Shalom,

Psalm 105:1-5:

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them. 3 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord [as their indispensable necessity]. 4 Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore. 5 [Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds that He has done, His miracles and wonders, the judgments and sentences which He pronounced [upon His enemies, as in Egypt].

These verses give a "recipe" for faith and confidence that is necessary for victory and success! Do you remember Romans 10:17?

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

"Meditate" here (talk in the KJV) in verse 2 is the Hebrew word "siyach", which means: to ponder, converse, utter, put forth, speak, sing, commune, meditate, consider. If we desire to operate in the God kind of faith (Mark 11:22), that changes facts into Truth, then we MUST hear, and keep on hearing, the right things! By giving thanks to the Lord continually, reminding ourselves of what He has already done AND what His Word promises that He WILL do, faith will come and it will grow and keep on growing in direct proportion to the amount of HEARING we do! Hearing ourselves speak these things is more effective than hearing anyone else! Begin fresh today to build and re-build your faith in God's Word for every situation by speaking out all that He has done for you! Praise Him and give thanks and YOUR faith will become strong and powerful and WILL bring God's Word to pass in YOUR life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "All Of My Days":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,

I love the message from today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:

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

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

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

"Go ye therefore. . . ." Go simply means live. Acts 1:8 is the description of how to go. Jesus did not say – Go into Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, but, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me" in all these places. He undertakes to establish the goings. "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you. . . " – that is the way to keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of indifference; God engineers the goings. 

"None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself . . ." That is how to keep going till we’re gone. 

Do YOU see what the message is here? As born again believers, we ARE "living epistles" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)! We ARE witnesses! None of us should be "moved" by needs to go somewhere to minister! BE who God has made you to be, right where HE has instructed you to be! If HE desires for you to go somewhere else, HE will make that perfectly clear to you! Unless, and until, that happens, be diligent to KNOW Him more (Philippians 3:10 AMP) and be prepared to go anywhere He leads you to go! That may mean just down the road to a local store, to a school, on your job, through the internet. Don't put God in a box, and don't allow anyone else to pressure YOU to do what THEY are called to do! In a glorious and Godly plan, God has set SOME to go, SOME to stay, ALL to pray, and SOME to pay; or any combination of these! Our rewards come from being where GOD wants us to be, doing what GOD wants us to do! THAT should make some of you feel such relief! God Himself has His very own plans for you and your life! Find out what they are and KNOW that they are ALL GOOD (Jeremiah 29:11)! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Closer":

There is no life without You
You have all that we need
Where You are
Every fear is broken
And the darkness must flee

CHORUS
Closer and closer
We want to know You
Reaching out
Reaching out
Here in Your presence
We want to go deeper
In Your light
Come alive

VERSE
There is no one beside You
You alone are enough
You fling the doors of
Your heart wide open
And we are lost in Your love

BRIDGE
To You
We will come running
In You
We find belonging
Your love
Is all that can satisfy

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 103 is a very familiar Psalm to most people. Look at verses 1-2:

1 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits—

We KNOW that we are to "bless the LORD" (Jehovah - the God of the Covenant). The Amplified Bible (above) gives a great definition for "bless"! We are to "affectionately and gratefully praise the LORD"! How do we actually DO this? It is NOT by saying "bless You Lord"! It IS by declaring WHO He IS and WHAT He's DONE! AMEN! The rest of Psalm 103 does a fine job of this! Let's look at verses 3-19:

 3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! 6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness. 9 He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge. 10 He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]. 14 For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children— 18 To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts]. 19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. 

Declare these TRUTHS about the LORD and then add to these all of the wonderful ways that HE has blessed YOU! AMEN! The rest of Psalm 103 is another exhortation for others to bless Him! Here, to help you in this, is Hillsong with "Made Me Glad":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE this from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's "Faith To Faith" for today.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ... 2 Timothy 3:12

Did you catch that? He said all who live godly lives are going to suffer persecution. Not just the super-saints, not just the missionaries in hostile lands--but ALL. If you're going to live for God, you're going to run into persecution somewhere along the line. The devil's going to make sure of it!

