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06/02/08
HIDDEN IN GOD

Psalms 31:20 "You shall hide them in the secret of Your presence ..."

God makes the provision of His presence available for those who fear Him and trust Him. This is a precious promise and true at all times, but we often do not realize it until we face the most difficult seasons of our lives. When we are desperate and find ourselves cut away from all human props and are forced to lean only upon God and God alone, His presence becomes very clear. God takes away our treadmill of existence, our schedules and routines, and our set patterns of thinking. He brings us into a new mysterious place where we are unable to analyze and calculate our efforts and plans. All of our old thoughts fall to the side, and with no human direction, He brings us into a place of total surrender. All we know is that God is with us, leading us, and that we must stay close to Him to survive.

In the hardest of places, God makes His presence known and we discover His sufficiency and greatness. In the dry barren desert, we find that He is The Living Water who will quench our thirst. In our spiritual famine, He is the true Manna and The Bread of Life. In the midst of all of our confusion and darkness, He manifests Himself to us as The Way and The Light. In material need, He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. In sickness and disease, He is our Healer and River of Life. In danger, the Almighty God covers us with His feathers and hides us under the shadow of His wings. For every need, He is our Fountain of Miracles.

These truths are real, but there are conditions to finding and experiencing God's presence. For God to hide you in His presence, it is necessary for Him to separate you from your distractions and isolate you to Himself. This is a hard season, but when you find that you have nothing to hold on to, He becomes more precious than silver and gold. He becomes your life and all that you will ever need. You come to discover that His very presence is your survival kit. As you search diligently for Him, He allows you to find Him. When you knock, He graciously opens the door and invites you to come in to fellowship with Him. When you draw near to Him, He draws near to you. He surrounds you with His love and closes you into Himself. He is the God of all comfort and He is always near to hide you in the secret place of His presence. +++

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06/03/08
PRAYING ALWAYS

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit ..."

The Apostle Paul instructed the believers to put on the whole armor of God and stand against the strategies of the devil. When he finished listing the various pieces of the spiritual armor, he then exhorted the believer to pray with all manner of prayer. The various pieces of spiritual armor are essential but prayer itself is a powerful secret weapon that is always available to the believer. Prayer is communion with God and it ushers in the anointing of His Spirit, produces revelation of God's Word, keeps you in tune with God's will, brings protection, and helps you to make right decisions.

Paul instructed us to pray with all manner of prayer. There are different prayers for the different situations in your life. The prayer of faith will heal sick bodies, move the mountains of adversity in your life, and calm the raging storms. Prayers of deliverance will set you free from your addictions and bondage. Prayers of confession will open the way for the forgiveness of your sins. Prayers of dedication and consecration will define your total submission to God's will as you pray as Jesus prayed, "Not My will, but Thine be done." There are prayers of thanksgiving, worship, and praise that give honor to the Lord for Who He is and for the things that He has done. There are prayers that are prayed in agreement with other believers and prayers that are prayed in intercession for other believers. There are also prayers that are prayed in the Spirit that will build you up in your faith.

It is said that if you have no prayer in your life, you will have no power. If you have little prayer in your life, you will have little power. And if you have much prayer in your life, you will have much power. That is the reason Paul said, "Pray always." We are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and pray everywhere (I Timothy 2:8). We are to always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1), continuing instant in prayer (Romans 12:12). Prayer is simple but it makes a mighty statement. It demonstrates your dependence upon God and your trust in Him. Prayer is a powerful energy because it moves the heart of God. Begin today to use this mighty secret weapon and pray with all manner of prayer for every need of your life. +++

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06/04/08
WE ARE ON GOD'S MIND

Scripture: Psalms 115:12 "The Lord has been mindful of us: He will bless us."

This psalm is a wonderful reminder that we serve the only true and living God and that He is always mindful of us. He watches us just as a father watches his own son or daughter. He protects us and provides for us. He is there to comfort us in our grief and dry the tears from our eyes. He also lifts us up when we become discouraged and lets us know that all things are going to work together for good. He gives us hope and lets us know that He has good plans for our future. He even extends His mercy and grace when we fall. And all of these provisions and blessings require no sacrifice on our part, for His love is unconditional.

This psalm also speaks of the other gods that men worship and serve. It says that those gods are handmade of silver and gold. Instead of being the Creator like the Living God we serve, they are the created. They have mouths, but they can't speak, eyes that can't see, and ears that can't hear. They have noses that can't smell and hands that can't grasp and handle things. They also have feet that can't walk or run and throats that are unable to utter a sound. These idols and gods are useless. They can't be touched with our feelings or understand our pain. How sad it would be to serve such a god that cannot function or communicate and whose value is limited to the amount of precious metal that it is made of.

