Midweek Motivation

Starting Your Day out Right

Scripture, Short Devotion

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV

As I contemplate on the mercies and grace of God in my own life, I am overwhelmed with a passion for people who are like me, people who are sinners, as I am.  I see the wretchedness of my own heart, and as I reminisce all the places my wicked heart has taken me, I get a sense and understanding of where unbelieving people are in their heart of hearts.

Even as a believer for many years now, I have struggled with a life of defeat, a life of discouragement, hopelessness. In the depths of desperation of my soul’s agony, only one thing gets me through; only one person is able to transform me.

My life of despair and grief is exchanged and transformed by the person of Jesus Christ. As I go through the Word of God, it takes me to the person of Jesus and He takes me to the Father where I receive strength in my weariness. I receive mercy in my time of need.

It’s not that I have this great faith in God, but the little faith that I have is placed in a GREAT GOD.

Is Your House in Order?
Cleaning, parenting, marriage, organization tips, etc.

I desire more than anything to go into the throne room of grace, where the King of kings dwells. I desire to go into that special place in my heart of hearts where Jesus can minister to me which in turns helps me to minister to others. I desire Jesus. And until you and I meet with the Lord at this level we can never take our family members there with us. We cannot take people to places that we have never been ourselves. Want a great marriage? Do you desire to minister to your children? Take them to Jesus, but you must meet with the Lord first before you can take your family into the throne room of the King of kings.

Afternoon Pick Me Up
Writing Inspiration

Matthew 17:1-8Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John. Moses who represents the Law and Elijah who represents the Prophets (The Old Testament) show up. As Moses, Elijah, and Jesus dialog about the upcoming events in Jerusalem a cloud overtakes them and the apostles see no one. Fear grips their hearts as they fall on their faces and hear the Father say, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Something extremely simple yet powerful happens. Jesus touches them. Jesus says, “Arise, do not be afraid.” And when the apostles open their eyes, they see only Jesus.

Here’s my point: Moses was gone. Elijah had disappeared. What the law and the prophets failed to do, Jesus did. The law and the prophets cannot bring comfort to the despairing, it brings fear. Jesus alone speaks the words of comfort that we need. It was the touch of Jesus that got the apostles through that terrifying experience.

The Old Testament cannot bring us what we need; it only testifies of the One we need, which is Jesus alone. I want this touch of Jesus; do you?

What’s For Dinner?

Dinner…hmmm….what an incredible time of day for those of us who look forward to satisfying the hunger within. Yet no matter what we do we will never be satisfied fully. Even when we get our fill in food it only takes a few hours before that satisfaction turns to more hunger and we crave once again. And it is true that food at times can nourish us and supply us with the energy that we desperately need to carry on our normal day to day activity.

But I have a thought. Jesus said, when you fast….not if you fast but when you fast. When was the last time we skipped a meal and fasted? When is the last time we fasted for a day or a week? Have we ever fasted for 40 days? Will we hear the heart of Jesus speaking to us? Fasting has many purposes and one of the benefits of fasting is learning the art of denying ourselves so that we can deny our flesh. And when we learn to deny our flesh that enables us to deny sin that the flesh craves so often. Will we be a people who will feast upon the Word of God?

A Restful Night’s Sleep

Scripture for a restful sleep

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.

Romans 3:21-22

It’s for all. Jesus is willing to touch all. I want to bring this touch of Jesus to nonbelievers. In doing so, I have to use the law and the prophets as they testify of who Jesus is. I believe that as we enter into His presence through worship, fasting and the Word of God, I believe it is at this point that Jesus can come to us and to those who do not know Him yet and touch both them and us as a people. It is at this point that Jesus can come and heal us, restore us and cleanse us. This is what true worship is about. It’s about Him, the Savior of our soul. It’s about His passion for us. He loves us because He chooses to love us.

Let us be a people who bring those souls of the world into direct contact with the Savior of the world. It’s not just about getting into the Word of God; but it’s about going through the Word of God until we come into contact with Jesus, the Healer of our soul. And once we do, we can never be the same.

So my challenge is to meet with Him and allow Him to take my life and make it His. If we are willing to travel upon this road of intimacy with Jesus, we will never be the same. How can we be?