THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

3-26-2021. . . .THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too."  (Matt 5:43-45 TLB) 

 If we are honest, this is one of the hardest biblical imperatives to carry out.  The last thing we want to do is be good to someone who is being a low down dirty dog to us; let alone pray for them! However, as true sons and daughters, we are called to do exactly that!   The lesson is ours to learn and not so much for the benefit of our enemies.

PRAYER: Lord, your ways are best and will benefit us greatly if we follow them.  No matter how difficult it may be, help us to follow your ways concerning our enemies.  Amen!

Matt 5:46-48. . . . If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much.  If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?   Even the heathen do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  TLB

THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

2-25-2021. . . .THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

"Simon Peter replied, "Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God."  Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, and one is a devil."  He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would betray him. (John 6:68-71 TLB) 

Everyone walking by our side is not on our side, even though we have chosen them to be so!  While the betrayer's actions inflict pain, they also open the door to destiny!  They are who they are; let them be!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no greater example than yours of how to bare the presence and burden of a betrayer.  Give us grace to bare our burden with the same knowledge and patience.  Amen!

Matt 26:20-24. . . .That evening as he sat eating with the Twelve, he said, "One of you will betray me." Sorrow chilled their hearts, and each one asked, "Am I the one?"  He replied, "It is the one I served first.  For I must die just as was prophesied, but woe to the man by whom I am betrayed. Far better for that one if he had never been born." TLB

ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

3-24-2021. . . .ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." (Matt 14:22-24 KJV)  

Walking in divine purpose does not mean we will never face opposition; we will!  Stay the course and weather the storm.  We are ordained to make it through to the other side!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the winds of opposition that blow against us.  Help us stay focused and on the course as we pursue your divine purpose.  Amen!

2 Cor 4:8-10. . . .We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. 9 We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.  TLB

THE STANDARD WILL BE LIFTED!

3-24-2021. . . .THE STANDARD WILL BE LIFTED!

"Oh, love the Lord, all of you who are his people; for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but harshly punishes all who haughtily reject him.  So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord." (Ps 31:23-24 TLB)  

The dividends of faithfulness are a daily cause for optimism.  We can anticipate God's intervention whenever the enemy decides to sweep in like a flood.  The standard will be lifted against them.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being faithful to the faithful.  Our trust remains securely in you.  Your blessings upon us makes us rich beyond measure.  Amen!

Ps 46:1-2. . . . God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.  And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. TLB

TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

3-23-2021 . . . TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

"Jesus realized what they were discussing and said, "No, that isn't it at all! Can't you understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?  'Your eyes are to see with-why don't you look? Why don't you open your ears and listen?'  Don't you remember anything at all?  (Mark 8:17-18 TLB) 

What a travesty for one to have 20/20 vision and yet be proverbially  "blind as a bat!" How tragic that no matter how loudly the truth is blasted in one's ear, they still don't or more sadly, won't hear it.  If God can do anything, He can do every thing!  If He did it once, He is well able to do it again and again and again!  TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

PRAYER: Lord, you are yet the God who does wonders that are beyond understanding and  miracles cannot be counted!  Do it again Lord!  We trust you and we believe you!  Do it again!  Amen.

Job 9:10. . . .He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. NIV

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

2-19-2021. . . .THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

"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) 

There is no need to hide what hinders us, nor deny the thing or things that keep damaging or destiny! Thorns in the flesh they are.  Jesus says to us what He said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee!"  There is strength in our struggle!  That's good enough for me!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace that is always sufficient for us.  We acknowledge and entrust our weaknesses into your hands. Amen.

2 Cor 12:10. . . .Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.KJV

STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

2-18-2021. . . .STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:7KJV)  

Advice is good and there is certainly wisdom in a multitude of counselors, but don't listen to nor take advice from just anyone.  Everyone has opinions and will offer their's freely and unfiltered if given the opportunity.  Stay true to the inner you!  If it's a different beat you march to, train your ears to never deviate from it and march right into your destiny!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for making us fearfully, wonderfully and unique.  Help us to always stay true to who you created us to be.  Amen! 

Ps 139:14. . . .Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. TLB

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE!

2-17-2021. . . . WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE!

