Shalom,

Psalm 61 from today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan is a great encourtagement for us to stay the course, run our race, never give up, never quit and maintain a high level of trust and confidence in the Lord our God! 

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. [A Psalm] of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary. 4 I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor Your name. 6 May You prolong the [true] King’s life [adding days upon days], and may His years be to the last generation [of this world and the generations of the world to come]. 7 May He sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God; O ordain that loving-kindness and faithfulness may watch over Him! 8 So will I sing praise to Your name forever, paying my vows day by day.

This Psalm is also excellently encouraging from The Passion Translation!

A song for the guitar by King David

61 O God, hear my prayer. Listen to my heart’s cry. 2 For no matter where I am, even when I’m far from home, I will cry out to you for a father’s help. When I’m feeble and overwhelmed by life,
guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered. 3 Lord, you are a paradise of protection to me. You lift me high above the fray. None of my foes can touch me when I’m held firmly in your wraparound presence! 4 Keep me in this glory. Let me live continually under your splendor-shadow, hiding my life in you forever. Pause in his presence 5 You have heard my sweet resolutions to love and serve you, for I am your beloved. And you have given me an inheritance of rich treasures, which you give to all your devoted lovers. 6 You treat me like a king, giving me a full and abundant life, years and years of reigning, like many generations rolled into one. 7 I will live enthroned with you forever! Guard me, God, with your unending, unfailing love. Let me live my days walking in grace and truth before you. 8 And my praises will fill the heavens forever, fulfilling my vow to make every day a love-gift to you!

Never forget who you are, and Whose you are, when you are IN HIM! Here, to remind you of that, is Hillsong with "What A Beautiful Name":

Shalom in Him!

 Shalom, 

Today I want to share from Jospeh Prince's "Grace Inspirations" devotionals. THIS is VITAL! 

Take Your Seat and Begin to Reign

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4–6

There are many believers who are defeated because they are struggling to qualify for God’s blessings through their own works. What you need to understand is that self-effort will rob you of reigning in life by God’s grace. You cannot earn your salvation, healing, or financial breakthrough by your own efforts. If the greatest miracle—being saved and made alive with Jesus—comes by grace through faith, and not by your works, how much more the lesser miracles, such as healing, provision, and restored marriages?

It is not about your work or performance, but Jesus’ work and performance. Only His work is a finished work. And not only did He sit down at the Father’s right hand, but today’s scripture states that He also made us sit with Jesus! What does this mean? Well, my friend, “sitting down” in the Bible is a picture of the believer resting in the perfect and finished work of Jesus. Christ has finished all the work on the cross on your behalf and is now seated at the right hand of God. As it has all been accomplished on your behalf, this means that you can stop depending on your self-efforts to earn and qualify for God’s blessings in your life. You can sit down with Jesus at the Father’s right hand!

Now, listen carefully to what I am saying. I am not advocating a life of passiveness and laziness regarding the study of God’s Word, prayer, or worship. When it comes to success in your job, I’m also certainly not saying that you shouldn’t be diligent or seeking to develop your abilities.

God’s grace does not make you lazy and unproductive. On the contrary, it makes you labor more abundantly for His glory. The apostle Paul, a preacher of God’s grace and the finished work of Jesus, said that he “labored more abundantly than they all” (1 Corinthians 15:10). What you need to realize is, in the new covenant, God’s way is to bless you first, and the knowledge of His blessing then empowers you to labor more abundantly. In other words, we do not labor to be blessed, but rather we have the power to labor because we are already blessed. Can you see the different premise for laboring in the new covenant?

My friend, Jesus has accomplished everything for us on the cross. Our part is to trust in His perfect work. Receive with open arms His abundance of grace and His gift of righteousness, and sit down and begin to reign in life through Him. Today, let it be your prayer that you will stop trying to earn God’s grace and righteousness. Let the Holy Spirit teach you to start depending on Jesus’ finished work and to start receiving by His grace. This is God’s way to success, wholeness, and victorious living!

AMEN! THIS life that HE has given us is an extrememly BLESSED life, IF we live it HIS way! Let's stop trying so hard to make things happen and just rest inthe ONE WHo has already set all of the 'happenings' in place! Now REJOICE! he is GOD and He is GOOD! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Never Have I Ever":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom,

Today I want to share Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's "From Faith To Faith" devotional! 

