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07/03/06
BLESSED NATION

Scripture: Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

The fifty-six men who signed our Declaration of Independence, which was approved on July 4, 1776, committed an act of treason against the British Crown. As they signed this incredible Declaration, they mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Of those who signed, two became Presidents of the United States, three became Vice Presidents, and several others became either State Governors or U. S. Senators. However, there were many signers who suffered greatly. Four died of wounds from the war and five were imprisoned. Several lost their wives and children as their homes were attacked.

The oldest signer of the Declaration was 70 year old Benjamin Franklin, whose faith was strong in God.  He said:

       "Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend?
        Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?
        I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live,
            the more convincing proofs I see of this truth --
            that God governs in the affairs of men.
        And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,
            is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
        We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings,
            that 'except the Lord build the house,
            they labor in vain that build it.'
        I firmly believe this."

Benjamin Franklin was convinced that all was vain unless the Lord was God and Builder of this nation. The freedom we enjoy has been purchased with tears and blood. We have reaped the noble sacrifice of these brave men, and every American life has been touched by the document they signed. Because of their sacrifice, we have experienced a "Blessed nation whose God is the Lord ... And we are STILL one nation, under God. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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07/05/06
VICTORY IN THE MIDST OF STRESS

Scripture: II Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."

Paul faced many discouraging circumstances in his life and ministry, but he maintained an overcoming faith that brought him through to victory. Regardless of what happened, Paul did not allow himself to become distressed, to engage in despair, feel forsaken, nor be destroyed. He absolutely had no 'quitting sense', and time after time he refused to give up.

You would think that Paul, a special and chosen vessel of the Lord who was destined to write nearly three-fourths of the New Testament and go on great missionary journeys, would be exempt from trials and tribulations. If he truly was in the will of God, it seems that things would be working out better for him. But we see him being stoned, imprisoned, suffering shipwreck, battling religious leaders, and encountering all kinds of major conflicts. He was constantly under some sort of pressure, yet was never stressed over it. He had learned early on that all things would eventually work out for his benefit because he loved God and was called to fulfill the purposes of God.

Sometimes we think that we should be exempt from adversity when we make a decision to serve God or give ourselves to the ministry, but like Paul, we discover that just the opposite is true. When we turn from the world and start walking towards God, we are no longer walking with the enemy but against him. Thus we face him head-on and find ourselves in great conflict. We are troubled on every side and are tempted to give in to the stress and despair of our circumstances. Persecution comes and we feel rejected and forsaken. The enemy of our soul is working towards his goal to destroy us with this mind set, but it's in these times of conflicts and hard places that we are schooled in faith and our character is tested for the Master's use. Like Paul, when we come to the place where we are troubled on every side, we must make a choice. We can either give in to the strategies of the devil or stand against him and refuse to be stressed, despaired, forsaken, or destroyed. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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07/06/06
SPIRIT OF TRUTH

Truth in these last days is becoming a rare commodity, whether it be from those in the advertisement field, politics, news media, or the ministry. Many times we don't know what to believe and sometimes even our personal relationships fail in this area. Yet God has not left us helpless. He has endowed us with His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, which is a discerner of men's hearts. One of His main responsibilities is to lead us down the right path and bear witness with our spirits to confirm the truth and expose the error that we encounter.

In Matthew chapter twenty-four, Jesus warned of several voices that would seek to deceive even the very elect of God. He spoke of the deception of men, those that would come in His name, false prophets, and even those showing great signs and wonders. We must realize that everything supernatural is not always spiritual. The Apostle Paul warned us of the deceptions of good words, fair speeches, and doctrines of men that would attempt to deceive the simple (Ephesians 5:6; Romans:18). He also said that we could even deceive our own selves (Galatians 6:3).

Scriptures declare that Satan comes as an angel of light to deceive, which means that he makes things look nearly correct. This tactic makes his deception more dangerous for us because when something is blatantly wrong we are more apt to recognize it. Consider a clock that is incorrect. If it is off by just a few minutes, we may not recognize the error until precise timing is required of us. However, if the clock is off by several hours, we would immediately recognize that it is wrong because our routine habits would conflict with the time displayed. Even a clock that is not running is still exactly correct twice a day. The spirit of error tells us just enough truth to deceive us, but notice that John said that the Holy Spirit guides us into ALL truth. ALL means that the Holy Spirit is not sometimes right and sometimes wrong. He is the Spirit of Truth and is one hundred percent correct all of the time. He will not force us along the way, but will gently lead and guide us. We must be very sensitive to His voice and yield to His leading so that we can walk in His truth. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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07/07/06
BREAD FOR THIS DAY

Scripture: Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread."

Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray and told them that their Father already knew the things they needed before they even asked. He also told them not to think about or have any concerns for their food, drink, or clothing for the future. He said, "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." He continued to instruct them saying, "Seek first the kingdom of God, then all these things will be added to you ... So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble." However, Jesus did tell His disciples to ask God for bread for each new day. We serve the same God today that provided manna every day forty years for His people when He delivered them out of Egypt and He still has the recipe for manna. He is able to provide all of our needs.

When our own children were born, we knew that they needed food, water, and clothing. As parents, it was our responsibility to make that provision. They never had to worry about these necessities because we planned in advance to meet their needs. However, they did ask us for food when they were hungry, especially when they were newborn and wanted to eat every two or three hours.

God is a responsible Father and is just as loving and caring as we are as parents. Jesus tells us to consider the birds that do not sow, yet the Father feeds them. He also says consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they don't toil nor spin. Yet, Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers of the field, He will take care of His children. God wants us to rely upon Him and trust Him like the birds and the flowers do.  We have to do our own part, however. The birds do not sleep late, sit around all day doing absolutely nothing, and have food dropped into their nests. They are up early, singing a song to God, and watching for His provision and blessing. They do what they can and trust God for their provision. Consider this poem by Elizabeth Cheney.

     Overheard In An Orchard

     Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
     "I should really like to know
     Why these anxious human beings
     Rush about and worry so."

     Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
     "Friend, I think that it must be
     That they have no Heavenly Father
     Such as cares for you and me." +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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Several years ago I went to an estate sale of a woman who had died in her late nineties. I was interested in purchasing a piano that her heirs had advertised. When I entered the woman's home, I noticed that it was filled with beautiful oil paintings that she had painted. I wanted to buy one of the paintings but their appraisal value was far beyond my means. As I viewed this awesome art, I was amazed to learn that this woman, who was obviously a talented and brilliant artist, had not started painting until she was 82 years old. Even though she neglected her gift for most of her many years, it was very admirable that in her old age, she gave birth to her hidden gift and left a treasure for others to enjoy. I imagine that when she first started painting at 82 years of age, she may have thought that she would only achieve one painting because of her limitation. Yet because she was not afraid to start something in the limited time that she had left, she was able to leave this world with much beauty and a part of herself.

I heard someone say recently that age is irrelevant and that it doesn't matter how old we are but how much time we have left. If we are sixty years old and God's appointed time for us to die is at the age of ninety-five, we are not old because we still have thirty-five years of life remaining. However, if we are thirty years old and are ordained to die at age thirty-five, we are old because we only have five years left. So, wherever we are in life, we may be considered old or young, not based on our age, but based upon the years that we have left. For that reason, we must live each day as if it were the last but look to the future as if we were going to live many more years.

Throughout the scriptures, God used many people who were advanced in years. Moses was eighty years old and his brother, Aaron, was eighty-three when they began their journey across the wilderness to the Promised Land. Abraham was one hundred and Sarah was ninety when Isaac was born, and Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist in her old age. Caleb was eighty-five when he said, "Give this mountain" (Joshua 14:12). He declared that he was as strong this day as he was in the day that Moses sent him out forty years earlier. Caleb was ready to fight for what belonged to him. We can be no less aggressive than these courageous souls. When we are eighty-two, it is no time to sit down and give up. It is time to stir the gifts within us whether it be creating beautiful paintings, writing books, composing songs, or using other talents that God has endowed us with. As long as we have breath, we should praise the Lord with the gifts that He has given to us. We must believe that no mountain is too high for us to climb and no ocean is too big for us to cross. God, Himself, will help us accomplish anything that we set our hearts to do. Like the psalmist said, God will not cast us off in our old age nor forsake us when our strength fails. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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07/11/06
GOD'S SPECIAL PLACE

Joseph was being held prisoner with Pharaoh's baker and chief butler and these men had a dream which they shared with Joseph. Joseph interpreted both dreams and told the butler that he was going to be restored to his post. He pleaded with the butler to remember him and also mention him to Pharaoh when this event happened, but the butler forgot to befriend Joseph even though Joseph had graciously interpreted his dream for him. Finally after two full years, Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. The butler remembered Joseph, who was still in prison, and recalled his divine gift of interpreting dreams. He mentioned the accuracy of Joseph's interpretations to Pharaoh and Pharaoh sent for Joseph to be brought out of prison. When Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh's dream and give him sound counsel, Pharaoh recognized Joseph's wisdom and discretion and made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

