Shalom,

Two things really stood out to me in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! First of all, Psalm 55:22-23 was one of the first portions of Scripture that I ever read in the Amplified Bible and I LOVE it! 

22 Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). 23 But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You.

The promise that God will NOT allow the righteous to "slip, fall or fail" was SO exciting to me! I could confidently leave things in His hands, trusting completely in Him to lead me successfully through every situation! I STILL have that same confident trust! THAT is what meditation in the Word (Joshua 1:8) will do for YOU! The other verses that stood out to me today are found in Mark 5:25-34:

25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 And who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment, 28 For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health. 29 And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment. 30 And Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes? 31 And the disciples kept saying to Him, You see the crowd pressing hard around You from all sides, and You ask, Who touched Me? 32 Still He kept looking around to see her who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.

This is Mark's account of the woman with the issue of blood. Notice that she came up behind Jesus, IN THE THRONG, and touched His garment! With her issue of blood she was considered, by Jewish law, to be unclean. She was NOT to be in a crowd of people at all! She was to stay apart and if someone came close to her, she was to yell "UNCLEAN"! There were severe consequences for disobeying that command! What does that tell YOU about this woman's attitude? She was DESPERATE! She was every bit as desperate for her healing as the men who had carried their friend to see Jesus and cut a hole in someone else's roof in order to get him to Jesus! The question that comes next is: How desperate are YOU for the things of God, and to walk in the promises of His Word? No one can develop desperation FOR you! Decide today that you will not go another day without stirring up your confident hope and eager anticipation for the things God has already provided for you in His Word! Become desperate to show forth His glory in your life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Love Like Fire":

"Love Like Fire"

I am desperate for Your touch
A glimpse of heaven
For the glory of Your Son.
In a moment You can
Turn a life around
Forever to be found in You.

I am reaching out to find
Theres nothing greater than
Your love that holds my life.
Your grace and mercy that
Have saved me by Your blood,
And swept away my shame Oh Lord.

Your love is like fire
That burns for all to see.
My only desire
To worship at Your feet.
So let this fire
Consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper
Pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You.

And I'm surrender to Your love
Forever humbled by the
Message of the cross.
I stand abandoned in
Your presence and Your embrace,
And I'll never be the same Oh God.

Your love is like fire,
That burns for all to see.
My only desire,
To worship at Your feet.
So let this fire
Consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper,
Pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You.

When You call I will follow.
At the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

I belong to You Lord

Your love is like fire,
That burns for all to see.
My only desire,
To worship at Your feet.

Your love is like fire,
That burns for all to see.
My only desire,
To worship at Your feet.

So let this fire
Consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper,
Pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You.

When You call I will follow,
At the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

Let Your love take me deeper,
Pull me closer to where You are,
Cause all I want is more of You

When You call I will follow,
At the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have always liked Mark 4:24-25:

24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. 25 For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away [by force],

Notice that as you give "thought and study" to the Word of God that you have been taught, then you will receive virtue and  knowledge! The Holy Spirit is our great Teacher! When we meditate, according to Joshua 1:8, on the Word of God, then the Spirit of God will make that Word real and make it come alive to us in a way that we can act on it and become DOERS of the Word. Look at Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27:

Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. KJV

John 14:26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. AMP

1 John 2:27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].  AMP

As a born again believer, you have an advantage that no unbeliever on earth has! you HAVE the Spirit of God living IN you! He is there, among other wonderful things, to TEACH us how to operate in the Kingdom of Heaven while here on earth! The unbeliever cannot receive the Spirit of God UNTIL they receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior (1 Corinthians 2:14) Take the challenge to get into the Word of God as never before and you will see amazing results in your life, home and loved ones! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 53:1 says this:

1 The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt and evil are they, and doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.

Do YOU know someone who claims they don't believe in God? We looked at this earlier on the blog, but I want to post it again. Romans 1:20-23:

20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],  [Psalms 19:1-4.] 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves]. 23 And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles. AMP

Notice that God has made His presence "intelligible and clearly discernible" through His creation! There is no REAL denying of the God of the Bible! They KNOW! They may, for whatever dumb reason, not want to acknowledge Him, but they still know! AMEN! THAT is why it makes one an "empty-headed fool" for denying Him! We see the same idiotic response to Jesus in Mark 3! The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to try to catch Him healing on the Sabbath so they could bring charges against Him. Here are these religious leaders, who SHOULD have known their Messiah when He appeared, who saw miracles of health and healing and deliverance that they had NOT seen in their lifetime! Wouldn't you think that they would WANT to see God's goodness displayed? Apparently NOT! Look at verse 6:

6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately held a consultation with the Herodians against Him, how they might [devise some means to] put Him to death.

