Introduction: This old body of ours is growing weaker every passing day. At least it seems that way. But the GOOD NEWS… Our Spirit is growing STRONGER! Here is the proof:

1. Our Body is wearing Out! (2Cor 4:16)

“16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish.”

The word “perish” means decaying. After all, this body is just a bunch of dirt. Right? Somebody said it is a dirt clod!
Remember. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 6:19,20).

2. Our Spirit is growing STRONGER! (2Cor 4:16-17)

“16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Do you get the picture? This earth suit is about to fold under so that the Spirit takes His heavenly flight.

Conclusion: It all has to do with how you look at it! Here is the key…. (2Cor 4:18) 

Introduction: Do you agree? Some things are more “Caught than Taught”? Our devotion today illustrates this so beautifully. Samuel was both a mighty prophet and priest. However, due to Israel’s desire to have a King, like the other nations, Samuel relinquished most of his responsibilities to Saul. Yet, before doing that, he reminded the nation of Israel of his INTEGRITY and CREDIBILITY. Afterwards, he gave them a brief HISTORY lesson on God’s provision and protection for them. Then, as a great leader, he demonstrated to them how the Lord answers prayer when offered according to His will.

Here is the text:

“17Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.”

As a result of answered prayer, the people entreated Samuel to pray for them. They had witnessed that prayer is not a waste of time; i.e. that God does hear and answer His people’s cry. Consequently, they wanted to “get in” on what the Lord could do.

Can people see answered prayer in your life? This does not mean that you have a corner on God, instead it demonstrates that you have FAITH and TRUST in the God of the Bible.

In fact, the record states that to not pray is a sin.

“23Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:”

Are you neglecting to intercede for our nation? Your family? Friends? Neighbors?

“24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”

Rather than looking back in life with regret because of what the Lord Jesus Christ can do in our life, we need to believe the Lord for GREAT THINGS!

Will you?

Conclusion: “16Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes….”

Introduction: Do you have a King? Jesus Christ will come back as the King of Kings. But first, He will descend from heaven as the BRIDE GROOM and take His bride (the Church) away to His Father’s house. 

Israel will be needing their King…King Jesus. Why? Because they rejected Him when He came the first time.

The passage today deals with Israel wanting a King instead of the Lord God of Creation. Interestingly enough, today people have their Kings; i.e. money, sports, self, etc.

 1. Israel had to have a King! (1Sam 12:1,2)

“1And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 2And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.”

 (1Sam 12:12,13)

 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. 13Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.”

King Saul became the first King of Israel. He was the people’s choice. The Lord desired to be their King.

Jesus wants to be the ruler over the hearts of men today but they refuse. Even those sitting in Church today merely give Him lip service but not life service. Is He really LORD of your life? Remember. Lord means boss, ruler, sovereign.

2. Israel was instructed to SERVE the Lord! (1Sam 12:20)

“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.”

Loving Jesus results in SERVING Him. Are you a servant of Jesus? Or are other things more important to you?

Do you ever think about heaven?

Conclusion: At the Judgment Seat of Christ, either we (CHRISTIANS) will be rewarded or suffer loss of rewards. Our motives will be on display. Our sacrifices will be considered. And more importantly, our Lord & Savior will be the JUDGE!

So who is your King?

Introduction: Here is the REAL DEAL. As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are SEALED and we are to be FILLED.

Check this out.

1.SEALED! (Eph 1:13-15; 4:30)

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

That speaks of security! By that we mean eternal security. If a person is really saved then he or she cannot become unsaved. For it they could LOSE their salvation that would mean the devil would have to pry open the double grip of Jesus Christ and steal us from Him (John 10:27,28).

Obviously, Satan is not  strong enough to do that. For the record sake, Jesus has defeated both he and his emissaries.

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15)

“14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14)

Ultimately, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire along with the Antichrist and the false prophet (Rev 19, 20)

The word “seal” is σφραγίζω: (sfrag-id’-zo), which means to seal, set a seal upon. It has the idea of PROPERTY or OWNERSHIP.

Look again at this biblical doctrine call pneumatology.

“30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)

See the word “sealed”? Notice the phrase “unto the day of redemption.” That speaks of our final state in heaven. Our Lord is going to finish what He began. I love this verse.

“6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6)

We are not home yet!

2.SEALED to be FILLED! (Eph 5:18)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

Being “Filled with the Spirit” is God’s will! This is a present tense verb “be filled” which means ongoing. In other words, “keep on being filled” over and over. But why do we need to be filled? The answer is because we are leaky vessels!

Also please notice that this mandate (in the imperative mood – command) is in the context of the biblical role of a CHRISTian husband, wife, and parent. That is the key to fulfilling God’s purpose in this family life.

Conclusion: Are you SEALED? Are you FILLED? If you are, then you must be THRILLED!

Introduction: Finish the statement…”Do unto others??… if you said, “as you would have them do unto you.” You are correct! In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said,

“12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:” (Matt 7:12)

But how?

1. With Love! (Matt 5:43 -46)

“43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”

Easier said than done. Right? Actually, the only way we can love those who do not love us is by the GRACE of God. Do you agree? Are you having a hard time loving someone? Remember. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

2. With Prayer! (Matt 6:5-6)

“5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Prayer is POWERFUL! When offered with the right motives and the right way, needs are met, lives are changed, and God is glorified. Do you need to stop and pray for, or with, someone right now?
 
3. With Peace! (Matt 6:33,34)

“4Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

By reminding people what is most important in life. This is a way to eliminate STRESS and WORRY! Please reread Matthew 6:25-34. Are you feeling stressed and worried?

Conclusion: These are just a few ways to “Do unto others” besides sharing Jesus Christ with them, which is the most important thing. So…go…”do unto others”…and give God the glory!

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!!