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Scripture: John 9:4 (Amplified) "I must work the works of Him Who sent Me, and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming when no man can work."

Jesus was conscious of the limited time that He had to complete the Father's business here on Earth. In the short time that He was here, He proved Himself diligent and effective. Even as a young boy, Jesus lingered in the temple, listening to the doctors and asking them questions. When His mother and father finally found Him, He responded with the words, "Didn't you know that I must be busy about My Father's business?"

We too have a short time to fulfill the work that God has designed for us. Often, however, we wait for some prestigious opportunity to come along that will be big and important. We forget that God's call is not about our own ego but about helping people and ministering to hurting humanity. Our job description is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide for the widow and fatherless, visit the sick and those in prisons, and take care of the homeless. Yet we shun the thought of mingling with those who are poor and can't dress well and seldom think of the homeless street people or those in prison. Even the widows and orphans with their daily needs are far from our minds and busy lives as we seek to serve Jesus. However, if we listened, their spirits would speak to us, "Don't you recognize me, I'm the Jesus you say that you love." For Jesus said in Matthew 25:45, that if we fail to minister to the least of these who are with needs, we have failed to minister to Him.

Our ministry call is to find a void and fill it; find a need and meet it; find a hurt and heal it. We are to allow God to do His work through us on this earth while there is still day. Very soon the night will come and our opportunity will be gone. If we are not careful, we will never finish the work that God has ordained for us because we pass up the simple in search for the grand. Taking care of God's business is simply ministering to each need that we see. If we do this, one day Jesus will say to us, "I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger and you took Me in. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and in prison and you visited Me. When you ministered to the least of these, you were ministering to Me" (Matthew 25:40). +++

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06/02/06
WHEN GOD BLESSES

Jesus gave His disciple, Phillip, an impossible task. He asked Phillip where they could buy enough bread to feed the multitude that was following them. Verse six says that Jesus asked this question to prove Phillip, for Jesus, Himself, knew what He was going to do. Jesus had a solution before He ever presented the problem. I'm sure Phillip must have panicked as he explained to Jesus that they didn't have enough money to buy food for the 5,000 that needed to be fed. Another disciple, Andrew, spoke up and said that there was a lad there who had five loaves of bread and two fish. This was the only resource available and Andrew recognized that it was nothing in comparison to the need. He asked, "What are they among so many?"

We often face similar situations in our own lives where our needs are greater than our resources, whether it is in the material, physical, or spiritual realm. We receive our pay at the end of the workweek but can't seem to stretch it to meet all of our needs. Our duties and responsibilities call upon us but our energies are not quite sufficient to meet the extra demands. God calls us to serve Him in a special way and our abilities are lacking. We look at the challenge before us and it appears to be an impossible task. It is like trying to feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. We ask as Andrew asked, "What good is the little I have when the need is so great?"

This same story is also related in Mark 6:38-44 and gives further insight into what Jesus did concerning the need. First, He organized the people and instructed them to sit in companies. Jesus then took the five loaves and two fish and looked up to Heaven. He didn't look to the natural, but to God the Father, the creator of Heaven and Earth. He had confidence that if God could create bread and fish, He could certainly multiply it. After Jesus focused His thoughts upon God, He blessed the bread. When He blessed the bread and fish He was asking God to do something supernatural. When all was finished, the 5,000 were fed and there were twelve baskets of fish and bread left over. This example should speak faith into our hearts when our resources are lacking. First, we must put things in order the best that we can and then look to Heaven for our solutions. Regardless of how little we have to offer, we must ask for God's blessings to be upon it, for He is our source and He still knows how to multiply. When God blesses, our weakness will turn into strength, our emotional distress will become joy, our material needs will be met according to His riches, and His anointing will empower us and drive away our spiritual lack. +++

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A Word In Due Season
2nd Week of June 2006

06/05/06
NO DISTRACTIONS

Scripture: Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus."

    "When Leonardo da Vinci had painted his immortal 'Last Supper,' he
     asked a friend for an evaluation. The friend heaped superlatives on
     the masterpiece, and especially praised the wine cup by the Lord's
     hand. At that point, Leonardo blotted out the cup. He was to have
     said, 'Nothing should distract one's attention from the Lord.'"
     ... >From More Stories For The Heart - Author Unknown

When we look at Jesus, what do we see? Do we see the glory of His presence, or do we get distracted by the material things that will benefit us if we serve Him? Do we look at Him as being our Lord and our first love, or do we just serve Him for the honor of our own reputations? Do we give others more honor and adoration than we do God's beloved Son? Do we tend to make our spiritual leaders equal to our Lord and Savior?

It is very easy to get distracted from the real picture and see the cup rather than the Savior. Even Peter fell into this trap when Jesus was transfigured before his eyes. He watched as Jesus' appearance was totally transformed before him. Jesus' clothes began to shine, glistening like the snow, and then Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. Peter got caught up in the moment, and focusing on the spectacular, he suggested that three memorials be built; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. At that moment of distraction, the three were equal in Peter's eyes. Yet when it came to an end, Jesus was the only one that was left remaining, and God's voice spoke with validation, "This is My only begotten Son" (Mark 9:2-8).