Now I'm not saying that to frighten you or to depress you. I'm saying it because I want you to be prepared. When you're wise to the strategies of the devil, it's harder for him to use them successfully on you to confuse you and get you off track.

Second Corinthians 10:4 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 

So stay armed and ready for Satan's attack. Then, whenever and however it comes, it won't bring your life to a halt or even slow you down. That's especially important right now because we're living in the last days. The devil's time is drawing short. He is desperate. He is going to do everything he can to stop the Church. But Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church!

Remember the more we grow to be like Jesus and the more God's glory is revealed through our lives, the bigger threat we are to Satan's kingdom. Jesus said, 

"Rejoice and be glad at such a time, and exult and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is rich and great and strong and intense and abundant in heaven" (Luke 6:23, The Amplified Bible).

So, when persecution comes your way, and you know it will, rejoice and be glad. Take the Jesus cure and begin to leap and jump and praise God! There is no way persecution will hurt you if you do that. I've tried it and it works.

AMEN! WE can do the same! Let's DO IT! Here is Hillsong with "This Is How We Overcome"!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Jerry Savelle's devotional for today is another very important lesson for every born again, Spirit-filled believer! 

Father’s Protection

One of the greatest ways the devil can get an inroad into your life is by tempting you to fear. Fear will undermine your faith. Fear is faith in the devil. As a child of God you have your Father’s presence and protection.

“I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:5).

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Faith is the spiritual force that activates the supernatural protection that is yours in Christ. Before Joshua went in to possess the Promised Land, God said to him in Joshua 1:9 (AMP):

“Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua could only take the Promised Land by refusing to fear and believing that he had the Father’s protection and that God would never fail or forsake him. God has a plan and a purpose for your life, a land for you to take, and a mission for you to accomplish. He promises that He will be with you every step of the way. You can rest secure in His promise of protection knowing that He is with you always, even to the end of the world. He will see you through to your promised land.

Confession: I refuse to worry or fear about present and future circumstances. God is with me, protecting me every step of the way.

Refuse fear and worry in your life! Recognize that those thoughts of fear, doubt and unbelief, guilt and worry come ONLY from the enemy! Fear, the Bible says, is a spirit that has NOT been sent from God! Look at 2 Timothy 1:7:

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV

If we don't realize where these thoughts come from, and then reject and replace them with God's thoughts, we WILL eventually "take" them! How do we "take" thoughts? By saying them (Matthew 6:31)! DON'T DO IT! Amen! Look at 2 Timothy 1:7 from the Amplified Bible:

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. AMP

Whenever you find your thought life being attacked with thoughts of doubt, fear, unbelief, guilt, worry, or any other negative thought or emotion, RECOGNIZE where they come from and REJECT them! Find out what the Word of God says in response and think and speak THAT! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with an encouraging song called "Relentless":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Have you ever heard someone say: "That's just semantics!" when discussing words and their meanings? That's what semantics is, the meanings of words in their context. When studying the Bible, context is vitally important! WORDS are vitally important! Today I want to share Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food! 

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22). 

The margin of a good King James reference Bible renders today's text as, "Have the faith of God." Greek scholars tell us the literal translation of what Jesus said here is, "Have the God-kind of faith." Some modern translations also show the verse that way. 

Even if you don't know anything about Greek, you can readily see that this would be a correct translation of this verse, because Jesus had just demonstrated to the disciples that He had that kind of faith: the God-kind of faith, the kind of faith that God used to create the world in the beginning. 

Earlier in this chapter, Jesus had spoken to the barren fig tree. He hadn't prayed. He had simply said to that tree, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever" (v. 14). 

The next morning, as Jesus and the disciples passed by the same place, they saw that the fig tree had dried up from its roots. Peter, remembering, said, "Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away" (v. 21). Jesus answered him, "Have the God-kind of faith." Jesus demonstrated the God-kind of faith for us. Then He told us to have it. 

