAP A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is our light
and protector. He gives us
grace and glory. No good thing
will the LORD withhold from
those who do what is right.



Psalm 84:11 holds a promise that people miss quite often. Just as everybody pursues glory in what they do, the Bible teaches us how to achieve glory from the Old Testament to the New Testament according to Paul in Galatians 6:9, “So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Just do what is right. Don’t give up on doing what's right, and God will make good on His promise. God withholds nothing from us when we do what's right. So, are you doing what's right?

PEOPLE GET READY

John 3:26-28
John's disciples came to him and said,
"Teacher, the man you met on the other
side of the Jordan River, the one you
said was the Messiah, is also baptizing
people. And everybody is going over
there instead of coming here to us."
John replied, "God in heaven appoints
each person's work. You yourselves know
how plainly I told you that I am not
the Messiah. I am here to prepare
the way for him — that is all.



John the Baptist is the final prophet recognized by the Jewish people. He was the preparer of the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. John baptized Jesus even though he felt unworthy to do so, but Jesus said, “Do it” because it was the will of the God the Father. John also proclaimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus, the Messiah, the Lamb of God, was the final sacrificial offering made for the forgiveness of man’s sins. John’s actions have taught us that our role is to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah into their very hearts. Prepare the way! People get ready!

NOTHING IS CERTAIN IN LIFE

Ecclesiastes 7:14
Enjoy prosperity while you can.
But when hard times strike,
realize that both come from God.
That way you will realize that
nothing is certain in this life.



You can be rich today and poor tomorrow; healthy today and sick tomorrow; happy today and depressed tomorrow. There is nothing certain in this life except for God and His promises. The Bible says to enjoy whatever you have today because it can all change by tomorrow. Don’t forget that things happen because God allows them to happen. Just remember that you’re on a journey where nothing is certain if you go it alone. Stay close to God and you’ll always be fine.

DYING ON THE INSIDE

Acts 8:3
Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church.
He went from house to house, dragging out both
men and women to throw them into jail.



Christianity has been hindered and challenged by all forms of outside attack, but those that have tried to destroy the church have usually ended up serving Christ much like Saul, who became the Apostle Paul. Nothing can destroy the work of God, but if Christians will not live the way Jesus lived, the church may deteriorate from the inside. A college president once said, “I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I don’t think our civilization will end that way. I think it will die when we no longer care.” A British historian said that, “Nineteen of twenty-one civilizations have died from within and not by conquest from without. There were no bands playing and flags waving when these civilizations decayed. It happened slowly, in the quiet and in the dark when no one was aware.” Fan the flame of fire in your heart and do your part to bring more souls to Christ. You don't want to be part of an inside job that brings the church to its knees.

THESE ARE THE FACTS

1 John 5:10
All who believe in the Son of God
know that this is true. Those who
don't believe this are actually calling
God a liar because they don't believe
what God has testified about his Son.



The biggest challenge facing people today when it comes to believing in God has to do with the arrival of God’s Son in physical form on earth. Generally speaking, people believe in God or in some kind of god, but believing in Jesus as the Son of God is whole other thing. For the most part, such a claim could explain why the leaders of Jesus' day moved to crucify Him. They didn’t believe that Jesus was God in human flesh. God the Father said in Hebrews 1:8, “But to his Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in righteousness.’” Even if people don’t believe in Jesus as God, it doesn’t change that Jesus is God the Son. The Bible says you are actually calling God a liar if you don't believe what God has testified about his Son. Jesus our Lord is God. Accepting that fact is the challenge.

ALL OF YOUR DAYS

Galatians 3:14
Through the work of
Christ Jesus, God has
blessed the Gentiles
with the same blessing
he promised to Abraham,
and we Christians
receive the promised
Holy Spirit through faith.



If you don’t know about the promise of God to Abraham, it comes up in Genesis 12:2-3, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." All of the blessings and protection from God are handed to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior with all your heart for Him to be able to move in your life and bless all of your days.

SERVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY

Romans 12:11
Never be lazy in your work, but
serve the Lord enthusiastically.



Have you ever heard someone utter the words, “I’m bored”? This phrase is typically spoken by people that don't know their purpose at a particular moment. For me personally, it can even imply that the person saying the words is lazy. When it comes to laziness, Proverbs 10:4 teaches us that, “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.” In Proverbs 10:26, we learn that, “Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.” Christians need to be examples of what good workers are because 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says, “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.” An example of Christ’s feelings on laziness can be found in John 5:17 when Jesus says, “My Father never stops working, so why should I?” There’s never a moment where someone can say, “I don’t have anything to do.” There's always something to do. Always. Get up, shake off the excuses and get yourself moving!

