WE NEED PRAYER

           We are not told that Jesus ever taught His disciple how to preach, but He taught them how to pray.  He wanted them to have power with God; then He knew they would have power with man. - D.L. Moody

James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

            The 2020 election is over. We have prayed, cast our votes, and the ballots have been tallied up. There are winners and losers on both sides. Now, that it’s over, let’s start praying for the winners to follow God’s Will in their personal life. First, for personal salvation if they’re not saved and second, if they are, for the wisdom to know how to represent the areas they have won!

HAVE YOU BEEN FORGIVEN?

If Jesus has forgiven you, there will be some changes in your life. This isn’t a comprehensive list but I believe it covers some basics:

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Your desires will change-

            You’ll have a desire to attend church, read your Bible, be around other Christians, to please the Lord and not man, to share your faith...

Your duties will change-

            You’ll want to help others for nothing, coming to church will be a priority, giving the Lord His tithes and offerings will be cheerful thing to do; not a chore.

Your destination will change-

            No more going to the bar, the liquor store, the whore house, the casino, the sweepstakes buildings, the drug dealers house.... Hey- if Jesus has forgiven you, you’ll be on your way to Heaven and you’ll want to be familiar with what Heaven is going to be like!

            Think about what Paul said to the Christians in Rome:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

REDEEMED HOW I LOVED TO PROCLAIM IT

If you’re saved, who have you told that you are?

Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Yes, I do love to proclaim how the Lord Jesus redeemed my wretched soul from a devil’s hell. While Jesus was on the Cross, He proclaimed, “It is finished!” Everything that needed to be done for our salvation was accomplished when Jesus got up out of the grave! What He did that day, He did for me and He will do it for you as well! There is no greater story to be told!

            Have you told someone lately?

SCARY DAYS

The greatest fear one should have is opening their eyes in Hell when they die.

Hebrews 10:31, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

            I remember growing up in a big old house that was built in the early 1900’s. That house had more creaks than I care to talk about. I was so far away from my parents when I went to bed I thought, “If I screamed, they wouldn’t hear me!” There were literally times I went to bed thinking I wasn’t going to make it to morning. The Boogey Man didn’t have anything on what was living in my attic. However, the older I got, the more I understood there was something even scarier than what was living in my attic.

            Friend, dying without Jesus as my Saviour is the scariest thing I can think of now. Total separation from God forever. Total separation of friends and loved ones forever. That’s pretty scary to this big ole guy!

            Hell is real! Hell is awful! Hell is awaiting you if you have not called out to Jesus to save you! Why not GET UP, GET REAY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning? He knows what you’re going through! He can calm your heart and you too can have the peace of God—forever!

JUSTIFIED

Justification means that there isn't a charge against you. Your sins are completely wiped out; God says He puts them out of His memory. -D.L. Moody

1 Corinthians 6:11, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

In dying on Calvary’s Tree, Jesus offers a pardon to every man, woman, boy, and girl that will come to Him in faith. Once that soul has repented and trusted Jesus as Saviour, the blood of Christ is applied to that soul’s sin debt and it is as if they have never sinned. God washes their slate clean and sets that soul free! Hallelujah this morning for the day we were declared justified!

LIVE IN FREEDOM

Freedom is one of those gifts that is taken for granted by those who don’t understand what Christ has done on the Cross.

Romans 6:6-7, Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Our freedom in Christ does not give us liberty to live in sin. No friend, what it does is give us a reason to live a righteous life. It frees us from the bondage of sin. It sets us at liberty from the consequences of sin.

            Christian, live in that freedom that Christ has given today! Don’t take it for granted. Listen to the Apostle Paul when he penned Galatians 5:1, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

FALL AGAIN

Fall in love with God all over again!

Revelation 2:4, Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

            In the book of Revelation, John told the church at Ephesus they had left their first love. They had grown comfortable with the sin they were living in. Even though it robbed them of their joy, the Ephesians accepted the conditions, grew callous, and continued until God gave them the cure.

