When our God is Honoured?

Philippians 2:9-11

God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When Jesus is exalted, when his name is praised and his glory confessed, God is honored and blessed. Praise be the glorious name of Jesus of Nazareth, our great Messiah the Christ, Savior, Son of God, and conquering King!

The Master Sizes

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Prophet Moses

Exodus 9:13-19

The Seventh Plague: Hail

    Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me, for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth. Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go. Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die.” ’ ”

Thought 

. He who consciously or unconsciously has chosen to ignore God is an orphan in the universe. - Emile Cailliet

[Message No: 7379]

Seeking God

Romans 2:6-7

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

God not only seeks after us, he desires relationship with us — i.e., he longs for us to seek after him and after matters that are important to him. When we persistently seek his glory and honor by doing good, when we seek after eternal rather than temporal things, he is overjoyed to give us what he has always designed for us: eternal life with him. In other words, the seeking God is always looking for those seeking him!

Commands

. Mark not if hated by world

1 John 3:13
Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

. Masters be good to servants

Ephesians 5:9
(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

. Meditate upon things of

1 Timothy 4:15
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

Shall I rouse myself up to this?

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The burning heart

Luke 24:32
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

[Message No: 7378]

Praying for Others

I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

God wants us to be a praying people. But more than that, God wants us to pray for people. The blessing of that kind of prayerful life is that we get to live peaceful and quiet lives full of godliness and holiness. So pray, dear friend in Jesus, pray as if world peace depends upon it, because it does!

The High Cost of Compromise

1 Kings 11:1-11
God’s commands are meant to protect us from sin and heartache. Compromise can look tempting and even advantageous, but taking one step off the high road makes the next step even easier.

Our Heavenly Father’s Unconditional Love

Romans 5:6-11
Christ in Our Place

    For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

How to turn tangled thoughts into trust

Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
 My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
 My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Thought 

. My times are in thy hand:
O God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul,
I leave entirely to thy care. - William Lloyd

[Message No: 7377]

Three Important Things in the Bible

1.Three Invitations of Jesus:
Come, let us reason together – Isaiah 1:18
Come and See – John 1:46
Come and Rest – Matthew 11:28

2. Three things secured from the Rock
Water  – Exodus 17:6
Fire – Judges 6:21
Honey – Psalm 81:16

3. Three Writings:
On the Stone Tablets – Exodus 32:1; 5-16
On the Wall – Daniel 5:5
On the Cross – John 19:19-20

4. Three things of God
God’s Work – Deuteronomy 32:4
God’s Way – Psalm 18:30
God’s Will – 2 Peter 2:17

5. Three things of God’s Grace:
Our Salvation – Ephesians 2:8
Our Stand and Access to God – Romans 5:8
Our Spiritual Growth – 2 Peter 3:18

6. Three things of Faith:
Belief in God’s Word – 1 John 5:9
Receiving Jesus Christ – John 1:12
Entrusting our Soul to God – 2 Timothy 1:12

7. Three Deaths related to Sin:
Sinner dies in his Sin – Ephesians 2:1
Saviour who died  to Save Sinners – 1 Perer 3:18
Believers who die to Sin – Romans 6:2

[Message No: 7376]

God’s Marvellous Plans

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1

While there are many things for which we can praise God, one of the most significant is his faithfulness to do what he has planned and promised. While many of us are big dreamers and schemers, only God can accomplish the marvellous plans that he alone can make!

Questions in Job 

38:17
Have the gates of death been revealed to you?
 Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?

38:18
Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
 Tell Me, if you know all this.

38:9-11
When I made the clouds its garment,
 And thick darkness its swaddling band;
  When I fixed My limit for it,
 And set bars and doors;
  When I said,
 ‘This far you may come, but no farther,
 And here your proud waves must stop!’

38:12-13
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
 And caused the dawn to know its place,
  That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
 And the wicked be shaken out of it?