We are blessed to have a personal relationship with a Living God. He is sovereign and He knows every situation of our lives. Sometimes things may get out of balance and we may wonder what is happening in our life. We must understand that God is always in control and that He is mindful of us. We are in His thoughts even when we are under spiritual attack. Satan, himself, could not attack Job without the permission of God, and even then he was restricted by the limitations that God dictated. It has been said that we are either coming out of a trial, in a trial, or about to go through a trial. Wherever you are today, remember that you are on God's mind. He loves and cares for you and He is going to bless you. +++

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06/05/08
WAITING ON HIM

Scripture: Psalms 25:21 "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on You."

In this psalm David mentions waiting on God three separate times. He says that those who wait on God will not be ashamed (Vs. 3). David also declares that God is his salvation and that he will wait upon God all of the day (Vs. 5). He then speaks of integrity and uprightness preserving him while he waits (Vs. 21).

It is difficult to wait upon anything in life, but waiting upon God can truly generate some challenging moments. When God first speaks a word in our ear, we hear it clearly and it excites us. Amazingly, with just a quiet simple word, we begin to prepare to receive what has been spoken into our spirits. Our strength is fresh and we are ready to run with the vision. However, the answer doesn't usually come right away and we find that we have to exercise our faith if we want to receive the fullness of the promise. It is as though we are viewing a bend in the road and we can't see around the corner. We have no idea how much longer the journey will be once we turn that corner. We only know that our destiny awaits even though the complete picture is not in view.

David experienced these same situations. He knew God's voice, but he too had to wait for God to fulfill His plan. David's enemies no doubt mocked him, but he refused to be ashamed of waiting on God's perfect timing for his deliverance. However long the day or the season, he determined to wait. He knew that God was bigger than any mountain of adversity, for David had seen God deliver the giant into his hand. He knew that his bond and relationship with the Lord was stronger than all of the sins that he had committed, for he had experienced God's forgiveness and grace. David knew that God's love was greater and deeper than any sea, for he had felt it on the mountainsides when God created songs within his heart as he tended the sheep.

Like David, God is our salvation. We must endeavor to get into the mainstream of God's will for our lives and not allow ourselves to get emotionally involved with any situations that will draw us away from His divine purposes. As we walk in the light of what God has said, we have confidence instead of shame. And the integrity and uprightness of our faith will sustain us, for we know that we are waiting on God and that He will watch over His words to perform them. +++

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06/06/08
TARRY ... UNTIL

When God first speaks to us of a new level, it is often overwhelming. It may even be troubling, like it was to the Virgin Mary who asked the angel, "How can these things be?" The outcome of the unknown is always a challenge in our minds. Yet when we sense that God is calling us from one place to another in our lives, something within us arises and causes us to want to run to it immediately. Our souls may be overwhelmed, but our spirits are excited by the vision and regenerated by the fresh word from God. New strength is infused within our hearts by the impartation of the new assignment and the gifts that have been dormant in our lives are suddenly stirred and resurrected to new life. We are ready, but then we hear that still small voice of the Lord telling us to "tarry ... until", for God's call always demands the power of His Spirit.

Jesus had a great calling for His disciples and followers. He wanted them to preach the gospel to the meek, heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, and do other mighty miracles in His Name just as He had done when He was on Earth. Teachers and mentors always want their students to excel. His voice was calling them to a higher place but He also told them to tarry until they received power from on high. He knew that they could do nothing of themselves, just as He could do nothing of Himself. He depended upon God's power and knew that they must do the same. That power came on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came like a rushing mighty wind from Heaven and filled all of them. They did not have to announce their promotion or exalt their gifts because signs and wonders became evident in their own ministries.

If you believe that you are not in the place that God has ordained for you to be or feel that you are lacking in any area of life, that is an indication that God is trying to move you forward. He wants you to succeed and be all that you can be, but until promotion comes you must realize that you are in a season of preparation. It is a season to glean from the wisdom of others who has passed this way before. It is a season to learn all that you can and absorb all that God brings your direction. It is a time to wait in God's presence, to develop the fruits of His Spirit, and to gain the knowledge that comes down from above. Most importantly, it is a time to "tarry ... until" God empowers you with His Holy Spirit. For without Him, you can do nothing. +++

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06/09/08
TARRY ... UNTIL

Scripture: Luke 24:49 "Tarry ....until you be endued with power from on high."

There is always a voice calling us to a new and higher level whether it be in our financial status, our professions, our friendships and close relationships, or our calling to the ministry. It is a supernatural pull to move upward and forward in all areas. Most of us will do all that we can to move to this higher place, especially in spiritual things and the area of ministry. Like the Apostle Paul, the things of the past will become unimportant and we will make a determination to "press toward the mark of the high calling of God in our lives" (Philippines 3:14).

