Shalom,

Today I want to share Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional. This was the very first devotional I ever used and it is still my favorite!

Supernatural Guidance

"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you" (John 14:16-17). 
The inward witness is just as supernatural as guidance through visions, angels, and so on. It is not as spectacular, but it is just as supernatural. 

Many people are looking for the spectacular, and they miss the supernatural that's right there all the time! 

Let me go back to what Jesus said to me when He appeared to me in an open vision in February 1959 in El Paso, Texas. I heard footsteps coming down the hospital corridor, so I looked up to see who it was. 

When I saw Jesus standing in the doorway, it seemed like the hair on my neck and head stood straight up. Goose pimples popped out all over my body. Jesus was wearing a white robe and Roman sandals. He was about 5'11" tall and weighed about 180 pounds. 

He pulled up a chair and sat by my bed. During the hour and a half that He talked to me, He told me, "The number one way I lead all My children is through the inward witness." 

Confession: God's Holy Spirit is in me. He is in me to help me, to lead me, and to guide me. First, the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God, then He bears witness with my spirit in all other aspects of my life. 

Yes, God can and does move spectacularly many times, but ALL THE TIME He moves supernaturally IN US! If you have received JESUS as your Lord and personal Saviour, then you HAVE the Spirit of God living IN you and HE will ALWAYS lead, guide and direct you by that inward witness and that still small voice. Learn to recognize this leading and your intimate fellowship with Him will get sweeter and deeper! THAT is what HE desires for each of us! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "For Who You Are":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" Volumes 1 & 2! Today's teaching from Volume 2 is SO good!

An Overcoming Attitude

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. — Philippians 4:13

It seems we live in a world where negativism is the rule of society. Many people think the worst, believe the worst, and constantly talk about worst-case scenarios. But that shouldn’t be the case for believers. Those who bear the name of Christ should walk as He walked — full of faith and confidence in the Father.

The best example of this kind of overcoming attitude is found in Philippians 4:13, where the apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

If anyone had a reason to be dominated by the flesh at that moment, it was Paul. Think of it — he was in a horrible prison and facing terrible circumstances. But rather than let his flesh dominate him with negativism, Paul used a number of powerful Greek words to declare that he had the upper hand over all the natural challenges that were around him — and that he could do anything through Christ who strengthened him.

Although Paul was in a horrible predicament at the time he wrote the book of Philippians, he declared, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!” I want us to look at this verse today, because it is loaded with insights about having an overcoming attitude.

When Paul said, “I can do,” the phrase is a translation of the Greek word ischuos. In Classical Greek, Old Testament Greek, and New Testament Greek, that word denotes the strength and power of gods. But when ischuos was noted to operate in individuals, it caused them to be superior to others, to be champions and victors. It gave the upper hand in every situation so that individuals operating in ischuos prevailed in every circumstance.

Furthermore, Paul adds, “I can do all things….” The phrase “all things” is from the Greek word panta, the word pan with ta attached. The word pan is an all-encompassing word that includes everything and excludes nothing. The little word ta denotes even the smallest of things. So when Paul uses the word panta, he is proclaiming that through Christ, he has the upper hand over everything with nothing excluded, including even the most minute details.

An interpretive translation would read:

“I have the ischuos power operating in me, and it causes me to be superior — a champion, a victor! This ischuos gives me the upper hand in every situation I face and causes me to prevail in every circumstance….”

But Paul went on to say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The word “strengtheneth” in Greek is a translation of the word endunamounti, a present active participle of endunamoo. The word endunamoo is a compound of en and dunamis. The word en means into, such as in placing water into a vessel, and dunamis means power. But more importantly is to note that dunamis depicted the forces of an entire army. In fact, the Old Testament Septuagint, the word dunamis was primarily used to picture the combined forces of a complete military.

