Saturday, May 31, 2008

Be Quick To Listen

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to
speak, and slow to get angry.

You learn by listening -- not by talking.

The biggest barrier to learning is thinking you already know a
subject. If you think you already know everything, it is
difficult to learn anything more.

You can learn from every person -- if you will just listen to
what they have to say. Everyone knows something you do not
know.

Pride robs you from learning from others. Pride keeps you
ignorant -- while making you think you are wise.

ROMANS 1:22 NLT
22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

This is not to say you should accept everything you hear as
truth -- just that you should be humble enough, and respect
people enough, to listen and evaluate what they have to say.

Listen and learn. Talk too much and only embarrass yourself.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB
27 The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person
with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He
appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

Proud people act as if they have a duty to display their
superior knowledge to all who will listen. They are quick to
speak, because they "know" they are right.

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you
will keep quiet.

It is not wrong to talk -- just don't talk too much. And don't
be so anxious to impress people with what you know.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool
makes you a blabbermouth.

SAY THIS: I will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to
become angry.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Be Heaven's Ambassador

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 LB
20 We are Christ's ambassadors. God is using us to speak to
you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading
with you, receive the love he offers you--be reconciled to God.

An ambassador is a resident representative for the head of state
of their own country.

As citizens of Heaven, we are authorized to represent our King,
the Lord Jesus Christ, here on Earth.

An ambassador is a very important person. Unless they do their
job correctly, misunderstanding can easily develop -- and
possibly even war.

This is Heaven's problem. Its ambassadors have not always
clearly communicated the correct message to Earth's
inhabitants. That is why so many people are "at war with God"
instead of enjoying the blessings of peace with God.

The problem comes from people misunderstanding God, and not
realizing the sin problem has already been dealt with in
Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 NLT
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering
for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through
Christ.

The logic supporting the plea in verse 20, to be reconciled to
God, is found in verse 21: the sin separating us from God has
been dealt with through Christ. So we no longer need to hide
from God, or fear His judgment. Instead, we can enjoy His gift
of being made right with Him.

A good ambassador for Heaven must know the message of God, and
speak His message -- accurately.

One way of determining the accurate message of Jesus Christ is
found in John 8:31-32. Jesus said His message would make people
free -- not beat them down or put them in bondage.

God has a message that He desires for every person to hear: He
loves them, and will help them, if they will only turn to Him.

We must communicate that message clearly.

This message of God's love for mankind was displayed in and
through a person: Jesus of Nazareth. We learn of Him, and His
message, through a book -- the Holy Bible.

Actually, Jesus Himself was, and is, God's message. We need
only present Jesus to people as He truly was, and is -- and
they will be drawn to Him, because there is no fault in Him.

An ambassador does not speak for himself -- he speaks the
official policy and message of the country he represents.

So we are not here to give our opinion, but to proclaim what
God has said in His written Word, the Bible -- Heaven's
official message.

SAY THIS: I will be a good ambassador of Jesus Christ, to
represent Heaven, and speak His accurate message here on Earth.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

You Are A Spirit

JOHN 4:24 NKJ
24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth."

GENESIS 1:26-27 NKJ
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to
Our likeness...."
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He
created him; male and female He created them.

Because we are created in the image of God, it follows that,
since He is spirit -- we are also spirit.

To say it clearly, you are a spirit-being, you have a soul
(mind and emotions), and you live in a body.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 NKJ
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to Scripture, humans have 3 parts: spirit, soul, and
body. (Note that spirit and soul are not the same.)

ROMANS 12:1-2 NKJ
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Note that YOU are to do something with your body. So, your body
is not the real you, but something that you possess. Also, you
are to renew your mind (verse 2). Nothing is said about your
spirit in this passage because your spirit is the part that is
born again with new life from God when you receive Jesus.

JOHN 3:6-7 NKJ
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.'

From this Scripture we see that when you are born again, the
part that is born again is your spirit -- not your mind, and
not your body.

So, the real you is your spirit -- which is born again, right
with God, and filled with His life. You are to control your
body, and to control what is fed into your mind, so that it can
be renewed by the Word of God to know the truth. Then your life
will be changed, and conformed to the will of God.

SAY THIS: According to the Bible, I am a spirit being. I have a
soul, and I live in a body.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Actively Receive

In the Greek New Testament there are several words we translate
into English using the word "receive." "Lambano" is the Greek
word we could translate as "actively receive."

It is important for you to understand this word. Many expect
things promised in the Bible to just fall on them. But, as you
will see from understanding this word, "lambano," you have a
part to play in receiving the Bible promises.

You can passively receive something. An example would be
someone throwing a ball through your window into your house.
That kind of receiving requires no action on your part.

"Lambano" is not like that. It requires that you do something.
Like when you reach out your hands and grab a ball someone
threw to you.

For example, the following scriptures contain the Greek word,
"lambano." This may help you get a better understanding of what
receive means when it translates this word, lambano.

MARK 12:8 NKJ
8 "And they TOOK him and killed him and cast him out of the
vineyard.

JOHN 19:6 NKJ
6 ...Pilate said to them, "You TAKE Him and crucify Him, for I
find no fault in Him."

As the above passages show, sometimes lambano is translated as
take or took -- and is not at all passive, but very active.

