Excerpts For Living: EVIDENCE!

Excerpts For Living: EVIDENCE!: 8-31-2016. . . .EVIDENCE! "So also is my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to an...

EVIDENCE!

8-31-2016. . . .EVIDENCE!

"So also is my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it." (Isa 55:11-12 TLB)  If the Word of God were prosecuted in a court of law, it would always be found guilty because it always leaves evidence where ever it has been!  How much evidence can be found in us?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your proceeding and prevailing word.  May there be much evidence of its presence found in our lives.  Amen!

 Ps 119:15-16. . . .I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.  KJV

Excerpts For Living: WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!

Excerpts For Living: WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!: 8-26-2016. . . .WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN! "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.  You rebuke the arrogant, who...

WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!

8-26-2016. . . .WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!

"My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.  You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands."  (Ps 119:20-21 NIV)  How would you feel if a child of yours willfully disobeyed and defied you?  Imagine how God (our Heavenly Father) must feel.  It is good that His ways are not like our ways; instead of justice, He extends to us His mercy and lovingkindness.  Imagine now how it makes you feel when your children are obedient and submissive to your will and guidance!  Imagine again, how God must feel when we are the same.  Which group are you in?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for rewarding those that diligently seek you.  May we forever be consumed with pleasing you.  Amen.

1 John 3:20-22. . . .For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  KJV

Excerpts For Living: GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!

Excerpts For Living: GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!: 8-25-2016. . . .GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR! "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:18 KJV)   What...

GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!

8-25-2016. . . .GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:18 KJV)  What we "HEAR" has a direct correlation to our faith.  It would be wonderful if the only thing we ever heard was the word of God; then, our faith would experience uninhibited growth.  The truth is, there are many things that enter into the realm of our hearing daily.  Some good, some not so good.  Some things we hear are unavoidable.  We would do well nevertheless, to guard what we voluntarily allow ourselves to hear .   Remember, what we hear affects our faith, and thus, our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and the faith that comes by hearing it!  Help us filter out every unnecessary thing that our ears and our faith may remain pure.  Amen.

Matt 13:16. . . .But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. NIV

Excerpts For Living: DON'T GO WRONG. . . .LISTEN!

Excerpts For Living: DON'T GO WRONG. . . .LISTEN!: 8-24-2016. . . . DON'T GO WRONG....LISTEN! "Listen to me, you wise men.  We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we...

DON'T GO WRONG. . . .LISTEN!

8-24-2016. . . . DON'T GO WRONG....LISTEN!

"Listen to me, you wise men.  We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste we want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right. (Job 34:2-4 TLB)  A wise person will always listen!  A wiser person chooses what to listen too.   The valuable knowledge obtained through listening will serve as a guide in following the ways that are right!  Don't go wrong.....Listen!

Prayer: Lord, help us always train our ears to listen and choose what is right.  Amen!

Job 34:16. . . . "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. (NIV)

Excerpts For Living: QUICK LISTENERS!

Excerpts For Living: QUICK LISTENERS!: 9-23-2016. .  . .QUICK LISTENERS! My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to bec...

QUICK LISTENERS!

9-23-2016. .  . .QUICK LISTENERS!

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-21 NIV)  What a great piece of advice if we'd just heed it!  Being slow to speak but quick to listen can only yield greater understanding.  Greater understanding alleviates the need for anger.  How quick are you to listen. . . .How slow to speak. . . . How slowly are you angered?  Let your quickness be on the former and not the later two.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for instructing us in the ways of wisdom.   Help us to be quick listeners and to temper our speaking and our anger.  Amen.

Prov 16:32. . . . It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army. TLB

Excerpts For Living: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Excerpts For Living: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!: 8-19-2016. . . .KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! "For God is not unfair. How can he forget your hard work for him, or forget the way you used...

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

8-19-2016. . . .KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

"For God is not unfair. How can he forget your hard work for him, or forget the way you used to show your love for him-and still do-by helping his children?  And we are anxious that you keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, so that you will get your full reward."  (Heb 6:10-11 TLB)  How encouraging it is to know that our labor, especially that which is done for the kingdom, does not go unnoticed nor unrewarded!  Keep up the good work!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing the work of our hands.  Help us to continue working with sincere hearts to please you in all we do for the kingdom and mankind.  Amen!

Col 3:22-24. . . . Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  KJV

Excerpts For Living: PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

Excerpts For Living: PUT UP OR SHUT UP!: 8-18-2016. . . .PUT UP OR SHUT UP! "Work brings profit; talk brings poverty!" (Prov 14:23 TLB)   What one says one will do mea...

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

8-18-2016. . . .PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

"Work brings profit; talk brings poverty!" (Prov 14:23 TLB)  What one says one will do means little.  Only what one does counts!  Put up or shut up!

Prayer: Lord, help us to be doers and not talkers!  Amen!

Prov 21:25. . . .The lazy man longs for many things, but his hands refuse to work. He is greedy to get, while the godly love to give! TLB

Excerpts For Living: YOU WILL NOT BE GOD'S FIRST FAILURE!

Excerpts For Living: YOU WILL NOT BE GOD'S FIRST FAILURE!: 8-17-2016. . . .YOU WILL NOT BE GOD'S FIRST FAILURE! "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endure...

YOU WILL NOT BE GOD'S FIRST FAILURE!

