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03/03/08
APPOINTMENT WITH GOD

Scripture: Psalms 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me..."

David determined to spend time with God and declared that he would pray to God three times a day. In his heart, David actually made an appointment to meet with God, morning, noon, and at night. He understood the secret to life's success. He knew that our battles were not won at the battlefront, but on our knees before a mighty God. These prayer appointments would make a difference between victory and defeat in David's life. Because he gained confidence with God in prayer, David had peace in the midst of the battle and had no doubt that God would deliver him.

Someone once said, "You are never so tall as when you are on your knees." It is as you wait in the presence of God that your strength is renewed and His instructions are made plain. As you commune with the Lord, you begin to understand His purposes and gain a clear vision of His will. With a clear vision of God's purposes and will, confidence springs up within your inner being. You know that the Lord will fight your battles for you and are assured that He will deliver you when your enemy pursues. In His presence, you recognize that your sufficiency is not in yourself, but in the Christ that lives within you (II Corinthians 3:5).

Appointments are not made to be broken. Very few of us make appointments in life that we fail to keep. When it comes to prayer, however, we often make a heartfelt commitment only to disappoint God and ourselves when we fail to follow through. In the morning, we're too sleepy. At noon, the day has become too busy for us to stop and talk with God. Then at night, we are just too tired. The prospect of starting over tomorrow when we are fresh sounds like a better idea. We allow our weary bodies to dictate and control our lives. Before we know it, we have missed our appointment and precious time with God again. "Our spirit was willing, but our flesh was weak" (Matthew 26:41). God draws us into His presence and gives us a desire to seek His face, but we are the ones who have to overcome and break the pattern of our weak flesh. Corrie ten Boom said, "A man is powerful on his knees ... Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it." +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/04/08
BREAKING FREE FROM BONDAGE

Scripture: Exodus 6:9 "Moses spoke to the Israelites; but they would not listen to him because of their broken spirit and cruel bondage."

God made many promises to the Israelites and when they cried out to Him, He remembered the covenant that He had established with them through Abraham. When God saw the pain of His people, His heart turned towards them and He sent Moses to deliver them from the heavy burdens and bondage of the Egyptians. God's plan was to bring them into the land that He had promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their inheritance was to be a land of joy, freedom, and plenty. However, they couldn't receive this word because their spirits had been broken by the cruel bondage placed upon them by the Egyptians whom they had served for four hundred years.

Memories can become definite strongholds of bondage. Consider the elephant at the circus. When the elephant is young and has little strength, the workers chain one of its legs to a rod in the ground. By doing so, they condition the elephant's mind to believe that it is unable to break away from the chain. All of its life, the elephant pulls mighty burdens and does great work in setting up the circus. It has enormous strength, yet when it is restrained by its master's chain, it loses that strength. Because of the past, the elephant doesn't recognize its own ability to break loose from the small chain that holds it in bondage. It remembers that in the past it could not break free so it is held captive by the imaginations of its own mind.

Today, you may have some sort of Egyptian in your life. Disappointments and painful experiences of the past may have made it difficult for you to believe for a better future. All that you can envision is failure because your spirit is bound by these insignificant memories. Feelings of rejection may conflict with your hopes of acceptance and the chains of a broken spirit may be causing your future to look hopelessly bleak. You may feel helpless, as your heart seems incapable of taking hold of any of God's promises. Your faith is lacking and near void because you are held to the memories of a cruel past. Maybe it's a father you never knew, a mother who passed away, a child who was taken from you, a failed marriage, or a situation of abuse.

Whatever your cruel bondage, Jesus is anointed to set you free. He came to this earth so that you might have life and have it more abundantly. He hears your cries and remembers His covenant with you. He wants to break the chains of the past that hold you and tear down the walls that surround you. While the chains may be strong in your mind, in reality they are weak compared to the Spirit of God that resides within you. You must recognize the weakness of these chains and trust God to set you free. Through the power of His Blood, His Name, and His Word, the chains that have held you in cruel bondage can be broken and you can be free. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/05/08
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

Genesis 23:13-17 (Living Bible) "... Let me pay the full price of the field ... and the cave and the field became his permanent possession by agreement."

