HAPPY NEW YEAR - ENCOURAGE YOURSELF!

12-31-2015. . . .HAPPY NEW YEAR - ENCOURAGE YOURSELF!

In these waning moments of the year 2015, I pause with praise to God for bringing us to this moment. As I ponder with great anticipation the new year 2016, (1 the number of God & 6 the number of Man) I encourage myself; decree and declare to myself that "GOD IS WITH ME AND FOR ME!"  If God be for me, who or what can be against me.  I decree and declare this afresh in the face of all that has happen to me in this past year both bad and good.  I remind myself that is was God that allowed me to come to it and it was that same God that has and is bringing me through it! So I commit the past year 2015 to Him; for it is He only that can and will judge it. I commit this new year 2016, with all is potential and promises, unto Him; for He only determines my future.  Therefore, "Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!~
Elder Perry D. Broadnax
Author: Excerpts For Living

A LOVING HEART AND A WILLING MIND!

12-30-2015. . . .A LOVING HEART AND A WILLING MIND!

"Stay always within the boundaries where God's love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt.  Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren't pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners." (Jude 21-23 TLB)   It is a great thing that we are saved, but what about the countless others that are not?  If we sit back in the comfortable confines of our sanctuaries expecting that they will one day just come running through our doors, we are sadly and most regrettably mistaken.  Those in sin are usually very comfortable being there until someone is bold enough to shine the light in their darkness. (Remember how it was when we were there?)  We have been given several options to reach them; we simply must have a loving heart and a willing mind to do so!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for saving us!  It is your will that no one be lost.  Help us to have a mind and a willing heart to come out of our comfort zones to reach the lost.   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

AND IT IS SO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

12-25-2015. . . . AND IT IS SO!    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace."  His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David. He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven's armies has dedicated himself to do it!"   (Isa 9:6-7 TLB)  And It Is So!   MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PRAYER: Father, we thank you for the precious gift of your Son.  May all the world come to know him and thereby, your amazing and unconditional love.  Amen!

Matt 1:21-23. . . . And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  KJV

PERSISTENTLY AND CONSISTENTLY FAITHFUL!

12-24-2015. . . .PERSISTENTLY AND CONSISTENTLY FAITHFUL!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  (Luke 2:8-15 KJV)  At a time when everyone else in the country was busy with the affairs of the world, the lowly shepherds were found steadfast and unmovable; persistently and consistently keeping watch over their flocks by night.  Their faithfulness positioned them to be favored!  The greatest announcement from heaven to the world was delivered first to the faithful shepherds.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for favoring faithfulness.  Help us to be like the shepherds in being persistently and consistently faithful.  Thank you for your precious gift to us!  Amen.

1 Cor 4:1-2. . . .Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.   KJV

ONLY JESUS CAN!

12-23-2015. . . .ONLY JESUS CAN!

Acts 4:122. . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV "Santa Claus can't bring Salvation. . . .Only Jesus Can!"  He's the only reason for the Christmas Season!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the true the Christ of Christmas, your only begotten Son, Jesus. Through Him alone comes salvation.  May all the world receive your great gift.  Amen!

Acts 4:11-12. . . .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."  TLB

DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

12-21-2015. . . .DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." (Matt 2:166 KJV)  Divine purpose will always draw demonic opposition!  The good news is, no matter what the enemy does or how many attempts he makes to try and stop or kill us, all his efforts will fail and Divine purpose will prevail!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your divine purpose concerning us will always prevail! Thy will be done. 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

THE BEST HANDS!

12-18-2015. . . .THE BEST HANDS!

"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (Ps 31:15KJV)  "You're in good hands with Allstate," is the slogan of a well known insurance company.  The implication is that there is no need to worry about anything because with Allstate, you're protected.  To an even greater degree, the same can be said of being in God's hands.  We have no need to worry or fear anything nor anyone.  We are not only in good hands, we are in the best hands.

PRAYER:  Lord, your hands are the best hands and we are thankful to be in them!  Amen.