From time to time, we acquire items with the intentions of using them for special occasions. It could be crystal stemware and linen napkins for a formal dinner or plastic cups and plates for a picnic. Yet because we have designated their use for a special time, we usually put them in a special place to save them for their season. God did the same with Joseph. He knew exactly where Joseph was and could have delivered him out of the prison at any given moment, but the Lord kept Joseph hidden in the darkness of this special place until his appointed time. When the time was right, God moved suddenly in the life of Joseph and called him out of the depths of darkness into the light of his destiny. What would have happened if the butler had remembered to mention Joseph to the Pharaoh two years earlier? If Joseph had been released from prison, he may have went back to his homeland. He surely would not have been in the place where Pharaoh could conveniently find him in order to move him into God's new place at God's appointed time. Joseph had already been in bondage for about fourteen years when God chose to leave him two more years. God may have needed those last two years to instill the finishing touch in Joseph's life in order to prepare him to be ruler over a multitude of people.

Sometimes we do not recognize our own personal prisons as special places. We struggle with the darkness of not understanding why we can't move forward and become embittered by the difficulties that we face. We grow impatient because the time of our deliverance lingers and we often move out from under God's covering. We try to get others to help us and we make a way of escape for ourselves, which is not in God's perfect plan. We may have been in a marriage that God intended to mend. We may have borrowed money to settle a debt when God had another plan that would have saved us a large amount of interest. We may have tried to accomplish ministry on our own terms by going out before our time, prophesying our own words, or attempting to use gifts that God had not given us yet. Wherever we are and regardless of the darkness and difficulties that we face, we must remember that God knows exactly where we are and that He has His own reasons for keeping us hidden. If we wait on His timing, we can rest assured that our season of deliverance will come and that the Lord will deliver us out of our special hidden place. +++

Have you ever tried to talk to someone, but discerned within your spirit that they weren't listening? Worse still, they may even cut you off right in the middle of your words. Even though you really had something important to share, no room was given for you to exchange your thoughts and opinions. It was as though your concerns were of no importance or even nonexistent. Communication of this sort is frustrating, but we can rest assured that this is not the type of communion that we experience with our Father God. Our prayers and the words that we address to the Lord are very meaningful to Him. As we speak, He listens with the intent to hear, He considers our thoughts, and doesn't forget them. He keeps our words before Him as a memorial.

Just as we listen to the simple words of our own children or grandchildren, God listens to us. How often have we kept a scrap of paper that had the words "I luv you" or something similar scribbled in crayon as a special memorial of a child's love and adoration for us? Those words were a personal treasure to our heart and God feels the same about the words that we offer to Him. He is not so much concerned about the eloquence of our communication as He is the condition of our heart and our love for Him. Our words are precious to Him and He looks at our earnest and honest intent. It is written in Revelation 5:8, that He takes our prayers and saves them as memorials in golden vials. Then the angels mingle our prayers with incense and offer them upon the golden altar that is before God's throne. Regardless of how simple our words might be, God loves them and appreciates them. As our prayers ascend unto God, they become as sweet odors in His nostrils (Revelation 8:3-5).

Sometimes we may think that God has forgotten our request, but we soon discover that although He's rarely early, He's never too late. Our need is ever near His heart and He always answers right on time! God keeps our words and our expressions safe, whether they be praises or petitions. As we make our thoughts and needs known unto God, they are placed in a golden bowl near His throne. They remain as memorials before Him until the appropriate time that He desires to respond. Then when the fullness of time comes, our sovereign God reaches into the golden bowl, pulls out our prayer, and to our utter amazement answers when we least expect it. Never give up on your prayers, for they are a memorial before God. When you prayed, God listened, God heard, and your answer is on the way. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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07/13/06
EPISTLES

An epistle is a written message or letter of communication and Paul tells us that our lives are like written epistles. Even though our lives are not written with ink on tablets, they are human letters that are written by the Spirit of God and are being studied by men. Our families, associates, and those we minister to are reading our lives on a daily basis and the truth of our witness is being manifested when we are the least aware of it. Those about us are closely observing our actions to see if our deeds line up with what we say. It is remarkable when someone takes notice and mentions something good that you did, especially those things that you can't even recall yourself. Yet, our negative impressions leave a mark just as well, for all of our life is a letter of communication to the world that chooses to read us.

