Devotions - Prayer

” Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”.(Eph. 4:23)
*If you have asked Christ to be your Lord and Savior you no longer belong with the crowd. You are your own person; following what God says is right. You have to let go of your old self.
*God’s goal is not for my comfort, but that I would become more like him.

Don’t ever “confront” someone or “take a stand” unless you are a cleansed vessel!
If you’re NOT filled with God’s Life, “self-life” will pour forth from you and make the situation even worse.
*  “Now it will come about that instead of [a] sweet smell there shall be [a] stink…”Isaiah 3:24
*We would rather look good than be good because looking good is ultimately more exciting. By “looking” good, we create a world of our own where we are the judge. It separates us from the world we live in and allows us to control our real-life avatar.

A Toxic thought produces  toxic emotions— we can control our thinking!
1. Replace negative attitude with positive ones-Cain had a bad attitude.  Genesis 4:3-7
2. Replace all evil with good especially in relationships.  1Thess 5:15
3. Replace worry with faith-Matt 6:30
4. Do not get upset when thing don’t go your way.
5.  Replace sorrow with joy.  Hab. 3:18.

The Holy Spirit has an uncanny ability to communicate to us. The Lord wanted me to know that I am not to worry about someone else. God has called us to a unique life that may look totally different from anyone else’s life. Once we begin to compare ourselves to others, we begin to live for others and ourselves.

So, here are three questions we’d do well to ask ourselves when thoughts are dragging us down.
1. Did someone actually say this or am I assuming they are thinking it?
*If they actually said it, deal with it then. If I’m assuming it, that’s unfair to them and unnecessarily damaging to me. Instead of staying anxious, I need to Seek Truth by seeking God and asking Him for peace.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”.

2. Have I been actively engaging with truth lately?
*The more we read God’s truths and let truth fill our mind, the less time we’ll spend contemplating untruths.
*Thinking run-away, worrisome thoughts invites anxiety. Thinking thoughts of truth wraps my mind in peace and helps me rise above my circumstances.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

3. Are certain situations or friendships feeding my insecurities?
*If so, maybe I need to take a break from these for a season.
*I need to seek friendships that are characterized by truth, honor, and love.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”.

There is only one audience we should be living for-the audience of One. Ask the Lord today if you are living solely for His pleasure.

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”.  (1 Timothy 1:5).
*We have to be watchful of who we let speak into our lives. Since most people lack integrity they will say anything to get what they want.

Just as error can be detected by what it produces, so too can Truth be detected by what it produces.
****You can tell the gospel is having its effect upon you when you are becoming a more compassionate, loving, patient, tenderhearted person and you are reflecting these qualities to people around you.
That is what Jesus said would happen, and that is why His great commandment to us is that we should love one another.

You begin to be a vessel from which flows the love of God. As Paul said in Romans 5: 5 “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love”.

“God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Love begins to touch you and those all around you. That is the gospel.
If you will cooperate with the work the Lord is doing in you and in His Body, the Lord will bring you into a wide place, and you will be released from restrictions that have kept you from moving freely with the flow of His Spirit.  Some of these restrictions have been the result of your interaction with other people, and some restrictions have been of your own making and choices.  Now is the time when you can establish yourself in greater freedom than you have ever known.
* John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Dear Lord, reveal to me untruths throughout my day that can so easily distract and discourage me. Help me see You and Your truth in all I do. You have taught that only Your truth will set me free. Grant to me, Lord, that I may learn more fully to appropriate that new life that is available to me, by which I may become a loving person as Jesus was.  “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, OGod. They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalms 139:16-18).  In Jesus Name, Amen.

The noise and busyness of life drown out the realities of God in this life.
Shut it off — shut it down – just for a moment!

“Be still and know that I am God….” Psalm 46:10
* When God said “be still” He meant for us to stop whatever we’re doing and realize that it’s God that’s in control and not us, it’s God we hear in times of strife, it’s God who carrys us, gives us strength; you get the point. If we forget to “be still” and allow God to reassure us just by His presence we are lost. Give God that “be still” moment and watch the blessings flow.

* Loneliness is the result of not having a proper relationship with God.
*Sin separates us from God. Sin must be forgiven. When sin is forgiven, we are saved.(Cross)
*The presence of trouble does not mean the absence of God.

* Religion does not help anybody because it is people’s faltering, fumbling search through the darkness to find something beyond themselves, something greater than themselves that they can believe in. As we Know that Something- is a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.

Before worshiping God, the priests of ancient Israel practiced an “Inner Court Ritual” in order to purify themselves. We as believers can also purify our hearts by:
(1) Recognizing sin
(2) Repenting of sin
(3) Relinquishing sin to God
(4) Replacing sin with truth from God’s Word.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…”1 Peter 2:9

We must not be afraid or ashamed to name our fears, insecurities and doubts. We need to call them what they are and acknowledge them before God (Who knows all about them anyway!).
* ” You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.”
Psalm 139:2-4

“Be still and know that I am God….” Psalm 46:10

There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting.
*It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value.
* It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season.
*It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities–simply inactivity.

During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something NEW in us.
* It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of Prayer and Faith.
*It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven believer.
Our nature cries out, “You must do something,” while God is saying, “Be still and know that I am God.”
You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can’t seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.

Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen.
But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie.
*They cannot say what God is doing. *They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.

Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.

