Shalom,

Today we read Psalm 105 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan and I LOVE verses 1-5:

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them.
3 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord [as their indispensable necessity].
4 Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore.
5 [Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds that He has done, His miracles and wonders, the judgments and sentences which He pronounced [upon His enemies, as in Egypt].

Make this your practice EVERY DAY! You will find your faith continually rising and the enemy will have a very hard tim getting you down! Try it! You'll see! Here is Brandon Lake with "That's Who I Praise":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from Jerry Savelle Ministries:

Face The Problem

My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 6So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” Psalm 55:4 & 6 NKJV

God doesn’t want you to run away from any situation in defeat. Victory is always His plan for you.

Running away from problems and troubles is always society’s mentality: “Oh, if I could just leave this place. If I could just get in the car and go.” Looking for the easy way out of trouble and misery doesn’t work. Running from the problem that causes those feelings won’t do any good. If you avoid dealing with the issue now, it will be even more difficult to stand and face it later.

People often quit their job because of someone they work with, only to end up working with someone worse at their next place of employment. God wants you to learn to face your problems and overcome them by applying His Word. He wants you to learn to work with unpleasant co-workers by overcoming evil with good. When they blame you for something you didn’t do, bless them, and help them.

Being a doer of the Word isn’t always easy, but it always works.

Although David wanted to fly away and be at rest, he changed his speech and declared a few lines later “As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me” (Psalm 55:16 NKJV).

God doesn’t want you to leave any situation in defeat. If it is God’s time to move you on, He won’t use negative circumstances to lead you. Instead of running from the problem, overcome it. And then move on.

Confession: I choose to face the problems before me today. I will apply the Word of God to them, and I will overcome them. I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.

AMEN! Here is Brandon Lake with "Miracle Child":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2".

JESUS IS GLORIFIED

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. — Acts 19:17

In the past few Sparkling Gems, we’ve seen how the pagan population of the city of Ephesus was very preoccupied with the magical power of secret names, spells, and incantations. It was very significant to the citizens of the city that the demon possessing the demoniac, who was apparently well known in Ephesus, knew the name of Jesus. No one else had ever been able to help this demon-possessed man. But the evil spirit that had taken control of this tormented individual actually spoke and admitted to knowing the name of Jesus. This would have signaled to the pagan population that the name of Jesus contained great power. And the fact that the demon even acknowledged Paul would have also given the apostle a higher level of authority in the eyes of the people.

As a result of this event, a new preeminence was immediately given to the name of Jesus in Ephesus, and Paul’s influence increased. Acts 19:17 describes the impact this incident had on those who heard about it: “And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”

The Bible doesn’t specify how the news of this event quickly reached both the Jewish and Greek communities in Ephesus, but we know that it did. Perhaps there were eyewitnesses of the event who told others about it. Or perhaps those who had hired the seven sons of Sceva reported this event to friends, who then spread the news to others. Maybe there were firsthand witnesses of the incident who heard the screams of the exorcists and saw them running naked from the house.

Regardless of how the news was spread, it made a significant impression on both Jews and Greeks. Both groups were impressed that the name of Jesus was known by the evil spirit that inhabited this man. As a result, this verse states that “…fear fell on them all…”

The Greek word for “fear” is phobos, which in this case describes a reverential fear, hush, or amazement that literally fell on the residents of the city. It brought a speechless sense of awe to the entire community — and a heightened awareness of the name of Jesus. This is why the verse goes on to say, “…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (v. 17).

It must be noted that Luke referred here to the “Lord Jesus,” not just to “Jesus.” The word “Lord” is the Greek word kurios, meaning lord or supreme master. This violent episode between the demon and the seven sons of Sceva had demonstrated that Jesus alone has the power and might to demand respect of evil spiritual forces. By calling him “Lord Jesus” in this context, Luke revealed to us that Jesus came out of the ordeal as the Champion. As a result, His name was “magnified” — enlarged, expanded, and maximized — throughout the city.

Thus, the failed attempt of the seven exorcists was an event used by God to bring attention to the name of Jesus and to escalate the pace of the work for His Kingdom in Ephesus. Large numbers of conversions took place as people turned from their occult deeds with genuine acts of repentance.

There is no question that the power of God was being unleashed in the heart of this dark pagan city and that its foundation, which had been established on the bedrock of idolatry, was being shaken to its very core. Life in Ephesus was being eternally impacted by the power of the Gospel, and many who lived in the region would never be the same again.

This is what happens when the power of God is in manifestation! It shakes people to their core and they know without any doubt that they have come into contact with the highest level of supernatural power.

Doesn’t this make you want to see the power of God manifest in your city, in your church, or in your ministry? Nothing brings glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ more than His divine power being unleashed through faith in full operation!

AMEN! THIS is what we should all be expecting! Be ready! He just may want to use YOU! Here is Brandon Lake with "Count 'Em":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin is another one of my favotires!

Faith Dealt

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. — ROMANS 12:3

“Faith — that’s what I want!” many people say to me. “And I’m praying that God will give it to me.”

If that’s what you’re doing, you’re wasting your time. It would do no more good to pray that God will give you faith than it would to twiddle your thumbs and recite “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Praying for faith is lost motion and wasted time, because every believer already has a measure of the God-kind of faith. You don’t have to get it. You don’t have to pray for it. You don’t have to fast for it. You don’t have to promise to do better and be good to get it. You already have it!

In this verse in Romans, Paul wasn’t writing to sinners, but to believers. He said, “. . . I say . . . to every man that is among you [not to every man in the world], . . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

All believers have faith! God gave it to them!

Confession: God dealt to me the measure of faith. I have a measure of the God-kind of faith! God already gave it to me! I have it now!

