Shalom,


2 Chronicles 1:7-10 covers God asking Solomon what he desired for God to give him, Solomon asking, and God responding!

 ⁷That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, Ask what I shall give you. ⁸And Solomon said to God, You have shown great mercy and loving-kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. ¹⁰Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this Your people who are so great? ¹¹God replied to Solomon, Because this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions, honor, and glory, or the life of your foes, or even for long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may rule and judge My people over whom I have made you king,  And I will give you riches, possessions, honor, and glory, such as none of the kings had before you, and none after you shall have their equal.

We have all heard this taught many times and discussed how unselfish Solomon was to ask for something that would help the people. We see how this pleased God so much that God said He would grant those things AND the riches, possessions, honor, and glory that he had NOT asked for! This makes us ALL want to maintain a heart attitude like Solomon, right? Absolutely! Because it SO pleases the Father! Amen! I want you to notice something else, though. Look again at verse 12a:


¹²Wisdom and knowledge are granted you. 


Most times we center on all of the wonderful riches and treasures that Solomon obtained through the blessing of God. We tend to sort of skip over the "wisdom and knowledge" part! God GRANTED Solomon wisdom and knowledge! That means that Solomon did not have to search for it, God placed it inside of him! We see an example of it when he was making decisions, specifically the decision concerning the baby claimed by 2 mothers. BUT, do you remember Romans 11:29?

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.KJV

Here it is in the Amplified Bible:

29 For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] AMP

When God GAVE wisdom and knowledge to Solomon, HE never took it back! Solomon possessed all the wisdom and knowledge that he needed in order to serve God, rule the people, and make wise decisions in his personal life! He lacked nothing that was needed in order to BE the wisest man on earth! BUT, Solomon still had the free will to choose whether or not he would continue to walk in that wisdom and to obey God's Word! We all KNOW what he chose! And PLEASE stop blaming Solomon's wives and girlfriends! Not one of them had been promised wisdom and knowledge by God! It was all on Solomon and Solomon's choices! Today, WE, as born again believers, have been given the Spirit of God, Who IS Wisdom! We have the same access that Solomon had living right inside of us! What are YOU doing with all that wisdom and knowledge? It takes time to listen and courage to obey, but the results and rewards are most definitely worth it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Happy Birthday to the United States of America! Thank YOU, Father, for this great nation that has aided and assisted the people of every nation in the world! Thank YOU for the opportunity to preach the Gospel freely here, and to send it all over the world! Thank YOU for hearing our heartfelt prayer for the restoration of this nation and for YOUR will to be done in America again! Those of us who DO know our God, will continue to be strong and to do exploits, which include speaking Your anointed Word over this nation! JESUS IS LORD OVER THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! And WE don't care WHO doesn't like it or agree! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I think that the devotion in Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for today has such very good advice for us in dealing with the ideas and attitudes of the world! Here is a portion, but I would encourage you to read it all!


Jesus is the Living Word. And God has given us the written Word to unveil the Living Word to us. 

Give the Word of God - primarily the New Testament - first place in your life. By doing so, you are putting Jesus first! 

Let the Word of God govern your life. Let this Word be the Lord of your life. Let the Word dominate you. By doing so, you are really allowing Jesus to lord it over you, because Jesus and His Word are One. 

We are living in an age when we need to get serious about spiritual matters, and we need to learn what the Bible has to say about love, life, home, marriage, and children. 

Let the Word of God be your guide in life. When you do, you are making Jesus the Lord of your life. Then His written Word becomes the Lord of your life. 


The world has some very different ideas of what God thinks about THEIR issues! HE has never changed! He HATES sin, but LOVES the sinner! He loves all people so much that He GAVE His only Son to pay the price for sin, so that even though we continue to sin, that sin CANNOT keep us from Heaven when we leave this earth IF we have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour! According to God's Word:

• Abortion is murder!
• Homosexuality is an abomination!
• Discipline of children is needful!
• Marriage is between a man and a woman!