These words remind us that we are never to build memorials in our spirits that will distract us from the only begotten Son of God. Jesus should always be our main interest, and the One that we focus our attention upon regardless of what else or who else shows up in the scene. Other ministries and the spectacular may try to lure and distract us like the cup at the Lord's hand in the painting. Even our own talents, work, and ministries may turn into masterpieces that are admired by the world. But like Leonardo da Vinci's response, we too must blot out any beauty and glory that seeks to supersede and overshadow the Lord Jesus. We should allow nothing to draw our attention from Him.  Regardless of what is happening around us, whether good or bad, our eyes need to remain on Him. The lyrics of an old song remind us of this thought;

    "Turn you eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
     In the light of his glory and grace." +++

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06/06/06
GOD TEACHES AND DIRECTS

As we travel our various roads of life, there are separate destinies that await us. Yet often in quest of God's purposes and plans, it seems difficult to 'get on' and 'stay on' the right course because there are so many distractions to lead us away in the wrong direction. Our paths may be diverted by failures and disappointments or sometimes even good things that are not necessarily the right things for our life. It would be great to be like the Israelites who were led by a cloud each day and guided by a fire at night. Or can you imagine being directed by the star of Bethlehem, which led the wise men to their intended destination? With precise signs and wonders like these leading us, it would surely be hard for us to miss God's perfect plan for our life.

God, however, has not ordained these types of supernatural happenings for our daily life. He has given us the witness of His Holy Spirit and His still small voice to guide and direct us. As simple as this plan of communication may sound, however, His presence and His voice is just as phenomenal as signs and wonders. How awesome it is to feel God's presence leading us along the right path. It is just as exciting as the cloud by day or the fire by night, for when God makes His presence known, it is an overwhelming and eternal experience. And too, when God singles us out and speaks distinctly within our spirits, there is no sign or wonder that can compare.

Every time God touches us in a personal and special way, we are changed. His desires become our desires and His choices become our choices. The more we see Him move in our circumstances, the more we realize that His ways truly are better than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. All of His plans for us are for our good and not evil and they are designed to give us a future and a hope. He is our Redeemer and the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah said that the Lord not only teaches or lets you know the right way, He also directs you in the way you should go. God is interested in what is the very best for you. Trust His leadership, for He knows what is ahead and is much wiser than you. As you trust Him, you will find that He always gives you the best when you allow Him to do the choosing. +++

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06/07/06
SEEING THE PROMISE

God gave a promise to Abraham, but there were conditions that came with the promise. Abraham had to make an effort to see what God was showing him. God said, "Open your eyes. All that you see, I will give to you." Getting a vision of God's promise is a vital part of our faith, for if we can't envision the promises of God, we will never be able to receive them. Proverbs 29:18 says that our faith will perish without a revelation or vision of God's plan and purpose for our lives. Even Jesus had to first see God's plan. Jesus said, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do" (John 5:19). Abraham caught the vision and followed through in faith as he walked the length and breadth of the land, his heart continually searching for the promise of God. He stayed focused, kept his vision, and received God's promise.

There were others in the scripture, however, that did not keep a vision of faith. Ten of the twelve spies that Moses sent to search out the land lost out on God's promise because their eyes were on the circumstances rather than God and His word. They had enough vision to leave Egypt, but their faith faltered along the way when their vision became distorted by the obstacles in their path. The ten saw the giants instead of the giant grapes, and their heart fixed on the problem rather than the promise. They saw themselves as grasshoppers that would be eaten up by the enemy, and they envisioned the enemy seeing them in the same way. However, two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, saw things in a totally different way. Instead of seeing the enemy eating them up, Joshua and Celeb said, "The enemy will be bread for us." They were of another spirit and their vision was based on faith in God and God's word to them.

Spiritual vision can be enhanced or distorted just like natural vision. When spiritual vision is distorted we tend to draw negative conclusions about situations. We neglect to see the positive. For instance, when shown a white piece of paper with a small black dot in the center, we choose to either see the small black dot or all the white that surrounds it. When asked what we see, we usually describe only the small dark spot. As we focus our attention upon it, the larger and darker it becomes and we fail to see all of the white. Likewise in the area of our faith, the light fades away when we face financial difficulties, family crises, or negative reports concerning our health. The darkness draws our attention away from the light and we begin to forget about the promises of God. It is at this point that we must correct our spiritual vision. God says, "Lift up your eyes ... all you see, I will give to you." Don't look at the small darkness that has intruded into your life. Open your eyes and find the scripture that fits your need and focus upon that word. As you do, it will draw your attention to the light and faith will come into your heart as you allow the word of God to adjust your spiritual vision. +++

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06/08/06
REST FOR AWHILE

Scripture: Mark 6:31 (Amplified) "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest for awhile."

The disciples were so busy that they had no time to rest. In fact, they couldn't even sit and eat a meal in leisure without being interrupted by the people who continually followed them. The masses drew upon their time and energies and left them totally spent. Finally, Jesus called them away to a solitary place just to rest.

Our own lifestyles have become similar to this scenario. We have become exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally because our schedules allow very little time for us to rest and regenerate. Often, if we are not careful and determined, we even fail to make time to pray and study God's word. Yet, our strength to maintain life's demands and cope with stress depends upon getting physical rest and having fellowship and communion with the Lord. Isaiah 40:29-31 tells us that as we wait upon the Lord and linger in His presence, God will increase our strength, causing it to multiply and making it abound. As we rest in His presence and renew ourselves spiritually, God renews our physical strength and causes us to be able to walk and run without getting weary or faint. Isaiah said even the young men would fall with exhaustion, but those who wait upon the Lord would be like eagles, full of strength, soaring above every situation.

