WATCH IT!

7-31-2013. . . .WATCH IT!

"Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own?   Should you say, 'Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see because of the board in your own?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother."  ( Matt 7:1-5 TLB)  Although we've all been in both positions, it is far more comfortable to be behind the pointing finger than in front of it.   We would all do well to remember the discomfort of the front position and show mercy, before we so quickly take up the comfort of the rear position.  Watch it, don't be so quick to judge!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your ever present mercy towards us especially in though times when we don't deserve it.  Help us to learn that lesson and show mercy in spite of.  Amen.

Matt 5:7. . . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY!

7-30-2013. . . .STANDARD BEARERS! 

"Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much."  (James 1:26-27 TLB)  Words have power and the potential to leave a lasting impact.  Therefore, it is vitally important that people in general pay attention to what they say and how they say what they say!  For Christians, it is even more so!  We of all people should be the standard bearers for good and controlled speech.  WATCH WHAT YOU SAY, because others are!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the ability to communicate with words.  Help us to realize that our words have power and never to abuse the uses of them.  Amen!

James 1:26-27. . . .If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. NIV

VALID OR INVALID!

7-29-2013. . . .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, our 'Re-Action' to it will validate or invalidate it.   It is wise to always keep our anger in check.  It will be a credit to us.  As a result, those issuing the insult will always have to reevaluate their position and statements!

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) 

SEE THE IMPOSSIBLE!

7-26-2013. . . .SEE THE IMPOSSIBLE!

Jesus looked at them intently, then said, "Without God, it is utterly impossible.  But with God everything is possible." (Mark 10:27 TLB)  As a child of God, the possibilities for us are limitless.  We are  limited only by the extent to which we believe God!  Believe for the impossible and see the impossible!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being on our side and helping us to understand that with you there are no limits to the possibilities that exist for us!  Amen.

Eph 3:20-21. . . .Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. TLB

CHECK YOUR GPS!

7-25-2013. . . .CHECK YOUR GPS!

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."  (Prov 14:12 KJV)  According to Psalms 37:24, our steps are ordered by the Lord; suggesting a planned path and a planned destination.  It is possible however, to veer off course and follow our own way to a completely different location; A location that is not what we anticipated it to be, and one that lands us in a place of separation from God!   Have you checked your GPS lately?  God's Positioning System is accurate and does not change!  It will locate us, redirect us, and guide us back to the planned path and destination.  Feeling lost and out of place, Check your GPS!

PRAYER: Lord, you are the light of our pathway and the lamp to our feet.  Guides on your path daily and keep us from veering off track by following our own way.  Guide us oh thou great Jehovah, pilgrims through this barren land, we are weak but thou art mighty, hold us with thy powerful hand.  Amen! 

Ps 37:24. . . .The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. KJV

PRIORITY ONE!

7-24-2013. . . .PRIORITY ONE!

"In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (Prov 3:4-6 TLB) When God is priority one in our lives, success will not be an intermittent nor temporary experience!   It will be our lifestyle.

PRAYER: Lord, we seek and need your direction.  We acknowledge you in all our ways; please Lord, direct our path.  Amen!

Prov 3:5-6. .  .Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV

GOD REFINES!

7-23-2013. . . .GOD REFINES! 

"I will bring the third that remain through the fire and make them pure, as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call upon my name and I will hear them; I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God."  (Zech 13:9 TLB)  Everyone does not make it through the fires of testing and refinement.  Those that have, those that will, and those that do, come out on the other side with a far greater kingdom value!  The world can only define us (and that often incorrectly), but God refines us to our greatest value!

PRAYER: Lord, refine us to our greatest value.  Although, the process at times may be painful, the end result is worth it!  Complete the process in us.  Amen!

Ps 139:23-24. . . .Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. TLB

NO LIMITS!

7-22-2013. . . .NO LIMITS!

"Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." (Eph 3:20 TLB)  God's mighty power is limitless!  When we stop limiting ourselves, we stop limiting God and what He desires to do in us, through us and for us!  NO LIMITS!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no limit to your mighty power within us!  Help us to take the limits off ourselves and allow you to do what you do !  Amen!

