Monday, October 31, 2011

Your Marriage Is Your Ministry

EPHESIANS 5:33 ESV
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and
let the wife see that she respects her husband.

God desires to bless your spouse through you!

Jesus has sent us out as members of His spiritual Body, to
minister to those around us. We are supposed to allow His love
to flow through us.

MATTHEW 25:40 GWN
40 "The king will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth:
Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter
how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.'

God loves your spouse -- enough to die for them. His desire is
to help them and bless them. They are not perfect. They need a
lot of help. That is why God sent you, as His representative,
to minister to them.

To minister means to serve. God put you where you are to serve
-- to be a blessing. It is a mistake to think of "Christian
ministry" only as being a pastor or missionary, etc. Any time a
Christian is serving (helping) people it is "Christian
ministry."

Your ministry is not limited to your spouse, but it certainly
includes them.

Whatever other ministry God may entrust to you, if you are
married, God has trusted you with the ministry of being a
blessing to your spouse.

God has not left you to struggle in this ministry on your own.
He is with you, and in you, to work through you. God will help
you. But you must allow Him to do so.

Building up and encouraging your spouse will also be doing
yourself a favor. They will be more pleasant to live with when
they are blessed, loved, and encouraged.

SAY THIS: I accept responsibility to minister to my spouse, to
serve them by helping them in any way I can.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

It Is Written

MATTHEW 4:3-4 NKJ
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.' "

When tempted, Jesus did not use any supernatural powers to
resist the devil. Jesus simply quoted the written Word of God
to the devil.

You must do the same thing. Jesus was our example, showing us
how to overcome the attacks of our enemy.

Notice how the devil came to tempt Jesus -- with a thought -- a
thought contrary to the written Word of God.

Then after Jesus quoted the Bible, the devil also quoted the
Bible but twisted the meaning. Jesus responded only with
another verse from the Bible.

MATTHEW 4:6-7 NKJ
6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself
down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over
you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you
dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt
the LORD your God.' "

If you read the whole passage in Matthew 4:1-11, you will see
that quoting the written Word was the only defense Jesus used
against the devil. Nothing else.

If you are going to overcome temptation and walk in victory,
you must follow Jesus' example and quote the Bible to the
devil. There is no other way.

God's Word in your mouth is your spiritual weapon. If you
neglect to use it, you will be overcome instead of walking in
all the victory and blessing Jesus has provided for you.

EPHESIANS 6:17 NKJ
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God;

Obviously you must know what the Bible says to quote it to the
devil. So it is evident how important it is to read and study
the Bible for yourself.

Yet it is not enough to just read the Bible or study it. When
thoughts come that are not in agreement with the Bible, we must
speak the Word to the devil who is behind those thoughts.

SAY THIS: I will resist the devil with what is written in God's
Word.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

God Is Your Source

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

God can use any avenue or any means to provide for you, but He
is the ultimate Source behind every blessing.

Your job or occupation is one avenue God can use to bless you.
But, your job is not your source.

God's plan for mankind is that we labor. So God will usually
provide for us by giving us a good job, good health, and the
ability to do that job.

However, God is not limited to providing for you through a job.
Even if you lose the job -- God is still your Source, and He
will still provide for you.

Even if you lose your health, God can and will still provide
for you. (And He will also heal you, if you let Him.)

God can bless you through friends and relatives, but they are
not your source. Even if they fail you or forsake you, God will
not.

PSALM 27:10 NKJ
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will
take care of me.

HEBREWS 13:5 NKJ
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with
such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never
leave you nor forsake you."

God deserves credit and thanks for everything good that has
ever happened to you. He was behind it. God was the source of
it. Was it a mother's love? God put that love in her for you.
Was it the love of a spouse? God created that love.

Every good thing in life owes its existence to God. We should
thank God for every good thing, no matter how it seems to come
to us.

God moves on people and influences them to bless you. God
causes situations to work out for your benefit. God is behind
every blessing.

So keep your eyes on God. Thank Him for every blessing, no
matter how it comes to you, because it is from Him.

SAY THIS: God is MY Source.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Saved By Grace

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't
take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done,
so none of us can boast about it.

Being saved, and in right standing with God, is a gift! It is
something we don't deserve, but is freely given to us anyway.

We cannot earn it no matter what we do. Deliverance from the
curse, and right standing with God, is available only as a free
gift.

ROMANS 11:6 NRSV
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works,
otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

It is not what we have done that matters, but what Jesus did
for us. He was our Substitute, suffering what we deserved, so
we could receive what He deserved as a gift.

God Himself has done what is necessary for us to be saved and
be in right standing with Him. Now we must believe in what God
has done, and thank Him for it.

ROMANS 4:5 NLT
5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their
work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

People all over the world try to be right with God by what they
do: rituals, sacrifices, and devotion. But the Bible reveals we
cannot be right with God by our own actions -- it is a gift we
must receive.

