Daily Focus

Our euphoria  comes from our love of the truth and our obedience to it. It does not come from the things we choose to use to generate it. Instruments, intense bodily motion, touching theatrical plays, and strategically placed lights and sound do not even come close to mimicking the joy we have in Christ. We should be so overwhelmed with joy and excitement in Christ that it never leaves us. The man made things that we introduce to create such an atmosphere not only fall short but are short lived. Notice how the N.T. worship structure commanded by God  has not changed for 2000 years. Man made worship has changed steadily. We are not to even try to achieve Christian euphoria in a man made way. We cannot accomplish  it. Nothing man made can surpass what Christ has done for us. Nothing man made can surpass what promise we have in Christ. Why even try? Live and walk in the continual  and everlasting  joy that only God can give. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a fiel

There are only so many hours in the day. We only have so many years on this earth. We have to maximize our time and not spread ourselves too  thin. God is the most important thing in the world. Our faith and maturity in Him should receive the most attention in our lives. We must make the most of our time and our talents for the Kingdom. If we spread ourselves too thin we cannot accomplish this. We need to decide are we going to do a few things well or many things sub par. Make the most of your time and talents for God and His kingdom today. “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb. 6:10 Make every moment count. Make every word mean something. Seek God first in all things. Seek to save the lost today.:) Gal. 1:3-5

The truth is so rich. It has an unending nourishment for us. It is all we need to be what God wants us to be. Everything that pertains to godliness resides in it. It is useless if left unread and unheard. It is nothing more than another other book if we let it set absent of our presents in it. God gave it to you. He wants you to be blessed by it and be His because of it. Let's hold true to it. Let's give it all our attention. Let's cherish the truth the same way we cherish grace.  “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5 Dive into the truth everyday. Let your life be governed by Gods word all your days. Go out and share the truth today.  Gal. 1:3-5

As soldiers of Christ we must have our waist securely fastened with the truth. Our success in battle depends on it. We do not fight against flesh and blood for material things and worldly gain. We fight against evil forces for souls. We wage a spiritual battle everyday of our lives. Our success or lack of success in this war determines what we inherit. It does not only determine what we inherit but what lost souls will inherit. All mankind is depending on us to bring them the truth and fight the same battle Christ did.  Everyday make sure to securely fasten your waist with the truth. ““And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. “” John 8:32 ““God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”” John 4:24 ‘“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”” John 17:17 “that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:12 Gird up your loins with the truth. It is what br

We serve a God who has broke down all walls of separation and contention. In Christ we have peace. We have peace between us and God. In Him we have peace between all race, color, and creed. We have this peace because of the inner peace that He gives. He gave this peace through Christ so that we may be one body. This is not a peace that comes from the world and as the world gives. This is a peace from God given through Christ by His death on the  cross. Let us grab a hold of this peace. Do not let the world rob you of this peace.  Live in your  God given peace today. “ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Eph. 2:14-16 "Peace I leav

In times like these we need our knees. I know that what we want to happen today may not happen. We are not without hope. God is bigger, better, and more powerful than any long arm of graft, greed, corruption, sin, and man.  God has established His kingdom and brought to Himself a people whom He bought and paid for. Those people will stand justified and true in heaven no matter what may come.  God is faithful and just. He is true and good. We must not let go of that fact. We must no put our trust in sinful man. God will always be with those who are faithfully obedient to Him.  He has a plan. He worked that plan. He enabled that plan to save man through Christ despite man, time, government, politics, and the schemes of the devil. God has a plan. He fulfilled that plan. He will continue and finish that plan. That is whom we serve. That is whom we live for. Live and die by God and His word. Your vote should reflect that. No matter what todays end may bring one thing remains true, it is ti

We know it is  not if you get knocked down it is when. Christianity is  not about getting knocked down. It is  about what you do when you are knocked down. Being a Christian takes effort, work, courage, endurance, and commitment. There will be days when your faith waivers. There will be a day when your hard work seems useless and unproductive. Those trying times are when we grow the most. We can not put our faith in men. We must stand with and in God. He gave us the task, the tools, the ability, the promise, and the endless support. When you get knocked down stand up with God and fight harder for the cause of Christ.  “And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Ma