AMEN! Now BELIEVE that TRUTH and EXPECT the answer! Here is Hillsong and Benjamin Hastings  with "That's The Power":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2".

A Demonic Recognition

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
— Acts 19:15

The evil spirits in the demon-possessed man in Acts 19 were very familiar with both Jesus and the apostle Paul. However, the demons did not recognize the seven sons of Sceva who were trying to exercise authority over them. We can know this from the original Greek in Acts 19:15, where the evil spirit responded to the seven exorcists: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”

The words translated “know” in those two phrases — “Jesus I know” and “Paul I know” — are two distinctly different words in the Greek text. In the phrase, “Jesus I know,” the word “know” is the Greek word ginosko. The word ginosko has a wide range of meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. The foremost meaning of ginosko was to recognize a person or a thing, to acknowledge, or to have a full comprehension about the person or thing being acknowledged. There is no question that the use of the word ginosko here means the wicked spirit that inhabited this man admitted, conceded, and affirmed that the name “Jesus” was well known to it. Like all evil spirits, this demon was familiar with Jesus — it fully comprehended and acknowledged who Jesus was — and had possessed this knowledge for a long time. So when the evil spirit said, “Jesus I know,” it was saying, in effect, “Jesus I know and fully comprehend with absolute certainty…”

On the other hand, in the phrase, “and Paul I know,” the word “know” is translated from a completely different Greek word. It is the word epistamai, which describes a knowledge obtained by outward observation. In other words, Paul’s reputation was growing as one who had authority over demons, and it had captured the attention of the spirit world in Ephesus. Local demons were “tuning in” to observe Paul’s activities.

The word epistamai implicitly reveals that the dark spirit world in Ephesus had recently become familiar with Paul’s ministry. The apostle’s activities were a great threat to the demonic forces over that city, and they were taken aback by his spiritual power. Therefore, the evil spirits of the territory were scrutinizing this newcomer and carefully watching him move through each situation as one who possessed great authority. This word epistamai also implies that these demonic spirits were spying and conducting surveillance on this newcomer who had invaded their dark stronghold — so they could stay aware of what Paul was doing and look for ways to oppose him. The word epistamai therefore carries the idea: “…and Paul I know because I have recently become familiar with him by carefully following and observing his activities.”

But then the evil spirit asked the seven sons of Sceva an interesting question: “But who are ye?” This question should be understood in the context of the entire verse. The reader should understand the text to mean: “Jesus I know and fully comprehend with absolute certainty, and Paul I know because I have recently become familiar with him by carefully following and observing his activities. But I have no idea who you are! In fact, we know nothing about you! We don’t recognize you or your authority at all!”

One would think that demonic forces would recognize exorcists who regularly delved into occult practices; however, the evil spirit in the man didn’t recognize these exorcists at all. But oh, what a glorious thought that this spirit knew the name of Jesus and knew Paul because Paul was in Christ and was an authorized user of Jesus’ name!

You fit that description too! If you are in Christ, you are an authorized user of the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit! James 2:19 says that demons “tremble” when they hear that name. As we saw yesterday, the word “tremble” would be better translated that they are “spooked” or “terrified” when they hear the name of Jesus spoken with bold faith by an authorized user!

If you are a Christian indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit, you have all power in Heaven and earth given unto you (see Matthew 28:18). You are authorized to speak on behalf of Jesus and to take authority over any evil presence that comes your way. And it must obey!

AMEN! KNOW who YOU are - IN HIM! Then you will understand the authority that YOU have to speak HIS WORD in every dealing with the enemy! Here is Tauren Wells with "Take It All Back":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional by Oswald Chambers!

Pull Yourself Together

Yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. — Romans 6:13-22

I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot atone for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I can not make right what is wrong, pure what is impure, holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Have I faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made a perfect Atonement, am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The great need is not to do things, but to believe things. The Redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith upon it. If I construct my faith on my experience, I produce that most unscriptural type, an isolated life, my eyes fixed on my own whiteness. Beware of the piety that has no presupposition in the Atonement of the Lord. It is of no use for anything but a sequestered life; it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every type of experience by our Lord Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless we deliberately build on the presupposition of the Atonement.

The Atonement of Jesus has to work out in practical, unobtrusive ways in my life. Every time I obey, absolute Deity is on my side, so that the grace of God and natural obedience coincide. Obedience means that I have banked everything on the Atonement, and my obedience is met immediately by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.

Beware of the piety that denies the natural life, it is a fraud. Continually bring yourself to the bar of the Atonement — where is the discernment of the Atonement in this thing, and in that?

Simply keep reminding yourself that the WORK was GOD'S and the RESULTS are OURS because of JESUS! Here is Brandon Lake with "The Great I Am Can":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this simple yet powerful devotional from The Spoken Word Church website!

Remember Your Citizenship

Earth is temporary. Eternity is permanent. You are a pilgrim here. This is a journey, a passage, a season. The future is far more suited for you. You are a citizen of the New Jerusalem. You are an ambassador, a representative on earth of your Heavenly Father. Don't ever forget it.

Overcomers are guaranteed a permanent place in the Temple of God. His name is engraved upon you. You are His property and perpetuation of His kingdom. Act like the royalty you are.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write down upon him my new name."  (Revelation 3:12)

Here is Brandon Lake with "Coat Of Many Colors":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this exciting devotional from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food"!

The Name

. . . Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER [authority] IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE . . . . — MATTHEW 28:18-19

What effect would it have on your life if a wealthy man were to give you a legal document, telling you to use it to supply every one of your needs?

Yet we have been given something even greater than that! God has given us the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus! And that Name has authority in this earth. The use of that Name is not a matter of faith, actually, but rather it is a matter of assuming your legal rights in Christ, taking your place as a son of God, and using what belongs to you. His Name belongs to you!