Often when you purchase a book, it will have an outside cover that has a picture and some brief excerpts that depict the contents of the inside. This part of the book is the 'cream of the crop', so to speak, and will entice you to purchase the book so you will take it home and read it. Sometimes, however, the outside is misleading as it turns out to be more interesting than the entire book itself. This is what happens to our testimony when others look at us from the outside. They see us on Sunday in the choir, teaching Bible Study, and doing all the right things. We convince them that we are great by our outside cover. We entice them into believing in us, but the real proof of our lives come as they watch us face life's daily challenges and disappointing circumstances. The reality of our responses becomes our true witness.

God wants to work through us because we are His workmanship that He created in His image. He knows that others will be looking at us, and He wants us to be a living communication of His glory. Colossians 1:27 says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." God is glorified when our lives communicate His character to the world and He is pleased when our inner man lives up to what is represented on the outside cover of our life. We are His epistles and our lives will speak volumes. When people read our lives, the Lord wants them to see His life in our life; His Spirit within our spirit; His peace controlling us; His love flowing through us; His joy flooding our soul; His kindness and patience working in us; and His light shining through us. In other words, He wants us to not only 'talk the talk' but also 'walk the walk' as we will be read and known of all men. +++

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07/14/06
TIMES AND SEASONS

In the area where I live, which is in Southeast Texas, the change of the seasons is often very confusing. We have a saying; "If you don't like the weather right now, just wait a few hours. It will change." We go from overcast skies to sunshine and from drought to flooding rains. In just three or four hours, the temperature can drop from the mid-seventies to the low forties. We have beautiful days and we have days that are filled with hurricanes and tornadoes. Our seasons follow this same pattern in that they are rarely strictly defined. We may have a couple of days of cool fall weather that requires the use of a furnace. Then the season will revert and in mid November, we must to turn on the air conditioner. Without a calendar, this changing back and forth would make it difficult to discern the season.

Many times the seasons of our lives are like this. It may seem like a new season is about to come into our lives and we may take faith in that hope. We sense a change and trust that it is for the better. For a short period, our finances improve, relationships strengthen, our health is restored, and all is well with our family. We rejoice in the peace that we feel, as it seems that the springtime of our life is on the horizon. Yet about the time that we become comfortable in this season, circumstances revert and we find ourselves back in a season that is uncomfortable and very discouraging. Our situation is marked by extreme heat and drought or times where it seems the raging storms and floods are going to take us under. Everything about us seems mixed up and out of sync.

We must remember that our seasons are held in God's hands. Acts 1:7 says, "It is not for you to know the times or the season, which the Father has put in His own power." He controls the seasons of our life just as He controls the seasons of nature. Everything that happens is in His sovereign design and all the events that take place in our lives are divinely appointed. Ecclesiastes chapter three tells us that there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, and a time to get and a time to lose. Each season has a purpose and no man can fully understand its meaning because God is working. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours could ever be. We just have to trust Him. He changes the times and the seasons. In His perfect timing, all will come to pass as He planned and as He purposed. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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Scripture: Proverbs 30:24-28 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants ... the conies ... the locusts ... and the spiders."

Solomon was a man who was granted supernatural wisdom from God and yet he chose four small and insignificant creatures to show us how true wisdom operates. The first example is the ants because of their preparation and hard work. We are not only amazed as we see these small creatures carrying their enormous and heavy loads, but we are astonished that they have the foresight to prepare for the future. Proverbs 6:7 tells us that the ants "have no guide, overseer, or ruler, but they work all summer." One reference said they are the "most laborious insects in existence," each doing its own job without honor or show, working without weariness until the work is complete.

The other three examples are just as amazing. The conies or badgers show us the importance of protection and sure foundations. These small animals build their houses in the tight places of the cleft of the rocks where there is protection on all sides, and then cautiously face outwards. The next wise creature, the locusts, display exceptional unity and organization. They have no king or leader, yet they band together as one unit and work in harmony. And finally, the spiders show us boldness and confidence. They will go anywhere without fear, even the king's palaces. They are not easily discouraged and when their webs are swept down, they spin them again and again.

As we look at these four examples we come to understand that wisdom doesn't depend upon how great or rich we are, but on how we conduct ourselves in life's circumstances. We can use these examples of wisdom in our spiritual lives as well. Like the ants who store up food in the natural, we must store up bread or the Word of God so that we can make it through the seasons of famine in our lives. We can't allow ourselves to wait until we are faced with a crisis. David said, "I will hide Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You." We must feed on God's word in our summer seasons so that we are prepared for the winters of our life.

