| ............THE GREATER SHADOW Scripture: Acts 5:15 (NLT) "Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by." The other day I took a walk in the late afternoon. The sun was beginning to set behind me so my shadow stretched out about fifteen feet before me. As I walked, I caught up with another couple who were walking in front of me. They knew that I was coming close behind them because they could see my shadow on the pavement between them. Yet, it seemed that they took little notice of my shadow because even though my shadow had invaded their territory, it had no life or power within it to alter their lives in any way. It could not hear the conversation between the two of them or verbally communicate with them. And even though my shadow was in their path, it could not cause them to stumble. My shadow could only announce that someone was very near. This was not the case when the Apostle Peter's shadow passed by on the streets of Jerusalem. The people had great hope in Peter's shadow to the extent that the sick people gathered in the streets just to experience his shadow passing over them. Yet, please understand that it was not Peter's shadow that brought healing and miracles. Instead, it was the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was upon Him as a person. Peter had been with Jesus and because of that intimate communion with Him, supernatural power continued to linger in Peter's life. It was Peter's relationship with the Lord that caused the gifts of healing and deliverance to overflow from his life into the lives of those who believed and had faith to receive. If you have a desperate need today, you cannot lay upon the streets of Jerusalem in hopes that Peter's shadow will pass over you and cause healing to come to your body or cause your other needs to be met. Those days are over, but there is a greater shadow that is offered to you. It is an everlasting shadow that is found in the presence of the Lord. Psalms 91:1 tells us that if we dwell in the secret place of the Most High that we will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The secret place that you need to search for is simply the Lord's presence, for His presence is your greatest security. It is your healing place and haven of peace. It is under God’s shadow that you will experience His love and care in a unique way. As you hide yourself in His presence He will be your refuge and will keep you safe from all harm. +++ |
A Word In Due Season September 2022 9/1/22 CONSCIENCE TOWARDS GOD Scripture: Genesis 2:17 (Living Bible) "God gave man this warning, "You may eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the Tree of Conscience - for its fruit will open your eyes to make you aware of right and wrong, good and bad." Our conscience is that part of our inner being that distinguishes between right and wrong, urges us to do the right thing, and then judges us if we fail to follow its prompting. Our conscience can be at different levels depending upon our relationship with God. For instance, the New Testament speaks of a 'good conscience' (I Timothy 1:5), a 'pure conscience' (I Timothy 3:9), a 'seared conscience' (I Timothy 4:2), an 'evil conscience' (Hebrews 10:22), and a 'conscience towards God' (I Peter 2:19). We are all born with this inner knowing called our conscience. It is like a traffic light that tells us when we need to stop, be cautious, or proceed forward. When we are reborn, our conscience takes on another dimension. It bears witness with the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1). When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He told them not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. When they disobeyed, they took upon themselves and all of mankind the responsibility of discerning between good and evil, right and wrong. Like Adam and Eve, we also fail to heed this inner voice and find ourselves in a real dilemma. Then when we disregard our conscience over a period of time, it becomes seared. It is as though our spirits have been branded with a hot iron. We find ourselves no longer sensitive to certain issues or to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is the same principle as drinking a hot drink until there is no more feeling on the tongue. The first experience is painful, but gradually the heat cannot even be felt. How does the conscience get to this state? Nature teaches us that everything that is left to itself comes to destruction. It deteriorates on its own. The garden that is left untended is overgrown with weeds. The child that is never disciplined becomes rough and troublesome. The body that is not forced to exercise and take proper nourishment weakens. Likewise, the conscience, or the inner being, that is not renewed with the Word of God eventually conforms to the world's standards. Romans 12:2 warns us, "Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We must allow God's Word to transform us into His image. As we do, our conscience will be turned towards God and we will follow after that which is good, acceptable, and in the perfect will of God. +++ 9//2/22 G/IVING AND RECEIVING Scripture: Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you..." There is an inspiring story about giving that I would like to share with you. A woman moved back to the farm where she had been raised as a child. She soon noticed some special plants blooming in the flower garden, which her mother had planted years ago. The plants were a sweet reminder of the times that she and her mother had shared together so she weeded the garden and gave the plants special care. One day an elderly neighbor passed by and noticed her garden and the rare plants. The woman could see the desire in her neighbor's eyes, but was reluctant to part with her few precious plants that had belonged to her own mother. However, she finally dug up a few of them and gave them to her grateful neighbor to enjoy. A few years later, the woman who