Already Clean

Every new year, people set out to find new ways of achieving better. Some people are looking to increase their finances while others are seeking to promote healthier living. Some people are looking for peace and stress-free lives and others are looking for love. But what if I told you everything you are trying to get, you already have access to?

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When Jesus ascended to heaven, He gifted you with the Holy Spirit – not just to comfort you, but to bring back to your memory everything that Christ has told you. Through the Word of God, you have been set free! You are already clean because of the Word Christ has spoken to you. He has already told you to give, and He’d give it back to you. He already told you to seek Him first and He’d add to you. He already told you to keep your mind stayed on Him and He’d keep you in perfect peace. I can guarantee you that in everything you’re trying to figure out on your own, Jesus has already cleaned for you. Allow Jesus to do a new thing in you.

Let Jesus

Heavenly Father, thank You for already cleaning every situation in my life. I realize every solution is in You and that every improvement I seek comes by obedience to You and Your Word. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Come

There’s an old saying that goes, “The time between God giving you instruction and you actually doing what He says belongs to the devil.” This saying simply means when God tells you to do something, hurry up and do it before something (or someone) talks you out of it. The longer you wait to do what God tells you, the harder it seems, and before you know it, you’re praying again for the answer God already gave you before! You just didn’t do what He said when He said it.

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Take Peter in today’s scripture. Peter saw Jesus walking on water and asked Jesus to command him to come to Him on the water. All Jesus said was, “Come.” He didn’t tell Peter what was going to happen or how He was going to do it. Jesus expected Peter to move in faith because He said, “Come.” Likewise, Jesus won’t always detail what He’s planning for you. You only need to “come” and trust that Jesus got you! And stay focused on Jesus. Because, as the scripture goes, Peter was only able to walk on water with Jesus while he stayed focused on Him. The minute he listened to the wind and saw the waves, Peter began to sink. So, know that you will have wind and waves, but you also have Jesus!

Stay focused

Heavenly Father, thank You for constantly giving me instruction. Thank You for also giving me the strength and ability to do just what You’ve told me. What seems impossible to man, is possible with You and I am focused on You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

That's Taken Care Of

Who are you? What defines you? Are you your own best friend? Have you fallen in love with yourself? These are questions to which we often take the answers for granted. We think they are selfish questions, when actually they align with understanding and carrying out the purpose God has for you. We often aren’t able to answer the questions above because we’re too busy trying to achieve the life we want, the money we desire or other things we think we need when if we’d just stop to answer these questions, we’d find that what we need is already taken care of.

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The only way you will know who you are is through a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. Then no one will be able to define you, because you’ve already received your definition from the Father. You now can be your own best friend because you know you’re never alone in Christ. Because of this, you can now love others because you love yourself. Answering these questions help you realize that everything you’ll ever need is already taken care of because the same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. It’s not selfish to learn who you are or to spend time with yourself. Let God show you. You’ll be happy you did.

Seek Him First

Heavenly Father, I am Your masterpiece. I am the apple of Your eye. Help me to see me as You do. I’m done chasing stuff I think I need. Today, I commit to chasing You to learn who I am in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Stuff

Over 2023 I’m sure you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. In your possession, you have stuff you’ve always wanted, and some things you probably re-gifted during the Christmas season. You own stuff that makes you feel good. You probably also own stuff that makes you look good too. And not only do you feel good and look good, but others see you looking good and feeling good with your stuff. This, my friend, is the perfect opportunity to use everything you have to spread the Good News and share in its blessing.

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God doesn’t care about materialistic stuff, but He does know people do. God will bless you with stuff to attract people to you. They will say things like, “When I grow up, I want to be like you,” or ask, “Where did you get that from?” God didn’t give you stuff to give glory to Macy’s or Mercedes Benz, but to attract people to you so that you could point them to the One that blessed you with all this stuff - Jesus Christ. Let people know that the reason you have all this stuff is because God has been good to you and without Him, all this stuff means nothing. Remind them that the blessing isn’t in the stuff, but the One who provided the stuff.

