Devotions - Prayer

God Speaks through Circumstances

By Bob / April 6, 2024

God Speaks through Circumstances
by Os Hillman

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things” (Eccl 11:5).

God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case – but only after a situation has occurred. I later look back and see how God worked in the situation.

Years ago, I launched a magazine designed for Christians in the workplace and I was having lunch with a Christian leader named Larry who headed a ministry that helps men and women apply biblical principles to managing money.

During our lunch, I explained to Larry that I had noticed that there were many grassroots workplace ministries cropping up all over the country. I asked Larry if he was familiar with some of the groups since he had taught a course and wrote a book on operating a business on biblical principles. But he said he was not. He then asked, “It would be nice to know what all these groups are doing so we don’t duplicate efforts. Do you think you could invite some of these groups for a roundtable discussion?” I told him I would and I proceeded to invite four main workplace ministries that I had worked with in the past.

Then something unexpected began to happen. I began to get requests from ministries all around the country that had heard about the gathering and they were asking if they could attend the roundtable. By the time the event actually took place, 54 people showed up representing 45 organizations from around the country! Unfortunately, Larry had a last minute conflict and was not able to attend, and he informed me that I would have to host the meeting myself. That was the birth of Marketplace Leaders, the ministry I now lead full time. I often joke that God tricked me into starting this ministry because He knows I never would have done that on my own at that time.

God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control – He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.

 

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Eternal Perspective

By Bob / April 5, 2024

Basically, having an eternal perspective means that as we make decisions or take actions, we consider how they will impact us and others in eternity.

 

Rather than thinking about how a decision will look in 30 days, we think about what it will look like in 3,000 years (and beyond).

When trying to decide how to run our business or allocate our resources, we do not merely look at how it will affect our retirement, but also how it will impact eternity.

 

Scripture Example

Whenever possible, I want to go to Scripture to get our direction. Let’s look at Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

Rather, train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

…The Life To Come

Notice how Paul acknowledges that godliness has benefits for our present life in this world while also for the life to come! This is the perfect example of having an eternal perspective. Training the body also has benefits here, but not so much in the life to come.

 

So if Paul is recommending this kind of eternal perspective mindset to Timothy, why would it not work in the business world? Why would it not make sense for us to think the same way as we approach every aspect of our lives today – work, school, church, etc.?

 

Critical To Following Jesus

I am convinced this kind of thinking from an eternal perspective is critical. In fact, I do not believe we can effectively follow Jesus Christ and think otherwise. For us to attempt to truly follow Jesus while only thinking about the short-term results of our actions or decisions may just be impossible. I think Luke 9:62 fits here:

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Not Easy!

The difficulty in this thinking from an eternal perspective – and I promise you there is difficulty – is that the world does not think this way. Because of this, the rewards of this world often come to those who think short-term. In this context, short-term is any time-frame on this side of eternity.

Eternity In Our Hearts

Recognize that God put eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that is how He expects us to think.

*The more we think from an eternal perspective, the more our decisions and actions will reflect i

Lord, create in me an Eternal Perspective, looking to You and Your word for my direction each and every day through the Holy Spirit.  Amen

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Do not go beyond what is written

By Bob / April 3, 2024

1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

*Going beyond what is written – This means to me that we have tendencies to place ourselves in a position where WE ACT in an independent way, believing that it lines up with the word of God, or exceeds it.

*This is the kind of attitude that causes us to become boastful, and in a way that we feel like we know all, and can’t be taught anything.

*Keep your eye out for pride! Pride can infect our spiritual lives and divide His Church.

Paul is preaching this because of the “cliques” created within the church, because of the leaders essentially making themselves idols.
This kind of things happens in our times too, where leaders glorify themselves through what kind of gatherings they have, how much offering they receive, how spiritual they are, how connected they are to God and how many people attend and what they did for them etc.

After being so “self-inflated” we can even succumb to a state of arrogance, casting out all humility to right ourselves before the Lord…
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Any true spiritual leader is a representative of Christ and has nothing to offer that God hasn’t given him or her.
*Don’t let your loyalty to human leaders cause strife, slander, or broken relationships.

Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;

*God desires relationship not religious exercises! He wants us to know His heart, His ways, His love for us and He wants us to return that love.
It’s a heart thing…why do I do what I do to serve Him? If its not out of love for Him, the fruit of my love relationship with Him, then it has little value in His eyes.

 Read Amos 5:21-24 in the Message Bible for what God values!  I had me wake up anyway!