1 John 4:4. . . .Dear young friends, you belong to God and have already won your fight with those who are against Christ because there is someone in your hearts who is stronger than any evil teacher in this wicked world. TLB

HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

7-19-2013. . . . .HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."  (Rom 16:20 NKJV)   If you have ever watched a professional boxing match, you've noticed that when the rounds are about to end, the pace of the fighters quicken.  When the final round of the fight comes, the battle seems to intensify all the more because both fighters know this is there last opportunity to get their punches in!  Our battle with Satan has intensified only because he knows his time is short.  Soon, he will be crushed under our feet and our arms will be raised in victory!  Hang in there and keep fighting!  The fight is fixed! :-)

Prayer: Thank you Lord for victory through Jesus Christ.  Strengthen us to withstand the battles in order that we may win the war.  Amen.

1 Cor 15:58. . . .So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.  TLB

WAIT ON GOD!

7-18-2013. . . .WAIT ON GOD!

"And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land." (Ex 9:5 KJV)  God sets His own times and keeps His own schedule!  If He declares a thing, surely He will bring it to pass!   Get in sync with God and wait on Him!  Remember, He scheduled our moments before there was none of them!  He's in control and He has everything under control!

Prayer: Lord, how awesome you are in all your marvelous splendor!  It blows my mind How you are always way ahead of the game.  Before I was formed you scheduled every day of my life!  Why then are we impatient?  Help us Lord, to wait on You!  Amen.

Ps 139:15-16. . . . You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!  You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!  TLB

LET GOD DEAL WITH THEM!

7-17-2013. . . .LET GOD DEAL WITH THEM!

"None of those who have faith in God will ever be disgraced for trusting him. But all who harm the innocent shall be defeated." (Ps 25:2-3 TLB)  It is natural to want to attack those who attack us, but what does that do to our witness?  Resist the urge to retaliate!  Remember, our enemies are God's enemies!  He has promised to deal with all those that harm us.

Prayer: Lord, I love you because you hear my cry and respond to my request.  Deal with those who position themselves against me and strengthen me to allow you to do so.  Amen!

Rom 12:19-21. . . . Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. [Don't take the law into your own hands. ]  Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be "heaping coals of fire on his head." In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you.  Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good. TLB

FLOODED OUT!

7-16-2013. . . .FLOODED OUT!

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (Isa 59:19b KJV)  When a flood hits, the tides and currents are so swift and strong that everything that is unstable will get swept away.  That is what the enemy tries to do to us!  He comes at us swiftly and strongly (like a flood) in hopes of catching us off guard and sweep us away.  However, God flips the script on him and like a flood, God lifts up a standard against the enemy!  God's standard for us is Victory!  The devil retreats because he can not compete by only offering defeat!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for raising the standard of Victory against our enemies!  Help us never to be found in an unstable place.  Amen! 

Ps 61:1-4. . . .Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.   From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.  KJV

HE KNOWS, HE LEADS!

7-12-2013. . . . HE KNOWS, HE LEADS!              

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” (Ps 23:3 NKJV)  As we travel along this road of life, we know not what is ahead or what awaits us just around the next bend. Yet without delay or fear, we continue advancing forward confidently with the assurance of knowing we are being lead alone the paths of righteousness. When we follow His leading, we will never get lost or stray off the path of divine purpose (for His name sake).   Like Abraham, without knowledge of the destination, we can trust Him for the journey. “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous…” ( Ps 1:6 NKJV) So relax and don’t worry. Enjoy the journey for He is leading us into what He has ordained and promised!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you know the path of the righteous and that your are guiding our every step. Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but thou art mighty – hold me with thy powerful hand. Amen!

Job 23:10-14. . . . But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. KJV

TAKE THE LIMITS OFF!

7-11-2013. . . . TAKE THE LIMITS OFF!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil 4:13 KJV)  The possibilities for us are limitless if we dare believe we can!  Christ will strengthen you; allow your faith to push you to succeed and achieve what you believe!  Take the limits off and go for it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the strength to succeed and achieve what we believe.  Help us to take the limits off!  Amen.