Jesus also told us what to do if we become weary, over burdened, and stressed out. He said, "Come to Me, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30). Supernatural strength is imparted when we come into the presence of the Lord. He said, "Take my yoke upon you." In other words, "Surrender everything you are to Me. If you will allow Me to pull the load, you will find relief from pressures and be refreshed in your spirit. Get to know Me, for I am very gentle of spirit. If I give you a burden to bear, it will be easy and light, for I will never put more on you than you can bear. Cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you. Come away with Me to a solitary place for a while and rest in My presence. As you become still, you will come to know that I am God (Psalms 46:10) and peace will enter you soul. As My presence surrounds you, you will find refreshing and blessed quietness for I will cause you to rest." +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/09/06
EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY

This chapter of Hebrews lists some of the incredible saints who walked in faith and a brief comment about their great accomplishments. They were persuaded of and embraced God's promises. They even confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims, not allowing their affections to be tied to this Earth. Yet, if you go back and read their stories, you will find that even though they acted in faith, they still had their own personal conflicts and flaws and experienced their own individual valleys and mountains. There was Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joseph, to list a few. None of these were perfect even though they journeyed intimately with God. There was even a harlot named Rahab listed among these great men of faith.

God's word always forces us to deal with the dimensions of truth and the truth is that God is moved by faith. When we look in the mirror, we see the reflection of ourselves; our lack of education, our lack of ability, and our limited resources. God really doesn't care about our lack. He looks at the same image and sees great potential. Instead of seeing our lack of education, He sees His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom flowing through us. He sees His strength as being greater than our disabilities. He sees no problem with our limited resources because He is Jehovah Jireh and is able to provide. He looks at our image and discerns a spirit that is longing for His will and purposes and a vessel that He can possibly work through. He sees our soul that is waiting for His measure of grace to be poured upon it so that we can do the things that He is calling us to do.

Each journey of faith begins with the first step. Noah began gathering the wood for the ark and securing the first boards together. Abraham packed up his family and left his country. Isaac sowed his precious seed in the ground in the time of famine. Moses lifted his rod and performed signs and wonders in the courts of Pharaoh, and Joseph stayed faithful in unjust circumstances. Like these men, God waits for us to take our first step of faith regardless of how foolish it may seem. What is He saying to you? When He speaks, you must get your eyes off of where you are and get them on where you need to be. You must accept the challenge to go further with God than you have ever gone before even though there may be conflict and valleys along the way. You must be aware that the devil's warfare is based upon your potential and that he fights accordingly. However, there is no problem that God can't solve and no dream that He cannot fulfill. When God gives you a promise and shows you your destiny, you must embrace it with total faith and take your first steps towards that journey's end. +++

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A Word In Due Season
3rd Week of June 2006

When Joseph was seventeen years old, his whole life changed in a very short time. His father had favored him above his brothers and had given him a coat of many colors. As Joseph began to flaunt his robe before his brothers and tell them of his dreams, he provoked them to mischief. Because of their total disdain for Joseph and his dreams, they stripped him of his coat and threw him into a pit. Their intentions were to kill him, but God's hand was upon Joseph and He prevented his brothers from their evil actions. God sovereignly caused a band of traders who were on their way to Egypt to pass near the pit where Joseph was being held captive. Instead of killing Joseph, his brothers decided to sell him to the traders.

Little did Joseph know that even in these early stages of his life God was working a divine plan. The execution of God's plan may have seemed cruel at the time, but God needed Joseph in Egypt so that He could fulfill His purpose in Joseph's life. In every detail, God had sovereignly worked to get Joseph to his appointed place so that He could groom him and get him ready to govern the land during the season of abundance and during the great famine of seven years. Joseph had very little control over his life and circumstances. God was guiding every footstep and setting him up to save a multitude of people. All Joseph could do was go with the flow and cooperate with the circumstances that God sovereignly set before him. He learned to endure the hardships and disappointments gracefully and found favor with those about him. God was with Joseph every step of the way and caused all that he did to prosper. He allowed Joseph to be placed in charge of his master's household and even blessed his master's house for Joseph's sake. Every small step that he took was a part of God's great plan and Joseph eventually recognized this. He told his brothers, "You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).

God works no less sovereignly in our own lives. We may face cruel bondage and painful disappointments, but we must remember that God is in control. Like Joseph, our friends may forget us and our family members may reject us, but God will always be there. Our dreams may falter and our plans may fail but God says that all things will work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). If you have prayed, "Not my will but Thine be done on earth as it is in Heaven" then get ready for God to direct your life. His ways may seem mysterious at times, but if you trust the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean to your own understanding, He will lead you down a path that brings blessings to others and prosperity and favor in your own life. +++

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06/13/06
RESCUE ME

David trusted in the Lord and called out to Him in his distress. He said that the troubles of his heart were multiplied and he was suffering great affliction and pain. Yet, he believed that the Lord would pluck his feet out of the net and rescue him from his many enemies who hated him. He even asked the Lord to be gracious to him when he was lonely and to also forgive him for all of his sins. He knew the Lord was concerned about every detail of his life, whether it was physical, mental, or emotional, and he asked to be rescued and spared from all shame and disappointment.