Lord, expand my understanding of who You are. I don’t want to simply know about You; I want to know You intimately and personally in my experience and serventhood to YOU!  Help me to relax, let You lead me, and follow You because I want to – not because I am supposed to. Help me to know YOU more and help me not to go beyond what is written. Amen

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MY SALVATION

By Bob / April 2, 2024

 

How Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

*If we think the Bible teaches universal salvation, we may arrive at a false sense of assurance by reasoning as follows: Everybody is saved. I am a body. Therefore, I am saved.

*Or, if we think salvation is gained by our own good works and we are further deluded into believing that we possess good works, we will have a false assurance of salvation.

Romans 3:30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

To have sound assurance, we must understand that our salvation rests on the merit of Christ alone, which is appropriated to us when we embrace Him by genuine faith.

Romans 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
If we understand that, the remaining question is, “Do I have the genuine faith necessary for salvation?”

Romans 10:9 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.

James 1:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

The Cross of Christ has given me Salvation. Not only from sin, but EVERY Bondage.
*Fear, anxiety, doubt, unbelief, failure, broken hearted, sickness, addiction.
*EVERY BONDAGE.
*No chains can hold me. Christ Jesus my Lord has set the once captive free– Through Faith in Him.
The second requirement involves a sober analysis of our own lives. We must examine ourselves to see whether the fruit of regeneration is apparent in our lives.
*Do we have a real affection for the biblical Christ?
Only the regenerate person possesses real love for the real Jesus.
 Have you ever changed your mind, stopped defending yourself and trying to blame everything on others, and said, “No, Lord, no one else is to blame, only I. This is the way I am—and I need help?  I Repent!”

That is where God will meet us. He always meets humans at that point, washes away guilt, cleanses, forgives. That is where you will find forgiveness of sins. If you have never repented before, I urge you to do so now. God will meet you right there.

In the quiet of your own heart, where God alone hears, you can say to Him, “Lord, I repent. Lord, send me the Holy Spirit through Jesus.” And He will.

Lord, thank You that You promise to meet me in this place of repentance. I come to You now on that basis. Amen

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BASE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS ON GOD

By Bob / April 1, 2024

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

 

The only reason that an abundance of iniquity would make anyone’s love for the Lord wax cold, is if he were not separated from that iniquity.

 

As with Lot, a righteous man can vex his soul from day to day by hearing and seeing the unlawful deeds of the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:8).

 

We have to deal with the world’s system and those in it, but we need to be careful and maintain proper balance. We should shun relationships with those who influence us negatively more than we influence them positively.

 

Marriage is one area where this principle is especially true. There is no closer union in life than the marriage relationship. A believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating this scripture and is toying with disaster.

 

The Lord should be the most important person in our life.

*How could we possibly become “one” with a person who doesn’t love our Lord?

 

It is folly to think that after marriage an unbelieving spouse will accept the Lord. Although that does happen, it cannot be guaranteed.

In fact, statistics are overwhelmingly against this happening. Regardless of that possibility, a believer who marries an unbeliever is directly violating God’s instructions here. It is not a good start to any marriage to spurn God’s Word.

 

Being unequally yoked with unbelievers just doesn’t work. Believers and unbelievers are as different as :

  1. Righteousness and unrighteousness,
  2. Light and Darkness
  3. Jesus and Evil
  • One has faith and the other has none.
  • One is the temple of God and the other an idol.
  • Any Christian who doesn’t see this conflict is deceived.
  • Lord, Thank You for your Word and the hard truths that come from it to help us in our journey here on earth.  Forgive me for the mistakes I have made and direct my feet onto your path.  Give me more wisdom and discernment to do Your will.  Amen
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Who Can You Trust?

By Bob / March 31, 2024

“Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord” (Lamentations 2:19).
At times we may have been discouraged to the point of despair and felt totally abandoned by a God we know that loves us.

And yet in the midst of all of our despair we can find comfort in Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations 3.  ( I challenge you to read each day for a week and see what the Lord has to say to you about “who can I trust and why).
“He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed He has turned His hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and my flesh grow old… Even when I call out or cry for help He shuts out my prayer… I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “my splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” I remember my affliction and my wandering… I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion NEVER fails. They are new every morning; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'” (emphasis mine).
If you are at the point of despair, do what Jeremiah did and pour out your heart to God. And then call to your mind the fact that GREAT is God’s faithfulness.

  • God has not abandoned you and He loves you.
  • Don’t allow Satan to deceive you to think anything else. God will be faithful in your life.

But Job is an example for us of how we must break through our natural view of life so that we begin to see things in a different light. This book of Job is here to teach us that God sometimes has to translate theology into painful experience before we really begin to grasp what He is trying to say to us.
Father, thank You that You have sent Your Son, who has endured more suffering than I. Grant me the strength to endure whatever You allow into my life. Amen

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Finished!

