Shalom,

Now today I want to share Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional. He speaks about where faith comes from! A very simple, yet powerful TRUTH that many believers still do not understand! 

How Faith Comes

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). 

How does God give the sinner faith to be saved? 

Let me read along with you from Romans chapter ten, which talks about salvation and about getting faith to be saved. (My comments are in brackets.)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach [Notice that God's Word is called the word of faith. That's because it builds faith. It causes faith to come into the hearts of those who are open to it.]; 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?[Now get this] and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:8-10,13-14,17)

You cannot believe without hearing. Faith comes by hearing. Hearing what? The Word of God!

Confession: I listen to the Word of God. And faith comes to me. 

AMEN! In any and every area that we have a need, the Word of God has a promise that covers it and faith for the answer will come as we hear and hear and hear what the WORD says. Then when we speak that Word with the faith that comes from hearing it, we will have it! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations" today because this message is so powerfully important!

JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST JESUS

Romans 8:16–17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...

As long as you are born again, you are no longer a “slave,” but a son of the Most High God. And God does not just call you His son. He also calls you “an heir” through Christ (see Galatians 4:7). In fact, Romans 8:17 says that you are “joint heirs” with Christ.

As a joint heir with Christ Jesus, you inherit everything that He is. How precious Jesus is to the Father, is how precious you are to the Father. The way the Father loves Jesus, is the way the Father loves you!

How accepted are you by God today? Look at Jesus. That is how accepted you are! Christ is the measure of your acceptance. How favored are you by God? Look at Jesus, who is seated at the Father’s right hand. You enjoy that same favor today because whatever Christ enjoys, you enjoy!

As a joint heir with Christ Jesus, you also inherit all that He has obtained from the Father. How much Jesus has, is how much you have. How prosperous is the one who made all things, and who put the gold, silver and diamonds in the earth? So are you in this world (see 1 John 4:17)!

I used to read the Bible to find out how to be a successful and victorious Christian. But now, I read it to find out more about Jesus because I know that when I find Him, I find my every blessing in Him (see Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3).

My friend, all that Jesus is in heaven today, you are in this world. All that belongs to Him belongs to you. That is why it is in your interest to know Him more, to see Him in all His glory and beauty. And because Jesus is so glorious, it will take you a lifetime to discover everything that He has done for you and has for you.

Beloved, you are an heir of the Most High God. You are a joint heir with Christ Jesus. So find out all the blessings that your rich inheritance includes and start walking in them today!

It is so vitally important that we know who WE are - IN HIM! We are here to BE the LIGHT to the dark world! We are HIS body in the earth and we are the only JESUS that some people will ever see! So, let's find out just who HE says that we are, and let's act like it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share THIS from today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin:

Faith Dealt

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). 

"Faith - that's what I want!" many people say to me. "And I'm praying that God will give it to me." 

If that's what you're doing, you're wasting your time. It would do no more good to pray that God will give you faith than it would to twiddle your thumbs and recite Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. 

Praying for faith is lost motion and wasted time, because every believer already has a measure of the God-kind of faith. You don't have to get it. You don't have to pray for it. You don't have to fast for it. You don't have to promise to do better and be good to get it. 

You already have it! 

In this verse in Romans, Paul wasn't writing to sinners, but to believers. He said, "...I say...to every man that is among you [not to every man in the world]...God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." 

All believers have faith! God gave it to them! 

Confession: God dealt to me the measure of faith. I have a measure of the God-kind of faith! God already gave it to me! I have it now! 

AMEN! And after you meditate on that until it becomes REAL to you, then begin to meditate on THIS in Romans 10:17:

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

So, every born again believer receives the same measure of faith, which is the faith to be born again. After that, then we receive and strengthen our faith by hearing and meditating on the Word of God! When we HEAR the Word, faith comes! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with a very old song called  "Faith":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

Whereby Shall I Know?

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

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

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

The basic message here is that the Word of God CANNOT be understood mentally! It cannot be understood by simply studying ABOUT the Bible! We can study all of the history and read all of the commentaries ever written and never understand the Word of God! Joshua 1:8 tells it much more clearly:

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.

