Tag: Power

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God’s Final Amen

JUNE 23

MATTHEW 6:13_forever. Amen.

These two words at the end of the Lord’s Prayer may seem to be insignificant, but … no way. For that matter, they may be the most powerful in the entire prayer! 

Forever means without end. An ongoing kingdom with ongoing power and ongoing glory. Nothing can stop forever—not even death! Forever is continual. There are no gaps in forever. Forever is security. Forever can never fail.

Amen is translated as let it be or it shall be. That’s how prayers should end. I have worshiped You. I have thanked You. I have laid all my needs before You. Now, let it be.

Amen can also add an exclamation for a profound word of truth—Amen! 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 (KJV), “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

In Jesus, is God’s yes. Jesus was God’s promises in the flesh. Now He is those promises in the spirit. He is also God’s final Amen, which glorifies God and all His works. Revelation 3:14 (KJV), “… These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.“ 

Amen is one of Jesus’ names!        

PRAYER

Faithful God, In You is yes to all of Your promises. You are the Amen. The finishing work of God’s glory. Praise Your name! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is the Amen—I praise Him!

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Do It!

 MARCH 23

MATTHEW 5:24_first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Be reconciled!

Even if you never perpetrated a wound, but feel the devil may have caused someone to misunderstand.

Explain in detail, perhaps even in writing if that will diminish the devil’s power.  

This is not about political correctness. It is not about agreeing with something that compromises your faith and convictions in order to please another person. This is about genuine repentance and grief. This is about expressing shame for your anger, or attitude, or theft, or for whatever you are guilty.

If you stole something—repay it. Depending upon how serious you are, repay more than you stole. You are not obligated to do that by the letter of the Law, but perhaps by the Spirit. If needed, work out a payment plan—but whatever you have to do—DO IT!

If earthly possessions are in any way holding you back from being reconciled with someone—you are in bondage. Give your gift to God and live free. You can never out give God.

Whatever you give or sacrifice for Him—will return with interest.

PRAYER

True God, Give me a willing heart and teach me how to use it for You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ wants me reconciled—I will do my part!

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A Jesus Relationship

MARCH 18

MATTHEW 5:22 _But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…

Needless to say, there are a lot of tragedies in the world. High on the list is when anger destroys a church congregation. If we all held ourselves liable for our thoughts, words, and actions, we’d be more careful how we speak. Remember, we’re called to be salt to preserve and flavor, not destroy. 

We are all sinners. We all fail from time to time. Hopefully, the more time we spend in a Jesus relationship, the fewer our failures. This includes curbing anger.   

Galatians 6:1, 10 says “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Verse 10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

The scales are balanced when the murderer is held accountable for his actions according to the law of the land (judgment), and when the Christian holds himself accountable according to the law of Jesus (mercy).

PRAYER

Kind God, Help me be merciful to my fellow Christians. Help me know I am no better than the one who falls to temptation. When I am victorious over sin it is because of Your power in me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is merciful—He wants me to be!

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Who Reigns on Your Throne?

MARCH 13

MATTHEW 5:20_you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

If the kingdom of heaven is within you, it is in your heart. What is in your heart calls you to discipleship. You become disciples to whomever or whatever reigns on the heart’s throne. If Christ does not reign on the throne, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, and this time that works whether the kingdom is part of this earthly life, or it is eternal life.

The hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees were full of religion. They would have had to make room for Jesus to reign there. If Jesus reigned in their hearts, they would have known who He was. 

The Scribes and Pharisees’ righteousness was self-righteousness, thriving on self-glory and power. The righteousness in the kingdom of heaven thrives on doing good by serving others, which glorifies God. The heart, being the center of your thoughts, makes the decision as to who you want your life to glorify—self or God?

You have only one chance to live this life. If your goal is to use your life to make a difference in the world for good—you’ve got Jesus’ righteousness.

The world will recognize Jesus when it sees your righteousness.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Thank You that You can be seen in me. Thank You that through Your power I can do Your works. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ reigns in hearts—I want Him in mine!

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How Is That Possible?

MARCH 9

MATTHEW 5:20_But I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees…

Jesus asks us to compare our righteousness to that of the Scribes and Pharisees. If we’d been trained and educated in the Law to the degree they had, we’d be one of them.

Look closer. Jesus does not want just a comparison. He wants our righteousness to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees! What? How can an average Sunday school, church-goer, have more righteousness than the educated, religious, power-people? 

Can it be Jesus is not impressed with the Scribes and Pharisees’ righteousness? How is that possible? They were all about the Law, and Jesus had just taught the importance of the Law. He did not come to earth to destroy the Law.

Also, He had just taught to break even the least commandment carries a heavy consequence: to be least in the kingdom of heaven! So, why does Jesus not stand in awe of the ones who spend their time teaching and observing it?

Hmm …

PRAYER

Holy God, I want my righteousness to be more than knowledge. Please teach me how to live it. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ lives righteousness—He wants me to do that too!