Daily Devotional By Archbishop Foley Beach

Jesus Sets The Friendship Standard; Therefore, Do You Have Earthly “Friends” or Just “Acquaintances”?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Our relationship with the person, Jesus, provides our entry into Eternal Life provided by God’s saving Grace; Jesus’ death on the Cross.; and Jesus’ Resurrection. Christianity, without this relationship with Jesus, is an empty religion. Jesus says, in Luke 12:4: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.”; and, in John 15:12 Jesus says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. . . [then] You are my friends . . .”. Is your perspective of your “friends” like Jesus’ perspective of friendship; or are your “friends” really just “acquaintances”?

Also, in John 15:14, Jesus establishes a very high bar for His relationship with us – friendship: “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.". Our relationship is not with the concept of Christianity but with the person of Jesus – “What a friend we have in Jesus!”

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Anxiety. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Peace. “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: “The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2  "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord?", at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S VIDEO: “The Interior Life – The Power of the Will (Red Bank Chapel; Chattanooga, TN),  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/`

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 15:14-17; John 3:16-17; Psalms 38:1-22.

Your Faith Is Powerful Because God Is Faithful

MESSAGE SUMMARY: While we are holding onto our faith, we need to remember the faithfulness of God. When the Apostles question Jesus about faith and prayer, Jesus tells the Apostles, in Mathew 21:21-22, that our faith is powerful and that God will respond to our faith: “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’”. Let us hold, unswervingly, to the hope and faith we profess because God, who promised us, is faithful – God will never leave you or forsake you. When the difficulties arise; and you are tempted to walk away from your faith. because you are tempted to doubt God, remember that God is faithful. Don’t give up your faith!

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Loneliness. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Presence. “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: “The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2  "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord?", at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S VIDEO: “The Interior Life – The Power of the Will (Red Bank Chapel; Chattanooga, TN),  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/`

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Psalms 91:1-10; Mathew 28:16-20; Mathew 6:25-34; Psalms 37b:21-40.

How Do You Use the 24 Hours God Has Given You in a Day?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: In the twenty-four hours given to us by God in a day, we should allot time to spend with God as well as time to spend with family, friends, school, and work. First, as we plan our day, we have assurance in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.". Additionally, we should allot time to serve others as well as time for exercise and rest. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11-13 summarizes God’s precious gift of time to us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven . . . He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.". God has given us these twenty-four hours; but if we don’t have enough clock in a day to get it all done, then we are doing some things we should not be doing. If we are in the will and purpose of God for our lives, then He will help us get done those things that He desires.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

 

THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2  "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord?", at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Ecclesiastes 3:1- 13; Matthew 6:31-34; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13; Psalms 37a:1-20.

Jesus’ Assumptions About Your Personal Worship

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus' concern is that when His followers practice the piety of giving, praying and fasting that they will do things in the right way and with the right motives. To this end in Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus instructed the Apostles in fasting: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.". Jesus wants our focus to be on following Him -- our lives are about impressing Him and not others.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because I am in Jesus Chris, , I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). (From Romans 1:16),

 

THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Acts 14:23; Matthew 6:16-18; 2 Samuel 12:15-17; Psalms 36:1-12.

Where Does Self-Denial Fit in Your Life’s Focus?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: In a time in which we hear so much about self-help, self-image, and self-actualization, Jesus is saying self-denial is the way to life. Jesus tells us, in Matthew 16:24, that self-denial is a key element in following Him: “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’". Taking up one’s cross means to die to self-ambitions. When we die to our self-ambitious and put them on the cross, Jesus’ life moves through us: “Not my will but Thy will.”. By denying self, we become alive in Jesus; and His Spirit flows through us – we experience eternal life and abundant life.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Evil Ways. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Goodness. “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: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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 16:24; Mathew 10:38-39; Galatians 6:14-17; Psalms 35:1-28.

You Have a Personal Relationship with God Because of His Mercy

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 God’s Grace, 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, 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: “Prayer for America”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S VIDEO – “The Promise of Belief” (St. Thomas Anglican Church, Athens GA),  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/`

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 18:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Isaiah 19:22; Psalms 34:1-22.

Do You Know Someone Who Has Walked Away from God?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Is there anything we can do for someone with a calloused heart or who has walked away from God because they weren’t discipled? Yes, we must start by praying for them – asking God to move in their lives; asking God to intervene in their life situations; asking God to break up the hardness of their heart. Also, for this person, we must build a better relationship of trust and caring love. In Mathew 18:12-13, Jesus presents God’s perspective regarding the pursuit of even one person that has walked away: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." No matter the hardness of a person’s heart, who has walked away from God, they will respond to our initiatives based on love and trust. However, so many of us Christians are so focused on doing our religious or spiritual things and keeping our “busy” schedules that we don’t have time to love and care for others. Why?

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will serve others (Philippians 2:3f). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14).

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Mathew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; Psalms 32:1-11.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 1:8; Romans 2:15-16; Psalms 33:1-22.

How Are You Being Tempted?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: We are and will be tempted again and again, but the temptation itself is not the sin. The sin resides in grabbing onto the temptation; dwelling on the temptation; and following through on the temptation. Jesus was tempted, and He always faced temptation by quoting scripture to the temptation source. As Jesus tells us about Temptation and sin in Mathew 18:7-8: “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.". We can follow Jesus’ example by using scripture to deal with a temptation – there is scripture to deal with every temptation that we may face.

 

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: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Mathew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; Psalms 32:1-11.

As a Follower of Jesus, He Is With You through All the Times of Your Life

MESSAGE SUMMARY: With your personal relationship with God, He is with you as you walk through all the times of your life – “. . .I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b). In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, God tells us about all the times of the times of our lives: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.".

 

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: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; John 15:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17; Psalms 31:1-24.

No One, Including You, Can Separate You from the Love of God

MESSAGE SUMMARY: While we were and are still sinners, Jesus the Christ died for us. God loves you exactly where you are; God loves you no matter what you said about Him; and He loves you no matter what you have done. In Romans 5:8-11, Paul confirms God’s unconditional love for us: “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.". Therefore, no one, including you, can separate you from the love of God.

 

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: “The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S 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): Romans 6:23; John 17:1-26; John 5:24; Psalms 30:1-12.