STOP BEING WILLFUL!

8-28-2020. . . .STOP BEING WILLFUL! 

"Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (Ps 19:13 NIV) 

From the moment we are saved and begin to walk in the newness of life, we should see and experience a drastic decrease in the amount of 'Willful" sin in our lives.  If we don't, we are still being to willful!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for new life in you!  Help us to walk continuously in our regenerated lives without deviation.  Amen!

2 Cor 5:17. . . .When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! TLB

BE DIFFERENT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

8-27-2020. . . .BE DIFFERENT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

"So be careful how you act; these are difficult days.  Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.  Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to." (Eph 5:15-17 TLB)  

In one of his final speeches Dr. Martin Luther King said, "I just want to do God's will."  Doing God's will had become the major priority in his life.  It didn't make him perfect and without mistakes, but it did give him focus during some difficult days.  We too are living in some difficult times.  One need not look very far to find people living thoughtlessly and squandering opportunities to be good and do good.  This is not what God wants!  As believers, we are called to be different and to make a difference.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for every opportunity to do good and make a difference in the world.  In spite of difficult days, may we live always thoughtfully and not thoughtlessly.  Amen!

1 Peter 2:9. . . . But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: KJV

THE CHOICE IS OURS!

8-26-2020. . . .THE CHOICE IS OURS! 

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."  (Isa 1:19-20 KJV) 

Experience the best life has to offer by chossing to be willing and obedient to God's word and will!  The alternative choice is to be cursed and devoured!  What's your choice?

Prayer: Lord, your desire is to bless us and to have us experience the best life has to offer.  All you require is our willingness and obedience!  We give both to you now and forever.  Amen!

Ps 35:27. . . .Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. KJV

ILLUMINATION AND DIRECTION!

8-25-2020. . . .ILLUMINATION AND DIRECTION!

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Ps 119:103-105 KJV) 

One can't go wrong whose light and lamp is God's words.  With it as our guide, every step brings fresh illumination and clear direction to our destination.    

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word; for illumination and direction.  Amen!

Ps 119:114. . . .Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. KJV

POWER WITHIN!

8-21-2020. . . .POWER WITHIN!

"Do you want more and more of God's kindness and peace?  Then learn to know him better and better.  For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!   And by that same mighty power he has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings he promised; for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us his own character."  (2 Peter 1:2-4 TLB)   

Don't underestimate lust!  It is a powerful thing and because it comes from our own inner desires, it can be difficult for us to "Just say no" to ourselves!  Rely on the mighty transforming power Christ has given us.  This power will produce a 'Christ-likenss' in us that will radiate outside of us for all the world to behold!   

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power you have give us to be just like you.  Help us always yield to that transforming power and not revert back to our old nature.  Amen.

Gal 5:16. . . .I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won't always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. TLB

START BEING FAITHFUL NOW!

8-20-2020. . . .START BEING FAITHFUL NOW!

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (1 Cor 4:2 KJV) 

Faithfulness is not an optional attribute, it is a requirement! Is faithful a word people use to describe us?  If not, consider this. Faithful is one of two words the Lord will use to judge us!  If we want to hear Him say "Well done GOOD and FAITHFUL servant" at the end, its probably a good idea to start being FAITHFUL now!

Prayer: Lord, help us to be good and faithful servants now so that later, when we see you  face to face you will call us the same. Amen!

1 Cor 15:58-16:1. . . .Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

BACK THE HELL UP!

8-19-2020. . . .BACK THE HELL UP!

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." ( Matt 16:18 KJV)  

Gates are designed to keep things in and keep things out, and to define boundaries.  Hell cannot define the boundaries of God's church and it cannot prevent the advancement of the kingdom agenda!  It's time for the believers to access kingdom power, adjust our agendas, and advance aggressively to back the hell of up when-ever and where-ever it shows up!

PRAYER: Lord, you have declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against your church.  Give us the boldness to speak where we have been silent and to move aggressively where we have been passive. Amen.

Matt 11:12. . . . And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.  KJV

DON'T TAKE THE LONG WAY AROUND!