It is in the obedience that true Wisdom and understanding come! Meditation of the Word allows Holy Spirit to make it clear to us HOW to obey the Word in our own uniquely different lives. When we DO the Word, then the Word becomes REAL to us! I also love that he says (above) that we CANNOT grow our relationship with God. We are either IN relationship with Him by the New Birth, or we are NOT in relationship at all! Once we receive JESUS as our Lord and Saviour, then we are immediately reborn in our spirit man into the image of God, with Holy Spirit living IN us! THAT is an unbreakable relationship! We can, after that, break our FELLOWSHIP with Him by getting involved with sin, not walking in love, walking in unforgiveness and bitterness or anything else that is contrary to His Word, but there is NOTHING that can EVER separate us from HIM and His great love for us! NOTHING!!! When WE break fellowship, we have been given 1 John 1:9 as our way back to close intimate fellowship! Don't continue for one minute out of fellowship when it is so clear and simple how to get back! Be a DOER of 1 John 1:9 and the Blood of JESUS which continually cleanses us from all sin, will give us back our confidence in who we are - IN HIM! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "God So Loved The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

As I've shared here many times before, I love the way in which Holy Spirit can make the Word that I am reading/studying with the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan just come alive! It is SO time appropriate! Today's reading in Psalm 100 is an instruction and exhortation in the proper way to approach our wonderful heavenly Father! 

Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! 3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

There should NEVER be a time, whether we are going through something or not, when we fail to enter His presence in this way! He IS our GOD! The answer to every question that we ask Him will ALWAYS be YES, when we ask for what the Word promises and with right motives! He has the asnwer to every question, the solution for every problem, the leading, guiding and directing that we so desperately need. HE is NOT holding back on us! He is more ready than we are to see us walking in health, wealth and prosperity, Wisdom and understanding, and the Favor and Anointing of he God of all the universe! AMEN! So trust Him and throw yourself a party! Her is Hillsong Kids with "Who You Say I Am":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share this from Andrew Womack's devotional:

ESCAPE CONDEMNATION

Matthew 26:2 "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified."

In Israel, crucifixion was a common sight. This practice was first mentioned in scripture as one used by the Egyptians (Genesis 40:19). Anyone hung upon a tree was accursed by God according to the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).

Failure to obey the law brought on the curse. Praise God that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by bearing the curse for us. Now, through Christ, we will never receive any curse from God even though we still disobey the law in some way. Justice was satisfied when Jesus died for the law that we broke, thus paying the prescribed penalty and bearing the curse.

There is no condemnation awaiting us from the law; for we died in Him.

A Christian who still walks in condemnation is being condemned by the devil or himself. It's not God who condemns us (Romans 8:34). It is the law that brought God's adverse sentence against us.

When the government condemns a building it is declared unfit for use and must be destroyed. Likewise, when Satan condemns us, he makes us feel unfit for use and ready to be destroyed. Since the Christian is no longer under the law, he should no longer be condemned or feel unfit for use. We have been accepted by the Father through Jesus.

God convicts of sin but He doesn't condemn (Romans 8:34). Conviction is solely for our profit with no malice, while condemnation includes punishment. Satan is the one who condemns the Christian, but the Holy Spirit has given us the power to escape that condemnation.

I LOVE the underlined part above! Condemnation is ALWAYS of the flesh or the devil! There is now, NO CONDEMNATION for those who are IN CHRIST! Receive JESUS as Lord and personal Savior, and YOU will receive the FREEDOM that comes when there is no condemnation! Look at John 3:17:

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

 AMEN! We are all so familiar with verse 16, but verse 17 is equally as important! When we receive JESUS as Lord and Saviour, then condemnation is forever removed from us! Refuse to receive it from others! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Beneath The Waters - I will Rise":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Joseph Prince's "Grace Inspirations" for today is a very good lesson on God's financial prosperity!

GOD IS BEHIND YOUR INCREASE

1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Sometimes, we think that the increase or success which we enjoy is the result of our own efforts or hard work. Now, I am not advocating laziness, but the truth is that God is the one behind our increase.

