New Life Center Assembly of God

Believe Like Abraham

2009-10-30T06:49:00.000-05:00

“Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:6-7

God seems to remind me regularly that it is faith, not works that leads to righteousness. James 2:20 does say that “faith without works is useless” and really, the two go hand in hand. Abraham didn’t just believe he acted according to his belief. He did things that regularly demonstrated His faith in God from leaving his country for a better land to his willingness to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Are you exercising your own measure of faith today? Are you asking God regularly to increase that measure so that you might believe as Abraham did when he looked at God’s promises instead of his circumstances? You can believe God to perform according to His will and His plan in your life and in the lives of your loved ones just as He did for Abraham.

In case you’ve forgotten, God promised Abraham and Sarah a son and even though they were well past childbearing years Abraham believed God instead of the circumstance. As believers we are subject to the same blessings as Abraham! What do you need to believe Him for today?

Hear Us From Heaven

2009-10-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Our Heavenly Father is always true to His word and I think today would just be a good day to lift our country and our leaders up to Him. It’s time to humble ourselves and seek His face and ask for healing of our land. Today is a good day to pray for those who have been elected to serve our land at every level that they might always know that it is God who shuts up the heavens, commands the elements and is our source of hope and provision as well. Oh, that our nation’s leaders would ask God for guidance in making every decision that affects this land and its people. He hears from heaven and He forgives, heals and delivers. There is so much available to us as a people if we would just cry out to God. He’ll hear, forgive and heal if we humble ourselves, turn from wickedness and seek His face; His word declares it.

Our country needs You, Father; our leaders at every level of government need You and I cry out to You today on their behalf and on behalf of my country.

He’s Working!

2009-10-26T05:53:00.000-05:00

“But He answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.’" John 5:17

I love knowing that God is continually working in every situation and circumstance that concerns His children and that work is to bring about our best possible good as well as His best glory. His sovereign hand is upon every detail of His sovereign plan and I pray that I would never forget that. Knowing that He works in the lives of our unsaved loved ones on a continual basis and is seeing to the details of our daily provision should be a great comfort no matter how bad things look. He’s working and in His perfect timing we will see the result of that work. You can entrust every desire and concern into His holy hands and be assured that He is working out every detail, answering every prayer and the end result will be beyond what you could ever imagine.

He is working out every detail of our lives on a continual basis whether we see that work in progress or not. Sometimes we won’t see the result until after the fact but we can always believe without a doubt that He is working!

No Horses or Chariots

2009-10-25T06:32:00.000-05:00

“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” Psalm 20:7

God truly is our best source of help and our best refuge in times of trouble. Why is it that we so often seek help from credit cards, drugs or ungodly counsel before seeking it from God? Of course, those are just a few of the chariots and horses the world provides as a means of false security and any help and safety they provide is only temporary. Boast in the Lord today and run to Him at the first sign of trouble instead of as a last resort. He’s the deliverer, our salvation and the source of everything we need. His is the only help that is sure and worthy of boasting about.

The world makes it so easy to turn to horses and chariots, tangible, quick and easy fixes for our problems. Often those quick and easy fixes don’t provide solutions that last and sometimes they even bring more problems. It is only through doing things God’s way that we can truly find answers we can be confident in and boast about.

Deeply Rooted and Firmly Planted

2009-10-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3

It is my sincere prayer for today and every day that God will guide my every step so that I do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners nor sit in the seat of scoffers. He is my counsel; the One Who orders my steps as I choose to delight in Him, in His Word and in His law. I pray that His Word will be what comes to my mind when I am faced with a problem. Oh, to be like a tree firmly planted and to be fruitful and prosperous as I pray that I will act according to His Word instead of doing things my own way.

I’ve been so blessed to know some wonderful people who are steadfast and sure like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. They are productive and dependable and like a tree, they’ve put down deep roots over time through faithful study of God’s Word and I am so thankful for their examples of godliness!

He’ll Make it Good

2009-10-23T09:09:00.000-05:00

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

Has anyone ever disappointed you? Perhaps they couldn’t make good on a promise or maybe they didn’t even try. Maybe you’ve had a plan that failed; I know my own feeble plans do on occasion. I’m so thankful today for God’s faithfulness and steadfast love. I’m thankful that His Word is true and that I can rely on it to be a lamp unto my feet. I’m thankful that His ways and His plan are perfect. Our God is sovereign, holy, He’s in control and I thank Him for keeping every promise throughout the generations. He has spoken and His Word is truth.

God has a plan for His creation and it was set in motion before the foundation of the world. Furthermore, He has never varied from that plan; it’s carefully written out in His Word and every thing He has said He will do that hasn’t already been done will be. He has spoken, He stands by His Word and He’ll make it good.

Saved Through Faith

2009-10-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

I am so thankful for God’s grace, His mercy and His marvelous free gift of salvation. Surely I know that I could never have done anything to deserve that gift; it was given freely out of the greatest of love. I also know that if this gift was made available to me that He is also waiting to bestow it on others who will accept it and I lift up unsaved loved ones to Him today that they too, will one day accept this gracious gift of salvation through faith. Have you received the gift of salvation? Are you praying for lost loved ones too? Thank Him for that precious gift today and don’t give up praying for you loved ones; He wants to give this gift so badly that He died to give it.

I’ve known more than a few people in my lifetime that, because of things they’d done or through habits that held them in bondage, felt too unworthy for God to love and forgive them. Isn’t it sad that so many times we feel that we have to clean ourselves up before we accept His gracious gift? I pray daily that my unsaved loved ones will realize it is the other way around; we clean up and do what’s right after salvation, not before.

Leave Judgment to Him

2009-10-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2

The world has a standard of judgment that is very different from God’s holy standard. I’m afraid I’ve occasionally been guilty of judging a situation without fully understanding it. I’ve also had to ask forgiveness for judging others because they haven’t done things according to my own standard of measure or worse, for passing judgment on them simply for the way they appear. I pray that my Heavenly Father will keep me ever mindful of this principle today because I never want to be judged harshly or unfairly. I pray that He will teach me His ways and help me to love others, according to His standards, rather than according to my own or the worlds.

Have you ever passed judgment on a situation or a person only to realize later that you didn’t have all the information needed to make a sound judgment? Only God is able to judge righteously because His is the only accurate standard of righteousness and understanding. It’s just best to leave judgment to Him.

Evil Turned to Good

2009-10-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Genesis 50:20

From the creation of man to the sale of Joseph by his brothers so he would become second in command in the land of Egypt there has been purpose in everything God has allowed. He still has a plan and no matter what the enemy brings your way God is able to turn it for good. I thank Him from the bottom of my heart that even when I was intent on destroying myself He was able to bring about good in my life as He revealed Himself, His way and His plan to me. Let this verse serve as a reminder that in spite of the enemy’s schemes, and often through them, He will ultimately pour out His love and His plan will always prevail.

This is one of my favorite verses at the end of one of my favorite Bible stories. I am in awe of the way God turned the evil done to Joseph by his brothers into the very thing that would preserve His chosen people. I am also in awe of the way He continues to do the very same thing in the lives of those He loves today.

He’s Near

2009-10-16T06:05:00.000-05:00

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

As a child of God you can know that whether you feel His presence or not our Lord is near and He hears your every call. He’s certainly proven this to me over and over again and in so many ways and I’m sure it is the same for you. This is the truth; He’s near, He hears and He answers. When you call on Him in line with His perfect truth and His perfect plan for your life you can expect Him to answer accordingly. You can trust in what His Word says and His Word says He will never leave you or forsake you! You can call upon Him today with confidence because He’s near.

Our Heavenly Father is also our friend Who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Prayer Accomplishes Much

2009-10-13T08:32:00.000-05:00

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16

As Christians we are truly a privileged to be able to confess our sins to one another in love and to pray for and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that God hears our every prayer and that He answers. Trust Him to answer according to what brings glory and honor to Him and what is best for you in every situation whether it is healing, help or guidance that is needed. Effective prayer really does accomplish much; prayer changes things, even if the only thing changed is the individual who is praying.

The needs may be many but none are too difficult for God. I count it a privilege to lift fellow believers to Him in prayer and to join with them in order that much can be accomplished today!

Blessed

2009-10-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” Romans 4:7-8

I’ve said many times that if the Lord never did another thing for me I’ve received so many blessings that I probably couldn’t count them all. If forgiving all my lawless deeds and covering my sins had been the only things He’d ever done for me that would have been blessing enough but He just keeps blessing; that’s the nature of our Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for that forgiveness and shudder to think where I might be today without His mercy and grace.

Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and He’s cast them as far as the East is from the West. I am certainly in awe of the price that was paid for that forgiveness and blessed in more ways than I can count.

Fullness of Joy

2009-10-11T07:35:00.001-05:00

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:9-11

Take it from one who knows; there is no better place to abide than in the Father’s love and no better way to live than by keeping His commandments. Living in His love produces such joy and in that joy is our source of strength. How I thank Him for His faithful example of love and obedience. How I love Him! Rest in His love today and find peace. Obey His word so that your joy may be made full. There is just no better way to live.

Pleasing the Father through love and obedience produces such joy; joy unspeakable and full of glory, and it is through that fullness of joy that strength abounds for whatever the world throws your way!

They Will Return

2009-10-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded,’ declares the LORD, ‘And they will return from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,’ declares the LORD, ‘And your children will return to their own territory.’” Jeremiah 31:16-17

Is your heart broken over lost loved ones today? Are you especially burdened for your children and grandchildren? I am so thankful for all the promises in God’s Word concerning our children and I look forward with great expectation to the day that they all return from the land of the enemy. You can hope for the future of your own children and grandchildren as well because of the promises in God’s Word. Stand upon His promises today and believe that one day, they will return to their own territory; the work our Lord has prepared especially for each one. Look with hope and expectation to the day you and your children will have true fellowship with one another. Today, I declare that I will rejoice in that hope!

