www.widsonline.com

A Word In Due Season
1st Week of April 2007

04/02/07
COMFORT IN DISTRESS

Scripture: Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in my distress, that Your promise gives me life."

When distress comes into your life, and it will, you can find comfort in God's Word. Isaiah 40:8 tells us that the grass will wither and the flowers will fade, but the word of the Lord shall stand forever. God's word is eternal. It never withers and never fades away. In the midst of conflict, His word remains stable and unmovable and in every circumstance it refreshes the soul and revives the spirit. There is life in every word that God has spoken and there is hope in every promise that He has made.

The Apostle Paul said that the scriptures were written for our learning and instruction and that it is through the patience and comfort of these words that we have hope (Romans 15:4). Job was a man who suffered many afflictions, yet despite the pain, he never denied the words of the Holy God. Job found much comfort as God spoke to him, and he determined that even if God were to slay him, he would still trust God. Even in the face of death, Job trusted God and found comfort in His promises. David also declared that he had hid the word of God in his own heart so that those words would keep him from sinning against God.

Words themselves are very meaningful and God's words are powerful. If you want to be rescued from temptation and comforted in the times of affliction, you must learn the scriptures and store them away in the same fashion as David did and also trust in them as Job did. Establish a word account in your heart just as you would establish a bank account for your finances. As with a bank account, you can't draw God's words from your heart if you haven't deposited them there. Neither can you find comfort in His word if you haven't learned what the scriptures teach. You must memorize and hide God's word and promises in the secret chambers of your heart so that you can be refreshed and revived as the Spirit of God quickens those words to you. If you do not consume them on a regular basis, you will suddenly find yourself overdrawn with nothing fresh to lean on. With your word account depleted, you will lose hope, become discouraged, and suffer defeat. In these stressful times, you can't allow this to happen. God's words are guaranteed to give life. Allow Him to plant them deep within your soul so that you can find hope and experience comfort in seasons of distress. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/03/07
FEAR VS. FEAR

Scripture: Psalms 27:1 "... whom shall I fear? ... of whom shall I be afraid?"

Fear is a strong emotion and a great influence upon our lives. Our fears may be justified or just imagined, yet, when we are experiencing fear of any kind, it is very real. A simple symptom in our lives can cause fear even though the symptom may not be an indication of the true facts. Fear will tell us that our children are on the road to failure or that we may face the dreaded layoff that is rumored in the office, but these words may not be true. Fear tells us that we are on the edge of financial ruin because of what our bank account dictates, but it disregards the truth that God is our financial source. We may fear that we have a deadly disease because the pains in our body are speaking so loudly to us that we are unable to consider God, who is our Healer.

Fear is fear and it comes to us in all stages of life and we will be forced to deal with it. The question that we face is the same as David posed, "Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?" We have a choice, for there are two entirely different kinds of fear that are presented to us. One is a fear that is to be shunned because it gives in to the torments of the devil and the other is a fear that we should embrace because it wraps itself around the awesomeness of a holy God. Unholy fear is provoked by the evil that surrounds us, but reverential fear is cultivated by receiving a revelation of the wonder of God. There is a fear that brings bondage and hinders our good decisions but there is also a fear that brings wisdom and causes us to act in freedom and discretion. There is a fear that is clouded by darkness and there is a fear that illuminates our spirits with eternal light.

The fear that is healthy and holy is the reverential fear of the Lord. It is not a tormenting fear, but a fear that causes us to worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness. This fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is to be embraced because the more we reverently fear God the more likely we are to obey His commandments. When we obey God, we gain confidence because we know that our hearts are right before Him. This strong confidence creates a place of refuge for us (Proverbs 14:26). It hides us in the presence of the Lord and regenerates our spiritual strength, which gives us boldness to stand in the midst of adversity and false fear. We must always remember that fear has two positions. There is a battle that rages within us and we must personally decide whether we will take flight and run from evil or bow and give reverence to the Lord who is greater than any evil that pursues us. It is fear verses fear and our decision will govern our destiny. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/04/07
GO AND TEACH

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus spoke to them saying, "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth ... go therefore and teach all nations ... lo, I am with you always..."

After Jesus' death and resurrection, He spoke these words to His disciples. His words were few and simple but they encapsulated His vision that all men everywhere would hear the good news of the gospel and that none should perish but that all should receive eternal life. These words also defined the great work that He was commissioning to His followers. His followers were to go into all the world and teach the gospel to all nations. They were to win the lost, heal the sick, and help those in need. They were to complete the work that Jesus had begun, and according to His words in John 14:12, they were to do even greater works than He had done.

Such a simple command, "Go and teach." Jesus called His disciples to be a part of His dream. But His dream was so big that it demanded great power and authority. So with this command, Jesus also issued the authority and gave the promise of His power that would be needed to complete the mission. He gave them His Word, or the gospel, His Name, and the promise of His presence. In this account in Mark's gospel, Jesus said, "I am with you always." His presence alone is power, and when His presence is with you, it releases authority in you, and great and marvelous things happen. When the disciples followed His command of "Go and teach," they witnessed the fulfillment of these words. Mark 16:20 declares that as they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word with signs.