ROMANS 3:20 NLT
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the
law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

By keeping the law it is impossible to be right with God,
because no human being can keep it by their own effort. We have
all sinned, according to the Bible.

ROMANS 3:23 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious
standard.

God does not grade on a curve. All have sinned and come short.
So we all need a Savior.

ROMANS 10:9-10 NLT
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right
with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are
saved.

So salvation is a free gift. Anyone can receive it. It comes
wrapped up in a person -- the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive Jesus
-- no matter who you are or what you have done -- and instantly
you are saved (which means delivered) and put in perfect right
standing with God, as if you had never sinned. What a gift!

SAY THIS: I am saved by God's wonderful grace.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Who Will Govern?

ISAIAH 9:7 NLT
7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule
with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of
Heaven's Armies will make this happen!

This is the question we must face, both as individuals and as
nations. Who, or what, will be our "king?" Who will be our
"supreme court?" (By "supreme court" I do not mean a group of
people who meet in a building, but the final authority that we
base our ideas, principles, and actions upon.)

We have a choice. We can choose Jesus Christ and His Kingdom of
Love, Light, and Life. Or we can choose selfishness and
darkness and death.

Whenever we reject Jesus and His Word from ruling over us,
whether as individuals or as a nation, we choose darkness.

I do not advocate any religious control over government. What
we need instead is people in government who know the truth and
will speak and act in truth and not out of self interest. We
need people in secular government who are submitted to Jesus as
their Lord and are willing to live and govern with His love for
mankind, instead of acting in self interest.

MATTHEW 6:10 NLT
10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.

SAY THIS: Jesus, and those who have died with Him to self
interest, are qualified, and should be selected to govern.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Four Main Keys To Abundance

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 NKJ
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that
you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an
abundance for every good work.

No matter how little you make, acting on these 4 keys will
insure a brighter financial future. Neglecting them, no matter
how much you make, will eventually cause a financial crash.

1. Believe God desires to prosper you.

True belief requires evidence. God's Word has the evidence to
convince you: God's will is abundance for all. The world system
constantly shouts a different message, so we must continue to
feed on the truth of God's Word to keep our faith strong.

2. Worship God with a portion of all your income.

You need God's blessing in your finances. Put God first. Don't
neglect this.

3. Spend less than you make.

"If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be
your downfall." Consume all you make and you will never have
anything.

Discipline yourself to never spend all your "seed." Always save
some to invest for a future.

4. Invest the rest, prayerfully.

God knows the future. Let Him guide you where to put your
money. Don't jump into things that seem like "sure things." Be
patient and pray. If you are not sure, don't do it.

God knows what's best for you, and He will guide you, if you
seek Him. Over time, with God's blessing, your investments, no
matter how small they start, will grow and be a great blessing.

Don't make excuses. Just act on these 4 vital keys and see what
God will do. Start today.

SAY THIS: I will act on God's wisdom and God will bless my
finances.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Love Gives

JOHN 3:16 NKJ
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave . . . .

GALATIANS 2:20 NKJ
20 ". . . I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave Himself for me.

EPHESIANS 5:25 NLT
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church. He gave up his life for her

Love is only expressed through giving. If there is no giving,
there is no evidence that love exists. The only proof of love
is giving. Giving is the action that demonstrates love.

So, the measure of your giving is the measure of your love. The
more you give -- of yourself, your time, your attention, your
affection, your patience, your treasure -- the more you love.
This is what Jesus meant in John 15:13.

JOHN 15:13 NKJ
13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's
life for his friends.

Why did Jesus say there was no greater love than to give your
life? Because you can't give any more. That's total commitment!

So, whenever you see "love" in a sentence, you may substitute
"giving" and express essentially the same meaning.

JOHN 13:35 NKJ
35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another."

By understanding that love results in giving, we see that Jesus
indicated His disciples would be known for their giving. We are
to be famous for our giving! This is the way Jesus indicated
people would know His true followers: by their giving. (Not our
fighting, our preaching, or even our correct doctrine.)

We see in the early days of the church, this is exactly what
happened.

ACTS 4:34-35 NKJ
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to
each as anyone had need.

Don't think that your gifts should only go to churches and
preachers. Jesus made it clear that giving to any believer was
the same as giving to Him.

MATTHEW 25:40 NKJ
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say
to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My
brethren, you did it to Me.'

But God has not called us to give to others just so we could
end up poor, also. NO! God has promised to multiply what we
give, so we will have more to give in the future.

LUKE 6:38 NKJ
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your
bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be
measured back to you."

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NLT 
6 Remember this -- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will
get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a
generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And
don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God
loves a person who gives cheerfully."
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will
always have everything you need and plenty left over to share
with others.

So, based on God's promises, we can give to others in faith,
with confidence that God will continue to supply all we need.

EPHESIANS 4:28 NKJ
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor,
working with his hands what is good, that he may have something
to give him who has need.

(This verse gives us an idea of how giving was paramount in the
thinking of early Christians.)

