02/02/15
A OPEN MY EYES

Scripture: II Kings 6:17 "Open his eyes, that he may see."

A great army had surrounded the city where the prophet Elisha and his servant were staying. When the servant saw that they were surrounded, He became distressed and sought comfort from Elisha. Elisha told his servant not to fear and declared that there were more for them than against them, but the servant still couldn't see what the prophet of God saw. Elisha then prayed this simple prayer asking God to open the eyes of the servant. When God opened the servant's eyes and allowed him to see beyond the natural, he saw that the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire, which were there to protect them.

Before my grandchild was born, we experienced a great blessing, for we were allowed to see an amazing video of her while she was still in the womb of her mother. As the doctor scanned the baby with the sonogram, we were able to see many of her features, which included her heart beating and a perfect view of her mouth making definite sucking motions. It was awesome to grasp this wonderful blessing. Modern technology had made it possible for our eyes to see beyond our natural capabilities and allowed us to view a miracle. Yet, if we had not been able to see the child with our own eyes, the fact remained that she was there and full of life.

This is a life lesson for us in the spiritual. Too often, it seems that evil surrounds us, and like the situation with Elisha and his servant, our vision is limited. We are only able to see the opposition and we experience fear because we can't see what is happening in the spirit. However, God is surrounding us with His forces. Without God opening our spiritual eyes, we can't see a way of escape any more than we could see the baby in the womb without the help of a sonogram. Yet regardless of our limited vision, God is quietly working undercover on our behalf and has a plan and a time to bring all things into fruition.

I pray for you today, as the prophet prayed for his servant, that God would open your eyes supernaturally and allow you to see the heavenly forces that are fighting for you in the battles of life. I pray that you will get a glimpse of the blood of Jesus that was shed for your sins so that you could receive eternal life. I pray that you would come to understand the significance of the stripes that were laid upon Jesus' back, for Isaiah says that "by His stripes you are healed." I pray that God's peace that passes all understanding would flood your spirit as you envision the crown of thorns that was placed upon Jesus' brow, for "He took the chastisement of your peace upon Himself" (Isaiah 53:5). And finally, I pray that your spiritual eyes would be opened to know God's heartbeat. I pray that you would be assured that He is surrounding you with His love. I encourage you to pray the same simple prayer that the prophet prayed, "Open my eyes that I may see," so that you may rest in God's promise of provisions and protection. +++

02/03/15
DON'T BE CONFORMED - BE TRANSFORMED

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

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

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

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

02/04/15
FAITHFUL STEWARDS

Scripture: I Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

We are required to be faithful stewards over that which God entrusts to us. The Apostle Paul said that it didn't matter to him what men said about him or how they judged him. It wasn't even important how he judged himself. His main concern was that the Lord would see him as a faithful minister and steward. In verse four, Paul said, "It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me." It was more important to Paul to be in the place where God wanted him to be than to have the praises of men or the wealth of the world.

There is a story of a lady who walked in the country. As she looked at the things of nature, she thought surely God had made some mistakes. She saw the strong tree that held the very small fruit of an acorn. She also noticed the small vines on the ground on which the large watermelons grew. She questioned the wisdom of the large fruit on the small vine, and the small fruit on the large tree. In all her wisdom, she thought that she would have planned things a little differently had she been God. As she sat down under the tree, however, her mind was suddenly changed when a small acorn fell from the tree and hit her. It would have been quite a disaster if the watermelon had been growing in that tree.

Romans 12:6 tells us that we have been given gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us. The foot should not complain that it is not the hand, and the ear should not complain that it is not the eye. All of the members of the body are important and necessary. God has set every one of the members in the body as it pleased Him (I Corinthians 12:15-18). Like the small acorn or the large watermelon, God has put us in the places on this Earth where He felt that we would fit the best and He has fashioned and formed us for that particular place. We must depend upon the wisdom of God in all areas of our life. We are not responsible for gifts that God did not ordain for us or for positions where He did not place us. We must never force a ministry that God has not called us to do. We must only be good stewards over that grace which has been entrusted to us and faithfully bloom and be a blessing wherever the Lord has planted us. +++

02/05/15
CHOOSING YOUR PATH

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19 "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live."

God has set before you a new season, and this new season has two paths. One is called life and blessing and the other is called death and cursing. God said that you must choose which path you will follow. Choice is not a feeling and it is not always easy. It is an individual and personal decision that involves an act of the will. It means making changes by leaving the old and possessing the new. There are steps involved in making choices and experiencing changes. You must believe that you are in control, believe that you actually have a choice, and be convinced that you need to make a change. Finally after you make a choice to change, you must discipline yourself to replace the wrong with the right.

