INDEED, IT IS FINISHED!

3-29-2013. . . .INDEED, IT IS FINISHED!

 "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:29-30 NIV)   What was thought by some to be a certain end, was really the beginning of something that would never end.  It is finished did not refer to the end of His life, but to the end of His assignment.   From Servant to Savior and from Savior to Sovereign Lord!  Indeed, IT IS FINISHED!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for finishing your earthly assignment and opening for all mankind endless heavenly opportunities!  Praise be to your name forever!   Amen.

Eph 4:8-10. . . .The psalmist tells about this, for he says that when Christ returned triumphantly to heaven after his resurrection and victory over Satan, he gave generous gifts to men.  Notice that it says he returned to heaven. This means that he had first come down from the heights of heaven, far down to the lowest parts of the earth.  The same one who came down is the one who went back up, that he might fill all things everywhere with himself, from the very lowest to the very highest. TLB

FORGIVEN AND NOT FORGOTTEN!

3-28-2013. . . .FORGIVEN AND NOT FORGOTTEN!

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  (Matt 27:46 KJV)  God and sin cannot coexist.  Sin has and always will bring about separation from God!  No need to single out this sin over that sin, ALL unrighteousness is sin!  It was necessary for Jesus to be forsaken because He became sin for us although, He knew no sin.  Thankfully, He was forsaken, but not forgotten.  He rose from the grave with all power to save!  In our sins we are separated and forsaken. . . .In His Grace we are forgiven and not forgotten!

PRAYER:  Lord, how grateful we are for your grace!  Were in not for your grace, we would forever remain separated from you.  Where sin abounded however, your grace did much more abound!  Amen!

2 Cor 5:21. . . . For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God's goodness into us!  TLB

NEVER FORGET!

3-27-2013. . . .NEVER FORGET!

"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:26-27 KJV)  Destiny's call does not release us from our responsibility to care for those that care and have cared for us!  Although, destiny may require that we separate, we can do so in peace knowing we've made provision for them.   God never forgets our labor of love, neither should we! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for loving caring parents that position us for our purpose!  Keep your loving arms around them always and never forget their labor of love to us.  Amen!

Heb 6:10. . . . For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. KJV

NOT PUNISHMENT BUT PARADISE!

3-26-2013. . . NOT PUNISHMENT BUT PARADISE!

"And Jesus replied, "Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise." (Luke 23:43 TLB)  There is an old adage that goes, "You made your bed, now lay in it!"  In other words, you get what you deserve!  Jesus completely flip the proverbial scrip on that adage and gave a confessed criminal what he did not deserve.  He did the same for us and remains willing to do the same for any sinner who with a contrite spirit, asks for his remembrance.  In return   He grants not punishment, but paradise in an instant!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for loving us enough to give us better than we deserve.  Thank you for the privilege of living with you forever in paradise.  Amen!

Ps 34:18. . . . The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. TLB

FATHER FORGIVE THEM!

3-25-2013. . . .FATHER FORGIVE THEM!

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34 KJV)  Forgetting, if it were possible, is not a part of the forgiving process, but remembering is!  To remember one's offense against us and not allow our behavior towards them be affected by what we remember is the essence of forgiveness.  At any moment on the cross, Jesus could have summoned legions of angels to come to his rescue and deal harshly with his offenders.  Instead of remembering and responding to their offense, he opted to remember and stay true to his purpose.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us the greatest example of how to forgive.  In spite of what we remember, help us to not allow our behavior toward our offenders to be affected by what we remember and to opt for your greater purpose.  Amen.

Matt 6:14. . . .Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.  TLB

THEIR DEEDS WILL NOT SUCCEED!

3-22-2013. . . .THEIR DEEDS WILL NOT SUCCEED! 

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way."  (Matt 13:24-25 KJV)  Always expect the enemy to be the enemy and to do what enemies do.  It should come as no surprise that they often do their dirty work behind our backs.  Fret not however. . . .their deeds will not succeed!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us wisdom to know our enemies!  Thank you also for being in control and our strong tower against all of them.  Amen.

Isa 54:17. . . . No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.  KJV

THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT EM!

3-21-2013. . . .THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT EM!