Mark 9:23b. . . . "If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."  NIV

KNOW YOUR GREATNESS!

7-10-2013. . . .KNOW YOUR GREATNESS!

". . . But the people who know their God shall be strong and do great things."  (Dan 11:32b TLB)  People that know God should anticipate and expect to do and see great things.  The enemy will always do everything in his power to make us think and believe otherwise, but don't listen or pay attention!  Know God, know your greatness!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to know you better and better everyday so as to actualize and maximize our own greatness for your glory!  Amen.

Phil 4:13-14. . . . for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. TLB

GIVE LIFE TO YOUR FAITH!

7-9-2013. . . .GIVE LIFE TO YOUR FAITH!

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."  (James 2:26 KJV)  Step out from your comfort zone and give life to your faith!  Nothing ever failed but a try; however, only a try has the best opportunity to succeed!

PRAYER: Lord, honor our faith with success in every area we pursue that brings glory and advances your kingdom!  Amen.

 Isa 3:10. . . . Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.  NIV 

DO SOMETHING!

7-8-2013. . . .DO SOMETHING!

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Ps 1:3 KJV)  Nothing from nothing leaves nothing!  Nothing plus nothing equals nothing!  Even if we multiply, divide, or put it into an equation, the answer still results in nothing!  God is committed to blessing our "DOING!"  The question is, what are we "DOING" that God can and will bless!  Want to be blessed?  Get busy and do something!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for blessing the work our hands.  We shall not get weary in our well-doing because we know you will never get weary in your blessing!  Amen

Gal 6:9. . . . And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up. TLB

LET FREEDOM RING!

7-5-2013. . . .LET FREEDOM RING!   (repost)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1-2 NKJV)  My country tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died! Land of the Pilgrim's pride! From every mountain side, Let freedom ring! We are blessed beyond measure to live in the United States of America. We should never take for granted the freedom we enjoy. Much blood was shed and many gave their lives to secure liberty and justice for all. As we celebrate and commemorate Independence Day, for our country, let us also use this occasion as a reminder of the freedom we enjoy in Jesus! His blood was shed and His life was given to secure our freedom as well. This freedom is an eternal freedom that carries with it the responsibility of maintaining it.   Enjoy your freedom and surrender it to nothing or no one! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the freedom I enjoy being an American, and more so the freedom you have provided me through your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen.

John 8:36. . . .If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. KJV

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

7-4-2013. . . .HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! 

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  (John 8:36 KJV)  The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world.  While freedom is available to all within her borders, so many yet remain bound to an unseen slave master; physically free, but spiritually bound.  The U.S. Constitution and it's Bill of Rights are powerless to set men free from the bonds of sin.  Only the Son can do that if we let Him!   HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for freedom through your Son, Jesus the Christ!  Our prayer today is that all men would be set free by He alone who is able to keep us from falling.  Amen!

2 Cor 5:17. . . . Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. KJV

ONLY THE MINDLESS!

7-3-2013. . . .ONLY THE MINDLESS!

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Gal 5:1 KJV)  Being made free by Christ is a privilege and blessing.  Staying free is a choice!  Who willing submits themselves to bondage of any kind?  Only the mindless.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for freedom!  Help us Lord to always be mindful of our freedom and choose to stand firm in it!  Amen.

 Rom 6:16-17. . . . Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  NIV

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!

7-2-2013. . . .THE COMPLETE PACKAGE! 

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV)  The Christian life is a life of change; ever evolving toward perfection!  God remains committed to doing His part and we must give all diligence to doing our part in becoming the complete package!

PRAYER:  Lord, we give you our lives!  Perfect us daily so that we become the complete package in you!  Amen.

Heb 13:20. . . . And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.  TLB

WALK AND WAIT!

7-1-2013. . . .WALK AND WAIT!

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  (Isa 40:31 KJV)  It is said that patience is a virtue, but it should also be our way a life!  Walking confidently with the Lord enables us to wait patiently upon the Lord!

PRAYER: Lord, we wait and walk patiently with you and upon you!  Help us to never faint!  Amen.

Ps 40:1. . . .I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. KJV