We see this truth when we read the story of Ruth, a young widow from Moab, who worked as a gleaner in a barley field from morning till evening. Now, we could attribute the entire ephah—a substantial 10-day supply—of barley she collected at the end of the day to her hard work. After all, she did work all day in the field.

But when we read about how Boaz, the owner of the field, had secretly told his reapers to “let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean” (Ruth 2:16), we know that it was because of Boaz’s intervention that Ruth ended up with so much.

I believe that Jesus, our heavenly Boaz, does the same thing for us today. He causes people to favor us and “drop” blessings on us because He loves us. Then, He causes us to “pick up” these blessings. Often, it happens so seemingly naturally we forget that it is the Lord who has blessed us with the increases.

A church member who runs a florist business shared that once, God caused someone who needed a lot of flowers to “drop” a huge order with her. She also shared that she was hardly making any money even though she had been working hard for many years. But when she became a Christian after coming to our church, she began to confess every day that God’s favor was on her. Within a few weeks, that big order worth S$14,000 came in. Only God could have given her such a supernatural increase.

My friend, your hard work is not behind your increase. The Bible tells us that it is “God who gives the increase.” He is the one who is behind your increase and He delights in blessing you because He loves you!

AMEN! We are called to do ALL that we do, with our whole heart and unto the LORD! When we have and maintain that attitude, we WILL see the manifestation of God's glory in and around us!!! Here is Hillsong Worship with "You Are More":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Now that we used Psalm 96 yesterday, we have to use Psalm 97 today! It is an exhortation of encouragement for the people of the Most High God!

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles and coastlands be glad! 2 Clouds and darkness are round about Him [as at Sinai]; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. 3 Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about. 4 His lightnings illumine the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory. 7 Let all those be put to shame who serve graven images, who boast in idols. Fall prostrate before Him, all you gods. 8 Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced [in relief] because of Your judgments, O Lord. 9 For You, Lord, are high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil; He preserves the lives of His saints (the children of God), He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart [the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favor and protection]. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, you [consistently] righteous (upright and in right standing with God), and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

AMEN, AMEN, and AMEN! Become a diligent and consistent DOER of this Word and you will see the movements and manifestations of the Lord your God! HALLELUJAH! Thank You, JESUS! Here is Hillsong with a great song of celebration called "This Is How We Overcome":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I discovered something in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! It is THE answer to all of the horrible things, both 'natural' and caused by man, that have been happening all over the world! Psalm 96!

Psalm 96

1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all [so-called] gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are [lifeless] idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come [before Him] into His courts. 9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations that the Lord reigns; the world also is established, so that it cannot be moved; He shall judge and rule the people righteously and with justice. 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all the things which fill it; 12 Let the field be exultant, and all that is in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy 13 Before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness and truth.

Our God IS the great I AM! He IS always FOR us! Make this Psalm of praise and worship your new anthem! Sing it! Shout it! Refuse to give in to the enemies of doubt, fear, worry, guilt or unbelief! SHOUT to Him and ABOUT Him! THAT is the sound that will drown out all other sounds and it is the praises of His people that enthrone the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Let's BUILD that THRONE! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Shout To The Lord":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's devotional on Jerry Savelle's website shows us where the responsibility lies for our success!

DECIDE TO WIN!

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV)

In this world you can experience life and blessing, or you can deal with death and cursing. The decision in yours. God told His covenant people in no uncertain terms it was their choice to receive either life or death, blessing or cursing. And then—just in case they weren’t sure which was the right choice—He said, “Choose life.”

Although these words were recorded thousands of years ago, you and I still have to make the same decision in our generation. But we have a better covenant because of what Jesus did at the cross. Jesus said,

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Whose decision is it for you to receive life? Yours.

Whose decision is it for you to prosper? Yours.

Whose decision is it for you to be in health? Yours.

Every blessing God has provided for us in Jesus is contingent on our decision to receive it. When Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to be made well, He was telling that man the prerequisite to being healed was making the decision to be made well.

I don’t know what challenge you may be facing today. You may be grappling with a health issue, a financial need, or the enemy may be trying to destroy your family. Remember that Jesus has already fought this battle for you. Now all you have to do is simply make the decision to win.