When God first speaks to us of a new level, it is often overwhelming. It may even be troubling, like it was to the Virgin Mary who asked the angel, "How can these things be?" The outcome of the unknown is always a challenge in our minds. Yet when we sense that God is calling us from one place to another in our lives, something within us arises and causes us to want to run to it immediately. Our souls may be overwhelmed, but our spirits are excited by the vision and regenerated by the fresh word from God. New strength is infused within our hearts by the impartation of the new assignment and the gifts that have been dormant in our lives are suddenly stirred and resurrected to new life. We are ready, but then we hear that still small voice of the Lord telling us to tarry ... until, for God's call always demands the power of His Spirit.

Jesus had a great calling for His disciples and followers. He wanted them to preach the gospel to the meek, heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, and do other mighty miracles in His Name just as He had done when He was on Earth. Teachers and mentors always want their students to excel. His voice was calling them to a higher place but He also told them to tarry until they received power from on high. He knew that they could do nothing of themselves, just as He could do nothing of Himself. He depended upon God's power and knew that they must do the same. That power came on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came like a rushing mighty wind from Heaven and filled all of them. They did not have to announce their promotion or exalt their gifts because signs and wonders became evident in their own ministries.

If you believe that you are not in the place that God has ordained for you to be or feel that you are lacking in any area of life, that is an indication that God is trying to move you forward. He wants you to succeed and be all that you can be, but until promotion comes you must realize that you are in a season of preparation. It is a season to glean from the wisdom of others who have passed this way before. It is a season to learn all that you can and absorb all that God brings your direction. It is a time to wait in God's presence, to develop the fruits of His Spirit, and to gain the knowledge that comes down from above. Most importantly, it is a time to tarry ... until God empowers you with His Holy Spirit. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/10/08
LIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING

Scripture: Psalms 119:130 "The entrance of Thy words give light; it gives understanding unto the simple."

God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. There is not even the slightest hint of a shadow or variation in Him, for He doesn't change. His light is not like the pale sunrise that slowly dawns upon the day or the sunset that diminishes in the evening, for His light never departs or decreases, but instead it remains stable forever. As powerful as light is, it cannot be touched or handled. It is just there but it is very evident. When God's Word enters our life, His light illuminates our soul and spirit and brings truth into every situation.

Jesus is the Light of the world. The light that comes from His Word corrects, convicts, and comforts. His Word reveals to us that we have a need for eternal salvation and explains that this salvation was made possible through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. When we hear God's Word concerning healing for our bodies, provisions for our needs, or instructions for a life of righteousness, illumination comes and gives us understanding. Sickness and disease may darken our day, but God's Word concerning healing will dispel all of the darkness. Sin can knock on the door of our heart, but it cannot overcome the light of His Word that is hidden within us. The light that comes with God's Word will enable us to discern the evil of the darkness that is attempting to entice us. King David said, "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" ( Psalms 119:11). Clouds of adversity may try to hide God's light from our souls for a season, but if God's Word is within our spirits, His light is always there speaking to us of a better future.

If there is no entrance of God's Words into your life, there can be no light, no spiritual revelation, and no faith because faith comes only by hearing the Word of God. If there is no light, you will not have clear direction and you will walk alone in the darkness. Without the light of His Word, you will stumble and you will experience injury. You will be disoriented and confused about your surroundings and vulnerable to the spirit of fear. Your body and soul will be in jeopardy. This is the reason that you must study God's Word on a daily basis and listen for His voice. It is only then that your soul can be illuminated and that you can walk in the light with the assurance that you are going in the right direction. We may be simple, but we have this wonderful promise from God. His Word is powerful and if we allow it to enter our hearts, it will change us from within. His Word will not only be a light for our life but will also give us understanding for living. +++

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06/11/08
THE GREAT COMMISSION

Scripture: Mark 16:15 & 20 "Jesus said, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel' ... And they went forth ... the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs and wonders."

When Jesus spoke these words, He also made promises to those who obeyed Him. He promised the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, the Authority to use His name, and the Assurance that He would confirm His word with signs and wonders. He made it very clear that the believers would not have to depend upon their own powers and abilities, for their strength would never be a sufficient match for the challenges set before them.

When God led His people to the edge of the Red Sea, He was aware that they had no ability to cross it. He knew that it would take His own miracle working power to deliver them. Moses, their leader, was not equipped to roll back the sea by himself, but the presence of the Lord that was with Moses was greater than the task that was set before him. When Joshua faced the walls of Jericho, God knew that Joshua did not have the strength to bring the walls down, but God had a plan. He told Joshua to march around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day, and then give a mighty shout. When Joshua and his army obeyed God, God's power filled their shouts and the walls came down. Paul and Silas found themselves in prison with no hope of helping themselves, but God's power was greater than the chains and prison bars. As they prayed and sang praises to God a great earthquake shook the prison. The doors were opened and they were set free.

