Mornings With Jesus

While mourning certainly involves weeping over a lost loved one, someone who has died is sick, or maybe even far away from the Lord or family, in this lesson we will approach mourning from this place: mourning over sin. 

When we truly get a revelation of how detestable sin is to God, we will have nothing left but to cry out for His mercy! When we truly get a revelation of how detestable sin is to God, it will make us truly appreciate His grace toward us and see just how awesome His mercy for us is! 

He gave us what we didn’t deserve, Hell, eternal separation from Him!

He gave us life, and it more abundantly.

We have learned that humility is not about begging God for things, but rather approaching Him with boldness, not based on what we have done or who we are, but for what Jesus has done and who He is!

Likewise, mourning over sin doesn’t mean we have to keep beating ourselves up for the things Jesus has forgiven us of, but rather when we begin to see sin as God sees sin, we too will be heartbroken over it and want to steer clear of it.

Keep in mind the Bible says in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
God doesn’t want us rehashing past sins or continually asking forgiveness for the same things time and again, but He does want us to have a healthy view of sin, to see it as He does.

Why is that?

Because then we will see just how bad it really is when we recognize that sin is the very thing that caused Jesus to have to die for us in the first place and the very thing that separates us from a God who so loves us and longs to fellowship with us.

Therefore, mourning over sin really is a natural next step after realizing we are poor in spirit, and in need of a savior!

It almost goes hand-in-hand with that realization. And both take humility to recognize and want to see change.

The good news is this; when we mourn, God has promised to comfort us!

When we humble ourselves and begin to sin for what it truly is, the Holy Spirit then empowers us to not only want to stay away from that sin but actually do it.

This is a wonderful next step in our journey and one that takes a level of maturity as well.

God has so many awesome things in store for us, His thoughts toward us are innumerable, (see Psalm 139) and His plans for us are good! (See Jeremiah 29:11)

However, as mentioned in the introduction, this brings us to our first if/then scenario. If we seek Him, we will find Him! If we humble ourselves, He will lift us up! (See Jeremiah 29:23 & 1 Peter 5:6)

Many of the things we will face during our journeys as believers have quite simple solutions. We just have to be willing to do them.

For example, before getting born again, or receiving our salvation, it was the Holy Spirit who convicted us of sin and showed us our need for a savior. It takes a simple act of humility on our part to say yes to that call and receive the gift that Jesus died to provide us, with eternal life!

After getting born again, it is the same Holy Spirit who then comes to live with us and in us, continually teaching, training, convicting, and pointing us to Jesus.

Each time He deals with our hearts on a matter, it will once again require a simple act of humility as a first step to receiving what He is trying to get to us and in us.

We will never outgrow the need to humble ourselves.

This is why the apostle Paul wrote, “I die daily.”

This is why Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Daily dying to pride, to jealousy, to hate, to sinful desires, to selfishness, etc. These are the things that stop the blessing of God in our life and these are the things that the Holy Spirit will deal with each one of us about. Our first priority? To humble ourselves, recognizing we are poor in spirit, and in need of Him to fill us, teach us, and provide for us.

It is a lifelong journey, but one that should we learn to be humble, listen, and obey will reward us for all eternity!

The Bible says it is very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of Heaven. 

 Why is that? 

 Because they have a difficult time seeing their need, they are wealthy, healthy, and whole in their eyes and in need of very little. Many of us are raised to believe that with hard work and dedication, we can achieve the impossible and while a solid work ethic and discipline are paramount to achieving many of our goals, this won’t cut it concerning our salvation. 

 We cannot earn, buy, achieve, or deserve our salvation, it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8,9 tells us this truth.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Listen, being poor in spirit doesn’t have anything to do with money, but rather our attitudes regarding the Lord, His word, and the Spirit of God in our lives.

 Being poor in spirit, simply put, is recognizing our daily need of Him. 

