Bible Reading For Thursday 1 April 10:
1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 19
1 Samuel 20
The Source of Abundant Joy
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us —Romans 8:37
Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level.
The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him" "in all these things"; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4 ).
The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:39 ).
O. Chambers
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Introspection
Bible Reading For Wednesday 31 March 10:
1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 17
Thought For Today "Introspection"
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death —1 John 5:16
If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites.
We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit.
If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, ". . . he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself.
One of the most subtle and illusive burdens God ever places on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning others. He gives us discernment so that we may accept the responsibility for those souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them (see Philippians 2:5 ).
We should intercede in accordance with what God says He will give us, namely, "life for those who commit sin not leading to death." It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede.
Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.
O. Chambers
1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 17
Thought For Today "Introspection"
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death —1 John 5:16
If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites.
We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit.
If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, ". . . he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself.
One of the most subtle and illusive burdens God ever places on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning others. He gives us discernment so that we may accept the responsibility for those souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them (see Philippians 2:5 ).
We should intercede in accordance with what God says He will give us, namely, "life for those who commit sin not leading to death." It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede.
Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.
O. Chambers
Pray On
Bible Reading For Tuesday 30 March 10:
1 Samuel 13
1 Samuel 14
Thought For Today “Pray On”
Isaiah 59:16
The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.
Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5 ). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work.
Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.
Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?
Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work-work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
O. Chambers
1 Samuel 13
1 Samuel 14
Thought For Today “Pray On”
Isaiah 59:16
The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.
Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5 ). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work.
Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.
Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?
Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work-work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
O. Chambers
Friday, March 26, 2010
God's End Justifies His Means
Bible Reading For Friday 26 March 10:
Ruth 1
Ruth 2
Ruth 3
Ruth 4
Thought For Today “God‘s End Justifies His Means”
Ruth 1:1-22
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Friends attempt to supply answers to questions you didn’t ask while questions loom in the heart you wish you had answers for. What do you do? The most we can do in the time allotted is live and die. How we choose to live our lives each day clearly determines our fate. In between times, God has set before the opportunity and chance of a lifetime, salvation!
Look carefully at these verses 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one [was] Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Just this morning a friend shared with me a family going through the same situation Naomi went through. Why? Seem to be the only question the mind is forced to recognize at the time. This morning I want us to know and understand that God can handle our questions. When we’re forced to face the inevitable and the unexpected ,God goes beneath the anticipated hurt and pain AHEAD of it reaching us and prepares the soul for it. In our pain and dark moments, we cry His name because deep in the soul is where He hangs out awaiting your beckoning call.
In this life we’re going to have trials we have no answers for. The depth of our time spent with the Lord prior to our trials usually reveal itself IN the trial. Time spent with God through meaningful and heartfelt prayer aids us in critical times we we’re expecting. Through it all, God is working His eternal plan while the heart is yet tender and receptive though hurting. When we’re hit with trials, there is a tendency to stop and reflect. Life slows down and we can hear ourselves think. While Naomi was going THROUGH IT, God carried her though she didn’t recognize it. Listen to her pain in this verse 13, she says, ….“for the hand of the Lord is gone out against me”.
Have you ever lived on this street or been down this boulevard? If you haven’t you will. Trials are not designed to reveal a CRISIS, but the crisis is designed to reveal CHRIST in the crisis! When you and I have been placed in the fiery furnace of life, please remember that the flames kindled against you were sent by God to burn the ropes that had you bound while in the fire! When a heathen king can see a “fourth person” in your trial that resembles Jesus, then His End Justifies His Means!
When we can see God in our storm and pain, we don’t see it as punishment for doing good or bad, but God is simply repositioning us for His next move in our lives. It’s hard to see how this is working for our good when we’re in it and feeling the effects of it. What we feel is temporal, but what God is planning is eternal in its consequences, I Corinthians 2:9.
These verses help us understand God’s “END”, though His “MEANS” may challenge us because of a loved one who died or any other unforeseen circumstances. Note these powerful verses of hope and healing, I Peter 1:7-13 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. It’s important and imperative that you read these verses to understand God’s End!
Here’s the conclusion to the whole matter. In the end you and I will live with the Lord throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. We will NEVER bother with death, suffering, trials, pain, hurt, and sickness no more. His “MEANS” of saving us from ourselves may hurt for a night, but joy unspeakable will justify His “END” or will for our lives. If I lose everything in this life, at least I know on resurrection morning God will do a “NEW THING”!
So go ahead devil and take your best SHOT, but thanks be to God for being in the best position to get the REBOUND!
Ruth 1
Ruth 2
Ruth 3
Ruth 4
Thought For Today “God‘s End Justifies His Means”
Ruth 1:1-22
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Friends attempt to supply answers to questions you didn’t ask while questions loom in the heart you wish you had answers for. What do you do? The most we can do in the time allotted is live and die. How we choose to live our lives each day clearly determines our fate. In between times, God has set before the opportunity and chance of a lifetime, salvation!
Look carefully at these verses 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one [was] Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Just this morning a friend shared with me a family going through the same situation Naomi went through. Why? Seem to be the only question the mind is forced to recognize at the time. This morning I want us to know and understand that God can handle our questions. When we’re forced to face the inevitable and the unexpected ,God goes beneath the anticipated hurt and pain AHEAD of it reaching us and prepares the soul for it. In our pain and dark moments, we cry His name because deep in the soul is where He hangs out awaiting your beckoning call.
In this life we’re going to have trials we have no answers for. The depth of our time spent with the Lord prior to our trials usually reveal itself IN the trial. Time spent with God through meaningful and heartfelt prayer aids us in critical times we we’re expecting. Through it all, God is working His eternal plan while the heart is yet tender and receptive though hurting. When we’re hit with trials, there is a tendency to stop and reflect. Life slows down and we can hear ourselves think. While Naomi was going THROUGH IT, God carried her though she didn’t recognize it. Listen to her pain in this verse 13, she says, ….“for the hand of the Lord is gone out against me”.
Have you ever lived on this street or been down this boulevard? If you haven’t you will. Trials are not designed to reveal a CRISIS, but the crisis is designed to reveal CHRIST in the crisis! When you and I have been placed in the fiery furnace of life, please remember that the flames kindled against you were sent by God to burn the ropes that had you bound while in the fire! When a heathen king can see a “fourth person” in your trial that resembles Jesus, then His End Justifies His Means!
When we can see God in our storm and pain, we don’t see it as punishment for doing good or bad, but God is simply repositioning us for His next move in our lives. It’s hard to see how this is working for our good when we’re in it and feeling the effects of it. What we feel is temporal, but what God is planning is eternal in its consequences, I Corinthians 2:9.
These verses help us understand God’s “END”, though His “MEANS” may challenge us because of a loved one who died or any other unforeseen circumstances. Note these powerful verses of hope and healing, I Peter 1:7-13 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. It’s important and imperative that you read these verses to understand God’s End!
Here’s the conclusion to the whole matter. In the end you and I will live with the Lord throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. We will NEVER bother with death, suffering, trials, pain, hurt, and sickness no more. His “MEANS” of saving us from ourselves may hurt for a night, but joy unspeakable will justify His “END” or will for our lives. If I lose everything in this life, at least I know on resurrection morning God will do a “NEW THING”!
So go ahead devil and take your best SHOT, but thanks be to God for being in the best position to get the REBOUND!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sufficient Evidence
Bible Reading For Tuesday 23 March 10:
Judges 13
Judges 14
Judges 15
Thought For Today “Sufficient Evidence”
Judges 13:1-20
When God is ready to do a new thing in us and for us, He starts with the impossible making it possible. Manoah’s wife was barren and without child. Her void and God’s fullness met together at time when she had a need and God had a need. The timing of God’s blessings is what we should be praying for and thankful for. When I say God has a need I don’t mean it in the sense as we have needs. Better yet, God has a plan and agenda in mind that involves us. The sensitive love of God knew Manoah’s wife’s desire to have a child. God in His own time and way would set everything up and then cause it to come to pass.
The Angel appears and tells her that she shall conceive and bare a son. The fact that God said it, settled it. Either we believe it or we don’t. Please understand where I am going with this thought today because God’s WORD is His bond! The WORD of the Lord came to her saying AHEAD of time what’s going to happen. When reading the Bible, we must see the same thing happening as the woman did. Are you going to dwell on the fact you can’t have a child according to the OB doctor or are you going listen to the Angel speak it into existence before you see proof?
God provides Sufficient Evidence on which to base our faith. Just as the Angel declared and decreed what shall be, God is still providing His promises as all the proof we need. The woman heard what the Angel said and she was mindful of her situation at the same time. When you have prayed about it and placed it in God’s hands do you not expect God to do something about it? Watch this scenario unfold.
The woman quickly communicates with her husband what God through the Angel told her would happen. Manoah processed what his wife said, meaning he listened with his heart and not his ears only. He immediately entreats God about the matter rather going to others for their advice. There is the tendency to talk to others FIRST then talk to God about our problems. The Lord is showing us the order and perspective we should follow when we aren’t clear or need additional insight into His will for us.
Manoah prayed this prayer unto the Lord saying, Now let thy words come to pass! Today saints of God, let this passage burn in your mind and heart. All God wants from us is faith in Him to do what He said. I love this. Now let thy words come to pass. Manoah didn’t ask WHEN or HOW He would do it, he rested his faith on the Promise. May I suggest that we don’t succumb to external pressure while the promises of God work out the details. Patience in God is crucial in moments like this. Don’t move ahead or around the promises of God. Use your waiting time to pray for “OPEN EYES” to watch for His providential leadings. God will provide Sufficient Evidence that the prayer has been answered. The baby He promised was wrapped in the Promise! Start preparing for the baby. You know, like going to Babies R Us and Toys R Us?
When you start believing that when you start showing! The first month of pregnancy doesn’t provide outsiders with PROOF that you are, but for you the PROOF is in the PROMISE. The evidence is inside you growing and developing based on what God said would happen. When doubters and haters come along and criticize saying they don’t see no evidence, simply tell them, No Proof, No Problem! The Promised blessing is being developed inside of you and is preparing itself to be birthed in the fullness of time.
Can you wait and nurture your breakthrough for at least nine months? Will you allow God to develop your blessing on the inside of your heart and mind before He shows the world what’s been stirring in your soul? The creative power of God is at work bringing to pass what He said He would do. God is able to regulate what’s going on AROUND YOU until He finish reworking what’s going on INSIDE YOU! God is responsible for taking care of His PROMISE He made to you which will cancel your PROBLEM and PAIN. Stop trippin and start walking in God's destiny for you! He Promised It and He will bless you to fulfill it.
The Promise may produce a little Pain that leads to your Purpose, but rest assured that when the reality of the blessing arrives, the pain will be swallowed up by pleasure of what He provided. Don’t give up on God’s Promises for YOU!!
God Said It…..Enough Said!!!
Judges 13
Judges 14
Judges 15
Thought For Today “Sufficient Evidence”
Judges 13:1-20
When God is ready to do a new thing in us and for us, He starts with the impossible making it possible. Manoah’s wife was barren and without child. Her void and God’s fullness met together at time when she had a need and God had a need. The timing of God’s blessings is what we should be praying for and thankful for. When I say God has a need I don’t mean it in the sense as we have needs. Better yet, God has a plan and agenda in mind that involves us. The sensitive love of God knew Manoah’s wife’s desire to have a child. God in His own time and way would set everything up and then cause it to come to pass.
The Angel appears and tells her that she shall conceive and bare a son. The fact that God said it, settled it. Either we believe it or we don’t. Please understand where I am going with this thought today because God’s WORD is His bond! The WORD of the Lord came to her saying AHEAD of time what’s going to happen. When reading the Bible, we must see the same thing happening as the woman did. Are you going to dwell on the fact you can’t have a child according to the OB doctor or are you going listen to the Angel speak it into existence before you see proof?
