Shalom,


We read Luke 2 in The Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. This is all about the birth of Jesus of Nazareth! Verses 11-12:

   ¹¹For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

    ¹²And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. [I Sam. 2:34; II Kings 19:29; Isa. 7:14.]

Jesus, the Savior of the World!! Amen! Just Who IS this Jesus? Let me show you:


In GENESIS Jesus is the Ram at Abraham’s altar 
In EXODUS He’s the Passover Lamb 
In LEVITICUS He’s the High Priest 
In NUMBERS He’s the Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night 
In DEUTERONOMY He’s the City of our refuge 
In JOSHUA He’s the Scarlet Thread out Rahab’s window 
In JUDGES He is our Judge 
In RUTH He is our Kinsman Redeemer 
In 1st and 2nd SAMUEL He’s our Trusted Prophet 
And in KINGS and CHRONICLES He’s our Reigning King 
In EZRA He’s our Faithful Scribe 
In NEHEMIAH He’s the Rebuilder of everything that is broken 
And in ESTHER He is Mordecai sitting faithfully at the gate 
In JOB He’s our Redeemer that ever liveth 
In PSALMS He is my Shepherd and I shall not want 
In PROVERBS and Ecclesiastes He’s our Wisdom 
And in the SONG OF SOLOMON He’s the Beautiful Bridegroom 
In ISAIAH He’s the Suffering Servant 
In JEREMIAH and LAMENTATIONS it is Jesus that is the Weeping Prophet 
In EZEKIEL He’s the Wonderful Four-Faced Man 
And in DANIEL He is the Fourth Man in the midst of a fiery furnace 
In HOSEA He is my Love that is forever faithful 
In JOEL He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit 
In AMOS He’s our Burden Bearer 
In OBADIAH our Savior 
And in JONAH He is the Great Foreign Missionary that takes the Word of God into all the world 
In MICAH He is the Messenger with beautiful feet 
In NAHUM He is the Avenger 
In HABAKKUK He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival 
In ZEPHANIAH He is the Lord mighty to save 
In HAGGAI He is the Restorer of our lost heritage 
In ZECHARIAH He is our Fountain 
And in MALACHI He is the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings. 

Name Above All Names 

In MATTHEW “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” 
In MARK He is the Miracle Worker 
In LUKE He’s the Son of Man 
And in JOHN He is the Door by which every one of us must enter 
In ACTS He is the Shining Light at appears to Saul on the road to Damascus 
In ROMANS He is our Justified 
In 1st CORINTHIANS our Resurrection 
In 2nd CORINTHIANS our Sin Bearer 
In GALATIANS He Redeems us from the law 
In EPHESIANS He is our Unsearchable Riches 
In PHILIPPIANS He supplies our every need 
And in COLOSSIANS He’s the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily 
In 1st and 2nd THESSALONIANS He is our Soon Coming King 
In 1st and 2nd TIMOTHY He is the Mediator between God and man 
In PHILEMON He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother 
And in HEBREWS He’s the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant 


(are you with me now?) 


In JAMES it is the Lord that heals the sick 
In 1st and 2nd PETER He is the Chief Shepherd 
In 1st, 2nd, and 3rd JOHN it is Jesus who has the tenderness of love 
In JUDE He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints 
And in REVELATION, He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings-the Alpha and Omega, Great I AM


AMEN! Who is HE to YOU? If you haven't already, make Him your Lord and Savior today! It WILL BE the very best decision you will ever make!!! For just a little more about Who He is, here is Hillsong with "This Is Our God":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,


I spend most of my time in the Amplified Bible and the King James Version, but I always check out other versions and translations to see if they may clarify or add something. Today I want to share some of Psalm 89 from The Message Bible. Verses 1-8:

1 Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it!
I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are. 
2 I'll never quit telling the story of your love — 
how you built the cosmos
and guaranteed everything in it.
Your love has always been our lives' foundation,
your fidelity has been the roof over our world. 
3 You once said, "I joined forces with my chosen leader,
I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying, 
4 'Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life;
I'll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.'" 


5 God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways,
the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! 
6 Search high and low, scan skies and land,
you'll find nothing and no one quite like God. 
7 The holy angels are in awe before him;
he looms immense and august over everyone around him. 
8 God of the Angel Armies, who is like you,
powerful and faithful from every angle? 