38:16
“Have you entered the springs of the sea?
 Or have you walked in search of the depths?

[Message No: 7375]

Father’s Work

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 1:3
In a world that falls for facades and seems to give more credit for intentions than actions, don't you find it refreshing that Paul expects that faith, hope, and love will naturally produce certain actions.

Decreasing into His Purpose

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.

Vision by personal purity

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart,
 For they shall see God.

Isn’t there some misunderstanding?

John 11:7-8
Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
   The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

Holiness V/s Hardness

Isaiah 59:16
He saw that there was no man,
 And wondered that there was no intercessor;
 Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
 And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

Who  is your first love?

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. — Psalm 105:4

When we honestly evaluate where we use our time, how we spend our money, what we think about most often, and where we put forth our best efforts, what do we find? Is God our consuming passion? Is he our first love?

[Message No: 7374]

Dad, Where Are You?

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8

That promise—that God is always with us—remains a cornerstone of our faith today (see Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 13:5). Indeed, Revelation 21:3 culminates with these words: “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.”

Where is God? He’s right here, right now, right with us—always ready to hear our prayers.

Thought 

"For the Christian, nothing less than the presence of the Spirit is enough to explain the marvelous changes worked in human lives. Call it grace; call it providence; call it the result of Bible study ... just so we understand that in and behind any or all the instruments is the presence and work of the Spirit who seeks and finds and transforms." - Jim McGuiggan

Bring Your Anxieties to God

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

When Demands are Endless

“And when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” - Mark 1:37-38

“Come away.” 

We do need to withdraw ? not once-in-a-while, but often, daily! What is incredible is that Jesus invites his disciples (today that’s us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate here: “Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep.” Only this isn’t just about a good night’s sleep; it’s about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment.

Let’s make these daily stops in God’s Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let’s let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!

[Message No: 7373]

Children of God

. Should show forth all lowliness and meekness

Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

. Should put on humility

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous;

. Walk humbly

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
 And what does the Lord require of you
 But to do justly,
 To love mercy,
 And to walk humbly with your God?

. Serve the Lord with all humility

Acts 20:19
serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

. Manifest love by humility

1 Corinthians13:4
  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

. Should humble themselves, and they shall be lifted up

James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

[Message No: 7372]

Be nearer to God

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18
The LORD is... ...near! ...present! ...close! How do I know? He came close in the manger. He walked among us in ministry. He suffered with us and for us at Calvary. We know that in tragedy, trial, heartbreak, and brokenness he is near to us to save us.

 So, will our hearts be open to him and will we be seeking him to come near? Don't let troubles or heartache lead you to pull away from God or doubt his nearness. Let him draw close to you.

Grace, Truth and Acceptance

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

You Get to Choose

Isaiah 1:19-20
If you are willing and obedient,
 You shall eat the good of the land;
  But if you refuse and rebel,
 You shall be devoured by the sword”;
 For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Live in God’s Way

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30
God is a shield whose Word can be trusted. His way is not only true, but it is also life-giving. But, we must take refuge in him if his flawless word and his perfect way are going to be blessings and his presence is going to bless us as our shield. Our allegiance, reliance, and dependence must be voluntarily placed in him and lives must be committed to living by flawless word.

Thoughts 

. There is only one limit to what prayer can do; that is what God can do. - R. A. Torrey

. The greatest challenge here is faithfulness, which must be lived in the choices of every moment.  When your eating, drinking, working, playing, speaking, or writing is no longer for the glory of God, you should stop it immediately, because you no longer live for the glory of God, you begin living for your own glory.  Then you will separate yourself from God and do yourself harm. - Henri Nouwen

[Message No: 7371]

What Scars Reveal

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

These scars are meant to draw us closer to the Lord, not further from Him. They shape us into better servants for his kingdom. When God’s grace is extended to us in the form of healing, we are able to reflect on who we are and what we can become as his sons and daughters. We have a God that continues to care for us in spite of our scarred past. Doesn’t that make the scars beautiful?

