Shalom,

Today we read this in Acts 3:1-8:

1 NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon), 2 [When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. 3 So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift. 4 And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us! 5 And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them. 6 But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!  7 Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady, 8 And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

We've read this account many times over the years, but do YOU know the significance of the "hour of prayer"? Here is the prayer that they would be praying and how they would do it!

 THE AMIDAH    “THE STANDING PRAYER”

Composed around 450BC by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three times a day at the hours of prayer.9am,12, 3pm

God of History

Blessed are You, Oh Lord our God and God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the great, mighty and revered God, the Most High God who bestows loving kindnesses, the creator of all things, who remembers the good deeds of the patriarchs and in love will bring a redeemer to their children’s children for His name’s sake. Oh King, helper, Savior and Shield. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the shield of Abraham.

God of Nature

You, O Lord, are mighty forever, You revive the dead, and You have the power to save. You sustain the living with loving kindness, You revive the dead with great mercy, and You support the falling, heal the sick, set free the bound and keep faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, Oh doer of mighty acts? Who resembles You, a King who puts to death and restores to life, and causes salvation to flourish? And You are certain to revive the dead. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who revives the dead.

Sanctification of God

We will sanctify Your name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by Your prophet: And they call out to one another and say: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. Blessed be the Presence of the LORD from His place. In Your Holy Words it is written, saying, The LORD reigns forever, your God, Oh Zion, throughout all genera-tions. Hallelujah. Throughout all generations we will declare Your greatness, and to all eter-nity we will proclaim Your holiness. Your praise, Our God, shall never depart from our mouth, for You are a great and Holy God and King. Blessed are You, Oh LORD, the Holy God. You are holy, and Your name is holy and holy beings praise You daily. (Selah) Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the Holy God.

Prayer for Understanding

You favor men with knowledge, and teach mortals understanding. Oh favor us with knowledge, the understanding and the insight that come from You. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the gracious giver of knowledge.

For Repentance

Bring us back, Our Father, to Your instruc-tion; draw us near, Our King, to Your service; and cause us to return to You in perfect repen-tance. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who de-lights in repentance.

For Forgiveness

Forgive us, Our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, Our King, for we have trans-gressed; for You pardon and forgive. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.

For Deliverance from Affliction

Look upon our affliction and plead our cause, and redeem us speedily for Your Name’s sake, for You are a mighty redeemer. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the Redeemer of Israel.

For Healing

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.

For Deliverance from Want

Bless this year for us, Oh Lord our God, to-gether with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare. Bestow dew and rain for a blessing upon the face of the earth. Oh sat-isfy us with Your goodness, and bless our year like the best of years. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who blesses the years.

For Gathering of Exiles

Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the ensign to gather our exiles, and gather us from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who gathers the dispersed of his people Israel.

For the Righteous Reign of God

Restore our judges as in former times, and our counselors as at the beginning; and re-move from us sorrow and sighing. Reign over us, You alone, Oh Lord, with loving kindness and compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice.

For the Righteous and Proselytes

May Your compassion be stirred, Oh Lord our God, towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of Your people the house of Is-rael, the remnant of their scholars, towards proselytes, and towards us also. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in Your Name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in You. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, the support and stay of the righteous.

For the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

Return in mercy to Jerusalem Your city, and

dwell in it as You have promised. Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure, and quickly set up in it the throne of David. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who rebuilds Jeru-salem.

For the Messianic King

Speedily cause the offspring of Your servant David to flourish, and let Him be exalted by Your saving power, for we wait all day long for Your salvation. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.

For the Answering of Prayer

Hear our voice, Oh Lord our God; spare us and have pity on us. Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor, for You are a God who hears prayers and supplications. Our King, do not turn us away from Your presence empty-handed, for You hear the prayers of Your peo-ple Israel with compassion. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who hears prayer.

For Restoration of Temple Service

Be pleased, Oh Lord our God, with Your peo-ple Israel and with their prayers. Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of Your Temple, and receive in love and with favor both the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayers. May the worship of Your people Israel always be acceptable to You. And let our eyes behold Your return in mercy to Zion. Blessed are You, Oh Lord, who restores His Divine pres-ence to Zion.

