BORN TO DO GREAT THINGS!

 5-31-2023. . . .BORN TO DO GREAT THINGS

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." (Dan 11:32 KJV)  

Try as he may, don't let the enemy talk you out of your greatness.  Remember who you know!!!!  We were born to do great things!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to be in relationship with you.  Through you, in you and because of you, we shall do great things!  Amen.

John 14:12-13. . . .Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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. KJV

RESERVED FAVOR!

 5-26-2023. . . .RESERVED FAVOR!

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8-9 NIV)  

God rewards our faithfulness and generosity with favor when needed!  In the times that we forget and wonder how we are going to work things out, God reminds us that He has reserved favor for us and will release it to us at the needed time!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for a reserved favor!  Amen.

2 Peter 1:3-4. . . .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! TLB

BACK TO BASICS!

5-25-2023. . . .BACK TO BASICS!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Prov 3:1-4 NIV)   

Life has no roadmap, but if we follow some basic principles we will successfully navigate our way through it!  Get back to basics. . . .Follow His plan!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for ordering the steps and stops of our life.  Help us to stick to the plan and the basic principles you have set out for us.  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

 

BE RESPONSIBLE!

 6-24-2023. . . .BE RESPONSIBLE!

"Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them."  (1 Tim 6:17-18 TLB)  

Those who have much have a great responsibility to be responsible and accountable to God.  What is done with the riches is of far greater and lasting value than the riches themselves.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the blessing of riches.  Help us to be responsible and accountable to you and to do all we can when we can be a blessing to others in need.  Amen!

Luke 12:48b. . . .Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater. TLB

RELEASE IT NOW!

 6--23-23. . . . RELEASE IT NOW!

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. . . ." (Eph 3:20 KJV) 

Stop holding on to things and trying to work out what only God can do.  Release your faith in Him and "the thing" to Him!  Now, watch Him work it out!

PRAYER: Lord, by your mighty power alone you are able to do far more than we could every, ask, think, or imagine.  Your will be done.  Amen!

Matt 19:26. . . . But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. KJV

NO LIMITS!

6-19-2023. . . .NO LIMITS!

"Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." (Eph 3:20 TLB)  

God's mighty power is limitless!  When we stop limiting ourselves, we stop limiting God and what He desires to do in us, through us and for us!  NO LIMITS!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no limit to your mighty power within us!  Help us to take the limits off ourselves and allow you to do what you do !  Amen!

1 John 4:4. . . .Dear young friends, you belong to God and have already won your fight with those who are against Christ because there is someone in your hearts who is stronger than any evil teacher in this wicked world. TLB

LEAD US ON!

6-18-2023. . . .LEAD US ON!

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.  (Ps 139:7-12 NIV) 

There is no place beyond God's reach!  No matter how high or how low; whether concealed or revealed,  God's hand is there guiding us.  Somebody needs to know today, there is a way out; a way up; a way through; a way back; a way around; a way in!  God not only has a way, He in fact, IS THE WAY!  Therefore our daily prayer remains; Precious Lord, take our hands and lead us on!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your guiding hand.  Amen!

Ps 121:5-8. . . .The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. NIV

EVIDENCE!

6-17-2023. . . .EVIDENCE!

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:15-16 NIV) 

In a court of law, credible evidence is required in order to convict someone of an offense. Likewise, credible evidence is required to convince the world we really know God!  Self-evaluate!  Can enough evidence be found to convince the world we know God and more importantly, that He knows us? 

Prayer: Lord, may the life we live and the good works we do be clear evidence to the world that you are God and we are your children.  Amen!

Luke 6:43-45. . . ."No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.  

WATCH IT!

 6-16-2023. . . .WATCH IT!

"Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own?   Should you say, 'Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see because of the board in your own?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother."  ( Matt 7:1-5 TLB)  

Although we've all been in both positions, it is far more comfortable to be behind the pointing finger than in front of it.   We would all do well to remember the discomfort of the front position and show mercy, before we so quickly take up the comfort of the rear position.  Watch it, don't be so quick to judge!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your ever present mercy towards us especially in those times when we don't deserve it.  Help us to learn that lesson and show mercy when needed.  Amen.