So when these words en and dunamis are compounded, the new word endunamoo pictures the power of a whole army being deposited into a person. Making this even more significant is the fact that Paul used it in the present active participle, which means he was declaring this type of power was presently acting in him and would continue to express itself through him. He was telling us that deposited into his spirit, and at his disposal, was the equivalent of an entire fighting army.

So the full verse could be interpreted as follows:

“I have the ischuos power operating in me, and it causes me to be superior — a champion, a victor! This ischuos gives me the upper hand in every situation I face and causes me to prevail in every circumstance, And it is all through Christ, who has filled me and continuously infuses me with the strength of a whole army!”

If Paul could write this in the horrific situation he was in at that time and really mean it, there is absolutely nothing you face that you can’t overcome too. God’s ischuos power is available to you as well, to cause you to be superior, to be a champion — a victor — and to have the upper hand in every circumstance you face. When He filled you with the Holy Spirit, He infused you with the ability of a whole army (endunamoo) — and He continues to infuse with you with that strength at this very moment.

Your flesh may try to tell you that there’s no chance you’ll make it through what you’re facing. That flesh will try to tell you that you might as well give up and throw in the towel, because there’s no hope for you. But that’s your moment to take charge over your flesh, command it to get into subjection, and release the power of God that’s been mightily deposited inside you! Soon you’ll find a supernatural flow of divine power coming forth from your inner man that will give you the upper hand in whatever situation you find yourself.

Rather than being dominated by your mind, body, and negative emotions, you’ll find that you have become a mighty instrument in God’s hand through whom His power can and will operate! Regardless of what you face, you’ll have an overcoming attitude that prevails in every situation!

AMEN! We are fully equipped to handle any and every situation through HIM Who lives IN us! Here is an older song by Hillsong called  "All Things Are Possible":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

ROUND-THE-CLOCK PROTECTION

Psalm 91:5–6 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

During World War II, German planes bombed London. Houses were leveled. But there was one that remained standing amidst the rubble. Its owner said that when she read Psalm 121:4, which says, “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep,” she told the Lord, “Lord, since You don’t sleep, then there is no point in both of us keeping awake. I will sleep while You keep watch.” And she did, while the Lord protected her and her house.

In 2005, terrorists attacked London’s public transport system. That day, a Singaporean girl found herself unexpectedly late for work and could not get to the train station in time to board her usual train. When she finally neared the station, she realized that it had been bombed just a few minutes earlier. Her mother, who worships in our church, believes that God protected her daughter that day.

God wants you to know that you have round-the-clock protection—“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”

He protects you from “the terror by night,” which could refer to evils such as rape, kidnap or murder. He promises you protection from “the arrow that flies by day.” This could refer to bullets from a crazy sniper, drive-by shootings or home-made rockets fired into your territory.

God also shields you from “the pestilence that walks in darkness,” referring to viruses which you cannot see. You don’t have to be afraid of deadly viruses lurking somewhere or wonder if some deadly disease is developing in your body.

God also doesn’t want you to be afraid of “the destruction that lays waste at noonday,” such as a tsunami hitting the beach resort you are at, or a bomb going off in the shopping mall you are in.

You need not be afraid because God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, is watching over you 24 hours a day!

AMEN! God's protection, provision and safety is available for every born again believer who will spend time in the 'secret place' of Psalm 91! This is the place of being aware of HIS presence through prayer, praise & Worship, study & meditation of the Word and in intimate fellowship with Him! Doing this will build great faith in HIS care for YOU! You can count on Him! ALWAYS! Here is Hillsong with "What A Beautiful Name":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is another great lesson!

The Spiritually Lazy Saint

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… —Hebrews 10:24-25

We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.

The true test of our spirituality occurs when we come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritually lazy. While being tested, we want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of finding a quiet retreat. We use God only for the sake of getting peace and joy. We seek only our enjoyment of Jesus Christ, not a true realization of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things we are seeking are simply effects, and yet we try to make them causes.

