Panda Ministries

Daily Devotional - June 19, 2013

2013-06-19T23:01:00.001-04:00

Hosea 8:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

7 “They have planted the wind
    and will harvest the whirlwind." 

This passage has been quoted over and over again by judges and prosecutors to emphasize coming doom and judgement.  Many use this phrase and twist it to say, "You're getting what you asked for."  Fortunately, God uses this Word, spoken through the prophet Hosea as a warning of Divine Judgement on the people of Israel for idolatry and greed; the reverberating notes of this verse sends shivers through our spine.  As we walk through our every day life, we plant seeds.  As Christians, we are supposed to be planting seeds from the Holy Spirit.  Of course, we stumble, and for many of us we inexplicably toss some bad seeds on the ground.  We recognize our sin and repent (meaning we try our best not to do it again) and those seeds whither and die along side our sin.  But, unfortunately, in some cases, we continue to sin, over and over, without true repentance.  This waters the seed until the day when we have to answer for it.  It may be in this lifetime or we answer for it on the Judgement Day.  Either way, those sinful seeds left to sprout end up being the whirlwind that destroys us.  What is in your life you continue to do, going against your judgement and God's instruction?

Daily Devotional - June 17, 2013

2013-06-17T22:06:00.001-04:00

Matthew 4:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[a]”

The hunger pangs of the day are a regular, instinctive, metaphorical reminder of the hunger pangs our soul desires to survive. As our bodies die without food and water, our souls die without the bread from heaven and living water. There's a reason for this, even as a child, if we aren't reminded to eat, we wouldn't eat... we would die. The same goes for our spirit. If we aren't constantly reminded to eat of God's word, our living water and daily bread, our spirits die-quickly at that. Have you ever noticed how much you spiritually change after just a few days of not being in God's word? Or are you wondering why, professing to be a Christian, you aren't feeling "full" in the Spirit? That is because your soul can not survive without the food it needs as its sustenance. In other words, you need to live off of every word that comes from God, which is found in our Bible. And just like how our bodies react to junk food, so will your soul react if you fill it with garbage. Are you feeling spiritually drained? Try feasting on the bread that will give you everlasting life.

Daily Devotional - June 13, 2013

2013-06-13T13:33:00.000-04:00

Philippians 1:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

We are a constant work in progress. Ever since we have accepted Christ into our lives, all of experienced some spiritual, emotional, even physical setback due to sin. It is interesting that so many true believers experience so much self-inflicted heartache resulting from alcoholism, adultery, domestic violence, apostasy, greed, and so much more. As a matter of fact, many find life becomes harder after accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. That is because our true nature is exposed and not only are we to confront it and overcome it, but also Satan uses our past and weaknesses to attack us even more. Understand none of us are perfect. When we fall, Christ is there to pick us up, if we want Him to. But through our faults and weaknesses, Jesus promises us He is going to finish the work He started in our hearts until the day we meet Him in Heaven. Is there a place in your life that you see God working on you right now? Is there a part of your life you need Christ to enter in and begin a whole work?

Daily Devotional - June 11, 2013

2013-06-11T19:11:00.003-04:00

John 14:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

This statement is the most hotly contested statements of all history. Even in our churches, we have members, elders, even pastors, who do not accept the exclusivity of Jesus' statement on Him being the sole portal into Heaven. This statement of Truth is hard to accept for those who do not believe, and to some it is outright offensive. Many ask, "Why can Jesus be the only way? I know plenty of good people that should go to heaven that don't believe in him!" It is a valid point and question. God came here to earth and performed miracles, testified to Truth, prophesied, and ultimately sacrificed Himself not for His glory, but to underline and exclamate Truth. That is like your spouse giving his or her life for you and afterward, you deny their devotion and sleep with another person. Would you belong to remain with them if they were to live? Absolutely not. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, to say, "Here is the ultimate sign of my love, will you accept me now?" So many say "no" because of hard hearts and prideful autonomy. To those who don't believe, denies Truth and replaces it with self-molded subjectivity. For those who truly believe, accepts Truth and lives in ultimate reality.

Daily Devotional - June 10, 2013

2013-06-10T21:48:00.003-04:00

2 Timothy 1:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

When we are full of fear and timidness, it is a clear sign we are not experiencing the Spirit of God at that moment. Sometimes our circumstances and presuppositions lead us on a path of fear and doubt. When we make a decision or wait upon an answered prayer, the peace of Christ surrounds us beyond all understanding (Phillipians 4:6-7). Specifically, Paul meant for this passage to be applied when preaching the Gospel of Christ, we shouldn't be fearful or timid, therefore we are not to be ashamed to tell everyone and anyone about the Lord (2 Timothy 1:8). But many times, our ministry is in how we live our daily lives. As each action we take should be in honor and worship to our God (1 Corinthians 10:31), the righteousness we have in Christ should not be accompanied by fear or timidity. We are to walk boldly to the throne of Christ (Hebrews 4:16) and by doing so being bold with our worship and praise with every aspect of our lives. Do not believe fear. Do not be timid. As Christ as your cornerstone, and the Holy Spirit within you, fear of anything has no place for as long as you can say your walk with Christ is in lockstep. What are you afraid of that's hindering you from making a Godly decision?

