Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from our Spoken Word Church website (thespokenwordchurch.org). This simple lesson is quite vital to success, in natural things AND in the things of God!

Move Toward Order

Order is the accurate arrangement of things. Develop a passion for it. You do not park your car in your bedroom. You do not sleep on your kitchen table. You hang your clothes in your closet. You brush your teeth at the bathroom sink. Order is doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place.

Order increases productivity. Your productivity increases your contribution. Your contribution increases the rewards you receive in life.

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." (Genesis 1:31)

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." (Genesis 2:1-2)

This may SEEM to be a small matter, but as you can see in the Scripture references, our God IS a God of ORDER! If we are not organized in the natural things of our lives, it will be very difficult to operate in any type of order where the Word of God is concerned! Hit and miss will not cut it when we are believing for our healing, prosperity, godly family situations or any other of the many situations and circumstances that we deal with in life. Desiring a job promotion? How well do you perform the duties you currently are responsible for? Desiring a new home? How well have you taken care of the one you presently have? I know that some people seem to have a natural gift for order, but God is no respecter of people and WILL give you the help you need to succeed, IF you set about doing it! AMEN! Let's take account of our lives and see where we might improve in this area. I guarantee that doing so will not only give us a fresh perspective and outlook, but it will  increase our capacity to step into new and better situations! Here is Hillsong with "Like Incense-Sometimes By Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was really blessed by today's "Grace Inspirations" by Joseph Prince:

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

Ecclesiastes 9:11  …the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

God’s Word tells us that being faster, stronger and wiser does not automatically make you a winner in life. No, it is actually being at the right place at the right time that causes you to receive blessings. And God, who holds time and chance in His hands, is the only one who can put you at the right place at the right time.

He did this for Ruth. She trusted God for favor when she went looking for a field in which to glean. (Ruth 2:2) Then, the Bible tells us that “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech”. (Ruth 2:3) Of all the fields in Bethlehem, she happened to end up in Boaz’s field, and he was a close relative of Elimelech, her father-in-law. This meant that Boaz was her potential kinsman redeemer, someone who could redeem her from her plight as a young, childless widow in a foreign land.

Boaz also happened to be “a man of great wealth” (Ruth 2:1), and as it turned out, he was willing to redeem Ruth. (Ruth 4:9–10) All these right happenings could only mean that God had placed Ruth in the right place at the right time.

I believe that the very day Ruth told her mother-in-law that the God of Israel would be her God (Ruth 1:16), God took note of it and made everything happen right for her.

Today, God also wants you to know that because you have said, “God, You are My God,” He will be your God of divine happenings. He will place you at the right place at the right time, where you will meet the right people, do the right things and even escape danger!

You may not know where all the great opportunities are, but God does. He was the one who put in you the skills, talents and gifts that you have, and He knows where you need to be, when you should be there and what you need to be doing to be truly fulfilled!

Thought For The Day: God, who holds time and chance in His hands, is the only one who can put you at the right place at the right time.

Know for a certainty that the God of the Bible has outstanding plans and purposes for YOUR life (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)! When you decide to walk in those plans, then HE will lead, guide and direct you in line with those plans so that you will be in position to walk in the blessing of the Covenant that you have with Him because of JESUS! Be BOLD! Be STRONG! Be READY! Amen! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Look To The Son":

Shalom in Him

Shalom,

Jerry Savelle's website devotional for today is a very good reminder that YOU can take authority over any work of the enemy against you! 

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14 NKJV)

Oftentimes, Christians find themselves in bondage to things they know are neither good for them nor pleasing to God, but they can’t seem to stop. Whether the bondage is to gossiping, addictive behaviors, or ungodly relationships, each person shares the same struggle to be free.

If you are held in some sort of bondage, I have good news for you: Jesus has already delivered you and set you free! The Bible says He “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4 NKJV). If you have made Jesus Christ your Lord, you are no long under the law, rather you are under grace.

God’s grace empowers you to do the right thing, to turn from the things you know are destroying you. Grace is the process by which God changes you from the inside out, releasing His power through your body, enabling you to walk according to His Word. Your part in the process is to believe what His Word says about you.

If you believe you are in bondage to a temptation, you will be in bondage to it. If you believe a temptation has power over you, you will be controlled by it. If you fear you will continue to give in to the same temptation, you will receive what you believe.