We need to exhort each other so we do not grow hard hearts. We must exhort each other to grow, work, be faithful, hold fast to the traditions, and keep the word.   We must urge each other on in the Lord daily. We must charge each other to keep the faith. We must implore each other to never let go of the truth. We must exhort each other as it is called today lest we lose the faith. We must exhort each other with the word in the Lord lest we forsake all godliness. “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Heb. 3:13

We need to comfort and edify one another. Comforting one another is so important. We have so many daily struggles that we can become week and weary. Sometimes we fall so head long into life that we seem to be drowning in uncontrollable events. We need each other to be there and comfort us. We must comfort and edify each other in the same way and in the same manner God does. If we refuse to we may seek said comfort from another illegitimate source. That would simply further the tail spin and the desperate need for brotherly comfort. We also need to edify one another in down trodden times and every day. Let us not grow weary of edifying and comforting our brethren. Some may need more than others. We need to be there for all our brethren as God is with us. “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11 Gal.1:3-5

Peace is not something feely given and easy to come by. I know our lives may make it seem as if it is. That is because Christ is the prince of peace. We must obtain peace from God. We know that by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ we receive  peace. We need to go as far as we can to preserve peace. We must not quarrel or be quarrelsome.  This is not a peace at any price. We are to try our best within the confines of righteousness to keep the peace. Keep the peace today. “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” Matt. 5:39-40 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,” 2 Tim. 2:24 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that

To become the best we must  first become the least. We must first learn to follow before we can lead. We must first learn to serve before we can be served. We must first give before we can receive. We maybe able to be the things and have these things but it is without a full understanding. We do not know the sacrifice, work, pain, and effort that goes into anything unless we first do it our selves. If we truly want to be great we must be a servant at the cost of our selves. Christ did it! He asked you to do the same! What are you doing today to become a servant as Christ did? “”… And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” Matt. 20:27-28 Do not live to be served. Live to serve. Seek and save the lost. Exhort and encourage each other today. :)  Gal. 1:3-5

We need to teach and admonish each other.  Teaching each other the word and its application is very important.  We must make sure we are thoroughly educated and continue in that education.  (Col. 3:16; I Tim. 2:4) We must use such education to admonish one another.  We have to keep each other focused and on course.  We need each other to do that.  God gave us and blessed us with a body.  Therefore, we need the body to get to heaven.   “…teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16 Teach and admonish someone today. Seek a lost soul and do all you can to bring them to Christ today. Keep working hard! :)   Gal. 1:3-5

Lifting each other up in prayer is a great way to exhort one another   We need to pray with each other.   We need to offer up prayers for each other.   We need to fervently pray for the specifics needs of another.   Not in unspoken prayer request or vague appeal for prayer do we go to God for each other.   We enter the throne room of God on behalf of each other over specific needs and trespasses.   To do that we need to be real with each other.   Not fake in the way we present our need for trespasses or weaknesses.   We need to be encouraging one another by praying for and with each other. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.   The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”   James 5:16     Talk to and pray for someone today about their specific need. Seek a lost soul and pray with them! :) Keep about the work of the Lord today. Gal. 1:3-5

We must encourage each other. We can encourage each other in many ways. One way is encouraging each others  faith. We need to keep each other exhorted in the faith we have received. We need to study with one another keeping our selves rooted in the faith. We need to exhort an active faith in all the brethren.  We should be encouraging a limitless faith in our brothers and sisters. We need to  recall the purpose and basses of our faith for one another.  We should always be  rooting  and encouraging  each other concerning our faith. Daily encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ! They need it and so do you. We are one body. “and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,” 1 Thess. 3:2 Encourage a body member  today! Seek a lost person and encourage them to become a Christian today! :) Gal. 1:3-5

Encouragement is essential. We know life is difficult. We know sin can drag any one down at any moment. We know the world is working against us. We know that there is evil out there that we stand against every day. We forget every soldier grows weary. We forget every fighter gets down. We forget every servant grows tired. The road is long and difficult for Christians. That is why you and I need to encourage each other daily. We need to exhort one another in all things. We need to always be uplifting our brethren. We cannot wait tell we know someone is down and out. If we wait it may be too late. Seek to encourage a brother or sister in Christ today. Seek to encourage a brother or sisters in Christ every day.   “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” 1 Thess. 5:14 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Heb.