Prophet Moses

Exodus 9:1-5
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them, behold, the hand of the Lord will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep—a very severe pestilence. And the Lord will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.” ’ ” Then the Lord appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.”

Exodus 9:8-9
So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”

Have a message and be one

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching

Abandonment 

Mark 10:28
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

[ Message No: 7370]

Unresolved Anger

“But God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’ ‘It is,’ he said. ‘And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.’” Jonah 4:9
Paul warned in Ephesians 4:26,
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…”
Anger is not the sin. Letting it cloud our compassion for others can be.

The Hidden Life

Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

How can I personally partake in the atonement?

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Thoughts 

. The deeper I went into the experience of God, the more I found life in abundance. - Andrew Klavan
. If I am in sickness,
my sickness may serve Him;
If I am in sorrow,
my sorrow may serve Him.
He does nothing in vain,
He knows what He is about.
-John Henry Newman

His birth and our new birth

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Placed in the light

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

[Message No: 7369]

The notion of divine control

Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Galatians 5:6

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

What matters most? Priorities are key in our everyday lives if we are to be successful and productive. This is equally true in our discipleship. We want to concentrate on what is key, essential, and most important. Paul reminds us what is essential: Faith showing itself in loving actions.

Faith that does not show itself in loving and helpful action is dead (James 2). Jesus wants our faith to express itself in vibrant and loving service.

Thoughts 

. I do not find God hard to live with. - A. W. Tozer

. It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world. - Aloysius Gonzaga

. Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love.  Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.  Grow despite my resistance, my pride. - Bernadette Soubirous

Scripture for Comfort

Psalm 46:1-3

  God is our refuge and strength,
 A very present help in trouble.
  Therefore we will not fear,
 Even though the earth be removed,
 And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
  Though its waters roar and be troubled,
 Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

[Message No: 7368]

So much to thank for Him

WHEN I LOOK AROUND AND SEE
THE GOOD THINGS HE DOES FOR ME
I KNOW I’M UNWORTHY OF THEM ALL
BUT HIS BLESSINGS HE FREELY GIVES
I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR.

CHORUS :

AND I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR
SO MUCH TO PRAISE HIM FOR
WELL YOU SEE NOW HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME
AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT HE’S DONE
AND WHERE HE'S BROUGHT ME FROM
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR

Excuses of the Deceived

[Salvation is not for everybody]

Romans 10:9-13
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Titus  2:11-12
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

[Message No: 7367]

Receiving the Desires of Our Heart

Psalm 37:3-6

God’s blessings are so rich and abundant that we must guard against loving Him merely for what He gives us.

 He Himself is to be the greatest passion of a believer’s life. And if this is true of us, then we will prioritize Him over possessions, vocation, and even other relationships.

The Faith of Our Fathers

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

- 1 Timothy 4:9-10

The Battle of the Mind

2 Cor. 10:3-5
For instance, if you struggle with fear and anxiety, cling to verses that affirm God’s trustworthiness and care. If envy is the problem, the answer is Christ’s sufficiency for your life.
As you fill your mind with God’s Word, Satan’s lies will become easier to identify, and your attitudes, emotions, desires, and behaviors will align with truth.

Christian Perfection

Philippians 3:12
God is not after perfecting me to be a specimen in His show-room;  He is getting me to the place where  He can use me. Let Him do what He likes.

The law of Antagonism 

Revelation 2:7
Holiness is the balance  between my disposition and the law of God as expressed  in Jesus Christ.

Still Human

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Winning into Freedom

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free,  you will be free indeed.

[Message No: 7366]

Questions in Job - 5

21:15
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?
 And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’

21:21
For what does he care about his household after him,
 When the number of his months is cut in half?

21:22
“Can anyone teach God knowledge,
 Since He judges those on high?

21:28
For you say,
 ‘Where is the house of the prince?
 And where is the tent,
 The dwelling place of the wicked?’

