Shalom,

I found today's devotional by Andrew Womack to be very interesting! 

About Those Scribes

Luke 6:7 'And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him.'

The scribes were copyists of the holy scriptures. They preserved in written form the oral law, and faithfully handed down the Hebrew scriptures. In New Testament times, they were students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament. Their functions regarding the law were to teach it, develop it, and use it in any connection with the Sanhedrin and various local courts. They were ambitious for honor, which they demanded, especially from their pupils, as well as from the general public. This homage was readily granted them (Matthew 23:5-11).

Ezra was a scribe during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, and he was a very godly man. The office of a scribe was a worthy one, but the scribes of Jesus' day were often rebuked by Him for having gone beyond the job of copying out the scriptures. They had a large volume of interpretations that they had added to the scriptures based on traditions, and had thus made 'the word of God of none effect' (Mark 7:13).

The scribes became an independent company of interpreters of the law and leaders of the people. Even they, themselves, sought to evade certain of their own precepts (Matthew 23:2-4). They clashed with Christ for He taught with authority and condemned the external formalism that they fostered (Matthew 7:28-29). They persecuted Peter and John (Acts 4:3-7) and had a part in Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 6:12). However, although the majority opposed Christ, some did believe (Matthew 21:15).

Later on, we'll read how Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes by dealing with issues of the heart. They appeared to be holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. It is important for us to keep our hearts tender and receptive to His Word, and give ourselves to Him in worship. Think about the good things he has done for you today and be thankful.

I have often wondered where some of the most unscriptural ideas came to be taught by Bible teachers as Truth when they were far from it! It started right here! These scribes in Jesus' day took to interpreting the scriptures in their own way and passing it off as the truth of God's Word! That is why our Pastor, Bill Novak, of The SPoken Word Church, has taught us from the very beginnning of his ministry to ALWAYS bring our own Bibles and to check out EVERYTHING that he teaches against the Word! We are called on in James 1:22 to be DOERS of the WORD OF GOD! When we speak, study, meditate and act on the Word of God, we will begin to SEE Godly results! Those will bring great GLORY to our Father! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Another in the Fire":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Romans 8 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today.Verse s 1-2 say this:

1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.

The reason for the strike outs in verse 1 is that these words DO NOT appear in the original text! THERE is now NO condemnation, EVER, for those who are IN CHRIST JESUS! Those who have been born again by the Spirit of Almighty God, according to the Word of God, will never face condemnation! NOT because we never make mistakes or 'miss it' once in awhile, but because JESUS already bore ALL of the condemnation that WE deserved! HE TOOK IT ALL! HALLELUJAH! Now we MUST walk after the Spirit in this life if we desire to live victoriously and to finish our race well, be it does not ever bring judgement on us when we don't. When you can meditate on this one TRUTH until it becomes REAL to you, and a part of you, you will NEVER be intimidated by the devil or other people again! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "From Faith To Faith" devotional by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland is another much needed lesson for every born again believer!

Be Clothed With Humility

And be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

Most believers don't know anything about true humility. If you tell them they're the righteousness of God, they'll fight to keep from believing it. You can give them scripture references to prove it, and they'll still argue.

"Oh no," they'll say, "I'm not righteous. I'm just an old sinner saved by grace." They're making a sincere attempt to be humble. But they're sincerely wrong. They're so afraid of being exalted by pride that they've let Satan trick them into falling right into it.

Let me show you what I mean. According to 1 Peter 5:5-6, to be truly humble is to submit to God. That means when God says something, you believe it no matter how foreign to your "religious" thinking it may be. When He says you've been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, you say that too. In fact, you wouldn't dare say anything else because to do so would be to dare to disagree with God. And, when you get right down to it, that's the ultimate form of pride, isn't it?

Don't let Satan keep you groveling in the dust of false humility. Agree with God. Find out what His Word says about you, then be bold enough to say it yourself. Banish pride by submitting to His truth. Clothe yourself in true humility. It's sure to look good on you.