Job 23:10. . . .But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. KJV

NO ROOM IN THE INN!

12-17-2015. . . ..NO ROOM IN THE INN!

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7 KJV)  No room for them in the inn?  Jesus the Christ....waiting to be born, but men say, "No room in the inn." Our lives should never become so inundated, occupied or otherwise obligated to the degree that we have no room for Christ?  Are we busy this Christmas season filling our homes with gifts from the mall instead of filling our hearts with the gift of Him? Is there yet still, NO ROOM IN THE INN?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus the Christ! May all creation make room and readily receive Him. Amen!

John 1:10-12. . . .He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: KJV

COMPLETE SUBMISSION!

12-16-2015. . . .COMPLETE SUBMISSION!

"Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true." And then the angel disappeared." (Luke 1:38 TLB) We may not understand everything that the Lord speaks to us or desires to do through us. In fact, some things may seem virtually inconceivable to us. Nevertheless, in complete submission we too should respond as Mary responded; "I am your servant therefore, whatever you say is what I will do!"  In so doing, blessings come to us and through us!

Prayer: Lord, let your awesome will be done in us, through us and for us. We are your servants. Thy will be done. Amen!

Ps 138:8. . . .The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.KJV

HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER

12-15-2015. . . .HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER!

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV)  Everything we have is temporary and will pass away.  Some things sooner, other things later, but all will pass away.  There is however, one thing we have that will never pass away and that is "New Life" which came about by His word!  Our "New Life" from Him will continue into "Eternal Life" with Him.  It is a certainty because His word shall not fail and will endure for ever!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the certainty of your word that endures for ever!  We live out our new life for you now and look forward with joy, to living our eternal life with you in the place you've prepared for us!  Amen.

   

Heb 12:27-29. . . . And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:   For our God is a consuming fire. KJV

PREPARE FOR GREATER!

12-11-2015. . . .PREPARE FOR GREATER!

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." ( Phil 3:13-14 KJV)  Nothing more can be done about the things in our past; that includes the good things as well as, the not so good things.  There is however, much to be done about what lies ahead of us!  Although, there may be giants in the land, (obstacles, things to overcome) we are well able to achieve if we set our minds to press forward no matter what.  The prize is ahead of us not behind us!  Prepare for greater!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to enter into another new year.  We will not be detoured by obstacles or hindrances that may appear in our way.  In You we press ahead toward the prize!  Amen.

Heb 12:1-2. . . . Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.   Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God.  TLB

IT'S ESSENTIAL!

12-9-2015. . . .IT'S ESSENTIAL!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps 119:105 KJV)  As headlights are essential to an automobile, so the word of God is essential to the life of believers!   During the daytime the illuminated headlights of an automobile make it possible for others to see it coming and during the nighttime, they enable drivers to see where they are going! God's word illuminated in the life of believers make it possible for others to see Christ through them, while at the same time, makes the believer's path clear as they continue walking with Christ! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that illuminates our life and directs our path. Amen!

Ps 119:101. . . .I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. (NIV)

DON'T MISS HIS MESSAGE!

12-8-2015. . . .DON'T MISS HIS MESSAGE!

"Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." (2 Chron 7:15 KJV)  Let us daily lift our voices unto the Lord!  He is always watching and listening with great anticipation of hearing from us.  He not only wants to hear from us, but He also wants to say something to us!  Don't miss His message!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always being available to us.  Help us to seek you daily with open hearts, minds and ears to hear what you have to say to us.  Amen!

Jer 33:3. . . .Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. KJV

WE SHALL OVERCOME!

12-4-2015. . . .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 happen.  He gave us advanced notice so that when it happens, (and happen it will) we will not be thrown or overly disturbed 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 confidently 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

WORK ON SAINTS!

12-3-2015. . . .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, pay no attention to the many naysayers that 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, affirmation or sanction.  God vindicates His anointed and declares our works good!   So, 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

THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

12-2-2015. . . .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

THEIR DEEDS WILL NOT SUCCEED!

12-1-2015. . . .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