Introduction: Have you ever heard the saying, “Just let it float”? Some things work out themselves if we will …”Just let it float.” Where do we get that expression? One place it is found is in Exodus Chapter One and Two.

1. Things are out of our CONTROL! (Exo 1:20-22)

“20Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”

This was NOT good! But God is GOOD!! An order by Pharoah was sent out to kill all the baby boys. While the Hebrew people could not CONTROL the leader’s decision in Egypt, they had to TRUST the LORD.

2. Some things we can CONTROL! (Exo 2:1-4)

“1And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. 4And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.”

When you don’t know WHAT to do, do what you can. Be led by our Lord – the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14).

3. God is in CONTROL! (Exo 2:5-10)

“5And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. 7Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. 9And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of
the water.”

The UNSEEN hand of our God was working. He was orchestrating His will even though at the time it was a test of FAITH. Is His hand still working today? In your life? Where? Stop and think. More importantly, stop and trust Him.

Introduction: There’s an open door before you! Are you needing a door to open? Job? Debt? A Personal need? Someone you know who needs a breakthrough or a relationship with Jesus.

I love Revelation 3:8-12.

Listen to the Word of God to the Church of Philadelphia; and then you will probably understand why Jesus had this word of commendation. By the way, this Church and the Church of Smyrna were the only two Churches out of the seven that did not receive a word of correction from our Lord.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” (Rev 3:7)

Remember, this message was to the Church not to Israel. (God has a plan for Israel and God has a plan for the Church). 

1. There’s An Open Door before you that is going to require “Alittle Strength” to walk through it! (Rev 3:8)

“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Your strength will be in your “Witness” by not denying Jesus Christ’s name. Speaking up instead of being silent, reaching outward instead of pulling inward, and living godly instead of living ungodly is going to be the key to your “Strength” and Power!

How are you doing?

2.  There’s An Open Door before you that is going to require “Alittle Discernment” in order to walk through it! (Rev 3:9)

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

Jesus is saying that others will see through your lifestyle that you really do have a “love relationship” with Him! Deceivers and manipulators who are wolves in sheep’s clothing will be revealed (their spiritual fruit or the lack thereof).

Can you really accurately tell who’s on the Lord’s side? Sometimes, it is difficult, and certainly it always requires the Spirit of God’s discernment. 

3. There’s An Open Door in heaven when Jesus comes again that will keep you from the wrath of God during the tribulation! (Rev 3:10-12)

“10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

This passage of Scripture promises to every CHRISTian that Jesus Christ will come quickly and usher those who remain on earth into heaven to be with Him forever as He pours out His terrible and swift judgment upon the “whole earth.” This will be an unparalleled catastrophic time on earth when seven seals, trumpets and bowls rain down upon all the earth releasing the wrath of God. Jesus is coming quickly. John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, repeats that phrase (coming quickly) throughout the book of Revelation. 

Are you ready? 

Conclusion: What a great motivation to love the Lord Jesus and serve Him! Rewards are coming!!

Introduction: Did you know that CHRISTians should be in the business of both RESTORATION & RESOLUTION. What do we mean by those terms? Hopefully, we will follow thru in this devotion to do what it teaches.

1.RESTORATION! (Gal 6:1,2; John 21)

“1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Peter blew it! Have you ever blown it? When? Do you remember? Did you get in the flesh? Say something you should not have. Do something you should not have. Honestly, all of us have at one time or another, even after we’ve been saved.

The RESTORATION of Peter by Jesus is a good example. After Peter’s denial and foul language, Jesus makes sure he’s restored. This of course is after Peter is broken over his failure; i.e. he is sorrowful to the point of turning which results in a CHANGE!

Please pay attention to that last sentence. Jesus restores him because of his repentant heart.

2.RESOLUTION! (Gal 2:11,12)

“11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision”

Peter’s not perfect. Neither are you or me perfect. He had a lapse back. At times we may get either SELF RIGHTEOUS or LEGALISTIC. 

What do we mean? As long as Peter was surrounded by the Gentiles – who had been saved by GRACE thru FAITH- yet not JEWS,  he could be free from some Jewish tradition or laws (eat pork). But as soon as the influential Jews showed up at the meals and meeting, Peter disassociated himself with the Gentiles.

Consequently, Paul lovingly confronts him. Notice, Paul had to search his own heart first to make sure he was not guilty of the same, and then he could go to Peter and practice Conflict RESOLUTION. His goal would be to bring Peter back into fellowship with the Church.

Conclusion: If we would just practice these principles by the power of the Holy Spirit, there would be many CHRISTIANS RESTORED and problems RESOLVED the biblical way!