SERIOUSLY! They witnessed things that were promised in the Word of God, but refused to acknowledge that HE was the Reason! Our goal for own personal lives should be to continue to show forth HIS Word and works so those who WILL want to know YOUR God, CAN know Him! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "I Believe":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In a great many of the instances when Jesus healed someone during His earthly ministry, He said that it was THEIR faith that made them whole! Jesus recognized when someone was in faith or not. In today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan in Mark 2 we see this in verses 1-4:

1 And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s]. 2 And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word. 3 Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.

THIS was a desperate move on their part! Look at verse 5 to see the reaction of Jesus:

5 And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God].

Jesus SAW their faith! What did Jesus "see"? Well, we know that He was filled with the Spirit, so I am sure that He knew inside Himself of the faith of these who brought this man. But He also "saw" the desperate, "we refuse to be denied access" attitude! The result of their desperation, faith and boldness? Verses 11-12:

11 I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home. 12 And he arose at once and picked up the sleeping pad or mat and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and recognized and praised and thanked God, saying, We have never seen anything like this before!

How desperate are YOU to receive ALL God has provided for you in His Word? Only YOU can put limits on what God can do in YOUR life! Find out what God's Word provides and then get desperate for it! Matthew 11:12 says this:

12 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].

Get YOUR share by going after HIM and His Word! AMEN! One of the saddest things I have experienced in my almost 28 years as an ordained minister of the Gospel is the number of people who have died in my community who never even set foot in The Spoken Word Church, where we have not buried an active member in our 33 years as a local church! Pastor Bill Novak has made his services available to teach and train believers to receive the healing that was provided for EVERY born again believer at the Resurrection of Jesus. Every minister in the area knows and is responsible for whether or not they made this available to their people or not. The people themselves are without excuse because we have fully advertised what we believe. Refuse to go along with the crowd when YOU can have ALL that God has provided for you! John 10:10 wasn't just a great saying from Jesus, it IS the TRUTH!

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

DARE to believe! DARE to receive! DARE to tell others! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Wake":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Our Spoken Word Church devotional for today contains this portion:

Obedience is doing whatever God instructs you to do. Each instruction is linked to a miracle in your future. Each act of obedience shortens the distance to any miracle you are pursuing.

Obedience is very important to the God of the Bible! He tells us this in 1 Samuel 15:22:

22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,  And to heed than the fat of rams.

We also see this in today's Bible Reading Plan in Mark 1:40-45:

40 And a leper came to Him, begging Him on his knees and saying to Him, If You are willing, You are able to make me clean. 41 And being moved with pity and sympathy, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean! 42 And at once the leprosy [completely] left him and he was made clean [by being healed]. 43 And Jesus charged him sternly (sharply and threateningly, and with earnest admonition) and [acting with deep feeling thrust him forth and] sent him away at once, 44 And said to him, See that you tell nothing [of this] to anyone; but begone, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as a proof (an evidence and witness) to the people [that you are really healed]. 45 But he went out and began to talk so freely about it and blaze abroad the news [spreading it everywhere] that [Jesus] could no longer openly go into a town but was outside in [lonely] desert places. But the people kept on coming to Him from all sides and every quarter.

We see here that disobedience can cause hardship, to ourselves and others! Practice being obedient to the Word of God and to the specific instructions from the Holy Spirit. REWARDS come ONLY for obedience! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Trust and Obey":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I recently watched the movie, "God's Not Dead". It was very well done and I loved the systematic way that the student in the film destroys all of the arguments of the liberal professor! No, we cannot "prove" the existence of God, but no one has EVER disproved Him! EVER! The Bible tells us in Romans 1:20 that creation itself speaks of the presence and power of God! IF people WANT to know Him, they can! The choice has always been ours to make! Look at Romans 1:20-23:

20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],  [Psalms 19:1-4.] 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves]. 23 And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles. AMP

I hope that YOU have chosen Him! The Word of God tells us that all of creation was done by Jesus (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16)! This same Jesus gave up His glory in Heaven and came to earth in the form of man. He lived His earthly life as a man (without sin) and not as God ,even though He never stopped BEING God! This made HIM the perfect representative of both! HE was made sin with the sin of all mankind in order for US to have the opportunity to CHOOSE to be made new creations in HIM! Have YOU received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior yet? If not, please go to our website through the link on the left and find out more! For those who have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, what are YOU doing to make sure that the precious Gospel of Salvation through Jesus is presented to all of those in YOUR realm of influence? Have a plan and a purpose for your personal ministry (2 Corinthians 5:18)! The Spirit of God, His Anointing, will rise up within you to present the message in power! AMEN! Let's DO THIS! Here is Hillsong United with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

This, from Faith To Faith by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, is very important for success in YOUR walk of faith! 

Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, [as] risen from the dead. – 2 Timothy 2:8

This is the key to holding onto the blessings of God. When pressure comes, when troubles and trials are bearing down on you, remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!

Remember that when Jesus arose, you arose. When He came out of hell and defeated the enemy, you came out of hell and defeated the enemy. His victory is your victory because you're in Him.

In the hard places, remember that. When the devil tells you you're not going to get your answer this time, remember that. When he tells you there's no way out, you remember Christ, the Anointed One, the Victorious Conqueror, risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father!

If there's an image Satan hates more than any other, it must be that image of Jesus, rising from the dead, stripping him forever of his authority, and openly displaying his defeat to all of heaven and hell. That's the picture you need to keep in the forefront of your mind. Think about it until it's etched into your heart so deeply that nothing Satan says or does can get it out of you.

That's when the gifts of God will be established in your life. That's when the devil won't be able to talk you out of your inheritance with trials and tribulations. Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!

The devil will ALWAYS try to paint a picture of fear, lack, doom and gloom, and he hopes that you will receive it and make it your own. YOU have a choice to make! Will you receive the lying picture from the enemy or will you allow the Spirit of God and the Word of God to paint a picture of victory, health, prosperity, peace, joy and love inside of you? As for me and my house, we CHOOSE LIFE! Now get yourself into the Word of God, spend tie praying in the Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to give you God images of the GOOD things that He has promised in His Word! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Where We Belong":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We have a confession that we make at The Spoken Word Church when we are believing God for healing, protection, safety, provision, prosperity and anything else that we have need of that God has promised in His Word. It is this:

"God is 100% able, and He is even more willing than He is able, so He is AT LEAST 100% willing!"

That is entirely Scriptural! Today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin covers this every well:

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, THOU CAN make me clean. (Matt. 8:1-2)

Notice what the leper said: "Thou can." We would say today, "You're able to." You see, he already believed that Jesus was able to do it. But he wasn't sure if Jesus was willing to do it. Then Jesus put forth His hand, touched him, and said, "I will" (Matt. 8:3). 

Jesus never said, "I won't." Of all the people who ever came to Jesus for healing, Jesus never said, "It's not My will to heal you. God's trying to teach you a lesson. You just be patient in this, and let patience have her perfect work."  Not one single time did Jesus ever say that. And no man has any right to say it to others in His Name, because Jesus Himself never said it. 

Settle on God's willingness to heal you. He not only can, but He will! So don't just believe that He can; believe that He will! 

Confession: God desires to heal me. I believe that He is not only ABLE to do it, but He is also WILLING to do it.

AMEN! He IS and He WILL for YOU! Believe it, receive it and share it! Here is Hillsong Chapel with a song about that very thing! "Lost Are Found":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

John 1:1-5:

1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.  [Isaiah 9:6.] 2 He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. AMP

This "Life" is "zoe", the absolute fullness of life that is in God! God's very force of LIFE! THIS life is the LIGHT that defeats the darkness of the world! Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the darkness and horror that is taking place in the world? KNOW this from 1 John 5:10-13:

11 And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. 13 I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God, so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. AMP

Every born again believer HAS this same "zoe", LIFE, in them that God has within HIMSELF! This LIFE in you is the LIGHT that will drive the darkness out of YOUR situations, family, job and all your areas of influence! Now that Jesus has risen and ascended to Heaven, WE are the same LIGHT in this world that HE was during His earthly ministry! Refuse to be discouraged by darkness ever again! BE the LIGHT and darkness will flee! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with a song we have used here many times, but it is especially appropriate today! "Children Of The Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

I really like this from Jerry Savelle's daily devotional:

Diligence is a key to obtaining blessings from God. Let’s look at some scriptures that deal with diligence.

“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).