God provides Sufficient Evidence on which to base our faith. Just as the Angel declared and decreed what shall be, God is still providing His promises as all the proof we need. The woman heard what the Angel said and she was mindful of her situation at the same time. When you have prayed about it and placed it in God’s hands do you not expect God to do something about it? Watch this scenario unfold.
The woman quickly communicates with her husband what God through the Angel told her would happen. Manoah processed what his wife said, meaning he listened with his heart and not his ears only. He immediately entreats God about the matter rather going to others for their advice. There is the tendency to talk to others FIRST then talk to God about our problems. The Lord is showing us the order and perspective we should follow when we aren’t clear or need additional insight into His will for us.
Manoah prayed this prayer unto the Lord saying, Now let thy words come to pass! Today saints of God, let this passage burn in your mind and heart. All God wants from us is faith in Him to do what He said. I love this. Now let thy words come to pass. Manoah didn’t ask WHEN or HOW He would do it, he rested his faith on the Promise. May I suggest that we don’t succumb to external pressure while the promises of God work out the details. Patience in God is crucial in moments like this. Don’t move ahead or around the promises of God. Use your waiting time to pray for “OPEN EYES” to watch for His providential leadings. God will provide Sufficient Evidence that the prayer has been answered. The baby He promised was wrapped in the Promise! Start preparing for the baby. You know, like going to Babies R Us and Toys R Us?
When you start believing that when you start showing! The first month of pregnancy doesn’t provide outsiders with PROOF that you are, but for you the PROOF is in the PROMISE. The evidence is inside you growing and developing based on what God said would happen. When doubters and haters come along and criticize saying they don’t see no evidence, simply tell them, No Proof, No Problem! The Promised blessing is being developed inside of you and is preparing itself to be birthed in the fullness of time.
Can you wait and nurture your breakthrough for at least nine months? Will you allow God to develop your blessing on the inside of your heart and mind before He shows the world what’s been stirring in your soul? The creative power of God is at work bringing to pass what He said He would do. God is able to regulate what’s going on AROUND YOU until He finish reworking what’s going on INSIDE YOU! God is responsible for taking care of His PROMISE He made to you which will cancel your PROBLEM and PAIN. Stop trippin and start walking in God's destiny for you! He Promised It and He will bless you to fulfill it.
The Promise may produce a little Pain that leads to your Purpose, but rest assured that when the reality of the blessing arrives, the pain will be swallowed up by pleasure of what He provided. Don’t give up on God’s Promises for YOU!!
God Said It…..Enough Said!!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
God Said It.....That's It
Ps 5:12, "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. "
Ps 9:9, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Ps 22:24, "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard."
Ps 25:8, "Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way."
Ps 27:14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Ps 29:11, "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."
Ps 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Ps 34:9, "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
Ps 34:10, "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing."
Ps 34:17, "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
Ps 34:18, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Ps 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Ps 37:4-5, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Ps 37:39-40, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."
Ps 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Ps 46:11, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Ps 62:12, "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work."
Ps 63:8, "My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."
Ps 68:5, "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."
Ps 72:6-7, "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth."
Is 40:29, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
Is 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Phil 4:7, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
GOD SAID:
Ps 32:8, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."
Ps 50:15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Is 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Is 41:13, "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Jer 29:13, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Jer 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Ez 34:15, "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD."
Ez 34:16, "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment."
Ez 34:26, "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing."
Hos 14:4, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."
JESUS SAID:
Matt 6:31-33, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matt 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Matt 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matt 17:20, "... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
Matt 21:21-22, "... Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Mark 9:23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Mark 11:23-26, "...whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Luke 11:9-10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
John 5:24, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 14:12-14, "... He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
John 14:18, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
John 16:15, "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
John 16:23, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Ps 9:9, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Ps 22:24, "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard."
Ps 25:8, "Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way."
Ps 27:14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Ps 29:11, "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."
Ps 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Ps 34:9, "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
Ps 34:10, "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing."
Ps 34:17, "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
Ps 34:18, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Ps 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Ps 37:4-5, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Ps 37:39-40, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."
Ps 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Ps 46:11, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Ps 62:12, "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work."
Ps 63:8, "My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."
Ps 68:5, "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."
Ps 72:6-7, "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth."
Is 40:29, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
Is 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Phil 4:7, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
GOD SAID:
Ps 32:8, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."
Ps 50:15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Is 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Is 41:13, "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Jer 29:13, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Jer 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Ez 34:15, "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD."
Ez 34:16, "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment."
Ez 34:26, "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing."
Hos 14:4, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."
JESUS SAID:
Matt 6:31-33, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matt 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Matt 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matt 17:20, "... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
Matt 21:21-22, "... Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Mark 9:23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Mark 11:23-26, "...whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Luke 11:9-10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
John 5:24, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 14:12-14, "... He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
John 14:18, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
John 16:15, "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
John 16:23, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Blessed Beyond Measure
Bible Reading For Sunday 21 March 10:
Judges 8
Judges 9
Great blessings were promised to Israel on condition of obedience to the Lord's directions. "I will give you rain in due season," He declared, "and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. . . . I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. . . . But if ye will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these commandments; and . . . ye break My covenant: . . . ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set My face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you." Leviticus 26: 4-17.
Judges 8
Judges 9
Great blessings were promised to Israel on condition of obedience to the Lord's directions. "I will give you rain in due season," He declared, "and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. . . . I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. . . . But if ye will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these commandments; and . . . ye break My covenant: . . . ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set My face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you." Leviticus 26: 4-17.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Heartfelt Prayer
Bible Reading For Friday 19 March 10:
Judges 3
Judges 4
Judges 5
Thought For Today “Heartfelt Prayer”
Judges 3:9-10
9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
The Israelites had done evil in the sight of the Lord and when their harvest cropped up they quickly realized the error of their ways. There are times when God will allow the results of our wrong choices to come to pass in order that we might make the BEST choices next time.
The good news is that God doesn’t forsake us in moments like that. Just as He was with the prodigal son while in the “far country”, He will be by our side helping us to come to ourselves. The Holy Spirit is to be praised and thanked for persistent wooing and love. He produces in each of the “need” for something better. As stated before, this need for God in our souls is planted in our spirits by God. Psalms 42 gives a detail account of heartfelt prayer to God. Until we see our real need we won’t plead!
Israel, the Bible says, quickly realized their sin and turned to God in repentance for His mercy and grace. Verse 9 says they CRIED unto the Lord, which means they finally realized their deep need of God to deliver them. Where they were was not where they wanted to remain. The need of help propelled to seek God who has ALL POWER in His hands. He alone could turn the tide in their situation. They really needed “HIM”, and not only what they could get out of Him.
NOTHING in your life and mine will change until we realize our deep need of the Lord and desire to sacrifice to get it. When the need to be delivered is greater than the desire to remain addicted to “whatever”, we are responding to the goodness of God within us. God births the need to be free inside our hearts, then uses the study of the WORD and prayer to strengthen the WILL towards spirituality. When the will is encouraged and fed, it starves out the flesh and its cravings. A new power takes over the WILL and MIND!
God’s WORD has life changing power in it. This is why so many are steered away from study of the WORD. Anytime the WORD is heard or received, faith is increased, Romans 10:17. At the same time the WORD is proclaimed in ANY fashion, the devil is usually close by to steal it out of the heart. PLEASE READ Matthew 13:19-23.
As long as all four tires are operable, there is no need for the spare. If a tire goes bad, the “need” is created for something better. Reaching our destination isn’t abrogated, but simply suspended until the “need” or the tire is repaired. In most cases we call for “HELP”, a source outside of ourselves and who has experience in making the necessary repairs. There would be no need for a TV repairman to come and fix the tire. In this case we are SPECIFIC about who and what we “need”.
Israel had to learn that there was and is NO GOD like Jehovah! Isaiah 55 is a “must read” in order to fully understand heartfelt prayer and God’s response to it. Please indulge yourself in it and may our God continue to give you what you really need this day!
Judges 3
Judges 4
Judges 5
Thought For Today “Heartfelt Prayer”
Judges 3:9-10
9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
The Israelites had done evil in the sight of the Lord and when their harvest cropped up they quickly realized the error of their ways. There are times when God will allow the results of our wrong choices to come to pass in order that we might make the BEST choices next time.
The good news is that God doesn’t forsake us in moments like that. Just as He was with the prodigal son while in the “far country”, He will be by our side helping us to come to ourselves. The Holy Spirit is to be praised and thanked for persistent wooing and love. He produces in each of the “need” for something better. As stated before, this need for God in our souls is planted in our spirits by God. Psalms 42 gives a detail account of heartfelt prayer to God. Until we see our real need we won’t plead!
Israel, the Bible says, quickly realized their sin and turned to God in repentance for His mercy and grace. Verse 9 says they CRIED unto the Lord, which means they finally realized their deep need of God to deliver them. Where they were was not where they wanted to remain. The need of help propelled to seek God who has ALL POWER in His hands. He alone could turn the tide in their situation. They really needed “HIM”, and not only what they could get out of Him.
NOTHING in your life and mine will change until we realize our deep need of the Lord and desire to sacrifice to get it. When the need to be delivered is greater than the desire to remain addicted to “whatever”, we are responding to the goodness of God within us. God births the need to be free inside our hearts, then uses the study of the WORD and prayer to strengthen the WILL towards spirituality. When the will is encouraged and fed, it starves out the flesh and its cravings. A new power takes over the WILL and MIND!
God’s WORD has life changing power in it. This is why so many are steered away from study of the WORD. Anytime the WORD is heard or received, faith is increased, Romans 10:17. At the same time the WORD is proclaimed in ANY fashion, the devil is usually close by to steal it out of the heart. PLEASE READ Matthew 13:19-23.
As long as all four tires are operable, there is no need for the spare. If a tire goes bad, the “need” is created for something better. Reaching our destination isn’t abrogated, but simply suspended until the “need” or the tire is repaired. In most cases we call for “HELP”, a source outside of ourselves and who has experience in making the necessary repairs. There would be no need for a TV repairman to come and fix the tire. In this case we are SPECIFIC about who and what we “need”.
Israel had to learn that there was and is NO GOD like Jehovah! Isaiah 55 is a “must read” in order to fully understand heartfelt prayer and God’s response to it. Please indulge yourself in it and may our God continue to give you what you really need this day!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
As For Me And My House
Bible Reading For Wednesday 17 March 10:
Joshua 22
Joshua 23
Joshua 24
Thought For Today “As For Me And My House”
Joshua 24:15
The aged leader urged the people to consider, in all its bearings, what he had set before them, and to decide if they really desired to live as did the degraded idolatrous nations around them. If it seemed evil to them to serve Jehovah, the source of power, the fountain of blessing, let them that day choose whom they would serve--"the gods which your fathers served," from whom Abraham was called out, "or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell." These last words were a keen rebuke to Israel.
The gods of the Amorites had not been able to protect their worshipers. Because of their abominable and debasing sins, that wicked nation had been destroyed, and the good land which they once possessed had been given to God's people. What folly for Israel to choose the deities for whose worship the Amorites had been destroyed! "As for me and my house," said Joshua, "we will serve Jehovah." The same holy zeal that inspired the leader's heart was communicated to the people. His appeals called forth the unhesitating response, "God forbid that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods."
"Ye cannot serve the Lord," said Joshua: "for He is a holy God; . . . He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins." Before there could be any permanent reformation the people must be led to feel their utter inability in themselves to render obedience to God. They had broken His law, it condemned them as transgressors, and it provided no way of escape. While they trusted in their own strength and righteousness, it was impossible for them to secure the pardon of their sins; they could not meet the claims of God's perfect law, and it was in vain that they pledged themselves to serve God.