Daily Devotional - June 8, 2013

2013-06-08T21:01:00.000-04:00

Psalm 42:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

Whether we know it or not, our being always longs for the presence of God. The longing in our heart for transcendent love, life, and happiness can only be found in God through Jesus Christ. We are made in the image of God, and consequently, our separation from Him brings a void we aren't spiritually, emotionally, and even physically built for. Drugs, alcohol, sex, and many other destructive vices seemingly become a bridge that spans the void in our heart, in the attempt to replace the void with substance rather than Truth. Only one Being can fill the void in our hearts and lives, and that One is Jesus Christ. King David, in his time of agony and despair, recognized the hole in his life could only be filled by the Almighty. Maybe that's what Christ meant by, "In order for you to save your life, you must lose it..." (Matthew 16:25). In order for us to really find Life, we must let go of what we believed to be life... Uncover the void that really exists, and understand God can only fill it. Only then, we can soberly understand what David meant when he said, "As the deer longs for the streams of water..." How thirsty must we really be, beneath all of our attempts to quench it, for the Love and Arms of God?

Daily Devotional - June 7, 2013

2013-06-07T09:08:00.000-04:00

John 18:37-38

New Living Translation (NLT)

Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked.

Here Jesus sums up His mission to the world... To testify to the Truth. It is ashamed Pilate failed to realize the penultimate example and founder of Truth stood in front of him as he patronized the Christ. In this day and age, we still are asking the same question, "What is truth?" More often now than before, our culture has beckoned us to eschew reality for our own truth; what we want to believe to be true is truth. It is a disastrous line of thought to sincerely believe that a manipulation of the mind can bend reality. Jesus calls us to be sober-minded in everything, so we can experience what is really real, rather than an altered, self-induced reality. My thoughts won't be able to make the sky purple, even though I believe it to be. My thoughts won't be able to make a car accident undo itself. My thoughts won't be able to make the fact I'm twenty minutes late for work reverse itself. We can only soberly-devoid of substance and influence-focus on the truth, which comes from the life and love of Jesus Christ. Christians can all to easily be swayed by the "thoughts movement" which is New Age wrapped in Biblical verses. Be aware, what tries to alter reality in the end will alter your relationship with Christ.

Daily Devotional - May 6, 2013

2013-06-06T15:58:00.000-04:00

Ecclesiastes 11:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹Young people,^[a] it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Life is a gift from God. As children of God, we are blessed with innumerable things throughout this life and are given opportunities, which we rejoice and stumble over. In the end, God wants us to enjoy this gift. We are directed to eat off our labor (Genesis 3:19), give generously and cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), enjoy the fruits of our labor (Psalm 128:2), which defines an abundant life (John 10:10). It is sorrowful for the man who accumulates without being able to enjoy what he's worked so hard to gain. Enjoyment, biblically speaking, isn't wasteful spending of one's earnings, but joyful giving and not purchasing goods or services due to a sense of entitlement. As the preaching in Ecclesiastes writes, "Life is a vapor..." In other words, life is here today and gone with a gust of wind. Enjoy this life God has given you, be humble in your pursuits, gracious with your giving, prudent with your fellowship, and faithful in your walk with Christ. Then, you will receive rewards that far outweigh any paycheck you've ever received. What part of your life are you missing out on because you've neglected to enjoy it?

Daily Devotional - June 5, 2013

2013-06-05T08:49:00.001-04:00

John 14:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.^[a] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Over the course of human history, we have been given prophets from God, miraculous signs and wonders from Him, and even personal appearances (Exodus 33). All of these culminated into the very appearance of God Himself in human flesh; the person of Jesus Christ was the embodiment of God here on earth. When Christ's ministry moved to reach deep into the hearts of those who professed to know God, He exposed the fact that if they knew God in Spirit, they should accept Him in the flesh. Basically, Jesus was saying, "If you say you know God so well, how do you not see that I am He?" We all like to profess we know God but if our lives and beliefs contradict the Truth of Jesus Christ, we are in fact saying to Him, "I don't know you." If you really want to see God, here and now, all you have to do is look at Jesus Christ, the risen King. Do you yearn to see God? Is your life in step with the Truth of Jesus Christ?

