1 Corinthians 10:16 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” NKJV

Communion is a blessed time for any believer. Each element presented is a picture of the ultimate sacrifice of our loving Savior. As we take the bread, we remember our Lord as He was beaten by soldiers and spit upon by those who hated Him. When we look at the cup, we catch a glimpse of the blood that was shed on the cross so that we could be forgiven. These two elements help followers of Christ to understand the penalty of their sins while rejoicing in a God who has made a way for them to be cleansed of all they’ve done wrong.

Luke 22:19-20 “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” NKJV

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus accepted the cup that was placed before Him by the Father. It was the cup of our sins and the punishment that we deserved. Now in its place, Jesus offers us a new cup. The cup He offers is a cup of blessings, hope and eternal life. We may try to drink from other cups in this world, but only One leads to salvation. Drink deep my friend and taste and see that the Lord is good.

Life Lesson: Be careful what cup you drink from.

Dear Father,

Lord, I know that I have sinned against you. I realize that when you died on the cross you were taking the punishment that I deserved. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Forgive me for all the things that I have done wrong. I desire to drink deeply of Your cup— the cup of blessings. Each time I take communion, may I remember the sacrifice You made for me and may it lead me to tell others about Your amazing gift. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” NKJV

If anyone asked you what your daily walk with the Lord looked like, what would you say?  Would you say that it’s a 10 minute Bible read before running out the door?  Maybe, you wake up early and spend a good half hour in reading and prayer or may even spend an hour meditating on God’s Word.  Whatever your daily walk looks like, one thing is for certain–if you want to grow spiritually you must spend time with the Lord.

Often, we mention our ‘daily quiet time’ when we discuss our walk with the Lord.  There are three things in that phrase that are critical to spiritual growth.  First is the word ‘daily’.  Just like our bodies need daily nourishment, so does our spirit.  Secondly, ‘quiet’ is also key because many times we must quiet ourselves and our surroundings in order to hear from the Lord.   Finally, ‘time’ is also important.  How much time you ask?  That’s something we each have to ask ourselves.  Some days you may spend 15 minutes in quiet reflection while another times you will be able to enjoy an evening studying God’s Word.  The important thing is doing it so that you may know God more and be equipped to do His will.  The Lord has an exciting adventure waiting for you and the directions are in your hand.

Life Lesson: To grow spiritually, spending time with God is vital.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word.  Fill me with Your Spirit and give me a desire to read Your Word on a daily basis.  Help me to learn from it and then begin acting out the things I learn.  Teach me Your ways and hide Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Titus 3:9 “Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.” NLT

Life Lesson: Don’t waste time arguing about stuff that does not matter. By the way, most stuff does not matter.

One of the songs we love to sing in our fellowship is titled “They will know we are Christians by our love”.  This song sums up how the world “should” view us as followers of Christ.  Unfortunately, the world is more apt to recognize churches these days for their disagreements and backbiting, rather than their love.

Yes, as followers of Christ, we must stand up for the truth and present the primary issues of scripture with boldness and power.  Issues like the virgin birth; salvation by grace alone through faith alone and the innerancy of scripture are all key doctrines that must be upheld.  Yet, we also must not be overwhelmed with secondary issues & foolish debates that lead to division.  So you like pipe organ and a choir for worship? That’s cool.  Does that mean you can’t fellowship with a guy who likes electric guitar & drums?  Of course not! If he loves Jesus and you love Jesus then fellowship together in Christ.

Once we all quite wasting time arguing over the foolish things and begin loving one another, this world will take notice. Then we can point them to the One who loved us first.

Dear Father,
Thank You for Your love.  Thank You for Jesus who showed that love by dying on the cross for my sins.  Lord, help me to look beyond petty issues and foolish arguments so that I may show Your  love to those around me.  Fill me with Your Spirit so that I will be ready to stand for Your Truth and to share the love of Christ wherever I go.
In Jesus name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

Life Lesson: Bible knowledge should lead to love. Bible study should lead to Bible doing.

We’ve all been there.  You find yourself standing face to face with someone who is absolutely certain that they know everything there ever was to know.  In essence, they want to make sure you know all they know—and that’s a problem.  While knowledge is important and the knowledge of God’s Word is vital to any Christian, we cannot let knowledge lead to pride.  In fact, the more we learn about God, His grace and what He has done for us, it should lead us to humility and love—and deflate our pride.

Let me ask you friend.  Has God’s Word led you to love others?  Do you read God’s Word in order to know God more or so that you can win the next theological debate?  Yes, we must know God’s Word and it should be front and center in our life; however, it should lead to a life of love and not arrogance.  Or, maybe you find yourself on the other side and you aren’t in God’s Word like you’d like to be.  Friend, let me encourage you to pick it up and read it daily.  Remember; take the time to read because He took the time to bleed.

Dear Father,

Thank you for loving me and for your amazing grace. Thank you for giving me Your Word so that I may know You more.  Teach me your ways and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can be used to reach others with the Gospel.    In Jesus name, amen.

Colossians 3:15-17 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” NKJV

Life Lesson: One thing that is constant in life is change.

