Know Christ

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

7-28-09

Donna Braman

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

A PASSION TO KNOW CHRIST

Read: Philippians 3: 3-12

In today's society, "passion" usually refers to senuality or sexuality. But the word's meaning is an intense desire toward something or someone, and can include spirituality. The one place passion ought to appear is in the believer's life: we should fervently seek to know the Lord Jesus Christ who saved us.

When we claim to now someone, we often mean that we've accumulated facts about the person or simply are aware of his existence. Unfortunately, too many Christians "know" Jesus Christ in this superficial way. He is the world's Savior, the virgin-born Son of God who accepted death in our place and then rose again to sit at the Father's right hand. Those are the facts, but collecting and sharing data points will not bring lasting satisfaction. Who is this Jesus that willingly died? Why did He give His life? The quest for these answers begins a journey to intimacy and true knowledge of Christ.

By recognizing Jesus as our Savior, we are blessed with redemption and a basic spiritual relationship. But though we've gained heaven, we can miss the treasure of experiencing Christ as Lord, the one that gives rivers of living water for our souls. Few people will delve deep enough into Scripture and spiritual intimacy to claim Him as their life, as the one who makes believers complete. The apostle Paul was so intimately acquainted with God that he viewed his own history and experiences as trash when compared with knowing Jesus.

SEED WORD:

If you want to thirst for Jesus as Paul did, only Scripture and your experience with Him can fuel your passion. Start by opening the Word and drinking Him in. The word is life, it is the discerner of the heart, it is the sword of the Spirit, instruction for your life and empowers you to have victory in warfare with the enemy, and its power can save your soul. When we start to do as we see Jesus do, His Holy Spirit begins to manifest in our life. His transforming power quickly shows the believer that nothing in this earthly realm can come close to life in the Kingdom.

Fuel

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

7-22-09

Donna Braman

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

FUELING A PASSION FOR CHRIST

Read: 2 Peter 1:1-4

Studying God's Word is the essential first step to developing zeal for Christ. We must understand His ways and promises before we can fall deeply in love with Him. While the Bible creates the first spark of passion, we must continue to add fuel. Believers described as "on fire" for the Lord practice biblical principles.

Like any loving relationship, our intimacy with Jesus requires that we give Him our time. These quiet moments are meant for worship or meditation instead of working through a request list. Too often we Christians stretch out our hands, but not our hearts, we rather know Him as the One who answers prayer instead of loving Him for himself. To acheive a true friendship, we muct talk with Christ as our Friend and listen for Him to speak through the Holy Spirit.

Passinate believers also seek evidence of Christ's work in everyday circumstances. He assures us of direction and provision. If we are on the lookout, we will witness the promise in action. Sometimes events seem too random or tragic to yield good, but continued scriptural study, prayer, and patience often reveal God's greater purpose. We are wise to record the Lord's work as we see events unfold. When our faith falters, a written testimony outlining His daily divine management of earthly affairs encourages us to trust and obey.

SEED WORD:

Feuling a passion for Christ is not a one day affair, or just on Sunday. You must lay aside everything that competes with your devotion to Him. Jesus captured my heart the day he reached down to my dead spirit and sin filled life and saved me. When I began to plant the seed of his word in me, my spirit quickened, my mind renewed and as he began to prepare this vessel called my flesh I was completely regenerated by the blood of Christ. As his work at the cross became a part of who I am, I had been transformed to the image of my creator, my covenant with him became clear and as I began to live my inheritance and promises my love has deepened for Him. When Christ begins to manifest into a power that is beyond yourself and your faith becomes an action word you will begin to see the Kingdom, the power and the Glory at work in your life. Such love can only occur when you no longer see the old self and you're living the miracle of the depth, the height, the width and length of His Love. Coming into His presence everyday in the stillness of the 3rd watch of the night when He is in you and you are in Him produces joy unimaginable and empowers you to call things that are not as though they are and you reap a 100 fold manifestation into your life circumstances. There is nothing of this earthly nature that can produce such passion.

