He Teaches Truth

DECEMBER 11

MATTHEW 7:25_and the winds blew…

We live in an extremely high-tech world. Technology outdates itself at a fast pace. The newest mesmerizing product of today may be outdated in less than a year. Those of us who do not claim to be techies feel like we are giving out of steam just trying to keep up. Do you ever think it is astounding what the human mind can devise? I do!

For all our brilliance and intelligence, there is much we cannot control—most belongs to the world of nature. How about the wind for example? Can you start it? Can you stop it? We are not talking about man-made fans. We are talking about the wind. Wind is not controlled by human intelligence or muscle. In the cases of natural disasters the wind may help to clean away debris, or bring more destruction to what is already weak and broken.

In John 3:8, Jesus says, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we know when He dwells in us.

We know because He teaches us truth.

PRAYER

Jesus Lord, With the Holy Spirit I can be strong against the world. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ is stronger than the world—I want His power!

Your Heart Listens

DECEMBER 6

MATTHEW 7:24_heareth these sayings of mine…

As the Master Stonemason, Jesus works from the bottom up. Step one is to hear. Hearing the words of Jesus is important. You can be physically deaf and hear Jesus’ words. By the same token, you can rate perfect on your hearing test, listen to the Bible read by Alexander Scourby for an hour, and never hear a word. Where you think is where you hear—in the heart. The heart’s door, where Jesus knocks, is a place of communication.

Jesus is very specific about what He wants you to hear, “these sayings of mine.” The word sayings here can be interpreted as a statement or declaration by God. If your ears hear, it is because your heart listens.

At least eight times in His teachings, Jesus says:                                                                   

Matthew 11:15 (KJV),”He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:9 (KJV), “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:9 (KJV), “And he said unto them, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”                                                                              

Mark 4:23 (KJV), “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

Revelation 2:7 (KJV), “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…”

Revelation 2:11(KJV), “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…”

Revelation 2:29 (KJV), “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…”                                                                                    

Revelation 3:13 (KJV), “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…”

PRAYER

True Word, Please help my heart to listen so my ears can hear. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ speaks to my heart—I hear!

What Jesus Wants

NOVEMBER 22

MATTHEW 7:21_Not everyone…

Jesus gave Himself for everyone.

His teachings are for everyone.

He wants everyone to live free.

He wants everyone to have wisdom which comes from the Bible.

He wants everyone to seek and find understanding and knowledge.

He wants everyone to abide in His love.

And He wants everyone to share His love through their own heart—with each other.  

Jesus’ inclusiveness shows up again – everyone.  You want to be a part of His everyone. However, there are times when Jesus blind sides with reality. You would just as soon pass over some of these realities, because in reality, you only want life to be about love, joy, and peace.

I Corinthians 2:13-14 (KJV), “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

 To avoid the hard spiritual realities of life—is a foolish mistake!

PRAYER

Only Mighty God,Please give me spiritual discernment to know the truth. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                      

Christ’s spiritual discernments are realities—Teach me!

I’m Saying It Again

NOVEMBER 16

MATTHEW 7:19_Every tree…

This life is hard—for everyone. Some people may appear to never have trouble, but you’re only seeing the surface. Everyone has struggles in earthly life. 

I believe I’ve said that the Bible is about truth, and truth is about freedom. I’m saying it again.

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to live free. I’m saying it again. 

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to be alert to the devil’s schemes and escape the bondage into which he desires to snare you. I’m saying it again.

When Jesus ate His last Passover meal with His disciples He let them know that everyone will face hard times. John 14:26-27 (KJV), “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  

I really like that Jesus assures me the Holy Spirit will remind me of these creation principles.

Jesus’ peace conquers fear.     

PRAYER

Immanuel, Thank You for giving Your peace to me when I face trouble. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

Christ is peace over fear—He gives it to me!

Every Time!

 NOVEMBER 8

MATTHEW 7:17_Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit…

Now the perfect combination! Grapes and thorns don’t combine, neither do figs and thistles. But good trees and good fruit combine every time! Here’s God’s creation design—good produces good. Be a good gardener, plant this principle in your heart.

Ask yourself a question. Do your eyes allow in good only? What your eyes allow in stays in … the heart … the mind. With time it takes root and grows. Depending upon how much you tend and nurture, what your eyes have taken in begins to bear fruit.

If you’ve taken in evil the fruit resembles thorns. Thorns can pierce the people in your life. Some people may even begin to avoid being too close to you for fear of the pain. The fruit that resembles thistles can appear attractive, but the briars on the stems pierce those who try to be close to you. This leads to a hot mess! You cannot find genuine relationships. Your life is grown up with thorns and weeds. This also applies to what you allow your ears to hear, your hands to touch, and where your feet go.

In your quest to become perfect, you can ask, seek, and knock for righteousness. Let the Holy Spirit guide in these areas, and let good produce good.        

PRAYER

Only God, I want to produce good fruit for Your kingdom. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                  

Christ is the good tree—In Him I produce good fruit!