21:29
Have you not asked those who travel the road?
 And do you not know their signs?

21:30
For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom;
 They shall be brought out on the day of wrath.

21:31
Who condemns his way to his face?
 And who repays him for what he has done?

21:34
How then can you comfort me with empty words,
 Since falsehood remains in your answers?”

22:2
“Can a man be profitable to God,
 Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

22:3
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous?
 Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways blameless?

[Message No: 7365]

Part of God’s Kingdom

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. — Colossians 1:13

People from all over the world and from many different nationalities read Verse of the Day. While our national origins and ethnic heritages are different, we are members of one Kingdom. Our allegiance transcends race, culture, language, and nation.

Why? Because we've been rescued from the dominion that holds sway over race, culture, language, and nation. That dominion divides us and makes us suspicious of each other, leading to hatred and warfare. We've been given a more glorious Kingdom! We've been made into a more glorious and colourful race! We are God's children and part of the Kingdom of the Son he loves.

Surrendering Self

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” -Mark 8:34-35

Wrestling with and denying self is never easy. It is the daunting lifelong cross to bear and a challenge for every believer. But it is the compulsory cost of following Jesus. A daily, moment-by-moment, intentional resolve to realign the heart to prioritize God’s will for our lives is a disciple’s rite of passage.

Realign your heart. Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Allow him to renew your mind, transform your perspective, and influence your will. You will encounter a life severed from self that authentically reflects Jesus

We are His Friends

Romans 5:10
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Worthless Worry

Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old;
 Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
 Nor his descendants begging bread. 

Thought 

. When all the suns and nebulae have passed away, each one of you will still be alive. - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7364]

Our Hearts

. The Gospel Target
2 Corinthians 4:6
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

. The Spirts Abode
2 Corinthians 1:22
who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

. The Lord’s Residence
Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

. God’s Testing House
1 Thessalonians 2:4
the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

. Faith’s Concern
Hebrews 10:22
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

. The Believer’s Assurer
1 John 3:19
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

. The Spirits Tablet
2 Corinthians 3:2
You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

“First Love” Intimacy

“…Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us… that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity.”  John 17:21-23

[Message No: 7363]

No longer slaves to sin

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. — Romans 6:11

In baptism, we are united with Christ in his death (see Romans 6:1-14 for the background of this devotional meditation). Our old sinful selves are crucified with Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are alive in Christ — the one whom sin could not master and death could not conquer. His life is now our life. His victory is our victory. His future is our future. Let's set our hearts to live based upon this certainty!

Another Man’s Righteousness

“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”  Mark 2:16-17

What about you? Are you trusting in your own ability to please God?

Is your hope for heaven based on your goodness outweighing your badness? Do you believe God will let you into heaven since you tried your best to do what’s right?

Remember that God requires perfection. That is why he made Jesus
“who had no sin to become sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).Soon someone we love will be saying goodbye to us. On that day, may we be found in another man’s righteousness.

Freedom from Anxiety

Judges 6:1-16

Anyone who’s struggled with fear and anxiety understands the difficulty of overcoming these emotions. Gideon was a man who experienced great apprehension because he lived when Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites as a result of their rebellion against God.

Questions in Job 

38:12-13
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
 And caused the dawn to know its place,
  That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
 And the wicked be shaken out of it?

38:16
“Have you entered the springs of the sea?
 Or have you walked in search of the depths?

[Message No: 7362]

Living Content

Philippians 4:12

Contentment! Mmmm, I’d like to have a little of that; how about you? I find it hard to be contented about almost anything. My performance is not up to par. My weight isn’t where it should be. My words were a little insensitive in the last conversation. It’s even easier to slip into recognizing what we don’t have financially and then pursue that.

But before money, possessions, health, or any other thing can be truly enjoyed, we first have to learn that contentment is not based on our circumstances but our salvation.

Prophet – Joseph

Genesis 40:12-13
“This is what it means, ” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days.    Within three days  Pharaoh will lift up your head  and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.

