Add to your Faith... “Perseverance" #5

One of the most exciting sports in America is the NASCAR Races. Since 1949, there have been 52 NASCAR driver fatalities while competing at, or in preparation for (practice, qualifying, testing).

  God didn’t save and transform your life for you to end up on a dead end road of destruction or defeat. Peter says; “Add to your Faith “Perseverance.” (2 Peter 1:5) Nobody said that life would be easy or without setbacks and dilemmas.

 Paul says, “Fight the good fight of Faith.”  Joseph quickly learned that there would be challenges to obtaining God's dream for his life. Job realized that hell didn’t believe that he would still serve God after all the paradoxes and oxymorons of His life. Jesus is our great example of One who didn’t quit until He had said on the cross, “It is finished.”

         Friend, just as the Father stood by His Son’s side until the end; God will do the same for you and me. Rise above your thoughts of defeat and discouragement and declare, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17) Add to your memory bank, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Eccl 7:8)                                                              Dannysdevotional.com

Add to your Faith… "Self-Control" #4

                 Have you ever seen a NASCAR Race where one or several of the drivers lost complete control? We have seen pile ups that cost drivers and others their lives by losing control of their vehicles on the track. It’s exciting seeing a new believer get started in the race for Christ, but sad to watch one veer off course before the finish line. God has called each of us to finish this race with Joy.

Peter says that there is more to this race in Christ than just confessing your sins and making Him Lord and Savior. He admonishes us through the Spirit of God, “Add to your faith Self- Control.” There are incredible benefits when you do. I’ve struggled more than once just eating one Krispy Kreme donut. It’s only when I implement Self-Control, that later I’m thankful when I step on a set of scales.

God doesn’t place you and me in a box in life that says, “Now here is My set of rules to make your life hard.” No, God knows that there are benefits in walking and living our lives according to His Word. Forty three percent of automobile accidents come as a result of drinking and driving. Some may assume that it’s all about sheer will power. Not so, Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”. (Phil 3:14)

Each of us need to focus on the Benefits of living God’s way. Judas struggled with greed that cost him his life. Moses struggled with anger that put him on the back side of the desert for 40 years. David struggled with lust that cost him multiple heartaches and grief in his life and in his family. Each of them paid a great price for giving in to their fleshly desires.

Choose to deal with your “Out of Control” spending, lust, greed, pride, hurt, unforgiveness, and appetites before they deal with you in a harsh and painful way.

Dannysdevotional.com

ADD to your FAITH… “KNOWLEDGE” #3

There are people that spend their life looking for treasures and come up empty. Recently a Florida treasure-hunting family struck it rich when they discovered an estimated $300,000 worth of gold coins and chains off the coast of Fort Pierce. The treasure found by the Schmitt’s comes from the wreckage of a convoy of 11 ships that were destroyed in a hurricane off the coast of Florida in 1715 while en route from Havana to Spain. Are there more treasures to be found than simply gold? The greatest treasure comes through obtaining knowledge of God’s Word! Hosea 4:6 confirms this by saying, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”

David said, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Ps 119:105) There is a path that leads to Peace, Forgiveness, and Eternal life. Allah doesn’t have the answers to Peace; Buddhism can’t give you forgiveness, Hare Krishna‎ can’t bring you fulfillment.  Christian Science can’t give you hope in your darkness. ^“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) It’s Only Jesus Christ that brings life.

A lot of people are going SIDEWAYS in life. Twenty months ago on January 13, 2012, under the command of Captain Francesco Schettino, the huge cruise ship grounded with about 3,229 passenger and about 1,000 crewmembers at 9:45 p.m. in calm seas. Thirty people were killed and two passengers are still missing and presumed dead. The Costa Concordia is the length of three football fields and as high as an 11-story building. This past week, that 114,500-ton vessel was slowly rotated towards an upright position using a series of huge jacks and cables prior to being towed away and broken up for scrap, probably next Spring. A multinational team of 500 salvage engineers has been on Giglio for most of the past year, stabilizing the wreck and preparing for the lifting operation, which has never been attempted on such a large vessel in such conditions. The cost to lift it out of its wreckage was the tune of 795 million dollars!