had shared her plants with her neighbor lost her own few remaining plants during a bitterly cold winter, and not even the slightest seedling survived. She desperately searched the garden but none of the special plants remained. A few weeks later, in the Spring, her elderly neighbor called her on the phone, as the woman's neighbor had heard that her plants were all lost. The elderly neighbor told her that her own plants had made it through the winter and were doing fine. Later that afternoon she brought some of the plants to the original owner. It was more seedlings than the woman had originally given to her neighbor years before. This story teaches that sharing does not mean losing. Jesus shared with us this same principle of giving. He said, "Give, and it shall be given back to you." In fact, He said that you would receive more than you originally gave. He also said that it would return to you pressed down, shaken together, and running over, for you can never out give God. The more you give, the more you receive. Like these precious plants, it may not come back immediately, but it will come back and at the right time. Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, "Cast your bread upon the waters: for you will find it after many days." It has been stated that your gifts may leave your hands, but they never leave your life. Some way and somehow God will cause them to return to you. +++ at His will is for our lives. +++ 9/5/22 DELIVERANCE FROM ALL TROUBLE Scripture: Psalms 34:6 "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." When David wrote this psalm of thanksgiving, he had just gone through a very tough situation. King Saul was trying to take David's life so David fled in fear to seek refuge in the Philistine territory. Yet, in this place of refuge, the servants of King Achish recognized David and he soon realized that he was in another place of jeopardy. His new fears forced him to change his behavior, and he acted like a madman in an effort to save his own life. King David scratched on the doors of the gate and let his spittle flow down his beard. Putting on an act such as this must have been very hard for a man who was a mighty warrior and had slain thousands in battle. However, this humiliating act convinced King Achish that this man was indeed mad. King Achish did not recognize David and allowed him to leave. It is no wonder that David wrote, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles” because these words came straight from his heart. David gave thanks to the Lord and also called upon God's people to join him in praise for his mighty deliverance. He said, "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears. O, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him." Like David, you have a great God and Father who wants to help you and is right now listening for you to make your needs known to Him. He watches you and sees the frustration and the confusion of your situation. He sympathizes as you struggle, trying to work out your solutions. And He wants you to know that He is well able to help you. The Lord says, "Seek Me and I will deliver you from your fears." All you have to do is trust Him, and if you do, you will see that He is good and that His mercy endures forever. Even in your most difficult situation the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you, for He is near to those who are of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Paul gives us simple advice. He says, "Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers" (Philippians 4:6). David said, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all." In other words, in every situation, whether big or small, cry out to God because He is listening. He will solve all of your problems and deliver you out of all of your troubles. +++ 9/6/22 GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH Scripture: I Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith." Faith has many challenges. The storms will get rough, the mountains will be too hard to climb, the rivers too deep to cross, the valleys too dark and lonely, and the battle too long and weary. This is the reason the Apostle Paul told Timothy to "fight the good fight of faith." Faith itself is a battle and is only won through great effort. When God speaks a Word of faith into your heart, the devil comes immediately to steal that Word through offense, persecutions, and the cares of this life (Mark 4:15-19). To receive God's promise, you must hold on to God's Word and endure to the end. You must fight the good fight of faith. A good fight is one where you know that you are going to win. You have a secret plan, a hidden weapon, or you hold the high card in your hand and you know that you can draw on that strength when the demand comes. After Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, he instructed him to, "Lay hold on eternal life." The good fight of faith cannot even begin until Jesus is professed as Lord and trust is placed in Him and His completed work at Calvary. Having faith in ourselves and who we are, our financial security, our education, and our relationships will fail at some point, for there is no supernatural substance in them. Having the assurance that we belong to God and that we have obtained eternal life through the blood of Jesus is our hidden strength. With this revelation in our hearts, even the gates of Hell can not prevail against us. As you face today and the following days, remember that there will always be battles. The Apostle Paul had battles and he told Timothy that he too would have battles. Serving Jesus does not exempt you from problems. In fact, many times it qualifies you to go to the front lines of the battle. Your faith will be challenged in all areas, but understand that your faith does not have the responsibility to prove the devil wrong. Faith is designed to enforce what God has already accomplished. You hold the keys to God's Kingdom. Jesus