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Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 22, 2010 * Knowledge

2010-03-22T02:01:00Z

2 PETER 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I've heard people say that they lack faith to believe for the things of God.... Things such as healing and deliverance.... So, the question arises; How do we get "More Faith"? Faith is established based on our knowledge of God. The better we know Him, the more understanding we have of God's Love for us. If we have absolute confidence in God, based on the knowledge of His Love for us, we can do anything. (Galatians 5:6)

There are things which just don't come naturally with most people. That's because we tend to rely on our five senses.... (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch) If it's not in the physical realm, we tend to question the reality of it all... Science, especially in the 20th century, has taught us to think that way. People look for "evidence" to confirm the works of God... as if a miracle needs to be scientifically explained... Isn't the end result evidence enough? People who don't believe that the Lord will always act on our behalf just don't have an understanding of God's Love for us. (1 John 4:8) Faith always works when we give it all to Him.... He is everything we will ever need.

Faith is based on the knowledge of God. We can't pray for more faith. When we are born again, we already got all of the faith that we will ever need. (Romans 12:3) Faith is already in us. We've already got it... it's what's between our ears that creates all of the problems. It's our head that establishes unbelief in our spirit. Belief, coupled with trust (faith) generates Godly results every time.

So, how does one eliminate "unbelief"? Again, it comes from the knowledge of God, who He is, and how much He loves us. There are only a couple of ways that we receive knowledge of God... Through the written Word, or by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17)... when the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. When we receive it, the Word changes our thinking... and faith comes by what we "think". If we think wrong things (doubt), we get wrong results..... When you think on God's Word and God's promises, then positive results develop. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 21, 2010 * Mediocrity

2010-03-21T01:49:00Z

ECCLESIASTES 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven....

There is a season for everything.... There is a reason for all things here on earth. We, too, are here for a purpose... From the time of our first breath, until we part this world, we were made to magnify the Creator of the universe.... We are here to honor and glorify the One who holds all time and space in the palm of His hand...

We were never created to live a mediocre life... It is not God's will that we "compromise" our time on earth. Too many settle for mediocrity. To "settle" means to accept things as they are. Yet, we were created for purpose... and we only get one shot at this life. There are no second chances, no "do-overs".... This life was never meant to be a waste of time. Too many Christians who were once in hot pursuit for God have put their lives on cruise control.... become lukewarm, so to speak. How does that happen? I believe that we, too often, grow weary of resisting the devil and just learn to settle.... Life becomes mediocre... mundane.... and boring. That's really sad to think about. It's not God's purpose for our lives.

So many of us spend time doing foolish, useless, meaningless things.... "Ordinary" life is just so dull, boring, ......mediocre. If we could learn to spend "time" like it was money, perhaps we would "invest" it into things that have a guaranteed return... I've come to understand that time is more precious than gold, silver, diamonds and rubies.... These things can be earned, lost, and gained back again. But time, once spent, is gone forever... (Except to God, of course, as He is omnipresent.)

I guess the point is this: The time has come to raise our hearts to the King of Glory, the God of everything.... Truly, there is a season and a reason for everything.... Think about it..... This is your season.... Use your "reasoning" talent to understand that we were made for one purpose, ....to magnify the One who holds all things together.

Don't settle for mediocrity.... Exalt God in you life to magnify His Glory. It's your purpose, your design, ...and it's built into your DNA.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 20, 2010 * Image of God

2010-03-20T02:29:00Z

GENESIS 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

GENESIS 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

Many people have this thought: "We are made in the image of God, God made us to be like He is...." Let's just agree that God made Adam, originally, in His image.... Here is my understanding of "our" image before God...

In Genesis (1:26-27), God said "Let us make man in our image..." Which they did. Adam was formed out of the dust of the earth... And Eve, as we know, came out of Adam (Genesis 2:21-24), .....from his rib. They were both created in the image of God. They were like God, and He gave them dominion over the earth and all that was on the earth. Life was good...... And then there was the deception of Satan, the Fall, and dominion of the earth passed from Adam to Satan. Legally speaking, all that Adam had (dominion), Satan obtained. (Which explains why Satan can come before the presence of Almighty God, as in the book of Job, because he had a "legal" right to do so.. through Adam's covenant. ...until Jesus entered the scene....)

It was God's original desire and intention that mankind would bring children (sons and daughters) of God into the world, through procreation. However, due to the Fall, children cannot be born "in the image of God", but rather, in the likeness of Adam.... (who no longer had God-like qualities...)

We are not His until we become His through the "born again" experience. Our sin nature prevents us from being God's children and experiencing eternal life with Him. In order to change the circumstances of our ungodly lives, God had to give us an opportunity to be "born" into His Kingdom..... That opportunity came when He gave us His "only begotten" Son, who became a sacrifice for us, so that we could be recreated in His image. (John 3:16) This is what 1 John 4:17 means when the Word says; "As He is, so are we in this world." We are created in the image of God only when we become born again.... When we surrender our life to God, we are created (transformed) into the image of Christ.... and become "Christian".... (which, translated, means "little Christ")

So, once again we are the image of God.. God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and it's our spirit that will become Godly......

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 19, 2010 * Monastery

2010-03-17T02:52:00Z

MARK 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; The shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.

