Shalom,

Faith Food , by Kenneth E. Hagin, for today is a very clear and simple example on a very vital subject for born again believers!

FORGIVENESS

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:26).

"Brother Hagin," a woman once said, "cast this old, unforgiving spirit out of me. I've got something against a woman here at church, and I can't forgive her. I don't seem to have the ability to forgive." 

 I replied, "Do you ever have to forgive your husband?"  

"Oh, yes. I have to forgive him, and he has to forgive me." 

"I thought you said you didn't have the ability to forgive."

She laughed and said, "I can forgive, can't I?"

"Certainly," I said, "if you can forgive one person, you can forgive another."

She understood and replied, "I can forgive. I do forgive. That's it!"

And it's just that simple. Don't complicate forgiveness. Jesus said, "When ye stand praying, forgive." That means we can forgive. Jesus didn't ask us to do something we can't do.

Confession: I can forgive. I am quick to forgive. And my Father in Heaven forgives me.

Understand that at the moment of your new Birth, the previous sin nature of your spirit was changed forever by the Spirit of God and all of your sin was removed! Sin that we have committed since then, unconfessed, will affect THIS life! Walking in unforgiveness will also affect your life! Jesus instructed us how to deal with people who hurt us in any way. Matthew 5:43-45:

43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;  44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. AMP

It is VITAL for US that we do this, AND for THEM! Look at Psalm 105:15:

15 Saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm.

This is a warning to others not to "persecute" God's own people! This is NOT just referring to prophets or minsters either! Look at 1 John 2:20:

20 But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy One, and you know[the Truth].

GOD will deal with those who set out to harm us, THAT is why we must pray for them! Forgive them first of all, then pray that their eyes be opened to the Truth of God's Word, that laborers be sent across their path to share the Gospel and that He prepare their heart to hear it! When we do this, we are walking in the unselfish love of God, and God's love never fails! We keep ourselves in position to be blessed by forgiving, and we give them an opportunity to hear the Truth! AMEN! Always forgive! It will set you free from the tactics of the enemy to hold you back! Here is Hillsong Live with "Love Knows No End":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 John 5:10-13 will help if you have any question at all about your eternal Salvation! 

10 He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself. He who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed (put his faith in, adhered to, and relied on) the evidence (the testimony) that God has borne regarding His Son. 11 And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. 13 I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God, so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. 

Do you see that "believing" involves much more than simply acknowledging that Jesus lived at some point in history, or even that He died on the cross? This is the Greek word "pisteuo", which means to have trust and confidence in! How do you "possess" the Son? You have faith, trust and confidence in Who He is and that what he did was for YOU! Then you acknowledge Him as your personal Lord and Savior! THAT is "possessing" the Son! And those who possess the Son HAVE eternal life! This "life" is "zoe", life as God has in Himself! Absolute LIFE! As spirit beings, we will ALL live forever! WE determine where we will spend our eternity! HE gave us the right to choose! What is YOUR choice? Choose wisely! Here is Hillsong Live with "Beneath  The Waters (I Will Rise)":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,

This really stood out to me today from our Bible Reading Plan. Psalm 119:96-100:

96 I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. 97 Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me. 99 I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

EVERYTHING on this earth, both good and bad, has it's limits! That means the bad situations and circumstance will NOT last forever, but you will have a good "expected end", IF we follow His instructions and stand in faith on His Word! Look at Jeremiah 29:11:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. KJV

This "expected end" is a GOOD one! Look at the Amplified Bible:

11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. AMP

The good "things" on this earth are also limited because there is nothing material that we can take with us when we leave this earth and return to Him! BUT, the good things we DO while here will result in good rewards in Heaven, and THAT is good thing! Amen! Also notice, from Psalm 119 above, that good understanding and insight into the Word of God come from meditating on the Word! Joshua 1:8 tells us this and so much more!