AMEN! True humility is actually honoring God's Word as TRUTH! That includes God's Word about YOU! Here is Hillsong with, of course, the song "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share with you from the devotional on The Spoken Word Church website for today,

Discover Your Dream

Every dream is born or borrowed. It is born within your own heart or subconsciously borrowed from someone who has influenced you.

Whatever creates joy and energy within you is probably an indication of what God wants you to pursue. Your dominant talent is the center of your expertise. Your success is there.

"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." (Matthew 25:15)

I LOVE that this reveals to us that every gift, talent, anointing, Wisdom and understanding that we have has been implanted IN us by His Spirit! HE has plans for us and the ministry that He has called us to that are wonderful, spectacular and beyond what we can even imagine, IF we are IN HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Best Friends":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's teaching from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2" is one of my very favorite revelations from thye Word of  God! THIS changes EVERYTHING from what I was orignally taught!

God’s Requirement REPENTANCE

Then Peter said unto them, Repent…. — Acts 2:38

In a recent survey, people who regularly attend church were asked to articulate what the word “repentance” meant to them. The survey resulted in an intriguing and interesting assortment of answers. The majority of those who participated in the survey stated that they believed the word “repentance” meant one or more of the following:

To feel sorry about something one did or failed to do.

To feel remorseful about some act and to ask for forgiveness for it.

To walk forward in a church service to formally ask Jesus into one’s heart.

Although these answers are interesting, none of them is correct! What’s most shocking about this survey is that it was given to people who regularly attend church yet who could not accurately articulate what it means to “repent.”

Before we go any further, let’s include you in the survey. How would you define the meaning of the word “repent”? Try to answer that question before reading on.

The word “repent” is a very important New Testament word. The first time it is chronologically used in the New Testament is in Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:4, and Luke 3:3, where we are told that John the Baptist preached, “…Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). John’s ministry was literally launched with that one word “repent.” According to the preaching of John the Baptist, the only way to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven was through repentance.

Jesus, too, began His public ministry by beckoning His listeners to repent. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus commenced His preaching ministry when He said, “…Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Like John the Baptist, Jesus knew that the only way to enter the Kingdom of God was through repentance.

Then in Acts 2:38, we read that Peter launched his preaching ministry on the Day of Pentecost with the same requirement of repentance. Just as John the Baptist and Jesus had called on men to repent, so Peter told his audience in Acts 2:38, “Repent.” Peter understood that repentance is the “birth canal” through which people enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, it is the only way to truly be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and to emerge spiritually reborn and filled with the God-kind of life.

Real repentance is very different from remorse. Yet feelings of remorse for a past action was one of the most frequent definitions given by people who participated in the aforementioned church survey.

The Greek word for “remorse” in the New Testament is metamelomai, which is very different from the Greek word for “repent,” the word metanoeo. Metamelomai expresses sorrow, mourning, or grief. It seldom refers to someone moved to change; rather, it gives a picture of a person consumed with remorse, guilt, or regret.

For example, the word metamelomai is used in the gospels to describe the remorse, guilt, and regret that seized the heart and mind of Judas Iscariot after he betrayed Jesus. What Judas experienced was not true repentance, which brings personal change and transformation. Because the Greek word metamelomai is used to describe the emotions that captured him, it tells us that Judas was inundated with distressed, regretful emotions. Such sorrow should not be confused with repentance, for there are many who undergo a flood of regret and sorrow for something they have done, yet they don’t truly repent.

Personal change and transformation — NOT remorse, regret, and sorrow — are the true proof of repentance.

The word “repent” that was used by John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter, is the Greek word metanoeo. This is very different from the word metamelomai. The word metanoeo — “repent” — means a change of mind, repentance, or conversion. In Old Testament and Classical Greek language, metanoeo first and foremost meant a change of mind. Thus, the use of metanoeo is the call to turn or to change one’s attitudes and ways. As used in the New Testament, it demands a complete, radical, and total change. It is a decision to completely change or to entirely turn around in the way one is thinking, believing, or living. The word “repent” in the New Testament gives the image of a person changing from top to bottom — a total transformation wholly affecting every part of a person’s life.