It was only by faith in Christ that they could secure pardon of sin and receive strength to obey God's law. They must cease to rely upon their own efforts for salvation, they must trust wholly in the merits of the promised Savior, if they would be accepted of God.
Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: "Nay; but we will serve the Lord." Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: "The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.
"So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem." Having written an account of this solemn transaction, he placed it, with the book of the law, in the side of the ark. And he set up a pillar as a memorial, saying, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance."
Joshua's work for Israel was done. He had "wholly followed the Lord;" and in the book of God he is written, "The servant of Jehovah." The noblest testimony to his character as a public leader is the history of the generation that had enjoyed his labors: "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua."
(The Last Words Of Joshua, pg. 524)
Joshua 22
Joshua 23
Joshua 24
Thought For Today “As For Me And My House”
Joshua 24:15
The aged leader urged the people to consider, in all its bearings, what he had set before them, and to decide if they really desired to live as did the degraded idolatrous nations around them. If it seemed evil to them to serve Jehovah, the source of power, the fountain of blessing, let them that day choose whom they would serve--"the gods which your fathers served," from whom Abraham was called out, "or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell." These last words were a keen rebuke to Israel.
The gods of the Amorites had not been able to protect their worshipers. Because of their abominable and debasing sins, that wicked nation had been destroyed, and the good land which they once possessed had been given to God's people. What folly for Israel to choose the deities for whose worship the Amorites had been destroyed! "As for me and my house," said Joshua, "we will serve Jehovah." The same holy zeal that inspired the leader's heart was communicated to the people. His appeals called forth the unhesitating response, "God forbid that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods."
"Ye cannot serve the Lord," said Joshua: "for He is a holy God; . . . He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins." Before there could be any permanent reformation the people must be led to feel their utter inability in themselves to render obedience to God. They had broken His law, it condemned them as transgressors, and it provided no way of escape. While they trusted in their own strength and righteousness, it was impossible for them to secure the pardon of their sins; they could not meet the claims of God's perfect law, and it was in vain that they pledged themselves to serve God.
It was only by faith in Christ that they could secure pardon of sin and receive strength to obey God's law. They must cease to rely upon their own efforts for salvation, they must trust wholly in the merits of the promised Savior, if they would be accepted of God.
Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: "Nay; but we will serve the Lord." Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: "The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.
"So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem." Having written an account of this solemn transaction, he placed it, with the book of the law, in the side of the ark. And he set up a pillar as a memorial, saying, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance."
Joshua's work for Israel was done. He had "wholly followed the Lord;" and in the book of God he is written, "The servant of Jehovah." The noblest testimony to his character as a public leader is the history of the generation that had enjoyed his labors: "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua."
(The Last Words Of Joshua, pg. 524)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
According To The WORD
Bible Reading For Tuesday 16 March 10:
Joshua 19
Joshua 20
Joshua 21
Thought For Today “According To The Word”
Joshua 19:50
According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.
I once read that faith is expecting the WORD of God itself to do what the WORD says and depending upon that WORD to do what the WORD says. Wow! This perspective changed my way of thinking and gave me a new lease on life. Being human we want to have a say or part in the blessing process. Looking at our text today we can clearly see that the WORD of God is responsible for making things happen.
When God tells us that He CANNOT LIE, according to Titus 1:2, why are we stressed out when our word is not at stake to prove anything? The challenge comes when we’re IN it and going through IT and don’t know what to do or say! We simply want out of the trouble we find ourselves in. God is saying to us today, give me a CHANCE by making Me your CHOICE and watch me bring to pass the necessary CHANGE you need in your life.
We must remember that the WORD of God is in itself CREATIVE and is able to produce and cause to appear what otherwise would never exist. Our faith shifts from focusing on the problem to focusing on the Promise in the WORD that’s designed to create ways to make God’s come to pass. My hope and expectation is to wait and see how He plans to fix it. In the process of waiting on Him, introspection should be done. In other words, check yourself out in the mirror to make sure everything looks and fits just right before going in the public. The Lord is saying to us, check yourself to be sure you are in line with what God has told and assigned you to do.
Joshua received what he believed through faith in God’s WORD. God gave him what He asked for because it lined up with what he needed at the moment and what he could handle. We should always remember that God’s love and care attends EVERY blessing we receive from Him. God will not risk losing you at the expense of granting you something He knows will doom you to hell. Sorry to be so blunt. His love for us is just that deep. Please Read Psalms 84:11.
When God gives us what we need according to the WORD, He expects us to BUILD on to what He has provided. Our verse says Joshua BUILT the city. In other words, don’t grow content with receiving an inheritance, but build on the blessings God has given you. Expect greater things to happen so that others may benefit from your new season. When God sees that you won’t keep your blessings to yourself, He will open so many doors at the same time, you won’t have room enough to handle it. The way we BUILD on what God has provided is to pick up the phone, call a friend or relative and pray with them. While visiting relatives in the hospital, stop by the strangers room and ask, may I pray with you. Tears will flow from you representing tears of love from the heart of God to the person who needed what you provided.
While the WORD is working for you, give God time to customize your blessing. The longer God delays in answering you is nothing more than His interest accruing on your blessings. So Stop being negative and pessimistic because you are where you are. Please pause and read Psalms 34:17-19, I love these verses! The devil may have put you in the predicament or you may have put yourself there, but According To The WORD, The Lord heareth and delivered them OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLES! He doesn’t say when, but His WORD decrees an expiration date is assured! God wants to develop in us a love that will not let Him go when times get tough. God is positioning us so we can learn to PRAY our way out of difficulties but also to think our way through them.
The WORD is ready to take off! Are your seatbelts fastened? The pilot is in touch with the control tower and knows the routes to take. He is aware of STORMS ahead of every flight. He knows when to rise above the storm and when to drop below one. It’s important to remember that we aren’t privy to hear the communication between the pilot and control tower, but we believe by faith they are saying and doing the right thing.
God's silence during flights doesn't mean He's ignoring you, but it does mean that He is focused on getting you to where you need to be!
God is saying to us today, that He is our Heavenly Pilot is navigating our lives through turbulent skies and storms only He can see. Sometimes He has to circle around our intended destination because of what He sees and knows down below that could hinder our landing.
The flight attendant calmly reminds us to keep our seatbelts fastened, why? The journey isn’t over until the seatbelt sign goes off and the plane has stopped!
Happy Landing Everyone!
Joshua 19
Joshua 20
Joshua 21
Thought For Today “According To The Word”
Joshua 19:50
According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.
I once read that faith is expecting the WORD of God itself to do what the WORD says and depending upon that WORD to do what the WORD says. Wow! This perspective changed my way of thinking and gave me a new lease on life. Being human we want to have a say or part in the blessing process. Looking at our text today we can clearly see that the WORD of God is responsible for making things happen.
When God tells us that He CANNOT LIE, according to Titus 1:2, why are we stressed out when our word is not at stake to prove anything? The challenge comes when we’re IN it and going through IT and don’t know what to do or say! We simply want out of the trouble we find ourselves in. God is saying to us today, give me a CHANCE by making Me your CHOICE and watch me bring to pass the necessary CHANGE you need in your life.
We must remember that the WORD of God is in itself CREATIVE and is able to produce and cause to appear what otherwise would never exist. Our faith shifts from focusing on the problem to focusing on the Promise in the WORD that’s designed to create ways to make God’s come to pass. My hope and expectation is to wait and see how He plans to fix it. In the process of waiting on Him, introspection should be done. In other words, check yourself out in the mirror to make sure everything looks and fits just right before going in the public. The Lord is saying to us, check yourself to be sure you are in line with what God has told and assigned you to do.
Joshua received what he believed through faith in God’s WORD. God gave him what He asked for because it lined up with what he needed at the moment and what he could handle. We should always remember that God’s love and care attends EVERY blessing we receive from Him. God will not risk losing you at the expense of granting you something He knows will doom you to hell. Sorry to be so blunt. His love for us is just that deep. Please Read Psalms 84:11.
When God gives us what we need according to the WORD, He expects us to BUILD on to what He has provided. Our verse says Joshua BUILT the city. In other words, don’t grow content with receiving an inheritance, but build on the blessings God has given you. Expect greater things to happen so that others may benefit from your new season. When God sees that you won’t keep your blessings to yourself, He will open so many doors at the same time, you won’t have room enough to handle it. The way we BUILD on what God has provided is to pick up the phone, call a friend or relative and pray with them. While visiting relatives in the hospital, stop by the strangers room and ask, may I pray with you. Tears will flow from you representing tears of love from the heart of God to the person who needed what you provided.
While the WORD is working for you, give God time to customize your blessing. The longer God delays in answering you is nothing more than His interest accruing on your blessings. So Stop being negative and pessimistic because you are where you are. Please pause and read Psalms 34:17-19, I love these verses! The devil may have put you in the predicament or you may have put yourself there, but According To The WORD, The Lord heareth and delivered them OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLES! He doesn’t say when, but His WORD decrees an expiration date is assured! God wants to develop in us a love that will not let Him go when times get tough. God is positioning us so we can learn to PRAY our way out of difficulties but also to think our way through them.
The WORD is ready to take off! Are your seatbelts fastened? The pilot is in touch with the control tower and knows the routes to take. He is aware of STORMS ahead of every flight. He knows when to rise above the storm and when to drop below one. It’s important to remember that we aren’t privy to hear the communication between the pilot and control tower, but we believe by faith they are saying and doing the right thing.
God's silence during flights doesn't mean He's ignoring you, but it does mean that He is focused on getting you to where you need to be!
God is saying to us today, that He is our Heavenly Pilot is navigating our lives through turbulent skies and storms only He can see. Sometimes He has to circle around our intended destination because of what He sees and knows down below that could hinder our landing.
The flight attendant calmly reminds us to keep our seatbelts fastened, why? The journey isn’t over until the seatbelt sign goes off and the plane has stopped!
Happy Landing Everyone!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Claim It But Clear It
Bible Reading For Monday 15 March 10:
Joshua 16
Joshua 17
Joshua 18
Thought For Today “Claim It But Clear It”
Joshua 17:12-18
The children of Joseph quarrel with their lot; if they had had any just cause to quarrel with it, we have reason to think Joshua would have relieved them, by adding to it, or altering it, which it does not appear he did. It is probable, because Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, they promised themselves that they should have some particular favour shown them, and should not be confined to the decision of the lot so closely as the other tribes; but Joshua makes them know that in the discharge of his office, as a public person, he had no more regard to his own tribe than to any other, but would administer impartially, without favor or affection, wherein he has left an excellent example to all in public trusts.
It was a very competent provision that was made for them, as much, for aught that appears, as they were able to manage, and yet they call it in disdain but one lot, as if that which was assigned to them both was scarcely sufficient for one. The word for complainers (Jude 16) is mempsimoiroi , blamers of their lot:-1. That they were very numerous, through the blessing of God upon them (v. 14): I am a great people, for the Lord has blessed me; and we have reason to hope that he that hath sent mouths will send meat. "I am a great people, and in so small a lot shall not have room to thrive.’’ Yet observe, when they speak thankfully of their present increase, they do not speak confidently of the continuance of it.
"The Lord has blessed me hitherto, however he may see fit to deal with me for the future.’’ The uncertainty of what may be must not make us unthankful for what has been and is done in kindness to us. 2. That a good part of that country which had now fallen to their lot was in the hands of the Canaanites, and that they were formidable enemies, who brought into the field of battle chariots of iron (v. 16), that is, chariots with long scythes fastened to the sides of them, or the axle-tree, which made great destruction of all that came in their way, mowing them down like corn. They urge that though they had a good portion assigned them, yet it was in bad hands, and they could not come to the possession of it, wishing to have their lot in those countries that were more thoroughly reduced than this was.