Sin, which is a selfish decision to do things your own way instead of God's way, will NOT keep you from Heaven if Jesus is your Lord, but it WILL cause you to have trouble here in this life because sin brings death! James 1:14-15:

14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. AMP

The answer for sin AFTER we are born again is found in 1 John 1:9:

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. AMP

Make God's Word your standard and you can't go wrong! here is the confession of faith from today's Faith Food:

Confession: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of my life. I allow Your Word to dominate me. I allow Your Word to have dominion over me; therefore, YOU are lording it over me. You are dominating me. You are the Lord of my life! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Two things stood out to me in today's Bible Reading Plan. First, in Matthew 1,  we see Joseph being told to take Mary as his wife because God Himself was the Father of her child, meaning that she was still a virgin. Verse 24-25:

    ²⁴Then Joseph, being aroused from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him: he took [her to his side as] his wife. ²⁵But he had no union with her as her husband until she had borne her firstborn Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Notice the word "until"! Some people would like to believe that Mary remained a virgin forever! That is simply NOT true! Joseph refrained from being having sexual contact with Mary UNTIL Jesus was born! THEN they became like a regular married couple! They had children, meaning Jesus had 1/2 brothers and sisters! They all had doubts about the ministry of Jesus, even Mary! But they got born again after His Resurrection from the dead and then Spirit-filled! The other interesting verse is 1 Kings 5:17:


¹⁷The king commanded, and they hewed and brought out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stone.


Solomon was in the process of building the Temple. Here is a commentary note on these stones:


These great foundation stones remain to this day. One of them is almost thirty-nine feet long, one of the most interesting stones of the world. It is the chief cornerstone, placed in its present position 3,000 years ago. Markings on the stones represent the culture of Phoenicia, the region around Tyre from which Solomon received building materials for the temple. 


Here are some pictures that we took of these stones when we were in Israel!

THAT was how long these stones are! One huge piece of stone! I LOVE how very interesting the Word of God is, don't you? Keep studying, it is well worth your time! Amen!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


We celebrated our 30th Anniversary as a church yesterday at The Spoken Word Church with a new series by Pastor Bill Novak called "Angels"!  I want to share something very simple, but also very profound if you have never thought about it before! Did YOU know that angels do NOT have wings? At least NOT those who operate on the earth! How do we know? Look at Hebrews 13:2:

2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! New Living Translation

There is NO WAY that we could be "unaware" of an angel with wings! So many people try to get some comfort from a figure or picture of an angelic being with wings and a very serene face! Angels are strong, powerful, fierce and they move at the Word of God! A figurine has NO power whatsoever! BUT, speaking the Word into a situation will bring the Angels of God on the scene EVERY TIME! Look at Hebrews 1:13-14:

13 Besides, to which of the angels has He ever said, Sit at My right hand [associated with Me in My royal dignity] till I make your enemies a stool for your feet?  [Ps 110:1.] 14 Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? AMP

How about the promise in Luke 4:10-11:

10 For it is written, He will give His angels charge over you to guard and watch over you closely and carefully; 11 And on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. AMP

Powerful! The new teaching series will be up on The Spoken Word Church website soon! Check it out and follow the study for yourself! You will be tremendously blessed and have the opportunity to grow stronger in the Word of God! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "His Glory Appears":

His Glory Appears Lyrics

Verse:

You gave me hope

You made me whole

At the cross

You took my place

You showed me grace

At the cross where You died for me

Chorus:

And His glory appears

Like the light from the sun

Age to age He shines

Look to the skies

Hear the angels cry

Singing Holy is the Lord

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


The devotion for today in Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food is so very good that I HAVE to share it with you!


Conductor Of Life
June 30, 2012

"God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life" (1 John 5:11-12). 

Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature … and these signs shall follow them that believe" (Mark 16:15,17). 

One of these signs Jesus said would follow believers - not the Early Church, not apostles, not pastors, not preachers, but believers - is, " …they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). 

Why? Because the life of God is in believers! 

Sometimes people are specially anointed to minister healing, but that isn't what Mark 16 is talking about! Every born-again believer has the life of God, the nature of God, the God-kind of life, in him - and by the laying on of hands, that life can be imparted into the physical bodies of others! 

