Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Last Friday I was in a deposition with 20 lawyers. So when we broke for lunch I was joined by our attorney and the lead attorney. While we ate I asked them some questions, “How many items are needed to build this building?” “How many questions and answers were there asked and answered?” Both of them just looked at me as though they did not even care. Then I made a statement, “If you want to find wrong, follow the money. How much money do you think the general contractor made after all of his cost for a eight million dollar building? 200K is all! Subcontractors made even less; so who is making the money?” I then said, “Each of those attorneys in that room charge at least $300 per hour and this lawsuit will take years to resolve, so who is going to make the money?” I followed up with this, “Did buildings just start leaking in the last 30 years, and was it then that mold was found?”

 

Then in my quiet time today the Lord opened my eyes to the times I live in, and to see what America has become!

 

Son, watch out for smooth talking lawyers who cause divisions for they are only serving their own personal interests. Their glowing words are lies and their intent is to deceive people. They do not care about what is right, for their lawsuits are based on twisting the truth. Nothing they do is productive, and they have lost what it means to have common sense. Now even the courts oppose common sense, therefore justice will not be found.

 

When truth stumbles, and honesty is outlawed no one will have peace. People will be afraid of being in a lawsuit themselves. Therefore, there will be no justice and people will not know how to live without fear. Remember, that when truth is gone, people with common sense will be attacked.

 

Son, I am displeased to find there is no justice in America. I am amazed to see that no one in authority stands up to help the oppressed. Why? Is it because people love their sins? They have turned away from Me and will not listen. Their hands are the hands of murderers, and their fingers are filthy with corruption.  All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark. Because their sins are piled up, I the righteous Judge, will step in. 

 

Son, only people who understand the times will know the best course to take.

 

Lord, today I go back for the rest of that deposition. I am dreading it! Help me to know the best course of reasoning to take.  Before I answer their questions, give me the wisdom that overrules worldly wisdom and shames those who scheme and slander to win their case, no matter what.  I will trust in You and wait to speak so that the wicked are made fools of in my presence.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

To my precious grandsons, Caleb, Jacob, Joshua, and Noah. Let an old man tell you how to have a great life. 

 

Don’t think you are better than you really are, but be honest in your evaluation of yourselves as you compare yourselves to Jesus. Give your bodies to God while you are young. Do not compromise with evil by copying the behavior and customs around you. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Only then will you know what God’s pleasing and perfect will for you is. Be patient in times of trouble, by praying and listening to your Lord – with your ears wide open.

 

Remember that God’s gifts and call for your life can never be withdrawn, but you can make your calling very difficult by the choices you make. Hide the word of God in your heart, so that you will not sin. Be encouraged by the word of God; for it will be your only source of hope. Walk as free men who have devoted themselves to the will of God. When you understand the promise of God, it will revive and comfort you in all your troubles. Always compare your life by the word of God, and you will have good judgment and knowledge. When you realize that God’s word is eternal, you will have understanding and hope for the future. The word of God will be your lamp to guide your feet on His path for your life. The very essence of the word of God is TRUTH!

 

Rise early, before the sun is up, and get with your Lord God before you start your day. When you awaken through the night, don’t be frustrated or fearful, but think about all of His promises and kindness to you.

 

So if God asks you to speak for Him, only say what God has told you to say. Understand that God’s ways are higher than your ways, and His thoughts are higher than your thoughts. Remember, when God sends out His word through you, it always produces good fruit. It will accomplish all He planned, and it will prosper His Kingdom everywhere He sends it.

 

So be great men of faith by being “heads not tails.”

Relationships – Chapter 4

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Resolving Conflicts

 

Acts 15:36-41 “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

 

Whenever you bring two human beings together there will be the difference of opinions or a clash between two wills.  This is a good definition of a conflict.

 

Here in this passage of Scripture in Acts we see a conflict that came up between two godly men – the apostle Paul and Barnabas.  What caused this conflict?  It was a difference in opinion between these two men over another man by the name of John Mark.

 

One question that we might ask is: in this conflict between Paul and Barnabas who was right and who was wrong?  There are probably many arguments we could bring to buttress up the sides of both men to prove their side of the argument.  I believe that they were both right and in one sense they were both wrong.

 

A conflict will be a normal thing.  Whenever you bring two people together there will always be the difference of opinions, ideas, etc. A conflict, however, must be worked out and if it is, it can result in greater spiritual growth.  We will see this as we continue on with our weekly letters.