I truly believe that we can apply every one of God’s promises to our children when we have taught them His ways. I believe we can hope for their return no matter what their situations might look like because He has declared a reward for our work in His Word.

Our Sun and Our Shield

2009-10-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

We have a very effective source of protection in our Lord God. Not only does He shine the light of His grace and glory upon us, He teaches us how to walk uprightly before Him in order that we have access to all that He has for us. Give thanks today that our Lord God is our sun and shield, our protector and defender and the one Who supplies every need according to His riches in glory. Today I will praise Him for all that He is and I will strive to walk uprightly so that I might experience all that He has for me.

There are so many wonderful attributes to God’s character and I had to laugh when I looked up the word ‘shield’ in my concordance. The Hebrew word meginnah means “a shield, a buckler or the scaly hide of a crocodile”! I think that would make a pretty effective shield, don’t you?

Love is Essential

2009-10-05T07:22:00.000-05:00

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21

I have to admit that I often have to pray that God will help me to love and that I would be able to see others through His eyes of love. I’m so glad that He loves even the most unlovable (sometimes I am one) and He has commanded those who love Him (I’m one of those too) to do the same. I certainly don’t know where I would be today without Him and the love of those who cared enough to share their faith with me when I was at my very most unlovable; I’m so thankful for them. Father, forgive me for not always loving others, or You, as I should. I don’t want to be a liar.

Loving others isn’t always easy but it is the only way that others can see Christ truly manifested in us. Remember that love is the first segment of the fruit of the Spirit and without it besides being liars; we’re just a whole lot of noise (see 1 Corinthians 13:1).

Escape Provided

2009-10-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

If you are being plagued by temptation today take this to heart; God understands temptation and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to withstand. According to this verse, that includes every temptation that is common to man, whether it’s a big sin or a little self pity. I know I'm sometimes tempted to give up, to stop hoping and to just feel sorry for myself but that certainly doesn’t bring glory to God and it only makes the problems seems worse. Aren’t you thankful that He provides a way of escape and that He supplies strength to get through every trial? How I thank Him for His lovingkindness and compassion and that He is more than able to see us through.

The Lord intends for us to succeed in our Christian walk; that is why He never allows us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Pastor Holder has often said that to be tempted is not a sin. The sin is in yielding to temptation instead of asking the Lord to show the way of escape that He has already provided.

An Everlasting Rock

2009-10-03T08:44:00.000-05:00

“Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:4

I hope you know that our everlasting Rock, our God and source of strength and refuge is also the source of every other need you might ever have. You can place your confidence in Him today and everyday, forever and ever. You can entrust your hopes, dreams and heart’s desires into His faithful hands. He will never fail or disappoint and He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our everlasting Rock is the only sure thing and He is all we need today.

God the Lord is the only one in whose strength we can trust completely. We can confidently entrust Him with every our every need and concern, all the time and forever.

Measure for Measure

2009-10-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38

I’ve been growing parsley in a clay pot on our patio and one day while watering I discovered three caterpillars, monarch butterflies to be, that had made themselves at home in the parsley and were happily munching away. Some gardeners would have been horrified but I was delighted and watched them closely for several days. They stayed only until every last leaf of parsley had been consumed. I was sad to see them go but I noticed that there was just the tiniest bit of new growth on the plant so we kept watering and within a week the plant was full again. I know that my standard of measure could never measure up to God’s but it seems He spoke to my heart that day with a small illustration of this principle at work. I know that His Word is true; I know He loves a cheerful giver and I know from experience that this verse has applied in our lives on so many occasions but I needed reminding that day and God used parsley and caterpillars. I pray that He will bless me with a givers heart so that I might give without regard to whether I would receive in return but that I would give just because I love Him.

The givers I know don’t seem to lack for anything. Oh, they might not all have material things in abundance but they know how to live by this principle from God’s Word and they are blessed beyond measure for it.

The Word Will Light the Way

2009-10-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.” Psalm 119:105-106

We can’t always see what lies ahead or know what the future holds but aren’t you thankful that as a child of God we need not stumble around in darkness? Our Heavenly Father has provided His Word that serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. If you need comfort along the way, you can find it in His Word. When you need strength for the journey it can be found there too. Whatever you need there is an answer in His Word. Look to the light of His Word today to guide your path. Keep His righteous ordinances that you find there and your every step will be illuminated.

The more I study God’s Word the more in awe of it I become. I believe that if I only had one chapter, one book or even one verse available to me it would teach me something new every time I meditated on it. The ordinances found in the Word of God are truly the only light we need.

Our Speech and Service Should Bring Him Glory

2009-09-30T08:14:00.001-05:00

“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

I don’t know about you but I believe the Lord is certainly trying to tell me something about the words that come from my mouth. I’ve come across several verses lately that impress on my heart how very important our speech is and I pray that I will take whatever lesson He desires to teach me to heart. I pray that I would be mindful of my every word and deed today so that God would truly be glorified. Yet often what comes out of my mouth is self serving or even destructive. I admit I am often guilty of speaking before I think. I want to please my Father with the words of my mouth today!

This is the second verse He’s directed me to in the last few days that has to do with speaking. I truly want my life to be all about Him, not about me yet so many times I speak or act without thinking and sadly often those things I say and do don’t bring him the glory and honor He is worthy of.

You Were Chosen to Bear Fruit

2009-09-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” John 15:16

God chose you and no matter what today has in store you can face it with the confidence that He’s appointed you to bear fruit in His name. How awesome! I know there are times I don’t feel very fruitful and I realize it’s because I haven’t stayed as close to the vine as I should. Stay close to the vine, be productive and bear fruit that pleases God; the kind of fruit that has eternal value. If you need help ask Him for it because your fruit will draw others to Him. That is what I ask for today; that I would bear the fruit that He has appointed me to bear.

He chose us because He had a plan and the fruit we’ve been appointed to bear is part of that amazing plan. Bear fruit that will last and draw others to Him.

Nothing’s Too Difficult for God

2009-09-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You …” Jeremiah 32:17

Do you realize that nothing is too difficult for our Lord God? Aren’t you just in awe of the power in His outstretched arm? It certainly builds my faith to know that nothing is too difficult for Him and to know that the same power that made the heavens and the earth is at work in, for and through every circumstance of our lives. Amazing! Awesome! In that knowledge we can trust in God to meet our every need and fulfill our hearts desires when those desires are part of His plan for our lives.

That same powerful outstretched arm that made the heavens and the earth is extended to those He loves to meet needs, reach unsaved loved ones, heal and deliver and fulfill our hearts desires. Nothing is too difficult for God!

Exult in The Lord!

2009-09-27T07:46:00.000-05:00

“Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

I know that I say this often but I have so much to be thankful for and I never want to forget that God is the source of everything I have and have need of. It is my hearts desire that no matter what my circumstances I would always acknowledge Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of my life. God is truly worthy of praise no matter what situations or circumstances any of us might face today. Always remember to praise Him for Who He is, not just for all the things He’s done. Oh, that I would never cease to rejoice in the God of my salvation. Oh, that I would never cease to love the Lord!

I’ve always thought this an amazing verse. God is to be praised no matter what our condition in life; even when it looks like everything is going wrong. Never forget that things are not always as they appear because the God of our salvation always has a plan; a perfect and 100% foolproof plan.

Divide the Spoil

2009-09-26T06:26:00.000-05:00

“The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host: Kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home will divide the spoil!” Psalm 68:11-12

I will proclaim the good tidings today that our God reigns and that the enemy of our soul has been defeated! God’s word plainly tells us that if we submit to Him and resist the enemy he has to flee and when he flees spoil is left in his wake. What is the spoil you want to reclaim? I pray that today is the day we can reclaim that spoil; lost loved ones, lost inheritance, joy, peace and everything else the enemy has tried to steal. Are you ready to divide it? Give the command Lord, give the command and we who remain will divide the spoil in Your name.

One of the things I love about God’s wonderful word is the fact that no matter how many times you read it there is always a new blessing to find. I just discovered this verse and it is now one of my favorites and I’m ready to collect that spoil!

Good Treasure or Evil?

2009-09-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Luke 6:45

Is your heart filled with good treasure today? When you speak is God glorified? When you meditate upon His word and study His ways He’ll surely fill your heat with good treasure! You can entrust your hearts deepest desires into His hands. I know that I want to treasure only those things that have eternal value. I want to treasure only those things that bring honor to my Father and I want to treasure only those things that reflect who I am in Him. Meditate on His word today and ask Him to guard your heart and mind and all that you let in so that your treasure, and what comes forth from your mouth, is always good and pleasing to Him.

I don’t believe that there are any more profound and truthful words than these; for truly the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.

No Disappointments

2009-09-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

“For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." Romans 10:11

Yesterdays Daily Moment was all about how He will never forget us according to Isaiah 49:16. In light of His perfect memory how do you remember Him? Do you remember to look to Him for all things knowing that if you are inscribed on the palms of His hands that He also knows your every need and desire even before you do? Do you remember to acknowledge His sovereignty over every aspect of your life? God’s Word says that all things are possible to him who believes. Know also that without faith it is impossible to please Him. It is my prayer today that I won’t disappoint Him because I know He will never disappoint me. Won’t you join me in that prayer today as you believe in Him for all things?