said, "Whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven and whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven" (Matthew 16:19). You do nothave to debate with evil. Instead, just resist it and declare the written Word of God as Jesus did. Jesus said, "It is written" and then quoted the Word of God when He was tempted with evil. Do not struggle. The battle is not yours. Let the devil debate with Almighty God and His Word. You will discover that the devil will flee at God's Word, for he knows that he is already defeated. God and His Word always prevail. This is the good fight of faith. +++ 9/7/22 THE GOOD SHEPHERD Scripture: John 10:14 "I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me." Jesus speaks much about Himself as being the Good Shepherd and His believers as being the sheep of His pasture. He talks about leading His sheep and caring for them in every way possible. Jesus declares that He knows His sheep so personally that He calls them each by name and He is committed to protecting them whatever the cost. He even said that the Good Shepherd would give His own life for His sheep. These words are comforting to us because in the beginning of this discourse Jesus gave a stern warning about the deception that is in the world. He made it very clear that there is a spirit of evil that will try to show itself as our shepherd. These false shepherds will even try to speak like the true Shepherd speaks by using the Good Shepherd's own words. They can quote scripture just as Satan did when he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and when he attempted to deceive Jesus in the wilderness. That is the reason you must listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Words from others may be an attempt to deceive. The false shepherds are thieves that are out to steal, kill, and destroy (Vs. 10). They will bind up the sheep so that they cannot go in and out to find pasture because they do not want the sheep to feed on God's truth. The Word says that they will pretend to love the sheep, but in instead, they are simply hirelings who are there for what the sheep can give back to them. They are only interested in the sheep's wool and flesh and will flee at the first sign of danger. The Good Shepherd, on the other hand, will lay down His life for the sheep. His sheep will know Him, recognize His voice, and will follow Him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He came to give to you, not take from you. There will be many voices telling you many things in this life, but do not be confused or deceived. Listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd and ask the Lord to help you hear Him plainly. His voice will always lead you into truth and peace. Be cautious if you hear another voice that you do not know or recognize. If it sounds strange and does not bear witness to the Holy Spirit within you remember that you have the right to flee from it (Vs. 5). Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He will never make His voice strange to His sheep because He is the Good Shepherd. +++ 9/9/22 COME AND LEARN OF ME Scripture: Matthew 11:28-29 "Come unto me .... Learn of Me." Jesus gives us two wonderful invitations. He invites us into His presence by saying, "Come unto Me," and He also invites us to "Learn of Him." He offers us His personal fellowship and His personal mentorship. These two invitations that He offers are actually one package, for you cannot have one without the other. You cannot really learn about who Jesus is without coming to Him and experiencing Him as a person, and you cannot come into His presence without learning from Him and about His principles. When we come to Jesus to learn of Him, He does not offer us a second hand education. He said that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things (John 14:26). The knowledge that we acquire in His presence is spiritual revelation like it was with Peter when he declared that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. Peter did not surmise the person of Jesus through reading about Him in a book or hearing others talk about Him. He had come unto Jesus and he had learned of Him. Peter knew in his own heart who Jesus was because he had been with Jesus and had experienced a spiritual transference of wisdom and understanding. Jesus explained that flesh and blood had not revealed this knowledge to Peter, but that the revelation of Jesus' deity had been supernaturally imparted by the Father in Heaven (Matthew 16:17). These two invitations ‘to come’ and ‘to learn’ were given particularly to those who were weary and carrying heavy burdens. Yet, invitations are simply that. No one will force you to come regardless of how tired and weary you may be and no one will force you to learn. It is up to you to accept the Lord's invitation and make time in your own personal schedule to follow through. Communion with Jesus offers us an awesome avenue of exchange. He promises that if we would take time to come into His presence and learn of Him that He would give us rest in our souls in exchange for the things that were making us weary. He declared that His yoke would be easy and that His burden would be light. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that if we wait upon the Lord, our strength will be renewed and we will mount up with wings as eagles. We shall run and not be weary, and we shall walk and not faint. It is important that you take a few minutes every morning to come into the Lord's presence and learn of Him before you start your day. As you develop a relationship with Jesus and learn of Him, you will come to understand that you can only do what He tells you to do and say what He tells you to say. That knowledge will impart incredible strength into your soul because it will release you from false responsibility and free you from stress. Your decisions will become easier and more accurate because you are leaning upon the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Truth. Your path will become clearer because your life will be less cluttered by the things that surround you. When you sow this seed of time for your day, you will find yourself saying “No” to a multitude of distractions because you will be focused on God's goals and desires for your life. His plan and His purpose is the most important agenda for your life so take time to come and learn of Him and allow His strength to carry you through the day. +++ 9/12/22 DOUBLE SECURITY Scripture: John 10:28-29 "... neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." When I was a young child, my father liked to tease me and play games with me. He would offer me a nickel or a dime or possibly a small piece of hard candy. Then as he showed the prize to me, he would close his hand tight around it. It was up to me to pry his fingers open so that I could retrieve the reward. I would work diligently to open his hand with all of my might, but my strength was never able to match his strong hands. He would laugh because I would only be able to get one finger loose at a time. The treat that he was offering to me was safe in his hand until he decided to release it. In the scripture above, Jesus said that no one would be able to pluck His sheep out of His hands. He then declared that His Father is greater than all and that no man would be able to pluck them out of the Father's hand either. We are protected not only by the hands of Jesus but also by the hands of our Heavenly Father. It is as though Jesus is holding us as tight as He can in His hands and then He places His own hands in the hands of the Father God. Their combined hold upon us becomes double security, for Jesus and the Father are one (Vs. 30). This does not mean that the Father and the Son are one person, but that they are one in perfect unity in their natures and actions. They work together as a team and the devil has no power over this mighty unity. He is no match against the combined strength of their four hands, four thumbs, and sixteen fingers. This knowledge should give us great security because we can be assured that the Father and the Son are holding us as tight as they can because of the great price that they both paid for us. God the Father gave His only Son in order to secure our redemption, and then Jesus, the Son, sacrificed His own life on the cross so that we could have eternal life. We have much to rejoice about. For we know, that regardless of how hard the devil may try, he can never pry us out of the double security of Their hands. +++ 9/13/22 EXPECT TO BE RESCUED Scripture: Psalms 27:13-14 (Living Bible) "I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, ... Don't be impatient. Wait on the Lord, and He will come and save you! Be brave, stout hearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and He will help you." We see many instances in God's Word where God delivered those who waited upon Him and trusted in Him. Our circumstances may look bleak at times, but they probably do not measure up to Daniel's fiery furnace or his lion's den. Our giants may look big but are usually not as fierce as David's Goliath. And consider Moses' mother who had to put her infant son to float in a simple basket on the river. All she could do was patiently wait and trust in God's goodness because her only hope in saving her son was to release him to God. The psalmist said he was expecting God to rescue him again. This was neither the first time, nor the last time, that he would trust God for deliverance. We often think that if we can just make it through the current ordeal and challenge that we are facing, things will get better and we can live happily ever after. Yet, like the psalmist, we usually find that something else follows that takes even greater faith. In Ephesians chapter six, Paul said, "Put on the whole armor of God and having done all, stand." The word 'stand' in this passage translates into "stand and get ready for the next battle." Life is not easy and never will be because we have a vicious enemy who roams about looking for those whom he can destroy. Yet, for every challenge there is a victory that can be had if we trust in the Lord for deliverance. The psalmist said, "I'm expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so I'm just going to wait until He comes." Waiting takes patience and courage. When a natural disaster strikes, such as a flood, you often see people stranded in their homes waiting for someone to come and rescue them. They never give up hope because they know that there are those who are aware of their situation and who care about what happens to them. Like the psalmist waiting on God, whatever your circumstance, do not give up on God. Expect to be rescued! God is coming to your aid and will save you. The first three verses of this Psalm in the Living Bible say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; He protects me from danger - whom shall I fear? When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army marches against me, my heart will not fear! I am confident that God will save me." +++ 9/14/22 WE NEED EACH OTHER Scripture: I Corinthians 12:21 "The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." The Apostle Paul compared the individual church members to a human body and said that God had set every member in the body as it pleased Him. Paul encouraged the church to appreciate one another and to recognize that each person was just as important as the other. The eye is needed so the body can see what the hand is doing and the hand needs the eye so it can perform its duties. The head needs the feet to take it places, but the feet cannot go without the head. The feet, the hand, the eye, and the head do not look anything alike. Neither do they have the same functions or need the same care. Yet, each is important and necessary in its own right. The body is sorely paralyzed without these various members