 

Take for example Paul and Barnabas.  Paul’s temperament is choleric.  He is out going and one to take over.  Barnabas, is a good example of a phlegmatic temperament.  He would be willing to sit back, take it easy and let the choleric take over.  The question is: is that what God wants?  I don’t believe so.

 

Barnabas was the one to find and disciple Paul.  In the beginning it was Barnabas and Saul, but later it changes to Paul and Barnabas.  It seems that Paul takes the lead and Barnabas with the gifts that God has given him takes a back seat. 

Barnabas has much to offer, but he seems unwilling to exert himself.

 

A conflict over John Mark takes place between Barnabas and Paul and they part company.  Barnabas takes John Mark and goes in another direction.  Although Scripture is silent about Barnabas from then on and concentrates more on Paul we know that God used Barnabas with John Mark, because Paul later on says: ‘send me John Mark because he is profitable for the ministry.’

 

In Hebrews 10:24 (“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”) I think it is interesting that the word used for spurring one another on is the same word used in Acts 15 where it says that Paul and Barnabas had a ‘sharp’ disagreement.  Here we see the word ‘spur’ and ‘sharp’ are the same Greek word.

 

What this shows me is that conflicts are not necessarily bad.  However, they do need to be worked out and when they are – it can result in spiritual growth.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

My children, “WAKE UP! WAKE UP!” Why are you enslaved? Sin has taken advantage and deceived you as you’ve slumbered. Therefore, My name is blasphemed all day long because My children falsely hope that there would be peace and security in their land, during their own lifetime. The people of the world say to them, “Don’t let this God in whom you are trusting deceive you with His promises.”

 

Today is a day of trouble, insults, and disgrace for My children because they have listened to the world and have set My Word aside.

 

Tell them to consider the Rock from which they were cut. Am I not the same today as I was when I dried up the sea, making a path of escape so that My people could cross over? Am I not the One who will comfort them in their day of distress? Why should they be afraid of mere humans? Could it be that they have forgotten Me? How long will they remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will they continue to fear the anger and their enemies and never speak up?

 

I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth, but soon the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth’s foundation will wear out like a piece of clothing. These people you fear will die like flies, but My salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! Therefore, do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults and threats.

 

If My children are to share in My glory, then they must also share in My suffering. Yet, what they suffer now is nothing compared to the glory I will reveal to them later. When My children follow the lead of My Spirit they will be in harmony with My will. Then they can know that I cause everything to work together for the good of those who love Me. They will rejoice and shout, “God is for us! Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ!”

 

Does it mean I no longer love them if they have trouble or calamity; if they are persecuted so that they go hungry and destitute; if they constantly live with threat of danger, or death? No! They must be convinced that nothing can ever separate them from My love; neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither fears today nor worries about tomorrow; not even the power of the sky above or in the earth below; not even the powers of hell can separate them from My love. I am Creator and nothing in creation can separate My children from Me.

 

My children, let My words be in your heart and mouth. Don’t be afraid to be passionate about your commitment to Me. I will hide you safely in my hand. Remember that when you are deeply troubled and cry out to Me, I will hear your prayer. I always bend down to listen to My children. So pray and remember that you walk in My presence as you live here on earth.

 

Lord, there is a war within me; a war over my mind. Because of this I don’t really understand myself, I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate, and when I yield to this power I become its slave. And yet I know that it is YOU who can free me from a life that is dominated by sin. Let Your Spirit control my mind so that sin no longer has power over me. When I read and obey Your Word, I will have the passion and confidence to stand and speak.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Michael K Dietz, Mikes Blog.

Son, again and again I have sent My prophets to warn of what is coming. I told them to tell everyone who will listen, “Turn from all your evil ways, and obey My word.” But they reject and despis all My warnings. I keep asking them, “What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?” So because they live by their own little light, soon they will fall down in great torment.

 

Son, trust Me! Remain faithful to Me in everything, and be careful to obey all that I ask of you. I am with you, and everything I ask you to do will be successful. In the coming days some of My children  will ask, “Has the LORD deserted and forgotten us?” Tell them, “Never!” Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible with any mother, I, the Lord your God, could not forget you!

