CONFESS AFRESH!

2-28-2011. . . .CONFESS AFRESH!

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  (Rom 10:9 KJV)  "JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD."  We confessed  it because we believed it; and having believed, we have received the gift of eternal life!  Confess it afresh to the world!  There are many that yet need to be saved!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me!  As we confess you to the world, may the power of our words produce a harvest of new souls.  Amen!

2 Peter 3:9. . . .The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  KJV

A GOOD THING!

2-25-2011. . . .A GOOD THING!

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.  And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;" (1 Kings 3:9-11 KJV) All of us have been guilty of misjudgment and jumping to conclusions, only to discover later we were completely wrong.  We failed to seek understanding to discern and judge the matter or person correctly.  This understanding and discernment comes from God who is willing to give it to us freely if we but ask Him!  He will even give us more because we have asked of Him a good thing!

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for every time we jumped to conclusions and misjudged a situation or a person wrongly.  Give us understanding to discern and judge wisely and correctly.  Amen!

Rom 14:10-13. . . .You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.  It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"  So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.  NIV

DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME!

2-24-2011. . . .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 may be undesireable for the moment, don't be impulsive and leave before it is time!  Such actions will cause more harm than good.  Discern the right time!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for discernment.  Help 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

WATCH OUT FOR PERPETRATORS!

2-23-2011. . . .WATCH OUT FOR PERPETRATORS!

Then he turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right.  "When the south wind blows you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is.  Hypocrites! You interpret the sky well enough, but you refuse to notice the warnings all around you about the crisis ahead.  Why do you refuse to see for yourselves what is right? (Luke 12:54-57 TLB)  Never take discernment for granted.  Because one can discern the lessor things does not mean one is able to discern the greater things.  Watch out for perpetrators!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your true gifts and for those who operate in them according to your will, and for your glory.  Amen!

Rom 12:1-2. . . .

 And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy-the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. 

TLB

WHICH IS STRONGEST!

2-22-2011. . . .WHICH IS STRONGEST!

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  (Heb 5:13-14 KJV)  Which is strongest; our senses or our discernment?  Which ever one has the most influence over our decisions.  If it is still our senses, we have not been maturing spiritually through the daily exercising (putting into action) of the word in our lives.  We remain then, babes!  If we however, feed daily on the word and put it in to action daily, we will grow to full age (maturity) and our spiritual discernment will rule!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word!  Help us increase our desire for your word and put it more into action in our lives.  Amen!

Mal 3:16-18. . . .Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. KJV

A BETTER LIFE!

2-21-2011. . . .A BETTER LIFE!

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor 2:14 KJV)  Equally as important as developing our five natural senses, is the need to develop our spiritual discernment.  Spiritual discernment enables us to distinguish between 'God things' and 'Other things!  The keener our discernment, the better our life choices resulting ultimately, in a better life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of discernment.  Help us to develop our gift so that we may know and choose the things that you have freely given to us!    Amen.

1 Cor 2:12. . . .Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.   KJV

HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

2-18-2011. . . .HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

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 of 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.  How bad could loving our neighbors really be?   

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

ONLY ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

2-18-2011. . . .ONLY ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."  (1 John 3:18 NIV)  Love is what love does!  It is certainly okay to say I love you and to express our love verbally, but if there are no actions to back up our words, then like a puff of smoke our words quickly fade and disappear.  How then can we have boldness to speak of love in His presence?  Only actions speak louder than our words! 

Prayer: Lord, give us strength in our actions of love so that our testimony of love will be of substance and not as vapor.  Amen.

Heb 6:10-11.  . ..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

HOW BAD CAN IT BE!

2-17-2011. . . .HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

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.  How bad could loving our neighbors really be?   

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

LOVE WITH PURPOSE!

2-16-2011. . . .LOVE WITH PURPOSE!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV)  God didn't just love, but He 'So Loved' the world in such a way that it moved Him to action!  God is intentional when it comes to love and so also should we be.  The love He sends out has purpose and is never by accident or coincidence.  His love has life changing power and so will ours when we love with purpose!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us with purpose!  Your love has changed our lives!  Help us to love with purpose and there by change lives as well.  Amen.

Eph 2:4-6. . . . But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much 5 that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved- 6 and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms-all because of what Christ Jesus did. TLB

DEPEND ON IT!

2-15-2011. . . .DEPEND ON IT!

"Love never fails."(1 Cor 13:8 NIV)  In a world of uncertain things, uncertain people, uncertain weather, uncertain circumstances, it is good to know we can depend on love!  God is Love and God can most certainly be depended on!  Depend on it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful and dependable God!  Thank you that your love fails not and that we can depend on it!  Amen.

1 Cor 13:13. . . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV

A PERFECT MATCH!

2-14-2011. . . .A PERFECT MATCH! 

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV)  As we celebrate love today, we would do well to check the reflection of our love by looking at the mirror of 1 Corinthians 13.  Is this what our love looks like or, is our love reflection distorted, contorted and perverted?  The world will be a better place if we make sure the image and the reflection are a perfect match!  Happy Valentine's Day!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing us and giving us perfect love!  Help us to reflect the true image of that love in the world!  Amen.