Thanksgiving for God’s Unfailing Mercies

We give thanks to You that You are the Lord our God and the God of our fathers forever and ever. Through every generation You have been the rock of our lives, the shield of our salvation. We will give You thanks and declare Your praise for our lives that are committed into Your hands, for our souls that are en-trusted to You, for Your miracles with us, and for Your wonders and Your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning and noon. Oh beneficent One, Your mercies never fail; Oh merciful One, Your loving kind-nesses never cease. We have always put our hope in You. For all these acts may Your name be blessed and exalted continually, Our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing give thanks to You and praise Your name in truth, Oh God, our salvation and our help. (Selah) Blessed are You, Oh Lord, whose Name is the Beneficent One, and to whom it is fitting to give thanks. 

For Peace

Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, loving kindness and mercy to us and to all Israel Your people. Bless us, Our Father, one and all, with the light of Your countenance; for by the light of Your countenance You have given us, Oh Lord our God, a Torah of life, loving kindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it please You to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with your peace. 

Do YOU think they were praying the prayer for healing when this man was healed? Do YOU think he longed to pray The Standing Prayer with all of the others? I do! Jesus passed by this man every time he entered the Temple, but it wasn't until this very moment that this man had faith to receive healing! Try praying this prayer yourself just as they would have done, three times a day and see what the Holy Spirit tells YOU about it and other things! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "The Desert Song", which is all about prayer!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 30:6 says this:

6 As for me, in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

"Prosperity" here also means "ease". This psalmist was saying that when things were going well for him, then he had all the confidence in the world! We can all fall into that attitude that nothing could ever touch us, but if we are not preparing ourselves for the fight of faith, then the enemy will be able to trip us up! Preparation time is NEVER wasted time! How should we prepare? Look at Joshua 1:8:

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

Notice that WE are to make OUR way prosperous! How? By meditating on the Word of God so that we can understand it and then go DO it! Also by treating the Word of God as our vital necessity and our "necessary food" (Job 23:12)! The Word of God will give us understanding and will produce faith (Romans 10:17) and the Holy Spirit will give us the boldness to carry it out! (Notice in Acts 2 how Peter, who just a short time before denied Jesus 3 times, was now preaching the Gospel to thousands with boldness! Be filled with the Spirit and YOU can have that same boldness to obey God!) THEN we will be ready to NEVER be moved! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with another older song called "To The Ends Of The Earth":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

This devotional for today by Jerry Savelle is very important for born again believers to know and believe!

What Is The Truth?

The only thing that can break the chains of bondage is truth. Satan has kept the Body of Christ in darkness by blinding the hearts and minds of God’s people to the truth of who they really are in Christ.

“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

“So that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses, and escape the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26).

Satan wants to put blinders over your eyes so that you cannot see who you really are. Religious traditions create blinders. Jesus said that religious traditions make the Word of God void of power in people’s lives. Only truth can expose the blinders and set you free from any bondage you are experiencing.

The definition of the word “truth” is: the highest form of reality that exists. The Bible is the highest form of reality that exists, and if you know the truth, Jesus said it will make you free! The more truth you know, the greater freedom you will enjoy. God is not hiding truth from you. He has put truth between Genesis and Revelation, and, if you are hungry enough for freedom, then you’ll get into God’s Word.

If you abide in that Word, it will make you free.

Confession: I have a fresh hunger for God’s Word. My spiritual eyes are open to the specific truths that I personally need to see today.

The BEST definition of "truth" is found in John 17:17:

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

Spending quality time in the Word of God will cause YOU to "know the Truth"! Do you remember what is promised to those who "know the Truth"? Look at John 8:31-32:

31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.  AMP

Do YOU want to be free (liberated)? Then make the Word of God YOUR vital necessity! Put the Word of God first place in your life, with the determination to obey it, and you WILL be set free from all of the worries and cares of the world! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Free":

"Free"

Would you believe me if I said
That we are the ones who can make the change
In the world today
Would you believe me if I said
That all of your dreams in your heart
Can come true today
Would you believe me if I said
That life could be all that you want it to be today

And if I had wings I would fly
'Cause all that I need, You are
And if the world caved in around me
To You I'd still hold on
Cause You're all that I believe
And the one that created me
Jesus because of You I'm free