Finally, the spiders teach us to be bold and confident so that we can go anywhere and everywhere that God sends us. They not only show us how to go forth with courage, but that we should have faith for the king's palaces. They demonstrate how to refuse failure. Regardless of whether we fail on our own or because someone else sweeps our web away, God's gifts and callings are without repentance (Romans 11:29). Like the spiders, we still have the ability and responsibility to get up, start again, and spin another web.

So which one of Solomon's examples do you need to follow to become wise? The answer is all of the above. All these principles need to be operating in your physical and spiritual life so that you may prosper in your body, soul, and spirit. +++

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07/18/06
UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WORD

Scripture: Proverbs 1:23 "I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."

Have you ever had difficulty understanding a portion of scripture or felt there was nothing there to capture your interest? However, you later heard someone explain it at great lengths and were amazed with all the details that had passed you by. You may have envied their gift and wondered why you were not able to see the scriptures the way they did. You may have questioned the secret to their profound revelations of God's Word.  But the answer is simple. It is the work of the Holy Spirit of God.  He is the teacher and He is the one who illuminates or gives light to the scripture, and without Him there is no revelation.

Luke 24:45 says, "Then Jesus opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." If our understanding is not opened, the scriptures remain merely parables and stories to us. Jesus opened the disciple's understanding to the scriptures when He was here on Earth, but He told them that when He went away He would send the Holy Spirit to them. He said, "The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance" (John 14:26). It is only as we yield ourselves to be taught by the Holy Spirit that we can understand and comprehend God's word. We yield ourselves by simply praying and asking God to open our understanding as we read His word. The Holy Spirit will speak into our hearts as we invite Him to read along with us.

The Bible was not written to be a great mystery nor meant to lay on the shelf collecting dust. God wants His people to understand what He has said and what He is saying on a daily basis through His written word. Luke 10:21 tells us that He has hidden things from the worldly wise and intellectuals, but will reveal them to those who trust Him as little children do. If you want to see a profound change in your understanding, pray this prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-18 as you study God's Word and ask God to speak to you very plainly.

   "I pray to the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory,
        that You would grant unto me a spirit of wisdom and revelation.
     I pray that You would grant me insights into mysteries
         and secrets by opening up my understanding of the scriptures.
     I pray that I might receive a deep and intimate knowledge of You,
        And that the eyes of my heart would be flooded with light ..." +++

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07/19/06
ARISE AND SHINE

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."

God encourages us to rise to a new life. The Amplified Bible reads, "Arise from the depression ... in which circumstances have kept you." We all face disappointments in life, either through circumstances or in our relationships. When we do not deal with those disappointments, we become discouraged. Then as we give in to discouragement, depression follows.

Depression is like being in a dark room. In the natural, if you find yourself in darkness, you must make an effort to get up and turn the light on. When you turn the light on, you do not have to battle with the darkness any more. The light itself dispels the darkness. Likewise, when your inner man is in a dark room of depression, you must do the same thing. God is there with the light of His Word, but you must arise and allow that light to illuminate your spirit and renew your faith. Verse two says that as you arise, "His glory shall be seen upon you." It is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as He draws you out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.

King David faced this darkness when his city was burned and his possessions and family were taken captive. If that wasn't hard enough, his own men blamed him for the loss and wanted to stone him. I Samuel 30:4 says that David cried until he couldn't cry any more, but then he began to encourage himself in the Lord his God. He arose and began to allow the light of God to shine in his darkness. As he did, new plans developed. He pursued the enemy and took back what the enemy had stolen. He could have sat there forever in depression and defeat and never regained what belonged to him. The choice was his.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. You are in his path, but you are to give him no place in your heart. You must encourage yourself in the Lord as David did. From the beginning, you must refuse to allow disappointment to lodge in your heart until it turns into discouragement. Learn to trust God's word which says, "All things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose." Arise, shine, and allow God's light to supernaturally dispel the darkness. +++

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07/20/06
OUR MIGHTY FORTRESS

Webster's Dictionary defines "fortress" as a "large and permanent military stronghold." It is a city fortified with weapons. Psalms 46:1-3 says that it doesn't matter if the earth is removed and the mountains are cast into the seas. There is nothing to fear because God is our refuge and is present to help us. God is permanent and will never leave us or forsake us. As our refuge and fortress, God provides amazing grace for us when we face difficult situations. The refuge God gives us is so amazing that it causes us to be a wonder to many (Psalms 71:7). Even our own friends can't comprehend how we are able to endure the duress of our season of pain and hardship. Yet, God's grace disallows the adversity in our life to bring us shame and confusion. Instead, He uses it to infuse us with greater strength and understanding.

