FLOODED OUT!

7-30-2010. . . .FLOODED OUT!

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (Isa 59:19b KJV)  When a flood hits, the tides and currents are so swift and strong that everything that is unstable will get swept away.  That is want the enemy tries to do to us!  He comes at us swiftly and strongly (like a flood) in hopes of catching us off guard and sweep us away.  However, God flips the script on him and like a flood, God lifts up a standard against the enemy!  God's standard for us is Victory!  The devil retreats because he can not compete by only offering defeat!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for raising the standard of Victory against our enemies!  Helps never to be found in an unstable place.  Amen! 

Ps 61:1-4. . . .Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.   From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.  KJV

DO IT ANYWAY!

7-29-2010. . . .DO IT ANYWAY!

"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. (Matt 5:43-45 TLB)  If we are honest, most of  us would respond to this admonition from Jesus with a "I Don't Want To!"  Especially considering, the damage they've done and pain they've inflicted is still fresh and hurting.  It is okay to acknowledge that you feel that way.  In fact, you may even find it cathartic.   However, when you get through with the acknowledgement, then comes the realization that it is not about our feelings, its about our faith!  We may not want to do it, but we do it anyway!   Why because, that is what Jesus says; He knows what is best for us; we believe in Him!   So remember, Do it anyway! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to always be honest and open with you about our feelings.  Strengthen us to rise above our feelings and stand firmly on our faith in order to do the right thing and obey you no matter what.  Amen! 

Prov 25:21-22. . . . If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. NIV

DON'T LAUGH, THANK GOD!

7-28-2010. . . .DON'T LAUGH, THANK GOD!

And now, although ten thousand enemies surround me on every side, I am not afraid.   I will cry to him, "Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!"  And he will slap them in the face, insulting them and breaking off their teeth. (Ps 3:5-7 TLB)   Although your enemies may weary you showing up in your face everyday to harass and tress you, be patient and give it time!  Soon they will show up snaggletoothed, but don't laugh, thank God!

Prayer: Lord, You know!  Grant us patients to wait on you as you bring you word to pass concerning our enemies.  Help us not to laugh when we see their teeth knocked out!  Amen.

Ps 3:7. . . . Arise, O LORD!  Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. (NIV)

LET GOD DEAL WITH THEM!

7-27-10. . . .LET GOD DEAL WITH THEM!

"None of those who have faith in God will ever be disgraced for trusting him. But all who harm the innocent shall be defeated." (Ps 25:2-3 TLB)  It is natural to want to attack those who attack us, but what does that do to our witness?  Resist the urge to retaliate!  Remember, our enemies are God's enemies.  He has promised to deal with all those that harm us.

Prayer: Love I love you because you hear my cry and respond to my request.  Deal with those who position themselves against me and strengthen me to allow me to do so.  Amen!

Ps 25:1-3. . . .To you, O Lord, I pray.   Don't fail me, Lord, for I am trusting you. Don't let my enemies succeed. Don't give them victory over me.  TLB

ADVERSARIES WILL BE ADVERSARIAL!

7-26-2010. . . .ADVERSARIES WILL BE ADVERSARIAL!

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison." (Matt 5:25-26  NIV)  It is always better to try and settle a matter quickly and peaceably before it escalates into something much worst. The weight of this responsibility is on we as believers because our adversaries will always seek to be adversarial!

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom to always seek the ways that make for peace even when we are not the offender.  No matter what path others take, help us always do what is right.  Amen!

Ps 34:14-16. . . . Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;  the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. ( NIV)

WAIT ON GOD!

7-23-2010. . . .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 on 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 none 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

HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

7-22-2010. . . . .HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."  (Rom 16:20 NKJV)   If you have ever watched a professional boxing match, you've noticed that when the rounds are about to end, the pace of the fighters quicken.  When the final round of the fight comes, the battle seems to intensify all the more because both fighters know this is there last opportunity to get their punches in!  Our battle with Satan has intensified only because he knows his time is short.  Soon, he will be crushed under our feet and our arms will be raised in victory!  Hang in there and keep fighting!  The fight is fixed! :-)

Prayer: Thank you Lord for victory through Jesus Christ.  Strengthen us to withstand the battles in order that we may win the war.  Amen.

1 Cor 15:58. . . .So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.  TLB