June Devo's
June 30, 2007
Seekers of God
by Os Hillman, June 30, 2007
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who
understand, any who seek God. - Psalm 53:2
Are you a man or woman who is a seeker of God? The Lord delights in seeing those
children of His who truly understand the meaning of life and why there is only one
thing worth seeking God Himself.
I can always tell when I have not been seeking God. The cares of this life, the urgent
over the important, and the petty irritations-these are the symptoms of a life that has
not been in the presence of God. Do we understand, really understand? That is the
question God raises to each of us today. If we understand, then why do we spend day
after day toiling and fretting over what doesn't matter? Can we set proper boundaries
in our lives that don't allow our time with Him to be continually stolen away? It is a
challenge in a world that screams "activity, activity!"
Do you have a consistent time of seeking Him in your life? Are you committed to
developing that intimacy with your Lord that He so desires? If not, ask Him today to
help you. This is the longing of His heart. Ask Him to make it the longing of your
heart. Then you will demonstrate to Him that you understand, and you will be a
seeker of God.
June 29, 2007
IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO
FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
( 1 JOHN 1:9 )
For our "Out of the mouths of Babe's" category, I received
the following story this week. So let us set back and listen
to a 6 year old child as she teaches us a valuable lesson.
I hope you will enjoy this, and pause a moment to think about
it as well.
Subject: A wonderful meaning of Rain
Rain: One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main
streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when
the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed
position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something." This
announcement usually meant she had been pondering some
fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her
six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain! ;" she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers
are like God wiping our sins away.
After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.
"That's really good, Aspen." Then my curiosity broke in. How far
would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked... "Do you
notice how the rain keeps on coming?
What does that tell you?"
Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "We keep
on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
After all, In order to see the rainbow, you must first endure
some rain. Amen.
June 28, 2007
Pleasing to the Lord
by Os Hillman, June 28, 2007
Prepare it with oil on a griddle; bring it well-mixed and present the grain offering
broken in pieces as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. - Leviticus 6:21
There is a requirement to be blessed at a deeper spiritual level by God. Christ
requires it of each of His servants. He required it of Paul when He struck him down
on the Damascus Road. He required it of Joseph when he was left in the pit and then
sold into slavery. He required it of Jacob when he left his homeland penniless and
needy. He required it of most every major leader that He used significantly -
brokenness.
Brokenness cannot be achieved on your own. It is something God does Himself. We
cannot determine that we are going to be broken, but we can refuse to become
broken. When God begins this deeper work in our lives, we can kick and scream and
refuse the process. We can manipulate and strive to stay on top, but this only delays
His work.
Pride and mammon are ruling strongholds of the workplace. Brokenness is
considered a weak position in the workplace. However, God says until we are broken
we cannot be an aroma pleasing to the Lord. God wants you to be an aroma in the
workplace. In order for this to happen, you and I must be a broken vessel in His
hand. Pray that God would allow you to become a pleasing aroma to Him no matter
the cost.
June 27, 2007
Our Counselor
by Os Hillman, June 27, 2007
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. - John 14:26
I was driving down the interstate feeling discouraged from an appointment I had just
had. A former employee's company was seeking to displace me, and my company, as
their source for our services. It had been one of many difficult events during those
months. As I was driving, some words popped into my mind, No weapon formed
against you shall prosper. I could not tell you where those words came from other
than I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking them to me; I knew they were in the Bible.
I knew they were in the Old Testament.
When I returned to my office that day, I searched for the key words in my
concordance and found the verse. "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you
will refute every tongue that accuses you" (Is. 54:17a).
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind us of the things He desires us to know.
There are times in our lives when the Holy Spirit speaks into our spirit words
designed to encourage us or give us what we need at the moment. That is just one of
the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The more you know God's
Word, the more often you'll recall verses the Holy Spirit will bring to mind for a
given situation. Study God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of the
things He desires you to know.
June 26, 2007
FOR GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION BUT OF
PEACE, AS IN ALL THE CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS.
( 2 CORINTHIANS 14:33 *NKJV )
Dear Scott,
In this world today it is hard for most people to find any
peace at all. Confusion abounds no matter where we go.
Jesus warned us about that for He said, "THESE THINGS I
HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE
PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION;
BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE
WORLD." ( JOHN 16:33 )
After all it is written that: THE LORD WILL GIVE
STRENGTH TO HIS PEOPLE; THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS
PEOPLE WITH PEACE. ( PSALM 29:11 ) Therefore when
you find yourself confused, always look to
Jesus Christ for HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE. For He said,
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE YOU."
( EPHESIANS 2:14 ) ( JOHN 14:27 )
Now that is a loving caring peace that we become filled
with on our spiritual journey, and peace is only one of the
many blessings we receive on that journey, for it is also
written: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE,
PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS, AND SELF CONTROL. AGAINST SUCH
THINGS THERE IS NO LAW. ( GALATIANS 5:22-23 )
So, it is my prayer that you are well on your way
down that spiritual path right now, and that THE PEACE OF
GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL
GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND THROUGH JESUS
CHRIST. Amen! ( PHILIPPIANS 4:7 )
June 25, 2007
Remaining Vertical With God
by Os Hillman, June 26, 2007
When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He
made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. - 1 Peter 2:
23
Have you ever been wrongfully accused? Oh, the need to defend and justify becomes
so great. "What will people think if they believe these things are true?" we reason.
Imagine what Jesus thought as they hurled insults and threats upon Him. The God of
the universe had visited planet earth only to be slandered and accused of blasphemy.
Jesus could have done two things in response. He could have used His power to put
the people in their place. He could have responded "horizontally." He could have
fixed the problem right then. However, He chose to respond in a different way. He
chose to "entrust Himself to Him who judges justly." It requires great faith to
entrust ourselves to God in the midst of personal assault. However, if we can do this,
we will discover a level of grace and wisdom that will be birthed from this experience
that we never thought possible. We will discover a freedom in God we never knew
before. Whenever we suffer for righteousness without seeking to protect our
reputation and rights, we are placing our total faith in the one who can redeem us.
This activates God's grace in our lives and enables us to experience God's presence
like never before.
Ask God to give you the grace to stay vertical with Him. Avoid the temptation of
responding horizontally each time some event comes into your life that you want to
"fix." Entrust yourself to the one who judges justly. It may be a divine appointment
for your growth to another level in grace.
June 24, 2007
My God Shall Provide
by Os Hillman, June 25, 2007
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:19
Have you ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for your material
needs? Perhaps you lost a job and could not generate income on your own. Perhaps
you got sick and could not work. There are circumstances in our lives that can put us
in this place.
When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desolate desert, they
had no ability to provide for themselves. God met their needs supernaturally each day
by providing manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day's portion of
what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the
faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When
they did, God's "supernatural provision" was no longer required. "The manna
stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any
manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan" (Josh. 5:
12). In both cases God was the provider of the need.
For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of
the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It
is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Sometimes it appears it
is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize
that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He
requires our involvement in either case.
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the
ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your
forefathers, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful
provider.
June 23, 2007
Divine Appointments
by Os Hillman, June 23, 2007
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and
as innocent as doves. - Matthew 10:16
"Os is now taking over this division. He will be managing all of these activities from
now on. You should know that he has a different management philosophy than what
you may have experienced before. He has a biblical management philosophy. Os,
would you like to explain what they could expect from you in this regard?"
These were the words spoken to me by a non-Christian CEO recently when he
decided to increase my responsibilities in the company. We had never spoken of
spiritual issues before.
Each business day, you and I will have the opportunity to stand before presidents,
marketing directors, secretaries or other coworkers to create a defining moment.
When that happens, there is a good chance you will be thought of as someone to
avoid. You might be considered "religious" or "fanatic." If so, consider this a great
compliment because it says you are standing apart from the crowd.
Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog
you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and
kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not
worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you
(Matthew 10:17-20).
You may never be flogged for your faith. However, you may very well be brought
before others to give account for what you believe. It may be at a water cooler, or it
could be during lunch with a coworker. In whatever situation you find yourself, the
Holy Spirit awaits the opportunity to speak through your life to that person who
needs to hear. Ask the Lord whom He wants to speak to today through your life.
