ALWAYS OBEY GOD!

1-23-2020. . . .ALWAYS OBEY GOD!

"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." (Gen 3:12-13 KJV) 

Our choices have consequences! No amount of finger pointing and playing the blame game will bring about exoneration.  Wise decision making on the front end will avert the certainty of consequential disciplinary action on the back end!   The lesson: Always obey God!

PRAYER: Lord, you are just and true in all your ways and your love for us is unfailing.  Remember always your unfailing love to us should you every have to discipline us.  Amen!

Prov 3:11-12. . . . My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.  NIV

PRAY FOR ME!

1-17-2020. . . .PRAY FOR ME!

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16 KJV)  

Never under estimate the power of prayer!  By it, we can have great effect on the lives of others and our own.  We don't have to fear owning our faults; everyone has them!!!!  Those that confess the contrary, are in denial and in need of much effectual and fervent prayer.  There is no deliverance in denial, but there is hope and help for the humble who are willing to be vulerable and honest enough to say, pray for me!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us power to effect lives through prayer.  Help us to always be humble and honest enough with ourselves and others to ask for prayer when we need it.  Thank you for responding when we pray.  Amen!

Mark 11:24-25. . . . Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours!  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too." TLB

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

12-25-2019. . . .MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ, Coretta and I thank you for following and supporting "Excerpts For Living." Your prayers, comments and words of encouragement continue to be a source of blessing and inspiration for us. We wish you and your family all God's choice blessings during the holidays. We pray that the joy of Jesus will fill your hearts and homes to overflowing and that His love will forever embrace and keep you!

From our family to your family, have a Merry and very Blessed Christmas!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus! I pray for every person that reads this blog. I pray that you will blessed them beyond measure and show them great and mighty things they have not even imagined! I declare health, prosperity, protection and provision in and over their lives as well as, their families and everyone they are connected to. Finally, may your peace that surpasses all understanding keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! In the name of our blessed Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!

Num 6:24-26. . . .The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. KJV

CHRISTMAS LIVING!

12-24-2019. . . .CHRISTMAS LIVING!

 "His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and are being! (Acts 17:27-28 TLB)  

  "Christmas Living is the best kind of Christmas Giving."

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving your Son. Jesus, thank you for giving your life!   May my life duplicate your example of sacrificial giving. Amen!

Acts 4:32. . . .All the believers were of one heart and mind, and no one felt that what he owned was his own; everyone was sharing.TLB

COMPLETE SUBMISSION!

12-20-2019. . . .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 be virtually inconceivable to us. Nevertheless, as Mary responded, we too should respond in complete submission. '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 me and through me. I am your servant. 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

ANTICIPATE!

12-19-2019. . . .ANTICIPATE!

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."  (Isa 43:18-19 KJV)  

2019 is ending in just a few days. What happened, happen and what didn't, didn't!  As God's children, we have the blessed privilege of looking ahead with great expectation to the "New Things" He has for us in 2020.    Let your "Expectation" fuel your "Anticipation" for something new. . . .something fresh. . . .something greater in the coming new year!   Remember, God does not lie; His word is true.  Therefore by faith, Anticipate!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for 2019. Because of your word, we have great expectations for 2020. By faith we anticipation what we expect! Amen.

2 Cor 1:20. . . . For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. KJV

IT'S TIME!

12-18-2019. . . .IT'S TIME!

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3 KJV) 

IT'S TIME! It has always been time and will continue to be time to read, hear and keep God's word!  Every word is true and will come true!  IT'S TIME!  Believe it!

PRAYER: Lord, your word is true and will come true!  Thank you for your precious word and the blessings that come to us by reading, hearing and keeping your word!  Amen.

Job 23:11-12. . . . My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.  I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. NIV

TIME WILL TELL!

12-17-2019. . . .TIME WILL TELL!

"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 and ours!

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

HIS WORD ENDURES FOR EVER!

12-13-2013. . . .HIS WORD ENDURES FOR EVER!

"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.  Somethings 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's certain, because His word endures for ever!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the certainty of your word that endures for ever!  We live out our new lives 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

UNFAILING UNCHANGEABLE WORD!

12-12-2019. . . .UNFAILING UNCHANGEABLE WORD!

"If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.  (Ps 130:3-5 NIV)  

There is no record; there is His WORD!  Where would we be without it.  Although periodically, the enemy my go diving in the sea of forgetfulness to try and dredge up our past, our hope remains steadfast in His unfailing, unchangeable Word!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your Word does not change.  Thank you for lasting forgiveness and your everlasting promise to forgive.  Amen!

1 John 1:9-10. . . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. KJV

A POWERFUL KEY!

12-11-2019. . . .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 from this passage that whatever is desired, no matter what it is, can be received. That's simply not the case.  What is true however is, 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?  It's a powerful key. . . .pray, and 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. . . .Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours! TLB

CHARGE IT!

12-10-2019. . . .CHARGE IT! 

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23 KJV)  

Abraham believed God and God charged his account (imputed unto him) with righteousness. When we believe God, He charges our account as well. Not only with righteousness, but with favor, peace, joy and unlimited blessings!  Believing God is like telling Him, "Charge It!" 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your favor and all your blessings. I will keep believing you. Amen!