Daily Devotional - June 3, 2013

2013-06-03T10:34:00.000-04:00

Exodus 14:13-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” ¹⁵Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

This is the dividing line between acting on God's direction and waiting for Him. Many times we wonder when to stop and wait on God, or to just go and do what we believe He wants us to. Let it be known: God calls us to action. We are to prepare ourselves for the tasks at hand to the best of our ability. What we can not control is up to God. Our decisions, actions, and consequences are all predicated on our preparation according to God's Word. We should remember for as long as we are deciding, acting, and moving according to God's will, He is in the background fighting for us, in good times and bad. Never in the Bible was God's children to sit back and do nothing while God does everything. First, we must step out in faith. Then, we are to walk according to His word. Lastly, we must wait on Him to act, because through Him all things become possible (and without Him everything becomes impossible). In the words of Tony Dungy, "You can prepare only up to a point, as Moses did... You can't control everything... The Lord Himself will fight for me. Just stay calm." What in your life is calling you to prepare for what seems to be impossible? Do you believe God is fighting for you in the midst of your walk with Him?

Our Lost Love (Part 4) - On The Way

2013-06-02T11:19:00.002-04:00

When I had climbed up off the cell floor, I noticed the salty residue outlining the evaporated puddle of tears my melancholy had left there. The days, nights, weeks, and months of perdition and seeking redemption left me drained, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It took all of what remained in me to prop myself against the concrete wall, and when I was finally upright, I could see the men outside of my cell door, in the common area of the block, staring into my cell, wondering what was to happen next. It was at that point I realized not only God was watching my every move, but everyone else around me was watching as well.
Here I sat, a renewed child of God, prostrate for everyone to examine. Like a great painter, God began his work behind closed doors, and now was putting me on display for people to see the project through its completion.
The conscious decision to leave my old life behind, seek redemption, and long for my lost love, was dichotomous. In one hand, the decision was hard because I began to understand what troubles I will have for God's will to be fulfilled in my life. The other hand, the decision was easy because I looked forward to the adventure God had planned for my life even before I was born.
A rush of fresh air entered my lungs as the men in the common area of the cell block snickered and turned away. I was able to stumble onto my feet and turn towards the lone window in my cell, facing the city I once inhabited and loved. I was a slave to New York City and its vices; I taped newspaper across the window to block any view that would tempt me to return to it.
Now... God was going to bring me into the wilderness to get me on my way back to Him.
Before any mission, God likes to bring us into a wilderness for reasons we might never know, but one known reason is being tempered and tested to build our character, which produces and strengthens our confident hope in salvation (Romans 5:3-5). We are brought to a place of fasting; not necessarily from food, but from other flesh-led lusts. God removes us from these lusts to replace them with His presence, totally and completely.
It isn't mere coincidence we are always tempted before taught the big lesson. Think of a child and a hot stove. Curiosity of the glowing red burner captivates the young one so much, they're forced beyond control to touch it, with an alarmed painful response. We too are tempted, and although we're given plenty of warning not to venture into temptation's territory, many times, we touch, and become burnt.
Jesus was tempted for forty days in a wilderness where He did not eat or drink. Imagine the supernatural willpower He exhibited when Satan approached Him with a petition to turn the rocks into bread so Jesus could feed and rid himself of the pangs of the flesh. Jesus' reply was, "Man shall not eat by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4).
This first example shows us the craftiness of our enemy, Satan. He knows us and has been accusing us since the day we've been born. The weaknesses we possess are constantly being exploited by him, and many times we succumb to the invisible pressure on us.
Jesus' reply to Satan's proposition is a simple one. Jesus recognized Satan was using one of the fundamental keys and impetus of sin, pride. Satan tried pride on Jesus. The devil said, "Look over her and taste this. It will fill your hunger. It will quench your flesh's thirst." This statement is a plea for pride in disguise as it tries to convince Christ, and us, that it is okay to walk and do something, because we can handle it. Sometimes, pride disguises itself as a voice that says, "You deserve it. Go get it!" Me. Me. Me.
The problem with pride is that there's never enough to have its fill. Like the pursuit of anything, once the goal has been reached, many find emptiness because it was pride that brought them there, not Christ.
Forty days of hunger? Not enough stones to become bread to satisfy that.
After tempting Christ with bread, Satan then uses a bit more craftiness, but still pride. He says to Jesus, "Throw yourself down!" In other words, "You are God? Prove It!" Jesus' response was, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." Jesus effectively took Satan's prideful temptation and moved Truth in front of it and killed the temptation dead.
Our usual response to such a challenge is to succumb to the pressure to prove something to someone. Many times, we look to prove something to our "self-esteem" in order to feel complete. The pressure to do so comes from others using our words and past indiscretions to throw in our face. Most of the time, we say "okay" to the pressure and fall into the prideful temptation of self-justification and self-esteem. Rather than respond with the truth, which is, "I am a Child of God and the only One I must prove myself to is He who sits on the Throne," we sit and go through the sinful motions of falling victim to temptation disguised as a self-fulfilling motive.
The enemy, Satan, wants us to move and venture out of the identity Christ purchased for us by His sacrifice on Calvary. We are to let go of the identity the world and our "selves" has built for us and grab ahold of the identity Christ has made for us.
How often do we face the battle of peer pressure? We are called to be like Christ, nothing else matters.
The devil's last bid for Jesus Christ's victimization to temptation was an attempt for Jesus to "sell His soul to the Devil." Satan said, "Bow down and worship me, and all of this will be Yours." Satan knew Jesus was to inherit everything. The enemy knew Jesus was the Son of God. He was testing Jesus' patience with the tool of pride.
Knowing we are not Jesus, how much more will we be tempted to grab all which we believe is promised to us? We believe, at one point or another, that someone, even the world, owes us something. Satan implanted a chip on each of our shoulders to make us bitter enough to want what we're due. Consequently, we're willing to sell our souls for it. It's as easy as making a decision you believe is the right decision, rather than making the tougher decision Christ has given you to make.
Jesus said to Satan, finally, "Away with you Satan! You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve!"
We want it all, and on the way to getting everything God has for our lives, Satan comes to destroy and kill those plans. He uses every temptation in the book, and it becomes more the closer you are to God's will.
There was many times while I sat in my cell, wondering why I was going through such trials and tribulations; that if God loved me so much, why would He let me go so far? The answer is simple, because God has such a calling for my life, He allowed Satan to tempt me and almost kill me as a sign of the glory He will bring to my life. So if you're experiencing the same, there is a great chance God has an incredible plan for your life, and He's allowing this to train you, not kill you. Be grateful, as the harder you're tempted, the greater the purpose God has for your life... That's why the enemy is trying so hard to steal it away.