God said, "Choose life." He wants you to live and prosper. II Corinthians 8:9 says, "Jesus became poor that you, through His poverty, might be rich." God intends for you to be blessed, but you must take charge of that which has been committed to you. It has been said, "If you don't back up, the devil will back down." You must resist the devil and stand your ground in faith. As you do, he will flee. You can take back the territory that the devil has stolen from you, but your heart must be undivided in this endeavor. A heart that is full of faith and does not waver will gain its rewards. The world will step aside to allow you to pass if you know where you are going because they recognize that you are determined to get there.

There is a world to win, a territory to conquer, and a generation to save. You must choose to minister to those who are waiting by allowing your life to bring glory to God the Father. You must choose courage in the face of fear when the enemy seems greater than yourself. You must choose to have faith in times of great storms and adversities. You must decide to love when bitterness challenges your soul. You must choose forgiveness and go beyond the hurts and pains of the past. You must choose to walk down the path of integrity and not the path of deceitfulness. When you make these choices of life and blessings, instead of the alternatives that bring death and curses, God will impart His strength and create a power within you to accomplish His will. He has set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Which path will you choose? +++

02/05/15
GRACE AND CHARACTER

Scripture: Psalms 94:11-13 (Living Bible) "The Lord is fully aware of how limited and futile the thoughts of mankind are, so He helps us by punishing us. This makes us follow His paths ..."

Even though correction and punishment is not something that parents really enjoy, they know that it is necessary so they can teach their children the right paths to follow. Parents want their children to have the best that life has to offer, so they exercise the discipline in order to mold their children's character and teach them to be graceful in life's situations. And, yes, having to render punishment does hurt the parent's spirit more than it hurts the child physically.

God looks at us, His children, and regards us in the same manner. He knows that our minds are limited to the natural realm. Most often, our spirits are not discerning enough to recognize every evil that confronts us. Nor is our spirit strong enough in itself to always resist the temptation of the evil one. We need God's help in these areas. It grieves the heart of God when He sees us go astray, and it gives Him great pain when He has to punish us. But as a Father, He corrects and deals out punishment to us because He loves us. Although His correction and punishment is not pleasant, it is through these means that He protects us from following after our enemy whose ultimate goal is to kill, steal, and destroy our very being.

Look at these encouraging words from God that are found in Hebrews 12:5-11 in the Living Bible. "My son, don't be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don't be discouraged when He has to show you where you are wrong. For when He punishes you, it proves that He loves you ... and that you are really His child. Let God train you, for He is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected? If God doesn't punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren't really God's son at all - that you don't really belong to His family. Since we respect our fathers here on Earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God's training so that we can begin to really live? ... Being punished isn't always enjoyable while it is happening - it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character." +++

02/09/15
MOVED WITH COMPASSION

Scripture: Matthew 9:36 "When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion ..."

Jesus went about teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. He had great gifts and there was a mighty anointing of the Spirit of God upon Him. Yet with all of Jesus' glory, power, and fame, He never became arrogant or lost sight of the people and their needs. He saw them in their weakness and distress, and looked upon them with compassion. He felt their pains and suffered with them. Jesus had power, but Jesus was love.

Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday. He has not changed and is just as full of compassion and love today as He was nearly 2000 years ago when He looked upon the multitudes. Jesus desires to carry your load and to meet your need. As His eyes gaze upon you in the midst of your heartache and feelings of rejection, He knows exactly how you feel because He was also rejected and despised by men. He sees your loneliness and your broken heart and remembers when God forsook Him when He was on the cross. Jesus is touched by your pain and suffering because He can recall the stripes that were laid upon His own back, the crown of thorns that was pressed deep into His brow, the spear that pierced His side, and the pain and agony of the cross.

Jesus understands your anxieties and fears because He experienced these same feelings in the garden of Gethsemane. He knows the sorrow of grief that you bear as He recalls His own tears when His friend, Lazarus, died. He extends His mercy, grace, and forgiveness when you fail during a moment of weakness because He knows the difficulty of resisting temptation, for He was tempted in the same manner in the wilderness. Jesus is also concerned about your lack and stands ready to multiply your loaves and fish so that your physical needs can be satisfied.

There is no area of your life that the compassion of Jesus does not touch. He feels your heart beat and will listen to your cries when no one else wants to listen. He will lead you through the valleys and restore your soul. He has prepared green pastures and still waters for you. His eyes may gaze upon the multitudes, but His heart searches for you. Like a good shepherd, if you are not there, Jesus will leave the ninety-nine to bring you back into the fold. You are His main interest and He has numbered the very hairs upon your head. What a wonderful friend you have in this man called Jesus. He loves you and your needs cause Him to be moved with compassion. +++

02/10/15
FROM DAWN TO FULL LIGHT

Scripture: Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full light of day."