Abraham was seeking a place to bury Sarah, his wife, and because he was so honored in the land, the men of Heth told him to choose the finest of their sepulchers for her burial. When he chose a field and a cave that belonged to one of the men of Heth, the man offered to give the parcel of ground to Abraham without charge. But Abraham refused the offer, choosing instead to pay the full price for it. He wanted to make his claim to this possession sure.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness in Luke chapter four, he offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of this world. Satan's gift appeared to be free. All Jesus had to do to receive the kingdoms was to bow down and worship Satan. Certainly this offer might have seemed a lot less painful physically, mentally, and emotionally for Jesus than the cross that was facing. Jesus, however, chose instead to pay the full price to gain His kingdom and purchase our salvation. He chose the ultimate prize and paid the ultimate price. Acts 20:28 tells us that it was with His own blood that He purchased us. The price of our redemption included suffering, shame, and death on a cruel cross. The devil tries to make claim to our soul, but because of Jesus, he has no rights. When Jesus shed His blood for the price of our sin, He sealed our salvation, and we became His permanent possession. We belong to Jesus if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that He is Lord and that God has raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

It's wonderful to know that Jesus loved us so much that He would pay such a great price. It is awesome to realize that His entire life was wrapped up in this one purpose. He was made flesh and dwelt among us so that He could pay the debt that we owed. I Corinthians 6:20 declares that we have been "bought with a price." Let us rejoice, for we belong to God and we are His permanent possession. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/06/08
TWO-EDGED SWORD

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

God's inspired Word is quick, powerful, and sharp. These qualities cause it to be able to pierce our hearts and lay open the innermost recesses of our soul. God's Word works within our innermost being in an effort to get us to listen and obey. It makes a clean cut and separates our soul's lust from our spiritual desires just like a surgeon's scalpel separates the joints from the bone marrow. His Word discerns and judges our thoughts and intentions because it communes with our hearts. His Word is "quick" meaning that every word that He speaks out of His mouth actually has life or is a living organism. When God breathed the Word out of His mouth, it became spirit and when we read it, hear it, or speak it, that anointing generates the same life within us.

God's Word is powerful. The entrance of His Word brings light and understanding even to the simple (Psalms 119:30). It opens our spiritual eyes and lets us see ourselves as we measure ourselves against the purity of the holy and eternal. It also causes faith to come (Romans 10:17). When we hear the Word of God, it pierces our heart and cuts away the doubt, destroys unbelief, and then creates faith within us. With God's faith filled words in our hearts, we are able to do the powerful works that Jesus sent us to do. He said that we would be able to speak to the mountains to be removed and cast into the sea. We could also bring healing to the sick and deliverance to those in bondage. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). That is powerful a powerful statement!

God's Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. A two-edged sword is sharp on both sides and is designed to be doubly effective. God's Word is effective as the written Word and as it is spoken out of our mouths. The Apostle Paul called the Word of God the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. It is the only offensive weapon that Paul listed when he said, "Put on the whole armor of God" and stand against the devil. God's Word is powerful and eternal. It never returns to Him void but always accomplishes His intentions. When we speak God's words in faith we become the voice of God in the earth and the devil hears and trembles. God's Word is the devil's worst nightmare, for he has no defense or immunity against this quick and powerful two-edged sword. Our victories will be obtained as we allow God's word to penetrate our hearts and as we use it to combat the strategies of the devil. +++

Scripture: Matthew 6:13 "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Jesus' disciples wanted Him to teach them how to pray, and the prayer that He gave as an example was simple but covered all of their needs. He told them to start by acknowledging their established relationship with God, who was their Heavenly Father, and to recognize His authority and honor His Name. He told them to submit to God's will and seek His kingdom and He instructed them to pray concerning their temptations and deliverance from evil. Jesus told them that forgiveness would come to them only as they forgave others. He also included provisions in this prayer for their needs of daily food. The Lord finished this prayer by ascribing all the kingdom authority, all the power, and all of the glory to God the Father.

God has the authority to do all the things that were listed in the Lord's Prayer, and He also has the power and ability to perform them. He is to receive the glory for who He is and for what He does. All fathers want to see the needs and desires of their children taken care of and for them to feel secure and protected by his love. So it is with our Heavenly Father. He finds pride in protecting and causing His own dear children to feel secure and it is His glory when they are well taken care of.

Some of our earthly fathers were able to bless us and give us the things that we wanted and no one could stop them from exercising their parental wills. However, many of our fathers were limited in their power by their personal supply and resources. How many times have we said to our own children, "If it were in my power or ability, I would do it for you?" As parents, we had authority, but no power or ability because our resources were too scarce to take care of their immediate need or desire. Unlike our position, our Father God is not limited in His authority or power. He is able to do exceedingly beyond anything that we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

God is awesome and He will always be there to meet our needs. Jesus ended His prayer by reminding the disciples that God's kingdom, power, and glory were to be forever. God's kingdom and authority are eternal because He will always occupy the throne. His power and ability has no end because He is able to create, and His glory is eternal because of Who He is. He is Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, and we honor His Holy Name! +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/10/08
VOICE OF PRAYER

Scripture: Mark 10:48 (NLT) "He only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

A large crowd followed Jesus and His disciples as they left the city of Jericho. At the same time a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road that they traveled, and when he heard that Jesus was passing by he began to cry out to Him with a loud voice. He had probably heard the stories about Jesus and how He had healed the sick and done other notable miracles. The crowds tried to hush him up, but the more they tried, the louder Bartimaeus got. He was not the least bit ashamed to make his plea known. He needed mercy and healing and his cries for help caught the attention of Jesus.