Profit from Pain

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

7-21-09

Donna Braman

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

PROFITING FROM PAIN

Read: Psalm 23:5-6

People rarely think of suffering as profitable. But when facing the difficulty and pain of a valley experience, we mature spiritually. We make discoveries about ourselves when trials peel away that facade we've created on the outside and our inner selves are exposed. As our life is shaken, we learn what forms our faith: the Scriptures, the preoccupation with self or our popularity with man. Consequently, valley experiences reveal priorities, spiritual crutches, and whether we boast of Christ or our own strength. God's purpose is to wrench away everything we depend on until nothing competes with Jesus' reign.

Crutches and bravado are to be replaced by a real dependence upon God. Believers are encouraged to recall that He provides for our needs. Psalm 23, and he prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He heals our wounds, he anoints my head with oil. (vs. 5) A good shepherd rubbed oil onto the scrapes his sheep received while foraging on. In that way, healing began before the animal left the valley floor. As a result of relying on our Sheperd, we experience renewed intimacy and a sense of inner peace that sustains us through the challenge and beyond.

SEED WORD:

God's children can profit from pain only by accepting the Father's work in the valleys. Fighting or crying or blaming gains us nothing. Accepting means asking the Lord two questions: What is Your will for me at this time? Lord, how am I to respond to this valley? Whatever the Lord's response, our next step is submitting ourselves and all we have to Him with the knowledge that our valley is really a gateway to His purpose and will for our life.

The Valley

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

07-16-09

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

THE BELIEVER'S VALLEY EXPERIENCES

Read: Psalm 23: 1-4

In the Bible, valleys symbolize periods of hardship and suffering. King David describes to us in the Psalms a particularly dangerous and painful image when he refers to "the valley of the shadow of death" (vs-4). In the midst of a poem meant to provide comfort and assurance is a cold reminder that spiritual valleys are inevitable. But if we read only of green pastures and quiet waters, we miss the heart of Psalm 23 and a core truth about the believers life.

The valley verse contains a promise not found among the lovely first lines. In hardship, believers discover "Thou art with me" (vs 4). God's unwavering presence becomes most obvious to us when we are vulnerable. And along with our experience of His assurance and comfort comes the understanding that the Lord goes with us daily - even into the depths of our despair. When people do not recognize His constancy they turn to other coping methods, such as going to bars for a so-called happy hour or burying themselves in work. But filled with the knowledge that God holds us no matter how deep or wide our "valley" is, believers can release fear and endure suffering.

As the Good Sheperd, Jesus protects and guides His lambs through trials. Even in these low places, we cannot be snatched from Him. (John 10:29) His rod beats away predators trying to drag away one of the flock. And His staff's crooked neck pulls a wandering sheep back from the cliff's edge.

SEED WORD:

When we are in a dark valley, God may be our only comfort. But we can take heart because He's always there, our Sheperd never forsakes His beloved lambs. It is not the valleys that you must worry about but how you go through the valley is what counts. We can mope around in our valleys or we can turn things over to the Lord, start praising him and thanking him for that valley because the sooner you come out of it the quicker he will bring you into the still waters. Remember the potter keeps putting his pot back into the fire until it sings. Look what happened to Paul and Silas in their midnight hour, as they began to sing praises, the bars fell open.

Courage

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

07-11-09

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

COURAGE - AN EMPOWERING EMOTION

Read: Joshua 3:1-17

What would you say if God asked you to lead many others, as Joshua did? Speak His words to prominent leaders, as Daniel did? God wants us to repond with courage when He calls us to tackle something beyond our ability.

Our first step toward bravery is meditation on the Word of God - we are to search for its meaning as if for treasure. With the spirit's help, we will understand the Bible and learn how to apply its wisdom to our situation. Next is obedience to the Word. As we contemplate God's truths, they become imprinted on our minds and influence our actions. Scripture is meant to shape our thinking and cause us to follow biblical principles. The more we think God's way, the more we will act like Him.