JOHN 1:12 NKJ
12 But as many as RECEIVED Him, to them He gave the right to
become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:

Receiving Jesus and becoming a child of God is not something
that happens by accident. Each person has to make the choice to
actively choose Jesus.

MATTHEW 21:22 NKJ
22 "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you
will RECEIVE."

ROMANS 5:17 NKJ
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the
one, much more those who RECEIVE abundance of grace and of the
gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus
Christ.)

Remember that receiving is something you must actively do.

SAY THIS: I will be an active receiver of all God has for me.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Jesus Is Coming Back

ACTS 1:11 NKJ
11 ...This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Jesus of Nazareth, born into this earth by the virgin Mary, who
was the pre-existent, eternal, Creator God, and who suffered
and died on a cross as mankind's substitute, is coming back to
earth again.

You probably have questions, such as "When?" and "Why?"

Fortunately, the Bible does give us answers, just not as many
as most of us would like. (This attitude is really a matter of
pride, thinking we know better than God how much information He
should share with us.)

Godly people, throughout history, have not all reached the same
conclusion by studying Scripture, as far as the specific timing
and events surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ.

What is crystal clear from Scripture is that Jesus Christ will
return to earth in triumph to rule over all. And that all
people should live in a state of readiness for His return.

(Since all the details are not clear, let us not fall into the
trap of fighting over this doctrine. The Bible does not say
that a perfect understanding of this subject is necessary for
you to be saved.)

My personal opinion is that the coming of Jesus Christ is
drawing very near. (Of course, I have been wrong about other
things.) One thing is sure: it will happen some day!

For a believer, the return of Jesus Christ to earth is the most
wonderful thing that could happen. Any fearfulness is a sign
that you do not know the Lord as intimately as you should.

As believers, we should look forward to the triumphant,
physical return to this planet of its rightful owner and ruler:
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here are a few things Jesus said about His return.

MATTHEW 24:3,4,14,27,36,44 NKJ
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to
Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And
what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the
age?"
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one
deceives you.
14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the
world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will
come.
27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the
west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the
angels of heaven, but My Father only.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour when you do not expect Him.

Jesus will return in person -- instantly, as lightning flashes
from east to west. Everyone will know it when it happens.

Be ready.

SAY THIS: Come Lord Jesus. Come back and straighten everything
out.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Offering Time

2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 NIV
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to
give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.

Most people regard offering time as a necessary evil, at best.

As usual, our ideas are much different than what the Word of
God teaches.

God does not encourage giving just to meet the needs of His
work on earth. No, God does it for our good, so that we can be
blessed. (Also, to combat selfishness.)

Every offering time is an opportunity for us to worship God and
express our love to Him in a tangible way. But God, being so
good, has designed it so that when we do give to Him it also
functions like planting a seed, which will produce a harvest
of blessing in our life.

God designed His creation to work in such a way that money and
blessing will come back to us in even greater measure than we
give out.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6,8 NIV
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will
abound in every good work.

One way the devil tries to suppress the spread of the Gospel is
by making people believe that messages like this are just to
get money, as if preachers dreamed up the Bible for their own
benefit. No, God planned all this, and He is smart enough to
know that without adequate funding, those whom He has called to
teach and equip His people will be held back, unable to be as
effective as they should be.

When we give to those proclaiming the Word of God on earth, God
considers it giving to Him, and a seed sown.

A farmer does not hate planting his crops. Farmers don't whine
about having to put their seed in the ground. No, they look
forward with joy to the time of harvest they know is coming,
because they understand how seeds work.

If we believe God's Word, then we know our giving works exactly
as the seed the farmer plants in the ground.

You don't have to believe this (or anything God teaches us in
His Word). But surely you can understand that refusing to
believe God's Word is NOT a way to please Him.

SAY THIS: I will plant my financial seeds with joy and
thanksgiving, as I worship God with my money.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Pay Your Teachers

GALATIANS 6:6-7 NLT
6 Those who are taught the word of God should help their
teachers by paying them.
7 Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get
away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

A law of human behavior is that you will get more of what you
reward, or support. If those who teach the Bible are not
supported, less people will teach the Bible. This is not the
will of God!

If we expect to keep learning, we must support teachers.
Otherwise, without support, there will be no teachers. Then who
will be left to teach us? Basketball players? Movie stars?

1 CORINTHIANS 9:11-14 NLT
11 We have planted good spiritual seed among you. Is it too
much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing?
12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have
an even greater right to be supported? Yet we have never used
this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an
obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.
13 Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their
meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings? And
those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial
offerings.
14 In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach
the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

God's plan is for us to support those who teach His Word. This
will insure an ample supply of people ready to continue
teaching you, and others, the things of God. How valuable is
that to you?

(God is not pleased when we do not value His Word highly. It is
disrespectful to God, and not very smart.)

SAY THIS: I will honor God and His Word by supporting those who
preach and teach the Bible.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Make Room For Jesus

LUKE 2:7 KJV
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.

You probably think it was terrible that there was "no room in
the inn" and the baby Jesus had to be born in a stable and lay
in a manger.

If the people then truly understood who Jesus was, no doubt
they would have gladly opened their homes and provided much
better for Him. But do we not often make the same mistake?