The Lord is calling to you, urging you to draw near to Him into a place of spiritual vitality.  It is His desire that you give no place for the lusts of the flesh, but that you completely yield to the moving of His Holy Spirit.  In that spiritual reality, you will begin to live in the strength and protection of righteousness.  Righteousness is a strong fortress against attacks from the forces of evil.  Draw near.
* Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Psalms 135: 23 He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.
*Jesus  wants to meet us in the midst of our sometimes lonely and often imperfect  lives, when our disappointments, pains and failures try to confirm our self-doubts.
*Jesus is there waiting for us to come to Him.  Be Still and Listen to His Holy Spirit inspirered Words through reading His Truths through  Scripture.
*Jesus is there when we’re going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done, but unaware of how we’re going to do it.
*Jesus is there when we can’t stop criticizing ourselves for blowing it the day before; when we go to work and wonder why we’re even there.

Jesus sees our hearts and knows the pain of our loneliness, disappointment and rejection. Today He is pursuing us, inviting us to come to Him to receive the perfect love He offers.
1. Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

*Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, will you stop and talk to Him? And then, will you quiet your thoughts so you can listen to Him? Be STILL!

Reflect on what Jesus did for you on Calvary. Give thanks for the Lamb of God who bore your sin.

Lord, this day please help me to focus on You, to seek You and look All around me, to see Your power and teaching and guidance in all circumstances, to trust You in all things. Lord, thank You for pursuing me. I want to know and rely on the love You have for me, and live in the security of it! When I feel afraid, insignificant or alone today, help me turn to You and remember You are there! Help me to be Still and Listen. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God is one who takes in the lonely and adopts them into his fold.
*”God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure”. Eph. 1:5
“God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy……..”. Psalms 68:6.
God did not create us to live in solitude. Only the rebellious are in a parched land.

To be lonely is a very sad condition; yet in today’s world there are millions and millions of lonely people. Even though the population of the earth is increasing rapidly and even though so many people live in large cities, those large cities and this highly populated earth of ours are filled with lonely people. Why????
*You see, it’s possible to be lonely in the midst of a crowd. It’s possible to be lonely in a big city. I know, because I’ve met so many people like that. (I used to be one-hiding within my work and crowds of people).
Now loneliness is not God’s plan for man’s life. Right at the beginning of human history God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”
*So for the first man he planned a mate. That’s God’s attitude.
*God  wants to take us out of our loneliness.
*He wants to set us in the family of God. *He wants to give us human friends and human fellowship.
**That’s His plan!!!!
God sets the lonely in families. If we are prisoners, He leads us forth with singing.  But there’s ONE kind of person that God cannot help out of loneliness: the Rebellious live in a dry sun-scorched land.
So if you’re lonely just bear in mind that God cannot help you until you lay down your Rebelliousness, till you renounce your Pride and your Self-will and Independence and “Turn to God” for His mercy and then He’ll have mercy on you and He will set you in His family.

Whenever God’s people cry out to the Lord, He hears them. When they are truly repentant, He responds. He responds by rising up those whom He has prepared for such a time.
**Every soldier looks forward to the day he can use the training he has received. Has God been preparing you for a time when you will be called upon to deliver God’s people?

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Gen. 3:7-10)

In verse 11 God responds with a question, asking Adam who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you that something is wrong with you?” By asking this, God acknowledged there was someone casting shame on them—and it wasn’t Him.

I believe He wanted them to be aware of their enemy who was whispering lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other.

*God also wants us to be aware that we have an enemy who is constantly trying to convince us that we’re inadequate and that something is wrong with us.

Sadly, we often go along with Satan’s lies and live like they are true. Rarely do we stop to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is there something from my past that led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?”

But we can change that today.
***First, we need to realize Satan’s schemes are the same for us as they were for Eve.
**Second, we need to determine we are not going to keep falling into his traps. ***Instead we can refute his lies and accusations with truth. If we have put our trust in Christ as our Savior, we can stand on these promises:
• When we feel defeated, God says, “In all these things [you] are more than [a conqueror] through him who loved [you]…” (Rom. 8:37)
• When we feel worthless, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you.” (Isa. 43:4)
• When we feel inadequate, God says, “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.’” (Isa. 43:10)

Beloved, check the course of your current actions, attitudes, and motivations to see where they will take you.  Now is the time to make course corrections so that you can stay on track with the Lord.   Many of you are making judgments against others that will come back to you as judgment.  Extend the Lord’s mercy and goodness to those around you.
Luke 6:36-37  “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.  Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

* Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
*In commitment is where growth and maturity comes from.
*Don’t run from something run to something!

Lord, help me recognize the enemy’s accusations and my own self-doubts. Please remind me of Your unconditional love and help me turn away from the lies so I can listen to and live in Your Truth!  Even though we may not have much of a home in this world, there’s a home for the soul, a place where the soul belongs, a place where it finds rest and ease and peace, where it’s at home, a place near God’s altar. Your  altar Lord, is the place of yielding, sacrifice, dedication, self-surrender, and when our soul comes to that place, it’s come home to You. There is a beautiful homecoming for each soul that will turn from sin and rebellion, turn back to YOU LORD and come to the place near the altar. Thank You Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly
poison” (James 3:8).

In this verse, James is talking about the tongue of a believer. He is issuing a call to the church to gain control of their
tongues—before they are destroyed by them!
You may ask: How serious is this
matter of taming the tongue? Can an “unruly tongue” really be that sinful?

A loose tongue renders our religion absolutely worthless! It can make your
every spiritual activity totally useless in God’s eyes: “If anyone among
you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own
heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26).

James’ reference here to those “among you” means people in the church.
Those members of the body of Christ who appear pious, spiritual. They are active in the work of the Lord, but their
tongues are unbridled, out of control!

Are we using our words to cut down/ hurt others or are we using our words to build up and share Jesus with others?
*As believers, we have not taken seriously what our Lord said about taming our tongues. He has made it a heart issue!
* Not only does my careless tongue discount all my spirituality, it also makes me face the fact that my heart is unclean.