Confession: I choose today to receive the abundant life God has provided for me in Jesus Christ. I choose to receive God’s blessing. I am making the decision to prosper and be in health. I am making the decision to win.

AMEN! That is really the BEST news! YOUR success, and mine, is ONLY dependent on our own choices, and not the choices of those around us! Never allow someone else to make your mind up for you! Study and meditate the Word of God, spend time in praise and worship, time in prayer in both your known language AND in the Spirit! Now be a consistent DOER of what you are hearing and seeing and YOU will be making YOUR WAY prosperous! Joshua 1:8  (AMPC) says so! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Say The Word":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I LOVE our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! We use this same plan, reading through the Bible chronologically, year after year, and yet each and every day is completely relevant to the times that we are living in! Only GOD can do that! Today's Psalm is an exhortation and encouragement to God's righteous people who are being blasphemed, ridiculed, persecuted, wrongly charged, slandered and attacked for no other reason than that they ARE God's people, and are standing for what is RIGHT according to the Word of God. Those who reject the Truth of God's Word will go to any lengths to try to stop or silence the Word from going out and from being heard and acted on. And we KNOW that the people themselves are simply clueless pawns in the hands of a spiritual enemy! Look at Psalm 94:1-11:

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? 4 They pour out arrogant words, speaking hard things; all the evildoers boast loftily. 5 They crush Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the transient stranger and murder the unprotected orphan. 7 Yet they say, The Lord does not see, neither does the God of Jacob notice it. 8 Consider and understand, you stupid ones among the people! And you [self-confident] fools, when will you become wise? 9 He Who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He Who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10 He Who disciplines and instructs the nations, shall He not punish, He Who teaches man knowledge? 11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile—only a breath).

The psalmist is calling on the Lord to vindicate them, and then answers his own questions and pleas with the Word of the Living God! Verses 12-17 is more encouragement for the righteous to hold on strong to the Lord and to His Word!

12 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, 13 That You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage. 15 For justice will return to the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the Lord had been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land where there is] silence.

Then verses 21-23 tell what the enemy has done and what the LORD is doing and will do in answer to the attacks!

21 They band themselves together against the life of the [consistently] righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the Lord has become my High Tower and Defense, and my God the Rock of my refuge. 23 And He will turn back upon them their own iniquity and will wipe them out by means of their own wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out.

The LORD will wipe out the lawsuits, slanders, charges and lies against His anointed! Those allowing themselves to be used by the enemy to hurt God's Anointed will see their targets vindicated and themselves charged! But the truly great aspect of our wonderful Lord and Saviour is that He will give them the opportunity to repent (change their thinking to agree with God) and then they, too, can call upon the Name of the Lord to be saved! AMEN! Learn, and choose, to see every situation as an opportunity for YOU to represent JESUS well, and for HIM to show Himself strong and powerful, drawing ALL men unto Himself! AMEN! And isn't THAT why we are all still here, anyway? Sharing the Good News so that all of the 'whosoever wills' can be saved? YES! Here is Hillsong with "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is very good, though you have to read or listen carefully to get it! Remember that he is coming to us from a very different era. Some of the words that he uses we would never use now. So, meditate on the content that is Bible and forget the rest! AMEN!!!

The Sphere Of Humiliation

If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. — Mark 9:22

After every time of exaltation we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they are where it is neither beautiful nor poetic nor thrilling. The height of the mountain top is measured by the drab drudgery of the valley; but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mount, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the sphere of humiliation that we find our true worth to God, that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at the heroic pitch because of the natural selfishness of our hearts, but God wants us at the drab commonplace pitch, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship to Him. Peter thought it would be a fine thing for them to remain on the mount, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mount into the valley — the place where the meaning of the vision is explained.

“If Thou canst do any thing…” It takes the valley of humiliation to root the scepticism out of us. Look back at your own experience, and you will find that until you learned Who Jesus was, you were a cunning sceptic about His power. When you were on the mount, you could believe anything, but what about the time when you were up against facts in the valley? You may be able to give a testimony to sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you just now? The last time you were on the mount with God, you saw that all power in heaven and in earth belonged to Jesus — will you be sceptical now in the valley of humiliation?