II. Joshua endeavours to reconcile them to their lot. He owns they were a great people, and being two tribes ought to have more than one lot only (v. 17), but tells them that what had fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them both, if they would but work and fight. They desired a lot in which they might indulge themselves in ease and luxury. "No,’’ says Joshua, "you must not count upon that; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread is a sentence in force even in Canaan itself.’’ He retorts their own argument, that they were a great people. "If so, you are the better able to help yourselves, and have the less reason to expect help from others. If thou hast many mouths to be filled, thou hast twice as many hands to be employed; earn, and then eat.’’
1. He bids them work for more (v. 15): "Get thee up to the wood-country, which is within thy own border, and let all hands be set to work to cut down the trees, rid the rough lands, and make them, with art and industry, good arable ground.’’ Note, Many wish for larger possessions who do not cultivate and make the best of what they have, think they should have more talents given them who do not trade with those with which they are entrusted. Most people’s poverty is the effect of their idleness; would they dig, they need not beg.
2. He bids them fight for more (v. 17, 18), when they pleaded that they could not come at the wood-lands he spoke of because in the valley between them and it were Canaanites whom they durst not enter the lists with. "Never fear them,’’ said Joshua, "thou hast God on thy side, and thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, if thou wilt set about it in good earnest, though they have iron chariots.’’ We straiten ourselves by apprehending the difficulties in the way of our enlargement to be greater than really they are.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 17:12-18
Joshua 16
Joshua 17
Joshua 18
Thought For Today “Claim It But Clear It”
Joshua 17:12-18
The children of Joseph quarrel with their lot; if they had had any just cause to quarrel with it, we have reason to think Joshua would have relieved them, by adding to it, or altering it, which it does not appear he did. It is probable, because Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, they promised themselves that they should have some particular favour shown them, and should not be confined to the decision of the lot so closely as the other tribes; but Joshua makes them know that in the discharge of his office, as a public person, he had no more regard to his own tribe than to any other, but would administer impartially, without favor or affection, wherein he has left an excellent example to all in public trusts.
It was a very competent provision that was made for them, as much, for aught that appears, as they were able to manage, and yet they call it in disdain but one lot, as if that which was assigned to them both was scarcely sufficient for one. The word for complainers (Jude 16) is mempsimoiroi , blamers of their lot:-1. That they were very numerous, through the blessing of God upon them (v. 14): I am a great people, for the Lord has blessed me; and we have reason to hope that he that hath sent mouths will send meat. "I am a great people, and in so small a lot shall not have room to thrive.’’ Yet observe, when they speak thankfully of their present increase, they do not speak confidently of the continuance of it.
"The Lord has blessed me hitherto, however he may see fit to deal with me for the future.’’ The uncertainty of what may be must not make us unthankful for what has been and is done in kindness to us. 2. That a good part of that country which had now fallen to their lot was in the hands of the Canaanites, and that they were formidable enemies, who brought into the field of battle chariots of iron (v. 16), that is, chariots with long scythes fastened to the sides of them, or the axle-tree, which made great destruction of all that came in their way, mowing them down like corn. They urge that though they had a good portion assigned them, yet it was in bad hands, and they could not come to the possession of it, wishing to have their lot in those countries that were more thoroughly reduced than this was.
II. Joshua endeavours to reconcile them to their lot. He owns they were a great people, and being two tribes ought to have more than one lot only (v. 17), but tells them that what had fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them both, if they would but work and fight. They desired a lot in which they might indulge themselves in ease and luxury. "No,’’ says Joshua, "you must not count upon that; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread is a sentence in force even in Canaan itself.’’ He retorts their own argument, that they were a great people. "If so, you are the better able to help yourselves, and have the less reason to expect help from others. If thou hast many mouths to be filled, thou hast twice as many hands to be employed; earn, and then eat.’’
1. He bids them work for more (v. 15): "Get thee up to the wood-country, which is within thy own border, and let all hands be set to work to cut down the trees, rid the rough lands, and make them, with art and industry, good arable ground.’’ Note, Many wish for larger possessions who do not cultivate and make the best of what they have, think they should have more talents given them who do not trade with those with which they are entrusted. Most people’s poverty is the effect of their idleness; would they dig, they need not beg.
2. He bids them fight for more (v. 17, 18), when they pleaded that they could not come at the wood-lands he spoke of because in the valley between them and it were Canaanites whom they durst not enter the lists with. "Never fear them,’’ said Joshua, "thou hast God on thy side, and thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, if thou wilt set about it in good earnest, though they have iron chariots.’’ We straiten ourselves by apprehending the difficulties in the way of our enlargement to be greater than really they are.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 17:12-18
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Give Me This Mountain
Bible Reading For Sunday 14 March 10:
Joshua 12
Joshua 13
Joshua 14
Joshua 15
Thought For Today “Give Me This Mountain”
Joshua 14:10-12
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.
11 As yet I [am as] strong this day as [I was] in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength [was] then, even so [is] my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [were] there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fenced: if so be the LORD [will be] with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
Joshua reflected on the goodness of God and concluded that he had been through a lot but God kept him alive for a SEASON and a REASON. What a powerful testimony! Today, we need to realize that God’s plans for our lives are not limited because of our socio-economic status or pedigree. Joshua was ever mindful of the wonderful things God had done and gave Him the Praise for it. Through All of the battles he fought and won, he Praised God for them!
Joshua learned early in his ministry and life that obedience to God without reservation meant there were no limits or reservations placed on God’s blessings in his life. When the Lord called him, He qualified him AHEAD of the call. Every detail, trial, and success were seen by God before Joshua encountered them. Why do we go through things if God knows ahead of time WHAT they are? It’s called having an “EXPERIENCE” with Him. Every challenge brought TO us is designed by God to POSITION us to “KNOW HIM” experientially, not just theologically. Like Joshua, our testimony should be that through it all God kept me alive and gave me grace to run the race.
Even when I had questions as to what God was doing and not doing, He gave me peace and strength to ENDURE until I received His lessons and instructions. It’s important that we understand that God seeks to “grow us” in Him through KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE! Joshua had a serious “CONNECTION” with the Lord, so much so that his request for more daylight time to finish the war against his enemies. This was the first mention of “DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME”(24 hours), according to Joshua 10:12-14! By the way, I hope you set your timepieces ahead one hour, if not, you’re officially late! (smiles)
Joshua’s prayer request “literally” stopped time and suspended rotation activities of the sun and moon. When you get a moment, reflect on the fact that sunset according to the weather channel is 6:30 pm, then you notice the sun is still shining bright. Then 12:00 midnight rolls around and the sun is STILL SHINING! Then you look out the window and it’s 3 am, the sun is still shining. Then you turn on CNN and MSNBC an read the caption that said, BREAKING NEWS: Joshua prayed to the Lord and asked for 24 hours of “DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME” to finish beating down his enemies in battle. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time in the history of the world this has happened. Can you imagine Meteorologist Al Roker interviewing Joshua about “HOW” were you able to pull this off? I can hear Joshua saying, God Did It Oh Yes He Did! Remember, nothing is too hard for the Lord. He is the ONLY one able to make the Impossible Possible!
Joshua’s final request centers around an inheritance God promised him before entering the Promised Land. Do you think God had a problem granting this request in light of what He did for Joshua in the abovementioned paragraph? He asked God to give him “THIS” Mountain. Until we get specific and detailed with God in terms of what we want and need, there is the tendency to assume that it’s going to happen automatically. NOTHING happens for us until we ASK for it. Please let this sink in! Joshua, though seriously connected to God, wasn’t so self righteous or spiritually arrogant that he didn’t need to ask God for ANYTHING!
PLEASE READ Matthew 7:7-11. God wants us to “FEEL” our petitions for help. He wants us to know how much we “NEED” Him MORE than the request we ask of Him. Prayer says, I need the God of my request and I love the God of my request more than anything! When we get to this point in our experience, God causing the sun and moon to stand still is just a drop in the bucket. God has SO MUCH MORE He is ready to do for us that eyes haven’t seen nor ears heard the things God has prepared for them that LOVE Him! I Corinthians 2:9. Live your life EXPECTING great things from God. Don’t box Him in or limit Him because you’re having challenges, rather claim the “mountain” while you are in the valley! God will give you as far as you can see. Blessings are attracted to minds that have “crazy faith”. The ability to claim a “MOUNTAIN” which is far bigger and greater than you are is the kind of faith God honors. You may be saying that what you are facing in your life is the size of a mountain and you’re asking me to believe God for “another mountain? When last you read Mark 11:22-24? The answer to these questions are near the end of verse 22, Have faith IN God, not in what’s challenging you or even causing you hurt and pain. Prayer moves God and God moves the mountain!
If we start hanging around what and where God is ALREADY BLESSING your faith will be strengthened even more. Read His WORD, see how He dealt with others in similar situations and by faith, place yourself right there being blessed as well.
As you go through this day, always remember that there is a difference between “May I Have This Mountain and Give Me This Mountain!
Joshua 12
Joshua 13
Joshua 14
Joshua 15
Thought For Today “Give Me This Mountain”
Joshua 14:10-12
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.
11 As yet I [am as] strong this day as [I was] in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength [was] then, even so [is] my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [were] there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fenced: if so be the LORD [will be] with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
Joshua reflected on the goodness of God and concluded that he had been through a lot but God kept him alive for a SEASON and a REASON. What a powerful testimony! Today, we need to realize that God’s plans for our lives are not limited because of our socio-economic status or pedigree. Joshua was ever mindful of the wonderful things God had done and gave Him the Praise for it. Through All of the battles he fought and won, he Praised God for them!
Joshua learned early in his ministry and life that obedience to God without reservation meant there were no limits or reservations placed on God’s blessings in his life. When the Lord called him, He qualified him AHEAD of the call. Every detail, trial, and success were seen by God before Joshua encountered them. Why do we go through things if God knows ahead of time WHAT they are? It’s called having an “EXPERIENCE” with Him. Every challenge brought TO us is designed by God to POSITION us to “KNOW HIM” experientially, not just theologically. Like Joshua, our testimony should be that through it all God kept me alive and gave me grace to run the race.
Even when I had questions as to what God was doing and not doing, He gave me peace and strength to ENDURE until I received His lessons and instructions. It’s important that we understand that God seeks to “grow us” in Him through KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE! Joshua had a serious “CONNECTION” with the Lord, so much so that his request for more daylight time to finish the war against his enemies. This was the first mention of “DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME”(24 hours), according to Joshua 10:12-14! By the way, I hope you set your timepieces ahead one hour, if not, you’re officially late! (smiles)
Joshua’s prayer request “literally” stopped time and suspended rotation activities of the sun and moon. When you get a moment, reflect on the fact that sunset according to the weather channel is 6:30 pm, then you notice the sun is still shining bright. Then 12:00 midnight rolls around and the sun is STILL SHINING! Then you look out the window and it’s 3 am, the sun is still shining. Then you turn on CNN and MSNBC an read the caption that said, BREAKING NEWS: Joshua prayed to the Lord and asked for 24 hours of “DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME” to finish beating down his enemies in battle. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time in the history of the world this has happened. Can you imagine Meteorologist Al Roker interviewing Joshua about “HOW” were you able to pull this off? I can hear Joshua saying, God Did It Oh Yes He Did! Remember, nothing is too hard for the Lord. He is the ONLY one able to make the Impossible Possible!
Joshua’s final request centers around an inheritance God promised him before entering the Promised Land. Do you think God had a problem granting this request in light of what He did for Joshua in the abovementioned paragraph? He asked God to give him “THIS” Mountain. Until we get specific and detailed with God in terms of what we want and need, there is the tendency to assume that it’s going to happen automatically. NOTHING happens for us until we ASK for it. Please let this sink in! Joshua, though seriously connected to God, wasn’t so self righteous or spiritually arrogant that he didn’t need to ask God for ANYTHING!