The Greek word metanoeo is a compound of the words meta and nous. The word meta in this context refers to a turn or a change. The word nous is the word for the mind, intellect, will, frame of thinking, opinion, or general view of life. When the words meta and nous are compounded, as in the word “repent,” it portrays a decision to completely change the way one thinks, lives, or behaves.

Metanoeo reflects a turn, a change, a change of direction, a new course, and a completely altered view of life and behavior. This is not the same as a fleeting sorrow for past actions, but a solid, intellectual decision to take a new direction, to turn about-face, and to revise the pattern of one’s life.

I must point out the importance of the word nous contained in this definition of repentance. The word nous, as previously noted, is the Greek word for the mind. This means that the decision to repent lies in the mind, not in the emotions. Emotions may accompany repentance, but they are not required to repent. Real repentance is a mental choice to leave a life of sin, flesh, and selfishness, and to turn toward God with all of one’s heart and mind in order to follow Jesus.

A prime example of such a turning can be seen in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian believers when he commended them for the way in which they had “…turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). The word “turned” in this verse is the Greek word epistrepho, which means to be completely turned around.

Note that Paul said the Thessalonian believers turned from idols “to serve the living and true God.” The word “serve” is important, for it tells us that the turn they made produced a life change with visible fruit that reflected the change. The word “serve” is the word douleuo, the word for a servant, implying that the Thessalonian believers had fully left behind idolatry and had completely dedicated their lives to serving Jesus.

By using this word douleuo, Paul informed us that the Thessalonians didn’t just claim to have repented; they showed it by changing the way they thought and lived and served. Their dramatically different outward behavior was guaranteed proof that real repentance had occurred.

Repentance is not the mere acceptance of a new philosophy or new idea. It is a conversion to truth so deep that it results in a total life change. The idea of an across-the-board transformation is intrinsic to the word “repent.” In fact, if there is no transformation, change of behavior, or change of desire in a person who claims to have repented, it is doubtful that true repentance ever occurred, no matter what the person claims. Real repentance begins with a decision to make an about-face and to change, but its proof can be witnessed as one’s outward conduct complies with that decision.

Repentance is God’s requirement as presented by John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter, as well as in other places in Scripture too numerous to count. This means that a person cannot come to God and continue to live as he did before he received the Lord.

We sing the old song, “Just as I Am, Without One Plea”1 — and certainly we do come to God “just as we are” to receive God’s gracious gift of salvation. However, God does not expect us to remain the way we are. He expects change, and that is what repentance is all about. With godly repentance, there must be an abandonment of our past and a complete and absolute surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, evidenced by our living according to God’s righteous standard.

1 Charlotte Elliott, “Just As I Am,” The Christian Remembrancer Pocket Book (Poetry, 1835).

As you grow in your walk with God, the Holy Spirit will continue to reveal things in your life that need to change. When He opens your eyes to those things that are displeasing to Him, you must be willing to repent — to make an intelligent, intellectual decision to adjust your thinking and behavior to conform to God’s ways. It’s a conscious choice. Will you remain belligerent in your attitude and thus defy God’s requirement to change — or humbly bow before His holiness and adjust your thinking and behavior to get in agreement with Him and His Word?

More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus began His earthly ministry by preaching, “…Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:8). Today He is still speaking to people’s hearts, telling them to turn from wrong ways that are detrimental to living a life that is holy and pleasing to God. So ask yourself if your ministry to other people reflects that same priority. But first and foremost — what is the Holy Spirit saying to you, and how should you respond today?

AMEN! Simply put, repenting is changing your thinking to agree with God! When we choose to think God's thoughts after Him, then our behaviour changes to refelct that! Here is Hillsong with "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is something we should be gauging ourself on every day!

The Servant’s Primary Goal

We make it our aim…to be well pleasing to Him. —2 Corinthians 5:9

“We make it our aim….” It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only “to be well pleasing to Him.” It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor.

Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest…I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

I must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?