Christ is the source

Heavenly Father, in 2024 I’m going to use every opportunity to point people back to You. Thank You for blessing me with stuff so that I can usher others to You by lifting You up as the source of everything I have and giving You all the honor and all the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Breaking Down Walls

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Have you ever broken up a fight at school? What about helping two people become friends again? I’ve overcome the challenge of mending broken relationships before. I often find that the people involved aren’t really upset with the person, but the action of the person. A misunderstanding, a misspoken word, or misinterpretation of a mishap. And once I was able to bring the two people together, and they realized they valued the relationship over the relapse, the wall of hostility came tumbling down.

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Jesus is constantly breaking down walls for you. There are some that are evident and those that you may not have noticed. There is always a contrasting spirit around you that wants to build walls and keep you from friendships and relationships that Christ fostered to carry His blessings to you. But just as that opposing spirit exists, the Holy Spirit is always present as well. The Holy Spirit wants to usher harmony and peace into your life and of those around you. Today, don’t wait for someone else to break down those existing walls in your life. Christ empowered you to break down walls when He endured the cross for us. Help someone see the Jesus in you by removing walls that others can’t.

I can break down walls

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your body to the cross to break down walls of hostility. Because of Your loving sacrifice, I too, can break down walls and help usher in Your peace, harmony, and blessings to others to bring glory to the Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

That Kinda Peace

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

A Chinese bamboo tree takes five years to grow. It has to be watered and fertilized which helps its roots below the surface grow deep and strong. After five years, once it breaks through the ground, it will grow ninety feet tall in just five weeks! Because of its strong roots and foundation, it can withstand the strongest winds brought on by hurricanes and even tsunamis. It is able to stand tall, gracefully, in peace, while the winds from the storm beat vehemently against it.

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Have you ever read a scripture where Jesus was worried about tomorrow? Ever seen one that talked about Him losing sleep because of what people were saying about Him? Nope. I suggest it’s because He had that kinda peace that surpasses all understanding. He knew who was in control. And you too have this kinda peace. Your foundation has grown strong in Christ because you’ve witnessed Him deliver you from a storm before, so you know He can do it again. So, when your next storm is upon you, like the bamboo tree, stand tall, gracefully, in the peace that Christ Himself has brought you and endure. His peace will carry you through.

I have Jesus peace

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of peace that surpasses all understanding. I know You are in control of everything, including my life, and I know You are working everything out for my good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lost and Found

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

I was about five years old when I got separated from my mother in Montgomery Wards. I called myself playing hide and seek with my brothers and they forgot to tell me they weren’t playing anymore. All of a sudden, I was lost. Those racks of clothes appeared so huge to me as they blocked my ability to see my mother. Like any child in this situation, I begin to cry. The security guard saw me. He was able to see over the racks that blocked my view. He united me with my family and instantly everything was all right.

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There were racks which once blocked your view of the life God wanted to connect you with. Alcohol, smoking, sex, gossiping pushed you far away from God. There were nights you cried, felt lost, and helpless. But then Jesus saw you over those racks! He connected you back to your family with God, and now everything is all right. If you get lost again, or things not of God begin to block your view, remember that you are united by the blood of Christ. You don’t have to stay lost. Make the decision to change. The life God wants for you awaits you. Christ is near you – even now.

I am united with Christ

Heavenly Father, I once was lost, but now I’m found. I am united with You through Jesus Christ and His blood sacrifice. Now, that power works in me as I draw nearer to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A World with Hope

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

A couple months ago, me and my wife hiked the Diamond Head volcano crater in Waikiki. It was formed 300,000 years ago and is about 560 feet high as it ascends from the crater floor. Now, if you know anything about your friend Van, he doesn't do heights, but it was one of three fears I planned to tackle during our Hawaiian vacation. As I climbed higher and higher, I just kept looking up. If anyone was able to get me to the top of this volcano, it would be God – and that’s Who I placed all of my hope in!

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Let me remind you today my friend that you no longer have to live in a world without hope. You have a God that will help you climb any mountain that you are faced with today. As a matter of fact, the God you serve has empowered you to speak to your mountain and tell it to move! To do this, you may have to stop looking at your problem, and look up to The Problem Solver – Jesus. You don’t have to live apart from Christ. God has made you a citizen of His Kingdom and you have full access to His promises. So let’s practice… When you encounter your next mountain, what are you going to do/say?