Review your life for a moment, and remember some of the places where you found God as your refuge and fortress. Look back at the times that you ran to God and He protected you or showed Himself as your provider and met your needs in a way that only He could. Think about the hard places, the dark valleys, and the dry deserts that you've passed through. And recall the love you experienced from the Gentle Shepherd in the midst of your tears and fears. Then for today's trouble and anxieties, focus upon God. He is there if you will call on Him. God is your refuge and your strength. He is your city of security. See Him as your mighty fortress and let the promise of His deliverance be your peace. He is your God. He can be trusted. +++

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07/21/06
VOICE OF PRAYER

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

God tells us through Jeremiah, the prophet, two very important things about getting our prayers answered. First He says, "Call." Prayer needs to be voiced, otherwise it may only be a meditation of the heart. For instance, how many times in our lives do we face circumstances that require answers? We tell everyone that we are praying about the situation, when in reality we are merely thinking, meditating on the circumstances, and trying to figure out the solution in our own minds. We haven't uttered one word to God, vebally or in our spirit, yet we call it prayer.

God wants us to speak out verbally to Him. God knows our thoughts and our hearts, but He wants to actually hear our voices. James 4:2 tells us that "we have not because we ask not." We merely think the thought in our mind, but never express it with our voice. God knows the meditations of our heart but He hears our cries and listens for ours words. Throughout the scriptures, prayers often began with phrases like, "Hear my prayer, O Lord," "Attend unto my cry," and "I lift up my voice to You." We get God's attention when we make our voices heard.

Second, God says, "Call unto Me." In the original Hebrew language, the use of the word "call" in this scripture means to address by name. Names are personal and powerful. Even in a crowded room, you are called to attention when someone mentions your own name. You become very interested in what they are saying because your name is involved. However, if your name were never mentioned, you may be disinterested in the person's thoughts. And if their needs were never verbalize, you would not know how you could meet those needs. God is the same way. He responds to His name and focuses His attention on the one calling upon His name. God says, "Call to Me. When you speak to me then I will answer you and I will show you great and mighty things which you have never known before." +++

Scriptures: Luke 11:1 "Lord, teach us to pray."

When Jesus had finished praying, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray." The disciples knew that Jesus got results when He talked with the Father, and they wanted to know His secret. It was customary in that day and time for famous rabbis to compose special prayers, but the disciples weren't interested in a prayer to recite. Instead, they wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray or how to communicate with God in a personal way like He did. They had witnessed mighty answers to the prayers that Jesus prayed and had come to the conclusion that their words alone had no purpose unless they reached the ears and heart of God.

As Jesus began this model prayer, which we know as The Lord's Prayer, His first two words were "Our Father." There is a lot of weight that is attached to those first two words. The word "our" meant that Jesus was including us with Him. Although Jesus was the only begotten Son of the Father, He wanted us to understand that we have the same relationship to the Father as He does. God is creator of all mankind, but He is only Father to all who have received Jesus as Savior and Lord because His Son's eternal blood flows through their veins. Because of this sacred relationship, Romans 8:17 says that we are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ," meaning that we possess the same rights and privileges that Jesus has and can approach God as our personal Father.

Second, Jesus said that we are to address the Almighty God as "Father." By doing this, Jesus established that God is a real person, and like our earthly father, our Heavenly Father has real feelings and He loves us. He cares for us and desires to provide for all of our needs. Like most parents, He watches over us constantly and never slumbers nor sleeps. He is there all the time. He experiences joy when we are fulfilling His plan and doing those things that please Him. He also grieves over us when we stray down the wrong path, and like the father of the prodigal son, He patiently waits for our return. As our Father, He wants us to love Him and fellowship with Him on a regular basis, not just run to Him every time that we have a problem. He cherishes our honor and adoration. The greatest honor that we can bestow upon God the Father is to believe His words and trust in Him. God has identified Himself by many names throughout the scriptures, but Jesus shared the name that is dearest to God's heart, which is Father. Other religions do not have a personal relationship with their god, nor do they call their god "father." So, recognize your position as God's child when you pray. Your love and tender thoughts will be precious to Him. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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07/25/06
WITNESSING

Scripture: Acts 1:8 "You shall be witnesses unto Me."

