SET, SETTLED, STRENGTHENED!

12-30-2016. . . .SET, SETTLED, STRENGTHENED!

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Heb 10:38-39 KJV)  As we embark upon this new year, we the just, do so with an unwavering determination to carry out the mandate to live by faith!   We have SET ourselves, (made a decision to stand no matter what); We have SETTLED ourselves, (placed ourselves in firm position for something greater); STRENGTHENED ourselves, (empowered ourselves by and through the word of God).  We enter this new year with EXPECTATION (20 the number of expectation) knowing that God by His divine authority is going to change the rules!  What once worked against us, will now work for us! (17 the number of overcoming enemies and complete victory). With confidence, we proceed knowing that we will succeed.  We will go against what comes against us because victory is assured!    Advancement, promotion, change and establishment is coming to the SET, SETTLED and STRENGTHENED!  I decree and declare, You are ready, You are set, now go in faith and go in God!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for a brand new year!  You have always been in control and we acknowledge that you are sovereign.  By faith we will now walk through this year and every year you bless us to see.  Thy will be done in us, through us, and for us!  Amen.

 Heb 10:35-39. . . . Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.  KJV

DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

12-29-2016. . . .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

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW!

12-28-2016. . . .OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW!

"When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!" (2 Cor 5:17 TLB)  The process of sanctification is continual. Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly we should see more and more of our old sinful nature leave and more and more of the divine nature of Christ manifested.  The more willing we are to release the old, the more willing He is to manifest the new!  So, as this year comes to a close, its a good time to say and mean, OUT WITH OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!   Happy New Year!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for another year.  Lord as we enter a brand new year, one we've never seen before and will never see again, help us to be more yielded to your Spirit!  Let the old be gone and the new come.  Amen!

2 Peter 1:2-4. . . .Do you want more and more of God's kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better.  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.  TLB

THE BEST HANDS!

12-22-2016. . . .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 this 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 about anything or fear anyone because 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

WE ARE WHO WE ARE!

12-21-2016. . . .WE ARE WHO WE ARE!

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.   But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  (Matt 4:3-4 KJV)  We are who God says we are!  What the tempter says or what our haters say about us is of little or no importance.  We don't have to prove who we are, (Jesus didn't fall for it) just be who we are!  Never feed off what the world has to offer, (bread alone) but by the proceeding and prevailing word of God!  It will constantly and consistently lead us and affirm to the world that we are who we are!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for declaring even before we were formed in the womb, who we are!  Living by your proceeding and prevailing word verifies to the world that we are who we are!  Amen.

Heb 11:3. . . . Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. KJV

WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT!

12-20-2016. . . . .WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT!

"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." ( Luke 2:10-11KJV)   The joy of Christmas is Jesus and the joy of Jesus is our strength! Therefore, the greatest gift we can receive besides Jesus himself is strength.  With his strength, we can accomplish anything.  With his strength, we become strong in times of weakness.  With his strength, we can continue to smile even in the midst of sorrow.  Jesus, Joy, Stength!  What a great combination!  What a wonderful gift!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us your joy and thereby, great strength.  As we with great anticipation look toward our future, we are confident that all things are possible because your joy will forever be our source of strength.  Amen!

Neh 8:10. . . . Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. KJV

A POWERFUL KEY!

12-15-2016. . . .A POWERFUL KEY!

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24 KJV) One should not deduct that whatever is desired no matter what it is, can be received. That's simply not true. Our desires must be in line with God's will. The key point here is that one 'Believes' in association with what one prays. Why pray if you don't believe what you say you will see? We have a powerful key. . . .just, Believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you hear and answer our prayers. We believe you through faith and stand in expectation of receiving those things we desire. Amen!

Mark 11:22-24 24. . . .Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours! TLB

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

12-14-2016. . . .GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

"Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.  My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." (Ps 89:33-34 KJV)  A clear picture of God's great faithfulness can be seen in the life of King David. Although he had some great victories and accomplishments, he also had some great transgressions and failures.  While David certainly incurred punishment for his transgressions, God remained committed (faithful) to His promise to David.  We too, like King David have had some transgressions and failures for which we receive chastisement.  Nevertheless, God remains committed (faithful) to His promises to us!  Therefore, our song of praise remains, GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to us.  Truly your mercies are new every morning and wonderful to experience every day.  Great is thy faithfulness!  Amen.