JOHN 15:12 NKJ
12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you.

If you desire to follow Jesus, love (giving) is not optional.

SAY THIS: As a disciple of Jesus, I will be a giver.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Let The Joy Flow

NEHEMIAH 8:10b GWN
10 Don't be sad because the joy you have in the LORD is your
strength."

As children of God we have joy in our spirit. But we must allow
it to flow out into our minds, bodies, and circumstances.

GALATIANS 5:22 GWN
22 But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Joy is part of the "fruit" produced by the Holy Spirit through
our human spirits.

But we must choose to let the joy out. We must open our mouth
and release words of joy, thanking and praising God. We must
choose to let the joy flow!

But don't expect this to always be easy. It's when things seem
the worst that you need to act on this the most.

JOHN 15:11 NLT
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with
my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Not only did Jesus tell us we should be filled with His joy,
but it should overflow -- like a river of life flowing from our
innermost being (John 7:38).

One way to keep our focus on the Lord is to rejoice in Him. As
children of God, we have joy and peace in our spirits. But our
minds may be blocking the flow by keeping our focus on
circumstances and our reasoning.

Sometimes it's good for us to just let loose and force
ourselves to really praise God and rejoice. Just go ahead and
make a fool of yourself praising God. God won't mind.

2 SAMUEL 6:14-16,21 NLT
14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing
a priestly garment.
15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of
the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams' horns.
16 But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David,
Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When
she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was
filled with contempt for him.
21 David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the LORD,
who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed
me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I
celebrate before the LORD.

If it was not wrong for King David, it's not wrong for us! It's
okay to jump for joy!

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NKJ
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

To rejoice means to re-joy or to have joy again. In the Lord,
we can experience joy again and again and again!

Circumstances in your life may not be perfect, but you can
always rejoice in the Lord, because He is always perfect. God
is perfect in goodness and greatness and love! There is no
fault in Him!

SAY THIS: I will let God's joy flow out of my spirit by
rejoicing in the Lord.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

You Reap What You Sow

GALATIANS 6:7 NKJ
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, that he will also reap.

The Bible says it, so you can count on it.

EPHESIANS 6:8 NKJ
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the
same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

LUKE 6:38 NKJ
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your
bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be
measured back to you."

The world has a saying for this, "Whatever goes around, comes
around."

If you are unkind, you can expect unkindness to come toward
you.

If you are merciful, you can expect others to be merciful to
you.

If you are generous, others will be generous with you.

You cannot expect to plant carrot seeds and harvest tomatoes.
It does not work in the physical realm, neither does it
work in the spiritual realm. You will reap what you plant, and
only what you plant.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NKJ
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.

PROVERBS 11:24-25 NKJ
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is
one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will
also be watered himself.

Whatever you need, or whatever you desire in your life -- give
that to someone else.

If you desire friendship, be friendly to others. If you desire
forgiveness, forgive others. If you desire to be loved, show
love to others. If you desire money, give some money away.

MATTHEW 7:12 NKJ
12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to
them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

SAY THIS: I will reap what I sow.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Selfish Love

What many think of as love is really just a form of selfishness
-- not pure love.

It can be identified by thinking like this:
I love you because of the way you make me feel.
I love you because of what you do for me.
I love you because of how you make me look.
I love you because of what I can get from you.

True love is instead marked by thinking like this:
I love you because you are valuable and precious.
I love you because I want the best for you.

I am not saying that "selfish love" is evil, only that it is
not pure love. It is not the highest form of love. It is
immature, like a baby would love his mother. We are supposed to
grow past this kind of love to experience true, pure love --
which is completely unselfish. It seeks the best for the other
person, not because of what they can do for you, but because of
what you can do for them, because they are valuable and
precious to God.

JOHN 15:13 GWN
13 The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your
friends.

A human giving their life to the point of death has to be
completely unselfish. It cannot be motivated by any benefit
they would receive. So the more unselfish love is, the greater,
purer, and more mature it is.

ROMANS 5:8 GWN
8 Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This
demonstrates God's love for us.

SAY THIS: Lord help me to grow past selfish love to show others
pure love, just like You do.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Be A Giver

God is a giver and desires His children to be givers. Giving is
the opposite of selfishness. Giving is love in action. And God
blesses those who give.

LUKE 6:38 NIV
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into
your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to
you."

PROVERBS 3:9-10 NKJ
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the
firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will
overflow with new wine.

MATTHEW 10:42 NIV
42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these
little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he
will certainly not lose his reward."

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NIV
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously.
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.
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.

HEBREWS 6:10 NIV
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love
you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue
to help them.

LUKE 12:33 NIV
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses
for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven
that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no
moth destroys.

ACTS 20:35 NIV
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard
work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord
Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to
receive.'"

God designed His system with incentives to encourage people to
give. He has promised to bless those who give, both now and in
the age to come.

SAY THIS: I will be a giver, like my Father in Heaven.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Be Who You Are

1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 NIV
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am....