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!"   "Sir," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again." (Luke 5:4-5 TLB)

Our past experiences are not always an accurate predictor of future performance!  Although we may have previously tried and failed at an endeavor, does not mean the endeavor is no longer worth pursuing.  Try it again!  Timing is everything.  Ask the Lord for guidance, wait for His go ahead, then give it all you've got!  What do you have to lose?

PRAYER: Lord, we seek your guidance in every endeavor we pursue.  Although we may have failed in the past, guide us through and to the path of success.  Amen!

Dan 2:20-22. . . .God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and all power.  World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence.  He reveals profound mysteries beyond man's understanding. He knows all hidden things, for he is light, and darkness is no obstacle to him. TLB

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

2-16-2021. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  

Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! You are growing and flourishing because of where you are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life are simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

SAME LOVE!

2-12-2021. . . .SAME LOVE?

Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need. (Rom 13:10 TLB) 

A genuine love for others is not optional; it is required of all us who are truly God's children.  God loved and loves us at our worst. His love for us should give us perspective in times when it seems difficult to extend that same love to others.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us at our very worst.  Your love for us gives us perspective in times when it seems difficult to extend love to others.  Amen.

1 John 3:14-15. . . .We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.  Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. NIV

RELEASE THE POWER!

2-11-2021. . . .RELEASE THE POWER! 

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."  

 ( Heb 4:2 KJV)

The power of God's word is irrefutable and undeniable.  Yet, that power is rendered powerless if we don't have the faith to believe it!  Have Faith and release the power of God's word to do and accomplish all it was sent forth to do in your life!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word that is quick, powerful, and able to accomplish all that you sent it to accomplish.  Helps us to never render your word powerless through a lack of faith or unbelief.  Amen.

Isa 55:10-12. . . . 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.  TLB

DON'T PERPETRATE!

2-10-2021. . . .DON'T PERPETRATE! 

"For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done."  (Heb 4:12-13 TLB)

Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."  While that may be true of people it is not true of God.  We cannot fool God any of the time, so why try!  He knows all and sees all.  His word penetrates and permeates our entire being revealing every hidden detail and motive.   Just the thought of that should increase our gratefulness and appreciation of His grace and mercy.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word and for your grace and mercy!  You know us inside out and yet love us.  Help us to always be open and honest with you and ourselves.  Amen! 

 Lam 3:21-23. . . .This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  KJV

THINK RIGHT DO RIGHT BE RIGHT!

2-9-2021. . . .THINK RIGHT DO RIGHT BE RIGHT!

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8 KJV)  

Every action is initiated by a thought!  The purer, truer, lovelier the thought, so shall the resulting actions be. Think right, do right, be right!

PRAYER: Lord, purify our minds that our thoughts and actions will be pleasing to you and all mankind.  Amen! 

Prov 16:1-3. . . .The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.  KJV

RELEASED!

2-5-2021. . . .RELEASED!

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom 8:1 KJV) 

Imagine for a moment being incarcerated and suddenly, someone comes and tells you, you have been released under the condition, you must continue to walk in freedom and never return to this prison again.  What prisoner in their right mind wouldn't accept such a release?  Exactly....the answer is obvious!  Having been released from the influence of our old nature and the condemnation of sin, what believer would opt to return to that prison.  Walk in freedom and never return to prison again....we've been released!

PRAYER: Lord, thank your giving us freedom and release from the condemnation  of sin and the influence of our old nature.  Help us Holy Spirit to follow your lead and continue on freedom's path. Amen!

Gal 5:1. . . . Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. KJV

OWN IT!

\

2-4-2021. . . .OWN IT!  

"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)  

Who we are and our purpose began and was set in the mind of God long before we ever arrived on the planet!  We are already who God purposed us to be.  It's time for us to believe it, OWN IT, and without fear, 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.  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

DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME

2-3-2021. . . .DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME!

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.  For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."( Eccl 8:5-6 NIV)  

Never let emotions provoke bad decisions!  While one's current position, relationship, job and/or employer for the moment, may be undesirable and even untenable, don't be impulsive and leave before it is time!  Such actions will cause more harm than good.  Discern the right time for your decision!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for discernment.  With every decision, help us discern the times and wait patiently on you.  Amen!

Heb 10:35-36. . . . Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. KJV

FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

2-2-2021. . . .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 fresh 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.  If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

IN GOD'S POWER!

2-1-2021. . . . 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.  As a matter of 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!  God can be trusted with our handicaps.

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

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