A few years ago, I played music and taught at a large church. It was a church of about 6,000 and it seemed like everyone was there that day. They walked me from the backstage to the stage to teach, share and play music. Many came forward, and in the end many asked Jesus to be their Savior. It was awesome. Then, I was escorted through a back hall way to a product table to sign CD’s.

Later that evening, I reflected on the day and thought, “God, I didn’t get to talk to the people that got saved.” God reminded me that He had given me my life, and I had given that life back to Him. It was not my life but His life to do with as He saw fit to best serve people and the cause of Christ. If He wanted to open big doors and bless whatever ministry I was involved with, and if I had less time for myself, family or friends, that was His decision and not mine. I made that decision years ago and continue to walk in that decision. I love that so many have gotten saved and disciple through this ministry here at Calvary Chapel. I do regret that one of the byproducts of the massive blessings He is pouring out upon us is not being able to sit around and just talk and share. It is God’s choice and He has made it. There are lives at stake it’s not about us, it’s about Him.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me and desiring to use me. Remind me to reflect upon You daily and rejoice in the changes that You are making in my church and in me. Lord, lives of lost souls are hanging in the balance of my decision to fully serve You. Soften my heart and empower me boldly to serve you and influence others with your life-changing message. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 7:28-29 “But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,” NKJV

Life Lesson: Life is short and time is precious.

Paul is saying here that it’s ok if you do or do not get married. If you are not married, be at rest and wait but if you do marry, you will have stuff to deal with. Marriage is a blessing, time consuming and a challenge and because of all that and more, it has to be a priority.  Paul is saying marriage is important, but it is not first and never should be—God is first. When marriage is made the priority, the couple begins to look at one another for spiritual fulfillment instead of looking to God for that which only He can give. Loved one, please don’t do that. This is a prescription for disaster. God should be first in your priorities and time. Anything else is idolatry. Married or unmarried the real question here is what is your number one priority in life? Is it your job, your house, your finances, your spouse or your God that created you, loves you, died for you and is asking you to make Him first? Oprah once stated when she heard that God said “You shall have no other God’s before me, and God is a jealous God,” that she didn’t want to follow Him anymore. Making God first is not for His benefit but friends, it is for your benefit. When you start moving God down on the list of your priorities, things will fall apart. Isn’t it time to make God first in your life? To have Him not only as Savior but as your Lord? Do it now. Today! Don’t waste another second without Him sitting on the throne of your heart. Life is short; time is precious and is one of the most precious things you have.

James 4:14 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” NKJV

Whether you are married, unmarried, divorced or widowed—Keep God first. You can be involved in something eternal. When I was a young person, I thought “I’ve got lots of time,” and seventy years seemed like a long time. Now that I’ve grown older, time seems to speed up. Consider the hourglass. The sand always goes down. It never goes up. It’s a lot like life. Yesterday is in the past. There is no chance to relive it. What you did yesterday is gone forever. Don’t waste your life and make excuses for it. Focus on God and set Him as the priority of your life. Spend time with Him in prayer every day, if just for a few minutes. Spend time in His Word, the Bible, everyday if only for a few verses. Hang out with people at the church, give to the church, attend the church on a regular basis, make these things a priority and you will reap a good reward, a heavenly reward, an eternal reward for the time and effort spent. It’s a great investment. Just as a track athlete is trained to look only forward when he or she runs, believers should also look forward. Unlike running a race, you do not know exactly where the finish line is. For some it may be a long ways off, for some it maybe just a few more steps.

The big question that each of us have to deal with is what will you do with the time you have been given? That decision is yours and yours alone to make. This e-votional you just read could either be a waste of your precious and valuable time or a life-changing moment. What if you were told you had 3 months to live? How would you live those three months? Well friend, at some point in your life, it does come to an end. Regrets or rewards? Eternal regrets or eternal rewards? Your choice, your call but don’t wait.  Haven’t you waited long enough? Oh…and speaking of waiting… God is waiting… right now… for your answer.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the opportunity to decide what I am living for. Today, I realize that I do not have an endless supply of days here on this earth. Help me to use my days well and to make everyday count. Help me to be a blessing to You and others with each day that You give to me. I am choosing to commit myself, my life and my time to You once again. Thank You that You took the time to die for me so I could be forgiven. May I now take the time to live for you so others may know the joy and purpose I have found. Help me daily to stay focused and live for You. I join with the community of faith to be a kingdom-builder and a world-changer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love you guys!

1 Corinthians 7:19 “For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.” NLT

Life Lesson: Serving and keeping God’s commandments is not only a commitment but an act of love as well.

Friend, you have unique talents and abilities that God wants to use for His glory.  Your act of love for God is expressed when you serve and keep His commandments. Don’t be dissatisfied with your giftings, but obey God and walk in them.

Serving God with your gifts and obeying his commandments should be a high priority in the life of the believer. This is not to say that you are under the law, but because of His amazing love for you, you can respond in love by serving others with your talents. While you are not trying to earn your righteousness, you should desire to be obedient to Him. Not because you are earning your salvation but because you love Him.

