Shalom,

Today I want to share from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional!

Demand Your Rights

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. — JOHN 16:23–24

The word “ask” comes from the same Greek word that is translated “demand” and means to demand something due. In other words, Jesus was saying, “Whatever you demand in My Name, I will do it.”

In Acts chapter 3, a crippled man was sitting at the gate as Peter and John were going into the temple. The crippled man was begging for alms. Peter said to him, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Peter took the crippled man by the hand and lifted him up. Peter demanded that the man get up in Jesus’ Name.

Whatever you ask in Jesus’ Name, He will do it! Our faith in the Name has been weak, but whatever we demand as our right in His Name, He will do it! You have the right to use the Name of Jesus. If pain comes, you have the right to say, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, pain, leave my body!” The pain must go because you are master of your own body. You rule it!

Confession: I ask in Jesus’ Name, demanding my rights. And Jesus said that whatsoever I demand in His Name, He will do!

AMEN! Find out what belongs to YOU as a born again child of the Living God! HE is waiting on YOU to BELIEVE His Word and RECEIVE His richest and best! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We begin Psalm 119 today in ou Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, reading the first 88 verses and finishing tomorrow! Here are some of my favorite verses! Verses 1-2:

1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God’s revealed will). 2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.

These two verses PROMISE that those who give first place to the Word (instructions and promises) of God will be BLESSED! Then verses 5,17, 44, 56, 67 and 88 all say this:

5 Oh, that my ways were directed and established to observe Your statutes [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]!

17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

44 I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

56 This I have had [as the gift of Your grace and as my reward]: that I have kept Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

88 According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

It will never be enough to  simply read the Word of God. We must meditate on it until knowledge and understanding come! THEN we can act on that Word that we know and EXPECT the answers from our God! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In reading Psalm 118 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today, I have share verses 1-9:

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! 2 Let Israel now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 3 Let the house of Aaron [the priesthood] now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 4 Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 5 Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see my desire established upon those who hate me. 8 It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

There is NO ONE like the LORD our GOD! He is GOOD and desires only good for our lives (John 10:10 AMPC). When we find out what HE has provided for us in this new and better Covenant that we have with Him, and we meditate on it until these TRUTHS become REAL to us, then we can speak and the WORD that we speak WILL come to pass! Memorizing and reciting Scripture has no power without meditation that brings faith, and love that makes the faith work! Make Joshua 1:8 your mandate, and then John 15:7 your method! Your entire life will change for GOOD and ONLY GOOD! 

Joshua 1:8 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.

John 15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really like today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers!

What Do You Want?

Do you seek great things for yourself? — Jeremiah 45:5

Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.

If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason– you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.

Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).

YOU are God's #1 pirority! Have YOU made HIM yours yet? Don't waste another moment doing without the deep intimate fellowship with JESUS that is available to every born again beleiver! HE desires this and so should we! AMEN! Here ins Hillsong with "One Thing":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from Jerry Savelle's website devtional!

THE DAY OF TROUBLE

In Psalms, David often talks about the day of trouble. Can you relate? Have you ever felt like you were in the day of trouble?

What is the day of trouble? It is a time in which it appears that every demon of hell has launched an attack against you, like they have ganged up at your house. It’s when it looks as though everything you are going through is impossible to overcome. The pressure is great.

When you are experiencing the day of trouble, you don’t sleep well at night and during the day you are doing all that you can just to keep your sanity. It’s when you are doing all that you know to do, but nothing seems to change.

You might be in the same place today. Maybe you need some answers, wisdom, direction, and guidance. Maybe you are at a point where you don’t know what else to do. Well, I have good news for you.

Don’t ever take your eyes off of God, even though it appears that nothing is working. Don’t ever take your eyes off of God.

Psalm 20:1-5 says, “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfill all thy petitions.”

Notice what the Word says God will do for us in the day of trouble. He will hear us, defend us, send us help, and strengthen us. He will remember our offerings and fulfill all our petitions. Those are powerful promises.

So if today seems to be your day of trouble, then I want to encourage to read Psalm 20:1-5 over and over again. Begin to meditate on those promises and be encouraged. God will defend you. God will help you!

AMEN!  Here is Hillsong with "Like Incense (Sometimes by Step)."

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I am still, after all these years, constantly blessed by something new and fresh from the Word of God by going through the Bible every year with our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! Look first today at Psalm 115:1:

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness!