Daily Devotional - June 2, 2013

2013-06-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

Romans 8:38

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁸And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

This passage is such a powerful illustration of the strength and unconditionality of God's love for us. Surprisingly, it also notes the situations in which we would be led to believe God would forsake us. The story of Christ conquers death and binds life to eternity; so God's love goes far beyond the grave. Angels and demons will be judged by us; so God's love places us in front of his own heavenly army. Our fears for today and tomorrow's worries are burdened by Jesus alone, because He is the Author of Life; so God's love replaces our daily worries and troubles. The powers of hell are extinguished by the sacrifice on Calvary; so God's love is unencumbered and unopposed. These examples signify the extremes that would want us to believe God's love has limitations and exceptions. But because of how God has surpassed each situation-death, life, angles, demons, fears, worries, and even hell-we are totally convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's Love. Be encouraged, my dear friends. Are you fearful that what you're experiencing is separation from the Love of God?

Daily Devotional - June 1, 2013

2013-06-01T09:37:00.001-04:00

Colossians 2:8

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers^[a] of this world, rather than from Christ.

We are bombarded with daily advice, philosophies, and spiritual nonsense, which may see to be the truth in part, but realistically is divisive against Christ. It takes discernment and knowledge of the Word of God to defend against the onslaught of what sounds like productive thinking and progressive behavior. Placed next to Jesus Christ, we see that these philosophies and new-age practices are just self-defeating nonsense. Even preachers and church goers have fallen victim to this world's nonsense because of spiritual bankruptcy. As the Word of God is blasphemed by false Christians and non-believers alike, we must stay prudent in Christ to see the lies this world is forcing true believers in Christ to espouse. One fact to consider, if what you're hearing to be true contradicts the Word in any way, or stretches the Word of God to fit its purposes, it is from Satan. Is there someone in your life who is trying to convince you of a spiritual principle that is not biblically supported in its entirety?

Footnotes: a 2:8 Or the spiritual principles; also in 2:20.

Daily Devotional - May 30, 2013

2013-05-30T20:43:00.002-04:00

1 Samuel 3:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

How often do we mistake the Lord's voice for other than what it is, a call to listen and obey. Samuel was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, and as the book that carries his name shows, the Lord was with him. At a young age, the Lord called to Samuel, and like us, he didn't recognize His voice. We hear so many people say, "The Lord spoke and said this..." or "I heard the Lord speak to me and so I did this..." There isn't a doubt God speaks to us in so many ways, even audibly. But if Samuel can mistake the Lord's voice for someone else's, we can definitely mistake a voice and think it was God. The first voice you and I should discern is the voice that comes from the Word of God. Is what you think you hear corresponding to the true Word? Or is it what you want to hear? Remember, in Samuel's case, the message was not what anyone in Israel wanted to hear. Many times in the Bible, the Lord speaks loudly to warn and very softly to direct. Is there something you believe the Lord is telling you to do? If so, does it correspond not just with one verse of the Bible, but the whole story of it as well?

Daily Devotional - May 29, 2013

2013-05-29T10:24:00.000-04:00

Zechariah 4:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power,but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Sometimes we try to move mountains in our life with our determination, strength, persistence, and sometimes with manipulation. It is so easy to become self-dependent and sometimes self-absorbed, resulting in the thought process that says, "If I work hard enough at this, I can do it." Although it is a simple and well-intended thought, throughout the Bible, God reveals that without Him, we can do NOTHING. It is a sobering reminder, which causes us to approach life's twist and turns with humility. We aren't to rely on our own strength, but rely on the Spirit of the Lord to bring us where we need to be. It is only with the Spirit can anything be accomplished according to God's will. What are you trying to do in your life under your own strength?