Trusting in God's promises is the third action needed for building courage. Joshua moved across the Jordan River towards Jericho because he took God at His word. The fourth step in developing fearlessness is to recall past victories. Young David, the shepherd boy, did this effectively. His remembrance of God's past protection gave him the courage to fight the Philistine giant, Goliath. (1Samuel 17) Practicing these steps will empower us to focus on victory rather than defeat, reject others' fearfulness, and obey God without alarm when He calls us to do something, and don't worry about possible consequences.

SEED WORD:

God wants His followers to bear witness of Him to an unbelieving and often hostile world. Will you speak the truth of Christ's resurrection. His saving power from sin, and His promised return? The Lord is calling your name. What reply will you give?

Positive Power

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

07-09-09

Donna Braman

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

THE POSITIVE POWER OF COURAGE

Read: Joshua 1: 1-9

What do the following people have in common, Joshua, the Israelite leader; Daniel, the visionary; Jesus' 12 disciples, and the Apostle Paul? Besides loving God, they all were in need of courage. Obeying the Lord required bravery, a firmness of spirit that could face obstacles and crisis without retreating. They made their calling sure and they were steadfast in their walk. That is how you get people to want to follow you in your ministry or Christian walk. But we don't always feel that way when we first step out in faith to do a work for the Lord.

Appointed by God, Joshua was to lead the nation into the Promised Land. Perhaps he thought, Who am I to follow in Moses' footsteps? or What if the people will not support my leadership? God spoke reassuringly to him three times, telling him to be strong and courageous.

Joshua responded affirmatively and built his bravery on two precious assurances.

Promise #1 - God goes with us. The Lord pledged He would be with the Israelites in the new land, never leaving or forsaking them. In Hebrews 13-5, He makes the same promise to us. In fact, the Lord travels with us in a far more intimate way - through His Spirit living in us.

Promise #2 - God goes before us. God promised to take care of the enemy before the Israelites arrived. They still faced battles and uncertainty, but He assured them of victory if they had faith and obeyed his instructions. Jesus has gone ahead of us to heaven with the spiritual battle already won. Our redemption has been secured, our place in God's family permanently established, and our heavenly inheritance guaranteed. While our earthly trials continue, they are temporary.

SEED WORD:

If you build your Christian walk on these two promises, then courageous will become part of your name. Try out how will sound? Courageous -------------------.

The trouble with most of us Christians is we listen to the wrong voices. We doubt ourselves or we listen to nay-sayers. Pick up you cross and start walking in it daily, and start calling things that are not as though they are, and watch him manifest power to you. Remember, no eye has seen, no ear has heard the greatness God has put into us and wants us to walk in it.

If you would like to leave a comment go to my email: djbraman@gmail.com

Spiritual Joy

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

Donna Braman

07-06-09

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND I SHALL REJOICE IN IT!

SPIRITUAL JOY

Read:

Acts 16: 16-34

Paul wrote extensively about spiritual joy, which had been tested and proven in his life through the "fires" of beatings, rejections, and arrests. As he sat in the Philippian jail, the Apostle demonstrated what is possible for any surrendered believer; Holy Spirit joy. He was in chains and was chained to a guard 24 hours a day, but no matter what circumstances he was in His work for the Lord continued. I like to think that he considered his situation and said to himself, I'm going to get something good out of this for the Lord and I'm going to start with this guard that is chained to me, and that is precisely what he did. Not only was the guard saved in the end but the guard's whole family! Think about that the next time you see yourself in an impossible situation that is stealing your joy. Divine joy cannot be taken, we release it, but God says to hold on to it, and praise your way through it and you will win. When Daniel started dancing in the fire Jesus showed up. How many Christians can honestly say that when a circumstance or event threatens to slap us down, we start dancing before the Lord and thanking him for putting us in the fire, or in the depressive situation. But he is trying to teach us trust in him, and those who put their trust in him for their joy will never be without gladness in their heart no matter the temporary situations we find ourselves in from time to time. Paul and Daniel were trusting men in the Lord at all times and in all situations, they were steadfast and unshakeable and they never lost their joy.