Matt 5:7. . . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

 6-12-2023. . . .DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  (Heb 11:6 KJV) 

Trusting God is not like playing games of chance where one wishes and hopes to win, but more often then not, doesn't!  Trusting God is believing Him beyond what one can see, (we walk by faith not by sight) until what we expect manifest!  Don't play. . . .TRUST!

PRAYER: Lord, our faith and trust is in you.  We will not weaver because we know your word is true and will manifest your will!  Our faith and trust remains always in you!  Amen.

James 1:5-7. . . .If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer. TLB

RELAX AND RECEIVE!

6-11-2023. . . .RELAX AND RECEIVE!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."(Matt 6:33 KJV )  

The constant pursuit of things is exhausting, futile and never satisfying.  Flip the script.... let things pursue you!!!!    Focus on the source from which all ‘things’ come; God, His kingdom, and His righteousness!   Now relax and prepare yourself to receive! 

Prayer: Lord, you are the source of all things. Keep us forever focused on You and not what we can get from You! Amen!

Matt 6:31-33. . . . "So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.” TLB 

VALID OR INVALID!

 6-10-2023. . . .VALID OR INVALID!    

" A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit. " (Prov 19:11 TLB) 

It is always wise for one to keep thier anger in check.  It will be a credit to them. Just because someone says something insulting about us does not make it so.  No matter how unflattering or insulting the statement or action is, our 'Re-Action' to it will validate or invalidate it.    As a result, those issuing the insults will always have to reevaluate their statements and faulty perspectives!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for strategies to defeat the enemy!  Help us never to be taken by surprise or caught off guard and fail to employ them.  Amen!

Prov 19:11. . . .A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (NIV) 

PROVEN WORTHY!

 5-9-2023. . . .PROVEN WORTHY!

"Everyone's work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished. Then every workman who has built on the foundation with the right materials, and whose work still stands, will get his pay." ( 1 Cor 3:13-15 TLB)  

Integrity should be the bases and foundation upon which our work should be built.  Tested under fire or otherwise, it will always be proven worthy.  

Prayer: Lord, help us to have integrity in all we do.  Amen!

1 Cor 15:58-16:1. . . . Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. KJV

FOCUSED!

STAY FOCUSED!

 5-5-2023. . . . STAY FOCUSED!

"Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus.  I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." (Phil 3:13-14 MSG) 

We are all still a work in progress and reaching our desired goal will require FOCUS! Distractions and Attractions are two things that will most certainly cause our focus to shift.  Distractions are external things that cause momentary shifts from our central focus; attractions, on the other hand, are internal things we intentionally shift our focus to.  Be wise and stay on course.  Stay focused on the main goal!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for working in us both to will and to do of your own good pleasure.  Complete the work that you started in us and help us to stay focused.  Amen.

 Phil 1:6. . . . And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. TL23

THE NEXT MANIFESTATION!

5-3-2023. . . . THE NEXT MANIFESTATION!

“How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!” (Ps 139:17 TLB) 

The question is raised in Psalms 8, “What is man that thou art mindful of him. . .”? Put another way, What is man that he is always on your mind?  This very moment, we are in God’s mind and on God’s mind.  What an awesome revelation to know that God is constantly thinking of us.   His thoughts of us are always good and never evil. ( Jer 29:11) God’s thoughts are also His plans;  His plans are His manifested will!   Everything good that happens to us is a result of God’s thoughts in eternity being realized and carried out as our lives unfold.  Approach each day with excitement and the expectation of seeing what God has planned for us next!   Get ready for the next manifestation!

Prayer: Lord, I am so glad you are always thinking of us and that we are never off your mind! You are so awesome and all your works are marvelous. Thank you for the privilege of experiencing them.  Amen!

Ps 139:1-5. . . . O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. TLB 

LET THE SHOW GO ON!

5-2-2023. . . .LET THE SHOW GO ON!

"But this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us --is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own." (2 Cor 4:7 TLB) 

How ironically wonderful that our flawed humanity should be the stage on which God manifest and demonstrates His mighty power and glory!  It is not about us, but all about Him!  So, let the show go on!

PRAYER: Lord, play out your glory and your mighty power on the the stage of our lives!  It is not about us but all about you!  Amen.

Ps 106:8. . . . Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.    KJV