 Therefore, in order to receive from God his plan of salvation for our lives, we must humble ourselves, recognizing we are poor in spirit and in dire need of a savior, Jesus!

 This is not only the first step to receiving salvation but also the first step to accomplishing anything in the Lord after salvation occurs, humbling ourselves. 

To humble ourselves does not mean we must grovel at the feet of God or think less of ourselves. 

It involves positioning ourselves under His Word, under His mighty hand, on a daily basis, trusting that He has the best for us and is willing and able to take care of us.

 This is what God wants from us, what He desires.

 Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

 God has so many awesome things in store for us, His thoughts toward us are innumerable, (see Psalm 139) and His plans for us are good! (See Jeremiah 29:11)

“A Light in the Dark!”
by Joshua Scott Zeitz

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

I was out for a walk one morning, very early, while it was still dark.

After walking for some time, I stopped at my usual spot, a dead end street, and began to pray and spend some time with the Lord.

During these early morning walks, it was my custom to practice quoting scriptures to use while sharing the gospel.

John 14:6 came to mind.

After thinking upon that verse for a little while, I began to think how people oftentimes accuse Christianity of being bigoted, dogmatic, and way too stringent,

After all, Jesus being the only way to Heaven? 

This just seems too egocentric, doesn’t it?!

As if the Lord was reading my mind, He stopped me and began to show me something remarkably simple but also very powerful!

The picture of a maze came to mind and then a dark forest

There were so many ways to go, so many paths, but they all led to dead ends!

There was only one way out and I didn’t know the way!

Then bam!

It occurred to me all at once just how awesomely merciful, gracious, and loving Christianity actually is!!!

God, who sees the end from the beginning, who transcends the maze could very well leave us to our own devices, watching us scurry about our little mazes, lost, scared, and confused!

Instead, in His awesome mercy, His amazing grace, He shows us The Way!

The way out of sin, the way out of darkness, the way out of sickness!

He is the way, the truth, and the Life!

He is the light and if we will follow that light, we will come out of that deep, dark, forest!

Listen, there are so many voices in the world. 

There are so many paths to take.

The Bible says wide is the road that leads to death and destruction and many take it.

But narrow is the road that leads to life, and few there be that go on it.

God so loves the world and He doesn’t want anyone to perish or be destroyed!

He is good and He is good all the time!

We are living in some crazy times for sure and the days ahead will only grow darker.

In our flesh, we may not always want to take His narrow path, but rest assured if we do, we can be a light in the dark!

‘Seasons of Change!’
by Joshua Scott Zeitz

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”
‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬) NKJV‬‬

Change is inevitable!

The older I get, the more I am seeing this.

My awesome pastor shared recently, talking about change.

He spoke about a car that he used to own when he was younger, how it was at that time, the best thing ever! 

He eventually sold the car in order to purchase an engagement ring.

Now I would say that was a pretty amazing thing to do!

He then spoke about what it would be like if he was able to get one of those cars again, to restore it, and sit behind the wheel once more…

Admittantly he said it would be nice, and perhaps even fun, but it would never be quite the same.

Why is that?

Well times change.

We grow older.

Things that used to appeal to us in certain ways simply don’t carry the same weight anymore.

And for good reason oftentimes.

Even Paul said, “when I was a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things…”

As we mature in the Lord our priorities begin to change!

The closer we get to Jesus, the more we begin to see things from an eternal perspective, the more we begin to see people like He does!

People matter to God!

Immensely in fact!

He so loves us! 

We can’t stop change

But here is the Good News!

God never changes! His Word is forever settled in Heaven!

Why is this so important to see?

Because we live in a crazy world where change, and oftentimes unwanted change is always occurring

Whether its rapid technological advances, or shifting worldviews based on feelings, the fragile economy, or simply the next health scare, this world is inundated with crazy change!

Not to mention the change that occurs in our personal lives, whether it be a change of vocation, a teen graduating high school, a loved one passing away, or simply our bodies growing older,

Life is is full of seasons of change!