If I gossip, tell dirty jokes, run down other people, raise my voice and scream at my family, I must ask myself: “What unclean, filthy stuff is still stored
up in me that I could speak this way?”
Could it be you are angry because have not become what your heart keeps telling you-you should be or do?

I must examine my heart and ask, “Where does this come from? There must be something I have not dealt with or I wouldn’t be saying such things.
*Why do I go on gossiping?
*Why do I utter such mean, careless words?
*What unsanctified strongholds still hold my heart?”
*Our words are super powerful. They can be used to bring healing, calm, help, hope or they can be used for destruction, wrath, anger, deceit, etc.

“How can you, being evil, speak good
things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35).

Jesus is saying, “If you are careless with your tongue—quarreling, complaining,
murmuring, tattling—you have a serious heart problem! Your heart is not right
with God, and it Goes Very DEEP.

* There is an evil treasure stored up in you, just as a snake has bags of poison stored behind his jaw. If deadly poison is
coming out of you, it is because the bag has not been drained!”

Whenever I allow something unclean to come out of my lips, I must stop and say
to the Lord, “Master, there must still be a root of jealousy, envy or lust in
my heart. Dig deep into my heart and pluck out the roots of bitterness, pride or whatever it is!”
*God wants to get at that evil in your heart, that bag of poison hidden inside of you! He wants to root it out and heal you completely.

The prophet Isaiah(Chap. 6) provides us with an example of how we can heal our tongue.
1. Isaiah drew near to the Lord and prayed for a vision of God’s holiness.
“I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1).
*Anyone who wants to live pleasing to the Lord must constantly go into His
presence until he obtains a vision of God’s holiness. All healing, all true
blessings, all victories begin at His throne. That is where we see God in His
holiness!

2. In God’s holy presence Isaiah was deeply convicted of having unclean lips.
“Then I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean
lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts’” (6:5).

Why did Isaiah cry out, “I am a man of unclean lips”? It was because he had
seen the King of Glory! Our transgressions become exceedingly sinful when we are
in God’s presence. The light of His holy countenance exposes everything that
is unlike Him!

3. Isaiah allowed the Lord to touch him and cleanse him with His holy fire.
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he
had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and
said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and
your sin purged’” (6:6-7).

God’s Word is a live coal and the Holy Spirit is its fire! Right now you have
been touched by the Holy Spirit through this message and God wants to put His
fire to your tongue and sanctify it. He can do it for you and me if we will let His Word convict us! He is the only One who can do it. Our part is simply to
confess, as Isaiah did, “Woe is me, I am unclean!”

Let this word go straight to your heart and purge you with its fire. Confess,
“Yes, it is me, Lord! I will not let this word pass me by! Purge my lips and
my tongue. Cleanse my mouth and my heart!”
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
The Bible says when Christ comes to live in your heart, old things are passed away, all things become new (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord has put a new Spirit in us. Thank you Jesus!!!  Your Love and your Word to us is so so wonderful!  Amen

Why Must we Forgive Others?

ForGIVEness is an act of GIVING — of giving someone the “grace” or “unmerited favor” of God

The most important thing that we learn today is FORGIVENESS. It’s the most difficult thing to do in this world, be it to forgive ourself or forgive others.
Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling. It is an act of will.
*Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving, you will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made.

*True love always looks like Jesus, True love is sacrificial, true love is always willing to serve.

Only because of Jesus are we able to extend unconditional forgiveness. If we love and serve Him, He will give us the grace we need to forgive others.
* “…for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 2:10
*If you don’t forgive quickly you open the door for the devil to gain an advantage against you!
*When we forgive, we show Satan that “we are not ignorant of his designs” and that we can have victory over him through Christ’s grace and the example of forgiveness that He has given us to follow. Jesus has won the Victory already
Forgiveness is a decision I’m making.
In Matthew 6:14–15 Jesus said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, [don’t miss this] if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Now, sometimes a passage of Scripture seems complicated as soon as you read it. That’s not the case when we realize what Matthew 6:14–15 says. Jesus’ words are stunningly clear. Read them again above.

Do you get it? I mean, those are pretty serious verses, right? Not hard to understand—just hard to undertake.
(I know because I’m working through it myself).  You read the verses and think, “That’s gonna leave a mark! I’m going to have to look again at how forgiving I am.” That’s nothing you want to be messing around about, or sort-of getting it right. The verses aren’t complicated—but they will definitely complicate your life if you are an un-forgiving person!

We often forget this but . . . God won’t forgive us unless we forgive others.
*His forgiveness is utterly conditioned on our faithfulness to forgive.
*So, if we say “we can’t forgive” . . . what we’re essentially saying is “we can’t be forgiven”.
*We forfeit forgiveness by not forgiving.
If you can’t seem to forgive someone, ask God to help you forgive so that you may be forgiven.
*And you know what, that’s a prayer God’s going to answer every single time.

And it’s not saying that you get saved by forgiving. It is saying that people who are really are saved are forgiving people, increasingly so.
* Not perfectly, not entirely, but increasingly we are more and more forgiving.
***As the love of Christ penetrates our hearts more and more deeply and more and more genuinely, we just become more forgiving people.
*Mark 11:25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
*Forgiveness is one of the expected by-products of genuine salvation.

