Freshly Killed

Hebrews 10:19-20 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh”

Hebrews 10:20 speaks of “a new and living way”. The word new here means freshly killed, which is in reference to the body and the blood of Jesus. Why did the Holy Spirit use this unusual word here? Because every time you receive communion, God wants you to experience what Jesus did for you as if you are right there at Calvary. To see your Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God, freshly slain, bearing all your sicknesses and carrying all your pains. How God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). How “for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). As you read these scriptures and receive communion today, receive a fresh revelation of His love for you demonstrated at the cross.

Eleventh Hour Grace

Matthew 20:8-10 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.”

What is “the eleventh hour”? It means the latest possible time before it is too late. In the parable described above, the owner of a vineyard hired workers at different times throughout a 12-hour workday and then called them at evening time to pay them their wages. He called the ones who were hired at “the eleventh hour” to pay them first, which was one denarius. At that time, one denarius was equivalent to one full day’s wages. Then he called the others who began working at various times throughout the day and paid them the same, one denarius. Even those who worked a twelve-hour day.

Imagine that, the workers who worked one hour were paid the same as people who had worked the entire day! That’s the favor of God. That’s the grace of our Lord Jesus. We are in the eleventh hour of God’s grace. Some might say, “that’s not fair!” They’re right. God’s favor isn’t fair. God’s favor causes us believers to receive preferential treatment, extraordinary advantages, being given things by people that we didn’t ask for. Receiving houses we didn’t pay for. Raises and bonuses, gifts and surprises, and living a debt-free life. That’s the abundant life that Jesus has waiting for us as “eleventh hour” children of God. Our part is just to receive it as part of our covenant blessings. Enjoy!

"Eveready" to Believe the Best

1 Corinthians 13:7 (Amplified) “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes. Is ever ready to believe the best of every person”

The Eveready brand of battery has been around for over 100 years. I love their company tagline: Every family. Everywhere. Every day. It reminds me of what 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, that God’s love in us is “ever ready” to believe the best of every person. I’ve been declaring this very thing over my own life.

God’s love is not like human, conditional love. It doesn’t automatically assume the worst about people based on what they say or do. It chooses to think the best about a person, and not judge their motives or intentions. As a born again believer, you already have the love of God on the inside of you (Romans 5:5). You’ve already got the grace to believe the best of every person. It’s your choice. Decide today that you will believe the best of every person, everywhere, every day.

Stop Strife at a Trickle

Proverbs 17:14 (Amplified) “The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.”

Strife has a beginning. It’s like water that first trickles from a crack in a dam. It always starts with a tiny drip. Then as pressure builds, the crack gets bigger and bigger until the dam finally bursts. The destruction is sometimes irreparable. If only someone would have repaired the tiny crack in the beginning.

The same thing happens with strife. That’s why it’s critical to stop strife at the very beginning “before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out”. When you feel negative thoughts trying to hijack your emotions, stop, don’t make another move. It’s the hardest and easiest thing to do sometimes. If you don’t, before you know it, the trickle turns to a flood and everyone involved is treading water in anger and bitterness and saying things that they will soon regret. Don’t let that happen. Follow the wisdom of Proverbs 17:14, stop strife when it’s a small trickle. You’ll be glad you did.

The Precious Blood of Jesus

1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”

Have you thought lately about what is precious to you? What is of extreme value? Who in your life you would never want to live without? When you think about it, there are a lot of “precious“ things and “precious“ people in all of our lives. I love this word, precious, in scripture. Especially what Peter calls the precious blood of Jesus. He had an intimate personal close-up view of just how precious Jesus’ blood was in his own life.

Peter denied Jesus in a moment of weakness and yet the first person Jesus mentions after His resurrection is Peter. In Mark 16:7, Jesus singles Peter out, “Go tell the disciples and Peter“. 1 Corinthians 15:5 says “and He appeared to Cephas [Peter] and then the twelve. Peter knew just how precious and valuable and costly that blood was. That blood restored Peter to a place that was better than before he messed up. And He’ll do that for you too. His blood is precious and He shed it just for you.

So Much More

I have to say, Romans, chapter 5 has some of the most amazing truths in one portion of scripture.  Four times Paul uses the term "much more" in reference to a believer’s life after the cross…

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him - Verse 9

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many - Verse 15 

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ) - Verse 17 

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: - Verse 20 

God has called you to so much more.  You serve a much more God.  Much more opportunity in life, much more forgiveness toward others, much more favor on your job, much more restoration in your family.  Much more than you ever had before.  Much more than you will ever need.  So much more.