We have a right to use that Name against our enemies. We have a right to use that Name in our praise and worship. We have a right to use that Name in petitions. Praise God, that Name belongs to us!

That Name has been given to us that we might carry out the will of God the Father in this dispensation in which we live. The Early Church used this authority. They acted for Jesus in His stead. And we are to use His Name and act in His stead today!

Confession: All authority in Heaven and earth resides in the Name of Jesus. The use of that Name and its authority have been given to me. I have a right to use the Name of Jesus!

AMEN! You and I have the RIGHT, the PRIVILEGE and the RESPONSIBILITY to use HIS NAME to receive ALL that HE has ALREADY provided for us! LET'S DO IT! Here is Benajmin William Hastings with "That's The Power":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share with you from Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional!

The Secret to Receiving Your Miracle

I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:5 NLT

I attended a conference years ago and remember hearing about all kinds of things that we had to do to work the miracles of God. For instance, we were told that we had to pray long prayers.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that there is no place for long prayers.

I love going to my Abba to just spend time talking to Him. I have also taught our church about the importance of praying, especially praying in the Spirit regularly. But is the secret to having miracles take place in your life found in praying, or even in fasting forty days and forty nights, as others say?

Some people think they can twist God’s arm with their efforts and convince Him that they deserve a breakthrough or miracle from Him. Do you really think that because you have fasted or prayed for long periods of time, God is impressed with you and has to answer your prayers?

Come on, my friend, the only reason God answers our prayers today is the finished work of Jesus. Don’t be deceived any longer. God is a debtor to no man. No man can deserve God’s blessings through his self-efforts. It is not about our sacrifices. It is about His sacrifice!

All God sees is the work of His Son on the cross, and by virtue of Jesus, all His blessings and His miracle-working power are yours when you believe in His Son.

Read today’s scripture carefully for what Paul said to the Galatians who were depending on their self-efforts. Then, consider all the people who received miracles from Jesus during His ministry on earth.

Not a single one of them deserved it. They did nothing to earn their miracles. They simply received their miracles because of His grace.

A few years ago, the Lord spoke to me and said, “When My people see My grace, I see their faith.” Do you remember the woman with the issue of blood who had been bleeding for twelve years?

According to the law of Moses, she was considered unclean and was not supposed to be out in public places, much less touch anyone. Yet, the Bible tells us that “when she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment” (Mark 5:27).

She must have heard the wonderful testimonies of the people Jesus had touched and healed, and these accounts opened her eyes to see Jesus as a gracious Savior overflowing with mercy and compassion.

The result? Faith ignited in her and the moment she touched the hem of His garment, she received her miracle.

Was she ever conscious of her faith? No, she was conscious only of Jesus and His grace. When she saw His grace, He turned around and saw her faith. With great tenderness, He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34).

My friend, you do not have to try to conjure up faith for healing or finances. Faith for any breakthrough or miracle in your life springs forth when you see His grace.

He died so that you might live! You did not deserve it, but He still did it for you.

See Jesus on the cross for you—the demonstration of His unconditional love and amazing grace. And when you see His grace, you will have unconscious faith to receive your miracle!

AMEN! Here is Brandon Lake with "Tear Off The Roof":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE today's "From Faith To Faith" devotional by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland!

Subject to Change

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Don't center your attention on what you can see in this natural, physical sense realm. Everything you see is temporal and subject to change. So, put your faith in the unseen eternal realm. The things which are eternal are not subject to change.

God's Word is eternal and it contains 7,000 promises to cover any circumstance you'll ever face. And, no matter what happens in this shifting, changing world you live in, those promises will forever be the same.

No matter how bad your body feels, the Word will always say, "By His stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). No matter how bad your bank book looks, the Word will always say, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

Don't settle for the meager existence the world says you can have. Lay hold of what the Word says you can have. Center your attention on the eternal truths of God and look not to the things which are seen. After all, they're subject to change!

AMEN!!! DARE to BELIEVE and RECEIVE all that GOD has provided for you! Here is Brooke Ligertwood and Brandon Lake with "Honey In The Rock":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this devotional from Jerry Savelle Ministries! 

Seize Opportunity Quickly

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. Matthew 11:12 AMPC

Has God put a strong desire in your heart for something specific, yet it seems too big to grab hold of? My advice to you is this: seize your God-given opportunity!

Webster’s dictionary defines seize as to take possession of suddenly and by force, or attack, or a strike. Why is it important to take possession of something suddenly? Because opportunities don’t wait for the faint hearted, the slow-to-move, or the coward.

When an opportunity arises that seems just a little out of your grasp, go to God in prayer. If you have peace about it, then go for it—God will help you. Jesus described just such a kingdom opportunity like this: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44 NKJV).

When God presents you with an opportunity, be aggressive. Be enthusiastic and committed. Continue to seek God for His wisdom and favor in how to proceed. And as you continue to make your confession of faith, God will meet you with His grace and favor.

Confession: I give thanks for the God-given dreams and desires He has placed in my heart. As each new opportunity presents itself, I will go to God in prayer to receive His peace and provision, and then I will seize each opportunity quickly, and for the glory of God.

AMEN! Here is Brandon Lake with God's answer to our needs! "Count 'Em":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin for your spiritual enrichment!

Fellowship

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9

The highest honor God has conferred upon you is to be a joint-fellowshipper with God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s plan for the redemption of the human race.

By virtue of the New Birth, you became related to the Creator of the universe! You became God’s child. You have a relationship with Him. But relationship without fellowship is a lifeless thing. It’s like marriage without love or fellowship.

Fellowship with God is the mother of faith. And God has called you individually into fellowship with His Son.

