JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Ephesians 6:12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
As I mentioned yesterday one of the most “neglected subjects” in many pulpits of churches today is that of the personality, activity, and power of the devil.
Yet (1st Peter 5:8) tells us to be careful… “for our enemy the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom He can devour”.
Therefore we must speak about him and try to understand him as the “enemy of our soul”.
#1) Yesterday we saw that He (Satan) has a distinct personality and hierarchy.
#2) We also know that he is a distinct personality!
#3) Satan promotes an unforgiving spirit among brethren.
The devil has never had a good word to say about God’s people.
He dislikes us because we love the Lord, and so he tries his best to get us to ruin our testimony by showing enmity toward our Christian brothers and sisters.
The Bible says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not . . . this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:14-15).
The Bible says that a bitter and unforgiving spirit among fellow-Christians is demonic… it is of the devil… it is inspired by Satan.
Satan delights in hearing us say unkind and critical (and often untrue) things about our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sharpness and contention among Christians does not promote the cause of Christ.
Such conduct helps instead to extend the devil’s kingdom.
We need to take seriously the admonition of (Ephesians 4:32), “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
The word “kindness” speaks of a generous and thoughtful attitude toward others.
The word “tenderhearted” means heartfelt compassion, a sense of sympathy that feels for the needs and the circumstances of others.
We should be careful not to quickly clobber others with words of negative criticism.
Satan, by way of contrast, stirs up bitterness and envy, and does everything he can to break down “a spirit of harmony” among God’s people.
The devil sows “tares of conflict and discontent” among believers in order to dampen the testimony of the believer.
#4) Satan incites persecution against Christians.
The devil does his best to discourage disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ by bringing various kinds of persecution to bear upon them.
(Revelation 2:10) says, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer… behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison.”
For most of us, persecution comes in the form of “social pressure”.
People where you work want you to engage in activities which you believe are wrong… and if you refuse to join them… they make derogatory remarks, or at least laugh at you behind your back.
That is a form of persecution, and even though it is a milder form of persecution than the martyrdom of earlier centuries, it is still persecution, and it is the devil who incites it all.
#5) Satan tempts believers to commit sexual immorality.
(First Corinthians 7:5) says that married couples should not withhold their bodies from each other (except by consent), so that “Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
Satan is the one who tempts believers to enter into sexual immorality.
All those men who are running off with other women, and people who are living together without the commitment of marriage, are following the promptings of the devil.
The temptation to longingly lust after a person of the opposite sex is a device promoted by Satan.
The conduct evidenced by those miserable “lust-buzzards” who “eye” every woman they meet and “gush” over silly females walking down the street… is initiated by the devil in order to break down “the sanctity” and security of our homes and to saturate our communities with fornication and incest, prostitution and adultery, and all the other ugly sins related to sexual immorality.
We are living in the midst of a tremendous moral revolution.
Most of our society is “pleasure” oriented.
The mood is permissive and immodest and daring.
There is an attitude of irreverence toward God and sacred things.
The buzz word or phrase of the day is “my rights”… “No body can tell me what to do with my body!”
Many consider sexual purity a concept that no longer has validity in our society and is outdated.
Our age is reeking with sexual immorality, and Satan will do his best to get us to become careless about maintaining high moral standards.
When we think about the devices of the devil, we must remember that the devil is a liar.
He puts evil suggestions into our minds… and he develops a bitter and unforgiving spirit among brethren and sisters.
He incites persecution against Christians in order to discourage them and he tempts believers to sexual immorality so as to pervert the true relationship that God designed for men and women.
Once discouraged… it is really hard to pull up your boot-straps and get excited about jumping back “into the fray” as it were.
But Jesus says of we will come unto Him… He will give us peace that the world cannot give. He will give us joy unspeakable, and He will restore our soul.
You don’t have to fight the devil. The battle is the Lords!
Just be aware and be careful… as you live your life “as the light of Christ” in these latter days.
Good Day!
(Ephesians 6:12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
One of the most neglected subjects in many pulpits of churches today is that of the personality, activity, and power of the devil.
One of the national news magazines said recently, “Literal belief in the devil is widely viewed by theologians as a holdover from the Dark Ages.”
It’s true that most of us would rather speak about Jesus Christ than about His enemy (and our enemy) the devil, but the Bible says that the devil is a very real and a very dangerous character.
Therefore we must speak about him and try to understand him as the “enemy of our soul”.
We are told in (2nd Corinthians 2:11) that Christians should not be “ignorant”… or “unaware” of the devil’s devices. “in order that Satan might not outwit us… for we are not unaware of his schemes”.