“Yes, I think it is right,” Peter said, “…to stir you up by reminding you…” (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be hit squarely in the stomach by someone being used of God to stir us up— someone who is full of spiritual activity. Simple active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work can actually be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The real danger in spiritual laziness is that we do not want to be stirred up— all we want to hear about is a spiritual retirement from the world. Yet Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement— He says, “Go and tell My brethren…” (Matthew 28:10).

I remember when I was first born again that everyone of our Christian friends would speak of having a Christian community where we could feel free to worship God and be taught His Word! That is NOT why we are here! We are here to run our race right through to the Finish Line! To do all that we can do and then to trust HIM to do the rest! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "So Will I":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really love today's message in "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers!

The Great Probing

Ye cannot serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:19

Have you the slightest reliance on anything other than God? Is there a remnant of reliance left on any natural virtue, any set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any particular in this new proposition which God has put before you? That is what the probing means. It is quite true to say — “I cannot live a holy life”; but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make you holy. “Ye cannot serve the Lord God” — but you can put yourself in the place where God’s Almighty power will come through you. Are you sufficiently right with God to expect Him to manifest His wonderful life in you?

“Nay, but we will serve the Lord.” It is not an impulse, but a deliberate commitment. You say — “But God can never have called me to this, I am too unworthy, it can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the weaker and feebler you are, the better. The one who has something to trust in is the last one to come anywhere near saying — “I will serve the Lord.”

We say — “If I really could believe!” The point is — If I really will believe. No wonder Jesus Christ lays such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” If we really believed that God meant what He said — what should we be like! Dare I really let God be to me all that He says He will be?

What is he saying here? He is saying that in any area where we are relying on our own intelligence, gifts, talents, strengths, we are NOT relying on the ability and the anointing of God within and upon us! That's what is meant by 2 Corinthians 12:9:

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

What God has called us to do will require that we stretch beyond what is possible on our own into the area where only HE can do it! There is nothing that God needs from us except our full surrender to HIS will and plan and purpose! HE has called us and anointed us and appointed us to be HIS Ambassadors here on earth. We are His hands and feet and voice in the earth today. HE confirms what we say and do in obedience to His Word and His Spirit and the HE confirms it with His power and glory, drawing people to Himself! Let's REALLY be about our Father's business by NOT relying on our own limited abilities, but EXPECTING Him to operate through us, doing the unexpected! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Jerry Savelle's website devotional for today is VERY GOOD! 

A FULLY COMMITTED HEART

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV).

(I actually like the AMPLIFIED BIBLE for this verse!)

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. You have done foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you shall have wars.

Do you need God to show Himself strong on your behalf today? He has made a promise that He will deliver you if your heart is fully committed to Him.

The first commandment is to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (see Mark 12:30). God wants all of you, not just a part of you. He wants you to be fully committed to Him, not just 99% committed. Something significant happens in the spiritual realm when you give 100% to God, with no reservation.

Mark 4 talks about the desire for other things that can grow up around us and choke us. What is filling your mind today? Are you meditating on God and His Word, or are your thoughts on other things? When you make a decision regarding how to spend your time or your money, what influences the outcome? Is it what the Holy Spirit tells you or is it other things?

God is a good God and His plans for you are to give you a hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11). He will never withhold any good thing from you (see Psalm 84:11). The best decision you can ever make is to fully commit your heart to God and His plan for your life.

When you love God and your heart is fully committed, you will be able to yield completely to Him. When your heart is fully committed to Him, He is bound by His Word to show Himself strong on your behalf. He has promised to deliver you, and He will do it.

Confession: Lord, I fully commit my heart to you now. I will go anywhere You want me to go and do anything You want me to do. I give you permission to change me according to Your plan and purpose for my life. I am yours; do in me whatever You want to do.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Stronger":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

All Efforts of Worth and Excellence Are Difficult

Enter by the narrow gate….Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…. —Matthew 7:13-14

If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult.  The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in— it stirs us up to overcome.  Do we appreciate the miraculous salvation of Jesus Christ enough to be our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory?