You ask, "Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to be rescued?" Well, let me count the ways! In my life, there have been extreme financial difficulties, life-threatening sicknesses, physical injuries that left temporary disabilities, stressful difficulties with people on the job, and painful conflicts with close friends and family. This list is not even inclusive, for there have been many other situations which have caused me to call upon God. Each and every time that I turned to Him, I found that He was there all of the time patiently waiting in line with a solution for my problems. Yet sadly, there were times I was so wrapped up in how I thought He was going to work that I failed to recognize His deliverance when it came my direction.

I am reminded of the story of a man that faced a flood. As the storm approached, the authorities warned him to evacuate, but he did not heed the warning. When the waters began to cover his yard and left the streets impassable, he asked God to deliver him. While he was praying, his neighbor showed up in a small rowboat, but he refused to be rescued. Soon the waters were coming into his house. As he prayed again for God to deliver him, the police patrol boat came to rescue him, but again he refused the help. The floodwaters continued to rise and before long he found himself stranded on the roof of his house. Once again as he pleaded for God's help, a helicopter came to his rescue. They lowered the rescue rope, but he still refused to leave. Finally, he drowned and found himself before the throne of God. In a state of confusion, he asked, "Lord, I prayed three times for deliverance. Why didn't You come and rescue me?" God responded to his question by saying, "I answered your prayers and came to rescue you each time that you prayed, but you failed to recognize My answer and refused to receive My help."

God is always there to rescue us in every situation, for He promised that He would never put more upon us than we could bear. In every adverse circumstance, He offers His help and His way of escape. Amidst the turmoil and confusion of life, He offers His supernatural peace that passes all understanding, but we must choose to allow His peace to reign within our hearts. He offers us salvation for our souls, but we must choose to receive Him as Lord and Savior. He seeks to rescue us from disease and suffering by offering us healing through the stripes that were laid upon Jesus, yet we must choose to believe in order to receive. When sorrow comes our way, He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us, but we must be ready to give up our grief in order to accept His loving offer. In temptation, the Lord promises a way of escape, but we must look for the way out and then flee from the enemy who is after our soul. Whatever the challenge, there is an answer, but we must do our part. God's ways are higher than our ways and we must allow Him to rescue us in the way that He chooses. If we ask God to rescue us and He sends a boat, we must not miss our opportunity for His way of deliverance. +++

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06/14/06
A LITTLE SALT GOES A LONG WAY

In life we have so many chances to be a blessing to so many, but we often miss our opportunities because we see them as insignificant. The little that we could do goes undone because we see the greater need and think that our small part will not make a difference. Yet, we must remember the words that Jesus spoke to us, we are the salt of the Earth and we must consider that a little salt goes a long way. Just a pinch or two of salt will give life to our food and immeasurable pleasure to our palate. In comparison to the amount of pleasure that it affords, salt is very inexpensive. It takes months to use up an entire carton of salt.

There is a man who comes and takes care of my front yard. He is very faithful and inexpensive. The summer months require his care every week, but in the winter, he only comes occasionally. I often wonder how he makes it through those cold dark months. During the Christmas season, I always leave something extra for him and his family in addition to the normal fee for the yard work. I have done this for a few years but never understood the impact of this small gift until this last year. For some reason, I was at home when he came to mow the yard. I could not believe the expression on his face when he saw that I had left a few extra dollars and a card of appreciation for his good work and faithfulness. The joy that I saw in his face was worth more than the small gift that I had left.

Just as your food needs salt to enhance its flavor so do the people that cross your path. Jesus said that your witness and good deeds is like salt to a world that needs flavor. Yet, you must be attentive and look for ways that you can minister to others and share the salt of your life. Maybe someone needs your smile or word of encouragement just to make it through the day. Perhaps something in your closet will meet the need of someone who is in lack of clothing. You can invite a family to dinner or a coworker to lunch who is just trying to make it to payday. There are always people in the hospital and the elderly to be visited. We try so hard to be spiritual, but one minister said that we should never share the word of God with someone until we have shown them the love of God at least three times in some natural way. They don't need to hear a sermon as much as they need to see one. Jesus, who was the greatest minister that ever lived, continually met the physical needs of the people. He understood their hunger, was touched by their sorrow, and empathized with their pain. He even turned water into wine at a wedding so that the celebration would not be ruined. He now speaks a clear word to you to become the salt that He ordained for you to be in this Earth. Remember that a little salt goes a long way. The Lord is well able to bless and multiply all that you do in His Name. +++

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06/15/06
LIVE PEACEABLY

When Jesus came to Earth, He brought peace and good tidings of great joy. Then shortly before He left this Earth to return to Heaven, He said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." The peace that He left is supernatural and is sufficient to help us maintain inner peace in every situation that challenges us. Yet, the Apostle Paul recognized the impossibilities of living in total and perfect peace with the outside world and said, "When keeping the peace depends upon you, then do it ... if possible."

Paul's word encourages us to bend almost to the breaking point, turn the other cheek, and bite our tongue when necessary, but he never instructs us to compromise our convictions in an effort to maintain peace. Paul experienced these kinds of situations. When he entered a city, the scriptures declared there was "no small stir" (Acts 19:23). A large commotion began to occur because Paul taught against pagan worship and preached in the Name of Jesus. In another incident, there was so much contention between Paul and his brothers in Christ, Barnabus and Mark, that they had to separate from each other. Barnabus was determined to take John Mark with Paul and himself on their missionary journey, but Paul thought that it was not a good idea. Acts 15:39 says, "The contention was so sharp between them that they departed from each other." Barnabus took Mark and sailed to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas and went another direction. Jesus, Himself, faced times that weren't too peaceable. Even though He was the Prince of Peace, He made a whip and drove the moneychangers from the temple (John 2:15).

