March 2 7, 2 007
KJV – (King James Version)
NIV – (New International Version)
BBE – (Bible in Basic English)
Scripture of the Day
Hebrews 12:1
1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (KJV)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV)
12:1 For this reason, as we are circled by so great a cloud of witnesses, putting off every weight, and the sin into which we come so readily, let us keep on running in the way which is marked out for us, (BBE)
Daily Devotional
Verses for the Day:
Proverbs 12:23-24
23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.2 4 ) The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (KJV)
23A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. 24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (NIV)
12: 2 3 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts. 12: 2 4 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work. (BBE)
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in the book of Proverbs contrast prudence and diligence against foolishness and laziness. Verse 23 tells us that a prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, while the heart of a self-confident fool proclaims his folly. Men of character display a humble spirit, while the fool brags about the things that he does.
Verse 24 continues contrasting a good character trait in contrast to a bad one, as it points out that a person who is diligent in his affairs will be in a place of authority and will rule over others. In contrast, the lazy person will be forced to labor and be under tribute. The Lord is looking for people to rule in His kingdom and this is one of the qualities that are needful for a person to be a minister. The Lord calls people to serve Him by serving His people; therefore, another requirement for leadership is a servant's heart. God requirements for His leadership choices are much different than those in the world. The way up in the kingdom of God is down. The way to receive is to give. The way to lead is to serve. The way we gain is to give up and the way to live is to die.
Mark 10:42-45
42) But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (KJV)
42Jesus called them together and said, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NIV)
10:42 And Jesus made them come to him, and said to them, You see that those who are made rulers over the Gentiles are lords over them, and their great ones have authority over them. 10:43 But it is not so among you: but whoever has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant: 10:44 And whoever has a desire to be first among you, let him be servant of all. 10:45 For truly the Son of man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for the salvation of men. (BBE)
Luke 14:27
27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (KJV)
27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NIV)
14:27 Whoever does not take up his cross and come after me may not be my disciple. (BBE)
Matthew 16:24-25
24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV)
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. (NIV)
16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him give up all, and take up his cross, and come after me. 16:25 Because whoever has a desire to keep his life safe will have it taken from him; but whoever gives up his life because of me, will have it given back to him. (BBE)
Today many Christians never attain the victory in Christ that is promised them because they have failed to understand and embrace the cross message in their lives. Some have been taught that God is supposed to serve them and they treat Him like a "bell boy," telling God what He should do for them. Many times the emphasis has been on what God can do for us, instead of what we can do for Him. Certainly, God desires to give His children His blessings, but these come after we make a total commitment to Him. There are two truths that the church must embrace so that they can be victorious: first, we are to die to our way and embrace the cross and the kingdom of God ; then we must exercise our authority in Christ over the devil and his kingdom of darkness. We are to first submit unto God, then resist the devil, and he will flee. We cannot have the victory over sin, sickness and death, unless we practice both of these things.
James 4:7-10
7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (KJV)
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV)
4:7 For this cause be ruled by God; but make war on the Evil One and he will be put to flight before you. 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Make your hands clean, you evil-doers; put away deceit from your hearts, you false in mind. 4:9 Be troubled, with sorrow and weeping; let your laughing be turned to sorrow and your joy to grief. 4: 1 0 Make yourselves low in the eyes of the Lord and you will be lifted up by him. (BBE)
Today we are hearing much teaching on ruling and reigning with Christ, and rightly so, as we are approaching the millennial reign of Christ where his saints will reign with Him. Therefore, we must embrace a kingdom mentality. However, the requirement for reigning is first complete surrender to the King, plus total obedience to His kingdom rules. If we cannot even rule over the sin in our individual lives, how shall we reign in His kingdom? Jesus was first the Lamb of God before He demonstrated the nature of the Lion of Judah. He gave His life so that all of mankind could receive forgiveness of their sins. After we are made righteous in Him, we can receive the same authority over sin and the devil that Jesus was granted. Jesus came the first time to this earth as the sacrificial "Lamb," but soon He is coming again as the "Lion" who will rule with a rod of iron and judge every person in the earth. If we yield to the Lord now, we will not be judged for our sins. If we surrender to be His servant now, we shall rule and reign with Him at that time. Praise the Lord!
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You with a thankful heart for all the things You have done for me. I really cannot thank You enough. I do want to continue to be one of Your faithful servants. I must rely on You to fill me with Your love and strength every day in order to be obedient and serve You. Help me to be able to share Your love with all those who You allow me to be a witness to. Lord, help me to overcome the sin and weaknesses that hinder Your work in my life. I do ask for the grace to die to my ways and live unto Yours. Help me to be diligent in all the things that You have commissioned me to do. May I reflect Your glory and love to all who know me. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Keep each other in PrAyer and display HuMility. Have a BlEssed day and stay ENcourage.
God is Good All the Time!!!
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Stay Blessed,
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