Shalom,

Today's Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin is a great complement to the Truths we've looked at all week! 

"For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive God's overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness; putting them into right standing with Himself, reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)" (Rom. 5:17 AMP).

 In the time when Paul wrote this, kings reigned over certain countries or domains. You are to reign in your domain too. This doesn't mean you're to reign and rule over other people, but you're to rule and reign in your life, your dominion. You're to rule and reign over circumstances, poverty, sickness, disease - everything that would hinder. You're to reign because you have authority! How do you have it? Through the One, Jesus Christ. Don't let the devil cheat you out of the blessings God intended you should have. God never intended that you should be poverty stricken and destitute. He didn't intend that the devil should rule and reign over your family and dominate them. Just get angry at the devil. Tell him, "Take your hands off of my children! You've got no right here. I'm ruling over this domain!" If he says anything about it, quote him Romans 5:17.

 Confession: I reign in my domain. I have the authority to do so. I reign by the One, Jesus Christ. The enemy cannot rule over my family. He cannot rule over me! 

WE have been given the authority of Jesus to rule and reign over our own lives. HE was given ALL authority (Matthew 28:18)! We lack NOTHING needful to put and keep the enemy under our feet. AMEN! Let's BE the kings and priests over our lives that God intends for us to be (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). This brings glory to Him and freedom to us! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "Children Of The Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Have you ever been in the presence of a truly joyful person? There are some people who smile in the midst of any and every test, trial and temptation! Guess what? We are ALL to be that way. Of course, each individual personality will present this in a different way, but joy should still be obvious! If we do NOT do this, we WILL be weak! How do I know this? Look at Nehemiah 8:10:

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. KJV

The joy of the Lord is our strength! Joy is not only a fruit of the Spirit, but the joy of the Lord is also a source of strength for us! Make sure that YOU are stirring up the joy that is inside of you as a born again believer! A good way to do that is to remind yourself every day of all the good things HE has blessed you with! Another good way is to obey the instructions in Psalm 100! 

A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering.

1 MAKE A joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! 3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

AMEN! THAT is how we can all become people of joy who turn the heads of the hurting so that they know they have someone to turn to for answers! Be ever ready (1 Peter 3:15)! Here, to help you in this, is Hillsong with "This Is How We Overcome":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share two Truths with you again today! The first is found in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. Look at Luke 11:27-28:

27 Now it occurred that as He was saying these things, a certain woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, Blessed (happy and to be envied) is the womb that bore You and the breasts that You sucked! 28 But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!

What was Jesus saying here? Some have the religious idea that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was somehow sinless and exalted. They also refuse to admit that Mary was ONLY a virgin until Jesus was born and THEN Joseph "knew her"! The fruit of their marriage was more children, both sons and daughters, but THAT is for another blog post! Mary was indeed BLESSED! But she was NOT sinless! She, too, needed to be born again! In fact, as we have seen previously, she did NOT even understand what Jesus was doing at the beginning of His earthly ministry! Also, she was THERE in the upper room! Not only was Mary born again, she was also filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in new tongues! AMEN! What Jesus is saying above is that the MOST important thing each of us can do is to hear the Word of God with the intention of obeying it, and then do so! Look at Luke 10:41-42 from yesterday's reading:

41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her. AMP

This was Mary Magdalene, but this TRUTH is for every one of us! AMEN! HIS Word should be our top priority! It IS the "good portion" that we ALL should be feasting on daily! The next Truth  we'll look at is concerning God's Grace! Look at John 1:17 from both the KJV and the Amplified Bible:

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. KJV

17 For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ. AMP

Grace is the undeserved favor we have received because of the Blood of Jesus that was shed for US!  Now look at 2 Corinthians 12:9:

9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! AMP

Grace is God's great gift to us and His grace is for EVERY born again believer! I have been in conversations with so many people in the last few months who want to put others under the law of sin and death again! Notice that it is USUALLY others that these people are referring to! YOU must settle it in your own heart, once and for all, that sin has been dealt with FOREVER! Once you receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, you will still sin on occasion, but you are no longer a sinner! You are  now a saint who may sometimes sin! SIN will NOT keep a born again believer out of Heaven! The ONLY sin that will do that is the sin of rejecting Jesus! The Word of God tell us THIS in 1 John 5:11-13:

