NOW, LET'S BELIEVE IT!

10-29-2021. . . .NOW, LET'S BELIEVE IT!

But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, "Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up-the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 43:1-3TLB)  

We are redeemed - we are called by name! He is with us - We will survive - We will come through!  God said it, that settles it!  Now, lets believe it!

PRAYER: Lord, whatever you say, is what we believe and live by.  Thank you for your words to us!  Amen!

Jer 29:11-13. . . . 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 futu re and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. TLB

DOUBLE BENEFIT!

10-28-2021. . . .DOUBLE BENEFIT!

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.  (Prov 11:17 KJV)  

There is a double benefit to doing good.  It blesses others and it blesses us as well.  The same is true of doing bad.  It hurts others and will hurt us as well.  Therefore, one should only send out what one would want to receive.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be prudent in all our actions toward others.  Help us understand that what we do to others we do also to ourselves.  Amen!

Matt 7:12. . . .So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV

DOUBLE BENEFIT!

10-27-2021. . . .DOUBLE BENEFIT!

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.  (Prov 11:17 KJV)  

There is a double benefit to doing good.  It blesses others and it blesses us as well.  The same is true of doing bad.  It hurts others and will hurt us as well.  Therefore, one should only send out what one would want to receive.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be prudent in all our actions toward others.  Help us understand that what we do to others we do also to ourselves.  Amen!

Matt 7:12. . . .So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV

CEASE THE MOMENT

10-22-2021. . . .CEASE THE MOMENT

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10 NIV)  

There is always opportunity to do good to all people, and especially to believers.  The problem is, we don't often cease the moment.   Sometimes unintentionally but sadly, other times, very much intentionally.  Cease the moment!  It's always right to do right!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for every opportunity you give us to treat others well.  By so doing we demonstrate to the world we belong to you. Amen!

Eph 5:8-9. . . . For though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it!  Because of this light within you, you should do only what is good and right and true. TLB

REMEMBER YOUR HERITAGE!

10-21-2021. . . . .REMEMBER YOUR HERITAGE!

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD (Isa 54:17 KJV) 

The tricks and traps of our enemies will be many, but not one of them will succeed!  Let's not be guilty of having spiritual amnesia the next time we come under attack!  Remember your heritage!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for making us a part of your family and giving us a heritage of victory!  Amen!

2 Cor 2:14. . . .But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  NIV

BLESSED AND BEING A BLESSING!

10-20-2021. . . .BLESSED AND BEING A BLESSING!

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35 NIV)  

Everyone likes to be on the receiving end of giving!  Jesus placed greater emphasis on the giving end because in giving we are being a blessing and receiving a blessing simultaneously. 

PRAYER: Lord, how wonderful you are and your ways so unlike our ways.  You have fixed it so that even when we give we receive.  Thank you for your endless supply and flow.  Amen!

2 Cor 8:12-15. . . .If you are really eager to give, then it isn't important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven't.   Of course, I don't mean that those who receive your gifts should have an easy time of it at your expense, but you should divide with them. Right now you have plenty and can help them; then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, each will have as much as he needs.  Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? "He that gathered much had nothing left over, and he that gathered little had enough." So you also should share with those in need.  TLB

HEARTS AND MINDS ON TRIAL!

10-15-2021. . . .HEARTS AND MINDS ON TRIAL!

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. (Ps 26:2-3 NIV) 

Our hearts and minds should always be kept in such a state that if put on trial, they will be found innocent of any and all wrong doing.  Conversely, they should be found guilty of being filled with love, truth and righteousness. 

PRAYER: Lord, let your precious shed blood cleanse our hearts and minds continually so that we may be found forever innocent upon examination.  Amen!

Ps 51:7-11. . . . Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.   And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again.  Don't keep looking at my sins-erase them from your sight.  Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.  TLB

LIVE POLLUTION FREE!

10-14-2021. . . .LIVE POLLUTION FREE!

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Prov 4:23 NKJV)

 Out of a pure heart will flow a pure life.  Be careful then, not to allow anything or anyone to pollute your spring!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving me a new heart from which flows a new and pure life.  Strengthen me daily to be diligent in guarding my heart from all pollutants and polluters.  Amen!

1 Tim 1:5. . . .  What I am eager for is that all the Christians there will be filled with love that comes from pure hearts, and that their minds will be clean and their faith strong. TLB

DON'T GIVE AN INCH!

10-13-2021. . . .DON'T GIVE AN INCH!

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies-the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world." (Eph 6:12 

The unseen forces of evil while no match for the power of Almighty God, are nonetheless real and not to be taken for granted.  We should not ever allow them access into our lives by dabbling into what may seem to be benign pagan celebrations.  If we don't give an inch they can't demand a mile!

PRAYER: Lord, you are Lord of our lives!  We exalt you above all and will not surrender even an inch of your sovereign control.   Amen!

Col 2:14-15. . . .He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. RSV

LIFE'S POTENTIAL!

10-12-2021. . . .LIFE'S POTENTIAL!

"Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was perfect and he was as strong as a young man." (Deut 34:7-8 TLB)  

With God, all things are possible even life-long health, strength and prosperity.  Don't allow bad life choices to diminish life's potential!   When we take care of God's business, God takes care of us!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us life-long health, strength and prosperity in order that we may carry out and complete your divine purpose in us!  Amen!

Mark 10:27. . . .And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. KJV

MAKE A DECISION!

9-8-2021. . . .MAKE A DECISION!

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."  (Heb 12:14-15 NIV)  

Living and being holy is not something that occurs automatically; it requires effort.  We must make a decision to to live and be holy.   Our decision will then affect our behavior.  If our expectation is to see the Lord, we must make a decision; this decision daily!

Prayer: Lord, our decision to pursue peace and live holy has been made.  Thank you for your love, mercy, and patience with us.  Amen!

Heb 12:14-15. . . . Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. TLB

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

9-7-2021. . . .PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

"Work brings profit; talk brings poverty!" (Prov 14:23 TLB) 

What one says one will do means little.  Only what what does counts!  Put up or shut up!

Prayer: Lord, help us to be doers and not talkers!  Amen!

Prov 21:25. . . .The lazy man longs for many things, but his hands refuse to work. He is greedy to get, while the godly love to give! TLB

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

9-6-2021. . . .KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

"For God is not unfair. How can he forget your hard work for him, or forget the way you used to show your love for him-and still do-by helping his children?  And we are anxious that you keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, so that you will get your full reward."  (Heb 6:10-11 TLB)  

How encouraging it is to know that our labor, especially that which is done for the kingdom, does not go unnoticed nor unrewarded!  Keep up the good work!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing the work of our hands.  Help us to continue working with sincere hearts to please you in all we do for the kingdom and mankind.  Amen!

Col 3:22-24. . . . Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  KJV

LABOR NOT IN VAIN!

9-5-2021. . . .LABOR NOT IN VAIN!

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Ps 127:1 KJV) 

 Is God involved with our work?  Whatever our occupation, is God involved?  God gets involved with our work in one of two ways.  1) He gets involved because the work is ordained by Him and He has connected us to it.   2)  We choose to involve God in the work (occupations) we have chosen, even though they are secular endeavors.  In either case, without God's involvement, we labor in vain.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our careers.  Whether you chose them for us or we chose them ourselves, please be involved so that our labor will not be in vain.  Amen!

Eccl 2:24. . . . So I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy apart from him? For God gives those who please him wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away from him and gives it to those who please him. TLB