ROMANS 12:2 WUEST
2 And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come
from within you and is not representative of what you are in
your inner being but is patterned after this age; but change
your outward expression to one that comes from within and is
representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your
mind, resulting in your putting to the test what is the will of
God, the good and well-pleasing and complete will, and having
found that it meets specifications, place your approval upon it.

God is a brilliant Creator. He only makes originals -- not
copies. According to Ephesians 2:10, you are God's work of
art.

God made you unique. So be all that God created you to be.

Don't try to be someone else. Don't try to be an ear in the
Body of Christ, if God made you a foot. Just be yourself.

This does not mean that you cannot improve, or grow. Growth is
part of God's plan. And we can certainly learn from others, and
imitate excellent actions and attitudes.

But too many people are insecure and hope to gain acceptance
from others by conforming to what they think will make them
popular or successful -- even though they hate it and know they
are not being real.

ROMANS 12:2 PHILLIPS
2 Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own
mould....

Don't let the world pressure you into conforming.

Express the originality that God put within you. God made you
the way you are for a purpose -- His purpose.

This is not to encourage rebellion, of course. But it is not
God's plan for us all to be identical and do everything in the
same way.

I am not saying you have to try to be different. Just be who
God made you -- without fear.

Not everyone may like you, or what you do. But that is normal.
You can't always please everyone. Make it your aim to please
God by expressing what He made you.

ROMANS 12:2 NLT
2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you
think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you
will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

The Bible reveals many truths about who we are once we receive
Jesus Christ. We actually receive new life, a new standing with
God, and new ability. As you feed the Word of God into your
thinking, that new life will be able to manifest more and
more.

SAY THIS: I am what I am by the grace of God. I will be what
God made me and fulfil His plan for me.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Lack Of Knowledge

HOSEA 4:6a NKJ
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

People wonder why many Christians experience so much trouble in
life, instead of victory. The reason, according to the Bible,
is a lack of knowledge.

The Bible tells us the devil is out to destroy us, but it also
makes clear that we can overcome his attacks. The real problem
lies with our ignorance.

Real knowledge produces faith. When we really know something,
we have faith in it. Then we will act on that knowledge.

The reason God's people are destroyed by calamity is not
because God doesn't love us, or because God is not able to help
us. It is simply that we don't know the truth. If we really
knew the truth, we would act on that knowledge. Acting on true
knowledge makes you free -- it does not destroy you or put you
into 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."

God's Word is our instruction book. When we act on it, things
will work for us. God allows us to make choices. When we make
the right choices, we will be blessed.

Don't let the devil condemn you with this message. Instead, let
it give you hope. You can learn God's Word and act on it more
accurately in the future -- and be blessed!

SAY THIS: God gave me the knowledge in the Bible so I could
know the truth, act on it, and be blessed.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Honor Your Parents

EPHESIANS 6:2-3 NKJ
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first
commandment with promise:
3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the
earth."

Think about this: God himself promises that if you will honor
your parents you will have a long and blessed life.

What a promise!

So we need to learn from Scripture what God means by "honoring"
our parents, so we can do it and be blessed.

MATTHEW 15:4-6 NLT
4 For instance, God says, `Honor your father and mother,' and
`Anyone who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to
death.'"
5 But you say, `You don't need to honor your parents by caring
for their needs if you give the money to God instead.'
6 And so, by your own tradition, you nullify the direct
commandment of God.

Here we have Jesus telling one way that people are to honor
their parents: by caring for their needs.

So honoring your parents is not just speaking politely to them,
or telling others that they are great parents. If your parents
have needs, you should help them. In this way, according to
Jesus, you are showing them honor.

Here is Mark's account of the same speech:

MARK 7:10-12 NLT
10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: `Honor your
father and mother,' and `Anyone who speaks evil of father or
mother must be put to death.'
11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their
parents, `Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to
God what I could have given to you.'
12 You let them disregard their needy parents.

Obviously, letting your parents go with unmet needs, when you
could meet them, is the opposite of showing them honor.

Of course, the words we speak and the attitude we have toward
our parents, also indicates how we honor them.

The word translated honor means to value or prize. God is
telling us we should value our parents highly. When you
consider something valuable you take care of it, and speak well
of it. This is how you should treat your parents -- if you
desire God's blessing.

(This is not to say we should honor parents above God and His
will. Parents should not control the lives of grown sons or
daughters. But, no matter what, our parents deserve love and
respect -- not necessarily obedience.)

SAY THIS: I will honor my parents and God will bless me.

Monday, October 17, 2011

God's Mercy To Nineveh

JONAH 1:2 NKJ
2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against
it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

Remembering what happened with Nineveh will give you a clearer
picture of God's mercy.

God told Jonah that Nineveh would be destroyed. But when the
people of Nineveh changed and repented before God, things
changed.