Genesis 40:18-19

“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days.    Within three days  Pharaoh will lift off your head  and impale your body on a pole.  And the birds will eat away your flesh.”
Genesis 41:26-32 – Kindly read

Genesis 50:24-25

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.   And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence

Am I Brother’s Keeper?

Romans 14:7

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

1 Kings 19:5

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

[Message No: 7361]

Know Your Scripture

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word! — Proverbs 15:23
Knowing the right word at the right time is a great gift. But even the best of speakers has to admit that the best of his or her words are not nearly as good as those the Spirit gives. Nevertheless, we must not excuse ourselves for our insensitive speech, unkindness, or missed opportunities. Not paying attention to what was said is no excuse.

Not being spiritually in tune with the needs of our companions is a cop out. Simply not knowing Scripture well enough to bless others with gracious speech at the appropriate time is self-deception. Listening to others after having listened to God in his Word is what tunes our ears and our hearts to bless others.

Uncomfortable

“‘Father,” he prayed, ‘my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.’” Mark 14:36

A Singing Heart

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would feel better, and the evil spirit would go away” I Samuel 16:23

Pray Before You Leap

Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Authority in an Age of Autonomy

“But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.’  Hebrews 1:8

But today’s verse, and many others that echo it, proclaim Jesus as the forever King. The world is his, whether we accept it or not. Those who don’t follow Jesus understandably disregard his authority. Christians, however, are called to submission and obedience. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

[Message No: 7360]

Jesus is Saviour for all seasons.

The angel said to [Mary], "Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever." — Luke 1:30-33

Jesus is identified by many names stated or implied in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Notice how Jesus is identified in just this one passage: child, son, Jesus, great, Son of the Most High, King, son of David, and leader of Israel (Jacob). Jesus exhausts all descriptions, and yet chose to be limited to imperfect descriptions by becoming human. But this flood of names and descriptions helps us find Jesus as our Savior in every trial and blessing of life. Jesus is Saviour for all seasons.

The absoluteness of Jesus Christ

John 16:14
He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

The Law and the Gospel

James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Not by might nor by power

1 Corinthians 2:4
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Cloud

“Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.” Numbers 9:17
Lord, help me relax when it comes to your will for my life. Help me to know you so that I know when you tell me to stay or go. Amen.

When He is Come

John 1:6-8
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

[Message No: 7359]

Is Your Faith Worth Sharing?

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day“ Proverbs 4:18 (KJV).

What about you? Is your brand of Christianity truly the revolutionary, first-century kind that helped turn the world upside down and that changed the course of history? If not, it can be – and that is what this daily devotional guide is all about.

Every Christian needs to echo daily the sentiments of an unknown poet:
..My life shall touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done,
Leave countless marks of good or ill,
Ere sets the evening sun.
This, the wish I always wish,
The prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help other lives
It touches by the way.

Count Your Blessings

“And don’t forget to thank Him” Philippians 4:6
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

What a wonderful reminder to take the time to think about what God is doing for us. Too often we focus just on the horrid things – the evil, the hurricanes, the floods and devastation and famine.
But take time every day to verbalize or write all you are thankful for. You may want to use this outline. Doing so will revitalize your soul.

Thoughts 

. I used to ask God to help me.  Then I asked if I might help him. - James Hudson Taylor
. I asked for words!

Life led me to a wood,
Set me in solitude
Where speech is still and
Wisdom comes by prayer.
- Chester B. Emerson

[Message No: 7358]

How do we spend our time?

Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. – Psalm 144:4

Time is so precious — time with our families, our children, our parents, our friends, as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ. How do you invest your time? Where do you invest it? You know, it's really more valuable than the money we invest. Once it's gone, it can't be reclaimed. So as you begin each day, ask God that you will be able to "know the time," to see it for what it is and to use it for its greatest good. Time passes quickly, and like the shadows of early evening, it's not long before it is absorbed into the gathering darkness of night.