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP

WE are responsible for how our life progresses and turns out here on earth. HE carries out His Word, so we MUST find out what the Word says, and then be consistent DOERS of this Word! By doing so, WE will make OUR way prosperous because we will be giving HIM something to confirm and cause to come to pass! It is really a very simple, but extremely blessed, way to live! Look at Psalm 119:89:

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens].

The Word is settled and sure in Heaven! Now it is up to YOU to make it settled and sure in your own heart and life! Will you do it? My prayer for YOU is that you will! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with the acoustic version of "You Never Fail":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today we read the first 88 verses of Psalm 119 for our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! My challenge to you is to find the reference to the Word of God in each and every verse! I LOVE the Word of God! I also really like this from Ezekiel 2:1-2:

1 AND HE said to me [Ezekiel], Son of man, stand upon your feet and I will speak to you. 2 And the Spirit entered into me when He spoke to me and set me upon my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.

I have heard about, have seen, and have experienced the power of the Spirit of God that causes people to fall under the power! I have NEVER been set back up on my feet again! The SAME Holy Spirit is the ONE Who carries out both! Dare to trust Him with everything in your life and in every situation! Remember Peter, who actually DID walk on water? He did UNTIL he was distracted by all that was going on around him! He heard the wind and saw the waves and at that moment he FORGOT the Living Word of God Who was right beside Him! Receive Jesus as YOUR Lord and personal Savior, thereby receiving the Spirit of God IN you! Now receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit and fully expect to speak in other tongues. NOW, stay filled every day by praying in the Spirit and EXPECT that HE will show up for you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Oceans - Where Feet May Fail":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,

1 John 2:27 is GREAT news for born again believers in Jesus Christ!

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

What exactly is this "unction" that we have received? John 16:13 tells us clearly:

13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. KJV

The "Spirit of Truth", the "Holy Spirit" is the Unction! He IS the Anointing! HE is the One Who will teach us the TRUTH of God's Word! 1 John 2:27 isn't saying that we don't need to receive from the ministry of a teacher. It is simply saying that no human can teach us individually what the Word of God means to us personally! Only the Spirit of God can do that! I would encourage you to pray Psalm 25:5 the next time you sit down to study the Word of God! 

5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. AMP

This allows the UNCTION, the Spirit of God, to make the Word real to us! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Love Like Fire":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I know that the apostle John has always been called the "Apostle of Love" because of his teachings on love, but I think that a real case can be made for calling him the "Apostle of Life" or even the "Apostle of Light", also! He mentions "life" 36 times in his Gospel and 13 times in his Epistle of 1 John. He mentions "light" very often, too, and many times in conjunction with "life". Look at John 1:4-5:

4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. KJV

This "life" is the Greek word "zoe" and it means: life as a principle, life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself; of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God; Now look at John 10:10 from the Amplified Bible:

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

THAT is zoe, God's life, and HE wants US to have it in us to the overflow! HALLELUJAH! THAT is God's will for His people! Look again at John 1:4-5 from the Amplified Bible:

4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. AMP

The light that comes from the Life inside of us is meant to expose the darkness and put the enemy on the run! As a born again believer in Jesus Christ, YOU have this Life and Light INSIDE of you! We read 1 John 1 in our Bible Reading Plan for today. Look at verses 1-4:

1[WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. 2 And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. 3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 4 And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and your joy may be complete].

How can you increase your joy level? By meditating on this wonderful and powerful "LIFE" that is inside of YOU! This LIFE that drives out darkness and death! Romans 8:2 speaks of the Law of the Spirit of Life!