We can lose our joy for several reasons:

1. Wrong focus. Paul and Silas were able to praise God despite severe trials because they centered on Jesus. Concentrating on our difficulties will cause delight to disappear. Refocusing through praise will bring it back.

2. Disobedience. Sin steals our joy and self (pride) takes us to the wrong focus. These two things separate us from the Holy Spirit. When we take our focus off self and put it onto others and repent of sin joy returns to us.

3. Regret. We crowd out joy when we continue to feel bad about past mistakes and failure. Our Father wants us to believe that He forgives us (1 John 1:9). He also desires that we choose to live in His grace and move ahead.

4. Fear. Too often we attempt to live out the future before it has happened. With so much outside our control, we become afraid. Joy and fear cannot dwell together. The Lord calls us to live by faith, asking Him to meet today's needs and trusting Him with the future.

5. Someone else's suffering. How can we feel joy when others are hurting? Romans 12:15 says we are to weep with them, but we are also to offer hope of God's presence, power, and provision. A downcast or depressed spirit is a poor witness for hope. (Psalm 42:11)

SEED WORD:

What excuse have you been using for your lack of joy? Fix your gaze on your Savior, lift your voice and praise in the midst of sadness. It is the opposite of what you feel but that is precisely what you are to do to be lifted up into his joy and presence. I know what works for me is when I forget about my own self, put emotion aside and began to serve someone else in their need. It always without fail has changed my own circumstances and the joy that floods my soul is unspeakable, it may be as simple as taking a child that needs love to get an ice cream, it may be dropping off vegetables from my garden to an elderly neighbor, it may be just a card to say a view uplifting words to someone who has been through a difficult time. When we have the means and opportunity to lift another up and we don't take advantage of that we rob our ownselves of the Holy Spirit joy that can not be attained any other way.

If you would like to share a word or contact this ministry email: djbraman@gmail.com

Joy

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

Donna Braman

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND I SHALL REJOICE IN IT!

THE EMPOWERING EMOTION OF JOY

Read: John 15:9-17

Jesus promised us His joy. However, such gladness and joy evades most Christians.

There are some important points to understand about joy. This gift to every believer in Christ has a spiritual source, the Holy Spirit, and is produced from within by Him. Being supernatural in nature, divine joy exists independently of our circumstances. Happiness, on the other hand, comes from external causes, is earthly and increases or decreases as events or circumstances change. The success of a sports team, recognition by others, completion of a project, a new house or car, a wedding or birth of a child, a new job, a pay raise, all represent sources of earthly happiness.

Holy Spirit-developed joy comes when we: FOCUS ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD and we begin that journey of transformation from the world into his spiritual kingdom and a loving relationship forms with Him. When we are redeemed by the blood of Christ he plants that incorruptible seed of his Spirit into our hearts, that first process of regeneration begins and our names are written in the Lamb's book of life, and we are forever His. Nothing can separate us from Him in this life or in eternity.

OBERVE HIS TRANSFORMING WORK IN US AND OTHERS. Take notice and discern and draw pleasure from what God is doing, he rescues us from bondage and sin, then he puts us on the Potter's wheel and renews our minds through his word and Holy Spirit, then he puts a spit shine on us so we are His light that shines before the lost and dying world. When you are completed through these processes of regeneration you are whole in body, soul and mind and are in the likeness of him. Did you know that when a Caterpillar is transformed, its brain melts down to mush and as metamorphasis begins its brain is transfigured as it begins to form into a beautiful, visible life form with a totally new body and brain. This is what happens to us with regeneration of Jesus blood when we receive his spiritual DNA. When the old man is dead you then begin to operate and live daily in the Kingdom and not the world system. Satan's domain is the earth centered life as he is the prince of the air. He steals the mind of those that try to find happiness through self and things, and he does this through pride (the me thing), the eye (coveteousness), and the flesh (the temporary feel good state). He did it to Eve and he tried it on Jesus and he'll do it to you but Jesus, our intercessor went to the depths of the earth and he took back the key of life from Satan that he had turned to death, and that new life is ours, all we have to do is believe and live through him and the earth IS OUR DOMINION, and that is the depth of Jesus' love for us. We experience the height of his love everyday as he sits to the right of the Father on the heavenly throne and intercedes for us daily. Somebody needs to shout for joy!

