CHECK YOUR HEART!

8-31-2012. . . .CHECK YOUR HEART!

"But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people. They listen to God's words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe."  (Luke 8:15 TLB)  In the parable Jesus taught His disciples about the Sower and Seeds, the ground where the seed (the Word) was most effective was good and 'Honest' ground.  The heart is that good and honest ground!  Honest in one's heart will always produce fruits of good works and love.  A dishonest heart conversely will produce dishonest acts!  What kind of heart is yours?

Prayer: Lord, work on my heart.  Keep my honest forever honest so that your word will always find a place to flourish.  Amen.

Mark 7:21-23. . . . For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery,  wanting what belongs to others, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and all other folly.  All these vile things come from within; they are what pollute you and make you unfit for God."  TLB

8-30-2012. . . .HE WILL ANSWER!

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises."  (Ps 143:1 TLB)  We need not ever fear to come to God in our times of need.  With assurance we can ask in confidence knowing that in His faithfulness, He will answer us!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers!

Ps 92:2-4. . . . Every morning tell him, "Thank you for your kindness," and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness.  Sing his praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre.  You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy. TLB

OPT FOR GOD'S WILL!

8-29-2012 . . . .OPT FOR GOD'S WILL!

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  (1 John 2:16-17 KJV)  The things we see and the things we want in this world all have a short shelf life and will soon pass away.   If we go after things we see and want that are not in God's will, our shelf life will become short as well.   Opt for longivity!  Do God's will and live forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for options and the free will to choose.  Forgive us for our pass bad choices and help us opt for your will over the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of this life.  Amen.

1 John 2:15-17. . . . Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; 16 for all these worldly things, these evil desires-the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance-these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. 17 And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.  TLB

EARMARKS OF OUR LIFE?

8-28-2012. . . .EARMARKS OF OUR LIFE?

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."  (1 Tim 2:1-4 KJV)  What kind of life are do we lead?  Is it acceptable to God?  What are the earmarks of our lives?  Are they prayer, supplications and intercessions and the giving of thanks?  Most Importantly, are we following after godliness and HONESTY?  This is the life that is acceptable to God.  We deceive only ourselves if our lives are anything different.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a standard of godliness and honesty!  May they forever be the earmarks of our lives. Amen!

1 Tim 2:1-4. . . . Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.  Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.  This is good and pleases God our Savior,  for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth:  TLB

Perfect Hearts and Willing Minds!

8-27-2012. . . .Perfect Hearts and Willing Minds!

King David wisely advised his son Solomon, to . . . "know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. . . (1 Chron 28:9KJV) We would do well to follow the same wise advise. Whatever is in our hearts and minds is not hidden from God. Spoken or unspoken, He knows it all. Let us examine our hearts and purify our minds today and serve God with perfect hearts and willing minds!

Prayer: Lord, you search me and know me. There is nothing within me that is hidden from you. May your search of my heart and mind yield only that which is pleasing unto you! Amen!

Ps 139:23-24. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. KJV

THE RIGHT OR LEFT!

8-24-2012. . . .THE RIGHT OR LEFT!

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:- - - - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  (Matt 25:34; 25:41KJV)  Two sides, one for sheep (believers) one for (goats) non-believers!  What we do and the choices we make now will determine what He does and the choice He makes then!  On which side will we be on!  THE RIGHT OR LEFT!

PRAYER: Lord, when the separation time comes, may what we've done and the choices we've made allow you to gladly position us on the right side!  Amen!

 Matt 25:41-45. . . .Then I will turn to those on my left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.  For I was hungry and you wouldn't feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn't give me anything to drink;  a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'  "And I will answer, 'When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.'  TLB

HOW MUCH ARE WE WILLING TO LOOSE!

8-23-2012. . . .HOW MUCH ARE WE WILLING TO LOOSE!

"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare-before him. Each of us will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body." (2 Cor 5:10 TLB) The day of accounting is surely going to come when every believer will stand before the Lord Jesus and receive our reward for the things done while here on the earth.  A lot is said about our golden crowns and white robes and such, but please know, we will also receive what we have earned for the bad we have done as well.  Our salvation will not be at stake, but think of the reward we will loose as a result of our bad deeds.   How much are we willing to loose?  Eliminate the bad and increase the good; so also our reward shall be!

PRAYER: Lord you are just and true in all your ways.  There is no unrighteousness with you.  We pray that before your return we eliminate all the bad from our lives so that you will only have to reward us for our good!  Amen!

Ps 37:27-30. . . .So if you want an eternal home, leave your evil, low-down ways and live good lives. For the Lord loves justice and fairness; he will never abandon his people. They will be kept safe forever; but all who love wickedness shall perish. The godly shall be firmly planted in the land and live there forever. The godly man is a good counselor because he is just and fair and knows right from wrong.  TLB

BE ON THE LOOKOUT!