You ought to be the most forgiving person that you work with. Out of all the people, when they talk about you, they’re like, “Man, he’s not a guy who holds grudges. He’s just not someone who finds fault.” “She doesn’t try to make people pay, she just lets it go. She just moves on. She’s not petty.” “He’s not a scorekeeper. He’s just not like that. He’s forgiving; that’s what he is.” That’s what people ought to be saying about you. The more you get to know Jesus, the more it ought to be true in your life that you choose forgiveness

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love…”. (Colossians 3:13,14)
*The foundation for a healthy relationship is Love, and the four cornerstones are Loyalty, Kindness, Respect and Forgiveness.

If you will cooperate with the work the Lord is doing in you and in His Body, the Lord will bring you into a wide place, and you will be released from restrictions that have kept you from moving freely with the flow of His Spirit.  Some of these restrictions have been the result of your interaction with other people, and some restrictions have been of your own making and choices.  Now is the time when you can establish yourself in greater freedom than you have ever known.
* John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Lord I do forgive but just don’t feel the peace after turning it over to You. Help me Lord in this area of unforgiveness. I know You are a Just Judge –I Give You the situation. Thank You Jesus-Thank You!
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:31,32).
Amen!!!
1 Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

There are so many people that are dying without knowing their calling
and in turn telling others about Christ. For more people to be saved it requires more people to know what their calling is.

God created human beings to be fully alive in union with Him. Are we allowing God to restore that union with the risen Christ to be fully alive in and through us?
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

As believers, though we have freedom in Christ Jesus, it does not mean we are free to do whatever we want with our body.  Our body belongs to Christ so we must not violate Jesus who lives in us or do anything with our body to dishonor Him. Your body is His temple.

**** Jesus wants you to be you!!!!
And you are your truest you, not when you are measuring yourself against someone else (or analyzing yourself at all for that matter), but when your eyes are fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and you are following him in faith. And when you are serving others in love with the grace-gifts God has assigned to you (Romans 12:4-8).

So, no matter what today holds, be free from saying in your heart, “Lord what about this man?” For Jesus chose you (John 15:16), promised to supply all that you need (Philippians 4:19), and wants you to simply follow him.
*And if you humble yourself under his mighty hand, trusting him to redeem all your suffering, “thorns” (2 Corinthians 12:7) and weaknesses, he will exalt you at the proper time (1 Peter 5:6).

Suggestion: write a one page paper on:
*When did I hear my call, what did God say, and how did you respond.
*If you don’t know then ask God to reveal to you.
*Once written, read it to someone you trust and respect and ask God to give you the next step.

Philippians 3: 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
*What matters is our walk with Christ and nothing is more important than that! Is God first?

Yes you have a gift and calling from your Heavenly Father, who loves you and has a great and important job for you to do.

*********Our Calling!!!
Each of us is needed in the harvest. God has issued a call to each of us. He never takes his call back. Many Believers go through their Christian walk without ever knowing and walking in their calling.

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Romans 11:29. Now Bury this deep in your heart!

1. Real calling produces faith- boldness, perseverance, and risk taking.
2. Real calling produces focus: disciplined time; divine appointments vs adjusting my schedule
3. Real calling produces divine assistance: open doors, finances, partners.
4. Real calling is confirmed by others: Acts 13:1-3, mature elders should be watching and confirming
5. Real calling produces much fruit: Jn 15:16 God chose you not you just choosing Him, Jn 15:8 bearing much fruit, Holy Spirit actively backs you up.

Today, I want to remind you that YOU are full of incredible potential. When God created you, He deposited seeds of greatness inside of you. YOU ARE HIS MASTERPIECE!!!!
* He’s given you your own dreams and desires. You have something to offer that no one else has.
* But too often, we allow adversities, disappointments and setbacks to push these things down, until one day, we find that we’re not moving forward anymore.  We’re not stretching; we’re not believing to rise any higher.

When adversity comes, it’s easy to think, “Why is this happening to me?”
During the difficult times, remember that the gifts and callings God has placed within YOU are still there.
* Don’t become stagnate in pursuing your dreams!!
**James 1:22: do not merely listen and so decieve yourselves; but be doers of the word.

It is the Lord’s desire that you be free from all bondage.  The price for your freedom has been paid(Cross), and all you have to do is access it by faith.  Be free from all guilt and condemnation and let nothing come between you and the Lord. He has a plan for you! Listen to the Lord’s words:   “You are Mine; You belong to Me.  You are precious in My sight.  Take refuge in that truth”.

*“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
*“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
* “Whatever you do, do everything in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). By faith in Jesus, every act becomes this one thing—the work of the Lord.

“You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor”.(Psalm 8:5).
* According to the Bible, God made man to be the expression of God’s life, the human vehicle of the divine life, the means by which the invisible God would be made visible to His creatures.
*Man was to be the instrument by which God would do His work in the world and the expression of the character and being of God. He is the creature nearest to God. There is none other nearer, for God Himself was to live in man.
*That is the revelation of the Bible. Man is such a unique being, such a remarkable being, that God Himself intends to live in Him to be the glory of man’s life.

We thank You, Father, that IN YOU we find our true worth and identity.
“Father, thank You for the gifts and dreams You’ve placed within me. Today, I release my cares and concerns to You. Give me the strength, wisdom and clarity to keep moving forward so I can boldly embrace the good things You have in store for my future while giving You All the Glory and Praise, having my True Identity in You. Help me daily to hear Your CALL!!! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19,20.
* He(Jesus) said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.   Matthew 9:37

Jesus died so that we might live, therefore it is absolutely essential we receive (by faith) God’s forgiveness for whatever sins we may have committed.
* ” Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. ” Hebrews 12:15

Are you losing the battle against your giant of temptation?