1 Cor 13:1-3. . . . If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. NIV

OUCH.....THE TRUTH HEALS!

2-11-2011. . . .OUCH.....THE TRUTH HEALS!

"Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves." (Eph 4:25 TLB) Lying benefits no one and hurts everyone involved.  Lying to a brother or sister is like lying to ourselves, seeing we are connected.  Would one in right mind, intentionally hurt one's self?  I think not.  It has been said, 'The truth hurts' and true that may be in some cases, but not like a lie!  The hurt of truth ultimately heals whereas, the hurt of a lie continually brings harm.  OUCH....The truth heals!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your healing truth.  Helps spread the healing by always speaking the truth and no lies.  Amen.

Prov 8:6-9. . . .Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.   All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. KJV

DESTINED TO BURN!

2-10-2011. . . .DESTINED TO BURN!

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev 21:8 KJV)  To tell a lie, is to confess and be forgiven; to become a liar, is to choose a place among an infamous group of despicables destined to burn. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that there is forgiveness with you.  We pray that the  fire kindled for the list of despicables will find not one soul.  Nevertheless, thy will be done.  Amen!

2 Peter 3:9. . . .The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV

DETESTABLE OR A DELIGHT!

2-9-2011. . . .DETESTABLE OR A DELIGHT!

"The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful." (Prov 12:22 NIV) Why would anyone be anything other than a delight to the Lord?  How detestable are lying lips to us?  We don't have the capacity to multiply our feelings enough to even come close to determining how the Lord must feel about it.  Detestable or a Delight?  We must ask ourselves, what lips do we have?

Prayer: Lord, let not my lips be detestable to you.  May truth from my lips be forever a sweet sound to your ears.  Amen.

Prov 13:5. . . .The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. NIV

SPEAK LIFE NOT DEATH!

2-8-2011. . . .SPEAK LIFE NOT DEATH!

"Don't tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all its wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you." (Col 3:9-11TLB)  Contrary to popular belief, lies do not come in colors or different sizes.  A lie is a lie!  We also have a choice whether to lie or tell the truth.  If we choose to lie, we opt to be ruled by our old nature which is dead and passed away.  Speak life not death!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for new life in you!  Help us to speak those things which pertain to life and not death.  Amen!

Col 3:5-10. . . . Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.    You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.(NIV)

DON'T DO IT!

2-7-2011. . . .DON'T DO IT!

"For there are six things the Lord hates-no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers." (Prov 6:16 TLB) LYING is second on the list of things God hates!  Is there really any good reason not to tell the truth?  NO!  No one likes lies or liars and God hates it!  ADVICE: DON'T DO IT!

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you always.  Therefore, we will not do the things you hate.  Amen!

Ps 34:11-14. . . . Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.  Do you want a long, good life?  Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying.  Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. TLB

NOT IN OUR OWN STRENGTH!

2-4-2011. . . .NOT IN OUR OWN STRENGTH!

"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.  In 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!  Trust Him with your handicap.

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

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

RELEASE YOURSELF!

2-3-2011. . . .RELEASE YOURSELF!

I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good.  O God, you have helped me from my earliest childhood-and I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things you do. (Ps 71:15-18 TLB)  There comes a time in one's walk with the Lord, that we reach what I call, 'The Release Point.'  The release point is where we fully allow the Lord to truly direct and orchestrate our lives.  No more tug-of-war or trying to operate in our will and might.  We simply walk in His strength and give witness to the evidence of the goodness and favor of God we experience through such a release.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for daily supplying us with your strength whereby we walk and witness to the world your greatness and goodness.  Amen!

Ps 84:11-12. . . . For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.   O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. KJV



STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

2-2-2011. . . .STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

"I, Wisdom, give good advice and common sense. Because of my strength, kings reign in power, and rulers make just laws. (Prov 8:14 TLB)  Strength of body is of little to no avail without strength of mind!  Wisdom is the mind's key source of strength yielding guidance and wise decision making power.  Strengthen the mind through wisdom and experience real life changing power!

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom that strengthens our minds and enables us to experience real decision making power that brings benefit all.  Amen.

 Prov 24:5-6. . . . A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.  Don't go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors. TLB

EQUIPPED!

2-1-2011. . . .EQUIPPED!

For you have given me strength for the battle and have caused me to subdue all those who rose against me. (2 Sam 22:40 TLB)  David gladly acknowledged God as his source of strength and his ability to subdue his adversaries.  God did not relieve him from the battle, but resourced him for the battle.  He does the same for us!  Prepare for victory!  We have alreay been equipped!

Prayer: Lord, you are my source of strength and I depend on you!  You have resourced me for the battle and I am prepared for victory!  Amen!

Ps 18:32-34. . . . He fills me with strength and protects me wherever I go.  He gives me the surefootedness of a mountain goat upon the crags. He leads me safely along the top of the cliffs.  He prepares me for battle and gives me strength to draw an iron bow! TLB