I can move mountains

Heavenly Father, my hope is in You. I may live in this world, but I am a citizen of Your Kingdom. Christ resides in my heart, mind, and spirit and now I love in this world with You and hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

An Inside Job

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

There’s an old saying that we “shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” when referring to the outside appearance of a person versus getting to know and understand their true person on the inside. There are many times we discount people for looking differently than us. It could be due to tattoos they have, the clothes they wear, or the color of their hair. Just from their outside appearance we may question how they were raised, their religious beliefs, or if they mean to do us any harm.

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Thank God for Jesus because He looked at our outsides and said, “I want to do an inside job on them!” God wants our heart. He knows if He can have our hearts, He can have our minds and that our bodies will shortly follow. Baptism is an example of an outward display of what has already happened on the inside. When we confess Christ as our Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, we become saved and Jesus comes into our hearts. The INSIDE! The baptism on the outside tells the world of the change that’s already happened on the inside. Allow Christ to complete His inside job in us daily and allow it to show on the outside.

God has my heart!

Heavenly Father, I will not judge Your people by their outward appearance or forget the importance of giving You my heart. Lord, I give myself away to You to complete Your inside job on me daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Masterpiece. Masterplan.

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

When an artist prepares to paint, they have no idea if what they are about to create will be what they’re remembered for. When an athlete arrives at the stadium on game day, they never know if that night will be the night they enter the record books. When an author grabs their pen and pad, they have no idea if they’re going to sell one book or one million books. One may say that masterpieces come along once in a lifetime, but I say it depends on who is in control of that life.

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When God is in control of your life, you activate His masterplan. Just like the author has purpose for their pen, God has purpose for you. You are His masterpiece, and when He created you anew in Christ Jesus, it was so you could do the good things He planned long ago. You see, you were predestined for greatness! God’s is not surprised by the success you have experienced. He planned it long ago. He’s granted you His favor, His knowledge, and wisdom. You’re His masterpiece – complete in Christ Jesus. Continue in His masterplan and experience the fullness of God today.

I am God’s Masterplan

Heavenly Father, I am Your masterpiece. I am created anew in Your Son, Christ Jesus. I am blessed with Your favor, knowledge, and wisdom so I can do the good things You planned for me long ago. Light my path, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOPE!

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

God didn’t give us salvation because of our last names. Nope! God didn’t give us salvation as a reward for how good we’d been. Nope! It wasn’t because of how much money we had, what area code we lived in, or the clothes we wore. Nope! God gave us salvation because He loved us. Period.

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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son so that through our belief in Jesus, we’d have everlasting life. It’s only through God’s expression of love towards us that we have salvation. It’s nothing we did. Nope! It’s all about what God did. So, if anyone should boast, it would be God, but nope! The only thing He boasts about is you and me! We’re the apple of His eye. His masterpiece, created in His image. And anyone who tries to tell you different, tell them, “Nope!”

I have salvation

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of salvation. There is nothing I could have done to earn it, so I thank You for blessing me and giving me Your ultimate sacrifice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gift From God

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Today, I want to encourage you to not go through the rest of your life believing you don’t deserve the best. Don’t consider what you’ve done in the past. Don’t think about the names people may have called you that we didn’t find in Ephesians chapter one. Clear your cache of stinking thinking and focus on what God has given you. It’s the perfect gift! And you know the first thing you have to do when someone gives you a gift, right? ACCEPT IT!

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God saved you by His grace when you confessed you believe. Now, all you have to do is accept it and say, “Thank You, Jesus!” He doesn’t want to take it from you, it doesn’t have an expiration date, and it’s nothing you can take credit for. It’s a gift from God. Just accept it! All day today, think about His grace that He’s given you. Think about how special you must be for Him to freely give you such a wonderful, priceless gift. God gave you His best because He thought you deserved the best. He chose You. He looked at your faults, your imperfections, and still chose you. And you know what? You can’t do nothing about it! So, accept it and walk in it.