AMEN! We are born again into the family of God, by the Spirit of God, and we have our citizenship in Heaven with a mandate as ambassadors of Heaven to earth! Our first responsibility is to develop and maintain our FIRST LOVE! Our intimate FELLOWSHIP with the ONE Who gave it ALL for us! Find what HE has called, anointed and appointed you to do, as you spend that one on one time in His presence, and then let everything else in your life come next! you will be SO glad when you do! THAT is one of the keys to living in His 'joy unspeakable and full of Glory! 1 Peter 2:8:

8 Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Rhythms of Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

This lesson from today's devotional on Jerry Savelle's website is something thatI think and speak about often!

KNOWING IS TRUSTING

And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You. (Psalm 9:10 AMP)

Knowing God intimately is the key to trusting Him with your present cares and the uncertainty of your future. Knowing God intimately is the key to mountain-moving faith.

Faith is not a formula, it is a friendship. Faith is simply believing God. To have faith in God simply means you trust Him and have confidence in Him.

God has not distanced Himself from you in an effort to make it difficult for you to get to know Him. His arms are outstretched to you today, inviting you to come to Him and experience what you were created for: intimacy with Him.

Getting to know God better is no different from getting to know a friend better. You hang out with them more, you open your heart to them more. You listen to them and you make an effort to bless them and do what makes them happy.

By meditating on scriptures that talk about the character of God—His love, mercy, compassion, kindness, and goodness—you will find yourself drawing closer to Him. Knowing God more intimately will build your ability to trust Him with your past, your present, and your future.

Confession: Heavenly Father, I desire to know You more intimately, and I commit to spending quality time with You. As I meditate on Your Word, I thank You for giving me a fresh revelation of Your character and love.

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! There is NO substitute for our individual intimate fellowship with the God of the Bible, by His Word and through His Spirit! Adjust your daily schedule to include the MOST important appointment of your day! WITH HIM! Here is Hillsong with "Touch of Heaven":(NO, we do NOT have to settle for 'just a touch', but let's START with that!)

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is another very good lesson to make us REALLY re-evaluate our own fellowship with the God of the Bible!

The Discipline Of Dismay

And as they followed, they were afraid. — Mark 10:32

At the beginning we were sure we knew all about Jesus Christ, it was a delight to sell all and to fling ourselves out in a hardihood of love; but now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is on in front and He looks strange. “Jesus went before them and they were amazed.”

There is an aspect of Jesus that chills the heart of a disciple to the core and makes the whole spiritual life gasp for breath. This strange Being with His face set like a flint and His striding determination strikes terror into me. He is no longer Counsellor and Comrade, He is taken up with a point of view I know nothing about, and I am amazed at Him. At first I was confident that I understood Him, but now I am not so sure. I begin to realize there is a distance between Jesus Christ and me; I can no longer be familiar with Him. He is ahead of me and He never turns round; I have no idea where He is going, and the goal has become strangely far off.

Jesus Christ had to fathom every sin and every sorrow man could experience, and that is what makes Him seem strange. When we see Him in this aspect we do not know Him, we do not recognize one feature of His life, and we do not know how to begin to follow Him. He is on in front, a Leader Who is very strange, and we have no comradeship with Him.

The discipline of dismay is essential in the life of discipleship. The danger is to get back to a little fire of our own and kindle enthusiasm at it (cf. Isaiah 50:10-11). When the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come that following of Jesus which is an unspeakable joy.

My take on this is that we MUST come to a point where, when we realize that we have grown up in the things of God, we also realize that there is SO MUCH  MORE to learn! The most dangerous thing in our walk with the Lord is to have the mistaken idea that we, while on this earth, will EVER ARISE to a point where we are completely mature IN HIM! We all have room to grow and to get to know JESUS MORE than EVER before! Let's go after HIM and HIS WORD! Here is Hillsong with "Scandal of Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We begin Romans today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Romans 1:1-6:

1 From Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2 Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures— 3 [The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4 And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 5 It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations, 6 And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.

