Change, Death and Amazing Grace

Have you ever heard someone say they were sorry and you knew they really were just sorry they got caught? Of course, we've all been on both sides of that situation. I have been in education for a few years and dealt with kids who were "sorry" a zillion times. The classic and most difficult is the kid who says they are sorry, it won't happen again and then, 20 seconds latter, they are hitting someone, stealing something or just wreaking havoc on a classroom. Because they are not really sorry. 

II Corinthians 7:10 says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Notice the difference: Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation while worldly sorrow is unchanged and brings death. The key is repentance. To repent means to change directions, do a 180 degree turn. Paul went on to describe the Corinthians actions that were evidence of repentance (II Corinthians 7:11). He noted their earnestness and eagerness to clear themselves, their indignation and alarm, longing, concern and readiness to see justice done. They repented by doing the right thing. What is wonderful about Godly sorrow and repentance is that it leads to salvation and leaves no regret. After I do something wrong, I often regret that I did it. Godly repentance leaves you free of even that regret. That is amazing grace!

Father, thank you for Your amazing grace that allows us to repent and enjoy the fruits of salvation. Help us to repent in action which is true repentance. Praise be to You in us today!

Here's the deal...

Sometimes, it is not easy to tell the truth. Mainly because you know people may not want to hear it. Here's the deal. We need to make sure we get rid of things that mess up our relationship with God. No getting around it. Paul exhorts us,

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness our of reverence for God." II Corinthians 7:1

The promises are that God is our Father and we are His sons and daughters. We get to come to Him as His children. "Dad, I have a problem..." We can say that to God! That is the payoff for seeking to purify ourselves and perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 

Father, help us to be holy as  You are holy. Teach us to reverently follow You. Thank you that it is You that makes us holy (Hebrews 2:11).

God Will Sustain You

We live and breathe because God says we can.  Every moment is an opportunity to live in the Truth. I live, you live because God is not done with us yet. I remember sitting at the bed of my aunt as she was dying of a terminal illness. Believe it or not, I really believe that God took her so that she would not deny His Name. Sometimes His mercy can seem severe to us. 

"I lie down and sleep:

     I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." Psalm 3:5

On this Sunday, this Sabbath day, remember that God sustains you.

Father, sustain us with the power that rose Jesus from the dead. Praise be to You in us today!

Planted Like a Tree

I think just about everyone wants to have a blessed life. Knowing that you are where God wants you to be and doing what He wants you to do is a very good and blessed thing. David put it like this,

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

   or stand in the way of sinners

      or sit in the seat of mockers.

  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

       and on his law he meditates day and night.

  He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

       which yields its fruit in season

  and whose leaf does not wither.

       Whatever he does prospers.
  Not so the wicked!
       They are like the chaff
       that the wind blows away.
  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
       nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
  For the LORD watches over the way the righteous,
       but the way of the wicked will perish." Psalm 1


Remember, battered saint, that Christ is your righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). Christ is why you can be like a tree planted by streams of water, abiding in Christ by faith in His faithfulness.


Thank you, Lord, for being our righteousness! Use use in Your kingdom today. Bless us, even today. Praise be to You in us today!

Now! Today!

What time is it? What day is it? The time is now and the day is today! 

"As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,

     "In the time of my favor I heard you,

        and in the day of salvation I helped you."

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." II Corinthians 6:1-2

Jesus called His disciples friends (John 15:14-15) if they did what He commanded. The same goes for us. Paul describes us as "fellow workers". He urges not to receive this grace from God in vain.  Remember Paul has been talking about being ambassadors for God, delivering the message of reconciliation. Being used by God is the deepest of blessings. When does God want to use us and bless us? Now! Today! Now is the time when God wants to show us His favor and today is the day he wants us to enjoy salvation.  

Lord, show us your favor now! Show us your salvation today! We wait upon You to show us Your favor and salvation. Praise be to You!!! Thank you for Your favor and salvation!!!

What Does God Want Me to Do?