The situation for Jesus today must be even more sad. Most of us
still do not make room for Jesus in our lives.

For some the reason is busyness, just being so caught up in
making a living and trying to take care of things that they
feel they just don't have time. (The truth is that with Jesus'
help, life will be better and easier.)

For others, it is fear: fear of what Jesus might think, or say,
or do, if He were invited, or even allowed access, into their
lives. (This fear is baseless because Jesus does not wreck
things but improves them. They need to know Jesus truly loves
them and desires the best for them, which He does.)

For some the reason is just lack of knowledge: they don't know
about Jesus and His love. (For these people, you are the
answer. You can share the wonderful story of God's love for
mankind.)

REVELATION 3:20 Living
20 "Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly
knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I
will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.

Jesus is persistent and still reaches out in love, expecting
that someday people will see Him as He truly is, overcome their
busyness and fear and ignorance, and enthusiastically invite
Him into the center of their lives.

Jesus does not enjoy being ignored, or being put in an inferior
place. Surely Jesus would like for us to accept and appreciate
Him for what He truly is: the Central One, Creator and
Sustainer of all, who knows more and can do more than we can
even imagine.

You may acknowledge Jesus and claim He is your Lord and Savior,
but do you neglect Him, or give Him a central place?

Do you talk to Him about everything? Do you thank Him for
everything good? You should.

Jesus does not want you to feel guilty about neglecting Him. He
loves you and just wants you to return His love. Jesus desires
a central place in your life so He can bless you more.

Don't ignore Jesus.

SAY THIS: I will always make room for Jesus in my life.

Friday, May 23, 2008

God's Word In Your Mouth

EPHESIANS 6:17 NIV
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.

The sword, or weapon, of the spirit is speaking the Word of
God. Left sitting in a book on your shelf, it does you no good.

A weapon must be used against an adversary to be of any
benefit. Our adversary is the devil and a weapon he uses is
doubt. We must speak God's Word to actively resist doubt
defeating us.

JAMES 1:22 NIV
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.

We need to personalize the Bible, and act on it. The first, and
main, way to accomplish this is to speak in agreement with what
the Bible says.

For a short basic confession to get you started, look at
http://www.believers.org/helps/basiccon.htm

SAY THIS: I take the sword of the spirit and put it in my mouth
by speaking in agreement with the Word of God.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Light and Easy

MATTHEW 11:30 KJV
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christians often struggle in their walk with the Lord, but it
should not be so. Have you ever thought, "It's so hard to be a
Christian!"?

I have.

At one time I believed it was so difficult being a Christian
that I had no motivation to tell others about the Lord. Living
for Jesus just seemed too hard for normal people.

How wrong and deceived I was!

Never forget that the message about Jesus Christ is the gospel
-- which means good news!

If you are having a hard struggle, it's not because of what the
Lord is requiring of you. The problem lies with yourself -- in
pride and unbelief, which the Lord will help you overcome.

Walking with the Lord is meant to be a joy, not a burden. Yes,
there are trials and difficulties. But the Lord always helps us
and delivers us. (Even if it results in martyrdom, we will be
delivered!) Therefore, we can always trust in the Lord and
rejoice in Him. When we do that, every day can be a joyful day.

Living the Christian life is not supposed to be just a matter
of our willpower, but a matter of trust -- faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ. He is the One who carries the load. We are not
qualified and capable of saving ourselves by our own effort.
That's why we need a savior.

Too many people are trying to save themselves, instead of
trusting in Jesus to save them and make them into what He wants
them to be.

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NKJ
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for
His good pleasure.

We do need to change -- to do better and be better. But our
focus needs to be on Jesus and not on ourselves. We need to ask
Him and expect Him to work in us and change us. The Christian
life is meant to be a constant fellowship with Jesus and
looking to Him in faith. Otherwise, in our own ability, it is
impossible.

Remember, Jesus is not out to condemn us, but to help us. He
loves us, and proved it by dying in our place.

SAY THIS: Living for Jesus is easy because the Lord is my
Helper.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Eternal Life

ROMANS 6:23 NKJ
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eternal life, or everlasting life, is more than living forever.
Eternal life is the life of God, the Eternal One.

The Greek word "aionios" is usually translated as eternal or
everlasting in the New Testament. (From this word we get our
English word "eon.")

"Zoe" is one of several Greek words that are translated life.
According to Vine's Dictionary, zoe means "life as a principle,
life in the absolute sense, life as God has it. . . . Eternal
life is the present actual possession of the believer because
of his relationship with Christ. . . ."

A note in the Translator's New Testament says, "In the New
Testament eternal life is that kind of life which is given to
all true believers in Christ. The word `eternal' draws
attention to the quality of that life, not to its duration in a
temporal sense. Thus eternal life can be experienced by
believers even while subject to the temporal conditions of
earthly life. Translators should be careful to avoid
expressions which mean no more than a timeless continuation of
life after death."

More than three times as many scriptures refer to eternal life
as a present possession, than as a future possession.

JOHN 5:24 NKJ
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and
believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not
come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

There is only one way to get eternal life. When a person is
born again by receiving Jesus Christ, eternal life is imparted
to that person's spirit -- making them new inwardly.