We are to exemplify what it means to be a child of God. When the world lays their eyes on you and I they should see Christ. When the world encounters our lives, they should see Christianity. When the world hears our words, they should hear the gospel call. Our character should exemplify what it means to be a saint. We need to daily let our light so shine before men that they praise God. Exemplify Christianity today!  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven .”   Matt. 5:16 Go out and shine today! Seek and save the lost with all you have their life depends on it.  J Gal. 1:3-5

You have got to say “yes” to the life given by God. You must say “yes” to the hope of eternal salvation. You have got to say “yes”. Yes, you can make it. It does not matter how many failures you have had. It does not matter how many mistakes you have endured. It does not matter about your defeats. It does not matter about what you have done. What matters is what you are doing right now.  You have got to put forth the effort. You must get it done. You have got to work. Effort is the difference between life and death. As Christians effort is the difference between eternal life and eternal death. Say “Yes” to all that God has laid before you. Say “yes” and get it done everyday to receive eternal life! “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” James 2:14 “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” James 2:24 “ And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell

Everyone has a cause. Everyone has an issue that fires them up. Everyone will go to “battle” over something. The world we live in today seems to be up in arms over every little thing. That is not being a true soldier. A true soldier has a cause bigger than himself. A true soldier fights for the man next to him and the hope of saving thousands of others. As true soldiers in the Lord’s army it is no different. We have an unbeatable armor given to us by our Commander. We war against Satan from the time we wake tell we sleep. We fight for our souls. We fight for our brother’s soul. We drag out the wounded and get them help. We rescue the casualties of this world. We save the souls that are fighting for the wrong cause. We are soldiers. Are you living and fighting like one? “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of th

We are but passing through this world. This is not our home. There is no need to try to pretend different. You and I are living for the eternal hope we receive in Christ. We are striving to make our home in a city not built by human hands. An eternal home is what we seek. The things around us are passing away. We need to live as pilgrims. We need to pass through this life journeying to the next. We need to be working hard to bring as many along with us as we can. Let yourself be known as a pilgrim. Live as a pilgrim. We have a far better place awaiting us. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” Heb. 13:14 “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5:1 Live as a pilgrim. Strive to reach that eternal home. Find others to bring with you today. Everybody wants what God has freely given, they just do not know it yet. Gal. 1:3-5

How optimistic are you? That is a very important question you must ask yourself. You need to know the answer. Christians are to be truly optimistic. We have great reasons to be optimistic. We have blessings from God in our lives. We have the promise of life to come. We have the joy that comes from God. We can even rejoice in pain and persecution. Negativity and pessimism come from the world. They are without hope or positive sight. The world does not have what we have and they are drained of all true optimism because of it. Be optimistic. We have God and God has us!  “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  Acts 5:41 “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 Be optimistic. Work hard for the Lord knowing there is success in Him. Keep seeking the lost. They need you to bring them the word! :) Gal. 1:3-5

Many in the world tremble at the thought of there being a judgment day coming. Many, if not most, people do not think they are ready. The world and everything as we know it coming to an end is a scary truth. Christians can never share this fear. We cannot share this doubt or wonder about things to come. We know all about it. We know there is a judgement. We know how we will be judge and who will be judged. We know result of that judgment. For God’s faithful children judgement is a great day. It is a day that we are interceded for. It is the day we get enter Heaven for ever. We have the assurance that on that day we can stand in confidence because of the faithful life we have lived here. “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28 Abide in Him every moment of your life. Live in the confidence that comes with abiding in Him. Cull the sin from your life and repent. Let nothing stand in

The blessing of assurance is often over looked. We have assurance in a great multitude of areas in our lives. We often overlook them and worry.  Then we are in bad shape worrying about things we ought not. That is a sinful state. Death is an aspect of Christianity that we should never worry about. Too often we do worry about death. We fear for our lives. That fear sometimes keeps us from doing the Lords work. We fear death even if it is from old age. Why? Death is a great thing. We get to go live on in peace in Abrahams bosom. Do not let your flesh steal your confidence of the blessed assurance of life after death. Being with Christ is far better than life on earth. As we remain on this earth we have a great deal of work to do. "If I die let me die in the service of my King" “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, havi