Confession: God has called me into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. I will walk in fellowship and communion with Jesus. I will talk with Jesus. I will work with Jesus. I am a joint-fellowshipper with God the Father, with Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s great plan of redemption for the human race.

AMEN! I hope that YOU are taking time DAILY to WORSHIP the ONE Who loves YOU most and best! Here, to help you with that, is Brandon Lake with "Praise You Anywhere":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share another of my favorite verses of Scripture! 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Greek word for 'fear' here is "deilia" and it means timidity! As one who has always been rather shy around people, especially crowds of people all watching and listening to me, I am always really blessed by the TRUTH of this verse! I LOVE it from the classic Amplified Bible! 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. AMP

I do NOT want to be a coward, especially when it comes to sharing the Word of God with those that HE sends me to, or that HE send to me! Thats is why this verse is so powerful! HE SAYS that HE has given me, instead, the spirit of POWER, LOVE, and a CALM and WELL-BALANCED mind, and DISCIPLIN and SELF-CONROL! Since HE has already provided that for me, I REFUSE to be intimidated by the enemy when it comes to sharing the GOSPEL! How about you? Here is a song to get excited about by Brandon Lake called "Count 'Em", referring to the MIRACULOUS POWER OF OUR GOD! Let's SHARE HIM! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share one of my favorite portions of Scripture!  Psalm 150:6:

"Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)". 

Whenever you see the word 'let' in the Bible, realize that YOU have a CHOICE to make! WILL you? This is a command! What are we to do? "Praise the Lord"! Praise is the Hebrew word "halal" which means: to be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to 'stultify'. Stultify means: to cause to appear or be stupid, foolish, or absurdly illogical. In other words, be bold enough that others MAY think and say that of you as YOU glorify JESUS! I LOVE this! JESUS means more to me than any other person because HE saved my life! And not only  mine, but my entire family and household! I can NEVER repay HIM for all thet HE has done for ME! BUT, I WILL TRY WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS WHITHIN ME! How about you? Here, to help you with that, is Brandon Lake with "That's Who I Praise":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,

Here is today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin. Another powerful message!

Helper

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. — JOHN 14:16 (Amplified)

It is sad to realize that some Christians ignore the Holy Spirit who is indwelling within them. I believe they mistakenly think He will come in, take control of their lives, and make them do whatever needs to be done automatically with no effort on their part — but He won’t. Demons do that. They are the ones that make people do things which the people don’t want to do. Demons drive, force, and control people.

The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is a Gentleman. He will never force you to do anything against your will. In the Scriptures we see that the Holy Spirit leads, guides, prompts, and urges. He may give you a gentle “push,” but He will never force you to act.

Some complain, “Why doesn’t God do this or that?” The Holy Spirit won’t do anything until you put Him to work for you! He is sent to be your Helper. He is not sent to do the job for you, but to help you do it.

When you know the Holy Spirit is in you, then you can act on God’s Word intelligently, and the Holy Spirit will work through you. Begin to talk in line with today’s confession, and you will find that He who indwells you will become more real to you.

Confession: The Greater One is in me. I’m depending on Him. He will live big in me. He will help me. The Greater One will put me over. He will make me a success!

AMEN! YOU CAN COUNT ON HIM! Here is Brandon Lake with "Ghost Stories" (Holy Ghost stories!)

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this wonderful message by Joseph Prince from his "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional.

Why a Revelation of Your Forgiveness Is So Important

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 1 John 2:12

People have asked me from time to time, “Pastor Prince, why is an understanding of the complete forgiveness of my sins so important for me to walk in God’s unmerited favor?”

This is a good question. Let me share with you some of the implications involved. First, if you have no confidence that all your sins have been forgiven, then your eternal security and salvation will always hang in the balance.

Second, if you think that your sins were not fully dealt with at the cross, then you can never have the confidence to enjoy the Lord's presence because you can never be sure if He is on your side, or if He is waiting to punish you for your failures. You will constantly feel unworthy because of your assessment of your conduct, and you can never really have the boldness to ask God for big things, or believe that He will give you success in your life.

Third, if you do not believe that Jesus has already forgiven all your sins, it means that when you fail, you will believe that you are not “right” with God and that fellowship with Him has been cut off. And instead of depending on His unmerited favor to overcome your failure, you will feel that you need to confess your sin, be remorseful and make amends with God before you can restore fellowship with God and depend on Him again.

It comes down to this: When you don't have a clear sense of your complete forgiveness, you will constantly be on an emotional seesaw. Sometimes, you feel that things between you and God are all right, but at other times, you don't think that it is so. Sometimes, you feel confident that the Lord is with you to make you a success, but at other times, you feel like you blew it and the Lord will not help you until you confess your sin and make amends.

You will be in a constant cycle of feeling insecure, where you are always hopping in and out of God’s favor. All these feelings depend on how well you think you have performed, and ignore the cross of Jesus altogether. My friend, God does not evaluate you based on your behavior. He sees only Jesus’ perfect work. But because you do not believe that Jesus has indeed forgiven you of all your sins, you end up feeling like a total and complete hypocrite and failure.

I hope that you are beginning to see that understanding the complete forgiveness of your sins is not just for theologians. Thinking that your sins are not completely forgiven will fundamentally affect your relationship with Jesus. While He is all ready to bless you, give you favor and make you a success, unbelief in His finished work robs you of the ability to receive His goodness, His blessings, His unmerited favor, and His success in your life.

The cross of Jesus qualified you, but unbelief in the main clause of the new covenant disqualifies you. Meditate on what God says about your sins in the new covenant and free yourself to receive from Him today. The new covenant is based entirely on His unmerited favor. There is nothing for you to do, nothing for you to perform, nothing for you to accomplish. Your part in the new covenant is just to have faith in Jesus and to believe that you are totally forgiven and free to enjoy the new covenant blessings through His finished work!