1 JOHN 3:14-15 NKJ
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we
love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in
death.
15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that
no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

From this passage, we see that eternal life is a present-tense
possession which changes the nature of a person: turning them
into someone who cares for others. Eternal life enables people
to overcome selfishness.

Just as something with fish life in it could do what a fish
does, so someone with God's life in them can do what God does
-- which is walk in love.

SAY THIS: God has given me a new kind of life through Jesus
Christ -- His life.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Destroyed For Lack Of Knowledge

Hosea 4:6 KJV
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . . .

Are people's lives destroyed because God does not love them? Do
people come to ruin and live in misery because God is callous
and uncaring?

NO!

People are destroyed for lack of knowledge -- even God's
people. What kind of knowledge? Knowledge that is available in
the Bible: how to walk in faith, how to overcome, how to get
prayers answered, how to resist the devil, etc.

God is not to blame for our troubles. God has already made
provision for us. But we must avail ourselves of what God has
provided.

How can we benefit from God's great provision if we don't even
know about it? So, we should seek the knowledge of God on our
own, and receive teaching from others, also.

There is not one among us who does not have much to learn. No
one yet is walking in the absolute fullness of what God has
provided.

This must be one of the saddest verses in the Bible. To think
that God's people are destroyed simply because of a lack of
knowledge. As God's children, they are our brothers and
sisters. It is our relatives being destroyed, and we should do
what we can to stop it.

Let's quit giving place to the devil by our lack of knowledge
of God's Word. And, as we learn from God's Word we should share
our knowledge with others, so they can walk in freedom and
victory, too.

SAY THIS: I will study God's Word so I can know the truth and
not let the devil destroy me for lack of knowledge.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Jesus Is The Only Way

JOHN 14:6 NKJ
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through Me.

The word translated "way" means road. Jesus is the road to God.

The Bible is clear. Jesus did not lie. There is no salvation or
entree into Heaven without receiving Jesus Christ.

ACTS 4:12 NIV
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other
name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

The Bible clearly teaches there is only one name by which
people can be saved. That name is not Buddha, Confucius, or
Mohammed, but the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no other way to God than through Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS: Jesus is the way for me to God.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

God Is Just

PSALM 89:14 NIV
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

Every decent human being deeply detests injustice. When we see
it in life, or even in a movie, it agitates us. Nothing makes
our blood boil more than injustice.

We instinctively know injustice is wrong because God put that
within us when He made us in His image. You can be sure that
God's reign will never involve injustice of any kind.

PSALM 11:7 ICB
7 The Lord does what is right, and he loves justice. So honest
people will see his face.

While we may not understand all that God might do in judging
the human race, surely we can be confident with Abraham who
said in Genesis 18:25, "Will not the Judge of all the earth do
right?".

God is fair. God is just. God does what is right. God is
righteous. All these statements are equivalent.

People who would condemn God now are judging Him before the
time -- before all the evidence is in -- before God has
finished His great work with mankind. Then, and then only,
shall we see and understand the greatness of the mercy and the
justice of our wonderful God.

ISAIAH 9:7 NIV
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no
end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

SAY THIS: God is fair and just, and He is the ultimate and only
judge that really matters.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

God Is Not Poor

PSALM 50:12 NASB
12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is
Mine, and all it contains.

HAGGAI 2:8 NASB
8 `The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD
of hosts.

You probably knew that God is rich. But have you thought about
what that means?

Since God is not poor, surely He would not desire His children
to suffer poverty.

Misunderstanding has developed because most Christians think
Jesus was poor and that His followers should also be poor. Not
necessarily true, but a strong tradition.

Why did God create all the wealth of this world? Surely not for
the devil and his crowd.

God does not withhold good from us but desires blessing for all
His children. If it were otherwise, God would not even be as
good as earthly parents.

Any court would condemn an earthly father, who, although rich,
withheld support from his children. Should we think our Father
God is any less loving and caring and giving than an earthly
father? NO! Jesus taught that our Heavenly Father is much more
gracious and generous than any earthly father.

MATTHEW 7:11 NASB
11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven
give what is good to those who ask Him!

Just because you have not yet received the fullness of God's
blessing does not mean God does not desire that you have it. We
must grow up and quit blaming God. Instead, we should seek Him
for understanding and help to receive all He has for us.

Yes, God warns against trusting in riches or being deceived by
them. Anything can be dangerous if not used properly. Fire can
maim and kill, yet properly controlled it is a great blessing.
So it is with money.

God is not against His children having wealth. He just does not
want us to trust in it and worship it.

PSALM 35:27 NASB
27 . . ."The LORD be magnified, who delights in the prosperity
of His servant."

Let's line our thinking up with the Bible and quit letting the
devil rob us of the blessings God intends for us.

SAY THIS: God is my wealthy Father Who loves me and delights to
bless me.

Friday, May 16, 2008

When You Sin

Sin is deadly. Sin opens the door to the devil.

But none of us are immune to falling into sin. What should we
do then?

1 JOHN 1:9 NIV
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If you sin as a believer, immediately confess it to God. Don't
make excuses. You need not beg God to forgive you, because He
is a forgiver and has already paid the price so all sin can be
forgiven. You confess it to get rid of the sin and its effects
on you.