JONAH 3:3-10 NKJ
3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of
the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-
day journey in extent.
4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk.
Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall
be overthrown!"
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and
put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his
throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth
and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout
Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let
neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not
let them eat, or drink water.
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry
mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and
from the violence that is in his hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from
His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil
way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He
would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

The people of Nineveh were very wicked, but when they heard
God's Word of judgment they humbled themselves and turned
toward God. Because of their response, God changed His judgment
and their lives were spared.

When people repent and turn toward God -- no matter how evil
they have been -- God shows mercy.

God is still the same. He delights in mercy.

MICAH 7:18 NKJ
18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over
the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not
retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.

SAY THIS: My God delights in mercy!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Believing Prayer Changes Things

We have authority in our domain and can choose to invite God's
involvement -- or not.

EZEKIEL 22:30 NKJ
30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and
stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should
not destroy it; but I found no one.

JOHN 16:23-24 NKJ
23 ". . . Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the
Father in My name He will give you.
24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you
will receive, that your joy may be full.

JOHN 14:13-14 NKJ
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Christ has delegated a certain amount of His authority in the
earth to His Body, the church. Our decisions as believers --
which we can express in prayer -- make a difference in our
lives and others' lives.

MARK 11:24 NKJ
24 ". . . whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that
you receive them, and you will have them.

JEREMIAH 33:3 NKJ
3 `Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and
mighty things, which you do not know.'

PSALM 50:15 NKJ
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and
you shall glorify Me."

SAY THIS: God invites me to pray and believe, so His will can
be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Happy God

1 TIMOTHY 1:11 NKJ
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which
was committed to my trust.

I knew that one meaning of "blessed" was happy. The Greek word
is "makarios" (Strong's #3107) and 5 times the KJV translates
it as "happy."

But I had never thought about how this word is used in First
Timothy 1:11 to describe God.

A few translations even call Him "the Happy God."

(Concordant Literal Version) in accord with the evangel of the
glory of the happy God, with which I was entrusted."

(Rotherham) According to the glad-message of the glory of the
happy God, with which entrusted am, I.

I had usually thought of God being serious and somber, not
being happy and laughing.

After all, there are a lot of problems in the world. It seemed
reasonable for a God who knows every problem -- even when a
sparrow falls, or a hair is lost from a head -- to be quite
serious.

So I have not pictured God as someone who would have much joy
or laugh much.

Certainly God is not uncaring, or not touched by our problems.
Yet it seems that He walks in faith and rejoices because He
knows He will eventually solve every problem and make
everything right. Therefore He is not burdened down with
sadness and woe, but instead is able to laugh and rejoice.

I don't think God would tell us to do what He does not do
Himself. And Scripture repeatedly tells us to rejoice.

Romans 14:17 says God's Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and
joy. For joy to describe God's Kingdom, it must be a happy
place.

PSALM 16:11 NKJ
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is
fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

If there is fullness of joy in God's presence, it must be a
happy place. If being in God's presence is a happy place, then
He must be a happy God.

We are His people and we are to become more and more like Him.
It is God's plan that we be conformed to the exact image of
Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). So we should become more happy as
we grow spiritually. God's people should be happy people!

Circumstances will not always be favorable. But we can walk by
faith and laugh and rejoice with God, knowing He is working
things out.

We do find a glimpse of the Happy God in the Psalms where three
times it mentions Him laughing.

PSALM 2:4 NKJ
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold
them in derision.

PSALM 37:13 NKJ
13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

PSALM 59:8 NKJ
8 But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the
nations in derision.

ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NKJ
17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with
His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah tells us God rejoices over His people with joy and
gladness, even rejoicing with singing!

SAY THIS: I serve a happy God so I should be a happy person.

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Wages Of Sin

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

Sin will kill you. If you practice sin, it will pay you by
destroying you.

1 TIMOTHY 1:15 NLT
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"....

Jesus came to save, or deliver, those caught in the trap of
sin. He freely offers to all -- regardless of their sins -- the
gift of forgiveness and life. Not just living, or even living
forever. But the life of the Eternal One, life as God has it
and enjoys it. Real life. Life that changes you inwardly. Life
that will last. Life as God intended it to be.

ROMANS 6:23 WEYMOUTH
23 For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is
the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is not just because God hates sin, that sinners need to be
saved. It is because sin is a killer. Sin destroys. Sin hurts
people. God is against sin because He loves people. But God did
not stop at being against sin without giving us an answer -- a
way of escaping sin's clutches.

ROMANS 5:8 BBE
8 But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were
still sinners, Christ gave his life for us.

Jesus died for sinners because we needed help. We were trapped
in a very bad situation. Sin is deadly and destroys all that is
good. Sinners desperately need deliverance -- even if they
don't realize it.

Just because sinners don't realize they are in bondage does not
change reality. You could be driving at top speed down a
highway and not realize the bridge ahead had been destroyed,
but that would not change the outcome just because you didn't
know the bridge was out. To fully realize the ramifications of
sin, we need a bigger, more experienced viewpoint than the one
we have.