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 [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. AMP

AMEN! NOW continue to put the Word of God first place in your life, choosing the "good portion" that Mary chose and you will continue to grow and mature in the things of God. WHEN you miss it, by making a selfish decision to do something your own way instead of God's way, go to 1 John 1:9 and restore your fellowship with HIM! Your relationship will NOT change! YOU, as a born again believer, are a child of God and a member of the Body of Christ! NOTHING can separate YOU from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39)! AMEN! Here is a very appropriate song for today called "Scandal Of Grace" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share two important Truths again from our Bible Reading Plan for today! First let's look at Psalm 98:1:

1 O SING to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him. 

Do you see here that the LORD has gotten salvation for HIMSELF? That does NOT mean that God needed to be saved! What it does mean is that OUR Salvation, that was bought and paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, was for HIM! HE desired that WE be saved! GLORY TO GOD! Want another confirmation on this? Look at Hebrews 12:2:

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. KJV

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. AMP

WE were the joy that was set before Jesus! He got US as His prize! HE wrought OUR salvation for HIMSELF! HE desires that NONE should perish (2 Peter 3:9)! When you REALLY realize what this means about how HE looks at YOU, you will never fail to be bold about the Gospel again! Thank You, Jesus! The next Truth we'll look at is found in Luke 10:17-20:

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! 18 And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven. 19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.

When Jesus sent the seventy out, He gave them HIS authority over the works and workers of darkness! These disciples were amazed that the demons listened to THEM when they used His Name! Jesus told them NOT to be so giddy about that! Satan was a defeated foe from the time that the God of the Bible spoke his future out in Genesis! Jesus had seen that this rebel was cast out of Heaven! He had NO AUTHORITY over Jesus! NOW, after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, WE, once we have been born again, have the SAME authority that Jesus had and gave to them! The Spirit of the Living God resides INSIDE of us! WE are children of God, heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:16-17) and members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:27)! OF COURSE these demons were subject to them, in His Name, and they ARE subject to us who have the right to be called by HIS NAME! AMEN! Refuse to let another moment go by in your life where you give up in the enemy's presence! He has NO AUTHORITY here! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Chapel with "Salvation Is Here":

"Salvation Is Here"

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!

Hear the sounds of the generatorions,
Making loud our freedom song,
All in all that the world will know Your name,
We're gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

God above all the world in motion,
God above all my hopes and fears,
Well I don't care what the world throws at me now,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Salvation in God means to set me free,
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here,
Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
It's gonna be alright!

Cause I know my God saved the day,
And I know His word never fails,
And I know my God made a way for me,
Salvation is here.

Salvation is here and it lives in me,
Salvation is here,
Cause you are alive and you live in me!
Salvation is here.

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I am going to share two very important Truths from today's Bible Reading Plan. In Luke 9, Jesus told His disciples very clearly what about to happen to Him. Look at verses 22 and 44: 

22 Saying, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be [deliberately] disapproved and repudiated and rejected on the part of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be put to death and on the third day be raised [again].

44 Let these words sink into your ears: the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men [whose conduct is opposed to God].

Why were they so surprised when Jesus was actually taken and beaten and crucified? Look at verse 45:

45 However, they did not comprehend this saying; and it was kept hidden from them, so that they should not grasp it and understand, and they were afraid to ask Him about the statement.

Why was this "kept hidden" from them? They were NOT in a spiritual condition to be able to comprehend! Look at 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 from both the KJV and the Amplified Bibles:

14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. KJV

14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. 16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. AMP

They were NOT yet born again! This included Jesus' mother and brothers and sisters! That's why they tried to stop Him! They did NOT understand! They still possessed the sin nature, as well as the nature of the flesh that we all have to deal with. Jesus had not yet been resurrected from the dead, giving US the WAY to the Father! Once we received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, we also received the Spirit of God Who recreated our dead spirit into one in the image of God! NOW we have the Spirit of God to teach us the Word of God and WE can understand these precious TRUTHS! It takes diligence and attention, but that choice is ours! AMEN! The next Truth is found in Luke 9:52-56:

52 And He sent messengers before Him; and they reached and entered a Samaritan village to make [things] ready for Him; 53 But [the people] would not welcome or receive or accept Him, because His face was [set as if He was] going to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John observed this, they said, Lord, do You wish us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did ? [II Kings 1:9-16.] 55 But He turned and rebuked and severely censured them. He said, You do not know of what sort of spirit you are, 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them [from the penalty of eternal death]. And they journeyed on to another village.

