June 2011
If you have forgiven anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven --- if there was anything to forgive --- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. – II Corinthians 2:10-11
“in order that Satan might not outwit [get the advantage of] us. For we are not unaware of his schemes [devices, plots, intentions].”
Satan desires to trick us and trip us up. He will lie to us. He will deceive us. He will make sure we get wrong information. He will scheme, plot and plan things against us. He will do anything, anything to try and outwit us. To get the advantage over us.
However, if we are “aware” of all that then we can be prepared to withstand and fight against his schemes. God gives us the strength, the courage and the armor to stand against Satan’s schemes.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11
This next verse from I John has been on my heart all week and I have been referencing it in my correspondence with different ones, even this week’s Sunday’s Coming!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – I John 4:4
Bottom Line: May you daily be aware of Satan’s schemes, but may you also daily “put on the full armor of God” knowing that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Love in Christ,
MG
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Whom Are You Living For?
May 2011
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
-- I Corinthians 8:6
Two questions for us: First, whom are we living for? Second, through whom are we living? What I see as answers in this scripture from Paul is that we are living for “God, the Father.” And, we live through the “one Lord, Jesus Christ.”
In Acts17:28 we again see Paul stating something similar, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” That is -- our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, in Christ we have a new life: II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This month we are about to witness nine people who have chosen a new way of life. They are “a new creation”, they will make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, they will be baptized on May 1, and they will then be living for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen! And Hallelujah!
Bottom Line: Whom are you living for and through whom are you living? May it be for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Love in Christ,
MG
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
-- I Corinthians 8:6
Two questions for us: First, whom are we living for? Second, through whom are we living? What I see as answers in this scripture from Paul is that we are living for “God, the Father.” And, we live through the “one Lord, Jesus Christ.”
In Acts17:28 we again see Paul stating something similar, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” That is -- our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, in Christ we have a new life: II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This month we are about to witness nine people who have chosen a new way of life. They are “a new creation”, they will make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, they will be baptized on May 1, and they will then be living for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen! And Hallelujah!
Bottom Line: Whom are you living for and through whom are you living? May it be for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Love in Christ,
MG
Thursday, September 29, 2011
He Who Is In You Is Greater
March 2011
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
-- I John 4:4
I think we sometimes give the enemy too much credit. I am not saying he is not out there trying to trick us, trip us, and cause trouble for us. I’m saying The Word says he has already been defeated. (John 16:33)
The Word states that when the enemy tempts us that God gives a way out. (I Corinthians 10:13)
The Word states that, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
The Word states that we overcome the accuser “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of” our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
The Word states that, “He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Corinthians 15:57)
We do not need to give in to a defeatist attitude of, “I’ll never get out of this.” Or, “I’ll always be this way.” No! We have a choice. We have a way out! By His help we can overcome.
There is not a person among us that has not at some time faltered and failed but listen to this with your ears as you read:
“My heart and my flesh may fall, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26
Hallelujah! Forever He is with us! Forever He is faithful!
Bottom Line: May we come to a complete understanding of the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.
Love in Christ,
MG
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
-- I John 4:4
I think we sometimes give the enemy too much credit. I am not saying he is not out there trying to trick us, trip us, and cause trouble for us. I’m saying The Word says he has already been defeated. (John 16:33)
The Word states that when the enemy tempts us that God gives a way out. (I Corinthians 10:13)
The Word states that, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
The Word states that we overcome the accuser “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of” our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
The Word states that, “He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Corinthians 15:57)
We do not need to give in to a defeatist attitude of, “I’ll never get out of this.” Or, “I’ll always be this way.” No! We have a choice. We have a way out! By His help we can overcome.
There is not a person among us that has not at some time faltered and failed but listen to this with your ears as you read:
“My heart and my flesh may fall, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26
Hallelujah! Forever He is with us! Forever He is faithful!
Bottom Line: May we come to a complete understanding of the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.
Love in Christ,
MG
Saturday, September 24, 2011
"... he who humbles himself ..."
October 2011
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11
What we are talking about, in a sense, is bragging about how good we are –- at anything. We are good at building ourselves up. In 1992 a popular shoe company ran a series of ads leading up to the 1992 Summer Olympics. The ads featured two men, Dan and Dave (Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson). They were touted to be the next Gold and Silver winners of the Decathlon event in the Olympics. However, Dan never qualified and Dave came in third to win the Bronze. Exalting ourselves can have some devastating effects.
Moses was a very humble man (Numbers 12:3). He never wanted a position of leadership over God’s people. But, God saw a humble man and exalted Moses to a position of leading the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promise Land.
Paul thought of himself as a very important man. He had letters from the high priest that would allow him to arrest anyone “who belonged to the Way.” (Acts 9:2). God humbled Paul on the road to Damascus and Paul accepted it. He then became a believer and worked tirelessly the rest of His life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It does us no good to exalt our self. God can and will humble us. If we accept it and accept our weaknesses and not promote our self --- God, in His timing will come and exalt us. And, where we are weak – His power comes through. (I Corinthians 12:9).
Bottom Line: Do not exalt yourself in anything. Be humble and let God exalt you in His timing.
Love in Christ,
MG
P.S. In 1996 Dan O’Brien won the Gold for the Decathlon in the Summer Olympics. Makes you wonder if being humbled fours years before played a part in his Gold Medal win.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11
What we are talking about, in a sense, is bragging about how good we are –- at anything. We are good at building ourselves up. In 1992 a popular shoe company ran a series of ads leading up to the 1992 Summer Olympics. The ads featured two men, Dan and Dave (Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson). They were touted to be the next Gold and Silver winners of the Decathlon event in the Olympics. However, Dan never qualified and Dave came in third to win the Bronze. Exalting ourselves can have some devastating effects.