Some of the biggest disappointments I‘ve ever encountered have come from trying to do things on my own steam instead of believing and relying on Him. Honestly, when I remember to look to Him, believe His Word and seek His will instead of my own I am never disappointed.

Inscribed

2009-09-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:16

Isn’t it precious to know that the Creator of the universe has inscribed you on the very palms of His mighty hands? You can be assured that He will never forget you because a remembrance of you is continually before Him! You can be certain nothing will ever come your way that hasn’t first passed through those holy hands. Before any situation or circumstance, trial or blessing ever comes your way it’s been approved for your good and His glory. There are no better hands to be in than His because in those hands there is safety, love and continual remembrance.

In the middle of each of our Lords hands is a scar where a nail inscribed our names at Calvary; He’ll never forget us because we’re continually before Him.

Dance For Joy

2009-09-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13

Do you feel like dancing for joy today? Or is sorrow weighing heavily upon your heart? I gladly testify that God has turned my mourning into joy more times than I can count. That’s one of the things He does best! And today I just want to give Him the praise and the glory for all that He is and all He’s able to do. He has certainly been my comfort in times of sorrow and my peace in times of distress. He’s been my joy when I should have been tearful and I am able to rejoice today because I know that He is with me and that He will never leave me or forsake me. Whatever the need He has the answer.

No one can replace mourning with joy better than Jesus can and there is no better source of comfort than our Lord. He makes me just want to dance for joy!

A Light in the World

2009-09-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,..” Philippians 2:14-18

Sometimes I struggle with the concept of being a light in the world. It’s not that I don’t want to be one; it’s just that sometimes my flesh, quite simply, feels like grumbling. We must rejoice in the work God has called us to so we can be blameless and above reproach in this perverse world that we live in and I have found that when my heart is fixed upon Him I’m less likely to complain. I pray today that my heart, my mind and my thoughts throughout the day will be focused on Him and upon doing His will, joyfully and without grumbling so that I truly will be a light in the world I live in. Psalm 34:1 says “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth.” When praise is in my mouth I’m unable to grumble or complain!

We can serve as a light to others in the midst of our generation by doing things that are counter to what the world does. Isn’t there is quite enough grumbling and disputing going on in the world without God’s children adding to it?

Reason to Hope

2009-09-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

“‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:24-25

Do you hope in and wait for the Lord today? He knows what concerns you and He knows your hearts deepest desires and you are able to entrust every one of them into His hands with confidence and hope. Know that He loves you and wants only the best for you. Seek Him today and receive what He has for you. Wait upon Him to speak to your heart and to lead you in the way that you should go today because in Him there is reason to hope.

The Lord seems to be speaking to me a lot about the things I hope for as well as about the necessity of waiting on Him and listening for His still small voice. I’m so thankful that because He is my portion that I can have hope in Him and the things that He desires for me and my loved ones.

Unfathomable

2009-09-18T08:51:00.001-05:00

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33

I become more amazed by and in awe of God everyday. Nothing is impossible with Him yet He never varies from His perfect plan for those He loves. Unsearchable as they might be, His judgments are pure and His ways are always perfect. The depth of His wisdom is infinite and we can fully entrust every situation and circumstance we face today into His sovereign and holy hands. God knows best, He judges wisely and He will make a way where there seems to be no way!

I know there is so much that I don’t know about God and His ways; I know this because after thirty years of serving Him it seems He teaches me more everyday. He is awesome and He does all things according to His perfect plan and He does all things well!

It’s All By Faith

2009-09-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

“…nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” Galatians 2:16

I am so thankful today that it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we are justified and not by any works we could accomplish on our own because I surely know that I could never have measured up to the law. You can know for certain that God’s word is truth so if your faith is lacking just ask Him to build it today. Then you will want to do good works to please and glorify Him, not so that you might be justified. Do you trust God to increase your measure of faith today?

I know I could never have measured up to the law; it’s impossible to work our way to heaven. I’m so thankful that Jesus lived among us and died in our place on the cross; so that through faith we could have fellowship and communion with Him.

Water For the Thirsty Soul

2009-09-15T09:56:00.000-05:00

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1

I was only allowed occasional soft drinks as a child but once my mother and I went horseback riding and afterwards she suggested we have a Coke. We were extremely thirsty after the ride and as I drank I realized how much I really just wanted a cool, refreshing drink of water. As much as I liked soft drinks my thirst was not quenched until I had the water I was craving. What do you thirst for today? Are you thirsty for God’s peace and presence or the hearing of His still, small voice? Does your soul pant for righteousness? The living water that our Lord provides is the only source of true satisfaction to a thirsty soul. Let Him pour Himself into you today. He’s the source of all you need and everything you’ll ever long for.

He’s all we need and the only One that truly refreshes and satisfies the soul.

No Rust in Heaven

2009-09-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

What is your most valuable treasure? I must confess that there have been many times I have treasured things of this world more than I have treasured the things that are of God. I’ve also learned that even our most valuable piece of jewelry, antique or family heirloom will one day rot away. But God calls us very specifically to look not at things that are seen, the glittery, temporary things of this world, but rather to look at the things that have eternal consequence. That is where I want my heart to be set; on treasure that has value in eternity. Heaven is where I want my treasure, and my heart to be stored.

There is absolutely nothing material that any of us will accumulate during our time on this earth that is going to amount to anything in eternity. I don’t want to leave a legacy of things that won’t last to my children but rather a legacy of love, faith, obedience and godliness; those are the treasures that matter.

Persevere

2009-09-13T07:47:00.000-05:00

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

Are you in need of strength to persevere in the midst of a trial? Does it help to know that there will be no trial to ever come your way that God hasn’t first approved? Perseverance is often very difficult but through your perseverance God will receive honor and glory and you will be blessed! God will bring you through every situation and circumstance that you will face today because He loves you and wants only the very best for you. God will give you the wisdom to recognize the trial, strength to persevere, peace through the trial and joy, for strength, in spite of the trial. And then see what He has promised to those who love Him; the crown of life!

God allows trials in our lives from time to time to strengthen us and so that as we persevere He will receive glory. Trials are for our good, and when handled correctly, His glory.

It All Comes Down to Love, Part 3

2009-09-12T06:45:00.000-05:00

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

As the Lord continues to build our faith and our inner man we are able to continue in the daily pursuit of godliness, self-control and perseverance. Diligent pursuit of excellence will increase intimacy with the Father. The very bottom line is this: if we are to truly be like Him we will love as He loves. I’ve learned that if I am not able to love others that all these other good attributes won’t mean a thing and the good news is that all these things have been granted to us by His great love. We are called to see others through His eyes of love and to treat them accordingly.

You see, it all comes down to love. He has granted everything pertaining to life and godliness because He loves us. We show our love for Him by living the way He has empowered us to live and by showing others brotherly kindness and love.

It All Comes Down to Love, Part 2

2009-09-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

In addition to those things that pertain to life and godliness God has also granted His children precious and magnificent promises. As you continue to pursue Him and that excellence to which you are called cling also to all you know about His character so that you might truly partake of His divine nature. The One who loves us has equipped us with everything we need to stand against all the enemy (and the world) would tempt you with today.

Remember, it is His grace that empowers us to take hold of those precious and magnificent promises, become partakers of His divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world today.

It All Comes Down to Love, Part 1

2009-09-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:2-3

As God’s people we can go about our business today with confidence in the knowledge that He has granted to us everything that pertains to life and godliness. Grace and peace are ours in abundance because of His divine power and great love. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we are enabled to pursue excellence and to live godly lives before Him and others, not just today, but everyday. God has granted us these things because of His great love for us and through His desire to see His children be the very best we can be.

God, in His great love for us has supplied everything we need to live a godly life by His grace and His divine power. Set your heart today on pursuing Him and that standard of excellence that brings Him honor and glory.

Just Like a Loving Father

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000-05:00

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8

Are you amazed by our Heavenly Father’s lovingkindness? Ask Him today to make you aware that He has surrounded you with mercy and grace. Remember that He is with you every step of the way, no matter where He orders your steps today. Experience His presence and His peace in this very moment as you realize that lovingkindness is what He commands for you today. Rejoice in the fact that it is His ever present help that keeps us from stumbling. When you go to bed at the end of the day continue to bask in His peace and presence and sing the song of joy that He’s placed on your heart. Don’t you love Him today? Don’t you love the way He watches over you?

My earthly father passed away when I was a very young child; consequently, it took many years before I learned to relate to God as my heavenly Father. I am now so in awe of that Father/daughter relationship that we now share and now I know my Father absolutely dotes on me and all His children!

Heart, Soul and Might

2009-09-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall tech them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Does God have first place in your heart and your life; not just today but every day? I know He’s continually teaching me to love Him and to know what it means to give Him first place. I’m learning that it is essential to recognize God’s sovereignty over every area of my life if I am to truly love Him with all my heart, soul and might. That means trusting Him with my dreams, my goals, my family and even my day to day plans. Wanting what He wants then becomes more important than my own wants and desires. If your number one desire is to love Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your might ask Him to order your steps as you go out and about today. He won’t mind if you have to ask Him to remind you occasionally that He has first place and that you want only what He wants for you. As you come into your doorposts at the end of the day do so with praise and thanksgiving for all He’s done for you.

He wants no less than all of who we are. When we fall so completely in love with Him we won’t need signs on our hands or our foreheads; the whole world will see that we love our Lord with all that is within us.

