STAND ON T!

3-31-2010. . . .STAND ON IT!

“When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge-to the great amazement of the governor. (Matt 27:12-14 NIV) Truth never needs a defense! Be silent and stand on it! You may be crucified for your stand, but fear not. . . .you will rise again.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the example of how to deal with false accusations. Truth crushed to the ground will rise again. Amen!

Matt 27:12-14. . . . But when the chief priests and other Jewish leaders made their many accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. "Don't you hear what they are saying?" Pilate demanded. But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor's surprise. TLB

MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

3-30-2010. . . .MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” (Matt 27:21-23 KJV) Never be overly inflated by commendation nor deflated by criticism. Maintain a good balance. The same people that sing your praise and commend you one day, may be the some people who call for your crucifixion the next!

PRAYER: Lord, help me to maintain a good balance when it comes to people, so that I am never swayed from my focus whether commended or criticized. Amen!

Matt 27:24-26. . . . When Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing, he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this good man. The responsibility is yours!" And the mob yelled back, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after he had whipped Jesus, he gave him to the Roman soldiers to take away and crucify. TLB

BEWARE OF THE BETRAYER!

3-29-2010. . . .BEWARE OF THE BETRAYER!

“Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” (Matt 26:48-50 KJV) Know that everybody walking by your side is not on your side! Don’t let it throw you when they betray you! Their betrayal is essential to your destiny and each will be rewarded accordingly!

Prayer: Lord, help me understand my betrayer’s purpose so I don’t become a hindrance to it! Thy will be done. Amen!

Prov 27:6. . . . Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. KJV

BE -- DO -- BECOME!

3-26-2010. . . .BE -DO -BECOME!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Eph 1:33 KJV) Every spiritual blessing available in heaven became immediately ours once we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior! Because of Christ, we are spiritually equipped to be . . . .to do. . . . .and to become all God predestined us to become!

Prayer:Lord, thank you for placing divine purpose in me and equipping me with everything I need to fulfill it! Amen.

Eph 1:4-6. . . .For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(from New International Version)

EXPERIENCE TRIUMPH INSTEAD!

3-25-2010. . . .EXPERIENCE TRIUMPH INSTEAD!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”( 2 Cor 2:14-15 NKJV) Defeat is never an option for believers because Christ always leads us into triumph! Even when defeat seems certain, seek His direction and experience triumph instead.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always causing us to triumph. Even through what appears to be defeat, triumph emerges! Thank you again. Amen.

1 Cor 15:57. . . .But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. KJV

CHRIST STRENGTHENS US!

3-24-2010. . . .CHRIST STRENGTHENS US!

“I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; 13 for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." (Phil 4:12-14 TLB) No matter where the winds of life blow us or the tides of life carry us, we are never without the ability to handle it, bare it, endure it and come through it! Christ strengthens us!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for empowering us for all! Help us not resort to the weakness of our own strength! Amen.

Phil 4:13. . . . I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV

BY THE STRENGTH OF THE SON!

3-23-2010. . . .BY THE STRENGTH OF THE SON!

“I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20-21 TLB) Keep trusting in Christ and His finished work of salvation in you. Although, ‘Freddie Krueger’ (flesh) keeps trying to come back, just remind flesh the old is dead and the life I now live I live by the strength of the Son!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming into my life; not as a visitor, but as a permanent resident. Help me to continue to remind my flesh it’s been and is being evicted. Amen!

Heb 3:5-6. . . . But Christ, God's faithful Son, is in complete charge of God's house. And we Christians are God's house-he lives in us!-if we keep up our courage firm to the end, and our joy and our trust in the Lord. TLB

LET THE WORLD SEE!

3-22-2010. . . .LET THE WORLD SEE!

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27 NIV) In us. . . .yes, in us is Christ! His glory is being revealed in us! Glory for us – Glory to us – Glory through us! What’s that shining in you? Let the world see!

Prayer: Lord, how you have honored us by having your glory revealed in us. Help us to be of no hindrance to your shining through us!

Col 1:26. . . . He has kept this secret for centuries and generations past, but now at last it has pleased him to tell it to those who love him and live for him, and the riches and glory of his plan are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory. TLB

REWARDED OPENLY!

3-19-2010. . . .REWARDED OPENLY!

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt 6:6 KJV) The place where you pray is a hallowed space exclusive to only you and God! Those things spoken in secret to God there, He will manifest openly so the whole world can see your reward!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for hearing and answering my prayers! Those things I speak to you in secret are rewarded openly! Continue your wonderful manifestation. Amen!

1 John 5:14-15. . . .And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. KJV

AN AWESOME REWARD!

3-18-2010. . . .AN AWESOME REWARD!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6 NKJV) Seeking after God will never ever lead to disappointment! In fact, a diligent pursuit of the same will lead to certain reward! Wow…..what an awesome reward!

Prayer: Lord, my continuous pursuit of You is continuously reward with more and more of You! Thank You for the experience! Amen.

2 Chron 15:2-3. . . ."Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." NASU

WHEN HE ARRIVES!

3-17-2010. . . .WHEN HE ARRIVES!

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev 22:12 KJV) Something to ponder, especially since His coming shall be quickly: ‘What shall your reward be when He arrives?’ Don’t try to put the thought aside by considering the number of years that have passed since He left. Remember, “A day with the Lord is like a thousand when it has passed.” According to His calendar, He’s only been gone less than a couple of days! His return, is equally as short. So I ask again; ‘What shall your reward be when He arrives?’