By Bob / March 29, 2024

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. —John 19:30 

  • The cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning.
  • His birth was so there would be His death.
  • The incarnation was for our atonement.
  • He was born to die so that we might live.
  • And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfill, He summed it up with a single word: “finished.”‎

So what was finished? Finished and completed were the horrendous sufferings of Christ.

  • Never again would He experience pain at the hand of wicked men.
  • Never again would He have to bear the sins of the world.
  • Never again would He, even for a moment, be forsaken of God. That was completed. That was taken care of.

Also finished was Satan’s stronghold on humanity.

Jesus came to deal a decisive blow against the devil and his demons at the cross of Calvary.

Hebrews 2:14 says, “Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who hadthe power of death.” This means that you no longer have to be under the power of sin. Because of Jesus’ accomplishment at the cross, finished was the stronghold of Satan on humanity.

And lastly, finished was our salvation. It is completed. It is done. All of our sins were transferred to Jesus when He hung on the cross. His righteousness was transferred to our account.

So Jesus cried out the words, “It is finished!” It was God’s deliberate and well-thought-out plan. It is finished—so rejoice!

Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins that I may be set free to choice You as my Lord and Savior.  Amen

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The Great Missionary Hope

By Bob / March 26, 2024

by John Piper

Even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:5)

The great missionary hope is that when the gospel is preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, God himself does what man cannot do: he creates the faith that saves. The call of God does what the call of man can’t. It raises the dead. It creates spiritual life. It is like the call of Jesus to Lazarus in the tomb, “Come out!” (John 11:43).

We can waken someone from sleep with our call, but God’s call can summon into being things that are not (Romans 4:17). God’s call is irresistible in the sense that it can overcome all resistance. It is infallibly effective according to God’s purpose — so much so that Paul can say, “Those whom [God] called he also justified” (Romans 8:30).

In other words, God’s call is so effectual that it infallibly creates the faith through which a person is justified. All the called are justified. But none is justified without faith (Romans 5:1). So the call of God cannot fail in its intended effect. It irresistibly secures the faith that justifies.

This is what man cannot do. It is impossible.

  • Only God can take out the heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26).
  • Only God can draw people to the Son (John 6:44, 65).
  • Only God can open the heart so that it gives heed to the gospel (Acts 16:14).
  • Only the Good Shepherd knows his sheep by name.

He calls them and they follow (John 10:3–4, 14). The sovereign grace of God, doing the humanly impossible, is the great missionary hope.

 

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NEED TO CONTROL EVERYTHING

By Bob / March 24, 2024

“For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Let go of everything that is beyond your ability to control.
There will be  things that will not work out the way you desired or intended, but the Lord’s ways are  higher than your ways.

The Lord knows the beginning from the end, and He is giving  you opportunities to align yourself with His purposes for your life.

Move  with the flow of His Spirit to come into divine order so that His purposes will be  established in, around, and through you.  Do not be afraid.

Isaiah 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My  ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Refuse to be drawn away from that which is vitally important to your spiritual well-being.  Even as many things demand your attention and resources, you must continually guard your heart.
Maintain integrity and be true to yourself.

Psalms 26:11  But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

*God’s Giving is an overflow of His character(Matthew 5:3-12 Beatitudes) and an example of how He calls us to share what we have with others.(Testimonies of what Jesus has done for us—The Cross, the Gospel)

*God gives lovingly. (Exodus 34:6)

*God gives freely. (James 1:17)

*God gives abundantly. (Psalm 132:15)

*God gives wisely. (Romans 16:27)

 
#3 of 8 Truths to Master Life. (You can get all 8 at):

www.movingforwardwithhope.com

I sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show me what I need to do and empower me to follow through in obedience.

Result: I am released from my need to control everything.

I am “Free.”

*The reason for this is that I now trust God, Who knows all, and He has promised those who are meek, that they will inherit the earth.  Faith is God has freed one from the burden of trying to push, manipulate or force, in order to get one’s way.
Jeremiah 9:23,24. “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

 

 

 

Lord, help me daily to release my need to control everything. Help me come to you for direction in all my ways and thoughts—for Your Glory.   Amen

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NEED VICTORY

By Bob / March 23, 2024

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.
If you ask a Christian how to do battle with the devil, he will probably recite James 4:7: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

 

But what does James mean by resist and how do we resist Satan’s power?

*When you are alone with God in prayer, you are totally immune to the devil’s devices.
*So run to His throne by faith, call on Him, and stand on the power of Christ’s blood.