The great Apostle Paul told his young prodigy Timothy to teach his congregation in such a way that his listeners might recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.
(2nd Timothy 2:26) "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
In (Ephesians 6:11) we are told to “put on the whole armor of God that we might be able “to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The word “wiles” is sometimes translated “tactics” or “schemes” or “strategies.”
Strategy is the “carefully arranged plan” to deceive and outwit others.
The devil’s primary work is and always has been “deception”, and thus the words “wiles, tactics, schemes, and strategies” are all appropriate.
Over the next couple of days I am going to try to help you catch a glimpse of who the devil or the enemy of our soul is, and just how he operates in our lives trying to confuse and distract us from the work and purpose of Gods calling on our lives.
Today I am highlighting three of his operative schemes.
1. The Personality of the Devil
One of Satan’s cunning schemes is to try and convince people that he does not really exist.
A spokesman writing in one religious magazine says, “If when I die, I am met by someone with horns and tail, calling himself the Devil, I hope that I shall not be frightened, but reassured… knowing that I am having my leg pulled, and that there is humor also in the hereafter.”
In other words, the writer of those words hopes that the idea of “the devil” is just a joke.
Satan is often made out to be a joke, but in reality, he should be feared.
The devil is a person just as real as God.
He is not as powerful as God, but he is just as real.
D. L. Moody used to say that there were two reasons why he believed the devil exists as a real being:
(1) The Bible says so.
(2) I’ve done business with him.
When Jesus spoke of the devil, He used personal pronouns.
Jesus said to Peter, “Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).
Later, the Apostle Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1st Peter 5:8).
According to the Bible, the devil is a created spirit being and just because we cannot see him, does not mean that he is not real.
The air about us is filled with strange voices and musical sounds even though we cannot see or hear them.
If we had the proper electronic devices, such as those used in a radio or a television set, we could hear the sounds and see the pictures without any difficulty.
The Bible indicates that Satan was one of the most magnificent creatures ever created.
He was the climax of God’s creative wisdom… he was not always the vicious character we know him to be today.
He was once a beautiful angel.
The Scriptures say (of Lucifer), “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:15)
Those who believe the message of the Bible believe that there is a real devil who is the enemy of God, and the enemy of God’s people.
We don’t understand all there is to know about the devil, but the Bible says he has his own synagogue, church, worshipers and followers.
(Revelation 2:9) “I know thy works… and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
(Galatians 1:6-9) His own gospel or message… “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel?
(2nd Corinthians 11:14-15) His own ministering angels/demons… “And do not wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
(1st Timothy 4:1) His own doctrines… “The Spirit clearly says that in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”.
(1st Corinthians 10:20-21) And his own “communion service”… “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God… and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils… ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
So my point in bringing these thoughts today and over the next couple of days is to make you aware that there are two forces in the world.
Good and evil!
However you do not need to quake or cower in fear because of him or his tactics.
Like any good general on a battlefield that respects his enemy and try’s to make himself as familiar with him and his tactics as he can, you and I need to do so as well.
We fight the good fight of faith, knowing that the battle is not ours… but it is the Lords.
As Paul said “we should not be ignorant of the devil or his devices” (2nd Corinthians 2:11)
More on this tomorrow!
Good Day.
(Psalm 34:18) "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted."
When someone has broken your heart.
When somebody you love breaks your heart and betrays your trust, you’re in a vulnerable place.
And the enemy will use the experience to get you to do four things that will hurt you even more,
derail you spiritually, and rob you of God’s blessing:
Those four things are but not necessarily limited to;
1) Isolating yourself
2) Lose your sense of trust
3) Cause a root of bitterness that will enslave you
4) Make you vengeful
Don’t do it!
Instead, stand on God’s Word!
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13)
“The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…heal the brokenhearted…proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Has someone done you wrong?
Forgive them, and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind.
Forgiveness is the release of resentment or anger.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation… but forgiveness is vitally important for the mental health of those who have been victimized.
It propels people forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in an injustice or trauma.
Forgiveness has been shown to elevate mood, enhance optimism, and guard against anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Carrying the hurt or anger of an offense leads the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Eliminating the perpetual flow of those hormones may also explain why forgiveness provides physical health benefits, such as lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.
Forgiveness is a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back.
But if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you’ll get there.
But perhaps your thinking, “if I forgive them then they’ll just get away with it.
Shouldn’t they have to pay for what they have done”?
Actually when you forgive those whom have hurt you, you set yourself free.
