If There Is No God

DECEMBER 17

MATTHEW 7:26_shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.

Why do we make foolish decisions? Because we make them. For goodness sake, where do we come up with the idea we know what is best for ourselves? We’re sinful people born with a sinful nature. When left to ourselves we make foolish decisions.

Psalm 14:1(KJV) “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Someone made a foolish decision to make that statement!

If there is no God we are all doomed.

Destined to build life on sandy soil.

No hope.

No secure life built on the Rock.

No becoming salt and light in our dark world.

No hearts filled with genuine, unconditional, compassionate love.

No true wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. 

Most of all, no hope of eternal life.

The One True God gives us:

Psalm 16:9 (KJV), “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”

Psalm 31:24 (KJV), “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

Psalm 38:15 (KJV), “For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”

There is nothing sandy about soil filled with hope!

PRAYER

God of Hope, All my hope is in You! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ is true and eternal—He gives me hope!

Everything You Need

DECEMBER 8

MATTHEW 7:24_I will liken him unto a wise man…

Jesus describes the person who hears and does—wise! 

Proverbs 4:7 (KJV): “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Proverbs 2:4-7(KJV): “If thou seekest her [wisdom] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”

The entire chapter of Proverbs 8 (KJV) describes the power of wisdom: “33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me [wisdom], watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.” 

Wow, it sounds like wisdom will give you everything you need for a life of freedom! How will you obtain it? Step three in Jesus’ building process is wisdom. He says wisdom comes after you’ve listened and acted.

Once you reach this step, you’re almost ready to move in.

PRAYER

Only Wise God, Please hear me call to You for wisdom. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ’s principles are wisdom for life—I want them!

But the Power of Jesus

NOVEMBER 29

MATTHEW 7:22_and in Thy name cast out devils…

Can these people actually cast out demons? Or do they think they can just convince Jesus they can? I don’t claim to know a lot about demonic possession, but I don’t believe there is any power to exhort them but the power of Jesus. 

Because life is spiritual as well as physical, we need to have knowledge of both. We primarily focus on the physical until we have had an encounter with Jesus and answer that knock. John 15:16 (KJV), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

You didn’t become a Christian because it was your idea. You answered the call, the knock, the pursuing of Jesus. You responded, and now you are doing the asking, seeking, knocking, pursuing. You enter a strait gate and a narrow way to gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of truth. And why do you want truth? By now you’ve got this—to live free!

We must face the reality that the spiritual world consists of darkness as well as light. Jesus calls us to be light and light must be free.

Any encumbrances to light keep it from overcoming darkness.                   

PRAYER

God of Heaven, Please keep my light free to serve You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen. 

Christ’s light is free from encumbrances—He frees mine!

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 that 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.

1 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!

A Protective Wall

NOVEMBER 12

MATTHEW 7:18_A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit…

I do not believe it is any kind of happenstance that Jesus was raised by a carpenter, or that He became one. When Jesus went to His hometown to preach, the people there said, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us …” Mark 6:3 (KJV).

I have heard that the correct translation for the word carpenter here is actually a stonemason. Jesus was a Master Stonemason. I know He was a master because what is the passion of a person’s heart will reflect in their work. Always. This means His carpentry work radiated with love and compassion. 

Jesus had the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge required to create the universe. He had more than enough skill to be a Master Stonemason. 

I don’t know if Jesus did any carpentry after He began His ministry. But, He definitely incorporated His masonry skills into His teachings, which radiate with love and compassion. And absolutely no one can build a protective wall around you better than He!

When The Master Stonemason has a principle to teach, He never does it half-way.

Jesus makes His point—and makes it solid! 

PRAYER

Holy Master Stonemason, I am learning to see love and compassion in Your teachings. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.         

Christ is The Master Stonemason—His teachings are solid!