Joshua 1:8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

Jesus is our example here. When He resisted temptation with God’s Word, the devil fled. Why? Because the truth exposed Satan, putting him to shame.

*Hebrews says that all who have trusted in God’s Word “through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Hebrews 11:33).

**We muzzle the powers of hell by standing on God’s Word.

FOR US TO BE VICTORIOUS WE NEED.
1.Our faith is our greatest weapon against the devil. 2cor 5:7
2. Know the word. We fight battles in the kingdom is to know the word. Know more than the devil. The devil works by deception in the word. This is what led to the fall of Adam and Eve. 1cor 2:8, psalm 119:130
3. Realize the power in you. Luke 10:19, John 1:12, 1John 4:4

 

Revelation 12:11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.

Using the Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) in your daily battle with the enemy is the only “sure fire” method of winning!

When the attacks come, and they will, pull out your Sword and let the Word of God do it’s work in the lives of those who are trying to harm you.

Thank You Jesus that you are in control and help me put more and more trust in You and not look at all the circumstances going on in this world at this time.  Help keep my eyes on you Jesus!  Amen

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Making Easter a Blessing/Teaching

By Bob / March 20, 2024

Making the Resurrection Real for our family; only days to Easter!

“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” Psalm 145:3-5
Often holiday traditions can get mixed in with the real essence of holy days.

*As a child, I wondered what Santa caravanning his reindeer through snowstorms had to do with baby Jesus who was born in Bethlehem.

Wasn’t that in a desert?

*I never did figure out why the Easter Bunny brought me chocolate eggs each year.
Didn’t chickens lay eggs, not rabbits?

Today’s passage from Psalms encourages us to teach our children and future generations of God’s mighty acts.

*******We are to proclaim His power over all the earth. **********
I can’t think of a more powerful act than when God raised His only Son Jesus from the dead, making a way for us to gain access to heaven to live with Him for all eternity.

There are many fun, family-bonding Easter traditions to celebrate with children.
*But this year, why not be intentional to tell the powerful story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in ways that stick in little minds?
*Attend a live passion play put on by a church in your area.
*Read the account of Jesus’ last week of life out loud as a family while enjoying a favorite snack. Read a passage each night beginning in Luke 22:1 through the end of the book of Luke and compare it to Isaiah 53 a prophesy spoken 700 + years before.

*Watch a movie on the life of Jesus.
The Jesus Film by Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) is well done with each scene coming directly from the words of the Bible. Make sure to decide if the child is ready to see a depiction of the crucifixion.

All of these activities help portray the true meaning of this sacred season and point the children to the God who created them, knows them and sent His only Son to die on a cross for them.  (Read Psalms 139)

Let’s tell of God’s mighty act of raising Jesus from the dead to the generations that come after us.
Fun traditions can be OK, so long as we don’t miss the real meaning of this Christian Holy Day.
Dear Lord, help me to tell of Your wondrous power and mighty acts to those generations that come after me. May I not let the season pass by without pondering, reading the Bible and sharing this Awesome news on the real meaning of Easter Help me to direct people to Your Word to see and live in light of Your Truth rather than what we perceive to be true through our limited earthly knowledge.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

(Col. 2:2-4 & JN 14:6 & Psalms 119:160 & Hosea 6:4 & 1 JN 1:5-10 & JN 3:16-17)

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WHO IS IN CONTROL? YOU OR GOD?

By Bob / March 19, 2024

Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth”Psalm 46:10.

Every day, you have to decide who’s going to be in control of your life — you or God.

That choice is a battle. There are things in your life that you want to control. You want to make your own rules. But stress relief always starts with letting God be God. It always starts with saying, “God, I’m giving up control, because you can control the things that are out of control in my life.”

Psalm 46:10 says, “Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth” .

I don’t know what you’re going to face this week. You don’t, either. But I can already tell you what God wants you to do: Let go, and know. Let go of control, and know that God is in control. Let go, and know! This is the first step to serenity in your life.

Whenever we face out-of-control situations, we tend to go to one of two extremes.

  1. For some of you, the more out-of-control your life gets, the harder you try to control it.
  2. Some of you do the exact opposite: You just give up! You have a pity party and invite yourself to it.‎

Both of those reactions to stress are foolish. They don’t work. Instead of being a victim or becoming hyper controlling, you need to pray the prayer of surrender.

The number one reason you’re under stress is because you’re in conflict with God.

You’re trying to control things that only God can control. You can’t control your husband or your kids or your wife, or your parents, or your friends, or your job or your future or your past or any of that stuff. The more you do it, the more you’re trying to play God, and that puts you in opposition to God. Not only are you going to lose that conflict, but you’re also going to be tired.