God saves people by His sovereign grace through the atonement of Jesus, and “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). But we have to “work out” that salvation in our everyday, practical living (Philippians 2:12). If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within us by His Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us.

Thank God that He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10), and God will not shield us from the requirements of sonship. God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life. And it is always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence.

Our "working out" our salvation is the witness of HIS indwelling presence and is what people see of what God has done inside, in our spirits! We RECEIVE  our Salvation by FAITH in all that JESUS has accomplished for US through His death, burial and resurrection. We "work it out" by being DOERS of God's Word, allowing HIM to confirm what we say and do, bringing GLORY to HIS NAME! Stir yourself up to renew your mind of all that HE has done IN you and what He desires to do THROUGH you! THIS is what will draw others to Him! Be YOU, but be the BEST you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I AM":

\
Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin explains what belongs to each of us as born again believers and children of the Most High God!

Born of the Spirit

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:6-7). 

Under the New Covenant, every child of God has the Spirit of God. First, they are born of the Spirit. Then they can be filled with the Spirit. And they can expect to be led by the Spirit. 

Born of the Spirit. The spirit of man is the part of man which is born again. The Christian's spirit has the life and nature of God in it. The inward man is born of God's Spirit and has the Spirit of God in him. 

Filled with that Spirit. The born-again Christian can be filled with that same Spirit which he already has in him. And when he is filled with that Spirit, there will be an overflowing of that Spirit. He will speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives him utterance (Acts 2:4). 

Led by the Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Even the born-again one who has not been filled with the Holy Spirit, has the Spirit of God abiding in him, and he can expect to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Confession: I am a child of God. I am born of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God leads me. He is leading me now. The Holy Spirit will rise big in me. He will give illumination to my mind. He will give direction to my spirit. I am being led by the Spirit of God.

AMEN! EXPECT the UNEXPECTED when it comes to God's very best provision for YOU! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Don’t Calculate Without God

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. — Psalm 37:5

Don’t calculate without God. 

God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the things we have calculated on without taking Him into account. We get into circumstances which were not chosen by God, and suddenly we find we have been calculating without God; He has not entered in as a living factor. The one thing that keeps us from the possibility of worrying is bringing God in as the greatest factor in all our calculations.

In our religion (Faith) it is customary to put God first, but we are apt to think it is an impertinence to put Him first in the practical issues of our lives. If we imagine we have to put on our Sunday moods before we come near to God, we will never come near Him. We must come as we are.

Don’t calculate with the evil in view. 

Does God really mean us to take no account of the evil? “Love…taketh no account of the evil” (rv). Love is not ignorant of the existence of the evil, but it does not take it in as a calculating factor. Apart from God, we do reckon with evil; we calculate with it in view and work all our reasonings from that standpoint.

Don’t calculate with the rainy day in view. 

You cannot lay up for a rainy day if you are trusting Jesus Christ. Jesus said — “Let not your heart be troubled.” God will not keep your heart from being troubled. It is a command — “Let not.…” Haul yourself up a hundred and one times a day in order to do it, until you get into the habit of putting God first and calculating with Him in view.

AMEN! Our WONDERFUL God has already provided for our victory in every area of life! FIND out what HE would have you to do, then DO IT with everything that is within you! God honors those who trust in HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "WONDER":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Happy Independence Day! We read Psalm 3 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today and I have always loved this Psalm! Look at verses 1-2:

1 Lord, how they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God.Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Many of us, along with very many believers in other nations, have been saying this for sometime now! Our faith AND what has been our American culture since the beginning of our nation has come under almost continual attack and some have become discouraged and depressed because of it. The good news? NONE of this has taken the God of the Bible by surprise! We MUST remind ourselves just WHO HE IS! AND who WE are - IN HIM! Look at verses 3-6 for our perfect response!

