Eternal Results

Our use of our financial resources does have eternal results - or not. We put to use or service our material wealth for the kingdom and not for personal selfish ambition or gain. Our possessions are to be used for the kingdom, as is our money. All riches belong to God and come to us from God. Although we have the tithe and God asks only for that 10%, He does expect us to live for Him. That means that all we have otherwise would be used for Him and for His glory as well.

You may ask "how?" Let me give you one personal example I remember well from some years ago. I truly wanted to buy a brand new car off the lot; not a used car or not even to have the Lord give me a car! I might add that He had given and blessed me with several cars prior to this. But this time, my husband took me to buy a brand new car and I picked out everything on it! Doing this truly was a blessing from the Lord and I remember the day well. I remember the car! It was a beautiful teal green/blue Chevy Camaro with the new body style of 1995 and it could move. Now I had entered into an agreement with the Lord prior to this purchase. As I prayed I told the Lord I would use my new car for Him and I would take people to church who didn't have a ride... one problem came up in my mind after I bought the car and thought about my promise to God... this is a Camaro, a sports car with basically only two seats because in the backseat you sat with your knees in your lap! That didn't matter to God, He sent me someone to take to church and I did. My husband drove, our friend sat in front in the other bucket seat, and I sat in the back! But I have to tell ya it was worth it! We had that car ten years and then gave it away to someone in need! Praise the Name of Jesus!

Be a good steward of all that you have. Your possessions, your money, your time, your talents... whatever it is you have remember that it came from the Lord to you so you are to use it by giving it back to Him - that He be glorified!

Do you have a nice home? Use the gift of hospitality and invite people over for dinner or Bible studies. Do you have an extra bedroom that someone can use? Is your closet is too full and holding a variety of sizes? Give them away to someone in need. What's your hobby or talent? Think about how you can bless others with what you do. Ask the Lord. When you do, he'll show you. When you do, you'll be the one blessed in it! You'll be the one with eternal rewards.

Luke 16:1-13

Why Possessions

"And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" - Luke 12:15

We are not any more important to God with the things we have than with the things we do not have. We should acquire things - possessions - so that they can be used for the kingdom and not for our own selfish intents and purposes. We are to use what He blesses us with for His glory! It is all part of kingdom living!

Treasures

Where are your treasures? In the bank? In your home? In your car? Or in vacations? Trinkets? Hobbies?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;" (Matthew 6:19)

Have you ever been robbed? When you have you know how your mind dwells on the fact that someone has been in your home and gone through your personal belongings, picking through them to find your treasures. Or maybe it was your car or your office; the feeling is still the same. Some people get angry, some hurt, others dwell too long on the feelings or fear - is life worth any of those emotions over what-so-called treasures will be but dust?

"but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:20-21)

Take a heart check? Where are your treasures? Are they in the things of this world or on heaven-bound so-called "things?" Remember your heart follows your treasures... ponder that thought for a moment. Your heart follows your treasures. That helps you to see whether you are in the world even as a Christian. And as a Christian we are to leave the world and the things of the world behind moving forward with the God-kind-of-things! Put your treasure where you want your life to be. Don't allow your personal possessions to consume you and your affections or loyalty but rather choose those heavenly treasures from the Word of God and the treasure that is found in the Lord Himself.

The Bible does teach us God's blessings and approval of having wealth. However, we find many places in the New Testament that also caution us to have a right heart attitude and motive when it comes to wealth, money, and possessions. Our true devotion is for the Lord.

Romans 12:1-2

More Miracles

As we looked at Acts 16:18, let's now look at the whole encounter developing around this verse of Scripture. Beginning at verse 16 read through to verse 34. After loosening the girl possessed with a spirit of divination, Paul and Silas were imprisoned. This doesn't sound like much fun or a good thing for them. But, what man intended for bad God turns to good.