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death”.
James 1:14,15.
*1. Tempted by our own desires. It’s not Satan. It is our own flesh. Know your weakness!!! If you don’t stop it at this level temptation will conceive………
2. Sin – if we don’t stop it at this level sin, when full grown, brings forth….
3. Death – spiritual death comes when sin is not dealt with.

We must not be afraid or ashamed to name our fears, in securities and doubts. We need to call them what they are and acknowledge them before God (Who knows all about them anyway!).
* “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. “Psalm 139:2-4

Read James 4:1-10
Verse 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

James 4:4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
***World here is Man centered, Satan directed system of this world which is hostile to God, Christ, and the Christian.
*Living in the world and only for yourself is a Stronghold– God calls it adultery.

Don’t find yourself being the enemy of God. You will lose— Your residence shall become the lake of fire.
*The Bible tells us to submit ourselves to God.
* Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.
* We have victory in Christ, BUT most of us are in a “Battle of Temptation” and are losing.
*The enemy try’s to stimulate pride in your life. It gets in the way of a relationship with God.

WE must discover through the word that there is a remedy to come out victorious…..walk with God.
* If the Lord be for us…who can be against us?
*If you are being overcome, you are not walking in submission to the word of God.
**Temptation IS going to come as long as we live in this body—BUT  We can walk on the victory by the power of God.
*Temptation had no respect of person. *Don’t fall into the trap. One bad night with the devil will destroy you.

Matthew 26: 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

**Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world.

**Don’t yield to temptation, because we will fall short…we are living for SELF and NOT the glory of God.

James 1:13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2-3).

Life is often filled with death. Every experience that is opposite to what God has designed for us is an experience of death.
Temptations, Bitterness and Shame and Sorrow, Hate and Greed and Loneliness, are all forms of death that come into our lives right now.
*** That is what our Lord was experiencing. He understands these things because He has been through them Himself.
*Remember Eph 6:17-18 for weapons 2 Cor 10:4-5.
*Pick a temptation/stronghold in your life and use your weapons against it.
*This fight is not dependent on us- Jesus has already won the battle. We need to deny ourselves and give it to him.

James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

****We have victory over strongholds
1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

The Lord has gone before you and established the path to liberty.  Jesus IS the way, the truth and the life.  Hear the sound of His voice as Jesus calls you to come out of darkness into light and out of bondage into freedom.  Your righteousness is of Jesus if you will accept it and live in the reality of redemption.  There are no valid excuses for staying in darkness or bondage, for Jesus IS the way-maker.  HE has made a way for you.  Come forth into the glorious light.
*Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Lord, You have the power to bring life from death. Thank You that through the resurrection of Jesus You have given me new life and Victory over strongholds and Temptations through Your Perfect sacrifice on the Cross for my sins.   Help me to perceive when you speak to me Lord. Thank You Lord for giving me  discernment to know  that the Bible IS the word of God and that Jesus IS exclusively the Way to God. What Peace, Freedom and Joy Your Truth gives. In Jesus Name, Amen

Always be on the lookout for anything that takes your “peace” away, and then ask God to reveal what’s going on inside the hidden chambers of your soul.
*  “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.”Psalm 42:5
* We all have our days when the sun is shining bright, but we are gloomy inside. However, the psalmist gives a suggestion! Put your Hope in God! I know that’s easier said than done, but with practice and prayer we will become far greater at putting our Hope in God!

What’s the Secret of Contentment?
After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul had much to learn about salvation and following Christ.
Throughout Paul’s life, the apostle shared what he was discovering. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote about a very important life lesson –
“The secret of being content”.

What kind of life do you think brings contentment?
*You might assume it is one with few troubles or great success.
*You may want good health, financial security, and a loving family.
* Paul’s life was not at all like this. He was in danger from both his own countryman and the opposition (2 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Sometimes the people listened, but more often, they were hostile to his message. He also had a “thorn in the flesh” which God refused to remove (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
And Paul even spent considerable time in prison, chained to a guard. Yet he boldly wrote, ” I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation”. (Philippians 4:12).
* In other words, he never allowed himself to get upset with where he was at the moment, he was always looking forward to where he could be.

**The Secret Paul discovered was to live on the basis of his Position IN the Lord, not his Feelings.(Lord Help me daily here-let me see you First in all things).

* As God’s child, Paul knew he was spiritually rich – “blessed . . . with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) because he had a loving Father and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
***Be spirit led, not emotionally driven.

Contentment in our media-driven age is hard to find and harder to keep. There’s always something newer, bigger, or better to buy and someone else who has what you want.
* When you feel unsatisfied, try basing your response on your position as a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17) rather than feelings.
***Help others reach their dreams and you will reach yours.
*Live by the new reality. Our home is not on earth.

Don’t be afraid to tackle tasks beyond your realm of familiarity, for the Lord will guide you through and give you the wisdom necessary to accomplish what He has set you to do.  The Lord will show you what to do and how to do it and connect you with the right people who can help you.  Go forth with confidence and boldness.
* Psalms 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.

*GOD IS HIS WORD; faithful and true. He has magnified His word above His name. Has He spoken and not brought to pass that which He has spoken? Psalm 138:3 is true unto me. God hears when I cry unto Him. He answers my prayers. His word is my strength. He will indeed perfect that which concerns me. In Him I hope and I know, in Him, I will never be ashamed.
“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

Father, I pray this morning that you would help me to internalize and integrate today’s message in a very real way in my life.  I ask that you will hold me accountable when I find myself struggling to measure up to the expectations of men, rather than accepting the calling of Christ.
Lord, I pray that you will continue to soften my heart oh God, so that I will be real, genuine, Content and open to your leading in my life. Thank you for all you do for me, for sustaining me, upholding me, and giving me a reason to make it through the hardest of days. Thank you, God for everything you do for me.
May all we do and say bring YOU glory…. may people see You Jesus, IN us.
I love you, amen.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. (John 15:9)
” Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you”. 1 John 2:15
*Keep your mind focused on the Father and Eternal things and you will not have to worry about not having the love of the Father in you.

