I loved the view from a pic I took earlier in the day,
and I decided to return at sunset for another shot.
JoyfulWorks
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Baking and Breaking Bread
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Two Sunday's ago, I purchased a mid-size portable electric oven. Most Chinese do not bake and use an oven, so I went to Hong Kong and purchased one. A few days later,my roommate (pic to the right) tried some roasted potatoes and fried eggs I made, and told her friends how much she liked it.
This past Sunday, I made another trip back to Hong Kong and purchased a few baking pans for cakes, cookies, breads, and pies. Monday, I spent the day trying to locate baking ingredients. I did find ingredients to make homemade bread, and an online website to order ingredients for in the future. 
This young woman and many others are coming together for an evening baking bread, fellowship, and sharing the Gospel message. Building relationships, one of the first goals I mentioned in my last e-newsletter, is well underway. What a great way to get to know people! By baking, drinking tea and coffee, and talking about God's Word. 
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Saturday Afternoons
Father and son having quality time together in the center of the mall outdoor area. More than likely, mom is inside doing the shopping. There was a big sale in one of the major department stores.
The walk home was hot, but uneventful. I have managed to loose a few pounds since I have been here (exactly a month now), but I still decided to stop and treat myself to a popsicle at the corner market.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Matthew 10: In Our Father's Care
"In Our Father's Care" a watercolor painting of a sparrow I finished this week for my Etsy shop: OriginalWorks by Joy . The text on this one is from Matthew 10:29-21, and has been digitally added to the painting. It is sold as a print or gallery wrap on canvas at the link above.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Matthew 9: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Matthew 9
Another Look At Multi-Dimensional Ministry
Tony Cooke
This article originally appeared on tonycooke.org, October 2014.
As a young Bible school student, I heard Brother Hagin emphasize three major aspects of Jesus' ministry that are mentioned in Matthew 9:35. "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Brother Hagin would enumerate them, and we would often recite the concise summary with him: "Jesus went about teaching, preaching, and healing."
Knowing that we, too, were called to do the works of Jesus (John 14:12), I, and probably hundreds of other young, zealous students, anticipated the day when we would graduate, and being filled with the Word and the Spirit, would launch out to shake and change the world through teaching, preaching, and healing. In more recent times, I've compared notes with others who went to school around the time I did, and it appears that most of us felt we were going to save humanity single-handedly by our dynamic messages and powerful anointing.
With all due respect to the vital role of teaching, preaching, and healing, my peers and I were in for a big surprise. While we saw positive results, none of us ended up single-handedly saving the world through our "great ministries." It shouldn't have been a surprise to me, but it was. In reflecting on my journey, I realize that Brother Hagin also taught the verses that follow Matthew 9:35, but I was guilty of a mistake made by many-I only focused on the part of the verse that I wanted to hear, and ignored or greatly downplayed the surrounding verses. It would be years before the connected verses would sink in, enabling me to have a deeper (and more realistic) picture of what ministry is really all about.
No doubt that Jesus' teaching and preaching were powerful. It was said of Jesus (John 7:46), "No man ever spoke like this Man!" While different ministers today have different levels of grace and anointing upon them, Jesus had the Spirit without measure (John 4:34). In addition to the conviction and enlightenment that came through His teaching and preaching, we also know that there were many powerful demonstrations as Jesus healed "every sickness and disease among the people." My subconscious assumption (or presumption), then, was that wherever Jesus ministered, everyone would have been propelled into a carefree state of utopia and everyone would be perpetually happy, every marriage healthy, every person victorious, etc. But is that what happened after Jesus had ministered in all these cities and villages? The very next verse clarifies this matter.
Matthew 9:36 (AMP)
36 When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.
Could that be true? After Jesus had taught, preached, and healed, He still saw people who were bewildered, harassed, distressed, dejected, and helpless. I wonder what kind of shape the people were in before He ministered to them? Did Jesus help them through His ministry? Absolutely! Were there still needs among the people? Most clearly. As vital and foundational as teaching, preaching, and healing are, Jesus recognized a missing piece of the puzzle. He saw the people as sheep without a shepherd.
Teaching and preaching is crucial, but people need more than a teaching or revival center. The ministering of God's healing power is essential, but people need more than a healing class or a prayer line. Jesus stated that the people were in need of a shepherd. Rightly so, we think of the pastoral office-those men and women who are called to lead, feed, and guide congregations-those who fit the characteristics Jesus outlined in John 10, who call the sheep by name, who continue with the flock, etc. These provide ongoing care, discipleship, and ministry to God's people. Thank God for pastors!