Moses was a very humble man (Numbers 12:3). He never wanted a position of leadership over God’s people. But, God saw a humble man and exalted Moses to a position of leading the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promise Land.
Paul thought of himself as a very important man. He had letters from the high priest that would allow him to arrest anyone “who belonged to the Way.” (Acts 9:2). God humbled Paul on the road to Damascus and Paul accepted it. He then became a believer and worked tirelessly the rest of His life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It does us no good to exalt our self. God can and will humble us. If we accept it and accept our weaknesses and not promote our self --- God, in His timing will come and exalt us. And, where we are weak – His power comes through. (I Corinthians 12:9).
Bottom Line: Do not exalt yourself in anything. Be humble and let God exalt you in His timing.
Love in Christ,
MG
P.S. In 1996 Dan O’Brien won the Gold for the Decathlon in the Summer Olympics. Makes you wonder if being humbled fours years before played a part in his Gold Medal win.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Who Is Directing Your Heart?
Bottom Line
“Who is Directing Your Heart?”
February 2011
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
“Who is Directing Your Heart?”
February 2011
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
– 2 Thessalonians 3:5
The above verse is just a very simple one that caught my eye as I was reading His Word a few months back. So, who should be directing our heart? Man? The world? TV? Radio? The news? Our favorite author? Our friends? Who?
The scripture makes it clear that it should be the Lord directing our heart. And then the follow-up is – Into what? The answer is again clear – “God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
To me that speaks of two things:
First, we are to view things from the love of God. We love because He first loved us. (I John 4:19) God is love. (I John 4:16) We should be viewing others around us through the love of God.
Second, “Christ’s perseverance” speaks to me of staying the course. Do not be distracted by the world and worldly things. It speaks of standing firm in godly convictions, standing firm on His Word, doing the right thing.
Bottom Line: May our hearts be directed by the Lord and may that directing lead us into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance so we can view others through His love and so we can stand firm, stand strong in the faith and not wavier in our walk with Him. Amen? Amen!
Love in Christ
MG
The above verse is just a very simple one that caught my eye as I was reading His Word a few months back. So, who should be directing our heart? Man? The world? TV? Radio? The news? Our favorite author? Our friends? Who?
The scripture makes it clear that it should be the Lord directing our heart. And then the follow-up is – Into what? The answer is again clear – “God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
To me that speaks of two things:
First, we are to view things from the love of God. We love because He first loved us. (I John 4:19) God is love. (I John 4:16) We should be viewing others around us through the love of God.
Second, “Christ’s perseverance” speaks to me of staying the course. Do not be distracted by the world and worldly things. It speaks of standing firm in godly convictions, standing firm on His Word, doing the right thing.
Bottom Line: May our hearts be directed by the Lord and may that directing lead us into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance so we can view others through His love and so we can stand firm, stand strong in the faith and not wavier in our walk with Him. Amen? Amen!
Love in Christ
MG
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Be Bold
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. – Proverbs 28:1[NIV]
So Saul (later Paul) stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. – Acts 9:28 [NIV]
So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6 [NKJV]
I have been saying for a few months that the Lord has been speaking to me about boldness and being bold. I believe this is something we are to take to heart as we enter the 2011 New Year. The scriptures are repleat with examples of being bold, of exhibiting boldness, and encouraging others to be bold – all in and for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I pray that this New Year brings a “boldness” into your daily walk with Him that you have never experienced before. And, that as we recognize His activity around us (wherever it may be – home, work, publicly, privately) we will be “bold” to enter in and be a part of it for the sake of His Kingdom purposes.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! AND LET’S BE BOLD FOR HIM!
MG
So Saul (later Paul) stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. – Acts 9:28 [NIV]
So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6 [NKJV]
I have been saying for a few months that the Lord has been speaking to me about boldness and being bold. I believe this is something we are to take to heart as we enter the 2011 New Year. The scriptures are repleat with examples of being bold, of exhibiting boldness, and encouraging others to be bold – all in and for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I pray that this New Year brings a “boldness” into your daily walk with Him that you have never experienced before. And, that as we recognize His activity around us (wherever it may be – home, work, publicly, privately) we will be “bold” to enter in and be a part of it for the sake of His Kingdom purposes.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! AND LET’S BE BOLD FOR HIM!
MG
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Now Word -- Be Bold
A Now Word for CCC
Be Bold
Be bold in letting your light shine so that His light shines through you to others.
Be bold to speak His truth in love.
Be bold to uphold His standard of righteousness.
Be bold for the Lord Your God is with you.
Therefore, do not hold back.
Do not hold back your joy.
Do not hold back your excitement.
Do not hold back your gifting.
Do not hold back your service, your giving, His tithe.
Do not hold back the love, grace and mercy in your heart.
Do not hold back your transformed life in Christ Jesus.
Be bold in Him and in His calling upon your life.
Let your light shine so that His light shines through you to others.
Be bold in Christ Jesus.
Be Bold
Be bold in letting your light shine so that His light shines through you to others.
Be bold to speak His truth in love.
Be bold to uphold His standard of righteousness.
Be bold for the Lord Your God is with you.
Therefore, do not hold back.
Do not hold back your joy.
Do not hold back your excitement.
Do not hold back your gifting.
Do not hold back your service, your giving, His tithe.
Do not hold back the love, grace and mercy in your heart.
Do not hold back your transformed life in Christ Jesus.
Be bold in Him and in His calling upon your life.
Let your light shine so that His light shines through you to others.
Be bold in Christ Jesus.
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