Jesus, who was life, gave up His life so that He could offer eternal life to a dying world. His purpose and His vision has not changed and His word remains the same. He says, "Go, teach, and I will be with you." Then He waits to hear us respond, "Jesus, I will do anything to be a part of Your dream. I will go. I will teach. I will fulfill Your commission. My life is in Your hands." We may never reach the foreign soil, but we can send one who will go, and we can reach the many nations that are on our own soil. We may not find opportunity to teach the multitudes, but we all have someone within our own circle that needs help. We all have a world and each one is different. It doesn't matter if we are a student, a mother, a businessman, part of the church staff, or one who is incarcerated in prison. We can all share the good news that Jesus loves and Jesus cares. As we go and touch those about us with His light and life, Jesus fulfills His promise and He works with us and confirms His word. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/05/07
I AM

Scripture: Exodus 3:14 "I AM THAT I AM"

God spoke these words to Moses when He sent Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. God told Moses that He would be everything that Moses needed Him to be so that he could bring the people out of bondage and into the Promised land. When God said, "I AM," He was saying, "I AM the God of Now." He didn't say, "I used to be," or "I will be" but He used present tense. Whatever you need, "I AM there for you."

Under the new covenant, Jesus told us that He would always be with us and that He would never leave us or forsake us. He is everything that we need in order to be delivered out of the bondage we are in. He is there to help us be able to receive the promises of God for our life. In the gospel of John, Jesus made some specific "I AM" statements about Himself. May His declarations of who He is be a blessing to you this Easter season. Jesus said:

    "I AM the Bread of Life." (John 6:48) - Verse fifty-one says, "I am the
living bread which came down from heaven ... I will give my flesh for the
life of the world." If we receive this bread from heaven, He will satisfy
our spirits and we will never hunger or thirst.

    "I AM the Light of the World." (John 8:12) - "He that follows me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." I John 1:6-7 tells
us, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not (walk in) the truth: we are to walk in the Light as He is
in the Light."

    "I AM the Door of the Sheep." (John 10:7) - If we enter the kingdom
through Jesus we will be saved. If we try to get in through another door,
we are a thief and a robber.

    "I AM the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11) - The Good Shepherd gives His
life for the sheep and they have a personal relationship with each other.
He knows His sheep, and the sheep recognize His voice (verse 27).

    "I AM the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:25) - When we receive
Jesus, we receive resurrection life. We will live eternally and never die.

    "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6) - There is no way
to enter the presence of God except through Jesus. It is only through His
Name that we can even pray. He is our access to God.

    "I AM the True Vine." (John 15:1:1) - Jesus tells us in John 15:5 that
He is the vine and we are the branches. If we want to bear fruit we must
abide in Him for without Him we can do nothing. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/06/07
NEVER FORSAKEN

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

No one on this earth has the power to make this commitment. Our lives are very unpredictable and regardless of our best intentions, circumstances and seasons eventually separate us from those who are the dearest to our hearts. However, God's promises to us are very sure. When He said, "I will never leave you", you can be assured that He will fulfill His words. His faithfulness is always predictable.

There are times, however, when we find ourselves on the lonely back side of the desert and we may begin to wonder about these words. Jesus experienced this when He was on the cross. After a mocking trial and brutal beating, He hung on the cross with nails driven through His hands and feet. Spittle from the mockers replaced the beard that had been torn from His face. Isaiah 52:14 said that His face was so marred that He could scarcely be recognized as human. A crown of thorns was forced into His brow and a sign was placed above Him that read THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. What thoughts must have run through His mind as He hung there in shame? The crowds reproached and abusively jeered at Him, wagging their heads and saying the same words that Satan had challenged Him with in the wilderness, "If thou be the Son of God" do something about your situation. When Jesus was crucified, darkness covered the earth from noon until three in the afternoon. Then finally in agony, He cried out to the Father in a loud voice and said, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:27-46)

What brought Jesus to such a place as this? It was because of the need that you and I would experience in our own lives. He had to pay the price so that He could be touched and feel everything that you and I would ever have to encounter. He was despised and rejected by men, and was acquainted with grief and sorrow so that He could understand our heartaches and inner pain. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was placed upon Him, and stripes were laid on His back so that we may be healed. Isaiah 53:3 says that He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God." No wonder He cried in a loud voice, "Why have you forsaken me?"

If you are facing a season of despair and feeling rejected and forsaken by friends and family, remember that Jesus "has been there and done that." There is nothing that you are passing through mentally or physically that He has not experienced. The price of your deliverance has been PAID IN FULL on the cross by His suffering. Why would Jesus leave you or forsake you now? He stands in the shadows of every valley and waits for you to simply reach out to Him. As you do, He surrounds with His love and ushers in deliverance. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================

A Word In Due Season
2nd Week of April 2007

04/09/07
SOWING PRECIOUS SEEDS

Scripture: Psalm 126:6 "He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with him."

This scripture speaks of the efforts of the exiles who were trying to reestablish their nation amid difficulties. Yet, it is a principle that is applicable to our work as Christians as well. Sowing seed of any kind, whether natural or spiritual, is hard work that requires personal sacrifice and faith, yet in the end, it brings forth a harvest.

What kinds of precious seeds have you sown or are in the process of sowing? Have you sown financial seeds when you were in need yourself? Did you cry out to God and say, "Lord, I can't afford to give, but at Your word I will share what I have?" Have you found yourself praying for others when your heart was breaking for your own loved ones who needed a desperate touch from the Lord? Have you been called to the bedside of the sick and afflicted when your own body was racked with pain? Have you stepped back and sown precious seeds of peace in situations where in reality you wanted to retaliate? Have you turned your cheek to your abusers in an effort to win and change their heart for God? Have you loved and shown kindness to the unlovely or forgave the unforgivable? Have you sown your life into the ministry and given up all to share the gospel, receiving no benefits and very few thanks or recognition for your service?

