November 29, 2017

For several years, the theme of these devotional thoughts has been, "I Can See It Now." Glimpses of the reality of the age to come inspire enthusiasm and motivation for living for Christ today. It's not that I have any "special revelation" or insight into these things; I simply tap into what has readily been made available to all believers.

"just as it is written,'Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.' For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God." (1 Corinthians 2.9-10)

The work of the Spirit of God in believers, in part, is to reveal the marvelous things God has prepared for us in Christ. What previously could not be imagined, seen, or heard, is openly being displayed before us. What an amazing privilege! Our daily experience, in our walk with our Lord Jesus Christ, is to see, imagine, and hear even more of our Father's plan. Nothing could be more reassuring or inspiring.

My earnest desire and prayer for you is that you will be able to exclaim, "I can see it now!", as more and more of the age to come is revealed to you. May a growing sense of excitement over what is revealed to us powerfully motive us daily.

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 28, 2017

What's your dream and vision? What has God, through His Spirit, revealed to you?

"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." (Joel 2.28-29)

I recently read a book about some extraordinary people of faith living in lands of oppression and persecution. Each of them experienced a Spirit-inspired vision for taking the gospel to the unsaved, in spite of fierce opposition. That vision sustained and motivated them through the most difficult times.

The Spirit-inspired dreams and visions He has for us center on moving His word. The good news news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8.12) is at the heart of these dreams and visions.

What is your passion for the Acts 8.12 gospel? What desire for sharing  and advancing it burns within you? The answer to these questions is evidence of His Spirit-inspired dream and vision within you.

Make it a matter of prayer. Ask for further clarification. Yield to the direction He provides in leading you. Your greatest joy and sense of fulfillment lies in being true to His vision and dream.

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 21, 2017

Sin boldly. Let me quickly clarify that this isn't my advice, but rather a perspective that some have concerning sin and God's grace.

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?" (Romans 6.1)

The reasoning is that God's grace is abundantly displayed amidst sin so, the more we sin, the more abundant grace and mercy. We're doing God a favor, so to speak, by sinning. Logical sounding perhaps, but it's seriously flawed logic. The response is this:

"May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6.2)

God's grace through Christ covers our sins but, rather than seeking to display God's grace through the habit of sin, we must come to terms with the fact that we have died to sinful practice. Baptism (Romans 6.3-7) represents our death to self and sin, and our resurrected new life in Christ. We don't live to sin; we live to please Christ. His life is our life; His ways our ways. It's best summed up this way:

"Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6.11)

If my old self is dead to sin, that means the practice of sin is no longer my practice. Sure, I'll slip up and sin, but my life can no longer be characterized by sinful habits. My only life is God through Christ.

So, what is the life of God through Christ prompting in you and I today? Few questions could be an important to ponder. 

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 15, 2017

What is it that you are called to do? A "call" seems to be a mysterious sense of leading that some followers of Christ profess to have. Fact is, all of us have been "called."

"While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13.2-3)

These men were called to proclaim the gospel to people who had never heard. We too are called to proclaim the gospel, both in what we say and how we live.

"you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2.9)

We have received a high calling to a vitally-important work. Much of Acts 13 contains a great summary of the message we are called to share (Acts 13.16-41). Our lives must be lived consistently with this message. A holy God calls us to live holy lives.

God's call is important to us, and to others. There are those around us who need to hear and see the gospel; "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8.12)

May His calling be effective in our lives, and the lives of those we influence.

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 14, 2017

You have likely heard the saying that "the handwriting is on the wall." It has a historic and biblical basis (Daniel 5).