June 22, 2007
When Fear Keeps Others From Their Destiny
by Os Hillman, June 22, 2007
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. -
Acts 5:13
Every work day in thousands of offices across the globe, Christians testify of God's
grace in their lives in some way. Sometimes it comes through a subtle performance of
their duties with a smile and peace that non-believers cannot understand. In other
cases, there might be more visible, unexplainable examples of God's work. This was
the defining difference in believers in the early Church. They lived a life that
followed with signs and wonders that could not be humanly explained.
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And
all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared
join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more
and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number (Acts
5:12-14).
How often we have heard non-believers acknowledge their respect for the Christian
workplace believer, but they dare not join them in their persuasion. It is this fear of
the unknown that keeps many a non-believer on the path to hell. Who has God
placed in your path today to help detour from a path of eternal torment to a path of
freedom and eternal life? The Lord desires that each should come to knowledge of
the truth so that they might be saved. As you enter the workplace today, ask the
Lord for a divine appointment that might be the turning point for a lost soul. There's
no prayer the Lord will delight in more than this one.
June 21, 2007
God's Authority
by Os Hillman, June 21, 2007
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has
no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly
what My Father has commanded Me.... - John 14:30-31
There is a constant war going on between our flesh and the Spirit. As Christians, the
Spirit seeks to move us under the authority of His domain in order for us to fulfill all
that we were created for. Every person was designed to be under some form of
authority. Jesus modeled this in His own life. He lived under the authority of His
heavenly Father. He made no independent decisions. He, unlike us, was sinless and
always remained under His Father's authority. He acknowledged that the prince of
this world has a hold on many, but did not have a hold on Jesus.
The prince of this world does have his hold on many in our world, even among our
brothers and sisters. The one thing most of us want the greatest is the freedom to
make our own decisions. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the
decision was made to exercise a personal right: freedom to decide, freedom of choice,
freedom from hindrances, freedom from pain. However, Jesus said He had no
freedom of choice. He chose only the Father's desire for His life. He was the ultimate
model of a man under authority.
Each day we must determine if we'll willingly choose to be under the authority of the
Father and the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is a choice each of us must make. It is
a choice that actually leads to freedom, not bondage. Choosing to live under the
authority of our heavenly Father frees us to gain the greatest fulfillment in life-His
mission and the purposes He has for us. It is the little decisions of daily life that
reveal whether we truly live under His authority.
June 20, 2007
Being Fully Persuaded
by Os Hillman, June 20, 2007
Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. - Romans 4:21
Why did God consider Abraham a righteous man? It was because Abraham looked
beyond his own limitations of age and strength and considered God as the one who
could accomplish His own goals. Abraham came to a place in his life where he realized
it had little to do with him and all to do with God. His part was initiating the faith
within himself.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without
weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he
was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not
waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his
faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:18-20).
What are the things in your life that are mere impossibilities? What are the
mountains in your life? Are these there in order to build your faith in the one who
can enable you to ascend to the peak? Once you know that it is His will for you to
pursue, do it with faith. Faith requires action when we know it is He who is leading. It
may require risk. Faith is sometimes spelled R-I-S-K. Abraham did not limit God. It
is this confidence in God that God honored and rewarded. He wants to do the same
with you and me.
June 19, 2007
The Strength of Brokenness
by Os Hillman, June 19, 2007
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with
strength. - 1 Samuel 2:4
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How
can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to
their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new
kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only
through brokenness.
Paul was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken
prisoner. Jacob was broken at Peniel. David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba.
The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could
be used in the Kingdom.
When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the
reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that
God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges
with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. Pray for a broken and
contrite heart that God can bless.
June 18, 2007
Faithfulness in Our Calling
by Os Hillman, June 18, 2007
He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and
Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be
found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." - 2 Chronicles 15:2
Asa was the king of Judah from 912-872 B.C. He reigned for 41 years and was known
as a good king who served the Lord with great zeal. He reformed many things. He
broke down idol worship to foreign gods; he put away male prostitutes and even
removed his own mother from being queen because she worshiped an idol. The
Scriptures say that as long as he sought the Lord, the Lord prospered his reign.
However, Asa was not totally faithful in his calling. There came a time in his life
when he made a decision to no longer trust in the God of Israel. He lost his
confidence in God as his deliverer. The prophet Hanani came to Asa to inform him
that God's blessing was no longer on his life because of an ungodly alliance he had
made.
Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots
and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose
hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on
you will be at war (2 Chronicles 16:8-9).
There are no guarantees that if we began well we will finish well. The life of Asa tells
us this. It is only through God's grace that we can be faithful to our calling. Each of
us is capable of falling away from God. Pray that God will keep you faithful to the
purposes He has for your life. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed
to Him.
June 17, 2007
Learning To Stand
by Os Hillman, June 17, 2007
..."Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...." -
Exodus 14:13
The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert,
but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh
had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They
cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only
to die in the desert.
Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a workplace
believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are
trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. However, God
says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. If we go before He says
go, we likely will make our situation worse. If the Israelites had attempted to cross
the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. If they had fled north to try
to avoid the Egyptians, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. God cannot
work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed
us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it
is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.
Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.
June 16, 2007
Learning To Stand
by Os Hillman,
..."Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...." -
Exodus 14:13
The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert,
but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh
had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They
cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only
to die in the desert.
Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a workplace
believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are
trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. However, God
says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. If we go before He says
go, we likely will make our situation worse. If the Israelites had attempted to cross
the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. If they had fled north to try
to avoid the Egyptians, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. God cannot
work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed
us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it
is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.
Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.
June 15, 2007
Perception Is Not Reality
by Os Hillman,
The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken. - Job 4:10
In the advertising business we often say that "perception is reality" for the person
who views our advertising message. It does not matter whether the audience believes
the message to be true, only that they perceive it to be true. Their actions will be the
same whether they believe it or only perceive it.
The enemy of our souls is very good at this game. He may bring on us what we
perceive to be true when it is a lie. It may appear that there is no way around a
situation. He may bring great fear on us. When we buy into his lie, we believe only
what we have chosen to perceive to be true. It usually has no basis of truth. Such was
the case when Peter looked on the waters during a night boat journey with the other
disciples. At first glance, he and the disciples screamed with fear, thinking that what
they saw was a ghost. It was actually Jesus.
Satan's name means "accuser." He travels to and fro to accuse the brethren. He
brings an impressive front to all he does, yet behind that front is a weak, toothless
lion with a destination that has already been prepared in the great abyss. He knows
his destination, but he wants to bring as many with him as possible; so he often has a
big roar, but little bite.
The next time some event comes into your life that creates fear and trembling, first
determine the source. Look past the emotions and evaluate the situation in light of
God's Word. Perception is not always reality.
June 14, 2007
Humility in Relationships
by Os Hillman, June 13, 2007
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - 1 Peter 5:5b
I'll never forget the first time I discovered what a feeling was. It was in my early
forties. Surely not! .you may be thinking. Yes, it is true. Since then, I have
discovered many men still live in this condition. It took an older mentor to help me
understand the difference between information and a feeling. Wives are frustrated
because their husbands share information, but not their feelings. They want to know
what is going on inside their man. The fact is, most men have not been taught to
identify feelings, much less how to share them. It is something that men must learn
to do because it is not a natural trait. If they do share their feelings, society often
portrays them as weak. No man willingly wants to be portrayed as weak.
In order to become an effective friend and leader, one must learn to be vulnerable
with others and develop an ability to share feelings. It is a vital step to becoming a
real person with whom others can connect emotionally. This is not easy to do if your
parents did not teach you to share your emotional life with others. Emotional
vulnerability is especially hard for men. Author Dr. Larry Crabb states,
Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their own
children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of
self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to
others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of
ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference. When our approach
to life revolves around discipline, commitment, and knowledge [which the Greek
influence teaches us] but runs from feeling the hurt of unmet longings that come
from a lack of deeper relationships, then our efforts to love will be marked more by
required action than by liberating passion. We will be known as reliable, but not
involved. Honest friends will report that they enjoy being with us, but have trouble
feeling close. Even our best friends (including spouses) will feel guarded around us, a
little tense and vaguely distant. It's not uncommon for Christian leaders to have no
real friends. [Larry Crabb, Inside Out (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Navpress, n.d.),
98-99.]