functioning together in unity. This is such a simple analogy but very fitting and easy to understand. The body of Christ needs each other. We cannot say one to the other, "I have no need of you", for we all have need of each other. Not only do we need each other, but we also need to work together in the unity of the Spirit. We are not to be jealous or to strive against one another. Psalms 133:1 tells us that it is good and pleasant for the brethren to dwell in unity, for when we are in unity we accomplish much more. Think about your hands. God created you with two hands and supplied each hand with four fingers and a thumb. Each finger and each thumb is important. Can you imagine how limited you would be if your hand only had a thumb or one finger? It would be very difficult for you to hold and lift things or to do various tasks. Even in battle, a body with one finger on each hand would find itself in jeopardy. Yet, a hand with all of its fingers and a thumb, clutched into a fist, becomes a mighty weapon. God wants us working together in this fashion. You may not esteem your place or your gift in the body of Christ as highly as you do someone else's gift or place. Yet each vessel and each gift is important to God's kingdom. He wants us to join together in such unity that we can usher in His presence and combat the forces of Hell together. The Word of God confirms this. Matthew 18:19 says, "If two agree on Earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them." Verse twenty tells us that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst of them. The scriptures also tell us in Ecclesiastes 4:12 that a threefold cord is not easily broken, and Deuteronomy 32:30 tells us that if one can chase a thousand then two can put ten thousand to flight. God has placed you in His body where He wants you. Remember that you need others and that there are others who need you. +++ 9/15/22 BUTTER AND HONEY Scripture: Isaiah 7:15 "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse evil, and choose good." When I grew up, I was poor but did not know it because my family had as much and maybe a little more than most families in my town. We had a house that my dad had built and daily food, but I was much older before I realized that we did not have the best of foods. When lunchtime came, we were given a choice between a mayonnaise or a mustard sandwich. We did not know that there was supposed to be meat, tomatoes, and lettuce with it. We thanked God, blessed the food, and enjoyed what we had. If you offered me only bread with mayonnaise or mustard today, I would look in wonder at the meager provision because I have tasted and learned that there is so much more to a sandwich. Yet, had I never experienced a complete sandwich, I would not have learned that something was missing. We know the difference because what is real and what is not because we have tasted the real thing. The prophet Isaiah spoke in a spiritual sense about those who have eaten butter and honey. He said that because they have tasted the real thing, they have gained discernment and know to refuse evil and choose good. We often wonder why some of the people we know choose to live the way they do, for they seem to enjoy their lifestyles of sinful pleasures. Yet, we know that their choices do not measure up to the true joy that is found in serving and worshipping Jesus. Those who choose evil may find pleasure for a moment, but it will be followed by pain, discouragement, guilt, and shame. Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your Words were found, and I ate them, Your Words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart." Our spiritual taste becomes refined as we feast on God's Word and fellowship in His presence. Once we have tasted of the friendship of God and eaten of His Word, we know that there is nothing to compare with His glories. His love and His Word become as the butter to our spirits and the honey to our soul that Isaiah spoke of. Then our choices become very simple, for we are keen to distinguish between good and evil. There is no contest within our souls in choosing God's will rather than our own desires. We can easily discern between black and white, darkness and light, or right and wrong. Even the subtle tactics of the devil become evident to our spiritual eyes because we have tasted of the goodness of God. There is a popular slogan today, "You are what you eat." Think about it, for so it is with spiritual food. You will only know to refuse evil and choose good when you have chosen the right spiritual diet. +++ 9/16/22 ANCHORS OF HOPE Scripture: Acts 27:29 "They cast four anchors out ... and wished for the day." Have you ever faced circumstances in which all hope had been taken away? All that you could wish for was to get through the dark season and be able to see the light again. The Apostle Paul and the sailing crew that he was with were facing the same situation. Verse twenty of this chapter tells us three things about the storm they were in. 1) They did not see the sun or stars for many days. 2) No small tempest was on them. Instead, a great tempest challenged them. 3) All hope of survival was taken away. Paul, who was a prisoner on the ship, had tried to warn those over him of the impending danger if they continued their voyage. Yet, they chose to set out on their journey rather than to believe him. When they encountered the storm and were not able to see the sun for many days, Paul said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me" (Verse 21). We can all learn something from this true-life story when we find ourselves in spiritual conflicts or adverse circumstances. Look at these spiritual anchors of hope that will keep you in the times of storms in verses 23-24. God's Presence in your life. Paul said, "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, Whom I belong to, and Whom I serve." If you belong to God, He has anchored Himself within you and will