1. Who we are “in Jesus Christ”- our Identity! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

2. Why we are here – our Security! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

3. Where we are going – Destiny! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

4. What Jesus Christ has done for us and is doing in us – Victory! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Introduction: If you knew a storm was coming, where would you go? Hide? Seek shelter? Probably a basement or a cellar. What about the storms of life? Where do you go? Some go to the bottle (intoxicant). Others go to other mind-altering drugs in an attempt to escape reality. Granted, that may work, but it is just helps temporarily. Instead of turning to counterfeit shelters, believers in Jesus Christ have a “STORM SHELTER”!

1. Jesus is our REFUGE! (Psa 46:1-2)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

Will you seek a shelter right now? A storm is coming. After the rapture, the terrible tribulation will be a time of God’s judgment and wrath.

2. Jesus is a STRONG TOWER! (Prov 18:10)

“10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Have you ever seen a raging forest fire? Can you picture the animals running for their life? They are stampeding to get to a refuge. Interesting, isn’t it, that far too many people today are not seeking a refuge. Doesn’t that concern you?

3. Jesus is a ROCK SOLID FOUNDATION! (Matt 7:24-27)

“4Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

The wind and the storms are inevitable. Everybody needs a refuge. That refuge is Jesus! Run. Run to Him. Hide underneath His sheltering arms.

Conclusion: The Psalmist said, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”

Praise the Lord for a ROCK that is higher than us!!

Introduction: Does it really matter what you believe? Ask Paul. Ask John. Ask Jesus.

1. Ask Paul! (1Tim 4:12-16; 6:3)

“12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery……16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee…. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.”

Did you notice all the times Paul mentioned the word “doctrine”?

It (doctrine) is the word διδασκαλία,(did-as-kal-ee’-ah), which means instruction, or teaching.

Then again, Paul writes in his last letter before his execution these words.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Tim 4:2)

2. Ask John! (1John 4:1; 2John 7-10)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Obviously, there are false teachers who will teach false doctrine.

“7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.”

John is saying study your bible! Otherwise, you will not be able to tell what is right and what is wrong.

3. Ask Jesus! (Matt 23:1-3)

“1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”

Jesus spoke the TRUTH! (John 1:14)
Jesus is the TRUTH! (John 14:6)

1. Peter writes, (1Pet 3:15)

“15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

2. Paul writes, (Rom 1:18-20)

“18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

1. We’ve got to be ready for the GIANTS! (1Sam 17:4-10)

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. 7And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. 8And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 10And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

2. We’ve got to know the GIANT KILLER! (1Sam 17:26)

“26And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

3. We’ve got to trust the GIANT KILLER! (1Sam 17:34-37)

“4And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”

Introduction: God always has the final say so! Wise leaders know that. Unwise leaders do not. This Psalm explains God’s perspective on this matter.

Check it out.

1. Listen to the Leaders of different lands! (Psa 2:1-3)

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Some men think that they are in control. How foolish!

Admittedly, at first, it appears man is in control. But gradually and prophetically, we can be assured that our God is in control. Watch and see.

2. Listen to the Lord laugh! (Psa 2:4-6)

“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

Imagine. God laughing! Leaders think they control things. Really? Disillusioned? Look at history (His story).

3. Listen and love the Lord! (Psa 2:6-12)

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

Kiss the Son! Don’t you love it?

Every knee will bow. Every tongue confess. Jesus Christ is Lord!

Conclusion: God is in control! He raises up leaders as well as takes them down. We can trust Him. Things are moving according to His will.

Introduction: Do you lack motivation? Why should we serve our Lord? Will it matter? When will it matter? What reasons do we have in the Bible to be a witness? 

I love 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. 

1. Reason # 1 – Jesus loved us first, and gave His all! (2Cor 5:14,15)

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

Bottom line: 

Only a selfish person will live for self. Once saved, a CHRISTian realizes how and why he or she is alive and what they are to do in this life, namely, allow Jesus Christ to live in and through them for His glory….making a difference. 

2. Reason # 2 – Jesus will be our Judge one day! (2Cor 5:10)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Judgment is coming. The judgment seat of Christ is waiting for every believer! How will you stand before Jesus? What will He say?

3. Reason # 3 – Because Jesus has changed our life, we should want others to experience the same! (2Cor 5:17, 18-21)

“17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

As blood bought believers, we are ambassadors/witnesses. How are you doing? Remove excuses. Start today. Prepare for tomorrow.

Conclusion: If this devotion does not motivate you to love and serve the Lord, something is wrong! On the other hand, keep drinking from this truth and stay focused on God’s will for your life.