Sunday September 29, 2024: Enduring Grief Is Acceptable to God Monday September 30, 2024: Harmony of Our Trinity Tuesday October 1, 2024: Holiness Is a Call Wednesday October 2, 2024: Refer Them to Your Source Thursday October 3, 2024: How Close Are You to Jesus? Friday October 4, 2024: Your Actions Must Back Up Your Claim Saturday October 5, 2024: Not Just a Martyr, but a Role Model Sunday October 6, 2024: God Alone Is Skilled With the Weapon of Vengeance Monday October 7, 2024: Never Bite Off the Hand That Feeds You Horizons Unlimited PDF Archive 
Sunday September 29, 2024
Enduring Grief Is Acceptable to God 1 Peter 2:20, Worrell: For what glory is it, if, when sinning and being beaten, ye endure it? but, if when doing well and suffering for it, ye endure it, this is acceptable with God. Once at a church fellowship picnic, a member asked me, "At what point do you stop being affected by others' unkind words, ugly attitudes, etc.?" I referred the person to this verse in First Peter.
Once I found what was pleasing and acceptable to God, it appeared that His abundant grace brought forth faith in me and for me. What once would have sent me into orbit emotionally no longer moved me; I was totally in control with God's help. It really became easy to endure. I stopped thinking of the "stuff" that happens in life as something I had to endure; instead, I began to see it merely as part of life in this fallen world. I learned that the real issue isn't the adversity that comes our way, but how we handle that adversity.
I have always been willing to take my lumps when I was wrong, but I'd fight a person "tooth and toenail" when I was innocent. Now I just smile, shrug my shoulders, and pray that the other person in a difficult situation discovers the same peace I have found in Christ Jesus.
Those of us who are parents or God-called pastors never throw out the babies with the bathwater. We just clean them up and believe that God's grace really is sufficient for us both.
Back to list Monday September 30, 2024
Harmony of Our Trinity Confessing and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord causes the Father God to make our spirit new. We do the confessing and receiving; God does the re-creating since He did the creating in the first place.
However, because we are three-part beings, our minds must be renewed and our bodies managed. Once we are born again, we have supernatural help from the Holy Ghost to assist us with the renewing of our minds as well as the controlling of our bodies, which always want to do their thing, totally contrary to what our re-created spirits want.
An unrenewed mind and a re-created spirit have no harmony. Their disharmony will negatively affect the body. However, with a re-created spirit and a renewed mind, the body will come in line. A body with an unrenewed mind will war with a re-created spirit. One day it will do one thing; the next day it does just the opposite. This explains why many born- again Christians have such a struggle in their walk with the Lord.
Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost function as one because of the harmony that exists among them, we must bring our 'trinity' into harmony. Our spirit must be re-created. Our mind must be renewed. Our body must line up before there is harmony.
My new nature can help teach my new mind, and together they will train my old body so that it will be able to act like it is also new. The body will not change until Jesus appears, but the re-created spirit and the renewed mind can dominate it and make it subject to them. The body has to obey a spirit that has the nature of God and the mind of Christ.
You can stop the struggle today. Confess Jesus as Savior and commit to give up just the milk of the Word and begin chewing on the meat of the Word.
No harmony means no peace. So what are you waiting for?
Back to list Tuesday October 1, 2024
Holiness Is a Call 1 Thessalonians 4:7, KJV: For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. The temptations for today's youth are greater than they were in my day seventy-six years ago. One of the reasons for that is that parents and the community have lowered their standards. You find few, if any, examples of holiness among Christians.
As a young woman, I wanted to wear certain style clothes because they were sexy, but I could not leave "Miss Earnestine's" house with them on nor could I return in them. I had to find somewhere to change into and out of them and that was not easy because my friends' parents had the same standards. Now the parents not only allow those clothes to be worn, they purchase them both for their daughters and for themselves. It is hard to say no to a young person when you have not said no to yourself.
Many of the outfits that I purchase, because I like the basic design, have splits in the skirts, as my mother would say "to gazoo." That simply meant extremely high. I do not deny myself the outfit; I just take it to my tailor to close it up. I know the effect of a very high split skirt. Before we married, I totally distracted my late husband with a split that was too high. I was a Christian, loved Jesus, but as carnal minded as could be. His reaction was just as carnal.