When I resigned from the church where I served as an assistant pastor from 1980-83, I was surprised by the nature of the "thank you's" I received from the congregation. Even though I worked very hard at developing the teaching gift, I don't recall people expressing thanks for any sermons, Bible lessons, or teaching series. Instead, people thanked me for the times I sat with them during a loved one's surgery, when I helped them with funeral arrangements for a family member who had passed away, or for encouraging and comforting individuals when they had faced various crises of life.
To this day, I greatly value teaching, preaching, and healing, but I've learned to additionally appreciate the personal touch that comes through pastoral care. I've also come to believe there are people who don't necessarily stand in the pastoral office, but who function very proficiently in loving and caring for others "pastorally." These might be people who are great encouragers, who operate strongly in what Paul calls "mercy" in Romans 12:8, or who exercise what is referred to as "hospitality" in various places throughout the New Testament. When we see saints loving and encouraging others so beautifully, we are reminded that God did not intend for one single person (The Pastor) to do all of the caring within a given congregation.
The quickest way for a congregation to burn out their pastor is to expect him (or her) to do all of the encouraging, all of the comforting, all of the praying for people. Perhaps this is why we have all the "one another" Scriptures in the New Testament telling believers to do these things mutually amongst themselves. Certainly we need recognized leaders, and nothing I'm saying is meant to take away from the significance of the pastoral office. I'm simply saying that pastors weren't meant to simply do all of the loving, caring, and encouraging, but pastors are given to equip the saints so that all the saints can do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
This may help us understand what Jesus said next in Matthew 9:37-38, right after He acknowledge the absolute necessity of shepherds. "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"
So what does multi-dimensional ministry look like?
It starts with a strong foundation of teaching, preaching, and healing. The ministry of the Word and the Spirit are essential. Building upon that foundation, we see the vital need for effective pastoral ministry. This can involve both individuals who stand in the pastoral office, and it can also be extended and expressed through people who work under the supervision of ministry leaders, expressing the love and care of God to people in need.
Multi-dimensional ministry culminates when there is a multiplication of laborers (as Jesus directed). One person was never intended to carry the full weight of ministry, but with a multiplication of laborers and strong leaders, the varied needs and demands of ministry can be met through many working together to fulfill the plan and purpose of God.
I've learned that one person can't do it all, but if the Word and Spirit are preeminent, and if people are cared for through nurturing, caring relationships, and if there is a multiplication of laborers, there is no limit to what the Body of Christ can accomplish.
Remember that what God desires to accomplish through His Body is more diverse than what one person alone can facilitate; it takes all of us working together. I like what Rick Warren said about this: "Healthy, lasting church growth is multidimensional. My definition of a growing church has five facets. Every church needs to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, broader through ministry, and larger through evangelism."
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Matthew 8: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Matthew 8
Down from the mountain, out of
the multitudes, a leper comes to worship Jesus saying, “If you are willing, you
can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2
NKJV) Wait. Stop right there. A who did what? What is a leper? Aren’t they bad?
The bible refers to lepers
more than 40 times (depending on which translation you are reading). During bible times, God had given the
Israelites instructions in Leviticus 13 on how to handle leprosy. Leprosy is a bacterial infection. Today, most cases of leprosy are from long-term
contact with someone who has leprosy.
While doctors are not sure, they believe that leprosy might be spread by
breathing in droplets that get into the air when infected people cough or
sneeze. This would explain why following
God’s instructions in Leviticus 13 for leprosy and other skin infections was
very important. Disobedience could cause
an epidemic of leprosy.
A leper was not allowed to
come within six feet of another person, and if the wind was blowing they could
not come within 150 feet of another person.
Yet, here in Matthew 8 we see a leper who has come to Jesus. The leper asks Jesus to heal him if it is His
will. Jesus responds by saying it is His
will, and the leper is healed.
It took boldness and faith
(they had just come down the mountain and had heard Jesus teach) to do what
this leper did. The leper stepped out in
faith and received healing. This is
representative of what Jesus has done for us through his death, burial, and
resurrection. We have been redeemed
(washed clean) from sin by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians
2:8,9).
Our redemption is free (by
grace), but we must be bold and step out through faith in Christ. How?
