THE SAME MEASURE!

6-30-2010. . . .THE SAME MEASURE!

"But remember this-if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.  Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes." (2 Cor 9:6-8 TLB)  God loves a cheerful giver; one that understands the blessedness in giving.  Not out of obligation, but out of genuine compassion.   What one gives is what one will get; and how one gives is equally as important.  So, give cheerfully and give bountifully.  It will be given to you in the same measure! 

Prayer: Lord, glad and freely you have given us everything that pertains to life and Godliness!  Helps us to have the same spirit when given to others.  Amen!

2 Cor 9:6-7. . . .Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.   Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. NIV

SOW WITH EXPECTATION!

6-29-2010. . . .SOW WITH EXPECTATION!

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. (Eccl 11: 6 NIV) Sow with expectation! Whether in the morning (In Season) or whether in the evening, (Out of Season) if you have seed, sow it!   God then, will grow it!   One who is always found sowing, will soon find themselves reaping as they are sowing.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always giving seed to the sower. Grow everything we sow that it may be a blessing both to us and to others. Amen!

Eccl 11:5-6. . . .Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow-perhaps it all will. TLB

NOTHING IN, NOTHING OUT!

6-29-2010. . . .NOTHING IN, NOTHING OUT!

“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give-large or small-will be used to measure what is given back to you." (Luke 6:38 TLB)   Generosity is fluid so let it flow. The more you let go the more will flow back to you. What you send out leaves room for what is coming in!   If little or nothing is coming into your life, examine what’s going out!

Prayer: Lord, all things flow from you. Help us to never become so caught up with what we have and receive that we never open up and give. Amen!

Prov 19:17. . . When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord-and he pays wonderful interest on your loan! TLB

GOD GETS THE CREDIT AND THE PRAISE!

6-25-2010. . . .GOD GETS THE CREDIT AND THE PRAISE!

"I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints." (Ps 52:9-53:1 KJV)  God gets the credit and the praise for everything good in our lives!  Every time it looks like the situation or circumstance may not work out, God does His work again!  Hallelujah!  It prompts a praise when you really think about it.  He never fails to show Himself strong on behalf of those that really love Him.

Prayer: Lord, you are amazing!  You never fail!  You always come through in ways I never expect, but am always grateful for.  I praise you today and always.  Amen!

Ps 63:3-4 . . . . Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.   Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. KJV

MY GOD MY PRAISE!

6-24-2010. . . . MY GOD AND MY PRAISE!

“He is your praise and he is your God, the one who has done mighty miracles you yourselves have seen.” (Deut 10:21-22 TLB)   When the world looks at us (believers) and sees the blessing of the Lord upon our lives, it to them becomes an undeniable testimony to the awesomeness of Almighty God!   Even if we don’t say a word (not likely since its like fire shut up in our bones) God Himself is our praise!  How loudly is He speaking in your life?   Can the world see and as a result, hear?

Prayer: Lord, you are my God and my praise. Speak so loudly in my life that the world will not only see, but hear; and as a result, turn to You! Amen.

Ps 44:8. . . . In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name forever. Selah. KJV

I’LL NOT BE ONE OF THOSE!

6-23-2010. . . .I’LL NOT BE ONE OF THOSE!

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Ps 147:1 KJV)   Comely…….an uncommon word meaning ‘fitting…pleasing or suitable.’  If it is fitting, pleasing and suitable to praise God, then conversely, it is unpleasing and unsuitable or fitting not to praise Him!  Yet sadly, days, weeks, months and perhaps even years go by without one utterance of praise from the millions of people that belong to Him!   I’ll not be one of those!   Praise is what I’ll do!

Prayer: Lord, I’m so grateful to you for everything. You are awesome! When I think on who you are, your love and kindness towards me, my lips can’t help but give you praise! Bless your name forever! Amen.

Ps 113:1-3 . . . . Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. KJV

GLORY AND EDIFY!

6-22-2010. . . .GLORY AND EDIFY!