How many times have I said, how many times have you said or heard someone else say, "What does God want me to do? If I just knew what God wants me to do?" Well, God did say. It is kind of funny that I have been praying and asking God that very question and as I was reading  II Corinthians 5:18 - 21 I had a slap your forehead moment. "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." What is the point of this blog? To offer the message of reconciliation to a lost and dying world. 

We are God's ambassadors.  Where ever we are at, God has called us to reconcile people to Him. Too often people fret about where God wants to send them or if God wants to use them. God want to use you where you are at and He is big enough to move you if He does want you someplace else. 

He even supplied us with a message: "Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." There you go! The script supplied. All you need to do is be open for the opportune moments that God will place in your life. Why are people unhappy? They don't know God. They are being ravaged by sin and its many faces of oppression. 


Holy Spirit, use us to reconcile the world to Christ. Place us in the flow of Your work in this world. By faith, open our eyes to see someone who needs Your message of reconciliation. 

Perspective, New or Old

Have you ever heard someone say that it all depends upon your perspective? Living by faith is about perspective, living for self or living for Christ.

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation;  the old is gone, the new has come." II Corinthians 5: 16-17

After we come to the realization, the perspective that Jesus died and rose again and that we should die to ourselves and live for Him and serve others, we begin to live life differently. There was a time when we saw Christ and the world around us from a worldly point of view. What does that mean? The apostle John describes it as "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world" (I John 2"16). Basically, it was all about us. 

Now, we no longer view Christ from the worldly point of view. We no longer view life from that worldly point of view either. Let's get right to the point. How we make decisions demonstrates your point of view, worldly or of faith. The new point of view is eternal, spiritual and by faith in Christ. The basis for our decision making is no longer about what can fulfill our cravings and lusts but about what glorifies Christ in us. Think about that. Whatever you are doing today, is it to glorify you or God? The issue is not so much about what you do but if you are doing it by faith and for God's glory or your own. 

Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Thank you that You make ALL things in my life new! Be glorified in me today!!!

Be renewed and be compelled.

     What gets you going? What really motivates you? It's funny but I find it easier to get up early to go golfing than I do for work. I do enjoy watching that little ball go down the hole. But you know, there is nothing like watching someone else come to know Christ as Savior and Lord!
     "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for them and was raised again." II Corinthians 5:14-15
     I have been praying this year that God would renew the joy of my salvation. I think what God is showing me is that the day of salvation is now. God's grace and mercy are NOT just for the past, God's grace and mercy are for the present and the future! The power that raised Jesus from the dead raised my life at this present time. The good news? He want to renew the joy of your salvation!

     Father, renew the joy of our salvation, today. Grant us eyes to see Your grace in our lives today. Praise be to You!!!

The KISS Principle for Saints

The KISS principle: Keep It Simple Saint.  Fear the Lord and persuade people. 

     "So, we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

     Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience." 
II Corinthians 5:9-11

Our goal is to please the Lord by living by faith. I think living by faith, living in the Spirit is realizing we are saved by grace. That is why we fear God because we know that Jesus paid the penalty of our sins. We in turn realize that if it wasn't for the grace of God we would be living our lives bound and enslaved by sin. Many people call this freedom, living for themselves, no one telling them what to do or what is right or wrong. That is the great lie, that "freedom" from obedience to God is truly freedom. No, it is bondage to the cruel and unforgiving control of sin. A derailed train is not free, it is a train wreck. Obedience to God, living by faith, is not bondage, it is true freedom. A train on the tracks is not enslaved by the tracks, it is enabled by the tracks to be what it is supposed to be! When you see someone enslaved by sin persuade them, in love, to find freedom in the mercy, grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Lord, thank you for the freedom we have in You! Help us to live by faith in Your grace and mercy. Use us to persuade others to find freedom, forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ out Lord.

God's Eyes Are on You

Does your life seem dead? Are you in a famine in your life? God's eyes are on you.

"But the eye of the LORD are on those who fear him,

     on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death

     and keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19

Sometimes life just doesn't seem right. You're seeking God. You're trying to live life in purity and holiness. You're reading your Bible and praying, witnessing, and serving. But spiritually, you are definitely experiencing a famine. Yesterday we talked about walking by faith. Sometimes faith is fearing God and hoping in his unfailing love during a famine.

