Sunday, July 31, 2022
Friday, July 29, 2022
EARMARKS OF OUR LIFE?
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:1-4 KJV)
What kind of life are we living? Is it acceptable to God? What are the earmarks of our life? Are they prayer, supplications and intercessions and the giving of thanks? Most Importantly, are we following after Godliness and HONESTY? This is the life that is acceptable to God. We deceive only ourselves if our lives are anything different.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for a standard of godliness and honesty! May they forever be the earmarks of our lives. Amen!
1 Tim 2:1-4. . . . Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: TLB
Thursday, July 28, 2022
OPT FOR GOD'S WILL!
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:16-17 KJV)
The things we see and the things we want in this world all have a short shelf life and will soon pass away. If we go after things we see and want that are not in God's will, our shelf life will become short as well. Opt for longivity! Do God's will and live forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for options and the free will to choose. Forgive us for our pass bad choices and help us to opt for your will over the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of this life. Amen.
1 John 2:15-17. . . . Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; 16 for all these worldly things, these evil desires-the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance-these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. 17 And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever. TLB
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
.POWER WITHIN!
"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." (2 Peter 1:2-4 TLB)
Don't underestimate lust! It is a powerful thing and because it comes from our own inner desires, it can be difficult to "Just say no" to ourselves! Rely on the mighty transforming power Christ has given us. This power will produce a "Christ-likenss" within us that will radiate on the outside of us for all the world to behold!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power you have given us to be just like you. Help us to always yield to that transforming power and not revert back to our old nature. Amen.
Gal 5:16. . . .I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won't always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. TLB
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
WHO IS WILLING!
"Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you."( Ps 25:4-6TLB)
Left to our own devices, most certainly we would run-a-muck. We've all demonstrated this in times passed. God however, is not only able, but He is also more than willing to guide and direct our steps if we ask and submit our will to His will. Now, who is willing?
PRAYER: Lord, guide and direct our steps into the way you desire for us to go. Keep our feet from stumbling and from wandering off in directions you have not ordered. Amen!
Job 23:10-11. . . . But he knows every detail of what is happening to me; and when he has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent-as pure as solid gold! "I have stayed in God's paths, following his steps. I have not turned aside. TLB
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Friday, July 22, 2022
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
Thursday, July 21, 2022
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!
"Listen now! The Lord isn't too weak to save you. And he isn't getting deaf! He can hear you when you call! But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God. Because of sin he has turned his face away from you and will not listen anymore". ( Isa 59:1-2 TLB)
No need to look left or right nor point a finger at anyone else. Take responsibility! If God is not responding or listening, (although He can hear, but chooses not to listen) remove the sin that is creating the barrier.
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always hearing us and responding when we call. May we never allow sin to create a barrier between us and you. Amen!
Isa 55:7. . . .Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon! TLB
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
WALK IN AUTHORITY!
"Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Jer 1:9-10 KJV)
God will never give us an assignment without equipping us for the assignment. Not only will He provide the skill and resources needed, He will give us the authority to execute the charge to it's completion. Without fear, WALK IN AUTHORITY!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for equipping us with everything that is needed to complete our assignments. Without fear we now execute and walk in your authority. Amen!
Eph 1:3. . . .Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: KJV
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
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 those 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
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Friday, July 15, 2022
GOOD CONSEQUENCES!
"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame." Ps 119:30-31 (NIV)
Our choices have consequences! The nature of the consequence is contingent upon the nature of the choice. Bad choices bring bad consequences; good choices bring good consequences. What's your choice? Choose the ways of truth and hold fast to them! So shall you experience good consequences.
Prayer: Lord, lead us daily in the ways of truth and help us to make that choice our own consistently. Amen!
2 Chron 6:30-31. . . . Hear from heaven where you live and forgive, and give each one whatever he deserves, for you know the hearts of all mankind. Then they will reverence you forever and will continually walk where you tell them to go. TLB
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
Thursday, July 14, 2022
OUR GREATEST VALUE!
"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
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
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
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
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)
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Thursday, July 7, 2022
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
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
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 any 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
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
A CONTAGIOUS MOVEMENT!
“And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” (1 Peter 3:8 TLB)
If the world is to be a better place, and what’s more, if we are to be a better people, we would do well to implement this advise. Starting in our own families, our churches, and then spreading it abroad throughout our neighborhoods, cities and all around the world! What a contagious movement that would be!
Prayer: Lord, help us start a contagious movement of love and compassion that transforms not only our person lives, but the entire world. Amen!
1 Peter 3:8. . . . Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. NIV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)