I love the common language in these verses! Our God is such a GOOD God! Did you notice what this Psalm says about His Covenant with King David and all of the nation of Israel? Look at verses 20-24:

20 I found David, my servant,
poured holy oil on his head, 
21 And I'll keep my hand steadily on him,
yes, I'll stick with him through thick and thin. 
22 No enemy will get the best of him,
no scoundrel will do him in. 
23 I'll weed out all who oppose him,
I'll clean out all who hate him. 
24 I'm with him for good and I'll love him forever;
I've set him on high — he's riding high! 

Does that sound like God will ever give up on the nation of Israel, whom David represents? Absolutely not! Even when they turned their back on Him, He never gave up on them! Look at verses 28-37:


28 I'll preserve him eternally in my love,
I'll faithfully do all I so solemnly promised. 
29 I'll guarantee his family tree
and underwrite his rule. 
30 If his children refuse to do what I tell them,
if they refuse to walk in the way I show them, 
31 If they spit on the directions I give them
and tear up the rules I post for them 
32 — I'll rub their faces in the dirt of their rebellion
and make them face the music. 
33 But I'll never throw them out,
never abandon or disown them. 
34 Do you think I'd withdraw my holy promise?
or take back words I'd already spoken? 
35 I've given my word, my whole and holy word;
do you think I would lie to David? 
36 His family tree is here for good,
his sovereignty as sure as the sun, 
37 Dependable as the phases of the moon,
inescapable as weather."

The TRUTH that God will never forsake Israel should be  GREAT good news to those of us who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior, for WE as the "wild branch" have been grafted in with the natural branches! We are one with them (See Romans 2 and Romans 11)! Hallelujah! Now we can say, with them, verse 52:

52 Blessed be God forever and always!
Yes. Oh, yes. 

Amen!  He IS the Mighty One of Israel, and here is a song that says so!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I may have shared this before, but with all that is coming against Israel in these days, I wanted to share this again! Psalm 87:


 ¹ON THE holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded.

    ²The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel).

    ³Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]!

    ⁴I 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.

    ⁵Yes, of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man were born in her, for the Most High Himself will establish her.

    ⁶The Lord shall count, when He registers the peoples, that this man was born there. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

    ⁷The singers as well as the players on instruments shall say, All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you [city of our God].

Notice that GOD founded Jerusalem! That is, the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Now, in these days, the prophecies of the Jewish people returning to the land that God gave them are being fulfilled! He has called them back from all of the nations of the earth to return to the land HE gave them so very long ago! Make sure that YOU are standing with Israel when all others turn from them! This is the promise, AND then warning! Genesis 12:2-3:



2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. 

3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]. 

Amen! Be a blessing to Israel and God takes notice! Here is a beautiful picture I found of the city! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Today's devotion in Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for Spring begins with Luke 10:19 (ASV):



19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.


"Authority" here is the Greek word "exousia", which means: power of choice; liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission. It also means the power of rule or government. The authority given here is over all the "power" of the enemy. This is the Greek word "dunamis", which means: strength, ability, power. So here the disciples were granted this authority by Jesus. We inherit this authority at the New Birth!  Here is the rest of the devotional for today:


Authority is delegated power. Its value depends on the force behind the user. 

Jesus said, "I have given you authority." Who gave it? Jesus did. Who is Jesus? Jesus is God manifested in the flesh! That means that God said it. Therefore, God said "I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." (Serpents and scorpions represent demons and evil spirits and the power of the enemy.) 

God Himself is the Power, the Force, behind this authority. The believer who is fully conscious of divine authority can therefore face the enemy without fear or hesitation. 
Behind the authority possessed by the believer is a Power far greater than the power that backs our enemies. And those enemies are compelled to recognize that authority! 

No wonder John says, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). 

Confession: I am a believer. Jesus has given me authority. God has given me authority. God Himself is the Power behind this authority. And this authority God has given me is over all the power of the enemy. 


We have been given the rule of government over all of the strength, ability and power of the enemy. Now we have to USE it! Electricity doesn't do anyone any good unless they plug something into it! Authority doesn't do anyone any good unless they exercise it! Start to see yourself in this light and don't allow anything to keep you from putting it into practice! Amen! Here is an older, but NEVER out of date song by Don Moen called "I Have Given You Authority":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 86:8-13:

8 There is none like unto You among the gods, O Lord, neither are their works like unto Yours. 

9 All nations whom You have made shall come and fall down before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name. 