That's why you should lay hands on the sick. When you lay hands on them, that life of God in you is conducted through your hands to others. Often, you'll be conscious of that life flowing right out of you into them. 

You've got the life of God in you! You've got the nature of God in you! God's a healing God. Put God's power to work! That's how God works - through your own hands. God's not here on earth in Person, but He is in you by His Spirit! 

Confession: I am a believing one. I have the life of God in me. And God is a healing God. I lay hands on the sick, and they recover. 

Notice that it is NOT just apostles, pastors or preachers, but ALL believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Every born again believer has the Life and nature of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible living IN them! That means YOU! It is GOD, personally present in YOU, Who will heal the people, but the first step is ours! Becoming Spirit-filled, and spending time every day in the Word of God, will bring a greater understanding of this to you, but the LIFE is in you NOW! Look at 1 John 5:11-12 again. Do YOU "have the Son"? Are YOU 'born again"? Then that LIFE is IN you! Pour HIM out to the lost and hurting and let HIM do the work! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with a song I have used before, but it is VERY appropriate! "Lost Are Found" (lyrics follow):

"The Lost Are Found"

Everlasting

While earthly ages fade

In mercy

Our God Your kingdom reigns

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

In the Savior

Injustice brought to right

For Your glory

That Your name be lifted high

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

The lost are found

The blind will see

The lame will walk

The dead will live

And You are God

Forever You will reign

[x3]

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

The lost are found

The blind will see

The lame will walk

The dead will live

And You are God

Forever You will reign

[x8]

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 29:23 says this:


²³A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.


"Pride" here is the Hebrew word "ga`avah". It means: arrogance, haughtiness, pride, swelling. Remember that this is the pride of MAN! It is having confidence in ourselves apart from God. There are many today who have turned away from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible and put their confidence in themselves! This verse says that this will "bring him low". This is the Hebrew word "shaphel", which means: to depress or sink; to humiliate; to bring down; to humble; to abase. The word "humble" in this verse is "shaphal", which is a form of the word "shaphel" from above. The difference between the two is that, where the previous person is one who thinks more highly of himself than he ought to and is brought down to size; this person realizes that they are nothing without God and they CHOOSE to submit to HIS authority. When WE choose to put ourselves under HIS authority, then HE is free to lift us up! The word "honor" here is the Hebrew word "kabowd", which means: splendor, copiousness, glory, honor, abundance, riches, dignity, reputation, reverence, wealth. Look at 1 Peter 5:6:


6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. NLT

It doesn't really COST to serve God, it PAYS, BIG TIME! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Like Incense/Sometimes By Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 28:2 says this:


    ²When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.


THAT is a great picture of the USA right now! There are very many unelected and ungodly people making decisions and having input that have no business doing so! We need to be praying for godly people in the next election so that this nation can have stability once again! Verse 4-5 show the contrast between the effect of the godly and the ungodly on a nation:


 ⁴Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them. ⁵Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully.

What do we need to do? 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a very good place to start!

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  KJV

Notice that it doesn't take everyone, just God's people. Those who are called by His Name! To humble ourselves means to accept something we don't deserve. WE may not have sinned, but we must stand in the gap for those who have! Then we must confess the sins of the nation and then expect GOD to do HIS part! When we do that, and THEN do our part in the natural by supporting godly candidates, registering to vote and then VOTING, God can and will get involved! Proverbs 28:28 is what we can look forward to!


²⁸When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many.


We are expecting this president to be removed from office, so that his administration will "perish", or "be done with", causing the rise of righteousness again! Don't assume that everyone else is doing it, so YOU can slide by! Determine to be obedient to the Word, even if YOU are the only one! I guarantee that you won't be! Will YOU be the difference? I hope so! Here, appropriately, is Hillsong United with "The Difference":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


1 Peter 2:6-8 show us WHY there is such a vicious attack taking place on Chrisitanity in our times!


6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.  7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  KJV


God sent Jesus, and THEY have rejected HIM! It is NOT a rejection of people, but of God! This is NOT taking God by surprise and HE will show us what WE are to do about it! Verses 9-10 describe US!