HE deserves ALL of the honor, glory, thanksgiving and praise for WHO HE IS and for ALL HE HAS DONE! Let's begin EVERY day with this attitude and every other part of our day witll be fantastic! Look also at verses 13-18 are for US:

13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great. 14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. 15 May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth! 16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

AMEN! And then we have one of my very favorite verses which explains plainly and simply what we MUST do in order to walk in the Word excellently! 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.

We have a part to play in thsi exciting walk of faith and power! THIS above Is OUR part! AMEN! Here is  Hillsong with "Blessed":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 Corinthians 2:1-2: from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan!

2 As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; 2 For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.

Paul did NOT try to impress his followers with great, soaring words, but with the simple and powerful GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ! Remember, the Gospel IS the very power of God for SALVATION for everyone who will call on the Name of the LORD JESUS to be saved! Paul also had THIS to say about his ministry and the Source of his power! 

4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], 5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

AMEN! Let's let OUR language be HIS! Speak the TRUTH in LOVE (Ephesians 4:15) and stand back and SEE the salvation of the Lord! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Not Ashamed":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I am LOVING Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" again!

Discerning God’s Plan for Your Life

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…. — 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

From time to time, we all struggle to discern the best course of action for our lives. Which decision is right? Which is wrong? What job should we take? What university should we attend? Whom should we marry? Should we pursue a secular career or go into full-time ministry? These questions are common to us all and they go on and on and on.

In the Old Testament, knowing the will of God was truly difficult because the Holy Spirit didn’t reside in people’s hearts; therefore, they struggled tremendously to discover God’s plan for their lives. In their efforts to uncover His will, people would seek special signs and divine signals. They’d even go visit prophets who lived in their region in an attempt to find answers and gain knowledge. God had prepared so many benefits for His people! But because the Holy Spirit didn’t live in their hearts at that time, they struggled with knowing what He wanted them to do and were unable to see much of what He had provided for them or what His plan was for their lives.

The Holy Spirit has come to dwell within us, and He wants to tell you and me everything we need to know!

However, the situation couldn’t be more different today. As believers, we now have the Holy Spirit living inside our hearts — and He has come to reveal to us all the answers we need! Yet all too often, many Christians still live like people under the Old Covenant, depending on special signs, divine signals, or advice from others. Perhaps it is because they never developed their spiritual sensitivity or learned to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit. Regardless, this should not be the case!

In First Corinthians 2:9 and 10, the apostle Paul wrote to us about the Holy Spirit’s ministry to reveal God’s plan to us. He said, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit….” Notice he declared that God has “revealed” His plan to us by His Spirit. The word “revealed” is a translation of the Greek word apokalupsis, which is a compound of the words apo and kalupsis. The word apo means away, and the word kalupsis is the Greek word for a veil, a curtain, or some type of covering. When compounded, they form the word apokalupsis, which is normally translated in Scripture as the word revelation. This new word literally means to remove the veil or to remove the curtain so you can see what is on the other side.

This word apokalupsis plainly refers to something that has been veiled or hidden for a long time and has suddenly become clear and visible to the mind or eye. It is the image of pulling the curtains out of the way so you can see what has always been just outside your window. The scene was always there for you to enjoy, but the curtains have blocked your ability to see the real picture. As soon as the curtains are drawn apart, you can suddenly see what has been hidden from your view. In that moment when you see beyond the curtain for the first time and observe what has been there all along but not evident to you — that is the picture of what the Bible calls a “revelation.”

So Paul was proclaiming in this verse that when the Spirit of God came to dwell within us, one of His major missions was to remove the veil that once obstructed our view. The Holy Spirit is continually at work in us to help our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to fully comprehend the specific, special plans that God has meticulously prepared for each one of us!

Keep this thought uppermost in your mind and heart in the days to come: The Holy Spirit — the Great Revealer — lives inside you, and He wants to reveal to you God’s blessings, promises, provisions, and plans for your life! Thank God, you’re not living like people did under the Old Testament. You don’t have to look for special signs, divine signals, or a prophet to discern God’s plan for your life.

Right inside your heart is the greatest Source of revelation on planet earth — the Holy Spirit! If you will develop a spiritual sensitivity and learn to listen to His voice, He will reveal everything God has prepared for you so you can get on with your life and do exactly what He intricately planned for you to do!