10 For You are great and work wonders! You alone are God. 

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.  [Ps 5:11; 69:36.] 

12 I will confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole (united) heart; and I will glorify Your name forevermore. 

13 For great is Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me; and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol [from the exceeding depths of affliction]. 

How could anyone NOT want to love and serve a God like this! And then add verse 15:

15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness and truth.

We have a great newsflash for those who have been told that God is just waiting to hammer them for wrong-doing! He NEVER wanted to do that, that's why He sent His only Son to be our Savior! He IS mercy itself! His grace and forgiveness are just waiting to be accepted and received! Make sure that YOU are presenting the RIGHT Gospel! The Good News that God isn't holding anything against anyone! That the ONLY thing keeping people from intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible is their choice to receive Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior! PREACH IT! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "I'm Not Ashamed":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Although I prefer devotionals that contain more of the Word of God, I really liked today's entry in Heaven Calling:


The Scripture reference is 1 Samuel 17:33 (NIV):


33 You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting from his youth.


Do people ever try to discourage YOU from doing what God has called you to do? Here is a portion of the Devotional:


A Matter Of Perspective


I see everything with perfect clarity, my child - and I offer clarity to you. I am never clouded by doubt, worry, or prejudice. I know the end from the beginning. You can rely on my perspective.


Saul failed to rely on me - and his vision was clouded by fear. In contrast, David saw the enemy from my point of view and knew he could be victorious with my help.


Are you looking at problems through your perspective or mine? On your own, you see an insurmountable mountain - a "giant" of a problem - while I see a tiny dot on the roadmap of your life. From my vantage point, the problem pales in comparison to the solution I've provided. 


I'm here to help you see your way clearly - all the way to victory. Rely on me to see you through.


That DOES sound like the Word of God, doesn't it? Look at Psalm 85:8-9:


8 I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the LORD will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) -- but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, [and is ready to be appropriated] that [the manifest presence of God, His] glory may tabernacle and abide in our land.


God will speak "peace" to us! This is the Hebrew word "shalom". This word means: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment.God desires to have His SHALOM operating in our lives because then our lives point completely to Him! If HE is lifted up in thanksgiving and praise, He WILL draw people to Himself! I LOVE bringing glory to God, don't you? Here is Hillsong with "God One And Only":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


We looked at Isaiah 61:1-2 today at The Spoken Word Church in our Worship Service:

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Then we looked at Luke 4:18-21:


18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Do YOU catch the meaning? Jesus was saying that HE was the ONE Who was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy! The Anointing (the Holy Spirit) was upon Him! That is how He was able to do the mighty works that He did, as 100% man! Remember, He left His glory behind to come to this earth! He never stopped being God, but He never operated as God during His earthly ministry! Notice also that Jesus never read the last part of Isaiah 61:2! Why?  Because the fulfillment of THAT is for a later time! Jesus did not come to bring God's vengeance, but His mercy! WE are to do the same! We should be saying, with Jesus, the Spirit of the Lord is upon ME! Now go about setting the captives free by the Anointing upon YOU! Amen! With that, we HAVE to use this song again: Hillsong United with "The Lost Are Found":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Israel has suffered attacks from almost the entire world since the very moment of their return as a nation in 1948. Some people, even some Christians, believe that God is done with them. NOT SO! Have you never read Romans 11? Look at verse 1 (Message Bible):

11 Does this mean, then, that God is so fed up with Israel that he'll have nothing more to do with them? Hardly. Remember that I, the one writing these things, am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham out of the tribe of Benjamin. You can't get much more Semitic than that! 2 So we're not talking about repudiation. God has been too long involved with Israel, has too much invested, to simply wash his hands of them.

Now look at verses 28-32:

28 From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. 29 God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded. 

30 There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. 31 Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. 32 In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.

Isn't is wonderful that God does NOT think like man thinks! Where would any of us be if that were so? Look at verses 33-36:

33 Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. 


34 Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? 
35 Anyone who has done him such a huge favor
that God has to ask his advice? 


36 Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes. 