Because of this, It is imperative that we cling to the Word of God like never before!

That we put our hope and trust in the One who never changes!

We need this stability!

The world needs this stability!

How can we face the crazy times of constant change?

By being anchored to the One who remains the same!

I want to end today by sharing a few passages of scripture that will help keep us anchored in the midst of vast seasons of change:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” (Hebrews 13:8) NKJV

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2) NKJV

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.”
‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭119:89-90‬) NKJV‬‬

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
‭‭(James‬ ‭1:17‬) NKJV

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose UNDER heaven:”

But the Great News is this: We serve a good good Father whose throne is IN Heaven, and He never changes!

Have you been wronged? Been betrayed? Discarded? Neglected? 

If so, be encouraged!

You’re not alone!

Jesus was rejected.

The Bible says He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

He was betrayed by one of His own disciples.

Denied by one of His own disciples.

The people praised Him one-day shouting Hosanna in the Highest only to neglect Him the next through shouts of “Crucify Him!” 

What was His response? 

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

How did He teach us to respond?

When they smite you on one cheek, turn to them on the other

When they ask of you for your tunic, give them also your cloak

Bless those that persecute you

Pray for them that despitefully use you

This is counter-culture to what many of us have been taught or what many of us have experienced

But remember: As born-again believers, we are not of this world

And if we are to truly shine for Jesus, we must be like Jesus

It’s not enough to act like Him on the weekends only or only when we feel like it,

we mustn’t act all 

Acting implies pretending and God doesn’t want us pointing on a show for Him, He wants us to show Him to others by being like Him

This will take courage.

And He has given us just that!

It will take us being willing to go counter-culture,

To take up our cross and follow Jesus!

We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!

Listen, when we will learn to forgive, it will not only bring healing into our lives, but it will also position us to be able to rightly be a witness and an encouragement for others, affecting change in them for eternity!

Jesus did and so can we!

Are you dealing with unforgiveness at all?

Don’t fret, go before God, ask Him to give you the courage to make it right, and He will!

And then watch as the power of God begins to flow in you and through you like never before!

I want to end today with a short poem about a toad and a squirrel. The squirrel was quite mean but through the forgiveness of a toad, not only was the toad empowered, but he was able to have quite a lasting impact on the squirrel as well…

Have you ever felt defeated? Discouraged? Overwhelmed?

If so, be encouraged! 

You are not alone!

The Bible says in Psalm 23 Jesus walks with us through the valleys!

That is awesome news! 

As born-again believers, we are never alone, We are never without hope!

It may feel at times, like we are alone, that God doesn’t see, that God doesn’t know, but He does!

The Bible says He knows the very number of hairs on our heads

Psalm 139 says, if we were to try and count the thoughts He has toward us it would be like trying to count the sand by the sea, utterly futile!

He so loves us!

Be encouraged today!

It may look and feel like you are surrounded, but you are surrounded by Him!

Like the prophet of old, I pray your eyes to be opened today, to see clearly that He is for you, not against you!

He has placed His angels about you and His favor surrounds you like a shield!

He has given you His Spirit, His might, His grace, His mind, His wisdom, His power, His peace, and Himself!

He is for you! 

You matter!

You matter so much in fact that He shed His precious blood for you!

It’s easy to say something is valuable, but the true value comes as a result of being willing to pay the price tag - the price tag for us was immense,

It was such a steep price in the fact that no one could pay it, except He alone!

That is just what He did!

He so loves us!

Still, feeling defeated? Discouraged? Or overwhelmed? 

Be encouraged, God is for you!

You got this, 'cause God’s got this!

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

You may be down, but you are not out!

You may not like the chapter you are on, but the book isn’t over!

You may feel like you are sinking but the Bible promises that God will never leave you, nor forsake you and those waves won’t overtake you!

You will walk through the fire and not be burnt, through the waters, and not drown!

There is another in the fire and His name is Jesus!

Be encouraged today!