When God sends the believer out, He always goes before them and prepares the way. You can be sure that if God is speaking to you about something, He is also working on the other end of the situation as well. He is not slack in any area. He is the Author and Finisher of His work. He is preparing the heart that you are being compelled to witness to. His healing power is waiting for your prayers of faith to activate it. There is no Red Sea, no Jericho wall, and no prison that can stop God from fulfilling His will and purposes in your life. There is no task that is set before you that is greater than God's presence within you. He has made you more than a conqueror in every situation. God will go before you and make the crooked way straight and also make a way in the wilderness. He will give you favor and will meet every need. Trust in Him with all of your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding, for as you go, He will confirm His words with signs and wonders. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/12/08
CONSUMED BY HIS PRESENCE

Psalms 139:7 "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

In this prayer that King David prayed, he acknowledged the abiding presence of the Lord in his life. He said there was nowhere that he could go in order to flee from the presence of God. He also focused on some other wonderful supernatural attributes of God. He declared God's knowledge of all things, His awesome power, and His holiness.

God's presence has a purpose in our lives. He is not around just for the sake of being there so that we can experience a special feeling. He is in our lives to search our heart and destroy all evil. Because David recognized God's presence and knowledge of all things, he asked the Lord to search him and know his thoughts. He relied upon the holiness of God to try him in every area of his life. He willingly laid his heart open before God. David wanted the Lord to reveal any wicked way that might be in him, for he knew that the Lord had the power to deliver him from the evil that was within his own heart (Verse 23 & 24). He desperately longed for the Lord to lead him in the ways of righteousness.

We must understand that our life with God is not just a time of His visitation, but a life of His habitation. When we are born again we become a peculiar people and His Spirit dwells within each of us, setting us apart from all others. He takes up residence within our spirit and He is always there. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is not just around when we are worshipping in church with other believers or when we are doing good deeds. He is present even when we are in the midst of questionable things. Like the psalmist said, there is no place that we can go to get away from God's Spirit and nowhere to flee from His presence. When we come to realize that we are surrounded and consumed with His wonderful presence, our lives will be transformed and the options of our hearts will change. We will begin to understand the thoughts and feelings of God's heart and our heart will want to please Him only. We will not want to flee from His presence but will want to fulfill all of His desires. +++

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06/13/08
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23 "Great is Thy faithfulness."

Our God is awesome and our God is faithful. There is no way to measure the length, depth, or height of God or His faithfulness. If we were to try to explain God's faithfulness, we would have to agree with the writer of this scripture that His faithfulness is simply "great." The proportions of His faithfulness cannot be measured because it expands with every need that we encounter. Neither can His faithfulness be counted or numbered because it is new every morning.

God is faithful to love us when we are unlovely. He sees only the beauty of His creation and not the shortcomings and failures of our human nature. God is faithful to forgive us of all of our sins, for when we sin, He sees the blood of His only begotten Son and not the ugliness of our words and actions. God quickly forgives when we confess and is faithful to extend His mercies. His love is abundant and free and His compassion never fails. When He speaks, His words come to pass and never return to Him void. There is not the slightest shadow of turning with God. He faithfully remains the same today as He was yesterday, and will be the same forever.

God will be as faithful to you as the universe that He created and set in motion. The sun rises and sets right on time each and every day. The moon remains in its appointed position and faithfully reflects the light of the sun. The seasons come and go and have faithfully done so for century after century. God works His plan and He is stable. This is a manifestation of His character. You can put your faith and trust in Him. Just like His magnificent universe, God is in control of your life and He will not fail you. Yes, the clouds may cover His sun and shadows may make your way seem dim. There may be times that you can't see Him and think that He is not there. These are the times that you must place your trust in His word. God said that He would never leave you or forsake you and that He would supply your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus. You can depend upon His word. Although dark seasons may come to your life, He will bring light again. God will not leave you alone. He is forever faithful and He is with you right now. He is standing somewhere in the shadows of your darkness. He is the Spirit of Truth. Reach out to God in simple faith, trust Him, and trust His word. God is faithful and His faithfulness is great. +++

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Scripture: Psalms 47:5 "God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."

In the scriptures the trumpet was not used just as an instrument to create beautiful music. It was also used for various things depending upon the sound that it made. With one sound, the trumpet summoned people to worship and with another sound, it gathered dignitaries together. There was also a distinctive sound to call the troops to battle and a different one to announce peace. The trumpet made a jubilant sound for victory and a mournful sound to announce death and defeat. The sounds were clear and their signals were recognized by all. Many times there was a shout that accompanied the sound of the trumpet, as in the case when the walls of Jericho came down.

My oldest son played the trumpet when he was in high school. We not only listened to him practice at home but took advantage of every opportunity to hear him play in the school concerts. His dad and I sat in the outside stadium at the local football games in the heat, cold, and inclement weather so that we could see him march with the band and hear him play the trumpet. There were other trumpet players in the band but we were attentive to one whom we loved and who shared our name. We were proud of our son's skill and accomplishments and his sound was our greatest interest. If you had been sitting in the crowd with us your attention, no doubt, would have been on the sound coming from your own son or daughter.