Father, we look to You in the famines of our lives. Our hope is in You and Your unfailing love. Keep us alive. Bless us with Your Presence. 

How do I live by faith?

Living by faith is one of those things that is a lot easier said than done. What does it mean to live by faith? Is living by faith just a mystical ideal that doesn't really come into contact with how you really live? 

Paul told the Corinthians that, "We live by faith, not by sight." II Corinthians 5:7

When Paul said that he was talking about trusting God through some exceptionally difficult real life circumstances. Sometimes marriage takes faith. Sometimes raising children takes faith. At each stage of my life I have had to trust God that He was Sovereign over everything and that He had me where He wanted me. I can not express how hard that has been. When I can't SEE what is going to happen, or SEE a way out, I feel overwhelmed. Paul said he at times felt perplexed. Have you ever wondered just what was God doing? 

Well, best as I can figure it, living by faith is learning to rest in the truth that God has unfailing love for me and is Sovereign over everything, even when I am perplexed.  I have worked for people who hate God therefore don't particularly like me. Yet, God has proven Himself to be Sovereign even over those who hate Him. So, I trust Him again.

Father, help us to live by faith, not by sight. Give us faith that You are Lord over our marriages, our children, our finances and our futures. We look to You! 

Light and Momentary Troubles

Do not lose heart. David told himself, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."

^"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

II Corinthians 4:16-18

Outwardly we just keep getting older. Inwardly we are being renewed day by day. We trust more in Christ and less in ourselves. We will experience troubles. But, Paul, who was beaten, shipwrecked and whipped, considered these troubles light and momentary. The purpose, the fruit of these troubles is eternal glory and that outweighs whatever hardships we now experience. Living with that kind of attitude is not normal (at least not for me). That is why we fix our eyes on the unseen, the eternal. Jesus Christ, the Author and finisher of our souls. He is faithful and He will do it!


Lord, it is so easy to be overwhelmed by the trials and struggles we encounter. Open our eyes to see You in the midst of battles. Thank you that the Truth is that You will achieve eternal glory in us. Praise be to You!!!

God is Merciful, Don't Lose Heart!

The simple truth is that God is merciful. 

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." II Corinthians 4:1

Because of His mercy, we have purpose. Because of his mercy God uses us. What is this ministry God has for you? Simply reflecting His glory, His image to this dying world. I was blessed to attend a Bible School in England for a year. I don't know why it was, but whenever I crossed the British border I was hassled every time. They would make me take everything out of my bag, dump it out and ask me all kinds of questions. After about the fifth time I was a bit miffed. So, when I sat down on the train to head back to school, I started complaining to the guy next to me about the English and how they were just jealous of Americans. I thought, because of the way he was dressed that he was an American. He asked me in a perfect British accent what I was doing in England. I mumbled (greatly embarrassed) that I was going to Bible School. I ended up sharing the Gospel with him for a long time. His basic question was, "What must I do to be saved?" God's mercy was to use me even though I was not really acting like a wonderful reflection of Him. God doesn't use us because we are good enough. He uses us because He is merciful. So, take heart! If He can use me, He can and will use you.

Lord, thank you for your mercy to us. Thank you that you use us despite ourselves. Show Your mercy through us to this world. Use me to bless someone today!

Transformed to Reflect

You are reflecting. Whether you know it or not, you are reflecting. One of the truly wonderful things about our relationship with God in Christ, is that we are made free to be transformed into His image. 

Paul says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (II Corinthians 3:17-18) 

The work of the Spirit (in part) is to bring us into freedom in Christ. Freedom from the dominion of sin. Freedom from the control, guilt, and condemnation of sin. Freedom to be who God created us to be. That freedom, working in and through our lives reflects the glory of God. When you can say that you have been forgiven and then in turn forgive as Christ has forgiven you, you are reflecting the Lord's glory. 

Heavenly Father, free us in Christ to reflect Your glory. Transform us into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Use us today to reflect Your glory to this dark world. 

God says you can...