Jesus Christ spent everything He had to lift YOU UP out of your wreckage of sin. It cost Him His life, everything to deliver you from your hurt, pain, sorrow, despair and iniquity. There is only one person that would love to keep you in the dark. You guessed it; his name is Lucifer, Beelzebub, the fallen angel, Satan. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Aren’t you glad somebody gave you “The Knowledge” of the Love of God? Oh, I’m so grateful that somebody told me WHO the Son of God is. Peter said, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Choose today to add to your faith “The Knowledge” of WHO Jesus Christ is.        Dannydevotional.com

Add to Your Faith - Part 3 - video message

ADD to your FAITH "Goodness" #2

(1 Peter 1:5)  "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness."

       Have you ever heard someone say, “I thought all I had to do with my Faith was to confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior?” That is what some Christians believe and fall well short of Gods Plan for their lives. Many have signed up with God because in a crisis they cried out for Gods Hand instead of God’s Face.

The real question today is, “Just how well do you really want to know Christ?” Those who desire to know Him will take it further than just going to a one time experience at the altar. There is More to it than just taking communion on Sunday, More than conveniently going to church when there’s time. There’s more to it than opening up your Bible when you go to church. Peter says, “Add to your Faith.” He had felt the pain of his own failures and was moved by the Holy Spirit to say, “Here is the way to finish what God has started in your life.”

Add to your faith, “GOODNESS”

When Christ came into your life, Paul says, ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) God transforms the heart to want to do right, and a heart to do good to our family, friends, and those around us.

Farmers realize that in order to have a healthy harvest; they must plant seeds in the field. I’ve never seen a successful farmer yet that kept their seed tucked away all year in their Silo. God has given us great blessings in our “SILO” heart. When God comes into our lives, He causes us to WANT to bless others with our Blessings. “God gives SEED to the SOWER.” (2Cor 9:10, 11) He didn’t say He gives seed to the stingy. We are blessed Not so we can hold on or even hoard our blessings. Adding to your Faith is getting your Seed out of your Silo into the harvest field around you.

Have you thought about mowing your neighbor’s lawn, buying someone a meal, paying their dental bill, carrying them to the doctor, fixing their computer, or maybe taking them to the grocery store? All these things are acts of GOODNESS that plant seeds of God’s love into others. I challenge you today to do something tangible and touchable that will never be forgotten on earth or in Heaven.

You may ask, “How will I know when I am to plant a seed of GOODNESS into someone’s life? Jesus told us a story about a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. The first two ignored a man who was beaten and broken by a robber. Only one stopped to help him in his time of need. Which one do you think was the real neighbor that showed the love of God? Yes, the Samaritan who stopped to help.

Why don’t you take a 10.00 dollar bill this week and help somebody with a need. Some might say, “Oh I couldn’t do that,” Sure you can. Take a step this week and add to your faith the blessings that are in your own silo. You will be amazed at what stories you will experience as you ADD to your faith GOODNESS                                                                                                       Dannysdevotional.com

Add to Your Faith - Part 2 - video message

“Add to your Faith” (1)

Why did Peter say; “Add to your faith?” 1 Peter 1:5-7

 

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit south of Miami Beach Florida. 216 mile per hour winds devastated homes and property to the tune of 25 billion in losses. Forty four people lost their lives. It wasn’t untill then the codes changed in the way they build homes today. Somebody woke up and said,” We better build them stronger and better.”

Why did Peter say; “Add to your faith?” (1 Peter 1:5-7) Had Peter enjoyed the bliss of walking with Christ but then later saw the stress and the strain of the Cross?

Could it be that Peter himself realized how easy it was to get caught up in the moments of seeing blinded eyes opened, watching the lame walk, and even walking on the water himself? Being in the shadow of God’s greatness doesn’t translate into winning head to head with the enemy. Peter was one of the three disciples who was with Jesus when they went up to the Mountain of Transfiguration.  Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah. Peter said, “Lord it’s good for us to be here”. Surely you would think that being in that heavenly moment would guarantee Peter success. NOT SO! (Matthew 17:1–9)

 Many people assume that going to an altar for salvation gives them the assurance of a successful walk with God.  But Peter of all people says, “There is more to this walk with God than just confessing Christ as your Lord and Savior.” Peter remembers after fishing all night when Jesus said to him, “Launch out into the deep.” When he obeyed, the nets filled up. He knew the value of following Christ’s word to the letter.