AMEN! There is absolutely no reason for any born again believer to remain ignorant of God and His Word! I LOVE that first sentence of the last paragrapoh above! The GREATEST SOURCE of revelation LOIVES IN US! Be filled with Holy SPirit, then stay full of God's Word and the GREAT REVELATOR will make certina that we see all things clearly! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers addresses something that I do not believe is covered enough, or even thought about enough!

The Light That Fails

We all with open face beholding…the glory of the Lord. — 2 Corinthians 3:18

A servant of God must stand so much alone that he never knows he is alone. In the first phases of Christian life disheartenments come, people who used to be lights flicker out, and those who used to stand with us pass away. We have to get so used to it that we never know we are standing alone. “All men forsook me:…notwithstanding the Lord stood with me” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails. When “big” men go we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go; the one thing that remains is looking in the face of God for ourselves.

Allow nothing to keep you from looking God sternly in the face about yourself and about your doctrine, and every time you preach see that you look God in the face about things first, then the glory will remain all through. A Christian worker is one who perpetually looks in the face of God and then goes forth to talk to people. The characteristic of the ministry of Christ is that of unconscious glory that abides. “Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.”

We are never called on to parade our doubts or to express the hidden ecstasies of our life with God. The secret of the worker’s life is that he keeps in tune with God all the time.

AMEN! One of the MOST important lessons that every born again believer should know is that each and every one of us is UNIQUE, and UNIQUELY called, equipped, anointed, and separated to fulfill our own calling, and to run our own race. Most times we will be continually intersecting with the calling and anointing of others, but our rewards will ONLY be for doing what God has called US to do with the right attitude and motive! 

When Holy Spirit first began speaking to me about beginning to pray EVERY DAY AT the Church, and FOR the Church, I wanted to wait until everyone that He called could all join together in our little Morning Prayer and get the job done! NOT ONE PERSON was interested or called! I finally had to make the choice to obey GOD whether or not anyone ever came but me! When I began to do this, I had NO DOUBT whatsoever that this IS what GOD had called me to do! It didn't bother me at all that I was alone, because Holy Spirit within me was with me! It was one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned! ONE with GOD is a MAJORITY and can get any job done! Once He established me in that valuable TRUTH, He then began to call others to join me in the mornings and we have been doing this now for 35 years next month! EVERY morning! Seven days a week and 365 days a year (366 on leap years)! When we are out of town, we always make sure that SOMEONE is there in person! 

The lesson here? YOUR own personal fellowship with the Lord is the MOST important part of your life. Spending time with like-minded believers is 'time well spent', UNLESS it takes the place of your very own intimate fellowship with HIM! Take account of your own life today and find if you are missing out at all in this MOST VITAL area! If so, do whatever you must to make the adjustments. You will NEVER regret that decision! AMEN! Here are Hillsong Kids with "My Number One":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

ALL of Psalm 111, which we read todayin our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, is exciting, encouraging and vital for every believer to KNOW! REALLY KNOW! Here is the entire Psalm!

Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) I will praise and give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all those who have delight in them.

3 His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.

4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion.

5 He has given food and provision to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever and imprint it [on His mind].

6 He has declared and shown to His people the power of His works in giving them the heritage of the nations [of Canaan].

7 The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy).

8 They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness.

9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear.

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

ALL of these things, and many, many more, has the LORD our GOD done for YOU!!! Every promise in the New and Better Covenant that WE have with HIM is for our benefit! Find out what the Word of GOd ACTUALLY says about who YOU are when YOU are IN HIM! Then rejoice and celebrate the ONE Who keeps making it all work together for our GOOD! AMEN! Here are Hillsong Kids with a song of celebration JESUS! "I Give You My Hallelujah!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is a perfect lesson for today!

Can A Saint Slander God?

For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen. — 2 Corinthians 1:20

Jesus told the parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25 as a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacity. This parable has not to do with natural gifts, but with the Pentecostal gift of the Holy Ghost. We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or by intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, before long we will slander Him as the servant slandered his master: “You expect more than You give me power to do; You demand too much of me, I cannot stand true to You where I am placed.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say “I can’t.” Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us.

The servant justified himself in everything he did and condemned his lord on every point — “Your demand is out of all proportion to what you give.” Have we been slandering God by daring to worry when He has said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”? Worrying means exactly what this servant implied — “I know You mean to leave me in the lurch.” The person who is lazy naturally is always captious — “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and the one who is lazy spiritually is captious with God. Lazy people always strike out on an independent line.