Daily Devotional May 28, 2013

2013-05-28T17:07:00.001-04:00

Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

These two verses go completely against popular belief. We are conditioned to keep an "open mind" and be accepting of everything. The Word of God tells us much differently. We are supposed to keep a narrow focus on Jesus Christ, eschewing all other ways, beliefs, proclivities, actions, decisions... One translation says "difficult is the path that leads to life." It is life's toughest decisions the Lord calls on us to choose the hard road, not the easy one. Is there an influence calling you to take the easy way out? In our life, it is definitely easier not to forgive, not to reconcile, not to go when called, not to obey when asked, not to sacrifice one's own desires and self. Jesus says in John 10:10 "I have come so you may have life, and have it abundantly." In order for us to experience this abundant life here and now, we must be able to accept the hard road. It is going to be tough and require us to choose a difficult path, especially when common sense may be against it.

Daily Devotional - May 27, 2013

2013-05-27T10:47:00.002-04:00

2 Timothy 4:7

New International Version (NIV)

⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The Apostle Paul writes this in his final epistle before his execution in Rome. His personification of life through this short phrase embodies what our travels in life should entail as a follower of Christ. Everyday is a fight against sin, Satan, our own desires, even our own lives. Life isn't just a short sprint or relay, but an endurance race that requires constant battle and faith in Christ in order to complete it. Imagine Paul, sitting in a Roman dungeon, penning this line as he prays to Jesus Christ, acknowledging his time is done. He recognizes what he left to this world for Christ, how he had completed the race before him, and all the while endured it with faith knowing Christ's redemption and salvation is ultimately victorious, regardless if Paul's life was spared or not. Is this how you're approaching life now? Are you merely stumbling along with fickle faith? Or are you determined to approach life with vigor and enthusiasm, ready to run an endurance race, knowing Jesus Christ is your strength, regardless if the outcome is desirable?

Our Lost Love (Part 3) - Seeking Redemption

2013-05-26T11:17:00.002-04:00

It isn't a coincidence our broken lives mirror the broken lives of the "heroes" of the Bible. We see posts on social media exclaiming, "David was an adulterer, Moses was a murderer," so on and so on, to show a point that in spite of our brokenness, God has an ultimate plan for our lives. The acknowledgement of broken lives redeemed to give God glory is a constant in Bible stories. Ravi Zacharias frequently says, "It is hard to see the rose past the thorns [of our situation]," and no more truth can be found in that line to the person seeking redemption.
Sometimes, redemption is found by one whose life's course is anything but redeemable. Acts 9 recounts the conversion of Saul of Tarsus into Paul the Apostle. Church history records Saul as a persecutor of Christians, killing and imprisoning believers of Christ. His interaction with Jesus on the road to Damascus changed not only church history, but also our perception on what God can do in a seemingly irredeemable life.
God took a persecutor of His church-turned Saul into Paul-and made this new creation the most influential Apostle of Christ after the pentecost. If Jesus Christ can do this to a person's life without them even knowing they needed redemption, how much more will He do for us who diligently seek it?
Romans 8:23-24 states plainly, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins." What we have in common with Saul of Tarsus, and every other person is the fact that we all are fallen, broken people in need of redemption. This redeeming process starts with a price to be paid for us, which Christ did by giving His life as a ransom for us to God.
The ultimate act of sacrifice-Christ's crucifixion-points us to the redeeming quality and acts of true love. When looking at us, Christ didn't just teach us, but with love in His eyes, He said through His actions, "I love them so much, I must give my life so that they may live also." Through this, God calls us to redemption, as his own possession to show others the goodness of God (1 Peter 2:9).
To see our life through the eyes of God is extremely difficult when we've been blinded by our current circumstance. We wonder why is it important to seek redemption first, rather than solve the issue at hand. Know that redemption begins with Christ and ends with Christ. We are told to seek the kingdom of God first and foremost. Everything else that you need in order for you to accomplish the purpose God has for your life will be added unto to you (Matthew 6:33-34).
The seeking of redemption is, at its core, a futile exercise. God has already redeemed you and I through His son, Jesus Christ. The penalty has been paid and all we have to do is to repent, seek His face, and follow Him. Like Saul, we don't even realize we've already have been redeemed, and all we have to do is answer the voice of the Lord.
Men and women who wait earnestly for redemption in the prisons of their hearts and minds need not look, but ask. The answer is given unto us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The keys to freedom in Christ have been given to us, we just must take them and actually use them.
When we're given examples of the sins Biblical heroes possess, we are given an even greater example of how God redeems His people and uses our brokenness to glorify Him. Additionally, God uses our brokenness to heal others through His power, so even our redemption is reaching far beyond the self.
In my life, I can see God constantly redeeming my faults in order to be properly used for His purposes. At every corner and turn, through His grace, He leads me on paths that use my past and my hurt, brokenness, and faults to glorify Him. When I go through these trials, sometimes I fail to see His fingerprint in all of it, but because of Love, I can see the "rose past the thorns."
When in prison, marital discourse, or financial inequity, I can proclaim God will use all of this someway, somehow, to bring glory to His name. So whether you're sitting at home in anguish, or patiently awaiting your release by the warden, God will use everything you've been through because you already have been redeemed. He has to, otherwise the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, is useless and without meaning.
Jeremiah prayed this prayer: "I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, O Lord, but please be gentle." Redemption means we've been paid for. God paid for us... we are already His. Understand, that through your life's ups and downs, we are His. As we have strayed from His will for our lives, He graciously corrects us and "makes our paths straight." Through His gentle, loving kindness He reminds us..."You are mine. You have been redeemed. I am in control. You will be okay."