Would you believe me if I said
That God can make miracles happen today
Would you believe me if I said
That you don't need to wait for the answers before
You step out in faith
Would you believe me if I said
That nothing is ever impossible for God

And if I had wings I would fly
'Cause all that I need, You are
And if the world caved in around me
To You I'd still hold on
Cause You're all that I believe
And the one that created me
Jesus because of You I'm free

Just live your life with God inside
You wont regret one moment of it
And give all that you can for God, for God

And if I had wings I would fly
'Cause all that I need, You are
And if the world caved in around me
To You I'd still hold on
Cause You're all that I believe
And the one that created me
Jesus because of You

And if I had wings I would fly
'Cause all that I need, You are
And if the world caved in around me
To You I'd still hold on
Cause You're all that I believe
And the one that created me
Jesus because of You I'm free

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I simply cannot improve upon Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for today! 

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). 

The crises of life come to all of us. If you do not know how to act on God's Word when a crisis comes, you will be at a disadvantage. No matter what the problem is, God's Word has something to say about it. God's Word has the answer. Find out what the Word says, and act like it's true! 

When someone asks the question, "What in the world are we going to do now?" Just smile and answer, "We're going to act like the Bible is true!" Many people mentally agree that the Bible is true, but that's not enough. You must act like the Bible is true! If you know God's Word is true, and you act like it is, then it will become real in your life. You will bring God on the scene in your life! 

Confession: God's Word is truth. I act like God's Word is true. I act like First John 4:4 is true. I act like Matthew 6:25-34 is true. I act like Hebrews 13:5-6 is true. I act like Philippians 4:19 is true. I act like Matthew 8:17 and First Peter 2:24 are true. I act like all the "in Him" scriptures are true. I act like it, and they are a reality in my life! 

AMEN! The only way to go from "mental assent"  to genuine Bible faith is to hear and meditate on the Word of God! Romans 10:17 says this:

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

This hearing involves hearing yourself and others speak, teach, and sing the Word of God! It also involves meditation, which is thinking about, talking to yourself about, talking to others about and listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say about the Word of God! Joshua 1:8 says this:

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.

So make it YOUR determined purpose to think, speak and obey the Word of God more every day! Write down any and every thought you have about the Word that you're meditating on! Make it a habit and lifestyle to go over these things every day and to act on what you learn. Then speak and declare the Word of God over every situation and circumstance in your life. HE will confirm His Word (Mark 16:20)! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "God Is Able":

God is Able

He will never fail

He is almighty God

Greater than all we seek

Greater than all we ask

He has done great things

Lifted up, He defeated the grave

raised to life, our God is able

In His name, we overcome

For the Lord, our God is able

God is with us

God is on our side

He will make a way

Far above all we know

Far above all we hope

He has done great things

Lifted up, He defeated the grave

Raised to life, our God is able

In His name, we overcome

For the Lord, our God is able

God is with us

He will go before

He will never leave us

He will never leave us

God is for us

He has open arms

He will never fail us

He will never fail us

Lifted up, He defeated the grave

raised to life, our God is able

In His name, we overcome

For the Lord, our God is able

Lifted up, He defeated the grave

raised to life, our God is able

In His name, we overcome

For the Lord, our God is able

For the Lord, our God is able

For the Lord, our God is able

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Those of us who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior are, of ALL people, most blessed! Look at Psalm 27:4:

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.

This was the desire of the psalmist's heart! Can you hear the longing in his voice? While it was not possible for him to actually dwell in the house of the Lord all day, every day, it IS for us! In fact, we ARE the "house of the Lord"! Look at 1 Corinthians 3:16:

16 Do you not discern and understand that you are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you? AMP

The very moment we received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, the Spirit of God came into your spirit! He recreated your spirit in the image of God and He stayed their, never to leave you or forsake you! HALLELUJAH! So we don't have to yearn for the presence of the Lord! We can CHOOSE to be in His presence continually! How much time do YOU choose to spend in His presence? I encourage you to spend more time there than ever before in intimate fellowship with Him so that you can have confidence in His leading, guidance and direction for your life! There never be a time when we have to pray like this psalmist did! CHOICES! Make good ones! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with an older song "You Are Holy":