Remember that God is the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2). He sees all that you have planted. What you sow, you shall also reap. All the precious seeds that you have sown and watered with your own tears will someday bring a great harvest. As the psalmist said, "There is no doubt, you will come again with rejoicing, bearing your sheaves or the fruit of your labors with you." In the darkness of your situation, God is working. Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Continue to sow seed, continue to water with your tears, and continue to expect a harvest. You will reap a miracle that will be just as precious as your sacrifice. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/10/07
SOURCE OF OUR FAITH

Scripture: Romans 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Faith is simple, but most of the time we try to make it hard. Faith is simply hearing the Word of God and resting in that word that He speaks to us. A word of faith doesn't have to be a long complicated discourse. It can be just one word. When the Holy Spirit breathes upon that word, faith is conceived in our heart. As we rest and trust in that word, God brings it to pass and accomplishes His purposes. This is why Jesus said, "Be careful what you hear" (Mark 4:24). Faith comes by hearing God, but doubt enters our hearts when we listen to the negative voices of others or look at the adverse circumstances that challenge us.

Look at the example of Peter in Matthew 14:24-34. Peter was in a ship in the middle of the sea in the early morning hours. The wind was contrary and the ship was being tossed by the waves. Suddenly, Jesus appeared, walking on the water. In his excitement, Peter asked Jesus to bid him to come to Him. Jesus spoke one word to Peter. He said, "Come." Peter then stepped out of the boat on that one word. For a moment, he forgot the turmoil around him. His entire faith was based on that one word and the person who spoke it. Peter was not walking on the water, but on the word that Jesus spoke. Jesus' word, "Come" was supporting Peter's actions. As Peter began to walk on the water towards Jesus, he turned his eyes to the circumstances around him and when he saw the winds, he became afraid. For a moment, Peter allowed the situation to speak louder than the voice of faith in his heart. As fear entered his heart, his faith began to fail and he began to sink. However, Peter never lost confidence in the One who had issued the word. When his faith was challenged by the circumstances, he looked to the source of the word and cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me."

What is your primary need today? Faith is not an uncertain element. It is based upon a word from God. Like Peter, ask for a specific word that will meet your need, and then rest in that word. The word you receive may be challenged, but remember that faith doesn't struggle. Faith keeps its eyes upon Jesus and allows His word to support it. When the winds of adversity come and circumstances seek to steal, kill, and destroy the word that's in your heart, just cry out to Jesus, "Lord, save me." Even in your doubt and fear, Jesus will be there for you like He was for Peter. He will stretch forth His hand, take you from the winds and the waves, and bring you to safety. The Word of the Lord is the source of your faith. What God has spoken will come to pass and what He begins, He will finish (Hebrews 12:2). +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/11/07
A MERRY HEART

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good like a medicine."

Solomon teaches that a merry heart brings health to your body. However, if you allow it, stress, hatred, rage, malice, grief, anxiety, and a host of many other negative emotions can ruin your health. Proverbs 12:25 says, "Heaviness in the heart of man makes his heart stoop." In other words, anxiety of any kind causes depression, which allows negative forces to work in your physical body. However, it is a medical fact that chemicals called endorphins are released in your body when you exercise or laugh. Zig Ziglar says, "Laughter is like internal jogging." When you begin to laugh and be merry, you are telling your physical body that the stressful circumstances you are facing are no big deal. Your laughter will regenerate your body and joy will bring you strength.

Isaiah 12:3 declares that you can "draw from the wells of salvation with joy." In order to draw water from a well in the natural, you must use a bucket. In the spiritual, you have access to the wells of salvation that contain all the benefits that God provides, but the scripture says you must use joy to draw from these wells. Being angry never fixes an adverse and ugly situation, but rejoicing in God, seeking Him, and drawing from His wells of salvation will give insight to the solution to the problem. Grief and sorrow can never bring your loved ones back, but finding a place of joy in the presence of God's Holy Spirit will give you comfort and courage to move forward. Dealing with angry and spiteful people is never pleasant, but by drawing from God's well of salvation you can give a soft answer which will turn away their wrath (Proverbs 15:1). Reacting in positive ways and maintaining positive attitudes will dispel the negative forces in your life that can cause illness and even death. Jesus tells us plainly in the sixth chapter of Matthew not to be anxious about anything, but to seek first His kingdom, which is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).

We go to great efforts to maintain our health and make changes in our habits if they are harmful to our natural body. Shouldn't we also make adjustments in our attitudes and take control of our emotions that could cause problems in our health? As we begin to cultivate a sense of righteousness with God, allowing His peace to reign in our life and joy in the Holy Ghost to fill our souls, we will find our health being restored. Remember, laughter does good like a medicine and it has no ill side effects so endeavor to keep a merry heart. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/12/07
KEEPING SECRETS

Scripture: Matthew 6:6 "Your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly."

There are three secrets that the Lord instructs us to keep. We are to give in secret, pray to the Father in secret, and fast in secret. If we keep these three things secret between God and us, God has promised to reward us openly. Jesus said, "Don't do your alms to be seen by men, and also don't remind them of your good deeds." Has anyone ever given you something that was very special to you, but because they continually reminded you of the gift, you finally lost pleasure in it and may have even wished they had never given you the gift at all? Jesus instructed us not to call attention to ourselves by sounding a trumpet before people about our gift. In fact, He said don't even let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. In other words, don't try to receive glory from men and don't glorify or remind your own self of your good deeds, either.