9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  KJV

God has chosen YOU, from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), to be a Living Epistle (2 Corinthians 3:2), NOW, in THIS time! There is nothing that can happen that you and I are not abundantly equipped and anointed to handle! ALL will be for the Glory of God, and for the purpose of bringing the Light of Life into the darkness of the world! Amen! You CAN do it, so GO FOR IT! Here is Chris Tomlin with "Chosen Generation":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE the Word of God and that I am "stickler" for the Word. "Stickler", according to the dictionary: stick·ler (st k l r). n. 1. One who insists on something unyieldingly. THAT'S me! They also know that my personal favorite verses are found in Philippians 3:8-11. Paul prepared the crowd for these verse by telling of his background and his worldly "right" to boast! Then he said this:


    ⁸Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),  ⁹And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. 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 [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] ¹¹That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

Paul considered that there was NOTHING that this world has to offer that is as precious and as valuable as KNOWING our LORD JESUS! I feel the same way! "Know" in verse 10 is the Greek word "ginosko". Strong's Concordance says: to know absolutely in a variety of applications and with many implications. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to learn to know, to come to know, to get knowledge of, to understand, to perceive. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to be taking in knowledge; to come to know, recognize, understand; to understand completely. This is a life-long process that brings us ever closer in intimate fellowship with Him! Paul also tells us, in verse 10, that THIS is the way to understand (and be able to operate in) the POWER that is necessary for us to do the works of Jesus, and the greater works that Jesus Himself said we are to walk in! This is MY goal! How about you? Here is Hillsong United with "To Know Your Name":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 25:2:


It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.


God has hidden wonderful mysteries and secrets within His Word FOR us who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour to search and find! He WANTS us to find them! They are not hidden from US, but from the world! Do you WANT to know these wonderful secrets? First you must WANT to know! Hosea 6:3a says this:

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord:   KJV

Having that attitude is the prerequisite! Do you remember the story of the Hebrew children whom God honored for their faith and faithfulness? Here is Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for today:

Knowledge And Skill

June 25, 2012

"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (Dan. 1:17). 

"God gave them knowledge and skill." 

God gave Daniel and the other three Hebrew children, knowledge and all skill. Eternal life is the nature of God. You've got God's nature in you. Know that! Believe that! Confess that! Then that nature will begin to dominate you! 

Learn to walk in the light of life. Learn to put that life into practice in your being. Walking in the light of that life will enhance your entire personality, and will increase your intelligence. 

Confession: I am a new creation. I am born again. I am a new creature. I have the life and nature of God in my spirit. That life is the light of men. I purpose to walk in the light of life. God's life is in me. God's knowledge is in me. God's skill is in me. God's ability is in me. God's wisdom is in me. He is instructing me. He is leading me. I am a child of God. The Spirit of God in me is leading me. I'll follow His leading. I'll walk in the light of life. 


Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Unending Love":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 24:3-6 says this:


 ³Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], ⁴And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  ⁵A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power; ⁶For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.

Remember that "skillful and godly Wisdom" is referring to the Word of God! John 17:17 says this about the Word of God:


17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. AMP

So now that we have established that the Word of God is TRUTH, I want to share with you a portion of the devotion from today in Bob Yandian's "Morning Moments":

FACT vs. TRUTH

1 Timothy 1:18-19 (ESV)

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith...

The situations and circumstances of the natural world are FACTS. The promises given by God in His Word are TRUTH. If your body is sick, that is simply a fact. The Word says you are healed. That is the Truth. Facts are subject to change, but Truth will never change. Whether you are sick or well, God's Word will always say, "...by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24) Whether you are living in abundance or lack, God's Word will always say, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may proper..." (3 John 2). 