AMEN! Here is Brandon Lake with "God Is Not Against Me":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's "From Faith To Faith" devotional!

No Burden

For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). 1 John 5:3, The Amplified Bible

Do you know why the Word of God and the orders God gives to you in your spirit are not burdensome or oppressive? Because everything He tells you is for your good and for your victory!

God knows what it takes to live in victory in this present evil world. In fact, He’s the only One who knows. The people of this world cannot tell you how to live victoriously. They don’t know how. But God does! He can make things work, even in the middle of darkness, and if we’ll follow His instructions, commands and precepts from His Word, we can, too!

Let me give you an example. One commandment that God gave to us is to love one another and forgive one another as He has forgiven us. This command is not grievous because it’s the key to our freedom. If you can walk in the love that’s been shed abroad in your heart, you’ll have joy every day. But if you don’t walk in this commandment of love, someone will get your joy before lunch! God knows that. So, He made a command of love and forgiveness because love works! Without love, there won’t be any joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Don’t resent God’s teachings. Don’t consider His ways a burden to your lifestyle. Rejoice over them. Take them gladly by the hand and let them lead you all the way to victory!

AMEN! Here is Brandon Lake with "Talking To Jesus":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional is one you will want to read!

Provision

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 JOHN 1:9

Someone once asked me, “I can see from the Scriptures that we’ve received remission from our past sins; that we’ve received the gift of righteousness; and that we’ve been made righteous new creatures. But what about those sins I’ve committed since I’ve become a Christian?”

Thank God for His provision — First John 1:9! This verse isn’t for sinners — it’s for Christians! First John is written for Christians (1 John 2:1-2).

When a man sins, he is under condemnation. He loses his sense of righteousness. But when he confesses to the Lord, “I have sinned; I have failed You. Forgive me, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.” The Lord does two things:

1. He forgives him

2. He cleanses him

What does God cleanse him from? All unrighteousness!

Unrighteousness is simply the word righteousness with the prefix “un” attached to it. When we are cleansed from unrighteousness, or nonrighteousness, then we are righteous again! Praise the Lord!

Confession: Thank You, Father, for Your provision of First John 1:9. Thank You for Your faithfulness in forgiving and cleansing me from all unrighteousness, that I may continually have right standing in Your sight.

AMEN! Never doubt the FAITHFULNESS of GOD! Here is Brandon Lake with "Coat of Many Colors":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food "devotional!

The Righteousness Of God

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. — 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin . . . .”

I’ve tested people by reading this portion of Scripture and then I’ve asked them, “How many of you believe that’s true?” They all lifted their hands. Then I would read the last part of the same verse, “. . . that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

And then I would say to them, “Therefore, we — you and I — are the righteousness of God in Christ. How many of you believe that’s true?”

Most of the time I couldn’t get half of the crowd to lift their hands on the last part. And yet, if the first part of that verse is true, then the last part must be true too!

God made a provision for us that belongs to us. We need to realize that it is ours!

Confession: Jesus became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Him. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. God provided righteousness for me. Righteousness is mine. I have it now! I am righteous now.

AMEN!  Here is Brandon Lake with "That's Who Praise"

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional again.

Let Jesus Save You

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Do you feel as if you have been toiling hard but not seeing any results? Perhaps you feel as though you are in a dead-end situation in your career. Or perhaps whatever you have been trying to do to save your marriage just isn’t working. Maybe your toil is in the area of your parenting—no matter how much effort you put into reaching out to your child, the relationship just seems to grow colder and more distant by the day.

My friend, now is not the time to give up, but to listen to your wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus. Hear Him. Rather than depend on your experience and expertise, lean in to Him. You are not alone. Listen to Him and do exactly what He tells you to do.

Our Lord Jesus told Peter to let down “your nets”—plural in Luke 5:4. The request didn't make sense to Peter because he and his fishing crew had toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, Peter said, “At Your word I will let down the net”—singular (Luke 5:5). It is no wonder the net began to break and Peter had to call for his friends to come and help him.

Jesus is your very present help in time of need. Whatever your struggle is today, you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He is with you and knows exactly how to help you.

There are also people who have been laboring relentlessly, trying everything they know to get their lives right and win God’s approval. The more they try, the more distant they feel from Him. The harder they push, the more they feel that they consistently fail and disappoint Him. They are just as exasperated, fatigued, and frustrated as the fishermen who had toiled all night and caught nothing.

My friend, if this describes you, I want you to know that God loves you even with all your imperfections. Yes, in all your failings, in all your mistakes, God still loves you! Come to Him just as you are.

But Pastor Prince, you don’t understand. Let me sort out my life first, then I will come.

My friend, no one tries to clean himself before he takes a bath. Jesus is the bath! Come to Him with all your inadequacies, all your addictions, all your habits, and all your hang-ups, and let Him do what He does best.

Let Him save you and restore you to wholeness! Jesus will transform you with His perfect love.

AMEN! TRUST your WHOLE life to the ONE Who loves YOU most and best! Here is Brandon Lake with "Turnaround":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional.

The Divine Rule Of Life

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. — Matthew 5:48

Our Lord’s exhortation in these verses is to be generous in our behaviour to all men. In the spiritual life beware of walking according to natural affinities. Everyone has natural affinities; some people we like and others we do not like. We must never let those likes and dislikes rule in our Christian life. If we “walk in the light” as God is in the light, God will give us communion with people for whom we have no natural affinity.

