Daily Devotional By Archbishop Foley Beach

Does the Gospel Mean Much to Us in America?

Message Summary What have we sacrificed for the Gospel? Does the Gospel mean very much to us? Before you answer this question, please read the Apostle Peter’s consideration, in 1 Peter 4:16-19, of the obligation followers of Jesus have to the Gospel: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.". Some of us have lost jobs, friendships, and family members because of being a follower of Jesus. What have you sacrificed for the Gospel? Sacrifices, for the sake of the Gospel are not done as works performed in a belief that they will lead to our Salvation. Instead, true sacrifices are done out of our joy from living for Jesus versus living for ourselves. Jesus gave his all for you; what have you sacrificed for the Gospel?

Today’s Affirmation: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Lust. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Perfect Provision. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Pentecost -- Be Ye Filled with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Matthew 20:20-28; Matthew 16:24-26; Hebrews 9:24-28; Psalms 130:1-8.

God Gives You an Opportunity for His Mercy and Not His Justice

Message Summary: We don’t deserve it, but we come to God because of His Mercy. We are all sinners. As Paul tells us in Romans 9:18: “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.". We can never enter God’s presence for prayer when we are in our pride. Also, Paul reminds us, in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, that in our Salvation through Jesus make us “boast” only in the Grace provided us by God: “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”. We can only enter God’s presence when we humble ourselves in Jesus. Humility and penitence before God invites His presence – “here I am, Lord; just as I am; have mercy on me a sinner.”.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, God is working His will in my life. (Philippians 2:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:14).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Pentecost -- Be Ye Filled with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Matthew 18:1-4; Isaiah 19:22; Romans 11:30-32.; Psalms 129:1-8.

As You Go, Make Disciples

Message Summary: Jesus, in Luke 15:4-7, tells us, through His Parable of The Lost Sheep, the importance to God of our discipleship: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.".

Immediately before His Ascension into Heaven, Jesus told the Apostles, in His Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20,` as we go into our communities and into all parts of the world, that we are to make disciples: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”. We must begin, as followers of Jesus, to meet His fundamental expectation for us by both going and making disciples!

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Despair. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Joy. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Pentecost -- Be Ye Filled with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

 Scripture Reference (ESV): Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 16:24-28; Psalms 128:1-6.

Jesus Went by Himself to Pray

Message Summary:  Immediately, Jesus made His Disciples get in a boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side while Jesus dismissed the crowd. After Jesus dismissed the crowd, He went up on a mountainside, by Himself, to pray. He was alone with His Father. In Mark 1:35, Jesus prayer life is presented: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”. If there is one Christian discipline that is neglected by Christians of today, it is the practice of getting alone with God and having a quiet time to pray -- not you and your computer; not you and a friend; but only you and God alone in your prayer. We can learn a great deal from King Hezekiah, in Isaiah 37:15-17a about his personal relationship with God, through personal prayer, as he is faced with a powerful invasion of Israel: “And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: ‘O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear.’”.

Today’s Affirmation: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Pentecost -- Be Ye Filled with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): John 17:1-5; Matthew 26:36-40; Isaiah 37:14-17; Psalms 127:1-5.

God Will Accomplish Works Through Us

Message Summary: Any particular gifts given to us by God, through the Holy Spirit, are given to serve a specific ministry, office, and/or job for which we have been called by God. As Paul tells us in Romans 12:6-8: “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.". In summary, when God calls us to a ministry or service to accomplish His will in our lives, He gives us the gifts or tools, through the Holy Spirit, to perform His call to us.

Today’s Affirmation: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Pentecost -- Be Ye Filled with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Ephesians 4:10-14; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 3:7-11: Psalms 126:1-6.

The Enemy Is Always at Work to Mess You Up and Destroy Your Faith

Message Summary: The enemy is always at work seeking to destroy the fruit of the Lord’s field. In John 10:10-11, Jesus tells us that the enemy is always active and seeking only “to steal, kill, and to destroy”: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.". In 1 Peter 5:8-9, Peter tells us that the enemy goes around “like a roaring lion seeking to devour”: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.". The enemy never sleeps, and he is constantly attempting to mess us up and to destroy our relationship with God. The enemy tries to get us to doubt God – he may do his work in subtle ways, but he wants us off the righteous path.

Today’s Affirmation: I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ,  I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight.   (From Proverbs 3:5f).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Personal Pentecost”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Psalms 7:5-7; Luke 10:19; Matthew 13:36-43; Psalms 125:1-5.

To Live In Christ

Message Summary: If we are to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for us – God has work for us; it is real work. The spiritual life is work – it is fruitful labor. Also, Godly conduct is a necessity to live in Christ as we are instructed in Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . .”. Not only does God have a work for us, we have a witness for Him through our actions, words, and our attitudes, which constantly reflect who and what God is in our lives. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, succinctly presents what it means for a follower of Jesus “to live in Christ”: “To be a witness, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.".

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Heartlessness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Kindness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Personal Pentecost”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Galatians 5:18-26; 1 Peter 1:15-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Psalms 124:1-8.

Christians Inherit a Culture of Grace, Mercy, and Kindness; Do We Pass It On?

Message Summary A culture of grace, mercy, and kindness is an environment in which there is no griping or murmuring; no putting people down. Paul relates, in Galatians 5:22-26, and defines the outcomes or “Fruits of the Spirit” and how they relate to a “Culture of Grace”: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.". This culture of grace, mercy, and kindness gives people the benefit of the doubt; and it provides a visible demonstration of the value of other people while, also, providing an atmosphere that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Resentment. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Compassion. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Personal Pentecost”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:1-11; Psalms 51:1-2; Psalms 123:1-4.

God Desires to Help and Walk with You in Your Time of Need

Message Summary: God desires to walk with us and to help us, but God does not provide us with this support unless we pray and ask Him. James, the brother of Jesus and the author of James 5:13-16, succinctly describes prayer and its power for the followers of Jesus: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”. Prayer gives us the ability to enter in to the very Throne Room of God thereby to commune with the Creator of the Universe and ask Him for His help. The only way to learn how to pray is just do it – just pray with your heart. Prayer; just you and our Lord in conversation.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, My life is about Christ. (Philippians 1:21). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:14).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Personal Pentecost”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): 2 Kings 20:5; James 5:13-18; Philippines 4:4-9; Psalms 122:1-9.

The Holy Spirit – Your Communications Channel for a Personal Relationship with God

Message Summary: Our relationship with God is a continuous thing and not a one-time thing; therefore, we are to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul, in Ephesians 4:4-7, succinctly defines the relationship a follower of Jesus has with God through the Holy Spirit: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.". We should ask the Lord to fill us with the Holy Spirit every day. We need the continuous refreshing of the Holy Spirit in us because we are broken vessels – we sin; we get tired; we work hard; we act stupid; and we rebel against God. Be filled with the Holy Spirit now – you can be filled, in this moment of the present. through the communications channel that permits your personal relationship, through prayer as a follower of Jesus, with God, the Creator of the Universe.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Self-centeredness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Love. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Personal Pentecost”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

 Scripture Reference (ESV): Ephesians 4:4-7; Acts 2:1-4; 1 Peter 4:1-6; Psalms 121:1-8