Jesus also told us to, "Pray simple prayers to God in secret." Our prayers are not to be long and repetitious. We must realize that God is not only God, but that He is also our Father and we have a relationship with Him, so we must talk to Him in that manner. Even in public prayer, we must remember that we are speaking to God for man's benefit, not speaking to men for God's benefit. Why should we spend time praying if we are only speaking words so that men can hear us? If God is not listening, our words are wasted. Our prayers need to go up before God who is the source of our answers.

Finally, Jesus said, "Do not appear unto men to fast." We are not to go around with a sad countenance wanting others to feel sorry for us just because we are not eating, and we are not to try to gain glory from them because we are righteously fasting. That glory will only last for a brief moment. Why should we waste our nourishment and the enjoyment of food for such a worthless reward?

God said if you do anything for your own glory and recognition, then He cannot and will not reward you. In other words, if you receive glory from men then that will be the only reward you will receive. However, "In as much as possible, if you keep your alms, prayers, and fasting a secret between Him and you alone, then He will reward you openly." What the Lord sees you do in secret, He will reward with gifts and answers that are eternal and heavenly. God told Cornelius, "Your prayers and your alms go up before God as a memorial" (Acts 10:31). If you desire answers and rewards, then determine that your prayers, alms, and fasting will go up as a secret memorial before God and not be just empty words and worthless actions before men. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/13/07
FORGET AND PRESS ON

Philippians 3:13-14 "... this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark ..."

Paul knew that he was not all that he should be as he endeavored to complete God's calling for his life, but he kept working towards that goal. He never let anything separate him from obeying and following after God's will regardless of how difficult the situation became or how challenging the disappointments. He just kept going forward one step at a time. He declared, "This one thing I do." One of the first things that Paul decided to do was to forget the past. He was not going to allow his past to haunt him or hold him back from completing the race that was set before him. He knew that looking back would only cause him to lose time and possibly make him stumble. Besides that, he knew that the past could not be repeated. In any race, once you start, you are on your way and regardless of how bad your initial start is you can't go back to the starting line. Paul's start was not so good although he had many good qualities. His resume for a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ and a writer of the gospel was not very impressive for he had persecuted the church. Even after his conversion on the road to Damascus, these past memories were still there to haunt him. How many times did the scene of Stephen being stoned flash into his memory? How many times did grief and remorse attack his spirit for the other dreadful things that he was responsible for? Yet, Paul said, "I forget those things that be behind."

Second, Paul reached forth for the things that were before him. He put the past behind him so he could experience new things in Christ. He caught hold of the vision that God had for his life and he continued in his race, making each step count. It takes little effort to start the race when your strength is fresh or to run across the finish line, but it takes great effort to make the strenuous mundane steps that are in between. Putting one foot in front of the other can become boring and discouraging, especially when everyone else seems to be passing you and there are no shortcuts in view. A friend of mine told this story. She was in a hurry to get to a certain destination. As it happened, a truck pulling a boat got in front of her on a two lane - no passing zone - street. Things were moving too slowly for her so after a while, she decided to take another route so that she could get ahead of the situation. She turned off, went down several streets as fast as she could and then finally got back to the main road. As she sat at the stop sign waiting to turn onto the main road again, she had to wait for the truck and boat to pass. Despite all of her efforts, she found herself behind the truck and boat again. Sometimes our anxieties try to hurry God along in His plan. Yet, when we try to take shortcuts, we find ourselves no further down the road because God has ordered our steps and He is testing our patience as He works His plan.

The third thing Paul did was to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. There are two things to keep in your sight as you run the race. One is the mark, which is the final destination, the goal, or the finish line. The other is the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If you want to live in God's will one hundred percent of the time, just pursue it fifteen minutes at a time. Each step committed to Him will eventually get you there. Philippians 1:6 (Amplified) says, "I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ - right up to the time of His return - developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." So regardless of your situation, remember that God is able to bring about His original plans and complete His purposes in your life if you simply forget the past, reach forth for the vision of the future, and press towards that goal. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================

A Word In Due Season
3rd Week of April 2007

04/16/07
TAKING YOUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE

Scripture: II Corinthians 10:5 "... Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Do you ever wonder what is really going on in your life? It seems as though things are way out of control and it is one battle after another. The truth is that we are in spiritual warfare and we must put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to wrestle and stand against the enemy. The Apostle Paul told us in II Corinthians 10:3-6 that although we are walking and living in a fleshly body, our battles are not with flesh. He tells us how to combat the enemy that comes against our mind. He says that we must be ready to revenge ourselves by speaking out against anything that opposes what Christ has purchased for us on the cross of Calvary. We must take action in three areas; pull down strongholds in our lives, cast down imaginations in our minds, and take our thoughts captive.

Paul gives us a picture of the enemy who has come into our minds. The enemy builds a fortified city and puts up strong walls and towers to protect the territory that he has taken control of. The strongholds that Satan puts in our minds are spiritual and traditional in nature. Our battles may be hereditary such as generational diseases or they may be social such as poverty and popularity. The devil is not playing games with us. Whatever stronghold the devil tries to enforce in our life, they are designed to kill, steal, and destroy. If he is allowed to build a stronghold in our mind, we begin to expect his results. He begins to plant negative thoughts and imaginations inside the strongholds. He brings us to a point that we can't develop faith for healing, prosperity, or receiving answers for any of our needs, for he is in control.