MARK 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

    In the Wilderness, .....in the Sinai desert, east of the Red Sea, and on a mountain called Sinai, there is a monastery. (Holy Monastery of St. Catherine) In the center of the monastery is a very big, very old bush. The Monks believe that it's "the bush" that God used (burned, without burning) to speak to Moses.... The "Monks" do what all Monks do.... spend their lives in isolation, doing their daily chores and routines, praying often, ....and I suspect that they spend a lot of time in the "presence" of "the Bush", ...talking to it? Waiting for it to catch fire? Listening for a Word from God?..... I dunno... (Didn't Jesus speak to a fig tree?) That bush would have to be over,4,000 years old... Is that the same one? ....I mean the "one" that Moses spoke to? And why are Monks there anyway? ...Shouldn't it be Jew's instead? Monks are supposed to be Christian based, ....while Jew's look to Moses as being their greatest prophet....

    What this monastery and "the bush" represent if a form of idol worship. The last thing that Jesus told his followers to do was to go out and tell somebody the Good News.... To tell somebody about Jesus... How are His instructions being followed by people who are locked away in isolation? They are seeking spiritual enlightenment? It's sorta hard to understand how this got all turned around backwards... If we are to be His hands and His body, ...how effective will we be if we don't mingle with the lost?

     God always uses people to accomplish His will on this earth. These isolated Monks are like the parable where the man was given a coin, which he buried in the ground, ....where it earned nothing. (Matthew 25:14-29) The "coin" is the Good News message... If you don't invest it somewhere, in someone, then it's considered a "dead work". There are "dead works" on mountain tops all over this planet. Christians are not to be isolated, but very involved in all areas of the world. Christian Isolationists are basically misfit Christians. It's like getting born again, receiving knowledge of Christ, and keeping it all to yourself. That's wrong! It's our responsibility to be like Christ. ...And thus it is our responsibility to 'intercept" the lost in this world, pointing them in the right direction... and "investing" ourselves and our holy, God given gifts into their lives... giving them value... giving them hope.

     As tempting as it may sound to get alone with God for awhile, ...to get away from the world, ....it's not to be done on a permanent basis... We are "commissioned" of Christ to go into the world.... (Mark 16:15-18) It's hard for me to comprehend the value of a monastic life. While it may benefit the "monk" himself, it would appear to add very little value to God's Kingdom. God, who is in you, longs to come out.... Release Him.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 18, 2010 * Measure of faith

2010-03-17T02:47:00Z

COLOSSIANS 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

ROMANS 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

People are constantly looking for ways to build their faith... But that's not really the issue. We all have been given the same measure of faith.... (Romans 12:3) The question is: How do I get my faith to work? .....How do I get results from my faith? .....How do things in the spiritual realm become manifested into this physical world?

Everything we need, or will ever need, has already been created and prepared for us. The verse in Colossians 2:7 reveals a key that unlocks the gifts that God has for us. This verse says that we "abound" in faith through "thanksgiving". To "abound" implies an "abundance" that has already been supplied. So, if we want to abound (have abundant life) in this world, we access that through "thankfulness". We need to be Thankful to God for all things. And, ....come on, ....you can never thank Him enough.

If praise and thanksgiving are constantly on our mind and coming from our mouths, you can't help but to develop a positive attitude. You can't praise God, honestly, and be a negative person. Also, if we are constantly praising and thanking God, we cannot be giving the devil very much time and attention either..... Too many Christians are pre-occupied with the enemy. Instead of paying attention to what the devil is doing, set your mind on what God has already done! He has already done it all..... God is not doing anything new. We need to get our minds in the "Answer"...... not the "problem"...

When we give "thanks" to God for things, ...for everything, .... it's not about what we want. We give thanks for what we already have. Healing, deliverance, eternal life, gifts of the Spirit.... We simply need to appropriate the things that He has already given us. Praise, worship and thanksgiving are all a process of accessing what is already ours. We do this by faith... We do this by having extreme confidence that God is who He says He is... and that His Word is Truth. If God's Word says it, then I believe it. God cannot lie! (Hebrews 6:18)

Christ suffered and died for it all... Once and then He said "It is finished". (John 19:30) Jesus isn't going to be beaten, scourged and crucified again to "re-supply" our needs. It is a finished work! You have no excuse for denying Him.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 17, 2010 * Seat-belts

2010-03-17T02:17:00Z

PSALM 91:11-12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Seat-belts? Yeah, they're a hassle, they're not comfortable... and they just don't look cool.... I can remember back in the 1960's when seat belts in cars became mandatory. We all thought that the government was trying to micro-manage our lives... and we just didn't like it. So, most people simply refused to use them. Then the shoulder strap of the "seat-belt" was required, and it really was an aggravation. Being "strapped in" just wasn't kool.... Only "grandparents" would tell their grandchildren to put them on... because, ....well, ......they just believed that they could save lives. Government regulations...! But...we would only wear them on occasion....

The obvious benefit to wearing a seat-belt is to keep your face out of the windshield, in the event of a fender bender. But the fact of the matter is that they really do save lives. Seat-belts have been around for so long now, (40 years?) that most folks buckle-up without even thinking about it. There are generations today who know of no other way.... It's natural.