Solomon compared the path of the righteous to the light of the sun. As the sun rises in the morning there is little light or heat, but this light gets stronger and the heat intensifies as the morning progresses. Finally, at noon, or as Solomon said, "at the full light of day", the path of the righteous is very clear.

Helen Keller said, "To have eyes and no vision is worse than being blind." Helen Keller was blind and had to grope around in a dark world because she had no sight. She was also deaf so she lived in silence with no audible sounds or voices to lead her. Yet, she felt that to lack spiritual vision was a worse disability than having physical blindness. Even though she could not see the first gleam of dawn or watch the light grow brighter through the day, it is apparent that she understood the concept of progressive vision.

God has set a path before each of us. At the dawning, there is little light and it's often hard to get a clear picture of what He desires to do in our life. God may even purposely hold back part of the plan at the beginning because He knows the whole picture will overwhelm us. There may be shadows or early morning fog that distorts the vision. Yet as the light shines upon our path, the shadows and fog disappear and the vision of God's plan becomes precise and impassions our soul. When God's vision begins to dawn upon our soul, responsibilities come that require commitment and discipline, and that also demand change. So, God takes ample time to deal with us in His love.

As time passes, God's Holy Spirit prepares our heart by shining a little more light as we proceed down the path of our destiny. It is much like waking up in the morning to the bright sun that is too much for our eyes to handle. As we wake, we comfort our eyes by squinting and rubbing them until we can handle the light and our vision becomes clear. 

Spiritual sight is much the same. God knows us and will not put more upon us than we can bear. He starts with the light of dawn and we often can't believe the new word that He is imparting to our spirits. Yet, He begins to shine His light upon that word and His plan and purposes become more definite and defined in our hearts. His light gets brighter and brighter like the sun that rises at dawn and it confirms our path and gives direction. As the Lord leads us one step at a time, we sense our desires changing and coming in line with His great purpose for our lives. Finally, we get a glimpse of how it will all work out and can say, "God's will has dawned upon me and is getting brighter like the full light of day." +++

02/11/15
LIFE AND GODLINESS

Scripture: II Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him."

Our Father God has given us many precious promises. Yet, His Word tells us that we cannot be slothful if we intend to obtain them. We must search the scriptures and come into a full personal knowledge of Christ so that we can know what He has provided for us through His journey to the cross, His death, and His resurrection. When we truly come to know Him, we will discover what our rights and responsibilities are in the kingdom of God. His promises are powerful but they will not come easy. We must seek to inherit them through our steadfast faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12). Through faith and patience, we will come to understand that God really has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. He left nothing out. His Word and His Spirit not only instructs us in the things of life and tells us what we are to do in the natural, but also instructs in godliness and shows us who we are to be spiritually.

Jesus came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He intends for our natural life to be blessed just as our spiritual life is blessed. The Lord wants us to be thoroughly furnished and balanced in both life and godliness. We can't be so earthly minded that we have no time or nothing to offer for the kingdom of God. Yet, we can't be so spiritually minded that we are of no earthly good to those in the natural world about us. We may want to be like the spiritual giants that we have read about in the scriptures, yet the truth is that we live in a natural world. We can't sit at home and just pray and study the Bible all day because we have to go to work and provide for our families. God gave us many examples in the scriptures to show us that the men of great faith and godliness also had to live in the natural world and face the giants and challenges of everyday life. 

The Message Bible states that Jesus has invited us to God, which is the best invitation that we ever received. We are given "Tickets to participate in the life of God." But only the Lord can equip us to live a noble life in the natural world and also help us to live in spiritual godliness. We must depend upon His strength, for there are too many temptations that will draw us the other direction. I encourage you to look at the attributes of God and then make a quality decision to obtain them for yourself. Remember that the Lord has offered you the privilege of leaning upon His divine power to help you manifest His character and godliness in your life. +++

02/12/15
EXPERIENCING GOD

Scripture: Acts 17:27 "That they should seek the Lord, if they might feel after Him, though He be not far from every one of us."