The Bible tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). No one ever told me that I was called to holiness nor that everyone should know how to possess his or her vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:4). These truths must be taught over and over by precept and example.
Dads, you're not off the hook. What are you watching on TV? What type of videos and DVDs are you bringing home? What is the latest magazine subscription you purchased? In case you have forgotten the purpose of your salvation, may I remind you that it is to be a witness for Christ and not just go to heaven to escape hell.
What kind of message are we sending with the way we dress, the words we speak, and the actions we display to others? As Christians, we are to warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all people (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Review where you are today, make the necessary adjustments and corrections, and let's get the job done.
Back to list Wednesday October 2, 2024
Refer Them to Your Source Proverbs 5:17, TM: Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers. While this verse is referring to faithfulness in marriage, the principle can be applied to almost anything and anyone.
I came from a financially poor background to abundance. Then the Lord asked for it all back in order to obey Him to go to Bible school at age forty-two. My late husband, Clinton and I found ourselves with fifty-eight cents two weeks before school started. However, this was one of the most exciting times of my Christian life. We were never without food, shelter, or clothing, though we, in the natural, were financially depleted.
The greatest lesson I personally learned in this was not to change from believing in Him when the wealth and increase began to be restored. I still delight in using my faith to obtain what He has for me. The other lesson I learned, which was not an easy one, was to be led by the same Spirit, and not my emotions, when it came to sharing what I have with others.
It is very hard to see people struggling, especially your loved ones. But struggling is what makes a caterpillar into a butterfly. I have been without luxuries and have had to count my coins at various times in my life, but I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25).
What an injustice we do to our friends and families when we use our supply from God to meet their need. We owe it to them to refer them to our Source and not give them our supply unless God tells us to do so. Many people want the blessings of the Lord without His discipline and a life of obedience to Him.
When you have nothing you can depend on but God, and you are determined to find out that He is who He said He is, and will do for you what He has promised, you are in for quite an adventure.
Back to list Thursday October 3, 2024
How Close Are You to Jesus? Matthew 26:58, KJV: But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Peter followed Jesus, but it was at a distance. It was not in His footsteps.
When Jesus said to deny yourself and take up your cross to follow Him, He was talking about identifying with Him in all things. Living in fear of identifying with Jesus' program will always result in your sitting with someone else's servants, watching to see what will take place before you reveal whose side you are on.
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night for fear of the people. However, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We must not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. We are expected to speak of Him before all men. When we do, He talks to the Father about us.
How closely are you following Jesus? Will all who observe you see Him in you? Until you are willing to be persecuted for His name's sake, you are limiting the glory He wants you to experience with Him. As His child, you are to abide in Him so that when He appears, you may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
Father God, help me to always be mindful that You are the One who took me out of darkness and brought me into Your Kingdom of light. I pray that I would be so close that no one will be confused as to whose I am.
Back to list Friday October 4, 2024
Your Actions Must Back Up Your Claim Titus 1:16, NIV: They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. As a small child, I used to hear the expression, "Talk is cheap, it takes money to buy meat." This was said during and after WWII when everything was rationed and money was scarce.
Words are never scarce. Some people can talk their way into and out of most anything. However, it is much more important to heed what a person does than what he or she says. Actions truly do speak louder than words. We can say we love God, but are the deeds of our daily lives supporting that claim? A true believer is obedient to the truth of God's Word. To the believer all things are pure, but to the corrupt and disobedient nothing is pure. In fact, their minds and consciences are corrupt.
Often the deeds of individuals are contrary to God's words, and they attempt to justify their actions. Then they attempt to make others feel guilty for not condoning their wrongdoing. God forgives. I am a recipient of His loving-kindness, His tender mercy, and abundant forgiveness. However, I never try to justify my wrongdoing. When I miss it, I am genuinely sorry-not because of what others think of me, but because I have grieved the heart of my Father God.
We must desire to let our lights shine, to be effective witnesses to others-not merely with words, but with actions that back up our claims.