Sandy's daughter, Haley, is alive today because she was wearing her seat belt a few weeks ago. Fortunately, there was also another "government mandated" regulation in Haley's car.... air bags. All cars are required to have them... (at least in the USA).

About two months ago Haley got a ticket for not wearing her seat-belt... besides not liking the discomfort aspect of riding "strapped in", I guess it just wasn't a habit.... Anyway, you never know what the Lord has in mind.... because, getting a ticket turned out to be a blessing. Due to the expense of the ticket, the "fine" caused her to start buckling-up.... So, get this: About a week later, traveling the highway at night, going 55 mph, a car with a woman and 2 kids, pulled out in front of her and she t-boned it. ....Long story short, the seat-belt worked, the air bag worked, and Haley climbed out of the "totaled" car and walked away from it. (The other lady and two kids were okay also.... they, too, were "buckled and bagged") I give all the glory to God for her safety... It was only through divine intervention that Haley survived the collision. Truly, the Lord works in mysterious ways...

As I think on it, all of us are on a collision course with death.... It's gonna happen, without a doubt. We all need "protection" if we want to survive. Jesus is our "seat-belt", our "airbag", our "shield", and our only hope to avoid total destruction. Our body is like the car we drive, ....and we are going through life at full speed. An "accident" can happen at any moment. My recommendation?... Read your "safety manual" (Bible) and "buckle-up" (put on Jesus, your robe of righteousness, Isaiah 61:10) if you want to live. He is your only hope.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 16, 2010 * Hope

2010-03-16T02:48:00Z

ROMANS 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Look up the word "hope" in your Strong's concordance.... You will find that the Bible has a lot to say about "hope". (146 entries) Paul, especially in the book of Romans, expresses hope for many things.... We cannot have faith for anything without first having hope for it. ...Hope produces faith, ....and faith produces patience, ....and out of desperation, great works are produced for the Lord, which brings Him glory.

In today's world, there seems to be very little hope... What we do hear about is a lot of pessimism. The news media is all about doom, gloom, death and destruction. ...But the Good News is that Christ is all about "hope". He promises us many things, with eternal life being right up there on the top of the list. The Holy Spirit ministers hope to us constantly as we read the Word, ....as we meditate on the Word, .....and as we absorb the Word into our spirit. Hope has a way of welling up in us and "converting" to faith. If we get deep enough into the Word, we learn to believe for anything. If God says it, I believe Him and that's the end of it. The better that we know the Lord, the more hope that is injected into out hearts, and the more confidence that we have in Him. We can learn to operate in a realm where all things are possible... (Mark 10:27)

Paul writes in Romans 8:24 that "hope" believes in things which we cannot see with our physical eyes. In other words, hope believes in things that show no physical evidence. Hope is having confidence that God will help us get the results that we so desire, ....because if you truly are a child of God, it's His Holy Spirit that places the "desires" into your heart in the first place.

It's not easy to overcome what our eyes tell us.... It's not easy to see your sick baby laying before you, and you're feeling helpless to do anything for him.... Sometimes it's not so easy to trust God for all things, especially if it involves someone other than yourself....such as a loved one. We tend to look at the physical evidence and feel hopeless... and we are, in ourselves.... But to trust God with everything, ..totally everything, ....well, that's a real gutsy move for many people. Honestly, there are times in your life where "hope" is all that you have to hold on to .... And that's when you need God. If you can't count on God, then your situation is hopeless.....

I heard someone say recently that they can believe God for some things, ....but not everything. Believe me, I understand that completely. Been there and done it. I have come to understand, though, that we have a part to play in this too.... We are responsible for representing Christ in the world. However, because of unbelief, our faith cannot be fully developed.... So where do you go from there? Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24 these remarkable words: "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" ....Everything hinges on what we believe..... Everything.

People struggle with faith, like it's some massive weight that they must lug around and swing at something that needs to be moved..... That's not it at all.... faith is super Light, and no burden at all... in fact, the Word tells us that our "burdens" (yoke) is light... (Matthew 11:29-30) That's because Jesus is there pulling most of the weight. We simply need to understand this basic principle: We must have hope first..... because "hope" leads to faith, which enables us to expect victory every time.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 15, 2010 * Fear

2010-03-15T01:08:00Z

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

LUKE 18:16-17 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Last night our grandson, Taylor, spent the night with us. Taylor is 10 years old and a pretty sharp kid.... By "sharp", I mean that he hears things and actually thinks about them.... I guess you could say that he's a "meditator".... Usually, you can look at boys that age and you don't have a clue what's going on inside their heads... (But then, I guess it's often that way with adults too.... hummmm?)

We switched over to daylight savings time last night... It often confuses people as to which way to move the hands on their clocks.... up an hour/back an hour??? Anyway, I was "springing forward" three wall clocks that we have downstairs, about 10:30pm, and Taylor calls out to me from the top of the stairs, saying; "Hey, Pop, have you locked all of the doors?" I thought that was kinda strange for a kid to be thinking about such things.... I said, "Yeah. Why do you want to know?" Taylor came downstairs and said "Cuz we don't want any bad guys breaking in." Thinking that maybe he had been looking at some scary movies or something, my response was, "Why? Are you afraid of something?" .....Then, out of nowhere, Taylor said, "To be afraid of anything is to sin against God." .....That caused my head to snap around backwards and I looked right at him... I thought, "hey, this kid's been reading my mail!" So, I asked Taylor, "Why do you say that?" His response: "Because when you're afraid, you doubt that God can protect you, and because that's a lie, it's a sin." ....."Wow!", I thought, "He understands what most Christian adults don't... fear is a tool of the devil, designed to keep people in submission." ...So, I said, "Really?" Taylor said, "Yeah". So I asked "Where in the world did you hear that?" ...He said, "I dunno,...in church?". I said "That's great! Let's go tell Mamaw (Sandy)". Back upstairs I had Taylor repeat what he had just spoken to me... Sandy (Mamaw) just grinned and said, "I'm so proud of you, Taylor!"