You Hold the Key

I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19

The Greek text of that scripture would literally read, “I give you the keys of the kingdom. Whatever you declare locked on earth is locked in heaven and whatever you declare unlocked on earth is unlocked in the heavenlies.”

The heaven Jesus was talking about there isn’t the heaven where God resides. He was talking about the battle zone, about the heaven where Satan’s forces are operating.

He was telling us that God has given us power to bind the wicked spirits in heavenly places and to loose the angelic powers of God to work in our behalf.

Philippians 2:9-10 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Where? In heaven, in earth and under the earth. That covers it all!

As believers, we have total authority over the powers of Satan. We can take authority over the evil spirits that are trying to destroy this nation. We can take authority over them in the Name of Jesus and pull down their strongholds.

It is time we began to realize how important we are to world affairs. Since the day Jesus gave us the Great Commission, the life or death of the world has been in the hands of the Church. We are the ones who have the mighty Name of Jesus and the awesome strength of the gospel to bring life and abundance to every creature. We are the ones whose prayers can change every office of authority in this land.

It’s up to you and me to begin to intercede right now and use the power God has given us. We may come from different lands with different backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common—Jesus Christ is our Lord. And that alone is enough to alter the spiritual complexion of this earth.

AMEN! The reason that so many born again believers operate in fear is that they have no idea of the power and authority that they have been given in our new and better Covenant because of all that JESUS accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection! Satan IS a defeated foe with no power and no authority. So don't give him YOURS! Know what belongs to you as a child of the Living God and USE IT! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "NOT TODAY"!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from our Spoken Word Church website! it is SO vital!

Command Sickness to Leave

God wants you well. He wants you healthy in your spirit. He wants you healthy in your soul (your mind, emotions and will). He wants you healthy in your body.

In the Old Testament, the God of the Bible gave Israel dietary laws regarding foods they were to avoid. Disobedience brought sickness. Obedience brought health. Obey your God today. Then, command sickness and disease to depart from you and your household, in the name of Jesus.

"And you shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you." (Exodus 23:25)

We DO have a part to play in walking in all that our NEW and BETTER Covenant provides for us! First we must KNOW what belongs to us! John 8:31-32 tells us this:

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

We must first KNOW the TRUTH (God's Word John 17:17) in order for that TRUTH to set us free, and we must CONTINUE in that TRUTH for that TRUTH to KEEP us free! It is a consistent and continual process! There IS no other way to walk in all that JESUS has provided for US! Let's get to it, and stay with it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 57:7-11 is your best message for today!

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody. 8 Awake, my glory (my inner self); awake, harp and lyre! I will awake right early [I will awaken the dawn]! 9 I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great, reaching to the heavens, and Your truth and faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.

HALLELUJAH! Our God REIGNS and HE is ever READY, WILLING and ABLE to cause the Blessings of our Covenant with Him to be manifest in our lives! GET READY! This Fall is looking to be the very BEST EVER! Here is Hillsong with "Are You Ready?":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 56:3-4 our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today:

3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. 4 By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?

AMEN! THIS is the confidence that we should all have when it LOOKS or SEEMS as though nothing is working out the way it should! The enemy THINKS that he has it made, BUT GOD!!! Look at verses 9-13:

9 Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. 10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, 11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings. 13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.

AMEN! Be bold and be strong! Our GOD has this well in hand! Keep doing what YOU know to do and in the days of His GLORY moving all over the earth, YOU will walk in great BLESSING! Here is Hillsong with "Echoes (Til We See The Other Side)":

VERSE 1: We will sing We will dance Till the earth echoes the heavens Sing His praise Till we see the other side VERSE 2: ‘Cause we belong to the light So when the night is at its darkest Just hold on for the dawn will soon arrive CHORUS 1: Can you feel the winds are changing There’s a new day on the rise And the atmosphere is breaking As the new world comes to life We will sing We will dance Till the earth echoes the heavens Sing His praise Till we see the other side TAG: I’ve got a feeling The darkness won’t last very long CHORUS 2: Let a sleeping world awaken There’s a new day on the rise And the enemy is shaking As the graveyards spring to life We will sing We will dance Till the earth echoes the heavens Sing His praise Till we see the other side

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional.

The Fruitfulness Of Friendship

I have called you friends. — John 15:15

We never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we abandon in every particular. Self-surrender is the most difficult thing — “I will if…!” “Oh, well, I suppose I must devote my life to God.” There is none of the joy of self-sacrifice in that.

As soon as we do abandon, the Holy Ghost gives us an intimation of the joy of Jesus. The final aim of self-sacrifice is laying down our lives for our Friend. When the Holy Ghost comes in, the great desire is to lay down the life for Jesus, and the thought of sacrifice never touches us because sacrifice is the love passion of the Holy Ghost.

Our Lord is our example in the life of self-sacrifice — “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” He went on with His sacrifice with exuberant joy. Have I ever yielded in absolute submission to Jesus Christ? If Jesus Christ is not the "lodestar", there is no benefit in the sacrifice; but when the sacrifice is made with the eyes on Him, slowly and surely the moulding influence begins to tell.

Beware of letting natural affinities hinder your walk in love. One of the most cruel ways of killing natural love is by disdain built on natural affinities. The affinity of the saint is the Lord Jesus. Love for God is not sentimental, for the saint to love as God loves is the most practical thing.

“I have called you friends.” It is a friendship based on the new life created in us which has no affinity with our old life, but only with the life of God. It is unutterably humble, unsulliedly pure, and absolutely devoted to God.

AMEN! "Lodestar" is defined as a star that guides, something that serves as a guide or on which the attention is fixed, or an example or principle that people want to follow. FOLLOW JESUS as YOUR 'lodestar' and you will not be easily led away! Here is Hillsong Worship with "One Thing":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

One of the things I love the most about the Psalms is that many of them were written by David. He had many moments of trouble and harassment in his life, but he ALWAYS returned to the place of encouraging HIMSELF in the LORD! When he did that, he would start out crying out because of the problem or situation, but would end up rejoicing over what God had already done or was about to do! Psalm 54 is like that! Look at verses 4-7:

4 Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life. 5 He will pay back evil to my enemies; in Your faithfulness [Lord] put an end to them. 6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks and praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me out of every trouble, and my eye has looked [in triumph] on my enemies.

And THAT, my brothers ansd sisters in JESUS, is how it's done! Encourage YOURSELF in the LORD today with your own declarations and celebrations of all that He has already done, and then stir up your expectant hope and eager anticipation of what He is about to do! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Wonder":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today we are reading Psalm 53. This seems to be a very sad Psalm! Notice that the description says to sing it in a 'mournful strain'! 

To the Chief Musician; in a mournful strain. A skillful song, or didactic or reflective poem of David.

1 The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt and evil are they, and doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, who sought (inquired after and desperately required) God. 3 Every one of them has gone back [backslidden and fallen away]; they have altogether become filthy and corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one. 4 Have those who work evil no knowledge (no understanding)? They eat up My people as they eat bread; they do not call upon God. 5 There they are, in terror and dread, where there was [and had been] no terror and dread! For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; you have put them to shame, because God has rejected them. 6 Oh, that the salvation and deliverance of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of His people, then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Notice that 'when' God restores the fortune of His people! He DID that when Jesus laid down HIS LIFE so that WE coould be free! This is now our new CELEBRATION song! So let's CELEBRATE! Worship Him with the TRUTH that is ithe answer to what is being said in this song! Then worship Him with Hillsong's "You Are Life":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share THIS from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

Spiritual Growth

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. — EPHESIANS 4:14-15

If it is true that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, and if it is also true that God will enlighten and guide us through our spirits — and it is — then that part of us needs to grow. The spirit of man needs to be developed so it can be a safer guide.

Your spirit can be educated and trained, just as your mind can be educated.

And your spirit can be built up in strength, just as your body can be built up in strength.

I am well convinced that if you will follow the steps I will give over the next few days, you can train your spirit to the point where eventually you will always get an instant “yes” or “no” on the inside, even in the minor details of life.

You must realize this, though: You didn’t start the first grade one day and graduate from high school the next day. It took time to develop your mentality. It also will take time to train, educate, and develop your spirit.

Confession: I will take the time to train, educate, and develop my spirit. My spirit is growing!

AMEN! I firmly believe that we will spend all of eternity learning something new about the Oone, True GOD every moment! Let's begin HERE and NOW! why would we ever want to wait? He IS or SHOULD BE the LOVE of our LIFE! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Never Have I Ever":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I HAVE to share from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's "From Faith To Faith" devotional!

Can't Put Out the Light

In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it…. John 1:4-5, The Amplified Bible

Whenever things around you get dark and you feel the devil is about to overpower you, remember this: You have the Light of the world in you, and try as they may, all the forces of hell can’t put it out!

Even when you’re at your weakest, even when you feel like the light within you is small, the devil’s darkness is no match for you.

Let me show you what I mean. Imagine for a moment that you’re in a large auditorium that has no windows or doors to let in outside light. The place is so black you can’t see anything, not even your hand in front of your face. There’s nothing around you but complete darkness!

Now, imagine one little lightning bug flying around that auditorium. Every eye in there would turn toward it. As small as that little light is in comparison to the great darkness around it, you would still be able to see it. That massive blackness wouldn’t be able to do a thing to shut off that bug. Everywhere he flew, the darkness would just have to yield. It would always be dispelled by his light.

When the circumstances around you begin to get black and you’re tempted to despair, think about that lightning bug. Meditate on the fact that Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, is in you. When the revelation of that hits you, you’ll never again let the darkness back you into a corner. You’ll start chasing it down—overcoming it with your light!

HALLELUJAH! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Not Today":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

One of my favorite devotionals is still Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food". Today's teaching is priceless!

Counsel Within

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. — PROVERBS 20:5

Although God does lead through visions and other supernatural manifestations, I would encourage you not to seek a vision.

Do not seek visions or similar experiences. Why? Because you might get beyond the Word, where the devil can deceive you. (See Second Corinthians 11:14.)

Sometimes we would prefer to have a more direct word of guidance. But we don’t always get it. So don’t try to manufacture one if it doesn’t happen. Nowhere does the Bible say that believers sought these experiences, or that they were seeking visions when they came. The visions just happened without people seeking for them.

Be content if all you ever have is the inward witness. Be content to follow that witness. But educate, train, and develop your human spirit to the point where that witness becomes more and more real to you.

Then, if God sees fit to give you supernatural visitations and manifestations, just thank Him for them.

Confession: I will educate, train, and develop my human spirit so that the inward witness will become more and more real to me.

AMEN! Let the Word of God be your FINAL AUTHORITY! Any vision, manifestation or 'word' that you receive supernaturally MUST line up with the WORD of GOD. Holy Spirit will NEVER lead us contrary to the Word. Knowing the Word of God will put you ijn position to properly discern everything else that you hear or see. Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from our partner Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek Volume 2":

ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children… — 1 Thessalonians 2:11

In First Thessalonians 2:7, Paul described his relationship to the Church in terms of the relationship that exists between a mother and a child. But in verse 11, he paints a different side to his ministry toward the Church. Here, Paul is taking on the role of a father in their lives.

He wrote, “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children…” (1 Thessalonians 2:11).

Paul was saying that you can’t be a mother all the time in ministry. Sometimes you have to fill a fatherly role. He was implying that there is a time to cuddle and a time to spank — a time to caress and a time to correct. In a spiritual sense, Paul had taken on the roles of both mother and father in the lives of the Thessalonian believers.

In verse 11, we see how this fatherly ministry of Paul functioned. First, Paul “exhorted” the people. This is the Greek word parakaleo. Next, he “comforted” them, which is the Greek word paramutheomai. Finally, he “charged” them. The word “charged” is the Greek word marturomai. These three words mean three very different things, and they are all very important.

First, I want you to notice that the Greek words translated as “exhorted” and “comforted” both begin with the word para, which again, indicates relationship. Although Paul was speaking here to an older group in the church, he was still by their side, continually exhorting them, walking with them, teaching them, and speaking to them. That was a part of Paul’s ministry even for those who were more spiritually mature.

When Paul performed his fatherly ministry he exhorted, and he comforted. The Greek word for “comfort” carries the idea that even if your father can’t physically be at your side, you should still live in the godly manner he taught you.

Here, Paul was calling the believers to a lifestyle of responsibility. Now that some of them were grown, they were responsible to live the Christian life or a life that was honoring and pleasing to God.

Finally, Paul “charged” them in verse 12: “That ye would walk worthy of God…” That is ultimately where Paul was taking the Thessalonian Christians. His deepest desire was to see them walk steadfastly with God. The word “walk” in Scripture always refers to stability or to an ongoing relationship. So Paul’s primary purpose was to see these believers grow up in the things of God and to maintain their spiritual walk.

In verses 19 and 20, Paul summed up this great textbook chapter on ministry by concluding, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”

What can we conclude from Paul’s writings in First Thessalonians 2? More than anything else, Paul desired a relationship with the Thessalonian church so that he could minister to them effectively. And the same will be true for us today: As we give our hearts completely to God, He will enable us to give our hearts to the people in our lives, and we’ll experience powerful ministry among those to whom we are called (see 1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Nothing gave Paul more pleasure and delight than to see these young Christians in Thessalonica maturing in their relationship with the Lord. Paul’s greatest glory and joy was the calling that God had placed on his life and the people God had placed in his care. That’s a priority and motive we can emulate with confidence, and God will reward our own labors and bring rich increase both to us and to those under our spiritual care.

Are you ready to get started? If yes, ask the Holy Spirit to help open your eyes to those He is calling you to help strengthen and encourage in the faith. The Lord will give you wisdom and will empower you to extend His hand of love as as you comfort, encourage, and strengthen them in their faith. It will be one of the greatest joys of your life!

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Ready Or Not":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations" devotional.

Make Jesus Your Priority and See Blessings Added to You

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear? . . . For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

When I talk about not worrying and keeping our eyes on Jesus, some people think that I am not being practical. Beloved, you can worry all you like about your current crisis, but it will not improve or change your situation one bit. Please understand that I am not making light of what you are going through. I am just offering you the best solution I know that works. Your breakthrough will not come as a result of your struggling. It will come when you rest in the person of Jesus and His finished work.

Jesus said, “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25). Now, Jesus was not saying that these things—food, drink, and clothing—are not important. In fact, He says that “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But what Jesus wants us to do is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and He promises that “all these things shall be added to you.”

Now, who is God’s righteousness? Jesus Christ. And who is the king of the “kingdom of God” that we are to seek? Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:16)! Jesus was actually referring to Himself when He was preaching this. When you seek Him first in your life and make Him your priority each day, all these material provisions—what you will eat, drink and wear—will be added to you.

God does not delight in taking things away from you. He delights in adding to you, increasing you, promoting you and enriching you. Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits . . .” The Lord loads us with benefits daily! That is how good our Savior is. His mercies and His unmerited favor are new every morning. That is the way to live and enjoy life, knowing that Jesus is with you and for you every step of the way.

Put Jesus first in everything that you do. Honor Him and give Him preeminence in your daily life. Partake of His finished work daily by reading His living words to you. Practice the presence of Jesus and be conscious that He is with you, the same way that Joseph in the Bible was conscious that the Lord was with Him. Jesus will bless the works of your hands, and everything you touch will indeed prosper and bring good success into your life.

AMEN!

God's way is ALWAYS the BEST way! Without fail! Learn to put ALL of your trust in HIM and watch everything in your life begin to line up with HIS great plan and purpose for you! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Everything I Could Want":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today includes Psalm 47! 

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 O clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy! 2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the glory and pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 God has ascended amid shouting, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding. 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne. 9 The princes and nobles of the peoples are gathered together, a [united] people for the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.

Our God IS GOD! The ONE and ONLY! He shares His glory with NO ONE! Continue to operate in faith, trust and confidence in HIM and HIS promises! Those who do will SEE the Glory of God manifested in their lives and the lives of their loved ones! Be alert! He is working and has work for YOU to do! Also in today's Bible Plan is Paul saying THIS in Titus 1:

1 Paul, a bond servant of God and an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) to stimulate and promote the faith of God’s chosen ones and to lead them on to accurate discernment and recognition of and acquaintance with the Truth which belongs to and harmonizes with and tends to godliness, 2 [Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive promised before the world or the ages of time began. 3 And [now] in His own appointed time He has made manifest (made known) His Word and revealed it as His message through the preaching entrusted to me by command of God our Savior;

YOU are alive for such a time as this! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "World Outside Your Window":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 46 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today is again very appropriate for what we see happening in our nation and around the world. Look at verses 1-3:

1 God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, 3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Then we have this in verses 6-7:

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

With all that is going on around us, THIS is the very best news! Verses 8-11:

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire. 10 Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

HALLELUJAH! Our God REIGNS! He IS in control and HE is about to make HIS voice HEARD! Loud and clear! Are you ready? Here are our instructions from the Lord in 2 Timothy 4:1-2:

1 I charge [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom: 2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

Amen! Our job hasn't changed! We are to BE the LIGHT in our world! When WE speak HIS WORD, we give HIM something to confirm, bringing HIM fame! Here, to encourage you in YOUR ministry, is Hillsong with "Children of the Light":

       Verse 1

Children in the wilderness

Following the love You poured out for us

Covered by the Name that we confess

Jesus Saviour forever

Verse 2

Roaming through the dark of night

Clinging to the word that burns deep inside

Eyes fixed on Your Name and endless light

Jesus Saviour forever

Chorus

Set alight to follow

In the shadow of Your Name

The world is Yours and I know

Everything will find its place

Under Your Name

Verse 3

Walking on through the fire

Knowing I will not be burned but refined

Fearless in Your Name here by my side

Jesus Saviour forever

Verse 4

Taking on the raging storm

Anchored to Your kingdom unshakeable

Holding to the Name that outshines all

Jesus Saviour forever

Bridge:

Children of the light

Blazing through the night

Taking back what the devil had stolen

Calling on the Name

Breaking every chain

Jesus everlasting freedom

Running through the wild

Dancing in the fire

Taking back what the devil had stolen

Calling on the Name

Breaking every chain

Jesus everlasting freedom

Tag

All the power all the glory

All the praise be to Your Name forever

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

In today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan we are reading 2 Timothy 3. Verses 1-5 is a perfect description of the evil going on in THIS day!

1 But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

AMEN! Avoid spending time with those who do these things, UNLESS and UNITL Holys Spirit my lead you to BE the LIGHT in their presence that they need to see in order to come to HIM! AS Holy SPirit leads, BE the LIGHT. All other times, avoid these and their evil and sordid life style! Spend quality time in intimate fellowship with the Lord FIRST, fellowship with like-minded beleivers next, and THEN with those whom HE has called you to reach! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

We got nothing to lose

We've got no reason to hide

We got the answer inside of us

It's time we took the disguises off

We'll see Your glory revealed

And see Your name lifted high

'Cause there is nobody else for us

Jesus You are the only One

Woah

You're alive and we are free

You are everything

Everything we need, Yeah

There's not a minute to waste

Not a second to lose

There's a city that waits for us

It's time we took all the lampshades off

We'll see Your glory revealed

And see Your Name lifted higher

'Cause there is nobody else for us

Jesus You are the only One

You're alive and we are free

You are everything

Everthing we need

Yeah, woah

Love has spoken, we believe

You are everything

Everthing we need, Yeah

Nothing compares to You

Nothing could ever separate us now

Your love is ours

Nothing compares to You

Nothing could ever separate us

From this love

Nothing compares to You

Nothing could ever separate us from this love

You're alive and we are free

You are everything

Everthing we need, Yeah

Love has spoken, we believe

You are everything

Everthing we need, Yeah

Nothing can separate us

Nothing can come between us

Nothing can separate us now

Nothing can separate us

Nothing can come between us

Nothing can separate us now

Nothing can separate us

Nothing can come between us

Nothing can separate us now

Nothing, nothing

Nothing can separate us now, yeah

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional fro another of our partners, Jerry Savelle.

SELECTIVE THOUGHTS

If Satan can plant negative seeds in your mind through your five physical senses, then the Word of God should be able to plant positive seeds, but you must be willing to make a commitment to begin shutting out all the negative influences around you and begin planting the Word of God into you daily. You have to control what you allow your ears to hear, your eyes to see, and your heart to be opened up to.

Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

The Amplified Bible says that we are to fix our minds on them (things that are lovely, honest, just, pure, and of a good report). The Message Translation says “You’ll do best by filling your minds on the best, not the worst.”

Paul is admonishing us to be very selective about what we allow to be planted into our minds. It is to your advantage to fill your mind with good thoughts.

A single thought can lead to a disaster. A thought that is ungodly, that is not cast down and replaced by God’s Word, can limit you for a lifetime. Once a thought is received into the mind, it then drops down into your spirit, and your spirit will do its utmost to execute that thought or make it come to pass. Your spirit doesn’t know any better. Your spirit is designed by God to produce. If you plant negative seeds, then it has no choice but to cause those negative things to come to pass. If you plant positive seeds, then in the same manner, it is designed by God to produce.

Matthew 12:35 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

Notice in both cases, people are getting results. The negative man is getting negative results, and the positive man is getting positive results. What is the difference? The good man thinks positive thoughts. These positive thoughts drop down into his spirit and become reality. On the other hand, the evil man constantly dwells on negative thoughts and as a result of it, they drop down into his spirit and become reality.

Don’t fall in the trap. Satan has laid a snare for you and me. He hopes that he can invade our minds by planting thoughts or making suggestions that will lead us away from God’s ultimate plan for our lives. It’s up to you and me to keep our minds pure and on the Word of God. As believers, we are to think like Christ. We are instructed to guard our hearts. We must protect what we allow our eyes to see, and our ears to hear. We are to think the thoughts of Christ.

Confession: : “I choose to plant positive, Godly seeds in my life today. I will control what my eyes see, what my ears hear, and what my heart is exposed to.”

AMEN! 

Your thoughts that remaim WILL eventually find there way out of your mouth and will affect every area of your life! make sure that you only THINK about what you actually want to have happen. Then that is what you will speak and what you will have! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 43 in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan is so appropriate, again!

1 Judge and vindicate me, O God; plead and defend my cause against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You are the God of my strength [my Stronghold—in Whom I take refuge]; why have You cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God! 5 Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.

And 2 Timothy 1 says this:

6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Keep standing steadfast on the WORD of the LIVING GOD! He HAS never failoed and He WILL NEVER FAIL! Things are happening that the enemy would like to keep hidden, BUT GOD! HE will reveal all in due time and HE will DELIVER His people inHis PERFECT TIME! Count on it! Here is Hillsong with "Ready Or Not":

VERSE 1: Come now As you are Or as you want to be Are you ready Are you ready Come now Tired broken Scared or just in need Ready or not It’s alright Take your time If nothing else just come TAG: Are you ready Are you ready VERSE 2: Come now Bring your hopes Your dreams Your doubts Your scars Are you ready Are you ready Come now Bring your hurts Your fears Your faith Your heart Are you ready Are you ready or not CHORUS 1: There’s no place like His presence There’s no time like the now Every one two or three of us Count Him in here and now He welcomes the broken He’s alright with your past He’s not mad at any one of us But He waits with open arms Says come TAG: Are you ready Are you ready VERSE 3: Come now Leave your inhibitions At the door Are you ready Are you ready Come now Lay your burdens down He’s got them all Are you ready Are you ready or not CHORUS 2: He’s still faithful to deliver Mighty as ever to save He’s still good on His promises And His love still never fails He’s not moved by perfection Or how well we look the part But He’s wild about the hidden stuff Like He’s wild about the heart VERSE 4: Come now For all we’ve seen We ain’t seen nothing yet Are you ready Are you ready Come now Bring Him praise For what He might do next Are you ready Are you ready or not CHORUS 3: He’s already bought our freedom He’s already paid our debt He’s already done the miracle He’s already conquered death He’s our light and salvation He’s our rock solid hope He’s already done enough for us He’s already doing more CHORUS 4: He’s already seen the ending He’s already seen us through He’s already breaking out in us He’s already on the move He’s already won our battles He’s already paved the way He’s already gone ahead of us And He is ready when we are VERSE 5: Come now For all we’ve seen We ain’t seen nothing yet Are you ready Are you ready Come now Bring Him praise For what He’s gonna do next Are you ready Are you ready or not Come

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is SO good!

The Theology Of Rest

Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith? — Matthew 8:26

When we are in fear we can do nothing less than pray to God, but Our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His Name should have an understanding confidence in Him. God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the reliable ones. Our trust is in God up to a certain point, then we go back to the elementary panic prayers of those who do not know God. We get to our wits’ end, showing that we have not the slightest confidence in Him and His government of the world; He seems to be asleep, and we see nothing but breakers ahead.

“O ye of little faith!” What a pang must have shot through the disciples — “Missed it again!” And what a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced down right joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, no matter what was ahead.

There are stages in life when there is no storm, no crisis, when we do our human best; it is when a crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely. If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him.

We have been talking a great deal about sanctification — what is it all going to amount to? It should work out into rest in God which means oneness with God, a oneness which will make us not only blameless in His sight, but a deep joy to Him.

Have CONFIDENCE in the GOD Who has given us this NEW and BETTER COVENANT! HE will NEVER break it! COUNT on it! COUNT on HIM! Here is Hillsong with "Oceans - Where Feet May Fail":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

There is no better devotional for today than the one found on The Spoken Word Church website!

Get to Know God's Voice

God talks more than anyone you will ever meet. He talks as often as you need help. I cannot explain to you my mother's voice. You would have to spend time with my mother. I cannot explain to you my Heavenly Father's voice. You will have to spend time with Him to know His voice. Obedience is impossible unless you discern His voice.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" John 10:27

AMEN! Obedience to the Word of God and the Spirit of God are the keys to walking in the fullness of our GREAT New Covnenant that was sealed in the Blood of JESUS! AMEN! Here are Hillsong Kids with "As The World Shakes":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from the "Faith To Faith" devotional by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. 

A Living Example of Love

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

Don’t ever worry about not having enough love inside you. The Word says God’s love is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost. God’s love is in you. What you need to do is make a decision and let it flow.

Pray this prayer today.

In Jesus’ Name, I make a fresh and strong commitment today to live the life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me and heal the wounded hearts of those I meet.

Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient and kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed. Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside and to take up words of grace instead.

Lord, Your Word says that Your love is already inside me...that it has been shed abroad in my heart. So today, I resolve to remove every obstacle that would keep that love from flowing freely into the lives of others. I put resentments behind me, and I forgive all those who’ve done me wrong.

In the days ahead, cause me to increase and excel and overflow with Your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all...a living example of love. Amen.

AMEN! Fully expect the LOVE of GOD that is alive IN you to manifest in your life as you keep JESUS first and deside to be an active DOER of His Word! Remember, LOVE NEVER FAILS! Here is Hillsong with "Love So Great":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read 1 Timothy 2 today and verses 1-5 are especially important in these days!

1 First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, 4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. 5 For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Notice that even though many believe that we are to pray first of all for leaders, Paul is actually admonishing that PRAYER, all the different kinds of prayer, should be what we do FIRST! For ALL people, including leaders and those in positions of authority because THAT is needful for us to be able to have a life of peace in order to do these things! What is the ultimate reason for praying? Verse 4 tells us that it is because our Father desires that ALL people should receive JESUS as Lord and Saviour, and to know that TRUTH of His Word! One of the best quotes I have ever heard came from our ministry partner, Jerry O'Dell: "When we want what God wants, for the same reason that He wants it, we cannot fail!" So we should be praying because GOD desires us to pray so that HE can answer those prayers and people can be saved! Let's be about our Father's business, and do it HIS WAY! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Ready or Not":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Today I want to share Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations" devotional!

He Satisfies You with Long Life

“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:16

This is the final but, I think, most important verse in Psalm 91! If you ever had any doubt that God desires for you to live a long, good life, let this verse be your answer. You may be battling with a health condition right now, but by faith let’s hold fast to this verse together. In Jesus’ mighty name, I see you healed, healthy, and whole. I see you strong in Christ and ready to take on any giant that is ahead of you.

One of my favorite pictures of long life is found in the biblical character Caleb. When he was eighty-five years old, he said, “I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war” (Joshua 14:10–11).

The faith picture here of long life is not just in terms of quantity—the number of days—but also quality—health and strength. Caleb remained as strong at eighty-five as he was when he was forty-five. Which means in the last forty years in the harsh wilderness, his strength, youth, and vigor didn’t diminish. There was no leaking, no receding, and no fading away of his strength!

If perhaps you think that Caleb was just talking big, look at what he said next: “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12).

At 85, Caleb was ready to fight with giants to gain possession of a mountain! And Caleb did as he said! Read the evidence for yourself: “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (Joshua 14:14).

You were impressed when a teenage shepherd boy picked a fight with one giant named Goliath? We should be completely blown away by this eighty-five-year-old, who took on a whole mountain packed with giants! Caleb was zealous for the Lord’s glory. As far as he was concerned, there was unfinished business because the Lord had promised them the mountain forty years ago.

My personal belief is that his biological clock stopped ticking and he basically stopped aging because he kept his eyes not on himself, but on the promises of the Lord. As you meditate on and find strength in God’s promises, the same can happen for you!

AMEN! DARE to BELIEVE and RECEIVE all that our God and His great COVENANT with us provides! We are BLESSED in order to BE a BLESSING to others! That's GOD'S heart, and I hope that YOU will make it YOURS, too! Here are Hillsong Kids with "As The World Shakes":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom,

Psalm 37:1-7 is perfect for God's people in these times!

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God). 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. 6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday. 7 Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

All the wickedness that is currently going on Hasd not taken God by surprise! he KNEW that this would happen before the foundation of the world! But He IS actingon OUR behalf as we continue to trust completely in HIM and are obedient to His Word and the leading of His Spirit! Continue reading in Psalm 37 and see exactly what God has in store for the wicked who are following the devil and turning their back on the One, True God! PRAY for them that God would send laborers to reach those who will be reached! Now watch and see what the GOD of the Bible will do for YOU! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Echoes (Til I See The Other Side)":

Shalom in Him!