In fighting this battle in our mind, Paul told us to deal with these hard, strong, impenetrable fortresses. We are to destroy them by prayer and the authority of God's Word. It takes time to tear down the fortresses that have been built in our minds just like it would if we were to tear down a brick wall, brick by brick. But when the walls come down, the contents within will be exposed so they can be dealt with. It is then that we can deal with the vain imaginations and bring into captivity the thoughts that are disobedient to Christ. It is not enough for us to be victorious over the strongholds in our minds, we must keep the victory. To do this, we must continue to hold our thoughts in captivity to the Spirit of Christ. As we renew our minds daily in God's Word and fellowship with Him in prayer, truth will prevail and every thought will become obedient to Him. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/17/07
SPECIFIC PRAYERS

Scripture: Mark 10:51 "Jesus said, What do you want Me to do for you?"

A blind man named Bartimaeus sat by the roadside begging. Undoubtedly, he had heard about a man named Jesus who was going about healing the sick and performing mighty miracles. When he heard that this same Jesus was near, he began to cry out for mercy. Those about him tried to quiet him, but their opposition only caused him to cry louder. His voice of faith stopped Jesus. Jesus stood still and commanded Bartimaeus to come to Him. In faith that he would be healed, Bartimaeus cast aside his beggar's garment, a garment that had provided him provision and security for most of his life. By this act, he was demonstrating his trust in Jesus and his faith for his own personal miracle.

Jesus asked Bartimaeus, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus could see that he was blind, but He was not necessarily moved by the blind man's need to see. Jesus was moved by Bartimaeus' faith and his fervent cries. He wanted Bartimaeus to state his need. This blind beggar could have been short minded and asked for a few coins or a morsel of bread to sustain him for another day. He very well could have taken a lesser blessing, but his faith was great. In the presence of Jesus, he could have asked for anything, but he didn't need the Red Sea to part before him. He didn't need manna to rain down from heaven or water to come out of a rock. He didn't need to be rescued from a lion's den or a fiery furnace. He simply needed to see, so he asked Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus answered his prayer and said, "Go your way, your faith has made you whole."

What are your needs today? God wants the cries of your heart to arrest His attention and your voice of faith to stop Him and cause Him to stand still. He wants your heart to draw upon His love and compassion so that He can meet your need. Like Bartimaeus, God wants to see you leave all of your earthly security behind as you totally lean upon Him. James 4:2-3 says, "You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss or with the wrong motives." God is waiting for you to express your needs and desires to Him in specific terms. He wants to fill every need that is not amiss or out of the scope of His intended provision for you. Like the blind man, you may not need the same miracles that Moses, Daniel, or the three Hebrew children experienced, but your needs and desires are important to Jesus and nothing is impossible with Him. He says, "I see your heart, I know your pain, and I hear your cries. What is it that you want Me to do?" +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/18/07
ACCOUNTABILITY

Scripture: Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

We all have people in our lives that we are accountable to, and whether we realize it or not, God has set them as precious guards for our souls. They are stones beneath our feet that keep us stable in life's circumstances. Many times, our accountability to them is established by relationship and may be unspoken. The circles of our accountability may be our supervisors or co-workers, our teachers or students, our parents or children, our family members or friends, or our church leaders and pastors. Yet, whoever they may be, our relationship allows them the right to watch over us and speak into our lives. We must be ready at all times to render to them an account of our words and an explanation for our behavior.

Beyond the natural, there is a higher place of accountability in our lives and that is with God, Himself. When Daniel Webster was asked, "What is the greatest thought that can occupy a man's mind?" His answer was, "His accountability to God." In Psalms 139:7, David asked God, "Where shall I go to flee from Your presence?" There is no place to go where we can get away from our place of responsibility and accountability to God. He is in our high places and our low places. He is with us in the darkness as well as the light. Yet, we often forget this minor detail. When no one is around, we do things and say things that would shame us in front of others. We fail to consider that God is there with us. If we could physically see Him, it would probably make a tremendous difference in our secret actions. Yet, He is watching everything that we do and hearing all that we say. He even knows the thoughts in our hearts.

Joseph was a young man who was confronted by Potiphar's wife. When she tempted him to sin, Joseph let her know that he was committed to his master and was accountable to his God. Even though no one would see his acts of indiscretion, he declared, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Even in the secret and dark places, he knew that he was still accountable for his actions. King David experienced the same feelings when his sin was exposed. He made himself accountable to the prophet, Nathan, and acknowledged his grievous sin to the Lord. He told the Lord, "Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned."

Sin speaks of the pleasure that will be enjoyed for the moment, but never says anything about the long-term consequences that will follow. It speaks of fun and not the heartache and pain that it will leave behind. It speaks of secrecy and not exposure. So in the moment of choice, let us remember that we are all personally accountable to those that we are in relationship with, and most importantly, that each of will have to give an account of himself to God. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/19/07
PURE HEART

Scripture: Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

Purity means to be clean and free of defilement. It also means to be sincere, real, and without mixture. Jesus said that those who kept their heart in this condition would be blessed beyond measure. He even said that they would see God. That is a tremendous statement. Did He mean that they would physically see God? I am not sure, but I do know that when you keep your heart pure and disallow your thoughts to be defiled by negative influences, you will be able to spiritually see God at work all around you, whether in good or bad situations.