We’re called to confess and repent of our own sins, and we’re called to unconditionally forgive the sins of others.
* “…forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions.”Mark 11:25
*If you don’t forgive others, the heaven of YOU may never be opened.

The Father has two kinds of love:
1.  a general love for all sinners and
2.  a special love for all who are in His family.
God’s general love for mankind can be
embraced by anyone who comes to Him in repentance.
But God’s heart is also filled with another kind of love—a distinctive, exceptional love for His children!

God has always had a chosen people for Himself upon whom He bestowed His great love. Israel once was the sole object for this special love:
*“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen
you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the
face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because
you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you … [He] has brought you out with a
mighty  hand …” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).

God directed these words to Israel. Yet, if you have received Jesus as your
Savior and Lord—if you have been adopted into God’s family and He is your loving Father
—you too must come to grips with how Special you are to Him!
***You are the recipient of God’s extraordinary love and here are His words to you:
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of
darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the
people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1
Peter 2: 9-10).

At one time you were not an object of His special love, but now you are! You
have been reconciled to the Father and He loves you deeply—right now, at this
very moment!
1John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.

How Can We Love Like Jesus Commands?
*When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37, 39).
What an overwhelming assignment!

In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible.
The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Galatians 5:22).
In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.

Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment.
*This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with.
The Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.

Agape love is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s God’s doing, not ours.
Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous,  God’s grace makes it possible.

Take advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate the Lord’s love for all of mankind.  Express His heart toward those in your environment through Respect, Love, and Kindness.  You will be judged according to your deeds among men.  Since you are the dwelling place of His Spirit show by example the essence of His existence as you abide in His Love and allow it to flow out of you with “Sincerity of Heart”.

John 15:9  As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
*In Jesus Christ we have a true best friend. Jesus is the perfect friend because he gives us what we need instead of what we want.
*As a friend of God, we have the information and the inspiration to change the world.
*True love always looks like Jesus, True love is sacrificial, true love is always willing to serve.

Lord Jesus, it is unfathomable to me what You endured on the cross. Thank You for Your willingness to suffer and die. I worship you as my Savior and Lord.  Help me  abide in Your Love so my joy may be full and You get all the Glory and Praise. Help me love as You Love Jesus!
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17). Now that is Love for You and Me!
Lord I see through You that Love prompts us to give of ourselves, our time, abilities and resources. Your Word tells us that God is love, and the world will know that we are His followers by the love we show — and giving is what shows our love!  Thank You Jesus!
Give God ALL Your  Praise this day for God First Loving Us!!!!!  Amen
“LOVE IS  patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Scripture warns us not “mull over” negative thoughts about other people, and especially not to speak these thoughts out loud.
* “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification…that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29
* Take Action to remove influences in our lives that encourage the areas of the old heart. Instead, seek activities and friends that allow and encourage us to consume God’s word and put the Holy Spirit Inspired Word into Action.

Giving Thanks is an Effective Spiritual Weapon.

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 is a remarkable story which reveals the spiritual power of practicing gratitude in the midst of the worst possible situation.
*As this great king(Jehoshaphat) humbled himself before God, He watched God show up with His great incredible power to destroy the enemy that was at hand.

By the way, don’t forget to remind the devil “No weapon formed against you is going to prosper,” remind him that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” remind him that “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me,” remind him that ‘if God be for us who can be against us”

God is no respector of persons, yes there are real battles that we face today with our health, our home, our kids, our jobs, our money matters, our ministries.

Verse 15….. Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

God says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.

Verse 20….Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Never forget, what God has started in you, He is big enough to complete it.
*Give thanks to the Lord his love endures forever…

**What these passages reveal about the act of giving Thanks!
Psalms 118:17,19–Giving thanks turns our focus from Self to the Lord’s Greatness and Love.

1 Timothy 2:1-4–Giving thanks opens our eyes to see the world and people from God’s point of view.

Psalms 30:11-12–Giving thanks strengthens the spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5–Giving thanks destroys the power of satan’s deceptions and keeps him from getting a foothold in our life.

Philippians 4:6-8–Giving thanks clears our minds to hear God’s voice and empowers us to act on what He says through His word.

Acts 16: 22-34–Giving thanks bears witness to God’s Glory and draws others to see who He is.

We should express our gratitude constantly, in our speech and through our Actions!
Psalms 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.
*Thanksgiving is appreciation for something good done for us.  *Thanksgiving is appreciating God for His good works in our life.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High. (Psalm 50:14).

What does God want from us? He does not want mere hymn singing, although that is fine. Nor does He want only prayer, although that too is fine. He does not simply want our attendance, although that is fine.
What God wants, first, is a Thankful Heart!!!!
* That is what He seeks, a thankful heart. Each one of us is to offer to Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
* A sacrifice is something into which we put effort; it costs us.

Have you ever asked yourself why the Scriptures stress thanksgiving so much? *Both the Old and New Testaments emphasize that above everything else, God wants thankfulness.

“Give thanks in all circumstances,” says the apostle Paul, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Why is this?
* It is because thanksgiving only comes as a result of having Received something.
*You do not give thanks until you have Received something that comes from someone else.
* Therefore thanksgiving is the proper expression of Christianity, because Christianity is receiving something constantly from God.