Like the Apostle Paul and Jesus, even though peace is ruling and reigning in our hearts, there will still be times when we will encounter irate individuals and adverse circumstances. Righteous convictions usually bring conflict at some point and time, and that conflict will force confrontation. In these situations, the peace that we hold in our heart will not be able to control the actions of others or protect us from difficult situations. Yet, we must never cower down under pressure. We must always stand for that which is right and remember what Paul said, "If it be possible, live peaceably with all men." +++

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06/16/06
FAITH TO RETURN HOME

The prodigal son took his inheritance, separated himself from his father and family, and went to a country far away. After he had wasted everything that he had on a lavish and sinful lifestyle, he found himself wanting, but refused to return to his father's home and provisions. Instead, he chose to secure a job with a citizen of the country. But in time he realized that he was in a place that was lower than his own father's hired servants. As he worked, feeding the swine, he became so hungry that he could have eaten the food that he was feeding to them. His desperation finally brought him to his senses and with a repentant heart he decided to return home.

The prodigal son left his father's home saying, "Give me my inheritance," but he returned saying, "Make me your servant." His heart and values had been changed through the misery of his experience. Yet, it took much faith for the son to humble himself and make his way back home. His self worth had been destroyed and in his own mind, there was always the chance that forgiveness and restoration would not be extended to him. And he surely found this to be true concerning his brother's attitude towards him. It has been said:

"Sin will take you further than you wanted to go,

Keep you longer than you wanted to stay,

Teach you things that you wished you never learned,

And charge you more than you wanted to pay."

We may not find ourselves in the exact situation as the prodigal son, but often our choices lead us away from God's best, and in due time, we must face the consequences. When we end up in a dilemma and away from God's blessings, we must remember that redemption only comes through repentance. Like the prodigal son, we must come to the realization that we have missed God and we must acknowledge our faults and failures. We can only return home when we are truly honest with ourselves and with our Heavenly Father. It takes faith to return, but when we confess our sins and bad decisions, He is faithful to forgive and restore our lives. God is full of mercy and grace. Like the prodigal son's father, as we draw closer to God's presence, we will find that He has been waiting patiently and faithfully for our return. +++

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A Word In Due Season
4th Week of June 2006

All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is meant to minister grace and build faith in the heart of the hearer. Allow this word to minister to you as you think about God's marvelous plan for your life. He created you in His image and He has ordered your steps. Before you woke up this morning and started on your way, His thoughts were upon you. He very lovingly began to make plans and designed the path that He wanted you to take, the people that He wanted you to meet, and the experiences that He wanted you to encounter. He then set about making a way through the wilderness and clearing the paths before you. He also saw to it that the proper provisions were along the path that He had designed for you to take.

God leaves nothing undone or to chance and regardless of what happens in your life, He is not surprised. He knows what you are capable of and also the degree to which you can be tested. He orders your steps and when you follow as He leads, He promises that there will be no burdens too heavy for you to bear and no temptations greater than your resistance. Look at Job's life and you will see that every step that he took and all that he endured was allowed by God. God was always in control and the devil was limited by God's sovereign power.

However, the plan of God can be thwarted and His Holy Spirit grieved because God has given each of us a free will. We can either follow as His Spirit leads or be led away by other voices. The Lord has ordered our steps and designed our paths. Yet, when we are not in tune with Him, how can we understand which way to go? It is so easy to wander off and lose our way. From birth until death, His designed life and plan is waiting for us. To accomplish His divine design, our ears must be able to hear His quiet and gentle voice telling us which path to take. Our hearts must be willing to lay aside the life and plans that we have made for ourselves so that we can walk in the life and plan that God has ordained for us. +++

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06/20/06
STILL SMALL VOICE

Scripture: I Kings 19:4 "It is enough: now, O Lord, take my life."

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and fire from heaven came down, consuming the sacrifice that he had placed on his altar. When the fire consumed the sacrifice, the people repented and turned to God. Elijah then commanded that the prophets of Baal be killed. After this, he prayed for rain, and it came in abundance after many years of drought. Elijah experienced great victories because he was a man who had power with the Lord. Yet, even though Elijah was a mighty prophet of God, he was still subject to the same passions that we have. James 5:17 says, "He was a human being with a nature such as we have -- with feeling, affections, and a constitution as ourselves."

After Elijah had displayed such great courage and zeal, he ran for his life from Jezebel, who was threatening to kill him in retaliation for the slain prophets. Elijah ran until he reached a place of such weariness and discouragement about his situation that he requested to die. He said, "O Lord, it is enough, take away my life." Maybe you haven't come to this point of utter discouragement or ever felt that life itself was a burden and not worth living. Maybe you've never had to run in fear that your life would be taken. Yet, at times we all face situations when we say, "I've had enough, I just can't take any more. I can't go on." In the midst of these wearisome and stressful situations, if we would just stop and listen for the voice of God, we would hear Him speak to us as He did to Elijah, "What are you doing? Stand up. I want to talk to you" (I Kings 19:9).