3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 I lay down and slept; I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.

Remind yourself of what the Word of God says about you until you, too, can sing THAT to the LORD!  Verse 8 should ALWAYS be OUR declaration! 

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

AMEN! Refuse to give in to the lies and fear tactics, schemes and strategies of the enemy! Remember, He IS a liar and the father of all liars! Instead, sing THIS great older song by Kent Henry and REJOICE! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 2:1-3 is a perfect picture of the world as we know it today!

1 Why do the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme? 2 The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say, 3 Let us break Their bands [of restraint] asunder and cast Their cords [of control] from us.

There are so many in the world today trying with everything within them to change our nation, and the world, into an 'anything goes' free for all! Do you remember that Ecclesiastes 1:9 says this :

9 The thing that has been—it is what will be again, and that which has been done is that which will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun.

This is nothing new! The world system, run by the enemy, has ALWAYS sought to lead people away from the God of the Bible and His mighty Word! Remember always that when it APPEARS that the enemy is winning, LOOK UP! Our God WILL NOT LOSE! He has plans in place that non one even knows about! Individual plans for each and every member of His FAMILY! THAT would be each one of US! AMEN! Have confidence in the God of the Bible! He has not lost a battle yet. And He is NOT about to start now! AMEN! How does HE react to those first three verses and what is being done in them? Verses 4-9:

4 He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. 5 He speaks to them in His deep anger and troubles (terrifies and confounds) them in His displeasure and fury, saying, 6 Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King [firmly] on My holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son; this day [I declare] I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like potters’ ware.

HE has given the SON (JESUS) ALL authority in Heaven, Earth and under the Earth! And HE (JESUS) has given HIS authority for US to use IN HIS  NAME! One of my very favorite quotes comes from our precious partner in ministry, Jerry O'Dell! 

"When we want what God wants, for the same reason that HE wants it, WE CANNOT FAIL!"

 Our job is to get in line with God's plans and purposes for the lost and BE the LIGHT! AMEN! Verses 10-12 of Psalm 2 are instructions to US!

10 Now therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him]. 12 Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity], lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!

Let's continue to seek our refuge in HIM and be about our Father's business! When we do that, we won't have time to even hear the lies, innuendos, accusations or temptations of the enemy! Let's give him the 'cold shoulder' and turn a 'deaf ear' to him! Let's listen intently and purposefully to the daily instructions of Holy Spirit as He leads, guides and directs us into and through obedience to the Word and the fulfillment of all of the promises of God! After all, HE has declared all of those promises to be 'YES" and "AMEN" in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20)! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

If  you are ever in need of a short, sweet and powerful 'formula' for leading a powerful and successful Christian life, Psalm 1 would be it! The instructions are very clear concerning what works and what does not! 

1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. 4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God]. 6 For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

I also love the footnotes again on Bible Gateway!

1. Psalm 1:1 This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it may be considered “the text upon which the whole of the Psalms make up a divine sermon.” It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3).
2. Psalm 1:5 Charles Haddon Spurgeon (The Treasury of David) said, “Sinners cannot live in heaven. They would be out of their element. Sooner could a fish live upon a tree than the wicked in paradise.” The only way they will ever be able to endure heaven is to be born again and become new creatures with pure hearts able fully to enjoy the presence of God, His holy angels, and the redeemed.

Great points made here! AS you continue to run YOUR race in obedience to the Spirit of God Who lives IN you, never be moved by emotion or the 'feelings' of others. stick to the Word of God and trust HIM to set the record straight! He WILL! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Good Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Proverbs 31 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I have taught several times on this, but today I want to share the footnotes found on my PC Study Bible software! It is SO valuable! It is very sad to me that many have taken these wonderful qualities that this mother is praying for her future daughter-in-law to have, and her son to be aware of, and made them into some natural format for women to have to live up to! Remember that each and every one of us is God's individual and unique creation, called, anointed and appointed to do HIS will for our lives! We will ALL live it out a little differently, as we should! The emphasis here is that the supernatural aspects of the people that we are is the MOST important element to consider when believing God for a spouse! 