Grace for Your Place

Luke 5:5 “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down, for today I must abide at thy house”

I’m amazed by all the wonderful people that I meet, so unique and precious to God. I’m blessed by how He gives people “grace for their place”. Like Jim and Kay, who I met while attending Charis Bible College in Colorado. I had the privilege of going to their house for an authentic home cooked Hawaiian meal. Jim had mentioned beforehand that they had a special needs daughter in her 20’s. I was in awe when I met Muriel and saw the love and the grace that was so evident in their family, and so real.

In Luke 5:5, it says that “when Jesus came to the place”. What place? The place where Zacchaeus was positioned by God to be a blessing. God not only gave Zacchaeus the idea to climb up into the tree so he could see, He positioned him there so Jesus could see him. His faith attracted Jesus. When Jesus got to “the place”, He looked up and said to Zacchaeus, “I’m coming to your house today!”

Whatever your calling in life, God supplies grace for your place. He supplies all the grace you need to be a blessing as a spouse, a parent, a support to your aging parents, a friend, a co-worker, an employee, a boss, and on and on. Receive His grace today, receive all that you need for your “place”, His supply never runs dry.

You Can't Strike Out

Proverbs 24:16 “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again but the wicked stumble and they collapse”.

Baseball season is finally well underway! Well, sort of…the stadiums are empty of actual spectators, the seats of filled with placards of people, and there’s piped in crowd noise. It’s really different. On another note, I was thinking one day what it would be like to be up to bat and no matter how many strikes I got, I couldn’t strike out. I would just keep swinging until I got a hit. I would never hear the umpire yell, “You’rrrrre OUT!”

This is exactly what Proverbs 24:16 is saying, no matter how many times you get knocked down, you’ll get back up again. The righteous cannot be defeated by failure, setbacks, mistakes, bad breaks, or bad choices. There are no “three strikes and you’re out!” If that be the case, we would all be “out”, many times over. God’s promise to us as believers is that it’s not over until we get a “hit”. It’s not over until we succeed and overcome every obstacle in our way to fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Yogi Berra said “It ain’t over till it’s over”. God says, it’s never over! You can’t strike out! So, get back in the batters box and keep swinging, keep standing on the Word, keep believing and don’t give up…you can’t strike out!

There's Gold in Them Thar Hills

Isaiah 12:3 “Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation“

When the gold rush in Georgia was believed to be over, many miners headed west to join the 1849 California Gold Rush. M.F. Stephenson thought differently and in the town square of Dahlonega, GA proclaimed to over 200 men, "Why go to California? There’s gold in them thar hills. In that ridge lies more gold than man ever dreamt of. There's millions in it." The quote was later made famous by Yosemite Sam in the Looney Tunes cartoons. Today, over 160 years later, the catchphrase “There’s gold in them thar hills!” is still used to bring attention to an opportunity, and usually means “There are riches to be found there!”

But even more valuable and precious than gold is what’s already on the inside of every believer. Isaiah 12:3 says, “With joy you draw water out of the wells of your salvation”. Salvation is an all-encompassing word that describes all that Jesus did for us on the cross. He redeemed us from sin, sickness, poverty, death, and eternal separation from God. There’s an unlimited reservoir inside of you. Everything you need, it’s all there. Wisdom, strength, healing, provision, truth, direction, value, and so much more. Just draw it out with joy. There are rivers of living water on the inside of you (John 7:38). Whatever your need is today, just draw it out! There’s gold in them thar hills!

"Jesus is Really Good" Tours

John 15:5 (Amplified Bible) “I am the Vine; you are the branches, Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However apart from Me (cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing”

One of my dreams is to go to Israel and to see where Jesus walked, where He multiplied the loaves and fishes, and even see the valley where David killed the giant Goliath. A trip like that would be awesome. This is so interesting…have you ever noticed that the logo for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism is of two men carrying a cluster of grapes on a pole? This illustration is from Number 13:23, when the 12 spies went to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them!

Do you know why the spies were sent to observe the land? It was to observe how abundant and beautiful it was. Though the people of Israel saw the grapes for themselves, they still believed the ten spies who reported, “God can’t be that good”. They wouldn’t listen to the other two spies, Joshua and Caleb’s report, “The land is good, folks, and God is THAT good”.

In John 15:5, Jesus calls Himself the Vine. Like the cluster of grapes on the pole, He was crucified between two men on a pole. He is our abundance. He gave His life so that we could live the abundant life (John 1010). Believe the report of the Lord today, the Word of God, that says, “Jesus is GOOD”. Enjoy the abundant life that He provided for you on the cross.

Your Enemies are Disarmed and Defeated

Colossians 2:14-15 “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it”

I recently heard a news report about some people who had been convicted of a crime and sentenced to go to jail. Then at the last moment, they received a pardon! Automatic freedom without spending a day in prison. “O happy day, when Jesus washed our sins away” as the song goes. One day you’re preparing for years in prison, and the next day you’re free!