When you forgive those whom have betrayed your trust, abused you, and violated your world… you open the door for God to begin to work on your behalf.
That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “forgive those who have trespassed against us” (Matthew 6:12)
(Matthew 6:14) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Romans 12:19) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written… "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
Listen you are Gods child!
(Zechariah 2:8-9) “Your are highly favored, and the apple of His eye. He promises to take care of you!”
So let Him do that starting today!
Surrender yourself to God and His saving grace.
Let Him reveal His love to you today.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Good day!
Those four things are but not necessarily limited to;
1) Isolating yourself
2) Lose your sense of trust
3) Cause a root of bitterness that will enslave you
4) Make you vengeful
Don’t do it!
Instead, stand on God’s Word!
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13)
“The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…heal the brokenhearted…proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Has someone done you wrong?
Forgive them, and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind.
Forgiveness is the release of resentment or anger.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation… but forgiveness is vitally important for the mental health of those who have been victimized.
It propels people forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in an injustice or trauma.
Forgiveness has been shown to elevate mood, enhance optimism, and guard against anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Carrying the hurt or anger of an offense leads the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Eliminating the perpetual flow of those hormones may also explain why forgiveness provides physical health benefits, such as lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.
Forgiveness is a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back.
But if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you’ll get there.
But perhaps your thinking, “if I forgive them then they’ll just get away with it.
Shouldn’t they have to pay for what they have done”?
Actually when you forgive those whom have hurt you, you set yourself free.
When you forgive those whom have betrayed your trust, abused you, and violated your world… you open the door for God to begin to work on your behalf.
That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “forgive those who have trespassed against us” (Matthew 6:12)
(Matthew 6:14) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Romans 12:19) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written… "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
Listen you are Gods child!
(Zechariah 2:8-9) “Your are highly favored, and the apple of His eye. He promises to take care of you!”
So let Him do that starting today!
Surrender yourself to God and His saving grace.
Let Him reveal His love to you today.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Good day!
(Psalm 34:18) "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted."
When someone has broken your heart.
When somebody you love breaks your heart and betrays your trust, you’re in a vulnerable place.
And the enemy will use the experience to get you to do four things that will hurt you even more,
derail you spiritually, and rob you of God’s blessing:
Those four things are but not necessarily limited to;
1) Isolating yourself
2) Lose your sense of trust
3) Cause a root of bitterness that will enslave you
4) Make you vengeful
Don’t do it!
Instead, stand on God’s Word!
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13)
“The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…heal the brokenhearted…proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Has someone done you wrong?
Forgive them, and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind.
Forgiveness is the release of resentment or anger.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation… but forgiveness is vitally important for the mental health of those who have been victimized.
It propels people forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in an injustice or trauma.
Forgiveness has been shown to elevate mood, enhance optimism, and guard against anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Carrying the hurt or anger of an offense leads the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Eliminating the perpetual flow of those hormones may also explain why forgiveness provides physical health benefits, such as lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.
Forgiveness is a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back.
But if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you’ll get there.
But perhaps your thinking, “if I forgive them then they’ll just get away with it.
Shouldn’t they have to pay for what they have done”?
Actually when you forgive those whom have hurt you, you set yourself free.
When you forgive those whom have betrayed your trust, abused you, and violated your world… you open the door for God to begin to work on your behalf.
That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “forgive those who have trespassed against us” (Matthew 6:12)
(Matthew 6:14) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Romans 12:19) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written… "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
Listen you are Gods child!
(Zechariah 2:8-9) “Your are highly favored, and the apple of His eye. He promises to take care of you!”
So let Him do that starting today!
Surrender yourself to God and His saving grace.
Let Him reveal His love to you today.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Good day!
Those four things are but not necessarily limited to;
1) Isolating yourself
2) Lose your sense of trust
3) Cause a root of bitterness that will enslave you
4) Make you vengeful
Don’t do it!
Instead, stand on God’s Word!
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13)
“The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…heal the brokenhearted…proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Has someone done you wrong?
Forgive them, and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind.
Forgiveness is the release of resentment or anger.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation… but forgiveness is vitally important for the mental health of those who have been victimized.
It propels people forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in an injustice or trauma.
Forgiveness has been shown to elevate mood, enhance optimism, and guard against anger, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Carrying the hurt or anger of an offense leads the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Eliminating the perpetual flow of those hormones may also explain why forgiveness provides physical health benefits, such as lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.
Forgiveness is a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back.
But if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you’ll get there.
But perhaps your thinking, “if I forgive them then they’ll just get away with it.