God is not confined to the four walls of the church. When your heart is pure, you will see Him solving problems in the workplace, as He becomes your helper and advocate in the times of trouble. His presence will surround you when a loved one dies and you will see Him as the God of all Comfort. You will experience Him in nature, as you view a sunrise, a sunset, or a beautiful night of stars, and you will acknowledge Him as the Creator of the Heavens and Earth. The love in your heart will cause you to see Him in your children and grandchildren and you will know Him as the Giver of Life. You will encounter Him in praise and worship and His holiness will be revealed to you. He will show Himself to you as you pray and study His word. He will give you insight and revelation and you will see Him as the Word made flesh who dwells among us. These are not visible theophanies, but they are real just the same.

God sees our heart and He is pleased with who we are. We don't have to struggle to be someone else or despise our own personalities. God created us just as He wanted us and we are to rest in the purity of that thought. We are who we are because He made us to be who we are. He only wants us to be sincere and keep our hearts pure before Him because we are responsible for what goes on within us. When we understand this concept, we will be blessed and will posses God's favor and win the heart of the King (Proverbs 22:11). When our hearts are pure, He will open Himself up to us personally and allow us to see Him in all of His beauty and He will make Himself know to us in a divine way. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/20/07

GOD'S PROMISE OF HELP

Scripture: Isaiah 41:13 "Fear not; I will help you."

In this setting, Israel had become feeble and despised by the other nations and God addressed her by saying, "Fear not, you worm!" Israel was God's chosen and called out nation but was being stepped on by all those around her as if she were a mere worm of the dust. However, God, in His mercy, is getting ready to change everything about this abusive situation. In the preceding verses, He promises to strengthen and uphold Israel with His own hand of righteousness. He also promises Israel that her enemies will be confounded and become as nothing in her sight. She will be like a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth and that all those who strive against her shall perish. She will become like a mean machine that is able to thresh the mountains of adversity and tear the enemy apart.

Fear was a mighty enemy for Israel and it is a mighty enemy for us as well. For this reason, God addresses fear many times in the scriptures. Each time that He issued a challenge to one of His servants or manifested Himself, He said, "Fear not." He addresses fear because it is a strong emotion that can paralyze and hold in bondage those who yield themselves to it. He wants us to know that we have nothing to fear because the spiritual realm operates by authority and spirits know their limits. The devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and watches our reaction to the spirit of fear. He can only come through the doors that we open. When we boldly resist fear as we would any other temptation, it has to flee. It is not by our might or power, but by the spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). Our strength has no influence over fear. It is God's power that accomplishes the work.

Fear can be big or fear can be little, but all fear is tormenting. General Patton said, "I learned early in life not to take counsel with my fears." Like Patton, from the very onset, we are to set fear aside and refuse to allow it any place in our hearts. We must guard our hearts, for what we allow into our spirits will eventually manifest itself. Job said, "What I have greatly feared has come upon me" (Job 3:25). His fear opened the door for destruction in his life. It is said what you put into the well is what you will draw out with the bucket. If you receive fear into your heart that is all that you can draw out. When you give place to the devil, you allow him the authority in your life. When you give place to God and His promises, you allow God the authority to rule your being.

Like Israel, you may see yourself as a worm before your enemy. You may feel feeble and despised because of the abusive situations that you are in. Fear may be knocking at your door and all may seem lost. Regardless of how hopeless it all may seem, you must turn your thoughts to God and remember that He has chosen you to rule and reign in this life. He has made you an overcomer and He wants to change you and your self-image. The Lord speaks to you as He did to Israel and says, "I will change you from being a worm into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth and you will tear down the mountains of adversity that are before you. Fear not, for I will help you." +++

A Word In Due Season
4th Week of April 2007

04/23/07
GIFTS AND CALLING

Scripture: Exodus 31:1-4 (NRS) "The Lord spoke to Moses: See, I have called by name Bezaleel ... to devise artistic designs ..."

We all recognize the name of Moses who was chosen by God for a special work, which was to bring God's people out of their bondage in Egypt. This exodus and mighty deliverance was a journey that lasted forty years and everyday they experienced miracles, wonders, and supernatural provisions. Yet, most of us would not recognize the name of Bezaleel who traveled with Moses and this entourage of millions of people. Because Bezaleel's name only appears a few times in the scriptures, we may think that he was insignificant, but the truth is that he was also chosen and called by God to do a special work. God not only called him but also filled him with His Spirit and gave him great wisdom, ability, and skill to construct the Tabernacle and everything that it contained. Bezaleel even made the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 37:1). We hear much about the Ark of the Covenant, but little if any about this man who actually made it.

God was so particular with the design for the Tabernacle and the things within it that He called Bezaleel by name to make sure that he would be the one to devise the artistic designs. God chose him and then validated his call and assignment to Moses. Can you imagine how Bezaleel must have felt as he left Egypt and wandered around the wilderness? He may have thought that his artistic gift would never be used again. Yet, God had a wonderful plan for him and used him to create beautiful things to be used in worship even in the midst of the wilderness experience.