God realized our need and His great love compelled Him to offer
us a solution. That solution is found in accepting the Lord
Jesus Christ. Jesus is God's solution to mankind's sin problem.
Jesus is the Savior (Deliverer). Jesus is the One who sets us
free from both the penalty and the bondage of sin, and all its
effects.

No matter who you are, if you have a problem with sin, look to
Jesus for deliverance.

SAY THIS: Sin pays death, but Jesus gives life. I choose Jesus.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Motives

PROVERBS 16:2 NLT
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines
their motives.

Motives are important to God.

God is interested in WHY we do things, not just in WHAT we do.

Why do you do what you do?

Is it to help others? To please God? Or do you live focused
totally on yourself?

These questions are important to ask ourselves. As First
Corinthians 11:31 says, "if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged."

However, we must use caution when trying to judge other people.
We don't know their motives.

PROVERBS 21:2 LB
2 We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives.

We often justify ourselves, but judge others harshly. We may
judge ourselves based on our good intentions, but we are only
capable of judging others by their actions.

So, we must be very cautious about judging others in a
condemning way.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:5 NIV
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till
the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in
darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that
time each will receive his praise from God.

One main reason we are not qualified to judge others is because
we don't know their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Only God
does.

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to be aware of my motives.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Are You In Trouble?

JAMES 5:13 NIV
13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone
happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

The Greek word translated as trouble in this verse means to
suffer trouble, be afflicted, or to endure hardship or evil.

The best thing anyone facing trouble can do is pray. You don't
have to know how, just pour out your heart to God and discuss
the situation with Him.

We are tempted to do many other things: cry, complain,
criticize others -- but Scripture says we should pray when we
face tough problems.

Notice it does not say you should ask everyone else to pray for
you. It says you should pray.

There is nothing wrong with having other people pray for you.
But there is something wrong with expecting others to pray,
while you never pray.

By praying, we do not mean begging God for help. God loves you,
and always desires to assist you.

What is needed is not twisting God's arm to get Him to help.
Usually a part of the answer is God getting us quiet enough for
long enough so He can speak to our hearts and show us what
needs to be done.

Sometimes we have missed it, and that is why we are in trouble.
Other times, we may face trouble just because we live in a
fallen world. But always, when we are in trouble, we need to
know God's direction as to what to do.

Discuss your situation with the Lord. Lay it out in detail.
Often just telling Him honestly about the situation will cause
you to realize what should be done. Pour out your soul to the
Lord, but also wait in His presence with thanks and praise. Let
your heart and mind get quiet. Let God's peace overcome your
turmoil and worry.

God tells us that if we will draw near to Him, He will draw
near to us. This is why you should pray. You need God's help.
He has the wisdom and knowledge to get you out of the trouble
you face.

Direction may not come the first time you determine to seek God
and pray. You may not seem to get the answer while you pray.
But know this: God is working, and the answer is coming. So
keep praying. Keep on drawing closer to God. Help will come.

JOHN 16:33 NIV
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."

SAY THIS: When I face trouble I will pray and draw near to God,
and He will help me.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

You Are Important!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be
weaker are necessary.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you
will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your
giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to
thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be
reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed --
including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts
you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you
are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral
Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names?
God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do
their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been
obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you
do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is
significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed
you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do
there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do
something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God
where you are.

Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the
work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a
mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important
than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and
kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth
capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or
liver.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least
important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it
cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil
convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God
would not have placed you there.

SAY THIS: God says I am necessary and important.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Whatever You Allow

MATTHEW 18:18 CEV
18 I promise you that God in heaven will allow whatever you
allow on earth, but he will not allow anything you don't allow.

Many think whatever happens is God's will. But the Bible
reveals God's will and lets us know we have a part to play in
cooperating with God to see His will come to pass in our lives.

God gave us a free will. We must choose God's will, for God
does not force it on us.

Sickness is not of God. There is no sickness in Heaven. Acts
10:38 reveals that sickness is an oppression of the devil. So
we should resist sickness.

Poverty is not of God. There is no lack in Heaven.

Selfishness, strife, unforgiveness, and hatred are not of God.
None of those are in Heaven. These are all things we should not
allow in our lives.

The devil cannot do anything in your life unless you allow it.
Scripture says that if you will resist the devil he will flee
from you.

JAMES 4:7 NKJ
7 ...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 PETER 5:8-9 NKJ
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith,....

Too many people resist only for a short time then quit
resisting. If something is not God's will then we should
maintain the attitude that it is not acceptable. If something
bad is in your life it is only because you allow it to remain.
You can decide to refuse and resist.

Whatever you will put up with is what you will have. But if you
decide something is unacceptable then it can change.

"But I tried to resist and it would not leave."

Resisting does not mean trying for awhile. Resisting evil
should never stop. Resist to death. Never quit. Never give up.
Never give in. Fight the good fight of faith until victory is
manifest.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

SAY THIS: I refuse to allow any of the works of the devil in my
life.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Feed Your Faith Daily

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.'"