1. Proverbs 31:2 It is important to the purpose of this invaluable chapter that one realizes that it is first of all intended for young men. It is the mother’s God-given task to provide youth with this information directly from its inspired source, letting them grow up with it in their consciousness.
2. Proverbs 31:10 It is most unfortunate that this description of God’s ideal woman is usually confined in readers’ minds merely to its literal sense—her ability as a homemaker, as in the picture of Martha of Bethany in Luke 10:38-42. But it is obvious that far more than that is meant. When the summary of what makes her value “far above rubies” is given (in Proverbs 31:30), it is her spiritual life only that is mentioned. One can almost hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Mary has chosen the good portion... which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
3. Proverbs 31:29 “Many daughters have done... nobly and well... but you excel them all.” What a glowing description here recorded of this woman in private life, this “capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31! It means she had done more than Miriam, the one who led a nation’s women in praise to God (Exododus 15:20, 21); Deborah, the patriotic military advisor (Judges 4:4-10); Ruth, the woman of constancy (Ruth 1:16); Hannah, the ideal mother (I Samuel 1:20; 2:19); the Shunammite, the hospitable woman (II Kings 4:8-10); Huldah, the woman who revealed God’s secret message to national leaders (II Kings 22:14); and even more than Queen Esther, the woman who risked sacrificing her life for her people (Esther 4:16). In what way did she “excel them all”? In her spiritual and practical devotion to God, which permeated every area and relationship of her life. All seven of the Christian virtues (II Peter 1:5) are there, like colored threads in a tapestry. Her secret, which is open to everyone, is the Holy Spirit’s climax to the story, and to this book. In Proverbs 31:30, it becomes clear that the “reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,” which is “the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), is put forth as the true foundation for a life which is valued by God and her husband as “far above rubies or pearls” (Proverbs 31:10).

AMEN! Two people should only marry if they can serve God better together than either could alone! THEN the power of God in and upon their lives, family, ministry will be stronger than ever! Here is Hillsong with a song that each spouse, and every individual believer, should sing directly to our wonderful Saviour as we commit to HIS plans for our lives! "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

There is such a powerful, and personal, message in today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin! 

Conductor Of Life

"God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life" (1 John 5:11-12). 

Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature … and these signs shall follow them that believe" (Mark 16:15, 17). 

One of these signs Jesus said would follow believers - not the Early Church, not apostles, not pastors, not preachers, but believers - is, " …they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). 

Why? Because the life of God is in believers! 

Sometimes people are specially anointed to minister healing, but that isn't what Mark 16 is talking about! Every born-again believer has the life of God, the nature of God, the God-kind of life, in him - and by the laying on of hands, that life can be imparted into the physical bodies of others! 

That's why you should lay hands on the sick. When you lay hands on them, that life of God in you is conducted through your hands to others. Often, you'll be conscious of that life flowing right out of you into them. 

You've got the life of God in you! You've got the nature of God in you! God's a healing God. Put God's power to work! That's how God works - through your own hands. God's not here on earth in Person, but He is in you by His Spirit! 

Confession: I am a believing one. I have the life of God in me. And God is a healing God. I lay hands on the sick, and they recover. 

I encourage you today to not only make the above your confession, but make it YOUR DETERMINED PURPOSE! We are, after all, HIS Ambassadors! We represent all of Heaven to this hurting world. Have you ever found yourself saying, "I wish someone could DO something about that"? YOU just may BE THE ONE! AMEN! Let's get about our Father's business today and make His Name known! Here is Hillsong UNITED with one of my favorite new songs: "Echoes (Til We See The Other Side)":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Colossians 2:1-3 says this:

1 For I want you to know how great is my solicitude for you [how severe an inward struggle I am engaged in for you] and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen my face and known me personally. 2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). 3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.