I am saved by God’s grace

Heavenly Father, I am saved by Your grace. It is the perfect gift, that I don’t deserve, but You still gave it to me. I feel Your love. I feel Your grace. I thank You, God, for choosing me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Blueprint

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

A few years ago, my wife and I were blessed to build our home. We designed our floorplan with a builder and made sure our home had every detail we wanted. We determined the purpose of each room, the type of flooring, the number of windows, and everything else from the inside out. We saw our house on a blueprint and because we designed and created our home, we knew what it would look like at each stage until its completion.

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When God looks at you, He can see you in all your future ages. He knows how each uncomfortable situation should mold you, He knows how each decision will grow you. Before you were created, God drew up your blueprint. He designed you with His incredible wealth of grace and kindness. When you say, “God is still working on me,” God already sees you complete in the future. He sees you withstanding each storm. He sees your every victory. He is so proud of you! God has united you with Christ who is the ultimate blueprint. And He calls you, His masterpiece. That’s who you are.

I am complete in Christ

Heavenly Father, I am Your masterpiece created by Your incredible wealth of grace and kindness. I am complete in You because You can point to all my future ages and have united me with Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

On the Winning Team

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

In 2016 LeBron James returned to his home state of Ohio to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers with the promise of winning an NBA championship. He averaged 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists that season to make good on his promise – an NBA championship. And even though he was the major contributor in carrying his team to victory, everyone on his team received a championship ring, a parade, and all the fanfare LeBron received, just because they were on the winning team.

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You and I didn’t go to calvary. We weren’t marched from judgement hall to judgement hall. We weren’t beaten beyond recognition. We didn’t suffer that Good Friday with Christ. But God loved you and I enough to raise us from the dead along with Christ and seat us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are on the winning team! Christ did it all! He carried us to victory. He beat death, hell, and the grave to win the ultimate championship! We have access to everlasting life, we have access to His inheritance and access to every spiritual blessing. And it’s only because we are united with Christ Jesus on the winning team.

I am seated with Christ

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who carried me on to victory. Because of His sacrifice, I am raised from the dead and seated with You in the heavenly realms united with Christ Jesus on the winning team. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Because of Christ

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Have you ever felt like the people or places around you are blessed because of your presence? Some people think I’m crazy when I travel and proclaim that everyone on the plane is safe because I’m on the plane and God’s got me. At my job, when things aren’t going so well, I have faith everything is going to work out just fine because I have the victory in Christ. The people around me and places I go are blessed because of me because of Christ!

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When God raised Christ from the dead, He had you in mind. You were spiritually dead in your sins, but you received life when God raised Jesus from the dead. That’s how much God loves you. He sacrificed His only Son for you. Now, because of Christ, you have resurrection power. Because of Christ you have peace that people can’t understand. You have an inheritance. You have mercy. And because of Christ, wherever you go is blessed. Whoever you’re near is blessed. Your family, your friends, your co-workers, your community. And it’s all because of Christ.

I have life in Christ

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and loving me so much to give me life through Your Son, Jesus. By Your grace I am saved, I am redeemed, and I have life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Anger

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

I was blessed to grow up in the 80s. Time seemed simpler then as a kid. All we needed was a basketball and a milk crate and we’d disappear for hours! There were also times we’d get into trouble during those hours. Sometimes, the whole neighborhood knew what we did. It was like a parental network way before email! I recall my friend walking slowly to his house for his whooping, and me walking slowly to mine. And no matter how angry our parents were with us; we knew they loved us.

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If you’re honest, you’ve followed some passionate desires and inclinations that got you in trouble too. You’ve done some things you should not have. You’ve said some things that are too late to take back. But thank God for Jesus, you don’t have to live in sin! Because of Christ, you don’t have to die in your sin. You can go to God through Jesus to ask for forgiveness. No need to slowly walk home when you can run to His throne of grace. Remember that God hates sin, not you. He loves you. He forgives you. And He wants the best for you even when you fall short.