PLEASE READ Matthew 7:7-11. God wants us to “FEEL” our petitions for help. He wants us to know how much we “NEED” Him MORE than the request we ask of Him. Prayer says, I need the God of my request and I love the God of my request more than anything! When we get to this point in our experience, God causing the sun and moon to stand still is just a drop in the bucket. God has SO MUCH MORE He is ready to do for us that eyes haven’t seen nor ears heard the things God has prepared for them that LOVE Him! I Corinthians 2:9. Live your life EXPECTING great things from God. Don’t box Him in or limit Him because you’re having challenges, rather claim the “mountain” while you are in the valley! God will give you as far as you can see. Blessings are attracted to minds that have “crazy faith”. The ability to claim a “MOUNTAIN” which is far bigger and greater than you are is the kind of faith God honors. You may be saying that what you are facing in your life is the size of a mountain and you’re asking me to believe God for “another mountain? When last you read Mark 11:22-24? The answer to these questions are near the end of verse 22, Have faith IN God, not in what’s challenging you or even causing you hurt and pain. Prayer moves God and God moves the mountain!
If we start hanging around what and where God is ALREADY BLESSING your faith will be strengthened even more. Read His WORD, see how He dealt with others in similar situations and by faith, place yourself right there being blessed as well.
As you go through this day, always remember that there is a difference between “May I Have This Mountain and Give Me This Mountain!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
If God Can’t Then Who Can
Bible Reading For Saturday 13 March 10:
Joshua 9
Joshua 10
Joshua 11
Thought For Today “If God Can’t Then Who Can”
Joshua 10:12-14
12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. [Is] not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in EVERY EMERGENCY if they will place their entire CONFIDENCE in Him and faithfully OBEY Him. (PP.493)
When we pray and believe God for the impossible, He makes Himself responsible for the impossible becoming possible! When you can visualize it in your mind your actions will follow you. When YOU set your face link a flint, no one can stop you but you. Joshua knew his situation was beyond his control, but definitely in the reach of one who controls EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY!
Between the time your request is presented to God and the time He chooses to answer, gives us an opportunity to reflect on “case studies” in the WORD to see what He said and what He did for others in similar situations.
Hope says I’m EXPECTING it any day now; But Faith says No Proof No Problem!
Joshua 9
Joshua 10
Joshua 11
Thought For Today “If God Can’t Then Who Can”
Joshua 10:12-14
12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. [Is] not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in EVERY EMERGENCY if they will place their entire CONFIDENCE in Him and faithfully OBEY Him. (PP.493)
When we pray and believe God for the impossible, He makes Himself responsible for the impossible becoming possible! When you can visualize it in your mind your actions will follow you. When YOU set your face link a flint, no one can stop you but you. Joshua knew his situation was beyond his control, but definitely in the reach of one who controls EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY!
Between the time your request is presented to God and the time He chooses to answer, gives us an opportunity to reflect on “case studies” in the WORD to see what He said and what He did for others in similar situations.
Hope says I’m EXPECTING it any day now; But Faith says No Proof No Problem!
Friday, March 12, 2010
A Simple Solution For A Complex Problem
Bible Reading For Friday 12 March 10:
Joshua 5
Joshua 6
Joshua 7
Joshua 8
Thought For Today “A Simple Solution For A Complex Problem”
Joshua 6:10; 15-16
10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall NOT shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall [any] word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Conceived in the mind of God were plans drafted for His people. He had plans then and He has plans now. There is absolutely NOTHING you are facing that God hasn’t made preparations for. Forgive me for sounding like a broken record but spending quality and quantity time with God pays off. However complex your situation may be, God wants to speak to you one-on-one that His revelations might be understood by you.
One thing satan finds great delight in is the fact that you and I are so busy FOR God, that we don’t find time to be nurtured BY God. I want this to sink in because it is here where most of our issues lie. Verse 10 outlines specific instructions from the Lord to the people. They were told NOT to shout, yet! Wait, did I hear God mention “shout”? Is God out of touch with my situation? He’s talking about shouting and I am talking about me hurting. You sit and you say, Lord, you must be kidding!
Lord, there are walls in my life that tower their way into the heavens. The issues and stress are like an impenetrable wall. Lord, it’s so high I can’t see over it and so wide I can’t maneuver around it. God’s first instructions to them were to NOT make any noise with their voice. An inspired writer once said that when every other voice is hushed, the soul is able to distinguish the voice of God clearly. A mind that’s constantly excited, even with good things, must yield to the silence within in order that God may speak.
The reason God wanted them quiet was because He was prepared to give them a much needed revelation. God articulated a “simple solution” for the complex problem they faced. He said, on the seventh day march around the city seven times, listen for the priest to blow the trumpet, THEN shout and the walls of Jericho fell down! I know we are challenged to NOT believe a simple solution as that could remedy the problem we face today. Our greatest blessing lies in the fact that we BELIEVE in God to work through whatever means He sees fit. Just knowing God is in it is a blessing! Don’t hesitate to march around your situation and shout when God say SHOUT!
God had Elisha to take a stick, dip it in the bitter waters of Marah, and the waters became sweet. A simple solution for a complex problem! God told Namaan to immerse himself in the muddy Jordan River when clearer and cleaner Rivers were a stone throw away! A simple solution for a complex problem. The people needed monies to pay their taxes, Jesus simply pointed them to a fish and opened its mouth only to discover he had the EXACT amount they needed. A simple solution for a complex problem.
The record declares that when they SHOUTED God gave them the city. There is no harm in Praising God before the walls come down. Victory is decreed BEFORE it declared. God wants you and me to take Him at His WORD to make it happen on the day and time He said it would. Our responsibility is to march around the wall, not question His call. Our responsibility is to shout, not try and figure it out! God said what would happen BEFORE it happened. If we rest our hope and faith in what He said, the burden of proof is NOT on us to prove it or make it happen!
Titus 1:2 clearly says, We serve a God that cannot lie.
There’s no need to get weary on the sixth time around your wall. God already told us what is going to happen and when it’s going to happen. Standing on His PROMISE keeps us from standing man’s PREMISE! Press your way to the seventh march around your wall and watch it fall.
As you go through this day, please remember that God doesn’t always need to do the spectacular to bring down WALLS standing in your way because the SIMPLE works for Him also!
Joshua 5
Joshua 6
Joshua 7
Joshua 8
Thought For Today “A Simple Solution For A Complex Problem”
Joshua 6:10; 15-16
10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall NOT shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall [any] word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Conceived in the mind of God were plans drafted for His people. He had plans then and He has plans now. There is absolutely NOTHING you are facing that God hasn’t made preparations for. Forgive me for sounding like a broken record but spending quality and quantity time with God pays off. However complex your situation may be, God wants to speak to you one-on-one that His revelations might be understood by you.
One thing satan finds great delight in is the fact that you and I are so busy FOR God, that we don’t find time to be nurtured BY God. I want this to sink in because it is here where most of our issues lie. Verse 10 outlines specific instructions from the Lord to the people. They were told NOT to shout, yet! Wait, did I hear God mention “shout”? Is God out of touch with my situation? He’s talking about shouting and I am talking about me hurting. You sit and you say, Lord, you must be kidding!
Lord, there are walls in my life that tower their way into the heavens. The issues and stress are like an impenetrable wall. Lord, it’s so high I can’t see over it and so wide I can’t maneuver around it. God’s first instructions to them were to NOT make any noise with their voice. An inspired writer once said that when every other voice is hushed, the soul is able to distinguish the voice of God clearly. A mind that’s constantly excited, even with good things, must yield to the silence within in order that God may speak.
The reason God wanted them quiet was because He was prepared to give them a much needed revelation. God articulated a “simple solution” for the complex problem they faced. He said, on the seventh day march around the city seven times, listen for the priest to blow the trumpet, THEN shout and the walls of Jericho fell down! I know we are challenged to NOT believe a simple solution as that could remedy the problem we face today. Our greatest blessing lies in the fact that we BELIEVE in God to work through whatever means He sees fit. Just knowing God is in it is a blessing! Don’t hesitate to march around your situation and shout when God say SHOUT!
God had Elisha to take a stick, dip it in the bitter waters of Marah, and the waters became sweet. A simple solution for a complex problem! God told Namaan to immerse himself in the muddy Jordan River when clearer and cleaner Rivers were a stone throw away! A simple solution for a complex problem. The people needed monies to pay their taxes, Jesus simply pointed them to a fish and opened its mouth only to discover he had the EXACT amount they needed. A simple solution for a complex problem.
The record declares that when they SHOUTED God gave them the city. There is no harm in Praising God before the walls come down. Victory is decreed BEFORE it declared. God wants you and me to take Him at His WORD to make it happen on the day and time He said it would. Our responsibility is to march around the wall, not question His call. Our responsibility is to shout, not try and figure it out! God said what would happen BEFORE it happened. If we rest our hope and faith in what He said, the burden of proof is NOT on us to prove it or make it happen!
Titus 1:2 clearly says, We serve a God that cannot lie.
There’s no need to get weary on the sixth time around your wall. God already told us what is going to happen and when it’s going to happen. Standing on His PROMISE keeps us from standing man’s PREMISE! Press your way to the seventh march around your wall and watch it fall.
As you go through this day, please remember that God doesn’t always need to do the spectacular to bring down WALLS standing in your way because the SIMPLE works for Him also!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
It's Time To Make A Move
Bible Reading For Thursday 11 March 10:
Joshua 1
Joshua 2
Joshua 3
Joshua 4
Thought For Today “It‘s Time To Make A Move”
Joshua 3:13-17
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
The book of Joshua is LOADED with principles and life lessons applicable to our daily lives. Don’t be surprised if you get “extra” thoughts on the book of Joshua. Lets get started shall we.
From time to time, I post chapter and verse for visual emphasis. All one has to do is look carefully at God’s choice of words and be blessed in the process. This passage outlines specific instructions birthed in the hearts and minds of priests by God for His people’s next move. God instructs the priest to carry the Ark, which symbolically represented His Presence with them. In order for the miracle to take place, strict obedience to God’s plan were NOT to be compromised. The Levites had to believe in God and His WORD if Isreal were to make their next move.
Following God’s instructions requires us to step away from that which is most comfortable and easy. We are encouraged to step in the direction of our God’s destination for us. God’s answer to OUR problems are nestled in His Promises. Our sincere prayers move God, who then move His Promises to fulfill our most urgent needs at that moment.
God’s power worked through the feet of priest who carried the Ark to bless the masses. What made this miracle so special was the fact that the River Jordan was overflowing due to the melting snows of the mountains. The question that must be asked is do you see opportunities or obstacles in front of you? God honors our FAITH and our ability to walk through that which looks impossible, especially with Him leading the way.
Every detail won’t be spelled out because God won’t allow us to rob Him of His glory. We tend to become proud and self sufficient, thinking we did this ourselves only to discover that God Did It Oh Yes He Did! God allowed the circumstances to appear impossible by letting the banks of the River overflow. God allowed His people to walk right in the middle of the OVERFLOW on dry ground the record says. God didn’t move the river nor did He stop it from overflowing, but what He did do was make the impossible POSSIBLE!
If we allow God to bring us TO it, He will make it possible for us to get THROUGH it to the other side. What stands between you and your destiny? Will you sit and wait for something to happen or will you walk by faith know God has already MADE IT HAPPEN?
Yes, it’s time to make a move towards the Promised Land. Whatever goals you’ve set for yourself, trust them into God’s hands so He can make them a reality in your life. Let God prepare battle tested plans tailor made just for you.