1John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” NKJV

You are to love God with all of your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Serving and obeying God should not be burdensome because He loved you first. There are a lot of things I do not feel like I want to do, but because of my love and commitment to God I do them. When I take flowers to my wife, I do not do so because I am married. I do this out of love. In the same way, show your love and affection for God by being committed to witness, read the Bible, pray and love others.

Do you express your love to God by serving Him and others? Remember how God told us to discover a life worth living? Feel safe and secure in the arms of God’s redeeming power and undeniable love. Step out in obedience to Him and share the hope and love of God to this cold, dark world that does not have anything worth living for and sure does not offer anything worth dying for.

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your love that sets me free when I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Thank You for allowing me to come to You. Lord, I thank You for the talents and abilities You have gifted to me. Forgive me where I have envied someone else’s gifts while neglecting to use and give away my own gifts. Help me to be grateful for the call You have for my life so that I can discover purpose and meaning the way You intended. Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. Help me bring hope to a lost and dying world— to be a kingdom-builder and a world-changer.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Chronicles 28:1 ^“Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor.” NKJV

Life Lesson: It takes a team and a leader for a church to perform its mission well.

David was a poet, a warrior and an incredible leader.  He was a man who had made mistakes, and yet people still followed him.  In order for a church to perform its mission well, it must stand in unity with its leader. The body of Christ shouldn’t be sitting on the bench but should be actively following God’s plan.  You should lay down your mistakes and shortcomings and begin pouring your life out in service to God as part of the team.  Don’t waste time wandering in the desert of your mistakes but discover God’s plan and get back up again.  He has chosen you right where you are to serve in His kingdom with other believers.

Deuteronomy 7:6  “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

Just like David recognized God’s hand and call on his life, you also were called.  God chose you knowing everything you had ever done wrong–knowing all your strengths, weakness and past failures.  He knew all those things and yet He still chose you.  There are many reasons God should not have called any of us, but He did.  God did not call you because of who you are but in spite of who you are.  He then makes you a part of His kingdom and gives you an opportunity to respond to the call.  Will you choose to follow His call? Will you be a spectator or a kingdom builder? You decide. Step out and be part of what God is calling you to do.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the opportunity to choose You and Your plan.  Thank You for giving me the power to choose.  Lord, my choices affect the souls of men and women whose lives are eternally hanging in the balance of my decision to respond to your call. I want to give my life away and be a part of the team. At times, I lose my focus and follow my own plans.  Empower me with Your strength and courage to pray, give, support, serve in Your kingdom. Whatever task at hand, I want to be all I can to reach all can—I want to be a kingdom builder, a world-changer. I am committed to be an active part in Your kingdom.

Jonah 1:5b “But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.” NKJV

Life Lesson: Stay true to what you know is from God.

Valentine’s Day is designated as a special day of love. Greeting card company conspiracy or not, most married men have learned that on this day with their wives, actions matter. Some days, you might be able to slide by on words alone but not this day. This is a day where, quite literally, actions carry a bullhorn. But why is that? Shouldn’t every day call for a special demonstration of love? Absolutely! I am sure that most people reading this, in some way, demonstrate love for someone else daily.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. NKJV

Are you forgetting someone? God expects us to express our love for Jesus by doing the things Jesus asked us to do. Yet, so many Christians are asleep on the job. Fall asleep at work and what happens? You get fired. God knows who is faithful and who is not. But God is a God of second chances; even third, fourth and fifth. Wake up and show Jesus you love Him. How many days have passed without a demonstration of love for your spouse or loved one? Probably not many. How many have passed without a demonstration of your love for Jesus?

1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us.” NKJV

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. Thank You that You speak to me through Your Word. It is so amazing how the scriptures from long ago speak to my life today. Lord, You are so good, gracious and merciful. Thank You for Your forgiveness of my sins. Lord, help me to live a life of action. I know there are times when I put things or others before You. Lord, You are my True Love. Help me to put You first and give me the power to love others just as You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Luke 9:2 “He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” NKJV

Life Lesson: It is important to know God’s will for your life.

What is God’s will for your life? That’s the ten thousand dollar question, isn’t it? Well, it’s really very simple. You see, many times when we ponder God’s will for our lives we get very self-focused and miss the point. God’s will for our lives isn’t so much about us as it is about Him. Living for God, is that so hard for us to do after He died for us?

God revealed His will for all through His Son, Jesus. Through repentance and forgiveness we can live a life of service and sacrifice. It is God’s will for you to love others and be a living testimony to the world. Do you have a concern, care and compassion for a world of people dying without Jesus? God’s will for your life is to lead others to salvation in Jesus. Be a steward of the Gospel by sowing into the lives others, and you will see God’s will in action in your life.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me. I am so grateful that You did not leave me to live my life on my own. Thank You for having a plan for my life and showing me through Your Word. Lord, I confess that I have tried to live my life that way I have wanted to, and I am sorry. I want Your will for my life. Lord, help me to live out the plan You have for me. I give You my life…to do Your will…in Your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
Reachthetriad.com
Twitter.com/CCOT
336.996.6880