Hallelujah! OUR God IS God! The One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Don't ever try to put Him in YOUR size box! If you do, you will fail big time! We CAN know Him, if we follow on to know Him (Hosea 6:3), but He will ALWAYS surprise us because He is bigger than we can comprehend! Nothing He does will ever be outside of His Word, but we haven't even begun to see all that is hidden in His Word. The greatest joy of my life is finding new things about Him and His character that I never thought about before! This song explains that feeling! Hillsong Live with "The Greatness Of Our God":

Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1: 
Give me eyes to see 
More of who You are 
May what I behold, 
still my anxious heart. 
Take what I have known 
And break it all apart 
For You my God, are greater still.

CHORUS
No sky contains,
No doubt restrains,
All You are,
The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close 
To all You are, 
The greatness of our God.

Verse 2: 
Give me grace to see 
Beyond this moment here. 
To believe that there 
Is nothing left to fear.

That You alone are high above it all.
For You my God, are greater still.

CHORUS 2x
No sky contains,
No doubt restrains,
All You are,
The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close 
To all You are, 
The greatness of our God.

Bridge: 2x
And there is nothing
That can ever separate us.
There is nothing that can ever 
separate us from Your love.
No life, no death, of this I am convinced.
You my God, are greater still.

2x:
And no words can say, or song convey,
all You are the greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close 
to all You are, 
the greatness of our God. 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Romans 10:1-4 (NLT):

10 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in Him are made right with God.

Paul referred to "God's Way" in these verses. Do YOU know what God's Way is? Look at John:14:6 (AMP):


6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. 

Paul had an intense desire that His people receive Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior. WE must have that same intense desire if we want to please God! Romans 10:9-10 show the way to BE born again:


9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

The Amplified Bible says this:

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

If you have never received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior, you can right now! You must understand that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. Then you must believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for YOU and that he rose again from the dead. If you do, then pray this prayer:


Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen. 



Now you ARE the righteousness of God through the blood of Jesus! Find out what the Word of God says belongs to you as a member of God's family! Your life will never be the same! Amen!  Here to encourage you is Hillsong United with "One Way":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 81:10-16:

    ¹⁰I am the Lord your God, Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. ¹¹But My people would not hearken to My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. ¹²So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust and let them go after their own stubborn will, that they might follow their own counsels. ¹³Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! ¹⁴Speedily then I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries. ¹⁵[Had Israel listened to Me in Egypt, then] those who hated the Lord would have come cringing before Him, and their defeat would have lasted forever. ¹⁶[God] would feed [Israel now] also with the finest of the wheat; and with honey out of the rock would I satisfy you.

Everything that has ever happened to the nation of Israel had its root in Israel's reaction to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He allowed them to freely choose and then to reap the results of their choices! Through all of these years He has continued to bless those individuals who would obey His Word, but the nation was in exile. They are STILL God's chosen people, though, because the gifts and callings of God are without repentance (Romans 11:27). That means that His Word concerning them and His promises to them will be performed! We, as believers in Jesus of Nazareth, have the awesome privilege of being adopted into that "family"! Read Romans 9 today, which is in the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today, and you will see how HE feels about BOTH! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Yours Forever". THEY are and so are WE! Amen!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Romans 8:38-39 is one of the most powerful promises we have! 


38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


There is NOTHING that is happening or going to happen on the earth that God does not know about! Since His great love did not hold back His only Son, but gave Him up for us, don't you think His wonderful love, that we CANNOT be separated from, is well able to save and deliver us from anything and everything that the enemy has planned to try to do? In fact, verse 37 says just that!


37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.


Being "more than conquerors" means that we not only win, but we come out better than before!!! Amen! Now look at 2 Peter 1:2-4:


2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Now notice that His grace and peace is multiplied by and through the knowledge of Him! That is another reason that Paul desired to really KNOW HIM (Philippians 3:9-10)! We know Him through His Word, and at the same time, we get to know who we are IN HIM! Then we can operate from the position of Godly power that our Father desires for us! Amen! Enjoy this song from Hillsong called "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Genesis 18:17:


17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do,


This verse has come up recently in our services and I decided to look into it today! I found this discussed in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Look at this portion:


The Delights of His Friendship. Genesis 18 brings out the delight of true friendship with God, as compared with simply feeling His presence occasionally in prayer. This friendship means being so intimately in touch with God that you never even need to ask Him to show you His will. 


