TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

3-28-2014. . . .TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

“Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” (Ps 94:17-18 KJV) Death certainly would have been our dwelling place if God had not helped us! Time and time again He has come through for us. Even when we did not deserve it, His mercy sustained us. . . . . Time and Time again!

Prayer: Lord, there has never been a time you have not helped us. Where would we be without You? Thank You for always helping us. Amen.

Ps 109:26-28 . . . . Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because you are loving and kind. 27 Do it publicly, so all will see that you yourself have done it. TLB

THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

3-27-2014. . . .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

WHAT DOES THE METHOD MATTER!

3-26-2014. . . .WHAT DOES THE METHOD MATTER!

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.)   He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."  (John 9:4-7 KJV)   It has been said and correctly so, "The Lord works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform!"  What does the method matter if the result is your miracle? 

PRAYER: Lord, you and you alone are God.  Anyway you bless us, no matter the method, we will be satisfied! Amen.

Dan 4:3. . . .How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.  KJV

MOVE AHEAD OF THE STORM!

3-25-2014. . . .MOVE AHEAD OF THE STORM!

"Finally, the seventh time, his servant told him, "I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea."  Then Elijah shouted, "Hurry to Ahab and tell him to get into his chariot and get down the mountain, or he'll be stopped by the rain!"  And sure enough, the sky was soon black with clouds, and a heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm. Ahab left hastily for Jezreel, and the Lord gave special strength to Elijah so that he was able to run ahead of Ahab's chariot to the entrance of the city! (1 Kings 18:44-46 TLB)  What starts out small could develop into a raging storm.  Don't get caught gazing at the clouds.  Be proactive and move ahead of the storm!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for insight and foresight.  Help us to always be prepared and in position before the storms of life come.  Amen!

 Ps 55:8. . . . I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."  NIV

NOTHING TO CHANCE!

3-24-2014. . . .NOTHING TO CHANCE!

"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." (Prov 3:5-6 KJV)  No one in their right mind would willfully engage in a game of Russian Roulette.  The stakes are too high; the results unpredictable, and one mistake could be deadly!  Failing to trust God and following our own way should be viewed in much the same way!  The stakes are to high; the results unpredictable, and one mistake could be deadly!  Leave nothing to chance.  TRUST GOD!

Prayer: Lord, our trust is in you.  The stakes are to high not to!  With you, we expect and have predictable outcomes.  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

KINGDOM PRIVILEGES!

3-21-2014. . . .KINGDOM PRIVILEGES! 

"And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you!  However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven." (Luke 10:18-20 TLB)  Kingdom citizens have kingdom privileges.  Among them is the ability to exercise authority over the enemy and to walk among evil, nefarious individuals without fear of harm from them.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that we are registered members of your kingdom.  Teach us and help us to daily exercise our kingdom privileges.  Amen!

 Luke 10:16-17. . . .Then he said to the disciples, "Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And those who reject you are rejecting me. And those who reject me are rejecting God who sent me."   When the seventy disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Even the demons obey us when we use your name." TLB

THE WINNING SIDE!

3-20-2014. . . .THE WINNING SIDE!

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"  (Rom 8:31 KJV)  Life is lived better knowing we are on the winning side and what's more, knowing who is on our side!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being on our side.  Help us to daily walk at your side.  Amen!

Matt 28:20. . . . "and be sure of this-that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."  TLB

WATCH GOD WORK!

3-19-2014. . . .WATCH GOD WORK!

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." (2 Chron 20:17 NIV)  While we may not be charged to fight in every battle, we are not exempted from being in the battle! Our charge is to be in position and without fear, stand firm in our faith as we face our opposition.  Then, simply watch God work!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us your strategic plan for every enemy and battle we must face.  As faithful soldiers, we will carry out your command without fail.  Amen!    

1 Tim 6:12-14. . . . Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" NIV

WE SHALL OVERCOME!

3-18-2014. . . .WE SHALL OVERCOME!

"I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 TLB)   Although, at times it may seem like we have to face one trail right after the other, it is not out of the norm of what Jesus predicted would be.  He gave us advanced notice so that when it happens, (and happen it shall) we will not be thrown or overly upset by it.  We can remain settled and at peace knowing that as He overcame, we too shall overcome!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us advance notice of the things we will face in this world.  We confidence we shall endure knowing that because of you, we shall overcome.  Amen!

1 Peter 4:12-13. . . .Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.  Instead, be really glad-because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed. TLB

WE'RE GOOD!

3-17-2014. . . .WE'RE GOOD!

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit.  We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.  These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within [who keeps us safe]."  (2 Cor 4:8-10 TLB)  With confidence and patience we navigate are way through every change and challenge of life knowing we are good, because God's got us!

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for being in control and having everything under control.  No matter what we must face and endure, we know you've got us!  For this we thank you continuously.  Amen!

Rom 8:28. . . . And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  NIV

STILL STANDING BUT NOT ALONE!