It is a beautiful day! God has created a wonderful world for us to enjoy. God intended us to enjoy this world with out sin. Sin still came in. Sin entered this world because we chose to serve our selves. To often we overlook this glorious creation and Gods wonderfully created people because of sin. Today enjoy the world God made for us. Enjoy the blessing of wind, sunshine, harvest, land, tress and wild life. Enjoy man. Enjoy Gods children. Look not into the evil intentions of man but the good of others. God created all man in His image, love man kind as God has. Do not let sin ruin what God has blessed us with.  "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed

It is  all passing away. We forget that everything around us is passing away. Sometimes things happen in our lives to help us realize how fragile and temporary this world is. We know that our bodies will not last forever. We know the things we hold dear will not last forever. Although it is a hard concept to grasp the home we are headed to is eternal. Gods place for us is without end or destruction. Hold to that assurance today. Hold to Gods  promise of an eternal home. Why would we not put more effort into an eternal home than a temporary home? "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5:1 Work and live for the eternal promise everyday. Seek and save the lost today! :) Gal. 1:3-5 Steve Johnson

One more time. One more time we need to serve. Just one more push we need to make to spread the word. One more step given to those in need. One more breath given for the work of the Lord. One more day fighting the fight. I have learned something of great value. It was taught to me in an unconventional way. The thought rings true. You can always give more . Muscle failure is where you physical cannot make that muscle work anymore. Something many fail to ever reach. Your body always keeps a reserve. Most of the time when you quit you quit with gas in the tank. You are always able to walk, sit, talk, etc. after you quit. Why? That is the reserve. Today think about giving one more. Use that reserve today for God. Push yourself to that point and then give your reserve every day. Do not stop working for the Lord until your body won’t let you move another muscle. Then get up and do it again tomorrow. If you want to grow. You will grow beyond what you can imagine if you do this every day.  

Conviction cannot be hidden. If you are convicted, it is evident. Your life will revolve around what you are strongly fixed in or on. We can get convicted of things that are bad for us. We can get convicted that certain sins are okay in moderation. We can get convicted that cultural teachings are perfect practices. That does not make it right. If we are convicted of the right things, then great things can be done. Let us be true to our conviction that Christ is the savior. Let us be convicted that we are children of God. Let us be convicted that we are soldiers for Christ. Let us be convicted that in Christ the world and sin cannot overcome us. Let your firm belief in God govern your actions. “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of M

Christ expects the church to grow as Daniel prophesied it would. Starting out as a small stone the church is to grow until the whole earth is filled.  Our cornerstone is Christ. Our rock is Christ. He is sure and steadfast. Nothing can take down the kingdom of God. We fight for something that can never be destroyed. We live for the best thing man has and will ever know. We work for the sake of lost souls coming into the fold. We endure to get everyone to heaven. We are the stones to be scattered. We make the indestructible kingdom in Christ. Live in that truth. “As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.  And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.  Inasmuch as you saw that the

Life is short and the journey to heaven is even shorter. It may seem like a long daunting task to live in Christ day after day but it is not.  It will feel like tomorrow when we are all in Heaven. The decisions we make today will echo for eternity. The lives we will live will leave behind something for the next generation. You can inspire or discourage them to conquer the world with the gospel. I say we inspire them. Leave behind an incredible story of faith, endurance, and commitment to God. Stand up and fight today so others will fight tomorrow. “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:30-31 “and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Phil. 1:14 Live life to leave a legacy that calls

Honesty is essential to our Christian walk. Honesty gives us a good reputation in the world. Honesty in the world is hard to come by. When we are honest it is a breath of fresh air to the world. Honesty comes to the world as an unexpected moment. It is a moment in this constant chaos we are in where the lost realize there is good out there. Let us walk honestly around unbelievers by leading a quiet life, minding our own business, and working with our own hands. Always being honest provides an honorable thing in the sight of the Lord and men. Honesty is something good that we should have regard for in the sight of all men. Be honest. “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” 1 Thess. 4:11-12 “ providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” 2 Cor. 8:21  “ Repay

Faith is simple. Sometimes things in life make faith hard. Sometimes we put ourselves in situations that make faith hard. Faith is still simple. Hear and obey is as simple as it gets. The word obey comes with its own naysayers. However loud those people may be God still has His expectation of obedience. The real question lies within you. The real question is “Do you have the strength to obey God’s commands?”. We must challenge ourselves every day. We must challenge ourselves to be strong enough to obey. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Our faith is evident in our works. We must obey God by faith. Faith is simple.  “ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Heb. 11:8 Let your works so sh