“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”(Ps 100:1 KJV)   Mere noise can be annoying and irritating. A joyful noise (especially when made unto the Lord) is glorifying as well as, edifying! Our praise glorifies God and builds up our spirit! So raise your praise and strengthen your spirit!

Prayer: Lord, I’ll praise your name forever! Let our praise bring strength to our spirits as we glorify you with a joyful noise! Amen!

Ps 100:1-3. . . . Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! 2 Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy. Try to realize what this means-the Lord is God! He made us-we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. TLB

WORTHY OF A PRAISE!

6-21-2010. . . .WORTHY OF A PRAISE!

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."  (Heb 13:15 KJV)   A continual praise seems so little to offer to someone who has done so much!  God sacrificed His only Son for us and by Him, when we really think about it, a praise will be produced!  Jack P. Scholfield wrote, "Life now is sweet and my joy is complete cause I'm saved - saved - saved!"  That's worthy of a praise!

PRAYER: Lord, You are worthy of praise all the time.  Thank You for all you done and most of all for who You are!  Amen.

Ps 34:1. . . .I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. KJV

WHICH WAY ARE YOU GOING!

6-18-2010. . . . WHICH WAY ARE YOU GOING?

“The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. (Deut 28:9 KJV)  God declared of Himself, “I AM THAT I AM!” In Himself He is fully established! So He desires to do for us. Fully establish us “In” who we are. Think about that for a moment. “In” who we are and not just to be who we are. It’s all contingent upon us keeping His commands and walking in His way! Which way are you going?  His way are your  way?

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to be like you and to please you. Help us fully obey you as you establish us within ourselves. To you be all the glory, Amen!

Deut 28:9-10. . . .He will change you into a holy people dedicated to himself; this he has promised to do if you will only obey him and walk in his ways. TLB

THE PLACE CALLED THERE!

6-17-2010 . . . .THE PLACE CALLED THERE!

"The Lord will bless you with good crops and healthy cattle, and prosper everything you do when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you."  (Deut 28:7-8 TLB)    There is no place like "THE PLACE" God has prepared for you.   Our places and spaces may not all be the same, but they all contain the blessings God has for us!  The place is not so much a 'Destination' as it is a 'Dispensation'.   A set Time - - Your time - - Your season!   Everything working together for good and falling into place.   Travailing the road of obedience will take you to the place called, 'THERE!'  There is were blessings abound!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all your blessings.  Thank you for giving us a set time, place and space to operate in your complete and divine will where all blessings abound.  Amen!

Prov 10:22. . . .The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.  KJV

DON'T GET IN THE FIGHT!

6-16-2010. . . .DON’T GET IN THE FIGHT!

"The Lord will defeat your enemies before you; they will march out together against you but scatter before you in seven directions!” (Deut 28:7-8 TLB)     Enemies will come! In fact, enemies will even partner together to bring about our demise.  No matter how many there are or what they do, they will quickly find out coming against us means they are coming against the Lord.   He will defeat them right in front us!   Don’t get in the fight!   Leave it alone and let the Lord handle it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my defender against all my enemies. Help me to stay out of the fight, trust you, and let you handle it. Amen.

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

BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS AND MORE BLESSINGS!

6-15-2010. . . .BLESSINGS, BLESSINGS AND MORE BLESSINGS!

“These are the blessings that will come upon you: Blessings in the city, Blessings in the field; Many children,Ample crops, Large flocks and herds; Blessings of fruit and bread; Blessings when you come in, Blessings when you go out. (Deut 28:2 TLB)   Coming from everywhere!  Coming upon us and overtaking us!   Blessings, blessings and more blessings as a result of our obedience to God. Got it? Get It!   Good!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bountiful blessings coming to me in all directions and from all directions! How I love obeying you! Amen!

Prov 10:6. . . . Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. KJV

FULLY OBEY!

6-14-2010. . . .FULLY OBEY!

"If you fully obey all of these commandments of the Lord your God, the laws I am declaring to you today, God will transform you into the greatest nation in the world.” (Deut 28:1-2 TLB)   Not in degrees….not selectively or occasionally, but ‘FULLY’ obeying God’s commands will engage transformation in our lives.    How we think - - How we act – How we speak – every aspect of our lives will change.   Fully obey and experience change today!