He Sees and He Hears

2009-09-07T09:17:00.000-05:00

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15

What do you cry out for today? Is it revival and a closer walk with Him? Do you cry out on behalf of unsaved loved ones and for their deliverance from all things that separate them from His plan in their lives? You can cry out to the Lord today with confidence that He is all seeing, all knowing and all hearing. He’s ready to surround you with His Spirit and pour out His peace and His presence. Set your eyes squarely on Him today and He will guide you to look at the things that are unseen and eternal. Open your ears to hearing from Him as you wait and listen for His still, small voice. I thank You, Father that You see and hear. My heart cries out to You today.

God sees and hears us 100% of the time. Are you in tune to what He is showing and saying to you?

He Doesn’t Need Our Help

2009-09-05T07:12:00.000-05:00

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’, declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9

Do you trust God to hear your every prayer and to work in your life and in the lives of your loved ones? Do you trust in His will and His sovereign plan even when things look like they are never going to work out? If I’ve learned anything during thirty years of serving Him it is that His plan and His way are always so much better than mine. I’ve found that my own best plans are often flawed but God’s plan is 100% foolproof! Give Him your thoughts, plans, dreams and desires to do with according to His thoughts and His ways that are so much higher and always right on target.

Just about the time I think I have the perfect solution to a situation or a problem the Lord shows up with a better one! He’s sovereign and He has the perfect plan in every situation and circumstance we face. I’m sure glad He doesn’t need my help because my solutions usually end up making more problems. His thoughts and His ways truly are better (and worth waiting for, I might add).

Who Do You Rely Upon?

2009-09-04T07:51:00.000-05:00

“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you , nor will I ever forsake you’, so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6

I confess that I have often had to ask the Lord’s forgiveness for not always being content with all the wonderful things He’s blessed me with. And the greatest blessings He’s lavished upon me are so much more precious than what money can buy; a good marriage, a peaceful home, a wonderful church family and so much more that I couldn’t begin to name them all. He’s never deserted or forsaken me and I pray today for the confidence to say, “You, Lord are all the help I need and because You will never forsake me I will not be afraid.” Let that be your prayer today as you rely upon His word and His help in every situation you encounter.

I think that one of the saddest occurrences in our society today is the huge debt that we as a people have incurred in the pursuit of things. We might argue that we don’t love money but we certainly are fond of the things it can buy. I know I surely need to remind myself occasionally that my Heavenly Father is really all I need and my heart’s desire is that He would be all that I want as well.

The Power of a Gentle Answer

2009-09-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Wouldn’t you rather hear a gentle word than a harsh, sarcastic or insensitive one? I remember once being in a situation that made me very angry and I wanted to lash out at another. I shared my frustration over this situation with a friend who suggested something I’ve never forgotten; she suggested I imagine I had an angel sitting on my tongue! We should always guard our hearts so that our comments and responses to others would never stir up anger but instead would bring honor and glory to God. When an angel sits on our tongue our words are more likely to be pleasing to the Lord and turn away the wrath of others. Guarding our hearts and tongues helps us to consider the feelings of others and to think before we speak. I certainly want my words to be pleasing to God’s ears as well as to the ears of others today and everyday.

I love this short prayer that I once heard; “Lord make my words today tender and sweet for I may have to eat them tomorrow”. Thoughtless words or words spoken in anger not only stir up a lot of trouble they have a tendency to leave a very bitter taste behind and sometimes the aftertaste lingers a very long time.

He’ll Follow Through

2009-09-02T07:40:00.000-05:00

“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure…I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11

When times are tough and nothing seems to be going right it’s easy to forget all the answered prayers and the many ways God has blessed us. We all experience occasional trials and it’s easy to become discouraged by what we can see with our human eyes. I find it helps me get through those times by recalling the many ways God has blessed me; and His blessings are always above and beyond my expectations. He can be trusted to accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones because He knows the end from the beginning in every situation. We can trust in His plan and timing according to His good pleasure. Trust Him today and know that the plan He has established for your life is perfect and He is never early, never late in accomplishing that purpose. Set you mind on remembering today as you trust and wait because only God knows what must be accomplished in every situation and circumstance we face and only He knows what He has desired to accomplish in the midst of that trial. There truly is none like our Lord!

It is all important to remember that our God never changes; He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. He is every bit as able to perform miracles in our lives today as He has been throughout the ages. Besides, He has a plan and He will work according to that plan from the beginning to the end and He never leaves a single work unfinished.

The Victor is in Our Midst

2009-09-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

Are you in the midst of a battle today? Be thankful that the victorious One, surrounds you with His perfect love. You can be thankful as well that because of Christ’s once-and-for-all-victory over the enemy you can experience victory in your daily life. It has become my hearts desire that He would rejoice over me and not be grieved by any attitudes or actions that might stand in the way of victory over the schemes of the devil. I want my heavenly Father, the victor in our midst to exult over me with joy in His quiet love and I will rejoice in Him today and shout for joy!

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to fight our battles alone? In fact, the enemy has already been defeated by the Lord our God in our midst! Doesn’t that just make you want to shout?

Do the Right Thing

2009-08-31T07:01:00.000-05:00

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17

My prayer for today is simply this - that in every situation I face I will be guided by the Holy Spirit, not just to know the right thing but to do it (by being a doer of the word). I know that when I fix my mind and heart upon hearing God when He speaks to me I am much more likely to obey His word and to do the right thing. Don’t allow convenience, selfish ambition or fear to prevent you from obeying God’s voice or doing what His word says today. Doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest or most expedient but doing otherwise is sin, plain and simple.

I hate to admit this but so many times I’ve known the right thing to do and yet have done the opposite. Finding it unbearable to call such action sin I’ve referred to it as ‘a mistake’ or ‘an error in judgment’ but what ever I’ve called it such action always results in heartache and regret. In the long run it’s a lot less painful to just do the right thing.

Are You a Doer?

2009-08-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22

Or merely an idle hearer? I know I’ve been guilty of this very thing more often than I can count. There is instruction in God’s word we can apply to every area of our lives. (Do you love those you’re called to love, speak the truth in love or go the second mile when needed?) Don’t worry if you have to ask Him for understanding of His word or for help in the doing of it. It is also helpful to hide His word in your heart so that it is always available. The word is what the Holy Spirit uses to empower us to act accordingly as He brings the precepts from that word to our minds as we need them. I certainly don’t want to delude myself into thinking I’m doing what He has instructed in His word when my actions are unChrist-like or unproductive; I want to be an active doer of God’s word today. What about you, are you a doer?

The word of God contains too many practical instructions for everyday life to be ignored and for some we may be the only Bible that others will read; we have a responsibility to represent Christ and His word correctly; by always doing what God’s word says.

A Measure of Faith

2009-08-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

“For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

Isn’t it amazing that when we walk in the faith that He’s allotted to us our faith actually increases? Yet when we operate on our own steam our judgments as well as our abilities eventually falter. I always recognize when I’m beginning to think more highly of myself than I should think because that is when I begin to rely on my own judgment instead of living by faith. That approach always gets me into trouble. I want to use sound judgment in every area of my life as I walk by faith, live by faith, think by faith and even dream by faith.

It is faith that pleases our Father. Remember that is what caused God to consider Abraham His friend and that faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. It is our responsibility to live accordingly to the measure of faith that God has allotted to us and in doing so that measure of faith is built upon and increased.

Memorials

2009-08-28T10:09:00.001-05:00

“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, `What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, `Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7

Pastor Holder has been teaching from Joshua during the Wednesday night bible study time. This past Wednesday as we looked at God’s directive to His people to build this memorial we were also reminded that God has built memorials through His faithful works in our personal lives. This teaching could not have been timelier for those who are facing trying circumstances today. We’ve all experienced trials that seemed insurmountable at the time but God has always come through and when another trial comes we are then able to look back at our own memorials and be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness. We must never forget past victories so that we can always know that if He proved mighty once in our lives He’ll do it again.

The fourth chapter of Joshua ends with these words “… that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever." Yes, the world needs to see and know what our God is capable of but we must also remember what He’s done for us on a personal level; that’s how our faith is built!

So Our Toil Won’t Be In Vain

2009-08-26T11:25:00.000-05:00

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Acts 15:58

How I want to be steadfast and immovable and ever ready to do the work that God has called me to do but I find that receiving the empowerment from the Holy Spirit to do so takes a new commitment every day. I believe that is exactly as God intended. I often have to pray for strength and passion for that work otherwise I find I waste precious time doing things that have no value in eternity whatsoever. Sometimes I have to just fall on my face and cry out for clear direction and the ability to recognize open doors of opportunity. I want to be steadfast and immovable and ready to please Him today. We won’t toil in vain if we daily seek His direction and His help in recognizing the work He has prepared for us to do.

I want more than anything to be steadfast in my walk with God, steadfast in my pursuit of His calling and absolutely immovable in my faith. Why then, do I waste so much time thinking about what I’m going to do one day instead of just doing it today? I’m not sure I’m ready to have that question answered, so today I will be steadfast and tomorrow I will ask for His help in doing so all over again.

Sound Reasoning

2009-08-25T06:51:00.000-05:00

“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.’” Isaiah 1:18

During a recent conversation the concept of thinking for ourselves came up. The conversation bothered me for several days and I finally realized that none of us have to be taught to think for ourselves; it seems to fit right in with the sin nature as does everything else associated with self. Thinking for ourselves is certainly encouraged by the world and can get us into a great deal of trouble if that thinking doesn’t line up with God’s Word and His plan for our lives. Sound reasoning, on the other hand, employs input from the Holy Spirit and is based upon sound doctrine from God’s Word. Sound reasoning steers us away from sin. The Word of God teaches us that our thoughts are not His thoughts and that we are to strive to have the mind of Christ, not of the world.