God commissions all of us for particular works and it is not our place to second-guess His choices. We may think that His gifts and calling only include the spiritual things like preaching, teaching the Bible, or being a missionary. Yet we see in this scripture that God also anoints artists for His purposes because God loves beauty. God has gifts and callings in every category of life and He can use the least of us for His glorious purposes. We need to prepare ourselves and be ready and willing to answer when He calls. We must not allow our current circumstances or lack to dictate our God ordained destiny. We must understand that God is in control and that His gifts and callings are without repentance (Romans 11:29). At some point, even in the wilderness or place of hopelessness, God will validate our gifts and calling before others and He will call us out by name to do the work that He has designed for us to do. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
=================================================================================
04/24/07
DON'T BE CONFORMED - BE TRANSFORMED

Scripture: Romans 12:2 "Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

It takes very little effort to conform to this world as the process is very subtle and we are usually unaware that a change is even taking place. The process of conforming is like wet cement that simply conforms to the mold or pattern that it is poured into. You can't pour wet cement into a square mold and expect it to come out round. Likewise, our minds tend to conform to the ideas and mindsets of the things we yield ourselves to. As we do routine things such as attend movies, read literature, listen to music, and associate with friends, our spirits begin to come into agreement with them and our attitudes and actions are slowly shaped by the world about us. Little by little, we start acting in compliance to the world's expectations. Eventually, we develop into its image and may even give in to its motto, "If it feels good, do it."

Most often, conformity occurs because we are unsure and not established in our own hearts concerning certain matters. Peter confirms this result of ignorance in his writings. He tells us "not to fashion ourselves according to the former lusts in our ignorance" (I Peter 1:14). It takes effort on our part to fashion or transform our minds so that we do not stay in the place of ignorance. We can only do this by the renewing of our minds, which comes about as we study and meditate on God's word on a regularly basis. Through right information and Godly influence, our thoughts can be changed or transformed. As our thoughts are changed, our lives will also begin to change, and there will be an outward manifestation of the inward working. This is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. A metamorphosis happens in our spirit like the process of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. The spiritual process of transformation, like the natural process of metamorphosis, is hard and gradual, but the results are just as beautiful and overwhelming.

When we allow this spiritual metamorphosis to occur in our lives, we then begin to live according to God's design and He is pleased. We are no longer conforming to the world nor allowing it to shape us into its example, but we are allowing God to transform us into His image. As this transformation occurs within our inner man, we become like the wet cement that is ready to submit to a particular mold. Whatever God wants, we become, for we no longer desire to live according to the world's standards. We eagerly "present our outward man to God as a living sacrifice and are ready to do His good, acceptable, and perfect will" (Romans 12:1). Obedience to God's commands becomes "our reasonable service" and we delight to do His will because we are no longer conformed but transformed. +++

Scripture: Psalms 139:23 "Search me, O God."

This Psalm speaks of the greatness of God and tells us that He is omniscient and knows all about our ups and downs, our thoughts and ways, and even all of the paths that we will take. There is not one word that comes from our tongue that God doesn't know about and there is nothing in our lives that can be hidden from Him. God is not only omniscient but also omnipresent. There is no place that we can go to escape His presence. Verse seven says, "Where shall I go from your spirit?" In other words, wherever we are ... He is! David said, "This knowledge is too wonderful for me, I can't attain unto it." He then concludes this Psalm in verse twenty-three and twenty-four by submitting himself totally to God and asking God to do several things.

David said, "Search me." In the original Hebrew language, this word "search" means to examine intimately. It is to look deep into ones most private and personal nature. One minister gives a brief description of "intimacy" as "in-to-me-see." Intimacy with God means that we allow Him to look at everything within our heart, even though He already knows everything about us. As we open ourselves to Him, His light shines upon the darkness within us and it is as though God takes an x-ray of our inner man and exposes all dark spots on the inside of us.

David also said, "Know my heart and my thoughts." This word "know" in the Hebrew means to "ascertain by seeing." After God has searched us, He then examines and studies our heart more closely. He shares His truth and understanding and allows us to see ourselves as we really are. He reveals our true thoughts and motives to us and deals with our doubts and anxieties. He then shows us how we can change and encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds through His word (Romans 12:2).

David went on to say, "Try me and see if there is any wicked way in me." This word "try" means to examine through a process of proving, testing, and tempting. When we make this request, we are boldly accepting the challenge to be purified by the fires of adversity. As we are tested and brought through the fires, the Holy Spirit reveals any spiritual weaknesses within our hearts. Only God can do this work, for Jeremiah 17:9-10 tells us that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." David ended by saying, "Lead me." Doing God's will begins in our thoughts and hearts. God holds us in His power but He does not force us to go His way. Instead, He instructs us, grows us, and fashions our inner being. He proves us through trials and testings It is only after we have become intimate with God and allowed Him to search our heart and prove us that we are truly ready to follow where He leads. +++

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15 "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name."

Our praise and thanksgiving becomes sweet incense just like the sacrifices that were placed on the altar in the Old Testament. Many times our praise and thanksgiving is a true sacrifice from our heart because it can be difficult to praise God in the midst of trouble, heartache, and hard times. Yet, the sweet aroma of worship and adoration that we give to God in the times of adversity and pain reaches to His very throne. He notices the scent very quickly and then seeks to discover the one who is giving praise to Him. It is a natural curiosity just like we would have if we heard that someone had said something kind about us. We would want to know immediately what was said and who said it. We may even want it repeated to us several times.

I picked some roses from my yard and enjoyed their beautiful velvet petals of various colors. I left the room for a while and when I returned, the whole room was full of the fragrance of those roses. It is true that they were born and nurtured among the thorns and there were still thorns attached to their stems. Yet, they did not complain about where they had been or the thorns that remained. They just graced the room with their beauty and filled the atmosphere around them with a wonderful fragrance. I was the only one around so it seemed that their beauty and fragrance was intended just for me to enjoy.

