Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Jospeh Prince's "Grace Inspirations" devotional which can be found on his website!

Abide in His Perfect Love

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. Psalm 91:9–10

I know it can be very hard to feel God’s love for you when you are faced with multiple symptoms in your body, mounting debts from your medical bills, and worries about your future. We live in a world where we are governed by our five senses, and there are times when it is hard to believe in the love of Someone we can’t see, touch, or hear.

But we cannot depend on feelings and outward circumstances (that can change) to be assured of God’s love for us. It is so important we fix our eyes, instead, on our Lord Jesus, whose love for us is perfect, never changes, and never fails.

May I share with you some of the things you can do that I believe will help to keep you in His perfect love?

Instead of allowing the enemy to feed you with lies that cause you to be fearful, keep listening to messages that will keep you in the consciousness of God’s love for you. Embrace His love to drive out every fear.

Every time the enemy tries to attack you with fears, plug into a sermon that magnifies the Lord’s goodness and love for you. Instead of giving in to the devices of the enemy, keep listening to sermons about Jesus’ finished work.

Instead of reading articles on the internet that tell you how serious your condition can become, or reading your medical report over and over again, read praise reports about the Lord’s love and faithfulness. Read scriptures about His love and healing promises. Garrison yourself with the Word of God and keep yourself in His love.

The Bible tells us, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

It’s not enough to know verses about His love. Keep meditating on them until you believe He loves you.

When we keep ourselves in the consciousness of God’s love, we are abiding in God. In other words, we are making Him our dwelling place. That is so powerful because when the Lord is your dwelling place, you are in a place of safety and protection.

Read Psalm 91 and declare over yourself that no evil shall befall you nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. As you abide in Him, the almighty God becomes your refuge and fortress.

It doesn’t matter how many people have died from the disease you have been diagnosed with. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you (Psalm 91:7). And even if you are already in trouble, the Lord is with you and He will deliver you.

I love the line above that says it is NOT enough to know verses ABOUT God's love. We need to come to a knowledge of His love for US so that we can KNOW that we KNOW His love and have full confidence in it and in HIM! Here is Hillsong with another older song called "The Love Of God Can Do":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share the devotional from our Spoken Word Church website. 

Focus on Praise

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, His first focus was on entering the presence of God with praise. He drew attention to the Name of God.

So, today, begin praising God aloud for being Jehovah-Jirah (Provider). Jehovah-Shalom (Peace). Jehovah-Rophe (Healer). Jehovah-Nissi (Banner). Jehovah-Rohi (Shepherd). Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Righteousness).

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." {Matthew 6:9}

THIS is the most important and most powerful form of prayer! PRAISE! Learn to be continually in an attitude of praise, thanksgiving and worship of the Most High GOD and you will find yourself, learning more, growing more and succeeding more in everything you lay your hand to because you are putting HIM first place! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "God One and Only":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Strong Faith

He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. — ROMANS 4:20,21

“I’m weak in faith,” one woman said to me. “Will you pray that I’ll grow stronger in faith?”

“No,” I said, “I won’t. To tell you the truth, you are strong in faith! You just don’t know it. May I ask you some questions?”

“Yes, of course,” she said.

“Are you fully persuaded — fully persuaded — that what God has promised He is able to perform?”

“Certainly,” she said. “I know God can do anything He said He would do. And I know He will do it.”

“Can you say, ‘Glory to God,’ and praise God for His promises?”

“Certainly, I can. I do that every day.”

“Then you are strong in faith,” I said, “according to Romans 4:20 and 21.” Abraham was also strong in faith. What is strong faith? Giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded that what God has promised He is able also to perform. If you can meet these two requirements, then you are strong in faith too.

Confession: I am fully persuaded that what God has promised, He is able to perform. I can give glory to God. I am strong in faith. I have the Abraham-kind of faith. I have a measure of the God-kind of faith.

BE fully persuaded that what God's Word says about YOU is TRUTH! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 119 over the next two days in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I would encourage you to find the reference to the Word of God in every verse! We also read 1 John 3 and verses 1-3 are some of my favorites!

1See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is. 3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).

 We ARE the children of God once we receive JESUS as Lord and Saviour! RIGHT NOW! When we continue in the Word of God we will find who we are - IN HIM! What we have - IN HIM! What we can do - IN HIM! Others may not acknowledge or understand, but our Father will ALWAYS back us up as we stand on His Word! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 117 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today and there are a couple of verses that demand our action! First of all verse 4:

4 Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

Did you do it? I say: That the mercy and loving-kindness of my Heavenly Father, my Lord Jesus and the presious Holy Spirit of the Living God endures FOREVER! AMEN! I DELIGHT in verses 6-9:

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.

I also delight, rejoice and glory in verses 14-16:

14 The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents and private dwellings of the [uncompromisingly] righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength!

Remember to be a DOER of the Word you read everyday! THAT is how the Word of God becomes REAL to you and your faith, trust and confidence in it will grow! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom, 

I have been really blessed today in reading along with our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! Psalm 117 is POWERFUL!

1 O praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! 2 For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

HALLELUJAH! That really says it all! OUR GOD is WORTHY of ALL praise, thanksgiving and worship! Why? because HE IS GOD! The ONE and ONLY! There is NO ONE like HIM! He is GREAT and He DOES GREAT THINGS! Now look at 1 John 1:1-4:

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

And the most important message of 1 John 1? Verse 5!

5 And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].

HALLELUJAH! LIGHT is far greater than the darkenss and our God IS LIGHT! COMPLETELY! Here is Hillsong with "See The Light":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom,

In today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, several verses really stood out to me! First of all we have this in Psalm 116:5:

5 Gracious is the Lord, and [rigidly] righteous; yes, our God is merciful.

OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL and GRACIOUS and He has given ME His RIGHTEOUSNESS! And YOU, also, if YOU have received JESUS as Lord and personal Saviour! Also encouraging is verses 8-9:

8 For You have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Amen! And then we have THIS in 1 Peter 3:12:

12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them].

HE is always FOR YOU! Trust in His Word on that and LIVE accordingly! You will NEVER be the same again! AMEN! Here is  Hillsong Young and Free with "Indescribable":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

The Viewpoint

Now thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ. — 2 Corinthians 2:14

The viewpoint of a worker for God must not be as near the highest as he can get, it must be the highest. Be careful to maintain strenuously God’s point of view, it has to be done every day, bit by bit; don’t think on the finite. No outside power can touch the viewpoint.

The viewpoint to maintain is that we are here for one purpose only, viz., to be captives in the train of Christ’s triumphs. We are not in God’s showroom, we are here to exhibit one thing — the absolute captivity of our lives to Jesus Christ. How small the other points of view are — “I am standing alone battling for Jesus”; “I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold this fort for Him.” Paul says — “I am in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, I am always led in triumph.” Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul’s secret joy was that God took him, a red-handed rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive, and now that is all he is here for. Paul’s joy was to be a captive of the Lord, he had no other interest in heaven or in earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. The Victor ought to have got us so completely that it is His victory all the time, and we are more than conquerors through Him. “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ.” We are enwheeled with the odour of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.

AMEN! This LIFE that HE has provided for us to live is ABUNDANT and filled with HIS presence! We are, of all people, MOST BLESSED! Here is Hillsong Worship with my new favorite song! "That's The Power":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

This exhortation and encouragement from Peter in 2 Peter 1:2-8 is both vital and valuable! Vital to our continued spiritual growth and valuable in stepping more powerfully into the ministry that each of us has been called to by our Father from before the foundation of the world! HE has not changed! He is simply waiting on us! Are YOU ready? 

2 May grace (God’s favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).

4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

5 For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),

6 And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),

7 And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.

8 For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Ready or Not?":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan has us in Psalm 113. Let's REJOICE in HIM and WORSHIP HIM with this Psalm of PRAISE! 

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever 3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised! 4 The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who has His seat on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth! 7 [The Lord] raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and the dung hill, 8 That He may seat them with princes, even with the princes of His people. 9 He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of [spiritual] children. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

AMEN! Remember, PRAISE is the highest form of PRAYER! Once you have worshipped HIM, you can EXPECT to see HIS hand operaintg in YOUR LIFE more than ever before! Here is Hillsong with "Shout To The Lord":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Covenant Prosperity

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant. Deuteronomy 8:18

What is God's reason for prospering His people? Is it so we can watch bigger TVs? So we can buy finer houses and more luxurious cars?

Establishing God's covenant on the earth and giving to those in need: Those are God's purposes for prosperity!

I've had some people tell me, "Well, Brother Copeland, Jesus' ministry was poor and He got along just fine." That's ridiculous. All the way through the Old Testament God promised material blessings to anyone who would walk perfectly and uprightly before Him. If God had failed to bless Jesus financially, He would have been breaking His own Word.

Jesus never built a worldly empire for Himself. But that doesn't mean He was poor. It means He was the greatest giver who ever walked the face of this earth—and it's about time we started following in His footsteps.

If we'll start giving, if we'll start taking care of the needs in people's pocketbooks, we'll be far more likely to win their hearts.

What do you think will happen to the heart of a starving nation when you bring in a 747 full of food, clothes and medical supplies to them in the Name of Jesus and His love? The hearts of those people are going to soften! They're going to be willing to listen to what we have to say about Jesus.

Don't you ever let anyone tell you it's wrong to want to prosper. It's wrong for you not to want to prosper when that prosperity can mean the difference between heaven and hell for millions of people.

Forget about your own little needs. Raise your vision and set your mind on giving to meet someone else's, on establishing God's covenant in the earth. Then stand fast in faith and get ready to enjoy the greatest prosperity you've ever known.

AMEN! This brings to mind a quote from our partner, Jerry O'Dell:

"When we want what God wants, for the same reason He wants it, we cannot fail!"

I LOVE this! OUR responsibility is to find out, from His Word, what GOD wants! Then set about being obedient to do it! HE will take care of all the rest! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Made in Your Image":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

DETERMINATION

They made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:4-5 NIV)

How determined are you to do what it takes to connect with the life and power of God?

In the book of Mark, we find the story about a group of men who’d evidently heard about the ministry of Jesus, and they believed their paralyzed friend could be healed.

But just knowing Jesus could heal their friend was not enough. They had to be determined to do whatever was necessary to get that paralyzed man into the presence of Jesus.

Jesus saw their faith in their determination to get to Him—even if it meant ripping up someone else’s roof. He saw their determination to connect with the source of all life and power.

How determined are you to get into the presence of Jesus? How determined are you to take the time to meditate in the World of God and allow God to speak to you? If you find yourself unable to spend much quality time in the Word, perhaps you have an overcrowded life.

I don’t know the need you may facing today, but connecting with the life and the power of God begins with your determination to get into His presence. And when you do, you’ll find sufficient grace to meet your every need.

Confession: Father, I thank You for giving me the wisdom I need to adjust my schedule so that I can spend more quality time in Your presence. I am determined to keep You as the highest priority in my life.

I LOVE this! HOW DETERMINED ARE YOU? THAT is the KEY to your success! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Remember that in the New Testament, the Epistles are letters written to the churches! The born again believers! In today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan we are reading 1 Peter 2. Look at verses 1-9:

1 So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, 3 Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord. 4 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. 5 [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. 7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, 8 And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Meditate on these powerful Truths! These promises are not referring just to the Jewish people, but to everyone who has received JESUS as LORD and SAVIOUR! WE are this royal priesthood now! WE are the ones that the Spirit of God is using to reach the lost with the glorious and poweful GOSPEL! WE are to be HIS vessels of FIRE and GLORY! Here, to encourage you in your part in all of this is Hillsong with "Children of the Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional. This devotional is on e that I have used for many years and it never gets old! The Truths expressed here are just as profound to me today as when I first heard them!

But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. — MATTHEW 4:4

Here, Jesus is using a natural human term to convey a spiritual thought. He is saying that what bread, or food, is to the body, the Word of God is to the spirit, or heart, of man.

You can feed your spirit. You can feed your faith. God’s Word is faith food.

Smith Wigglesworth, the great English preacher under whose ministry fourteen people were reportedly raised from the dead, is called an apostle of faith. He said, “I never consider myself thoroughly dressed unless I have my New Testament in my pocket. I would as soon go out without my shoes as without my Bible!”

In Wigglesworth’s travels over the world, he stayed in many homes. People have reported that after each meal, even in restaurants, he would push back from the table, get out his Testament, and say, “We have fed the body; now let’s feed the inward man.” Then Wigglesworth would read something about faith, usually winding up giving a little faith message.

Confession: I live by every Word of God. I feed my faith. I feed my inward man. I feed on faith food — God’s Word!

AMEN! Jeremiah 29:13 says this:

Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart

Make your daily intimate fellowship with JESUS, by His Spirit Who lives in you, your first priority as you schedule your day! You will find that THIS will change your entire life for the better! Here is Hillsong with "Know You Will":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 108:1-5 in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan is powerful for praise and worship!

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.

Make praise and worship a focus of you day, everyday! When we do this, we will operate in the right mindset with the Wisdom of God flowing from the center of our being! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "Every Breath"!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Today I want to share with you from Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations". This is SUCH an encouraging message!

There Is Just Something Special About You

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

It is the Lord’s manifested presence, His glorious power working in your heart and through your hands that will cause everything you touch to prosper with the Jesus-kind of results. In fact, even your harshest critic will have to conclude that the Lord is with you and is prospering the work of your hands!

Beloved, stop looking at your outward circumstances or the position you are in. Whether your employer is a believer or not, Jesus can make ALL that you do prosper when you depend on His unmerited favor in your career!

And believe me, when that begins to happen, your employer will sit up and notice that there is something special about you. You will stand out in a crowd!

Remember that the same Lord who was with Joseph is with you today. His name is Jesus and because Jesus is with you, you can expect good success in everything that you do!

For example, when you are placed over a sales project, believe that your sales team will hit record levels of sales never achieved before in your organization. When you are overseeing the finances of a company, believe that you will find legal ways to help your company save on operating expenses and increase its cash flow like never before.

When you are placed in a business development role, believe that Jesus will cause doors that have always been closed to your company to be opened to you because of His unmerited favor upon your life.

Perhaps your company is just a small IT start-up in the Silicon Valley, but for some reason, all the big boys in the business like you. They can't put their finger on it, but there is just something special about you that makes them compete to find ways to collaborate with you, leaving you spoiled for choice!

Perhaps you are a homemaker. You can also expect Jesus’ presence in your life to give you favor with your children. Instead of constantly resisting and arguing with you, they will find you and your words irresistible. God can increase your influence over them.

My friend, that’s the unmerited favor of God in action. In the natural, you may be unqualified and inexperienced, but remember that all your disqualifications exist in the realm of the natural.

You, beloved, live and operate in the supernatural realm! The Lord Jesus is with you 100 percent. You are a successful person in the Lord’s eyes and as you depend on Him, He will cause everything that your hands touch to prosper.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "God Who Saves":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom

From our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today we have Psalm 106:1-5:

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! 2 Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord? Or who can show forth all the praise [that is due Him]? 3 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who observe justice [treating others fairly] and who do right and are in right standing with God at all times. 4 [Earnestly] remember me, O Lord, when You favor Your people! O visit me also when You deliver them, and grant me Your salvation!— 5 That I may see and share the welfare of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your heritage.

HALLELUJAH! We are, of all people, MOST BLESSED! And then we have THIS from James 3:17:

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

Seek God's Wisdom, that comes by HIS WORD and HIS SPIRIT! In HIM we find all that we will ever need to succeed, prosper and affect the lives of others for God's Kingdom. That IS why we are here, after all! Here are Hillsong Kids with "As The World Shakes":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

The Key To The Missionary

All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. — Matthew 28:18-20

The basis of missionary appeals is the authority of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the heathen. We are apt to look upon Our Lord as One Who assists us in our enterprises for God. Our Lord puts Himself as the absolute sovereign supreme Lord over His disciples. He does not say the heathen will be lost if we do not go; He simply says — “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Go on the revelation of My sovereignty; teach and preach out of a living experience of Me.

“Then the eleven disciples went…into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them” (verse 16). If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him for myself, and how to get alone with Him; I must take time to worship the Being Whose Name I bear. “Come unto Me” — that is the place to meet Jesus. Are you weary and heavy laden? How many missionaries are! We banish those marvellous words of the universal Sovereign of the world to the threshold of an after-meeting; they are the words of Jesus to His disciples.

“Go ye therefore.…” “Go” simply means live. Acts 1:8 is the description of how to go. Jesus did not say — Go into Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, but, “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me” in all these places. He undertakes to establish the goings.

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” — that is the way to keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of indifference; God engineers the goings. “None of these things move me….” That is how to keep going till you’re gone!

Here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We begin the Epistle of James today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. There are so many great lessons and instructions in this book! I want to share a few of my favorites from the first chapter! 

5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

He wants us to ask Him for Wisdom so that He can give it and WE can walk in it! I LOVE that I can go directly to GOD when I need answers and He has promised to give them to me! 

17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

This reinforces for me that EVERY GOOD thing in my life comes from HIM! He may use people to deliver them to me, but HE is the ultimate good gift Giver! First thanks always goes to HIM! 

19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

Being quick to hear means listening well to Holy Spirit, God's Word and other people BEFORE we speak so that we can speak with understanding and Wisdom! Being slow to be offended keeps us walking in love which fuels our faith and makes it work! 

22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

Reading, studying, meditating on the Word of God, without obeying (doing) what the Word says causes the Word to be useless and ineffective in our lives. It is OBEDIENCE to God and His Word that brings great blessings and causes HIS will to be done in an for and through us! Now I suggest that YOU make a list of the verses that really minister to you! Meditate on them, speak them to yourself anf then obey them! Great blessings are in store! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 103 is a very familiar Psalm to most of us. Today I want to emphasize two sets of instructions that we have been given in this Psalm! Verses 1-5 is first:

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 BLESS the LORD Who has done all of the wonderful things that follow! And then we have this 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!

Our wonderful GOD is worthy of ALL of our attention, devotion, obedience, praise, thanksgiving and worship! So let's GIVE it to Him! Continually! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Every Breath":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

The Final Jigsaw Piece

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Romans 5:20

It is so vital that you believe in God’s love for you. Because of His super-abundant grace, your past doesn’t have to determine your future.

In Christ, you have a new life, a new beginning, and a new future. Read this precious testimony I received from Daphne from the United Kingdom and see this truth reflected:

I am a recovered alcoholic who received Jesus Christ five years ago. At that time, even after being saved, I was still full of self-condemnation and found it hard to believe that Jesus really cared about me. I thought He was very angry with me and that I needed to try to be good. For us alcoholics who have been very ill with addiction, this self-condemnation and the belief that we are never going to be able to do what God expects of us often sends us back to drink, develop an addiction to drugs, and even die as a result of complications.

But when I heard Pastor Joseph Prince preach on television, suddenly, the final jigsaw piece fell into place. It was the first time I had heard about God’s grace. After that, I bought and read Pastor Prince’s books. Grace and truth in the person of Jesus came and made all the difference. The changes happened in me once I understood and believed that everything had already been done for me at the cross, and that Jesus wanted to heal me and pour His grace into my life.

Today, Daphne sponsors many alcoholic women through a twelve-step recovery program and even runs a retreat for them. But she runs the program “with God’s grace at the forefront so that it is not a legalistic program.” She says:

When I help the women begin their journey with the program, I give them my copies of Pastor Prince’s books to read. I also show them clips of Pastor Prince’s messages.

These women now have a much better chance at lasting freedom. Before receiving the message of grace, they had the same wrong beliefs I had. Like me, they believed that they could never live up to what an angry God of judgment expects of them. Without right believing about the true God and His grace, lasting sobriety is just not possible for any of us and we would all have gone back to drinking.

Since listening to the gospel of grace, I now believe that the Lord wants to help us all because He loves each one of us. I love seeing people recover from their addictions. It’s His grace alone that has given my friends and me true freedom. I have also been able to forgive others and myself.

My friend, condemnation kills! It is a dangerous and vicious trap that keeps you imprisoned. It eats at you from the inside out, and you can’t just will it away or just tell yourself to forget about the mistakes and bad choices you have made.

Our sins demand a resolution. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Our conscience cries out against us and demands that punishment for our sins be meted out.

That is why you need to have an unshakable revelation of your righteous identity in Christ. At the cross Jesus took your place of punishment and condemnation and became the full payment for all your sins. And when you believed in Jesus, you were justified by faith!

The cross of Calvary has made all the difference and is the only answer that will satisfy your guilty conscience. This was what Daphne experienced, and what God did for Daphne, He can and wants to do for you too.

We ARE who JESUS says that we are! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's devotion from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" is another one that I LOVE! 

Whereby Shall I Know?

I thank Thee, O Father,…because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. — Matthew 11:25

In spiritual relationship we do not grow step by step, we are either there or we are not. God does not cleanse us more and more from sin, but when we are in the light, walking in the light, we are cleansed from all sin. It is a question of obedience, and instantly the relationship is perfected. Turn away for one second out of obedience, and darkness and death are at work at once.

All God’s revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. Obey God in the thing He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. We read tomes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when one five minutes of drastic obedience would make things as clear as a sunbeam. “I suppose I shall understand these things some day!” You can understand them now. It is not study that does it, but obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming “wise and prudent.”

I LOVE this! We can NEVER 'do' something in order to know about God. We must be in His presence, through prayer, praise & worship, study and meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with HIM, in order to KNOW Him more! Simple obedience is what HE is waiting for from us! Then HE can MOVE on our behalf and WE get the benefits of being in HIS perfect will! HALLELUJAH!!!  Here is Hillsong with "Awake My Soul":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Fully Restored

He refreshes and restores my soul (life). Psalm 23:3 AMP

Jesus, our Passover Lamb, took upon Himself any condition that affects any part of your body and wants you healed of it. I want you to meditate on how He bore these infirmities so you can have perfect freedom from them (Matthew 8:17).

For instance, if you or a loved one has a neurological condition such as recurrent migraines, encephalitis, meningitis, dementia, or are suffering the effects of a stroke, see your Savior’s brain afflicted with the condition on the cross as you partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Let me share with you a powerful testimony of healing from Alzheimer’s disease that Paula from Texas sent to me:

My mother was ravaged by Alzheimer’s disease. She was debilitated to the point that she did not recognize her family members. My parents live with me so I could see the daily moment-to-moment struggles and hardship. It was a miserable existence for her as well as for those of us trying to care for her. There were times I just missed my mom and wished to see her well again.

Then one day, my sister shared a praise report with me after following your teaching on the holy Communion, so I immediately began to partake of the Communion with my mother. My mother went to bed on the third night after receiving the Communion and woke up the next day looking ten years younger. All the things she had forgotten how to do, she is doing again. She remembers who we all are now. She has stopped repeating herself, something she used to do from sun up to sun down, and is a complete joy to be around now. Jesus has healed her mind and set her free!

We are still rejoicing that she is back. I asked her about her experience and the best she could describe was that she was lost and trapped, but that’s all over now. Nothing is too big for the finished work of Christ Jesus, and I praise Him for it. It has freed my mother!

To God be all the glory and all the praise! As you advance in years, don’t accept the lie that you will become more forgetful.

When the psalmist wrote that God “restores my soul,” he used the word nephesh for soul. Nephesh includes your life, your emotions, and also your mind.

Even if you have experienced some degeneration in this area, the Lord can restore. And when the Lord restores, His restoration is always greater than the original in quality!

AMEN! Even BETTER than before! HALLELUJAH!!! Here is Hillsong with "Highlands!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin is another favorite of mine! 

The Father Glorified

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. — JOHN 14:13

What a striking promise!

When we are born into the family of God, the right and privilege to use the Name of Jesus is given to us by the New Birth. All authority vested in that Name is given to us so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

The Son was an outcast on the earth. He hung naked before the world and was crucified. But wherever the shame of the crucifixion has been preached, the might, power, and honor of His Name also has gone — shedding blessings upon the human race and bringing glory to God the Father.

Jesus’ Name is to take Jesus’ place upon the earth. All Jesus could do during His earth walk can now be done by every believer. Jesus is in that Name. Jesus is that Name. All Jesus was — all He did — all He is — all He will ever be — is in that Name now!

When we use Jesus’ Name, we bring onto the scene the fullness of His finished work at Calvary. By our use of that Name, the living, healing Christ is present — to the glory of God the Father!

HALLELUJAH! WE have EVERY RIGHT to use the NAME of JESUS in every situation and circumstance! Even more than that, we have the RESPONSIBILITY to do so! WE represent HIM in the earth. Let's be DOERS of the WORD, representing well! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Children of the Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan we are reading Psalm 98. This Psalm is all about the faithfulness of our Great God! Here is the entire Psalm!

1 O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him.
2 The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness has He openly shown in the sight of the nations.
3 He has [earnestly] remembered His mercy and loving-kindness, His truth and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it, the world, and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; together let the hills sing for joy
9 Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge [and rule] the earth; with righteousness will He judge [and rule] the world, and the peoples with equity.

There are definite instructions for God's people AND for creation! Let's do OUR part and let God take care of creation's part! When WE do this, everything that God has promised will fall right into place and ALL in HIS perfect time! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "For Your Name":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really LOVE today's "Health Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin!

Go Ahead—Brag About Who You Are in Christ !

For we walk by faith, not by sight. — 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

Years ago, a dear preacher friend of mine said to me, “I don’t believe like you believe.” At the time he said that, I’d been well for the past forty-five years, and he’d been sickly off and on for forty-five years. Well, I liked my way of believing a whole lot better than his way.

This preacher would say, “If God ever heals me, I’ll start believing in healing.” He meant that if all his symptoms disappeared, he would believe. I started believing I was healed while I was bedfast and still paralyzed. I couldn’t walk or move a bit when I began believing I was healed.

Some people have said, “You’re just bragging on yourself. You’re stuck on yourself. You think you’re something.” No, I’m stuck on God’s Word! I’m bragging on Him!

Anyone who knows Jesus—anyone who knows what God has done for him—has plenty to brag about. And he ought to brag about it! I’m bragging because I’m a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). I didn’t make myself a new creature; God made me one. I’m bragging about who I am in Christ. I didn’t put myself in Christ; He did it. I’m bragging about who God said I am, not who I said I am.

Confession: I walk by faith in God’s Word, rather than what I can see with my physical eyes. I believe I am who God says I am and that I can do what God says I can do. I brag about who I am in Christ and what God has done for me.

AMEN! DARE to believe what God's Word says about YOU and about all that JESUS has done in you and for you! Here is Hillsong with "Bright As The Sun":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

WAITING FOR THAT LAST PERSON TO REPENT

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9

Today I want to encourage you to remember something about the patience and longsuffering of our Lord. Jesus Christ is still on the throne as King of kings and Lord of lords, regardless of the events that are occurring around the world. We may not see exactly how He is moving — or know everything that He is doing — but Christ is fully in charge and is moving by His Spirit around the planet to take us toward final prophetic fulfillments. As we will see in Second Peter 3:9, God is presently holding back His judgment until one last person repents. Just think of it. One last person will repent before that moment on God’s prophetic timeline begins, and then judgment will fall on this planet and God will deal with a world gone astray.

To our natural eyes, it seems like society is degenerating at an ever-increasing rate. Laws are being implemented that are antagonistic toward people of faith, and Christians are increasingly labeled as intolerant because they refuse to endorse the activities of a morally bankrupt world. Therefore, it is important for us to remain aware that Christ is still seated on His throne in Heaven, ruling over the affairs of mankind. No matter how turbulent the waters around us may seem, Christ has never moved from His highly exalted seat of authority. The Day of Judgment is near, but Christ waits lovingly and patiently for one more soul to repent before that prophetic moment occurs and judgment falls.

While we wait for that final moment of God’s reckoning with the affairs of men, it can be discouraging to see ungodly men run the transactions of government. So we must remember the fact that God’s Word promises a day will come when every man will stand before the throne of judgment. We must pray for ungodly men to come to the knowledge of the truth, but we must also never forget that those who resist and oppose the truth will not escape the consequences of their actions. A time will inevitably come when every man will be called into Christ’s high court of reckoning.

Only mercy restrains Christ from taking immediate action against evildoers. He is well-equipped to eliminate those who oppose the truth, but His mercy endures forever. This truth is very clear in Second Peter 3:9, where Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

I want to look at that word “longsuffering” with you. It is the Greek word makrothumeo, which is a compound of the words makros and thumeo. The word makros depicts something that is long, and thumeo is the word for anger. When compounded, the new word makrothumeo is the picture of the long restraint of anger — thus the reason it is often translated as patience or longsuffering. But it is actually the picture of God holding back His anger.

Why does God hold back so long when it seems that judgment should come more quickly? Peter wrote the reason: God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He is holding out for one last person who will repent before the clock stops ticking and time runs out.

From the signs around us, it would seem that this event will happen during our lifetime. I personally expect to see the Rapture — the “catching away” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17) — of the Church during our lifetime. Afterward, great bowls of God’s judgment will be poured out upon the earth. But God is loving, patient, and kind. He longs for one more person to repent before that prophetic moment in history begins, so He restrains His anger toward the godlessness in the world as He patiently waits.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you were the one who led that last person to the Lord before the judgment cycle begins on the earth? Consider the joy of knowing that God used you for such a historic moment. Don’t say it couldn’t be you, because it’s going to be someone who brings that last soul into the family of God! And when this grand moment occurs and the very last person repents in this current age, the long-awaited judgment will begin. To be honest, it could happen anytime.

AMEN! I am SO glad that our God is SO patient! Here is Hillsong with "Echoes - Til We See The Other Side":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share again from Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace" devotions.

Perfect Sacrifice, Complete Forgiveness

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Colossians 2:13

You will never be sure that you have God’s unmerited favor if you are not sure if God has forgiven you of your sins. Beloved, I want you to know that your sins are forgiven not according to the riches of your good works, but according to the riches of God's grace (unmerited favor).

All your sins—past, present, and future—have been forgiven. Don’t draw a timeline of God’s forgiveness of your sins.

There are some Christians who believe that the forgiveness they received spans only from the day they were born to the day they became Christians. From that point onward, they think that they need to tread very carefully in case they lose their salvation.

This belief is simply unscriptural. Colossians 2:13 states clearly that we have been forgiven of all our sins.

Does “all” mean the same thing to you as it does to me? My Bible says that all our sins have been forgiven by Jesus' one sacrifice on the cross. We have been forgiven once and for all!

The high priests in the old covenant had to offer sacrifices for sins daily. But Jesus, our perfect new covenant High Priest, offered the complete, perfect sacrifice “once for all when He offered up Himself” (Hebrews 7:27).

On the cross, He took upon Himself all the sins that you will commit in your lifetime, and once for all paid the full price for all your sins. Christ does not need to be crucified again for your future sins.

In fact, all your sins were in the future when He died on the cross. So when you received Jesus into your heart, ALL your sins were completely forgiven!

Now that you know that your sin debt has been completely cleared and settled by Jesus on your behalf, don’t expect God to deal with you according to your sins. When something negative happens, don’t imagine that God is coming after you because of what you did in the past.

Instead, take God at His Word and expect to enjoy the benefits of the heavy price Jesus paid at the cross for you. We sowed nothing good, but through Jesus, we have reaped every good blessing.

That, my friend, is called unmerited favor. And you honor what He has done for you by thanking Him and expecting these blessings to manifest in your life every day.

AMEN! Rejoice every day in the TRUTH that YOU belong to GOD by the precious blood of JESUS and that HE will NEVER disown you! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Indescribable":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want you to be extremely blessed with THIS message from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional! 

Fellowship

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9

The highest honor God has conferred upon you is to be a joint-fellowshipper with God the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s plan for the redemption of the human race.

By virtue of the New Birth, you became related to the Creator of the universe! You became God’s child. You have a relationship with Him. But relationship without fellowship is a lifeless thing. It’s like marriage without love or fellowship.

Fellowship with God is the mother of faith. And God has called you individually into fellowship with His Son.

Confession: God has called me into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. I will walk in fellowship and communion with Jesus. I will talk with Jesus. I will work with Jesus. I am a joint-fellowshipper with God the Father, with Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s great plan of redemption for the human race.

AMEN! We who have entered into this relationship with the GOD of all the universe, by the precious blood of JESUS, must step up in our fellowship with Him in order to walk out this NEW LIFE in faith, and with great results, bringing GLORY to HIM! Here is Hillsong with "Hosanna":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom

Let's praise the Lord our God with Psalm 93 from today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan!

1 The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up the roaring of their waves.
4 The Lord on high is mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea.
5 Your testimonies are very sure; holiness [apparent in separation from sin, with simple trust and hearty obedience] is becoming to Your house, O Lord, forever.

HALLELUJAH! OUR GOD REIGNS FOREVER MORE! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "The Passion":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

Psalm 92 is what we are reading today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan and verses 1-5 show us the correct way to begin every day!

1 It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High,
2 To show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night,
3 With an instrument of ten strings and with the lute, with a solemn sound upon the lyre.
4 For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing.
5 How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.

HALLELUJAH! Now verses 6-9 tell us what He thinks of and what plans He has for the evil doers! 

6 A man in his rude and uncultivated state knows not, neither does a [self-confident] fool understand this: 7 That though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to be destroyed forever. 8 But You, Lord, are on high forever. 9 For behold, Your adversaries, O Lord, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the evildoers shall be scattered.

And THIS is how HE sees US! Verses 10-15:

10 But my horn (emblem of excessive strength and stately grace) You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil. 11 My eye looks upon those who lie in wait for me; my ears hear the evildoers that rise up against me. 12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. 13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. 15 [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

AMEN! God's plan has ALWAYS been to bless HIS people, but His people, bothunder the Old Covenant AND the New, have not always put themselves in position to RECEIVE His promises! Meditate on and LEARN, from the Word of the Living Godf and by His Spirit, just what belongs to you and how to walk in it all! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "All Of My Best Friends":

Shalom in Him!