Jesus could have just passed Batimaeus by and the people would not have thought too much about it because they had no compassion for him. While they made every attempt to silence this hurting and needy soul, Jesus stood still and commanded Bartimaeus to be brought to him. Jesus then asked him what he wanted and when the blind replied that he wanted to see, Jesus declared, "Your faith has made you whole."

This is a mighty story about a humanly impossible situation in the life of an ordinary man. The blind man had no hope in the people about him or in the religious leaders of the synagogue, but he had hope in Jesus. He knew that Jesus was the Healer so he cried to Him with a loud voice. When his voice of faith was not heard, he cried louder. He didn't care what others thought of him because he recognized that this was his moment of opportunity and he was desperate for a touch from the healing hands of Jesus.

God is always looking for believers who will trust in Him for their needs to be met because He wants to be God in their lives just like he was for the blind man. There was no way that the blind man could heal himself. It took a miracle from God. Likewise, there is no way that we can help ourselves. If we can do it, it is not faith. If we can make it happen, it is not a miracle. God wants to do the impossible in your life so that He may be glorified in the Earth. You can't allow adversity to quench your faith or the doubts of others to silence your voice. God is waiting to answer your prayers like he did for blind Bartimaues but you must call out to Him and when opposition presents itself, you must cry even louder. If you have a need now is the time to arise and allow your voice of faith to be heard by the Master. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/11/08
BE STILL

Scripture: Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalms forty-six is a psalm of trust and thanksgiving to God who is our refuge and our strength. This psalm declares again and again that God's presence is always there to help us in times of trouble. It doesn't matter if the Earth is destroyed, the waters are troubled, or the mountains shake and are thrown into the sea, God will still be with us. In the midst of all the turmoil that surrounds us, God speaks to us and says, "Be still." In other words He says, "Cease from your actions. Stop trying to fix the problems that are too big for you to handle. I am with you no matter what." Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper."

Remember when you were a child with a splinter in your foot? No action could be taken to remove it until you stopped kicking and screaming. Your mother knew that you were in pain but she would just wait until you settled down before trying to fix your problem. When you put your faith and trust in her, she was able to gently remove the splinter and resolve your problem. Usually the procedure was quick and not so painful as you had imagined. So it is with God. In His sight, your greatest problem is no bigger than a small splinter. While you are running around in a panic, God is sitting on His throne waiting for you to settle down and quietly trust in Him. He is well able to remedy every situation. Your strength is to sit still (Isaiah 30:7).

Emergencies always cause anxieties that make us think that immediate action is necessary. But God says, "Even though everything in your life appears to be like the mountains falling into the sea and the earth disappearing, don't panic." When you encounter overwhelming situations and adversities, step aside from everything and quietly look at God. Take notice that He is still in control. Focus your attention on Him and know that "He is God." There is something about knowing that brings strength to your spirit. God is waiting to speak, but His voice demands that your soul be silent. Let the silence inside of you reach out to Him for help. His still small voice will remove all doubt and fear. Just "be still, come to know that His presence is with you, and know that He is God." +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/12/08
INVINCIBLE AND NOT INTIMIDATED

Scripture: I Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV) " ... We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts."

So many times we fall into the trap that the Apostle Paul is speaking of in this scripture. Instead of just abiding and flowing in the ministry that God put in our hearts, we find ourselves following after other influences. Because of the uncertain voices that speak to us, we become unsure of our own personal mandate from God and the abilities that He has placed within us to accomplish His call. If we are not discerning and wise, we end up trying to please men rather than God.

Some tell us that our vision is too small, while others say that we have set our aim too high. Some say that we need to handle our affairs this way and others disagree. The opinions of others can become confusing and intimidating. They may even destroy our decision, which was originally based upon God's direction for our lives. Charles Swindoll makes a profound statement in his book "The Grace Awakening." He says, "Those who seek to please God only are invincible from within. Not only that, but when we stop striving to please people, we are also unintimidated from without." Seeking to please God sets us free in both areas, from the judgment of others and our own self-condemnation. When we are truly making an effort to please God, no voice can penetrate His grace that is upon our lives. When our heart is right before God, it is not condemned even in the midst of failure and gives no heed to the accusing voices that surround it.