As Elijah began to listen for God upon the mountain, he had to wait through many distractions. God's voice didn't come in the great and mighty wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but He spoke in the sound of gentle stillness. God also wants to speak to you in this same still small voice. He wants to calm every fear and encourage you in your season of distress. Don't be distracted by all the noise about you but wait upon the Lord and listen for His faintest whisper. Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." Stillness is very powerful. When you are still, you cease from yourself and do not give in to the voices of the strong winds, earthquakes, and fires. It will be in the stillness of His presence that you will come to know God, and in the quietness of His presence your answers will come and your strength will be renewed. +++

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06/21/06
FORGIVENESS AND FAITH

Scripture: Matthew 6:34 (NRV) "Today's trouble is enough for today."

    "I laid down my worries and looked at them.
     Part of them, I noticed, belonged to the past
     and another part to the future." - Corrie ten Boom

Take a look at what you are truly concerned about right now. Many of us are experiencing Corrie ten Boom's words. We are living in the present day but are allowing the guilt of the past and the fears of the future to haunt us. We have become mentally indebted and we can't seem to let go. It is said that guilt is the interest paid for past mistakes - and worry is the interest paid for the future. In the natural, you may have experienced a debt situation where the interest, penalty, and late charges that were added were quite a bit more than the original debt. If you examine your entire situation, you may find that the interest you are paying for your worries, in terms of stress, is adding up to be more than the actual debt. Debt, whether it be natural or mental, can be costly and stressful.

We must trust God concerning the failures of our past. When we live in guilt and fear, we are actually questioning God in His forgiveness and His ability to fulfill the promises that He has made to us. He wants to forgive us and is waiting to hear our confession. All that we have to do is simply confess our sins and God will faithfully forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).  Forgiveness for the past comes by confession. This means we must confess our sins to God, calling them by their name. He doesn't want a general prayer that vaguely confesses, "If I have sinned, forgive me." God wants us to take responsibility and own-up to our sins and failures, naming them one by one. When we do this, He has promised to cleanse us, erase the debt, and remove all guilt and shame.

God also wants us to know that we can trust Him for the future. He will provide for us and fulfill all of the promises that He has made to us. Mathew 6:28 says, "Don't even take thought for the food, water, and clothes that you will need. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." If you just trust Him, He will provide daily food for you just like He does for the birds because you are more valuable to Him than they are. You are His special creation and He has even numbered the hairs on your head.  Jesus said, "Just look at the beautiful lilies of the field. They don't toil, spin, or worry." They just look toward the heavens and draw their strength from God's daily provision of rain and sun. Because of their simple trust, God clothes them in a glory that exceeds the glory of King Solomon. Like the lilies and the birds, God will also take care of you and clothe you in the same splendor. Jesus said it so plainly. "You have enough to worry about for today.  So forget the past and all of its failures and trust Me for your future." +++

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06/22/06
PREVAILING PRAYER

Jacob was a man who aggressively pursued the blessings of God for his life. His heart's desire was to obtain the sacred birthright of the first-born and the blessings that came with it. Even in his mother's womb, he struggled with Esau, his twin brother. And at birth, he caught hold of Esau's heel in an effort to pull him back from the destiny set before him (Genesis 25:22-26). Finally, years later, at a moment when his brother was weak and faint from the lack of nourishment, Jacob obtained the birthright by purchasing it from Esau with a bowl of beans. Then by deception, he also stole Esau's blessing from their father, Isaac. Jacob was desperate and determined to be blessed.

Because of Jacob's deception with his father and brother, he was forced to leave his home, but many years later he returned as a prosperous man. As Jacob approached his homeland, the news came to him that his brother, Esau, was coming with 400 men. Thinking the worst was about to happen, Jacob sent his wives, children, and all those with him to the other side of Jabbok, a tributary of the Jordan River. Jacob remained there alone through the night, greatly afraid and distressed. In the midst of the darkness, the Lord began to deal with him, and Jacob wrestled with the Lord, refusing to let go. Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me." Genesis 32:27 says that as they wrestled, the Lord asked him, "What is your name?" The Lord forced Jacob to own up to who he really was; a 'heel catcher', a deceiver, and a trickster. When Jacob was able to acknowledge who he was by name and nature, God was able to change him. The Lord changed his name from Jacob, or deceiver, to Israel, a prince. As a prince, Jacob now had power with God and with men. He had prevailed with God and obtained the blessing as he came face to face with the Lord (verse 30). The birthright that Jacob so diligently sought for passed through him to his descendants and his name was listed in the lineage of the Messiah. He obtained the promised covenant, and throughout the scriptures references are made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, instead of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau.

The blessings you seek from God come with no less determination and persistence than what Jacob experienced. If you want anything from God you have to pursue Him with your whole heart. You cannot have knowledge of His word without diligently studying it or listening to good teachers and ministers. You cannot prevail in prayer without separating yourself from those around you and seeking God. Jacob was left alone and He experienced God face to face. And Jesus, Himself, always sought for a solitary place to pray. Likewise, it is in the secret place that you will see the face of God. And like Jacob, it will be when you come to terms with who you really are that God can change you into the person He wants you to be. Your blessing comes through prayer and communion and by His Word transforming your heart, and not by any other means. Deception won't get you there. You must prevail in prayer to become a prince with God and to seal the divine destiny that He has for you. +++

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06/23/06
BEING A SILENT VOICE

The psalmist says that the heavens have no language, yet they speak of the grandeur of God. The sun, moon, stars, and the galaxies are a marvelous display of His craftsmanship. They have no speech and they have no words, yet they are able to declare God's glory. Day and night, they keep speaking about God who created them and placed them in His heavens. Without any kind of sound, their message reaches out to the entire world. As we see their awesome beauty and marvel at their faithfulness to fulfill God's purposes for us on this earth, we experience the greatness of our God.