Jesus did NOT come in to the world to judge and condemn the word! THAT sentence of judgment was already in place! Jesus CAME "to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10). Remember,Jesus said THIS in John 3:16-17:

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP

Jesus did NOT come to judge and condemn, and neither should we! We are to be about our Father's business! Jesus said He only said and did what He received from the Father! So, by this we know that the Father's business is "to seek and to save that which is lost"! AMEN! Not let's GO DO IT! Here is Hillsong United with "GO":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 96 in our SWC Bible Reading Plan for today. This psalm explains why some nations have been blessed and some nations have fallen! Here is the entire psalm:

1 O SING to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all [so-called] gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are [lifeless] idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come [before Him] into His courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations that the Lord reigns; the world also is established, so that it cannot be moved; He shall judge and rule the people righteously and with justice.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all the things which fill it;

12 Let the field be exultant, and all that is in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy

13 Before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness and truth.

The nations that have acknowledged, honored and obeyed the God of the Bible have always been blessed and prosperous (Psalm 33:12)! When they came to a point where the God of the Bible was no longer honored, the curse was free to operate! THIS is what has caused so much misery in this nation! BUT, when God's people, who are called by His Name, humble themselves and pray, HE has said that HE will bless that nation again (2 Chronicles 7:14)! OUR responsibility is clear! EVERYONE doesn't have to do this, WE do! AMEN! Then HE will cause things to happen that will turn cursing to BLESSING for HIS people! HALLELUJAH! Here is an older, slower song from Hillsong called "You Said", because He DID!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have always been inspired by the account of the faith that this centurion had in Jesus that is recorded in Luke 7. Look at verses 1-10:

1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue." 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."  10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. ESV

What did the centurion's faith say? His faith told him that Jesus had the authority to simply speak the Word and it would be done! From ANYWHERE! Guess what? As a born again believer, YOU have that same authority! I have that same authority (Matthew 28:18-20)! Jesus SAID that we would do the same works that He did and even greater works (John 14:12)! What are the greater works? Don't even ask that question until you are consistently doing the original works! Amen! Let's increase our faith by meditating day and night in His Word (Romans 10:17; Joshua 1:8) and begin to "say the Word" into every situation and circumstance! Let's be about our Father's business of preaching the Gospel and setting people free! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE "Faith To Faith" by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland for today!

...them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

– 1 Samuel 2:30

God honors those who honor Him. He'll never forget the seeds of loyalty you sow. He'll multiply them and give them back to you in a harvest of blessing. And Malachi 3:17 says when He makes up His jewels, you'll be forever among them.

Forever. Think about that for a moment. By honoring God with your life and your lips, you're stepping into a realm of blessing that will literally take an eternity to explore.

Once you begin to get that kind of eternal perspective on things, you'll see that it's grossly immature to get mad at God when temporary things don't work out exactly how and when you want them to. You'll see that your loyalty must be first of all to God, that you must seek first His kingdom--even when things seem to be going wrong. The Bible says that if you'll do that, all these other things will be added unto you.

God never forgets. He'll never forget that in the heat of the battle, when others were giving up and saying, "Hey, this faith stuff doesn't work!" you were still honoring Him by standing firm and speaking His promises.

So determine in your heart today to be loyal toward God in every word you speak. Make up your mind once and for all that nothing in your life is as vital as honoring Him. Keep honoring Him and speaking words of faith. It will work deliverance for you in this life, and in eternity you'll sure be glad you did.