Paul and Silas look to God - their Source! - He is their source of strength, righteousness, joy and peace! They begin to pray and sing, rejoicing in the Lord their God and the prisoners listen to them. Couldn't do much else I guess but plug their ears, but they don't, they listen instead!

Then there's an earthquake. Was this natural? Maybe so, but it was still God! He answered their prayers and their singing by opening up the prison doors! But wait! Paul and Silas don't leave! What? The prison keeper is wondering the same thing as he wakes and sees them still in the prison cell.

All this to get the prison keeper's attention? Yes! He asks Paul and Silas what he can do to be saved! Imagine that. He not only gets saved but his entire household! That's a miracle even more than the earthquake!

Paul and Silas? They get let go.

Genesis 50:20, Romans 14:17

The Activator

We do have the keys. Yes, thank you, Jesus! Along with the keys we must remember that Jesus is the Activator. He is the one who has set in motion or made it all possible for us. Without Him we have no power because the power comes from Him within us. He alone is the One who does the miracles - He saves! He heals! It is in His Name that demons flee and demonic spirits are cast out! It is in His Name and through Him that we have the blessings from God!

Keys and Miracles

Miracles are performed by God as an indicator that God is present and His kingdom is alive and well on earth today. In Matthew 12:29 we read, "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his good unless he first binds the strong man?" Jesus did this to satan when He came to earth - Jesus bound satan, defeating satan which loosed the rights for kingdom living and set man free from his born sin! Hallelujah!

Jesus has given us this right to do so on earth today. We, as His church with the keys given us can take the strong man or let him have his way. God wants us to claim the earth for the kingdom of God! Binding and loosening are part of our lifestyle in the kingdom.

Our example, one of many, can be found in Acts 16:18. "And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour."

With this example given by Paul we see how to bind "something" on earth. There was a demon present in the life of this woman and Paul cast it out. The demon was forbidden to be a part of the woman any longer. The demonic spirit no longer had reign or control over the woman's life. We could say she made a lifestyle change here for the kingdom of God!

What are you allowing to control you? Are you willing to let go of the things holding you back? Let God be first in your life. Take hold of the keys He has given you. You have them. Use them. Let His power and authority reign in you today! Let His miracles be present in you and with you - all for His glory!

Using the Keys

One definition of a key is a means of access, control, or possession. This is what Jesus is handing over to us. Through His life, death and resurrection He made the way open for us to take access, have control, and/or take possession! We are not to doubt the truth when given to us with our eyes opened to it! Take the keys! With authority in the Name of Jesus - your new name - you can have on earth what is in heaven and heaven can be found within the lives of His people here on earth! Praise God!

When you bind something you forbid it and when you loose something you give it full reign or permit it to take place. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to do what Jesus did on the earth when He was here! It is our responsibility to live for the kingdom! It is our responsibility to provide for His kingdom! It is our responsibility to empower kingdom life here on this earth! Jesus alone has provided this and it is through Him only. The keys are ours - let's use them!

Matthew 12:29, Acts 16:18

Keys

Keys can get you in, they can lock you in and they can lock others out. We've heard it said that when Jesus closes one door He opens another for us, right? He has they keys. Now in Matthew 16:19 we see He will give us the keys. What do we do with the keys? Read on in verse 19 of Matthew 16 and you will see it says, "and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Jesus is passing on to us - His church - His authority - the control to bind and loosen on earth! Jesus is the Activator, we simply release or implement what He has already done by Calvary's Cross in His life, death and resurrection! Glory to God! What a Savior!

Mathew 18:18

Having the Keys

"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..."
~ Matthew 16:19

As a Christian you have the keys. Jesus has given you and me the keys of the kingdom. Keys represent authority. You have been given authority. Authority in the Name of Jesus! Hallelujah!