Excuses of the Deceived

If  I live right it matters not what I believe –

John 3:14-22

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

   “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

    John the Baptist Exalts Christ into
    After these things Jesus and His disciples came the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.

Thought 

. If you want to get warm you just stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water.  If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.  They are not a sort of prize which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone. - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7357]

God’s Rich Supply

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

Paul gives the Philippians this promise only after he has emphasized to them that he had found the Lord's grace sufficient in good times and tough times, in times of plenty and in times of lack. The key to this promise is not just God's provision, but also our trust upon him to satisfy what we most need in Christ Jesus. When our hearts yearn to be full of him, to be pleasing to him, to be blessed by his presence, to be given the assurance of life beyond death, surely we can rely on his supplying everything we truly need!

Duties to our Parents 

Deuteronomy 3:20
until the Lord has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’

Leviticus 19:3
“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father's command,
 And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Today 

Hebrews 3:12-13
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[Message No: 7356]

Declare

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. “ - Psalm 91:1-2

How is your relationship with God? Do you come to Him casually and occasionally or do you keep Him close beside you? Is your life pointed to God at all times?

We can find rest in His shadow. He alone is our ultimate refuge and place of safety. He is our God and we can always trust Him

You Taught Us How to Love

“We have spoken freely to you, …our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. - 2 Corinthians 6:11

Commands

. Make straight paths

Hebrews 12:13
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

. Mark the unruly

2 Thessalonians 3:14
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed

Thoughts 

. Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose. - C. S. Lewis

. George Washington Carver famously addressed Congress in 1921, extolling the virtues of peanuts.  When asked by one congressman how he learned what he knew, Carver replied, “From an old book…the Bible.”  The congressman asked, “Does the Bible tell about peanuts?”  Carver replied, “No Sir, but it tells about the God who made the peanut.  I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did.” - George Washington Carver

. If you want to pray better, you must pray more. - Mother Teresa

[Message No: 7355]

Jesus Found In Places - 2

7. He was upon the Cross
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

8. He is on the right hand of the Father
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 8:1
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Hebrews 10:12
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Praying in a Crisis

 Psalm 86:1-13
When life is moving along smoothly, it’s easy to say, “God answers prayer.” But a crisis can bring doubt, especially if the Lord is not responding as quickly as we might like. That’s when we may be tempted to bargain with God as if He could be manipulated into acting on our behalf. However, the goal of prayer is not to get God to do what we want but to bring our concerns to Him, trusting that He will answer in His own way and time.

Knowing who God is enables us to trust Him through the crises of life. Because He is faithful, we know that He will keep His promises. His holiness causes us to examine our life and repent of any sins that are hindering our prayers. And His mercy, grace, and love give us the comfort we need to endure hardship.

[Message No: 7354]

Jesus Found In Places - 1

1.He sat on the wall
John 4:6
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

2. He was placed on the pinnacle
Matthew 4:5
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

3. He walked on the Sea
John 6:19
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

4. He wrote on the ground
John 8:6
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

5. He sat on an ass colt
John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

6. He was on the earth
John 17:4
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Thoughts 

. Each of us has a capacity for God and an ability to relate to him in a personal way.  When we do, he brings to us pardon for the past, peace for the present, and a promise for the future. - Ralph S. Bell
. Words are but the body, the garment, the outside of prayer; sighs are nearer the heart work. - Samuel Rutherford

[Message No: 7353]

How can we live for God?

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. — Romans 6:11-12

If we have been cleansed from perversity, if we have died with Christ in baptism and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit, then let's live for God! Let's resist sin, and our inclination to sin, with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own.

 Let's begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to the goal of the holy character of God!

Is God’s will my will?

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

The witness of the Spirit

Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Is your Hope in God Faint and Dyeing?

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.

Questions in Job 

37:15
Do you know when God dispatches them,
 And causes the light of His cloud to shine?