The Example Our Lord gives us is not that of a good man, or even of a good Christian, but of God Himself. “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect” — show to the other man what God has shown to you; and God will give us ample opportunities in actual life to prove whether we are perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. To be a disciple means that we deliberately identify ourselves with God’s interests in other people. “That ye love one another; as I have loved you…”

The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but Godlikeness: If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit Divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics. God’s life in us expresses itself as God’s life, not as human life trying to be godly. The secret of a Christian is that the supernatural is made natural in him by the grace of God, and the experience of this works out in the practical details of life, not in times of communion with God. When we come in contact with things that create a buzz, we find to our amazement that we have power to keep wonderfully poised in the centre of it all.

AMEN! Here is Brooke Ligertwood with "Bless God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional again!

Fresh Grace for Every Failing

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22–23 NLT

My friend, every time you fail, there is fresh grace from Jesus to rescue you. Every time you fall short, confess your righteousness in Jesus by faith. I know you probably won’t feel particularly righteous, and that is why you need to say it by faith.

I have received so many testimonies of breakthroughs from people around the world who, even as they succumb to their addictions, would confess, “Even right now, I am the righteousness of God in Christ” and eventually found freedom from their bondages. It could be a smoking addiction or an alcohol or pornography addiction.

Michael, a brother in Australia, happily shared, “I have just given up smoking by following what you’ve taught in your books and DVDs (about being conscious of and confessing my righteousness in Christ) whenever I was tempted to smoke. I have also been set free from twenty years of drug and alcohol abuse and am free of paranoid thoughts. I couldn’t give them up through my own efforts, but through Christ I have.”

The more these people confessed and saw themselves as righteous in Jesus, even in the midst of their failings, the more they came to see their true identity in Christ. The dead leaves began to fall, and they came to the place where they didn’t have any desire to ever smoke another cigarette, drink another drop of alcohol, or visit another pornographic website. New leaves, new flowers, and new fruits unconsciously and effortlessly sprang up in their lives. Grace put an end to the barrenness and torment of winter and ushered in perpetual spring for them.

Beloved, if you are grappling with something right now, stop struggling and start receiving. Start receiving the abundance of the Lord’s unmerited favor. Start receiving the free gift of His righteousness. Start receiving the cleansing power of His forgiveness. There is nothing for you to do but to soak it all up and to allow His resurrection power to drive out every symptom of death and decay in your circumstances and in your life.

AMEN! DARE to BELIEVE all that GOD, in His Word, has PROMISED you!

Here is Brooke Ligertwood and Brandon Lake with "Honey In The Rock":

Shalom in Him

Shalom,

Today I want to share Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional:

Blotted Out

I , even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. — ISAIAH 43:25

“I guess I’m just paying for the life I lived before I got saved,” a minister who was having a hard time once said to me.

Many Christians, like that minister, are defeated, permitting things to take place in their lives, because they think that’s the way it has to be. They don’t know the difference between repentance and doing penance. They try to do penance for their past life. But in reality, since they repented of their sins, God has no knowledge that they’ve ever done anything wrong!

“I blotted out your transgression,” God said, “for My own sake.” God didn’t do it for your sake, but for His own sake. “I will not remember your sins,” He promised. If God doesn’t remember them, why should you? You shouldn’t!

When you were born again, you were redeemed from the penalty of sin. If you had to go on paying for your wrongdoing, you’d have to go to hell when you died, because that’s part of the penalty too. However, thank God, we are redeemed not only from the power of sin, but also from the penalty of sin. Jesus took our place. He suffered the penalty of sin.

Confession: When I repented, my Heavenly Father blotted out my transgressions. He does not remember my sins. Therefore, I won’t remember them either. And I won’t remind Him of them.

AMEN! YOU can COUNT ON HIM! HALLELUJAH!! Here is Brandon Lake with "Gratitude":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Hebrews 12 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today and I want to look at verses 1-2! 

1 Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I LOVE this, especially verse 2! It is OUR responsiblity to guard our souls against every attack of the enemy! KNOW the TRUTH of GOD'S WORD and then go after it with every part of your life! Here is Brooke Ligertwood and Brandon Lake with "Honey In The Rock":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Jerry Savelle Ministries devotional for today:

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21 NKJV

The Scripture verse above speaks of Abraham, who after many years had not yet received what God had promised to him. Despite the apparent lack of manifestation, he still believed God’s goodness was ahead of him.

Perhaps you are waiting to see God’s promised goodness in your life. I can tell you that what God has for you is not behind you or off to the side somewhere, waiting for you to chase it down; it is ahead of you!

The Israelites were deceived into thinking their goodness was behind them in Egypt. They delayed receiving God’s promise because they kept looking behind instead of pressing forward on the path of obedience and trust.

Then, when they tired of waiting for Moses to return from the mountain, they attempted to create their own good thing by forging a golden idol and having a party. As a result of their disobedience, many people lost their lives.

Don’t be deceived: God is a good God. You don’t need to make good things happen in your own strength. God’s goodness is not behind you; it’s ahead of you. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:16-17 NKJV).

Do not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but be strengthened in faith. Believe and trust in the goodness of God that is ahead, and then press forward into all He has for you.

Confession: I choose today to stand strong in faith and to turn my back on unbelief. I face the future knowing God is able to perform what He has promised, and I press forward now into all the goodness that lies before me.

Here is Brandon Lake with "Turnaround":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share another "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin.

Loved

I [Jesus] in them [believers], and thou [God the Father] in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. . . . . — JOHN 17:23

When you know — really know — that God is your very own Father and you are His very own child, this knowledge will have the following effect on you: You will have as much freedom and fellowship with the Father as Jesus had in His earth walk, because God the Father loves you even as He loved Jesus! John 17:23 says so: “. . . and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

“I just can’t believe that God loves me as much as He loved Jesus,” some may say.