Just as we took interest in our son, God is watching us as we march through life because we are His children and we share His Name. We do not sound a literal trumpet as we pass though life, but the sound of our voices are as instruments in the ears of God and He listens very attentively for our voice. He said, "Call unto Me and I will show you great and mighty things that you have not known." He hears our words of faith and honors them and calls things into being because of the words that we speak. He gives attention to our petitions and listens to our prayers when we come to Him in Jesus' Name. And He always gives audience to our words and the melodies that come from our lips when we praise and worship Him.

God's Word tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue. Like the trumpet, our words can stir up war or bring peace. Our voices can sound forth victory or defeat. Our own tongue can create positive emotions that will sustain our hope and help us endure adversity or it will cause negative emotions that will fill our hearts with doubt, fear, and confusion. We must remember that God's ears are never closed to our sounds so we must choose our words carefully and make our sounds certain. God is forever listening to us with His heart and He has declared that our own sounds will determine our personal destiny. +++

Scripture: Micah 7:8 "When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me."

This scripture speaks hope to our heart when we are in distress or in darkness. It deals with the times when we can't help ourselves and it deals with the situations that we can't do anything about. There are times in our lives when we make mistakes and fall. It may be in our finances, relationships, bad decisions, or other areas. We simply make an error in judgment and create massive problems for ourselves. We then find ourselves suffering the consequences of that error. Yet, like a physical fall, we can remedy the situation if we turn to God, get His wisdom, and follow His directions. It may be a struggle, but we can get back up. If our fall has caused great injury in our lives, it may require a season of healing, but if we are determined, we can make it through the difficult situation and rise above it.

There are other times in our lives when we have no control over the circumstances and no resources to help ourselves. We are in a place of spiritual darkness and can't find our way out. It seems as though the enemy took a brush of black paint and covered the canvas of our heart. Inwardly we can't locate ourselves and outwardly we can't find direction. We sit in darkness and are unable to see any light. Depression, oppression, and discouragement make their presence known because we have no answers and feel hopeless to help ourselves. In this place of darkness, we come to understand that we cannot create light and we realize that we must turn to the Lord, for He is the source of light. We must depend upon Him for deliverance, and allow Him to do the entire work.

It doesn't matter which place you find yourself in today. You may have taken a hard fall or may be sitting in darkness. You may have gone through a season of loss and be dealing with a spirit of hopelessness. Wherever you are, you must be determined to find your way out. The Lord is your answer and He is hope. God is merciful and full of grace. He will give you the strength to rise above the difficulty and He will shine His light in your darkness. You will be amazed at His deliverance, for nothing is too hard for Him. All you have to do is to call upon Him, for He cares for you. There is no burden that He will not bear for you regardless of how it came about in your life. Decide today to take Micah's words for yourself and boldly declare, "When I fall, I shall arise and when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me." +++

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06/18/08
WHEN YOUR BROOK DRIES UP

I Kings 17:7 "And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land."

During a season of drought, God told the prophet Elijah to go hide by the brook called Cherith. While Elijah was there, he drank water from the brook and ate bread and meat that the ravens brought to him every morning and evening. Things seemed to be fine for a season and God provided everything that Elijah needed. But after a while, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then, God spoke to Elijah and told him to go to a town called Zarephath where God had commissioned a widow to sustain him. Elijah moved in faith on the word of God and God fulfilled His word.

It is often very disturbing when we find ourselves in similar circumstances. God gives us a job, a ministry, a friendship, or some other wonderful blessing which seems to be meeting all of our needs. We know that we are in the will of God. We are in the right place at the right time, but suddenly for no reason it seems, God stops raining His anointing and before long, like the brook, our blessing dries up. We are left with a heart full of questions and concerns. We try not to be discouraged, but our future looks bleak. We have no idea what God is doing in our lives and have no apparent options in the natural. Our only hope is to get a definite word of direction from the Lord and to trust that God will give us enough faith to act upon that word.

Although God's ways are higher than our ways, His guidance is often very humbling. When Elijah's brook dried up, God sent him to a widow for help. The mighty prophet of God had to ask a poor widow for her last bit of food, which she had planned to prepare for her son and herself to eat before they died. But Elijah's words challenged her faith and her response brought victory. God sustained her and her son throughout the drought. Elijah's dry brook was no accident. God wanted to send him to be a blessing to this widow and her son. Elijah was her lifeline in this troublesome time. Likewise, your situation is no accident. God knows exactly where you are and what your circumstances are. When your friends fail you or the anointing on your ministry has lifted, remember that God has new friends and other places of ministry that need you. When your brook dries up and your provisions are spent, come to know that God and God alone is your source. He is not limited by your circumstances. In the midst of your dry season, God's word will come to you and He will send you to bring deliverance to others. +++

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06/19/08
UNANSWERED PRAYER

Scripture: Matthew 6:8 "Your heavenly Father knows what things you have need of before you ask."