For every situation that you face, their will be facts that line up with the Truth, and facts that do not! We must be meditating on the Word of God in order to recognize the Truth! When we see facts that do NOT line up with the Truth, we must change them with the Truth! Speak God's Word over every area of your life and see the FACTS changed by the TRUTH! Amen! Here is "Break Free" by Hillsong United:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


In Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for today, the Scripture is Daniel 1:8: 


8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  KJV

The word "purposed" here is the Hebrew word "suwm" or "siym". It means: to put, to place, to set, to direct, to ordain, to establish, to determine. Daniel determined that he was NOT going to go against the Word of God and be defiled by the ways of the heathen. Here it is in the Amplified Bible:

8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself. AMP

When Daniel set his mind and heart to follow God, no matter what, God showed up and Daniel received the results he desired of God! We see this same type of decision made by Paul in Philippians 3:10-11:

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 [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]  11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. AMP

What is YOUR "determined purpose"? What are YOU unwilling to compromise with the world on? Whenever we make an "I will NOT be moved from God's Word" stand, God Himself will back us up! That does NOT mean that it will always be an easy decision for our flesh to make. In fact, most of the time our flesh nature will rebel! But that is precisely the time to set the record straight once and for all that as for YOU, it is ALWAYS God's Word first! Then you can truly say: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"! Amen! Here is Carman with "I Will Serve The Lord". Click through to You Tube and click on "see  more" to see the lyrics! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


The Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today includes Proverbs 22. Verse 6 says this:


⁶Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.


I have always loved this verse in the Amplified Bible because it recognizes the very distinct individuality of each human being! Every baby born into this world has an individual and unique calling and plan of God for their life! It is the responsibility of the parents to pray and recognize the gifts and talents that God has given to each child and to nurture them. To train means so much more than just to teach! It is a hands-on action that involves being an example of diligence, faithfulness, patience, love and acceptance. SHOW them how to best use their gifts and talents. If you don't have any skills in that area, then trust the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct you to someone who does! Training children involves so much more than just feeding them, clothing them and giving them a place to live! As parents we will NEVER be perfect, but when we do what WE can do, God will fill in for our weaknesses! Part of this training is found in verse 15:


    ¹⁵Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.


This is NOT something done in anger, frustration or impatience! Correction is the key word here! The rod, or spanking, is to be used for deliberately defiant behavior and accompanied by the Word of God to show that! Done in love, with the proper training, this will cause the  child to  understand boundaries and how to control themselves. Remember, these are GOD'S Words, not mine! But I do know, from experience, that it works! No one wants to spend time around an undisciplined child or adult! Don't rob your child of the opportunity to succeed by failing to train and discipline them according to the Word of God! They will become a delight to you AND to the world! Amen! Here are a few pictures that i found that are very inspiring!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 


Ephesians 4:1-3:


 ¹I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service,  ²Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.   ³Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.


THIS is the kind of life that we are supposed to be living so that the lost and hurting will be drawn to us. So many times believers try to DO the right things when it's really all about our attitudes and how we treat people. There is a reason that we are told in Philippians 4:8 what things to think about. What we think about is what we will say and what we will eventually do. The devotional, "God Calling", says this for today:

June 21 - See As I See

I bless you.  I promise you release.  Joy in Me.  You shall be shielded from the storm.

Wonders have unfolded.  Just to come before Me and stay for a while in My Presence - this must strengthen and help you.  Learn of Me.  The only way for so many in My world to keep calm, sane, is to have the mind which is in Jesus Christ.  The mind which is in Me. That mind you can never obtain by reasoning, or by reading, but only by living with Me and sharing My Life. Think much of Me. Speak much of Me.  See others as I see them.  Let nothing less satisfy you.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
 in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke
 is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:29-30

The only way to consistently walk in love and see people the way that Jesus sees people is to spend time in His presence through prayer, praise and worship, study and meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him. When we do that we will begin to think more like Him, then we will begin to speak more like Him and we will act more like Him! THAT is the only true unity! Here is a little different version of "Touching Heaven, Changing Earth" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 20:1 says this:


¹WINE IS a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.


 Notice that this does NOT say that those who drink wine are sinning. It says that those who "err" or "reel" because of it are NOT wise! This is referring to drunkenness! Read Ephesians 5:18:

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.  AMP

Drunkenness is a very dangerous state for the born again believer to be in. The enemy would like nothing better than to trip you up at your most vulnerable time! That's just "how he rolls"! Don't ever get yourself to the point where you are no longer in control. Now I would say with Paul that "I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]" (1 Corinthians 7:7). It is so much easier to NOT have to deal with this stuff at all! I will have nothing to do with it for the very reason that I don't want to EVER give place to the devil! Protect your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23), for out of YOUR heart will come exactly what you have been putting in! Amen!