Thank God, I can! I believe it, because the Bible says it, and that settles it!

You and I can say with Jesus “. . . I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (John 16:32). Because if God loves me as He loved Jesus — and He does — then He is with me as He was with Jesus. I am never afraid, just as Jesus was never afraid. There is nothing to fear. What can man do to the man or woman whom God loves and protects!

Confession: God the Father is my very own Father. I am His very own child. And He loves me in my earth walk just as much as He loved Jesus in His earth walk. I can fellowship with Him just as Jesus did. I am free from fear just as Jesus was, for I am not alone. My Father is with me.

AMEN! In my life, one of the greatest blessings of being a born again believer is the absolute assurance that JESUS loves ME just as I am, and He loves me too much to leave me this way! Every day with JESUS is another day of increased Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding that causes me to be a constant winner in the things of life! Here is Brooke Ligertwood with "A Thousand Hallelujahs":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share my 'life Scripture' with you. Philippians 3:10:

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection

A determined purpose is something that you do not and will not back away from! The dictionary definition is: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it. THAT is my desire! I desire to learn something new about JESUS and about myy relationship with HIM every day! The Word of God is the BESY source for that TRUTH! I hope that YOU will decide this, too! Here is Brandon Lake with "Count 'Em", which speaks of the result of living a life like this! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional by Oswald Chambers:

After Surrender – What?

I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. — John 17:4

Surrender is not the surrender of the external life, but of the will; when that is done, all is done. There are very few crises in life; the great crisis is the surrender of the will. God never crushes a man’s will into surrender, He never beseeches him, He waits until the man yields up his will to Him. That battle never needs to be re-fought.

Surrender for Deliverance. “Come unto Me,…and I will give you rest.” It is after we have begun to experience what salvation means that we surrender our wills to Jesus for rest. Whatever is perplexing heart or mind is a call to the will — “Come unto Me.” It is a voluntary coming.

Surrender for Devotion. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” The surrender here is of my self to Jesus, my self with His rest at the heart of it. “If you would be My disciple, give up your right to yourself to Me.” Then the remainder of the life is nothing but the manifestation of this surrender. When once the surrender has taken place we never need “suppose” anything. We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient.

Surrender for Death (John 21:18-19). “…another shall gird thee.” Have you learned what it means to be bound for death? Beware of a surrender which you make to God in an ecstasy; you are apt to take it back again. It is a question of being united with Jesus in His death until nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him.

After surrender — what? The whole of the life after surrender is an aspiration for unbroken communion with God.

Amen! Here is Brooke Ligertwood with "Fear Of God":

Shalom in Him

Shalom,

We read Isaiah 59-60 in today's "SpokenWord Bible Reading Plan" and I was really blessed by Isaiah 59:19-21:

19 So [as the result of the Messiah’s intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. 20 He shall come as a Redeemer to Zion and to those in Jacob (Israel) who turn from transgression, says the Lord. 21 As for Me, this is My covenant or league with them, says the Lord: My Spirit, Who is upon you [and Who writes the law of God inwardly on the heart], and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your [true, spiritual] children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from henceforth and forever.

We need NEVER allow fear and worry into our lives and homes! Our GREAT GOD has already promised what HE will do when WE trust in His WORD! HALLELUJAH! Here is Brandon Lake with "Watch This":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE today's "My Utmost For His Highest: devotional by Oswald Chambers.

Missionary Munitions

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. — John 13:14

Ministering as opportunity surrounds us.

This does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God’s in any haphazard surroundings which He engineers for us. The characteristics we manifest in our immediate surroundings are indications of what we will be like in other surroundings.

The things that Jesus did were of the most menial and commonplace order, and this is an indication that it takes all God’s power in me to do the most commonplace things in His way. Can I use a towel as He did? Towels and dishes and sandals, all the ordinary sordid things of our lives, reveal more quickly than anything what we are made of. It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the meanest duty as it ought to be done.

“I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Watch the kind of people God brings around you, and you will be humiliated to find that this is His way of revealing to you the kind of person you have been to Him. Now, He says, exhibit to that one exactly what I have shown to you.

“Oh,” you say, “I will do all that when I get out into the foreign field.” To talk in this way is like trying to produce the munitions of war in the trenches — you will be killed while you are doing it.

We have to go the “second mile” with God. Some of us get played out in the first ten yards, because God compels us to go where we cannot see the way, and we say — “I will wait till I get nearer the big crisis.” If we do not do the running steadily in the little ways, we shall do nothing in the crisis.

Remember that anything that God says for you to do is for YOUR GOOD! If you remember something that God told you to do and you have not done it yet - DO IT! That would be disobedience and we do NOT want to be found in that sorry state! Here is Brooke Ligertwood with "Calvary's Enough":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Jerry Savelle Ministries devotional.

God Withholds No Good Thing

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 NKJV

Many people read this scripture and think, “But I’m not upright; I just committed that same old sin again.” They think they cannot receive anything good from God because they believe they are not upright.

Others think, “I faithfully attend church, tithe, pray for an hour each day, confess the Word, and never watch R-rated movies. Compared to others, I am definitely walking uprightly before God.”

Truth be told, both of these attitudes are wrong for the same reason: they focus on the individual’s performance rather than on what Jesus accomplished on their behalf.

The Word of God says, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17 NKJV). Live by faith in what? Faith in Jesus and all He did on the cross. Faith in what God says in His Word.

If you have confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you now stand upright, holy, and blameless before God. If you sin, stop immediately and confess that sin to God. The Bible assures us that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

Know this: God sees you and treats you according to Jesus’ perfect performance, not your own. Therefore, as a child of God you can stand on the Word and believe that no good thing will be held from you.

