Quick shoot out to all my listeners - Take time today to give me some feedback here on the website and then pick up your copy of The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro.

Listen On!

Quick shoot out to all my listeners - Take time today to give me some feedback here on the website and then pick up your copy of The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro.

Listen On!

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Even now...John the Baptist is directly saying that the accountability coming reveals now the opportunity for one to turn their life around. He is speaking to the religious leaders of the day, and spiritually speaking, to you and me today in the hope we hear and turn, and repent.

For me, bearing fruit worthy of repentance means I need to focus once again on seeking God and His righteousness first, everything else will take care of itself from that point as I allow his Spirit to shape me more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.

And I will always remind myself (you too) that the SOAP method of Bible study is the best method for seeking Him, along with prayer!

Listen on...

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

"God shows personal favoritism to no man"

Each of us are on level ground in the eyes of God. Title or position in life has no relevance. Likewise, lack of

title or position has no relevance.

It is man who shows partiality. It is man who puts one over another in class or favor. It is man who believes he is

better than others.

God's way, His understanding, is the path man needs most. Sadly, man refuses.

That said, as an individual, you personally can be accepted by God simply by walking in His righteousness. This

begins in true humility as you accept that you are no better, and no worse, than any other person. Do not place

personal favor over some than others, and do not believe yourself to be better, or worse, than others.

Righteousness is first found in Jesus as your Lord and Savior - believe this in your heart, confess it with your

mouth and you begin a new life. For it is with your heart that you believe and with your mouth confess Jesus is Lord

and you will be saved.

God's righteousness begins in the humility of placing your faith in the one true God...

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Don't you find it distasteful listening to someone sing their own praise? I know I do.

Read how Paul writes puts it best in verse 12 of 2 Corinthians 10... "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with

those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not

wise."

Cuts right to the chase and puts ones self praise into perspective huh?

People who spend their time comparing themselves to one another do not have God's perspective in mind, let alone His standard.

Man will always change his own standard in order to appear better than others ... which I find quite delusional since man's

philosophy will always change to meet his need.

If you desire the praise of men, don't.

Want the praise of God? Live your life as that in true humility, and God will lift you in His time. Take a look at Proverbs

15:33 for proof this is God's way, not mine.

Be sure to listen to today's podcast for more insight from 2 Corinthians.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Sin is revealed often as light makes the sin manifest. Another way to explain this is that sin revealed is done so because the

light of God has brought it about, whether through confession or by the sin being found out.

Godly sorrow, verses worldly sorrow, begins at the point sin is confessed or revelead.

How well restoration moves forward is as much a corporate 'thing' as is for the one in sin. By this I mean forgiveness and

comfort is extended to the one in sin. plus, affirmation of love is also shown to the one in sin.

The one in sin must be walking in repentance as well in order for balanced and true restoration.

Be encoraged to read 2 Corinthians 2:1-17; 7:1-16 plus listen to today's podcast!!

"For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

In 2 Corinthians 5:16b Paul writes 'Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we have known Him thus no

longer' Paul is acknowledging that Christ died for all, and to those who live, they should live for Him, not for themselves.

Matthew 12:50 gives a solid direction for living for Christ as who does not want to be his friend, or sibling? That is, as

believers.

For me, no more personal relationship has developed between God and me than over he last few months using the SOAP method of

study during my devotional time with Him in His word. To know His will is to know His word; and I have found no better way for

myself than daily devotions, prayer and the SOAP study method.

I cannot recommend strongly enough that you too use this method! Listen to the podcast today for more inspiration...

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

Yesterday we discussed how coming to God with a broken and contrite heart is a pattern we find all thoroughout Scripture.

We find today how God has a home prepared for us in Heaven, and despite not being present right now with Him this home He has

prepared should give us boldness to do His will here right now.

Given that He has given me this life, one He desires in relationship with Him, I can give back a heart devoted to Him. It is

the least I can do, all I can do, and be well pleasing to Him as a result.

Be bold today to walk in His Spirit, seek Him, and you will find Him... this is His promise, not mine.

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of

great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

There is a judgment coming on the nation of Israel warned by the prophet Joel. He puts this verse we look at today right in the

middle of two distinct calls for a corporate gathering of the people.

I view todays verse as an individual call, one spoken directly to each person for true brokenness before God first as an

individual and then as a people.

And while there is no formula for getting God to do mans will, there is a pattern found throughout Scripture where God will

hear the individual and corporate cries for mercy.

Let's listen to todays podcast for more...