I've heard it said that out of the mouths of babes, the angels speak... I believe it. Today's devotional is brought to you, courtesy of a 10 year old boy, Taylor Dixon.... Destined to proclaim God's Word to the Nations.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 14, 2010

2010-03-14T15:26:00Z

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Have you ever been on an emotional roller coaster? This was one of those days for our family. Today there was a death in our family, and a birth also. My son in law (David) saw his dad transition from this life to the heavenly realm... and just a few hours later my niece (Heather) gave birth to her second son...

On such occasions we often hear these words: "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the Name of the Lord." ...But when you really stop to think about it, that's putting the Lord in a bad light.... It's not His desire, or His nature, to "take" anything away from us. The Lord gives, ....and He gives, ...and gives some more... Only Satan takes from us. (John 10:10)

We are initially given life on this earth, which is a gift from God, ....given favor, .....and ultimately, every gift of God is available to us... That includes the gift of eternal life. David's dad was a born again Christian.... He received the greatest gift of all. I have no doubt that he is truly enjoying all of the wonders of heaven... Isn't that what we all aspire to do? Isn't that our hope for everyone?

Mourning over someone is really something that we learn to do.... it's something that we have been taught.... Sure, it's an expression of grief, from our heart, due to our separation from someone we love. Doesn't it seem odd to pray for someone to be saved and go to heaven, then become upset because they have gone...? As Christians, we can have confidence that we will see our loved ones again. This is a promise from God. We all long to be present with the Lord, and while we certainly are present with Him here, it's "there" that we long to be.... Oh, how we long to be "there", in a place of perfection.... where no evil exists. We mourn over "the separation", but need to understand how much more the Lord, our Father, mourns over His separation from us.... He gave everything to bring us back home. I'll not disappoint Him. Neither should you.

And then there's the new arrival in our family..... (Baby Zane) It's awesome to think that He, just hours ago, arrived from the presence of God.... If he could just speak a few words to us.... just listen to the wonders that he could reveal... We would be astounded at the glory of it all... Can you even imagine such a thing?

One new life transitions into this world, and another is returning to the place from whence he came.... It's like earth is one big "airport", some are arriving, others are waiting for the next flight home, and others still are in the process of "boarding" ... and then there's those "confused ones" (lost) that are stuck in "customs". Jesus is the only "flight" leaving for heaven.... Got your boarding pass?

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 13, 2010

2010-03-13T04:31:00Z

EPHESIANS 3:19-20 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all the we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...

When God created Adam and Eve, everything in the Garden and on earth was already prepared for them. He anticipated, ahead of time, everything that they would ever need... Likewise, today God has provided everything we will ever need for both our spiritual and physical life. It's all done! He has provided everything and is not making anything new. That's kinda hard to think about, isn't it? Everything we will ever need is already here for us, including every blessing and every provision. Nothing is going to catch God by surprise... He is all knowing, all sufficient and always present with us. In fact, it's approaching blasphemy to say that God is unable to meet your needs... Blasphemy is serious business!

We must understand that God has already anticipated and met our needs. Our faith doesn't move God to supply our needs, because He already has! The problem is not with God, it's with us! God's "giver" is not broken.... it's our "receiver" that needs attention and adjustment. When we pray, study, trust and believe for all of God's provision, our "receiver" lines up with God's "storehouse", and all of our needs are met. In "economic terms", it all boils down to the "supply and demand principal"... Only that God's supply has already far exceeded all of the demands that we will ever have; .... and not just at a minimum level, but met "exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think". (Ephesians 3:20) He is not going to short change His children, but will open the entire treasury of heaven. God is not some stingy little guy who holds back things that we need in this life.... Our God is a Great Big God who is filled with love and compassion for us all.

When we are "born again", we are placed into a new Paradise.... Though we may not know it, we have been welcomed back into the Garden... All of our needs have already been anticipated and met... We just need to wander through paradise and find out what He has available for us. Everything God gives us is good.... Even the Tree of Life. Unlike Adam and Eve, we are invited to eat of that tree.... That's because we now have life eternal through the cross of Jesus (John 3:16). Jesus said, I come to give life, that you may have it more abundantly... (John 10:10) The fruit on that tree? It is the Word of God. When we commune with Jesus, we are invited to "eat and drink" of Him. (Matthew 26:26-28) He is the Word (John 1:1) and the Life (eternal life) of man. Every provision that we will ever have need of is found in His Word.