Shouldn’t they have to pay for what they have done”?
Actually when you forgive those whom have hurt you, you set yourself free.
When you forgive those whom have betrayed your trust, abused you, and violated your world… you open the door for God to begin to work on your behalf.
That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “forgive those who have trespassed against us” (Matthew 6:12)
(Matthew 6:14) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Romans 12:19) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written… "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
Listen you are Gods child!
(Zechariah 2:8-9) “Your are highly favored, and the apple of His eye. He promises to take care of you!”
So let Him do that starting today!
Surrender yourself to God and His saving grace.
Let Him reveal His love to you today.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Good day!
(1st Corinthians 9:25) "Exercise self-control in all things."
In (1st Corinthians 10:23) Paul gives some answers and direction for believers whom are living in a “sin-ridden” society that is focused on “idol worship”.
And its interesting, and important to know that idol worship comes in many forms!
In the midst of that “worship”, food was often used as an offering to “other or strange Gods”.
The believers in the early church were torn as to whether it was acceptable to eat that food after it was offered up to idols or strange Gods.
It was causing great concern in the early church because some believed/felt that eating food that had been offered up to idols should not be something that Christians should do.
Just as the argument today about eating and drinking!
”Paul’s answers and direction gave “broad freedom” to those who are spiritually "strong" and recognize that God gives a good purpose for everything He has created.
(1st Timothy 4:4) "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,"
Scripture has also provided careful warning and direction that moderate how that freedom can and should be used.
In (1st Corinthians 10:23) Paul boils everything down to a “single principle” that should drive all our choices.
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”
Believers should be motivated to bring glory to God in everything we do, or choose not to do.
(1st Corinthians 10:31) “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”
This includes our choices to eat or drink, or to refuse/abstain.
Paul adds this to a list of “motivating factors” for the use of our freedom in Christ.
Will this activity be helpful to me, or will it cause me to be "mastered" by it? (1st Corinthians 6:12)
Will doing this build up others and be good for my neighbor as well as for myself? (1st Corinthians 10:23–24)
And finally, will this choice to eat or drink along with any other activity bring glory to God?
In all cases, the question of whether this activity will bring me pleasure, material gain, or status, should not be the deciding factor alone, even for those who are free in Christ.
Just as anything done without “conviction” is sin, Christians should not participate in anything they don't comfortably feel brings glory to God.
(Romans 14:23), “But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it.”
And that is when where and why we need to exercise self control.
To do something that you know is wrong, and then continue to do it?
That’s a sinful activity.
That’s rebellion.
But what’s wrong with eating or drinking you ask?
Just ask the over weight or those caught in the bondage of “obeseity”
Studies confirm that today over half the population of the western world is overweight.
If you are one of the many people battling a weight problem and the repeated cycles of failure that often accompany it, here’s the good news:
God can help you win the battle when you are trying to lose weight.
The psalmist went directly to the root of his problem: “Search me…and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Listen friend, anything that you or I do that takes priority over our relationship with the “Master” is sin.
As His representatives in this lost sin sick directionless world that we are living in, it is up to you and I to point people in the right direction.
We do so by our actions, our life-style and our focus in life.
We are the only bible another man might ever read.
We are writing a gospel, a chapter each day by deeds we do and words that we say.
Men are reading what we are writing whether faithless or true… so what’s the gospel according to you.
The Holy Spirit is the greatest therapist in the world.
When you surrender and ask Him to take up residence within you, you discover that “the fruit of the spirit is…self control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
He can give you the power to control your appetite and start living by the Scripture… “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1st Corinthians 10:31)
It’s not whether it’s right or wrong to eat or drink.
But it’s what the purpose or attitude is behind it.
If your eating or drinking is a part of “worship”, then who and what is the object of that worship?
Is your eating and drinking a cause for drunkenness?
Then you need to examine your motive behind it.
If you are eating or drinking because you are bound by it as in the alcoholic or the drug addict, then you need to be set free… and then refuse to involve yourself in it any longer.
If your eating and drinking has you caught up in obesity… then you need to start exercising self control, and God is the one who can give you the strength to overcome in all of these situations.
Listen friend… God wants you and I to be free.
Jesus said “Him whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36)
But use that freedom to be a “sweet savor” of Christ unto the world around you.
Be the example of Godly freedom in this world today… but don’t abuse it for your own self indulgence.
Remember, other people are watching you for an example!
What example are you setting today!
Good Day!
(Jeremiah 1:12) "I am ready to perform My word."
I have said it before and I am saying it again.
We cannot live our lives with out “doing it by the Book”.