If this describes you, why not begin on a new journey of opening up your life to others
in a way that others can see who you really are? It might be scary at first, but as you
grow in this area, you will find new freedom in your life. Then, others will more
readily connect with you.
June 13, 2007
FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE
EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO--THIS I KEEP DOING. WHAT A
WRETCHED MAN I AM! WHO WILL RESCUE ME FROM THIS
BODY OF DEATH?"
( ROMANS 7:19 & 24 *NIV )
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul. To remain sinless was
a struggle for him, as well as, the rest of the Apostle's! For sin
has
always been a struggle for mankind since Adam and Eve!
Therefore when we slip and sin it is very important to ask our
Heavenly Father to forgive us. For it is written: IF WE CONFESS
OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US
OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Thus we become cleansed and forgiven from our past sins, and
that includes all of them! ( 1 JOHN 1:9
)
After all it is also written: "COME NOW, LET US REASON
TOGETHER, SAYS THE LORD. THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE
SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY
ARE RED AS CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE LIKE WOOL."
( ISAIAH 1:18 )
Now when we repent God's forgiveness is complete, for He has
even promised us that He won't remember them anymore. He has
said: "I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL
REMEMBER NO MORE." ( HEBREWS 8:12 )
So, just be the very best person that you can be, and
if you slip and sin once in a while, do not think that God doesn't
love you anymore. For no one is perfect, however once there was
one, sinless and blameless, and filled with love, and they Crucified
Him.
June 12, 2007
When Planting Yields No Fruit
by Os Hillman, June 12, 2007
You have planted much, but have harvested little.... - Haggai 1:6
Have you ever worked and worked only to yield very little from your efforts? Such
was the case for the workplace believers during the time of the prophet Haggai.
Finally, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to inform the people why their efforts
were not yielding any fruit. There was a specific reason this was happening.
"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I
blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of My house, which remains
a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the
heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the
fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground
produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands" (Haggai 1:9-11).
God had finally had enough. His priorities were not His people's priorities. So, He
withheld in order to get their attention. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah at the
time. He was a godly man who sought to do God's will. He listened as the prophet gave
these words; then he responded.
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the
whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message
of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people
feared the Lord (Haggai 1:12).
Sometimes God has to stir up the spirit of one man to initiate needed change.
Zerubbabel was that man. Scriptures say, "The Lord stirred up the spirit of
Zerubbabel" (Hag. 1:14). God is stirring up the spirit of a remnant of workplace
believers throughout the world today. They are seeing what breaks God's heart, and
they're responding. Has God placed the spirit of Zerubbabel in you? Are you one who
will make a difference for the Kingdom, or are you concerned about building bigger
and better barns? The Lord is calling forth His people in these last days to make a
difference. Ask Him what He wants to do through you.
June 11, 2007
Such a Time as This
by Os Hillman, June 11, 2007
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the
palace, in front of the king's hall. - Esther 5:1a
Esther was a woman who lived for a cause greater than herself. God used this woman
to save the entire Jewish people from extermination. However, before God could use
her, she had to come to a place of death in herself. It was not an easy decision. Her
uncle Mordecai was the instrument God used to challenge her to measure up to the
task.
Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will
escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will
arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who
knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13b-
14)
Mordecai was telling it straight. For her to speak up meant great risks if the king did
not receive her. It was automatic death if the king did not extend his scepter, which
meant acceptance of her approach to the throne. It was also a time to realize that God
may have brought her to this place and time for this specific purpose. However, if she
did not respond in faith, God would use another instrument to deliver the people.
What would she do?
Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink
for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I
will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther
4:16).
On the third day of the fast she came and stood in the inner court of the palace, in
front of the king's hall. She was like Jesus who stood in the inner court of Heaven on
that third, resurrection day. She gave up her life, but God raised it up on that day and
delivered an entire people from destruction because of one woman's willingness to
give up her life for a greater cause.
God has called each of us to a purpose greater than ourselves. Know that it will
require death before life can be given to this purpose. It must be His life that lives,
not ours.
June 10, 2007
Are You a Threat?
by Os Hillman, June 10, 2007
One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but
who are you?" - Acts 19:15
Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If satan and his demons had a board
meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say
that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons
harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no
threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." There are
millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Sunday after Sunday who pose little
threat to the kingdom of darkness.
If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen,
then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to
walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in
the world" (1 Jn. 4:4b KJV).
If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the
enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God.
These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our
message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His
name. Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more
obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy
of hell in order to affect satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances
are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and satan doesn't like this.
So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you?
June 9, 2007
In keeping with our Saturday tradition, I will submit the
following
message for you, because once again: HE WILL YET FILL YOUR
MOUTH WITH LAUGHING AND YOUR LIPS WITH REJOICING!
( Job 8:21 *NKJV )
So today we will take a humorous look at some questions &
answers relating to events written in the Bible. Now I received
this
message a few weeks ago from one of our subscribers. I hope
that it will get your day started with a good laugh or two, as It
has
for me, by just reading the following.....
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone
else was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the
Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank
of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden
in a "Fury". David's "Triumph" was heard throughout the
land. Also, probably a "Honda," because the apostles
were all in one "Accord."
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as
to why they no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant
lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially
wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always
overflowing.
Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in
the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.
(Groannn...)
KEEP SMILING!!!! GOD LOVES YOU BUNCHES AND
BUNCHES!!!!
Friends are God's way of taking care of us....
PS... Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make
coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible.
Is it not written?: . . . "Hebrews"
June 8, 2007
Forgiving Ourselves
by Os Hillman, June 8, 2007
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus closer than the
other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one man who was willing to step
into territories where others would not dare. He was the first to step out of the boat
and walk on water. He wanted to protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for
having a demon influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his many extreme
emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before Jesus was
crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus predicted that the cock would
crow after the third time just to reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed
when he realized he had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness from Jesus was
not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was forgiving himself. As we
mature in the faith, we begin moving in victory after victory with our Lord. Then out
of nowhere, an event happens that reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted
face to face with this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood that cleanses us.
When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that has covered our sin. He
does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its deepest level. We are
making an assumption that we should never have sinned and that we are too mature
to sin. This is a trap from the enemy of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not
recognize from what they have been forgiven. That includes us.
June 7, 2007
FOR YOU ARE MY HOPE, O LORD GOD; YOU ARE MY TRUST
FROM MY YOUTH.
( PSALM 71:5 *NIV )
When ever you feel stressed, worried or overwhelmed by
things or people in this World, always put your hope and trust
in our Heavenly Father. Have faith that He will guide you
through the stumbling blocks that life has put before you! For
it is written: DO NOT FEAR, FOR I AM WITH YOU; DO NOT
BE DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. ( ISAIAH 41:10 )
Therefore never try to make decisions or to fight the battles
of life alone. Always ask God in prayer for the answers. He
will then, not only provide answers and guidance, but also will
bless you as well, for it is written: BLESSED IS THE MAN
WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD, WHOSE CONFIDENCE IS IN
HIM. ( JEREMIAH 17:7 )
So, make sure that you, TRUST IN HIM AT ALL
TIMES, YOU PEOPLE; POUR OUT YOUR HEART BEFORE
HIM; GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US. ( PSALM 62:8 )
In closing, I pray that, THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL
JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY
OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Amen ( ROMANS
15:13 )
June 6, 2007
Disobedience Rooted in Fear
by Os Hillman, June 6, 2007
Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." - Exodus 16:19
Have you ever seen God do something really good in your life only to find that you
have abused the blessing He gave you? Such was the case of the Israelites as they
were traveling through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. God was
providing for them in miraculous ways. Manna was provided each day as their bread.
God gave Moses specific instructions as to how this manna was to be eaten. God said
each one was to gather only what he needed for that day. No one was to keep it until
the next morning.
"However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until
morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with
them" (Ex. 16:20). God was teaching the Israelites daily trust in His provision for
them. He wanted them to trust Him one day at a time. If they tried to hoard, God put
a self-destruct feature in the manna. Yet God also told them to gather two days'
worth on the sixth day so that they would have manna to eat on the seventh day.
Interestingly, this manna did not stink or have maggots.