In Colossians 2:14 the same thing happened for ALL mankind. The old arrest warrant naming and shaming us as miserable sinners was nailed to the cross and is no longer in force. Yes, we were guilty and deserved death according to the law, but Jesus took our place and paid for our sin with His own blood. Jesus not only dealt with our sin but our accusers too. They have been disarmed and defeated. Jesus wiped away the old arrest warrant against us and all the demands of the law, praise God! In verse 15 Jesus literally “stripped demonic principalities and powers” of all power to condemn and to kill, steal and destroy. He paraded the defeated devil in front of all his cohorts in hell, declaring full victory over sin and the power of sin, sickness and death over you and me. We’re free! O happy day!

The Folded Napkin

John 20:7-8 “And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and saw, and believed.”

It’s funny the things you remember as a kid that follow you into adulthood. As a child one of my jobs was to set the table before dinner. I always remember my mother saying, “fold the napkin, Joseph, and put them next to each plate”. Even today when we eat dinner together, in my mind I think to myself “fold the napkin”!

In Biblical times there were customs governing how one should act when visiting a Jewish home. The proper way to express gratitude after an evening meal was to casually crumple your napkin. However, if you had an unpleasant evening, you would fold your napkin and leave it as you found it. A folded napkin was a sign that you would never return to his house again.

In the empty tomb the folded napkin was left to send us a message from Jesus, “I’ve been to the grave and I will never return the same way”. Jesus, who faced death on our behalf and was raised to new life, will never die again. John saw the folded napkin and realized Jesus had risen from the dead. John 20:8 says they “saw and believed”, even though they didn’t fully understand the scripture that tells that Jesus had to rise from the dead. The folded napkin shows us that “it is finished”, Jesus isn’t doing this again. And when He does come back, He’s coming back as our victorious Savior who overcame sin and death. All this great news wrapped in a folded napkin!

Come Out of That Pit

Mathew 12:11 “But He said to them, what man is there among you, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit or a ditch on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?

When I read this scripture, I am reminded of the 1987 story of Jessica McClure. Baby Jessica fell into a 22-foot well when she was only 18 months old and was there for 58 hours. All of America watched on edge and was captivated with this rescue. Finally, first responder workers were able to pull baby Jessica out of that pit and all of America celebrated.

In Mathew 12:11 the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. In response, Jesus used the example of a sheep falling into a pit, and asked “Would you wait 24 hours until the Sabbath was over to rescue the sheep?” How about you? Of course not! Jesus went on to say, “How much more valuable is a man than a sheep”. Then He immediately heals a man’s hand…on the Sabbath…to prove His point. I love this story because that’s what God’s grace has done and will continue to do for you. He will pull you out of a pit today. The pit of depression, the pit of regret, the pit of bad decisions, the pit of debt. And when you come out of it, He celebrates with you. Just like what happened to Jessica McClure, God will do anything, at any time to get you out of your pit. Come out of that pit today!

The Sound of Silence

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

Many times, while ministering to an audience, I ask someone to hand me their Bible. Then, with the Bible in my hand, I ask them, “Can I have your Bible please?” How do you think they respond? Yes, with an awkward silence. Why? Because I already have in my hand what I’m asking them for. It’s already done, I’ve already got it. The same thing happens when we ask God for things that we already have…silence. He must be thinking, “Hmm. I already gave it to them. They already have it. Why are they asking me for it again?”

But where is it? Ephesians 1:3 tells us it’s in the spirit. The verse says we are blessed with all “spiritual blessings” because it originates in the spirit realm. You might say, “O God, heal my body! Then you don’t hear a thing. Silence. So, you wonder, Lord, what’s going on? But God is thinking, my Word says, “By His stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Because of the finished work on the cross, you already have everything you could ever need or want in your born again spirit, right on the inside of you. So now it’s only a matter of renewing the mind, believing, and releasing what you already have. Health, provision, peace, joy, stability, it’s all yours, right now. That’s your answer! You heard it here! No more silence.

God's Super Glue

Acts 11:23 “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with all purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord”.

Years ago, my wife Natalie was gluing several pieces of a small statue back together with superglue. Only problem was, she glued her finger to the statue. She had to call for help her get her finger safely and painlessly unglued. Not an easy task, that’s some strong stuff.

In Acts 11:23, the entire atmosphere changed when Barnabus came on the scene. The reason being, he brought with him a powerful gift…encouragement. The verse says that when Barnabus had seen the grace of God in action, he was glad and exhorted them all. What did he exhort or encourage them to do? To purpose in their heart to cleave to the Lord.

Cleave means to adhere firmly and closely, and unwavering. In these days God is calling you to cleave to Jesus. To purpose in your heart to stay “glued” to Him, no matter what is going on in the world. To follow His instruction, His Word, His voice, His plan, and His will for your life without wavering. Don’t be moved or shaken or shifting. Stay consistent, stable and fixed on Jesus. Like Barnabus, I encourage you today to purpose in your heart to cleave to the Lord and never let go.