            I believe there are many Christians living comfortably in sin today. They are accepting the conditions of their sin. They are growing callous in the sin. And God has given the same cure the Ephesians had— Remember God’s grace, repent of the sin, and do thy first works! Ultimately, falling in love with God all over again!

GOD HAS YOUR BACK!

I can’t brag about my faithfulness to God but I can brag on His faithfulness to me.

Psalm 119:89-90, For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

He feeds the fowl of the air and the beast of the fields. He sends the rain to water the grass and take care of the bugs in the bush. He can take good care of this earth friend; I believe He has the ability to take care of your needs as well.

Have faith in Him this week! As He has provided for you before, He will provide for you again. No matter how dark your day may be, God has your back!

JUST TAKE A BREAK

Taking a break from your walk with the Lord may just cost you—your kids, a family member, or a co-worker.

Hebrews 12:1, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are living in a day and age when people are looking for role models. Not just any role model but a role model that’s different. A role model with standards. A role model that lives to a high standard. A role model that honors and glorifies God. Those people looking are your kids, family members, co-workers, and the cashier behind the counter at Walmart. Will you be taking a break when they start looking? There isn’t anything wrong with coming a part before you come apart. But, will you be trying something or someone new? Will you be out of the will of God when they come asking you about Jesus?

Hey Friend, there’s no time to take a break from God’s will! So, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! If you’re struggling, hit that altar and ask God to help you.

SEALED

I’m so far in Christ, Google can’t find me!

Ephesians 1:13-14, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The moment one repents of their sin, trusting Jesus as Saviour, the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell within them. This is the sealing of God’s promise to us that not only are we are saved but we have been permanently secured in Him. We can’t lose it, give it up, renounce it, or hinder that sealing. God is omnipotent, He holds us sealed in Him until we are delivered to Him! That’s not a license to sin—but a challenge to live in Christ so that others might be won for Him!

            I am thankful this morning that the Holy Ghost lives in me but more so that I live in Christ! Are you sealed with that promise today?

YES, NO, NOT NOW

Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will. -Collier

Psalm 130:5, I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

There are some words the Christian should remove from their vocabulary; worry and fret are a couple. When we worry and fret, we are not yielding the Lord’s will for our lives. When we ask the Lord questions like, “Why me Lord?”, “When Lord?”, or “Lord, how long do I have to wait?”, we are not submitting to His will for our lives. When we pray He may answer with a yes. It may be a no. And sometimes, it’s not now. We had faith to follow His Word, praying and asking, do we have faith to wait on the answer? Do we have the faith to wait on the Lord?

SPEAK UP

Preach not because you have to say something, but because you have something to say.— Richard Whately

1 Corinthians 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Many people in this world would love for the Christian to shut up. They would love for them not to be able tell others about Jesus. They would love for preachers, pastors, evangelist, and missionaries to be locked up in prisons around the world. But that is not what God wants!

            He wants us to speak up during these days! He wants us to proclaim the name of the Lord loudly but lovingly! He wants you and I to share with this lost, dying, and hurting world what He has done for us. He wants us to lift high the name of Jesus! Will you join me today?

HIDDEN SALVATION?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon

Matthew 5:14, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

What a compliment, “You wear your Christianity on your shoulders.” Isn’t that the way it should be? Shouldn’t everyone you come in contact with know you’re saved and on your way to Heaven? Shouldn’t you be telling friends, family, and the folks in your neighborhood what Jesus has done for you? You cannot be saved and not tell others what Jesus has done for you! You can’t play hide and go seek with your salvation! You will always lose if you’re saved!

Simply put, One cannot be saved and someone not know about it!

YOUR CHARACTER IS SHOWING

Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            You probably already know that the moon reflects the light from the sun. Without the sun the moon would be dark and not much to look at. Much like the moon, we should reflect the character of God’s only begotten Son— Jesus. As we do, others will want to know more about the Saviour and Lord willing, they will call out to Him for salvation.

            As one old friend use to say, “You are now becoming what you will one day be.” You are in the development stages of your character building and it is showing to everyone you are around. What is your life telling them about Jesus?

BLESSINGS

Blessing flow when you’re in God’s will.

Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

If you have sin in your life, God doesn’t hear your prayers. If He doesn’t hear your prayers, how can He answer the prayers you pray? If He doesn’t answer your prayers, you will not be blessed by Him. You may think He is blessing you, but if you’re living in sin, it’s not God that is blessing you—it’s Satan.

            Don’t be fooled by where your blessings are coming from. Blessings flow when you are following the Lord’s will for your life. If you’re not following Him, them blessings you are getting are not from God!

WISDOM FROM THE LORD

            He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever. -Tillotson

Ephesians 3:8-11-12, Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

            You would be amazed if you sat in church for much of your life then attended a College Bible class. If the pastor you set under was a teaching preacher you probably wouldn’t have many problems passing the class. The years setting under that pastor prepared you for that class and for many more just like it!

            If you want wisdom from the Lord, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH THIS MORNING! He will guide you if you follow Him and His way!

A SATURDAY WITH SHARON

Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength. -D.L. Moody

Isaiah 43:1-2, But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

            I have learned that without Christ I am nothing. I cannot depend on people because people will always let me down. People will not always applaud or approve of me. People will not always support or encourage me. People will not always love me or even like me. Therefore, I must depend on Christ to do what he has called me to do—whatever that is and whenever that is. Different seasons of life bring different things that He calls me to do. Sometimes those things are easy and sometimes they are difficult. Regardless, whatever He has called me to, He is faithful to sustain me and see me through. The same goes for you. Wherever you are in life, whatever you’re current calling is, do it! Just don’t depend on anyone other than HIM or you’ll be disappointed! – This morning’s devotion is by my wife, Sharon O’Dell, child of God, mother of three, friend to many, teacher, editor in chief- 😊, and much- much more!

DON’T KILL THE BABIES

At the moment of conception, a new human life is created.

Luke 1:41, And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

            According to the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), there are at least four reasons that we understand that life begins at conception. To start with, this life is distinct. The unborn child has a DNA and body distinct from her mother and father. She develops her own arms, legs, brain, nervous system, heart, and so forth. Secondly, he is living. The unborn baby meets the biological criteria for life. He grows by reproducing cells. He turns nutrients into energy through metabolism. And he can respond to stimuli. Third, the unborn baby is human. The unborn has a human genetic signature. She is also the offspring of human parents, and humans can only beget other humans. Finally, according to MCCL, the unborn is an organism (rather than a mere organ or tissue). He is an individual whose parts work together for the good of the whole. Guided by a complete genetic code, he needs only the proper environment and nutrition to develop himself through the different stages of life, growing all the way to adulthood.

            But much more than evidence from organizations like MCCL, the Word of God is the final authority concerning life. In Luke 1:41, we see John leaping in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus in His mother’s womb. In this, we see, John, as a babe, had discernment and awareness. Because he did, he gave praise to the Lord!

            Hey friend, we shouldn’t kill the babies! Will you stand for life during this American Election?  

JUST TELL THE TRUTH

If you tell the truth, you have infinite power supporting you; but if not, you have infinite power against you. -Gordon

Psalm 15:1-2, LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

            Trying to cover up a lie is one of the hardest things you will do. The reason being is that not only will you have to tell one lie, you will have to tell another to cover that one up. Then another for that one and so forth and so on. My Mom use to say, “Just tell the truth Jay. It will be better for you.” I’m an old man now and I wished I would’ve listened to her way back when.

            Friend, Ananias and Sapphira lied and it cost them their lives. Will you continue to be a liar and end up in Hell? You see, Scripture tells us that there will not be any liars in Heaven. Please, before your life is over and you end up forever separated from the Saviour Jesus Christ, repent and trust Him as Saviour today!

THE LORD NEEDS YOU

I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to him. -Spurgeon

Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

            More than anything else, the Lord wants you to give Him your life. While He desires for you to give your tithes and offerings, use your talents, and invest your time for the ministry, He wants you to be saved above it all. That’s why He led Paul to pen down the Words in Romans 12:1.

            Have you given your life to the Lord? The Lord wants you to be saved. The Lord desires you to be saved. The Lord needs you to be saved! Will you be saved today?