What he is saying here is that it is very easy to operate in faith when we are in an anointed Worship Service, but it takes discipline, tenacity, and hunger and thirst for the things of God to continue long after the Service is over! It all involves CHOICES! Amen! So, to help you, here is another message from Oswald Chamber! It is a quote from his book, "Shade of His Hand":

It is in the middle that human choices are made; the beginning and the end remain with God. The decrees of God are birth and death, and in between those limits man makes his own distress or joy.

TRUTH! AMEN! WE are in charge of our own destiny! God has extraordinary plans in place for each and every one of us (Jeremiah 29:11), but He leaves the choices entirely up to us! AMEN! CHOOSE WELL! Here is Hillsong Kids with "This Is Living":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Luke 13 in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I have always loved this part found in verses 10-14:

10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward. 12 And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him] and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity! 13 Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, There are six days on which work ought to be done; so come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day.

Notice that JESUS was teaching on the Sabbath. He was teaching the Word. The people who were there were there to hear Him teach! As JESUS was teaching, He noticed this woman who SHOULD have been healed! She had been in this condition for 18 years!When JESUS saw her, He knew immediately that she had an evil spirit of infirmity. None of the religious leaders present had discerned this for 18 years! They COULD have! The response of the leader of the synagogue revealed a heart condition! A heart that was NOT in tune with the Spirit of Almighty God! He scolded the crowd for coming for healing on the Sabbath, when healing had never been available any other time other than when JESUS was present! Not for 18 years! I would hope that after THIS response from JESUS that this leader repented and became teachable! We do not know! Verses 15-17:

15 But the Lord replied to him, saying, You playactors (hypocrites)! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it out to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? 17 Even as He said this, all His opponents were put to shame, and all the people were rejoicing over all the glorious things that were being done by Him. 

Those religious leaders were all put to shame because they SHOULD have helped this woman LONG before this moment! They were 'put to shame'! The opinions of those who do not know the Word of God, and their Covenant with HIM, should have no bearing on any decision that you make! Continue in the Word of God. Dare to believe what the Word says and dare to receive ALL that God has provided for you! AMEN! This will bring glory to JESUS' Name! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Ask, Seek, Knock":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 91 again today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. This Psalm is filled with the promises of God for protection, provision and safety for all who will trust in HIM!

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!

AMEN! There should never be a doubt that you allow into your mind concerning God's desire to protect and provide for you! He NEVER changes! His LOVE for you never changes! His compassion for you never changes! His mercy is new every morning, not changed but renewed! I urge you to meditate on Psalm 91 and then pray it over yourself, your family, your home, your job, your church and anyone else that you are responsible for! EXPECT the answers to come quickly! Amen! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Shadow Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is so simple, yet so profound that  I wonder if everyone will actually catch it! 

The Consciousness Of The Call

For necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel  — 1 Corinthians 9:16

We are apt to forget the mystical, supernatural touch of God. If you can tell where you got the call of God and all about it, I question whether you have ever had a call. The call of God does not come like that, it is much more supernatural. The realisation of it in a man’s life may come with a sudden thunder-clap or with a gradual dawning, but in whatever way it comes, it comes with the undercurrent of the supernatural, something that cannot be put into words, it is always accompanied with a glow. At any moment there may break the sudden consciousness of this incalculable, supernatural, surprising call that has taken hold of your life — “I have chosen you.” The call of God has nothing to do with salvation and sanctification. It is not because you are sanctified that you are therefore called to preach the gospel; the call to preach the gospel is infinitely different. Paul describes it as a necessity laid upon him.

If you have been obliterating the great super natural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances and see where God has not been first, but your ideas of service, or your temperamental abilities. Paul said — “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” He had realized the call of God, and there was no competitor for his strength.

If a man or woman is called of God, it does not matter how untoward circumstances are, every force that has been at work will tell for God’s purpose in the end. If you agree with God’s purpose He will bring not only your conscious life, but all the deeper regions of your life which you cannot get at, into harmony.