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. KJV

AMEN! YOU have LIFE, now go spread that LIFE to the lost and light up the darkness around you! Here is a song I have used many times, but it is extremely appropriate today! Hillsong Live with "Children Of The Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

2 Peter 3:9 shows the Father's heart for all people!

9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

We KNOW by the signs happening all over the earth just what time it IS on God's timetable! We are, most definitely, living in the end of times! So what is taking so long? Verse 9 tells us explicitly! HE is waiting for the "precious fruit of the earth"! Look at James 5:7-8:

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. KJV

Now look at it from the Amplified Bible:

7 So be patient, brethren, [as you wait] till the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he keeps up his patient [vigil] over it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 So you also must be patient. Establish your hearts [strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty], for the coming of the Lord is very near. AMP

In order to NOT get discouraged and quit during these trying times, we MUST remember God's #1 priority! Jesus said it best in Luke 19:10 in speaking to Zacchaeus:

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. AMP

THAT is God's #1 priority! HE desires that NONE should perish! So WE must be about our Father's business and let HIM provide the protection, provision and safety that WE need in order to carry this out! AMEN! So, let's "GO" with Hillsong United!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I was rejoicing again at the wonderful timing of the Lord! We are instructed in Galatians 6:9 about God's "due season":

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

KJV

HIS timing is impeccable! It is perfect! It is effective! Look at Acts 3:1-9:

3 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: KJV

Acts 4:22 tells us that this man was 40 years old. He was "laid daily at the gate of the temple". That means that every time Jesus went through these gates, this man was there! Why didn't Jesus heal the man? Because HIS timing is PERFECT! Jesus, operating through Peter and John now that HE had ascended to Heaven, was showing Himself off to the world! This "hour of prayer" was the time of the saying of the Amidah Prayer, also called "The Standing Prayer", which was composed during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. You can find a copy of this prayer here: 

http://www.elshaddaiministries.us/Handouts/amidah1.pdf-REVISED.pdf

This prayer, to be prayed in a standing position, was done three times a day at the hours of prayer (9am, 12, 3pm). Peter and John were going into the temple for this prayer. The lame man, being lame from birth, had never prayed the standing prayer! One of the prayers is for healing! It reads:

"Heal us, Oh Lord, and we will be healed; save  us and we will be saved. For You are our  praise. Oh grant a perfect healing to all our  ailments, for You, Almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are  You, O Lord, the healer of the sick of His  people Israel."

This man, with strength in his feet and ankles, now went into the temple "walking, and leaping, and praising God."  At the hour of prayer, he received the answer to HIS prayer! HALLELUJAH! Never give up, never give in! Your God-given answer to prayer is on the way! Look again at Galatians 6:9 from the Amplified Bible:

9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. 

AMP

HE is waiting on US to stand in faith on His Word so that so that HE can fulfill it! He loved us enough to die for us while we were still sinners! How much more will He fulfill His Word for us now that we belong to Him! HIS perfect love is RELENTLESS! That means that HE never gives up on us, never quits on us and will never forsake us! Here is Hillsong United with "Relentless":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

From our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan (go to the website at the left) for today: 2 Peter 1:3-4:

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. KJV

Notice that the power spoken of in verse 3 is given through the "knowledge of Him"! THAT is what Paul meant when he said this in Philippians 3:10:

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

God's Word is TRUTH (John 17:17) and the knowledge of that Word brings POWER! What is this power for? To obtain and walk in "all things that pertain to life and godliness" so that, as "partakers of His divine nature" we may represent HIM well on this earth! Remember, YOU are the only Jesus that some people will ever see! Show HIM off in YOUR life! People are waiting and wanting to see HIM! AMEN! Here is 2 Peter 1:3-4 from the Amplified Bible, to encourage you even more!:

3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. AMP

AMEN! Now, to encourage you further, here is Hillsong Live with "To Be Like You":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I simply want to share a song with you. It is an older song, but it addresses the times in which we live and the attitude that the Church of Jesus Christ should have! Here it is,  "Lion Of Judah" by Robin Mark: 

He IS the Lion of Judah, the KING of all kings and the LORD of all lords! When we really realize who HE is, then we will realize who WE are - IN HIM! One day, soon and very soon, we will ALL (the CHURCH of Jesus Christ) be in Heaven with Him and singing His praises together! Until then, here is a very inspiring worship service I also want to share today! Have a very blessed day - IN HIM! AMEN!

http://www.faithit.com/what-happens-when-worship-leaders-from-around-the-world-take-the-stage-with-chris-tomlin-just-watch/#.UmaH0p6GsSw.facebook

Shalom in Him!