SERVE THOSE HE SENDS TO US. When we can let go of praying for own needs and focus on the needs of others you find yourself blessed beyond measure and your needs began to be met. Jesus said, " I came to serve, not to be served." That is why when Satan tempted him and said, "if you are the son of God then turn that stone into bread," Jesus said, "it is written, do not tempt the Lord Your God." Jesus inherited the whole world by not performing a miracle for himself. It is not about you, but about your assignment here on earth. Pray for discernment of what the Lord has assigned for you to do in this earthly life for another or others. Joy and blessings cannot come through any other way. Think for a moment of what you do for others to create happiness in them and then imagine what crown or lack of a crown is waiting for you in heaven. Forget your own troubles and go bless someone else and watch joy fill you to the brim and your issues dissappear and the Holy Spirit anoint you to overflow.

MEDITATE ON GOD'S LIVING WORD. Through scripture, we receive an outpouring of His love and precious truths and when we begin to live biblical principles, we can then start putting our faith into action. When we begin to live daily the principles Jesus outlines for us in the gospels we experience that unspeakable joy that makes people take notice and say, I want what they have.

SEED WORD:

The Holy Spirit desires to produce joy within you. Take a few minutes to ponder the wonder of your new birth, share that wonder and joy with someone, whatever problem or issue you have

solved in your life and spiritual walk, go find someone who is struggling with those issues and lift them up and show them how Jesus brought you through. Now you're getting closer to discovering what you were created for and to whom you are assigned. Then you have become a usable vessel for Jesus' kingdom. Then check your emotional barometer. Are you singing hallelujah yet?

If you would like to share a word go to: djbraman@gamail.com, or to read weekly lessons and daily devotionals, or attend seminar, Back to Covenant go to: www.google.com and scroll down to Believers Ministry Devotionals.

God's Solution

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

Donna Braman

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

ACCCEPTING GOD'S SOLUTION

Read: 2 Chronicles 20: 14-25

God, my boss is intolerable, please get me another job. Lord, my in-laws are driving me crazy, do something with them. Lord, help me with this pain or my financial crisis.

Christians almost universally agree, "God answers prayer." But many people, if they were honest, would change the phrase to say, "The Lord answers most prayers, but not mine." A believer can fervently call upon God without receiving what he considers a satisfactory answer. The stumbling block isn't God's unwillingness or inability to respond, but rather the word satisfactory. If we come to God with a preconceived idea of how to solve our problem, we will likely overlook His true solution, especially if we are trying to solve it the world's way or our own way.

Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, got his soldiers ready, and set up battle lines. God's solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choir out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat's soldiers had attempted combat that way, they would have lost Jerusalem.

SEED WORD:

The truth is that sometimes we don't like God's solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than grace to endure it. Or we want a new boss instead of working out differences, or we want the in-laws to just go away instead of seeking forgiveness for our poor attitudes. In reality, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. But our willingness to obey is key to anwered prayer. When He tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never be satisfied or feel our prayers have been answered. There is not a problem that any of us can have that Jesus himself did not answer in his commands and teachings, and the Epistles further explain how to approach problems, how to live our daily lives, how we are to respond to others. If you would prayfully seek the biblical principle to the problem, instead of jumping out there with self in the way, you will be able to find the solution God's way. Remember God puts a problem before us to solve so we can advance in our walk with him so he can mature us in order to promote us in the Kingdom. When we keep on trying to do things of our own power and will, we go around the mountain over and over and we find it difficult to deepen our relationship with him. But oh, we serve a merciful and patient Father who is forever sending us the sword of the Spirit to help nudge us toward completeness in Him. When we respond to difficult situations God's way people take notice because we respondt differently than the world.

If you would like to share a word go to: djbraman@gmail.com, or to read weekly lessons or attend Back to Covenant Seminar go to: www.google.com and scroll to Believers Ministry Daily Devotionals.