Weekly Devo

“For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:7 NKJV) Just take a moment and say to yourself, “I am free.” Now the rest of this week, look in the mirror every morning, look yourself in the eye, and say, “You are free!” How did that make you feel? If it is anything other than good, come see me. We should feel joyful, elated, ecstatic, and just overwhelmed with positive emotions. We are free. The price was paid. That battle has been won. Are you living like it? We often live life pondering salvation when we know we are saved (1 John 5:17). We live life in fear of God’s wrath when we know we are forgiven. (1 John 1:7-10). We live life as if we are not loved or wanted when God shows us otherwise (John 3:16; Luke 19:10). We are not to live this way. God’s children are the only souls that can hold their heads high no matter what may come. We know how to enjoy life to the fullest and in its pure richness. Christianity is not a prison sentence! It is freedom! Live that free life

     Look at what Paul says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV) and “Therefore I urge you, imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). Man, what a healthy level of competition that is caused by creating the thought of, “I want to be like Paul” or “I want to be better than Paul.” Can you imagine what kind of faith and walk in Christ that would drive you to? Or what about this one? “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6 NKJV). Wow, now your thoughts are, “I want to be like Christ.” In some ways, it could be compared to running like Usain Bolt or playing like Tom Brady. It’s a dream that would take a lot of work, effort, dedication, support, and time. Many put in a lot of effort to be just that. Can you imagine if you put in that effort every day, the same effort as a world-class athlete, into being like Christ? What would you become in the Lord? Try it.                                  

“The scarcity in this world is initiative, not the resources to produce.” Kyle Eschenroeder      Dreams are great - conversations about what can and could be done are excellent. I mean, the American coffee shop thrives on such desired discussions. Often, the results of those great world - changing discussions are left right there on that couch or at the door when we leave. The same thing happens in the church. I wonder how many great ideas have been dreamed up and discussed among the brethren but never took off because no one did anything. We do not lack the tools, support, finances, or anything else for that matter to do the Lord’s work. He provides everything. The only thing that we come up short in, is initiative. Jesus recognized this when He said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2a). Do you know what happens when you fail to harvest a crop when it is ripe? It rots. Yep, it becomes suitable for nothing. There will be a day that comes when we will not