You may neglect the Word of God and still exist, but you will
not enjoy life -- really live -- as God intended, without
feeding regularly on God's Word.

Just as you need physical food to remain strong physically, you
also need spiritual food to stay strong spiritually.

God's Word -- the Bible -- is the food that feeds our faith,
and gives us spiritual strength.

Every day you need to feed, at least some, on God's Word.

A helpful key is to develop good habits, such as reading the
Word every time you eat food, or every morning when you awake,
or right before you go to sleep. The time is not important,
just that you remember every day.

There are many ways to feed on God's Word available to us
today. Reading, or listening to, teaching from the Bible is one
way. Speaking the Word -- especially when you personalize it,
can really build your faith fast. Of course, nothing can
replace your own reading of the Bible, or having it read to
you.

Most of us have busy schedules. Time is scarce, and we must
invest it wisely. Nothing will benefit us more -- both in this
life and in the one to come -- than feeding on God's Word.

All of us can find time for God's Word, if we want to. You can
write Scriptures on cards to read and meditate on whenever you
stop in traffic, or whenever you have to wait for someone.
Maybe listening as you travel, or as you prepare for work, is a
good plan for you.

The important thing is that you have a plan, so you don't let
this most important habit slip.

Seeing the Word. Hearing the Word. Speaking the Word. Thinking
about the Word. This is what builds our faith and keeps us
strong spiritually.

SAY THIS: I will feed my faith daily on God's Word.

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Respect People

JAMES 3:9-10 NIV
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we
curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers,
this should not be.

It seems that respect has gone out of style. But God's
unchanging Word teaches us to treat people with respect.

Not agreeing with someone is no reason to treat them
disrespectfully. Just because they are wrong does not make them
unworthy of respect.

By His death for them, Jesus showed us He considers people
valuable and precious. So, we should not treat people as
insignificant or worthless.

Disrespecting people is actually disrespecting God who created
them.

God considers this so vital for wives, He gave a specific
command to respect their husband.

EPHESIANS 5:33 NIV
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves
himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Certainly, we should respect all people, but Scripture gives
special emphasis to wives respecting their husbands. God did
not say this to put women in bondage, but to help them.

A wise woman will enjoy the benefits, both now and for
eternity, of acting on this command from a loving Heavenly
Father.

MATTHEW 25:40 NIV
40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for
me.'

The world respects people who are rich, famous, and successful.
Anyone can do that.

But how do you treat those who are thought to be the "least,"
who seemingly cannot help you in any way?

SAY THIS: I will respect people because they are valuable to
God and He loves them.

Friday, October 07, 2011

Jesus Took A Nap

LUKE 8:23 NLT
23 On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he
was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed
that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

So many people are driven -- feeling and acting like the
responsibility for running the whole world is on their
shoulders.

But Jesus was able to relax. Arguably, He had an important job
to do. Yet He had balance in His life. He knew when it was time
to take a nap.

Jesus also spent whole nights in prayer. So, His example does
not encourage laziness or apathy. Just balance -- and trust in
God, instead of worry.

Some may think it would be a sin to "take a nap" because we
should always be working. But Jesus never sinned, and we may
safely follow His example, and keep our lives in balance.

SAY THIS: I will relax and trust God.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 NLT
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And
don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God
loves a person who gives cheerfully."

We all tend to like those similar to us. God is a giver, so it
is only natural for Him to especially appreciate people who are
givers.

JOHN 3:16 NLT
16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave . . . .

1 TIMOTHY 6:17b NLT
17 Their trust should be in God, who richly gives . . . .

Cheerful givers are not the only people God loves -- God loves
the whole world. So the verse probably means God loves for
people to give cheerfully.

Let's think about what kind of a person is a cheerful giver.

It takes both faith and love to be a cheerful giver.

If you don't care for others, at best, you might occasionally
give reluctantly when it benefits you in some way. So cheerful
and continued giving is a sign of love and evidence you care
for others.

Faith is also necessary to be a giver. Without confidence that
you will have enough in the future, it is unlikely you will
give cheerfully.

Faith pleases God. God always encourages faith and tells people
not to fear.

God also loves to see people blessed. And according to God's
Word, the person who gives has blessings headed their
direction. For God says that if we give, it will be given unto
us again.

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."

Because God desires abundance for us all, He is pleased when we
give because He knows giving is a key to receiving. It is the
law of God: in the measure we sow, we shall also reap.

Giving is love in action. Giving is proof of love. Love is not
something we can see. But we can see what love produces:
giving.

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to be a cheerful giver.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

God's Word Will Build You Up

ACTS 20:32 NLT
32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace--his
message that is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

Many shy away from the Bible because they think it's just a
bunch of rules to keep them from enjoying life.

Although many have misused the Bible -- to tear people down,
its true purpose is to build people up.