Remember this: no one and no thing can make you do anything. That temptation you struggle with has no real power over you. The only power it has is the power you give it. However, if you can change your perception about that temptation, and agree with God’s Word that sin has no dominion over you, then sin will no longer have dominion.

When you choose to believe the grace of God is working through you to make it possible for you to walk away from that temptation, then you will walk away.

According to your faith it will be done unto you.

Confession: Because Jesus willingly gave Himself for my sins, sin no longer has dominion over me. The grace of God empowers me to walk away from sin and do what is right. Thank You, Jesus, for setting me free from sin and every temptation of this present age.

God had given Adam dominion over all of creation. Adam gave up his authority to satan when he sinned. JESUS defeated satan and took back the authority! HE gives US His authority, over all the power of the enemy! IF we will take the time to find out from God's Word what that means for us, and then walk in it, the enemy does not have a even  a hope of stopping us, stealing from us or defeating us! The deciding factor in all of this is; what will YOU do with what God has provided for you? CHOICES! They determine everything in life! Make wise ones! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Rain/Reign":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Philippians 4 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I find something very interesting about how many believers receive the instructions found here! Verse 4 tells us this:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

We KNOW this verse! We SING this verse often! We ARE to rejoice in HIM in every situation! HE has already given us the victory, and the instructions and conditions for walking out that victory every day! We shout and sing, fully expecting HIM to "do His thing" so that we can be free from every trap of the enemy! The problem with this is that He has promised to deliver us in every situation, IF! That IF is a very BIG tiny word! JESUS has already defeated our enemy, satan! But in order to walk free in THIS life, we MUST put ourselves in position to receive this freedom by following HIS instructions! What am I saying? I am saying to go ahead and, ALWAYS, rejoice! BUT, do not neglect to follow His instructions, including, and ESPECIALLY His instructions to us right here in this chapter of Philippians! Verse 8 says this:

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

How can we possibly believe that we can walk in freedom if, KNOWING that He has said this specifically, we choose to allow our minds to think on whatever comes into it? "Oh, but He couldn't mean to NEVER think on these things, could He?" My answer? 'Only if you want HIS results!' We are completely free to decide to do this, or NOT to do this! BUT, we are NOT free of the consequences of doing things our own way! Every Word that HE spoke, everything that HE did, every INSTRUCTION that He gives, is ONLY out of LOVE for us, and is intended to get us in position to walk in THIS promise! John 10:10:

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).

AMEN! Let's stop making excuses for why we are not DOERS of His Word, and start putting His Word as our #1 priority! I desire to live in John 10:10! How about YOU? Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Philippians 3:1 from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today is a verse than I can really identify with!

3 For the rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety.

The first part of this verse is a great encouragement and exhortation because the promise, from Psalm 37:4, is that IF we do this, HE will give us the desires of our heart! More specifically, He will then be able to put desires in our heart that are in line with His will for us, so that He can fulfill them! HALLELUJAH! As a minister, the rest of this verse is especially encouraging to me because it shows me that it is needful to keep preaching and teaching the same things! No one "gets it" the first time they hear a Truth, because Joshua 1:8 (AMP) tells us that it takes meditation of the Word for the Word to become real enough to us that we can really see and know how to put it into practice! SO, I will continue to repeat myself on this blog, too! Beginning with also sharing, again, my very favorite verse! 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

Now remember that this is Paul speaking! To understand this,  you have to read the verses that go before! He explains his "bragging rights" for being knowledgeable, but then he shares this in verses 7-9:

7 But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ’s sake. 8 Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), 9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

Remember, also, that Paul was taught of the Lord Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:12)! So, knowing that, verse 10 becomes even more of an exhortation for every one of us to desire to know Jesus more every day! AND to follow through on that desire with ACTION! AMEN! I pray that you will desire to know HIM  more and more every day! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "So Will I":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 25:2 is another of my favorite verses. It is one that helped launch me into a deeper study of the Word of God and especially into word studies! 