1 JOHN 2:1 NIV
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not
sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the
Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Jesus is on your side. His death provided forgiveness for all
sins -- not just to save sinners, but also forgiveness for
believers when we sin. Do not let sin separate you from the
Lord and His love. Run to Him and be cleansed. Stay close to
Him and receive His help to enable you to not sin.

When you sin, it gives an opportunity for the devil in your
life, but God does not turn against you. (God loves all people,
even those who sin -- and proved it by dying for sinners.) He
purposely made provision so you can be cleansed from sin.
Jesus' death already paid for your forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 was
written to Christians: so when you do sin, confess it -- and by
faith -- immediately receive your cleansing and freedom from
all un-righteousness. That shuts the door on the devil.

SAY THIS: God has made provision for me to be cleansed from
sin.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Seed, Time and Harvest

GENESIS 8:22 NIV
22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold
and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Planting seeds. Then harvesting the crop. As long as the earth
exists, this is the way things work on earth.

This is true in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical
realm. The Bible teaches that our words and our actions are the
seeds we plant, that produce a harvest in our life.

If we are merciful to others, we will be treated with mercy. If
we show love and respect, others will show love and respect to
us. If we speak words of faith and blessing, good things will
increase in our lives. But if we continually speak fear, doubt,
and trouble, life will not go well for us.

GALATIANS 6:7 NIV
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he
sows.

The world has a saying based on this principle, "what goes
around, comes around." We reap what we sow. Using modern terms,
we harvest what we plant. And the more we plant, the larger our
harvest will be, good or bad.

(Fortunately, because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf,
we can receive forgiveness and cleansing from our sins and not
reap the harvest of death and failure we deserve.)

GALATIANS 3:13a NLT
13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the
law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the
curse for our wrongdoing.

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Too many people think God "moves in mysterious ways" and any
spiritual blessing we may receive is just like winning the
lottery -- entirely by chance. But the Bible teaches us that
the kingdom of God operates on the "seed principle."

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NIV
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously.

So the wise course of action is to continually give out what
you would like to receive. If you desire respect, respect
others. Would you like people to give you things? Then
continually look for opportunities to give to others.

LUKE 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in
full -- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more,
running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give
will determine the amount you get back. "

Seed, Time, and then Harvest is how God operates.

When Jesus wanted to explain to people how God operates in His
Kingdom (or rule), He told them it could be illustrated by
planting a seed, which will then grow, and produce a harvest.

MARK 4:30-32 NLT
30 Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What
story should I use to illustrate it?
31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the
smallest of all seeds,
32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows
long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade."

When seed is planted, it grows up, and increases.

First you have the seed, which must be planted. Then the seed
grows. Growth takes time. This is why it can be helpful to
remember this principle as "seed, time, and then harvest."
Those are the three phases of receiving what God has provided
for you. Plant the seed. Be patient and keep believing while
the seed grows. Then you will reap a harvest of blessing.

Jesus said this is the way He could illustrate how the whole
kingdom (or rule of God) works.

SAY THIS: After I plant good seeds, I expect a good harvest.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

God's Word Is Settled

PSALM 119:89 NKJ
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

Heaven is not running around trying to figure out the will of
God. His Word is settled in Heaven.

God surely had enough time before the Bible was written down to
make any changes in His plans. Now that He has given His Word,
He will keep it and see that it comes to pass.

MARK 13:31 NKJ
31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no
means pass away."

ISAIAH 40:8 NKJ
8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God
stands forever."

1 PETER 1:23 NKJ
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides
forever,

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

The issue is settled in Heaven. Now you should settle it: God's
Word is true. God said what He meant and meant what He said.

SAY THIS: God tells the truth, so I will not doubt what He has
said.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

You Are Not A Failure

EPHESIANS 2:10 NIV
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You may have failed, but you are not a failure.

It is not the essence of what and who you are. Failure is just
something that happened to you.

God created you, and He made you able to do good. Maybe you
have not yet discovered what you were created for, but God has
a plan for you. When you fit into God's plan you will find that
God truly made you "a work of His art."

A donkey could compare itself to a race horse and think it was
a failure. But a donkey was created for other things than
running fast.

Find out what you were created to be and do. Then rejoice as
you do it.

SAY THIS: I am God's unique work of art -- still in progress.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Pray Through Daily

Many have criticized the old phrase "praying through," by
rightfully telling us that now there is no need to struggle in
prayer, since Jesus has already won the battle for us.

The devil is defeated, and any child of God has the right to
use the Name of Jesus and immediately be through the devil's
resistance and be heard by our Father God.

However, in life we must deal with things of the flesh and this
world, which can pry our focus off God.

Spiritually, we can grow dull. It can seem like we are in a
fog. Things are not clear. We do not have a note of victory and
triumph. We can, and must, press through these impediments.

Pray through -- until praying is not hard. Pray until you enjoy
it, because you have broken through the things of your flesh
and this world that would hold you back from enjoying daily
fellowship with your Father God.

MATTHEW 26:41 NASB
41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into
temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

SAY THIS: I will "pray through" every day.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Repentance

ACTS 17:30 NKJ
30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now
commands all men everywhere to repent,

To repent means to change. Repentance is a change of thinking
which results in a change of life.