Daily Devotional - May 26, 2013

2013-05-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Ephesians 6:11-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

This call to war isn't ladled with guns and tanks. This is a call to spiritual warfare and an opening of our eyes to see what is actually taking place behind the scenes. This passage tells us Satan is real, and so is his dominion. The reason Christ calls us to "Love our Neighbor" is because although our neighbor is responsible for their actions, whatever wrongs or inflictions of pain your "neighbor" has caused you is the result of satanic influence. This doesn't necessarily mean your "neighbor" is demonically possessed, but a sinner like you and me. We all succumb to the influence of the "spiritual forces of evil," because we all sin. But by putting on the full armor of God, we can battle sin by "girding our waist with Truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, shod our feet with the the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith."

Daily Devotional - May 25, 2013

2013-05-25T09:47:00.002-04:00

2 Corinthians 5:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

This message highlights the deepest human reaction to the event of the Cross. Beyond spending eternity in Heaven, our gift from God here and now is a renewal of mind, body, and soul. Our whole creation has changed to glorify Him. We are still subject to the battle with sin and Satan, so don't be disappointed if you're still struggling. The key phrase is "struggle." Before, as an old creation, we were all slaves to sin. Now, as a new creation, we struggle against it. Sometimes we fall, sometimes we prevail; but know this, the new creation Christ has given you will overcome the penalty of sin because of Jesus Christ. Do you have a specific struggle? Call on the power of God in the name of Jesus Christ to help you in this battle. You are His creation, and He will be victorious for you!

Daily Devotional - May 24, 2013

2013-05-24T07:51:00.002-04:00

Matthew 5:3

New International Version (NIV)

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Throughout the Bible, the poor of the earth are exalted above the wise and wealthy. This goes against the grain of today's society, where riches and "enlightenment" are the means to get to an ultimate end. Contrarily, Jesus says, "No! You must be poor in spirit and weak in the soul to come and inherit the kingdom of God." Why is this? Because only through a humble and poor heart can we realize how much we need Christ to fill us, lead us, and change us. The haughtiness of pride has collapsed the great kings of the earth... and the poor in spirit-the humble man and woman who knows they need Jesus Christ-reap the eternal reward.

Daily Devotional - May 23, 2013

2013-05-23T17:39:00.001-04:00

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This verse is a constant reminder to all of us that our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a plan for life, hope, and love. So many times we fall short of this promise because of our actions, ideals, and desires. Our drive distresses against the plans the Lord has already laid for our lives. Let's take today to seek His face to show us the plan He has for our lives. Rest assured, those plans include prosperity, hope, and a future through the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Our Lost Love (Part 1) - The Road to Perdition

2013-04-23T23:06:00.001-04:00

I'll never forget what it felt like inside of the holding cell, awaiting my sentence for felonies ranging from money laundering to possession of fraudulent business documents. The district attorney at the time was so unwilling to budge on his merciless stance, and my weakness before the court was my inability to overcome the objections to my freedom. Looking back on that one particular instance in the cacophonous maelstrom of my past, the verse from Luke 16:13, which basically and plainly states a man can not serve both God and money because a divided loyalty will result in love for one and hatred for the other, rings a solemn toll.

The verse is a daily reminder to me that before I surrendered my life to Christ, I knew of the Lord, but I loved money so much more, consequently making my life a living abomination in His eyes. Rather than turn my life over to the Author of Life, I instead threw my pearls before the swine and became under the thumb of state-fueled perdition for six years.

Prophet Jeremiah writes in Lamentations, "The ropes of my transgressions was bound; they were woven together by His hands, and thrust upon my neck. He made my strength fail; the Lord delivered me into the hands of those whom I am not able to withstand... For these things I cry." No more truth can exist between those hallowing lines than one who's conscious decision to forego the Moral Law of God unequivocally binds him to a fate beyond control; bound with a yoke woven by one's life to be handed down to a treacherous gaol.