Confession: "I see the demonstration of the God-kind of faith by my Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus expects me to know about and to have the God-kind of faith! And I do have it!" 

Do you see that having, and operating in, the kind of faith that God has and operates in means MUCH MORE than simply having faith IN God! Having faith IN God means that you trust GOD to do something. Having the God-kind of faith means that WE do something with the same kind of faith that God operates in! Jesus DID say this in John 14:12:

12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.  AMP

We who are born again, having received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, and filled with His Spirit,  CAN DO the same works that Jesus did! And JESUS said we will do even greater things! Have YOU been doing the works that Jesus did? Let's make it our determined purpose to begin again today! Be on the lookout for opportunities to do what Jesus would do if He were still ministering on the earth! Now watch HIM confirm the Word and Works with signs, wonders and miracles that will draw all men to HIM! AMEN! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong with "Lost Are Found":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Look at Psalm 99 from today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan:

1 The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble [with reverential fear]! He sits [enthroned] above the cherubim, let the earth quake! 2 The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. 3 Let them confess and praise Your great name, awesome and reverence inspiring! It is holy, and holy is He! 4 The strength of the king who loves righteousness and equity You establish in uprightness; You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob (Israel). 5 Extol the Lord our God and worship at His footstool! Holy is He! 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the Lord, and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His testimonies and the statutes that He gave them. 8 You answered them, O Lord our God; You were a forgiving God to them, although avenging their evildoing and wicked practices. 9 Extol the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy!

Remember now that Psalms is an Old Testament book, written by believers who were under the Old Covenant. "LORD" in this entire Psalm refers to Jehovah - the Covenant Name of God. This psalmist was extolling the wonderful ways and works of the One, True God, and encouraging others to do so, also. WE have a BETTER Covenant, based on BETTER promises (Hebrews 8:6)! WE, the Church of Jesus Christ, the Body of Christ, born again believers, are unique to this particular time period (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9)! We have re-created spirits and the Spirit of God lives IN us (2 Corinthians 5:17)! That had never happened before! Under the Old Covenant, the Spirit of God came ONLY on the Prophet, the Priest and the King to anoint them for service. He did NOT live IN them! We are unique "new creatures"! WE, of ALL people, should be praising and worshiping HIM continually! AMEN! Spend some time today meditating on how "peculiar" we are, and how blessed AND how anointed! What is this all for? For the eternal salvation of God's human creation! Will all believe? I don't know, but all will have the opportunity! Let's be about our Father's business and let's do it well! Here is Hillsong with "Tell The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 98 is a great psalm for "priming the pump" of your personal praise and worship of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! 

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

We are to be in a continual "attitude of gratitude" before the LORD, for Who He is AND for what He's done! AMEN! Verse 4 says to make a "joyful noise". This is the Hebrew word "ruwa'", which means: to split the ears with sound; to shout! Verse 4 goes on to say "break forth and sing"! In the KJV is says to "make a loud noise, rejoice and sing praise". The Word of God tells us in that all of creation is groaning in anticipation and excitement with us for the return of Jesus (Romans 8:22-23)! There is not much that has yet to happen for Jesus to appear for the Church! Are YOU ready? Have YOU told everyone possible how to KNOW that they will Heaven as THEIR home when they leave this earth? Remember, THAT is God's #1 priority, because He doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9)! Let's get with GOD'S program! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Shout Your Fame":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is very good! WE would word it different today, but the Truth of it is vital!