Ps 89:30-35. . . . If his children forsake my laws and don't obey them, then I will punish them,  but I will never completely take away my loving-kindness from them, nor let my promise fail.  No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said.  For I have sworn to David (and a holy God can never lie) that his dynasty will go on forever, and his throne will continue to the end of time.  TLB

NO NEED TO FEAR!

12-13-2016. . . .NO NEED TO FEAR!

Ps 46:1-3. . . . God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.  And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. TLB  In a time of need, what good is it to have someone present with you that proves to be unable or more often then not, unwilling to help!   God is not only present with us, but He is both willing and able to help us.  Therefore, we have no need to fear when God is near!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always be present with us!  You are willing and well able to help us in our times of need!  Thank you for your inexhaustible capability.  Amen!

Ps 48:14. . . . For this great God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide until we die.  TLB

IT'S ESSENTIAL!

12-9-2016. . . .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 and in the life of believers! During the daytime the illuminated headlights of an automobile make it possible for everyone to see it coming.  During the nighttime, they enable drivers to see where they are going! God's word illuminated in the life of a believer, enables others to see Christ through them, while at the same time, making the believer's path clear as they continue walking with Christ! 

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

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

ITS AS SIMPLE AS THAT!

12-8-2016. . . .IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Gal 5:22-23 NIV) Where the Holy Spirit is present, there is evidence of His presence!  No evidence, no presence.  It's as simple as that!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives within us.  Let the evidence of your presence be evident in us and in the world.  Amen!

John 14:15-17. . . . If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  KJV

ABILITY AND AVAILABILITY!

12-7-2016. . .ABILITY AND AVAILABILITY!

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"  (Luke 1:31-34 KJV)  With the Holy Spirit's involvement, our natural ability coupled with our availability can produce supernatural results!  

PRAYER: Lord, we are available to you.  Be it unto us according to your word!  Amen!

Luke 1:36-37 . . . .And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God, nothing shall be impossible. KJV

WORD IN WORD OUT!

12-6-2016. . . .WORD IN WORD OUT!

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Ps 119:11 KJV)  Whatever is in the heart will come out of the heart.  Jeremiah says of the heart, "it is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer 17:9)  The only buffer against deceitfulness and wickedness is the WORD!  There are those I'm sure, who would deny that these undesirable characteristics are present in their heart.  For you, I'd recommend a review of Matthew 15 & Mark 7.  For the rest of us its simple, replace the undesirable characteristics with the WORD!  Word in...Word out! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word!  Increase our hunger and thirst for it until, we are full of it, and it, full of us.  Amen!

Mark 7:20-23. . . . 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

MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

12-2-2016. . . .MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” (Matt 27:21-23 KJV) Never be overly inflated by commendation nor deflated by criticism. Maintain a good balance. The same people that sing your praise and commend you one day, may be the very same people that call for your crucifixion the next!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to maintain a good balance when it comes to people.  Help us so that we are never swayed from our focus whether we are commended or criticized. Amen!

Matt 27:24-26. . . . When Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing, he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this good man. The responsibility is yours!" And the mob yelled back, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after he had whipped Jesus, he gave him to the Roman soldiers to take away and crucify. TLB

LEARN QUICKLY!

12-1-2016. . . .LEARN QUICKLY!

"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)  No man is an island and no man stands alone.  Don't allow pride to stand in the way of promotion!  Humility before God is demonstrated through our humility and submission to those He has placed in authority over us.  This teaching process places us on a fast track to promotion.  The quicker we learn, the shorter the length of the lesson!  Learn quickly then and don't be a candidate for remedial training!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for our process to promotion.  Although at times we may become impatient, help us to humbly submit to the process and to those you are using to perfect us through it.  Amen!

 Prov 16:18. . . . Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. TLB

IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

11-30-2016. . . .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 labor (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 be believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for salvation! Because we believe, we 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

DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!

11-29-2016. . . .DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!

"They can see that you are a letter from Christ, written by us. It is not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not one carved on stone, but in human hearts." (2 Cor 3:3 TLB) Our lives are an open letter from God to the world, written within us by the Holy Spirit. When the world reads us, let what is written be a witness unto Him. Take care that the way we live does not rewrite the script.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that our lives are a living and open letter from you to the world. Help us to daily put our pens down and simply allow your script to be read as written. Amen!

1 Cor 3:16-17. . . .Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (NIV)

BE THANKFUL!

11-22-2016. . . .BE THANKFUL!

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:17-18 TLB)  Whatever happens to us, for us, even against us, we know that God is at work always for our good.  Bad things will happen to good people and good things will happen to the same.  In both instances, our disposition remains the same. BE THANKFUL!