Prayer: Lord, as we await your soon return, may the work we currently do be worthy of the reward You bring with You, Amen!

Rev 22:20. . . .“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” KJV

REWARDED APPROPRIATELY!

3-16-2010. . . .REWARDED APPROPRIATELY!

“May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:12 NIV) Your commitment and good deeds done without fanfare, hardly go unnoticed! God always sees and will ensure that the appointed persons also see, take note and reward you appropriately!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that our good deeds while done to draw no attention to them, never go unnoticed by you. Thanks you also for using special people appointed by you to bless us. Amen!

Heb 6:9-10. . . . God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. NIV

BEYOND GREAT!

3-15-2010. . . .BEYOND GREAT!

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Gen 15:1 KJV) No one can ever reward or bless us like God can! His commitment to us is without ulterior motives. He is our reward and His blessings to us are always beyond great!

Prayer: Lord, as you were Abram’s exceeding great reward, so are You ours! As You were faithful and blessed him, so also is our expectation and reward. Thanks you, Amen!

Gen 15:1. . . . Afterwards Jehovah spoke to Abram in a vision, and this is what he told him: "Don't be fearful, Abram, for I will defend you.” And I will give you great blessings. TLB

WHO THEN CAN WIN?

3-12-2010. . . .WHO THEN CAN WIN?

"Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chron 32:7-8 NKJV) Although it may seem that our enemies far out number us, we need only have one on our side, and “He” (God Almighty) is more than the world against us! He will help us and fight for us! Who then can win?

Prayer: Lord, you are my help, my hope and my strength! Therefore, I have no fear of any enemy. My trust is in you so shall I be saved from my enemies! Amen.

Ps 18:2-3. . . . The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. KJV

TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

3-11-2010. . . .TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

“Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” (Ps 94:17-18 KJV) Death certainly would have been our dwelling place if God had not helped us! Time and time again He has come through for us. Even when we did not deserve it, His mercy sustained us. Can I say it again. . . . . Time and Time again!

Prayer: Lord, there has never been a time you have not helped me. Where would I be without You? Thank You for always helping me. Amen.

Ps 109:26-28 . . . . Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because you are loving and kind. 27 Do it publicly, so all will see that you yourself have done it. TLB

REAL HELP!

3-10-2010. . . . REAL HELP!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1-2 NIV) When help is needed, where do you look? Do you know where your help comes from? Not temporary assistance, but that which transforms circumstances and situations! Our “Real Help” comes from God!

Prayer: Lord, I need look no further than You for help and as my help. Amen!

Ps 119:173. . . . Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will. TLB

RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE!

3-9-2010. . . .RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE!

“God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea.” ( Ps 46:1-2 TLB) Testing is a process by which things and even people are proven to be reliable and/or effective. In times of trouble, the faith of believers is held sure by the knowledge that God is a proven (very present) help. . . . .Reliable and Effective.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our refuge and strength. In our times of trouble we are secured and comforted by knowing you are reliable and effective. Amen!

Ps 46:1. . . .God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. KJV

ABLE TO HELP!

3-8-2010. . . .ABLE TO HELP!

“For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.” (Heb 2:18 TLB) It is one thing to suffer and a worst thing to suffer alone! As believers, suffer we may, but never alone and never without help! He knows. . . .He cares and He is able and willing to help!

Prayer: Lord, You know. . . . . . . .and I thank You for Your presence and help! Amen.

Heb 2:18. . . .or in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. KJV

GET BUSY!

3-5-2010. . . .GET BUSY!

“But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. [And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.]” (1 John 1:9 TLB) ‘He can be depended on to forgive!’ If we asked several people the question, ‘Can we be depended upon to forgive,’ what would the answer be? If that answer does not mirror what the word says about God, we’ve got work to do! Get Busy!

Prayer: Lord, you are so faithful in every way! Praise your name forever. May the testimony of me be the same. Amen!

Ps 86:4-5. . . . O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid. TLB

YOU BELONG TO CHRIST DON'T YOU?

3-4-2010. . . .YOU BELONG TO CHRIST DON’T YOU?

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.” (Eph 4:32 TLB) If you can’t find any other reason to forgive, then simply forgive because you belong to Christ. You belong to Christ don’t you?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for accepting me and forgiving. On that basis alone may I always demonstrate my appreciation by forgiving others. Amen!

Col 3:13. . . . Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. TLB

SO READY TO FORGIVE!

3-3-2010. . . .SO READY TO FORGIVE!

“O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid.” (Ps 86:5 TLB) The question is not ‘How ready is God to forgive’, but ‘How ready are we! The scriptures declare God’s constant readiness to forgive and our lives are a living testimony of His abundant mercy. Forgiveness we have so freely received, so let us in turn, be so ready to freely forgive!

Prayer: Lord, I am tempted to ask why are you always so ready to forgive? If I did however, I’d be using my mind without the knowledge of, ‘ Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways not my ways.’ So, I’ll just say, Thank You! Amen.

Ps 86:15. . . . But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. KJV

AN AWESOME THING!

2-30-2010. . . .AN AWESOME THING!

“Lord, if you keep in mind our sins, then who can ever get an answer to his prayers? But you forgive! What an awesome thing this is!” (Ps 130:3 TLB) From how many sins have we been forgiven? Is it even possible to count? A full count is unnecessary when we consider that just one sin could have and perhaps, should have brought about our demise. “But God Forgives!” What an awesome thing this is!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you do not mark our sins, but forgive them. You are awesome in all Your ways! Amen.

Ps 130:3-4. . . . If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. KJV