If Jesus Christ is to regenerate me, what is the problem He is up against? I have a heredity I had no say in; I am not holy, nor likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is to tell me I must be holy, His teaching plants despair. But if Jesus Christ is a Regenerator, One Who can put into me His own heredity of holiness, then I begin to see what He is driving at when He says that I have to be holy. Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into any man the hereditary disposition that was in Himself, and all the standards He gives are based on that disposition: His teaching is for the life He puts in. The moral transaction on my part is agreement with God’s verdict on sin in the Cross of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament teaching about regeneration is that when a man is struck by a sense of need, God will put the Holy Spirit into his spirit, and his personal spirit will be energized by the Spirit of the Son of God, "until Christ be formed in you." The moral miracle of Redemption is that God can put into me a new disposition whereby I can live a totally new life. When I reach the frontier of need and know my limitations, Jesus says – "Blessed are you." But I have to get there. God cannot put into me, a responsible moral being, the disposition that was in Jesus Christ unless I am conscious I need it. 

Just as the disposition of sin entered into the human race by one man, so the Holy Spirit entered the human race by another Man; and Redemption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin and through Jesus Christ can receive an unsullied heredity, viz., the Holy Spirit 

What this is saying is that it is NOT possible to "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16), without being born again! When we receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, the Spirit of God takes our dead human spirit, which is destined for hell, and re-creates it in the image of God! THEN we are new creatures that never existed before in our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17)! NOW we have received the the ability to act in holiness, which is simply separation from the world and its way of thinking, speaking and acting, and separation unto God and HIS ways! You CAN, but it takes a conscious, daily choice to live out this nature of God that is within us! We must continually renew our minds with the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2) and then act on what we know! Are YOU ready for this? LET'S GO! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Alive":

Shalom in  Him!

Shalom,

1 John 5:14-15 is a promise that we have looked at a few times on this blog. Here it is from the Amplified Bible:

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

This promise is that if our prayer to Him is in line with His will, then He will hear. IF He hears, then we HAVE it! So, all that we really need to know is His will! How do we find it out? Look at John 15:7:

7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. AMP

1 John tells us that if we ask according to His WILL we have it. John tells us that if we know His WORD, the we will have what we say! So, it doesn't take a whole lot of meditation to realize that His Word IS His Will! AMEN! So today's Bible Reading Plan in Jeremiah gives us a very exciting promise to add to these! Jeremiah 1:12:

12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

His WORD is His WILL, and when WE speak it, HE watches over it to make sure that it DOES come to pass in our lives! We are blessed and HE gets all the glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for it! Sounds like a God plan to me! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "End Of Days":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Do you remember this from Luke 4:18-19?

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. KJV

Jesus went on to tell them that this prophetic promise was being fulfilled IN HIM! Let's look at this same verse in the Amplified Bible:

18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],  19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.] AMP

If this was fulfilled in Jesus, and it WAS, then we who are IN HIM are also able to fulfill this same Word! The Spirit of the Lord is IN and UPON every born again, Spirit filled believer! YOU and I are anointed by the Spirit of God to DO the works that Jesus did! We are also all blessed with different and unique gifts and talents with which to carry out our individual ministries in setting people free! I was meditating on how our unique gifts and talents may never cause us to be famous, but when we are obedient to the calling and direction of the One, True God, then the lives of others WILL BE affected for good and for GOD! AMEN! 

My testimony to this is my very favorite Christmas album! Yes, I said album, as in vinyl! I purchased this album, "Living Water Christmas" by a local group in the 1980s. They have since disappeared! I have tried to find CDs available and there are none. This group was there for such a time as THAT! Some of the songs on that album, such as "I Know Now" and "There Lay Love" are still some of my favorite Christmas songs of all! Their "momentary ministry" has continually blessed me for over 30 years! I am saying all of this to say to you: Find out what God wants YOU to do, and DO IT! You may never know this side of Heaven just how much you impacted someone's life for HIM, but you WILL know there! I can't wait to meet up with the members of this group when we are all caught up to be with Jesus and let them know how much their gift blessed me! What have YOU been putting off that could be a tremendous blessing to someone else? I encourage you to just do it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "You Are My World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

It's very enlightening to read THIS, from Psalm 94:1-3:

1 O Lord God, You to Whom vengeance belongs, O God, You to Whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render to the proud a fit compensation! 3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph and exult?