It doesn't cost to serve the Lord, it pays! BIG TIME! Amen! Here is Hillsong Live withe acoustic version of "You Never Fail":

VERSE
When waters rise all around me
When mountains stand in the path I see
I look to love that's unfailing
I look to grace that is all I need

PRE-CHORUS
Oh call
Call upon the Name
Jesus Christ
The only Name that saves

CHORUS
For there is no one like our God
There's no one like our God
There's nothing that can stand against You
There's no stronghold You can't break
No life that You can't save
Our God You never fail

VERSE
Your light will shine through the darkness
Your word will calm every crashing wave
My hope it lies in Your promise
My faith it stands on the empty grave

BRIDGE
Strong through every trial
Faithful through the night
Our God will never fail
Our God will never fail

Anchor through the flood
You keep holding on
I know You'll never fail
Jesus You'll never fail

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 93:1:

1 THE LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.

"Reigns" is the Hebrew word "malak" and it means to reign as a king! The Dictionary definition is very good! It means: to possess or exercise power or authority; to have control, rule or influence; to exercise sovereign authority. Remember that all caps for LORD tells us that this is Jehovah being spoken of! Jehovah is the Covenant Name of Almighty God! He IS, potentially, any and all of the names that follow Jehovah! The CHOICE, as in all things, is OURS! AMEN! CHOOSE to have HIM be the Lord, the Boss, the Ruler over your life! No One can do it better! AMEN! We see evidence of His power and authority at work in Luke 5 today. After Jesus made use of Peter's boat to preach, He desired to bless Peter with a boatload of fish! Peter and his crew had worked on that boat all night long and had not had success! Doubts came at Peter's mind, as they do to all of us, but Peter chose to believe! Look at verses 4-7:

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon (Peter), Put out into the deep [water], and lower your nets for a haul. 5 And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again]. 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish; and as their nets were [at the point of] breaking, 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

When Peter said "on the ground of Your Word", he was putting the responsibility for the outcome on Jesus! WE should do the same! Guess what? HE can take it! Find out what the Word of God has to say about each and every situation you face. Now SPEAK that Word over your life and, on the ground of HIS Word, BELIEVE! Keep meditating on what the WORD says and faith will continue to grow! After all, we sing it all the time, OUR GOD REIGNS!  Amen! Here is Hillsong with an older song called: "This Is Our God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

There are two Truths that I really LOVE that are found in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! The first is found in Psalm 92:1-5:

1 IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High, 2 To show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, 3 With an instrument of ten strings and with the lute, with a solemn sound upon the lyre. 4 For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing. 5 How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.

"Good here is the Hebrew word "towb", which means: pleasant, excellent, valuable, appropriate, becoming, happy, prosperous. It is a BLESSING for us to have the RIGHT to sing praises to Him! "To sing praises" is the Hebrew word "zamar", which means: to sing, to make music, to play an instrument. You may not play a musical instrument, but you DO have two instruments that can be played! Your hands! Clapping your hands along with a song in praise and worship is NOT wrong to do! It is the only way that SOME of us can play as we sing! SO, have FUN giving praise, thanksgiving and worship to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HE delights in that! It IS a very good thing to do! AMEN! The next Truth that I love is found in Luke 4. First of all, note that verses 1-2 tell us this:

 1 THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit 2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.

BEFORE Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted, He was "full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit"! When you and I stay filled with the Spirit and full of God's Word, we , too, can answer, with confidence, "it is written" to the enemy of our souls who is constantly throwing fear, doubt, unbelief, guilt, worry, situations and circumstances at us to try and stop us, the very same way that he tried to stop Jesus! We DO have the very same Holy Spirit that Jesus had! STAY FILLED! Not only will we be able to take DOWN the enemy and stop him in his tracks, we will also be able to say, with Jesus, what we see here in verses 18-19:

18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],  19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.

AMEN! The Anointing that was in and upon Jesus for ministry is also within and upon US as member of His Body! It is past time we started acting like it! A lost world is waiting! AMEN! So, let's "GO" accompanied by Hillsong United! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Every promise that we find in the Word of God has a condition that must be met in order to receive. In order to receive the eternal salvation that Jesus gave His life for, we must believe and receive! He gave His life ONCE for ALL! One time, for all people, for all time! BUT the people need to receive! The same is true for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, health and healing for our body and every other promise for THIS life on earth! The one we're looking at today is the protection, provision and safety that are promised in Psalm 91! Look at verse 1 for the condition that must be met!