“The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is a man’s precious possession” (Proverbs 12:27).

“The soul of a lazy man desires and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Proverbs 13:4).

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty. But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Diligence is a prerequisite to seeing your victory.

Diligent people always make a steady consistent effort to accomplish their goal.

Diligent people never give up.

Confession: I decide today to always make a steady, consistent effort to accomplish my God given goals and never give up. Whatever I do today, I will do it diligently and joyfully as unto the Lord.

AMEN! Will YOU make this commitment? Everything you have been believing God for will be found on the other side of your obedience! Here is Hillsong United with "Oceans - Where Feet May Fail":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Would you like to erase any doubt that we are living in the last days? Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

1 But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

Sound familiar? As born again believers we MUST recognize the signs of the times in which we live, BUT, we are NOT to order OUR lives by them! We are to continue to be where God wants us to be, doing what God wants us to do! To do anything less would make us just like these unbelievers! They may be belligerent, but the Bible tells us that "a soft answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1) and God's Word will NOT return void (Isaiah 55:11)! Keep sowing the seed of God's Word and watering it with prayer and EXPECT to see godly results! AMEN! Refuse the lies the enemy tells when he says that people don't really WANT to hear the Gospel. THEY DO! They may not admit it to YOU, but inside they have a giant hole that they have been trying to fill with anything and everything BUT God! Let the WORD do it's work! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Not Ashamed", because it is the Gospel that will set people free! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 44 is an instructional psalm. The first part shows what God did for the nation of Israel. The rest of the psalm shows what happened when God's people turned from him to do things their own way! He removed them from the land and left them to their own ways. NOT forever, but until they had repented. Then, in His perfect timing, He brought them back again! We are looking today at verses 1-8:

1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us [what] work You did in their days, in the days of old. 2 You drove out the nations with Your hand and it was Your power that gave [Israel] a home by rooting out the [heathen] peoples, but [Israel] You spread out. 3 For they got not the land [of Canaan] in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your countenance [did it], because You were favorable toward and did delight in them. 4 You are my King, O God; command victories and deliverance for Jacob (Israel). 5 Through You shall we push down our enemies; through Your name shall we tread them under who rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in and lean on my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But You have saved us from our foes and have put them to shame who hate us. 8 In God we have made our boast all the day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! AMP

The One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible brought His people to their promised land, the land HE had promised to give them! He gave the heathen nations opportunity to bless His people, and when they refused, He took the land from them and drove them out! In case you were thinking that God did something "illegal" here, look at Exodus 19:5:

5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.  AMP

When the heathen nations wanted nothing to do with the One, True God, He obliged them by casting them OUT! HE gave the land to Israel! He gave them MUCH more than they currently occupy! Check your own attitude towards the nation of Israel and the Jewish people! He WILL bless those who bless Israel! Those who won't? I wouldn't want to BE them! AMEN! Here is Don Moen with "Mighty One Of Israel":

 Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I believe that today's Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin is another vital Truth that we MUST know if we desire to be led by the Spirit of God in our daily lives!

"But he that prophesies speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3). 

The following is a word of prophecy that came during a seminar I taught on being led by the Spirit:

Look inside, inside your spirit. For your spirit is the candle, the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. And so ye shall know, and ye shall walk in the light of that which ye know.

No one will be able to gainsay thee, for thou wilt say, "There is light in my dwelling. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in me. He enlightens my spirit. Yea, I walk in that witness that's within my spirit. I do that which I know by an inward intuition. I follow that deep premonition in my innermost being. And so I am being led by the Spirit.

"I am rejoicing and I'm glad. Yea, I sound forth His praises evermore. I look to that which in me does reside. For residing in me is the potential of all that God has and is.

"All the attributes of even the Father God Himself reside within my spirit, and are potentially mine. For He has declared, 'I will walk in them. I'll live in them. I'll be their God. They will be My people.'

"My God is not in a far-off distant land, out of reach and not at hand. My God sits not on a pedestal; nor can He be seen with the physical, or touched with the hand. My God is a Spirit who resides in man!"