Shalom ,

Psalm 112 continues with the message we looked at yesterday about the fear of the LORD! Look at verses 1-8:

1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God]. 5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord. 8 His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid while he waits to see his desire established upon his adversaries.

I know you have heard this before: "It doesn't cost to serve God, it pays!" What this is trying to say is that the RESULTS of living this way, will FAR outweigh any sacrifice we can make to do so! BUT, the key to all of the promised results is found in our ATTITUDE! Don't simply do things that SEEM "Christian". DO what the Word of God says to do, at the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit! WE are to be a witness and a testimony to the grace and glory of the LORD! Living this way is not just a great idea, it is our responsibility! We MUST present Him in a TRUE light, so that as HE is lifted up, HE can continue to "draw all men" unto Himself (John 12:32)! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "A Million Suns":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Psalm 111:10 is a very important verse for believers to know!

10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

Reverence means: a feeling or attitude of profound respect, awe. This is the attitude that we MUST have toward the Lord Jesus Christ! With THIS attitude, we can BEGIN to know Him, as Paul prayed in Philippians 3:10! Having this attitude going into your private and personal prayer time, study time, and praise and worship time will cause greater understanding to come than you have ever experienced before! Then bring that same reverent attitude with you to church as you prepare to hear the Word of God under the corporate anointing (where 2 or more are gathered together in His Name!) and even greater understanding will come! Now, act on that Word you are seeing and hearing so clearly, and you will NOT lose it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Up In Arms":

"Up In Arms"

A reckless love too wild to understand
Breathing the world to life in Your romance
So here I am
Your love has got me up in arms again
And this hope won't let me go

My joy is boundless
My soul knows its worth
In arms stretching wider
Than my heart could ever fall

You own the skies and still You want my heart
Casting Your throne aside to lift me up
So here I am
Your love has got me up in arms again
And this hope won't let me go

My joy is boundless
My soul knows its worth
In arms stretching wider
Than my heart could ever fall

Your word is final
Your name above all
The cross my reminder
Your love is forever
Cause here I am
Your love has got me up in arms again
And this hope won't let me go

My joy is boundless
My soul knows its worth
In arms stretching wider
Than my heart could ever fall

Your word is final
Your name above all
The cross my reminder
Your love is forever
Cause here I am
Your love has got me up in arms again
And this hope won't let me go
Here I am
Jesus take my life and all I have
Now this hope won't let me go

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I know that I share from Faith Food a lot, but they are so very good! Today I want to share another selection from Health Food by Kenneth E. Hagin:

IS HEALING FOR ALL?

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. (Ps. 105:37)

To answer the question, "Is healing for all?" let's look in Exodus 15. Just after the Israelites passed through the Red Sea (which typifies our redemption), God gave His first promise to heal. And this promise was for all. It was here that God gave the covenant of healing. God named the conditions, and the conditions were met. Revealed by and sealed by God in His first covenant redemptive Name, Jehovah Rapha, He said, "...I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26). 

I'm glad that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). If He wasn't, then we would have to say, "He was the Lord that heals thee." But He is the Lord that heals you. This is a never-changing fact, because God's Word is forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). To say that this privilege of health is not for God's people today is to change God's "I Am" to "I was." But God is the same God now that He was then (Mal. 3:6). I don't believe that He is the great God that was or the great God that's going to be. He is the great I AM - present tense! 

Confession:    God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Since He was Jehovah Rapha, "the Lord that healeth thee," in the Old Testament, He is Jehovah Rapha, "the Lord that healeth thee," today!

IS healing for all? YES, all of God's people! Find out what the Word of God has to say about Him healing YOU! Stand on that Word, speak it over your body and BE HEALED! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Love So High":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 Peter 1:23-25:

23 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. 24 For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, 25 But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you.