One of the greatest freedoms that we have is to be able to choose and respond. Godly counsel is good, but the responsibility of our choices belong to us. There is no greater choice than to decide to make God's will our will. That is the reason we must choose to have a daily encounter with God and determine exactly what His will is for our lives. We must take time to listen if we want to hear Him speak. If we neglect this duty, other voices will intervene and we may seek to please them rather than God. Today we are living with the results of the choices that we sowed yesterday and tomorrow we will reap the benefits and consequences of the choices that we make today. We cannot blame others for our lack so let us choose to please God rather than man. Like Charles Swindoll said, as we do, we will become invincible within and unintimidated from without. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/13/08
ASKING IN LINE WITH HIS WILL

Scripture: I John 5:14-15 "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us ... we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

When we were young, we knew the hearts and minds of our parents. Usually without a doubt we knew the things that they would allow in our lives. Even before we asked them for something, we knew whether or not they would grant our request. We had great confidence to come boldly into their presence and ask for something when we knew that it met their approval. However, when we knew that our request would conflict with their approval, we were forced to become a little more creative. We would ask a friend to go with us as we approached them. If we received a negative response, we continued our efforts to pressure our parents by trying to make them feel guilty by telling them that our friend's parents were responding positively to the same request. We did everything in our power to manipulate our parents into allowing us to have our own way. Our parents had our best interest in mind, however, and many times felt it unwise to give in to our demands. If we continued to badger them about matters that were beyond their means or desires, they would just quit listening.

Former President Jimmy Carter said, "God always answers prayers. Sometimes it's 'yes'. Sometimes the answer is 'no'. Sometimes it's 'you gotta be kidding'." How many times do our prayers, like our youthful requests, fall into the third category? Because of our desperate needs or passionate desires, we presume on God to answer us. We fail to seek His face and refuse to allow our hearts to discern His perfect will in the matter. We follow a prayer formula, but become confused when we don't receive our answer. All the while, God is sitting on His throne echoing those words, "You gotta be kidding."

Like our earthly parents, God is lovingly watching over our lives and setting gracious limitations. He doesn't always give us what we want, but He always gives us His best. Our disappointment may not see His wisdom working for us, but Isaiah 55:9 says, "God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts." As God's children, we need to become so acquainted with Him that we know and understand His will, and then trust Him to give us what He knows to be best. When we reach this place in our walk with God, we will find that our prayers will be in agreement with His eternal plan. When our prayers line up with His will, we can be confident that He will hear us when we talk to Him, listen to our petitions, and answer our prayers. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/14/08
HIS WORKMANSHIP

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 (NAS) "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

The following quote is a meditation from the book "Reflections of God's Glory" by Corrie ten Boom:

    "In the basement of a large tenement house in which many families
    lived, there was an old broken harp. People had often tried to
    repair it and play it, but no one had ever succeeded in doing so.
    One day a beggar came and asked for shelter. The only place for
    him to spend the night was in a corner of that basement. Late that
    night people heard the sound of beautiful music coming from the
    basement. They found the beggar there playing the harp, and they
    asked, "How were you able to repair the harp and play it so
    beautifully?" He replied, "I made this harp myself. When I was
    young, I made lots of harps. This is one of my harps. Shouldn't
    I be able to repair something I made myself?" We have been
    created by the hands of Jesus. I despair when I try to change
    myself and patch myself up. I can't do it and never will be able to
    do it, but if I surrender myself to Him who made me, I experience
    miracles!"

Just like the harp that was created to make beautiful music, God has created us for good works, special plans, and definite purposes. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "God knows the thoughts He has for us, they are for good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope." We are His workmanship. He created us in Christ Jesus and works with us to make us into the vessels that He has preordained us to be. Although we may get battered about by the storms of life and seemingly cast aside for a season, we can take hope, for "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). God never changes His mind or withdraws His gifts. They are irrevocable. At the appointed time, God will set His hand upon us the second time and restore us to His original purpose. The harp could not make music in the state it was in. It took the hands of the creator to bring restoration. So it is in our lives. The ability to make music is still there but if we want God to restore us, we must totally surrender all the pieces of our broken lives to Him. He made us. Shouldn't He be able to repair us? +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/17/08
GOD SHALL SUPPLY

Scripture: Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

This scripture makes it very plain where to put your trust when you are facing financial needs and difficulties. It simply says:

God is your source.

God will supply according to His riches in glory.

God's blessing is made possible by Jesus' completed work at Calvary.

You have a very gracious and loving God who has made a very special promise to supply everything that you need. Some interpret this to mean that He will bestow great wealth and every desire, but God is a loving Father and He knows what is best. He doesn't measure wealth in dollars and cents. True wealth doesn't consist of having many possessions, but in having few wants. When we learn to trust Him, we find ourselves content in all things and this contentment brings great rewards.