The Apostle Paul told us that we should seek the Lord and feel after Him as though He is not far from us. Other translations of this verse tell us that we must "reach out for Him," "feel our way towards Him," or "grope for Him." It is like finding the light switch in the darkness. The switch is there, but we must make an effort to find it if we want to experience the light. One time I got up in the middle of the night and headed towards the light switch that was on the wall near the door to the closet. The closet door had been left open, and in the darkness I was misdirected. Instead of finding the light switch, I walked into the open closet. I knew that I had gone astray because the wall upon which the switch was mounted was not that far from my bed. Confusion set in and I could not figure out where I was. The only alternative was to keep groping in the darkness and carefully feel around until I touched something familiar. When my hands touched the clothes, I realized where I had made my mistake. I then reversed my steps and made my way back to the light switch outside of the closet.

God is not playing hide and seek. He is not remote but is very near. Like the light switch on the wall, He doesn't change. He remains stable. We are the ones who go past His presence and are led away into the darkness. Paul said in verse twenty-nine that we are not to think of the Godhead as being an idol of silver or gold, for this is ignorance. He is not the Jesus that is displayed on a cross. He is our resurrected Lord and Savior who sits at the right hand of God in Heaven, and this is the Lord that we should seek. If we are groping around in the darkness with no joy of victory, we must repent and find the source of our light, which is Jesus.

God is not far from every one of us. He is near and how we choose to experience Him is based upon our own individual pursuit. James 4:8 says, "If we draw near unto Him, He will draw near to us." We can fear the Lord, enjoy Him, love Him, resent Him, neglect Him, or seek after Him. Our search for God can be in a halfhearted manner or with all of our heart. We can pursue Him with great zeal or in laziness. The decision is totally up to us. Yet, how we seek for the Lord determines how we will experience Him. We may try to excuse ourselves or blame others or our circumstances for not being able to have time with the Lord, yet the responsibility of our search rests upon our own shoulders.

II Chronicles 15:12 says, "They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God with all of their heart and with all of their soul." In the darkness of this hour, let us determine to do the same. The Lord is waiting for us to reach out and touch Him. So let us seek God and feel our way towards Him until we find Him and experience Him in the fullness of the Spirit. +++

02/13/15
LOVING GOD AND LOVING OTHERS

Scripture: I Corinthians 13:13 "... the greatest of these is love."

We know that without faith it is impossible to please God and we are told to hope in Him and His Word. Yet, Paul says that love is greater than both faith and hope. Love will cause a man and a woman to give up their own individual lives to join together in unity for life. Love will cause a mother and a father to sacrifice themselves in order to nurture and provide for their children and love will cause children to become caretakers for their elderly parents. Love for one's country and what it represents will cause a man to go to war and lay down his own life for the cause. Love will cause pastors to lay down their lives for their sheep and love will cause sheep to serve their pastors faithfully. Love will cause brothers and sisters to fight for one another and love will bond friendships that cannot be broken. Love caused our Father God to give His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). The greatest expression of love was this act at Calvary. 

Love excels all emotions. It is a mighty force that originates with God, for God is love. In Matthew 22:37 & 39, Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your might ... and love your neighbor as yourself." When we do these two commandments, we fulfill the Ten Commandments. You can not love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind while you are worshiping other gods, taking God's name in vain, or polluting His holy day. You can not love and honor God if you do not honor your parents as the Word of God instructs. You can not truly love others if you are willing to kill them, steal from them, bear false witness against them, commit adultery with their mate, and covet their belongings.

Love and evil can not be mingled in the same vessel. They will neutralize one another. Even our gifts have no place if our love is not pure and undefiled. Paul said that our gifts become as noisy gongs and clanging cymbals where there is no love. So we are to keep, or guard, our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) including the love that is within them.

I Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us that love is patient and kind. When love governs our heart then jealousy, arrogance, pride, and vanity are unable to prevail. When love is ruling, it doesn't insist on its own way and is not rude and unbecoming. Love is never self-seeking or resentful. A heart governed by love doesn't dwell on the evil that has been done to it nor does it rejoice at injustice or unrighteousness. A heart full of love will rejoice when right and truth prevail. It will also be able to bear up under anything and everything that comes. A heart guarded with love will always believe the best of every person and its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances. Love never fails and never fades away but will endure to the end. The greatest gift is a heart full of love. When a heart is filled with love for God and others, there is no room for self. +++

02/17/15
AN ON TIME GOD

Scripture: Galatians 4:4 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son."

God has a master timetable for all of us and we need to consider this fact as He works in a sovereign way in our lives. We may think that He is not working fast enough, but only God knows His master plan. God knows everything from the beginning to the end, but He patiently waits until the fullness of time before He completes His plan. He did not even send Jesus to this Earth until all things were ready for His ministry. God is not on the same timetable that we are on. We see the present state of the matter but God sees everything from an eternal perspective. When we think about ten years of our life, we consider it as a long length of time. When God sees ten years, He compares it with eternity, and it is as nothing. His Word even tells that our entire life is as a vapor of smoke or a moment in time compared to Heaven's eternity. 