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

"Glory" here is the Hebrew word "kabowd", which means: honor, dignity, glory, abundance, reverence, reputation, splendor, riches. So it brings God great honor (praise, reverence) when he "conceals", which simply means to hide, the Truths of His Word, within His Word. He does NOT hide them FROM us, but FOR us! How do I know that? Because this verse goes on to say that it is the glory (same Hebrew word) of us kings (Revelation 1:6 & 5:10) to search the Word for these wonderful treasures! "Search out" is the Hebrew word "chaqar", which means: to search, to investigate, to examine thoroughly. There will never be a time in this life where any person will have learned all that there is to learn from the Word of God. I have an idea that we will be joyously spending eternity learning new and glorious things! I am so glad that I started here and now! Every day something new and better is added to my life because of this never ending search for God's hidden gems! I hope that YOU are enjoying this search, too! That is one of the reasons that I am so blessed to belong to a  such a wonderful local church! If you don't have a church like that, and would like to, please check out the teaching available on our website through the link on the left, and then contact us to let us know where you live and we will try to help you locate one near you! In the meantime, here is Hillsong Worship with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 24:3-4 is another favorite portion of Scripture for me.

3 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], 4 And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

When we receive and obey the instruction given to us in Joshua 1:8, this is an expected result! 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. AMP

Meditating on the Word of God makes the Word come alive to us! Meditating the Word of God gives us knowledge, and Holy Spirit brings the Wisdom out of the knowledge! I lOVE how this verse above says that when we see and then do the Word of God, we will be making our own way a prosperous way! We will deal wisely in every area and have good success at whatever we endeavor to do! I LOVE the promises of God, and the fact that our success depends ONLY on our choices! No one can decide for you, or affect your choices. Nothing can EVER separate us from the Love of God that is IN Christ Jesus our LORD (Romans 8:38)! Keep meditating on the Word of God, seeking ways to put it into practice! HE will prove Himself to you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

As we continue through Proverbs in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, remember that these are nuggets of TRUTH that can be put into action immediately! These little adjustments in our attitudes and actions can totally change lives when done consistently! Here are a few from today's Proverbs 23 that are vital!

12 Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.

15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine; 16 Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things. 17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long. 18 For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off. 19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord].

23 Buy the truth and sell it not; not only that, but also get discernment and judgment, instruction and understanding.

When we give attention to the Word of God, meditating on it as instructed in Joshua 1:8 AMP, then this Word, which is TRUTH (John 17:17), will begin to clear our minds of the lies and nonsense of the world, and fine tune our thinking and our hearing so that we will more readily recognize the voice of the LORD as He instructs us by His Spirit with ture and genuinely specific guidance! There is NO other way to walk in the abundance of LIFE that our Father desires for us to walk in (John 10:10 AMP), while still on this earth! Let's get with HIS program! It is fail safe! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Future Marches In":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

THIS from today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is one of the most important for a born again believer to learn! 

The Undeviating Test

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. — Matthew 7:2

•  

This statement is not a haphazard guess, it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give, it is measured to you again. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus says that the basis of life is retribution — “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the defects in others, remember that will be exactly the measure given to you. Life serves back in the coin you pay. This law works from God’s throne downwards (cf. Psalm 18:25-26).

Romans 2 applies it in a still more definite way, and says that the one who criticises another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act, He looks at the possibility. We do not believe the statements of the Bible to begin with. For instance, do we believe this statement, that the things we criticise in others we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy and fraud and unreality in others is because they are all in our own hearts. The great characteristic of a saint is humility — “Yes, all those things and other evils would have been manifested in me but for the grace of God, therefore I have no right to judge.”

Jesus says — “Judge not, that ye be not judged”; if you do judge, it will be measured to you exactly as you have judged. Who of us would dare to stand before God and say — “My God, judge me as I have judged my fellow men?” We have judged our fellow men as sinners; if God should judge us like that we would be in hell. God judges us through the marvellous Atonement of Jesus Christ.

No, we cannot lose our eternal salvation, and go back to being a dead spirit because of this, but we CAN bring evil things into our own lives here on earth by calling judgment on another believer! We are told, in no uncertain terms, to LOVE one another with the same love with which JESUS has loved us (John 15:12-13 for one example)! If we see another believer doing something that we believe to be wrong, we are INSTRUCTED to pray for them (1 John 5:16)! When WE do this (sow mercy) then WE will receive mercy for our own wrong doings! If the LORD Himself has instructed you to go to someone caught in sin, and to restore them, then GO, but keep your mouth shut about it! There is no need whatsoever for YOU to talk about this to any other person. If God trusts YOU enough to send you, then He needs no one but you to know about it! AMEN! There has been far too much gossip and criticism and judgement meted out among believers. THAT is NOT love, in any way, shape or form! What is NOT of love, which is of God, is of hatred, which is of the devil. He (satan) does NOT need your help in promoting hatred and death! Remember, what YOU sow, YOU SHALL REAP (Galatians 6:7)! Let's sow in love and reap with joy unspeakable! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Splinters and Stones":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I love today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin! 