Eph 1:17-197. . . . That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, KJV

NEVER YIELD, PUT UP YOUR SHIELD!

12-5-2019. . . .NEVER YIELD, PUT UP YOUR SHIELD!

In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  (Eph 6:16 TLB) 

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!  We are in a battle!  The enemy, Satan, is not playing.  He is constantly shooting a barrage of fiery arrows at us.  Those arrows may come in many forms and take on different shapes.  No matter how many may come or in whatever form or shape they may take, we will quench them all with our shield of faith!  We never yield, we put up our shield!

Prayer: Lord, we are determined to fight the good fight of faith.  We will never yield in spite of being constantly fired upon by the enemy!  Faith is our shield!  Amen.

1 Tim 6:11. . . .Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  NIV

STRONG RESISTANCE!

12/4/19. . . . STRONG RESISTANCE!

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV) 

The devil will never give up on testing us to see if at any point we will weaver in our faith.  It is the only way he can win; the only hope he has to steal, kill and destroy our established position of victory.  This is why we must be ever vigilant and alert to ensure that we offer him nothing less than strong resistance in the faith.   He'll have no alternative but to flee in haste.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us the gift of faith!  With it, we will resist the devil and push back his advances in opposing your Kingdom.  Amen!

1 Peter 1:7. . . . These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.  TLB

VISIBLE MANIFESTATION!

12-3-2019. . . .VISIBLE MANIFESTATION!  

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:5 KJV)  

Faith always has a visible manifestation!  One can't simply say "I have faith" and not add actions with it.  Even though the object and or objectives (end results) of our faith may not be seen, the actions of what we believe will!  Faith actions will overcome great obstacles to achieve its desired end.  How could Jesus not respond to seeing the roof where He was, literally torn off by the actions of faith!!!!  Will He not also respond when He sees the visible manifestations of our?

Prayer: Lord, thank you in advance for responding when you see the actions of our faith.  Amen!

James 2:26. . . .For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  KJV

HE IS GOOD!

11-29-2019. . . .HE IS GOOD!

"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."   (Ps 106:1 KJV)  

One does not need to think very hard or long to discover a reason to give God thanks.  No one can deny the obvious; HE IS GOOD!  Those who don't know should accept the invitation of Psalms 34:8 "Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good!"  Once you do, you too will give thanks for that very reason! 

Prayer: Lord, we give you thanks today and everyday because you are Good!  Amen.

Ps 34:8. . . . O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. KJV

DIVINE IMPERATIVES!

11-28-2019. . . .DIVINE IMPERATIVES! 

"MAKE a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.   SERVE the LORD with gladness: COME before his presence with singing.  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.  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." ( Ps 100 KJV) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!  A great way of expressing our thanks to God today and everyday is to carry out the divine imperatives found in this psalm.   MAKE - SERVE - COME -KNOW - ENTER - BE - BLESS!   If motivation is needed, verse 5 should suffice!

Prayer: Lord, all that you command, this we will gladly do and more.  Thank you for who you are and all you've done.  Amen!

Ps 34:1-3. . . . I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart.   Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. TLB

THANKFUL!

11-27-2019. . . .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) 

No matter 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; THANKFUL!

Prayer: Lord, in everything and for everythings, 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

THANK YOU FOREVER AND EVER

11-26-2019. . . . THANK YOU FOREVER AND EVER!

"Then he turned my sorrow into joy!   He took away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy so that I might sing glad praises to the Lord instead of lying in silence in the grave.  O Lord my God, I will keep on thanking you forever!" (Ps 30:10-12 TLB) 

When someone gives us something or does something for us, it is proper and fitting to say 'Thank You'!   When we consider all the amazing things God has done for us, and the amazing ways in which He's done it, saying thank you once is just not enough.  Like the psalmist, we are compelled to keep on telling Him thanks forever and ever!

Prayer: Lord, you are so awesome and we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us.  Nevertheless, we will exhaust all our efforts trying.  Amen!

Ps 140:13. . . . Surely the godly are thanking you, for they shall live in your presence. TLB

JUST COME CLEAN!

11-22-2019. . . .JUST COME CLEAN!

Then Job replied to God:  "I know that you can do anything and that no one can stop you.  You ask who it is who has so foolishly denied your providence.   It is I. I was talking about things I knew nothing about and did not understand, things far too wonderful for me.  "[You said,] 'Listen and I will speak!   Let me put the questions to you!   See if you can answer them!'  "[But now I say,] 'I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you, and I loathe myself and repent in dust and ashes.' (Job 42:1-6 TLB)   

What do you do when you've 'bucked up' to God and He calls you on the proverbial carpet for it?  There is nothing to do or say; simply, as Job did, come clean!  Our finite minds and limited understanding may cause us to question God and His ways.  He remains faithful and unchanged.  He could take another approach, but in love he doesn't.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your patience with us in times where we mouth off unwisely!  Although, you call us on the carpet, You do it in love!  Thank you.  Amen. 

Heb 12:5-6. . . . And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his child? He said, "My son, don't be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don't be discouraged when he has to show you where you are wrong.  For when he punishes you, it proves that he loves you. When he whips you, it proves you are really his child." TLB