For many years I gathered manna in business out of fear of not having enough. One
day, the Lord decided that manna should be destroyed in order for me to learn total
trust in His provision. When we operate out of fear, we can expect the Lord to
lovingly discipline us in order to help us learn to trust Him. There is a danger when
we seek to "insure ourselves" against calamity. If your actions are born from fear,
you can expect God to demonstrate His loving reproof so that you might not live in
fear.
June 5, 2007
The Talents
Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.
Have you ever been around someone who refused to pull his own weight? You know
the kind. He’s capable of doing a good job, but for whatever reason simply refuses to
measure up to what he can do.
Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 25:14-30. This is the parable of the talents. A talent
was a large sum of money and in this parable three servants are entrusted to invest
this money for their lord. As you contemplate the reading of this parable, remember
that God does not expect of us what we are incapable of doing.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his
own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and
immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went
and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had
received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the
ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came
and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying,
‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides
them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful
over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your
lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me
two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a
hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look,
there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that
I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you
ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have
received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him
who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from
him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the
unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.’
All three men were capable of doing what their lord requested. Two were successful,
but one failed miserably. Why did this one man fail?
Some have suggested that he had no faith in himself. This is evident. But his lord
had faith in him and that should have been a proper motivation for what this man
could accomplish.
Also, this man perhaps compared himself with the others. He wasn’t as gifted as the
other two men who were given greater responsibility. We also need to be careful that
we do not compare ourselves with others and overlook what our Lord expects of us.
This man was also lazy. His master called him “wicked and lazy.” He simply didn’t
try. To try and fail is common to all men. We learn from mistakes and start over
more intelligently. But to fail without trying is inexcusable.
Lastly, this man feared his master. When we compare this scenario to our
relationship with God, we should always be mindful of the judgment of God. But we
should have no reason to fear Him in such a way.
After all, He gave His Son to die for us and still patiently waits for us to repent and be
found righteous in Him. God has more faith in us than we have in ourselves. Instead
of fearing God we should be emboldened by His favor upon us.
On Our Daily Walk today, may we never stop where God says go. May we never sit
down when God says rise up. May we always be found faithful by our Lord.
Our thought for the day: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the
real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Plato
May God bless you on your daily walk.
© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles
provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.
June 4, 2007
THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, WHO
PUT THEIR HOPE IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE.
( PSALM 147:11 * NIV )
Now, our life would be pretty tough without hope! Alexander
Pope (1688--1744) once said that "Hope Springs Eternal," and
indeed it does for the children of our Heavenly Father.
After all God provides our hope for it is written: FOR WHAT
IS OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OR THE CROWN IN WHICH WE
WILL GLORY IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS
WHEN HE COMES? IS IT NOT YOU? INDEED, YOU ARE
OUR GLORY AND JOY. ( 1 THESSALONIANS 2:19-20 )
AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US, BECAUSE GOD
HAS POURED OUT HIS LOVE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE
HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US. (ROMANS 5:5 )
Remember the words of the Sons of Korah*, for they said:
WHY ARE YOU DOWNCAST, O MY SOUL? WHY SO
DISTURBED WITHIN ME? PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD. FOR I
WILL YET PRAISE HIM, MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD.
( PSALM 42:5 )
[ * Sons of Korah were temple musicians and assistants
who wrote some of the Psalms ]
Now this is because God has promised us: THEN YOU WILL
KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; THOSE WHO HOPE IN ME
WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! ( ISAIAH 49:23 )
So I pray that you will: BE STRONG AND TAKE HEART,
ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD. ( PSALM 31:24 )
I PRAY ALSO THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE
ENLIGHTENED IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE
HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU, THE RICHES OF
HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN HIS SAINTS. Amen.
( EPHESIANS 1:18-19 )
June 3, 2007
FOR YOU, O LORD, WILL BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS; WITH
FAVOR. YOU WILL SURROUND HIM AS WITH A SHIELD.
( PSALM 5:12 *NKJV )
In this busy World of ours we often forget to stop and
count all of our blessings. If we are not careful we may
even take them for granted!
So why not stop and count your blessings today, for
when you count them you will find that there are many
indeed! Also you will find that counting your blessings
is a great way to begin you day!
Now the above verse reminds me of a poem that I very
much enjoy. Today I would like to share that poem with
you, and it is my hope that you will enjoy it as well!
Your Blessings Are So Many, Lord!
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
To count them one by one
Would take much longer than a day
That has just now begun!
You fill each day with miracles
From dawn to setting sun.
Each night You hear a million prayers
When day's work is done.
You keep this old world spinning
As seasons come and go,
And each one is a masterpiece
That stets our hearts aglow.
You fill the earth with beauty, Lord,
With flowers, shrubs and trees,
And we marvel at Your rainbows
And butterflies and bees.
Your words still give us comfort
For Your promises are true.
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
In everything we do!
Poet, Clay Harrison
Have a wonderful day, and: MAY GOD BE
GRACIOUS TO YOU AND BLESS YOU AND MAKE HIS
FACE SHINE UPON YOU. Amen. ( PSALM 67:1 )
June 2, 2007
HE WILL YET FILL YOUR MOUTH WITH LAUGHTER AND
YOUR LIPS WITH SHOUTS OF JOY.
( JOB 8:21 *NIV )
Now does God have a sense of humor? Well it is written:
HE WHO SITS IN THE HEAVENS SHALL LAUGH.*
( PSALM 2:4 )
Now I know I have taken the *2nd verse totally out of context,
but God does demonstrate His sence of humor throughout
the Scriptures.
Remember the words of Sarah, Abraham's wife, when God
told her she would have a baby at her old age. She replied,
"GOD HAS MADE ME LAUGH, AND ALL WHO HEAR WILL
LAUGH WITH ME." ( GENESIS 21:6 )
Remember also that Abraham named their child Isaac, which
in Hebrew means "laughter."
Therefore, I am sure our Heavenly Father will not mind
if I share with you a message that I received from our sister's.
After all it is said that laughter is the best medicine! So, I hope
you will enjoy this, and start your day with a good laugh indeed!
________________________________________
Praise The Lord!
There's a little old Christian lady living next door to an
atheist.
Every morning the lady comes out onto her front porch and
shouts "Praise the Lord!".
Now the atheist yells back, "There is no God". Yet She does
this every morning with the same result. As time goes on the
lady runs into financial difficulties and has trouble buying food.
So she goes out onto the porch and asks God for help with
groceries, then says "Praise the Lord".
The next morning she goes out onto the porch and there's the
groceries she'd asked for, and, of course she says "Praise the
Lord". The atheist jumps out from behind a bush and says, "Ha,
I bought those groceries - there is no God".
The lady looks at him, smiles and shouts "Praise the Lord,
not only did You provide for me Lord, You made satan pay for
it!!!!".
____________________________________
Have a Wonderful Weekend, and may it be filled
with Peace, Love, Joy, and a little laughter as well. Amen.
June 1, 2007
Preparation for Greatness
by Os Hillman, June 1, 2007
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. - 2 Samuel 22:35
David was a mighty warrior, and God described him as a man after His own heart.
God took David through a training ground that could be looked on as cruel and
unusual punishment by many a person. God chose him at a young age to be the next
king, yet King Saul rejected him and hunted him down. David was a fugitive for many
years. He had uprisings in his own family, and he had relationship problems. He had a
life of extreme ups and downs. He certainly did not have a life free of problems; he
made mistakes. He was human like all of us, yet he learned from his mistakes and
repented when he failed. This was David's training ground; it made the man. Without
these hardships, it is doubtful David would have accomplished what he did.
Toward the end of David's life, he recounted his relationship with God. It is a sermon
on God's ways of dealing with a servant leader.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet
like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for
battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory; You
stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles
do not turn (2 Samuel 22:33-37).
God was David's source for everything. God gave him the ability to achieve the many
extraordinary things in his life. It was a lifelong training ground that moved him
from one plateau to another, often dropping into a ravine of despair and hopelessness
from time to time. These are God's ways. They drive us deeper and deeper into the
heart of Him who has prepared a way for us. Let God take you to the heights or
depths He desires for you. He never promised smooth sailing during the trip, but He
did promise to be the captain and companion along the way.