God tells us, “If you declare with your
mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
If you have not already followed these steps in
your life do so now. Just say with your
mouth “Jesus is Lord”. Believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead.
It really is that simple.
Matthew 8 is full of much more amazing Word from
God. What stands out and speaks to you
in this chapter? Why?
Maybe you just follow the steps above, and are a
new believer. Share this another
believer in your life today. It’s an
exciting day! Today is your spiritual
birthday!
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Matthew 7: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Matthew 7: The Gift
I have read somewhere, “People
who equate righteousness with behavior tend to judge or criticize others.” I venture to say, these same people also
judge and criticize themselves, too. Many
of us try very hard to do right and be good enough to have a relationship with
God. When we do this, and we make a
mistake we feel guilty, ashamed, and like a failure. Then, just like Adam and Eve hid from God
after they sinned, we draw back from God.
Is this what God wants? Do we have to feel and act perfect (what many
view as righteous) to talk and fellowship with God?
In reality righteousness is
simply “right standing with God.” How do
we get in right standing with God? We
believe with our heart unto righteousness (Romans 10:10), and receive it as a
gift (Romans 5:17)
Gifts do not require us to
work for them. They are given by the
giver freely. All the good works and
acting right will not make someone righteous.
As believers, righteousness is already ours. Growing up spiritually, doing good, and
acting as a child of God have a place, but they will not make you
righteous.
In this final chapter of the
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about judgement. "How can you say to your brother, `Let
me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your
own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (vs. 4-5).
All of us have made mistakes
and have sinned, whether intentional or unintentional. Sin is equal in God’s eye. A lie is sin.
Murder is also, sin. In our
society, we do not put liars in jail, but we do commit murders to jail. Our laws determine the price we pay for many
of our sins today on earth, and this gives us a view that one sin is worse than
another. In God’s eye, sin is disobedience,
plain and simple. He forgives the
murderer when they seek repentance, just as much as He forgives the liar.
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I am not questioning our
laws, they are in place to keep us safe.
It is judging someone spiritually that is the problem. We have all sinned and make mistakes. Jesus is teaching here that we cannot judge
others when we are sinning ourselves.
Once you remove the plank from you own eye (have become righteous by receiving
it as a gift from God and you believe with your heart that Jesus died on the cross,
was buried, and rose again to pay the price for our sin; you will respond with
God’s love rather than judgement and criticism towards others.
When we realize who we are in Christ, and begin
to grow spiritually in the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Him” with our eyes of “understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17-20), we
are able to begin to lay aside judgment and criticism because we see the need
to pray for those who need Him, rather than be offended, or put off, by
them. And we are able to pray for the
needs and situations of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
What are your thoughts as
you read, and think on this chapter throughout the day today?
Monday, June 15, 2015
Matthew 6: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Matthew 6: Why Not?
Remember in Chapter 5 last week, I mentioned about the Law
(the Old Covenant) and the New Covenant?
It is important to remember that one of the Bible’s most popular
prayers, “The Lord's Prayer” is not a New Covenant prayer.
It is a prayer given to Jesus’ disciples to pray at the
time, a time when Christ was fulfilling prophecy and preparing to die on the
Cross as He paid the price for our sins with His own blood through His death,
burial, and resurrection.
We can learn several principles of prayer from The Lord’s
Prayer, but remember, it is an Old Covenant prayer. One difference we see between the Old
Covenant prayer and our New Covenant prayers today is “praying in the name of
Jesus” (John 16:23) Notice in this verse in John, it says, “In that day”,
meaning the New Covenant. In The Lord’s
Prayer the disciples prayed to the Father, “Our Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9) They did not have the Holy Spirit living on
the inside of them as we, believers, do today.
Isn’t it wonderful that once Jesus died, and rose again the
Kingdom came (Luke 17:21). We no longer
have to pray for God’s Kingdom to come, it is within our hearts, that is, once
a person has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (born again).
Refer now to verse 13 of The Lord’s Prayer. This is my personal favorite part of the
prayer. It says, “….But deliver us from
the evil one.” I am thankful every day,
because we are delivered from the evil one, and redeemed from the curse of the
law. This was accomplished in the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We do
not need to ask for it, He has already finished it (John 19:30). The devil is under our feet.
Then, why do so many still pray “deliver us from the evil
one”, and succumbed to a lifestyle non-reflective of their deliverance in
Christ? As believers, we cannot believe
in that which we do not know or understand.