Prayer: Lord, your laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. Help us be fully obedient at all times and thus experience transforming power in our lives. Amen!

Ps 19:7. . . . God's laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. TLB

WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE!

6-11-2010. . . .WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE!

“Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them means death.” (Prov 19:16 TLB) God’s way and His will is expressed through His commands! Obey and abide by them and experience life in all its fullness. Disobey or Deviate from them, experience Death or Separation!    Life or Death? What’s your choice?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for simple choices. Help us not to complicate our lives by our choices. Amen!

Prov 19:16. . . . He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. NIV

LISTEN AND LEARN!

6-10-2010. . . .LISTEN AND LEARN!

"Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. " (Prov 19:27 NIV)  The old adage, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' is only applicable if one is unwilling to listen!  No one knows it all!  Listen and learn!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to always have ears that are quick to hear and receive instruction. Amen.

Prov 19:27. . . . Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right.  TLB

VALID OR INVALID!

6-9-2010. . . .VALID OR INVALID!   

" A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit. " (Prov 19:11 TLB)   Just because someone says something about you does not make it so.  No matter how unflattering or insulting the statement or action is, your 'Re-Action' to it will validate or invalidate it.   It is wise to always keep your anger in check.  It will be a credit to you.  As a result, those issuing the insults will always have reevaluate their statements and position!

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) 

TRUTH WILL PREVAIL!

6-8-2010. . . .TRUTH WILL PREVAIL!

"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free. (Prov 19:5 NIV)  No matter how well fabricated the lie or how powerless one may seem to be to defend it, the truth will eventually and ultimately prevail!  Our grandparents put it this way "The truth will catch of lie."  How true!  Though often battered, tattered and seems like forever struggling, at the end the day, truth prevails.  James Russell Lowell put it this way in his poem, 'The Present Crisis,'  "Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne, Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own."   Wait on it....Truth will Prevail! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are the Truth and will always prevail.  In those time where it would appear not so, help us stand firm until what we see aligns with what we know.  Amen! 

 Prov 19:5. . . . A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. KJV

RICH OR POOR!

6-7-2010. . . .RICH OR POOR!

“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” (Prov 19:1 KJV)     Is one really poor who has integrity?    Rather, one who does not posses integrity, though in possession of much riches, is really poor!    The true value of a person is found in the quality of their character not the quantity of their possessions.    Rich or Poor!    Which one are you?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for quality of character! When riches come, my integrity will guide me in being a good steward. Amen.

Ps 37:16-17. . . .It is better to have little and be godly than to own an evil man's wealth; 17 for the strength of evil men shall be broken, but the Lord takes care of those he has forgiven. TLB

RELAX AND RECEIVE!

6-4-2010. . . .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 scrip.... let things pursue you!!!!    Focus on the source from which all ‘things’ come; God, His kingdom and His righteousness!   Now relax, and get ready 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

DOES GOD CARE?

6-3-2010. . . .DOES GOD CARE?

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” Matt 6:28-30 TLB   Does God care about the clothes we wear?   Does it really make a difference to God?   While He may not be concern with the designer’s name or tag on our clothes, He is certainly concern and will see to that we in fact, have clothes.    The comparison is made to the lilies!   How beautiful they are, all arrayed with their pedals and stems!   They are designer originals and can’t be duplicated.   If He cares about clothing the lilies, ‘Does God Care about clothing us?”   Don't be of little faith in this regard!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for clothing and the capacity to choose what we want to wear. Thank you for the provision and the privilege of doing so. Amen.

Matt 6:28-30. . . . And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? KJV

KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

6-1-2010. . . .KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matt 6:25-26 NIV)     Food, water and clothing while essential for sustaining life, should not be elevated to a level of priority above life itself! The clothes one wears does not make the person. . . .it’s the person (life) that makes the clothes! Keep your priorities straight! Place emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of life! Help us keep our priorities straight and put more emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life! Amen!

Matt 6:25. . . .Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? KJV