The Abundant Life by Gene McGuire (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)

“Now I know the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” (Psalm 20:6)

COMMENT: Yes Folks, I realize that the football season is over, but I just heard a radio message from Pastor Tony Evans that can’t wait until fall. So just imagine yourself to be in the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are just the opposite of ours. During a football game we often see the team’s quarterback with earphones on having a conversation with someone. A football novice might wonder: “What’s going on? Doesn’t this guy realize how important he is to the team and that he really should be paying attention to ways of winning the game instead of chit-chatting with a friend?” Well, unbeknownst to that novice, the conversation the player is having is vitally important to the ultimate success of the team. You see, the Offensive Coordinator is in a booth high about the field where he has an excellent view of everything and he is giving the quarterback the strategy he should use for success. In a like manner, we Christians should be continually listening to our Heavenly Father by reading His Word and having two-way conversations with Him in prayer. He knows how we can accomplish that abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Psalm 4:3, 20:1 and Proverbs 8:33, 23:19

WISE SAYING: LET THE WORD OF GOD HAVE FINAL AUTHORITY IN YOUR LIFE.

We Win! by Israel Houghton (Music Video) (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)

GOSPEL RECORDING ARTIST ISRAEL HOUGHTON

He Lives! Lakewood Church (Monday, March 3, 2008)

Your Advantage by Gene McGuire (Sunday, March 2, 2008)

“If you love Me [Jesus], keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever . . . .”(John 14:15,16)

COMMENT: Romans 7:6 tells us that we are not under the law which restrained us and held us captive, but we are now under obedience to the PROMPTINGS of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit offers us information, reminding us what is right. After that, we have a choice; we can do what we feel like doing or say no to the flesh and yes to God. Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to respond to the voices that speak to us. The Spirit told Him to go to the wilderness and He obeyed. The devil tried to make Him sin three times, but He was able to resist the devil’s temptations. WHY? Not because He is God, which He is, but He gave up His divine attributes when He became a man. (Hebrews 2:17) He could discern right from wrong because He was well versed with the Scriptures. Remember, He continually said “It is written”. That’s the same way you and I are able to distinguish the voices we hear. Of course, we will have to be like Jesus and renew our minds with THE WORD! That way, when we are led, guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will live that victorious, overcoming life God wants for us.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 2:15 and James 1:22

WISE SAYING: A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. RENEW IT DAILY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. (Thanks to The United Negro College Fund for the idea)

Shedding Your Past! by Gene McGuire (Saturday, March 1, 2008)

“Strip yourself of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion. And put on the new nature [the regenerated self] created in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22,24 Amp. Bible)

COMMENT: I hope you will forgive me for retreating back to the past so often, but I have so many fond memories there. For instance, have you heard of a movie from the 40’s called “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”? Well, it’s about an evil man who made a deal with the devil. In the contract, Dorian would stay young and handsome forever, but the life-size portrait of himself would grow old and wretched every time Mr. Gray would do any vile deed. The portrait became so putrid that Dorian relegated it to the attic where he periodically peered at it. One night he couldn’t stand the sight of that horrible figure anymore, so he took a knife and stabbed it. At that point, the picture reverted to it’s original luster and Dorian became the monster and died. This reminds me of yours truly before I knew Christ. From the outside, you would have thought that I was a really moral person. My motivation was to treat people right so that they would do what I wanted them to do. This was apparent in my business, social and family life. I can just imagine that my heart was becoming despicable and wicked like Dorian’s portrait. I thank God that I didn’t die in that condition. I have discarded that old man and have put on that new man. I am now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and I know I’ll be with the Lord when this “earth suit” gives out.

SCRIPTURE STUDY:Romans 6:6, 1 Cor. 5:7 and 2 Cor. 5:17

WISE SAYING: I’M THE CLAY AND YOU’RE THE POTTER. CHANGE ME NOW MY LOVING FATHER. (gene mcguire)