You are holy, holy

Lord there is none, like You

You are holy, holy

Glory to You my Lord

You are holy, holy

Lord there is none, like You

You are holy, holy

Glory to You my Lord

I sing Your praises forever

Deeper in love with You

Here in Your courts

Where I'm close to Your throne

I've found where I belong

I sing Your praises forever

Deeper in love with You

Here in Your courts

Where I'm close to Your throne

I've found where I belong

You are holy, holy

Lord there is none, like You

You are holy, holy

Glory to You my Lord

And I sing Your praises forever

Deeper in love with You

Here in Your courts

Where I'm close to Your throne

I've found where I belong

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Matthew 26 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. There are two very important truths we'll be looking at. The first is found in verses 6-13:

6 Now when Jesus came back to Bethany and was in the house of Simon the leper, 7 A woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very precious perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor. 10 But Jesus, fully aware of this, said to them, Why do you bother the woman? She has done a noble (praiseworthy and beautiful) thing to Me. 11 For you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. 12 In pouring this perfume on My body she has done something to prepare Me for My burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news (the Gospel) is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told also, in memory of her

I really do NOT believe that these disciples were that concerned with the money given to the poor! I believe that jealousy had raised it's very ugly head! This woman did a most wonderful thing for Jesus and she showed, above all things, just what value she put on HIM! I think that many there were humbled that they had never done anything remotely like this for Jesus, but looked to HIM to bless THEM! THAT is human nature! We ALL have that nature of the flesh to deal with. Spending time in HIS presence will put us in position to rise above our own selfishness and BE a blessing to someone else! AMEN! This same attitude is rampant today among believers who judge and condemn some who have applied Biblical principles to their lives and God has blessed them tremendously. We all know the names some of these believers have called those of us who really believe 3 John 2! This is NOTHING but the jealous spirit that hampered the disciples of Jesus! Any and every believer has the same opportunity to take the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible at His Word and put into practice His instructions concerning our finances and every other area of our lives! CHOICES! Make wise ones for yourself and REFUSE to judge others, so that YOU won't cause judgement to come on your life (Matthew 7:1-2)! AMEN! Now let's look at verses 30-35:

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 32 But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee. 33 Peter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You [and distrust and desert You], I will never do so. 34 Jesus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times. 35 Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing.

As we have been reading and studying Matthew again, have you noticed how many times Jesus informed His disciples what was about to happen to Him? They "listened" but they did not "hear"! It was not possible for them to understand His Word yet, because they had not yet been born again, receiving the Holy Spirit to dwell in them and teach them the Word! 1 Corinthians 2:14:

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. AMP

Did Jesus know that they could not understand Him yet? Of course He did! Why did He still speak these things to them? So that, when they did become born again, the Holy Spirit could bring these things back to their remembrance and they would KNOW! There are  some people, including those that we referred to above, who simply do NOT understand the Word of God! Simply being born again will NOT give one the understanding of the Word! It takes a diligent meditation of the Word for the purpose of understanding in order to have that illumination of the Word (Joshua 1:8). It also takes acting on the Word we DO know in order to continue to gain understanding! Have patience with people trying to grow up and mercy for the ignorant! What someone else believes or thinks has absolutely NO effect on your life unless YOU allow it to! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "This Is Our God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have shared before that I like to pray Psalm 25:5 because I really want to KNOW Him an His Word! 

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.

1 John 2:27 tells us that, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we do not require that man teach us, God Himself will! 

27 But the Anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same Anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in Him. KJV

He has given us teachers and ministers to deliver the Word in a more convenient form, but no minister can cause us to learn the Word! It is our choice to enlist the help of the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our understanding to see the Word so that we can become DOERS of it! The Amplified Bible makes it even more clear:

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

When Paul declared in Philippians 3:10 that he desired to KNOW Him, he was trusting in the Anointing, the Holy Spirit, to teach him! How important is it that we understand the Word of God and the way HE thinks? Look at Job 42:3 and 5:

3 [You said to me] Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. --  5 I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You.