Many of the thoughts I’ve come up with on my own are the result of a wandering mind, others are down right destructive. We are admonished in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”; those are thoughts based on sound reasoning and thoughts that lead to life.

Keep Good Company

2009-08-24T06:15:00.000-05:00

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do you ever wonder why it isn’t the other way around? I have many wonderful godly friends that I’ve been blessed with but that was not always so. Of course, God does send godly influences into our lives; people who will show His love and share His word (and I thank Him for those people) but generally speaking just being in good company doesn’t usually bring up the morals of sinners. That’s why it is so important to guard our hearts and minds against the enemy in his attempts to deceive and to corrupt us. I want God to use me and I want others to see Him in me but I also know that bad company does corrupt good morals unless we remember that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. We will rub shoulders with the world and that is how it should be if we are going to show God’s love but we must also remember that we are in the world and not of it in order not to bring dishonor to His holy name.

I know first hand that this verse is true and bad company can be found even in the church; that’s why we must guard our hearts against deception. Pastor Holder has said this many times and it is certainly true that the values and the character of our friends are a pretty good reflection of our own morals. Be sure to remain sober-minded so that you aren’t deceived, misled or corrupted by bad company.

Bless His Holy Name

2009-08-23T07:37:00.000-05:00

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5

Even as queen, Esther had to be summed before approaching her king. Otherwise he could choose to have her put to death if he was too busy or not in the mood to deal with her. I am so thankful for the privilege we as Christians have to be able to enter into God’s holy presence without an invitation. Our King’s gates are always open and His court is always available. We have a standing invitation issued by the One who loves us to enter into His presence any time we desire. I thank Him today, I bless His name for He alone is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting, His great faithfulness extends to all generations. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and He is always accessible to those who call upon His name.

The sovereign creator of the universe has issued an open invitation to His children to enter His gates, come into His courts and bask in His very presence. He’s always available to hear our prayers and to receive our thanks, our praise and our blessing; yesterday, today and to all generations!

Shout Joyfully!

2009-08-21T07:44:00.000-05:00

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:1-3

If I don’t shout for joy today I fear the rocks just might cry out! Today, like every day is just a very good day to acknowledge His greatness and sing His praise! We know He loves us, thinks thoughts of us that are too numerous to count and therefore we have to trust that He is working in our lives, in the lives of our loved ones, and in His church! Know that the Lord Himself is God and that He alone is holy and worthy of praise. Know dear reader that He made you with a perfect plan in mind; you can place your confidence in that truth. Serve Him with gladness, shout and sing joyfully in His presence as a demonstration of your love for Him today. What a privilege it is to be His; a sheep of His pasture. I will praise Him today with a joyful song!

Remember, He made us with a plan and a purpose and the One we gladly serve is always thinking of us. Doesn’t that just make you want to shout?

Thoughts Too Numerous to Count!

2009-08-20T10:10:00.000-05:00

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with Thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” Psalm 40:5

Truly, there is none to compare with our Heavenly Father and none so worthy of praise, honor and glory today. I’m truly in awe of God and the shear vastness of His creation is more than I can even begin to comprehend, yet His thoughts toward you and me, only small elements of His vast creation, are too numerous to count! If God thinks of His children that often there is no doubt in my mind that He’s heard every prayer and knows our hearts every desire. Can there be any doubt that He is continually guiding and protecting those He loves from evil? Oh that I would think of Him half as much as He thinks of me. How I love him. How in awe I am of Him!

The creator of the universe thinks of us more than we can count or speak of. In view of the plans that He has for us, plans for welfare and for our future (Jeremiah 29:11) can you just imagine that He’s continually thinking how to bring those plans to reality? His thoughts toward us are indeed numerous and those thoughts line up perfectly with His plans for us.

Empty Promises

2009-08-19T07:46:00.000-05:00

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world rather than according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

I hope that you are as alarmed as I am by what is going on in our world today. The Word of God is being distorted and His precepts are being ignored as society looks desperately for something it will never find because it’s looking in all the wrong places; philosophy and traditions of men as well as elementary principles of the world rather than precepts from God’s word. The Holy Spirit and God’s word of truth are our only defenses against Satan’s lies and his attempts to captivate and to destroy us. Be sensitive to the Spirit, hiding His word in your heart and keep the armor of God securely about you because the world is constantly trying to influence our lives. God’s precepts and His promises are what change lives and set the captives free, not the empty promises that come from the world’s way of thinking.

The full armor of God according to Ephesians 6:11-17, is our defense against the world’s philosophy and the empty promises found in the tradition of men. Satan delights in seeing the world’s philosophy permeating every aspect of our daily life. God’s covenant promises are the only promises that we can count on to be truth in this world.

Living Letters

2009-08-18T07:51:00.000-05:00

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

I’m in the process of writing a query letter to a publisher and I find that when I follow suggested guidelines the letter doesn’t sound like me at all. Oh, it might say the right things but so far I’m not satisfied with the finished product because it is just not an adequate representation of who I am nor does the letter sound like anything I would ever write so I’ll keep working on it. Our lives are also a letter written by our Heavenly Father on our very hearts as He desires to manifest Himself in us. That living letter is a representation of His character, Who He is, and who we are in Him. I pray that the letter He has written on my heart will always be the kind of letter that pleases Him. And unlike my query letter, I want others to see a good representation of Him, not me when it is read by others.

With the Holy Spirit living within us we’re living letters that others read everyday; written not with ink, or etched on a stone tablet but love letters written on our very human hearts and read by everyone we come in contact with.

From Now and Forever

2009-08-17T06:26:00.000-05:00

“‘And as for Me, this is My covenant with them,’ says the Lord: ‘My Spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,’ says the Lord, ‘from now and forever’”. Isaiah 59:21

One thing is certain; we can trust completely in God’s covenant promises. And aren’t you thankful that those promises extend to your children and grandchildren as well as to their children and grandchildren? I pray daily that my children will always remember that they were taught of the Lord and that they in turn will diligently teach their children. I, for one, look forward with great expectation to the day the Holy Spirit puts His words in their mouths as He lays His covenant promises upon their hearts!

Only forever is how long the Lord plans to keep His promises and those precious covenant promises extend from generation to generation. ‘From now and forever’ says the Lord!

Oh to Have the Faith of Abraham

2009-08-16T08:38:00.000-05:00

“And without becoming weak in faith he (Abraham) contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about one hundred hears old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:19-22

Are you in need of believing God for something that He has promised you? Does that promise you’re believing for seem out of reach or possibly even downright impossible? I’m certainly there right now and when I look at my circumstances I’m often tempted to waver in unbelief but I choose daily to cling in faith to God’s word and stand upon what I know to be true whether I can see it in the natural or not. I wonder if Abraham had to recommit himself to belief for what God had promised him on a regular basis. It is my prayer today that the Lord will strengthen my faith and help me remember that He is more than able to perform His word. If He did it for Abraham He can do it for you and for me.

How could anyone in their right mind believe that at one hundred years of age his ninety year old wife (both about as good as dead) could have a child? Only someone who truly believed that God would perform what He had promised and not only did that child come; Abrahams unwavering belief was reckoned to him as righteousness. Oh to have that kind of faith.

Our Faithful God

2009-08-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and his lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;” Deuteronomy 7:9

I hope that you know today how very much God loves you, that He has planned only the very best for you and that He is faithful to bring that plan to fruition in your life. My heart is filled with praise for that amazing faithfulness, His lovingkindness, His mercy and grace. I am thankful that His covenant promises extend through the generations to those who love Him and keep His commandments and it is my prayer that I will follow His example of faithfulness by being obedient and by loving others today; that is how we demonstrate our love for Him. Aren’t you blessed today by His faithfulness and His lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments?

Do you love Him today? Do you know how awesome His faithfulness is? I hope that you know that God has never broken His covenant promises and He never, ever will!

So Walk In Him

2009-08-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7

Does you heart overflows with gratitude today for all that God is and for all that He has done for you? Mine certainly does and I pray that I will walk in a way that pleases Him today and that I will be more firmly rooted, built up and established in my faith today than I was yesterday. Shouldn’t that always be our goal as Christians because to do otherwise is to backslide, pure and simple. My prayer today is that God will give me a heart that is willing to receive instruction as He continues to order my steps and a heart that wants nothing more than to obey and follow as He leads.

There are some days when I just don’t feel like I’m making any progress in my faith walk and there is usually good reason for that; I don’t make much progress when I don’t follow His instructions (my heart is not usually very grateful on those days either). My only hope is to daily determine in my heart that I will stand firmly rooted, built up and established in faith so that I can make a little progress each day.

Wait and Hope

2009-08-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

“I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:5-8

Lately I’ve come to realize that I don’t spend nearly enough time just simply waiting on the Lord. I know that it is imperative to wait for His leading and direction before stepping out because only He knows what the wait must accomplish. I’m relearning to wait for Him as I continue to place all my hopes, dreams and desires in His hands. Don’t we all need His help to sort out all those things that are not of Him and to wait with hope in His word for those things that are? While we wait we are able to cling to every promise in His word for everything He has in store for His children. Through His lovingkindness there is abundant redemption, healing, every need met and desires fulfilled but we often must wait for His timing or His still, small voice. I’m thankful today that in His lovingkindness there is hope in endless supply; that’s what makes the waiting all worthwhile.

With every new day there comes another opportunity to wait on the Lord, an opportunity to experience His lovingkindness and a new opportunity to hope for abundant redemption and answered prayers. Never give up hope or step out ahead of Him because His way and His timing are always perfect.