Doesn't that sound a lot like "as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17)? He goes on to say:


When you have a right-standing relationship with God, you have a life of freedom, liberty, and delight; you are God’s will. And all of your commonsense decisions are actually His will for you, unless you sense a feeling of restraint brought on by a check in your spirit. You are free to make decisions in the light of a perfect and delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decisions are wrong He will lovingly produce that sense of restraint. Once he does, you must stop immediately. 



Members of The Spoken Word Church are very familiar with that teaching! Move out in faith! You can trust that God will re-direct you if necessary! Amen! Next he speaks of the responsibilities that come with that friendship:


The Difficulties of His Friendship. Why did Abraham stop praying when he did? He stopped because he still was lacking the level of intimacy in his relationship with God, which would enable him boldly to continue on with the Lord in prayer until his desire was granted. Whenever we stop short of our true desire in prayer and say, “Well, I don’t know, maybe this is not God’s will,” then we still have another level to go. It shows that we are not as intimately acquainted with God as Jesus was, and as Jesus would have us to be— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).  



1 John 5:14-15 tell us that to get answers to prayer, we need to pray according to His will! We MUST spend time in the Word of God and in fellowship with Him to get to know Him to that extent that we can have complete, unshakable confidence in Him to confirm His Word! That is why Paul made it his "determined purpose" to KNOW HIM (Philippians 3:9-10)! We should, too! Amen! Here is "I Live To Know You More" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I want to share some of the Daily Devotional from Jerry Savelle today:

^{Galatians 6:7} Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.

God is the author of success. If you want to be successful, then go to His Word and discover the laws that He has set forth. If you properly appropriate those laws, then success will eventually come. Now if you are hoping for success overnight, then you are going to be disappointed. That is just not the way it works. Success is progressive.


Satan does not want you to succeed. He is against you and he hopes that you will never learn these laws. He hopes that you will give up.


But, if you change the way you think, talk, and act and align them with the Word of God, then you will change the quality of your life. You can’t change God’s law, the law of seedtime and harvest, so you’ll have to be the one who changes.


You don’t have to think like the rest of the world. You can talk differently. You can act differently. Sometimes you may feel like you are the only person in your neighborhood who believes this, but just keep living it and watch how the quality of your life, your self-image, your confidence, and your outlook on life will drastically change. Just remember that everything that you are and everything that you will ever be is the result of the way you think, talk, and act. So think, talk, and act on the Word. When you do that, success will come.

He began the this lesson speaking of planting seeds and where to find those seeds. We know from the Parable of the Sower that the seed we must sow, or plant, is the Word of God. When we sow God's Word into our hearts, the Word of God is what will begin to come out of our mouths. THAT is how we sow those "WORD" seeds! We speak them out! When we are sowing the Word, then we can make this confession:


Today's Confession: “God’s law won’t change so I must be the one to change. I will plant God’s seed in my heart so I can enjoy the success that God has planned for me.” 



Amen! Go forth sowing, and while you're at it, enjoy this song from Hillsong called "You Are Here", because we know that the same power that conquered the grave lives IN US! So SPEAK! Amen:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Romans 5:6-10:

    ⁶While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.

    ⁷Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die.

    ⁸But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

    ⁹Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

    ¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His [resurrection] life.

These verses should greatly encourage you as a born again believer in Jesus of Nazareth that you will NOT go through the Tribulation! We WILL have tests and trials during this life on earth, but He has given us everything we need in order to come TRIUMPHANTLY through every one! The time of the Tribulation described in Revelation is the God's judgment poured on a world rejecting HIM! There is NO WAY that He will allow believers, who are His children, to suffer that. Would YOU allow that for your children? This is the time of God's wrath and we do not incur His wrath! Notice verse 9 above! We have been "saved" from that! This is the Greek word "sozo", which means: to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction. That certainly sounds like He will see to it that WE are in a safe and sound place BEFORE all of these things take place on the earth! We are told to comfort one another concerning this, so consider yourself comforted! Amen! Here is Hillsong Chapel with "You Hold Me Now":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


The devotion "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers used 2 Corinthians 5:9. I like verses 8-9 in the New Living Translation:


8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him.


It goes on to say this:


We make it our aim. . . .” It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only “to be well pleasing to Him.” It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor. 