Never forget that our capacity in spiritual matters is measured by the promises of God. Is God able to fulfil His promises? Our answer depends on whether we have received the Holy Spirit.

AMEN! All of the Word of God boils down to this: 

15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! 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. 18 He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]

Our GOOD, GOOD GOD has already supplied everything that any of us could ever need through His Word and His Spirit! He is NOT holding ANYTHING against us any longer! JESUS has died and rose again FROM death in order to provide eternal LIFE for all of us 'whosoever wills"! Get yourself REALLY ready to minister in these next days, weeks and maybe months because people are being born into God's Kingdom at a faster rate than EVER before! Be ready to give an answer for that great hope that is within you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "New Wine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" deovtional for today continues on with the theme of who WE are IN CHRIST!

Taking Your Place

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. — COLOSSIANS 3:1,2

The elevation of the believer to be seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father took place potentially at the resurrection (Ephesians 2:5,6). Meditate on this passage until it becomes real to you. Remember, every heavenly blessing is yours (Ephesians 1:3). But you have to take your place there to enjoy them. The believer whose eyes have been opened to his throne rights in Christ may: (1) Accept his seat, and (2) Begin to exercise the spiritual authority that seating confers on him.

The devil bitterly resents our entrance into his domain. He has been used to exercising authority and ruling over someone’s life, so he will concentrate his forces against us when we come into these mighty truths. And no truth encounters such opposition as the truth of the authority of the believer!

The only place of safety is to be seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above all principality, power, might, and dominion. If the believer abides steadfastly, by faith, in this place, he cannot be touched by the enemy. So take your seat in heavenly places and keep it!

Confession: I set my affection on heavenly facts. I keep myself mindful that I am seated with Christ in heavenly places far above the enemy!

THIS is how GOD sees us! THIS is how HE is expecting us to act! Like we are TRULY seated IN HIM with all of the authority of Heaven within us, upon us and working through us! We ARE to represent JESUS in this earth as members of His Body, His Church and His BRIDE! Learn to forget your past and to put your confidence in the ONE Who is EVEN NOW continuing to work HIS good work IN YOU! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

From our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today I want to share Psalm 108:1-6:

A song. A Psalm of David.

1 O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith); I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image]! 2 Awake, harp and lyre; I myself will wake very early—I will waken the dawn! 3 I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; and I will sing praises unto You among the nations. 4 For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great and high as the heavens! Your truth and faithfulness reach to the skies! 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. 6 That Your beloved [followers] may be delivered, save with Your right hand and answer us! [or me]!

Take time today to REALLY express your praise, thanksgiving anf worship to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HE is the ONE Who loves YOU with His everlasting LOVE and will newver give up on you! Now, the choice is yours! Have YOU received JESUS, Who is the ONLY WAY to the Father, as YOUR personal Lord and Saviour? He desires to give you HIS everlasting LIFE! BELIEVE and RECEIVE! Here are Hillsong Kids with "My Best Friend":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share a very important message from "Faith To Faith" devotional by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland.

No Offense

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10

Whenever you find yourself stumbling into failure or sin, check your love life. Sit down with the Lord and ask Him to show you if you’re in strife with anyone or if you’ve taken offense. If you have, the devil can come in and trip you up.

As a preacher, I’ve seen that happen countless times. I’ll be preaching about something and some believer will get upset with me about it. He’ll decide I’m wrong and go off in a huff—and first thing you know, he’s in trouble.

Mark 4:17 tells us the devil uses those kinds of offenses to steal the Word from our hearts. He causes us to get crosswise with each other. Then he’s able to pull the plug right out of us and drain the Word like water from a bucket.

Don’t ever let that happen to you. If you hear a preacher or another believer saying something that rubs you the wrong way and you catch yourself getting offended say, “Oh no you don’t. You’re not stealing the Word out of me, you lying Devil.” Then get right down on your knees and repent before God.

Search the Word and listen to the Spirit within you and find out what you should do. If you still feel what that person said to you was wrong, pray for him.

Remember, taking offense never comes from God. He says we’re to be rooted and grounded in love. So reject those feelings of offense. Give yourself to that person in love and in prayer. You’ll be able to walk right on through that situation without ever stumbling at all.