God supplies according to His riches in glory. He doesn't meet your needs according to your limited supply, your puny paycheck, your meager savings account, or your sparse assets. He meets them according to His limitless supply. He reaches into His riches in glory and supplies you with the blessings that Jesus has purchased for you. Can you imagine what your needs look like when you put them next to God's riches in glory? It's like pouring a cup of water into an ocean. There is no comparison. Proverbs 10:22 tells us that the blessings of the Lord make us rich and add no sorrow. Wealth can't give a lasting happiness, but happiness can bring true wealth to your soul and spirit.

Every need that you face gives you an opportunity to receive. Every difficult and impossible situation that challenges you opens the way for God to do something miraculous in your life. God has shown over and over throughout the scripture that He will supply needs, whether it be providing manna for forty years to four million Israelites in the wilderness, changing water into wine, feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, or taking care of a small sparrow. Nothing is too small for God to consider or too large for Him to handle. He is well able to meet all of your needs, so look to Him as your source. Don't look at your limited supply or get discouraged about what you are unable to do. God will meet your needs according to His supply of riches in glory. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/18/08
JOY FOR THE JOURNEY

Scripture: Psalms 40:2 " ... He established my goings."

Life is a process and a journey through time where lasting memories are created. Like any other journey, the highway of life that we travel climbs the hills and passes through the valleys. Sometimes it takes us to the top of the mountains where there is much joy and at other times it circles and overlooks deep dark canyons where fear prevails. This journey takes us across the rivers, near the oceans, and through the desert places. Each mile we travel is different and unpredictable. There are sudden detours that take us down unfamiliar paths and challenging circumstances all along the way that we must face. Often, we are unable to clearly read the signs and temptations that try to lure us into exiting from God's highway of holiness.

Throughout this journey, we must remember that God is in control and that He is "establishing our goings." David said, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalms 37:23). And Proverbs 16:9 tells us that a man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. We choose our route, but our lives remain in the sovereign hands of God. When we make Him Lord of our life and seek to do His will, we put Him in the driver's seat. That means He has the authority to take us down the good roads and sometimes down the roads that seem bad. But we must trust God's divine wisdom and direction for we know that all things will work together for good because we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

We have chosen God's highway of holiness, but many of us are driving "clunkers." We have no joy, no peace, and no rest. His burden has become heavy and we are road weary and uncomfortable. We haven't learned that joy is the journey, not our destination. The joy of the Lord must be our companion if we are to continue in strength and complete our course. Joy is a choice that we make and comes into being when we totally surrender everything to God. In adversity, the psalmist declared, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Regardless of his circumstances, he made a conscious decision to be joyful. As you travel today's journey, choose joy as your companion. The road before you will be brighter and your load will be lighter. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/19/08
RESURRECTION LIFE

Scripture: John 12:24 "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit."

Jesus spoke of the necessity of His death before there could be resurrection. He compared His life and death to the same process that a grain of wheat goes through before it can produce new life and fruit. No seed can be placed in a protected environment, kept from decay and death, and be fruitful. Jesus said that if the seed does not die, it will abide alone, for fruitfulness comes only as the seed lays aside its life and gives itself to total darkness.

God's work on the seed is a mystery. The death of a seed will cause it to multiply and bring forth. It becomes not only nourishment for those who eat of its fruit, but it also creates other seeds that will repeat the same process. It's amazing to plant one kernel of corn that is the size of the end of your small finger, then watch it grow into a seven-foot stalk in just a short time. The stalk will then produce about eight ears of corn, and each ear will have hundreds of kernels. How can one small seed do all that work in such a short time? We can't understand how the earth, air, water, and sun all work together to bring about this wondrous miracle, but we believe it because we see the results. This phenomenon takes place because God's power and life are working inside the seed.

So it is with the work of Christ, His death, and resurrection. We don't understand the reason why His death brings us life, but we believe because we see the results. And because we have had an experience with Him, we become as another seed and also have the power of the life of Christ living on the inside of us. However, before we can produce life and fruit, we must be removed from a protected environment so that we can experience the death of the things that are of self and the world. We must take on the new life of the Spirit of Christ and surrender ourselves to the Spirit of God, allowing Him to work on us just as the earth, air, water, and sun worked on the natural seed. We must abide alone with God and allow Him to direct our entire life, for it is only then that we will be productive and God will be glorified in our lives.

Like the hope of the small and seemingly insignificant seed, we must have faith for our future. We must not allow ourselves to become discouraged as we envision the death and decay that is happening in our lives at the moment. For, God is creating something that we cannot see. We must rejoice in the darkness as we embrace the vision and the glory of the future. As we yield ourselves to God, He will bring resurrection life. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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03/20/08
THE GOD OF RESURRECTION

Scripture: John 11:15 (NIV) Jesus said, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe."