Remember that the Epistles were the letters written to the churches, to be read to born again believers. What Peter is referring to here is the New Birth! When an unbeliever receives Jesus Christ (the Living Word of God - John 1:1) as Lord and personal Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately changes their dead human spirit into a new spirit in the image of God! Look at 2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. KJV

When Jesus said "You must be born again" in John 3:3, THIS is what He was speaking of! This is not some religious practice, some weird doctrine, or some man-made "formula"! THIS is GOD'S plan for all mankind! 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

Paul said this in 1 Timothy 1:15:

15 The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. AMP

John said this in 1 John 5:11-12:

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. AMP

Have YOU received Jesus Christ as YOUR Lord and personal Savior? If you have, then realize that your New Birth did NOT come by man's work or design, but by the Living Word of God, the incorruptible seed of the Living Word! Your mistakes are not greater than the Word! They will NOT undo what the Spirit of God has done! Go to 1 John 1:9 when you miss it and get right back into fellowship with Him! Sin does NOT affect your relationship with your heavenly Father, only your fellowship! If you have NOT received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, then please click on the link on the left and go to our website to find out more! Do NOT go another day without HIM! TODAY is YOUR day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "I'm Not Ashamed Of The Gospel":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

As I was studying with The Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today, and meditating on what to share here, a song came on that I now keep hearing and singing! I believe that in the wake of the things that have been happening lately, it would be good for each of us to remember that no matter WHAT happens, God is ALWAYS for us! Look at these three Scriptures:

Psalm 118:6   The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? AMP

Psalm 56:9   Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. AMP

Romans 8:31   What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]AMP

So, whatever the circumstance you face, however many times you may stumble or SEEM to fail, God always has a wonderful plan to get you right back on track! Remember this:

Micah 7:8   Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me. AMP

And this:

Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. AMP

Our God is SO good, ALL the time! AMEN! Here is the song I kept hearing today! It is called "Glorious Ruins" by Hillsong Live! HE can make ANY ruins come to life! A new and better life! HALLELUJAH!!!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have shared this before, but but it is important enough to share again! We read Psalm 107 today. Verses 1-2:

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary

As I have shared before, the first verse does not actually include the words: He is, or endures. It actually should read like this:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for good, for mercy, forever!

We know from James 1:7 that every good and perfect thing in our lives is a gift that comes from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! So, we are to thank HIM for GOOD and for MERCY, which originates in HIM also! And how long should we do this? FOREVER! Now, to the main emphasis for today, verse 2 ACTUALLY says:

Let the redeemed of the LORD say

We are not instructed HERE to say "I'm redeemed", although that is a message we SHOULD share. But THIS instruction is to say what has just been said! The psalmist has just said it, and now the congregation of the redeemed is instructed to say this also! WE are to instruct others to:

Give thanks to the LORD for good and for mercy, FOREVER! 

What are YOU saying? Give HIM the praise and honor and glory that is DUE to Him! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Praise Him":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

James 3:5-11 from the Complete Jewish Bible:

5 So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! 6 Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom (Hell) itself. 7 For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; 8 but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.  10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. CJB

I have heard many instances of people causing themselves much trouble because of their words! That is really what these verses are speaking about! It is very true that the human tongue cannot be tamed, or bought under control, by mere human efforts or will power! There IS something that we can do to control it, however. Look at Matthew 12:34-35:

34 O generation of vipers, how can you being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. KJV

These verses show us that we can control what comes from our mouths IF we control what is IN our hearts! So, the control issue is NOT about the tongue, but about the heart! Psalm 119:11 tells us this:

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. KJV

11 Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. AMP

So it is the Word of God that makes all the difference! When we"hide" it in our heart, the WORD will keep us from sinning by speaking! ALL sin begins with a thought, progresses to words and then results in action! Nip sin in the bud by feeding daily on the Word of God! Meditate as Joshua 1:8 instructs us to! Then, when you do speak, you will speak good and Godly things that you WANT to come to pass! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "You Are More":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" and today's "Health Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin go together so well! Every born again believer should meditate on these!