If FEAR holds you back, then FAITH will hold you up. If you can SEE it before you SAY it, then you can HAVE it before you HOLD it!
Joshua 1
Joshua 2
Joshua 3
Joshua 4
Thought For Today “It‘s Time To Make A Move”
Joshua 3:13-17
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
The book of Joshua is LOADED with principles and life lessons applicable to our daily lives. Don’t be surprised if you get “extra” thoughts on the book of Joshua. Lets get started shall we.
From time to time, I post chapter and verse for visual emphasis. All one has to do is look carefully at God’s choice of words and be blessed in the process. This passage outlines specific instructions birthed in the hearts and minds of priests by God for His people’s next move. God instructs the priest to carry the Ark, which symbolically represented His Presence with them. In order for the miracle to take place, strict obedience to God’s plan were NOT to be compromised. The Levites had to believe in God and His WORD if Isreal were to make their next move.
Following God’s instructions requires us to step away from that which is most comfortable and easy. We are encouraged to step in the direction of our God’s destination for us. God’s answer to OUR problems are nestled in His Promises. Our sincere prayers move God, who then move His Promises to fulfill our most urgent needs at that moment.
God’s power worked through the feet of priest who carried the Ark to bless the masses. What made this miracle so special was the fact that the River Jordan was overflowing due to the melting snows of the mountains. The question that must be asked is do you see opportunities or obstacles in front of you? God honors our FAITH and our ability to walk through that which looks impossible, especially with Him leading the way.
Every detail won’t be spelled out because God won’t allow us to rob Him of His glory. We tend to become proud and self sufficient, thinking we did this ourselves only to discover that God Did It Oh Yes He Did! God allowed the circumstances to appear impossible by letting the banks of the River overflow. God allowed His people to walk right in the middle of the OVERFLOW on dry ground the record says. God didn’t move the river nor did He stop it from overflowing, but what He did do was make the impossible POSSIBLE!
If we allow God to bring us TO it, He will make it possible for us to get THROUGH it to the other side. What stands between you and your destiny? Will you sit and wait for something to happen or will you walk by faith know God has already MADE IT HAPPEN?
Yes, it’s time to make a move towards the Promised Land. Whatever goals you’ve set for yourself, trust them into God’s hands so He can make them a reality in your life. Let God prepare battle tested plans tailor made just for you.
If FEAR holds you back, then FAITH will hold you up. If you can SEE it before you SAY it, then you can HAVE it before you HOLD it!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Last Mile Of The Way
Bible Reading For Wednesday 10 March 10:
Deuteronomy 32
Deuteronomy 33
Deuteronomy 34
Thought For Today “Last Mile Of The Way”
Deuteronomy 32:48-52
Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would have been translated to heaven without seeing death. But he was not long to remain in the tomb. Christ Himself, with the angels who had buried Moses, came down from heaven to call forth the sleeping saint. Satan had exulted at his success in causing Moses to sin against God, and thus come under the dominion of death. The great adversary declared that the divine sentence--"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:19)--gave him possession of the dead. The power of the grave had never been broken, and all who were in the tomb he claimed as his captives, never to be released from his dark prison house.
Never, till exemplified in the sacrifice of Christ, were the justice and the love of God more strikingly displayed than in His dealings with Moses. God shut Moses out of Canaan, to teach a lesson which should never be forgotten--that He requires exact obedience, and that men are to beware of taking to themselves the glory which is due to their Maker. He could not grant the prayer of Moses that he might share the inheritance of Israel, but He did not forget or forsake His servant. The God of heaven understood the suffering that Moses had endured; He had noted every act of faithful service through those long years of conflict and trial. On the top of Pisgah, God called Moses to an inheritance infinitely more glorious than the earthly Canaan.
"And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Hebrews 3:5, 6. ( Moses, p.480)
Deuteronomy 32
Deuteronomy 33
Deuteronomy 34
Thought For Today “Last Mile Of The Way”
Deuteronomy 32:48-52
Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would have been translated to heaven without seeing death. But he was not long to remain in the tomb. Christ Himself, with the angels who had buried Moses, came down from heaven to call forth the sleeping saint. Satan had exulted at his success in causing Moses to sin against God, and thus come under the dominion of death. The great adversary declared that the divine sentence--"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:19)--gave him possession of the dead. The power of the grave had never been broken, and all who were in the tomb he claimed as his captives, never to be released from his dark prison house.
Never, till exemplified in the sacrifice of Christ, were the justice and the love of God more strikingly displayed than in His dealings with Moses. God shut Moses out of Canaan, to teach a lesson which should never be forgotten--that He requires exact obedience, and that men are to beware of taking to themselves the glory which is due to their Maker. He could not grant the prayer of Moses that he might share the inheritance of Israel, but He did not forget or forsake His servant. The God of heaven understood the suffering that Moses had endured; He had noted every act of faithful service through those long years of conflict and trial. On the top of Pisgah, God called Moses to an inheritance infinitely more glorious than the earthly Canaan.
"And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Hebrews 3:5, 6. ( Moses, p.480)
Monday, March 8, 2010
Can You Stand To Be Blessed
Bible Reading For Monday 8 March 10:
Deuteronomy 28
Deuteronomy 29
Thought For Today “Can You Stand To Be Blessed”
Deuteronomy 28:1-15 (Please Read Each Verse)
Deuteronomy 28 is loaded unlimited blessings God has promised those who LOVE Him and love to OBEY Him. I can’t help reemphasizing the importance of our relationship with God because it is here where we line up with will of God that automatically gives us ACCESS to Him. Might I add that this chapter in Deuteronomy lets you see upfront God’s CONDITIONS for being blessed or cursed.
As God’s people, He expects us to be and to live our lives for His glory. Saying with our mouths we are His when our lives testify that we are not demonstrates having a form of godliness but no power to back it up. When we give Jesus permission to come into our lives, He brings ALL of heaven’s resources with Him. Daily we must INVITE Him in to take up residence inside our hearts and minds. Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking because you are in the church and are religious, that this is enough, IT’S NOT.
God gave us the power of choice to exercise our free will. Joshua 24:15 bears this out when it says, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve…..When we allow the Lord access and control of our lives, He positions us to get in flow with God and His plans for our lives. Choosing a life of sin and iniquity sets us back. It’s not God who is setting us back but choice to live outside His will is. Please remember, sin has its own consequences. Galatians 6:7-9 clearly tells us about the law of the harvest. Whatsoever sow that shall we also reap. The operative word is “whatsoever”. In other words, who we are and what we are right now is the result of what we’ve been sowing into our lives. We shouldn’t be surprised at the harvest that we see if we have sown righteousness in our hearts.
The Lord tells what He will do if obey Him in love and without reservation. God wants us whole, holy, and happy. God knows that willful or presumptuous sin delays from receiving the FULLNESS of His blessings! The wisdom of God as found in Proverbs 28:13 says, He that covereth his sins shall not proper, why? God will allow you to form the opinion that you can sin and be blessed at the same time. It is right here many of forfeit and delay the flow of UNLIMITED BLESSINGS because we choose to work against the Lord by our choices that’s not in His will.
The Lord sends pre-inspected trials, wrapped in His love as found in Proverbs 3:11-13. God uses His love to win us to Him because of the power of choice we have. He wants us to see the magnitude of sin that killed Jesus. Isaiah 59:2 says, But your iniquities have Separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Might I add to this Acts 17:30. God winks at things we did not know was sin. He doesn’t hold it against us. It is when we become KNOWLEDGABLE that what we are doing is definitely outside the will of God. Unknown to us, God starts detaching and weaning our affections from ANYTHING or ANYONE that has your affections and costing your salvation. If by chance you and friends can’t seem to work things out, see God in it. Relationships that ought not be, God could be separating you from them because your BREAKTHOUGH is at stake. Please Read Colossians 3:1-2. You and I don’t know our hearts says Jeremiah 17:9-10. David said in Psalms 139:23-24 Search me O God and know my heart. Again, the Lord wants us to flow with Him.
I hope you remember the title of our thought today. There is ONE WORD that stands out in Deuteronomy 28 that we should ever be mindful of. That word is ”OVERTAKE”. It’s found in chapter 28:2 where God says ALL these blessings shall overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. The word “overtake” comes from the Hebrew word NASAG which means “to reach”, “to attain to something”, “to pursue and follow”, “to follow after man” and “to come in contact with”.
Let me sum up the above paragraph this way. God is saying to us today, that when we allow Him full CONTROL and full ACCESS to our lives, get this, He will bless Himself THROUGH US. In other words, you don’t have to seek the blessings because the blessings are attracted to the God within you. God has never and will never deny Himself except at our expense. Blessings hunt us down until they not only reach us, but overtake us with God’s best for us. Our relationship with Him AUTOMATICALLY brings this to us rather than us chasing blessings down. When we aren’t living right and we know it, we get desperate! God is saying that He can turn things around if we do it His way and let His blessing pursue us.
The real question is, Can You Stand To Be Blessed?
If you ADD Jesus to your life,
He will SUBTRACT your sins,
Then MULTIPLY your blessings,
So you can DIVIDE them among your friends!
Deuteronomy 28
Deuteronomy 29
Thought For Today “Can You Stand To Be Blessed”
Deuteronomy 28:1-15 (Please Read Each Verse)
Deuteronomy 28 is loaded unlimited blessings God has promised those who LOVE Him and love to OBEY Him. I can’t help reemphasizing the importance of our relationship with God because it is here where we line up with will of God that automatically gives us ACCESS to Him. Might I add that this chapter in Deuteronomy lets you see upfront God’s CONDITIONS for being blessed or cursed.
As God’s people, He expects us to be and to live our lives for His glory. Saying with our mouths we are His when our lives testify that we are not demonstrates having a form of godliness but no power to back it up. When we give Jesus permission to come into our lives, He brings ALL of heaven’s resources with Him. Daily we must INVITE Him in to take up residence inside our hearts and minds. Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking because you are in the church and are religious, that this is enough, IT’S NOT.
God gave us the power of choice to exercise our free will. Joshua 24:15 bears this out when it says, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve…..When we allow the Lord access and control of our lives, He positions us to get in flow with God and His plans for our lives. Choosing a life of sin and iniquity sets us back. It’s not God who is setting us back but choice to live outside His will is. Please remember, sin has its own consequences. Galatians 6:7-9 clearly tells us about the law of the harvest. Whatsoever sow that shall we also reap. The operative word is “whatsoever”. In other words, who we are and what we are right now is the result of what we’ve been sowing into our lives. We shouldn’t be surprised at the harvest that we see if we have sown righteousness in our hearts.
The Lord tells what He will do if obey Him in love and without reservation. God wants us whole, holy, and happy. God knows that willful or presumptuous sin delays from receiving the FULLNESS of His blessings! The wisdom of God as found in Proverbs 28:13 says, He that covereth his sins shall not proper, why? God will allow you to form the opinion that you can sin and be blessed at the same time. It is right here many of forfeit and delay the flow of UNLIMITED BLESSINGS because we choose to work against the Lord by our choices that’s not in His will.
The Lord sends pre-inspected trials, wrapped in His love as found in Proverbs 3:11-13. God uses His love to win us to Him because of the power of choice we have. He wants us to see the magnitude of sin that killed Jesus. Isaiah 59:2 says, But your iniquities have Separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Might I add to this Acts 17:30. God winks at things we did not know was sin. He doesn’t hold it against us. It is when we become KNOWLEDGABLE that what we are doing is definitely outside the will of God. Unknown to us, God starts detaching and weaning our affections from ANYTHING or ANYONE that has your affections and costing your salvation. If by chance you and friends can’t seem to work things out, see God in it. Relationships that ought not be, God could be separating you from them because your BREAKTHOUGH is at stake. Please Read Colossians 3:1-2. You and I don’t know our hearts says Jeremiah 17:9-10. David said in Psalms 139:23-24 Search me O God and know my heart. Again, the Lord wants us to flow with Him.