We often make witnessing about Jesus such a big ordeal when in reality it is just talking about Him. It is so easy to tell others about a movie that we've seen and describe the main characters and all of their attributes. We may even quote a few lines that they said and be able to convince our listener that the main character was either good or bad. Witnessing about Jesus and the things of God should come just as easy and natural if we truly know Him. We should be able to talk about Him as a person, and in a simple way tell the facts about His life. God's Word should be so alive to us that we are able to quote our favorite lines that Jesus said or other scriptures pertaining to Him.

Witnesses who take the stand in a court of law are only required to tell the facts they know. They do not have to know and understand everything about the circumstances. They only have to reveal the truth as they know it. In Luke 7:20-22 the disciples of John came to Jesus and asked if He was the Messiah that should come or should they look for another. Jesus replied and said, "Go tell John what things you have seen and heard; how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor." When you give witness of the things Jesus has done for you, the facts will speak for themselves and your experience will make your words come alive.

Psalms 105:1-5 gives us some instructions about how to witness. The psalmist said in part to give thanks to the Lord and sing. There is a great witness that goes forth when you simply give praise to God and sing songs that honor Him. You are also to remember and make known His deeds among the people and talk of all His wondrous works, giving glory to His Holy Name. Your witnessing is not just a formula that you have been taught in evangelism class. It should never be burdensome but should just generate spontaneously from your heart. Jesus said, "You shall be My witnesses." Your message is a real person and that person is Jesus. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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07/25/06
HIS SPIRIT WILL RAISE A BANNER

Scripture: Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."

This is a rich promise for those who are in a place of struggle with the enemy. It declares that regardless of how hard the enemy attacks, God is going to be there to raise up a standard, or banner, to let the enemy know that God is on the side of His people. It is like the flag of the United States that is raised in a place of battle when its forces have conquered and taken command of the territory. When the Lord lifts up a flag in the spirit, the enemy has to recognize that God has conquered and is in control. The devil has to give up his ground and bow to the presence of the Almighty God.

Several years ago, I faced floodwaters that were coming towards my home. As I prayed about the situation, God gave me this scripture, that when the flood came in, He would raise up a standard against the enemy. I became very excited because for some reason, I thought that I was not going to experience the flood. But twenty inches of water entered my home and brought much destruction. In the aftermath of the storm, I questioned God about His word to me. But He reminded me that He never said that the flood would not come in, but that when it did come in, He would raise up a standard. I had misinterpreted His word to me. However, He did fulfill His word to me and He did raise up a standard against the enemy. At the end of the ordeal, I came out better because of the grants and help that He provided for me.

It is easy to misinterpret what is involved in the Christian walk and think that because we have given our life to God, we are exempt from all trouble and strife. In reality, the battle gets worse because we are now working against the devil and not with him. As we face daily battles with the enemy, his main objective is to kill, steal, and destroy. He deceives us into thinking that he has conquered us and tries to convince us that we are in his power and control. He places doubts in our minds and tells us that there is no way out of our situations.

But thank God that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord raises up a banner. God lets the enemy know that He is in control by raising a flag that declares, "This far and no further." God raises a banner in the midst of all of our temptations and calls it "A Way of Escape" (I Corinthians 10:13). He warns us that in the world we will face tribulations, but He tells us to be of good cheer and raises up a banner with the words "I Have Overcome the World" (John 16:33). In Psalms 34:19, He tells us that the righteous will suffer many afflictions, but God raises up a standard in front of the enemy that says "The Lord Delivers." Even in the valley of the shadows of death, His Spirit raises a banner and promises "No Fear of Evil" (Psalm 23:4). God never promised there would be no problems, but He did promise solutions! God is there for you so trust in Him to raise up a banner in your situation. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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07/27/06
WISE COMPANIONS

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20 "He that walks with wise men shall be wise."

What we gather into ourselves determines who we are. Our physical bodies are formed by what we eat and how much we exercise, and our spirits and souls are molded and shaped by the knowledge we obtain, the things we experiences, and our communion with God. Solomon, a man gifted with wisdom, said that if we desire to be wise, we must walk with wise men. He continued to say "a companion of fools shall be destroyed." He understood the principle that worked in human nature; that is, we eventually become like those who surround us. We've all seen people who have handled their lives in wisdom and discretion, but later fell into a sad state as they began to associate with the wrong crowd. Even King Solomon, who wrote this proverb, fell when he married heathen wives and began to worship their gods. It can happen to anyone. James 4:4 tells us that we cannot make friends with the world. If we do, we become enemies to God, because the flesh will work against the Spirit, and foolishness will work against wisdom.