Martha and Mary sent for Jesus to come minister healing to their brother, Lazarus. Instead of immediately running to the rescue, Jesus stayed where He was for another two days. Even when the evil tidings came to Him that Lazarus had died, He did not panic. In fact, it seemed that He was pleased about the whole situation. He told His disciples, "I'm glad for your sakes that I was not there." By the time Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. The people that surrounded the situation began their reasonings. Some believed that because Jesus had the power to heal the blind, He could have prevented Lazarus's death if He had been there. Mary's words were in agreement. She said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Now that Lazarus was dead, they felt that there was no hope. It seemed their faith could only take them just so far.

However, God had far greater plans than they could ever imagine. He was not limited by disease or death. Neither was He limited by time. He was just as able to work right then, at that moment, as He would have been four days earlier. His intention was to demonstrate His power in a greater way by raising Lazarus from the grave instead of raising Him from the sick bed. Verse four tells us that this whole situation was to reveal the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified.

It is so easy to lose faith when God doesn't fulfill your expectations or meet your needs according to your timing. You may even question God, "Why weren't You here when I needed You?" You may feel that it's too late to remedy your situation and you may possibly lapse into a spirit of hopelessness. God knows all about your doubts and fears. You must remember that though He tarries for a few days, He is never late. He is always on time. You may not know His plan, but you can be assured that He has a plan. Like Jesus spoke to His disciples, God is glad for your sakes that He is not there to immediately remedy every situation so that you might learn to believe in Him. He wants to take you from one level of faith to another and from glory to glory. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. When Jesus comes on the scene, He will bring life to those things that have become dead in your life. He will fix your circumstances and resurrect your life from the shambles. He will cause your dreams and visions to come alive. He will bring new life into your relationships where you thought there was no hope. Isaiah 61:3 says that He will give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Believe in Him and you will see that He is not only the God of healing and restoration, but He is also the God of resurrection. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/21/08
ETERNAL GIFTS OF LOVE

Scripture: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

You cannot imagine how much love God has for you. I John 4:10 says, "Not that we loved Him, but that He loved us; and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." God's love was so enormous that He gave His Son. How many of us would give our sons or daughters to die in the place of someone else? I don't know for sure that I could give my son to die for you. Even though I may love you very deeply, I would probably choose my son's life over yours. As humans, our capacity to love is limited, but God's capacity is so great that He was able to give His only begotten Son.

God not only gave His Son in death for us, but He also watched Him as He was beaten, crowned with thorns, and hung on Calvary's cross in shame. How many times do you think that God the Father may have wanted to change His mind and do something about the situation? Yet, God's great love caused Him to allow His Son to suffer in agony for you and for me. Jesus Himself could have called the angels to deliver Him. God the Father or Jesus could have stopped the process at any time, but our souls hung in the balance and depended upon Their sacrifice. As Jesus became sin for us, God turned His face away from Him and heard the agonizing cry of His Son, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" Jesus' cry must have been like a dagger in the heart of His Father, as He watched the cruel suffering of His Son. Have you ever watched someone special to you suffer in death? Have you faced those times where you had to turn your face away from their struggle with pain?

There are two eternal gifts of love that have been given to us. First, God gave His only begotten Son, and second, Jesus gave His own life. If we could ever comprehend these two eternal gifts of love, we would be able to trust the One who gave His Son for us and trust the One who gave His life for us. Revelation 1:5 says, "He loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." God gave His Son, what more could He give? Jesus gave His own life, what more could He give? +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================

03/24/08
NEW LIFE

Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:12 "The flowers appear on the earth ..."

King Solomon, who was the wisest and wealthiest man of his day, wrote these simple words. Even with the vast knowledge and wisdom that he had concerning the complicated things of life, he was still moved by the simple but miraculous works of God. He took time in his writings to acknowledge the miracle of the new life of the season, for he wrote, "The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the Earth." He knew that regardless of his wisdom, he did not have enough knowledge or ability to create a flower on his own. Neither could his vast riches grow them. They came only by the hand of the Creator of Heaven and Earth or the seeds that He provided.

Spring is my favorite time of the year because when it comes it covers the earth with new life. It is always so amazing to watch God's marvelous handwork in action as the season appears. It truly fulfills its name for everything that has been dormant for a season springs up with new life. The things that once looked dead begin to come alive and in a matter of weeks the leaves on the trees and the grass in the fields turn a rich green. The atmosphere that was filled with the cold gray of winter changes into the warmth of the vibrant colors of spring. The earth resurrects itself into the new life that God ordained for it. This has happened century after century in obedience to the voice of the Father God who spoke to all of the life on the Earth and told it to bring forth after its kind.