 

My children must not let sin control the way they live; they must not give in to sinful desires. They must not let any part of their body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, they must give themselves completely to Me. Because sin is no longer their master, they live under the freedom of My grace. Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey Me, which leads to righteous living. Now do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

 

Soon all the world will know that I am the LORD, the Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One. Only those who have been made right in God’s sight by faith in Jesus Christ, can have My peace.  Yes, you will have problems and trials, but these problems and trials will help you develop endurance, and this endurance will develop your hope in Me, that of which you will not be disappointed. You will know how dearly I love you because I will fill your heart with My love. So in the coming days when everything seems utterly hopeless, rememeber that I will come at just the right time.

 

Lord, morning by morning You waken me and open my understanding to Your will. Because of Your help, I have set my face like a stone against evil, determined to do Your will, even if my work seems small compared to eternity! I leave it all in the Your hands; for I will trust You to the end.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I have been with you throughout your life; even now that your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will always care for you. Everything I plan for your life will come to pass. What I have said I would do, I will do it. I will never go back on My Word. My Word is the source of all My righteousness and strength.

 

Remember, a person with a changed heart seeks praise from Me, not from people.

 

I have heard you ask, “Why did you call me for this kind of work?” It’s what I have equipped you for. I work in mysterious ways; so you will need to listen carefully. I have been kind and patient with you preparing you for this work, so be encouraged and be patient to move and act according to My word to you.             

 

Son, I created the heavens and earth and I made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of chaos like you see today.  I would not have told people to seek Me if I could not be found by them. People know the truth about Me because I have made it obvious to them. But, they think up foolish ideas of what I am like, and what I require of them; therefore they do shameful and degrading things instead of those things that are honorable and worthy.

 

I send good times and bad times. Because people have traded the truth about Me for a lie, their lives have become full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, and malicious behavior. They have become haters of Me, insolent, proud, and boastful, and invent new ways of sinning. They know My justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them as well. So, I will judge them according to what they have done.

 

Lord, I know that You speak only what is true and declare only what is right and just. I know that You have cared for me since I was born. Yes, You cared for me even before I was born. Only You know what the future holds, and You tell it to those You can trust. Therefore, I will rejoice, give thanks, and praise You to everyone.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, have I redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell everyone that I have redeemed you! For there is no other God- there never has been, and there never will be. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Remember that no one can snatch you out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done. I alone-will blot out your sins, and will never think of them again.

 

When you feel that all hope is gone – take courage and believe in Me. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you because you are precious to Me. You are honored by Me and I love you. You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me – that I alone am God; your God. Therefore, do not be afraid; for I have proclaimed My purpose for you long ago.

 

When you cry, “LORD, help!” I will save you from your distress, and I will lead you. When My children understand this they will have great joy. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will look back and see My faithful love through it all.

 

Those who refuse My salvation have burdened Me with their sins. Who but a fool would make his own god- that cannot help him one bit? Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. Oh, that these people would turn to Me, for I have paid the price to set them free.

 

Lord, my heart is confident in You. All human help is useless. Only with Your help can I persevere and do mighty things.

Relationships – Chapter 3

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Why Relationships are Important – Part 2

 

Three very important promises are given in Matthew 18. Any promise of God is important, but when I look at these three in particular I realize that these are things that we need to pay careful attention to.

 

Matthew 18:18-20 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

 

The whole 18th chapter of Matthew is talking about relationships.  If we are going to live in a community (and the church is a community) then this is the chapter that we should pay careful attention to.

 

Matthew 18:15-17 talks about the need for reconciliation.  Verses 21 to the end of the chapter are talking about perpetual forgiveness. However, what is interesting is that between verse 17 and verse 21 we have verses 18-20.  The question that comes to my mind is: Why did the Holy Spirit insert these three verses between reconciliation and forgiveness in the context of our relationships with one another in this community that we call the church?

 

These three verses are ‘conditional’ promises. The condition is whether reconciliation as well as forgiveness is taking place so that we might claim these powerful promises.

 

The first promise in verse 18 is talking about the power to bind and release. What are we to bind and release?  It would seem to me that we are to bind the enemy and release souls.  As Isaiah said: “Set the captives free.”  Isn’t this the task of the church?

 

When I think of the world that we live in, the task of the church is very clear. With the Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist world we realize that many are locked in their religious prisons.  God said in Matthew 28 that all authority is given to us – to GO!  We have that authority, but it is conditional upon our relationships working right. Satan knows this and he will do everything in his power to stop us using broken relationships in the way.

 

The second promise is talking about collective prayer being answered. We all intellectually know that God answers prayer.  The question comes: Why don’t we have more prayer in our own individual lives as well as more collective prayer? I think one of the reasons for this is that prayer does not seem real to us. We do not pray because we do not see real answers to prayers, and the reason we do not see answers to prayer is because our relationships are not right.