Do YOU desire that your spiritual eyes see more clearly? Then make it YOUR determined purpose to go after it! Follow through with your time and energy to make sure that you put yourself in the best possible position to do so! Pray Psalm 25:5 for yourself. Now pray the prayers in Ephesians 1:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-20; and Colossians 1:9-11 over yourself, and those you love, every day until you see the results! Now continue! Why stop doing what works? AMEN! Here is an older song from Hillsong called "I Live To Know You":

Shalom  in  Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 24:1 says this:

1 THE EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it.

The "LORD" here is Jehovah, the Eternal, Self-existing One! This is the Covenant Name of God! This verse says that HE owns the entire earth, including all of creation! He also owns the entire world, with it's systems, cultures, accomplishments and ALL of the people! He OWNS us because He created us! WE can only claim Him IF we have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior! Do you see why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is such overwhelmingly GOOD NEWS? Look at 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

Notice that the Son came into the world for the sole purpose of SAVING the people He OWNS! With all of our mistakes, sins, transgressions, failures, over all of the years, He STILL came to save us! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)! HOW MUCH MORE, will He have ways to bless us when we CHOOSE to return to Him! Don't ever get so caught up in "causes" that you forget God's #1 priority - the people He created! Any "cause" that does not include sharing the Gospel with the lost is NOT a cause that is worth your time! Remember, we do NOT have to spend so much time trying to figure out how to "make it" here! His promise is that if we put HIS plans first, all of these other things will be added to us! Look at Matthew 6:31-33:

31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. AMP

All these things together! That's not just a little bit! 3 John 2 tells us this:

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. KJV

 TRUST Him! He is TRUSTWORTHY! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "God Who Saves" (English lyrics below):

VERSE
The light of the world
Shining in love
Taking the fall upon Your shoulders
You shattered the dark
As You rose to life again

You search all the earth
For those who are lost
And leaving the rescued for the fallen
You're leading us home
As we call upon Your Name

CHORUS
You're the God who saves
You're the hope of all
Reaching out Your hand
As Your people call

VERSE
Our Saviour has come
Let Your will be done
Your kingdom on earth as in the heavens
Our freedom is found
Lord in no other name

You are the Way
The Truth and the Life
Your mercy has overcome our failings
The battle is won
Jesus in love You reign

BRIDGE
Here in Your light ever brighter
We lift Your Name higher and higher

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I am really blessed with today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers! Once we receive  Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior, we HAVE a relationship with Him. NOTHING can change that! What we need next is to develop close and intimate fellowship with Him! Look at Philippians 3:10-11:

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. AMP

This was the desire of Paul's heart, to really know HIM! It SHOULD be the desire of every believer! Here is today's devotional:

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . . —2 Corinthians 3:18

The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.

The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . .”

Remember, you HAVE an unchangeable relationship with Him. It is OUR responsibility to keep close fellowship! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Closer":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have something on my heart today that did not come from the Bible Reading Plan or any of the great devotional resources we have to use! I want to share a few portions of Scripture before I share it. Romans 12:4-10:

4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. 6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; 7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. 9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. AMP

Notice that there are SUPPOSED to be differences in this Body! We are ALL called, BUT we are all equipped and anointed to be in different areas, doing different things! Some may not like this but the Sovereign GOD set it up this way! AMEN! Now Ephesians 4:14-16:

14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. 15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. AMP

The whole Body, with all of our DIFFERENCES, is joined as one by HIM! AMEN! Now I COULD share ALL of 1 Corinthians 12, but we will only look at verses 25-27 today:

25 So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it. 27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]AMP

What has been on my heart so powerfully today is the injustice done to the Body of Christ by those who are sold out to THEIR calling, which is a GOOD thing, but try to CALL everyone else to this same calling! That is most certainly NOT of God! We each, individually, must make a commitment to the calling of God on our own life! Sell out 100% or you will never walk in peace, joy and true contentment in this life! Do NOT be pressured into something that God hasn't already revealed to your own heart! Remember, HE said, in John 10:27, 

27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. AMP

Allow HIM to call each one as HE chooses! AMEN! In the meantime, worship HIM with this song of commitment! Hillsong with Hosanna:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Matthew 21 we read the parable of the vineyard that Jesus told to the "the chief priests and the elders of the people", which included the Pharisees. When Jesus asked them what the owner of the vineyard would do to those who killed his son when he was sent to find out why those who were left in charge of the vineyard did not do what the Master required, THIS was their answer in verse 41:

41 They said to Him, He will put those wretches to a miserable death and rent the vineyard to other tenants of such a character that they will give him the fruits promptly in their season.