Change 

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Galatians 6:15). 

"For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]" (Galatians 6:15 AMP). 

The first thing zoe does in a man is to change his nature. It changes his spirit. Zoe makes him a new creature. All things become new in his inward man, or spirit. 

What this new man, or new creature, must do now is allow his inward man to dominate him. When we believers allow our spirits to dominate us, we permit the life of God in us to dominate us. 

People are able to see the effects of this life of God within us. They see changes in a person's habits, conduct, speech, and so forth. Criminals become law-abiding citizens. Thieves become honest. Drunkards become sober. Prostitutes become moral. No case is incurable! 

With this life (zoe) that comes into man, there comes a new kind of love (agape). And when the believer allows it to dominate him, it will destroy the cause of friction in homes: It will eliminate selfishness. 

Confession: I am a new creature. The life and nature of God has been imparted to my spirit. God is love. I will let His life dominate me. I will let His love dominate me. 

One thing that we, as born again believers, must realize is that we ARE new creatures! We no longer have the same spirit in us, but our spirit man has been recreated in the image of God! Our spirit man is PERFECT! Just as God Himself is PERFECT! But we do NOT automatically begin to think, speak and act like it! The reason is that, though we are spirit beings, we also possess a soul, which consists of our mind, emotions and will! These have NOT been instantly recreated, but must be renewed daily with the Word of God so that we can think the right thoughts, speak the right words and do the right things! THAT is why born again believers can still be involved with sin. They are STILL new creations with perfect spirits, but the spirit of a man does not control him. The soul is where the decisions happen that affect the rest of the life! When we are finally at home in Heaven we will no longer be exposed to evil and it will be easy to do the right things! While we are still on earth, we each must make the determined purpose, with Paul (Philippians 3:10 AMP), to KNOW the LORD by knowing His Word! When we do that, then our human nature is changed daily to be more like JESUS! Make the decision today to get to know something more about JESUS every day. That's a great pace to start sanctifying your soul! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Glimmer In The Dust":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "From Faith To Faith" by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland is an excellent reminder for us to ALWAYS choose to walk in love! Love NEVER fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)!

A Healthy Dose of Love

Love...is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, The Amplified Bible

Walking in love is good for your health. Did you know that?

It’s true! Medical science has proven it. Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tension headaches and a host of other ills.

Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn’t what causes the worst problems. It’s the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you’ve specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?

Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13 and not counting up the evils done to you. Imagine the physical and emotional benefits of living like that!

If you’ve allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it’s not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside you.

If you’ll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.

Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you. So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, “In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I’m putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I’m going on with God. I’m going to live the life of love!”

Remember: It doesn’t take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!

AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Greatest of These":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Romans 5:8 tells us this:

8 But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. KJV

Ephesians 2:4-6 says the same thing, but elaborates on this TRUTH!

4 But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). 6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

In order to be born again, we had to believe that we WERE sinners and that we needed a Savior. We also had to believe that JESUS is that Savior, and that He died for us, AND that He lives again! You KNOW that you believe this, because God's Word says so! Now, we need to apply the same principle in believing verse 6! God's Word, which IS Truth (John 17:17) tells us that a part of the Salvation that JESUS provided for us through His death, burial and resurrection INCLUDES being elevated, as new creations, to the status of being a joint, equal heir to all that JESUS Himself is Heir to! HALLELUJAH! The plans and purposes of God were written in His Word, His WILL! The will has been read and WE are found HEIRS! We do not have to go to some special place in order to have our prayers heard and answered! Since we are seated IN Him, in Heavenly places, we now have direct access to the throne of God by the Blood of JESUS! And what is even more profound and exciting is the TRUTH that the Spirit of Almighty God now lives IN us! Get into HIS presence DAILY! Share your love, appreciation, cares, fears and worries with HIM, then fully expect that HE has the answer to every question and the solution to every problem! He will NOT withhold from us, but WE must come to HIM! He has given us a free will and He will NOT, EVER, impose His will on us! WE must CHOOSE! What will YOU choose today? Here, to help you make the correct choice, is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's Proverb in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan has a warning that every believer should heed! Proverbs 18:13:

13 He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.

Let's look at this verse from both the Complete Jewish Bible and The Message Bible:

13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing. CJB

13 Answering before listening  is both stupid and rude.  THE MESSAGE

We can see that this verse is speaking of those who aren't really listening to the person talking, but waiting until they themselves can speak! I have been in that situation before! I think that it would be safe to say that most of us have been! I also think, though, that this verse could be used to exhort someone who makes bold, brash assumptions concerning someone whom they ACTUALLY know nothing about! I have heard people in general, and ministers in particular, spoken of in this manner. So many people believe that because SOMEONE believes something to be true about a certain person, then it MUST be true! The problem with this is that whatever we do or say in this life is seed sown that WILL produce a crop, or harvest, here, in this life! Look at Galatians 6:7:

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

"That, and that ONLY"! You and I can believe for good things all that we want to, but if the seeds we are planting into our lives are not good seeds, then what we will have to be satisfied with is a not so good harvest! So, besides being STUPID, RUDE, EMBARRASSING and SHAMEFUL, speaking out against other people, especially God's anointed ministers, can and will prove to be a very costly endeavor when we begin to reap the results (1 Chronicles 16:22 & Psalm 105:15). If YOU have participated in this behavior, NOW is the time to repent (change your thinking to agree with God) and receive your forgiveness, and the cleansing from ALL that is not righteous! Refuse the traps and schemes of the enemy, who is ONLY here to steal, kill and destroy in your life (John 10:10 AMP). Live free by being obedient to the Word of God and the Spirit of God! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Not Today!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Again today I want to share Jerry Savelle's website devotional!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the Valley of [Baca] … (Psalm 84:5-6 AMP)

Psalm 84 talks of a place called the Valley of Baca. The Hebrew meaning of the word baca is “weeping, tears, or misery”—something we can all identify with. While times of sorrow are a certainty in life, the Valley of Baca is not a place where we are to linger. It is not a place where we should establish residence. It is a place that we are to pass through.

I don’t know what you may be going through today; I don’t know the difficult place you may be in. But whatever it is, you don’t have to stay there. You can choose to pass through your valley. Verse 7 of this Psalm 84 goes on to say of those who pass through, “They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power].”

Any time I find myself in the Valley of Baca, I purpose to keep my eyes on Jesus and stand firm on the Word of God. I can do this because I know I’m only passing through. I know that when I get to the other side, I’m going to increase in victorious power. Anything Satan may be trying to do to me is only going to add to my glorious testimony—glory to God!

Confession: I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I fix my eyes on Jesus as I stand on the Word of God, knowing that I go from strength to strength, increasing in victorious power.

AMEN! We know from Jeremiah 29:11 that our God has wonderful plans for blessing our lives! Let's refuse to believe the report of the world and choose, instead, the report of the LORD! Here is God's report:

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.
COUNT on it! God wants ONLY good things for you! Here is Hillsong United with "Life":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Jerry Savelle's website devotional for today is simple, yet very important!

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV)

Because God is your Father, you are an heir of God. You have an inheritance, and the good news is, you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to enjoy the benefits.

Some people believe the Bible teaches that they get their inheritance from God when they die, like some kind of heavenly reward for clean living. But this is not true. As a joint heir with Jesus, you got your inheritance from God when Jesus died.

Jesus is the only person who has ever lived, died, and was then raised from the dead to see to it that His will was carried out—that His joint heirs got their inheritance. As a joint heir with Jesus, you’re entitled to healing; it’s your inheritance. You’re entitled to prosperity; it’s your inheritance. You’re entitled to victory and success; they are your inheritance.

Don’t wait until you get to heaven to enjoy the inheritance God has provided for you through Jesus Christ. It’s yours now, so claim it in the name of Jesus!

Confession: Thank You, Father, for making me a joint heir with Jesus Christ. I believe I receive my inheritance today. I receive my healing, my prosperity, my victory, and my success now—in Jesus’ name.