AMEN! Our God did NOT have to come up with a plan for our Salvation when Adam and Eve sinned! He created them KNOWING that at some point, given a free will, mankind would eventually sin (make a selfish decision to do something their own way instead of God's way) and would be seperated from Him. Before He ever uttered a Word of creation, He already had His PLAN in mind for buying us back! Ephesians 1:4-6:

4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]— 6 [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

AMEN and THANK YOU LORD! THAT is why Paul said THIS in verse 16:

16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, 

There IS salvation in NO OTHER, so let's make sure that we are charing this great GOOD NEWS with everyone we can while THEY still have time to BELIEVE and RECEIVE what GOD has prepared for us! Here is Hillsong with "God So Loved":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His  Highest" by Oswald Chambers is one of the mostpowerfu lmessages that you will ever hear and the mostimportant for you to know! 

God’s Total Surrender to Us

For od so loved the world that He gave… —John 3:16

Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness. The salvation which comes from God means being completely delivered from myself, and being placed into perfect union with Him. When I think of my salvation experience, I think of being delivered from sin and gaining personal holiness. But salvation is so much more! It means that the Spirit of God has brought me into intimate contact with the true Person of God Himself. And as I am caught up into total surrender to God, I become thrilled with something infinitely greater than myself.

To say that we are called to preach holiness or sanctification is to miss the main point. We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). The fact that He saves from sin and makes us holy is actually part of the effect of His wonderful and total surrender to us.

If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us— totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "God So Loved":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have been using The Passion Translation to augment my Bible study for the last year and today's Psalm 71 from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan has some really wonderful sections! It's entitled "The Psalm Of Old Age", which may be why it ministers to me so much! Here are some of my favorite, encouraging verses!

For you are my only hope, Lord!
I’ve hung on to you, trusting in you all my life.
6–7 It was you who supported me from the day I was born,
loving me, helping me through my life’s journey.
You’ve made me into a miracle;
no wonder I trust you and praise you forever!
Many marvel at my success,
but I know it is all because of you, my mighty protector!
8 I’m overflowing with your praise for all you’ve done,
and your splendor thrills me all day long.

No matter what, I’ll trust in you to help me.
Nothing will stop me from praising you to magnify your glory!
15 I couldn’t begin to count the times you’ve been there for me.
With the skill of a poet I’ll never run out of things to say
of how you faithfully kept me from danger.
16 I will come forth in your mighty strength, O my Lord God.
I’ll tell everyone that you alone are the perfect one.
17 From my childhood you’ve been my teacher,
and I’m still telling everyone of your miracle-wonders!

God, now that I’m old and gray, don’t walk away.
Give me grace to demonstrate to the next generation
all your mighty miracles and your excitement,
to show them your magnificent power!
19 For your glorious righteousness reaches up to the high heavens.
No one could ever be compared to you!
Who is your equal, O God of marvels and wonders?

My loving God, the harp in my heart will praise you.
Your faithful heart toward us will be the theme of my song.
Melodies and music will rise to you, the Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout and sing your praises for all you are to me—
Savior, lover of my soul!
24 I’ll never stop telling others how perfect you are
while all those who seek my harm slink away ashamed and defeated!

I would encourage you to find your own favorite methods of studying the Word of God because feasting on God's Word is the only way to really grow up in the things of God! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from Andrew Womack's daily devotional!

God Takes Pleasure In Meeting Our Needs

Matthew 7:11, 'If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?'

What kind of parent would ever deny their children, the necessities of life? If you have children would you fail to feed them? Or provide for them? Or if they ask you for food would you give them poison instead? Of, course not. This is the point Jesus is making.

God is love (1 John 4:8)! And His love for us is infinitely greater than any loving relationship here on earth. We can apply this truth about God's love for us to any command or example we find in God's Word where His standards for relationship are revealed. Be assured that He will much more than meet those standards Himself.

This gives us confidence that, in the same way we respond in love to our children and to those who are in need, our God, who is love, will also respond to us. God is a faithful God, and He will always give us the things that we need.

Today, let the Lord be magnified in your life as Psalm 35:27 says, 'Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.' It pleases God to minister to you. Let God have pleasure today by meeting your needs. You have not, because you ask not (James 4:2). God wants you to ask so that you can receive (John 16:24). Believe God. He gets pleasure when you ask Him.

