God doesn't make junk ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Under HIS Influence – Cowards No More” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 9/19-20/09,

Prepared for September 27, 2009 - Offered today

Message #MB389; Daily Devotional #6 - “God Doesn’t Make Junk”





Preparing the Soil (Introduction): For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10) The word grace is one of my personal favorites, ranking right up there near the name of Jesus! Without it, I would not be enjoying all of the rich blessings of God's Kingdom and would still be wandering around in darkness and hopelessness. But one day, I heard God's invitation and accepted His outstretched hand of forgiveness. With little self-esteem, and absolutely nothing to offer that could compare to His gift of forgiveness and redemption, I humbly received Christ as my Lord. And because of His great grace, I have been redeemed from hell, adopted as His own, transported into a heavenly position, and branded by His Spirit. And, I have been redeemed from death to life in Christ Jesus, all because I chose to believe. This amazing offer is made to any whosoever (another one of my favorite words) that is willing to believe it. Since God so loved the world, every human being is now eligible for salvation! Because Jesus chose to blanket mankind with His blood, all are now invited to enter God's presence. Within this glorious family are onetime prostitutes, drug dealers, drug users, murderers, gang members, rapists, adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, prison inmates, and all sorts of "riffraff". So if you are a picky, pious person, you may want to re-think your position. Because, Jesus didn't come for the healthy, He came for all of us who were sick! Hallelujah!




Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Even though we have all come from various backgrounds of darkness, all of us who have chosen to believe are now God's workmanship. Since old things have passed away, we are now new creations in Christ Jesus that have been "remodeled" for God's purposes. And, God doesn’t make junk! In light of this Good News, we should abandon any excuse that prevents us from experiencing everything God has planned for us. He understands that we may be uneducated, lack social graces, and feel intimidated by other people, and He has often heard us cry, "Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). That's why He has anointed us with His Spirit and power. What we cannot do, God is more than capable of doing. He will never call any of us into a situation that He has not prepared and empowered us to walk through. Once we laid down our lives and picked up His Calling, we surrendered our fleshly ability and committed to a life of faith (another great word). Because, without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is what has gotten us this far, will sustain us for today, and will eventually take us home into His glorious presence! Hallelujah again!



Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): These verses tell us that we have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Each one of us has a dream that God has placed in our hearts to accomplish. These dreams and visions all have one common denominator, the glorification of our wonderful Savior and Lord. Whether it's healing the sick, saving lost souls, preaching the Good News, teaching God’s Word, serving the body, or prophesying to the world, each of us wants to see Jesus lifted up! Our goal, as the Body of Christ, is that the Son gets all the glory for our good works. We rejoice in the fact that any seed we sow in the vineyards of God results in a glorious harvest of praise to the Father and His Firstborn. Because for us, this is the only way we can say "thank you" to our faithful Heavenly Father, Who through His great grace, now calls us, the once lost, abandoned, and unworthy, His beloved children! Hallelujah again and again and again!



Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Timothy 1:7-8; Mark 16:15; Acts 4:29-31

Promises kept through Jesus ~ Bob Coy

The promise to make a great nation

Now the LORD had said to Abram . . . "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great . . . " -Genesis 12:1-2 (NKJV)





Sometimes God's promises seem to come out of nowhere. That must have been what Abram thought. He was an aging and childless man, living in Ur of the Chaldeans, minding his own business, when suddenly God made this amazing declaration. But the real amazement of this promise comes in the next verse of Scripture:

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3 NKJV)

Abram's promise went from being personal to being national to being universal! Through Abram, all of the families of the earth would be blessed. That's an incredibly lofty promise, and yet it's one that God has kept, is keeping, and will continue to keep until the end of time.

In order to find out how this promise is kept, we need to fast forward to the New Testament, which tells us that this promise to Abram was fulfilled through Jesus (Galatians 3:8,16), who was a blood descendant of Abram (Matthew 1:1-16) and who has become a blessing to every family (or race) on the earth (Revelation 5:9).

It's astounding to consider that a promise God gave to Abram roughly 3,800 years ago is just as powerfully effective today as it was then! It shows us that God's promises aren't bound or limited by time or space. That which He has promised is that which He will perform.

Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. (Isaiah 46:10 NLT)

Dig, Discuss, Decide

Discuss God’s generous blessing. Share a time when you were blessed in a significant way.

Dig into Genesis 12:1–3 and Galatians 3:8–9. What were God’s promises to Abram? How are you blessed because of them?

Decide as a group to internalize God’s promises. Write some of God’s specific promises on a note card and commit them to memory. At a later meeting, share the verses you’ve memorized with each other.

Jesus the beloved ~ Mike MacIntosh

And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
Mark 9:4-8


In this passage, we see Elijah and Moses in the presence of Jesus Christ. It is a picture of Jesus as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. You see, Elijah represents the prophets and Moses represents the law. And here they are, both finding the glory of God in the presence of the Only Begotten Son. Jesus, Himself, said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).

You can find encouragement in the law and the prophets. But the only true glory in life -- and in eternity -- is being found in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. True joy, fulfillment, and peace in your life come when you have a relationship with Him. Paul said, "For me to live is Christ but to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). This is a two-fold promise. Living every day with Christ is such a blessing. And knowing that when we die we will be with Him, face-to-face, for eternity is even better! So until we are with Him for eternity, we keep serving Him.

Jesus fulfilled everything in the law and everything in the prophets. And Jesus can surely fulfill everything in your life when you surrender it to Him.

Back on track ~ Joyce Meyer

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
—Ephesians 2:10



We are God's own handiwork. He created us with His own hands. We got messed up, so we had to be recreated in Christ Jesus. We had to be born again so that we could go ahead and do those good works that God had preplanned and predestined for us before Satan tried to ruin us. Just because you and I have had trouble in our lives or just because we have made mistakes does not mean that God's plan has been changed. It is still there. All we have to do is get back on track.

He desires to live with us - Bob Hoekstra

God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15)

God delights in pouring out His grace into humble hearts. "God…gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). What a remarkable arrangement this involves. The God who dwells on high in heaven above wants to also dwell with the humble here on earth below.

Our great God, the true and living God, is high and lofty. "For thus says the High and Lofty One." He is exalted. "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods" (Psalm 97:9). He rules far above, and completely over, every valid authority and every false god. Also, eternity is His rightful habitation: "who inhabits eternity." Furthermore, holiness is His essential character: "whose name is Holy." Among all professed powers or spiritual usurpers, none is like our holy Lord. "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11).

In light of His holy and eternal character, it follows that He would make this proclamation: "I dwell in the high and holy place." Beyond the atmospheric heavens, beyond the stellar heavens, the Lord dwells in the heaven of heavens. In this spiritual dimension beyond time and space, the fullness of the Lord's presence is known. Yet, He is even greater than this "third heaven" itself. "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool…Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You" (Isaiah 66:1 and 1 Kings 8:27).

The Lord is high, lofty, holy, and eternal. These truths impact us with awe and reverence. Yet, there is a corollary truth that brings us encouragement and hope (even though it seems almost contradictory). "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit." God essentially dwells on high, but He also desires to dwell with man here below. Who are the people who experience the Lord dwelling with them? Such communion with God is for the contrite and humble. The Lord wants to make Himself known to the repentant and meek in order to bring them spiritual revitalization: "to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

O Lord God, I worship You as high, lofty, holy, and eternal. I exalt You as above all and ruling over all. Yet, I praise You for desiring to dwell with me here on earth below. I humble myself before You, confessing my need for spiritual revitalization, in Jesus' name, Amen.

His blood covering ~ Jon Courson

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:14




The sins which have plagued you are written on a list. Santa Claus makes a list and checks it twice in order to find out who’s naughty and nice. Our Father, on the other hand, makes a list and checks it once. Then He nails it to the Cross, where the blood of His Son covers it completely. The list of our sins, shortcomings, and stupidity is blotted out in totality by the blood of the Son of God.

Many Christians aren’t healthy because they fail to understand this foundational and profoundly simple principle. They know they’re forgiven, but they can’t believe the one who hurt them is.

‘You can’t ignore the abuse, the trauma, the anxiety which has been inflicted upon you,’ they are told. ‘It must be dealt with.’