In verse 2 Paul is saying that his #1 priority concerning the Colossians is that they come to know the Word of God more intimately and completely! Remember that Paul is also the one who said, in Philippians 3:10 that HIS determined purpose, for himself personally, was that HE come to know the Lord in this way! When we know the Word more deeply, we will know JESUS more deeply and intimately. THAT is the only way to really know Him! By Holy Spirit, our Teacher, through the Word of the Living God! Then Paul goes on to say, in verse 3, the reason for this powerful, intimate knowledge! That WE may become all that GOD intends for us to be, walking in all that HE has provided us through our new and better Covenant with HIM! There IS no other way to get there! But by the Spirit and by the Word! AMEN! I hope that YOU will begin, or begin AGAIN, today to dig deeper into those precious, powerful and valuable TRUTHS hidden FOR us and FROM the world and the enemy! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Whole Heart":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We begin Colossians today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan and I want to share verses 9-14. We use these verses to pray the Word over loved ones in the same way that we pray the prayers that Paul shared in Ephesians 1 and 3! 

⁹ 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.

The very best way to pray for others is to pray in the Spirit, by Holy Spirit Who lives IN us and knows ALL! The next best prayer is to pray as Holy Spirit leads in your known language when He gives you something specific to pray. The next very best prayer is to pray the WORD over them! These prayers in Ephesians and Colossians do just that! POWERFULLY!  I want to note that in verse 14 (above) the translators say that 'redemption' means the forgiveness of sin. That is NOT the clearest picture! What redemption ACTUALLY means is the REMISSION of sins! Our sin was NOT simply forgiven! It was completely wiped away by the Blood of JESUS!! AMEN! It IS no more! Now AFTER the New Birth, WHEN we sin, we must use 1 John 1:9 to continually receive the continually provided forgiveness AND cleansing! AMEN! Here is Colossians 9-14 from The Passion Translation!

⁹ Since we first heard about you, we’ve kept you always in our prayers that you would receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasure over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. ¹⁰ We pray that you would walk in the ways of true righteousness, pleasing God in every good thing you do. Then you’ll become fruit-bearing branches, yielding to his life, and maturing in the rich experience of knowing God in his fullness! ¹¹ And we pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope. ¹² Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light. ¹³ He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son. ¹⁴ For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood.

AMEN!!! AS you study and meditate in the Word every day, make sure that you are checking out other translations and comparing them. Holy Spirit is completely faithful to show us what is correct and what is not! TRUST HIM and DIG IN! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We are still in Philippians today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today! Let's look at Philippians 4:4 first of all! 

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. KJV

The word "rejoice" here is the Greek word "chairo", which means: to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, be well, be glad, to thrive, to be merry, full of joy. "Again" is the Greek word "palin", which means: repetition, anew, again, renewal, further, over again. WHY does Paul say to rejoice, and then say "again I say"? Because it is vitally important that we not only stir up the joy that is in us 'once in awhile', but that we continually walk in that JOY that HE placed within us for this very purpose! GOD wants us STRONG, in HIS strength! SO, REJOICE! Be JOYFUL, again and again and again! KEEP on stirring up joy! Remember, He Who sits in Heaven LAUGHS at the boasts and lies of the enemy! This same enemy that got caught leading an insurrection in Heaven among the angelic beings and was CAST OUT by the ONE, TRUE GOD! Amen!When God tell us to JOY, then let's make sure that this is exactly what we do! FIRST and ALWAYS! AGAIN!!! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Another In The Fire" so that we can "Count the joy in every battle"! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today we read Philippians 3 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan and I am ALWAYS excited about that! Philippians 3:10 in the Amplified Bible is my very favorite verse in the Epistles! Let's look at this entire portion today! Philippians 3:8-11:

8 Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), 9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. 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] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

The key words in this whole portion of Scripture are these: MY DETERMINED PURPOSE IS! Whatever YOU purpose in YOUR heart to accomplish, you WILL be able to complete! A 'determined purpose' is a commitment to NEVER settle for anything less than your stated goal! Never give up! Even though you may be tempted to! Sometimes OFTEN! Never give in! REFUSE to quit until you have run YOUR race and finished YOUR course - in HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Echoes (Til We See The Other Side)":

Shalom  in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share another "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin. This has always been one of my favorites!