God-Inside Minded

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me”

What does it mean to be a Christian? The answers may vary greatly, such as “to go to church”, “to live a good moral life”, or “to pray to Jesus”. However, to be a Christian means to have Christ living in you.

Imagine a person who is the all-time best long-distance runner in the world. If you wanted to be like him what would you do? First, you would copy his diet, then you would go to the store to buy the same running shoes, then copy his running technique, and finally you would practice every day for a month. Presto, that’s it!! You should be able to run as fast as he does, right? No. No matter how much you try to copy him, you would not be able to run as fast as he did. Unless…this runner came to live inside you. He would then be the one doing the running, through you.

To be God-inside minded, means that you are conscious of the One living on the inside of you. The Champion living inside of you. The Healer living inside of you. The Provider, Righteousness, Holiness, Joy, Peace, Wisdom living inside of you. His name is Jesus and He is the person living inside of you AND through you. There’s nothing you can’t do with the God of the universe living on the inside of you AND through you.

Skinny Jeans and Grace

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Have you ever owned a pair of “skinny jeans”? I’m sure you’ve seen them, they’re tight from the waist to the ankle, and I mean tight. The style became popular when my son was in high school. I tried on a pair about four years ago…and…um…they just aren’t for me. BUT they are perfect depiction of the “narrow gate” described in Matthew 7.

When you read the four gospels, it’s important to remember that they were written before the cross, before the new covenant, and while the old covenant of the Law of Moses was still in operation. Having said that, let’s look at Matthew 7:13-14 again. You’ve probably heard it taught that the “narrow gate” is the way for a Christian to live the God-kind of life. Really? Think about it, is Jesus beckoning believers to a life that is “small and narrow and only a few find it?” The answer is no.

Isaiah 35:8 (ESV) says, “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray”. This road is for the imperfect who’s made perfect in Christ, the unclean is now clean.

The new way under grace is not a narrow path but a highway, even those that aren’t perfect shall not go astray. There are not only a few who will be saved, but a multitude, no one can count! Jesus is the door to a highway. He’s not like an old pair skinny jeans that are small, narrow and only a few can wear them! He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Sit Still and Rest

Ruth 3:18 “Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

Are you sometimes impatient? In a hurry? Okay, everyone put your hands down. When these feelings come, sometimes the best thing you can do is sit still and rest. Huh? Sounds counterproductive, I know. But did you know that when you rest God works and when you work God rests? God is in the finishing business. What He does He finishes. The last words of Jesus were “It is finished”. The next time you feel anxious and want to DO something, what you can DO is rest. In Ruth 3:18 the Lord is literally telling us that if WE would rest, HE will not rest, until HE has finished the matter for you. What is it that you want Jesus to finish for you? What is it you’re looking for Him to make visible? Get ready, because while you sit still, He is working, even right now. And as you rest, quietly say to yourself, “It is finished”. Say to that situation, “It is finished”. Sit still and rest.

Elementary School Graduation

Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God”

I still remember my elementary schools in Metuchen, NJ. I attended Mildred B. Moss school, a few blocks from my house, from kindergarten to fifth grade. Next, I went to Franklin School for sixth to eighth grade. Then it was graduation time and off to high school!

In Hebrews 6, it talks about leaving the elementary principles of Christ. What are they? “Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”. Dead works are the good things we do to be accepted and favored by God. They are also things we do to try to get God to bless us. Dead works are when we approach God from the basis of our own works and not in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

The difference between a good work and a dead work is the motive of our heart. God wants us to do good works. He created us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). His Spirit leads us to do good works. However, we don’t do these works to be saved or accepted by God. After receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are already saved an accepted no matter what good works we do (Hebrews 9:14). So, friends it’s graduation day! Leave the dead works behind. Throw a party! Celebrate! Enjoy!

You're Not a Mermaid

Romans 5:19 “For by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many were made righteous“

Imagine taking a walk along the beautiful shores of your favorite lake, then you suddenly fall into the water. Now, does this make you a fish? No, of course not. You’re still a human being. You’re not half fish and half human, or what storybooks and movies call a mermaid! The only difference is that you are wet and out of your element. You simply need to get out of the water and dry off.

Similarly, there are many Christians who have a “mermaid” mentality when it comes to their identity in Christ. The Bible says that when we become born again, we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus. We are 100% righteous. We aren’t half righteous and half sinner. As Christians we sometimes sin, but that doesn’t make us a sinner. Contrary to what is being taught from many pulpits, we are not a “sinner saved by grace”. Jesus became sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God. “Sin” was nailed to the cross, past, present and future sin. Praise God!