Seekers of God
by Os Hillman, June 30, 2007
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who
understand, any who seek God. - Psalm 53:2
Are you a man or woman who is a seeker of God? The Lord delights in seeing those
children of His who truly understand the meaning of life and why there is only one
thing worth seeking God Himself.
I can always tell when I have not been seeking God. The cares of this life, the urgent
over the important, and the petty irritations-these are the symptoms of a life that has
not been in the presence of God. Do we understand, really understand? That is the
question God raises to each of us today. If we understand, then why do we spend day
after day toiling and fretting over what doesn't matter? Can we set proper boundaries
in our lives that don't allow our time with Him to be continually stolen away? It is a
challenge in a world that screams "activity, activity!"
Do you have a consistent time of seeking Him in your life? Are you committed to
developing that intimacy with your Lord that He so desires? If not, ask Him today to
help you. This is the longing of His heart. Ask Him to make it the longing of your
heart. Then you will demonstrate to Him that you understand, and you will be a
seeker of God.
June 29, 2007
IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO
FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
( 1 JOHN 1:9 )
For our "Out of the mouths of Babe's" category, I received
the following story this week. So let us set back and listen
to a 6 year old child as she teaches us a valuable lesson.
I hope you will enjoy this, and pause a moment to think about
it as well.
Subject: A wonderful meaning of Rain
Rain: One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main
streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when
the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed
position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something." This
announcement usually meant she had been pondering some
fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her
six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain! ;" she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers
are like God wiping our sins away.
After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.
"That's really good, Aspen." Then my curiosity broke in. How far
would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked... "Do you
notice how the rain keeps on coming?
What does that tell you?"
Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "We keep
on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
After all, In order to see the rainbow, you must first endure
some rain. Amen.
June 28, 2007
Pleasing to the Lord
by Os Hillman, June 28, 2007
Prepare it with oil on a griddle; bring it well-mixed and present the grain offering
broken in pieces as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. - Leviticus 6:21
There is a requirement to be blessed at a deeper spiritual level by God. Christ
requires it of each of His servants. He required it of Paul when He struck him down
on the Damascus Road. He required it of Joseph when he was left in the pit and then
sold into slavery. He required it of Jacob when he left his homeland penniless and
needy. He required it of most every major leader that He used significantly -
brokenness.
Brokenness cannot be achieved on your own. It is something God does Himself. We
cannot determine that we are going to be broken, but we can refuse to become
broken. When God begins this deeper work in our lives, we can kick and scream and
refuse the process. We can manipulate and strive to stay on top, but this only delays
His work.
Pride and mammon are ruling strongholds of the workplace. Brokenness is
considered a weak position in the workplace. However, God says until we are broken
we cannot be an aroma pleasing to the Lord. God wants you to be an aroma in the
workplace. In order for this to happen, you and I must be a broken vessel in His
hand. Pray that God would allow you to become a pleasing aroma to Him no matter
the cost.
June 27, 2007
Our Counselor
by Os Hillman, June 27, 2007
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. - John 14:26
I was driving down the interstate feeling discouraged from an appointment I had just
had. A former employee's company was seeking to displace me, and my company, as
their source for our services. It had been one of many difficult events during those
months. As I was driving, some words popped into my mind, No weapon formed
against you shall prosper. I could not tell you where those words came from other
than I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking them to me; I knew they were in the Bible.
I knew they were in the Old Testament.
When I returned to my office that day, I searched for the key words in my
concordance and found the verse. "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you
will refute every tongue that accuses you" (Is. 54:17a).
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind us of the things He desires us to know.
There are times in our lives when the Holy Spirit speaks into our spirit words
designed to encourage us or give us what we need at the moment. That is just one of
the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The more you know God's
Word, the more often you'll recall verses the Holy Spirit will bring to mind for a
given situation. Study God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of the
things He desires you to know.
June 26, 2007
FOR GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION BUT OF
PEACE, AS IN ALL THE CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS.
( 2 CORINTHIANS 14:33 *NKJV )
Dear Scott,
In this world today it is hard for most people to find any
peace at all. Confusion abounds no matter where we go.
Jesus warned us about that for He said, "THESE THINGS I
HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE
PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION;
BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE
WORLD." ( JOHN 16:33 )
After all it is written that: THE LORD WILL GIVE
STRENGTH TO HIS PEOPLE; THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS
PEOPLE WITH PEACE. ( PSALM 29:11 ) Therefore when
you find yourself confused, always look to
Jesus Christ for HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE. For He said,
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE YOU."
( EPHESIANS 2:14 ) ( JOHN 14:27 )
Now that is a loving caring peace that we become filled
with on our spiritual journey, and peace is only one of the
many blessings we receive on that journey, for it is also
written: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE,
PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS, AND SELF CONTROL. AGAINST SUCH
THINGS THERE IS NO LAW. ( GALATIANS 5:22-23 )
So, it is my prayer that you are well on your way
down that spiritual path right now, and that THE PEACE OF
GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL
GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND THROUGH JESUS
CHRIST. Amen! ( PHILIPPIANS 4:7 )
June 25, 2007
Remaining Vertical With God
by Os Hillman, June 26, 2007
When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He
made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. - 1 Peter 2:
23
Have you ever been wrongfully accused? Oh, the need to defend and justify becomes
so great. "What will people think if they believe these things are true?" we reason.
Imagine what Jesus thought as they hurled insults and threats upon Him. The God of
the universe had visited planet earth only to be slandered and accused of blasphemy.
Jesus could have done two things in response. He could have used His power to put
the people in their place. He could have responded "horizontally." He could have
fixed the problem right then. However, He chose to respond in a different way. He
chose to "entrust Himself to Him who judges justly." It requires great faith to
entrust ourselves to God in the midst of personal assault. However, if we can do this,
we will discover a level of grace and wisdom that will be birthed from this experience
that we never thought possible. We will discover a freedom in God we never knew
before. Whenever we suffer for righteousness without seeking to protect our
reputation and rights, we are placing our total faith in the one who can redeem us.
This activates God's grace in our lives and enables us to experience God's presence
like never before.
Ask God to give you the grace to stay vertical with Him. Avoid the temptation of
responding horizontally each time some event comes into your life that you want to
"fix." Entrust yourself to the one who judges justly. It may be a divine appointment
for your growth to another level in grace.
June 24, 2007
My God Shall Provide
by Os Hillman, June 25, 2007
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:19
Have you ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for your material
needs? Perhaps you lost a job and could not generate income on your own. Perhaps
you got sick and could not work. There are circumstances in our lives that can put us
in this place.
When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desolate desert, they
had no ability to provide for themselves. God met their needs supernaturally each day
by providing manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day's portion of
what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the
faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When
they did, God's "supernatural provision" was no longer required. "The manna
stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any
manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan" (Josh. 5:
12). In both cases God was the provider of the need.
For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of
the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It
is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Sometimes it appears it
is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize
that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He
requires our involvement in either case.
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the
ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your
forefathers, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful
provider.
June 23, 2007
Divine Appointments
by Os Hillman, June 23, 2007
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and
as innocent as doves. - Matthew 10:16
"Os is now taking over this division. He will be managing all of these activities from
now on. You should know that he has a different management philosophy than what
you may have experienced before. He has a biblical management philosophy. Os,
would you like to explain what they could expect from you in this regard?"
These were the words spoken to me by a non-Christian CEO recently when he
decided to increase my responsibilities in the company. We had never spoken of
spiritual issues before.
Each business day, you and I will have the opportunity to stand before presidents,
marketing directors, secretaries or other coworkers to create a defining moment.
When that happens, there is a good chance you will be thought of as someone to
avoid. You might be considered "religious" or "fanatic." If so, consider this a great
compliment because it says you are standing apart from the crowd.
Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog
you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and
kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not
worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you
(Matthew 10:17-20).
You may never be flogged for your faith. However, you may very well be brought
before others to give account for what you believe. It may be at a water cooler, or it
could be during lunch with a coworker. In whatever situation you find yourself, the
Holy Spirit awaits the opportunity to speak through your life to that person who
needs to hear. Ask the Lord whom He wants to speak to today through your life.