AMEN! Dare to believe that the promises of God's Word are meant for YOU! If YOU have received JESUS as Lord and Savior, then YOU are IN the WILL! You HAVE an inheritance to enjoy, AND to make full use of, here, in THIS life! We make use of these things for the benefit of the Kingdom of God, in order to show forth HIS wondrous works that will draw people to the One, True God! Let's get busy finding out just what we have inherited, and then USE those blessings to win the lost! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Water To Wine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Proverbs 15 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Verse 31 is a promise to those of us who will hear and receive God's correction and reproof:

31 The ear that listens to the reproof [that leads to or gives] life will remain among the wise.

I have a strong desire to be 'among the wise'! How about YOU? Verse 32 tells us an interesting TRUTH about those who refuse this reproof, and then gives another promise for those who receive it!

32 He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.

I LOVE that when we receive, by putting into practice, His correction, then we will get understanding! The greatest joy in my life with the LORD has been an ever increasing deep understanding of the Word of God! AND, there is so much more to learn! I don't want to spend one day out of sync with my TEACHER! How about YOU? The rest of this verse says that those who refuse this reproof (correction, instruction) despise themselves! This is the Hebrew word "ma`ac", which means: to spurn, to disappear, to despise. The Dictionary definition for despise says this: feel contempt or a deep repugnance for; to detest, hate, loathe, abhor, deplore, dislike. What a horrible life it would be to go through it hating yourself because you KNOW that you have refused the instruction of the LORD! I CHOOSE to LOVE myself by obeying God's Word so that I can properly love others! I hope that YOU choose to do so, too! One more wonderful promise from Proverbs 15 is found in verse 33:

33 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Let's actively seek Holy Spirit input in our lives moment by moment, and day by day! Let's put it into practice immediately and enjoy the sweet fellowship and awesome and amazing Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding that follow! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Future Marches In":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Abide in Me. — John 15:4

In the Matter of Determination

The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by the Atonement, then I have to construct with patience the way of thinking that is exactly in accordance with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus, I have to do it myself;  I have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. “Abide in Me” — in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. It is not a bandbox* life.

Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances because I say it will hinder my communion with Him? That is an impertinence. It does not matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting. I have not to change and arrange my circumstances myself. With Our Lord the inner abiding was unsullied; He was at home with God wherever His body was placed. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek towards His Father’s dispensations for Him. Think of the amazing leisure of Our Lord’s life! We keep God at excitement point, there is none of the serenity of the life hid with Christ in God about us.

Think of the things that take you out of abiding in Christ — “Yes, Lord, just a minute, I have got this to do; Yes, I will abide when once this is finished; when this week is over, it will be all right, I will abide then.” Get a move on; begin to abide now. In the initial stages it is a continual effort until it becomes so much the law of life that you abide in Him unconsciously. Determine to abide in Jesus wherever you are placed.

*bandbox: in Chambers’ day, a small, round box made to hold neckbands or collars for shirts; metaphorically, something small, narrow, cloistered, self-contained.

Do you see that it is vitally important to be led generally by the Word of God and then specifically by the Spirit of God? Our lives on earth are to be a representation of HIS Life - IN US! We are HERE in order to draw all men unto Him! Otherwise, our Father would have taken us home to Heaven immediately! Let's make the most of out time here on earth! Let's buy up every opportunity to reach people with this AWESOME Love and steal them from the clutches of the devil and his gang! AMEN! Here is HIllsong UNITED with "The Greatest Of These":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 13:13-14 reveals the vital importance of KNOWING the Word of God, which makes it equally vital that we have a local church that teaches the uncompromising Word of God, rather than man-made doctrines and religious theology!

13 Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

For example, John 10:10 and 3 John 2 reveal God's plan for our prosperity!

John 10:10 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

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

A church that teaches that it is not God's will for His people to prosper are those being spoken of here in Matthew 15:9:

9 Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.