Back to list Saturday October 5, 2024
Not Just a Martyr, but a Role Model Philippians 1:20, KJV: According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. There are people who make every decision based on what the history book or the obituary column will say about them. Some even decide to die for a cause that has no eternal significance just so that the people who observe or read about their lives will declare them martyrs.
God is not interested in us dying for His cause; He sent Jesus to do that. He needs us to live in such a way that His cause is a reality or a living epistle that will bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ. More than martyrs, role models are what God needs.
What is of value, and what are others to see in me? Unless Christ is made or declared to be great and is glorified in my body, either in life or in death, then whatever is said of me has no real value. It is the reflection of Christ in me that others are to see. I only need to be recognized by the One who will reward me.
Precious Father, in the lovely name of Jesus, I come declaring that my aspiration, expectation, and inspiration is that in nothing I say or do will I be ashamed. I expect to walk in all frankness, and confidence of speech--openly, freely, and plainly sharing what will bring the vast knowledge of Christ to others. Keep me ever in Your will as I keep Your words before me, so that I can know that respect for Your commandments will protect me from ever being ashamed (Psalm 119:6). Thank You for Your commands and Your Spirit in me equipping me with the ability to heed Your every Word. It is my pleasure to obey, honor, and glorify You in my life. Amen.
Back to list Sunday October 6, 2024
God Alone Is Skilled With the Weapon of Vengeance Psalm 137:8, NLT: O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us. It is not okay for people to harm one another. It is a very natural human reaction to be appalled at inhumane acts against anyone; such acts go crosswise to our spirits.
When these things happen, our pain is real and what we feel is not wrong. However, we must be sure that when we call out to God for His will to be done, we leave the weapon of revenge to Him to wield.
A person may have been highly trained in the martial arts. Another person may have awards for being a sharp shooter decorating a special wall in one's home or office. However, no one has been trained by the Spirit of God to wield the weapon of vengeance against anyone.
God fulfilled the prophecy of Babylon's destruction because of His vengeance on behalf of His covenant people. However, Calvary and the shed blood of Jesus are the new prophecy that we are to experience.
I don't like violent acts and pain any more than anyone else does, but I dislike hatred, bitterness, and anger even more. I don't believe I have the right to ask God to destroy anyone. I do believe, however, that I have the right to request His defense and protection.
How He defeats the work of the enemy is none of my business. I just know that He will make everything right. My prayer is for His grace and mercy to sustain me as I wait on Him to fix everything for me. We don't have to pray for the wicked to be punished; God has already promised that. He will be happy to pay the wicked back for what they have done to us. I am willing to be happy with what makes Him happy. He will do what is right and just for all concerned.
Thank God that we have not been given weapons of revenge to use against anyone. Unauthorized vengeance will cost us dearly. Just look at the conclusion of those who threw the three Hebrew boys in the furnace, and the final punishment of Daniel's enemies.
Put down any tool that is not going to dispense God's love, for it will ultimately destroy you also.
Back to list Monday October 7, 2024
Never Bite Off the Hand That Feeds You Deuteronomy 20:20, CEV: You may need wood to make ladders and towers to help you get over the walls and capture the town. But use only trees that you know are not fruit trees. If God wants to use you to accomplish a thing, you can rest assured that He knows the whole story and has the entire picture in mind. If you chop down a fruit tree because you think it's in your way, what then will God use to provide for you once you possess the land? You may have just bit off the hand that was to feed you! God knows we need lumber to build. This is why He made some trees for that purpose, but never a fruit tree. The only time you cut down a fruit-bearing tree is when it ceases to bear fruit. Never cut down anything that is positively productive in your life. As long as God is using it, let it live. You never know when you will have need of it.
I hate killing ants because there are so many lessons to learn from them. Perhaps one of the reasons I don't plan picnics anymore is because I haven't figured out how to have a picnic without those unwelcome guests. But I genuinely admire how they manage to achieve their purpose and reach their desired goals, despite their small size and overwhelming opposition. We can learn from the ant's ability to build and endure.
Build what you need to possess whatever it is that God has promised you; just make sure you don't kill that which is alive to obtain it. Since it's God's, ask His help or input before you violate His Word. He wants to help you, not chastise or condemn you. Pause, and calmly think about that.
Back to list Horizons Unlimited PDF Archive
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