God spoke this scripture to me at a very special time in my life. It was a season when I thought all hope was gone. I was in a valley of utter despair and couldn't see my way out of the darkness. Yet several years later, I am a witness to you that God can cause "the flowers to appear" again. He changed my darkness into light and caused the roses to share their fragrance with me again. He made the rains to cease and commanded the sun to shine. In the midst of a cold dormant season, He surrounded me with His love and caused new life to spring up within me. I look back now at that terrible season in my life and wonder why it was so hard for me to believe because God is always so faithful.

I don't know where you might be today or how bad you may be hurting inside. We all have our own battles and valleys that we must go through. I may meet you on the street or even in a church service and not recognize that your heart is full of pain because you have hidden your disappointments so well in the deepest chambers of your heart that I can't see them. Yet, I want you to know that God sees and God knows. The Lord understands just how bad things are in your life, but He also looks beneath the sod and sees the dormant flowers that are hidden in the darkness. He is aware of the good and beautiful things of your life that you have forgotten about or possibly didn't even know were there. In His time, He will call them forth. He will bring new life to your soul and cause the flowers of your heart to bloom again. Even in your worst trial, the Spirit of God within you will be like an oasis of living water, and He will refresh you and keep you together for the moment that He has ordained. The Lord has a beautiful season prepared for you, so trust in Him. For regardless of how cold, how dark, or how discouraging the terrible season has been, when God speaks His word nothing and no one will be able to keep the flowers from appearing in your life. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/25/08
THY KINGDOM COME

Scripture: Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come."

Jesus established a principle of prayer that prayer is not to be made just for our own personal needs. Instead, prayer is designed for the benefit of the entire kingdom of God. A prayer that was once published shows how we often think. A man prayed, "Lord, I pray that you would bless me, my wife, our son John and his wife ... us four and no more." Yet, Jesus' prayers were never about His physical needs, but were always focused on the kingdom of God. In teaching us how to pray and get results, He said, "Pray that God's kingdom would come on Earth as it is in Heaven." He then mentioned that we should pray concerning our personal needs but also told us that we did not need to be overly concerned about material things. He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). He was saying seek the invisible and then the visible will be added. When you take care of God's business and His kingdom, He will take care of your business.

The definition of the Kingdom of God is given in Romans 14:17 which says, "For the kingdom of God is not meat, and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." When you have a situation in which there is no righteousness, peace, and joy, you need to pray and declare that God's kingdom manifest and take control. Matthew 11:12 says, "The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." The devil gets violent and does all that he can do to keep you from living in righteousness, peace, and joy. But, you can get violent in the spirit and stand against him. Even Jesus stood violently against the moneychangers and drove them out of the temple with a whip. In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, we are told to put on the whole armor of God and stand against the strategies of the devil. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

God's kingdom will dispel and drive out the forces of the kingdom of darkness. In the natural, when you walk into a room that is dark, all you need to do to dispel the darkness is to turn on the light. The light will drive out the darkness by its own strength. You do not have the power within yourself to drive out the darkness, but you have the power to flip the switch that will produce the light. Likewise you cannot bring righteousness, peace, and joy into a situation by natural means, but you can flip the spiritual switch by praying as Jesus taught you to pray. When you begin to pray for His kingdom to come and start declaring His authority in your situation, then the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost will come and Jesus will rule as Lord in your life. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/26/08
POSSESSING GOD'S PROMISE

The ten men who had returned with an evil report were distracted by the giants in the land. When they saw the giants, they began to see themselves as grasshoppers, and knew that they were viewed in the same manner by the giants. These distractions led to deception and caused them to lose faith. They began to murmur against Moses and Aaron and eventually blamed God for their serious circumstances. They accused God of leading them into the wilderness so that they could be killed. Because they focused on the distractions and allowed themselves to be deceived, they became discouraged and said, " We wish we had died in Egypt or even in this wilderness" (Numbers 14:2). They became totally disillusioned and no longer wanted God's plan or the Promised Land. They wanted to return to Egypt and the bondage that they had left behind (Numbers 14:4).

This is one of the devil's strategies as he leads us down a trail to the place of defeat. He uses distractions to take us into deception. In deception, we have no clear understanding about God or His will. We have no discernment about the problem or solution. We become totally confused mentally and spiritually disoriented. The devil then begins to discourage us until he brings us to the place of disillusionment. He works his plan, one step at a time, to keep us from possessing the promises of God. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." Our hope in these situations is to follow Caleb's example. When God gives a promise to us, we must make the decision to possess that promise and refuse to focus on the problems or the giants. Whatever the challenge, we must not fear but seek to secure the promise at once, for the Lord will help us posses and make us more than conquerors. +++

Copyright © 2008 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com =================================================================================
03/27/08
HALF-BAKED CAKE

Scripture: Hosea 7:8 "Ephraim is a cake not turned."