Prayer: Lord, in everything and for all things, we remain thankful.  Amen!

1 Thess 5:16-18. . . . Be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV

MESS UP FESS UP!

11-17-2016. . . .MESS UP FESS UP!

"Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected?  If God doesn't punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren't really God's son at all-that you don't really belong in his family.  Since we respect our fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God's training so that we can begin really to live?" (Heb 12:7-9  TLB)   If left to our own devices, we would all run amok and our human tendencies would have us running completely off the rails.  Even with God's hand heavy upon us, we still at times veer from the prescribed path.  Out of love, God does not throw us away, but He lovingly corrects us.  So when we mess up,  we simply fess up and allow God to lovingly straighten us up.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for lovingly correcting us whenever we veer from your prescribed path.  Amen!

Eph 2:1-7. . . .Once you were under God's curse, doomed forever for your sins.  You went along with the crowd and were just like all the others, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air, who is at work right now in the hearts of those who are against the Lord.  All of us used to be just as they are, our lives expressing the evil within us, doing every wicked thing that our passions or our evil thoughts might lead us into. We started out bad, being born with evil natures, and were under God's anger just like everyone else.  But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved-  and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms-all because of what Christ Jesus did.  And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ. TLB

LIFT UP A STANDARD!

11-16-16. . . .LIFT UP A STANDARD!

"Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand.  No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous."(Titus 3:1-2)  Our country's current political crisis should for believers, be viewed as an opportunity to lift up and demonstration a standard of righteousness.  If there was ever a time for us to be the salt and light we are commanded to be, now is that time!  C'mon believers, lift up a standard!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate that we belong to you.  In spite of our current crisis, help us to lift up a standard of righteousness.  Amen!

 Phil 2:14-16. . . . 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. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.  TLB

THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY!

11-15-16. . . .THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY! 

"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen.  If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.  Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear."  (Rom 13:1-3)  Make no mistake about it.  God is in control and He has everything under control.  Our responsibility to him and to those he has placed in authority, namely our government officials, is to respect and obey them. In doing so we do not abdicate our obligation to always speak truth to power nor our right to peaceful protest.   We simply adhere and submit to the ultimate authority who is God!  

PRAYER: Lord, we acknowledge that you are our ultimate authority and power!  We respectfully submit to those you have placed in authority over us and obey the laws of the land.  Guide us and strengthen us as we daily do so.  Amen.

Isa 1:19-20. . . . If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich! 20 But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken."  TLB

SPEAK THESE ONLY !

11-10-2016. . . .SPEAK THESE ONLY !

"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge." (Prov 8:8-9 KJV)  Words of wisdom and truth stand strong on legs of integrity.  They require no later explanation or recanting.  Speak only these!

Prayer: Lord, help us to guard our speech so that what we say will stand in integrity.  Amen!

Titus 2:7-8. . . .In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. KJV

RENEWED STRENGTH!

11-9-16. . . .RENEWED STRENGTH!

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. (Isa 40:29-31 MSG)  Just when the devil thinks he has us defeated because we've grown weary and seemingly, out of strength to continue the fight, God renews our strength and causes us to rise up and triumph over the enemy once again!  Don't give in; renewed strength is coming to you!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always causing us to triumph over our enemies and giving us renewed strength in our most needful times.  Amen!

2 Sam 22:33-36. . . .God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. KJV

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-21-2013. . . .NEVER FORSAKEN!

 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Ps 37:25 KJV)  Ever had someone give up on you . . . .turn their back on you. . . .abandon you? Those of us who have experienced it can tell you, being forsaken is not a feeling or position to be coveted. It leaves one disappointed, discouraged and with many unanswered questions. While the possibility always exists that man will forsake us, no such possibility exist with God!  Taking a retrospective look over the years of his life, the psalmist David accurately observed that from generation to generation, God had never and will never forsake the righteous.  He will always provide for their every need!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful God and never forsaking the righteous! We are grateful that are your children and live in expectation and not in want. Amen!

Ps 9:9-10. . . . The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

NIV

SUCCESS PLANNED!

11-4-2016. . . .SUCCESS PLANNED!

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Prov 11:14KJV) Good advise and wise counsel are essential prerequisites for any successful endeavor.  Why travel an unsuccessful road others have already explored?   Failure avoided is success planned!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for providing us with good people who instruct us in the ways of success!  Help us to be humble enough to ask and receive from them!  Amen.