8-17-2016. . . .YOU WILL NOT BE GOD'S FIRST FAILURE!

"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."  (Ps 138:8 KJV)  With each new day comes expectation of the greater!  God is committed to it and will see the process through to completion.  So no matter how challenging or difficult your current circumstances are, be encouraged and know this; You will not be God's first failure!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the process towards perfection!  Help us to submit to your process and not fight against it.  Amen!

Phil 1:3-6. . . . And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. TLB

Excerpts For Living: FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

Excerpts For Living: FAITH BEYOND FACTS!: 8-16-2016. . . .FAITH BEYOND FACTS! "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which ...

FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

8-16-2016. . . .FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Heb 11:3 NKJV)  Archaeology, Anthropology, Paleontology and other discovery sciences (as wonderful as they are) glean their knowledge from the study of things that exist or once existed. Great facts have been obtained that way!  However, to understand the true origin of all things requires faith beyond facts!  GOD IS! 

PRAYER: Lord, by faith we know and understand all things.  No science could ever inform us as well as your word can.  Thank you for your word.  Amen.  

Ps 33:6-8. . . .By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.   He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. NIV

Excerpts For Living: TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

Excerpts For Living: TAKE THE FIRST STEP!: 8-12-2016. . . .TAKE THE FIRST STEP! "How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!"  ( Prov 1:...

TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

8-12-2016. . . .TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

"How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!"  (Prov 1:7 TLB)  A Chinese philosopher once said,"The journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single step."  For many, our first step has long since been taken, but the question is, towards what?  Have you taken the first step toward becoming wise?  Trust and reverence the Lord now and let your true journey of life begin!

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that every person living will become wise and place their trust in you!  Life with you is far better than life without you.  Amen!

Prov 3:4-6. . . .If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. TLB

Excerpts For Living: HANG IN THERE!

Excerpts For Living: HANG IN THERE!: 8-11-2016. . . .HANG IN THERE!  "Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward!  Y...

HANG IN THERE!

8-11-2016. . . .HANG IN THERE! 

"Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward!  You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised." (Heb 10:35-37 TLB)  We've come too far to give up, in, over or out!  In fact, we have come too far to turn around now!  No, it is not always easy, but it is worth the fight!  Hang in there; the greater blessings and reward are in front of us!

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes it gets really really hard to keep trusting you.  Not because of You, (for you are faithful) but because of the insecurities within us.  We want to be in control!  (As if we know and can influence the outcome of our affairs)  Have mercy on us and give us your peace as we submit both willingly and unwillingly to your will.  Amen!

Heb 10:32-34. . . .Don't ever forget those wonderful days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you kept right on with the Lord even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things.  You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. TLB

Excerpts For Living: EMBRACE THE NEW!

Excerpts For Living: EMBRACE THE NEW!: 8-10-2016. . . .EMBRACE THE NEW! "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all ...

EMBRACE THE NEW!

8-10-2016. . . .EMBRACE THE NEW!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)  God doing a new thing in us facilitates new things happening for us!  Embrace the new and let the old pass!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for saving us and giving us new life through Jesus Christ!  Help us to let the old pass and to embrace the new with joy!  Amen.

1 John 5:13-14. . . .I have written this to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life.  And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. TLB

WHAT DOES THE WORLD SEE!

6-5-2016. . . .WHAT DOES THE WORLD SEE!

"Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways-doing evil because you knew no better.  But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child.  He himself has said, "You must be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16 TLB)  Obedience is a choice!  As God's children, we are without excuse when we choose to follow our old nature and do things that dishonor who God is!  Remember, we were made in His image and after His own likeness; therefore, we are God's visible image in the world.  When the world sees us, what is their impression and opinion of God?  Does what they see draw them to Him or drive them from Him?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating us in your own image and likeness.  Help us daily to represent you to the world in a way that draws them to you and not drives them from you!  Amen.

Col 3:10-11. . . . You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you. 11 In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all. TLB

THE GOD STUFF!

8-4-2016. . . .THE GOD STUFF!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11 NKJV)  God's thoughts about our life are what we should see manifested in our life!  Anything else is not of God nor from God!  Take inventory and clear your life of everything but the God stuff!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for daily loading us with benefits!  You are good and you do good.  Thank you for a future and great expectation!  Amen!

Ps 68:19. . . . Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. KJV

THE WORD IS THE WORD!

8-3-2016. . . .THE WORD IS THE WORD!

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deut 4:2-3 NKJV) The word is the word! We cannot change or adjust it to fit our own personal agendas; nor can we tailor it to justify and under-gird our selfish beliefs and doctrines.  Again, the word is the word!  Receive  it - believe it - follow it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word.  It is what it is!  We receive it, we believe it, and with all our power we will follow it.  Amen!

Ps 33:4-5. . . . For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. NKJV

BE PATIENT IN THE PROCESS!

8-2-2016. . . . BE PATIENT IN THE PROCESS!

"The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ — eternal and glorious plans they are! — will have you put together and on your feet for good. 11 He gets the last word; yes, he does." (1 Peter 5:10-11 MSG)  Nothing last forever!  Present dilemmas are merely passageways to deliverance.  Just like we came to it, we will also come through it!  Therefore, be patient in the process.  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to us.  Your plans for us are far greater than any present problems.  Help us to remain patient in the process as we move toward victory.  Amen.

Rom 8:18-20. . . . That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.  The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.