Supernatural Victory

2009-08-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

“When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” Esther 3:5-6

Mordecai’s enemy, the evil Haman, was not just his personal enemy but the enemy of the Jews, Mordecai’s people and that happened to include Esther, the newly crowned queen. Like Esther and Mordecai we too have an enemy and as Christians that enemy also attacks us on a personal level just as Haman did Mordecai. The weapons that were used against Haman were not carnal weapons or brute strength but prayer and fasting as Esther prayed for favor in preparing to go before her king. Those weapons work every bit as well today against the enemy of our souls, our confidence, our ministries and our very lives. Don’t let down your guard, the enemy is always plotting to destroy God’s people but just as victory was achieved in Esther’s day so can it be in your personal situations and circumstances.

Our enemy’s purpose is to thwart God’s plan for His children and to destroy God’s people and it has been that way since he first attempted to exalt himself above God. Before Haman’s evil plan was thwarted God intervened in a supernatural way. Our enemy is just as defeatable by that same supernatural power!

Refreshment When the Heat Comes

2009-08-11T06:10:00.000-05:00

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water. That extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Are you able to trust Him today and to commit every situation and circumstance that affects you into His hands so that you will not be anxious? I know from my own experience that there are times when it is easier to answer ‘yes’ to that question than at other times. I must ask Him often to teach me to trust Him completely and to walk (and to live, speak and dream) by faith and not by sight. Oh, that I would be like a tree planted by the water and no matter how things appear I would be fruitful because I trust in Him. Remember, He is the source of our refreshment and it is through that refreshment and the blessing we receive from trusting in Him that we can be strong and steady, like a tree with the deepest of roots. Then we can be refreshment to others in turn.

Ability to trust in the Lord, no matter what comes, is as refreshing as a shade tree on a hot day. But that tree didn’t become strong and steady over night and our ability to trust comes from daily time spent in prayer and in the reading of God’s word, that’s how our roots grow deep and that’s how we become strong and steady.

The Word Performs It’s Work

2009-08-10T06:45:00.000-05:00

“And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Are you a Christian today because someone shared God’s word with you? Perhaps you live for Him because you recognized that He made a difference in the life of another. I am so thankful today for those who shared God’s love and His word with me when I was in darkness. There were many who not only interceded for me but also shared precious testimonies and the freeing truth from His word as well as they lived their lives before me so that I could see His word performing in their lives. I hope and pray that I would be that same loving example to others and that God’s precious word would today perform its work in me so that others might also believe.

As Christians we’re not just called to pray for others; occasionally we’re called to share the truth in love and we’re always called to live in such a way that those we come in contact with will be able to see God’s word at work in our lives.

Prayer Closes the Gap

2009-08-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

“And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30

Are you regularly interceding for the needs of others? I surely pray that God would find me available to stand in the gap for not only my own loved ones but for the needs of the loved ones of others as well. I know that He heard the prayers of those who once stood in the gap for me when I either couldn’t or didn’t know how to pray for myself. I also know that He’s called His children to bear one another’s burdens and I pray that He will give me the strength and desire to do just that. There are those I encounter on a regular basis that are on the verge of being destroyed and the needs are many in these last days. Lord, I pray that You will strengthen me to stand in the gap.

It seems the prayer requests I’m hearing these days are getting more and more critical and I know the Lord has called us to pray and above all I know prayer can and does make a difference – prayer tears down Satan’s strongholds and closes the gap!

Look Up!

2009-08-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

It seems the Lord is continually teaching me to look at people and circumstances through His eyes of love and though I sometimes find it difficult it is a lesson I know I must learn and one I truly want to learn. Do you desire to set your mind and heart today on the things above and unseen? I want to set my mind on Christ and on being Christ-like in every thing I say, do and think so I must ask Him daily to help me remember to look at the unseen, the eternal and the heavenly. I must ask Him daily to help me remember that I have died to self and that I have been raised up with Christ. He will help you to see things from His point of view today as well; just ask Him and look up!

We see different sights when we look up than when we look down or at eye level. Looking for the heavenly is much better than what the world has to offer - no wonder we’re to set our mind on things above.

The Price Paid

2009-08-07T08:10:00.000-05:00

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

This is what makes it possible for us to be free from the curse of sin and this is how we are able to experience well-being and healing in the truest sense. The piercing, the crushing, the chastening and the scourging that Christ endured all had Divine purpose; and had been planned out from the foundation of the world! But have you ever stopped to considered the impact that Christ’s decision to take up His cross has on your own personal life? He is intimately acquainted with all our ways yet loves even the vilest of sinners and was willing to bear even that ones burden unto death. Our freedom from death and our ultimate eternal life is possible because of this, the greatest expression of love in all of time. In view of that knowledge don’t you want to live as one who truly accepts and appreciates the sacrifice that was made on the cross?

Can you imagine having the weight of the world’s iniquity on His shoulders as He carried the cross to Calvary? A very high price was paid four our lives at Calvary and only perfect love could pay it.

Where Can We Hide When Trouble Comes?

2009-08-06T07:57:00.000-05:00

“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

Did you know that God keeps constant vigilance over your life and the lives of your loved ones? His hand of protection and the safety and sanctuary that is found in His pavilion is available at a moments notice, day or night. He always knows exactly what His children need and provides it so abundantly whether the need is physical, emotional or spiritual. It is a certainty that trouble will come as a result of living in this world but when it does come have complete confidence that you can always take shelter in His pavilion.

He will shelter us when we need sheltering or set us upon a rock when we need to be placed out of harms way. The Lord’s pavilion is our best place to hide in troubled times.

The Standard

2009-08-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

“So (as the result of the Messiah’s intervention) they shall reverently fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight (for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives).” Isaiah 59:19 The Amplified Bible

I am so thankful that God has supreme authority over Satan and that He will put him to flight whenever he comes against God’s children. Because of His authority we are able to experience victory when the enemy floods our minds with lies, fear and doubt. Because God’s very breath can drive the enemy away we can trust in Him that Satan will never come any closer to us than what God’s sovereignty will allow. Always remember the standard He has raised against the enemy and know you can place your trust in Him so that you may be able to have peace in all circumstances because of His glory, sovereignty and authority over the enemy.

The enemy may seem to come at us from all sides occasionally but the Spirit of the Lord is able to drive him away like a mighty rushing stream with His very breath!

He Is Our Victory

2009-08-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

God is the source of victory over the enemy in every situation and circumstance you will ever face. He’s worthy of praise because His is the greatness, the power and the glory; aren’t you just in awe of His majesty? Acknowledge His dominion today over all the heavens and the earth and thank Him for His sovereignty over every situation you will ever face and every victory you will ever have! Won’t you take the time to thank Him for past victories and to know that in the presence of His holiness there is also grace and mercy while you wait for victories to come? Tell Him how much you love Him today and give Him praise!

As Christians we have many occasions to say “I resist you Satan in the name of Jesus” as he bombards us with one situation after another in these last days. I can personally tell you that every time I take that authority I have victory, maybe not over the situation itself, but over his intention to destroy me in the situation. Why? Because the One Who is head over all is also the Victor over all and that victory is in His very name!

Fulfill Your Ministry

2009-08-03T00:01:00.002-05:00

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5

It grieves me to see dear loved ones and those who were once apart of my church family occasionally fall into this very situation. This grieves our Lord as well and I pray that these will once again know the truth and live by it. I also believe it is important that Christians pray that they will be ever vigilant when it comes to our own hearts and minds as we entrust those dear ones to Him. When we trust Him to work in their lives we can then concentrate on the work that He has called us to. I pray that He will help me be sober in all things, that He will strengthen me to endure hardship and to be mindful of the example that I set for others when I do go through a trial. None of us are responsible for what anyone else, after having been taught sound doctrine might choose to believe but we are responsible to fulfill the ministry God has called us to.

I’ve spent a lot of time and energy lately stewing over decisions that others have made; sadly, I see many who have turned from God’s truth. Through this verse God has shown me that I have a responsibility to not only guard my own heart against such things but to spend my time and energy fulfilling what He has called me to do and trust Him to take care of the rest.

Shout Joyfully!

2009-08-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.” Psalm 98:4

What is your favorite day of the week? I know I’ve probably said it before but mine is Sunday and today I’m once again looking forward to going to church and fellowshipping with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Even now I feel the urge to shout and sing His praises. I pray that God’s presence will surround us corporately as well as individually and that our praises will be pleasing to Him. He alone is holy and worthy of praise and I look forward with great expectation to what He has in store for His people, not just today, but everyday.

I love to praise the Lord, both in the privacy of my living room and in the church on Sunday morning. The Lord loves to receive our praises too. Expect Him to do mighty things, shout joyfully and bask in His presence today!

The Right Voices

2009-08-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” Esther 2:15

Do you find yourself in a situation or circumstance today that you have never been in before and you have absolutely no idea what you should do? If so you might want to take a look at Esther’s amazing and powerful story. Esther found herself in a situation she had probably never imagined and had no preparation for up to that moment. What did she do? She asked advice of one who had experience in such matters, not one of the other women in the same situation she was in, she listened to and heeded his advice and the outcome was that she found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. That includes not only the king but Hegai, her overseer and mentor, as well.

About a year ago I was given a word, ‘listening to the right voices leads to making the right choices.’ Many times those ‘voices’ present themselves on the pages of God’s word, other times they come from godly mentors and exhorters. Esther listened to one who was experienced in what women should and shouldn’t take before the king and thus found favor with the king by following his instructions. I’m so thankful for those who are willing to listen to my concerns and then share what they believe God is showing them for me. Are you listening to the right voices then making the right choices? The other side of that coin is that listening to the wrong voices will inevitably cause us to make the wrong choices.

He’s Gathering His Own!