We must change. We cannot succeed in Christ if there is no change in our lives. We were never meant to be stagnant. We were never meant to stay the same after baptism. We are in a constant state of transformation. We must lay down our wants and desires. We must be willing to die daily for Christ. We have to follow Him. He will make us become true children of God. That takes more than just showing up for services. That takes more than weekly blowing the dust of your bible. That takes more than praying only in bad times. It takes a daily willingness to change to be the best you can be in Christ. Our lives are the cost. In return we attain eternal life in Heaven just like Christ.  Are you paying it in full or in installments? “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”” Luke 9:23 “ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27 “So likewise, whoever of

Everything that we do must be in the name of Jesus. The phrase “in the name of” identifies by whose authority. Everything we do we must do in and by the authority of Christ. We cannot quit because Christ is with us. Jesus made it clear if we do His commands He is with us tell the end of the age. We must work and operate within His authority and by His authority.   Success outside of this parameter is not godly success but worldly achievement. Therefore, it is nothing more than sin. In order to never quit and have an attitude of success only we must remain in Christ authority. The right growth, maturity, success rate, and prize in only found in Christ. Everything else is only an illusion of what could be.   Keep working in the name of Jesus. ““Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ”” Acts 2:38 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Co

When we look back we stop moving forward. Looking back encompasses several thoughts. Looking back means we lose our focus. Looking back means we lose our commitment. Looking back means we miss sin. Looking back means we would rather serve our self. Looking back means the narrow way is not our desire. Looking back is how we get led a stray. Looking back is not always a statement of peering into the past. It can easily mean we desire things that are not of God. If we look back, we cannot get into Heaven. We must keep our focus on Christ. There is no going back once we start in the Lord.. “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:62 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin , that grace may abound?” Rom. 6:1 “  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. ”   2 Pet. 2:22

Christians we need to know what it takes. It takes more than just me and you. We are not fighting against flesh and bone. The war we have been called to fight is against evil. We fight against the rulers of darkness of this age. We battle against spiritual hosts of wickedness. We must understand to fight the spiritual it takes the spiritual. Those of God get out of the way. We let God be in control. We are waging war the way He commanded. We must exemplify the fruits of the Spirit. We must embody the armor of God. We must have the heart of a warrior. We must obtain the soul of child of God. We must have the mind of Christ. It takes all that makes up you. Do you have what it takes? Get it, grow in it, and keep it. Souls are depending on our fighting ability. “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Matt. 22:37 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against pow

The end goal is always our main focus in life.  Whether the end goal is tomorrow or a life time away it remains our pursuit. Paul just wanted to be pleasing to God and receive the crown of eternal life. That is the reason Paul pressed on through this life. He strove every day to reach the high calling.  Paul’s motivation in this life was the end goal we all hope for in Christ. God beckons us on and upward toward Himself in Christ Jesus. The result and effectiveness of that call in our lives is up to us. Reaching that heavenly calling must be our only aim in life. The convergence of all that we say, do, hear, believe, act on, and work for with the will of God is our one true desire.  We want to be just like Christ to get what He got. He never took His eyes of the end prize. Push with all your might every day to reach that one and only goal in life, Heaven. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:14 “Finally, there is laid up for me

When we know who we believe in everything changes. We know know who we fight for, live for, and die for. When that is in perspective we then know where we stand. That stance is the most important place to figure out. You are either on the right side or the wrong side of the battle field. If you truly believe you will be down in the trenches and fox holes of this world fighting for your Savior and His cause. When we discover who we believe in we find out who we are. That first step is the hardest but the most significant.  We must believe in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes we believe in ourselves so much there is no Christ in our life. Who do you believe in? "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 5:30 "He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he sai

Bear Bryant said it best “Never Quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never Quit.” That is one powerful statement. Christ teaches us the same thing. Christ exemplified this thought all the way to the resurrection. We have to have five things set in order to never quit in Christ.  Here they are.      1. We must know in whom we have believed. "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Tim. 1:12 2. We must know what it takes. “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Matt. 22:37 3. We cannot look back. “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