Faith Food: The Word of Faith     

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach" (Rom. 10:8). 

God's Word is called the word of faith. Faith is based on facts - the facts of God's Word. Unbelief is founded on theories. This is my definition of a theory: A theory is a supposition established upon ignorance of the subject under discussion. The reason why many churches are full of unbelief is because they've heard too much theory. 

The ministry has thrived on a psychology of unbelief, and the poor, dear church members are simply a product of what they have heard their ministers preach. The best way to really help people is to tell them what the Bible says, to give them what God's Word says, not what some man says. Man can be wrong, but God can never be wrong. No matter what the circumstances, no matter what has happened in your life, God's Word has something to say on the subject. Find out what God's Word says. Faith will come, and it will change things for you. 

Confession: The Word...God's Word...the word of faith...is near me. I hide it in my heart. I speak it with my mouth. It produces faith. And faith changes thing.

Health Food: What Does God's Word Say

    ...For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Ps. 138:2)

So much of the time, we accept the testimony of our physical senses instead of accepting the testimony of God's Word. What does God's Word say? Instead of stopping to ask ourselves that question, we let our physical senses dominate us. Now you can ask that question on any subject. For instance, what does God's Word say about sickness? Does God's Word have anything to say about sickness? Certainly it does! 

Don't spend all your time talking about how sick you are and what your symptoms are and what the doctor said about it. If you keep talking like that, you'll die. In the face of sickness, stop and ask yourself, "What does God's Word say about this disease?" Matthew 8:17 says, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." 

What are you going to do with that? Believe it and confess it! And if you really believe it in your heart and confess it with your mouth, the reality of it will be created in your life. It doesn't happen overnight. You have to continually practice God's Word for it to work. You may have to confess some scriptures for a while, but if you continue and don't give up, you'll see the reality of it. 

Confession: What does God's Word say about my situation? I search and find out. Then I believe it and confess it. I continually practice God's Word. I continually give it first place in my life.

THIS is how faith is supposed to work! Continue to search the Word of God to see what HE says about YOUR situations! Meditate on that Word until faith rises up big and then declare and decree God's Word into YOUR life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with an older, but very powerful song, called "Faith":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I love Psalm 104! Verses 1-6 says this:

1 BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty-- 2 [You are the One] Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain or a tent, 3 Who lays the beams of the upper room of His abode in the waters [above the firmament], Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, 4 Who makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His ministers. 5 You laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever. 6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

Today I particularly like verse 4! "Ministers" here is the Hebrew word "sharath". It means: to attend as a worshiper, to contribute to. I really love what Vine's Expository Dictionary says: "As a term for serving or ministering, "sharath" is to be distinguished from the term for more menial serving, "`abad", which means: slave or servant. Instead, this word is used of the "serving" done by royal household workers." We who have been set free by the Blood of Jesus must now CHOOSE to become "bond slaves" of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! THAT is the very best choice we can ever make! He will then make us as a flaming fire! Fire cannot be ignored, can it? THAT is who HE means for us to be! AMEN! THEN we can really begin to BE the "Church On Fire" that we so want to become! here is Hillsong with that very song!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We are all familiar with Palm 103! Look at verses 1-5:

Psalm 103

[A Psalm] of David.

1 BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits-- 3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!

Do you SEE all of the wonderful benefits? Forgiveness, health and healing, redemption, deliverance, provision, restoration, and strength! Did you notice the sub-title of this Psalm? it says "[A Psalm] of David." Do you realize that these tremendous promises of God's benefits were given under the Old Covenant? NOW, look at Hebrews 8:6 from both the KJV and the Amplified Bible:

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

KJV

6 But as it now is, He [Christ] has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is as much superior and more excellent [than the old] as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is superior and more excellent, [because] it is enacted and rests upon more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. 

