Saturday, December 30, 2006


The 7 "I AM"s

In the book of John, Christ gave 7 analogies of Himself -- "I am .....". By studying these "roles", we try to understand the nature of Christ, so that we can better imitate Him.

1. John 6:35 "...I am the bread of life...."
The characteristics of bread: portable, perishable and filling. Without food, we will be weak. Similarly, without eating the word of God, our spirits will be weak and we will be easily overcome by Satan. But he who believes in Christ will never go hungry and thirsty. (John 6:35). Note that in Matthew 4:4, Jesus quotes that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Deut. 8:3)"

2. John 8:12 "...I am the light of the world...."
The function of a light is to light up the way so that we can see. Jesus light shows our sins, so that we know that we are sinful and will repent and receive salvation. He promises that if we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12).

3. John 10:9 "...I am the gate..."
A gate is an entry to another place. It protects people who are inside the gate by preventing outsiders from stealing in. Those who believe in Christ have entered the gate and will be saved. Those outside the gate will be "stolen by thieves".

4. John 10:11, 14 "I am the good shepherd ...."
A good shepherd leads the sheep, protects them from the thieves and wolves. He knows the voice of his sheep, his sheep knows him and he knows his sheep (v.14). When a sheep is missing, he will go and find it (Luke 15:4). He is even willing to lay down his life for his sheep. In contrast, when disaster strikes, a hired hand abandons his sheep and runs away.

5. John 11:25 "...I am the resurrection and the life..."
Those who believe in Christ will never die, but be resurrected.

6. John 14:6 "...I am the way and the truth and the life ...."
Truth -- constant, does not change. Just like God's nature.
Way -- The only way to get to God is through Christ, i.e. believe in Him.

7. John 15:1 "I am the true vine ..."
A gardener will trim branches that do not bear fruit. Branches grow from the vine, they need the nutrients from the vine to live and grow. Jesus is the true vine, and we are branches. When He is in us, we will bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

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Sunday, December 24, 2006


I believe in CHRISTMAS



I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.

I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.

I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.

I believe in the one whom the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.

I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible.

I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love as its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of GOd.

I confess my everlasting need of God: the need for forgiveness for our selfishness and greed; the need for new life for empty souls; the need for love for hearts grown cold.

I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006


The Faith Connection

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2).


It is so important to develop your faith. Why? Because faith is what connects you to the blessings of God. It's the force that gives those blessings substance in your life (Hebrews 11:1). And besides that, it pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).

It's faith that reaches into the realm of the spirit, grasps the promise of God and brings forth a tangible, physical fulfillment of that promise. It brings spiritual blessings. It brings that financial blessing you need, or the healing for your body. It brings action or manifestation in this earth.

Romans 5:2 says we have access by faith into the grace (favor) of God. Therefore, if you want grace for the new birth, you must receive it by faith. If you want God's grace in your finances or any other area of your life, you must get it by faith.

I like to think of it this way: When you believe the Word of God, you open the window to your life and give God the opportunity to move there. Oddly enough, that bothers some people. They can't understand why God needs an opportunity. After all, He is God. Can't He do anything He wants?

Yes, He can. And He wants to respond to our faith. You see, He is not like the devil. He doesn't force Himself on you. He waits for you to give Him an opening by believing His Word. When you believe His Word, and make your stand, even in the midst of the most impossible situations, God moves in on your situation.

Speak the Word: "Jesus has given me access by faith into the grace by which I stand. I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Rom. 5:2)

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Saturday, December 16, 2006


The Definition Of Faith


"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)


Faith Is Substance

Faith is the "substance" of things we hope for. The word "substance" comes from the Greek word, "hupostasis", that means "a setting under or support"...in other words, a foundation. Faith is the foundation of those things that we hope for...the support on which we build all our ambitions, dreams and life's goals. Without faith to believe that everything will turn out OK we are certain of an unhappy, insecure and unsuccessful life. But with faith, all things are possible to him who believes.

Millions of people are hoping for eternal life...and their foundation for that hope is the faith they have in God's mercy and eternal plan of salvation through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Any spiritual hope, or foundation of faith, must be built on a solid rock of truth. Faith in any other salvation than what the One true God has provided is a faith built on sinking sand. There is one opportunity in life to prepare for the next life. Life is too short and death is too certain for our faith to be grounded on any other hope than the solid and credible foundation of truth as revealed in God's word.


Faith Is Evidence

Faith also is the "evidence" of things not seen. From the Greek word "elegchos", which means proof or conviction, we have our English word "evidence".

This is a word that most modern day people understand, as it is used in our legal system and our scientific communities. We are a people who demands documented evidence as the credible source of our belief systems. Unfortunately, that demand is often abused and sidetracked. For instance, our educational process has totally sidetracked the evidence of "evolution" while it teaches this theory to our children in public schools as a real science...although there is no credible documentation to prove it as fact.

But when it comes to spiritual matters, only those who have truly searched the truth of God and His word for themselves, appreciate that the evidence is unquestionable and without challenge. There is no legitimate argument against the existence of God or against the truth of the Bible, His word.

The "evidence" of things not seen is found in the reality of God, in the reality of His word, in the reality of pure human experiences throughout the ages...and the reality of those all around us that continually support everything God has spoken and promised in His word.

We may not be able to see God with our physical eyes, but we who have a personal relationship with Him know very well that life without Him is not an option.

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Tuesday, December 12, 2006


23rd Psalm:

The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!

I shall not want
That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance!

For His name sake
That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
That's Testing!

I will fear no evil
That's Protection!

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over
That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That's Security!

Forever
That's Eternity!

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Friday, December 08, 2006


My Commitment as a Christian

(Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.)

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!

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Tuesday, December 05, 2006



Take God At His Word






And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority." When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." (Matt. 8:5-10)

The Roman centurion had great faith because he understood Jesus' words had authority over sickness and disease. The centurion was willing not only to believe the words of Jesus, but to act on them as well.

The centurion didn't say, "Jesus, I need You to come to my house." He said, "You just speak the Word, Jesus, and I'll take that Word and act on it!" In Verse 13, Jesus responded to the centurion's faith: "Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the same hour."

The centurion didn't need a special manifestation or special feeling. He just heard the incorruptible seed of Jesus' words, and said, "I believe what You say." And when the centurion acted on the Word he heard, his servant received his healing.

That's what God expects us to do. He doesn't expect us to wait for some special manifestation, even though that may happen at times. God expects us to simply take Him at His Word, believe we receive His promises and boldly act on them in faith.

NOTE: The Roman centurion was not a Jew nor was he a Christian but based on what he had seen and heard of Jesus he was willing to believe and that enabled him to receive. How often we who call ourselves the Chruch of Jesus Christ fail in this simple principle.

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Saturday, December 02, 2006

G U I D A N C E



When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I kept seeing "dance" at the end
of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement
doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person surrenders and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to
flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing
lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from
one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE. When I saw "G," I thought of
God, followed by "u" and "i."

God, U and I Dance.

God, you, and I dance. This statement is what guidance means to me.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get
guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you
and your family on this day and everyday. May you abide in Him as He abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through
each season of your life.

Author: Unknown

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