I hope you remember the title of our thought today. There is ONE WORD that stands out in Deuteronomy 28 that we should ever be mindful of. That word is ”OVERTAKE”. It’s found in chapter 28:2 where God says ALL these blessings shall overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. The word “overtake” comes from the Hebrew word NASAG which means “to reach”, “to attain to something”, “to pursue and follow”, “to follow after man” and “to come in contact with”.
Let me sum up the above paragraph this way. God is saying to us today, that when we allow Him full CONTROL and full ACCESS to our lives, get this, He will bless Himself THROUGH US. In other words, you don’t have to seek the blessings because the blessings are attracted to the God within you. God has never and will never deny Himself except at our expense. Blessings hunt us down until they not only reach us, but overtake us with God’s best for us. Our relationship with Him AUTOMATICALLY brings this to us rather than us chasing blessings down. When we aren’t living right and we know it, we get desperate! God is saying that He can turn things around if we do it His way and let His blessing pursue us.
The real question is, Can You Stand To Be Blessed?
If you ADD Jesus to your life,
He will SUBTRACT your sins,
Then MULTIPLY your blessings,
So you can DIVIDE them among your friends!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
When We Forget God Remembers
Bible Reading For Sunday 7 March 10:
Deuteronomy 24
Deuteronomy 25
Deuteronomy 26
Deuteronomy 27
Thought For Today “When We Forget God Remembers”
Deuteronomy 24:19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
The key to real Christian living lies in our giving to bless others. God guarantees us a harvest that will benefit us and bless those who aren’t in the same position as we are. The Lord is saying that by chance you become mindful that you gave more to a cause than expected, He says don’t go back and ask for the extra amount you inadvertently gave. You blessing came from the abundant harvest He gave you. The Lord blessed YOU with so much that your hands couldn’t contain it all. If by chance some of your blessings slip through your fingers just know God has earmarked it for someone who really needed it.
Long years ago, I was so hungry and couldn’t wait until it was lunch time. In my haste to unwrap the sandwich that my mouth was watering to consume, it dropped out of my hands on to the ground. I know some of you were thinking just rub off the dirt and kiss it towards heaven. Well, it just happened that it fell in the mud. What looked like a lost so I thought, was a blessing to the ants and birds who patiently waited for my departure. Hey, you never know if the ants and birds prayed for a blessing that day. (smiles) I looked on the bright side because I packed two sandwiches that day.
As fast as we can bless others, God is even more anxious to give us an abundant harvest to make it happen. PLEASE READ these Scriptures and claim your harvest today:
II Chronicles 26:5
II Chronicles 31:10
Job 36:11
Psalms 81:10; 92:12-14
Isaiah 44:3; 58:11
Ephesians 3:20
Deuteronomy 24
Deuteronomy 25
Deuteronomy 26
Deuteronomy 27
Thought For Today “When We Forget God Remembers”
Deuteronomy 24:19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
The key to real Christian living lies in our giving to bless others. God guarantees us a harvest that will benefit us and bless those who aren’t in the same position as we are. The Lord is saying that by chance you become mindful that you gave more to a cause than expected, He says don’t go back and ask for the extra amount you inadvertently gave. You blessing came from the abundant harvest He gave you. The Lord blessed YOU with so much that your hands couldn’t contain it all. If by chance some of your blessings slip through your fingers just know God has earmarked it for someone who really needed it.
Long years ago, I was so hungry and couldn’t wait until it was lunch time. In my haste to unwrap the sandwich that my mouth was watering to consume, it dropped out of my hands on to the ground. I know some of you were thinking just rub off the dirt and kiss it towards heaven. Well, it just happened that it fell in the mud. What looked like a lost so I thought, was a blessing to the ants and birds who patiently waited for my departure. Hey, you never know if the ants and birds prayed for a blessing that day. (smiles) I looked on the bright side because I packed two sandwiches that day.
As fast as we can bless others, God is even more anxious to give us an abundant harvest to make it happen. PLEASE READ these Scriptures and claim your harvest today:
II Chronicles 26:5
II Chronicles 31:10
Job 36:11
Psalms 81:10; 92:12-14
Isaiah 44:3; 58:11
Ephesians 3:20
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Curse Won't Work
Bible Reading For Saturday 6 March 10:
Deuteronomy 21
Deuteronomy 22
Deuteronomy 23
Thought For Today “The Curse Won’t Work”
Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
The king of Moab who wanted Balaam to curse the children of Isreal must have forgotten what his name meant in Hebrew. Jews then as well as now named their children according their lineage, posterity, and character. The king’s name was Barak, which in Hebrew means “to be blessed”. Can we say, saved by his own skin (name)!
Lets look and see why the curse wouldn’t work. The Hebrew word for “blessed” is ASRE, which means “happy”. This word connotes the state of prosperity or happiness that comes when a superior bestows his favor(blessing) on one. In this case, the one bestowing favor is God Himself. This isn't when individuals seek God to get blessed, but when God seeks them out represent Him through a "favored" life. They can handle what God blesses them with and position others to be blessed in the process. God uses their influence and sanctified life to cause people to see God in them and ask questions about knowing who is this God that you serve. This is favor at its best!
The best way to describe being blessed and favored of God is closely resembles how celebrities and athletes who market their image and likeness for companies to sell their products. You see them in commercials lending their influence to products they believe in and utilize.
The difference is when God singles you out to represent Him, favor is bestowed in such a way that people will know that God is definitely with you. This isn’t about financial prosperity, but it is about the life you live daily representing the goodness of God. He uses your life to testify to others that it pays to serve God.
Look at Joseph’s life and all he went through. Every evil his brothers thought to do against him in reality was working to “bless them”. Joseph never complained about his trials because he learned that favor IS fair. God used the negative things said and done against him to bless others. This is why Joseph was picked out to be picked on. God doesn’t stop weapons from being formed against us, but He simply cuts off the power supply when satan seeks to plug up trouble. Potiphar's wife took Joseph's COAT when he fled from her advances, but God was the one who kept his CHARACTER intact!
If you look carefully at the life of Daniel, you see how the favor of God was fair. It’s important to note that God trusted these individuals with His blessings and favor. They were humble and teachable. Humility and certain trials keep them dependent upon God. At the same time God’s blessings elevated them, their trials kept their egos in check. God knows what works for each of according to His purpose and plan for each life.
You are too blessed to be cursed and too anointed to be disappointed. Sorry devil, but the curse won't work!
Deuteronomy 21
Deuteronomy 22
Deuteronomy 23
Thought For Today “The Curse Won’t Work”
Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
The king of Moab who wanted Balaam to curse the children of Isreal must have forgotten what his name meant in Hebrew. Jews then as well as now named their children according their lineage, posterity, and character. The king’s name was Barak, which in Hebrew means “to be blessed”. Can we say, saved by his own skin (name)!
Lets look and see why the curse wouldn’t work. The Hebrew word for “blessed” is ASRE, which means “happy”. This word connotes the state of prosperity or happiness that comes when a superior bestows his favor(blessing) on one. In this case, the one bestowing favor is God Himself. This isn't when individuals seek God to get blessed, but when God seeks them out represent Him through a "favored" life. They can handle what God blesses them with and position others to be blessed in the process. God uses their influence and sanctified life to cause people to see God in them and ask questions about knowing who is this God that you serve. This is favor at its best!
The best way to describe being blessed and favored of God is closely resembles how celebrities and athletes who market their image and likeness for companies to sell their products. You see them in commercials lending their influence to products they believe in and utilize.
The difference is when God singles you out to represent Him, favor is bestowed in such a way that people will know that God is definitely with you. This isn’t about financial prosperity, but it is about the life you live daily representing the goodness of God. He uses your life to testify to others that it pays to serve God.
Look at Joseph’s life and all he went through. Every evil his brothers thought to do against him in reality was working to “bless them”. Joseph never complained about his trials because he learned that favor IS fair. God used the negative things said and done against him to bless others. This is why Joseph was picked out to be picked on. God doesn’t stop weapons from being formed against us, but He simply cuts off the power supply when satan seeks to plug up trouble. Potiphar's wife took Joseph's COAT when he fled from her advances, but God was the one who kept his CHARACTER intact!
If you look carefully at the life of Daniel, you see how the favor of God was fair. It’s important to note that God trusted these individuals with His blessings and favor. They were humble and teachable. Humility and certain trials keep them dependent upon God. At the same time God’s blessings elevated them, their trials kept their egos in check. God knows what works for each of according to His purpose and plan for each life.
You are too blessed to be cursed and too anointed to be disappointed. Sorry devil, but the curse won't work!
Friday, March 5, 2010
God's Got Your Back
Bible Reading For Friday 5 March 10:
Deuteronomy 17
Deuteronomy 18
Deuteronomy 19
Deuteronomy 20
Thought For Today “God’s Got Your Back”
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4 For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
This Christian journey we’re on has rewards and challenges. The above verses show us the might and strength of enemies that come against us on a daily basis. Note carefully how God describes the strength and weaponry of our enemies. Horses and chariots then described you status, power, and wealth. In today’s lingo you would be classified as a true “baller”! Or you got your “Swag On”! I guess you can detected how out of the loop I am, but you understand what I am trying to say.
There are reasons why God paints pictures in His WORD like He does. Our eyes behold the situation while at the same time our brains process and analyze what we see. Immediately, we conclude based on our life experiences, whether we should fear or have faith. Everything you and I have gone through in life is registered in the mental data bank of our minds and is stored there until the day we die. Everything that happened, good and bad, is still there in the subconscious mind. How we respond to life’s challenges reflects how we were brought up and what we were taught.
Here is what I’m trying to share with you today. God is mindful of any and every situation you and I will ever face. The Lord is mindful of decisions we made that put us where we are. He is mindful we were not saved when the drama unfolded. All God wants each of us to do is ACKNOWLEDGE what we see! When we through prayer detail to God what we know about ourselves, we are positioning Him to FIGHT for us, that which we have FACED within us and without.
The text says, Let not your hearts faint. Why? Faint means to grow weary or weak by virtue of circumstances beyond your control. God is saying, tell Him EXACTLY what you are facing, so He can go ahead of you to fix it. Our faith must rest in God’s ability and availability. Now that we are face to face with our issues, God says, I Got Your Back! God says, don’t even tremble because of what you see around you. He goes a step further by saying, don’t be terrified either. The situation is what it is. God knows that you have faced the situation, so He takes charge of EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY involved. His Providence opens closed doors, but you and I must be moved to action to see which door has been opened by knocking on them!
When we pray and cast our cares on the Lord, He starts speaking to the minds of people, and troubling their thoughts about YOU. This is an area you and I can’t work out, but God can. God goes ahead of the battle, long before we are aware that it is a battle and starts fighting for us. He touches the heart of individuals He will use to bless us with what we need.
Our Prayer move God to act for us, while at the same time His Power moves His Promises to act for Him. With that being said, God’s Got Your Back!
Deuteronomy 17
Deuteronomy 18
Deuteronomy 19
Deuteronomy 20
Thought For Today “God’s Got Your Back”
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4 For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
This Christian journey we’re on has rewards and challenges. The above verses show us the might and strength of enemies that come against us on a daily basis. Note carefully how God describes the strength and weaponry of our enemies. Horses and chariots then described you status, power, and wealth. In today’s lingo you would be classified as a true “baller”! Or you got your “Swag On”! I guess you can detected how out of the loop I am, but you understand what I am trying to say.