Now realize that God had left THEM, the Jewish people and their leaders, in charge of  His kingdom on the earth and they had failed miserably! Not only did they, over the years, murder the prophets that  He sent to warn them to comeback to the worship of the One, True God, but they would eventually order the death of the SON! Jesus, speaking prophetically, said THIS to them in verses 42-44:

42 Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed to powder [and It will winnow him, scattering him like dust].

If YOU have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, then YOU have been given the Kingdom of God principles to live by and the power to carry it out! Not only are we a new creation (see earlier blog post), but we are also a new "nation" in the eyes of God! Look at 1 Peter 2:7-10:

7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: 

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

KJV

THEY were appointed to be the carriers of God's Truth, but NOW, for this present age, WE are! He has NOT let them go, but He HAS put them on hold until we, the Church of Jesus Christ, finish the work He has given us to do! Then we will be removed from the earth and THEY will have an opportunity to truly believe! WE are to be the ones who are to be "of such a character that they will give Him the fruits promptly in their season"! How are YOU doing? Let's pick up the pace and bring joy to HIS heart! AMEN! Here is Chris Tomlin with "Chosen Generation":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I simply HAVE to share this from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers for today!

Jesus answered and said to him, ’Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ —John 3:3

Sometimes we are fresh and eager to attend a prayer meeting, but do we feel that same freshness for such mundane tasks as polishing shoes?

Being born again by the Spirit is an unmistakable work of God, as mysterious as the wind, and as surprising as God Himself. We don’t know where it begins— it is hidden away in the depths of our soul. Being born again from above is an enduring, perpetual, and eternal beginning. It provides a freshness all the time in thinking, talking, and living— a continual surprise of the life of God. Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step with God. We say to ourselves, “I have to do this thing or it will never get done.” That is the first sign of staleness. Do we feel fresh this very moment or are we stale, frantically searching our minds for something to do? Freshness is not the result of obedience; it comes from the Holy Spirit. Obedience keeps us “in the light as He is in the light . . .” (1 John 1:7).

Jealously guard your relationship (by having continual fellowship!) with God. Jesus prayed “that they may be one just as We are one”-with nothing in between (John 17:22). Keep your whole life continually open to Jesus Christ. Don’t pretend to be open with Him. Are you drawing your life from any source other than God Himself? If you are depending on something else as your source of freshness and strength, you will not realize when His power is gone.

Being born of the Spirit means much more than we usually think. It gives us new vision and keeps us absolutely fresh for everything through the never-ending supply of the life of God.

Have YOU been born again by the Spirit of God? In other words, have YOU received Jesus Christ as YOUR Lord and personal Savior? The moment you do, the Holy Spirit will recreate YOUR spirit into the image of God! YOU will be a new creation that never existed before in your life (2 Corinthians 5:17)! Are you ready? Pray THIS prayer, believing in your heart:

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 have received the indwelling Holy Spirit Who will NEVER leave you or forsake you! There IS more, however! Available to every born again believer is the infilling of the Holy Spirit where you allow HIM to fill you to overflowing, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, and at the same time receive the enduing with power from on high (Luke 24:49)!  ONLY born again believers can receive this wonderful Gift! Are you ready? Pray this prayer:

Father, I am Your child. I desire to be filled with Holy Spirit and speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives me the utterance. By faith, I receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As I lift my hands to praise You, I fully expect to speak in my heavenly prayer language. Amen.

Now praise HIM with your whole heart, and do it with you r brand new language, speaking to God spirit to Spirit! HALLELUJAH! And here, to further encourage you in this, is Hillsong with and older song, "God Is Great":

All creation cries to you

Worshipping in Spirit and in truth

Glory to the faithful one Jesus Christ God's son

All Creation gives you praise

You alone are truly great

You alone are God who reigns for eternity

God is great and His praise fills the earth fills the heavens 

And Your name will be praised through all the world

God is great sing his praise all the earth all the heavens

'cause were living for the Glory of Your name the glory of your name

All to you Oh God we bring 

Jesus teach us how to live

Let your fire burn in us 

That all may hear and all may see

Holy is the Lord

The whole earth sings

The whole earth sings (x4)

Shalom in Him!