2009-07-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Do not fear, for I am with you; I will gather your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43:5-7

Do you have unsaved loved ones or loved ones who once knew God’s love but have strayed from their calling? God called me back when I was in rebellion and I take hold of this promise from His word everyday for my own unsaved and strayed loved ones. Many seem so far away at times yet I believe with all my heart that He is continually calling them back from the ends of the earth. You can trust in His word, His timing and His perfect plan for each one you are praying for. Precious sons and daughters, many of whom were dedicated as infants and taught of the Lord all have been created for His glory and you can trust that He is working to gather them even now. Just praise Him and thank Him today for whatever it is He desires to accomplish in their lives and don’t stop praying.

It is so difficult to keep from being fearful over lost loved ones; especially lost children. Even those who received the very godliest of instruction and appear to be doing everything right have potential to stray but God’s Word is filled with promises that pertain to our loved ones and His plan for their lives. He is with us, He will gather our offspring and He will never abandon His plan for the ones He created for His glory!

And Put On Love

2009-07-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

“And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14

The other day we asked for God’s help in putting on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and I am ever so thankful for His gentle yet certain reminders that if we are to be truly like Him we must see and behave toward others the way He sees and treats them. When we are motivated by His love in our daily interactions we will treat others the way He would have us to. I’m so thankful that His every action toward me has always been motivated by perfect love and forgiveness and I pray that my actions and reactions towards others would reflect my relationship with Him. I must confess that I don’t always find that easy and I freely acknowledge that I can’t do it without His help so I ask Him today to help me put on love. Are you clothed in love today?

It is love, His perfect agape love that makes true compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience possible. It’s love that sets the truest example of Christ-likeness to the world. It is love that is the key to the perfect bond of unity.

The Place of Safety

2009-07-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

“There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” Isaiah 4:6

Rather than ask you if you are going through a storm today I’ll ask if your current storm consists of a little rain and a bit of wind or if it’s a vicious and unrelenting category five? Storms are a part of life and on Sunday Reverend Randy Wisdom preached a sermon at New Life Center entitled “The Storm” which he began with a similar question. As he preached I began to ponder our current storm; it’s just started to produce some good size hail stones. I appreciated the reminder that there is never a circumstance or situation nor is there ever a trial or a storm that God’s people cannot find a place of safety and that is in His presence where there is strength, joy unspeakable and full of glory and peace beyond human understanding. In that holy presence there is help according to His Word whether the storm that comes is financial, physical, emotional or spiritual. There are instructions in God’s Word that apply to any and everything we will ever face as we abide in that peaceful presence and as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. The world offers nothing like it.

On Sunday Reverend Wisdom said that no matter the outcome of the storm God always works it out for our good. We can surely trust in that and take refuge in the knowledge that God is always looking out for His children’s best and His shelter is always ready and welcoming. Find your shade, your refuge and your protection in Him today.

Put On These Garments

2009-07-27T23:54:00.001-05:00

“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Colossians 3:12-13

I don’t know about you but God has blessed me in so many ways that I can’t count them all and because He has called and chosen me today I will choose to resist Satan’s attempts to have me feel sorry for myself, to be self-righteous or angry. I am able to resist him in the name of Jesus because I’ve asked for His help in putting on a heart of compassion (like His). I have asked Him to help me be kind, humble, gentle and patient because I truly desire to be motivated by His love (perfect love). I will refrain from complaining by asking Him to remind me throughout the day of His grace and mercy. I will forgive because I will remember His forgiveness as I make a conscious choice to behave as one who is truly chosen, called, loved and blessed.

Because we are chosen of God we have the ability to choose to put on a heart of compassion and forgiveness. If we are to be His example of love and holiness in the world we live in we have a responsibility to do so.

Remember Who Your Enemy Is

2009-07-27T00:03:00.000-05:00

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11-12

Do remember today that any struggles you might face are the result of the devils schemes, not man’s. (One of his favorite schemes is to cause Christians to see each other as enemies in order to cause division in the body of Christ or isolate us from one another.) Remember to stand firm and to be fully armored so that you are always able to recognize those schemes and so that you will not treat others as though they are the enemy. Ask the Lord to go before you into every situation or circumstance you might encounter so that He will be glorified and you will be victorious over the enemy and his schemes today.

Remember, there is only one enemy who likes to present himself in many form. He is armed with all sorts of schemes and is crouching in wait to find Christians unarmored and unprepared. Our enemy delights in seeing us respond to his wiles by battling one another with carnal weapons instead of taking the proper stance against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Remember who your enemy is, put on your armor and stand firm!

Let Us Go to the House of the LORD

2009-07-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’" Psalm 122:1

I love to go to church! The corporate worship, listening to Pastor Holder preach and connecting with my church family are just a few of the reasons I love to go to church. I love the feeling of anticipation I experience when I wake up on Sunday morning knowing it is a time that has been set aside to honor the Lord and I’m excited about what He will do in our midst long before I enter the doors of New Life Center. I am glad when they say unto me ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’

My family has attended New Life Center for almost twenty seven years and I am so proud to be a part of a church that honors our Lord. Do you have a church family to celebrate with today? If so, I hope you will celebrate this day with gladness and great joy. If not, won’t you come and be a part of ours?

The Source of True Gain

2009-07-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The Lord has blessed His children with so much and material blessings are just a fraction of what He has bestowed upon those He loves. We’re truly blessed beyond measure because not only do we have food and covering in abundance, we have His Holy Spirit within to provide guidance and comfort, we’re seated in heavenly places with Christ and we have every precious promise in the Word available to us because of His great love. I pray that the gains I would prize would be spiritual as I strive to please Him and do those things He has ordained for me during my time on this earth as I strive for godliness in all I do. Give Him praise and thanks today for all His provision and He will help you to be content in Him as you strive for godliness in all things.

How well I know that nothing compares to contentment found in Christ; so why is it that we are so easily distracted by the things of this world when He has already blessed us so abundantly? I truly desire for my gains to come from spiritual blessing and from pleasing the Lord and I pray that you, dear Christian, find contentment in Him as well.

Keep Good Company

2009-07-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

God has blessed me with many wonderful and godly friends through the years but I still recognize the need to pray that I will continue to guard my heart and my mind against the enemy in his attempts to deceive and corrupt me. I want to be used by God and I want others to see Him at work in me but I also know that bad company does corrupt good morals. I don’t ever want to lose sight of the fact that God hates sin yet loves the sinner and that I have a responsibility to love the sinner as He does without being corrupted by their sin. Always remember that you are in the world and not of it so that your alliances won’t cause you to bring dishonor to God’s holy name.

This is another area where I have first hand knowledgeand sadly bad company can be found even in the church; that’s why we must continually guard our hearts against deception. Pastor Holder has said many times that the values and the character of our friends are a pretty good reflection of our own morals and it is certainly true. Remaining sober-minded and focused on Him will keep you from being deceived, misled or corrupted while showing God’s love to the sinner.

His Riches in Glory

2009-07-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

God’s Word tell us that all our needs are supplied through His riches in glory and I am so thankful that those riches don’t just include provision for financial needs but for spiritual, physical and emotional needs as well. Today I just want to thank Him for this marvelous provision that always goes beyond the need. I, for one, am truly not just provided for, I’m blessed beyond measure and I just want to praise Him and thank Him for those abundant blessings and for His glorious provision!

I was recently praying this verse over a member of the Sunday morning prayer class when the Lord showed me a glimpse of His riches in glory. I saw treasure chest after treasure chest, all open and overflowing with things like love, joy, peace, healing, and hope and there was no end in sight even to what I could see with my limited human vision. Whatever your need today don’t ever forget that there is abundant and eternal supply in Christ Jesus.

His Plan is Better

2009-07-22T01:54:00.000-05:00

“‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ declares the LORD, ‘Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation.’” Isaiah 30:1-3

I once devised a really stupid plan to get myself out of what I considered to be an undesirable situation and when that plan was executed a great deal of shame and sorrow was brought upon the lives of many people and I also entered into a much worse situation than I had ever dreamed possible. I made alliances that were displeasing to the Holy Spirit and added sin to sin and then sinned some more. I took refuge where there was no refuge to be found and suffered shame and humiliation because of that devious plan yet God never gave up on me. When I finally decided to follow His plan He forgave my rebellion and restored my soul. How I praise Him and thank Him that there is ultimate refuge and safety in Him and a plan that never fails.

How about you, are you following His plan for your life or one you have devised for yourself? Trust me on this; rebellion brings sure shame and humiliation. Thank God that it can all be wiped away when we cry out to Him. Thank God that He is able to deliver His children and for a plan that never fails.

The Ways of the Lord Are Right

2009-07-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9

It is my heart’s desire to know God’s ways and I want to walk in them yet I sometimes feel that I walk a very fine line between complete self-righteousness and walking in the kind of love He would have me to walk in. I’ve also had to ask forgiveness a time or two when I’ve been a bit judgmental or have otherwise reacted to another’s lack of knowledge as though I have all the answers. In talking with others about this problem I’ve found I’m not the only one who struggles in this area and I also know that God alone should be my source of wisdom and discernment. Do you need to ask His help today in remembering to apply what you know of Him to your heart so that you might gain understanding? I know I do because I lack any real discernment without Him. Won’t you join me in setting your heart on knowing His ways more fully today and to walk more diligently in those ways?

There are plenty of good moral and seemingly wise teachings in our world today but the ways of the Lord are the only ways that are right and righteous 100% of the time. Discern them and walk in them to avoid stumbling (and to avoid becoming a stumbling block for others.)

Where Does Faith Come From?