AMEN! Remember that Love NEVER fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)! The choice to walk in love at all times will put you over the top in every situation! Here is Hillsong with "You Are Life":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's devotional from The Spoken Word Church website is very appropriate for today!

Remember Seasons Change

Attacks don't last forever. People change. Weather changes. Circumstances change. So, don't be discouraged today. Expect supernatural and dramatic changes.

Tomorrow is coming. Your future is unlike any yesterday you have ever known.

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalms 30:5)

AMEN! Especially for the born again believer, factsd are ALWYS subject to change by the TRUTH which IS the Word of God! John 17:17:

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Find out what the Word of God has to say about each and every situation that you face. Spend time meditating on that Word until faith rises up in you, then declare that Word in the Name of JESUS! Facts will begin to change and the TRUTH will manifest! NEVER GIVE UP when you have God's Word on it! HE confirms His Word with signs, wonders andf miracles (Mark 16:20)! Count on it! Here are Hillsong Kids with "As The World Shakes":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have been loving our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, but I have also been very blessed to be going once again through Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotionals at Morning Prayer! Today's is an expecially good reminder of our authority that comes from being IN CHRIST!

Paralyzed

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. — HEBREWS 2:14

. . . That He might paralyse him that held the dominion of death, That is the Adversary. — HEBREWS 2:14 (Rotherham)

Jesus put to naught the hosts of darkness! He paralyzed their deathdealing power! And when Jesus met John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos, Jesus said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).

Keys represent authority. Jesus conquered Satan and stripped him of his authority. Jesus was the Master of all hell!

But Jesus did not conquer Satan for Himself. He conquered him for us. It was as though you and I personally had met Satan and had conquered him, stripped him of his authority, and stood as master over him.

Confession: Jesus is my Head. Jesus is Lord over all. Jesus conquered Satan for me. Jesus stripped Satan of his authority over me. In the eyes of Heaven, hell, and this universe, it was as though I personally had met Satan and had conquered him, stripped him of his authority, and stood there as master over him. Therefore, in Christ Jesus, I am more than a conqueror. I am a holder of authority. I stand as master over Satan and all his cohorts!

AMEN! I am, WE are, the holders of the authority that JESUS possesses over all the power of the enemy, and HE commissioned us to use it! Let's be DOERS of THAT Word and get the job done that HE has assigned us to do, running our races well and finishing our individual courses so that we can surely look forward to hearing "WELL DONE"! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I AM":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from The Spoken Word Church website:

See the Big Picture

Nothing is ever as it first appears. Pain passes. Adversity passes. Look beyond your current hardships. Something incredible is being produced.

The resurrection followed the crucifixion. Promotion follows adversity. So, get your eyes on the bigger picture.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (2 Corinthians 4:17)

AMEN! What wonderful, godly advice this is for the times in which we find ourselves living today! Make sure that YOU are being a faithful DOER of this Word and instruction so that you will be prepared and right on time for the great things that our wonderful GOD is about to do on our behalf! How DO we prepare? One great way is to be continually in the Word, begining with the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! There is ALWAYS something timely, encouraging and 'spot on' for our lives in each day's reading! Today we began with Psalm 104:1-4:

1 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty— 2 [You are the One] Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain or a tent, 3 Who lays the beams of the upper room of His abode in the waters [above the firmament], Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, 4 Who makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His ministers.

Begin with praise, thanksgiving and worship to remind YOURSELF how GREAT your God is! Then declare those things that His Word promises are YOURS as a born again, Spirit-filled believer in JESUS! Fully expect the God of the Bible to fulfill and confirm HIS WORD with signs, wonders, miracles, blessings, anointing and FAVOR! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Voices of Freedom":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan has us in Psalm 103! Verses 1-5 say this:

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

We are instructed to NOT FORGET all of the wonderful benefits that we have simply for trusting in the God of the Bible! THESE are all Old Testament promises to the people of God! WE have an even better covenant that is based on even better promises than they had because WE are now members of the family of God and of the CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST! If these wonderful promises belonged to them, HOW MUCH MORE do they belong to us now! AMEN! We have the right and the opportunity to have intimate fellowship with God through Holy Spirit Who lives IN US! Verse 7 tells us THIS:

7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

Because Moses had fellowship with God, God could reveal to him things that the rest of the people would never understand. WE can choose to be like Mose! Or not! The final instructions in this Psalm are found in verses 20-22:

20 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word. 21 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!