If you could get rich reading the Word of God, many would be "mining" that resource constantly. The Bible is filled with gems for us all. But if you think about it, the riches of God far exceed anything that is found on this earth.... "Mine" the Book and you will be wealthy, healthy and wise beyond anything that you could ever imagine. It's how God communicates with us.... He tells us how to find the keys to the Kingdom treasury... Really? Yeah, look it up for yourself.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 12, 2010

2010-03-12T03:46:00Z

MARK 9:2-4 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elijah and Moses: and they were talking with Jesus....

MARK 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

I have often thought that if I could have witnessed any scene in the Bible, it would have been on the Mount of Transfiguration. What an honor it would have been to be part of Jesus' inner circle, ...one of the three.... (Peter, James & John). How awesome to have seen Jesus radiating his glory, shining like the sun.... And His clothes too... And then there was Moses and Elijah.... (I've often wondered how those three knew Moses and Elijah, having never seen them before?... So I contend that this revelation must have come by way of the Holy Spirit.) In addition to all of this, these three actually heard God's voice from the cloud that enveloped them... That must have been incredible.....

Anyone with half a brain would come to the Lord if they saw Him manifested in all of His Glory, right before their eyes, or heard God's audible voice as He addressed them... Yet, the Word tells us that we are more blessed by not having seen.... (John 20:29) More blessed by not experiencing Him with our physical senses...? Not everyone will experience the Lord like these three did on that mountain top... but the Word tells us that we can have a more sure experience of the Word than the twelve disciples had... Everyone can have the Word of God. He calls us all. He longs to dwell inside of us, rather than for us to experience Him by our physical senses... The indwelling Word has more authority than anything on the outside.... The Word within must be our final authority.... If what we see or hear contradicts the Word, we should go with the Word... always. The Word of God must be our highest authority and the top priority in our lives. God promises us many things, and fulfillment of all that He offers us is only possible for those who are empowered by His Holy Spirit dwelling within.

God has purpose for all things... and He can do all things, but most effectively impacting the physical world from the "Spiritual realm" happens through Spirit filled, Holy Ghost baptized believers.

The circumstances of the world cannot ever alter the promises that God has made to us... But the promises of God can change all circumstances in the physical realm...

I know that the Word says that I am more blessed by not having gone to the Mount of Transfiguration... by not having witnessed it..... but I do sometimes go there in my imagination... That musta been one awesome scene...

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 11, 2010

2010-03-11T02:48:00Z

JOHN 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Death is a common fear that we all face. That's because we look into the unknown.... We have glimpses of our afterlife in the Bible,... Jesus tells us not to fear.... and while He does give us courage, ....always, in the back of our mind, ....it's there. "Someday I'm gonna lay this body down." What's next?....

Some people say that they are not afraid of death... but that's just not so.... They may say that they are afraid of snakes, or spiders.... but what they really fear is being bitten and dying.... It's the same with the fear of airplanes, or trains, or elevators... or sharks... It's really fear that there will be an accident which may kill them... ya see, .....it's always back to the "death" issue. How about fear of heights? (falling) Claustrophobia? (fear of running out of air)... We don't want to do things that may take us where we don't want to go. Yes, certainly, we do want to go to heaven, but we don't want to experience death in order to go there. Any "phobia" is fear based and the ultimate fear is death.

So, let's look at this from a Christian perspective. .....For the true born again Christian, death has no power over us. Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:54-55) Death was the power card that Satan used against us to intimidate us and control our lives. The Word says that Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He comes to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) But he cannot have us, and he cannot kill us or intimidate us any longer, because we have Christ. Through Him, we have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Death is not an issue for those who belong to Christ. It's merely a transition....

The Word tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) ....And the truth is that if Christ is in us, (John 17:21) we are already present with Him. We are present with Him in the body or out of it. Hasn't He promised that He will "never leave us or forsake us"? (Hebrews 13:5)

Jesus said "Don't let your heart be troubled, trust God and trust Me." (John 14:1) I do. For believers, it's not that we doubt His words, it's just the "transition" that makes us uneasy.... Jesus comforts us with words to build our faith.... to encourage us... to let us know that He will be there for us every step of the way... I believe what He says..... For God cannot lie.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 10, 2010

2010-03-10T03:12:00Z

ROMANS 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

ROMANS 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Imagine getting stopped by a "cop", pulled over to the side of the road... and he begins to accuse you of speeding, reckless driving, running a red light, expired license, missing tail light, intoxication..... and on and on....... So he proceeds to write you out a ticket...., in fact he writes several tickets and then hands them to you.... Knowing that you are totally innocent, not guilty as charged on any account, you refuse to accept any of them.... What is he going to do? In his mind, you are already judged and found guilty, ...but you refuse to accept the tickets as they are handed to you. Besides, you know the Judge, ...in fact He is your Father. Still, he continues to harass you with accusations and profanity... charging you with all sorts of contrived guilt. What should you do? How about this: Pick up the phone and call your Father (Abba), the Judge, saying "Dad, I'm having a problem, will you take care of this?" His response? "Consider it done, son." ..."Give the phone to the "cop". Doing so, He says: "My son carries my name and has My authority... If you accuse my son, you accuse me! That will never happen! Now, whatever he tells you to do, do it!" (John 2:5) Totally shaken, the "cop" hands you back the phone... Putting the receiver back to your ear, you hear your Dad say; "It's okay, son, he will follow your instructions". Your response; "...Thanks Dad, I'll see you later." Hanging up the phone, you step out of your car, put your finger in the devil's face and say; "Liar! You have no authority over me or my family..." Grabbing his "ticket book" out of his hand, you proceed to write him a "ticket".... The charge: Murder, theft, arson, vandalism.... he must appear in court at the specified time, where judgment has already been made.. The sentence: "Go to Hell!"