AMEN! IF you are a born again believer, then you ARE the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16)! The Spirit of God lives IN you! He is ALWAYS speaking! MOST of the time, He will speak to us through our own spirit! His still small voice may sound like our own! The difference will be that what He is saying will ALWAYS line up with the Word of God! AMEN! Practice hearing His voice in you and practice instantly obeying His instructions! The results will ALWAYS be good for you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Wake":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have found that sometimes the smallest adjustment in my thinking will change my circumstances! Look at 1 Timothy 6:9:

9 But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.

The KJV here says  those who "will be rich", but the Amplified Bible has the right sense of meaning! Do NOT "crave to be rich". CRAVE intimate fellowship with Jesus and the rest will be added! Look at Matthew 6:33:

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV

When Jesus is our #1 priority in life, all other good things will flow into our lives!! THAT is why we can cast ALL of our care on Him! 1 Peter 5:7:

7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.  AMP

AMEN! Allow the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible to REALLY take care of you! He desires to do so! Renew your mind to think like God and then FULLY expect HIM to follow through! HALLELUJAH! He will not fail you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Back To Life":

 Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I find it hard to improve upon this message from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's Faith To Faith devotional for today!

And [God] brought [Abram] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. – Genesis 15:5-6

Do you ever have trouble believing the Word of God? Not just agreeing with it mentally, but really believing that what it says will work for you? I do. There are times when the promises in the Word stagger my mind. There have been times when I've felt so defeated and the circumstances around me looked so bad that it was tough for me to believe I was "more than a conqueror"( Rom 8:37) even though I knew God said I was.

What do you do when your mind staggers like that at the promise of God? You meditate on that promise. Scriptural meditation simply means thinking about and reflecting on the Word of God. It means pondering a particular scripture and mentally applying it to your own circumstances again and again until that scripture permanently marks your consciousness.

That kind of meditation can affect your life in a way that almost nothing else can. It can, quite literally, alter your mind. That's what happened to Abram. When God first told him that he was going to father a nation, he was an old man. His wife, Sara, was also old. What's more, she had been barren all her life. How could an aging, childless couple have even one child--much less a nation full of them? Abram couldn't even imagine such a thing. It contradicted his entire mind-set.

But God knew the mental struggle Abram would have, so He didn't just make him a verbal promise and leave it at that. He gave Abram a picture of that promise to meditate on. He took him out into the starry night, turned his eyes to the sky and said, "So shall thy seed be." 

Can't you just see Abram staring out at the stars, trying to count them? Filling the eyes of his heart with the promise of God? That's what meditation is all about. Taking time to envision the promise of God until it becomes a reality inside you. It's tremendously powerful, and by focusing on the scriptural promises God has given you, you can put it to work in your life just as Abram put it to work in his.

Don't just read the Word. Meditate on it today.

Re-read Joshua 1:8 from the Amplified Bible to see how what meditation on the Word of God will accomplish for YOU! Remember that no one can do it FOR YOU! Go for it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Lifeline":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

I have shared this story many times when encouraging people to learn to be led by their spirit, which is indwelt by the Holy Spirit! From Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food:

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that gives thee power to get wealth" (Deut. 8:18). 

I knew a man down in East Texas whose family was so poor that he didn't have a pair of shoes until he was 12 years old. He had only a fifth grade education. But way back when money was money, he ended up with two million dollars. He made his money in investments. Two people who had been frequent guests in his home told me that he had said, "In many years of investing, I've never lost a dime." Here's how he did it. 

He told my friend, "When someone comes with an idea and wants me to invest in something, my first reaction is mental. So I have a big closet I go into and pray about it. I wait long enough to hear what my spirit says. My head may say, 'You'd be a fool to invest in that,' but if my heart says, 'Go ahead,' I do. Or, my head may say, 'You'd better get in on this one,' while my heart tells me, 'Don't do it.' So I don't. I don't pay any attention to my head. I just get in that closet and wait - all night sometimes. And sometimes I'm in and out of it for three days, just praying and reading my Bible, getting quiet so I can hear what my heart says." 

Confession: The Holy Spirit guides me in all the affairs of life. And I listen to what my heart says! 