I have read countless stories of people who lived a poor life on the
streets or in shacks, but upon their death it was discovered they actually had money
and a lot of it. As we read His Word in
the Bible and grow spiritually in Christ we learn and gain knowledge of what is
rightfully ours as a born again member of the church in Christ.
If I have a bank account someone gave me full of money, but
I do not know it exists, the money does me no good. If I do not know how to access the finances
in it, the money does me no good. If I
do not feel that I deserve it, I might refuse to use it (pride and guilt). Again, then the money does me no good.
The same is true with the benefits of being a child of
God. If I do not know that there are
benefits that I have in which I have access, then I cannot walk in them in
Christ. If I do not know what to do to
access these benefits, then I cannot walk in them in Christ. If I feel I am not worthy or deserving of
these benefits, then I choose not to walk in them in Christ.
It is up to me, to open the bible and read what being a Christian
(who I am) is, to learn about and access the benefits I have in Him.
We will revisit prayer again in John 16, and learn how we
are to pray today.
What? No Chapter and Verses?
What? No chapters and verses?
Did you know the bible was not
originally written in chapters and verses?
Chapter and verses were added later to make reading the bible and
locating passages more convenient.
The Chapters Added In The Thirteenth Century
A man named Stephen Langton divided the Bible into chapters in the
year A.D. 1227.
Langton was a professor at the University of Paris and later he
became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Verses Were Added In The Sixteenth Century
Robert Stephanus (Stephens), a French printer, divided the verses
for his Greek New
Testament. It was published in 1551.
http://www.blueletterbible.org
When reading the bible, keep in
mind that the chapter divisions are for convenience, not necessarily the break
between two unrelated subjects. You will
find chapters ending and the topic continued in the following chapter. This is important to remember while we are
reading. And, it will keep the
material in the context in which it was originally written, giving us deeper
insight into the Word of God.
I recently heard a message by
Jesse Duplantis, “Did you pick it up today?”
He refers in this message to the Word of God as a treasure in which you
dig and mine the treasure within it, like mining gold. Reading God’s Word opens up a treasure of
knowledge and wisdom into our lives that is immeasurable. No other source will can.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Fellowship
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| Fellowship with these wonderful women from around the world in Hong Kong. Ameria, UK/South Aftrica, Philippines, and Norway. |
Friday, June 12, 2015
Matthew 5: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Matthew 5
Chapter 5 begins what is
known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus
went up on a mountain, and after his disciples came to him he began
teaching. In Ch. 7 verse 27, at the end
of the Sermon on the Mount, the people were amazed at His teaching. They said He taught them as if they were
important people, having authority.
The teachings include what
are called the “Beatitudes”, which focused on love and humility. The last verse of chapter 5 is the considered
to be the focal point of the teachings: "Therefore,
you shall be perfect, just as you Father in heaven is perfect.”
When reading this it is
important to remember, the people were familiar with the law of the Old
Covenant. The New Covenant did not yet
exist. Jesus had not yet redeemed them
from the curse of the law by paying the price for the people’s sin.
There seems to be much controversy
over what verse 48 means. If we look at
this verse through New Covenant eyes, we know that we have been transformed in
Christ… into a new creature in our spirit man.
And as we grow in Christ, we become more and more in the image of
God.
At our new birth (Romans
10:9, 2 Cor. 5:17), we are made new, a perfect spirit man. However, our soul and our body have not. Transformation of the soul comes with the
revelation of God’s Word as we renew our minds to who He is and who we are in
Him.
Who are the blessed?
How are believers as salt and light?
How did Christ fulfill the law?
Does sin begin in the heart?
How can we go the extra mile?
What does it mean to love your enemies?
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Matthew 4: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
Off to a temptation of a start!
At the end of chapter 3, God says, “This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (verse 27 NKJV) Right on the
tails of this statement, chapter 4 begins with “Then, Jesus was led by the
Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (verse 1, NKJV) God
declares Jesus as His Son and immediately Jesus is led to the wilderness, and
in preparation for the test by the devil, Jesus fasts.
The devil tests Jesus by tempting his
flesh. Have you been hungry before? Often, before certain blood tests doctors run
for physicals and check-ups, doctors will tell us to fast (not eat or drink for
a determined amount of time) so they may achieve accurate results on the
tests. Have you been told this before?
Most often, these fasts can be scheduled while you are sleeping and the
doctor’s appointment scheduled early the following morning.