That's kinda how it all works.... The devil cannot accuse you, condemn you or harm you, unless you allow it. Too many believers let him push them around, accepting "tickets" of sickness, infirmity, guilt and condemnation. The next time that happens... just "pick up the phone" and say... "Daddy (Abba)... I need you..." Without a doubt, His response will settle everything!... Every time.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 9, 2010

2010-03-09T02:54:00Z

MATTHEW 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Racism is a form of hatred perpetuated by the devil. It's a tool of division that generates all sorts of repercussions around the globe. Most people associate a racist attitude with skin color, but it's more than that.... it's a reflection of our sin nature that is rooted deep in the heart. We tend to reject anything that's different from ourselves. Only the love of Jesus can alter the heart, change our fallen nature and make us acceptable with God.

Take our national leader, President Obama, for example.... If you did not vote for him because he was black... you're a racist. Likewise, if you did vote for him because he was black, ......you're a racist. Unfortunately, the "race card" was an issue in the 2008 election, ....and continues to be an issue even today. Republicans are ripping him to shreds and the Democrats are running for cover due to embarrassment.... Three years ago these roles were reversed. We are quick to judge people for the wrong reasons. Character, integrity, and a man's heart is the key point when dealing with others.

Politicians also play another type of "racial card", it's called the "religion card". Some would have you to believe that Jesus rode an elephant, therefore He must favor the Republicans? We all know that He rode a donkey, right?... (or would that be "left"?) The interesting thing is that Jesus never got involved in governmental politics. His concern was with the church. Jews had developed a racial pride, so that they believed themselves to be superior to everyone else.... Isn't that what racism is anyway? Jesus set the whole world free..... Gentiles as well as Jews. He wants us all.

Racism continues to be a major issue around the world. The conflict in the Middle East for example... Jews vs. Muslims. Tension has been there for thousands of years. One race of people angry at another.... and it's not just there, it is all over the world... When people are different, they tend to justify themselves by thinking they are superior.... and sometimes it's motivated even worse things...

There was a woman, Margaret Sanger, who started "Planned Parenthood" back in the early part of the 20th century. Racially motivated, this organization was designed for "population control" in poor black neighborhoods. It's purpose was to slow down the "breeding" of minorities in America... Racism in America. Planned Parenthood was politically motivated, and all it produced is the establishment of abortion clinics throughout America. Over 50 Million babies have been murdered as a result. That's a greater genocide than what was perpetuated by both Hitler and Stalin combined. "Planned Parenthood" was designed for one purpose... for one race to maintain dominance over another. It's vile and a curse to our nation. God doesn't make disposable people.

Bigotry is a tool used by Satan to keep mankind in constant conflict. Born a bigot? No. It's something that is learned..... The Good News is that you don't have to die that way. The issue of racism lies in a man's heart... and only God can change that. Jesus is the only answer to all of the woes of this world.

People around the world hate Jews... even many so called "Christians"... Yet, Jesus was a Jew.... But even the Jew's hated Him. Hatred has no bounds... there are no walls, no limits to the destructive nature and intensity of hatred that exists today. As the Second coming of Christ draws near, tension continues to build. No doubt, the enemy is putting forth all effort to halt that inevitable day.... It will come to pass, because He said so... and God cannot lie. Jesus is coming soon.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 8, 2010

2010-03-08T04:09:00Z

ROMANS 5:17 For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

This verse of scripture says it all. If we can get this understanding into our soul, it will change our life. The scripture is like a stick of dynamite. Wouldn't you love to grab old Satan by his chin whiskers, yank open his mouth, shove this Word down his throat and lite the fuse? These words should cause him to have an acute case of indigestion....

The "one man's offense" in this verse, of course, is a reference to Adam and man's fall..... which was orchestrated by the devil himself. Sin is offensive to God.... but, thankfully, He has made a way of escape..... His Son, like a huge sponge, absorbed all of the sin in the world and in your life. All sin was accounted for in the Atonement. It's a debt that has been paid for, setting us free from bondage... the bondage that Satan kept us under. The Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:12) instructs us to pray; "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.". The "debt" was sin. The Lord forgives us of all our sin, and likewise, we are to forgive those who offend us. In others words, Just by accepting His gift of Grace, He is giving us a sin free life. Our only requirement is that we must believe on Him.... (Romans 10:9-10,13)

Death (separation from God) no longer "reigns" through us, the believers, because we not only have Grace, but an abundance of Grace. (Romans 5:17) (When anything comes from God "in abundance", it's HUGE! .... beyond our scope of imagination....) So death no longer has a grip on us... but through Jesus Christ, we now reign in life.... In other words, we now have dominion over the enemy camp... Jesus told us in Mark 9:23 "...If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Nothing is impossible with Jesus. We reign over the enemy, because all power in heaven and earth (Jesus) abides within every believer.... and we don't have to accept any "junk" from the enemy. We truly are righteous through Jesus Christ and reign in life. Express your authority when the enemy attempts to push you around. You are not a punching bag, absorbing the blows of the devil... one Word from your mouth can knock him out!