AMP

A BETTER Covenant, based on BETTER promises than they had! These wonderful benefits that we see in Psalm 103 are only the beginning of the blessings we have in OUR Covenant! Do your realize that while what you don't know might not hurt you, it cannot help you? Study what belongs to you as a born again child of the Living God and then proceed to walk in it! AMEN! I would recommend beginning with Kenneth E. Hagin's "In Him" mini book! Circle or highlight for yourself every Scripture that mentions "in Him", "in Christ", "in Whom", etc. and then BELIEVE that this is who YOU are meant to be! GLORY TO GOD! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong Live with "Beneath The Water (I Will Rise)":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Jeremiah 9:23-24 is another of my favorite passages of Scripture! 

23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

Every good thing about us had it's source and origin in the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Look at Psalm 100:3-5:

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.  [Eph 2:10.] 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. AMP

HE is our Source and this should be our response to Him! Give HIM all the praise, honor, and glory that is due Him! After all, without Him, we are nothing! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I love this from Jerry Savelle:

You Are Hand-picked by God

God chose you just because He loved you.

“Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4 AMP).

You were chosen by God before the foundation of the world. When you know you’ve been chosen, it makes you feel special. The Apostle Paul also used the word “elect.” We are the elect of God. Do you know what that means? It means “hand-picked by God.” God hand-picked you! You are special! When you fully understand what Paul is saying, then it causes you to walk in your true identity. You begin to think, “Why wouldn’t God heal me? Why wouldn’t God give me victory? I’m chosen by God. I’m hand-picked by God. I’ve been set apart by God!”

That should make you feel special and have great confidence that God is going to see you through, no matter what you’re facing today. You’re chosen by God. You’re hand-picked. You’re set apart!

Confession: Thank You Father for choosing me before the foundation of the world, before I was even born. You hand-picked me just because You love me.

I saw this on our SWC website the other day:

• God didn't create you to just take up space. He hand designed you for a specific purpose. Discover that purpose, get a plan, and pursue it! 

Remember, true prosperity is being WHERE God wants you to be, doing WHAT God wants you to do! Knowing and understanding this, you should enjoy these next two pictures! They are meant to encourage you!

Now here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share all of today's selection from Kenneth E. Hagin's Health Food devotional.

For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom. 10:10)

A wrong confession is a confession of defeat - and, really, a confession of Satan's supremacy. Talking about how the devil is hindering you, how he's keeping you sick, is a confession of defeat. When you talk about God, you are glorifying God. Well, in the same way, when you talk about the devil, you are glorifying the devil. Most Christians spend more time glorifying the devil than they do God. They spend more time making a wrong confession. And that kind of confession saps the very life out of them. It destroys their faith. 

Our confession should be in line with what God said. Remember, confession is affirming something that we believe, testifying to something that we know, and witnessing for a truth that we have embraced. Our confession should be a witness for a truth that we have embraced. It should affirm that we believe the Word. Then what we are confessing comes into being. Most people want to wait and see if it ever comes into being before they will start confessing it. No, it doesn't work that way. You see, a wrong confession destroys your faith and holds you in bondage. But the confession of your lips that has grown out of faith in your heart will absolutely defeat the devil in every combat! 

Confession:

I keep my confession in line with what God says in His Word. I glorify God with a right confession. I speak forth what has grown out of the faith in my heart. And I enforce the devil's defeat in every situation of life.

"Salvation" in Romans 10:10 above is the Greek word "soteria". It means: rescue, safety, deliverance, preservation, health. As born again believers, we MUST know that the Sovereign God has given US the responsibility for our lives on this earth! He will confirm OUR words when OUR Words line up with HIS Word! Make sure that the confession of YOUR mouth is something that you really DO want to come to pass! Refuse to speak anything into your life that will steal, kill and destroy! Those are the devil's words and have no place in the thoughts or the words of a believer in Jesus Christ! AMEN! Here, to encourage you to speak LIFE is Hillsong Chapel with "Salvation Is Here":

Shalom in Him!