The setting is a lavish, royal banquet held in October, 539 BC. Gold worship vessels, taken from the Jerusalem temple, were brought out and profanely used in this ungodly feast. Amidst the revelry, a shocking thing happened - "Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing." (Daniel 5.5)

A mysterious and somber message was written, which Daniel ultimately interpreted: " 'MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN." This is the interpretation of the message: 'MENĒ'-God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 'TEKĒL'-you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 'PERĒS'-your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." (Daniel 5.25-28)

What could be worse than being weighed in God's scales and found deficient? Even if we are not as vile and profane as this wicked king, the verdict would still be the same based on our own human merit: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3.23) God's scales would tip to our detriment. For that reason, we are immensely grateful that God's Son has "tipped the scale" in our favored direction: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6.23)

Every person will ultimately be weighed in God's scales. If you were placed on them today, which way would they tip? Is Jesus determining the outcome, or are you daring to be weighed on your own merit? "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8.1)

If your confidence is the He is weighing the balances for you, rejoice and gratefully live a God-pleasing lifestyle. If not, turn to Him in faith today. We'd love to talk with you about this most-important decision.

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 8, 2017

Dare to be a Daniel. Few stand out in the Bible as does this exceptional young man. Taken away from his homeland and family as a young teen, he exhibited character qualities that far exceeded his years. He and some of his exceptional teen friends were placed in a cultural immersion program to purge them of their Jewish values and beliefs, and reshape them into Babylonian cultural emissaries. It proved to be an exercise in futility.

"Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself ... At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food." (Daniel 1.8,15) Per God's blessing on their faithfulness, the cultural immersion program failed.

"As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams." (Daniel 1.17) Strange as it might sound, God directed these young men to excel in the Babylonian culture; undoubtedly a very ungodly system. But, God would have the last word. These young men would prevail over the system rather than the other way around.

Our culture seeks to shape us into its mold, and away from conformity to the will and word of God. Whether a teen or long ago a teen, Daniel and his friends serve as excellent examples of those who stand with character integrity amidst an ungodly environment. Dare to be a Daniel.  


©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 7, 2017

A roadblock to sharing the gospel with others is not knowing exactly what to share. Thus, Bible passages that give us a gospel summary are especially helpful and important. One such passage is Acts 10.34-43. Here we find the truth that the gospel is available to all people:

"I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." (Acts 10.34-35)

With a recognition of this fact, it is important to share "the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed." (Acts 10.37). This involves familiarity with the earthly life and ministry of Christ, as we learn in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Verse 38 is a good summary. This will certainly include the declaration and demonstration of His main message, the kingdom of God.

His suffering, death, and resurrection are all important in sharing the gospel (verses 39-41). Unlike the apostles, we cannot testify that we were literally eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ, but this is a great opportunity for us to declare our testimony concerning how the risen Christ has changed our lives.

Lastly, sharing that God has appointed Him judge of the living and dead, and that saving faith in Him saves us from sin, is important (verses 42-43).

Acts 10.34-43 is a great gospel pattern passage for sharing. May we use it effectively, as those empowered by Holy Spirit.

©Steve Taylor, 2017

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November 1, 2017

It's sometimes called the "God-in-a-box" syndrome. It's a human tendency to try and resize our Creator into a package of our choosing. "David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is the footstool of My feet; What kind of house will you build for Me?' says the Lord, 'Or what place is there for My repose? 'Was it not My hand which made all these things?' " (Acts 7.46-50) A place designed for an encounter with our Father isn't necessarily a bad thing. God initiated this very thing when He gave detailed instructions for the tabernacle. But, when a time and place for such an encounter becomes all-inclusive in our thinking, our perspective on God becomes seriously jaded. We've confined Him to a box. Our view of God becomes much too small and limited. Many of us have had special encounters with God in worship in a church building. For that we are greatly thankful. But, such encounters are merely touchstones; the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Know that He is infinitely greater than we imagine. Modern technology, which allows us to peer far deeper into the universe than ever before, reveals that the universe is far greater than we previously imagined. Such knowledge reminds us that its Creator - and ours - is infinitely greater as well. May we "ponder anew," as a hymn admonishes, how great and marvelous our God is. The greater we see Him, the greater the possibilities through Him. ©Steve Taylor, 2017 My other blogs http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/   https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/ Amazon ebook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW Amazon paperback https://www.createspace.com/4500045 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/azstevetaylor/ YouTube video channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxND_ZsDdWXURp9rg88YY7g