June 22, 2007
When Fear Keeps Others From Their Destiny
by Os Hillman, June 22, 2007
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. -
Acts 5:13
Every work day in thousands of offices across the globe, Christians testify of God's
grace in their lives in some way. Sometimes it comes through a subtle performance of
their duties with a smile and peace that non-believers cannot understand. In other
cases, there might be more visible, unexplainable examples of God's work. This was
the defining difference in believers in the early Church. They lived a life that
followed with signs and wonders that could not be humanly explained.
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And
all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared
join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more
and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number (Acts
5:12-14).
How often we have heard non-believers acknowledge their respect for the Christian
workplace believer, but they dare not join them in their persuasion. It is this fear of
the unknown that keeps many a non-believer on the path to hell. Who has God
placed in your path today to help detour from a path of eternal torment to a path of
freedom and eternal life? The Lord desires that each should come to knowledge of
the truth so that they might be saved. As you enter the workplace today, ask the
Lord for a divine appointment that might be the turning point for a lost soul. There's
no prayer the Lord will delight in more than this one.
June 21, 2007
God's Authority
by Os Hillman, June 21, 2007
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has
no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly
what My Father has commanded Me.... - John 14:30-31
There is a constant war going on between our flesh and the Spirit. As Christians, the
Spirit seeks to move us under the authority of His domain in order for us to fulfill all
that we were created for. Every person was designed to be under some form of
authority. Jesus modeled this in His own life. He lived under the authority of His
heavenly Father. He made no independent decisions. He, unlike us, was sinless and
always remained under His Father's authority. He acknowledged that the prince of
this world has a hold on many, but did not have a hold on Jesus.
The prince of this world does have his hold on many in our world, even among our
brothers and sisters. The one thing most of us want the greatest is the freedom to
make our own decisions. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the
decision was made to exercise a personal right: freedom to decide, freedom of choice,
freedom from hindrances, freedom from pain. However, Jesus said He had no
freedom of choice. He chose only the Father's desire for His life. He was the ultimate
model of a man under authority.
Each day we must determine if we'll willingly choose to be under the authority of the
Father and the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is a choice each of us must make. It is
a choice that actually leads to freedom, not bondage. Choosing to live under the
authority of our heavenly Father frees us to gain the greatest fulfillment in life-His
mission and the purposes He has for us. It is the little decisions of daily life that
reveal whether we truly live under His authority.
June 20, 2007
Being Fully Persuaded
by Os Hillman, June 20, 2007
Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. - Romans 4:21
Why did God consider Abraham a righteous man? It was because Abraham looked
beyond his own limitations of age and strength and considered God as the one who
could accomplish His own goals. Abraham came to a place in his life where he realized
it had little to do with him and all to do with God. His part was initiating the faith
within himself.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without
weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he
was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not
waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his
faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:18-20).
What are the things in your life that are mere impossibilities? What are the
mountains in your life? Are these there in order to build your faith in the one who
can enable you to ascend to the peak? Once you know that it is His will for you to
pursue, do it with faith. Faith requires action when we know it is He who is leading. It
may require risk. Faith is sometimes spelled R-I-S-K. Abraham did not limit God. It
is this confidence in God that God honored and rewarded. He wants to do the same
with you and me.
June 19, 2007
The Strength of Brokenness
by Os Hillman, June 19, 2007
The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with
strength. - 1 Samuel 2:4
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How
can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to
their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new
kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only
through brokenness.
Paul was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken
prisoner. Jacob was broken at Peniel. David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba.
The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could
be used in the Kingdom.
When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the
reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that
God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges
with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. Pray for a broken and
contrite heart that God can bless.
June 18, 2007
Faithfulness in Our Calling
by Os Hillman, June 18, 2007
He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and
Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be
found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." - 2 Chronicles 15:2
Asa was the king of Judah from 912-872 B.C. He reigned for 41 years and was known
as a good king who served the Lord with great zeal. He reformed many things. He
broke down idol worship to foreign gods; he put away male prostitutes and even
removed his own mother from being queen because she worshiped an idol. The
Scriptures say that as long as he sought the Lord, the Lord prospered his reign.
However, Asa was not totally faithful in his calling. There came a time in his life
when he made a decision to no longer trust in the God of Israel. He lost his
confidence in God as his deliverer. The prophet Hanani came to Asa to inform him
that God's blessing was no longer on his life because of an ungodly alliance he had
made.
Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots
and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose
hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on
you will be at war (2 Chronicles 16:8-9).
There are no guarantees that if we began well we will finish well. The life of Asa tells
us this. It is only through God's grace that we can be faithful to our calling. Each of
us is capable of falling away from God. Pray that God will keep you faithful to the
purposes He has for your life. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed
to Him.
June 17, 2007
Learning To Stand
by Os Hillman, June 17, 2007
..."Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...." -
Exodus 14:13
The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert,
but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh
had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They
cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only
to die in the desert.
Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a workplace
believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are
trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. However, God
says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. If we go before He says
go, we likely will make our situation worse. If the Israelites had attempted to cross
the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. If they had fled north to try
to avoid the Egyptians, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. God cannot
work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed
us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it
is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.
Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.
June 16, 2007
Learning To Stand
by Os Hillman,
..."Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...." -
Exodus 14:13
The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert,
but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh
had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They
cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only
to die in the desert.
Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a workplace
believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are
trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. However, God
says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. If we go before He says
go, we likely will make our situation worse. If the Israelites had attempted to cross
the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. If they had fled north to try
to avoid the Egyptians, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. God cannot
work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed
us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it
is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.
Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.
June 15, 2007
Perception Is Not Reality
by Os Hillman,
The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken. - Job 4:10
In the advertising business we often say that "perception is reality" for the person
who views our advertising message. It does not matter whether the audience believes
the message to be true, only that they perceive it to be true. Their actions will be the
same whether they believe it or only perceive it.
The enemy of our souls is very good at this game. He may bring on us what we
perceive to be true when it is a lie. It may appear that there is no way around a
situation. He may bring great fear on us. When we buy into his lie, we believe only
what we have chosen to perceive to be true. It usually has no basis of truth. Such was
the case when Peter looked on the waters during a night boat journey with the other
disciples. At first glance, he and the disciples screamed with fear, thinking that what
they saw was a ghost. It was actually Jesus.
Satan's name means "accuser." He travels to and fro to accuse the brethren. He
brings an impressive front to all he does, yet behind that front is a weak, toothless
lion with a destination that has already been prepared in the great abyss. He knows
his destination, but he wants to bring as many with him as possible; so he often has a
big roar, but little bite.
The next time some event comes into your life that creates fear and trembling, first
determine the source. Look past the emotions and evaluate the situation in light of
God's Word. Perception is not always reality.
June 14, 2007
Humility in Relationships
by Os Hillman, June 13, 2007
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - 1 Peter 5:5b
I'll never forget the first time I discovered what a feeling was. It was in my early
forties. Surely not! .you may be thinking. Yes, it is true. Since then, I have
discovered many men still live in this condition. It took an older mentor to help me
understand the difference between information and a feeling. Wives are frustrated
because their husbands share information, but not their feelings. They want to know
what is going on inside their man. The fact is, most men have not been taught to
identify feelings, much less how to share them. It is something that men must learn
to do because it is not a natural trait. If they do share their feelings, society often
portrays them as weak. No man willingly wants to be portrayed as weak.
In order to become an effective friend and leader, one must learn to be vulnerable
with others and develop an ability to share feelings. It is a vital step to becoming a
real person with whom others can connect emotionally. This is not easy to do if your
parents did not teach you to share your emotional life with others. Emotional
vulnerability is especially hard for men. Author Dr. Larry Crabb states,
Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their own
children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of
self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to
others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of
ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference. When our approach
to life revolves around discipline, commitment, and knowledge [which the Greek
influence teaches us] but runs from feeling the hurt of unmet longings that come
from a lack of deeper relationships, then our efforts to love will be marked more by
required action than by liberating passion. We will be known as reliable, but not
involved. Honest friends will report that they enjoy being with us, but have trouble
feeling close. Even our best friends (including spouses) will feel guarded around us, a
little tense and vaguely distant. It's not uncommon for Christian leaders to have no
real friends. [Larry Crabb, Inside Out (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Navpress, n.d.),
98-99.]