The message here is that those whom the God of the Bible calls, will most definitely know that they have been called! And this will NOT be by much fan fair and publicity! It will most likely NOT be in the public eye at all! We all know that every born again believer has been 'called' to the Ministry of Reconciliation, presenting to sinners the WAY out of sin and into Jesus!How, when and where you are to carry this out will be your INDIVIDUAL and UNIQUE calling! So, spend the time necessary in His presence to develop trust that you hear His voice. Now go and DO what He has shown you! And HE will work with you in it all! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Kids with "I Give You My Hallelujah":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Here is Jerry Savelle's website devotional:

WISDOM TO WIN!

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering … James 1:5-6 AMP)

God always has a way to get you out of trouble and into the victory He has planned for you. This victory comes through the wisdom, knowledge, and Grace To Grace understanding you need in your situation.

So how do you tap into this wealth of wisdom? Wisdom is received from God exactly the same way anything else is received from God: by asking in faith.

First, meditate on the promise found in James 1:5 until you know in your spirit that God is going to give you the wisdom you need. Then, simply ask Him for it and believe from that moment that you have received all the answers and understanding you need for the situation. Even if you still feel confused or uncertain, thank God for giving you the wisdom you asked for.

If the answer you need isn’t apparent two seconds after you ask, don’t waiver. Rest in the fact that God has answered your request. As you continue to thank Him and read His Word, the answers you need to get you out of that trouble will certainly come.

Confession: Father, I come to you in faith today, asking for the wisdom I need to obtain victory in my situation. I refuse to waiver as I thank you for the wisdom you have promised to so liberally give to me. I receive it now in Jesus’ name.

AMEN! Good and Godly advice! Remember to ALWAYS put JESUS and His Word first place in your life! All other good things come to those who do so! Here is Hillsong with "Grace To Grace":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin contains one of the most important messages that a born again believer MUST know and understand in order to accomplish all that God desires for us to accomplish for the Kingdom as we run our race to the finish!

God Inside

"Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? (1 Corinthians 3:16 AMP). 

God Himself, after He makes us new creatures, actually makes our bodies His home. No longer does He dwell in an earth-made Holy of Holies. God says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

We need to become mindful that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit - we have God inside of us! 

Chiseled on the front of a beautiful church in Texas is an Old Testament scripture declaring that the building was the temple of God. I get provoked every time I drive by. Why? Because these people have a lie right on the front of their church building! 

To say that a church building is the house of God because He dwells there, is incorrect. God doesn't dwell in a church building. If we mean that a church building is the house of God because it has been dedicated to God, that is correct. 

But we must be careful not to confuse spiritual things with natural things. Therefore, we must be careful to state spiritual things as they really are. 

Your body is the house or temple of God - not the building where you worship. Remembering this fact will help you in your obedience and in your faith. 

Confession: God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit indwells me. The Creator dwells in me. God lives in me. 

We ARE the current temple of the Living God! We ARE the new Holy of Holies! God Himself lives in us by His Spirit! And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY! Spend time meditating on this TRUTH that GOD is IN you, if you have received JESUS as Lord and Saviour! You will NEVER be alone again! He will ALWAYS have your back, fight you fights, protect, provide for, lead, guide and direct you in the way that leads to LIFE and to FAVOR in every area and arena of life. you can count on it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Made In Your Image":

Shalom  in Him!

Shalom,

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers contains a lesson that is sometimes overlooked by born again believers because they do not realize how very important it is!

The Unblameable Attitude

If thou…rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee… — Matthew 5:23

If when you come to the altar, there you remember that your brother has anything against you, not — If you rake up something by a morbid sensitiveness, but — “If thou…rememberest,” that is, if it is brought to your conscious mind by the Spirit of God: “first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Never object to the intense sensitiveness of the Spirit of God in you when He is educating you down to the scruple.

“First be reconciled to thy brother…” Our Lord’s direction is simple — “first be reconciled.” Go back the way you came, go the way indicated to you by the conviction given at the altar; have an attitude of mind and a temper of soul to the one who has something against you that makes reconciliation as natural as breathing. Jesus does not mention the other person, He says — you go. There is no question of your rights. The stamp of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.