Gaining Godly wisdom is a choice in life. You have to make an effort to be transformed into the image of Christ and be renewed in your mind with His wisdom. It is a daily process of looking at yourself through the Word of God just as you would examine yourself in a mirror. As you see truth, you determine the changes that you need to make so that you will measure up to His image and not conform to the world (II Corinthians 3:18). You must make the decision to walk with the wise and not the foolish. It is a steady and gradual process. Even Jesus, Himself, grew and increased in wisdom (Luke 2:52). He was not born full of wisdom and His wisdom was not given to Him as a sudden endowment from God. It came as He sat with the wise men of God in the temple and as He walked with a wise God.

Walking with the wise allows you to hear their speech, see their actions, and witness their examples. As you do, wisdom will manifest itself in your life and you will begin to think as the wise think, talk as they talk, and act like they act. If you truly want to be wise, you must make a conscious choice to walk with wise men, but above all, walk with the God of wisdom. +++

From the very beginning of time, God established a law of nature by commanding the trees to regenerate and bring forth after their own kind. This same principle works in the spiritual realm as well. Jesus, speaking of men's lives, declared that a good tree would bring forth good fruit and that a corrupt tree would bring forth bad fruit. He said that every tree would be known by its own fruit and that fruit would be produced by what was within the inner being. We are never known by someone else's fruit simply because we know them or hang out with them. Jesus said that a good man, out of the good treasure of his own heart, will bring forth good and an evil man will bring forth evil. Goodness and evil cannot be hidden within our soul. It will eventually bear fruit and manifest itself outwardly.

When our family drove through the state of Florida several years ago, we saw hundreds of small trees in the distance. At first, we could not determine what these small trees were because they did not look like any of the trees from our region. This sight was new to us but as we got closer we began to see the fruit on the trees and were able to determine that we were looking at groves of orange trees. It was a beautiful sight, but the trees were only known to us because we saw the fruit that they produced. This is what Jesus was explaining to us, for the same is true with our lives. Jesus didn't say that we would know the fruit by looking at the tree, but instead that we would know the tree by looking at the fruit that it produced. The fruit is the determining factor that names the tree. It is a simple deduction. If there are apples, it is an apple tree.

Our reputation is based upon what others see us do and the words they hear us say. It is a public estimation of the fruit that we produce. Our character is our moral qualities within that distinguishes us from others and is the source of the fruit that we produce. We determine how our character is formed and our character determines what kind of fruit we manifest. If we steal something when no one is looking and we don't get caught, our reputation might not be ruined but we are still a thief. If we lie and no one discovers our indiscretion, the opinion that others have of us may stay in tact, but we are still a liar within our heart. Character is the hidden chambers of the heart that no one else can see. It is who we are in the dark and it is how we act when no one is looking. Character is a heart thing and determines our walk so we must continually guard ourselves, for out of our hearts come the issues of life. We are who we are within so we must be careful and determined not to trade the components of our integrity or jeopardize our Christian witness. We must remember the words of Jesus. The tree within us, which is our character, will be exposed and known by its own fruit. +++

A man divided several talents between his servants according to their individual ability before he went on a journey. When he returned, he found that the servant to whom he entrusted five talents had put his talents to work and had gained five more talents. Likewise, the servant who received two talents gain two more. However, the servant who had received only one talent fearfully hid it in the ground. Because of his fear and laziness, his talent did not produce an increase and he had nothing to offer to his master. The lord of these men was pleased by the two servants who had put their talents to work, but he was so displeased by the fearful and slothful servant who had hid his talent in the ground that he took his talent from him and gave to the faithful servant. This wise servant now had eleven talents because he had shown himself diligent in managing the five talents that had been originally given to him.

It is easy to identify with the fearful servant because it is difficult to sow when you have little, but we must remember that everything belongs to God, and Jesus declared that He was able to reap where He had not sown. The Lord knows if you are able to handle five talents, two talents, or just one talent and He will never ask you to go beyond your ability. He doesn't expect you to give what you do not have or to exercise a talent that you are not gifted with, but He does expect you to take the little that you have and put it to use. It will take faith to reach forth and sow the gift that God has given you, but miracles only happen on the other side of the comfort zone. If you only have a few dollars, it is hard to let go and sow it into the life of someone else. It intimidating to play an instrument in public if you know only one song. Yet, you cannot be like the man with one talent and hide your gift. Small ability does not negate responsibility. Multiplication doesn't come by hiding, but by sharing. Even the trees of the field have to bear fruit and give forth of themselves to be able to multiply. Trust God for increase and ask Him to help you move out of your comfort zone. When you stretch yourself in this fashion, you will be surprised as God begins to multiply your talents. +++