There are a few medical tests, in
which I have had to fast for 24 hours or more.
One time in a hospital, they ran so many tests, I had to fast for a
week. The first three days, I remember
being very hungry. My body craved food
and water to drink. If someone had come
to me with a cheeseburger and fries, I would have gobbled it up quickly.
The devil
tempted while in the wilderness, even tempted Jesus by trying to play on pride
(“if you are the Son of God…..” (verse 3) and again, “if you are the Son of
God…..” (verse 4). This did not appeal
to Jesus. He knew what the devil was
doing. More importantly, Jesus knew who
He was (the Son of God) and had chosen to be where He was, doing what He was
doing. How did He get rid of the devil?
He spoke the Word, and told the devil to go!
Jesus ended the temptation, himself.
(read verse 10) Temptation
takes many forms, but every temptation by the devil is based on deception and
designed to distract you from keeping your eyes on God. Sometimes temptation looks like the long line
at the cash register trying your patience, like the driver on the road who cut
you off in traffic, your schedule and the demands of the day tempting you to
give up your daily time with God.
Whatever your temptation is? Know
that you are a child of God. Tell the
devil to go! And, speak the Word into
the situation.
What
temptations are in your life today? What
scriptures can you grab hold of in the Bible to speak out to the
situation? Why do we have tests? Is it to make us fail, or is it for us to see
what we know?
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Building Relationships and Settling In
Home in Asia.
Yes, I know that sounds a bit odd from an American.
Recently I made it back to Asia after a year back in the states for healing and restoration from the strokes and several complications that resulted. The time was well spent with family and friends. My own family increased with a new granddaughter and a new daughter-in-law. I am thankful to be present for both occasions. It was a real blessing.
I am very happy to be back now. I have missed her. What can I say? It's almost like she is in my blood. I can say, she is in my heart. First was XXXXX and the start of a small bible school in 2008. Second, was XXXXXXXto assist with the beginnings of a church in 2010. And, now, XXXXXXX (at least as a home base for a while) with the continuation of a vision and plan God has led, "Empowering Children and Teens Today!".
I am still getting settled and looking for an apartment. However, work, connections, and the building of relationships have already begun. It doesn't take long here, because the need is so great. Just this past week, I met a small group of women who recently started a small children's bible class for ages 5-9, to teach their own children God's Word. The women said they are lacking both direction and materials. They, and others I have spoke to this past few weeks, have told me how great a need there is for what God has given me a heart to do.
There is still a long way to go. The materials themselves take time to create. Not to mention the time in teaching key people how to start and maintain children and youth ministries within their own local churches, and multiply themselves by teaching others to do the same.
I ask that you please keep this ministry and the people it touches lifted up in prayer.
“There is nothing that our God cannot do. He will do everything if you will dare to believe.”
― Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Increasing Faith
I am very happy to be back now. I have missed her. What can I say? It's almost like she is in my blood. I can say, she is in my heart. First was XXXXX and the start of a small bible school in 2008. Second, was XXXXXXXto assist with the beginnings of a church in 2010. And, now, XXXXXXX (at least as a home base for a while) with the continuation of a vision and plan God has led, "Empowering Children and Teens Today!". I am still getting settled and looking for an apartment. However, work, connections, and the building of relationships have already begun. It doesn't take long here, because the need is so great. Just this past week, I met a small group of women who recently started a small children's bible class for ages 5-9, to teach their own children God's Word. The women said they are lacking both direction and materials. They, and others I have spoke to this past few weeks, have told me how great a need there is for what God has given me a heart to do.
There is still a long way to go. The materials themselves take time to create. Not to mention the time in teaching key people how to start and maintain children and youth ministries within their own local churches, and multiply themselves by teaching others to do the same.I ask that you please keep this ministry and the people it touches lifted up in prayer.
“There is nothing that our God cannot do. He will do everything if you will dare to believe.”
― Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Increasing Faith
You can also follow Joy on Instagram @joyneasley or on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/JoyfulWorks
Matthew 3: Empowering Children And Teens Today!
Matthew
introduces us to bearing fruit worthy of repentance in Chapter 3. John the Baptist is in the wilderness
preaching a message of repentance, preparing the way for Jesus. People came to him as he preached and
baptized with water, telling of the One to come.
So what does bearing
fruit worthy of repentance mean? I met a
woman who shared this with me many years ago: we will call her Carol here.