AMEN! Let's determine to bring real joy to our Heavenly Father by believing and receiving ALL that He has for us! Here is Hillsong with "I Give You My Hallelujah!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Watch Your Language

In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10:19, The Amplified Bible

We believers need to start watching our language! We need to quit throwing words around like they weren't important and start using them like our lives depended on it--because, according to the Word of God, they do! (Proverbs 18:21).

Too many of us have what Proverbs 19:1 calls a perverted mouth. Having a perverted mouth means more than lying and using profanity. It means having a disobedient mouth. It means saying things that are out of line with the Word of God.

All of us have done that at one time or another. We'll say, for instance, that we're believing God for our healing and then we'll turn right around to someone and make a statement like, "This pain is about to kill me!"

That's perverted! It's backwards from what God's Word says.

"Oh well, Brother Copeland, I know I said that, but it's not really what I meant."

Listen, the world of the spirit doesn't operate on what you mean. It operates on what you say. Mark 11:23 tells us that "whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

Take note. That verse didn't say you shall have whatsoever you mean. It says you'll have what you say. It's what you say that counts.

Now, I'm not suggesting you should be tied up in knots all the time worrying about what your next phrase might be. Just use the wisdom God has given you. Train your mouth to be obedient to His Word. Then, when you need it most, you'll find that Word dwelling richly in you.

AMEN! Remember, everything we see in creation came into being because GOD SAID! Make sure the words that YOU say are what you REALLY want, AND that they are also God's Words! THEN there is no stopping them from coming to pass! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I loe today's "My Utmost For His Higest" by Oswald Chambers. It addresses something that I realized early on in my walk with the Lord JESUS that some never see!

Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?

Do you also want to go away? —John 6:67

What a penetrating question! Our Lord’s words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, “Do you also want to go away?” We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.

Peter saw in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him.

In John 6:70 Jesus lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to 

I remember when I was first born again that some of the meetings we went to put so much emphasis on doing works for JESUS and very little on actually loving Him! They would ask how many people you led to the Lord recently and it became so much about working and little to nothing about loving! In order to really LOVE JESUS we have to get to know Him! THAT is what HE really desires of us! If He has our whole heart, then everything else will fall into place! Make intimate fellowship with JEUS the most important part of your day! I guarantee that you will be more excited for living everyday with HIM as your #1! Here are Hillsong Kids again with just that song! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today we read Mark 11 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Verses 22-24 are very powerful reminders of just what we have availoable to us as born again believers in JESUS!

22 And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

One translation of verse 22 says to have the faith OF God! Or, in other words, the GOD kind of faith! Faith as GOD Himself has that belives that the Word that He speaks WILL come to pass. We can have that same assurance of faith when we speak HIS Word! There are two very important TRUTHS expressed here! First, WE can have what WE say, when what we say is GOD'S WORD! AND, WE can have what WE pray for, when we pray according to the Word of God! The bottom line? KNOW the WORD of GOD so that you can both SAY it and PRAY it! THAT is how we get the GOD kind of results! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

How do YOU start out your day when you wake up? What you do in the first moments after you open your eyes, even before your feet hit the floor, will have a lot to do with how the rest of your day will turn out! I LOVE the beginning of today's reading in Psalms from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! Psalm 66:1-4:

1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth; 2 Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious! 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 [with feigned and reluctant obedience]. 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]!

From the moment you wake up, be speaking to the One, True God by Holy Spirit Who lives IN you! Praise Him for Who He is! Thank Him for what He has already done! Worship in His Presence and then walk into the rest of your day EXPECTING something GOOD to happen to you! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I really love today's "My Usmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers! We all have had those glorious times when we KNEW that we were in the presence of God and life felt SO GOOD! But maintaining that awareness of His presence requires our daily diligence during those times when everything good isn't always obvious! This lesson is very good for that!

Taking the Next Step

…in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4

When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17.

AMEN! I encourage you to keep this message somewhere where you can refer to it whenever things begin to seem either mudane or to hard! Back to the basics is ALWAYS the right place to start! Here is Hillsong with "Good Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share THIS vital message from Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations" devotional:

GOD IS NOT JUDGING YOU

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Some people see God as a judge who has exacting demands on man. When they fall short or when things go wrong in their lives, they think that God is judging them.

