WHAT GOD REQUIRES!

2-28-2013. . . .WHAT GOD REQUIRES!

"It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain's offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God. (Heb 11:4TLB)  What we offer to God may be excellent as well as, a sacrifice.  However, the question becomes, 'Is it acceptable to God?' Is it what God really wants and requires?  Cain's sacrifice was more than likely an excellent one, however, Abel's sacrifice is described as 'More Excellent'! Why?  It was what God required!   When sacrificing to God, consider first is it what we desire or what God requires!

Prayer: Lord, may my sacrifices unto you always be what you require and let what I desire be the same. Amen.

Heb 11:4. . . .By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. KJV

IN GOD'S POWER!

2-27-2013. . . . IN GOD'S POWER!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  (2 Cor 12:9 KJV)  Our handicaps do not disqualify us for service to God.  In fact, in many cases, they qualify us for a greater demonstration of His power through us.  Although, the apostle Paul had a handicap in his flesh, his handicap was not a hindrance to God accomplishing mighty things through him.  Like Paul, our accomplishments are not in our own strength, but in God's power!  Trust Him with your handicap.

Prayer: Lord, your ways are certainly not like ours.  What we often think would disqualify for us, is the very thing you use to demonstrate your power in us!  Thank you that our handicaps are not hindrances to you. Amen!

Phil 4:13. . . . I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV

THE SOURCE!

2-26-2013. . . .THE SOURCE!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  (2 Cor 12:9 KJV)  Our independence and self-reliance is only as good as our ability to recognize their inter-dependence upon God.  Without His strength in our areas of weakness, we are like ships without sails; powerless to maintain course and find our own way.  He is the source of our strength and the strength of our life.

PRAYER: Lord, thank for your grace that is always sufficient for us.  Through your strength, our weaknesses are made strong.  Strengthen us and strengthen us again!  Amen.

 Eph 1:19. . . .I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him.  TLB

FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

2-25-2013. . . .FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5 KJV) In spite of one's best efforts, even the called by Christ experience failure. Failure however, does not have the final word, God does. In fact, our point of failure positions us for a word of instruction that will lead us to our next success.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being there even in our times of failure. Help us to be willing at our point failure to receive your word of instruction that will lead us to success. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24 . . . .The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. 24 If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS PURPOSE!

2-22-2013. . . .FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS PURPOSE!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28 NIV)  We are in purpose on purpose!  So, no matter what happens, we have the assurance and insurance that God is at work in the thing for our good!   Stay focused and balanced whether in good times or bad!  It's all working for our good and for His purpose!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for assurance and insurance that no matter what happens, you are always at work for our good and for your purpose!  All praises to your name!  Amen.

1 Peter 3:12. . . . For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  KJV

STAY YIELDED AND GUIDED!

2-21-2013. . . .STAY YIELDED AND GUIDED!

"I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." (Jer 1:4-5 TLB)  Our purpose was set and established with God before we drew our first breath on the earth!  While not completely clear at times, our path is laid out and the fruition of our purpose sure as long as we are will to stay yielded and guided by by Him!

PRAYER: Lord, guide us into and along the way of our purpose that we may bring glory to You and your Kingdom!  Thy will be done.  Amen!

Ps 37:23-24. . . . The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take.  If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

PROSPERITY PURSUES PURPOSE!

2-20-2013. . . .PROSPERITY PURSUES PURPOSE!

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt 2:11 KJV)  While proper protocol dictates that one bring a gift when coming before royalty,  God had a greater plan in mind!  The gifts the wise men presented to Jesus, financed  his escape to Egypt and then, from Egypt to Nazareth where his purpose would be fulfilled.    When purpose is on your life, prosperity will pursue you!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the plans you have for us!  Thank you for providing every resource needed to  accomplish the plan and purpose!  Amen!

Jer 29:10-12. . . . For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  TLB

REVEAL YOURSELF!

2-18-2013. . . .REVEAL YOURSELF!  

"I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." (Jer 1:5 TLB)  Our purpose began and was set in the mind of God long before we ever arrived on the earth!  We are already who God purposed us to be.  Now, without fear, we must reveal ourselves to the world!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for creating us and putting purpose within us!  Guide us as we without fear, reveal ourselves to the world.  Amen!

Matt 5:14-15. . . . You are the world's light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.  TLB

LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS!

2-15-2013. . . .LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS!

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13 KJV)  Real love knows no limits!  To love with no limits takes vulnerability, not gullibility!   Love is no one's door mat, but everyone's doorway into life and happiness!  Love without limits!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for loving us without limits!  Keep loving us into life and happiness.  Amen!

Eph 3:17-18. . . . And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love;  and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it.  TLB

LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!

2-14-2013. . . .LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!

"Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.  Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other."  (Rom 12:9-11 TLB) A mouth will say anything and usually does when it comes to the expression, "I Love You!"  How easily the words flow from our lips, but all to often without the legs necessary to carry it into the actions the expression requires.  Let us love not only in word, but also in deeds!  LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!  

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you today for your example of love!  It was not just in what you said to us, but it was in what you did and continue to do for us.  Help us to duplicate your example in demonstrating our love to the world.  Amen!

John 13:34-35. . . . A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

2-13-2013. . . .TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them." (1 Cor 13:4-7 TLB)  Love one song writer wrote, "Is a many splendored thing!"  When in full operation, it's the only thing!  Be a transporter and transmitter of it!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the gift of love!  It is what the world needs now and what the world needs most!  Use every believer to be the transporters and transmitters of it!  Amen.

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

2-12-2013. . . .TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them." (1 Cor 13:4-7 TLB)  Love one song writer wrote, "Is a many splendored thing!"  When in full operation, it's the only thing!  Be a transporter and transmitter of it!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the gift of love!  It is what there world need now and what the world needs most!  Use every believer to be the transporters and transmitters of it!  Amen.

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

LOVE LIKE THIS!

2-2013. . . .LOVE LIKE THIS!

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."  (1 Peter 4:8-9 NKJV)  Hate harms, leaving gaping wounds exposed for all to see!  Love on the other hand, heals and covers though the offenses be many.  Love like this!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no greater example of love that covers than yours!  Many times over you could have and perhaps, should have exposed us, but your great love covered us.  Help us Lord, to love like this!  Amen.

Ps 86:15. . . . But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. NIV

CORRECT THE ERROR!

2-8-2013. . . .CORRECT THE ERROR!
"But Jesus said, "Your error is caused by your ignorance of the Scriptures and of God's power." (Matt 22:29 TLB) It is said that, "We can do better if we learn better!" There is no excuse to remain in error when God has given us His word and thereby, access to to His great and mighty Power! Start today! Correct the error!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for access to your power through your word! It is quick and powerful and discerns the intent of our hearts. Helps daily correct our error. Amen.

Rom 1:16. . . . For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; KJV

DON'T GO ASTRAY!

2-7-2013. . . .DON’T GO ASTRAY!

“The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him. And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his loving-kindness and his truth." (Ps 25:8-10 TLB) It is easy for one to go astray when the path is unknown. There is no excuse to go astray once the path is made clear.If you find yourself off course, get back in school! Allow God to teach you the proper path!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching us the proper path. With your guidance we will never go astray! Amen.

Ps 25:4-5. . . . Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you. TLB

DON'T DO IT!

2-6-2013. . . .DON'T DO IT!

"For there are six things the Lord hates-no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers." (Prov 6:16 TLB) LYING is second on the list of things God hates!  Is there really any good reason not to tell the truth?  Frankly speaking, NO there isn't!  No one likes lies or liars and God hates it!  ADVICE: DON'T DO IT!

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you always.  Therefore, we will not do the things you hate.  Amen!

Ps 34:11-14. . . . Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.  Do you want a long, good life?  Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying.  Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. TLB

STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

2-5-2013. . . .STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

"I, Wisdom, give good advice and common sense. Because of my strength, kings reign in power, and rulers make just laws. (Prov 8:14 TLB)  Strength of body is of little to no avail without strength of mind!  Wisdom is the mind's key source of strength yielding guidance and wise decision making power.  Strengthen the mind through wisdom and experience real life changing power!

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom that strengthens our minds and enables us to experience real decision making power that brings benefit all.  Amen.

 Prov 24:5-6. . . . A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.  Don't go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors. TLB

DON'T OVERREACH!

2-4-2013. . . .DON'T OVERREACH!

"But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42 RSV)  We were never created to be all things to all people at all times!  We can only be all we were created to be for the people to whom we have been assigned, and those who have been assigned to us.  Stay in your lane and don't overreach! 

PRAYER: Lord, we are challenged daily in many areas, but especially when dealing with people.  Help us discern our proper place and keep us from being distracted from the unnecessary.  Amen!

 Gal 5:13-14. . . .For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." RSV

IF WE DON'T WHO WILL!

2-1-2013. . . .IF WE DON'T WHO WILL!

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."  (Heb 11:3 KJV)  Only God can call forth something out of nothing and, He never calls forth anything without a purpose!  Every human being has been called out of nothing to be something in the earth.  Because we are individually unique and one of a kind, we have a fundamental purpose and obligation to God and the world to be our best self!  If we don't, who else will!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for fearfully and wonderfully making us and calling us into the earth at such a time as this.  Help us to be our best self and demonstrate to the world your divine design and purpose at work.  Be glorified in us today and always.  Amen!

Ps 139:13-16. . . .You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it.  You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! TLB