Very early in her
marriage, Carol became frustrated with a lack of money for her to run the home
and the family. Her husband worked, and
she took in odd jobs to try to help ends meet each month, but it was not
enough. One day, a friend shared the
Gospel Message with her, and Carol soon became a new Christian.
Several months
later this Carol’s friend, Amy, came by her old, run down house to visit. Amy noticed the entrance to the home was dark
with dirt and handprints from the playful children as Carol answered the door
and invited her Amy inside. Noticing the
inside was as dirty and disorganized as the entrance, her Amy sat at the
kitchen table while the Carol ran a wet rag across it to clear a place for them
to talk.
They discussed
about the Carol’s situation, and Amy recommended she start reading the bible, but
only what she could manage each day and still take care of her children and
husband. They agreed to talk again the
next time Amy was in the neighborhood.
Carol enjoyed the
fellowship, but did not see how reading might change her situation. She did want to continue to meeting with Amy
the next time she was nearby, so she did read a few verses from the book of
John every day, as Amy had recommended.
Amy came Carol to
visit a few months later. Walking up to
the house, Amy noticed the dirt and handprints missing at the entrance. She knocked, and again was invited into the
home. Sitting down at the kitchen table,
she noticed a beautiful little jar with wildflowers picked from the nearby
field sat in the center. Dishes were clean
and put away. The home’s aroma was
clean, and it’s appearance orderly.
As they fellowship at the
kitchen table, Carol shared how as she read from the Book of John, her
perspective of her life changed, and she saw hope in the love of Christ that
filled her from the pages of the Bible.
The changes on the inside of her, within her spirit, soon reflected
outwardly in her home and family. These
outward changes are like the fruit worthy of repentance.
Changes on the outside reflecting
the inside are what John the Baptist was referring to when he warned the
Sadducees and the Pharisees who attended his baptism to bear fruits worthy of
repentance. He was referring to evidence
of their heart condition, rather than just acts and works to make it look like
they were in repentance.
We will be like a tree with roots
by a stream (a healthy tree); and we will not fear, but continue to have green
leaves and bear fruit, even when circumstances around us are troublesome
(Jeremiah 17:7,8). John the Baptist also
compares us to a tree.
By getting our heart condition aligned
with God’s Word, the changes on the inside reflect on the outside as “fruits
worthy unto repentance.” You are off to
a great start by daily reading the Bible (Psalm 1). The bible is the living, inspired Word of
God, capable of more than you can ever image.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Matthew 2: Empowering Children and Teens Today!
"There is something about believing God that will cause him to pass over a million people to get to you." Smith Wigglesworth
What
has God said to you lately? Are you
listening?
Learning
to hear His voice, looking to our spirits, for daily guidance is the secret how
to be successful when others are not.
Joseph listened and followed the direction of God through dreams and messages sent by an angel of
the Lord. Due to God’s guidance,
Joseph successfully kept Jesus, our Savior, safe for the completion of all that
was prophesied.
While
we hear of people who have received direction from God in dreams, and even
messages sent by angels; the primary way we receive God’s direction today is
through the still small voice within our spirit as we read His Word and spend time with Him in prayer and
worship.
Spend time in the pages of the bible as the first priority of each day, and His voice will become familiar to you. It is much like the voice of a father calling His child. Regardless of what was going on around me growing up, when dad called, I stopped what I was doing, immediately went to Him, and listened. Sometimes they were words of instruction, words of praise, words of knowledge and wisdom, words of comfort and compassion, and other times words of correction. It did not matter, I always recognized my fathers voice, even among crowds of people. He called and I answered.
Our heavenly Father desires the same. He speaks to us, through His Word. It is up to us to get to know His voice. His Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12), and are spirit and life (Matthew 14:28-29). Read your bible and listen to what God is speaking to you today.
A
great reference to read regarding this subject is “How You Can Be Led By the
Spirit of God” written by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Joseph listened and many prophecies were fulfilled by the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ:
Micah 5:2 /
Matthew 2:1
Gen 12:1-3 /
Matthew 1:1
2 Samuel
7:12-13 / Luke 3:31
Isaiah 7:14
/ Matthew 1:18, 22-23
Isaiah 9:6-7
/ Matthew 1:1; John 1:14
As
you read Matthew chapter 2 today, take note of the direction both the wise men
and Joseph received from God. How did
they respond to His direction? What is
ahead in your day today? Ask God for
guidance and direction in all that you do today.
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