8-22-2012. . . .BE ON THE LOOKOUT!

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matt 25:13 KJV)  An 'APB' is an ALL POINTS BULLETIN!  It is a message usually issued by the authorities putting everyone on alert to be on the lookout for a certain person or persons!  Heaven is the ultimate authority and has issued it's APB!  Be on the lookout for the Lord, Jesus Christ!  He will descend from the clouds at any moment and at anytime!  BE ON THE LOOKOUT!

PRAYER: Lord, we know that you are coming as you said you would.  We are waiting and we will be watching!  Amen.

Luke 12:39-40. . . ."Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return-just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming.  So be ready all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected."  TLB

PLENTY OF ROOM NOT OF TIME!

8-21-2012. . . .PLENTY OF ROOM NOT OF TIME!

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."   (John 14:2-3 KJV)  When Jesus returns (and he surely will return) His agenda will be to retrieve everyone He has prepared a place for.  Accept Him today!  There is still plenty of room, but not plenty of time!

PRAYER: Lord, we pray that everyone will accept you as their savior before it is too late.  Help us daily to be witnesses for you to the world.  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

BE READY!

8-20-2012. . . .BE READY!

"His coming will not be delayed much longer.   And those whose faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything."  (Heb 10:37-38 TLB)  As surely as day follows night, the Lord is surely going to return!  Although, we know not the day nor the hour, don't be caught unaware!  It could be any moment!  In that moment, it will be to late to get ready; one must prepare now and then, BE READY!

PRAYER: Lord, your coming is nearer than ever before!  We pray that no one will be caught unaware and that we all will join you in the air!  Even so Lord, Come!  Amen.

1 Thess 4:15-17. . . .For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.  TLB

SUBMIT TO THE PROCESS!

8-17-2012. . . .SUBMIT TO THE PROCESS!

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.   Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)  God has a plan for our promotion, but we must be willing to submit to His process.  No need to belittle ourselves by doing things to gain attention from people in positions of power.  Our promotion is not up to them!  It's up to God!  "For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God. He promotes one and deposes another."  (Ps 75:5-6 TLB )  We may be ready for promotion, but the position may not be ready for us!  Allow God to set things in order and in due time, He will release us into it!

  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the next promotion!  Help us to humble ourselves under your mighty hand, submit to your process, and stay in your will, but out of your way!  Amen.

James 4:9-10. . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV)

IN SPITE OF US!

8-16-2012. . . .IN SPITE OF US!

"He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant." (Ps 111:5 KJV)  God's love for us is obvious (or should be) through His ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.  If He never does or did anything else for us, that would be enough.  However, beyond His great love for us is His promise (covenant) to us!  Even in our times of unfaithfulness to Him, He is ever mindful of His covenant!  For His own name sake He blesses us and many times, in spite of us!

Prayer: Lord, you are the faithful God who is always mindful of your covenant!  You never fail!  Thank you for blessing us even in spite of us.  Amen.

Ps 111:4-6. . . .Who can forget the wonders he performs-deeds of mercy and of grace? 5 He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises.  TLB

8-15-2012. . . .FAITH-FULL-NESS = FAITHFULNESS!

"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)  Faithfulness requires "FAITH-FULL-NESS!"   One must have faith to please (Be Faithful) to God!  Without it, being faithful to God and His commands is impossible!  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Here's a simple equation:  More Word = More Faith!  More Faith-Full-Ness = More Faithfulness! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for you word for by hearing it, comes faith!  Fill us completely with your word in order that we may live a life of faithfulness to you.  Amen!

 Heb 11:5-6. . . .You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. TLB

WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE SHALL BE!

8-14-2012. . . . WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE SHALL BE!

Who do men say that I am? (St. Matthew 16:13-20) One cannot ask just anybody this question and expect to get an unbiased answer!   Who we are is not and cannot be defined by the opinions of the general populous!  Neither can it be defined by the select few who are privileged to hold a position within our inner circles. Flesh and blood is incapable of providing this revelation; at best, a glimpse is barely possible. The Father alone knows!  In fact, He has always known!   As we seek Him daily, He will give us fresh revelation of who we are and who we shall be! 

PRAYER: Lord, Cause us to be who you ‘knew’ before you formed us!  Have your way in us Lord.  Amen!

Jeremiah 1:4-5… The Lord said to me, "I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." (TLB)

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY!

8-13-2012. . . .HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY!