Repentance involves a change of mind -- waking up to reality,
seeing things as they really are, and recognizing the error of
your ways -- resulting in a change of action.

Repentance includes forsaking old patterns, habits, priorities,
and all things that have controlled you (gods). Repentance
means accepting Jesus as Lord!

To repent is to forsake all other gods -- and embrace Jesus
Christ as your Lord and God.

The word translated "repent" in English New Testaments is the
Greek word metanoeo. It means to change one's mind, or to
convert. Not merely to forsake sin, but to change one's mind
regarding it. Metanoeo means to reform, to have a genuine
change of heart and life from worse to better.

The noun form of the Greek word we translate as "repentance" is
metanoya. It is a change of mind that involves both a turning
from sin and a turning to God.

The parable of the prodigal son is an outstanding illustration
of repentance. (Luke 15:10-21)

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 NKJ
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be
regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Many mistake sorrow for repentance. As this verse shows, godly
sorrow leads to repentance, but they are not the same thing.

There is another Greek word, metamelomai, which means to have
remorse or regret. It is pain of mind, rather than change of
mind. "You're sorry you got caught".

Metanoya implies that one has later arrived at a different view
of something, metamelomai that one has a different feeling
about it. In remorse (metamelomai) a man sees the bitter end of
sin, in repentance (metanoya) he breaks free from it.

So, repentance has to do mostly with your thinking and
therefore your actions -- not your feelings.

Repentance is associated with renewing the mind (Romans 12:2).
When you know the truth -- truth makes you free as you act on
it (John 8:32).

SAY THIS: Jesus, I call on You to be my Lord. Please help me to
repent in every area of life and walk in agreement with you.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

God Has A Plan

JEREMIAH 29:11 NIV
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.

Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by
his brothers. At that time, I'm sure it didn't look to Joseph
like God had a plan -- at least not one that was good for him.

Joseph surely thought what many of us have, "Why did you let
this happen to me, God?"

No doubt things looked clearer to Joseph later on when he was
ruling Egypt and was able to save his entire family from
starvation. (Genesis 45-50)

Often life may seem confusing and out-of-control. But don't
despair. God has a plan for you which He is working out. If you
could only see the end He has in mind for you -- you would
begin to rejoice and thank God right now. (Hint, hint.)

SAY THIS: God has a plan for me, and I will trust Him to work
everything out in my life.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Put God First

MATTHEW 22:37-38 NKJ
37 Jesus said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 "This is the first and great commandment.

The most important command is to love God with all your being.
As with all His commands, God does not give this for His
benefit, but for your benefit. It will bless you, and improve
your life and well-being to put God first.

Loving people, while important, is only secondary according to
Jesus. In practice -- because God loves people -- loving Him
will result in you loving people also.

When you get your priority backward -- putting people and their
needs first -- you miss God's plan, and will be relatively
ineffective in helping people -- compared to what you could
have been if you put God first.

MATTHEW 6:33 CEV
33 But more than anything else, put God's work first and do
what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Determine to follow Jesus and obey Him. Don't allow anything
other than Jesus Christ to be your highest priority.

SAY THIS: My highest priority is God. I will put God first in
my life.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Esteem Others Better

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NKJ
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself.

When you start thinking you are better than other people, you
are on dangerous ground. It leads to actions opposite to divine
love.

Be on guard! The Bible warns us, and we should take heed.

Of course it's not just what we think of others that's
important, but how we treat others. However, thoughts always
precede and determine actions. So, we must guard our thoughts.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NET
3 . . . treat one another as more important than yourself.

Yes, every one of us is better in some way(s) than some other
person or persons. But not one of us is superior in every way
to everyone else.

Of even more importance is that we should not value a human
being by their looks, abilities or accomplishments, but by
their value to God. God is the true judge of human worth and He
thinks that person you are tempted to look down upon is
valuable enough to die for.

When you judge someone as not valuable, or judge yourself as
more valuable than they are, you are setting yourself up as a
judge with higher authority than God.

JAMES 4:6 NLT
6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil
desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but
favors the humble."

God resists the proud!

Only a fool would want God to oppose them or resist them.
Therefore, only a fool, or an ignorant person, would want to be
proud -- which is thinking you are better than others.

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be
clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives
grace to the humble."

What do you have that was not given to you? Did you create
yourself? So, what do you really have to boast about?

1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NKJ
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have
that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why
do you boast as if you had not received it?

Instead of being proud, be grateful for all God has blessed you
with. And realize God has blessed you so you can also be a
blessing to others -- for they are important to God, too.

1 PETER 2:17 NLT
17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and
sisters.

SAY THIS: I will not fall into the trap of thinking I am better
than others.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Divorce

MALACHI 2:16 NIV
16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a
man's covering himself with violence as well as with his
garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your
spirit, and do not break faith.

God hates divorce because He loves people. Keep that in focus.
Divorce hurts people, so God is against it. But God is NOT
against the person who is divorced.

Many reading this have been divorced, and would agree that
divorce is no fun for anyone. It is devastating, ranking right
up with the death of a spouse or a child in causing stress.

Divorce does not usually solve problems, but creates more
problems. Whatever is causing conflict and trouble will almost
surely still be there after a divorce.