1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

"Dwells" is the Hebrew word "yashab", which means: to sit, to abide, to remain, to have one's abode. The "secret place" is the Hebrew word "cether", which means: a covering, a shelter, a hiding place. We know from Ephesians 2:6 that we are seated, in the realm of the spirit, in heavenly places, IN HIM! In the realm of the spirit we are IN HIM, while in the natural realm we are on earth! This secret place of Psalm 91 is that place where we are able to be aware of His presence, in this realm of the spirit, while we are still in our natural bodies! This can only be accomplished by spending time with Him through prayer, praise and worship, study and meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him!  We MUST stay filled with the Spirit and filled with His Word! THEN, every promise of protection, provision and safety found in Psalm 91 is OURS to walk in! AMEN! Here is ALL of Psalm 91 along with Hillsong's "I Will Exalt You". Change "with me" to "in me" and watch your confidence grow! 

Psalm 91

 1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.  

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I am simply going to share one Scripture by way of warning for anyone who is contemplating going to see the Hollywood movie called "Noah". There are several reviews out their that explain just what is in this movie. Knowing that it was made by an atheist whose goal was to make the most secular movie possible out of a Bible story, I would urge you to use great wisdom and listen to the leading of the Spirit of God BEFORE deciding to see this! The Scripture I want to share with you is Proverbs 4:23:

23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. AMP

"Keep" is the Hebrew word "natsar", which means: to guard, to watch over to preserve, to guard from dangers, to protect. "Diligence" is the Hebrew word "mismar", which means: to exercise great care over. WE are responsible for guarding and protecting our heart, which is the combination of our born again spirit and our needing to be constantly renewed by the Word of God soul (mind, emotions and will). What goes INTO our "eye-gates" and ear-gates"  determines what we will be thinking about, and what we think about is what we WILL eventually say and do! When we are called to preach the Gospel of Life to the lost, and desire to walk in the presence and the power of God, lets use great care about we allow in! AMEN! Here is Chris Tomlin with "Our God":

"Our God"

Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind there's no one like you, none like You!
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you, none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
Then what could stand against.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

Shalom in Him

Shalom,

Today we read again the account of Balaam and the donkey! To the casual Bible reader, it may seem strange that Balaam was displeasing to the Lord by going when the Lord told him to go, but DID He? Look at Numbers 2:20-22:

20 And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do. 21 And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him

What was the sin of Balaam? God said "IF the men come to call you, rise up and go". Balaam was so pumped to do this that he didn't wait to see "IF" the  men would come, the condition that God had given him, and he went! Balaam was only protected by the fact that his faithful donkey refused to go any further! Make sure that YOU are taking the time that is necessary to clearly hear the instruction that the Holy Spirit gives to YOU! Don't get out ahead of God! He has prepared a way for you, but you will not find the protection, provision and safety you need from God if you are on the wrong path! Confess the sin when you miss it and get right back in right fellowship with Him and continue under His protection! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I REALLY like this from today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

You also be ready . . . —Luke 12:40

A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. This battle is not against sin, difficulties, or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn. The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him.

Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits. This readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle-we must be spiritually real.

If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.

The MOST important commandment, according to Jesus Himself, is found in Matthew 22:37-39:

37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).  [Deut 6:5.] 38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. AMP

When we put HIM as our #1 priority, being "ready",  as this devotional encourages, then we are able to love our neighbor in the way Jesus wants us to! THIS, and not "spiritual business" is what will produce the results that Jesus desires! We will be in a constant state of readiness to be obedient to the Spirit of God at any and every moment to minister to those He will bring across our paths! BE READY by being ever in love with HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "You Are More":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I always find it funny, although very sad, when people of the world try to "prove" their ideas that are contrary to the Word of God with nice sounding phrases and arguments when the TRUTH is right before them! One such idea is that Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the God-given nation of Israel, is said to be a place of importance to Muslims! Seriously? Look at Psalm 87:1-5:

1 ON THE holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]! 4 I will make mention of Rahab [the poetic name for Egypt] and Babylon as among those who know [the city of God]--behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia (Cush)--[saying], This man was born there. 5 Yes, of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man were born in her, for the Most High Himself will establish her.