37:16
Do you know how the clouds are balanced,
 Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

37:17
Why are your garments hot,
 When He quiets the earth by the south wind?

[Message No: 7352]

Flawless word.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30

God is a shield whose Word can be trusted. His way is not only true, but it is also life-giving. But, we must take refuge in him if his flawless word and his perfect way are going to be blessings and his presence is going to bless us as our shield. Our allegiance, reliance, and dependence must be voluntarily placed in him and lives must be committed to living by flawless word.

Personality

John 17:22
I have given them the glory that you gave me,  that they may be one as we are one —

Thoughts

. All people become closer, more or less, to one of two opposite limits: one is life only for oneself, and the other is life only for God. - Leo Tolstoy

. The most tender plants can push their way through the hardest rocks, and it is the same with kindness.  Nothing can stop a truly kind and sincere person. –
Henry David Thoreau

God is Honoured and Blessed

God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9-11
When Jesus is exalted, when his name is praised and his glory confessed, God is honored and blessed. Praise be the glorious name of Jesus of Nazareth, our great Messiah the Christ, Savior, Son of God, and conquering King!

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled  and do not be afraid.

Prophet – Jacob

Genesis 28:3-4
May God Almighty  bless  you and make you fruitful  and increase your numbers  until you become a community of peoples.   May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham,  so that you may take possession of the land  where you now reside as a foreigner,  the land God gave to Abraham.”

[Message No: 7351]

Why are we not waiting?

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

If there is anything we don't like to do, it's wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it!

There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new or easy.

Prophet – Jacob

Genesis 48:15-16
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,   The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Genesis 48:19-22
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.   And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.   And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. 
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou art my firstborn,
my might, and the beginning of my strength,
the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Genesis 49:27
Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf:
in the morning he shall devour the prey,
and at night he shall divide the spoil.

Exodus 32:13
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

[Message No: 7350]

Sing to the LORD

 “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” - Psalm 98:1

Songs can stir us up or they can bring us comfort. Songs can take us back to a special time, or songs can give us hope for things to come. Unfortunately, we usually leave the words and the music of our songs only for someone else to write, never taking time to write our own "new song."

But today, why not make up your own new song of praise and thanks to God. It doesn't have to be great, just heartfelt and offered to the Father from whom all joyful songs come.

Scriptures for Anger

Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Questions in Genesis

26:9-10
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?”
  Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’”
   And Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us.”

26:27
And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

Thoughts 

. Know that even when you are in the kitchen, our Lord moves amid the pots and pans. - Teresa of Avila

. Begin now to be what you will be hereafter. – Jerome

The mystery of believing 

Acts 9:6
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

[Message No: 7349]

Heedless Man

. A Balaam in good wishes
Numbers 23:10
“Who can count the dust of Jacob,
 Or number one-fourth of Israel?
 Let me die the death of the righteous,
 And let my end be like his!”

. An Ananias in profession
Acts 3:5
So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

. A Simon Magus in desire
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

. A Diotrephes in prating
3 John 1:9
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

. An Esau in tears
Hebrews 12:17
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

. A Demas in friendship
Colossians 4:14
Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
2 Timothy 4:10
for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

. A foundation less builder in folly
Matthew 7:26
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

[Message No: 7348]

God’s Perspective on War

Romans 13:1-4
War is a very controversial subject in both the world and the church. Considering the broad spectrum of views and opinions, those who follow Christ would do well to search the Scriptures and ask, What does the Lord think about war?

As you think about this difficult subject, remember that God’s goal is the destruction of wickedness, not people. In the final battle, Jesus will defeat sin and death, wars will cease, and righteousness will reign (Revelation 19:11-16). Until that day, we are left on earth to do our part in overcoming evil.

Bible references for Comfort 

. Psalm 37:39
But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
 He is their strength in the time of trouble.

. Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord,
 And He shall sustain you;
 He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Don’t Calculate with God

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord,
 Trust also in Him,
 And He shall bring it to pass.

1. Toward God:
Love – Joy – Peace

2. Toward Others:
Longsuffering – Gentleness – Goodness

3. Toward Myself:
Faith – Meekness – Temperance

[Message No: 7347]

First, Not Finally

This important choice to trust doesn’t mean everything suddenly turns to sunshine and roses.
Circumstances do not instantly resolve themselves and fall perfectly into place. That’s not how it works. Instead, we find that our choice to trust God will bring a presence of peace we didn’t have before. This is the kind of peace we read about in Isaiah 26:3:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Proverbs 3:5 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. “

The Devotion of Hearing

1 Samuel 3:10
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Commands

. Make no provision for lusts

Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

. Make full proof of ministry

2 Timothy 4:5
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry

Word – Power in the name of Jesus

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. — Romans 1:16

For the rich and poor, young and old, weak and strong, thin and heavy, there is still just one message and one name and one story that makes the eternal difference. That one message, story, and name are announced in the gospel — God's good news to the world in Jesus Christ. God's good news of life in the story of Jesus Christ is The Story and The Message and The Hope for all.

[Message No: 7346]
      

Expression of Praise and Worship in Scripture - Mouth

. With The Mouth:

. Singing –

Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds!

. Praising
Psalm 103:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

Heaven is the Dwelling Place of God

Job 22:12
“Is not God high in the heavens?
See the highest stars, how lofty they are!

Deuteronomy 26:15
Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’

Blessings of Prayer

. Personal Healing

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

. Revelation of Word

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

[Message No: 7345]

Deliverance from every problems?

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. — Psalm 34:17

Deliverance! A great theme of the Bible is that God is a God of deliverance who keeps his promises and faithfully shares his grace, mercy, and justice. Let this promise stir you to righteous living and then and to cry out to God in all your troubles. One way to do this is to read through the Psalms regularly, letting these inspired words from so long ago offer a rich topography of prayer from which you can call to God.

Whether you use the Psalms or not, however, cry out to God with the praises, questions, and wounds that life brings. Let his presence be real to you and your heart open to him.

Questions in 2 Chronicles 

20:12
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

24:6
So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord and of the assembly of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

24:20
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’

What is that to Thee?

John 21:21-22
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
   Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

[Message No: 7344]

Confronting Closed Doors

Acts 16:5-12
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

      The Macedonian Call

     Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

      Lydia Baptized at Philippi
     Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days

Divine Strength

Genesis 49:24
But his bow remained in strength,
 And the arms of his hands were made strong
 By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
 (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),

The Process of Belief

James 2:14-17
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

[Message No: 7343]

Blue Skies and Cloudy Days

Deuteronomy 31:6

God, still shining, still working, still doing what He does.
Don’t forget that on your cloudy days, He is still there!
Of course we prefer blue skies and sunshine. Of course we love a more visible evidence of His presence and working in our lives.

Here is the truth, for our faith to stretch and grow we must believe He is still there even though there are days when the clouds may appear to block our view.
This is so important to understand. God is still with us on the days when the skies are not blue. There is not a cloud that can dim the power of the sun, or cloud or storm that can lessen the power of our God.

What is the cloud or storm in your life? Health issues, financial matters, marital problems, family problems, trust issues, fear?

We are incapable of moving any clouds one inch for the sun to come shining through again.
But we can move the clouds of fog in our mind that make us feel like He has moved away from us. We must choose to push them away with the truth of God’s Word that He goes with us and never leaves us, whether it is blue skies or a cloudy day.

“For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

Are you exhausted Spiritually?

Isaiah 40:28
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,
that the everlasting God, the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
fainteth not, neither is weary?
there is no searching of his understanding.

Is your Imagination of God Starved?

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high,
and behold who hath created these things,
that bringeth out their host by number:
he calleth them all by names
by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power;
not one faileth.

[Message No: 7342]