Remember that "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21) Speak life!

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 7, 2010

2010-03-07T04:36:00Z

EPHESIANS 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

EPHESIANS 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Paintball.... Several years ago, Sandy bought me a real surprise for my birthday. It was a paintball gun and all the gear that was needed to go with it. Having no paint-balling experience, I practiced with the gun some and got to where I was fairly good with it up to about 100 ft. Two weeks later, my friend, Dave, and I took off on a Saturday morning to put our new craft to work. When we got there, we found that it was mostly guys below the age of 21 and a mix of men who were Vietnam war era veterans. Everyone divided into two teams (red/blue) and the red team headed for the woods. Our job was to root them out... and paint-em up! ...Being relatively new to the sport, I got "painted" on a pretty consistent basis.... It didn't take my super fast brain long to realize that it was easier being on the "defense" rather than the offense. The defensive posture wasn't nearly as challenging, ... but neither was it nearly as painful. The young guys were quick and agile, while the "not so young guys" were patient, focused and more accurate.... Since I wasn't nearly so agile, I tended to hang closer with the "mature" guys... I learned from observing them, listening to their tactics, ....and from experience. It wasn't long before I was able to "sling paint" with the best of them... And it was actually kinda kool.... Except when ya got hit with a paintball traveling about 300 ft per second. It would sting and leave a welt on your body.... which was only temporary, ...but Ouch! You knew when you were "dead"...

Yesterday morning, Sunday, Sandy awoke and was sick with nausea and dizziness.... Realizing that it was an attack from the enemy, she actually saw this demonic spirit..... (Sandy is kinda gifted (?) in that way.) We joined in prayer, speaking to that foul thing, binding it and casting it away in Jesus name. It took some effort, but eventually it was gone, and Sandy started to recover immediately. We missed the Sunday morning church service, and wouldn't ya know it, ... the teaching was on spiritual authority and spiritual warfare. I believe that hindering spirit came for the purpose of blocking us from attending that service.

As I think about the Sunday attack of the enemy,...... and my experience with paintball, ......it occurs to me that the enemy will always continue to attack us, with the intention to "steal, kill and destroy" our existence. (John 10:10) Sickness is only one of the avenues that is used to assault the saints.... But, like getting hit with a paintball, ....it may sting a bit and leave a temporary welt, but it cannot penetrate and kill us. It's the divine protection of the Lord which is always there for us as our shield.

Tribulation will come to all of the saints (John 16:33), but we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. Turmoil may buzz around us, attempting to distract us from our eternal vision, but we must always bear in mind the One in whom we put our trust. He cannot fail us, it's impossible.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 6, 2010

2010-03-06T02:22:00Z

ROMANS 5:17 For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

MATTHEW 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

So many people relate "righteousness" with right behavior. This implies that you have to "act Right" in order to "be Right" with the Lord. This was a major obstacle in the Old Testament.... Pharisees were the best "Actors of Righteousness" in the world. They knew all the laws and attempted to become acceptable with God through maintaining the right behavior. "Acting" within the confines of the Law was their specialty..... Yet no one was ever able to do so, except Jesus, because the law is impossible for men to keep. Jesus told us to maintain two commandments: 1) Love God, 2) Love your Neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) Only with the help of our Lord are we able to keep even these two commandments.... Yet the Jews had established 640 Laws that were imposed upon their brethren.... No one could do it except Christ Himself. He was without sin, yet became sin so that we would not have to be bound by the Law. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

So, what is "righteousness"? Righteousness has nothing to do with right behavior, ....(Acting Right). It has everything to do with being right before God. And there is only one way to obtain righteousness, and that is through Jesus Christ. We don't earn it, because that's considered "works", which is impossible. We are righteous with God, through Jesus, because it is given as a gift from Christ. (Romans 5:17) It's not right behavior, but it's "right standing".

Our sins are not just forgiven at salvation, but our spirit is completely cleared of all guilt, all stain, .....in effect, our spirit is able to come before a just and righteous God. We only become righteous through our relationship with Jesus. He gave us His righteousness.... and He doesn't intend to take it back. His righteousness stays with us always.

It's only because of His righteousness that we can come boldly before the throne of God and have all of the things that Christ suffered and died for, because it was included in the Atonement.

Proverbs 10:6.... "Expect good things to happen to you because blessings are on the head of the righteous One of God." In other words, His "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6) We can anticipate God's favor (goodness) to cover us for our entire life, because of the Righteousness of Jesus which dwells within us. We, as Believers, are all Right with God because He is all Right with Him. 1 John 4:17 tells us "As He is, so are we in this world." Isn't that where you long to be? ...with Him, as He is.

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 5, 2010

2010-03-05T03:22:00Z

1CORINTHIANS 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

I suspect that when we get to heaven, we will be introduced to many people that we don't know. Because we spoke to somebody about Jesus, who later spoke to someone else about Him, ....who led someone else to the Lord... We will be acknowledged for our commitment to the Kingdom. We may see our self as just a link in the chain, but we certainly don't want to be the "missing link" or even the "last link". Ya never know where the Lord is going to lead you, and you never know who's actually paying attention.