There are reasons why God paints pictures in His WORD like He does. Our eyes behold the situation while at the same time our brains process and analyze what we see. Immediately, we conclude based on our life experiences, whether we should fear or have faith. Everything you and I have gone through in life is registered in the mental data bank of our minds and is stored there until the day we die. Everything that happened, good and bad, is still there in the subconscious mind. How we respond to life’s challenges reflects how we were brought up and what we were taught.
Here is what I’m trying to share with you today. God is mindful of any and every situation you and I will ever face. The Lord is mindful of decisions we made that put us where we are. He is mindful we were not saved when the drama unfolded. All God wants each of us to do is ACKNOWLEDGE what we see! When we through prayer detail to God what we know about ourselves, we are positioning Him to FIGHT for us, that which we have FACED within us and without.
The text says, Let not your hearts faint. Why? Faint means to grow weary or weak by virtue of circumstances beyond your control. God is saying, tell Him EXACTLY what you are facing, so He can go ahead of you to fix it. Our faith must rest in God’s ability and availability. Now that we are face to face with our issues, God says, I Got Your Back! God says, don’t even tremble because of what you see around you. He goes a step further by saying, don’t be terrified either. The situation is what it is. God knows that you have faced the situation, so He takes charge of EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY involved. His Providence opens closed doors, but you and I must be moved to action to see which door has been opened by knocking on them!
When we pray and cast our cares on the Lord, He starts speaking to the minds of people, and troubling their thoughts about YOU. This is an area you and I can’t work out, but God can. God goes ahead of the battle, long before we are aware that it is a battle and starts fighting for us. He touches the heart of individuals He will use to bless us with what we need.
Our Prayer move God to act for us, while at the same time His Power moves His Promises to act for Him. With that being said, God’s Got Your Back!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Eye Witnesses
Bible Reading For Wednesday 3 March 10:
Deuteronomy 11
Deuteronomy 12
Deuteronomy 13
Thought For Today “Eye Witnesses”
Deuteronomy 11:7 But Your Eyes have SEEN all the great acts of the LORD which he did.
The Bible clearly states that the devil is the accuser of the brethren. All of us can testify that he is and does his job well. As Spirit-filled Christians, who love and obey God, we’re challenged in ways that come unannounced and unexpectedly. Our text this morning serves notice on the devil that all of his attempts are “OVERRULED” in the eyesight of God.
Each and every day, God’s character is on trial before the Universe through each of us who represent Him as our Lord. The good news is that He gives sufficient Evidence on which to build our Confidence. Our eyes have seen tangible evidence of His Power in our behalf through the many miracles wrought, victories won, and doors opened that were previously closed.
Each day we’re blessed with renewed strength and power according to God’s foreknowledge. As we surrender to His Sovereign Will, He puts into our day enough of everything we need to make it. The Bible says, As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be. Isn’t it good knowing that God packs into your day what we need MOST. This is why the Lord encourages us to live for the moment and one day at a time. Many times we load our minds with anticipated worry about things that haven’t even happened and may never happen.
Our text reminds us of God’s great ACTS that He will allow our eyes to behold. God says He Will Make It Happen! He does not ask us to make it happen, but simply be Eye Witnesses to His great acts. God specializes in making things happen for us ahead of schedule because He loves us and doesn’t want us worrying about things we can’t change. In other cases, He parts the Red Sea while we’re standing on the banks waiting to cross over to the other side. Then there are times when it appears He has totally forgotten we are in the fiery furnace. The fact is that if you are walking around in the fire, that’s a miracle in itself. Your fiery situation is controlled by God but designed for other to witness His power in your life.
Nebuchadnezzar noticed the fourth Person in the furnace before the Hebrew Boys could start counting. God doesn’t always take us out the fiery furnace of affliction, but He will control the thermostat. Most of the time we’re not mindful that God wants to brag on us and put on display as battled tested believer who serves Him for the right reason. He uses our circumstances, hardships, and pain to show OTHERS that it pays to serve the Lord. God knows you will bless His name and give Him the fruit of your lips in Praise. So, from time to time He turns the devil’s mess into your greatest blessing.
I hope you don’t mind being found guilty of knowing God to be a way maker, a burden bearer, a heavy load sharer. Will you take the Witness Stand and tell the Jury you’re guilty of being so blessed that you can’t be stressed. Will you tell the Jury that you saw the stalkers, Goodness and Mercy following you and your family everywhere you've gone. Finally, will you tell that God is whatever you need Him to be!
Let The Redeemed Of The Lord Say So!
Deuteronomy 11
Deuteronomy 12
Deuteronomy 13
Thought For Today “Eye Witnesses”
Deuteronomy 11:7 But Your Eyes have SEEN all the great acts of the LORD which he did.
The Bible clearly states that the devil is the accuser of the brethren. All of us can testify that he is and does his job well. As Spirit-filled Christians, who love and obey God, we’re challenged in ways that come unannounced and unexpectedly. Our text this morning serves notice on the devil that all of his attempts are “OVERRULED” in the eyesight of God.
Each and every day, God’s character is on trial before the Universe through each of us who represent Him as our Lord. The good news is that He gives sufficient Evidence on which to build our Confidence. Our eyes have seen tangible evidence of His Power in our behalf through the many miracles wrought, victories won, and doors opened that were previously closed.
Each day we’re blessed with renewed strength and power according to God’s foreknowledge. As we surrender to His Sovereign Will, He puts into our day enough of everything we need to make it. The Bible says, As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be. Isn’t it good knowing that God packs into your day what we need MOST. This is why the Lord encourages us to live for the moment and one day at a time. Many times we load our minds with anticipated worry about things that haven’t even happened and may never happen.
Our text reminds us of God’s great ACTS that He will allow our eyes to behold. God says He Will Make It Happen! He does not ask us to make it happen, but simply be Eye Witnesses to His great acts. God specializes in making things happen for us ahead of schedule because He loves us and doesn’t want us worrying about things we can’t change. In other cases, He parts the Red Sea while we’re standing on the banks waiting to cross over to the other side. Then there are times when it appears He has totally forgotten we are in the fiery furnace. The fact is that if you are walking around in the fire, that’s a miracle in itself. Your fiery situation is controlled by God but designed for other to witness His power in your life.
Nebuchadnezzar noticed the fourth Person in the furnace before the Hebrew Boys could start counting. God doesn’t always take us out the fiery furnace of affliction, but He will control the thermostat. Most of the time we’re not mindful that God wants to brag on us and put on display as battled tested believer who serves Him for the right reason. He uses our circumstances, hardships, and pain to show OTHERS that it pays to serve the Lord. God knows you will bless His name and give Him the fruit of your lips in Praise. So, from time to time He turns the devil’s mess into your greatest blessing.
I hope you don’t mind being found guilty of knowing God to be a way maker, a burden bearer, a heavy load sharer. Will you take the Witness Stand and tell the Jury you’re guilty of being so blessed that you can’t be stressed. Will you tell the Jury that you saw the stalkers, Goodness and Mercy following you and your family everywhere you've gone. Finally, will you tell that God is whatever you need Him to be!
Let The Redeemed Of The Lord Say So!
Monday, March 1, 2010
All Or Nothing At All
Deuteronomy 5
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 7
Thought For Today “All Or Nothing At All”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with ALL thine heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy might.
Deuteronomy 5 re-emphasizes the Ten Commandments that were given in Exodus 20, as a reminder to the children of Isreal that God is still God. I pray that we look carefully at each of The Commandments written with God’s own finger on two tables of stone symbolizing Eternal permanence. Each Commandment represents characteristics about God that He wanted etched in our MINDS forever. The first four Commandments specifically deals with God and us and the last six deals with each other. The Lord sought to establish in His people principles that if obeyed, would keep them in harmony with Him.
Three times the word “ALL” is mentioned in verse 5 followed by three words that describe human emotions and affections. The word ALL comes from the Hebrew word, “Kol”, which means “the whole”, “complete”, “the entire”, and “the whole offering”.
Simply put, God is asking each of His children to willingly love Him so completely that nothing comes between or before love for God. The priority of the heart is wholly and entirely cemented to God. This means that we give nothing or no one the COMPLETE seat of our affections but God. Please read Colossians 3:1-3.
Our connection to God is like an antenna that signals telling us we’re too close to a person, place or thing more than we are to God. Included in this process is when we worship ourselves MORE than we worship and love God. Then He reminds us to humble ourselves before Him and He will exalt us in due time. This has nothing to do with self confidence and self esteem because God is the one who establishes this in each heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 17:9 and Psalms 139:23-24 talks about the heart and how deceitful it is, who can know it. ONLY God knows the heart and mind. Satan cannot read the human heart or mind, but he has experimented with it through various internal and external temptations to see what we respond to over a period of time. This is why we’re encouraged to guard the avenues of the soul. Like the song I use to sing as a small kid that says, Oh lil eyes be careful what you see, Oh lil feet be careful where you walk. When the heart is fully surrendered to God, then whatever trials we face are REGULATED by God for our good. When the heart is NOT surrendered to God, He allows the choices and circumstances to chastise us so as to get our attention. Proverbs 3:11-12. We should always know that God loves us with an everlasting love, Jeremiah 31:3
It’s encouraging to know that God has our best interest at heart and has our back. Please read Romans 8:35-39. There are times when God will allow our plans to fail in order that His will becomes reality in our lives. Unreserved love and surrender to God positions us to receive unlimited and untold blessings and benefits because we’re in the flow with God and aren’t working against Him.
God gave us His ALL through Jesus. All He wants in return is our ALL.
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 7
Thought For Today “All Or Nothing At All”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with ALL thine heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy might.
Deuteronomy 5 re-emphasizes the Ten Commandments that were given in Exodus 20, as a reminder to the children of Isreal that God is still God. I pray that we look carefully at each of The Commandments written with God’s own finger on two tables of stone symbolizing Eternal permanence. Each Commandment represents characteristics about God that He wanted etched in our MINDS forever. The first four Commandments specifically deals with God and us and the last six deals with each other. The Lord sought to establish in His people principles that if obeyed, would keep them in harmony with Him.
Three times the word “ALL” is mentioned in verse 5 followed by three words that describe human emotions and affections. The word ALL comes from the Hebrew word, “Kol”, which means “the whole”, “complete”, “the entire”, and “the whole offering”.
Simply put, God is asking each of His children to willingly love Him so completely that nothing comes between or before love for God. The priority of the heart is wholly and entirely cemented to God. This means that we give nothing or no one the COMPLETE seat of our affections but God. Please read Colossians 3:1-3.
Our connection to God is like an antenna that signals telling us we’re too close to a person, place or thing more than we are to God. Included in this process is when we worship ourselves MORE than we worship and love God. Then He reminds us to humble ourselves before Him and He will exalt us in due time. This has nothing to do with self confidence and self esteem because God is the one who establishes this in each heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 17:9 and Psalms 139:23-24 talks about the heart and how deceitful it is, who can know it. ONLY God knows the heart and mind. Satan cannot read the human heart or mind, but he has experimented with it through various internal and external temptations to see what we respond to over a period of time. This is why we’re encouraged to guard the avenues of the soul. Like the song I use to sing as a small kid that says, Oh lil eyes be careful what you see, Oh lil feet be careful where you walk. When the heart is fully surrendered to God, then whatever trials we face are REGULATED by God for our good. When the heart is NOT surrendered to God, He allows the choices and circumstances to chastise us so as to get our attention. Proverbs 3:11-12. We should always know that God loves us with an everlasting love, Jeremiah 31:3
It’s encouraging to know that God has our best interest at heart and has our back. Please read Romans 8:35-39. There are times when God will allow our plans to fail in order that His will becomes reality in our lives. Unreserved love and surrender to God positions us to receive unlimited and untold blessings and benefits because we’re in the flow with God and aren’t working against Him.
God gave us His ALL through Jesus. All He wants in return is our ALL.
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