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

DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

11-27-2015. . . .DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people." (1 Chron 16:8 KJV) It is important that we always give thanks to God! It is equally as important that we share with others our testimonies about the great things He has done.  In so doing, others will be drawn into awareness of Him and many will be converted and believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all things. As we call upon you we also call upon others to know you and praise you for your great and mighty acts. Amen!

Ps 18:49. . . .Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.KJV

VERY THANKFUL!

11/26/2015. . . .VERY THANKFUL!

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Ps 100:3-4 KJV)  Consider for a moment who we would be, how we would be, or even perhaps, if we would be, had someone other than God made us!  Even if we trusted that responsibility to those we feel really care the most about us, the truth of the matter is, they would make us something and someone different than who we are now!   Whether that would work for our good or not we will never know.  What we do know is that we were made in God's own image and after His likeness; the result is beautiful and wonderful!  For this we are Thankful and bless His name!

PRAYER: Lord, we are thankful that you created us in your own image and after your own likeness.  Yet, you gifted each of us with our own uniqueness.  For this we remain and will forever be thankful!  Amen.

Ps 139:14. . . .I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are
 wonderful, I know that full well.  (NIV)

THANKS-GOD'S WILL FOR US!

11-25-2015. . . .THANKS-GOD'S WILL FOR US!

 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:188 KJV) Giving thanks to God in every thing is His will concerning us.  Admittedly however, we may find ourselves in circumstances and situations that we may not readily feel thankful to be in.   In fact, our preference would be not having to deal with them at all. Nevertheless, the knowledge that God is working in every situation and circumstance for our good, is cause enough to connect with His will concerning us and simply give thanks.  Don't fight it, flow with it; and remember, it is His will so give thanks!

Prayer: Lord, in everything we give you thanks for it is your will concerning us.  Help us in the difficult times to remember this quickly so as to not struggle against your will. Amen!

Ps 30:11-12. . . . You turned my wailing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,  that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. (NIV)

TWO GOOD REASONS!

11-24-2015. . . .TWO GOOD REASONS!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Ps 136:1 KJV) Need reasons to give God thanks? Psalm 136:1 offers two! First, give thanks because 'He is Good.' It is an undeniable fact that, God is good and he does good!  The good God does is constantly and consistantly directed toward us! Secondly, 'His mercy endures for ever.'  Where would we be if it were not for His great mercy!   His mercy keeps us so that His grace can reach us! While there is certainly a plethora of other reasons to give thanks, these two are  a good place to start!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being good and always doing good. Thank you also for your mercy without which we would be consumed. Thank you Lord, thank you! Amen.

Ps 97:12. . . . Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.KJV

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-19-2015. . . .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 exist 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: From generation to generation, God will never forsake the righteous and always has and always will provide for their every need!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful God and never forsaking the righteous! I am grateful that I am your child 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

IN THE ARMS OF HIS PEACE!

11-18-2015. . . .IN THE ARMS OF HIS PEACE!

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:5-7 6 TLB) It is easy to become anxious and uneasy about the unknown and things that are beyond our control. However, if we remind ourselves that God is in control and He has everything under control, we will be able to release our hearts and minds into the settling arms of God's Peace.  It is far more satisfying than our need to understand.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your peace to keep us free from worry, calm and steady in in the most unsettling moments.  We rest daily in it's embrace. Amen!

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. KJV

BEING IS HAVING!

11-17-2015. . . .BEING IS HAVING!

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."  (Prov 27:17 KJV)  Don't be so quick to label someone a friend. Wait for the day of adversity and see how and where they position their self.  Only a true friend will stand with you in the good times and the bad times.  They will comfort us and if need be, lovingly correct us, but will never turn their backs on us!  To be this kind of friend is to have this kind of friend.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for true friends.  Though they be few in number, their presence in our life is a blessing.  Amen!

Prov 17:17. . . .A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. TLB

FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES!

11-16-2015. . . .FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES!

"A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." (Prov 17:17 TLB)  Just because we call people our "Friend" does not make them one indeed.  The proof of a real friend is not in their ability to love and stand with us when things are going well, but in their unfailing, unchanging love and stand with us when our world has turned upside down.  It is then our eyes open to see the difference between our friends and mere associates. 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being a friend that sticks closer to us than any brother.  Help us to be that kind of friend to those with whom we are connected.  Amen!

 Prov 18:24. . . . There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  TLB

GREATER AFTER THIS!

11-13-2015. . . .GREATER 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)  No matter what we have to go through, there are two things that are for certain; 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!"  Unwavering faith in God's providential care will ultimately result in victory and greater blessings. Remember, it may be challenging now, but expect greater, AFTER THIS!!!!!

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

A SIMPLE CHOICE!

11-12-2015. . . .A SIMPLE CHOICE!

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded." (Prov 13:13 KJV)  Destruction or reward. . . . Trouble or success! To despise the word is to know it and not do it! Who in their right mind chooses certain destruction?  C'mon now! It's a simple choice, right?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word!  By it shall we live and from it comes our success.  Strengthen and help us to never deviate from it. Amen!

James 1:22-25. . . .And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does. TLB

PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

11-11-2015. . . .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

TRUST GOD!

11-10-2015. . . .TRUST GOD!

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."(2 Cor 5:7  KJV)  It has been said, "when you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on."   Did any one ever stop to think that it was holding on to that rope in the first place that lead to that end?   If we let go of "our" rope now, we won't ever have to worry about coming to the end of it.  Walk by faith, not by sight! Trust God!

PRAYER: Lord, our faith is in you alone.  We've learned not to lean to our own understanding or to trust in our own abilities.  We walk by faith and our trust is in 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

GO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW!

1-6-2015. . . .GO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW!

"Then Elijah talked to them. "How long are you going to waver between two opinions?" he asked the people. "If the Lord is God,follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!" (1 Kings 18:21 TLB)  Begin this year by making a firm decision to do what you know God has placed in your spirit to do.  Decide today! No more hesitation or equivocation; no more hiding behind false uncertainty.  We know His voice....we know His word....we know His will!  Now, go with what you know!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for another year and another opportunity to move forward with what you have purposed in us to do.  By faith we move forward fully trusting You to direct our path.  Amen.

Jer 29:11-13. . . . For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. TLB