We KNOW that as born again believers (having Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior), we WILL be immediately in the presence of the Lord when our spirit/soul combination leave our physical bodies. While we are here on this earth we have a specific, God-appointed, Holy Spirit-anointed, job to do! We should never be as concerned with how our ministry looks to others as with obeying the leading of the One Who has called us and set us apart! Follow His leading every day and you will have no problem fulfilling your own individual calling! There is a reason that He instructed us not to compare ourselves with each other (2 Corinthians 10:12)! No else has YOUR specific calling! Your ministry is SUPPOSED to look different than mine! We will each reach different people! Dare to be exactly who HE made YOU to be! Rewards abound for that! Amen! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Do What You Say". You can click through to You Tube for the lyrics under "see more":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 75 is so very appropriate for what is happening in our nation as we speak! The One, True, Most High, Living., Almighty God of the Bible is WATCHING, and HE IS THE JUDGE!!! We KNOW that as believers God is on OUR side! Let's make sure that WE are on HIS SIDE!!! Amen!


 ¹WE GIVE praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.

    ²When the proper time has come [for executing My judgments], I will judge uprightly [says the Lord].

    ³When the earth totters, and all the inhabitants of it, it is I Who will poise and keep steady its pillars. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

    ⁴I said to the arrogant and boastful, Deal not arrogantly [do not boast]; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn [of personal aggrandizement].

    ⁵Lift not up your [aggressive] horn on high, speak not with a stiff neck and insolent arrogance.

    ⁶For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up.

    ⁷But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another.

    ⁸For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup [of His wrath], and the wine foams and is red, well mixed; and He pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth must drain it and drink its dregs.

    ⁹But I will declare and rejoice forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

    ¹⁰All the horns of the ungodly also will I cut off [says the Lord], but the horns of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be exalted.

Remember, when WE do things God's way, HE will back it up COMPLETELY! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "God One And Only":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I am traveling today, so I will leave you with a picture I found and a song! The picture:

As we continue into the election season, keep THIS idea foremost in your heart and mind and you will have no problem hearing from the Spirit of God on who to cast YOUR vote for! Amen! And just to keep HIM foremost, here is a very energetic song I LOVE! Hillsong United with "Yours Forever":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Romans 1:19-22:


19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 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], 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him a 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].


According to the Word of God, there are no real atheists! Every person ever born has realized that there IS a God. Some choose to know Him, and some do not. But, they ALL know that He IS! The next verses go on to say what happens to those who choose wrong. God has provided the Way of Salvation and those who choose His Way receive LIFE! Those who do not choose death and all that goes with it. That is where all of the perversions of the Truth come from. Read the next verses and see if they don't identify all that is wrong on our world right now! I choose verses 16-17 instead! How about you?


16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, 17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.


You and I, as believers in Jesus of Nazareth, have been MADE the righteousness of God IN Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21)! We were MADE to be in right standing with God through the blood of Jesus! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Amen! Here is a new song by Go Deep called "My Righteousness":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


In Mark 16 we see that when Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared first to Mary (verse9) and then to two others while they were walking on the road (verse12). Most of the disciples were grieving over the death of Jesus and refused to believe the messengers who told them that He had risen! Jesus addressed this in verse 14:


14 Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death].


Jesus HAD to correct them for not believing them! What precedent did He set here? He showed to all that Galatians 3:28 is TRUTH!


28 There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


Jesus established that every believer is called to preach the Gospel, even women and even those who did not come from the "inner circle" of the apostles! All are called, all are anointed, all have the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit available to them for ministry! Once He had established that Truth, He went on to send them ALL out in verse 15:


15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].


He promised them THIS to confirm the Gospel they preached, in verses 16-18:


16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. 17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.


After this, Jesus rose into Heaven and the the disciples obeyed Him! What then? Acts 1-2 tell us that Jesus instructed them to go and wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power! They had received the "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit at the New Birth. Now they waited for the "infilling" or the "enduing with power" that Jesus had prepared them for. This is the "anointing" spoken of in 1 John 2:20. They waited until they had received the promise, then they went out and preached WITH RESULTS! Amen!  Mark 16:20 says this:


20 And they went our and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).


Remember, Jesus is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! He WILL do the same for those who WILL do the same! Amen! Let's get to it! Here is a little inspiration from Hillsong with "Tell The World":

Shalom in Him!