THE BEGINNING OF SUCCESS

Hosea 14:9
Let those who are wise
understand these things.
Let those who are
discerning listen carefully.
The paths of the LORD
are true and right,
and righteous people
live by walking in them.
But sinners stumble and
fall along the way.



George S. Forest, Canada's most prominent champion of French-language rights wrote:

If there are a hundred steps
In thy path to success
And ye have not reached it
In ninety-nine of them
Do not conclude
That the journey is a failure
Press on and up...
the prizes are generally at the end of an effort
not at its beginning...
And not to go on
Is to miss them
Be valiant...
Have faith in yourself
Success belongs to him
Who dares to win it

These are some truly beautiful and inspiring words. I believe, however, that we have to always remember that God has a plan and path for your, as well. The path the Lord has for you is true and right, and as children of God we are commanded to walk in that path. Success doesn't begin by having faith in yourself, it begins by having faith in the One that gives you the victory.

ALWAYS BE JOYFUL

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Always be joyful.



I read a story about an attention grabbing wheelchair bound man rolling along a busy street singing joyfully and loudly. Someone asked him, “How can you be so happy when you’re stuck in that wheelchair?” He answered with a grateful smile, “Once I stopped thinking about what I lost and began concentrating on what I had left, I found that I had a lot to be happy about.” The math of this equation is easy: one man plus God equals a majority. We have everything we need if we have God because everything is His: past, present and future. Always be joyful in the knowledge that He is your great Redeemer and that when you add Him to your life you'll always have more than enough.

EVEN THE WORST OF US

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a true saying, and
everyone should believe it:
Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners —
and I was the worst of them all.



Prior to becoming an Apostle, Saul was best known for leading a movement to kill the Christians of his day. Just imagine how the Apostle Paul felt each time he recalled the murders of the faithful? He actually thought he was wiping out Christians for God. That only changed when Saul met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus and became Paul. When you meet Jesus Christ personally and receive Him as Savior, you too become enlightened seeing clearly whether or not what you are doing in this life is right or wrong. Take the time to get to know Christ by using His Word. You'll find out something very interesting - even the worst of sinners can have eternal life if they accept the Lord's free gift of salvation. Even the very worst.

DRIVE AWAY FOOLISHNESS

Proverbs 22:15
A youngster's heart is
filled with foolishness,
but discipline will
drive it away.



It seems like since the beginning of time that teenagers have had the “I know” attitude and response. For a teen, almost every decision and action is made with a predetermined feeling that they’re already right. Well, while teenagers might feel that way, God still gives us institutions to mold us through discipline. It all starts in your family, home, church, school and government. Each institution has a code of disciplines and these disciplines have been established to prevent foolish actions, guiding us to the right way to live. Always remember, if you spare the rod, you'll spoil the child. So don't be like a spoiled child. Take the time to appreciate and learn from the disciplines that you're being blessed with.

BE A GOOD EXAMPLE

Titus 2:7
And you yourself must be
an example to them by doing
good deeds of every kind.
Let everything you do
reflect the integrity and
seriousness of your teaching.



I remember this story about a single dad who wanted to go to a nearby bar to have a drink during a snowy winter night, but his young son was still awake. Well, the young father tucked his son in to put the boy to sleep and quietly left their home heading straight for the bar. A few minutes later while into his first drink, he felt something tugging lightly at his pants. When he looked down he saw that it was his young son in his pajamas holding his teddy bear. He asked his son, “How did you get here?” The boy replied, “I woke up and you weren’t there. I went looking for you and I saw your footsteps in the snow, so I followed them.” You could be one of two persons in this story. If you were the little boy following after your father’s leading footsteps, where would you end up? If you were the father with your son following in your footsteps, where would you lead your family? Let your life be a good example and know that good or bad, everything you do will eventually be reflected back.

INNER STRENGTH

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that from his glorious,
unlimited resources he will
give you mighty inner strength
through his Holy Spirit.



Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” We have to take on the challenges of life no matter how impossible they appear to be. Take courage because we have our God through the Holy Spirit, who is willing to give us the mighty inner strength to succeed and be victorious. In the heat of battle, the truly faithful can expect His unlimited resources and wisdom on the battlefield when the challenges seem most impossible.