If you are thinking about getting a divorce -- don't.

(Of course, if your life is in danger, you should protect
yourself.)

With God's love and faith, anything can be faced and overcome.
God, who raises the dead, can also resurrect your marriage and
give you love for each other.

If you have been divorced, God is not mad at you. He still
loves you. (Remember, the reason God is against divorce is that
He loves you and wants to spare you the pain and suffering.)

Divorce is NOT the unforgivable sin. And remember, when God
forgives He forgets. While it is true that you may continue to
suffer effects of a divorce in this natural realm, as far as
God is concerned, it can be forgiven and forgotten.

SAY THIS: God hates divorce because He loves people, including
me.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Help, Mate!

GENESIS 2:18 LB
18 And the Lord God said, "It isn't good for man to be alone; I
will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs."

An important part of God's purpose for marriage is to have
someone to help you in life.

(God did not intend for this to be one-sided. A husband also
should help his wife. Otherwise, a husband would not love his
wife as Christ loves the church. See Ephesians 5:25.)

We all need help and encouragement. Sadly, for most people,
that is often not at all what they receive from their spouse.

Your spouse, whether you know it or not, desperately wants and
needs your help, your encouragement, and your support.

Are all spouses perfect and deserving of encouragement and
support? None are! No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. But
especially in those times, it is important that we have someone
to encourage us and help us to believe we can go on and do
better. God meant for you to be that someone to help your
spouse.

Don't fall into the trap of waiting until your spouse starts
being nice to you. God's law works in this area, too: whatever
you give, you will receive. So the best way to get your spouse
to treat you better is to treat them better.

God does not expect you to love and help your spouse solely
with your own love, but to allow God to pour His love through
you. God loves your spouse -- enough to die for them -- and
desires to express that love through you.

If your spouse would not describe you as their encourager,
friend, and a great help to them -- you are missing God's plan.
You need to be your mate's biggest booster.

Yes, this can be hard. Yes, you have no doubt suffered because
of them. Yes, they have hurt you and you probably don't feel
like being a blessing to them after what they have done to you.
But none of this changes the Word of God and His plan.

Whenever you find direction in God's Word that seems difficult
or impossible, your approach should always be to ask God to
help you. "Lord, I see in your Word that you want me to do
this, but I need your help. Help me to love them. Love them
through me."

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will encourage and help those
around me, especially and always, my spouse.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Delay Is Not Denial

LUKE 18:1 NKJ
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart,

Many people give up too easily in prayer. When they don't see
the answer almost immediately, they quit.

God is not pleased with this approach.

You may say, "God knows my need. Why doesn't He just give it to
me, instead of playing games?"

Whether you agree with God's ways, or not: God is still in
charge and makes the rules -- not you. So, it does you no good
to argue or complain. Better to just line up with God instead
of fighting against His plan. Besides, in reality God's ways
are perfect, it is just that we are often too immature and
ignorant to understand all God is doing.

Scripture has many examples of people pressing in and receiving
answers to prayer. We should never be quitters when it comes to
prayer.

It is God's will to answer your prayers. He is the One who told
you to pray. God actually delights in answering your prayers.

(Never forget that God loves you more than you can imagine. God
loves you more than He loves Himself, and proved it by dying in
your place, so you could go free.)

"Then why are there so many delays?"

There is an enemy, the devil, who hates you and is against you
receiving your answer from God.

Second, some prayers involve other people, and God does not
force people to do His will, but works with them patiently so
they can see and do the right thing willingly. This takes time.

Third, there are things that God is working in you while you
are persevering in prayer. God's plan is for you to grow up
spiritually. God wants to enlarge your faith and encourage you
to develop a closer relationship with Him. If every answer
always came immediately, would you really press in and spend
time drawing closer to God and studying His Word?

Don't despair in prayer. Keep on praying in faith as long as
you are praying according to God's Word. A delay, even a very
long one, does not mean that God is saying no to your request.

SAY THIS: I will not give up in prayer.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

If You Don't Know What To Believe

JOHN 17:17 NKJ
17 ". . . Your word is truth.

According to Jesus, the Word of God is truth. Yet many people
proclaim quite different messages -- all using the Bible as
their text. How can you know who to believe?

Jesus also told us that continuing to abide in the Word of God
would produce freedom -- not bondage.

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you
abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free."

So, look at the fruit produced by the message proclaimed. Is it
freedom? If not, then it must not be the ACCURATE message of
Jesus Christ.

The true message of Jesus Christ will set people free -- not
put them in bondage. It truly is good news, and makes people
happy when they correctly understand it.

JOHN 10:10 NKJ
10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they
may have it more abundantly.

If it produces death, stealing, or destruction, it is not God's
plan for you. Jesus came so you could have life in all the
fullness God intended.

What you need to do now is simple:

1) Stop listening to lies.

Anything that makes you think God does not love you, or that
you are hopeless or helpless -- is a lie. God is not against
you or mad at you. All your troubles have been caused by the
devil, and your ignorance, not by God.

2) Listen to the truth.

God's truth is good news. It will build you up -- and give you
an inheritance. It will give you good things, not take anything
good away from you.