God knows our needs and desires even before we ask, but like all good fathers, He is faithful to give us only what is best for us. In the spring, my son and I fertilized the yard just before the predicted abundant rain was to come. Each day we got just a little rain, but never the good soaking rain that was promised by the weather forecasters. One afternoon, I went to the store, came home, and unloaded my purchases from the trunk of the car. Several times throughout that afternoon I prayed for the much needed rain so that I wouldn't have to water the yard. But the rain never came. Later that afternoon, I discovered that I had left the trunk of my car open. Thank God that He didn't answer my prayer right away, for if He had, the trunk of my car would have been flooded.

God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts, neither are your ways like my ways. But My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Our thoughts and ways are as far apart from God's thoughts and ways as the heavens are from the earth. We are here on Earth surrounded by our immediate circumstances. We can only see what is just ahead of us or on each side of us as we try to find our way in this spiritual maze. God, however, sits in Heaven looking down upon us and our situations. He hears our prayers but sees the entire picture and knows what is best for us. He gently tries to lead us by His Spirit to help us get through the maze and obtain the victory, but we often go to the left or right and run into the walls. We then pray for the walls to come down, and sometimes even rebuke them in Jesus' Name. Yet, in reality they are the best things for us at that time because God has put them there for a reason.

God wants us to pray and present our needs to Him, but He also wants us to trust Him to do what is best for us. He doesn't want us to be anxious over the situation. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean upon our own understanding but to acknowledge God in all of our ways. If we do this, God will direct our paths. The answers to our prayers depend upon two things when we are submitted to God.

1) God's power and His love. His power gives Him the ability to give us anything that we ask for, but His wonderful love restrains Him.

2) God's wisdom and His holiness. He knows our desires, but His wisdom will only grant us answers that are in line with His righteousness and His will. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/20/08
JESUS NEVER CHANGES

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

This wonderful verse of the Bible is like meat that is sandwiched between two pieces of bread. For as we look at the verses above and below, we find instructions about who to follow in our spiritual walk. On one side, verse seven encourages us to follow those that speak the Word of God. It says:

    Remember your leaders in authority who brought you the Word of God.
    Observe attentively and consider their manner of living.
    Look at the outcome of their well-spent lives.
    Look at the convictions of their faith:
        They believed God exists.
        They believed God is Creator and Ruler of all things.
        They believed God is the Provider of eternal salvation through
           Christ.
    Look at how they allow their entire human personality to lean on God:
        They lean in absolute trust.
        They have confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.

On the other side, verse nine warns us against different and strange doctrines. It says :

    Don't be carried away by different and varied doctrines.
    Don't give in to alien teachings that concern rules and rituals.
    Don't be devoted to things that bring no spiritual benefit or profit.

II Corinthians 11:3 tells us not to allow our minds "to be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The simple truth is that Jesus is the same today as always. The gospel is that He came to save us and give us abundant and eternal life. Salvation comes by faith and cannot be received by works of the flesh. Allow Jesus to be the same Prince of Peace in your life today as He was yesterday when the angels sang, "Peace on Earth, good will to men". Trust Him to be the same tomorrow and let your heart be established by means of the grace that He has provided, for Jesus Christ is the same forever. ++++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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Scripture: Isaiah 61:3 "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes."

Jesus emptied Himself of His royalty and left His throne in Heaven so that He could come to this Earth to minister to the needs of people and eventually die for them. This was His heartbeat and strongest desire. When He came, He preached good tiding to the meek and He set the captives free. He went about doing good to all people, whether rich or poor. He healed the sick, raised the dead, restored sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk, and did many other mighty miracles. When Jesus went back to His throne in Heaven, He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to continue and maintain His work. He still works in the Earth today, restoring beauty for the ashes of our lives.

I went through a very solitary and dreadful season in my life many years ago because of bad decisions on my part. It was a short season, but it seemed like a life time and I thought that it would never end. I felt like all was lost and I could see no way out of my dilemma, but God, in His mercy, rescued me. While I was in this lonely place of despair and discouragement, I learned something about ashes. The place where I was living had the most healthy and radiant roses and their fragrance was indescribable. I wondered how this could be because they were never cared for in any special manner. Later that winter I discovered the secret to their beauty and success. The ashes from the fire place were placed upon the roses throughout their dormant season of winter. God spoke hope into my heart through the roses and let me know that He could take the ashes of any experience and use them to create something beautiful in our lives.