Every action in our life is a testimony for Christ. People who are lost pay attention to those who are saved... often they don't acknowledge it... and they may not really desire our lifestyle, ...but the Holy Spirit draws them, ...just as He drew you. Some surrender easily, and others, like myself, need a little more persuasion. I could have been "locked-in" 25 years earlier, but I had to get "myself" out of the way first. What was the hold-up? I guess I thought I was smarter than everybody else... Been there? ....It's a road many travel down. I went way down the road only to find out many years later that I was absolutely, hopelessly lost. Really lost.

So, I suspect that I will also be introduced to people who lived long before me also.... who witnessed to people, who witnessed to me.... It's amazing to think about how all of God's people are inter-connected. Souls, touching souls, who have touched souls.... The magnitude of it all is enough to make you tremble.

When the Word tells us that "all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28), ....I suspect this is what Paul was speaking about. All of us are interwoven with the common thread of life, given to us by Christ Jesus. Drawn and held together by the Holy Spirit... We only see a small portion of the "big picture", but I can imagine that it's magnificent. A masterpiece prepared by the Master Craftsman of all time, Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:16)

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 4, 2010

2010-03-04T01:57:00Z

1 CORINTHIANS 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Have you ever wondered what you can do for God? "How can He use me....?" or... "I'm only one person in a world of over 6 billion, with very limited skills, talent, resources and vision.... I touch very few people in this world, I impact very few lives and have virtually nothing to offer God..."

Yeah, haven't most of us been there? Me too. It is in this condition (broken) that we are most useful to the Lord. It's when we realize that we cannot do anything apart from Him... It's when we surrender ourselves, humbly, to God that we become an instrument for His kingdom. I recall saying this prayer to God..... "Lord, I know it's not much, but I surrender it all to you... my body, soul and spirit... I give to you. Have your way in me." That's a pretty low state to be in... But I've come to realize that it's the perfect condition for God.

It's when we are full of ourselves, thinking that we can forge our own path and accomplish our own goals... fulfill our own dreams, ....that's where we first get into trouble. But, isn't that pretty much how we were raised in America? Didn't you hear statements like this in your youth: "You can be anything when you grow up, even the President of the United States." Yep? I did. Kinda gives you the mindset that we are self sufficient. ....And that's the first step down the path of destruction.

1 Corinthians 1:26 tells us; "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called...." It took me a very long time to come to the conclusion that putting God first is the key to happiness, joy and a successful life. It's the only place where we can find total peace and contentment. Sure, tribulation in this world will push up against us, but that's what our shield of faith is for (Ephesians 6:16), ....and through Christ we are able to overcome any assault of the enemy. (Philippians 4:13 I can do all thing through Christ...) But more importantly, it's through Him alone that we truly make a difference in this world. Once we get rid of "self" and fill up with "Him", (Acts 6:3) our total perspective changes... It no longer matters what I accomplish, but only what He accomplishes through me. When I say, "To God be the glory!", ...I mean that all of it is for Him.

So is God using me today? I suppose. I have impacted a few lives, led some to Christ and I write this blog every day... and you are reading it, along with a lot of others... I'm content to do whatever the Lord leads me to do and if this is it, forever, then okay.... If there's more, ...then okay... When I surrendered body, soul and spirit to Him, I became a follower and not an unsuccessful trail blazer... (trail blazers burn out...) I'm committed to following Him all the days of my life, which is amazing,...when you consider that we are going to have "everlasting life"....(John 3:16)

Rick

Daily Devotional - The Lamb's Way, March 3, 2010

2010-03-02T16:32:00Z

DEUTERONOMY 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live....

1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

A few weeks ago we attended the funeral of a friend, James Roy Minton, who was buried on his 80th birthday. He was a good Christian man and a part time preacher. We all knew him as "Grandpa". Always with a big smile on his face, it was a pleasure to just talk with him.... He was of a generation that I greatly admire.

The thought I'm having this evening is about his 80th birthday.... I guess he celebrated it in heaven.... Somehow, that is a very pleasant thought for me. I can just see him surrounded by friends, family, and many other Godly people.... many of whom would not be there except for Grandpa's influence.

As I think on "birthday's" though, I wonder if they are even celebrated in heaven.... and if so, is it the day that we step over into that heavenly realm?.... or the day that we were "born again"?.... or the day we celebrate our earth-birth day? And what kind of a celebration is it anyway?.... Balloons, presents, candles and chocolate cake?... or is there more.... tremendously more? Imagine celebrating in some distant galaxy, ...or closer to "home", ...right there on God's front lawn... or as a cookout under the tree of life... The possibilities are endless. Imagine the invitation list to the party... Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, Peter and Jesus.... What a birthday celebration that would be!

Anyway, I'm sure that Grandpa Minton is enjoying life in the heavenly realm.... And while we will miss him here, it's comforting to know that he will be there to welcome us "home" when our time here on earth is complete. Isn't that where we all long to go? God desires that we all be there in His presence.... Life there will be beyond anything that we can imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9) It will be a glorious home-going. Perhaps you should invite all of your friends to the party.... Introduce them to Jesus. It's going to be a blast!

Many people act like this world is their final destination.... It's not. The mortality rate on earth is 100%.... No one escapes the end of life on earth, but we do get to choose our final destination.... Choose wisely..... choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Rick