Knowledge And Skill

"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:17). 

"God gave them knowledge and skill." 

God gave Daniel and the other three Hebrew children, knowledge and all skill. Eternal life is the nature of God. You've got God's nature in you. Know that! Believe that! Confess that! Then that nature will begin to dominate you! 

Learn to walk in the light of life. Learn to put that life into practice in your being. Walking in the light of that life will enhance your entire personality, and will increase your intelligence. 

Confession: I am a new creation. I am born again. I am a new creature. I have the life and nature of God in my spirit. That life is the light of men. I purpose to walk in the light of life. God's life is in me. God's knowledge is in me. God's skill is in me. God's ability is in me. God's wisdom is in me. He is instructing me. He is leading me. I am a child of God. The Spirit of God in me is leading me. I'll follow His leading. I'll walk in the light of life.

AMEN! Speak into your life what GOD has said in His Word! Refuse to believe anything contrary to the Word and DARE to believe that HE had the perfect plans in place for YOU! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Wonder":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

SUCCESS IS A DECISION

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).

Success begins with a decision to succeed. In turn, that decision will produce an unwavering commitment to do what it takes to do two things.

The first is to discover the spiritual laws relevant to your challenge. Simply put, this means to get wisdom: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV). The second is to diligently apply these laws and wisdom through to complete victory.

God’s will for you is success, but success doesn’t just happen. That’s why He shows you in His Word how to make things happen.

If you do not believe and act according to His Word, there is nothing He can do about it. However, when you do your part, He has to do His part. I like to say it this way: We get to do the easy part and God gets to do the impossible part.

For example, the Bible says, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26 NKJV). In other words, you can’t promote yourself; only God can make it happen. But you can make the decision to succeed by getting wisdom and then acting on the Word by choosing to become a servant.

When you make the decision to apply the Word of God to your situation, God promises that you will make your way prosperous and have good success.

Confession: I made the decision to succeed today. I make an unwavering commitment to do what it takes to get wisdom concerning the spiritual laws relevant to my challenge, and then to apply them through to complete victory.

Start on your way to a successful and fruitful life TODAY! Be a DOER of Joshua 1:8 concerning meditating on the Word of God! I especially like the Amplified Bible for this one!

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

Amen! Dealing wisely is key to success in and and EVERY area of life! GET WISDOM! THEN you can deal wisely and have GOOD success! The Word of the Living God promises so! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Highlands":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Heart Purpose

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8). 

I had two favorite scriptures I either read or quoted to the Lord and on which I based my confession every morning as I walked to school. The first was John 1:4. The second was Daniel chapter 1. 

Read Daniel chapter 1 and see how Daniel and the three Hebrew children, although they were captives, were chosen as students in the king's college. 

The Bible says that Daniel "purposed in his heart." I used this phrase with the Lord. I knew that even though I wasn't living under the Old Covenant, there still was a principle here I could abide by. 

You see, the Jews weren't supposed to eat certain meats, but that's not so with us. The Word of God says under the New Covenant, "Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:4-5). 

So I acted upon the same principle Daniel did. I said this to the Lord every morning: "I purpose in my heart to walk in the light of life." 

Confession: I purpose in my heart to walk in the light of life. I purpose to walk in the light of the life of God in me. 

What changes do you want to see happen in your life and in your walk with the Lord? Find what the Word of God has to say about each situation and then purpose in your own heart that THIS is what you will walk in! EXPECT Holy Spirit to complete this work IN you! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!