God's Words concerning physical healing is revealed in these: Matthew 8:2-3 and 3 John 2:

Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. KJV

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

If your church does not teach that it IS God's will that His people be healed, then that church his also guilty of Matthew 15:9! So, my encouragement to you is to find out what your church teaches. If they teach the Word of God with boldness, and you know that God has called you there, then get completely involved and work out YOUR ministry by hooking up with the vision of your Pastor! If your church does not teach these vital Truths, then GET OUT! The local church is not for the purpose of reaching the lost, but of preparing the CHURCH to reach the lost! Properly taught congregation members will go out with power and authority, properly representing the Lord our God as a loyal Ambassador! 2 Corinthians 5:20:

20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.  AMP

AMEN! here is Hillsong United with "So Will I":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have a message directly from God for YOU today! It comes from Galatians 1 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today! Verse 15:

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, KJV

This was Paul, explaining how He was called to the ministry, even before he was born! Yes, this same Paul who had persecuted the Church so savagely, now KNOWS that God had called him way before that road to Damascus experience! The Amplified Bible says this:

15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), 

Just in case you were beginning to think, 'But that's Paul! He was called to be an Apostle! That's not me!', I have news for you! 2 Corinthians 5 tells us that every single born again believer has been called (from before we were born) to the full time ministry! Many will never have a pulpit ministry, or even a very public one, but we are ALL called! 2 Corinthians 5:17-20:

17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. 19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.  AMP

There you go! God KNEW that you would receive His wonderful, precious and gracious GIFT of Salvation! Now He desires YOU to share that life-giving message with everyone HE brings across your path! YOU have been thoroughly equipped and gifted to share this message in a very unique and special way to reach those whom others may never be able to reach! Let's make it our determined purpose to be found faithful! WE are not responsible for their decisions, just for giving them the opportunity to make them! In every thing else, we are FREE! Here is Hillsong with, appropriately,  "Freedom Is Here":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read John 21 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. If you've been reading this blog for very long, you know that the Gospel of John is my favorite! Today I am meditating on verses 20-22. JESUS had just finished restoring Peter, who had denied JESUS three times on the night of His (illegal) arrest. JESUS gave Peter some instructions for his future life and ministry. Then, ever curious Peter asked JESUS this in verses 20-21:

20 But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following—the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You? 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?

The response from JESUS is found in verse 22:

22 Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!

I LOVE this! JESUS' response, in MY paraphrase, sounds something like this:

"My plans for him are between him and ME! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! You have already received my instructions for you, now FOLLOW ME!" And, of course, it would all have been said by JESUS with the greatest of LOVE! He is saying the very same thing to you, to me and to the entire Body of Christ, including ALL who are in the ministry, today! 2 Corinthians 10:12:

Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.

AMEN! With all of the attacks going on today among born again believers towards those with whom they disagree, our REAL job of reaching the lost has taken a back seat, if it has any seat at all, among some believers! HE said that the world would KNOW us by our LOVE! That LOVE should be without exception! When we see another believer doing something that we deem as sin, our job is to pray for them! Pray that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened to KNOW what adjustments must be made in their lives in order for them to walk in the fullness of the Blessing of God! We get NO rewards in Heaven for being right about our assumptions of others, but we DO get abundant rewards for being about our Father's business, in the way, place and form that HE has called us to! Let THAT be your guiding standard, and learn to cast the care of those with whom we disagree over on JESUS! HE is well able to care for, through love and correction by His Word, His own children! AMEN! Here ios Hillsong UNITED with "Glimmer In The Dust":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share a just a portion of "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

Seek, and ye shall find. — Luke 11:9

Seek If You Have Not Found

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.” If you ask for things from life instead of from God, you ask amiss, i.e., you ask from a desire for self-realisation. The more you realize yourself the less will you seek God. “Seek, and ye shall find.” Get to work, narrow your interests to this one. Have you ever sought God with you whole heart, or have you only given a languid cry to Him after a twinge of moral neuralgia? Seek, concentrate, and you will find.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” Are you thirsty, or smugly indifferent — so satisfied with your experience that you want nothing more of God? Experience is a gateway, not an end. Beware of building your faith on experience, the metallic note will come in at once, the censorious note. You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.

The two lines I love the most are:

• Experience is a gateway, not an end.
• You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.

So many people try to base their faith on experiences. The Word of God says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). It does NOT come any other way! Experiences should only serve to motivate us to get into the Word to find our exactly what DOES belong to us as children of the Most High God! I also love that correction and encouragement that WE cannot put inside of another person the Wisdom that we have obtained by meditating on the Word of God! THEY must do THEIR own part! Joshua 1:8 tells us clearly what needs to happen in order for us to walk in the fullness of the LIFE that HE has planned for us! 

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.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!