We are given a new mind, a new destiny, a new standard, a new goal, and a new way in Christ.  We have to keep those about us. We have to keep Christ on. We have put Him on in baptism. At that very moment everything became new. We have been freed from sin by the Lord of our lives. We need to walk in Him. We need to stay in the new way. We cannot use this freedom we have obtain as an opportunity to sin. If we do, we are simply tossing pearls before swine. Use this new freedom as an opportunity too final live. Live free of worry, care, burden, sin, and the world. Truly see the potential of this freedom by doing the word of God. Live free! “ For he who has died has been freed from sin.” Rom. 6:7 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13

The center of all things is life.  Our lives can be run by our selfish ambitions or the life that Christ gives. That decision rest in your hands. If your life revolves around you and what you want, then you will be rewarded accordingly. However, if your life revolves around Christ there is a crown of life awaiting you. Who has to get out of the way for this to happen? You do. You have to crucify yourself. You must say “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me!”  We must enthrone Christ in our lives. Make your life Christ centered.  Start today. “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:  that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4:20-24 "I have been crucified with C

Sin and the world are very crafty at sucking souls in. When we get ourselves in to a death spin we are in serious danger.  When we allow ourselves to be drawn away from God into sin we are walking a very slippery slope.  The only thing we can do to get out of it is to pray and seek God. We have to simply let go and let God. Too often we continue in the downward spiral of sin because we cannot let God take over. The only way out has always been the same. God is our rescuer. Let Him get you out of that dangerous place. Today self-reflect and take note of where you are in Christ. Make the changes you need to make to get back on track. If you are on track keep plugging away. “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” Luke 8:14 “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica— “  2 Tim. 4:10 “But I fear, les

As followers of Christ we seek Him. We seek Him in every aspect of our lives. Jesus simply said “Follow me” when He called the first disciples.  Christ makes it clear that we are to follow Him. We follow Him by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him.  We are meant to do as He did and said for us to do. To follow Jesus, we must serve Him. If we do not God will not honor us. We must crucify ourselves, put on Christ, have a servant’s mentality, and make Christ the center of our lives. Following Christ means we must change to be like Him.  Follow Christ today. Serve Jesus today.  “ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” John 16:24  “ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6 Seek to be

What messes up our spiritual equilibrium? Sin and this world will through you out of spiritual balance every time. We have to be careful. We have to be vigilant. We have to be aware at all times. It does not take much. It has always amazed me how a small inner ear problem can make it so difficult to walk. The same goes for our  spiritual walk. It can be the smallest invisible thing that can make it difficult to walk in the light. The teachings of the world, things that sound good, things that are pleasing, and things that seem harmless can nock us off the narrow way with out us even knowing it. Be careful that your spiritual equilibrium stays true even in the roughest of times. If you do not the results are catastrophic. “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19 “for Demas has forsaken m

Every day is a blessed day to be alive. Today think about a graveyard spiral. A death spin is entered when a pilot loses sense of equilibrium do to a lack of proficiency in instrument flight . If you cannot recover you will die. Life is just the same. Sin and the world messes with our spiritual equilibrium. If we choose live carefree without careful observance of our lives, we will enter a graveyard spiral. If we abstain from and are vigilant of such things we will be able to avoid it all together. Do not let the world mess with your spiritual equilibrium. Stay vigilant in all things.   “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life .” John 12:25 “and the cares of this world , the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”   Mark 14:9 “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world , and has departed for Thessalonica—“  

Be the sower that is sowing the seed. Those in the dark need us to call out so they can find their way home. We let things in this world take over. We let things like eating, work, pleasure, and sleep get to much of our lives. (Psalm 22:26; Mk.6:30-32; 2 Tim. 3:2-4; Prv. 6:9) Moderation is elemental to our faith. Temperance is best defined as having moderation in action, thought, or feeling.  We must be self-controlled in our lives. It is a work of the Spirit. We must be careful to adhere to a strict standard of moderation. If we do not the world will take over our lives. When that happens we forget about those wondering in the darkness. We begin to drift from shore into the storm forgetting God. Strong qualities as temperance being taught caused Felix to tremble. The world is afraid of such things. Self-control opposes the world and its teachings. Christians have moderation in all things as we strive for an imperishable crown. “gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law