No matter what you are facing, praise Him anyway!

No matter how you feel, worship Him anyway!

No matter the news report, thank Him anyway!

Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world!

I want to leave you today with a short poem about a frog named Timmy.

He was having a bummer kind of day, but rather than allow it to overwhelm and overtake him, he got back up!

You too can do just that! And if you are already up, then perhaps you can encourage someone else today! 

Remember: what you make happen for others, God will make happen for you!

The Beauty of the Gospel!
by Joshua Scott Zeitz

The 2nd person of the Godhead stepped down from His throne at an appointed time to be born of a virgin by the power of the 3rd person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

He was born as a lowly baby in a manger and was given the name of Jesus as prophesied in scripture.

He grew in wisdom and stature and attained favor with both God and man.

At 30 years of age, He began His earthly ministry after being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast 40 days and nights and also be tempted by the devil.

After His victory over the devil’s temptations, He began His ministry of proclaiming liberty to the broken-hearted and sin-bound healing and doing all manner of good works everywhere He went!

Along the way, He told His ultimate plan many different times in many different ways, of how He was to suffer, die, and be risen from the dead. (Most did not believe nor understand what He was saying)

He taught many lessons during His earthly ministry, teaching and preaching in towns, boats, hilltops, and homes.

He performed miracles, rebuked religious leaders, healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, ate and drank with the destitute of society, continually reaching out to the whosoever!

He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

He was hope to the hopeless, a stumbling block to the proud, and a fortress to the humble! 

At the close of His ministry, He was betrayed, but not murdered. He laid down His life of His own accord!

He did it for the joy set before Him - Loving Obedience and devotion to His Father and a chance at fellowship with all who would partake in the gift He died to give, salvation!

He was hailed as Lord one day and discarded the next under shouts of, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

He was spit upon, slapped, and beaten beyond recognition.

They ripped the beard from his face, pressed a crown of thorns upon His head, and beat Him so bad, He could count His ribs!

He did that for you and for me!

Compelled by love, and driven by compassion He was nailed to a cruel cross.

In His dying moments, He ministered to the thief at His side, beckoning him into paradise. 

Passing the torch of care for His mother to His beloved, He forgave those casting lots for His garments and carrying out His death sentence.

A desperate cry to His Heavenly Father escaped His lips as Heaven forsook Him! 

The weight of all sin was upon His shoulders as He gave up the ghost!

The earth shook!

Hearts melted!

The devil triumphed, but only for a moment…

Three days and nights later, by God’s awesome right arm, He was raised from the dead, victorious over death, Hell, and the grave!!!

He appeared to the 12 disciples and 500 eyewitnesses before finally ascending into Heaven to receive His glorification and take His seat upon the throne once more, victoriously stationed on the right hand of the Father!

His call remains to the whosoever!

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!

His name: Jesus and He is Alive!!!

"In A Moment"
by Joshua Scott Zeitz

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(‭‭2 Corinthians)‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

While on a mission trip to Romania, I was sharing the gospel with a woman.

She said, “I don’t see how God can change a heart in a moment?!”

She was busy and I didn’t get a chance to fully minister to her.

Her mother was there and needed to leave soon so I began to share with her instead.

Her mom said yes to Jesus!

An hour or so later the woman came into the room where I was ministering, ushering with her a young lady.

I asked her to stay as well so we could continue our talk from earlier.

I shared the gospel once more, this time going into more detail about my testimony and explaining to them both what it means to come to Jesus, to allow Him to give us a  new heart, and the reason we need a new one!

They both said yes to Jesus!

Afterward, I explained more about what it means to walk with Jesus, to follow Him, to allow Him to be the Lord of our life.

Another hour or so went by and the woman came back with her mother-in-law.

She was older, in her 80’s.

I shared the gospel, this time in a very gentle manner explaining to her the sin that separates us from God and how we need to turn from that sin and allow Jesus to forgive us, she said yes to Him!!!