When it comes to being used by God, too often we either have to high or to low of an opinion of ourselves. Actually, being used by God (finding your place in the church) is not about you, what you can or can not do. The issue is what can God do through you? The answer: Anything he wants to do.

^"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant —not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." II Corinthians 3:4-6

You may feel spiritually incompetent. Condemnation from past sins can often paralyze you. Here is the good news: God makes you competent. Remember, "the Spirit gives life." Jesus died for you. He died knowing all the sins you would commit during your entire life. Jesus died to give you life, more abundantly. Again, the issue is not you, the issue is God's grace! God, by his grace forgives you and makes you a new creation in Christ. God desires to do new things in and through you. What does God have for you today?


Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Open our eyes to see what new things You have for us today! Thank You that, in Christ, you make us competent for whatever you put before us. Be glorified in us today! Thank You for making me competent in Christ!

What do you smell like?

What do you smell like? I know that sounds like an unusual question, but what "scent" do you leave? 

^"But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?" II Corinthians 2:14-16

Have you ever been to a restaurant, feeling hungry, looking over the menu and then a food server walked by with something and the smell just caught your attention and you had to know what that was? When you follow Christ, He will make you stand, and He will use you. Someone will notice that you make your decisions differently, that you value others differently, that your priorities are different and ultimately that your hope is in Christ. You may not see it or know it, but, the Holy Spirit will use you!


Father, thank You for giving us the Spirit of son-ship and  that we can call out to you, "Abba-Father". May our lives leave the sweet smell of salvation that others will want to know who You are. 

Be used by God, forgive...

Here is the deal my friends: We ALL need the forgiveness and grace of God. Sometimes we may need the forgiveness of someone we have sinned against. Your forgiveness could be the spiritual vehicle God wants to use in someone's life! That is what Paul is talking about in these verses. 

"Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him." II Corinthians 2:7-8

It would be easy to say we just need the forgiveness of the Father and in a sense that is true. But, in many ways the forgiveness that we show to others becomes that tangible witness to the reality of God that someone else needs. Quite frankly, often times, it is what I need! Paul goes on to link forgiveness with spiritual warfare in verses 10 -11. Unforgiveness is actually a scheme of Satan. 

Do you want to be used by God? Forgive as He has forgiven you.


Father, help me to forgive as You have forgiven me. Where I need to ask forgiveness, give me the courage. Use me as an agent of forgiveness today!

You Will Stand because God will help you stand!

 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." II Corinthians 1:21-22

Sometimes your struggles with sin and life in general give you an uneasy feeling concerning your position in Christ. The truth is, God, your heavenly Father, makes you stand firm in Christ.  To help you stand firm in Christ He does three things. God anoints you. He sets his seal of ownership on you. He also puts his Spirit in your heart as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

God anoints you. God sets you apart as His. He calls you to be an ambassador, a messenger of his compassion, grace and mercy. 

God, by anointing you sets his seal of ownership on you. Remember, you would not have a single thought of God if not for His Spirit within you. 

God puts His Spirit in your heart. Any desire you have to know God is God's Spirit Himself calling you to know Him. This truth, that it is God working in You when you even just think of Him is that guarantee that you are His. Think about that...you are God's child and He will make you stand!

Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on us. Thank you that You, by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead will keep us in Christ!

God is Compassionate and Comforting

^"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." II Corinthians 1:3-4

God's desire is to show you compassion and comfort you in whatever your circumstances. 

Where do you feel the need for compassion and comfort in you life today, right at this very moment? God, our Father wants to comfort you in all your troubles! Have you been having trouble at work? In your marriage? In your singleness? With your children? Remember, God longs to comfort you in ALL your troubles, even the ones you are experiencing as you read.

The amazing grace of God not only allows you to receive the compassion and comfort of God but blesses you with opportnities to share that compassion and comfort with others.

Lord, thank You for your compassion and comfort. Spirit of the Living God, comfort us deep within our spirits. You alone know the depth of comfort we each need. Thank you that the truth is in Your unfailing love for us You show compassion and comfort us. Spirit of God, use us to show compassion and comfort those who need to know Your compassion and comfort.