Jesus sees your hopes that have been burned up in the fires of life and your colorful dreams that have turned to gray ashes. He knows your pain even better than you do. He sees the spirit of sorrow and mourning that is holding you in bondage and knows the heartache and heaviness that has stripped your spirit of its life. He also sees your body that has been ravaged by sickness and disease. He understands your despair and discouragement. He searches out every matter and leaves no stone unturned in your life. Whatever He sees, He is faithful to take care of.

Jesus speaks good tidings to you that will set you free and restore all that the devil has taken from you, whether it be financial, spiritual, or in your relationships. He is able to exchange every ugly thing from your past and make it into something good. He will do a supernatural work that cannot be explained. He applies the oil of His joy to your heart so that you can be healed and your soul can be fully restored. He also gives you a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness because He loves you and wants you to be blessed beyond measure. He left you with His Word so that He could build faith in your heart and turn your life around. Your miracle is waiting for you but you must reach out and receive it by faith. You can be sure that when you offer Him the ashes of your life, He will be faithful to give you something beautiful in exchange. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/24/08
SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST

Paul voluntarily took the position of a servant or a slave who held no rights before his master. He reserved no portion of his life for himself, but totally submitted himself to the will of Jesus Christ. He was willing to live or die for the cause. It made no difference to him for he was simply here to serve Jesus and others and he was joyful in that state. He went through many trials and tribulations because of his determination to fulfill the call of God that was upon his life, yet he never failed or faltered. The call upon his life to be an apostle caused him to walk as a servant before the Lord and the people. He declared himself to be a debtor to all people, whether they be wise or unwise and his goal was to impart spiritual gifts to them in order to establish them in their faith. He was not ashamed of the gospel and was ready to go anywhere at any time in order to proclaim it. He remained true to God's call upon his life even when he was cast into prison. No walls or bars could stifle his message. He endured to the end and finished his course as a servant and as an apostle.

Every call of God starts and finishes with being a servant. There is no "big me" in the ministry. Once you answer the call, you simply serve God and you serve others. You work and many times become, as it were, a slave. You discover that ministry is no picnic and offers few material rewards. Yet, true ministers will go anywhere and do anything without regard for rewards or benefits. They just love God and others and have the same mindset that Paul had. They are first servants. At one point, I became overwhelmed with life and the responsibility of the ministry. As I became tired of the demands and weary of the various duties that needed to be done, I began to say "Obadiah." It just came out of my spirit. I knew that "Obadiah" was a prophet in the Old Testament and that one of the books of the Bible was named after him, but I had no idea what his name meant. For months, I would say his name when I felt burdened, used, and misunderstood. Finally one day, I wondered why I was repeating the name "Obadiah." God prompted me to look in the scriptures and I found that Obadiah meant "servant of the Lord." Obadiah was a great prophet, but he was a servant of the Lord. I encourage you to yield yourself as a servant to Lord Jesus Christ, for as born again believers, this is who we are supposed to be and this is what we are supposed to do. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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06/25/08
WORRY OR WORSHIP

Scripture: Psalms 95:6 "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

There is a battle that rages within us when troubles arise in our life. It's a battle between our flesh and our spirit. The battle demands that we either choose to worry about our problems or worship God right in the midst them. It's a hard place, but our right choice brings great rewards. We see the leper in Matthew 8:2 who had no hope of being healed, yet he worshiped Jesus as he made his request for healing. His worship ushered in the healing he needed, and his leprosy was cleansed. There is another story where it seemed that it was too late for any kind of help, as death was in control. The daughter of a certain ruler had died, but the ruler continued to worship Jesus right in the midst of his daughter's death and she was raised up to live again. Worship is very powerful. Even devils were dispelled when worship prevailed in the hearts of those who came to Jesus for help (Matthew 15:22-28 and Mark 5:2-13).

You acknowledge several things when you worship God in the midst of adverse circumstances. First, your worship declares that God is your first love and that He is more important than your immediate needs. Your worship tells God that you trust Him and that you love Him regardless of what happens. Second, as you worship, you do not lean upon your own understanding. Even though you are at the end of your own resources and ability, you recognize God as the One who is more than enough. You see Him bigger than your problem. Finally, your worship announces that you are releasing all of your doubts and fears to God as you humbly submit your situation to Him. As you cast every care upon Him, you make Him the Lord of your life.