This same God who has touched Earth with such beauty is also able to make you lovely. With His Spirit, He gives you a new birth. When He recreates you, He washes you in His own blood and you become crystal pure like streams of running water. He gives you His word that causes you to be stable like the mountains that are unmovable. And He imparts to you joy in your salvation, which makes you strong, sure, and enduring. He calls you a tree of righteousness for His Name's sake (Isaiah 61:3). And He plans good things for your life, as you become His witness and His hope on this earth.

Like the Earth with its beauty and the grandeur of the universe, you too can declare the greatness of our awesome God. In Colossians 1:27 Paul declared, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." Just as the lights of the universe shine and speak of God, you are to "let your light shine before men that they may see your good works. Without speaking any words, you function as an epistle that is read of all men (II Corinthians 3:2). The world watches your daily actions and responses to adverse circumstances. They study your faith. As they do, they either see the frailty of mankind in your life or the majesty of your Maker. Even in your silence, the message of your life reaches out to the entire world. Choose to shine as a light to those in darkness and without hope. As you shine, you will glorify your Father, which is in Heaven. +++

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A Word In Due Season
5th Week of June 2006

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

From the very beginning, God set things in order and caused them to function on a timely basis. It is amazing that we can know in advance the exact time the sun will rise and set each day. We can also count on the various seasons to come to pass each year just as they have for thousands of years. God is very dependable and faithful. And just like His plans for this earth and the heavens that cover it, God has a season and purpose for our lives. No matter how we struggle, our seasons will not come to pass until it is in His time.

Lester Summerall said, "The greatest blessing God has promised to you in your life or ministry will always be just beyond your grasp as long as you strive for it. Striving delays the anointing. If you are building your ministry - God isn't! If you are ruling your life - God isn't!"

God's anointing rests on His will and His appointed timing. I heard a story once of a minister who felt the call to a foreign field. He sold everything, packed up what he needed, and moved overseas thinking that God was going to take care of him and his family. After struggling through a very hard year with no open doors, he finally asked God what the problem was, as he felt sure that he had heard from God. God answered him with these words, "I did call you to this mission field, but you came a year early." The minister repented of his hasty action, and from that moment on, in God's appointed time, all things began to fall in place. Doors opened and needs were met. God's timing is just as important as His calling.

Throughout the scriptures, you find phrases like "when the fullness of time was come" which indicates that God always has a perfect season and a perfect time for every purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "That he hath made everything beautiful in His time." Everything works out right and is beautiful when you put your faith in God's timing. When you "wait on" Him and "wait for" Him, you will be ready when He is ready. Circumstances will line up, and He will order every step to bring about His purpose and His plans for your life. +++

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06/27/06
BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT

Abraham was given this mighty promise before he left Egypt and started on his journey of faith. God declared that the land belonged to Abraham, but also said that it would not be his until he walked the length and breadth of it. Abraham had to claim every inch of God's promise for himself. So by faith, Abraham packed up everything that he had and began to search for the fulfillment of this word from God. He was seventy-five years when he started on this mission to accomplish his destiny and God's divine purpose for his life.

Each of us travel our own individual paths and it is only as we experience those paths that we can understand them. We may skirt around on the outside of financial difficulty but we can't understand true financial stress and anxieties unless we have walked through the length and breadth of all that financial lack has to offer. We may come close to suffering and physical pain, but pain explained by someone else is no pain at all. We must suffer the depths of affliction in our own body to comprehend what pain is all about. We can't understand abuse unless we have been abused and neither can we understand the pain of a broken heart unless we have experienced rejection and abandonment. We are not able to realize the struggles of cruel addictions or the loneliness of being in prison without having experienced the length and breadth of those emotions first hand. We can't share the sorrow of someone who has lost a loved one to death unless we have walked through that same valley of grief before them. The bottom line is that we can not own the knowledge of any experience until we have walked the length and breadth of it or as the popular slogan goes, until we have "Been there and done that."

When the writer of Hebrew 4:15 said that Jesus was touched with the feelings of our infirmities, he spoke the truth. Jesus climbed every mountain of hardship, walked through every valley of sorrow, and battled every temptation that we will every face. He was a man of sorrow and understands the pains of our heart. He knows how it feels to be rejected and despised by men. He was spit upon, physically beaten, mocked, ridiculed, abandoned, and shamed. He was innocent and without sin but He died a terrible death on the cross. He walked the length and breadth of everything that we will ever experience in this life and through those experiences He learned how to comfort us in our adversities and pains. Because Jesus has been there and done that, He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. He understands our needs and will be there to help us through each and every conflict of life. We can depend upon Him. +++

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06/28/06
CHOOSING PRIORITIES

Scripture: Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go."

