“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. . . but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (I John 1:5,7)
Believers are commanded to “walk” in the light because God is light. We are to follow the example of Jesus. “Light” can refer to God’s purity. God is pure and uncontaminated by sin. Believers should seek to live pure lives (walk in light). I Timothy 5:22 reads, “keep thyself pure”. Jesus reminds us that citizens of His kingdom live pure lives. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Walk in light today!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)
Notice, the Psalmist praised God from the heart, from his “inmost” being. True praise begins on the inside of man. It is only possible for someone who has experienced a “new heart” in Christ.
Have you experienced a spiritual heart transplant? If so, it will be easy to praise the Lord!
Blessings! Pastor Rex
Suppose your bank deposited $86,400 into your checking account as a gift. The only stipulation being that you had to spend all of the money by midnight or lose the deposit. How would you plan to spend it?
Today, you have been given a gift of 86,400 seconds of time. It will expire at midnight. How will you invest your time wisely today? Ephesians 5:15 reads, “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Invest wisely today.
Prayer: “Lord, help me to use this day You have given me in wise and helpful ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Blessings! Pastor Rex
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.” (Psalm 92:1-2)
The word translated “lovingkindness” has three basic meanings according to W.E. Vine. These meanings always interact. They are love, strength and steadfastness. The love God has for His people is strong and steadfast. God reminded the citizens of Zion that He would never forget them. “The Lord answered . . .I will never forget you. A picture of your city is drawn on my hand. You are always in my thoughts!” (Isaiah 49:15-16, CEV)
Thank God for His love!
Be Hospitable!
Hebrews 13:2 reads, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Leon Morris writes, “The writer is not advocating hospitality on the off chance that one might happen to receive an angel as guest but rather because God is pleased when believers are hospitable. Sometimes unexpectedly happy results follow acts of hospitality. It was highly esteemed in the ancient world and was certainly very important for Christians. Accommodation at inns was expensive, and in any case inns had a bad reputation. But as Christian preachers traveled around, believers gave them lodging and so facilitated their mission. Without hospitality in Christian homes, the spread of the faith would have been much more difficult.”
The truth is clear. God uses the acts of hospitality of Christians to spread His love. Look for ways to invite guests into your home.
Blessings!
Rex
A Song Filled Heart
Do songs of praise to God flood your soul? Is there an overwhelming sense of joy and peace in your life? The filling of the Spirit makes this possible.
Believers are commanded to be filled (controlled, yielded to) the Holy Spirit. “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts.” (Eph. 5:18-19 NLT)
Yes, the spirit-filled Christian enjoys a song-filled heart. The fruits of the spirit-filled life are also evident. Some of these are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
Would you like for these characteristics to describe you? Do you want a song-filled heart? You Can!
Prayer: “Lord, I want to be filled with your presence. I release control of my life and ask for You to take control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Blessings!
Rex
ALIVE!
“Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. . . but God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with Him in the heavenly realms – all because we are one with Christ Jesus.”
(Eph. 2:1-2, 4-6 NLT)
Yes, believer – You are alive in Christ Jesus. Thank God for salvation!
Prayer: “Lord, thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
Blessings!
Rex
TODAY: A Reminder Of God’s Love And Compassion
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Every morning of life brings a fresh outpouring of God’s love and compassion upon his followers. Enjoy the day! Rejoice in knowing that you are loved and cared for by God.
Prayer: “Lord, thank you for this day! Remind me of Your love and care for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Blessings!
Rex
The Changing Of The Seasons
The changing of the seasons should remind us of God’s faithfulness. He created the times and seasons and promises that they will continue until the end of the earth. God said to Noah, “as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22)
Yes, the changing of the seasons should focus our praise on the Creator!
Blessings!
Rex
Return To The Lord!
How easy it is for a believer to drift away from a close fellowship with the Lord! It happens when one tries to find rest and satisfaction in something or someone, instead of their Lord (see Isaiah 55:2). The result is that believers (like Israel) find themselves in exile (bondage) and away from the blessings of God.
Does that describe you today? The good news is that God is calling out to you. Isaiah 55:6-7 reads: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Return to Your Lord! He is waiting on you.
Prayer: “Lord, thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Blessings,
Rex