ACTS 20:32 NKJ
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of
His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Primarily, you need to read the New Testament for yourself.
Don't just listen to what others tell you that God says. And
before you read, ask the Lord to teach you and reveal Himself
to you.

Secondarily, listen to teachers and preachers who feed you the
Word of God which builds your faith and makes you love and
appreciate God more. Otherwise, quit listening to them.

Remember, the accurate message of Jesus makes you free. (Not
free to sin without consequences, but free from the bondage and
the effects of sin and its curse.)

SAY THIS: I will stop listening to and believing lies, and I
will listen to and believe the truth. God loves me and will
help me.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Glorify God In Death

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-2 KJV
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a
time to pluck up that which is planted;

Death is a part of life we cannot escape.

The Bible does not say a certain time has been determined for
you to die. It says it has been appointed for us to die once.
After death there will be judgment (not reincarnation.)

HEBREWS 9:27 KJV
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment:

There is a time to die. When you have lived a full life, then
it is time to face death.

It is also a good time to die when you can glorify God by your
death. Too many people think life is to be grasped at any cost.
Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's, and we
should seek to glorify Him and please Him.

JOHN 21:19 KJV
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify
God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

ROMANS 14:7-8 NLT
7 For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
8 If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to
honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the
Lord.

I am planning ahead to glorify God in my death. Some people are
only concerned with their comfort. But I desire to leave a good
testimony pointing to the reality of my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I have lived a full life and am satisfied I have finished
my course, my plan is to make sure all my affairs are in order,
then tell the Lord I am ready to come home. I don't plan to
stay around doing nothing but causing trouble for my relatives
just to be able to stay here on earth a few more days.

Too many so-called "believers" don't really seem to believe in
God and Heaven. They act like life on earth is all there is and
every effort and expense should be exerted to stay here every
second possible.

PHILIPPIANS 1:21,23 NLT
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even
better.
23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with
Christ, which would be far better for me.

Should believers have to be dragged out of this life in a
drugged stupor kicking and screaming to stay here in this sin-
infested planet one more day, instead of joyfully giving up the
ghost and eagerly going to meet our wonderful Lord Jesus?

While none of us can claim to be experts on dying, Scripture
seems to indicate that an individual has a part to play --
either in hanging on for dear life, or in giving up the ghost
(spirit).

LUKE 23:46 KJV
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he
gave up the ghost.

GENESIS 25:8 KJV
8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age,
an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

What kind of testimony will you leave behind? Will your friends
and relatives see your life and death, and be inspired to
follow you -- and the One you claim to be following, Jesus
Christ?

If you don't think it matters to God how you die, consider the
hall of fame of faith in Hebrews 11. Three of those mentioned
tell how they left this earth.

The world needs to see that faith in Jesus Christ gives us a
triumphant passage through death.

So, let us die in faith, just as we have lived in faith.

SAY THIS: When I am ready, I will die by faith and leave a good
testimony.

Friday, May 02, 2008

We Know In Part

1 CORINTHIANS 13:9 NKJ
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

The apostle Paul, who was caught up into Heaven, given divine
revelation, and wrote down most of the New Testament, said he
only knew in part.

If he only knew in part -- how much more it must be true for
us.

One problem we have is too many people thinking they know more
than they really do. Just because you have read the Bible does
not make you a Bible expert. Just because you have a degree
from a Bible school does not mean you have all the answers.

Even if you know Hebrew and Greek, so you can read the Bible in
the original languages, it does not mean you understand the
Bible. It can help, but it does not guarantee understanding.
The apostle Paul certainly knew those languages, yet he only
knew in part.

We need to be smart enough to admit, along with the apostle
Paul, that we don't know it all.

It's not a sin to not know everything. We should not feel like
we must have an answer for every question.

God even said there are some things that are secret.

DEUTERONOMY 29:29 NKJ
29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those
things which are revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

God also indicates there are things in His Word we will only
see if we search diligently and work at it, like we were
digging for silver (Proverbs 2:1-7).

So, we all need to remain humble. Humility always accompanies
wisdom. There is much in the Bible that none of us yet knows
completely.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NKJ
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known.

Only when we are face to face with God will we see the whole
picture. Until then we will only know in part. Certainly we can
learn more now, and we should. But we must always remember
that, in this life, none of us will ever know it all.

SAY THIS: There are some things I think I know that I could be
wrong about. I don't know everything yet.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

God's Protection

God doesn't want us to live our lives in fear. Over and over
the Bible tells us to fear not.

Yet with all the terrible things happening in the world, how
can we not be afraid? How can we overcome the temptation to
fear?

We must know and remember that God loves us and has a good plan
for us: including a home in Heaven and going to be with Jesus
when we die.

Also, we must know and remember the promises of God given in
the Bible concerning protection from evil, accident, and harm
in this life. For example:

PSALM 91:9-11 NKJ
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the
Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in
all your ways.

This is not to say that victims of tragic events are sinners,
or are not loved by God. Only that if we walk with God and heed
His direction, God promises to protect us.

We know many good people have died unexpectedly and tragically.
Yet the promise of God stands true and should not be doubted.
There is a place of protection as you live close to God and
walk in faith.

SAY THIS: God gives His angels charge over me, to keep me safe
in all my ways.