2009-07-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Nothing has the power to build and strengthen our faith like the word of Christ. I’m so thankful for Spirit filled and Spirit led teachers and a pastor that presents the word in such a way that it accomplishes exactly what it is supposed to accomplish in our lives but we must also read the word and meditate on it daily in order to strengthen our faith muscles. Just as our physical muscles must be exercised so must our faith muscles through hearing and reading the word for ourselves; hearing with our ‘spiritual ears’. Meditate and believe on His word today and let the faith of others encourage you even more. Ask Him to examine your faith and if it is found lacking, pour in the word!

It is only through hearing, reading and studying God’s living word that we can build our faith and the His word contains instruction for building our faith no matter what situation or circumstance you face today. Listen; God’s word is truly an amazing source of faith!

Trouble in the House

2009-07-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

“He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27

Our youngest grandson is visiting and I hope that during his visit I will become reacquainted with some of our favorite VeggieTales and the wonderful lessons to be learned in such creative ways. I especially like Madame Blueberry and her unfortunate visit to Stuffmart. In this episode Madame Blueberry goes shopping in search of happiness, buying everything in sight she soon finds that things don’t fulfill her but sadly she learns this far too late; after she’s filled her house with so much stuff that the house (built in a tree for those of you who are unfamiliar) and its contents falls into a stream. In the end Madame Blueberry realized that true happiness and satisfaction will never come from ‘stuff’.

Ill-gotten gain does bring a great deal of trouble and this trouble takes many different forms. In Madame Blueberry’s case the trouble brought on her house was mostly financial; she’d charged everything she bought and had nothing to show for it in the end. But for most of us humans the trouble brought on by such illicit profit can lead to emotional, spiritual, marital and even criminal problems and some of these problems take years to recover from. Remember, as Madame Blueberry found out, only Jesus satisfies.

Majestic!

2009-07-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4

The 8th Psalm begins and ends with the same phrase, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth!” David was no doubt in awe of God’s omnipotence and His creative ability is indeed awesome. Yet, in the midst of His majestic creation He has chosen to concern Himself far more with the needs and desires of mankind than with the moon and the stars or the beasts of the field. He’s placed those things, as well as the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea under man’s feet and has concentrated His lovingkindness, His promises and His direction upon the heart and the future of man.

All God’s works are temporary and will one day be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth according to Revelation 21:1. All creation will be replaced except man whose eternal soul matters so much to our Lord that He sent His only Son so that man might have eternal life in His presence. No wonder David was so awed and humbled by our Lord. How amazing is the thought of eternity in the presence of such majesty!

The Lord is in This

2009-07-17T08:39:00.000-05:00

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.’” Genesis 28:16

I’ve read the story of Jacobs dream many times and if you’ve been a Christian for very long it is probably a familiar story to you as well; if not, I hope you will take the time to read it today. Recently the thought struck me that we probably all have had experiences that we didn’t realize God had orchestrated in one way or another until after the fact and then we were just awed by His presence throughout our situation. God is sovereign, awesome and holy and nothing escapes His attention; even the plans we make without seeking His direction or help. When we recognize His sovereignty in our lives we can also recognize that He is in even our failed plans because He loves us and wants us to succeed at all He has ordained for us.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. How many times have you looked back at something and realized that the Lord was truly in it and yet at the time you had not known it?

According to the Word

2009-07-16T05:52:00.000-05:00

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9

How can anyone keep his way pure in a world filled with wickedness and blatant immorality? It’s only possible if you know who you are in Christ; heirs along with Him according to Romans 8:17 and you must also know where you are in him; raised up and seated in heavenly places according to Ephesians 2:6. Then know what is available to you through Him according to Hebrews 13:21, that is, “equip(ped) in every good thing to do His will …through Jesus Christ…” Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and consult His Word. According to Ephesians 4:12 it’s all you need; alive, active and powerful and it contains all the truth and instruction needed to live a pure and godly life.

I’ve said this before and I think it bears repeating; God’s Word truly contains all the instructions we need to keep our way pure and to live in such a way that pleases Him and causes others to be drawn to Him because of what they see in us. Living according to His Word is what produces godliness in our hearts and lives.

Good Fruit or Sour Grapes?

2009-07-15T07:08:00.000-05:00

"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.” Luke 6:43-44

A tree is most definitely known by its fruit! Are you producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit within; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? That’s good fruit from the best possible source and the produce by which all Christians should be known. Without the Holy Spirit within producing such fruit is rather like trying to gather figs from thorns or grapes from a briar bush. You can pretend the fruit is there once in awhile but soon the true nature of what is within will make itself known. That’s what I call sour grapes – it might look pleasing to the eye but when you take a bite you’re no longer fooled.

What kind of fruit are you producing today, good wholesome fruit from the Holy Spirit within or sour grapes, the kind of fruit produced when you try to produce your own fruit your own way?

No More Hunger, No More Thirst

2009-07-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’” John 6:35

Deep within every human being is a need that only Christ can fill. God intentionally made us that way. I like the way Beth Moore explains it; every one of us is born with a heart condition and until Christ takes His rightful place within that heart the condition cannot be fixed. God created each one with a specific hunger that not even the richest meal could satisfy and He created in us a thirst that only the Living Water would quench.

Are you hungry for what He has for you today? Go to Him; He’s the bread of life! Do you thirst? Believe and receive Living Water and you’ll never thirst again, fill that need deep within that only Christ can satisfy.

At the Right Time

2009-07-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Why, you may have asked yourself, did Christ die for sinners? According to Romans 5:6 it was the right time and He chose to do so because of our helplessness and ungodliness. Read verses 9 and 10 and you will see that He did so to save the helpless and ungodly sinner from the wrath of God. Christ died for us while we were His enemies, helpless and unable to save ourselves, and He did so in order that we might be reconciled to God through His death. It was the right time for Him to demonstrate His love for us because there would have been no need for Him to die for the righteous.

God’s timing is always perfect and He reconciled us through His death and saved us by His life at just the right time; while we were yet helpless and ungodly sinners.

A Heart of Flesh

2009-07-12T05:59:00.000-05:00

“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20

There is an amazing transformation that takes place when a heart is surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says about any man that is in Christ? He becomes a new creature and that new creature receives a new heart. The old creatures’ heart of stone is replaced by a heart of flesh. When the old things pass away the new things come; things like a new spirit within, the desire to walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances. That new creature becomes His and He becomes theirs.

It is the change that takes place in the heart that transforms the old creature into a new one. It is the new heart that desires to walk in His ways and it is the one with the heart of flesh that recognizes his God and who in turn is recognized as one of His. What kind of heart do you have today?

Your Words Are Heard

2009-07-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

“Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.’” Daniel 10:12

Daniel had a vision and had been fasting and praying for three weeks for wisdom and understanding before he ever received this response. Now, depending upon the prayer, three weeks may or may not seem like a long time to wait for an answer but the important thing to know is that God hears our every prayer and responds to our hearts every cry and furthermore, I believe that the Word tells us that He hears and responds immediately. In Daniels case the response was held up by spiritual warfare; sometimes the answer does not come to us right away because it is not yet according to God’s timetable and sometimes the answer that comes is just not the answer we would like for it to be but nevertheless He always hears and He always answers.

Throughout the years I’ve seen many an answered prayer, some within minutes while I still wait to receive answers to others. Has God forgotten? Never! His answer to every prayer will be received right on time.

So Be It!

2009-07-10T08:44:00.000-05:00

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

What has God promised you today? Of course, eternal life, His glorious return, His faithfulness, love and the presence of the Holy Spirit are all things a Christian can count on but He also promises His children things on a personal level. Perhaps He has given you the assurance that unsaved loved ones will one day come to know Him or that He will one day fulfill a calling He has upon your life. Focus on those things you know He has promised as you acknowledge His sovereignty and perfect timing in regard to the fulfillment of those things. Separate your own carnal desires from those things to which He has said ‘so be it’ and continue to hope as you wait upon all that He has said ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ to because He’s never broken a promise and He never will.

Everything that God has promised us is for our good and His glory. As you wait for promises to be fulfilled remember Hebrews 10:23 and “… hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…” So be it!

A Very Special Day

2009-07-09T06:23:00.000-05:00

“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.

Today is Thursday. Other than the fact that the work week might be winding down for some today may not be a particularly special day. That is unless you’re celebrating a birthday (our Philly’s 11th is today) or anniversary. Then again, every day can be special when you remember to thank God for His plan and when you begin the day with great expectation for where His plan might lead. Take time today to celebrate the Lord and simply rejoice in Him. Today could be the day a long prayed prayer might be answered or a long dreamed dream might be fulfilled. This day is special because He made it and He has a plan for you today.

Psalm 118 begins with these words: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Count your blessings today; celebrate His goodness and His everlasting lovingkindness. Praise Him, give thanks and rejoice and be glad in this very special day.

His

2009-07-08T05:54:00.000-05:00

“It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:11

Boys and girls as well as the young and old should take heed of this Proverb. There is really not a lot more that can be added to this except to say that our conduct speaks so much louder than words. How do you respond when you are reproved? Do you respond with respect or do you respond in denial and angry pride? How do you react when you receive too much change at the grocery store? How do you conduct yourself when you think no one is watching? Remember, as Christians we represent the Lord Jesus Christ and as our pure and right conduct distinguishes us it also brings Him honor!

One of the definitions of the word ‘distinguished’ in Webster’s Dictionary is to’ separate into kinds, classes or categories’; I’m afraid I’ve found over and over again that even conduct that is not pure and right is distinguishing; just not in a good way. I want to be placed in the category that is labeled His, how about you?