... which is all about the wicked and WHEN is God going to deal with them, and then to read THIS, from Luke 15:1-7:

Now the tax collectors and [notorious and especially wicked] sinners were all coming near to [Jesus] to listen to Him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering and indignantly complaining, saying, This man accepts and receives and welcomes [preeminently wicked] sinners and eats with them. 3 So He told them this parable: 4 What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his [own] shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he gets home, he summons together [his] friends and [his] neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one [especially] wicked person who repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.

Do you see what a change in attitude WE are to have concerning unbelievers, the wicked and those who persecute us? Look at Luke 5:43-45:

43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;  [Leviticus 19:18; Psalms 139:21,22.] 44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  [Proverbs 25:21,22.] 45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].  AMP

Now look at 2 Peter 3:9:

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

Let's make that slight attitude adjustment to one that recognizes evil, and HATES it (Romans 12:9), but that also acknowledges the infinite love of our Father God for ALL people! Remember that while WE were yet sinners, Christ died for us! He died once, for all (Romans 5:8)! For all sinners, for all time! No one is excluded by HIM, but by their very own choice! Let's commit to sharing the Good News so that not one person is left who has not yet heard that great Good News! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Glow":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

The more time you spend in study and meditation of the Word of God, the more logical it becomes! You begin to accumulate layer upon layer of knowledge and understanding until you find every verse making sense to the whole picture. You will never understand the Word of God until you learn it that way. THAT is why trying to explain Bible Truth to someone who doesn't study is almost impossible. Unbelievers CANNOT understand the Word, because they do not have the Holy Spirit teaching them. Believers who refuse to study CANNOT understand the Word with any kind of consistency because it DOES form a whole picture AND is active and powerful and ALIVE! Remember that Jesus said the Word is Spirit and LIFE (John 6:63)? Never stop spending time daily, allowing the Spirit of God to guide you and to deepen your understanding. Then you can look at your daily Bible Reading Plan in a whole new light! What an opportunity to "become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him" (Philippians 3:10 AMP)! Look at today's Psalm for an example. Psalm 93:

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

The LORD reigns! He IS the KING of all kings! This is Jehovah, the Covenant Name for Almighty God. HE reigns as LORD! He will reign in YOUR life only as you gain understanding, develop faith, and choose to obey His Word. This short Psalm explains all of creation! HE is LORD. HE established creation. HE is from everlasting and IS everlasting! HE is mightier and more glorious than anything or anyone who has ever existed! And HE lives in YOU, if you are born again! His Word is sure and true (John 17:17) and YOU can trust it, and HIM, completely! Now, aren't you glad you read that Psalm today and that you will add to your knowledge and understanding by continuing in His Word? I am! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "One Way":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I was really blessed and inspired by this reminder from our partner, Jerry Savelle!

You Are God’s Most Prized Possession

God is always mindful of you!

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man, that you care for him? For you made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:3-5 NIV).

Have you ever just stopped and looked around at God’s creation? A beautiful evening sunset, a clear, star filled night, mountain scenery that takes your breath away!

The psalmist is saying, Lord, You’re so magnificent and creative, why would you have anything to do with man? Why would you be so mindful of him?

You are God’s most prized possession! In fact, in His mind, you are His prized possession above the stars, above the moon, above the heavens, above all His creative handiwork.

An artist may display the many wonderful, creative pieces he designs, but there’s always one that is his most prized possession. That’s the way God feels about YOU!

Confession: Thank you, Father, that You are always mindful of me, thinking thoughts of love, good, and favor toward me.