I thought this must be how God feels when we offer up our praise and thanksgiving to Him, for He is the only who can hear our heart. He must turn our direction and look at us when He passes by just as I did the roses. He must stop and take in the sweet fragrance when He hears our praise. For sure, God hears us when we cry and He listens when we express our pain because He loves us. He will not turn away from us when we are in hard times, but if our words are putrid because our hearts are filled with anger, our aroma cannot be pleasing to Him. He will turn away just as we would turn away from a foul odor. God is not attracted to us when we are murmuring and complaining or verbalizing our doubt and unbelief. Regardless of the thorns that we have experienced in the past or the thorns that are currently pricking our sides, we are to bless the Lord at all times and His praise is to continually be in our mouths. Psalms 74:21 says, "Let the poor and needy praise Thy Name." Even when we have a lack or need, we must offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. Our worship will change the atmosphere and create a wonderful fragrance. That fragrance will cause the Lord to turn our direction and He will then take notice of our needs. +++

Scripture: Luke 17:6 "The Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed ..."

Things that are impossible with man are possible with God. The Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could speak to the tree to be plucked up by the root, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you." He was telling us that nature itself is commanded by God to obey our words of faith. Even the storms are subject to our words. When the disciples were being tossed about on the raging sea, Jesus asked, "Where is your faith?" He asked this because He knew that faith in God had power over the storms. He then spoke the word of peace directly to storm to show us that faith had to be acted upon or expressed verbally to accomplish God's work.

God loves us, and like any loving father, He wants his children to experience success and enjoy victory in every area of life. So it only takes a little faith on our part to get Him involved in our circumstances. When we reach out to the Lord, He meets us at our point of faith and scripture verifies that He will even help us with our unbelief. When He sees that our faith is weak He sends His faith building words to strengthen the little faith that we have.

Faith "as a seed" is an interesting concept. Seeds are the origin of life and produce fruit after their own kind. They are always planted in the darkness of the Earth and regardless of how strong the life is within them, they cannot germinate until they are watered. A seed can be alive but remain dormant for years as long as it is kept dry. A few years ago, there were some seeds that were discovered that had been hidden in the pyramids of Egypt centuries ago. These seeds still had life. They were secure within themselves but they were designed by God to be productive outside of themselves. They needed to be planted and watered for their hopes to be fulfilled. Like a seed, faith is also the origin of things hoped for. Faith comes alive when a Word from God is planted in the darkness of our heart and it is nourished when His Spirit showers it. Yet our faith will remain dormant and there will be no fruit until it is acted upon.

A seed also stands alone in its struggle. No one can actually make it grow, not even the other seeds. It is totally dependant upon the sovereignty of God. The seed roots itself downward into the depths of the soil as it begins to reach for the light that is above. It doesn't stagger to the left or right but continues in a straight path upward towards God. It grows one inch at a time. Faith is the same. It is a personal experience that reaches up with trust towards a faithful God. Faith embraces God's promise one moment at time. For one hundred and twenty years, Noah built the ark, one board at a time. Abraham, the father of many nations, searched for a city whose builder and maker was God, one step at a time. Moses led the people to the Promised Land and believed for manna from Heaven, one day at a time. The Apostle Paul fought the good fight of faith, one season at a time. Jesus endured the agony of the cross, one breath at a time. Seeds do not reach their destiny suddenly and neither does our faith. Faith is a continual exercise in believing the promises that God has given. So let us remember that if we have faith as a seed, we will eventually break through to the light and the fruit of our patience and struggle will be rewarded. +++

A Word In Due Season
5th Week of April 2007

04/30/07
UNIQUELY MADE

Scripture: Psalms 139:14 "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

David praised God and acknowledged that man was an awesome creation of God.  God very carefully put every one of us together as He desired while we were still in our mother's womb. Each person has more than 50,000 genes that influence their intelligence, personality, physical and mental talents, and behavior. And each gene differs in a number of ways when compared to the genes of another person. Our voices are so uniquely different that we can recognize the voices of our family members, friends, and famous people in the midst of a million of other voices. And regardless of how good a voice impersonator may be, they are not completely convincing to those who are truly knowledgeable. Our fingerprints and hair strands can also be used to positively identify one person from another. God created us with a brain that is far greater than any computer and has also given us the ability to be able to love, experience emotions, and commune spiritually with Him.

Consider this reference in the Dake's Reference Bible - Concordance:

    "The body is wonderfully made. It consists of various chemicals - iron,
    sugar, salt, carbon, iodine, phosphorus, lime, calcium, and others -
    about 98 cents worth. The body has 263 bones; 600 muscles;
    970 miles of blood vessels; 400 cups on the tongue for taste;
    20,000 hairs in the ears to tune in to all sounds; 40 pound jaw
    pressure; 10,000,000 nerves and branches; 3,500 sweat tubes to
    each square inch of skin or 40 miles long; 20,000,000 mouths that
    suck food as it goes through the intestines; 600,000,000 air cells to
    the lungs that inhale 2,400 gallons of air daily; and a telephone system
    that relates to the brain instantly any known sound, taste, sight,
    touch, or smell. The heart beats 4,200 times an hour and pumps
    12 tons of blood daily."

When we think about these facts, we realize that we are truly wonderfully made and blessed beyond our comprehension. We serve an awesome God and He not only formed us, but continues to watch over the being that He created. Jesus said, "The very hairs of our head are numbered" (Matthew 10:30). In other words, God is so concerned and involved with our personal life that each time we lose a hair, He is on the scene.  This God that created us is unique and He has fearfully and wonderfully created us in His image.  +++