When we pray, we want to see our answers immediately, but just like God waited to send His own Son to redeem mankind, He gives us our answers in the fullness of His time. My husband was a structural steel designer/draftsman, and designed the steel for oil refineries and commercial buildings. At times, work would become slow. In a particular season of lack, one of my husband's commercial clients decided that he would build the same mall that my husband had previously designed for another location in the city. At the time, work and finances were so scarce that we fasted and prayed concerning this particular project. We felt in our hearts that the contract belonged to us because my husband had originally designed the first mall. My husband made a bid for the job, but instead of using him, his client used my husband's previous designs and drawings to build the exact mall in the new location. Our hopes were dashed and our faith was challenged. We were in such desperate need and wondered why God didn't answer our prayers. Little did we know, that God answered our prayers but that the manifestation of His answer would not come until ten years later and at a more crucial time.

They built the mall as planned, but the mall did not succeed in that location. Ten years later, they decided to turn the mall into a medical center. At the time, my husband was bed ridden with cancer. He had no way of providing for the family and I could not work because I was his twenty-four hour caregiver. His client asked him to oversee the job. My husband hired another man to design the revisions and he allowed me to make all of the changes on the drawings. With little effort and a few hours of our time, God allowed us to make ten thousand dollars, which helped us make it through my husband's season of illness. Ten years before when we had prayed for provisions and nothing seemed to have happened, we could have thought that God had failed us. But in the fullness of time, we recognized that God did answer our prayer. He just did it in His own season and at His own time. When God's time was ready, He gave us the contract and His timing turned out to be better than our own timing.

There is a saying, "God is an on time God; He is seldom early, but He is never late!" You must never give up on your prayers. Be assured that God will answer them in His own way and in the fullness of His own time. +++

02/18/15 
WHEN FRIENDS FAIL

Scripture: Psalms 41:9 "Even my best friend has turned against me - a man I completely trusted."

It's a hard and hurtful experience when a sweet relationship turns and we are left with pain and rejection. The failed relationship may be with a friend or spouse, brother or sister, or a parent or child. Like David, we grieve when a trust is broken by those whom we love. Many times we find ourselves in confusion because we don't understand what happened. When rejection replaces acceptance and warmth turns to coldness, we try to analyze the situation, but our efforts are to no avail. It may be months, or sometimes years, before our true offense is revealed to us. Meanwhile, precious time and memories are lost for both parties involved. And although reconciliation is made and ties are mended, many times the pain of the past continues to haunt us. Questions and doubts linger in our mind and total trust is never regained. 

Many great men of God faced the same feelings of rejection that you may have experienced. King David said, "Even my best friend has turned against me." David had placed complete trust and confidence in this friend. In Psalms 55:12-14, David said that it wasn't an enemy who was insulting and causing him reproach. It was a man who was his equal, his companion, and his familiar friend. It was someone whom David enjoyed being with. They had shared sweet communion together and their counsel to one another had been pleasant. He said that they had even gone to the house of God together, but now their close bond had been broken and David was dealing with the loss.

David lost his close friend, but also think about the story of Joseph. Joseph's own brothers rejected him and intended to kill him, but God spared his life and instead of killing Joseph, they sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken away from his homeland and beloved father, and for about sixteen years he served the Egyptians. During that time he suffered heartache and the painful memories of the past. Eventually situations forced Joseph's brothers to ask him for forgiveness. Jesus also suffered the rejection of His earthly brothers, His disciples, and the multitudes for whom He sacrificed His life. All of His friends failed Him. Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was "despised and rejected of men." 

God has set these and other scriptures in the Word to encourage your heart and to let you know that you are not alone in your plight. God knows all about your hurts and feelings of rejection. He sees your heartache and confusion and is with you during your difficult times. You can go to Him when there's no one else to turn to and talk to Him when everyone else is tired of listening. No one will ever love you like the Lord loves you. When your best friend turns against you and your family fails, He will be there. When you are suffering the pains of the past, He will be there to comfort you. Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you. He is your friend forever and will "stick closer to you than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). +++

02/19/15 
ORDAINED TO BRING FORTH FRUIT

Scripture: John 15:16 "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain."

God has ordained different places and missions for each of us to fulfill. When we are in the place that He has ordained for us, we bring forth fruit and our fruit remains or continues to produce. God blesses our efforts and our works do not return unto Him void but accomplish what He desires. When God sends us forth, He meets every need for our journey, and regardless of the hardships, He provides a joy and a peace that passes all understanding. This explains why ministers work so very hard for so very little, how pastors are able to cope with church politics, and why missionaries forsake all to travel to foreign fields and live in austere conditions. It also explains why doctors and health care workers choose to sacrifice their lives to care for others and why policemen and soldiers put their lives in danger each day. They are chosen and ordained for such a work and are joyful in it.