**For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him (Psalm 95:3-4).
*The psalmist is giving the basic reasons everyone should give thanksgiving and praise to God. They apply not only to believers but also to all people. Each person has a responsibility to praise God, for all are creatures of His hands.

There are adjustments to be made if you will live and walk in the Spirit.  Watch for and discern those things that remove you from the Lord’s presence.  For, there are thoughts, motives, and actions that need to be overcome and abandoned for the sake of peace and eternal benefit.  The enemy of your soul continues to watch for opportunities to destroy you.
God wants us, all of us, forever. His love for mankind is so full and rich and complete that there is not a single human being that He doesn’t want to have with Him for all of eternity. We are all chosen and called by Him. This is a time when you should make Your call and election sure.  Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t a passive thing, it is an active thing. It’s a Relationship.
2 Peter 1:5-11  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election(God chosen) sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord we give You thanks for All Your Blessings You have Given us. BUT most of all we give Thanks for the Gift of Life–both on earth and in eternity.  We give You Thanks each hour for Delivering us from the power of Sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
It is good to give thanks to You Lord!
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit inspired word, the Bible.
When you want:
To find comfort…………………..

Are You Salty?
*SALT – that which gives Liveliness.
*Liveliness – full of life. Full of energy.                        Active.  Alert. Up to date.   Fresh.

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” ( Mark 9:49-50)
*We will be refined by fire. There is no exception, all have to go through it.
*Jesus used parables to communicate principles of the Kingdom of God. He said Each believer’s life should have the same impact on his or her world as salt has on food.
* Salt gives food Flavor and brings out the Best, while at the same time it serves as a Preservative.

*What allows a Christian to become salty?            Fire!!!!
* God knows that each believer needs a degree of testing by fire in order for Christ’s Fragrance to be manifested.
* We cannot become salty without this deeper work of the Holy Spirit’s fire in our lives.
*Fire purifies all that is not of Christ.
*Fire takes away all the impurities that prevent His nature from being revealed in us.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be Proved genuine and may Result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is Revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7).
*Pray that God makes you a salty Christian. It will result in praise and glory at the throne of God.

God desires us to have His abundant Life right now, even in the midst of overwhelming trials and circumstances. ****But we will only experience that abundant life when WE become willing to exchange God’s Life for our Own Life.

” So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  I correct and discipline everyone I love…..”
Revelation 3:18-19

Salt is what made the Old Testament Incense pure and holy before God.
* It also symbolizes God’s eternal covenant with His people.
** Putting these 2 together, when Jesus told His disciples to have salt in themselves because at the end of the age everyone will be tested (salted) with fire, Jesus was in fact telling them that in whatever they do, they must have Jesus as their Foundation and MOTIVE in everything.
*It is through Christ Jesus that we Stand Pure and Holy before God, and it is through Christ Jesus that our Eternal Covenant with God is established.

*When struggling against sin, we are to do it not for ourselves, to promote our self-righteousness, but for Jesus, to bring Glory to His righteousness.

When I watch or listen to the Media  I Personally Feel most of Americans idea of  freedom has come to mean tolerance and acceptance of almost anything and everything. But this is not freedom. We are becoming slaves.

I’m thinking of the old Bob Dylan tune, You Gotta Serve Somebody. I’m going to make it really black and white. You’re either serving sin, or you’re serving Christ. That said, (speaking and learning from experience here) Real Freedom is ONLY going to be found IN Christ, certainly not in sin (Col. 2:9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.).
* But we are quickly becoming a society void of Christ. And in that, our search for freedom is in vain.

The blessings of redeeming love our Saviour compared to a precious pearl. He illustrated His lesson by the parable of the merchant man seeking goodly pearls “who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”(Matt. 13).
* Christ Himself is the pearl of great price. In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. *Christ is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person.
*Once you find Jesus(beautiful pearl) you give everything up for Him.
God is everything that you need, and more.

The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character.
* EVERY page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect, no stain.
** NO work of MAN can improve the great and precious gift of God.
**** Holy Scripture is without a flaw. In Christ are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3.
*He is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the world to come, is found in Christ.
Our Redeemer is the pearl so precious that in comparison all things else may be accounted loss.

Men will discern the value of the precious pearl, and with the apostle Paul they will say, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:7, 8.

The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for NO amount of worldly wealth can secure it.
Salvation  is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession.

True riches does not come from material possession, but from Jesus himself. Our sin is worn like clothing, but Jesus can remove it completely and WE can be completely cleansed. True revelation and understanding comes from him.

As we know so well–the only way to have a strong relationship with anyone is to spend TIME with them in order to get to know them. Often, we find ourselves pursuing the earthly things, including ministry, and neglecting our relationship with God.
Just Think— When we first became Christians, we had the zeal of first love. We couldn’t wait to TELL others about Jesus and our new found relationship. We were eager to spend time in His word and prayer.
The church belongs to Jesus. We are called to minister on His behalf, however, we need to maintain our relationship with Him FIRST. Otherwise, our ministry becomes a human effort. Fill yourself with Holy Spirit and minister out of the Overflow of His LOVE and POWER.

Whats worse than being blind? Having sight but no vision -helen keller
*Whats the real issue…vision or obedience? Can we allow our vision to grow and change?
*Vision without Action is just A Delusion!

Father, forgive me for being so self-centered thinking I can do it myself. What I truly need can only come from You(Precious Pearl). Help me to be more focused on what you have to offer and not on what the world offers me. Help me to depend more on you and not on myself. True satisfaction comes from you alone.  Thank You Jesus for Your patience and Your Unfailing LOVE!!
Amen!

The Bible never says we won’t have negative thoughts, emotions or desires, but it does says we can have victory over “the flesh” if we choose to continually walk by faith.
*  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under the trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”James 1:12

But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.(Psalms 38:18).