 AMEN! He cares for you just as much as He cares for Jesus! HE has provided for everything we will ever need here, in THIS life, and in the life to come, rewards, responsibilities and LIFE free from the influence of sin! HALLELUJAH! We ARE, of ALL people, MOST BLESSED! How much of that wonderful BLESSING are YOU living in? Ignorance OF the Word or disobedience TO the Word will both rob you of the Blessing! Refuse to allow it in YOUR life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Nothing Like Your Love":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 91 is a declaration of God's divine protection for all who will "dwell in the secret place of the most high"! Let's look at it in the Amplified Bible:

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely,and in Him I [confidently] trust! 3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

Notice that this promise is NOT to every person. It is not even a promise given to every believer! The promise is given to those who will choose to "dwell". This is the Hebrew word "yashab", which means: to remain; to stay; to sit. The "secret place" is the place that is unknown to the world and only known to those believers who recognize the presence of God! I refer to this as the place of being aware of His presence through prayer, praise & worship, study & meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him. When we spend time doing these things, we WILL be aware of His presence IN us! Then, when we meditate on these promises, we will have ALL confidence that we are always under His protection, provision and safety! THEN we can declare this Psalm as TRUTH and thank Him for it! I really like the definition for the word "abide" in verse 1! The Amplified Bible says it well, but we should expect something more here! The word is the Hebrew word "luwn", which means: to abide, to lodge, but it also means to pass the night! I like to think of the night as the works and workers of darkness! I will pass this time of THEIR operation in the complete protection, provision and safety that comes from dwelling under the protection of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HE looks after ME! AMEN! Get the Truth of Psalm 91 inside of you and you will never fear any situation, circumstance, enemy or attack again! Remember, God is FOR you! It doesn't do any being any good to be against you (Romans 8:31)! They cannot win! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Sinking Deep":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin for today is something that we speak of a lot on this blog because it is SO very important in our growth!

"…For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6:16). 

Few Christians seem to be conscious of the fact that God lives in them. They couldn't be and still talk the way they do. What do I mean? When a need arises in their life, some Christians are quick to say, "No, I can't do that." Why? Because they're trusting in themselves, or the flesh, to put them over. They know they don't have the ability in themselves to do it. But if we are conscious that God is in us, then we know He has the ability to do anything. So we can stop saying, "I can't," and we can begin saying with confidence, "I can - because I'm trusting God! I can - because God is in me! I can - because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!" 

No matter what you face, and you may be facing seemingly impossible obstacles in your life, you can say, "God will put me over! He'll make me a success! The Greater One indwells me!" That's scriptural believing. That's faith talking. And it will put the Greater One to work for you! 

Confession: The Spirit of God indwells me. I trust the Indwelling One. He has the ability. I can do all things - because the Spirit of God is in me. I can - because He has all ability. 

Another Scripture that I want to leave you with is this from the Amplified Bible: 

Philippians 4:13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. AMP

THAT is YOU when you are IN HIM! AMEN! Here is a very old, but very good,  song by Hillsong called "Faith":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We had an excellent Worship Service at The Spoken Word Church today! What makes a great Worship Service? When WE come together, we do so for these main purposes:

• To Hear the Word of God.
• To celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• To be a blessing to one another.

We heard about Life (Zoe - life as God has within HIMSELF, and has given to every born again believer to have within themselves)! Pastor Bill Novak also continued his series on "Truth". We learned that it is vital that we respect and encourage our spiritual leaders. We also learned that it is important that we be open to "repent", which means to change our thinking to agree with God and His Word. HE then changes US from one degree of glory (being like HIM) to another degree of glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)! We become more like Jesus every day IF we choose to be changed! Then we learned that it is very important that we be WILLING to change and be changed in the different seasons of our lives. I have made it my determined purpose to be willing AND obedient in every season of life so that I can continue to "eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1:19)! AMEN! 

Now I want to leave you with THIS from today's Bible Reading Plan! Luke 10:38-42:

38 Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.

What was it that Mary had chosen over the busyness of life and of trying to impress people? She had chosen to pay attention to the Word! AMEN! Make that WISE choice for yourself every day! You will NEVER regret choosing the "good portion"! Here is Hillsong United with "Point Of Difference":

Shalom in Him!