It's very important to find the place that God has ordained for you, for you must be planted in the right place to thrive and bring forth fruit. Trying to fit into someone else's chosen place will only bring frustration and lack because God's gifts and His anointing is not there to sustain you. God may choose to plant you in a large field or a small field but He makes no mistakes. Wherever He places you, it will be a good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Your particular calling includes a future and a hope and that future includes fruit that will remain throughout eternity.

Daniel 11:32 declares that in these last days, "The people who know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." This is a different day and a new season. God has chosen you and brought you to the kingdom for such a time as this and He wants you to fulfill Daniel's prophecy. The Lord wants you to be strong and do mighty exploits in His name, but this will only happen as you totally surrender your life to the Lord and allow Him to plant you in His chosen field. When you yield yourself to His design, the fruit that He has ordained for your life will come forth and it will remain. +++

02/20/15 
WORD OF THE SPIRIT

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17 "Take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

The battles that rage against us are not carnal in nature, but spiritual and mighty. The encouraging news is that the Lord did not leave us defenseless in our battle against these forces of evil. Instead, He provided us with an entire spiritual armor. This armor of God is designed to cover us from the top of our head to the soles of our feet and includes the shield of faith that will quench all the fiery darts that the devil hurls at us. Last but not least the Lord also gave us the sword of the Spirit, which is defined as the Word of God. The Lord left nothing open to the enemy. All that we are required to do is to put on the armor, lift up the shield of faith, and then use the sword. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon that is mentioned. The rest are defensive.

When we encounter a conflict with an individual, we often write it off as a personality issue or difference in opinion. We endeavor to keep the peace at any cost and hope that the problem will dissolve on its own. When we are attacked by one adversity after another, we often think that it is just bad luck. When these circumstances persist, however, we must come to the conclusion that our real enemy is in disguise and that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. We realize that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and we need the spiritual armor that Paul spoke about in order to be victorious in the matter.

When I come up against a snake in the natural, I never use my own hands in an effort to defeat it because I know that I do not have enough physical strength. I have learned that a sharp shovel is my best weapon and that it is well worth the time and effort to stop and get it before I do battle. The same is true in the spiritual realm. We must be prepared before we enter the battle. We cannot depend upon carnal weapons or our own strength because we are not fighting against flesh and blood. We need the sword of the Spirit, for the Word of God always encourages, gives direction, and births faith. In one particular spiritual conflict that I encountered, the Lord spoke these words to my heart, "Don't do battle without your shovel." 

The enemy always seeks to provoke a reaction in the natural, but we must learn to always wait upon God and respond only in the spirit. The devil wants us to speak nonsense out of our mouths instead of the Word of God because he is not strong enough to resist this powerful weapon that is sharper than a two-edged sword. The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, points out our own errors, and gives light to every dark situation. This is the same weapon that Jesus used when the devil sought to tempt Him. Jesus simply said, "It is written" and then quoted a portion of the Word of God.

There will always be conflicts as long as we are in this world. When the enemy begins to taunt and provoke you, do not allow yourself to react to the harsh situation. Instead, separate yourself from it and get alone with God before you respond. Make sure that your spiritual armor is in place and that your shield of faith is lifted high. Like my example with the snake, whatever you do, "Don't do battle without your shovel." Or as the Apostle Paul said, before you go into battle, "Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." +++

02/23/15
WHEN FRIENDS FAIL

Scripture: Psalms 41:9 "Even my best friend has turned against me - a man I completely trusted."

It's a hard and hurtful experience when a sweet relationship turns and we are left with pain and rejection. The failed relationship may be with a friend or spouse, brother or sister, or a parent or child. Like David, we grieve when a trust is broken by those whom we love. Many times we find ourselves in confusion because we don't understand what happened. When rejection replaces acceptance and warmth turns to coldness, we try to analyze the situation, but our efforts are to no avail. It may be months, or sometimes years, before our true offense is revealed to us. Meanwhile, precious time and memories are lost for both parties involved. And although reconciliation is made and ties are mended, many times the pain of the past continues to haunt us. Questions and doubts linger in our mind and total trust is never regained. 