Confession: I walk uprightly before God because of what Jesus has done for me. The Lord is my sun and shield, and He will withhold no good thing from me because I am perfect, holy, and blameless in Him.

AMEN! KNOW what the Word of God says about YOU and what belongs to you because of JESUS! Here is Brandon Lake with "Turnaround":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the powerful devotional from The Spoken Word Church website!

Make up Your Mind to Overcome

Job is a great example of persistence in the midst of human suffering. He was stripped financially. His children were killed. His closest friends judged him guilty of some hidden sin, but he determined to overcome.

The opinions of others will never change your character. Ultimately and inevitably integrity wins. Always. Whatever the price, overcoming is worth it.

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (Job 13:15)

Here is Brandon Lake with "Kids":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from Jerry Savelle Ministries website. This is SO good!

Your Identity Determines Your Future

For as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 NKJV (brackets added by author)

If you want your future to improve, the first thing you need to do is change your identity, meaning what you see yourself to be. Your life today is a result of how you have viewed your identity in the past, and you will never think, speak, or act in a way that is contrary to your identity.

Gideon transformed from being a coward into a man of great courage the moment he took on a new identity (see Judges 6). When God called him a mighty man of valor, Gideon received his new identity and went on to become a strong and courageous leader. The only thing that changed that day was Gideon’s identity; he saw himself as God saw him.

Gideon could have been a mighty man all along, but God had to bring him to the point where he identified with God’s might rather than his own cowardice.

If you’re fed up with being the way you are and dealing with the same old problems, you can become a new person by taking on a new identity. You can throw off the old identity that you took on from other people, circumstances, and the world. Then you can take on the identity that was given to you by your loving heavenly Father and become the person He always intended you to be.

When you made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, your position became “in Him” or “in Christ.” Now that you are in Him, you have access to the future God has prepared for you—a future that overflows with success, fulfillment, and prosperity in every area of your life.

But let me offer a word of caution: If you cling to your old identity you’ll never experience life to the full. I’ve seen people who have been saved for forty years and still have not discovered who they really are. They still hold on to that old identity, they are losers in life and not the winners God has called them to be.

Just as Gideon had to receive his God-given identity, so you must receive your identity in Christ. Choose to identify with Him and to enjoy the abundant future that God has determined for you.

Confession: In Him I am a new creation. I am victorious, an overcomer who can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My future overflows with success, fulfillment, and prosperity in every area of my life.

AMEN! Here is David Ingles with a very old song we have been singing for years called "I'm A New Creation":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional is another one that will cause your faith to soar!

Translated

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [able] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power [authority] of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood . . . . — COLOSSIANS 1:12-14

Darkness is the kingdom of Satan. And in that word “darkness” is everything Satan is.

Light is the Kingdom of God.

By means of the New Birth, you were translated out of the kingdom of darkness — and into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, the Kingdom of God, and the kingdom of light.

Our Heavenly Father has fitted His children (or made them “meet”) to partake of an inheritance — “the inheritance of the saints in light”! Part of your inheritance is that God has delivered you out of Satan’s authority of darkness, and He has now translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son!

God has made you meet — He has delivered you — He has translated you. Thank God, you can partake of your inheritance now. Don’t relegate it to the future.

Confession: Thank You, Father. You have made me able to partake of my inheritance now. I am redeemed. I am delivered from the authority of Satan now. I am translated into the kingdom of Your dear Son now. I am a citizen of the kingdom of light. I live in the light. I walk in the light. I am a saint in the light!

AMEN!

Here is Brooke Ligertwood with "Bless God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom!

Today I want to share again from Kenneth E. Hagin's"Faith Food" devotional! 

Redeemed

In whom [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood . . . . — EPHESIANS 1:7

Webster defines the word “redeem” as (1) To buy back; (2) To free from captivity by payment of ransom.

To walk in the highest kind of faith, you must know the reality of your redemption in Christ not as a doctrine, a philosophy, or a creed, but as an actual redemption out of the authority of Satan.

When Adam fell, mankind went into captivity.

But God had a plan — a great plan of redemption! And He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to consummate it. (Webster defines “consummate” as complete in every detail: perfect.)

Now God’s Word tells us, “In whom [Jesus Christ] we have redemption . . . .” How thankful we can be that we’re not trying to get redeemed. We already have redemption! We are redeemed and delivered now from the authority of darkness; from the power of Satan!

Confession: I am redeemed! In Christ I have redemption! Through His blood I have redemption! I’m not trying to get it; it’s mine. I have it now! Jesus bought me back. Jesus freed me from captivity by the payment of a ransom — His own life!

AMEN! There IS no greater TRUTH for our lives than THIS! Here is Brandon Lake with "Adoption Song":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin!

The Witness

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. . . . And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life . . . . — 1 JOHN 5:9,11,12

Faith in God is simply faith in His Word.

Study God’s Word with this determination: I will find out what God says and agree with it. You can’t expect the things of God to work for you if you take sides against His Word. This may mean unlearning certain “religious” ideas. Too often we’ve been religiously brainwashed, instead of scripturally taught.

Find out what God says in His Word regarding: (1) What God has made available for us in His plan of redemption; (2) What the Father is to you; (3) What Jesus is doing for you now at the right hand of the Father; and (4) What the Holy Spirit is doing in you.

Then find out from His Word what God thinks about the following: (1) What He says you are in Christ; (2) Who you are in Christ; (3) What you have because you’re in Christ.

Even though it may not seem real in your life, start confessing, “Yes, that’s mine, according to God’s Word.” You will then find that faith’s confession creates reality.

Confession: I agree with the witness of God. What He says I am, I am. What He says I have, I have.

AMEN! Make time in God's Word your top priority! HIS WORD is TRUTH! There is no other! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!