8-18-2020. . . .DON'T TAKE THE LONG WAY AROUND!

"True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life." (Prov 22:4 TLB) 

Given enough time, false humility will always unveil it's selfish ulterior motives. There is no gain for the effort! True humility is a straight and direct road leading to blessings, recognition and longevity of life.  Don't take the long way around!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a direct path to riches, honor and long life. Guide our feet along this path and redirect us should we deviate. Amen!

Prov 22:4-5. . . . Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. NIV

WALK IN AUTHORITY

8-14-2020. . .WALK IN AUTHORITY!

"Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.  See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Jer 1:9-10 KJV)  

God will never give us an assignment without equipping us for the assignment.  Not only will He provide the skill and resources needed, He will give us the authority to execute the charge to it's completion.   Without fear, WALK IN AUTHORITY!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for equipping us with everything that is needed to complete our assignments.  Without fear we now execute and walk in your authority.  Amen!

Eph 1:3. . . .Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: KJV

THE WORD IS THE WORD!

8-13-2020. . . .THE WORD IS THE WORD!

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deut 4:2-3 NKJV) 

The word is the word!  We cannot change or adjust it to fit our own personal agendas; nor can we tailor it to justify and under-gird our selfish beliefs and doctrines.  Again, the word is the word!  Receive  it - believe it - follow it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word.  It is what it is!  We receive it, we believe it, and with all our power we will follow it.  Amen!

Ps 33:4-5. . . . For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. NKJV

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!

8-12-2020. . . .TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!

"Listen now! The Lord isn't too weak to save you. And he isn't getting deaf! He can hear you when you call!  But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God. Because of sin he has turned his face away from you and will not listen anymore".  ( Isa 59:1-2 TLB) 

No need to look left or right nor point a finger at anyone else.  Take responsibility!   If God is not responding or listening, (although He can hear, but chooses not to listen) remove the sin that is creating the barrier and separation.  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always hearing us and responding when we call.  May we never allow sin to create a barrier between us and you.  Amen!

Isa 55:7. . . .Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon! TLB

ILLUMINATION AND DIRECTION!

8-7-20120 . . .ILLUMINATION AND DIRECTION!

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Ps 119:103-105 KJV)

One can't go wrong whose light and lamp is God's words.  With it as our guide, every step brings fresh illumination and clear direction to our destination.    

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word; for illumination and direction.  Amen!

Ps 119:114. . . .Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. KJV

EVIDENCE!

 

8-6-2020. . . .EVIDENCE!

"So also is my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it." (Isa 55:11-12 TLB)  

If the word were prosecuted, it would always be found guilty because it always leaves evidence where ever it has been!  How much evidence can be found in us?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your proceeding and prevailing word.  May there be much evidence of its presence found in our lives.  Amen!

 Ps 119:15-16. . . .I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.  KJV

COMPLETE CONFIDENCE!

8-5-2020. . . .COMPLETE CONFIDENCE!

"Lord, have mercy on me; all day long the enemy troops press in. So many are proud to fight against me; how they long to conquer me. But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me? (Ps 56:1-5 TLB)  

There will be times when from every direction, nothing but enemies will be confronting us. Knowing in advance that "God is all we need," before we reach  the point of realizing that "God is all we've got," is reassuring and makes it easy to put our full trust and complete confidence in Him.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being on our side and being all that we need.  Our complete trust and confidence is in you.  Amen!

 Rom 8:31. . . .What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  KJV

HANG IN THERE!

8-4-2020. . . .HANG IN THERE! 

"Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward!  You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised." (Heb 10:35-37 TLB) 

We've come to far to give up, in, or out and to turn around now!  No, it is not always easy, but it is worth the fight!  Hang in there, for the greater blessings and reward are in front of us!

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes it gets really really hard to keep trusting you.  Not because of You, (for you are faithful) but because of the insecurities within us.  We want to be in control!  (As if we know and can influence the outcome of our affairs)  Have mercy on us and give us your peace as we submit both willingly and unwillingly to your will.  Amen!

Heb 10:32-34. . . .Don't ever forget those wonderful days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you kept right on with the Lord even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things.  You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. TLB