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Prov 16:7 KJV)  One sure way to deal with our enemies is to let the Lord handle them!  If we simply focus on pleasing the Lord through our actions, not only towards Him, but towards our enemies as well, the Lord Himself will cause our enemies to be still and they won't know what hit em!

PRAYER: Lord, you have such a cool way of handling things!  If we were left to our own devices as it relates to dealing with our enemies, it would be nothing less then a big mess.  Continue teaching us yours ways and may our ways be always pleasing to you.  Amen.

Ps 3:5-7. . . .Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me. 6 And now, although ten thousand enemies surround me on every side, I am not afraid. 7 I will cry to him, "Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!" And he will slap them in the face, insulting them and breaking off their teeth.  TLB

THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

3-20-2013. . . .THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too."  (Matt 5:43-45 TLB)   If we are honest, this is one of the hardest biblical imperatives to carry out.  The last thing we want to do is be good to someone who is being a low down dirty dog to us; let alone pray for them!  However, as true sons and daughters, we are called to do exactly that!   The lesson is ours to learn and not so much for the benefit of our enemies.

PRAYER: Lord, your ways are best and will benefit us greatly if we follow them.  No matter how difficult it may be, help us to follow your ways concerning our enemies.  Amen!

Matt 5:46-48. . . . If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much.  If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?   Even the heathen do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  TLB

PROPERLY POSITIONED!

3-19-2013. . . .PROPERLY POSITIONED!

"Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!" (Prov 27:7 TLB)  Friends sometime wound us because they are close to us!  As they are a friend to us, so are we a friend to them and as such, have more then likely wounded them.  Therefore, forgive them quickly remembering why they are called our friends.  Enemies on the other hand,  through their deceptive actions, attempt to get close enough to us to wound us.  Therefore, know them by their actions and keep them properly positioned so they can do no harm.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for true friends.  Although, they may wound us and we them, help us to forgive quickly and remember why we are friends.  Train our eyes to recognize our enemies and to keep them properly positioned so that they can do no harm! 

Prov 18:24. . . .There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. TLB

THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

3-18-2013. . . .THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

"Simon Peter replied, "Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God."  Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, and one is a devil."  He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would betray him. (John 6:68-71 TLB)   Everyone walking by our side is not on our side, even though we have chosen them to be so!  While the betrayer's actions inflict pain, they also open the door to destiny!  They are who they are; let them be!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no greater of example then yours of how to bare the presence and burden of a betrayer.  Give of grace to bare our burden with the same knowledge and patience.  Amen!

Matt 26:20-24. . . .That evening as he sat eating with the Twelve, he said, "One of you will betray me." Sorrow chilled their hearts, and each one asked, "Am I the one?"  He replied, "It is the one I served first.  For I must die just as was prophesied, but woe to the man by whom I am betrayed. Far better for that one if he had never been born." TLB

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

3-15-2013. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! You are growing and flourishing because of where you are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life is simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

3-14-2013. . . .WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

"The thief 's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10 TLB)  When we consider the great price Jesus paid for our redemption, to live life in any state less than it's fullness is unacceptable!  Yet by choice, many do just that.  Disobedience, rebellion, stubbornness, and willfulness are among the common attitudes that prevent one from living and experiencing life in it's fullness.  Why settle for less?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to live and experience life in all its fullness.  Help us to daily say, "Never the less."  Amen.

John 10:10. . . .

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  

KJV

THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEM!

3-13-13. . . .THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEM!

"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn." (Phil 2:14-15 TLB)  Complaining and arguing accomplishes nothing so why waste time doing it?  We are to be known as Sons and Daughters of God; not those who argue and complain!  Remember, be the a part of the solution and not part of the problem!

Prayer: Lord, although it is challenging at times not to complain and even argue with crooked and stubborn people, thank you for giving us grace to get pass it and keep our tongues so as not to bring blame upon ourselves and more importantly, the Kingdom.  Amen!

Matt 5:14-15. . . .You are the world's light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don't hide your light!  Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

TLB

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVERMORE!

3-12-2013. . . .YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVERMORE!

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6 KJV)  Prior to Christopher Columbus' discovery of the new world in 1492, it was thought and held to be true that the known world was flat.  New facts however, rendered that truth invalid.  The truth of Jesus, the truth about Jesus, and the truth that is Jesus is not relative; it will not change!   He is our direction (the Way); He is our complete instruction (the Truth); He is our revelation (the Life).  Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forevermore! 