The Northern Kingdom (Israel) was also called Ephraim. When Ephraim presented itself to God, it was full of sin and strife. Ephraim had mixed themselves among strangers and allowed these people to devour their strength. Even though God had redeemed Ephraim, they had transgressed against Him and had made no effort to seek forgiveness or return to Him. When God saw their iniquity and wickedness, He saw them as cakes that were not turned. They were like a pancake that was cooked only on one side, unready for consumption and detestable to the palate. Yet, verse nine tells us that Ephraim did not recognize their own weakness. They were unaware that their strength had been devoured or that they had become decrepit as signified by their gray hair.

Like Ephraim, unholy alliances cause our spiritual strength to be devoured. The sin and strife we experience in these relationships destroy our Christian witness and the anointing of God's wonderful Spirit upon our lives. God doesn't want us in these compromising positions. When He gets ready to use us in His kingdom, He doesn't want to discover that we are as cakes unturned and unfit to fulfill His purposes. Instead, He wants to find us complete and thoroughly furnished with His word so that we are able to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). God wants us to be pure and full of His Holy Spirit so that we are well able to do the mighty works that He has called us to do. He has also furnished us with spiritual weapons and told us to put on His whole armor so that we can stand and be ready to engage in spiritual battle against the forces of the evil one (Ephesians 6:11).

Scripture: Psalms 50:23 (NIV) "He who sacrifices praise honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Praise is a mighty force. It is not only an expression of our faith but also a spiritual weapon that can be used against the enemy of our soul. When we praise God in the midst of our adversity, we are declaring our trust in Him. Our praise demonstrates our total confidence in His ability and wisdom. It also confirms our submission to His will. When we give praises to God, we are also informing the devil that we believe in God and know that He is still in control regardless of the outcome of our situation. Like Job, our praise declares, "Though God slay me, yet will I trust Him."

Everything in our life doesn't have to be perfect for us to praise God. Many times we have to offer up a sacrifice of praise and give thanks to God regardless of our circumstances, for praise is the force that will open the windows of Heaven and allow God to work in our lives. The psalmist said that when we honor God with praise and thanksgiving, we are preparing the way for Him to show us salvation. Like the Israelites, God will not intervene and bring deliverance in our situation until we quit murmuring, enter into His rest, and give Him praise. Throughout the scriptures many deliverances occurred when praises were being exhibited. When Paul and Silas sang and praised God at the midnight hour, the prison doors were opened, and they were set free. When Jehoshaphat's army praised God on the battlefield, God sent ambushments against the enemy and the enemy destroyed themselves (II Chronicles 20:22). In Matthew 15:25 a woman worshipped and praised Jesus and her daughter was delivered of demons. Also, there was a ruler who worshipped Jesus and his daughter was raised from the dead. Praise prepared the way for God to bring deliverance in these situations.

We were created in God's imagine and His nature is within us. We understand how hard it is to deny our own children's request when they are expressing their love and adoration for us. So it is with our Heavenly Father's thoughts towards us. Praise speaks volumes to the heart of God and draws His attention to us and our situation. Our praise is a declaration of our faith and when He sees our worship and hears our praise, He reacts. The Word of God says that we always reap what we sow. When we are in lack and sow praise regardless of our need, we are telling God that we believe in His provision and He allows us to reap His bountiful supply. When we sow praise when our lives are in turmoil, peace begins to prevail because we are focusing upon God instead of the confusion. When we sow praise in the midst of adversity, the forces of Hell must give way to deliverance. You may be facing extreme circumstances and it may truly be a sacrifice for you to give praise and thanksgiving in your current situation. Yet deliverance is available and the choice is yours. Are you going to use your voice of praise to prepare the way for your salvation? +++

There was a spirit of excellence in Daniel and throughout all of his days he remained faithful and uncompromising before God. He purposed that he would not defile himself with the king's food and when a decree went out that no one was to petition any God except the king, Daniel continued to pray and commune with God. Daniel never tried to hide in secret or pray silently. Instead, three times a day, he knelt and made his prayers to God. He prayed before an open window where everyone could see even though he knew that this act would cause him much trouble. Because of his commitment to prayer, he was put into a den with the lions, but God delivered him.

You may be hurting right now and in a valley of confusion concerning the many questions that you have in your mind. Your life may be spinning out of control as you face desperate situations. Yet, be encouraged for there is one thing that you can know for sure and that is that the same God that Daniel served is with you. It doesn't matter if you need direction, confirmation about a decision, financial help, or the answer to any other mystery. God has the answer. The Lord wants you to seek Him out. He wants to listen to you and hear all about your problem. Then, He wants you to listen to what He has to say about your situation, for Isaiah 11:9 says that the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and counsel are upon Him. God is a God that reveals secrets and He wants to reveal His answers and solutions to you but you must be ready and listen as He whispers. +++