I am loved

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me through my sin. My passionate desires and inclinations no longer overpower me now because I have Your power in me to overcome all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Change of Address

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

When I lived at my parents’ house there were rules I had to abide by. When I went away for college, the rules changed. I determined when I ate, when I studied, and how late I stayed out. I remember going home during semester break, and I stayed out pretty late one evening. When I got back to my parents’ house that evening, they had called my brothers, my friends, AND the police looking for me! I was no longer operating under the rules of my parents’ house because I had a change of address. And let’s just say that was the last summer I went back home.

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You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, until you had a change of address. Since Jesus has taken up residency in your heart, you no longer obey the rules of the devil. You obey God! And at your new address is freedom from sin, peace in the middle of storms, and the impossible is made possible. Sometimes, you visit your old address of sin, but it just doesn’t seem the same. The memories come flooding back, but you realize there’s no place like your new address with Jesus! Repent and remember your change of address. You don’t have to live in sin anymore because your new home is in Christ.

I am free from sin

Heavenly Father, I used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, but thank You for my change of address. I no longer obey the devil. I choose to obey You and Live Life to the fullest – blessed, free, and at peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Once Upon a Time

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Some of the greatest fairytales start with the words, “Once upon a time…” Following those famous words came heroism, peril, adversity, and before the story is over, a happy ending. The protagonist usually has something the antagonist wants, and they come up with an evil scheme to destroy them and take it. The plan normally works for a little bit of the story, but if you keep reading, the enemy’s plan ultimately fails, makes the protagonist stronger, and they live happily ever after.

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Well, once upon a time, you were in need of a Savior. You were facing death because of your disobedience and many sins. The enemy had a plan to steal, kill, and destroy what God gave you, but Christ blocked it! Now, instead of death, you have life. Now, you have every precious promise in heavenly places. God wants you to live happily ever after. Sure, you may have some peril show up, and experience adversity, but weeping endures only for a night. Your joy is now! Your “once upon a time” has a “happily ever after.” You are alive in Christ and He has rescued you from both death and sin.

I Am Alive in Jesus

Heavenly Father, I am no longer dead because of my disobedience and many sins. I have life in You because You have made me a new creation. My life has a happily ever after in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

No, Thank You

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Have you ever been so full that you couldn’t eat another bite of food? Think about Thanksgiving dinner or maybe even around Christmas time when the family gets together, and everyone brings a dish to pass. Too much fried turkey, honey baked ham, mac and cheese, sweet potato pie and it’s time for a nap! Then someone always has to ask, “Do you want another plate?” to which you politely respond, “No, thank you. I’m already full.”

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Today, I want to remind you that you too are already full and complete in Christ. You’re already blessed with every spiritual blessing. You’re already complete in God and do not require the world to dictate or measure your success. Christ fills all things everywhere with Himself. So, when you’re in Christ, you can tell the world, “No, thank you. I’m already full.” When the world offers you its agenda, its way of living or thinking, you can say, without regret, “No, thank you. I’m already full.” Everything you will ever need is already in Jesus and you are made full and complete in His body.

I Am Complete in Jesus

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing everything I will ever need to be both full and complete in Your Son, Jesus. I will cast down anything that rises against You because I have everything I need in Your body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Membership Has Benefits

(A spiritual walk through Ephesians Chapter 1 and 2)

Before the pandemic I used to belong to a fitness gym. Because I was a member, I had access to everything in the building. I could go any hour of the day. I could go any day of the week. I could even visit more than once a day. My membership even allowed me to bring a guest, free, to workout with me. And guess what? My guest had full access to the gym just because they were with me.

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When you are with Christ, the benefits are exceedingly abundant above all you can ask or think! In Christ you can go to God any hour of the day, any day of the week, and you can stay in prayer with Him all day! God made these benefits available to the church, which is the body of Christ. And just like the gym, you can invite a guest into the body, and they too can gain access to the same benefits. Make sure you read up on the benefits of your membership. You may be missing out on some things God has promised you through Christ.

Explore your benefits

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege and benefits that come with belonging to the body of Christ. All I need is in You and it is my honor as Your ambassador to share the benefits of my membership with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.