If this describes you, why not begin on a new journey of opening up your life to others
in a way that others can see who you really are? It might be scary at first, but as you
grow in this area, you will find new freedom in your life. Then, others will more
readily connect with you.
June 13, 2007
FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE
EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO--THIS I KEEP DOING. WHAT A
WRETCHED MAN I AM! WHO WILL RESCUE ME FROM THIS
BODY OF DEATH?"
( ROMANS 7:19 & 24 *NIV )
Those are the words of the Apostle Paul. To remain sinless was
a struggle for him, as well as, the rest of the Apostle's! For sin
has
always been a struggle for mankind since Adam and Eve!
Therefore when we slip and sin it is very important to ask our
Heavenly Father to forgive us. For it is written: IF WE CONFESS
OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US
OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Thus we become cleansed and forgiven from our past sins, and
that includes all of them! ( 1 JOHN 1:9
)
After all it is also written: "COME NOW, LET US REASON
TOGETHER, SAYS THE LORD. THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE
SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY
ARE RED AS CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE LIKE WOOL."
( ISAIAH 1:18 )
Now when we repent God's forgiveness is complete, for He has
even promised us that He won't remember them anymore. He has
said: "I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL
REMEMBER NO MORE." ( HEBREWS 8:12 )
So, just be the very best person that you can be, and
if you slip and sin once in a while, do not think that God doesn't
love you anymore. For no one is perfect, however once there was
one, sinless and blameless, and filled with love, and they Crucified
Him.
June 12, 2007
When Planting Yields No Fruit
by Os Hillman, June 12, 2007
You have planted much, but have harvested little.... - Haggai 1:6
Have you ever worked and worked only to yield very little from your efforts? Such
was the case for the workplace believers during the time of the prophet Haggai.
Finally, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to inform the people why their efforts
were not yielding any fruit. There was a specific reason this was happening.
"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I
blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of My house, which remains
a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the
heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the
fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground
produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands" (Haggai 1:9-11).
God had finally had enough. His priorities were not His people's priorities. So, He
withheld in order to get their attention. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah at the
time. He was a godly man who sought to do God's will. He listened as the prophet gave
these words; then he responded.
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the
whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message
of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people
feared the Lord (Haggai 1:12).
Sometimes God has to stir up the spirit of one man to initiate needed change.
Zerubbabel was that man. Scriptures say, "The Lord stirred up the spirit of
Zerubbabel" (Hag. 1:14). God is stirring up the spirit of a remnant of workplace
believers throughout the world today. They are seeing what breaks God's heart, and
they're responding. Has God placed the spirit of Zerubbabel in you? Are you one who
will make a difference for the Kingdom, or are you concerned about building bigger
and better barns? The Lord is calling forth His people in these last days to make a
difference. Ask Him what He wants to do through you.
June 11, 2007
Such a Time as This
by Os Hillman, June 11, 2007
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the
palace, in front of the king's hall. - Esther 5:1a
Esther was a woman who lived for a cause greater than herself. God used this woman
to save the entire Jewish people from extermination. However, before God could use
her, she had to come to a place of death in herself. It was not an easy decision. Her
uncle Mordecai was the instrument God used to challenge her to measure up to the
task.
Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will
escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will
arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who
knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13b-
14)
Mordecai was telling it straight. For her to speak up meant great risks if the king did
not receive her. It was automatic death if the king did not extend his scepter, which
meant acceptance of her approach to the throne. It was also a time to realize that God
may have brought her to this place and time for this specific purpose. However, if she
did not respond in faith, God would use another instrument to deliver the people.
What would she do?
Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink
for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I
will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther
4:16).
On the third day of the fast she came and stood in the inner court of the palace, in
front of the king's hall. She was like Jesus who stood in the inner court of Heaven on
that third, resurrection day. She gave up her life, but God raised it up on that day and
delivered an entire people from destruction because of one woman's willingness to
give up her life for a greater cause.
God has called each of us to a purpose greater than ourselves. Know that it will
require death before life can be given to this purpose. It must be His life that lives,
not ours.
June 10, 2007
Are You a Threat?
by Os Hillman, June 10, 2007
One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but
who are you?" - Acts 19:15
Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If satan and his demons had a board
meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say
that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons
harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no
threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." There are
millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Sunday after Sunday who pose little
threat to the kingdom of darkness.
If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen,
then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to
walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in
the world" (1 Jn. 4:4b KJV).
If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the
enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God.
These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our
message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His
name. Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more
obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy
of hell in order to affect satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances
are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and satan doesn't like this.
So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you?
June 9, 2007
In keeping with our Saturday tradition, I will submit the
following
message for you, because once again: HE WILL YET FILL YOUR
MOUTH WITH LAUGHING AND YOUR LIPS WITH REJOICING!
( Job 8:21 *NKJV )
So today we will take a humorous look at some questions &
answers relating to events written in the Bible. Now I received
this
message a few weeks ago from one of our subscribers. I hope
that it will get your day started with a good laugh or two, as It
has
for me, by just reading the following.....
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone
else was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the
Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank
of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden
in a "Fury". David's "Triumph" was heard throughout the
land. Also, probably a "Honda," because the apostles
were all in one "Accord."
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as
to why they no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant
lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially
wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always
overflowing.
Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in
the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.
(Groannn...)
KEEP SMILING!!!! GOD LOVES YOU BUNCHES AND
BUNCHES!!!!
Friends are God's way of taking care of us....
PS... Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make
coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible.
Is it not written?: . . . "Hebrews"
June 8, 2007
Forgiving Ourselves
by Os Hillman, June 8, 2007
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus closer than the
other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one man who was willing to step
into territories where others would not dare. He was the first to step out of the boat
and walk on water. He wanted to protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for
having a demon influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his many extreme
emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before Jesus was
crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus predicted that the cock would
crow after the third time just to reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed
when he realized he had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness from Jesus was
not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was forgiving himself. As we
mature in the faith, we begin moving in victory after victory with our Lord. Then out
of nowhere, an event happens that reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted
face to face with this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood that cleanses us.
When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that has covered our sin. He
does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its deepest level. We are
making an assumption that we should never have sinned and that we are too mature
to sin. This is a trap from the enemy of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not
recognize from what they have been forgiven. That includes us.
June 7, 2007
FOR YOU ARE MY HOPE, O LORD GOD; YOU ARE MY TRUST
FROM MY YOUTH.
( PSALM 71:5 *NIV )
When ever you feel stressed, worried or overwhelmed by
things or people in this World, always put your hope and trust
in our Heavenly Father. Have faith that He will guide you
through the stumbling blocks that life has put before you! For
it is written: DO NOT FEAR, FOR I AM WITH YOU; DO NOT
BE DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. ( ISAIAH 41:10 )
Therefore never try to make decisions or to fight the battles
of life alone. Always ask God in prayer for the answers. He
will then, not only provide answers and guidance, but also will
bless you as well, for it is written: BLESSED IS THE MAN
WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD, WHOSE CONFIDENCE IS IN
HIM. ( JEREMIAH 17:7 )
So, make sure that you, TRUST IN HIM AT ALL
TIMES, YOU PEOPLE; POUR OUT YOUR HEART BEFORE
HIM; GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US. ( PSALM 62:8 )
In closing, I pray that, THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL
JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY
OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Amen ( ROMANS
15:13 )
June 6, 2007
Disobedience Rooted in Fear
by Os Hillman, June 6, 2007
Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." - Exodus 16:19
Have you ever seen God do something really good in your life only to find that you
have abused the blessing He gave you? Such was the case of the Israelites as they
were traveling through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. God was
providing for them in miraculous ways. Manna was provided each day as their bread.
God gave Moses specific instructions as to how this manna was to be eaten. God said
each one was to gather only what he needed for that day. No one was to keep it until
the next morning.
"However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until
morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with
them" (Ex. 16:20). God was teaching the Israelites daily trust in His provision for
them. He wanted them to trust Him one day at a time. If they tried to hoard, God put
a self-destruct feature in the manna. Yet God also told them to gather two days'
worth on the sixth day so that they would have manna to eat on the seventh day.
Interestingly, this manna did not stink or have maggots.