My friend, the truth is that if you are a believer, God does not bring any charge against you. Instead, He justifies you because of the blood of His Son. In fact, God’s Word goes on to say that the One who has the right to condemn you, chose instead to die for you and is risen at the Father’s right hand to be your righteousness (see Romans 8:34)!

But what the devil tries to do is to get you to believe that God watches you with a critical eye and punishes you when you do wrong. He has deceived many sincere Christians into believing that if they have done something wrong, bad things have a right to come upon them and their families. And when these things happen, he convinces them that they are suffering God’s judgment because of their wrongdoings. In the meantime, these sincere Christians struggle with condemnation because they think that they are the cause of their problems.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Ever since the cross, where Jesus was judged in your place for every one of your wrong actions, thoughts and words, God no longer judges you, His child. You need not accept condemnation because Jesus took all your punishment at the cross.

So when you start to feel condemned for your actions or when you experience negative circumstances, say, “It is written: It is God who justifies me. I am completely forgiven and made righteous before Him. I refuse to accept any condemnation and I reject every symptom of the curse that I am seeing in my circumstances!”

Then, simply stand on the truth of God’s Word, and watch Him deliver and bless you!

AMEN! NO ONE loves you more than God does! NO ONE! Here is Hillsong with "Our God Is Love":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Could This Be True Of Me?

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself. — Acts 20:24

It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come like a goad; you will no longer be able to work for Him on the commonsense basis.

What do I really count dear? If I have not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear, time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself. Paul says he counted his life dear only in order that he might fulfil the ministry he had received; he refused to use his energy for any other thing. Acts 20:24 states Paul’s almost sublime annoyance at being asked to consider himself; he was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Practical work may be a competitor against abandonment to God, because practical work is based on this argument – “Remember how useful you are here,” or – “Think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude does not put Jesus Christ as the Guide as to where we should go, but our judgment as to where we are of most use. Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.

AMEN! We will never be rewarded for the outward appearances of the calling that God has placed on our individual lives! We will only and ever be rewarded for faithfulness and obedience! From the seemingly smallest assignment to one of enourmous impact, we will be rewarded the same because it is our faithfulness and obedience and NOT our results that God is looking for! So, let's make sure that we are spending time every day in His presence and inobedience to His plans and purposes and we will NOT have to wait until Heaven to hear: "Well done" from HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was really blessed by THIS from today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

His Commission to Us

Feed My sheep. —John 21:17

This is love in the making. The love of God is not created— it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).

Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— “Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ‘Feed My sheep.’ ” Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.

AMEN! Here are Hillsong Kids with "My Number One!":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 61 in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan and I want to share the entire Psalm here:

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

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me].

3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.

4 I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor Your name.

6 May You prolong the [true] King’s life [adding days upon days], and may His years be to the last generation [of this world and the generations of the world to come].

7 May He sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God; O ordain that loving-kindness and faithfulness may watch over Him!

8 So will I sing praise to Your name forever, paying my vows day by day.

I have always loved this song and here is Hosanna Music with their version:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" devotional by Kenneth E. Hagin is what I want to share here!

By Thy Words

"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37). 

Jesus Himself made the above statement. Words are much more important than many people realize. Do you remember Job and his three so-called "friends" who came to comfort him? 

Job's cry to those who came as comforters and stayed as tormentors was, "How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?" (Job 19:2). Words make us or break us. Words heal us or make us sick. According to the teaching of the Bible, words destroy us, or words make us full of life, happiness, and health. Words that we spoke yesterday make life what it is today. That agrees with what Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "He shall have whatsoever he saith." 

Those things which you say are words. In fact, you could read that last phrase like this: "He shall have the words that he speaks."

Confession: By my words I shall be justified. I know that I shall have whatsoever I say. I shall have the words that I speak. Therefore, I speak words full of life, happiness, and health. I speak words that make, rather than break!

AMEN! Here is  Hillsong with "Look To The Son":

Shalom in Him!