Many great men of God faced the same feelings of rejection that you may have experienced. King David said, "Even my best friend has turned against me." David had placed complete trust and confidence in this friend. In Psalms 55:12-14, David said that it wasn't an enemy who was insulting and causing him reproach. It was a man who was his equal, his companion, and his familiar friend. It was someone whom David enjoyed being with. They had shared sweet communion together and their counsel to one another had been pleasant. He said that they had even gone to the house of God together, but now their close bond had been broken and David was dealing with the loss.

David lost his close friend, but also think about the story of Joseph. Joseph's own brothers rejected him and intended to kill him, but God spared his life and instead of killing Joseph, they sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken away from his homeland and beloved father, and for about sixteen years he served the Egyptians. During that time he suffered heartache and the painful memories of the past. Eventually situations forced Joseph's brothers to ask him for forgiveness. Jesus also suffered the rejection of His earthly brothers, His disciples, and the multitudes for whom He sacrificed His life. All of His friends failed Him. Isaiah 53:3 says that Jesus was "despised and rejected of men." 

God has set these and other scriptures in the Word to encourage your heart and to let you know that you are not alone in your plight. God knows all about your hurts and feelings of rejection. He sees your heartache and confusion and is with you during your difficult times. You can go to Him when there's no one else to turn to and talk to Him when everyone else is tired of listening. No one will ever love you like the Lord loves you. When your best friend turns against you and your family fails, He will be there. When you are suffering the pains of the past, He will be there to comfort you. Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you. He is your friend forever and will "stick closer to you than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). +++

02/24/15
THE TOUCH OF WATER

Scripture: Job 14:8 (Living Bible) " ... it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling."

Job speaks of the hope of a tree that has been cut down. He says even though the roots in the earth have grown old and the stump is decayed, the tree still has life. The old roots don't look like much underneath the earth, but the only thing that they need is the touch of water and they will become like a new seedling. The tree that was once destroyed will begin to grow, and then sprout and bud. We see this so often with trees and plants after the spring rains.

Job knew too well what it was like to be cut down to nothing. He had lost his possessions and wealth, his health, his sons and his daughters, his position and prestige, and the respect of his wife and friends. He had absolutely nothing left. As Job sat in the ash heap scraping his boils, his friends condemned him rather than comforting him. Yet underneath Job's discouragement and distress, there was life in his spirit and he still had faith in God. His trust remained, and even in the face of death, itself, Job said, "Though God slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). Job knew that if he could just get a touch of water from the Lord, things would begin to change.

There may be forgotten hopes and shattered dreams in your life. You may have given up on a relationship, financial situation, health issues, or the dream of your life. You may have prayed until you can't pray any longer concerning the matter that you once had such great faith in. Underneath the surface of the pain, you know there is still life in the matter, yet the possibility of resurrecting that vision seems too vague. Job makes the solution simple to understand. All that you need is the touch of water.

You may have been cut down and feel totally destroyed but God has been preparing you for this season and He will bring new growth. You have been in a waiting period and God has saved you for such a time as this. God declares that He has good plans for you. Your situation may look like old dead roots, but in reality it is as a new seedling that is waiting to sprout and bud. All that it needs is the touch of water. When you begin to search for that touch of water, God will begin to rain upon you and resurrect and perfect those things that concern you. +++

02/25/15
A SOLID FOUNDATION

Scripture: Matthew 7:24 "Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock."

Jesus said that there are two foundations that we can build our life upon, the shifting sand or the solid rock. Those who build upon the rock are the ones who hear God's words and then, in faith, act upon those words. Everyone wants to be able to endure the raging storms of life and remain intact, but unfortunately many times we choose the shifting sand as our foundation. We fail to realize the weakness of our structure until the rains come and we find ourselves in jeopardy.

It is easy to get into this situation in all areas of life and build our faith upon the shifting sands. We may look to our jobs or our financial portfolio as our source and security, but this is not a solid foundation, for the market can fail and riches can very quickly come to an end. Financial security is only found when we trust in the Lord God, who has promised to supply all of our needs according His riches. He said that He would never forsake the righteous and that their seed would never have to beg for bread.

It is also wonderful to know that we have national security, but if that is where our trust is, we are misguided and not resting upon a sure foundation. For total protection, we must abide under the shadow of the Almighty and find shelter under His wings (Psalms 91). God alone must be our fortress, for He is the only one who can keep us safe in all of our ways. Nothing is forever except the foundation of God's love, mercy, and grace. Relationships will fail, but the Lord will stick closer than a brother. Fame and honor will cease, but God will always be there.

The angel spoke to the church of Laodicea and said, " You say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (Revelation 3:17)." This church was lukewarm, which meant that it was neither hot, nor cold. They thought that they were doing fine, but according to the angel they were really wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Their foundation was not built upon a solid rock. Instead, it was based upon the material things that they had collected. They were blind to their apparent lack, for they didn't realize that their material goods had left them wretched and miserable and that the nakedness of their spiritual life was exposed. They weren't aware that a raging storm could sweep their security away in a moment's time.