AMEN! BLESS THE LORD! By doing so, we put ourselves in position to have the secret things of God revealed to us so that we can know Himbetter and obey Him more! Remember: OBEDIENCE brings BLESSINGS! Here is Hillsong with "I Give You My Hallelujah":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share Rick Renner's devotional from his "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2".

Miracles Catch People’s Attention!

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. — John 6:2

Today I want to talk to you about miracles and the effect that God’s power has on people’s lives. Throughout our many years of ministry, Denise and I have seen countless miracles, and we learned long ago that miracles always have a profound effect on people! Let me relate to you an example that occurred in the early years of our ministry abroad just after the breakup of the Soviet Union in the year 1991.

During those tumultuous times, that entire region of the world was facing many serious economic struggles. Food supplies were rare; gasoline was almost nonexistent; and medicines and medical supplies were in short supply. Well-trained doctors could diagnose a patient’s sickness, but people remained untreated because no medications were available. In fact, even basic medications such as aspirin were a treasure because they were so hard to obtain.

In the midst of this dismal state of affairs, Denise and I announced on television that we were going to hold a series of miracle services in Riga, Latvia. These would be our first meetings in Latvia, and we wanted to facilitate a powerful demonstration of God’s power in this city. For two weeks prior to those big meetings, we broadcast advertisements for the miracle services many times a day on television. We had no idea what kind of effect the commercials would have, but we prayed that people would come to the meetings to hear the Gospel, receive a miraculous touch from God, and come to personally know Jesus Christ.

The long-anticipated day finally arrived, and we drove to the city to begin our series of meetings. When we arrived at the large rented auditorium, thousands of people were already in line, waiting to get into the building for the meeting. As Denise and I stood on the stage and looked out over the audience in that large hockey arena, we were stunned to see nearly 8,000 people! Many of these were sick people who had no means of obtaining desperately needed medicines and had therefore turned to the power of God as their only hope for physical healing.

Night after night, we saw mighty miracles occur before our eyes. Blind eyes were opened; epileptics were healed; and deaf ears were unstopped. And the greatest miracle of all was the hundreds of people who came forward to give their lives to Jesus at the conclusion of the meetings each night! By the end of that week, more than 7,000 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord. Then on the last night of those meetings, we witnessed one of the greatest miracles we have ever seen in our ministry.

Nineteen years earlier, a man in that crowd had become paralyzed from the waist down after falling from the roof of a house. On the first day of the meetings, we saw this man as he hobbled toward the stage on his crutches to give his life to Jesus. On the second day of the meetings, he came to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. On the fourth day, he showed up at the local swimming pool where we were baptizing people, and he was water-baptized. If nothing else happened, his life had already been completely transformed by the power of God.

But on the last night of the meetings, just as we closed the final service, I heard a noise to my left and turned to see what the commotion was all about. This paralyzed man had released his faith and thrown his arms into the air — and as his crutches hit the ground, the lower part of his body had come alive! Now he was standing with no crutches to hold him up.

Because of where the man was seated, the entire crowd turned to watch as he began to take his first steps in nineteen years. He took one step, then another, and then another — and with each step, he moved faster and faster. Soon he was running back and forth all across the front of the vast crowd that was gasping with shock at the miracle they were witnessing. The entire crowd saw this miracle take place!

After that remarkable event, I gave an invitation for the lost, and more people gave their lives to Jesus Christ that night than in any of the other services. Years later, people still recall that amazing miracle, and as a result of that miracle and the other miracles that took place during those meetings, multitudes believed in Jesus. Many of these people hadn’t previously believed in the existence of God at all, but because of these miraculous demonstrations, they gave their lives to Jesus Christ!

God has always used miracles to attract people to Jesus Christ. Many such examples can be found in Scripture, but one of the greatest demonstrations of this truth is recorded in John 6:2, which says, “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.”

The word “great” in this verse is a translation of the Greek word polus, which refers to a great numeric quantity. This tells us that the crowd following Jesus was really huge. In addition, the Greek word for “multitude” is ochlos, which always describes a massive crowd. By using these two words back to back, John was emphasizing that the crowd following Jesus wasn’t simply large — it was an enormously massive group of people!

This verse goes on to tell us that this group of people “followed” Jesus. The Greek word used here denotes continuous, unbroken action. Taking this into account, the first part of this verse could be translated, “And a great multitude kept on following and following and following him.…” You see, there was something about Jesus’ ministry that attracted these throngs of people. They didn’t want to be away from Him, not even for a moment! They just kept on following and following and following Him everywhere He went!