The woman was crying now.

Later, an hour or so later, I was
ministering to another older lady in the main area where the doctors and nurses were. 

The woman was there watching.

The older lady was hostile to the gospel earlier after hearing that she must be forgiven of sin, (she didn’t want to admit she was a sinner) but after allowing her to go her way and after the doctors and nurses loved on her immensely, the same older lady was broken.

The Holy Spirit worked on her heart and the love of God constrained her!

I knelt down next to her after her doctor's visit, and she was so ready to receive!

I reminded her of what we spoke about earlier of how Jesus died for her sin and she wept!

The woman was there, watching. 

She wept.

The older lady said yes to Jesus! She was so happy and began to kiss my face and hand!

Later that day, I talked with the woman again.

I told her, at the beginning of today, you asked how God can change a heart in a moment. You saw that today!!!

She was smiling so big now!

Listen, Jesus is alive!

‘Not Today Satan!’
by Joshua Scott Zeitz

Have you ever woken up in the morning with disturbing thoughts on your mind? Worse yet, have you ever found yourself thinking about those thoughts? Rolling them over in your mind, toying with them? 

Now I know, depending on what those thoughts were, you may be slow to admit to such a thing, but I want to encourage you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

The enemy loves to throw his fiery darts at us, especially in a weak, vulnerable, or tired state and when he does, he likes to play it off like they were our thoughts in the first place.

Again, I want to encourage you! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 

Whether the thoughts were violent in nature, sexual, scary, or just downright disturbing, you don’t have to tolerate them, nor do you have to take them as your own.

Listen, our minds are powerful tools. The enemy knows this. He may not be wise but he is persistent and he is an opportunist. 

He loves to run rampant trying to convince us to think upon this or that thought and make no qualms about it, his intentions are ALWAYS evil, sick, and twisted.

In other words, his only desire is to steal, kill, and destroy you and me. 

The first part of John 10:10 says the thief comes not but to steal, kill, and destroy…

Why?

Because we are created by God, in God’s image, and if we are born-again, sold out to Jesus, we also possess the mind of Christ, and he loathes that entirely!

Now normally I wouldn’t give the enemy any credence whatsoever, but as I said before, he is an opportunist. 

He is sneaky and conniving and he loves to catch us in moments of weakness in order to prey upon those weaknesses.

He tried the same tactic with Jesus.

Jesus, who was weak from 40 days of fasting was led up by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 

I love the Lord!

He is touched by our infirmities and our weaknesses! He knows what it’s like to be vulnerable and have the enemy attempt to plant thoughts in His mind during that state of vulnerability and weakness.

How did Jesus combat these fiery darts? 

Did He stand in the face of them and take them head-on? 

No.

Did He try to think them away?

No.

Did He try and simply forget them, putting them away for later?

No.

Instead, He rebuked them with the Word of God, right away!

Jesus taught us an awesome thing through this experience. In the flesh, we are weak. But through God and the power of His Word, we are strong!

This tactic of getting mankind to question God, of placing wayward thoughts, of tossing fiery darts, isn’t new. The enemy has been using this same thing ever since Adam and Eve when he caused them to question God with the thought, “Did God really say…”

But I have great news for you today!

It may have worked on the first Adam, but it didn’t work on the second!

Jesus came out on the other side victorious and more than a conqueror and so can we!

So, where does that leave us in all this?

Well first off, it is imperative that we begin today to meditate on the Word of God.

Waiting until the temptation arises or until the wayward thoughts come, is not a wise choice.

Jesus knew the Bible already. He was prepped to answer the enemies’ attack.

He was weak, yes, but He was prepared. 

And in His moment of weakness, His training took over.

Preparation time is never wasted time!

As one awesome pastor has said, “Put the Word of God in you when you don’t need it, so it will come out when you do!”

Immerse yourself in the Word on a daily basis. Find out what God says about you, and what He thinks about you!

He is a good good Father.

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