Craig's Living H2O

February 28th - "Jesus was a Friend of Sinners."

“Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."  Luke 15:1-2

Why did "sinners" like Jesus?

Was it because He excused their sin?

Was it because He compromised the truth to accommodate them?

Was it because He wasn’t “spiritual,” or preached a "watered down version?"

Was it because He didn’t embrace the “full gospel experience?”

Why did they like Him?

And what about you? What about me?

Do you have any sinner friends?

Has anyone ever accused you of being a friend of sinners?

Or do all sinners make sure they steer clear of you?

Jesus was a friend of sinners.

February 27th - "Handicapped Potential"

"And Jesus said to the centurion, ' Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed that very moment."    Matthew 8:13

What we believe is incredibly important. Our beliefs set the course of our lives. Our potential is hampered more by what we believe than any other single factor. More than our circumstances, more than our resources, more than our education, what we believe determines our destiny. This is why we must renew our minds daily with what God says, and not what we would naturally believe. Are you daily "renewing your mind?" You must be in the Word daily!

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."       Proverbs 23:7a

February 26th - "Ancient Paths"

"Thus says the Lord, 'Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it: any you will find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"    Jeremiah 6:16

True rest is found in walking the ancient paths. The Word of God never changes. In it are the ways of life.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."   Matthew 5:17-19

February 25th - "Promises to God"

"For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor Your name."    Psalm 61:5

Have you made promises to God? Have you made the most important one to follow Him wherever He made lead you? Are you committed to never turning back? Beloved, He has "heard your vows" and He has given you "the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor His name." Pause today and meditate upon how rich that really makes you!

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."   Ephesians 1:18

February 24th - “On Trial For Being a Christian”

"Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance ... The ax is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.    Matthew 3:8-10

Just as an apple tree yields apples, true repentance yields "fruit in keeping with repentance." If no "good fruit" has been produced, then there has been no true repentance. John the Baptist was not preaching a "works" Gospel in the sense that we can work our way into heaven, but he was preaching the Gospel, which teaches that when salvation's grace comes into a life, there will be "works" that will follow. If I have walked to the front of a church, said a sinner's prayer, and perhaps even joined the church; and yet my life is otherwise unchanged - there is a big problem. The Bible says that those truly converted will "bear fruit in keeping with repentance." When I see an apple tree during harvest time, I have no difficulty identifying it as an apple tree. In the same way, those who are watching our lives should have no problem identifying us as followers of Christ. If placed before a jury and you were asked to prove that you were a Christian, what evidence would you have to present? Could you call for witnesses that could convince the jury? What change in your lifestyle, what "fruit in keeping with repentance" could you provide? You may say, "I saved by grace!" Yes, but true grace bears works. Is this really important? "The ax is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Sadly, Judgment Day will bring some terrible surprises for those who have been deceived into believing that they "can live like the devil and still make heaven." This is not true repentance, and true repentance is what it takes to enter the Presence of King Jesus.

 

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."    James 2:17

"February 23rd - "Devoted Prayer"

"Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."    Colossians 4:2

Do you think that this Scripture is a divine suggestion or a command? Why can we find time for everything else in life but prayer? Do you think the enemy of our soul has anything to do with that? Do you have a daily set time of prayer?  Webster's dictionary defines devoted as: 1. to set apart for a special use or service; dedicate  2. to give up (oneself or one's time, energy, etc.) to some purpose, activity, or person. How many Christians are "devoted" to prayer? How many pastors can truly say, "I am devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." I am not trying to pick on pastors, but I am challenging every believer, and especially pastors, to pray. Everyone is busy; but are we busy doing the right things? If leaders don't practice and value prayer, neither will those they lead. If those who are following don't value prayer, they will not encourage their leaders to pray. This is an unproductive cycle. And all the while, heaven stands at the ready, waiting on someone to pray.

 

"Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."    Colossians 4:2

February 22nd - "God's No-No's"

Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience."    Colossians 3:2

A great number of people don't want to hear about any "no-no's." However, God has such a list. The wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience who practice immorality, impurity, evil desire, and greed. We must count ourselves "dead" to these things. That is why we need a Savior. His Spirit enables us to say "no" to sin.

 

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."   Colossians 3:2

February 21st - "Record Keeping"

Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by the command of the Lord, and these are their stages according to their starting places."    Numbers 33:2

During the Israelites forty years of wandering in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to keep a record of all their travels. Whenever the Israelites set up camp, Moses wrote it down - "by the command of the Lord." God wants us to remember where we have been. He wants us to remember where He has brought us from. Remembering gives us a thankful heart. Remembering helps us to begin to see His wisdom in weaving the tapestry of our lives. When a tapestry is being woven, and while only looking at the backside of it; it appears to be random and no sense can be made of it. Yet when it is turned over, suddenly all the work and pain of weaving it displays a beautiful work of art. Your life may not make sense to you right now, but if you are in the hands of the Master, when you are able to see your life from the other side, you will see a beautiful tapestry that He has made. In this life sometimes God doesn't make sense. But this life is not all there is. This life is just a dressing room for eternity. And so, God wants you to reflect and remember all the places He has brought you through. He does have a purpose. He knows what He is doing. And when your tapestry is finally turned over for your viewing, it will not only make sense, but you will be a beautiful work of art ready for His showcase; a trophy of God's grace!

"February 20th - "Chosen!"

"Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine."    Leviticus 20:26

It is wonderful to be set apart for God. What a privilege to be chosen by Him. I have three older brothers and when I was a boy we used to pick up teams and play softball. I remember, as the smallest kid on the field, how my heart would beat in my chest as I waited to be picked for a team. Fortunately, my older brother would always have mercy on me and pick me for his team. I wasn't good enough for his team, nor did I have any merits to be chosen. It was only my brother's mercy that saved me. What a relief it was to be chosen. Now, I have been picked to be on God's team. Oh Hallelujah! I have been chosen! My older brother Jesus has chosen me for the same reason that my natural brother did - unmerited favor and mercy. And I have good news for you; He has chosen you too. He wants to set you apart to be holy, to be on His team. No, you aren't good enough either, but His mercy removes your deficit. If you don't know Jesus, He is waiting on you to come to Him, He's been waiting. Say yes to Him today and send me an email to find out more.

February 19th - "Spiritual Atrophy"

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."    Ephesians 4:22-24

We need a wardrobe change every day. Through the power of the cross, we have been "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  The old rags of our past are to be taken off and abandoned, "with regard to our former way of life."  The salvation grace of God enables us to walk in holiness before Him, to put on "the new self."

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."    Titus 2:11-13