The Lord shared these words with us, not to frighten us, but to impart His truths to us. We must never give ourselves over to the thought that we have need of nothing, for we need God just as much in the good times as we do when things are going bad. We must hear God's Word, build our faith upon Him, and then obey His every command. He is the Rock of our salvation. If we wisely place our trust and confidence in God, our foundation will be sure and our lives will not collapse in the midst of the storms. +++

02/26/15
A SOLID FOUNDATION

Scripture: Matthew 7:24 "Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock."

Jesus said that there are two foundations that we can build our life upon, the shifting sand or the solid rock. Those who build upon the rock are the ones who hear God's words and then, in faith, act upon those words. Everyone wants to be able to endure the raging storms of life and remain intact, but unfortunately many times we choose the shifting sand as our foundation. We fail to realize the weakness of our structure until the rains come and we find ourselves in jeopardy.

It is easy to get into this situation in all areas of life and build our faith upon the shifting sands. We may look to our jobs or our financial portfolio as our source and security, but this is not a solid foundation, for the market can fail and riches can very quickly come to an end. Financial security is only found when we trust in the Lord God, who has promised to supply all of our needs according His riches. He said that He would never forsake the righteous and that their seed would never have to beg for bread.

It is also wonderful to know that we have national security, but if that is where our trust is, we are misguided and not resting upon a sure foundation. For total protection, we must abide under the shadow of the Almighty and find shelter under His wings (Psalms 91). God alone must be our fortress, for He is the only one who can keep us safe in all of our ways. Nothing is forever except the foundation of God's love, mercy, and grace. Relationships will fail, but the Lord will stick closer than a brother. Fame and honor will cease, but God will always be there.

The angel spoke to the church of Laodicea and said, " You say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (Revelation 3:17)." This church was lukewarm, which meant that it was neither hot, nor cold. They thought that they were doing fine, but according to the angel they were really wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Their foundation was not built upon a solid rock. Instead, it was based upon the material things that they had collected. They were blind to their apparent lack, for they didn't realize that their material goods had left them wretched and miserable and that the nakedness of their spiritual life was exposed. They weren't aware that a raging storm could sweep their security away in a moment's time.

The Lord shared these words with us, not to frighten us, but to impart His truths to us. We must never give ourselves over to the thought that we have need of nothing, for we need God just as much in the good times as we do when things are going bad. We must hear God's Word, build our faith upon Him, and then obey His every command. He is the Rock of our salvation. If we wisely place our trust and confidence in God, our foundation will be sure and our lives will not collapse in the midst of the storms. +++

02/27/15
GOD'S CHOICE

Scripture: Amos 7:15 "And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel."

Amos was a simple herdsman who also took care of the trees and gathered fruit. These were his duties before the Lord called him to be a prophet to Israel. He was actually following his flock and going about his normal duties when the Lord called him. He declared that until the Lord called him, he was not a prophet or even the son of a prophet. His words indicate that the thought of ministry had never entered his mind and that he was just as surprised as everyone else that God had chosen him. There seemed to be nothing special about this man whom God, Himself, decided to call. Yet God saw great potential in Amos. When God called him, He put His own words in Amos's mouth and caused him to prophecy to a nation and speak out against their social evils and pagan worship.

When God wants something special done, He seems to call people who are busy about the duties at hand. He called Elisha when Elisha was plowing a field. Moses was in the desert tending his father-in-law's flock when God spoke to him from the burning bush. Joseph was working hard in the prison. David was in the field keeping sheep. Paul was on the Road to Damascus fervently attempting to serve God by persecuting Christians when God changed his life around, introduced him to Jesus, and put true ministry into his heart. Matthew was collecting taxes and Peter was fishing. Like Amos, all of these men were doing their normal duties when God called them. They may have been tired and dirty as they plowed the fields with the oxen or followed the sheep, but none of them were lazy or slothful.

God is awesome in His choices and it is often surprising to see whom He will call. In I Corinthians 1:26-27, the Apostle Paul said that God doesn't call many wise, mighty, or noble to do His work, but that He chooses the foolish to confound the wise and the weak to confound the mighty. God is simply looking for those who are ready for the harvest and will work hard in His fields. If you aspire to do great things for God, you must start by plowing and planting the field that you are in today or following and caring for the flock that the Lord entrusted you with until He commissions you to do otherwise. When you are found faithful in these small things, God will call and qualify you for greater things. +++