My own sins-conscious sins; knowing the consequence-delicately and painstakingly wove a noose so tight, that even the calls of my God did not stop me running headlong through it. A life spent in self-aggrandizement, gluttony, lust, promiscuity, alcohol and drug abuse, idolatry, all tempered the executioner's perfect weapon... and I was blind and willful to it.

Once again looking at that punitive scene in this particular part of the story of my life, I can see why God had brought me so close to the abyss: So I can see how much farther I could've fallen if He decided not to hang me there by my noose, even though I deserved the ultimate punishment. I flailed over the ledge, with my neck stretching, the sins of my life tightening around my arteries and veins, and through it all, a soft voice whispered to me... "Steve... Steve... Steve..." The rope broke and I lay prostrate on the floor of my cell crying out to a God that I ran from for so many years-and I surrendered.

I humbly recount these scenes for you to bring us to a major point in all of our stories-a common denominator of sorts-to level the playing field of perspective. My physical leg-irons and handcuffs, which adorned my body for a good amount of time, were just a physical manifestation of the prison I'd built for myself within me.

The common denominator is sin, and the Word of God plainly admits in books such as Acts, 2nd Timothy, and Colossians-to name a few-that prison is first built within the heart, at the very epistemic conjunction of desire, ravaging the Godly impetus from within with cemented consequence. We are poisoned by bitterness and held captive by sin (Acts 8:23), and in this captivity, bound to do the will of Satan. Strong words for a convict's heart. A brush stroke of reality to a sinner whose blind desire was to force himself over the barbed wire, into the cellblock, through the bars, straight to the gallows. Not only are we bound by sin, but a slave to it as well. Sobering-if that was a word, which would accurately describe this situation.

Some sins seem so harmless, such as a little white lie, or a quick peek at a naked woman on the computer. Harmless to the present, but how present minded we are to unwisely assume the future consequence to null and void if the present sin can be discounted past a reasonable level. Knowing that all sin leads to death, we turn to philosophies of man to explain away the idolatry we've espoused in our lives, from the love of money, to seeking other things than God's kingdom first. These philosophies are of man's mind and logic, removing the eternal Providence from its lines and replacing it with "high-sounding nonsense that come from... the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ." (Colossians 2:8).

Even here, we can see that the simple philosophies of man can captivate an audience and condemn a person to the cellblock. Philosophy? High Sounding? We see it all around us. From the great leaders of this country making matters worse with the wisdom of the world, to the so-called spiritual gurus whose answer to life isn't in the perfection of the cross and in the being of Jesus Christ, but in awareness, crystals, mediums, chants, and demonic spirits. They all have a reasonable explanation that stretches the human imagination and clearly attempts to nullify the Sovereign God with the spiritual powers of a breaking and fallen world.

With all of this captivity within me, which-by the way-I still struggle with, it is still a perpetual miracle I, and we, can be freed from this bondage. Some nights as I sat in my cell, I would look at the stars and wonder which constellation would I be able to see on the night of my release. It felt like an eternity. The lonesomeness of a penitentiary was deafening to me. But even still I had to be let go someday. But what difference would it make for my being if my mind and heart were bound by sin, destined to do the work of Satan, and I was set free? It would make none; the door would be a revolving one. So the Almighty Surgeon went to work deep within my soul.

In the Wilderness

2013-03-19T21:26:00.003-04:00

While trying to make this blog work, we at Panda Ministries came across many stumbling blocks inhibiting the growth of this ministry. Believe it or not, these wolves dressed as sheep came in the form of friends, coworkers, family, even other church members. Dr. Charles Stanley once quipped that if we've ever met Satan, more likely than not, we've sat next to him at church. A funny anecdote, but true nonetheless.

Throughout this ministry, other ideas for growth came about, distracting from our core purpose. We had once selfishly given into the temptation of gathering masses under the name of Panda Ministries for Jesus Christ. We even ventured into seeking a business relationship to help grow the ministry. The one thing we-dare I even say, "I"-have digressed is the leading of the Holy Spirit to where He wants His ministry.

During this pivotal phase in the development of Panda Ministries, job offers and business ideas swirled around me and God had decided to place a business in my family. It is a small and humble marketing business, but even that our Enemy tried, and is trying, to steal the joy and promise God has for the business by diluting its purpose with irresoluteness.

Today, on my walk from the train station to my home-which I usually travel in a cab-I spent the time one-on-one with my Lord. My prayer was for His leading and direction to where He wants me to be in every aspect of my life. The little voice in my heart whispered "focus."

Focus. It almost is a dirty word in our neoteric vocabulary. There is every reason not to focus under every circumstance. Let's take a look:

Jobs: So many are not focused on the tasks at hand but rather on what means nothing to their career or success at their vocation.
Family: It seems more and more both husband and wife have removed focus altogether from the fabric of the family to senses beckoning from beyond the covenant of marriage.
Finances: Every year that passes, there is more and more debt piled up by not only the American consumer, but consumers from every continent, giving us a clear picture the world has even lost focus on financial health.
Church: It doesn't take a genius to see that more churches today aren't focused on the Word of God but on how to profit from it.