Wait a minute! It wasn’t ignored, and it has been dealt with by Jesus’ blood on the Cross. He hung on the Cross of Calvary dying for the very sin which bugs us in others. Therefore, for us to say, ‘We gotta dig it up and talk it through,’ makes a mockery of what Christ did on Calvary.

‘It is finished,’ Jesus declared. It’s done. It’s paid for. So be forgiven and forgive one another.

Speaking Through Disappointments~Charles Stanley

Numbers 14:17-24

Oftentimes, we become so focused on something or someone that we are unable to hear the Lord at all. In those times, one of God's most effective and yet painful ways to get our attention is through disappointments. Oh, how we dislike this method!

This is the way God spoke dramatically to the nation of Israel. In Numbers 14, He directed His people into the Promised Land. However, they were scared of the inhabitants, so they refused to enter. As a result, the Lord told the Israelites they'd "by no means see the land" for 40 years, until after that generation had died (v. 23).

Their disappointment was so great that they decided to change their minds. Sadly, though, it was too late; God had already settled the issue. And the people were distraught with grief because of what they had missed.

At that moment, in the heart of their disappointment, do you think God had their attention? Absolutely. The next time He gave Israel a command, don't you think they listened a bit more intently?

Tragically, failure is rather common in such situations. Instead of looking to God when disappointments occur, we are quick to blame circumstances, other people, fate, or even the Devil.

We are hesitant to believe that our loving Father could be responsible for our frustrations. Yet God is perfectly willing to use
disappointments to realign our thoughts with His. Consider the difficulties in your life?might the Lord have been trying to
say something in the midst of them?

He is faithful in all that concerns you ~ David McGee

1 Corinthians 1:9

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
NKJV

Life Lesson


Jesus Is Coming Soon.


There are a lot of people who want to tell you about how to be a Christian. Bookstores are replete with how-to books, iTunes is full of podcasts and television is brimming with programs. It's enough to make one think that being a Christian is something really complicated. Friend, don't be distracted by instructions and manuals. Put away the books and open your Bible. Close your eyes, and talk to God. Open your ears to God and not to your iPod. Allow Him to lead your heart. Christianity is not about rituals or traditions. It's about Jesus. Don't let the world take the place of Jesus in your life, and if you do, take comfort because He remains faithful. He starts the good work in you, and He completes it. Not you, Him.

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns." TLB

You cannot be secure in yourself. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your salvation is a gift. It's a gift God places in you that produces works demonstrating whose child you are. You had nothing to do with it, but Jesus...He had everything to do with it. You are secure in Christ and that's important because Jesus is soon coming. Live for God. Do all you can to know Him and follow Him, then trust Him with everything.

Chasing Rainbows ~ Greg Laurie

Chasing Rainbows

Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.--Ecclesiastes 4:4

One Saturday morning I was up very early because of jet lag, so I went out for a walk. Much to my delight, I saw a beautiful rainbow. I pulled out my phone to snap a quick picture, but the rainbow was barely visible in the photo. The further I walked, the more stunning the rainbow became, so I decided to go home and get my camera. But when I made it back to the spot where I saw the rainbow at its best, it was gone.

I thought, This is why people should not chase rainbows. It can be a metaphor for life. We chase after things that aren't quite there.

When we are young, we think, When I graduate from high school, then I will be complete. So we finally get out of high school, and we think, Now I have to get a job and actually make a living. I'd better get more education. So we further our education. Then we start our careers, and as we begin working, we hope to climb the ladder of success in our chosen profession. Then we start to think, Well, it is a relationship I need. I need to be married. And so we get married, and after awhile, we think, Kids are what I need. After the kids come along, we start dreaming about what it will be like when the kids are grown.

Life just goes on, and we find ourselves chasing rainbows. Then one day we wake up to discover there is more life behind us than there is ahead of us. So don't spend your life chasing after all the things this world has to offer, because you will never find fulfillment on this earth. You will only find it in a relationship with Christ.

For those who love God all things work together for good. ~ Daily Light

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.—“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

All things are yours, whether . . . the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.—It is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


Rom. 8:28; Ps. 76:10; Gen. 50:20; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; 2 Cor. 4:15-17; Jas. 1:2-4