Why was this massive multitude following Jesus? The verse tells us: “…because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.” The word “because” is the word hoti, and it points to the reason the crowd was following Jesus. It says they were following Him “…because they saw his miracles.…”

I want you to look at the word “saw” in this verse. This word means to be a spectator, to notice, or to watch in full detail. Just as one would sit and watch a play from a seat in the theater, this crowd watched intently to see every miracle Jesus was performing. Like spectators in a theater who are mesmerized by an amazing show, they didn’t want to miss one act in this supernatural performance, so they followed Jesus to get a close-up look at the miracles that were constantly occurring in His ministry.

The verse goes on to say, “…They saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.” The word “miracles” used here actually comes from the Greek word semeion. In the Greek world of the First Century AD, this word semeion signified the official written notice that announced the final verdict of a court, the signature or seal applied to documents to guarantee their authenticity, or a sign that marked key locations in a city.

Taking this into account, we find these miracles were the final verdict or proof that God was with Jesus. When that crowd saw the miracles, they knew those supernatural acts were God’s stamp of approval on Jesus’ ministry. These superhuman deeds were the guarantee that Jesus was anointed by God. The miracles He performed were like signs that declared, “God is here! 

You are in the right place!” They were comparable to a signature or a seal that authenticated and guaranteed that God was with Him. That’s why these followers didn’t want to be away from Jesus. They knew Jesus had the stamp of God’s approval!

John 6:2 even gives us an idea of what kind of miracles primarily caught the attention of the crowd. It says, “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.” The words “he did” come from the Greek word poieo, which often conveys the idea of creativity. This is important because in this context, poieo gives the suggestion of creative miracles. The use of this Greek word implies that extraordinary miracles of a creative nature were regularly occurring and that these miracles in particular were catching the attention of the crowd.

Furthermore, John recorded that Jesus was healing those who were “diseased.” The word “diseased” comes from the Greek word astheneo. This word doesn’t refer to people with minor ailments such as the common cold; rather, it depicts people who are physically frail or feeble due to some bodily condition. Their physical condition is so serious that it has rendered them unable to move about freely. These were feeble, frail, broken people.

However, when Jesus walked the earth, He carried the anointing to heal the sick — and He regularly healed people who were physically frail or feeble due to some bodily condition. The health of these people had deteriorated to the point that they had become weak and frail — but once Jesus touched them, they were restored to health!

Taking all these words into consideration, an interpretative translation of John 6:2 could read:

“A massive multitude continually followed Jesus because they were constantly seeing the mighty signs He was performing on those who were sick. Those whose health was so deteriorated that they were physically frail were recipients of these mighty deeds that authenticated the fact that God was with Jesus!”

Those who followed Jesus during His ministry on this earth knew that something wonderful was always happening. People’s lives were being changed; their health was being restored; and their purpose in life was being renewed. Jesus was the best thing that had ever happened to every person who ever came in contact with Him!

And Jesus is still the best thing that has ever happened to every person who comes in contact with Him today! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), so why don’t you go ahead and believe for miracles to start working in your life as they did in Jesus’ life? When people see those miracles and experience the power of God, it will open their hearts to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Miracles will get their attention, and then you can tell them about Jesus!

Think of the profound effect that a single miracle would have on your circle of friends and the people you know. God wants to work through you! As a believer, you are anointed and commissioned to lay hands on the sick, and you have the right to expect to see those sick people get well. That’s God’s promise in Mark 16:18, so boldly claim it by faith and reach out to let His power operate through you to others!

Having witnessed so many miracles in our ministry, I want to encourage you to believe God for miracles in your own life and in the lives of those around you. When people see and experience the power of God, it makes them want to follow Jesus, just like the crowds who followed Him in John 6:2. Miracles are God’s way of shouting, “I am here and I love you!”

It is sad that many people think Jesus’ miracle-working power is only a thing of the past, because He is the same today as He was then. He is both able and willing now to do the same things He did when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus hasn’t changed. He wants to touch, heal, and restore people. That’s why I want to encourage you to make room in your life for Jesus to perform His miracle-working, life-changing ministry through you!

I hope that YOU are ready to see miracles by the mighty power of God as YOU speak His Word and minister to people! EXPECT THEM! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!