So maybe focus isn't the problem, its what we focus on that is. A prime example of the "Wrong-or Lack of-Focus" would certainly be the Old Testament stories of the Jewish people. They couldn't even hold their eyes on God when He was right in front of them performing miracles. How about when Lot and his wife left Sodom? She couldn't even keep her eyes from wandering behind her to the doomed city, resulting in her "salty" demeanor.

But when focus was restored to the task at hand, God moved mightily to bring His people out of their wilderness and on to the promise land. All He asks is for... Focus... On Him! What a novel idea. So easy to say, but yet it seems next to impossible to do.

So on my walk, I realized I was in the wilderness. Lost. Thirsty. But, not forsaken. God whispered to me to get my attention to what He had already given me-blessings He already had laid in front of me. But with every blessing He had bestowed me and my family, He followed with a test. I am boasting in my weakness by saying I have failed most of them, but my scores have been improving.

In my heart I questioned Him saying, "Lord, but how does this profit me? How will I be able to do this without losing?" As quickly as I asked the question the answer roared like out of a lion's mouth. "Do what I ask whether or not you profit materially from it or not." Wow. Therein lies the rub. To get out of this wilderness may mean I have to take a loss. But as Paul says, what we count as a loss here on this earth we can count towards a gain in Christ.

To get out of this wilderness, we all have to wander until we refocus on God and His plan, understand we will have to shed what took our focus away from Him, sacrifice our will to His, and move forward without looking behind. If only the Israelites knew it was this easy ;)

Our Argument to God

2013-03-05T09:27:00.001-05:00

Imagine being brought before the throne of God. You are given one opportunity to state your case against His Providential equations. For a while you sit and stir, pondering what existential or impossible question could you muster to bring the King of Kings to a stump.

Obviously, the question of whether not God exists is moot-since you are in His presence. Questions of the meaning of suffering and pain have been logically buttressed by the mortal jousting of philosophical minds and immortalized by the Cross. You wouldn't dare ask a silly question, such as: "How big is the universe?" It would be absurd to waste such a question where the answer would befuddle you more than the question itself.

Finally, your search has reach a nadir and the feeling of desperation settles in as the opportunity to ask the Creator anything comes to a close. Before you are asked to leave due to your silence, it blazes into your mind: Why can't I bring anything with me after I die? Life is designed to accumulate, pursue, prosper, and... Die? Why give us life in order for us to leave everything behind when it is all over? Life sounds meaningless and absurd if all it is is futility.

You blurt out your question and gaze upon the throne. God smiles at you as if he knew what you were going to ask well in advance. He is God, you know.

Since man has walked this earth, we have been tirelessly pursuing the necessities of life. Some have attained more than others, but epistemically we all have the common pursuit of necessity. Sustenance is mandatory for human survival-we must eat, drink, and procreate.
At some point in time, history has shown us the gross overdevelopment of the definition of sustenance. What has taken the place of what we need to survive is the idea the accumulation of material goods are not only necessary for physical survival, but emotional and spiritual survival as well.
This lie of materialism has become an epidemic. Our world is flooded with the idea that if one goes without the extravagance of material wealth, one's life is lacking. But where is the finality with all we own, acquire, and pursue? As I do not believe the accumulation of material wealth is wrong, it is the intent of the pursuit behind it which we must find fault.
But the cosmic philosophical struggle ensues. Why does life end like a joke when we are made to accumulate and build, where at the end of life everything is left behind by us.
I believe it is Satan's second most pervasive lie to humankind-behind his lie that man can become God-that the materials we possess in out lives ultimately define our life and is necessary for happiness. The widespread worldviews which adopt this policy are a testament to the reality of this lie and personify how this lie has been a privation on society.
We have seen in our history books and current events how materialism has corroded the morals and values of society. Especially over the past ten years, the maelstrom of financial iniquity-including my own-has bent our world to the point of breaking. All of this, when reduced down, is due to man's insatiable innate nature to acquire.
Biblically speaking, Jesus points to how treasure is corroded and should be left under the protection of the heavens. The Bible even asserts our spouses wouldn't be betrothed to us when we enter His Kingdom. So even the pursuit of love here on earth seems to ultimately end in futility.
So why, why, why, would God make it as such?
Easy answer. We are given a gift of life which requires certain things for survival: Spouse, money, food, and advancement. God also gives us another gift, choice. He shows us that all of our goods, in due time, will pass away, and ultimately be left behind. The choice is, do we love Him enough to hold on to Him? Or do we love the objects He created more, and rather turn to dust along with their existence.
A life-long test. Wealth here on earth? Or can we see past the nocturnal into the eternal? Thankfully, the choice is ours to make.