Millions of people pray the Serenity Prayer, which is based on the Lord’s Prayer, but most have never read the last eight lines to the prayer. read below

That’s where the power is! There is power when you surrender to JESUS the very things you’ve been trying to control.

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that you will make all things right,
If I surrender to your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with you
Forever in the next.
Amen.

— Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

 

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CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS

By Bob / March 16, 2024

Almost every Christian at some time in his life has had to face the problem of unanswered prayer.

*A prayer goes unanswered for weeks and months—even years.
*An unexpected illness or tragedy claims a loved one.
*Things happen that have no rhyme or reason and then faith begins to falter.
But the Word makes it very clear that a wavering person will never receive anything from God.

 

Jesus understood this tendency in His children to hold grudges against heaven when mountains are not moved on schedule.

*Jesus warned Peter not to ask anything when standing in God’s presence lest he be unforgiving in some matter.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).

 

I believe Jesus is saying, Don’t stand in God’s presence asking for
mountains to be removed or for forgiveness of your sins, if you have a secret grudge in your heart against a brother or sister in Christ.
*Get it out! Let the Spirit of forgiveness flow through you.
*Cry out to your faithful Father. He has not failed. He will answer.  He will supply.
*Submit yourself and ask Him to forgive you for allowing these doubts to spring up.

 

The most difficult thing in all the world for Christians to do is forgive.

 

Even the best Christians find it hard to forgive those who injure their pride.

 

Nothing infuriates us more than to discover someone has lied to us.

 

In His teaching on prayer Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”  (Matthew 6:11-12).


Lord, my prayer is that the entire Body of Christ (the Church) will go to You in prayer and work out our differences and not suppress the truth, but renew our minds on the Truths and Promises You give us through Your word on the Spirit of Forgiveness.  Take the Pride from our hearts and minds, helping us see clearly that we are all on the same team and will be spending Eternity Together.  Amen

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Dying for Lack of Knowledge

By Bob / March 15, 2024

 

“The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.”1 Chronicles 13:10

A business friend of mine confessed that he did not like to read. He found it a difficult discipline. I replied, If you do not commit yourself to knowing what is in God’s Word and following it, you will fail to know and experience God.

God’s Word is life to our souls. It provides knowledge that leads to life.” The prophet Hosea tells us, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children” (Hos. 4:6).

God has given us His Word that has specific laws and principles that must be followed if we expect His blessing. King David forgot to follow one of those laws related to the ark. “…But they must not touch the holy things or they will die…” (Num. 4:15). When they were transporting the ark, Uzzah innocently reached to steady the ark but was immediately stricken dead when his hands touched the ark of God.

  • Did David know this law or did he simply forget?
  • Did Uzzah know this law?
  • If so, did he really believe it? David thought it was okay to carry the ark the way Uzzah did. A man lost his life for his presumption.

Many workplace believers I know take God’s Word lightly. They believe they can violate His Word without consequence. This is not true; the Lord stands by to uphold His Word. It can be life, or it can bring death. When God provides instructions, we need to follow them.

  • Knowing this about God brings a healthy fear of the Lord. “David was afraid of God that day and asked, ‘How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?’ ” (1 Chron. 13:12)
  • We must all have a fearful respect of God’s Word. For truly, it is life or death.
  • Do you take God’s Word seriously? Is it life or death for you?
  • Do you feed upon His Word daily so that you might know Him and know His precepts? Feed upon this knowledge and be blessed of God.
  • Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat out all its strength and vigour.  Some have a liking for some secret lust, which takes away their hearts.

Thank you Lord for Your Word!

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WANT TO BE SET FREE

By Bob / March 14, 2024

Christ Has Set Us Free!!!!!!!  We can now fight From Victory and not For Victory.  (See 1JN 4:4, JN 3:16-17)

 

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

A true “overcomer” is one who knows how to make faith choices.

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…”Revelation 3:12
*God’s people are called to turn from sin and turn to God in obedience. We need to overcome sin or it will overcome us.
*How to overcome our sin?
1. Confess our sins before God – 1 John 1:9
2. Put to death sin by the spirit of God  – Romans 8:13

Romans
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
I want to ask you a very simple but important question: Have you been set free? 

Take time to ponder: 

  • How do you view God?
  • How do you view yourself?
  • How does God view you?

 

The truth is, if you have already met Jesus Christ, if you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb and cleansed by His precious blood, you have been made free in Him.
*You are victorious and a new creation in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18,).
*In Christ we are reborn as new creations.
Thank you Jesus for the joy of salvation, thank you Jesus for your saving Grace.  Amen

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