Are you busy and going in so many directions that you find yourself unproductive and unfruitful? When we spread ourselves too thin, we are unable to do justice to anything. That's the time we must eliminate things in our life in order to concentrate. We have to prioritize and let unnecessary things go. Good advice says, "Don't Be Everything - Be Something!" To be something, you must concentrate on the gifts and talents that God has given to you. Find the mold that fits your personality and fulfills the passions of your heart and then flow with it. Too many times we feel that we have to rescue every situation and we fail to wait upon God and listen for His instructions. As a result, we end up taking on every responsibility that comes our way and assuming burdens that God did not intend.

"Being Everything" is like being a swamp. A swamp goes everywhere, yet it goes nowhere. It has no definite borders and is totally governed by the circumstances surrounding it. It is muddy, shallow, and breeds disease and mosquitoes. It is unproductive and unfruitful in every way. When you are overloaded and overwhelmed with tasks that are set before you, you often use the expression "I'm swamped". God does not want you to be "swamped." Instead, He wants you to flow like a mighty river that produces fresh pure water and breeds good food. He wants you to "Be Something". A river has direction and is going somewhere. It has one main objective and goal, which is to get to the sea. It doesn't wander to the right or the left, but continues in a steady path. It may become wide or narrow at different points, but it remains steady, reaching out for its destiny.

Reaching God's destiny for your life means that you must make a decision to "press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). You must persevere by setting priorities and make a determination, like the river, that you will not be distracted. You must follow God's instructions and exercise your faith to complete His plan for your life. As you begin to flow, you will hear God's voice saying, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21). When you feel swamped, remember, "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (I Corinthians 14:33). Allow Him to set your priorities. If you listen to Him, He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. +++

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06/29/06

It is hard to imagine Jesus being weary and thirsty, but this natural situation caused Him to be in the right place at the right time so that He could minister to a very special woman. While His disciples went into the city to buy food, Jesus sat on Jacob's well and waited. His waiting had a purpose. He wasn't waiting for a multitude but was waiting for one person. Finally, a woman of Samaria came to draw water from the well. Jesus was a Jew and was to have no dealings with the Samaritans, but when the woman came to the well, He disregarded the traditions of men and yielded to the will of God. He made time for this woman, and even though He knew her failures, He had compassion upon her.

As He began to talk with the Samaritan woman, He exposed her failures. He knew everything about her and approached her sins with tenderness and compassion. She had been married five times and the man that she was presently living with was not her husband. They were just living together. Yet, Jesus looked far beyond her faults and saw her needs. He recognized her thirst for God and knew that there was something deeper within her scarred heart than men could see. He asked the woman to give Him a drink and when she responded, He offered her living water. He told her that the living water that He could provide would be able to quench her thirst and that she would never thirst again. He was not speaking of natural water and natural thirst, but of the spirit.

The water of the Spirit quenches the thirst for the things that are of the flesh. Just as Jesus waited by the well that day, He patiently waits for you so that He can minister to you, one on one. You are important to Him whether you realize it or not and it may be more than you can even believe. Who would think that He had time for one Samaritan woman who was living in sin? Yet, He loves you just as much He did the Samaritan and He draws you to Him by His Spirit so that He can impart the living water. When God imparts the Living Water, it will drive away those ungodly things that you thirst for and struggle with; impure thoughts and desires, lust, jealousy, and covetousness. As He ministers to you, you will find yourself overflowing with new life and you will know that His compassion is far greater than your failures. +++

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06/30/06
INTIMACY WITH GOD

Scripture: Psalms 103:7 "He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel."

The children of Israel saw God deliver them from Egypt through various signs and wonders. God parted the waters of the Red Sea for them and they experienced dry ground for their crossing. Then God's mighty hand destroyed Pharaoh's army in those same waters. They heard the thunders of God's voice on the mountain as He spoke with Moses, and they were led through the wilderness with a cloud during the day and a fire at night. They drank water from the rock and every day for forty years they ate fresh manna from Heaven. However, regardless of all these mighty acts, the children of Israel never comprehended who God really was. They saw God's acts and experienced His miracles but never knew His ways. They never truly knew the heart of God and therefore they never were able to trust His word nor enter into the place of His promise.

God is pleased when we acknowledge His acts because they demonstrate His power and glorify Him. Yet, He is more pleased when we acknowledge Him as a person and simply believe that "He is" (Hebrews 11:6). God created us in His image and He wants us to appreciate Him as our Father God. For instance, we appreciate the fact that our children think that we are good parents and we are honored when they trust us to provide for them. Yet, our greatest delight is when they simply love us and know us as Mom and Dad. We want them to recognize our character and understand our ways which are governed by our hearts.

Knowing God's ways is a process. The Apostle Paul said that He was determined to know Christ. Yes, he wanted to know the power that flowed from Christ, but more than seeing His acts or signs and wonders, Paul wanted to experience the person of Christ in an intimate way. He said, "That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Christ, perceiving and recognizing the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly" (Philippians 3:10)." Paul's intimate knowledge of Christ did not come because of a one time experience on the road to Damascus, as great as that experience was. Neither did Moses' intimate knowledge of God come at the burning bush. Both men's knowledge of God and Christ came through an intimate relationship with them. Moses came to understand God and His ways as God talked with Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:11). Paul sought this same kind of relationship and through faith he pressed towards Christ. Like Moses and Paul, would you like to know God's ways and not just witness His acts? It is a possibility. The way to gain this intimate knowledge of God is to spend intimate time with Him. +++

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