3-14-2014. . . .STILL STANDING BUT NOT ALONE!

"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Dan 3:24-25 KJV)  No fire, no matter how hot it is kindled for us and against us, will prevent Jesus, The Son of God from coming to stand at our side!  They that looked once and expected our demise, will most certainly look again with amazement to see, we're 'STILL STANDING', and that, not alone! 

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for always being there no mater what it is we face.  With you we can walk into fire and come through every flood.  You lift up a standard against our enemies and enable us to remain standing.  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

BE WHO YOU ARE!

3-13-2014. . . .BE WHO YOU ARE!

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (Matt 4:3 KJV)  Although, the enemy may tempt us to do things out of character to prove who we are, we never deviate from the word of God which declares who we are!  Remember, we never have to prove to the enemy who we are, but simply be who we are!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that through your Son Jesus, you have made us your children.  We have nothing to prove to the enemy.  Amen!

1 John 3:1-2. . . . See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children-think of it-and we really are! But since most people don't know God, naturally they don't understand that we are his children. TLB

WE ARE BETTER NOW!

3-12-2014. . . .WE ARE BETTER NOW!

"For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!  And by that same mighty power he has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings he promised; for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us his own character."  (2 Peter 1:3-4 TLB) Knowing Jesus has given us this testimony: "We are better now, then we were before."   We may not be all we shall be, but we are certainly not what, nor who we used to be!  PRAISE GOD!  The good news is, we are getting better and better everyday!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you didn't leave us like you found us!  Your love has transformed us into a new creation being made better and better everyday.  For this we give you thanks!  Amen.

Eph 1:19-21. . . . I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in heaven, far, far above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader. Yes, his honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come. TLB

ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

3-11-2014. . . .ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." (Matt 14:22-24 KJV)  Walking in divine purpose does not mean we will never face opposition; we will!  Stay the course and weather the storm.  We are ordained to make it through to the other side!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the winds of opposition that blow against us.  Help us stay focused and on course as we pursue your divine purpose.  Amen!

2 Cor 4:8-10. . . .We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.  TLB

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

3-10-2014. . . .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 its 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 its 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

IT GOES WITH TH E TERRITORY!

3-7-2014. . . .IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (1 Tim 4:9-10 KJV) As we labour (work) for the sake of the Gospel, it is true that we will sometimes suffer and be subject to reproach. (ridicule - criticism -opposition) It goes with the territory! Nevertheless, we continue to trust in the one who is the 'Savior of all men', but more importantly, the Savior of we that believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for salvation! Because I believe, I have an everlasting assurance that cannot be changed or revoked. Amen!

2 Sam 22:31-33. . . .As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. KJV

STEP UP AND STEP OUT!

3-6-2014. . . .STEP UP STEP OUT!

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Sam 17:45-47) With the Lord on our side, it matters little how formidable our enemy may be.  With confidence just step up and step out, for the bigger they are, the harder they'll fall! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being on our side!  We need not fear any enemy no matter how threatening they may be.  With you we always have victory!  Thank you.  Amen! 

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

KJV

PERSONAL PARTICIPATION!

3-5-2014. . . .PERSONAL PARTICIPATION!

"His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.  And they bare it. (John 2:5-8 KJV) There will be no miracle without our personal participation.  The Lord will do His part and we must do ours.

PRAYER: Lord, you are a miracle worker.  Whatever you ask us to do, we will do it!  Thank you for working a miracle for us.  Amen!

Acts 2:22. . . . "O men of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing tremendous miracles through him, as you well know. TLB

IT WORKED THEN, IT WILL WORK NOW!

3-4-2014. . . .IT WORKED THEN, IT WILL WORK NOW!

 "Young man, obey your father and your mother.  Take to heart all of their advice; keep in mind everything they tell you. Every day and all night long their counsel will lead you and save you from harm; when you wake up in the morning, let their instructions guide you into the new day. For their advice is a beam of light directed into the dark corners of your mind to warn you of danger and to give you a good life."  (Prov 6:20-23 TLB)   Good public behavior stems from good home training!   Parents are charged to train their children in the way that they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.   Today, some might think that is old fashion; but it worked then......It will work now!   Try it......and change the world!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for parents that are still willing to raise their children your way!  Help their lights to shine brightly that all others may see and follow their example.  Amen!

Prov 22:6. . . .

Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it.  NIV

EXPECT MORE NOT LESS!

3-3-2014. . . .EXPECT MORE NOT LESS!

"And when you hear of wars and insurrections beginning, don't panic. True, wars must come, but the end won't follow immediately- for nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and famines in many lands, and epidemics, and terrifying things happening in the heavens." (Luke 21:9-11 TLB)  World events and changes are inevitable; catastrophes and disasters as well.  Don't lose faith or focus.  Remember, Jesus said they things would come. Son, expect more not less! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for informing us of all the things that shall occur in the world.  Help us to maintain our faith and focus in the mist of all these things.  Amen!

Matt 24:6-8. . . .And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows. KJV