 

Peter brings this out regarding the husband and wife relationship. 1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

 

What can hinder our prayers as husbands?  Not being in the right relationship with our wives.  Often Jesus said that when we stand praying and have something against our brother that we should first get it right with our brother, so that our Father in heaven might forgive us and our prayers not be hindered.  Scripture says that if I hide sin in my life the Lord will not hear me. Broken relationships keep the Lord from hearing us.

 

Lastly He brings out the promise of the Presence of the Lord.  When we are in right agreement with one another we find that God is there in our midst. The Psalmist tells us that in the Presence of the Lord there is joy and Nehemiah says the joy of the Lord is our strength.

 

I often find that people are emotionally run down and unable to rise up to do what should be done because they do not have any strength.  When I talk with them it often comes out that there is a broken relationship.  We all have experienced this and we all have felt its tremendous draining effect upon us. However, we also have sensed the joy when a relationship was worked out.  This is the Presence of the Lord. 

 

We often hear that we should live in His Presence, but what does this mean practically in everyday life?  I believe it means that my conscience is pure/clean before God and any other person – so that there are no broken relationships that were my responsibility to correct in God’s eyes.

 

Relationships are very important.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I heard your president and your politicians speak, now let Me tell you what I think.

 

They speak with such arrogance. I’d like them to show Me what they can do so that everyone may consider the evidence. Let them tell what the future holds so that everyone can know what’s going to happen. Then everyone will know they have the power they so proudly imagine!

 

In fact, I’d like to see them do anything-do something that could amaze Me, but they can do nothing at all; the power that they think they have is less than nothing! Those who choose them to lead are polluted by their deceitful lies.

 

This is what I have to say to them: “You see and know what is right but you refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen. Your legacy will be that you robbed, plundered, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped your people. So hear the lessons of the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?”

 

I will not give My glory to anyone, nor share My praise. Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens. Since America has refused to turn from their sins, and have forgotten all of My many acts of kindness to them, I will give them what they asked for!

 

This nation sheds innocent blood by abortion and the land has become polluted with murder. America will now be ruled by those who hate them. I am allowing this so all who see this will understand what America has done, and against whom they have sinned. For they have refused to walk on My path, and therefore I will pour out My fury on them and destroy their pride. Yet! Even as I am destroying them they will refuse to understand.

 

Son, tell My children that they have followed My instructions, but not with all their heart; not as one. They must all open their eyes and turn from darkness, from the power of Satan. I am their only strength and hope. Then they will be given a place in My kingdom among My holy people, who have been set apart by faith in Me; changed by the good things they do, and speaking boldly for Me. In the coming days My children will be punished in public view to get them to curse My Name; the Name Jesus Christ. They will be pressed to deny Me altogether. But they must not cave in or I can’t help them!

 

I, the LORD, have called My children to demonstrate My righteousness. I will take them by the hand and guard them. So don’t be afraid or discouraged, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. Therefore, let the whole world know what I have done. Tell everyone about My wonderful deeds. Search for Me and for My strength, and continually seek Me. Remember the wonders I have performed, all of My miracles of old. Until the time comes to fulfill My promises I am testing your character.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, how will you answer when the people of the world ask you these questions?

 

“Who are you?” And after you answer them: “What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?” “When men rise up against you to distort the truth; what are you trusting in that makes you so confident that you have the truth?” “When a creditor has come to take what you have, or when someone comes to threaten you; what makes you think that the Lord can rescue you?” 

 

Son,  when I ask you to give to people so they can eat. What will you trust in to make you confident in giving?

 

Son, in the days ahead questions will come to My children more and more. Tribulation causes this and so My children must be prepared with answers; be strong and confident in knowing that I am coming soon. You must not shrink back from telling people what they need to hear; which is the Good News about My wonderful grace! I have entrusted this message to My children only, for they understand My grace; it has built them up and will give them an inheritance with all those I have set apart for Myself.

 

Lord, I know that when I cry out to You for help, You always answer me. You are the forgiving God. You have disciplined me when I went astray, so that I can walk on Your Highway of Holiness. No evil-minded person can travel on it. Only the redeemed; those who walk in Your ways will walk on it. Therefore, my life is worth nothing unless I use it to finish the work You assigned to me. Help me to be able to say, “I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault.”