never leave you or forsake you. God's Power is also available to you. Paul said, "Fear not." God is not only in the situation with you but He has empowered you with the anchor of His strength. Trust in Him, for He is well able to keep you stable in the midst of the storm. God's has a Purpose for your life. The angel said, "Paul, you must be brought before Caesar." God has a specific destiny planned for your life and that assignment for you will be your an anchor in the midst of adversity. The devil cannot stop the purpose and will of God in your life. The scriptures declare that if God has spoken it, it will come to pass. Finally, God's Promise will never fail. The angel said, "God has given you all those that sail with you." You must hold on to the promises that God speaks to you, for they will be your anchor as you face the raging storms. God’s promises will not only keep you, but also keep those around you who are facing those same storms. Paul told the men, "Be of good cheer, for I believe what God told me." In the midst of the storm, Paul had faith in God and told the men that their only hope was to abide in the ship (Verse 31). When the storms of life rage against you, do not be tempted to leave the ship even though it may appear to be sinking. Your hope is to abide or remain where God has placed you. Do not run to the world and what it has to offer in an effort to escape the conflicts in your life. Though tossed about by storms and winds of adversity, trust God and allow Him to be your anchor. If you refuse to compromise, your faith will take you through the storm. +++ 9/19/22 GARMENT OF PRAISE Scripture: Isaiah 61:3 "... garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." God has a remedy for the oppression and depression that you or maybe someone that you care for may be facing. He has anointed Jesus to minister to the meek, the brokenhearted, and the captives that are bound in physical and spiritual prisons. Jesus came to comfort all that mourn in Zion, which represents the church. He appoints unto us three things in a great exchange. He takes the ashes and our ruined lives and gives us beauty. He gives us oil or the anointing of joy in our lives in place of mourning, and He also gives us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Jesus turns everything that has damaged and hurt us into something beautiful. He takes "all things and works them together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Notice that He called 'heaviness' a spirit. There is no force that can battle an evil spirit but the Spirit of the Living God. God's Word tells us exactly what we are to do when this spirit of mourning and heaviness comes against us. God provides the "oil of joy and the garment of praise" for us, but they are like items that are only issued to us. Once they have been appointed, they need to be received and put on. They are like unused clothing in our closet until we apply them to our lives. We must put forth an effort and begin to sing and praise God from a thankful heart. Only then will the Spirit of God drive out the evil that is oppressing us and trying to force us into depression. Isaiah 51:11 says, "The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." This is a pattern for deliverance. When we begin to sing and rejoice, the anointing of joy begins to flow from God, and the sorrow and mourning that is attempting to plague our lives has to flee. Isaiah 52:1 says, "Awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments," ... and verse 9 says, "Break forth into joy, sing together." We must take the initiative to awake and put on this beautiful garment of praise that has been provided for us. We must take heed to God's Word. When oppression and depression present themselves, we must exchange them for songs of praise and then watch sorrow and mourning flee away as we break forth into a spirit of joy. +++ 9/20/22 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, the Apostle 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 mind ... and love your neighbor as yourself." When we do these two commandments, we fulfill the Ten Commandments. You cannot 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 cannot love and honor God if you do not honor your parents as the Word of God instructs. You cannot 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 cannot 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. First Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us that love is patient and kind. When love governs our heart, jealousy, arrogance, pride, and vanity are unable to prevail. When love is ruling, it does not insist on its own way and is not rude and unbecoming. Love is never self-seeking or resentful. A heart governed by love does not 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. +++ 9/21/22 STEPS OF A GOOD MAN Scripture: Psalms 37:23 "The steps of a good man are directed and established of the Lord." God delights in our way and He busies Himself with every step that we take. Sometimes we get the impression that God just orders our future steps. We fail to realize that He has ordered all of our steps up to this point, and that He is busy working in the present trying to direct us along the way. The Lord makes it His business to be involved with everything that we do. Verse 24 goes on to say, "Though we fall, we shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps our hand in support and upholds us." Thank God for this wonderful promise. We have a heavenly Father that is holding our hand as we walk. He knows that occasionally we are going to stumble and fall so He grasps our hand tightly in His. With His mighty power, He holds us up and supports us so that we are not utterly cast down and unable to get back up. Proverbs 16:9 declares that "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." Very often we plan our day with little thought of God's plan for that day or the season. We are so busy, we just get up and do what needs to be done. We try to direct God instead of resigning ourselves to being led by Him. We pray, "God, bless my plan." instead of "God, make my plan." Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah was acknowledging to God that he was aware that he could not direct his own steps. He knew that he would make mistakes and pleaded that when God corrected him, it would be in judgment and not in anger. Proverbs 20:24 says, "Man's steps are ordered by the Lord; how can a man then understand his own ways?" We often do not understand where God is leading us, for He often leads us in a way that is against human wisdom. It is then that we must "Trust in the Lord with all of our heart; and lean not to our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5-6). God has given all of us natural wisdom and expects us to function in that wisdom and take care of our duties. Yet, He desires that we operate in trust and be spiritually sensitive and submissive to His voice and His Spirit. It is only as we submit ourselves totally to the Lord that He can establish and direct each of our steps. +++ 9/22/22 GOD'S FAITHFULNESS Scripture: Lamentations 3:23 "Great is Thy faithfulness." Our God is awesome and our God is faithful. There is no way to measure the length, depth, or height of God or His faithfulness. If we were to try to explain God's faithfulness, we would have to agree with the writer of this scripture that God's faithfulness is simply "great." The proportions of His faithfulness cannot be measured because it expands with every need that we encounter. Neither can the Lord's faithfulness be counted or numbered because it is new every morning. God is faithful to love us when we are unlovely. He sees only the beauty of His creation and not the shortcomings and failures of our human nature. God is faithful to forgive us of all of our sins, for when we confess our sins, He sees the blood of His only begotten Son and not the ugliness of our words and actions. God quickly forgives when we confess and is faithful to extend His mercies. His love is abundant and free and His compassion never fails. When He speaks, His Words come to pass and never return to Him void. There is not the slightest shadow of turning with God. He faithfully remains the same today as He was yesterday, and will be the same forever. God will be as faithful to you as He was to the universe that He created and set in motion. The sun rises and sets right on time each and every day. The moon remains in its appointed position and faithfully reflects the light of the sun. The seasons come and go and have faithfully done so for century after century. God works His plan and He is stable. This is a manifestation of His character. You can put your faith and trust in Him. Just like His magnificent universe, God is in control of your life and He will not fail you. The clouds may cover His sun and shadows may make your way seem dim. There may be times that you cannot see Him and think that He is not there. These are the times that you must place your trust in His Word. God said that He would never leave you or forsake you and that He would supply your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus. You can depend upon His Word. Although dark seasons may come to your life, He will bring light again. God will not leave you alone. He is forever faithful and He is with you right now. He is standing somewhere in the shadows of your darkness. He is the Spirit of Truth. Reach out to God in simple faith, trust Him, and trust His Word. God is faithful and His faithfulness is great. +++ 9/23/22 WHY PRAY? Scripture: I Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers." There are many things in life that I do not understand, but I am not going to do without these things just because my understanding is limited. I could not tell you how the engine and all of the parts of an automobile work together, but I still plan to use my vehicle to transport me to the places that I need to go. I cannot explain the seasons and how the soil, water, and sunlight can make things grow, but I will continue to plant seeds and expect my flowers to bloom. I do not understand computers, televisions, and cell phones, but I will use them anyway. Do not expect me to sit around in the dark just because I do not understand electricity. It's just not going to happen. I am going to use every tool that is available to me to enrich my physical life. My thoughts about God and His Words are the same. I cannot explain God to you and tell you how prayer and obedience to God's Words work. There is no reasonable explanation how Moses could stretch out his hand across the Red Sea and cause the waters to divide and the sea to become dry land (Exodus 14:21). Neither can I tell you how Joshua could march around the walls of Jericho for seven days and then give a shout that would make the walls come tumbling down (Joshua 6:20). Their victories came because of their obedience to God and His Word to them. There are many things about Jesus and the things that He did that are unbelievable. He healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, opened blinded eyes, raised the dead, walked on the water, calmed the seas with His Word, and fed thousands of people with a meager supply of bread and fish. I cannot explain any of these things to you, but I believe that they really happened and are true. So it is with communication with God. I cannot explain how we can live here on Earth and talk to God in Heaven any more than I can explain to you how I can live in Texas and talk on the telephone to someone on the other side of the world. Both are beyond my own comprehension. Indeed, there are people who can explain the phone system and the other natural tools that we use, but no one can explain prayer, for it is supernatural. It is spiritual and cannot be explained in natural terms. All we know is that when we talk to God, He has promised