Jesus said “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Luke 4:4)
When facing danger, David said…“This I declare about the Lord… He alone is my refuge, my place of safety…my God… and I trust Him.
For He will rescue you from every trap, and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers… He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you…
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home.
For He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up…so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in My name.
When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation’” (Psalm 91:2-16).
Note the phrase that David spoke in verse two… “This I declare about the Lord.”
When you speak God’s Word over your life, there is a power that goes to work that few understand… and when you speak Gods Word…you release that power contained in it.
(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
So stand firm today, and expect God to honor His Word!
(Colossians 3:16) says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, admonishing (encouraging) one another with psalms hymns and spiritual songs”
(Matthew 7:24) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
I love what Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him,
(John 8:31-32) “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
In this world, and especially in our western culture, it seems that anything that is an “absolute” is being challenged, ridiculed and rejected.
I firmly believe that’s why there is so much “instability” in our homes our society and our world.
Every one seems to have their own agenda and there own idea, as to what is right, what is wrong, and what is an acceptable way to live life in this world.
(Proverbs 16:25 - 14:12) puts it like this, “there is a way which seems right unto a man but it is the way of death and destruction”.
(Isaiah 55) it is written, “Seek the Lord while you can find Him, call on Him now while He is near.
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord… and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth… so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Just as the rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it”.
(Isaiah 55:6-12)
So if you really want to have success in life, if you really want to see our society, our world be a place where our children can grow up with the same opportunities afforded you and I
Then you and I (and the rest of the world) need to hide “Gods Word” deep in our hearts and let it change us, each of us, from the inside out.
The world has been trying to do it, “its way”, and chaos seems to be the result.
I challenge you today to begin to live your life in accordance to the instruction of Gods word.
If you will, it will change your life.
(Joshua 1:8) “Don’t let this book of the law depart out of your mouth, but meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein… for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
It will give you and I and the world around the direction we need… if we will just read it and heed it.
(James 1:22) “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving your own selves.”
Come on!
His Word is given to us as a resource so that we can be more than conquerors and overcomers in life.
(Romans 8:36-39) “As it is written… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
But it begins when we apply, and release the Word Of God into our lives!
Thy Word O Lord…is a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. (Psalm 119:105)
Good Day!
Psalm 119:50) "Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles."
When you are in pain, sometimes God lifts you out of your situation by a miraculous gift of healing.
Other times, He carries you through and makes you stronger by proving His love and faithfulness to you.
Sometimes He “relieves” you of the pain; other times He “sustains” you in the midst of it.
However you look at it, He is faithful and He is as close as the mention of His name.
And one of the things I have noticed and have learned… is that when I am going thru hard times, painful times, I often feel His presence closer to me more than when the times are good.
Could it be that He is allowing these times to come upon us to drive us, or cause us to come to Him, to desire Him, to be near Him.
Ultimately God wants to have a close personal relationship with each of us.
Unfortunately we tend to get so busy with life, pursuing our plans that we often forget to include God in them.
And before long, we’ve gone weeks with out going to church.
We’ve gone months with out drawing near to Him in a close time of deep prayer and communion with Him.
If you’re in pain today, read these promises from God’s Word and stand on them.
Let them draw you nearer to the heart of God.
“Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. Let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live” (Psalm 119:76-77)
“Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble” (Psalm 25:16-18).
“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!” (Psalm 34:17-20).
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).
Notice that in each of these passages of scripture there is God’s promise to revive and comfort us in all of our troubles.
Jesus said in (Matthew 11:28) “come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest”.
He says “Call upon me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3)
Your Bible is a prescription from the Great Physician Himself, and the label on the bottle reads… “Take as often as needed for pain.”
Could it be that you are going thru this emotional turmoil and this heartache, even this physical pain because God is wanting you to call on Him, commune with Him, spend some time with Him?
(Psalm 46) says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”.
The reality is that in this life there will be difficult times, but God promises to be our refuge.
I encourage you today to stop your running, stop your “busyness”.
Turn off the television.
Put on some soft praise and worship music.
Sit in solitude and let your spirit commune with God as the troubles of this world.
Your life and the pain your experiencing grow strangely dim, in the light of His presence, His glory and His grace.
He is as close as the mention of His name, but you have been so consumed with your plans, your busyness, and your agenda, that you quite possibly have lost your focus and where your help comes from.
Take some time today to renew that focus, and let Him restore your soul.
Oh, and go to church!
He is there in the midst of His people. Join them and experience His presence in their midst.
“Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst” (Matthew 18:20)
Good Day!