Tradition makes us think a good sermon should "skin 'em alive"
and make the listeners feel guilty.

But God is on your side and He loves you. So He gave you His
Word for your benefit, to build you up and give you things --
not to take anything good away from you.

Certainly God's Word can, and will, correct you. But primarily,
if you understand it correctly, the Word will build you up --
not beat you down and make you feel guilty.

Yes, there are passages in the Bible that will not encourage
you. They are needful at certain times for certain people who
need to be corrected and called to repentance. But for those
who love God and are His children, there are words of
encouragement to build you up.

Feed on the Word of God's grace -- His favor, His love, His
goodness. It will build you up.

If what you are feeding on is not encouraging your faith, check
to see if it really lines up with the Word.

Don't spend all your time meditating on a passage from the
Bible that's not written to you. All the Bible is profitable,
and we can learn from it. But you should concentrate on what
God is saying to you, as His child: a member of the Body of
Christ.

The message God has for His family, the church, is primarily
found in the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. These are
written directly to us, the church.

God is never interested in just cutting you down, or hurting you.
His intention is to build you up, to encourage you, to make you
better.

SAY THIS: The true message of the New Testament will build me
up. It is good news.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Watch Your Words

PROVERBS 6:2 NKJ
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by
the words of your mouth.

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you . . . he will have whatever he
says.

Words are powerful. They are the way humans express their
decisions. Words carry authority, even in the spiritual realm.

God created the world with spoken words. Humans are created in
the image and likeness of God. Therefore our words also carry
authority.

The words you speak are important and carry more weight than
you may realize.

Words can get you into trouble. And words can deliver you.

The most powerful and life-giving words in the universe are
those spoken by God the Creator.

Fortunately for us, some of what God has said has been written
down, for our benefit, in the Bible.

So, we can, and should speak words that are in agreement with
what God says. When we do, the power of God is released,
because it is God's Word we are speaking.

Remember: whatever God says never loses its power.

SAY THIS: Please help me Lord to watch my words and speak in
agreement with Your Word.

Monday, October 03, 2011

The Ministry Of God

EPHESIANS 4:12 NIV
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up

Ministry means service. To minister is to serve.

How does God "serve us"?

God serves us by helping us. So, primarily, ministry means
helping people. Of course, the foremost way of helping people
is to help them know God and His Word, so they can receive all
God has provided for them.

But anything that helps people -- that makes their life easier,
or better -- is also ministry. That is, it is part of the
ministry of God: God's purpose, God's plan, God's desire for
humanity.

God desires the best for all people. People were God's idea,
and He longs to bless them.

God helps people. So, when you help someone, even in the
smallest way, you are acting like God.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 NASB
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave
Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a
fragrant aroma.

We are to imitate our Father God -- or act like Him. How? By
walking in love, just as Christ did.

In practical terms, what is walking in love? Helping people.
Walking in love means you will help people, you will put their
interests first.

When you help people, you are involved in the ministry of God.

SAY THIS: When I help people, I am serving God.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Overcome!

1 JOHN 5:4 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is
the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God?

All of us have a choice: we can either make excuses, or make
progress in life.

Most people have an excuse. They are too young or old, short or
tall, educated or uneducated -- whatever. We all have some
reason to justify our failure.

But when we focus on God and His ability and willingness to
help us in every way -- all our excuses become insignificant.

God's intention is not for His children to be defeated by the
problems of life. No! The problems of life are opportunities
for us to experience God's help and provision.

God plans for His children to overcome.

How?

By faith!

And faith is available to anyone who will feed on the Bible.
Faith comes from God's Word like physical energy comes from
eating physical food.

So, if your faith is weak, take in more of God's Word.

Then your faith will grow strong. Then you can overcome the
problems you face. Then God will be glorified in you.

SAY THIS: With the help of God, I will overcome!

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Prayer: An Exchange

ISAIAH 40:31 NKJ
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and
not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Time is precious. Our lives are full. Life is busy. Many of us
think we are too busy to spend time in regular daily prayer.
But is that a wise choice?

In the Scripture passage above, the literal meaning is "those
who look to the Lord expectantly will exchange strength."

Prayer is an exchange of strength.

God offers to exchange what He has for what we have. As we
spend time looking to Him, this exchange takes place.

What strength does God have? Wisdom. Understanding. Insight.
Guidance. Favor. Influence. Health. Everything we need!

When you give your time to God, He reciprocates by giving His
time to you. He goes ahead of you and makes your way smooth,
giving you favor and guidance so you can walk in victory.

God will give you ideas as you wait on Him. Ideas of how to do
things better. (For example, I got this message while praying.)

You may think you don't have anything God would want. But God
wants your love and your trust. As a human, you also have God-
delegated authority on Earth, especially as a member of the
Body of Christ.

Exchanging the little strength you have for the strengths of
God is a great trade!

Don't miss this wonderful benefit!

SAY THIS: I will invest time looking to the Lord expectantly in
prayer.