to hear us and answer our prayers. Do not get me wrong; God is not some sort of cosmic bellhop that we can order around. So why should we pray? James 4:2-3 tells us, "You have not because you have not asked for it ... You receive not when you ask amiss." Let us take these words to heart. Even though we may not understand how prayer works, let us talk to God and present our petitions to Him because we believe what the Apostle Peter said, “God listens and His ears are open to our prayers.” +++ 9/26/22 JESUS IS AWARE Scripture: Mark 6:48 (NLT) "He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves." Jesus told His Disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the lake and then He went into the hills to pray alone. Late that night while Jesus was still on the land, He saw the Disciples. Their boat was in the middle of the lake and they were in much difficulty as they rowed against the winds and the waves. About three o'clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When He reached the Disciples Jesus spoke to them and said, "Don't be afraid, Take courage! I am here!" Jesus saw the Disciples when they were not even aware that He was watching them. Then, He used the thing that was troubling them, as a tool to get to them. He walked to them on the same water that they were struggling in. Isn't that just like God? He takes our problems and somehow makes them seem as nothing. He parts our Rea Sea and allows us to pass over to the other side and then He uses that same sea to destroy the enemy that is pursuing us. He tells us to count it all joy when we enter into trials and tribulations because He is going to cause all things to work together for our good. Somehow we are going to come out better at the end of the ordeal than we were at the beginning. I remember when my house was flooded with close to seven feet of water. The Lord provided funds for me and after it was all over with and the repairs were complete, my house looked better than it did before. Just as Jesus was praying in the hills that day before He rescued the Disciples on the lake, He is praying and interceding for you and me at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. He is not only praying, He is watching us continually and is aware when we are in serious trouble. He knows how tired we are of rowing and struggling against the winds and waves of this life. He sees our financial difficulties, our heart aches, our physical fatigue, our troubled relationships, and our disappointments. It will only take one moment of the Master's time, one touch from His hands, or one word from His lips to fix our problems. He is waiting for us to call out to Him. There is nothing too great for the Lord to handle and there is nothing hidden from His eyes or His heart. Jesus sees everything, knows everything, and understands everything. In our moments of distress, He will come to our rescue and speak to us saying, "Don't be afraid, Take courage, I am here!" +++ 9/27/22 PERCEIVING THE NEW Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) "I am doing a new thing! ... Do you not perceive it?" God is creative and He is very much into doing new things. He has fresh ideas every day. His sunrises are never the same and He never duplicates a sunset. Each sunrise and each sunset has its own beauty and glory. Every wave that breaks in the ocean and every cloud that forms in the sky is different. The rainbows that grace the heavens may look similar, but each one is actually an original masterpiece of God. Every time that God forms life inside of a womb, He creates for that special being a new set of fingerprints and voice inflections that are different than anyone else's. Even the hair on the head of His new creation is so unique that with careful study it can be distinguished from all others. God has created each one of us in His own image and He wants us to conform to His mindset, which is reaching for the new each day of our life. He wants our lives to be purposeful and profitable. He told us not to think about the former things or consider the things of old. He also spoke favorably about our future. God said that He knew the thoughts and plans that He had for us and that they were for good and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). His heart longs to bless us with more. Yet, we are so comfortable where we are that we often become confused when God begins to do new things and move our lives in a new direction. The old is just a part of our life and we feel a certain security when surrounded by the familiar. We may secretly long for the new, but shrink back when it presents itself because we are not sure what the change will bring. You may be wondering why your desires and interests are beginning to change. You may have noticed that your hopes and dreams have taken on a different image. There may be an awareness that new relationships are forming and a sense of new adventure has capture your interest. You can sense that you are going in a different direction and have wondered what it all means. There may be no physical event connected to the new thing that is happening, but you realize that something very significant is taking place in your spirit. You have no words to explain what you are experiencing but God is enlarging your borders and giving you new territories. The prophet asked, "Do you not know it?" Can you see that things are different? Can you perceive that God is moving? Examine your life and evaluate your position. Acknowledge the fresh wind of God’s Spirit that is blowing upon you and cooperate with God. Trust everything to Him and follow His lead. He will take you places that you have never been and show you things that you have never seen. If you allow Him, He will complete the new thing that He has started in your life. +++ Copyright © 2022 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved www.widsonline.com |
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