Closer Yet- Christian Devotional (Written by Me)

All Christians are on a journey with the Lord. Sometimes we walk away from Him, sometimes we stumble and bumble our way, and sometimes we stay on the path that He has set before us. The important thing about our walk is not that we have made mistakes or have seemingly failed at times, but that we can always get back on the right path. The pages of this devotional come from just such a journey.

I Can’t Do That!

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John 14:12-13 (NIV) “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

How many of us have read this verse and felt a little overwhelmed? Or we read about the things that people like Moses, David, Elijah and the twelve did, and wish we were just like them? We want to do something grand. We would love to have our shadow heal those who need it, to have a showdown like Elijah and the prophets of Baal. But deep in our hearts we may be begging God to just help us get through the day. I know I have been there. I have heard and said the words, (and most of us can admit that we at least have thought them at one time) “I’m not Jesus!” (or Elijah, or Paul, Etc).

So then why does God expect us, and Jesus tell us Himself, that we will do the works He did and even greater?
We have to start by looking at Jesus. He is the Son of God! No doubt about it. Deity. Period. However, when He came to legally get back everything that had been given to Satan, by Adam, He was fully man. Jesus didn’t walk the earth after His human birth as God. The pre-incarnate Jesus, who came as the Angel of the Lord, that was Jesus in His heavenly body. But when He was here among us, He was just like us. If Jesus had come as anything other than a man, He wouldn’t have been able to fulfill the law or to take our place in the consequences of our sin. Only a man could do that.

Just a few places that show His humanity:
His human birth (Luke 2).
Jesus got tired, and slept (John 4:6, Matthew 8:24).
He got sad and suffered agony (John 11:33-35, Luke 22:44).
He was tempted just like we are, in every area! (Hebrews 2:14-17, Mark 1:13).

There are many scriptures that talk about Jesus. It is so important that we really know Him! So then how did He do it? The healings, the miracles and how did he suffer the agony of the cross?
Matthew 12:28 (NIV) “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Jesus is pretty clear. He performed miracles by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Then He goes on to say in Luke 24:40 (NLT) “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
No more excuses. We can do what Jesus did!
That’s how Peter, Paul and Elijah did it.

Romans 8:11 (NIV) “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
His shed blood on Calvary gave us back our health, our right standing with God, and our authority as Children of God. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the power to witness and to do exactly what Jesus did. We have so many Spirit Filled believers what is hindering the miracles? Maybe the excuses and the wrong thinking.
No more say, “I can’t” but “I can.”

Book Review for “Prophetic Guide to the End Times” – Christian Non Fiction

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I love Derek Prince to begin with and have read several of his books. I had to read this one for a college class and I can’t begin to say how grateful I am that I read it. We can all agree that things are looking shaky these days, and this book gives us hope for facing the future. God has a plan and as always His plan for His children in an expected (good) end. I recommend for all Christians. I give it 5 stars.

Which King?

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There are only two kings, two rulers, two masters.
Both of them want your surrender.

One came in with deceit, stealth, and craftiness. You thought he was an ally. He tricked you into thinking your life would be better. It all seemed to be going well until he began the hostile takeover. He raped, pillaged and plundered. He took your stuff, your dreams and your children. He shed blood and broke hearts, destroying relationships. It became obvious that he only came to steal, kill, and destroy. He fights against you. Now you are his slave, your burdens too heavy, the shackles and chains too strong. His kingdom is darkness, without love and affection, without any of your true needs being met. You are without hope. Or if you aren’t there yet, you soon will be. The day will come that you will despise your king and the life he has coerced you into.

But, there is another King. He comes in with Truth. You thought He only wanted to control you- but He came to set you free. He doesn’t come in by force, except the force of His great love for you. The only blood shed was His. He mends and heals the broken heart, the broken bodies, and the broken lives. His greatest desire is to give you a life full of blessings, abundance, and joy. He not only wants to meet your every need, he also wants to give you your heart’s desire. He has come to give you eternal life with Him, the one who loves you more than any other ever could or would. His burden is light. He will break every chain that binds you. His Kingdom is Light, Love and Peace. His is our Hope! You will never regret the day you surrender your heart and life to Him!

There are only two kings, two kingdoms. You will serve one.
Which one will you serve?

Psalm 24:7-10 (NIV) “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory”