Shalom,

Everything that I have read and studied today seems to have the very same theme, from different angles! The Spoken Word Church devotional is all about our choices! It includes this:

Face Your Problems Honestly

                                                                                                                                                                                     Don't blame others for what you have chosen to do. Don't blame others for the consequences of your choices. Never complain about what you permit. Your life is the result of your choices.

WE are responsible for the choices we make, whether for good or bad! Remember in Joshua 24:15 we are given the choice between good and evil, and the choice is OURS! HE tells us to choice LIFE, but He will not, and cannot, make that choice FOR us! Then Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin says this:

"Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]" (Eph. 4:27 AMP). I remember reading in Reader's Digest about a lovely little patch of grass that people were prone to cut across. So the gardener built a small fence around this beautiful square of grass - just some small stakes and string. But people persisted in stepping over the string and walking across the grass. So the gardener painted a crude sign: Gentlemen will not, and others must not, trespass on this property! That gave me the idea of putting up a sign on my body. You can't see it, because it's in the spirit. But the devil can see it. My sign says: NO TRESPASSING! DEVIL, THIS MEANS YOU! I did that by faith. I've had that sign up for years now, and the devil doesn't trespass on God's property - my body. As the custodian of your body, it's your job to see to it that Satan does not trespass on God's property. 

As born again believers, we are to KNOW what belongs to us! WE must take authority over our lives! When we speak God's Word into our lives, we give the angels of God, who are sent to minster FOR us (Hebrews 1:14), something to work with! They ONLY move at HIS Word! When His Word is spoken from our mouths, they act on it as though Jesus Himself were saying it! So, stop the attacks by using your authority and speaking to your situation!  On the positive side, Jerry Savelle's devotional says this:

No matter how you feel or what your emotions are telling you, God has a great future for you if you will just trust Him. Not only has He got a great future for you, but He has a plan to get you there too! Believing that you will see the manifestation of the goodness of the Lord is essential to staying strong in faith and walking into that bright future that He has prepared for you.

David wrote in Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV), 

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”

What you believe determines how strong or how faint you become. If you allow discouragement and hopelessness to grip you, you will start to grow weak and faint. Believing in the goodness of the Lord will increase your strength. Don’t let negative situations consume your vision. If that is all you see, you will forget the goodness of God and plunge into a pit of despair. Never lose sight of His goodness. God is a good God and He has good plans for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Then our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today has THIS from Isaiah 60:1-2:

60  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. ESV

Yes, this is speaking specifically to Jerusalem, but it is also speaking to the Church of Jesus Christ, His Body! Dare to believe His very good plans for YOU and YOURS! Speak the Word, stand your ground against the enemy and SEE the salvation of God! All for His glory! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Yours Is The Kingdom":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In honor of the remembrance of what happened to this nation twelve years ago today, I want to share two portions of Scripture with you. The first we have seen a lot lately because it is very powerfully TRUTH! 2 Chronicles 7:14:

14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. AMP

THIS is the answer for what is going to become of this nation! Notice that He did NOT say ALL people, but if MY people! It doesn't take everyone, but it DOES take YOU! Are you ready? Then you should get this inside of you also! Daniel 11:32b (in both the KJV and the AMP):

 but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. KJV

 but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]. AMP

DO you know Him? If not, visit our website through the link on the left and find out how! Then YOU will qualify! Amen! Here, to encourage you in this, is an old song by the Rhema Singers called "The Blood Bought Church":

And RayGene Wilson with "God Bless America". Lest we EVER forget!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

When I was first born again and involved in Bible Study groups, there were a few people who told me that it was not possible for us to understand the Bible, that only a pastor or minister could. After I had grown in the Word and developed a very real hunger for more, other people, all born again believers, told me that God's ways were past finding out! They said that it was not possible for us to really know the Word of God. They would quote this from Isaiah 55:8-9:

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

What they did NOT know was that I had already found Scriptures such as this in Hosea 6:3:

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. KJV

And this from 2 Timothy 3:15:

15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

Then this from Romans 12:2:

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV

Then this from 1 John 5:13:

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

And finally, my very favorite, Philippians 3:10a:

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection  AMP

HE said that His thoughts and His ways are MUCH higher than our natural human ones, BUT, He did NOT say that we couldn't learn of them! In fact, He DID say this in Matthew 11:29:

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. AMP

So, refuse to allow yourself excuses for not spending time daily in the Word of God. Meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8 AMP) and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you individually and uniquely how to put this vital Word into practice in your own life! The Word WORKS! SO, WORK IT! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Take It All":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have always loved this passage from Hebrews 4:12-16:

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do. 14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. 16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

The Word of God IS the Answer for every situation and circumstance that we will ever face! It IS Truth (John 17:17)! Jesus understands everything that we have or will ever face because HE was tempted ON ALL POINTS (in every respect), just as we are! The only difference is that HE DID NOT SIN! So, not only does He understand how difficult the temptation may be, He also knows, and will tell us, the way OUT of that temptation! THAT is why we are to RUN boldly to that Throne of His infinite Grace! Amen! Here is Hillsong Live with "Running":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 Corinthians 14:2 tells us what happens when we pray in other tongues!

2 For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]. AMP

Praying in other tongues is very powerful prayer! The Holy Spirit knows all things, especially what and how to pray for every given situation! When we pray in that Holy Spirit given prayer language, we pray for things WE don't know about, so our human minds cannot get in the way! If there is a need to pray something out in our known language, the Holy Spirit is well able to lead us in that! Then, after we have prayed in the Spirit, the best prayers that we can pray for others are found in Ephesians chapter 1, Ephesians chapter 3 and Colossians chapter 1. 

Eph 1:17-23[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],  [Ps 8:6.] 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself]. AMP

Eph 3:14-21 For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. 16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! 20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] —  21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). AMP

Col 1:9-14 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things —  10 That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. 11 [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, 12 Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. 13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins. AMP

Pray these prayers for yourself and others, putting your name and theirs in the place of the "you" in these, at least once a day for a month and see for yourself how God answers these prayers! Amen! Here is "Desert Song" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I am out of town today, so I want to simply share again a very powerful song by Hillsong United called "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)". I encourage you to listen to this and then sing it TO Him! It is only by totally selling out to Jesus that we will ever truly live here in this life! Be bold, be determined, be humble and then be obedient! AMEN! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really like this from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers for today:

He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water —John 7:38

A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.

A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.

Do YOU remember this song from several years ago:

"I've got a river of Life flowing out of me
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see,
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free
I've got a river of Life flowing out of me."

The song goes on to say that "Jesus is the Life flowing out of me"! The world NEEDS to see Jesus in us! Stay filled with the Spirit and full of His Word and HE will shine through us! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Chapel with "Lost Are Found":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 66:1-2:

1 MAKE A joyful noise unto God, all the earth; 2 Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious! 

How do we make His praise glorious? By telling of Who He is and what He's done! Look at verses 3-8:

3 Say to God, How awesome and fearfully glorious are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power shall Your enemies submit themselves to You. 4 All the earth shall bow down to You and sing [praises] to You; they shall praise Your name in song. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 Come and see the works of God; see how [to save His people He smites their foes; He is] terrible in His doings toward the children of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land, they crossed through the river on foot; there did we rejoice in Him. 7 He rules by His might forever, His eyes observe and keep watch over the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 8 Bless our God, O peoples, give Him grateful thanks and make the voice of His praise be heard,

This is something that we can and should do in our Worship Services at church, but we must also do this in our private lives! The people that WE know best need to hear of Him also! Look ate verses 16-17:

16 Come and hear, all you who reverently and worshipfully fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me! 17 I cried aloud to Him; He was extolled and high praise was under my tongue.

What is a good time to praise the King of kings and the Lord of lords? ALL THE TIME! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Praise Him":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I love this very simple example of how hideous idol worship is! This from the Old Covenant in Isaiah 44:14-17:

14 He hews for himself cedars, and takes the holm tree and the oak and lets them grow strong for himself among the trees of the forest; he plants a fir tree or an ash, and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man to burn; a part of it he takes and warms himself, yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. [Then out of the remainder, the leavings] he also makes a god and worships it! He [with his own hands] makes it into a graven image and falls down and worships it! 16 He burns part of the wood in the fire; with part of it he [cooks and] eats flesh, he roasts meat and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire! 17 And from what is left [of the log] he makes a god, his graven idol. He falls down to it, he worships it and prays to it and says, Deliver me, for you are my god!

We can laugh at how very ludicrous this was, but what do WE make into idols in our time, and under our Covenant? Have we prayed for a job and then allowed that job to dictate whether we obey God or not? Perhaps the job has become our idol? Have we prayed for a spouse, and then allowed time with the family to interfere with time spent in His presence, fulfilling HIS plan? Perhaps we have made our spouse an idol? Have we prayed for prosperity and been a faithful giver and then when the prosperity came we stopped or cut back on our giving? Perhaps things have become our idol? Do you see? We can all have idols in our lives that are NOT made of the same wood we burn! Every good thing that God has given us CAN become an idol IF we concentrate our time, energy and resources on this "thing" and no longer on HIM! Take an inventory of YOUR life and see if there are any idols lurking there! Deal with them as the Spirit of God leads you and do NOT delay! Remember, true prosperity is being where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Stand In Awe":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 64 is vital and timely for us today!

1 HEAR MY voice, O God, in my complaint; guard and preserve my life from the terror of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret counsel and conspiracy of the ungodly, from the scheming of evildoers, 3 Who whet their tongues like a sword, who aim venomous words like arrows, 4 Who shoot from ambush at the blameless man; suddenly do they shoot at him, without self-reproach or fear. 5 They encourage themselves in an evil purpose, they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, Who will discover us? 6 They think out acts of injustice and say, We have accomplished a well-devised thing! For the inward thought of each one [is unsearchable] and his heart is deep. 7 But God will shoot an unexpected arrow at them; and suddenly shall they be wounded. 8 And they will be made to stumble, their own tongues turning against them; all who gaze upon them will shake their heads and flee away. 9 And all men shall [reverently] fear and be in awe; and they will declare the work of God, for they will wisely consider and acknowledge that it is His doing. 10 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory and offer praise.

REFUSE to fall into fear and worry when you hear and see of the multitude of vile, hateful and dangerous things that are going on in the world around us. Some of the things we hear are true, some are not and some are deliberately being portrayed as such in order to incite fear and anxiety among the people. I say again, REFUSE to fall for this! Is the arm of God shortened that He cannot do what God has promised? Isaiah 59:1 says NO!

59 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: KJV

SO, do what David always did! Encourage yourself in the Lord and His Word. EXPECT that our God WILL DO what He has already promised to do! AMEN! Give Him some faith to work with! Here is Hillsong Live with "Always Will":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We have seen many times how, when facing discouragement and fear, David would encourage himself in the Lord! he would meditate on past victories and on the promises of God. Psalm 63 is no exception! Look at verses 1-8:

1 O GOD, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is. 2 So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. 4 So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips 6 When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. 7 For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. 8 My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

THIS is how we begin to fulfill the commandments that we looked at yesterday! Notice the "night watches". When you find yourself waking in the night, remind yourself first of all what the Word of God says! Do you remember that Joshua instructed that the meditation of the Word of God should take place day and  night (Joshua 1:8)? 

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP

THIS is how we do it! Go to sleep each night with the meditation  of His Word in your heart. When you DO wake up, then the Holy Spirit will bring the Word back to you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with a great older song called "Everything That Has Breath":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Mark 12 today we see Jesus speaking to the people again in parables. AS He is wisely teaching, some of the Pharisees and Sadducees come again with questions intended to trip Jesus up on the Law. When He answers them wisely, again leaving them speechless, one of the scribes listening came to Jesus, sincerely, with a question. The question and the answer Jesus gives is found in verses 28-31:

28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' 31 The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."  New Living Translation

The MOST important thing that we, as born again believers, can do is to obey these two commands! In fact, Matthew expands on this, showing that Jesus also added this in Matthew 22:40 :

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. KJV

Romans 13:8 also tells us that when we walk this love walk, loving HIM first, and then loving others, we have fulfilled all of the Law!

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law. KJV

SO, make loving Him your top DAILY priority, and then you will be well able to love others! AMEN! Here is Hillsong  with "Unending Love":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Mark 11:15-17 we see Jesus clearing the Temple of all of those things that did not belong there.:

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And He went into the temple [area, the porches and courts] and began to drive out those who sold and bought in the temple area, and He overturned the [four-footed] tables of the money changers and the seats of those who dealt in doves; 16 And He would not permit anyone to carry any household equipment through the temple enclosure [thus making the temple area a short-cut traffic lane]. 17 And He taught and said to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have turned it into a den of robbers.

Jesus was quoting Isaiah 56:7 when He declared this to all who heard Him. The people had lost the fear of the Lord, which is reverence and awe for Who He is! When this happens, then shortcuts are taken, convenience becomes the priority and things begin to become nothing but form and ritual. Although this has been true of many churches today, it is NOT referring to what some have called the "prosperity message"! It is referring of having no reverence and respect for what is God's property. When the God of the Bible tells us how to prosper (read Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:3, Psalm 122:6, Job 36:11, Psalm 35:27, and the list goes on and on!) then we KNOW that it IS His will that we do so. He is NOT concerned with us having things, but that those things do not have us! He IS a jealous God and demands to be our highest priority, but when He is, then THIS promise is ours! John 10:10:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

SO, make pleasing HIM your greatest  priority and dare to show HIM off by walking in the blessing of the New Covenant. Refuse the judgment of people who don't understand these things! There is ONE Judge, and they most definitely are NOT Him! AMEN! Walk in love, pray for those who persecute and, above all else, PREACH THE GOOD NEWS! Soon and very soon, we are going to be seeing our King! Make the very most of THIS time! Here is Hillsong United with "Forever Reign":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 60:11-12 says this:

11 O give us help against the adversary, for vain (ineffectual and to no purpose) is the help or salvation of man. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries.

So many people look FIRST to the world for the answers they need and only go to the God of the Bible as a last resort! These verses show very clearly what we should think of the help of mere human wisdom! God works THROUGH people, but we must have His leading to know the right people! We looked yesterday at meditation in the Word of God that will bring Wisdom as the Spirit of God brings the Word of God, that we have hidden in our hearts, back to our remembrance! He does this at exactly the right time! Zechariah 4:6b says this:

6(b) Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. KJV

Staying continually filled with the Spirit  is essential for being continually led by the Spirit! Filled with the Spirit and filled with His Word is HOW we will do valiantly! HE works through us by the words that we speak that are in line with His Word! Make it your determined purpose to stay continually in the process of being filled, and continually obedient to His leading, and you will find yourself actually looking as though you are MORE than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) in every situation! When that happens, you KNOW Who gets the credit! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Oceans" which is the ultimate trust in HIM song!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We have been speaking of meditation some this week and I want to encourage you again in this! In John 17:17 Jesus declared this as He was praying for his disciples AND us (verse 20):

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

So the Word of God IS Truth! It doesn't just contain a little Truth, it IS Truth itself! So, as we continue to meditate on the Word of God, we are continually being set apart as being those who have been with Jesus! That is why being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential to our growth. It is His role to bring back to our attention the Word that we have already heard! John 14:25-26:

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV

I actually like the Amplified Bible better for this!

25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. AMP

So, read, study and meditate daily on the Word of God, and stay filled with His Spirit. Then HE will bring to remembrance, at the exact time needed, the Word you have already put inside! Our God IS God, and He is GOOD! AMEN! Here is "Like Incense" by Hillsong United:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom, 

I hope that you are making use of 1 John 1:9 as often as is necessary in your life!

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. AMP

This promise has been given so that when we DO sin, we can get right back into deep and intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HALLELUJAH! Sin cannot separate us! IF! So make sure that you are taking advantage of this! Just in case you don't think that you ever Do sin, look at today's Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin:

Doing Philippians 4:6

August 28, 2013

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God" (Phil. 4:6 AMP). 

A minister once came to me for advice. There were many storms in his life, and I felt sorry for him. He couldn't eat or sleep. 

Just to sympathize with him wasn't enough, so I had to read Philippians 4:6. "But everyone doesn't have the faith you have," he told me. "Yes, but they have the same Bible," I replied, "and it's a matter of practicing the Word." 

Then I showed him how to practice the Word: I read a verse aloud and then told the Lord, "Your Word is true, and I believe it." When I first started practicing this verse, I believed I could make my requests known to God, but it was hard for me to believe I could keep from fretting. However, God won't ask us to do something we can't do. So when God said not to fret, this means we can keep from fretting. 

So I say aloud, "I refuse to fret or have any anxiety about anything." Then I bring my requests to the Lord and thank Him for them. This quiets the troubled spirit the devil tried to make me have. If the devil tries to get me to worry again, I simply go back, reread this verse, and keep claiming it. 

Confession: I am a doer of Philippians 4:6! 

Not doing this, and holding on to fear, anxiety and worry, is a sin! It is a selfish decision to doing something our way instead of God's way! Use 1 John 1:9, then become a DOER of Philippians 4:6, realizing that because HE said to do this, you CAN do it! AMEN! Philippians 4:13:

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. 

AMP

AMEN! YOU CAN! Here, to encourage you, is Hillsong Live with "Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really like this portion from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" for today:

Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you . . . —John 12:35

Beware of not acting upon what you see in your moments on the mountaintop with God. If you do not obey the light, it will turn into darkness. “If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23). The moment you forsake the matter of sanctification or neglect anything else on which God has given you His light, your spiritual life begins to disintegrate within you. Continually bring the truth out into your real life, working it out into every area, or else even the light that you possess will itself prove to be a curse.

The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the prideful self-satisfaction of a past experience, but is not working that experience out in his everyday life. If you say you are sanctified, show it. The experience must be so genuine that it shows in your life. Beware of any belief that makes you self-indulgent or self-gratifying; that belief came from the pit of hell itself, regardless of how beautiful it may sound.

As we have been speaking of meditation lately, it is imperative that we speak of OBEYING that Word. Remember, HE is not looking for sacrifice, but for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)! So, as you meditate on the Word of God that you are studying today, be prepared to put it into practice IMMEDIATELY! That way it won't get away from you in all the business of life! Psalm 57:7-11 from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today is a great place to start!

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.

I have already "awakened the dawn" when I woke up at 4:15 to start my day with morning prayer! So now I am going to go spend some time in praise and worship for Who He is and for all the GOOD He has done and is doing in my life! You can join me with this song from Hillsong Live called "Endless Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! Every day the reading just seems to resonate with what is happening, either in my own personal life, or for the world in which we live! Look at Psalm 56:3-4:

   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?

What was the psalmist facing that he said these things? Look at verses 5-7:

5 All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life. 7 They think to escape with iniquity, and shall they? In Your indignation bring down the peoples, O God.

Have you experienced this type of persecution in your own personal life? This certainly applies to what is happening to Bible believing Christians the world over, and even now in this nation! But then the psalmist restates his faith, trust and confidence in the One, True God of the Bible in verses 9-11:

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?

AMEN! What CAN any man do to us that has the ability to affect us when our Source for protection, provision and safety is the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible? Train yourself to think like God and expect His very best! What SHOULD we do when faced with attacks, tests, trials and persecutions? Let's do what Jesus did! In Mark today we read what became of John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus. When Jesus heard the news, He pulled his disciples aside to get away by themselves, then He did the most powerful thing He could do to counter this awful attack of satan (the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy - John 10:10a). He taught the people and then He did one of His most outstanding miracles! He fed the crowd, which included 5,000 men, besides all of the women and children, from five loaves of bread and two fish! THAT is how you combat the enemy! You do something that sets people free and gives all the glory to God! HALLELUJAH! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong Live again with "Always Will":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We looked at Psalm 119 today in Adult Bible Study at The Spoken Word Church. The focus of all of Psalm 119 is the Word of God! We have been instructed to meditate on the Word of God in Joshua 1:8:

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP

To "meditate" is the Hebrew word "hagah", which means: to murmur, to ponder, to muse, to utter. It involves speaking the Word to yourself, thinking about it, speaking about it to others and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate it to you. Joshua says that by so doing, we shall make our own way prosperous and we shall be successful! Psalm 119:97 says this:

97 Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day. AMP

I really like this from Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food for today, because it goes right along with everything we've been looking at!

A minister told me how he'd been trying to make a success of his church. If he heard of a pastor who was doing well, he would visit him and see what kind of program he had. Then he would try to put that man's program into action in his church - but it never worked. And he'd fly all over the country doing this. 

Then the pastor decided he would meditate in the Word the way he'd heard me teach. So he took a little time out each morning to meditate on the Word. He told me that after thirty days of meditating on the Word, one Sunday they had a landslide response. 

More people were saved than in the previous two or three years; his people were revived - and he began to have good success. 

The ministry was this pastor's life. That's where he needed to have good success. Your life calling may be different. But it is certainly true that your way can also be prosperous, and you can have good success. Take time to meditate in the Word. Shut yourself in alone with your spirit. Shut the world out. 

Confession: I will meditate in God's Word. I will observe to do what His Word teaches. My way shall be prosperous. I shall have good success in life. I shall know how to deal wisely in the affairs of life. For the Word of God says so. 

AMEN! So, now "go thou and do likewise"! Spend some time everyday meditating on the Word of God, and then acting on it! THEN you will make your way prosperous! You will find yourself being more successful in every area of your life, and HE will get all the credit, the praise and the thanksgiving! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Children Of The Light" because THAT is who we are!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 54:3 is another example of how up-to-the-minute the Word of God is! 

3 For strangers and insolent men are rising up against me, and violent men and ruthless ones seek and demand my life; they do not set God before them. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

When it looks for all the world as though no one in the government or the media are telling the truth, what should we do? We look to HIM! Verses 4 and 6-7 give us the answer and the outcome!

4 Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life. 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.

TRUST Him! There is nothing new under the sun and nothing happening that will take God by surprise! He has seen it all! Amen! Just continue in your daily preparation time in His Word, in prayer and in praise and worship! When WE do our part, we allow HIM to do His! Just remember this from Mark 4:24 as you go about your daily study!

24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Without mediation and study (Joshua 1:8), the Word of God that we hear will go in one ear and out the other! 2 Timothy 2:15:

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needsnot to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

Now from the Amplified Bible:

15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. AMP

SO, keep your eyes ever on Him and His Word, along with our decision from yesterday to KNOW Him more! THEN you will have faith to overcome every obstacle, test and trial that you encounter! AMEN! Here is "Take Heart" by Hillsong United:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 53:1-3 should forever answer the question of whether or not we actually NEED a personal Savior!

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.

In these last few weeks, more than at any other time in my lifetime, I have come across people who are insisting that there is no God! The Bible calls them "empty-headed fools"! The really do KNOW that God is, because His Word says they do! Romans 1:20-22:

20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],  [Ps 19:1-4.] 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves]. AMP

The subtitle to Psalm 53 in the Amplified Bible says this:

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

A didactic poem, or psalm, is one that instructs us. Why is this psalm set to a mournful strain? Because when people deny the existence of the One, True God, there is a sure and certain result in their lives on this earth! Read the rest of Romans 1 and you will see that many of the horribly immoral behavior of this present generation is a result of turning away from God! It is not "normal" and it is not approved by God in any way, shape of form! The really GOOD News is that there is hope for those who are in this condition! As long as they are still alive on this earth, they have the opportunity to receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior! Don't EVER give up on people! God did NOT give up on you! Continue to pray for the right laborers to cross their path with the Gospel of Salvation! Claim them for your inheritance as God instructed Jesus in Psalm 2:7-8:

7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. KJV

Remember, we are co-equal heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17)! ASK, and then continue to thank and praise Him for them! Pray in the Spirit so that whatever is hindered them can be dealt with by HIM! AMEN! HIS desire is that none should perish! 2 Peter 3:9:

9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. AMP

So,  He will continue to get the Truth to them as long as they are alive! He will move Heaven and earth, if He has to, in answer to our prayers! For those who are already born again and involved in this type of behavior, pray in the Spirit, loose the works and workers of darkness from their minds, and then pray the prayers of Paul found in Ephesians 1:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-20 and Colossians 1:9-11. AMEN! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong Live with "Always Will":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

As you know, if you have read this blog for any length of time, my very favorite verse of Scripture is Philippians 3:10 from the Amplified Bible.

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

Getting to know HIM is the most important reason we should have for studying the Word of God! This is why I LOVE Jerry Savelle's Daily Devotional for today!

Him First!

When your motivation for studying the Bible is so that you can know Him and not just to find some “secret formula,” then you will discover that your relationship will put you in a position to have your every need met.

This is why Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” or in other words, put God first in your life, then “all these things shall be added unto you” (see Matthew 6:33).

The revelation from the Word of God that God wants to bless us is certainly valid. However, some people have become selfish, self-centered, and have no desire to know God, they only want what He’ll give them.

Many people have never really entered into a “knowing” relationship with God. They know about Him, but they really don’t know Him, because they don’t know Him, they tend to believe things about Him that simply are not true.

Don’t just look for some “get rich quick” scheme. Study the Word in order to know Him more intimately.

I hear Christians say sometimes, “I don’t know God’s will.” When you get to know Him, you’ll know His will. When you seek Him to know Him, everything else that you need will always follow.

Confession: Today, I set aside any things that I have been seeking first. I commit to seek God first and to know Him more intimately and trust that the other things will be added to me.

We cannot even begin to be LIKE Him until we really get to KNOW Him! It is progressive, so we should expect to know Him a little more every day! It takes diligence, so any amount of laziness on our part will hinder this progression. It is VITAL, that's why the devil hates it and will try to distract you from this all the time! Make it YOUR "determined purpose" today to find out something new-to-you about Him each day! With the Holy Spirit as your Teacher (John 14:26), be prepared to be amazed! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!