PRAYER: Lord, in you we have everything we need!  You are our way, truth, and life!  Thank you that you never change!  Amen.

Heb 13:8-9. . . .Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your spiritual strength comes as a gift from God, not from ceremonial rules about eating certain foods-a method which, by the way, hasn't helped those who have tried it! TLB

STAND ON IT!

3-11-2013. . . .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

PROCLAIM THE NAME!

3-8-2013. . . .PROCLAIM THE NAME!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  (Isa 9:6 KJV)  No one has ever been given a name that contains so much!  When we proclaim the name J E S U S, we procure him in our lives as wonderful; counselor  the might God; and the Prince of Peace, and the list does not stop there!  Proclaim him as healer; defender; provider; comforter.  Proclaim the name and procure the promises therein contained!

PRAYER: Lord, your name is great!  As we proclaim your name we procure the promises therein contained.  Thank you.  Amen!  

Isa 45:22-23. . . .For I am God; there is no other. 23 I have sworn by myself, and I will never go back on my word, for it is true-that every knee in all the world shall bow to me, and every tongue shall swear allegiance to my name." TLB

WHAT'S IN A NAME!

2-7-2013. . . .WHAT'S IN A NAME!

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."  (Mark 16:17-18 KJV)  What's in a name?  If its simply our names, then not much more than identity.  If on the other hand it is the name that is above every name, J E S U S, there is not only identity, but also Authority, (to cast out demons) Clarity, (to speak with new tongues) Security, (to deal with deadly things) and Responsibility (to lay hands on the sick).  So, what's in a name. . . .not much; What's in "the Name". . . . Everything!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the power and authority of your name!  Your name is above every name.  Help us to use in appropriately!   Amen.

Matt 28:18-20. . . .He told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and earth.  Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this-that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."  TLB

NAME DROPPING!

3-6-2013. . . .NAME DROPPING!

"That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10-11 TLB)  There are times when we can drop certain names in certain situations and cause a reaction to occur.  However, there is no other name that can be named that can command a total world response.       J E S U S!  Talk about the ultimate in name dropping. . . this is it!

PRAYER:  Lord, your name is above every name and at the mention of it, all the world must respond!  Glory to your name forever.  Amen!

John 14:12-14. . . .You can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you. 14 Yes, ask anything, using my name, and I will do it!  TLB

ONE NAME!

3-5-2012. . . .ONE NAME!

"For Jesus the Messiah is (the one referred to in the Scriptures when they speak of ) a 'stone discarded by the builders which became the capstone of the arch.'   There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them."  (Acts 4:11-12 TLB)  The call for salvation will never go unanswered.  There is no possibility of the line being busy, a missed call, a dropped call, or even a wrong call, because there is only one place to call.  One name above every name, and one name with the power to save.  J E S U S!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for salvation through your Son, Jesus the Christ!  All praise, glory and honor be to His wonderful name!  Amen.

Prov 18:10. . . . The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. NIV

SAY IT AND SAY IT AGAIN!

2-4-2013. . . .SAY IT AND SAY IT AGAIN! 

"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.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom 10:9-10 KJV)  What one truly believes in their heart will and in fact, must be confessed with their mouth!  The world needs to know that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God!  If we indeed believe it, we must indeed say it, and say it again and again and again!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for Jesus!  With boldness we confess to the world, that he is the Son of God!  Amen.

1 John 4:14-15. . . . Anyone who believes and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is living with God. TLB

WORK ON SAINTS!

3-1-2013. . . .WORK ON SAINTS!

"My enemies will fall back and perish in your presence;  you have vindicated me; you have endorsed my work, declaring from your throne that it is good.  (Ps 9:3-4 TLB)  As challenging as it may be, regard not the many naysayers who have no problem expressing their venomous opinions and judging our call, charge, and commission.  God himself puts his stamp of approval on us (the anointing) and we have no need for man's approval or sanction.  God vindicates his anointed and declares our work good!   Work on Servants!

PRAYER: Lord, you alone have called us and qualified us to do what we do.  Help us to look only to you for approval and vindication from the accusations of our enemies.  Amen! 

Ps 27:1-3. . . .The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger-whom shall I fear?  When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me. TLB