Here is Hillsong United with "Light Will Shine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I love this quote that I found on Twitter:


"Organic Christianity is more about God living through you than your living for Him."


The devotional for today from "My Utmost For His Highest" says this so very well that I am just going to share the entire thing here:

. . . do you love Me? . . . Tend My sheep —John 21:16

Jesus did not say to make converts to your way of thinking, but He said to look after His sheep, to see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Him. We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we areto Him, not what we do for Him. Discipleship is based solely on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on following after a particular belief or doctrine. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . . , he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). In this verse, there is no argument and no pressure from Jesus to follow Him; He is simply saying, in effect, “If you want to be My disciple, you must be devoted solely to Me.” A person touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says, “Now I see who Jesus is!”— that is the source of devotion.

Today we have substituted doctrinal belief for personal belief, and that is why so many people are devoted to causes and so few are devoted to Jesus Christ. People do not really want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is deeply offensive to the educated minds of today, to those who only want Him to be their Friend, and who are unwilling to accept Him in any other way. Our Lord’s primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people— the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted solely to the cause of humanity, I will soon be exhausted and come to the point where my love will waver and stumble. But if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity, even though people may treat me like a “doormat.” The secret of a disciple’s life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of that life is its seeming insignificance and its meekness. Yet it is like a grain of wheat that “falls into the ground and dies”— it will spring up and change the entire landscape (John 12:24).:


The most important thing that we, as born again believers, can do is:


 Matthew 22:37: Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'


Make HIM your #1 priority and everything else in your life will fall right into place! Here is a song I have used before, but when WE love HIM, we WILL be the difference to the lost! Hillsong United with "The Difference":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 18:1-3:


¹HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.  ²A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.  ³When the wicked comes in [to the depth of evil], he becomes a contemptuous despiser [of all that is pure and good], and with inner baseness comes outer shame and reproach.


Does this sound familiar to you? What this is saying is that when people, by the choice of their free will, choose to go against God's Word, then they will cease to operate in even common sense! They will not only lack good judgement, but they will even despise anything and everything that is good and true and right! Do you see that happening today? Verses 20-21 go on to say this:


²⁰A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. ²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].

The words that these foolish, stubborn and willfully ignorant people are speaking are bearing fruit in their lives! They don't like the harvest they are reaping, but are blaming anyone and everyone but themselves! They even blame the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible Who gave them the right to choose for themselves! I choose to be the person who DOES verse 10 and I hope that you do, too:


¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.


When we do that, then we will be the people of verse 4:


   ⁴The words of a [discreet and wise] man's mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].


Let's be the ones who agree with and speak God's Word, bringing Life into every situation! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with one of my very favorite songs! "Yours Forever":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


At our Worship Service at The Spoken Word Church yesterday, Pastor Bill Novak continued with the second lesson in his series on Faith. One of the things we looked at is found in Romans 12:3:

3 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. KJV

This "measure" is the Greek word "metron", which means: a limited portion; a determined extent; a portion measured off. What this means is that God has given every believer the same measured portion of the God kind of Faith! What we DO with that faith will cause it to either increase or decrease! Romans 10:17 tells us how to increase that "measure" of faith:

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

If we want to increase our faith, we MUST be continually hearing the Word of God! Spend time every day hearing, reading, studying, meditating on and acting on the Word of God and your faith will grow! There are no limits to the measure that our faith CAN have! It's all in the choices! Do you want to know what the "God kind of Faith is"? Look at Romans 4:17 in the KJV, AMP and ESV Bibles:

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.KJV

17 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. AMP

17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.ESV

God DESIRES for us to have and walk in HIS Faith! Make your measure of faith grow until you reach the point that doubt does not affect you, but you can stand and believe Him for anything and everything that you need and desire! HE is well pleased when we do so! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Hosanna":

Shalom in Him!