Josh 1:6-7. . . .

 

 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. NIV

THE PRINCIPAL THING!

11-3-2016. . . . THE PRINCIPAL THING!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get Understanding." (Prov 4:7 KJV) The acquisition of ‘WISDOM’ is to be a continuing priority in our lives. In fact, scripture says it is the principal thing! What benefit have we in gaining wealth, fame or positions of notoriety without the wisdom to sustain them. Keep the main thing the main thing. Get Wisdom!

Prayer: Lord, wisdom comes from you. We have not because we ask not. Give us wisdom daily in liberal doses! Amen!

Eccl 7:11-12. . . .Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. KJV

AFTER THIS!

11-2-2016. . . .AFTER THIS!

So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.  After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. (Job 42:12 &16 KJV)  Two things are certain about whatever we have to go through; there is a 'Beginning' and an 'Ending' to it!  It's really not a matter then, 'what we go through,' but 'how we go through'   what we go through!  For believers, unwavering faith in God's providential care will ultimately result in victory and greater blessings.  Remember, it may be challenging now, but better things are coming AFTER THIS!!!!!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love and providential care that always results in victory and blessings for us! Through the intensity of our dilemmas, help us always remember this and not weaver.  Amen! 

Job 23:10-12. . . . 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.  KJV

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-1-2016. . . .ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Cor 4:4-5)  Pointing fingers and make assumptions about individuals without knowing their full story is unwise!  Everyone is in the process of becoming!  Who they are today ,may not be who they will always remain!   Time will tell their full story!  Allow it to be so!

PRAYER: Lord, our times are in your hand.  As we evolve through the process of time, give us patience with ourselves and with others.  Amen!

1 Cor 4:5. . . .So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether someone is a good servant or not. When the Lord comes, he will turn on the light so that everyone can see exactly what each one of us is really like, deep down in our hearts. TLB

MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

10-28-2016. . . .MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10 KJV) An opportunity denied is beyond our control, but an opportunity missed is completely our responsibility!  We must never become complacent and weary in our working to the degree that we end up squandering or completely missing our opportunities!  We must capitalize on our talent and creativity.  Be prepared and seize every opportunity!  Maximize every moment!  

PRAYER:  Lord thank you for every opportunity to do good!  May our works speak for us now and in the end!  Amen.

James 2:18. . . .But someone may well argue, "You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing; well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can't prove whether you have faith or not; but anyone can see that I have faith by the way I act." TLB

CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

10-27-2016. . . .CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

"Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle, and that wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance, by happening to be at the right place at the right time.   A man never knows when he is going to run into bad luck. He is like a fish caught in a net, or a bird caught in a snare." (Eccl 9:11-12 TLB)  A man without God is one left to live life on a "take it as it comes" basis; absent of purpose and direction.  The fruit of his labor will be nothing and his destination will often be nowhere.  There is a better choice to be made and a better life to be lived!  It is a life directed by God.   It's Choice over Chance.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us a life of choice and not of chance.  You daily order our steps and our stops according to your own purpose.  Amen!

 Ps 37:23-24. . . . The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. 24 If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

10-26-2016. . . .PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

"For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom." (Ps 1:6 TLB)  Daily the Lord scrutinizes the plans and paths of His own, ensuring their successful completion.  No detail is left to chance.  His guiding hand is ever present and persistent to prevent deviation from His desired path.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you!  When we would go astray, the presence of your guiding and persistent hand is there to prevent our deviation.  Thank you again.  Amen!

Ps 139:7-10. . . .I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.  If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. TLB

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT!

10-25-2016. . . .MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT!

"Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers, they spring up and blossom,  But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.  God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said." (Ps 103:15-18 MSG)  No matter the number of years one may be blessed to live, when its all said and done our time here on earth is very brief.   Therefore, we must make every moment we live count!  The best way to accomplish this is to strive to do God's will and follow His ways.

PRAYER: Lord, may the life that we live be one of significance!  Help us to daily follow your word and your will.  Amen.

 Ps 103:17. . . . But the loving-kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who reverence him; his salvation is to children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant and remember to obey him! TLB

KEEP PRESSING!

10-21-2016. . . .KEEP PRESSING!

"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." (2 Cor 4:8-10 TLB)  With God, its never over until He says its over!  We always have what we need to recover and begin again.  Keep pressing!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for never abandoning us.  In you we have everything we need to keep pressing forward.  Amen.

Phil 3:13-14. . . . I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. TLB