Did YOU know that the Psalms of the Bible were written between 1410 and 430 B.C. (THAT was before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!). Muhammad, who invented Islam as first a religious entity, and then, when that failed to catch on, a political entity and a military entity (so that they could force non Muslims to convert or die!), was born in 570 A.D. (AFTER the resurrection of Jesus!) He was never IN Jerusalem! In every area that muslims conquered, they would put up a mosque. THAT is what they did when they conquered Jerusalem. Jerusalem has absolutely NO historic religious connection to Islam! No muslim has ever prayed facing Jerusalem, they face Mecca! SO, be informed and don't be swayed by the lies! Jerusalem IS the eternal and God-appointed capital of the nation of Israel! If you ever get an opportunity to visit I highly recommend it! You WILL never be the same! AMEN! Here is an old song from Lamb called "Enter His Gates":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I had planned on sharing something else here today, but in light of all the judgment being slung around by born again believers toward other born again believers, I decided to share this excellent and encouraging devotion from Jerry Savelle's website today.

You Are God’s Special Treasure

The Blood of Jesus dealt with every sin and failure that you ever did, or ever will do. You are somebody special to God! Religion doesn’t teach that you are special. Religion wants you to stay sin conscious and acutely aware of your shortcomings before a Holy God. While it’s true that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,  that is exactly why Jesus had to come!

The blood of Jesus washed away every bit of sin and falling short that you ever did, and ever will do. In the mind of God you are now holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight. You are God’s special treasure, whether you feel like it or not!

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6).

Religion makes you focus on your inadequacy and failure, when you should be focusing on the blood of Jesus and all that He did for you. You are not just a worthless sinner. If you are, then the blood of Jesus didn’t work, and I wouldn’t dare say the blood of Jesus didn’t work. It did work!

Confession: Because of the blood of Jesus, I am holy in Your sight Father God. I am Your special treasure.

AMEN! Now if YOU have been one of those slinging around judgment on other members of the Body of Christ, I want to remind you of this from Romans 14:4; 13 and 19:

 4 Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another's household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand.

13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.

19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.

AMEN! We ARE the Body of Christ and individual members of it! Be a blessing and encouragement to other believers. Be a living example of the love of Jesus to them while you pray for them and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work that only HE can do, in their lives and in YOURS! Here, to encourage you in this is Hillsong United with "Light Will Shine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have always loved this from Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food upon authority!

Be Strong

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).

What would you think if you saw a traffic policeman in front of a car, trying to hold it back? You'd think, He can't do that. He's no match for that car!

Some people read Ephesians 6:10 and think that the Lord is telling them to be strong in themselves. And they're trying to be strong. They'll say, "Oh, pray for me that I'll hold out faithful to the end!" But God didn't say a word about our being strong in ourselves or in the power of our might.

That traffic policeman steps right out in front of those cars and holds up his hand, because he knows they're going to stop for him. He doesn't have to exert any strength himself; he's strong in the authority that's been given to him.

That is what the Lord is telling us. He's saying, "Be strong in the Lord. Be strong in the authority of His might." Just step out there in front of that oncoming devil. Hold up your hand in the Name of Jesus, and say, 'Thus far, and no further! Stop right now!'"

Confession: I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I am invested with authority from the Lord Jesus Christ. When I hold up my hand in the Name of Jesus and say, "Thus far, and no further," the devil stops in his tracks!                                                                   

Amen! We are to be strong IN HIM! It's not OUR strength, but HIS, that we are to operate in! I LOVE this from Zechariah 4:6b:

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. KJV

It is NOT our own physical strength and ability that we rely on in this new life as born again believers It's HIS! His life, His power, His ability, His authority! And it ALL belongs to us as heirs of God and joint, equal heirs with Jesus! HALLELUJAH I REALLY like Ephesians 6:10-11 from the Amplified Bible!

10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. AMP

YOU, as a born again, spirit-filled believer, are stronger than you will EVER feel while in this physical body! Believe it because the WORD says it! You CAN do ALL THINGS! Look at Philippians 4:13 from the Amplified Bible:

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. AMP

WE are infused with HIS strength, when we stay filled with His Word and filled with the Spirit! WHY would we not? AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free again with one of our favorite new songs, "Wake":

Shalom in Him!