"Finally,  brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil 4:8 KJV)  Honesty is among the eight things that should always occupy a believer's mind.  Honest thoughts will produce honest behavior.  An advantage or gain gotten any other way than honestly, is really not an advantage or gain at all.  Honesty is still the best policy!

Prayer: Lord, help us to think on thinks that are honest and act on those thoughts immediately.  Amen!

Phil 4:8-9. . . .Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. NAS

TRUST GOD!

8-10-2012. . . .TRUST GOD!

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Phil 1:6 KJV)  In spite of disappointments and sometimes failures, we persevere with confidence knowing that the Lord will never give up on us!  What He started in us, He will complete!  So, get up; stand up; keep going; stay strong; re-engage; re-connect;  go through; get through; stay in the race; endure to the end;  TRUST GOD!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for not ever giving up on us!  Amen.

 Ps 138:8. . . . The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don't abandon me-for you made me.  TLB

AN UNBEATABLE COMBINATION!

8-9-2012. . . .AN UNBEATABLE COMBINATION! 

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Heb 10:35-37 NIV)  Confidence is faith and trust holding hands!  It is an unbeatable combination with which we can always expect a favorable outcome from every situation.  Never let it go!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that with you our faith and trust are well placed!  A favorable outcome from every situation is our expectation and we thank you in advance for the manifestation!  Amen. 

Rom 8:31. . . .What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?  TLB

WASTE NOT CONFIDENCE!

8-8-2012. . . .WASTE NOT CONFIDENCE! 

"Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot. (Prov 25:19 TLB)  Waste not confidence on people who will never live up to the investment of the same!  Pain and disappointment will be the only return on that investment.  Invest your confidence wisely and let God be the standard of measurement.

PRAYER: Lord, you are the standard on measurement by which we determine in whom we invest confidence!  Help us to all be worthy investments.  Amen!

Ps 118:8. . . .It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  KJV

FEAR NOT. . . .EXPECT PEACE!

8-7-2012. . . .FEAR NOT. . . .EXPECT PEACE!

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." (Prov 3:25-26 NIV)   Bad things are going to happen and some times, they may even rattle of us!  In those times the Lord Himself will be our confidence and steady us and return us to a place of peace.  Fear not. . . .Expect peace!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always being there for us.  Although, we are some times shaken, you are our confidence and peace.  Amen!

Ps 16:8. . . .I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. KJV

CONFIDENCE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT!

8-6-2012. . . .CONFIDENCE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT!

"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. (1 John 5:14-15 KJV)  The level of our trust and confidence in the Lord can be measured by what we ask of Him!  Within the realm of His will, all things are available to us!  We therefore, must believe and have confidence to the fullest extent of His will and make our request accordingly!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.  Help us to believe and have confidence to full extent of your will and make our request accordingly!  Amen.

Mark 10:27. . . .Jesus looked at them intently, then said, "Without God, it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible."  TLB

THE LORD'S ANOINTED IS THE LORD'S ANOINTED!

8-3-2012. . . . THE LORD'S ANOINTED IS THE LORD'S ANOINTED!

"David asked him, "Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" Then David called one of his men and said, "Go, strike him down!" So he struck him down, and he died.  For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.'" (2 Sam 1:14-16)  As the Lord's anointed, we don't walk among men with arrogance and a since of entitlement, we walk humbly so as not to position others to be in danger of the Lord's wrath because of their treatment of us!  The Lord's anointed, is the Lord's anointed!   

PRAYER: Lord, we walk humbly before men in full acknowledgement that we represent you!  Thank you for being our protector from all who would do us harm because of it!  Amen.

1 Chron 16:22. . . .'Don't harm my chosen people,' he declared.  'These are my prophets-touch them not.' TLB

THE FEAR FACTOR!

8-2-2012. . . .THE FEAR FACTOR!

"The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. (Ps 28:8-9 NIV)   Those God anoints He also protects!  With boldness we carry out our assignments knowing God has taken away the fear factor! 

PRAYER: Lord, with boldness, we shall go where you tell us to go and speak what you tell us to speak.  Thank you for taking away the fear factor!  Amen.

Isa 12:2. . . .See, God has come to save me! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song; he is my salvation. TLB

8-1-2012. . . .BLESSED INDEED!

"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him." (1 John 2:26-27)  The anointing given to us by God is the Holy Ghost!  He is alive, ever present and resident within us!  He is our guide, our teach, and He is our assurance of all the promise fulfilled!  We are blessed indeed!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the anointing of your Holy Spirit!  We are sealed and assured of your promise fulfilled.  We are blessed indeed!  Amen.

Eph 1:14. . . . His presence within us is God's guarantee that he really will give us all that he promised; and the Spirit's seal upon us means that God has already purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. TLB