Luke 10:19

God's Time

According to our story of Jesus' transfiguring on the Mount in Matthew 17, we see that Peter, John and James are told to "tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead." (verse 9) In The Gospel of Luke it simply read that they "kept quiet." (9:36) Now we know why they kept quiet. They were being obedient to the Lord. He gave them a command and they adhered to it. Although the conversation with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah was regarding the death that Jesus was to accomplish at Jerusalem and although they didn't completely understand what it was all about, they obeyed the Lord. God had a set time for His plan. He has a set time for His plan today. Jesus is returning! We are to be obedient servants today in the same way Peter, John and James were then. It's all in God's time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, Revelation 1:3c

Peter's, James' and John's Moment Alone

When reading in Luke 9 about Jesus and his transfiguration on the Mount put you in His presence at that moment. Just as He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray, He also took you (verse 28). Now read through to verse 36.

Aren't we so much like Peter, James and John? Unlike Peter we might not have said a word or maybe like Peter we would have said too much by thinking too much! In a moment like this - in the presence of God Almighty - we sit, we focus, we remain glued to Him, taking and absorbing all that we can of the moment; often without a word. Should we speak we would seek to be sure it is a right time to speak making sure of our words and that they be few. Better to say nothing when it's not clear what to say. Often listening is better but for some, those who are like Peter may find it difficult. We learn. And in such a moment like this we can then see, by looking back at the moment, and discover and learn more.

Peter, James, and John were quiet. They were awestruck and humbled. They told no one. This was a moment with God that was beyond their wildest dreams and imagination - but that is what God and only God can do!

A Time Alone

Jesus went up on the mountain to pray... this time He takes Peter, John and James with Him. They are alone with God.

Jesus prays... His appearance changes... His face is altered, shining like the sun, and His robe becomes white and glistening.

Two men are now with Jesus... and Peter, John and James! Why it's Moses and Elijah!

What are Peter, John and James doing? They are heavy with sleep... about to miss this! But wait... they wake up. It's about time! They see His glory and the two men who stand with Him.

Peter says, "Master, it is good for us to be here..."

Yeah, Peter, you should have stopped right there! He was right, you know, it was good that they were there.

But wait... a cloud comes... and a voice from out of the cloud... It's God Himself! He is saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" When He is done speaking we find Jesus is alone. Where are Elijah and Moses? Gone. Where are Peter, John and James?

In moments like these you definitely want to be awake, not sleeping. In moments like these you are struck numb and silent. In moments like these you worship Him. In moments like these you find yourself in absolute adoration and awe of whose presence you have been in.

Luke 9:27-36, Matthew 16:28 - 17:9

Alone with God

There needs to be times when you simply get away and get alone with Jesus. Jesus did. He found times to get away and sit with His Father. We need to sit. Make a time where there is just a place for you and God and you just sit. Sit with Him until you know the time is done and you can move. This could be a comfy chair in a quiet corner in your own home or maybe you have to go to a hotel for that same place but if you choose it could be down by the lake or river or ocean if you live by one. Could be any time of night or day. Maybe it's by a campfire after dark where you can begin to talk with God gazing at the stars up in the sky that He made. Could be the early morning watching the sun come up. The idea is to simply take the time and be with your Father. These are precious, glorious and revelation times, times of refreshing and times of peaceful consultation. Why miss something so valuable to living life on earth when its as simple as stepping out the back door and going to a favorite place of yours or sitting in your favorite place wherever it may be and enjoying His company? Praise the Lord.

Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:45, John 6:15-16, Matthew 6:6, John 6:29

His Little Lambs

Are you being slaughtered? Lambs are slaughtered. Yes. We know our Savior who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross of Calvary for us. He asks no more of us but to endure life even when being sent to the slaughter... and we are to do so with joy in our hearts! His joy, which is what strengthens us! His joy is our knowing Him and living for Him, doing whatever it is He has for us. The Word tells us we are His sheep and we have been sent - sent out into a world of wolves! That's right, wolves. What do the wolves do to sheep? They eat them, if they can. They eat them alive! Unless, of course, the sheep become wise!

Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3, Hebrews 12:2-8, Philippians 2:14-16

No Fear

What we have is a reverent fear - we are in reverential awe of God. Father knows best and it is best for us to continue in this fear of the Lord. We do not fear men. We obey the Lord. By our obedience we show Him our love.

Mathew 10:16-39

The Meditation of My Heart

"Let the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer."
~ Psalm 19:14

Our thoughts and words are to be consistent with God's Word and His will. We are to speak and use our words to delight the Father. When we speak from our heart we show our true inner person, inner feelings, and deepest thoughts of our inner self. Our heart can be the most deceitful thing in the world. When we know Jesus and have taken on the character of God we will show kindness and love to Him and to others. What we speak shows our heart and what we believe and think of God. Godly living will require change - change in your speech, conduct, and thinking. Learn to speak and think only in ways that will please the Lord.

Psalm 51:15, James 1:21-28

Perfection

For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.

~ Psalm 18:28-32

The Best Place

It was pride that first caused man to fall. Man fell because he chose his own way over and above God's way. This is wrong thinking, yet man is still doing so today. It's not our way and we are not the one who is to be in the spotlight! God has a way for us to live so that He is in the spotlight through our living our lives righteously. Yes, we are called to live righteously and we can. Righteousness is simply living with a right standing before God. We find that in Christ Jesus. In Him we have righteousness but it is for Him that we choose to live it out! We do the right thing because it's the right thing to do and we do it right! You could also say it this way, we do the God thing because it's of God and we do it God's way. Our righteousness is a right standing with God that comes in those two parts - in Christ we are righteous because He is righteous and secondly we live a righteous life. No pride, no arrogance, no rudeness, no wrongdoing - NO! - We live humble, Christ-glorifying lives! It is up to God whether or not He would choose to lift us up, promoting us to a higher place. Until the time which He should do such, we are to choose the lowly place.

Luke 14:7-14, Proverbs 4:4-7

Thoughts

His thoughts. They are not like our thoughts. We can be the deepest thinking person or a genius, but God is higher in thought than this, of course. Not one of us can even begin to imagine what the thoughts of God are like. Or His ways. Oh, but those times when He plants a thought in us - one of His very own - to guide and direct our lives. We must listen! We must grasp hold of what it is He has given us and move with it! Without delay! When heaven opens up and the voice of God speaks we get this minute taste of what God is thinking... but oh there is so much more! Our part is to take what we get and not miss out in it. Meditate in it, ponder it, rejoice in it and walk in it. As we walk in the first part we will receive what more He has for us. This is how we live and move and have our being - in Him. Let His thoughts and His ways come to you, as they will. No more - just as they will. Exalt Him. Lift up His Name today!

Isaiah 55:8-9, Acts 17:24-31

What's Next

Throughout our lives there are many seasons. Each season brings something new with it. Like Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. In the Summertime life is alive and full of flavor, in the Fall things begin to change and although vibrant with color one is aware that there's a crisp newness in the air, Winter brings in a cold often seemingly dry Season but Springtime comes along and we begin to awake again with all life! Our lives are much like this. At times in our lives we are full of life and tasting every flavor but a new season comes along and we may be vibrant but we wear down to a seemingly drier mode before something new awakens us again.

Often this comes in different stages of age in our life. We change like Seasons as we grow from childhood through the pre-teen stage and teenager to adulthood. It's in adulthood we may recognize the seasons more. Yet, this is not the only time for seasons. We should be looking to the Lord for His Seasons. With Him we could see even the Winter days of our lives as alive! God will keep us content and in His peace even during the storms whether they be Winter storms or Spring or Summer rains. We can choose to breathe in the crisp newness of the vibrant Fall or the clear awakenings of Springtime any time in our lives. Even in the cold of Winter choose to seek Him. Choose His season every day of your life and live it to the fullest with your eyes on the One who created you and loves you and knows the plans He has for you!

Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Jeremiah 29:11-13, 33:3, Isaiah 55

In Humble Adoration

In the "Preface" of the Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges, he says that humility deals largely with our relationship with God. It is part of our sternness with ourselves, yes, and our tenderness toward others, yes, but largely it relates to how we deal with our Lord. I can't wait to get into the book and learn more, but as I read Psalm 113, Majesty and Condescension of God, I could relate to this song of Hallel in all humbleness toward my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For His name is to be praised and He is high above all nations - His glory above the heavens! For one to only think upon God's plan for salvation in sending Jesus, Himself to earth is to bring one to his knees in humble adoration.


Lord, thank you for your love for sinners that You would send Jesus to save us and bring us back into your grace. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113

Put on Humility

His humility. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death. It is His character and we, too, shall show humility to all men. When we are clothed in humility we will be pleasing to God and to others. Having put humility on each day we shall find riches and honor and life.

Philippians 2:8, Colossians 3:12, Titus 3:2, I Peter 5:5, Proverbs 22:4

Great Strength

His strength. We have the strength of the Lord. His joy. His strength. It is ours. The joy of the Lord is our strength. It is His battle. We aren't fighting. We are living. We live and move and have our being in Him.

Acts 17:28, Proverbs 18:10

Get Wisdom

His wisdom. God's Word tells us "a wise man will hear and increase learning." We are to become wise as we go through life. We are to become well rounded in learning. We should know things that pertain to life so that we can live wisely. Wisdom is the principal thing. Be wise. Be God-wise.

Proverbs 1:5, 4:5-7, 8:11

Sweet Peace

His peace. Sweet Jesus - sweet peace. Jesus is our peace. He came in peace. He came to bring peace. He gives peace to all who choose Him. And to all who choose His peace they will have His guard over their hearts and minds. He is to rule in us through peace. Be thankful for His peace. Let Christ dwell in you and abide in you with all wisdom. This is our peace that comes in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14, Philippians 4:7, Colossians 3:15

Unspeakable Joy

His joy. You cannot describe it - it's unspeakable! There are no words to truly explain the joy one has when they have the joy of the Lord. It's something one can only feel on the inside of them although it does show on the outside. This is the joy that sustains you in the midst of any circumstance. This is the joy that gives you the peace that passes all understanding. You must know Him. The joy is found in Christ.

Romans 15:13, I Peter 1:6-9, 4:12-14, Psalm 16:11

You Create the Atmosphere

Creating the atmosphere of contentment is your responsibility. In the presence of the Lord is peace. In His presence is joy. Contentment comes when you choose to be at peace with all. Contentment is found in choosing to rejoice in life no matter what's going on around you. It's something anyone is capable of having if they so choose it. It's when you choose to please the Father. It's when you choose His way. You find contentment, peace and joy when you choose to find it.

John 16:33, 14:27, II Timothy 2:22, John 15:11, 17:13, Colossians 1:10, Matthew 7:7-8

Quite Content

"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, whatever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." - Philippians 4:11-13

Alive in Christ

As we become alive in Christ Jesus and realize He is Ruler of the Universe as well as Ruler over our life, we will find content in life. If you are a born again child of the Living God then you know this to be true. If you are a born again child of the Living God and haven't experienced this contentment - His contentment - in your life then it is possible that you have become complacent or possibly have a God-given character already placed in you that He is in position to develop in you if you would be willing to allow Him to do so.

What is His character? Galatians 5:22 and 23 give us a list of the characteristics of our Lord in the Fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives as our Savior, along with the Holy Spirit given to us, God places these characteristics in us. As we grow in Christ He develops them in us. When we work out our own salvation we will cooperate with God and see them develop in us! Hallelujah!

Our salvation should express to others around us that know us and to all those in the world that don't know us a progression of Christian living and an upright character. We should not remain the same - with salvation comes change! We become alive in Christ and as we read His Word and know His character we adopt that same character for our lives and live a lifestyle of godliness and contentment.

Philippians 2:12, I Timothy 6:6, Philippians 4:11-13