In the day that Lucifer fell, He attempted to exalt himself. He said, "I will ascend into Heaven, exalt my throne above the stars of God, and be like the most high God" (Isaiah 14:13-14). Lucifer intends for all that is evil to be exalted in your life today. This includes worry. He desires that you choose to walk with him and serve him, so he plants seeds of doubt in your heart and tormenting thoughts in your mind. His goal is to cause you to worry about the enormous situations that he has created for you. He wants you to bow down to him through worry rather than bow down before God in worship and trust. Satan knows that if the fear he attempts to plant in your mind can take root, it will drive out the faith that is in your heart. If fear and doubt prevail in your life, he will then be exalted above your faith in God, and Jesus will no longer be Lord. When you see these patterns working in your life, remember to give God first place by exalting Him above the situation. Instead of worrying, simply show your trust by bowing down and worshipping the Lord your God, your Maker. +++

Jesus said, "Lift up your eyes and look." Many people are asleep and do not see that things are changing very rapidly around us. Those who are awake and aware walk around in awe because of what surrounds them. There is a new awareness of the glory of God. It is as though there is a new sound in Heaven, one that we have never heard before. It is telling us to press the limits and go where we have never gone before and do what we have never done. It encourages us to enlarge our borders, expand our horizons, and get ready for the day of the greatest harvest that we have ever seen. Yet, Jesus tells us that even though the harvest or the mission field is truly great, the laborers are few, and He instructs us to pray for more laborers to be sent into the fields (Luke 10:2).

Jesus' words are a personal mandate for each of us, for we all have been called and chosen for such a time as this. This is our day and this is our hour. God has ordained and anointed us at this time in history to minister to the hurting souls that are being held in bondage. In the beginning, God spoke all things into existence and commanded everything to multiply. All of creation obeyed His voice because of the power of His words. His very breath brought light and life. The same is happening now in the spirit. The fruit of His fields are multiplying and becoming ripe because of His command and He is depending upon us to reap the harvest by sharing His light and life with the world around us.

God is releasing a fresh awareness, but we must respond. We can't just look at the fields. We must share and minister to those in need. Like gathering a tender crop, our words must not be empty and loud but full of love, grace, and truth. If Jesus is living within us, His essence should emerge when we talk and His witness should show forth in every area of our lives. Everything about Him should be portrayed through our image. We are an epistle known and read of all men (II Corinthians 3:2). In this dark hour, the world is looking for people who are walking in the supernatural peace of God; a peace that is only birthed by the presence of God. The more we see the day of the Lord approaching, the greater our influence will be and greater the harvest will become. We must submit to God and allow the power of His voice to speak into our lives, changing us and rearranging us for His glory so that we can become laborers in His harvest. +++

Moses had been on Mount Sinai for forty days communing with God and receiving the commandments of the Lord. These commandments were written on two tablets of stone and Exodus 31:18 tells us that they were written with the finger of God. God had actually engraved His words upon the tablets of stone. What an awesome thought, to be able to hold something that precious in your own hands. Yet this glorious experience and wonderful keepsake was soon to be ruined. As Moses came down from the mountain with Joshua at his side, they could hear sounds coming from the camp. Joshua thought it was the sounds of war but Moses knew that it was the sounds of music and laughter. When Moses came into the camp, the first thing that he saw was the golden calf that the people had made for worship. Righteous anger rose within Moses and in a moment of distress and passion he threw the tablets to the ground, breaking them to pieces.

As we consider the things that we face today and the critical choices that are before us, we need to think about Moses' question. We must weigh every decision against the principals and character of God, and then do the very best that we can to make the godly choice. II Corinthians 3:3 tells us that we are declared to be the epistles of Christ and that His words are written, not upon stone but on the tables of our heart. God gives us a witness within our spirit about what is right and what is wrong and we are accountable to Him for the knowledge and wisdom that He shares with us. Sometimes it may not be pleasant and many times it will not be popular, but none-the-less we have a responsibility to choose those things that represent the interest of the Kingdom of God and show forth His righteousness. We can't serve two masters. We must answer the question that Moses posed to the people for our own selves. Whose side are we on? +++

We have libraries, bookstores, and homes that are filled with books on various subjects. Can you imagine that if all of these books only contained information about Jesus that there would still be much more to say about Him? The Apostle John said that the world could not even contain all the books that could be written about Jesus. His life as the Son of God and as the Son of man is just too enormous to record and His works are too glorious to be totally contained even in a multitude of books. This is the reason there were many things left unsaid by the disciples and followers of Jesus. There were even signs and wonders that Jesus did in the presence of His disciples that were not written about in the scriptures (John 20:31).

Jesus lived on the Earth thirty-three years and His ministry lasted three and one-half years, yet, we only have access to a small portion of His life and His Godly wisdom. There is no way to record all of His knowledge and understanding or to explain how the gifts of the Holy Spirit worked in His life. Neither are there enough words to explain the measure of the love that was in His heart that caused Him to give His life willing on the cross of Calvary, for the love of Christ passes all knowledge and understanding (Ephesians 3:19). How many books would it take to explain the holy grief that He felt for those who rejected Him or how many volumes would it take to describe His emotional agony and physical pain on the cross? Who really knows all of the changes that He made in the hearts of the men, women, and children who witnessed His life? Words are just too few and too inadequate to convey His righteousness, mercy, and grace.