For many years I gathered manna in business out of fear of not having enough. One
day, the Lord decided that manna should be destroyed in order for me to learn total
trust in His provision. When we operate out of fear, we can expect the Lord to
lovingly discipline us in order to help us learn to trust Him. There is a danger when
we seek to "insure ourselves" against calamity. If your actions are born from fear,
you can expect God to demonstrate His loving reproof so that you might not live in
fear.
June 5, 2007
The Talents
Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.
Have you ever been around someone who refused to pull his own weight? You know
the kind. He’s capable of doing a good job, but for whatever reason simply refuses to
measure up to what he can do.
Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 25:14-30. This is the parable of the talents. A talent
was a large sum of money and in this parable three servants are entrusted to invest
this money for their lord. As you contemplate the reading of this parable, remember
that God does not expect of us what we are incapable of doing.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his
own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and
immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went
and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had
received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the
ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came
and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying,
‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides
them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful
over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your
lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me
two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a
hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look,
there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that
I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you
ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have
received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him
who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from
him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the
unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.’
All three men were capable of doing what their lord requested. Two were successful,
but one failed miserably. Why did this one man fail?
Some have suggested that he had no faith in himself. This is evident. But his lord
had faith in him and that should have been a proper motivation for what this man
could accomplish.
Also, this man perhaps compared himself with the others. He wasn’t as gifted as the
other two men who were given greater responsibility. We also need to be careful that
we do not compare ourselves with others and overlook what our Lord expects of us.
This man was also lazy. His master called him “wicked and lazy.” He simply didn’t
try. To try and fail is common to all men. We learn from mistakes and start over
more intelligently. But to fail without trying is inexcusable.
Lastly, this man feared his master. When we compare this scenario to our
relationship with God, we should always be mindful of the judgment of God. But we
should have no reason to fear Him in such a way.
After all, He gave His Son to die for us and still patiently waits for us to repent and be
found righteous in Him. God has more faith in us than we have in ourselves. Instead
of fearing God we should be emboldened by His favor upon us.
On Our Daily Walk today, may we never stop where God says go. May we never sit
down when God says rise up. May we always be found faithful by our Lord.
Our thought for the day: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the
real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Plato
May God bless you on your daily walk.
© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles
provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.
June 4, 2007
THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, WHO
PUT THEIR HOPE IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE.
( PSALM 147:11 * NIV )
Now, our life would be pretty tough without hope! Alexander
Pope (1688--1744) once said that "Hope Springs Eternal," and
indeed it does for the children of our Heavenly Father.
After all God provides our hope for it is written: FOR WHAT
IS OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OR THE CROWN IN WHICH WE
WILL GLORY IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS
WHEN HE COMES? IS IT NOT YOU? INDEED, YOU ARE
OUR GLORY AND JOY. ( 1 THESSALONIANS 2:19-20 )
AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US, BECAUSE GOD
HAS POURED OUT HIS LOVE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE
HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US. (ROMANS 5:5 )
Remember the words of the Sons of Korah*, for they said:
WHY ARE YOU DOWNCAST, O MY SOUL? WHY SO
DISTURBED WITHIN ME? PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD. FOR I
WILL YET PRAISE HIM, MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD.
( PSALM 42:5 )
[ * Sons of Korah were temple musicians and assistants
who wrote some of the Psalms ]
Now this is because God has promised us: THEN YOU WILL
KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; THOSE WHO HOPE IN ME
WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! ( ISAIAH 49:23 )
So I pray that you will: BE STRONG AND TAKE HEART,
ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD. ( PSALM 31:24 )
I PRAY ALSO THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE
ENLIGHTENED IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE
HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU, THE RICHES OF
HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN HIS SAINTS. Amen.
( EPHESIANS 1:18-19 )
June 3, 2007
FOR YOU, O LORD, WILL BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS; WITH
FAVOR. YOU WILL SURROUND HIM AS WITH A SHIELD.
( PSALM 5:12 *NKJV )
In this busy World of ours we often forget to stop and
count all of our blessings. If we are not careful we may
even take them for granted!
So why not stop and count your blessings today, for
when you count them you will find that there are many
indeed! Also you will find that counting your blessings
is a great way to begin you day!
Now the above verse reminds me of a poem that I very
much enjoy. Today I would like to share that poem with
you, and it is my hope that you will enjoy it as well!
Your Blessings Are So Many, Lord!
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
To count them one by one
Would take much longer than a day
That has just now begun!
You fill each day with miracles
From dawn to setting sun.
Each night You hear a million prayers
When day's work is done.
You keep this old world spinning
As seasons come and go,
And each one is a masterpiece
That stets our hearts aglow.
You fill the earth with beauty, Lord,
With flowers, shrubs and trees,
And we marvel at Your rainbows
And butterflies and bees.
Your words still give us comfort
For Your promises are true.
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
In everything we do!
Poet, Clay Harrison
Have a wonderful day, and: MAY GOD BE
GRACIOUS TO YOU AND BLESS YOU AND MAKE HIS
FACE SHINE UPON YOU. Amen. ( PSALM 67:1 )
June 2, 2007
HE WILL YET FILL YOUR MOUTH WITH LAUGHTER AND
YOUR LIPS WITH SHOUTS OF JOY.
( JOB 8:21 *NIV )
Now does God have a sense of humor? Well it is written:
HE WHO SITS IN THE HEAVENS SHALL LAUGH.*
( PSALM 2:4 )
Now I know I have taken the *2nd verse totally out of context,
but God does demonstrate His sence of humor throughout
the Scriptures.
Remember the words of Sarah, Abraham's wife, when God
told her she would have a baby at her old age. She replied,
"GOD HAS MADE ME LAUGH, AND ALL WHO HEAR WILL
LAUGH WITH ME." ( GENESIS 21:6 )
Remember also that Abraham named their child Isaac, which
in Hebrew means "laughter."
Therefore, I am sure our Heavenly Father will not mind
if I share with you a message that I received from our sister's.
After all it is said that laughter is the best medicine! So, I hope
you will enjoy this, and start your day with a good laugh indeed!
________________________________________
Praise The Lord!
There's a little old Christian lady living next door to an
atheist.
Every morning the lady comes out onto her front porch and
shouts "Praise the Lord!".
Now the atheist yells back, "There is no God". Yet She does
this every morning with the same result. As time goes on the
lady runs into financial difficulties and has trouble buying food.
So she goes out onto the porch and asks God for help with
groceries, then says "Praise the Lord".
The next morning she goes out onto the porch and there's the
groceries she'd asked for, and, of course she says "Praise the
Lord". The atheist jumps out from behind a bush and says, "Ha,
I bought those groceries - there is no God".
The lady looks at him, smiles and shouts "Praise the Lord,
not only did You provide for me Lord, You made satan pay for
it!!!!".
____________________________________
Have a Wonderful Weekend, and may it be filled
with Peace, Love, Joy, and a little laughter as well. Amen.
June 1, 2007
Preparation for Greatness
by Os Hillman, June 1, 2007
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. - 2 Samuel 22:35
David was a mighty warrior, and God described him as a man after His own heart.
God took David through a training ground that could be looked on as cruel and
unusual punishment by many a person. God chose him at a young age to be the next
king, yet King Saul rejected him and hunted him down. David was a fugitive for many
years. He had uprisings in his own family, and he had relationship problems. He had a
life of extreme ups and downs. He certainly did not have a life free of problems; he
made mistakes. He was human like all of us, yet he learned from his mistakes and
repented when he failed. This was David's training ground; it made the man. Without
these hardships, it is doubtful David would have accomplished what he did.
Toward the end of David's life, he recounted his relationship with God. It is a sermon
on God's ways of dealing with a servant leader.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet
like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for
battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory; You
stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles
do not turn (2 Samuel 22:33-37).
God was David's source for everything. God gave him the ability to achieve the many
extraordinary things in his life. It was a lifelong training ground that moved him
from one plateau to another, often dropping into a ravine of despair and hopelessness
from time to time. These are God's ways. They drive us deeper and deeper into the
heart of Him who has prepared a way for us. Let God take you to the heights or
depths He desires for you. He never promised smooth sailing during the trip, but He
did promise to be the captain and companion along the way.
june devo's