NOW you know the source of that encouraging testimony! Learn to be led by the Spirit, Who speaks through your own spirit, in every area of life! He knows more and you can trust Him! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Oceans":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We will be clearing up some things in 1 Timothy again today! Look at verses 1-2:

1 THE SAYING is true and irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).  2 Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable and qualified teacher,  AMP

I have to tell you that the translators took quite a lot of liberty with these verses! First of all, the Greek does NOT say "If any man", but rather, "If any"! THAT, in line with Galatians 3:28:

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. KJV

MEANS: "IF ANY", male or female, desire to serve in the office of bishop, (Greek - overseer), they desire a good work! It does NOT say "he" at all! Now to verse 2! The literal Greek does NOT say that this overseer must be "the husband of one wife". It SAYS "of one husband wife". THAT means, if this overseer is a wife, she must have one husband and not more than one. If the overseer is a husband, he must have only one wife! Pretty simple, right? Why will the people of God not allow the Sovereign God to call and anoint those whom HE chooses? Don't get yourself into trouble by trying to keep down one whom God has called, anointed, equipped and commissioned! If YOU don't like His choice, take it up with HIM! AMEN!!! Keep yourself in the love of God (Jude 21), because love NEVER fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong with "Our God Is Love":

"Our God Is Love"

Every soul every beating heart
Every nation and every tongue
Come find hope in the love of the Father

All creation will bow as one
Lift their eyes to the risen Son
Jesus Savior forever and after

This is love
Jesus came and died and gave His life for us
Let our voices rise and sing for all He's done
Our fear is overcome
Our God is love
Our God is love

Every distant and broken heart
Every prayer every outstretched arm
Finding hope in the love of the Father

Age to age let His praises rise
All the glory for all of time
Jesus Savior forever and after

Age to age we will be singing
In the light of all He's done
All the earth everyone singing
In the wonder of His love

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I often wonder how people who are so quick to believe something from the Word of God when it affects someone else, can act totally bewildered when it concerns them! Does that ring any bells for you? Today we'll look at 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

 First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, 4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.

Paul was "admonishing" (AMP, KJV exhort) here. This is the Greek word "parakaleo", which actually means: to call to one's side; to invite; to implore; to urge. This tells us that what he wants us to do is very important! That is: to pray, with ALL types of prayer, for all of mankind! How do you pray for unbelievers? That they would receive Jesus as Lord and Savior! Pray for the sick that they would be healed. Pray for those who teach that they would do it well. Pray for those who fight for our protection and freedom that they be protected themselves! Pray for people, in all of their different callings and positions, that they would have all the knowledge, understanding and anointing to do it well! AND, also, pray for all those in positions of authority, that they would rule WELL, and according to God's Word! Why pray all of these things and more, as the Spirit leads? So "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty."(KJV)! So many times people want to make an extreme issue out of one portion of Scripture or one part of a verse to suit what THEY think the Word SHOULD say! Allow the Spirit of God to teach YOU what the Word of God is really saying, TO YOU! AMEN! THAT is where "you need that no man should teach you"(1 John 2:27)! AMEN! Now, for the verse I was specifically referring to in the introduction today! Verses 11-12:

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. KJV

First of all, "silence" does NOT mean not to speak! It is the Greek word "hesuchios", which means: tranquility arising from within; peaceable. Women, AND men , are to operate in the peace of God and to learn from His Word in an atmosphere of peace, inside and out! Study the Word of God for the Word's sake, and NOT in order to "lord it over" someone! The Word of God is our Sword, but NOT to be used over each other and for personal reasons! Submit yourself to God, both men AND women, and do not try to exercise authority over another person! GOD is the Sovereign authority in every person's life! Honor HIM by humbling yourself before Him and allow HIM to lead, guide and direct your life! I guarantee you that He will NOT tell you that YOU have authority over any human being other than yourself! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Lord Of Lords":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 37 is another good encouragement and exhortation to US in OUR time! Look at verses 1-2:

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God) 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Refuse to be unsettled by what is happening in the world around you! KNOW that God knew what was going to happen before it ever started! Expose the evil but refuse the fear of it! Remember, GOD has not given you that fear (2 Timothy 1:7)! Fear is a spirit sent from satan to undermine your faith and get you to stop standing on the Word of God! THEY shall soon be cut down, but YOU can affect change in your surroundings by using your authority in the Name of Jesus! That's why we are still here! Soon and very soon the Church of Jesus Christ is going to be taken out of here so that the evil that is being held back can fully operate. THEN the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible will prove to every living thing that HE alone is GOD! HALLELUJAH! In the meantime, let's be DOERS of verses 3-6:

3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. 6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.

AMEN! Delight in HIM so that HE can give you desires that HE will fulfill as you continue to keep Him as your #1 priority! God delights in YOU! Look at Zephaniah 3:17:

17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

Let's encourage each other to go deeper into the things of God so that we can be continually aware of His indwelling presence, and so that we can DO what He has called us to do, bringing glory to His Name! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free  with "Close":

Shalom in Him!