“And then come and offer thy gift.” The process is clearly marked. First, the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden checking by the sensitiveness of the Holy Spirit, and the stoppage at the point of conviction; then the way of obedience to the word of God, constructing an unblameable attitude of mind and temper to the one with whom you have been in the wrong; then the glad, simple, unhindered offering of your gift to God.

Something powerful and supernatural happens when we take God at His WORD, and become DOERS of it! Obedience ALWAYS brings God directly into our situation, so that HE can lead us victoriously OUT of it! AMEN! Love never fails, but failing to DO this, will cause us to miss out on God's very best! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Voices of Freedom":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

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

LET THE LORD BE YOUR DEFENSE

Psalm 94:22  But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.

Imagine being a poor widow, a stranger in the land and holding one of the lowliest jobs in society. That was Ruth’s situation, so it would have been easy for her to feel vulnerable and defenseless. But because she trusted the Lord (see Ruth 1:16), He placed her under Boaz’s protection.

Boaz, the owner of the field she worked in, commanded his young men saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her” (see Ruth 2:15). What he was saying to his men was this: “She might be a gleaner, but because I care for her, treat her with respect and make sure she is not put to shame.”

Boaz is a picture of our Lord Jesus. If you are feeling vulnerable and defenseless right now, imagine Jesus commanding His angels, “Watch over this one who belongs to Me. Make sure he is treated with respect and not put to shame because he is someone I love and someone whom I died for.”

God’s Word tells us that if God is for us, who can be against us? (see Romans 8:31). No one who has set himself against us can prevail because when God is for us, His protection is upon us. That is why I have never answered any of the poison email messages which I have received in the course of my ministry.

My attitude is this: Jesus is my defense. If He does not defend me, it means that there are things in my life that are not to be defended, and I would be glad to find out about them now rather than later. On the other hand, because I take the Lord as my defense, and He defends me, what can those who are against me do to me?

When you defend yourself, you have only your two hands and your own human resources. But when you let Jesus take up your defense, He defends you with His nail-pierced hands and His legions of angels! The results will be amazing.

Beloved, the Lord is your defense and refuge. Trust Him to defend and provide for you!

AMEN! I have been asked before why I don't defend myself when people make accusations against me. THIS is why! 1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that love NEVER fails! When we take no account of the evil done to us, then God can get involved on our behalf. WHen HE defends us, people are left speechless! They have no rebuttal and no recurse when God gets involved. Remember, nothing can EVER separate you from the love of  God which is found in JESUS! You are one with HIM, and when people come against you, they are coming against HIM! They are already in a bad place, so pray for them! They will definitely need it! And when God gets involved, people will have the opportunity to repent and change their thinking to agree with Him, and be saved! For us, it is always a win/win situation! Here is Hillsong Kids with "My Best Friend":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I want to share "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers again today!

The “Go” Of Preparation

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there thou rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  Matthew 5:23, 24

It is easy to imagine that we will get to a place where we are complete and ready, but preparation is not suddenly accomplished, it is a process steadily maintained. It is dangerous to get into a settled state of experience. It is preparation and preparation.

The sense of sacrifice appeals readily to a young Christian. Humanly speaking, the one thing that attracts to Jesus Christ is our sense of the heroic, and the scrutiny of Our Lord’s words suddenly brings this tide of enthusiasm to the test. “First be reconciled to thy brother.” The “go” of preparation is to let the word of God scrutinise. The sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit is detecting in you is the disposition that will never work in His service. No one but God can detect that disposition in you. Have you anything to hide from God? If you have, then let God search you with His light. If there is sin, confess it, not admit it. Are you willing to obey your Lord and Master whatever the humiliation to your right to yourself may be?

Never discard a conviction. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to have brought it to your mind, it is that thing He is detecting. You were looking for a great thing to give up. God is telling you of some tiny thing; but at the back of it there lies the central citadel of obstinacy: “I will not give up my right to myself” — the thing God intends you to give up if ever you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Notice that he says that it is DANGEROUS to get into a 'settled' state of experience! We should NEVER be SATISFIED with our growth in the things of God! Content, yes! But never satisfied! We will ALWAYS have something to learn UNTIL we see Him face to face, and THEN we will have more questions! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with an appropriate song called "Go":

Shalom in Him!