Daily Devotional By Archbishop Foley Beach

When You Lie, Cheat, Lust or Get Stoned, You Erect a Barrier Between You and God

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Every time you lie or cheat or lust or get stoned, you put a barrier between yourself and God because God is Holy. God’s Holiness prevents Him from communing with sinners. The author of 1 John tells us in 1 John 3:8: “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.". God brought Jesus, who was both God and man, to live on earth. Therefore, Jesus blood sacrifice on the cross permitted Him to take on your sins. By His sacrifice, Jesus became the doorway for your personal relationship with God and a path for your Salvation from your sins (1 John 1:9-10): “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.".

 

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

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 17:2-3; Philippians 3:7-10; Matthew 16:13-20; Psalms 78b:13-24.

 

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles – Part 6: We Don’t Need to Be Wimpy Christians", at our Website: https://awtlser.podbean.com/

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Today, the World Needs to be Renewed With an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit - a Global Spiritual Awakening”: www.AWFTL.org/watch

 

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Your Sin Is Never Too Great for God; If You Return to God, He Will Return to You

MESSAGE SUMMARY: We all sin, and sometimes you may perceive your sin to be so horrendous that you think your life is lost to God’s willingness to forgive you; therefore, you believe that you are lost to God’s Salvation. If you repent to God of your sins and return to God in your life, He will return to you. Whenever we fall into sin, do we repent and return to the Lord? Hopefully, our answer is: "I will, with God's help.". Our God wants us to return to Him because He loves us -- He is a covenant God. In Malachi 3:7, God admonishes His people who have turned away from Him; but God promises His return to His people if they return to Him: “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’". However, Malachi asks the question: “How shall we return?”. Joel 2:12-13 provides the Lord’s answer to Malachi’s question: “’Yet even now,’” declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.’”. The Lord wants to meet you where you are and to bring His Grace to you. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus confirms His Covent relationship with you: "And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”. If you return to God in your life, He will return to you.

 

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).

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Malachi 2:4-6; Malachi 3:1-5; Matthew 26:27-29; Psalms 15:1-5.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/

 

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Christians in the Church Must Become Christians in the Marketplace of Unbelievers", at our Website: https://awtlser.podbean.com/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Becoming God’s Broken Vessels to Serve the Needs of Others”: www.AWFTL.org/watch

 

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

We Are All Sinners; But Sinners that Follow Jesus Have a Way Out

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus died for you and your sinful nature. It is through the death and Resurrection of Jesus that you are offered the forgiveness of your sins and an inner healing in your life. In John 10:27-28, Jesus reiterates His commitment to those who commit their lives to Him and are His followers: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.". Some Christians mess up because Christians, too, are sinners. However, Jesus gave you a pathway out from the burden of your sins. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus, again, reaffirmed His commitment to His followers through the Holy Eucharist: “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’".

Many non-Christians profess that the reason they choose not to believe and follow Jesus is that they “only see people in churches and those professing to be ‘Christians’ as ‘hypocrites’”. We all have been offered the forgiveness of our sins by God’s Grace, through Jesus, by our faith in Jesus and our confession of sins. However, those refusing to follow Jesus, for whatever reason, have made the personal choice not to follow Jesus and accept His offer of Salvation and Eternal Life. Since we are all sinners, what better place to find sinners than in a church where “Christian sinners” are attempting to live a new life by following Jesus and His Gospel of faith and Salvation. Yes, churches do have “hypocrites” in its total group of sinners. However, unlike those who refuse to follow Jesus because they see Jesus followers as “hypocrites”, “Christian hypocrites”, like other sinners, have a way out through their faith, confessions, and a commitment to trying to live a sinless life. Do you have an excuse not to follow Jesus?

 

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

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Romans 1:16-17; Psalms 37:39; Matthew 26:27-28; Psalms 8:1-9.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.awordfromthelord.org/bible-search/

 

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Following Jesus – Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him Without Reservations", at our Website: https://awtlser.podbean.com/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Marriage – A Current Assessment (Christ the King Anglican Church; Birmingham, AL)”: www.AWFTL.org/watch

 

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Your Living with Sin Excludes the Joy You Can Have from Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

MESSAGE SUMMARY: In our world, today, people say that it's OK to sin, but sinning is not OK because if you are sinning, you are not in the Holy Spirit. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be present in your life. You cannot exhibit the fruit of the flesh, sin, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul explains, simply, the link between being a follower of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:17: “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.". In Romans 12:2, Paul describes God’s expectations for us to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.". The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

 

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).

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Ephesians 4:19-24; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:17-20; Psalms 145a:12-21.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.awordfromthelord.org/bible-search/

 

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “They Asked Jesus to Leave", at our Website: https://awtlser.podbean.com/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “The Promise of the Spirit”: www.AWFTL.org/watch

Are You Continuing to Sin and, Therefore, Living a Life Void of the Holy Spirit?

MESSAGE SUMMARY: If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be present in your life. You cannot exhibit the fruit of the flesh, sin, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul explains, simply, the link between being a follower of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:17: “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.". In our world, today, people say that it's OK to sin, but sinning is not OK because if you are sinning, you are not in the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12:2, Paul describes God’s expectations for us to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.". The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, Nothing compares with knowing Jesus. (Philippians 3:7f). “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: “Thanks-Living (Additional Message by Pastor Yow of Gahanna – “Go, and Make Disciples”)", at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S VIDEO: “The Upper Room Part 4: The Day of Pentecost – The Promise Fulfilled (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA)”,  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/`

 

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 4:19-24; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:17-20; Psalms 128:1-8.

You Cannot Continue Living in Sin and Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Message Summary: If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be present in your life. You cannot exhibit the fruit of the flesh, sin, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul explains, simply, the link between being a follower of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:17: “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.". In our world, today, people say that it's OK to sin, but sinning not OK because if we are sinning, we are not in the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12:2, Paul describes God’s expectations for us to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.". The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

 

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: “Facing Difficult Circumstances”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

Website Link to the Video – “The Promise of Belief (St. Thomas Anglican Church, Athens GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/`

 

Scripture Reference (ESV): Ephesians 4:19-24; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:17-20; Psalms 8:1-9.

Jesus Was Human and He Was Tempted Like We Are

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Resurrection: Part 3”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/

Message Summary: In Jesus' temptation, He has shown us how to face our temptations. When Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture; the most powerful weapon that God has given us – as Paul directed us in Ephesians 6:17-18: "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God . . .”. Also Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:13, tells us that, like Jesus, all humans are tempted to sin; but, also like Jesus, God will not let us be tempted beyond our capability to respond to the temptation in sin: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.". Remember, temptation is not sin; but yielding to temptation results in our sin.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13).

Website Link to Archbishop Beach’s Video Sermon – “Nurturing the Interior Life – Our Conscience”: https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/ (Note: This link is to both an introductory One-Minute Video Clip and the complete video Sermon.).

Scripture Reference (ESV): Psalms 91:1-10; Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 6:25-34; Psalms 97:1-12.