 Many new Christians never fully understand the importance of doing MORE than just starting their new faith on the solid rock of Christ. Peter, who had walked with Christ for three years, says by the Holy Spirit, “Add to your Faith.” Peter said that because he himself had walked with Christ and then fell apart at Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Yes, at Christ’s trial Peter denied that he knew Christ and later repented for his failure. So knowing the tests Christians will face, he makes the statement that if we add to our Faith we will never fall.

 There are several things that hinder people from adding to their Faith.

 Some say, “I’ll Change when I have to.” Friend, it’s much better to change before you have to. Ask the person who’s killed someone’s son or daughter because of driving under the influence of alcohol. Now they live behind prison bars for manslaughter plus the guilt and pain of taking someone’s life. Don’t wait till you have to change. Change now!

 Others say, “Isn’t my Faith in Christ enough?” Your walk with God STARTS with Faith in Christ, but there’s so much more to the journey than your initial foundation with Christ. Can you imagine building a home that has no walls, no roof, no windows, and no doors? Why stop short of allowing God to build something beautiful out of your life? Christ, the great architect has designed and fashioned so much more for your life than just the start.

 Some say, “I’ll get to it one day.” Procrastination is Satan’s favorite phrase for your life. “Today is the day of Salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Ask yourself, “What have I missed out on because I’ve put something off until tomorrow?  There are many who live with regrets because they kept putting their growth off until a day that never came.

 Some say,” Well, I’m better than my friend.” That may be true. But are you all that God has designed you to become? I don’t want to get to heaven one day and see all that I could have done because I lived comparing myself to others. God created you to be you! Be all that He designed you to become. Start today.  Add to your faith and experience the joy of seeing where God will take you.                                                            Dannysdevotional.com

Add to Your Faith - video message

The Fires of Temptation #3

During the Great Depression, Wall Street went from a high of 381 in 1929 to 42 in 1932. People jumped from buildings losing all hope of their future. They didn’t know how to process the pain they were experiencing. During the worst years of the Depression (1933-1934), the overall jobless rate was 25%! Have you ever been Tempted To GIVE UP?

James Braddock earned his nickname, Cinderella Man, from his seemingly fairytale like rise as a poor local fighter to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Braddock, born in New York City, had a powerful right hand and a successful amateur career. He turned pro in 1926. Following an important fight with Loughran, and the stock market crash of 1929, Jim Braddock was down on his winning. He had a hard time struggling to win fights and put food on the table for his young family. On June 13th, 1935, in Long Island City, N.Y., Braddock, as a 10 to 1 Underdog, won the heavyweight championship of the world from Max Baer. He retired after a final win over Tommy Farr in 1938. Jim was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1964, the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 1991 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

It’s always seemingly easier to just say “I’m Finished” than to Get Up and Swing one more time. The greatest Temptation most people fight in life isn’t stealing, lusting, pride, murder, alcohol, drugs or adultery, its falling into the Temptation of Quitting!

There are plenty of people in the Bible that could have GIVEN UP and QUIT.  What about Abraham who was old and without evidence of a Promised Son? Isaac, who faced the Philistines that had stopped up his wells? What about Joseph who was placed in a pit by his brothers and ended up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit? Moses, who murdered a man and ended up on the backside of a desert for 40 years? Would David, who committed murder and adultery ever rise above his failure? Job lost his wealth, health and confidence from his wife and friends. The list could go on and on of those like Elijah, Jacob, Jonah, Esther, Peter and Christ’s disciples. Each of them could have given up, BUT THEY DIDN’T !

James writes, “Count it all joy WHEN you fall into divers temptations knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2) God says we're all going to be Tested in life. When the test comes, don’t lose your SONG, your JOY, or your STRENGTH in the fiery struggles of life.

Mark my words; “HELL WORKS HARD AT HACKING INTO YOUR HEAD.” Several days ago it took me 2two hours to clear up a hacker from China who got into my email account. Friend, it’s worth it to BUILD  A FIREWALL around your mind and thoughts. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”(Phil 2:5) Realize when the next Test and Temptation to quit come your way, Nehemiah declared, “The JOY of the Lord is my Strength.” There is Strength from God to keep pressing REGARDLESS.

Dannysdevotional.com