God already for saw this grimy situation. So He made a way for us to defeat this; confessing & trusting in the death of His Son Jesus and repenting of our sin. He conqured every sin. Every struggle. Every worry. Every fear. Every failure. Every hate. Every lie. Every death. Jesus already defeated it. We should just leave it.

Remember the saying:  “Love is never having to say you’re sorry?”
*Sometimes I wonder HOW such utterly ridiculous expressions become commonly accepted.

If you’re close to someone, you’re going to step on their toes occasionally. And when you hurt someone, ESPECIALLY YOUR SPOUSE or family member, it’s important to say,
*************”I’m sorry.”

Not only is it important to say “I’m sorry,” but it’s important to say it well. Usually the words alone are not enough.
You have to get inside that persons heart, feel their pain, and in order for them to forgive you, they have to feel COMPLETELY understood.
Otherwise, you might say, “I’m sorry,” and that person might say, “It’s okay,” BUT nothing-yes-Nothing  will change.
*You could be stuck in that Hurt for years!!!
“I’m Sorry” to receive this You are looking for an outward expression of our repentance of sin as much as an Inward and Genuine repentance and True Turning from Your ways that hurt that person. Needs to be from the HEART!

I pray for you and that person that you
SUCCESSFULLY move through your Past hurt and that “I’m sorry” restores your relationship the way those 2 magic words have the power to do.

If not saying “I’m Sorry” from the Heart, we have decided in our lives that our own needs and wants are more important then the person we hurt.  When that happens, there is a clear and present danger that we might just lose the only thing in all of our lives we truly cannot live without -(besides God)- our spouse or family member.
It is not too late to allow the Holy Spirit to soften your heart and come back to repentance before God. It is never too late to confess our iniquity and allow ourselves to be genuinely troubled by sin again. Let’s return to Him once more and ask Jesus: “what would Jesus Do?”.

Jonah 4:1-11 has Given me some insight and some direction in saying “I’m Sorry”
*Verse2…. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
*God is not looking for an outward expression of our repentance of sin as much as an Inward and Genuine repentance and True Turning from our wicked ways.(And so does our loved ones).
*Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.(And so does our loved ones).
*God is abounding in love and grace and will forgive if WE Truly Repent and Turn to Him.(So will our loved ones)

****Check my heart condition
(Jonah 4: 1-4)
* Having the right action is not enough (v.2a)
* Proverbs 17:3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
*What is truely in a person’s heart will always eventually be revealed…
*1 Sam 16:7″…..The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
*To all of us that proclaim Jesus as Lord, where are our hearts?
*Do we have a heart that is pliable that— Allows the Lord to shape us and mold us into his image.
* Do we receive chastening and God’s refining or do we have hearts of stone ( full of pride and doing things our way) ?
* But if “ones heart” is not broken or contrite before God he is Limited on the impact he can have for the kingdom, starting with our Loved ones.
*One may, for a season, be able to entertain and dazzle the people with Biblical knowledge or leadership skills but God sees the heart.

* God’s Glory!(Revelation of God’s nature and attributes-His Love to man)
Exod 34:6-7: (read)
*God’s glory is not just some awesome physical manifestation or ecstatic feeling.
*Sometimes when we pray for God’s glory to fall, we are expecting all kinds of miraculous moves of God.
*God’s glory is a revelation of God’s nature and attributes. The way God wants us to know His glory is through the revelation of His great LOVE to man.
*Any revelation of God’s glory to us is meant to change US into His image.
*God is the Hope of Glory. One day you never going to have to say I am sorry. One day you will be glorified.
* We ALL need encouragement about this. One day we will be like Christ.
*See His Glory in His word. God is always doing a work of Grace in our lives. Psalm 103 – “God has not dealt with us according to our sins”.
Glory of God must be revealed through the gospel.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . . (Psalm 95:7b-8a).
* God speaks to us in this Psalm to tell us what it is that He essentially wants in worship, what makes worship true worship. It is that today we would listen to His voice! That is what He wants. He wants us to heed his voice–not just come together.
* The central fact of worship is to listen to the Word of God, the voice of God. That is why the exposition of Scripture must be the central thing in public worship. Those churches that have departed from this are making a travesty of worship. Worship must include listening to the voice of God, hearing what He has to say, and letting His Word correct our Attitudes and our Reactions. (One being The Heart to say to All I’ve Hurt- “I’m Sorry”).

John 20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Dear Lord “I am Sorry” for ALL my sins in hurting You and others. Please Forgive Me,”I am Sorry”.   Help me to say this more often as I Listen to Your Holy Spirit guidance.   Lord I Choose to  follow You and spend Eternity with You.  The closer I  get to Jesus the greater I see my sin and the more amazing God’s love and grace becomes to me. Oh what a sinner I am but oh what a Savior you ARE. Thank you for my undeserved Love and Grace You give. Thank you for Choosing me to be your servant for Your Glory and my Joy!!!  Amen
1 Peter 2:24 “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree(Cross), that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness – by His stripes you were healed”.

Sent into the Harvest: Halloween on Mission
By David Mathis
What if a crisp October wind blew through “the way we’ve always done things” at Halloween? What if the Spirit stirred in us a new perspective on October 31? What if dads led their households in a fresh approach to Halloween as Christians on mission?

What if spreading a passion for God’s supremacy in all things included Halloween—that amalgamation of wickedness now the second-largest commercial holiday in the West?

Loving Others and Extending Grace
What if we didn’t think of ourselves as “in the world, but not of it,” but rather, as Jesus says in John 17,  “not of the world, but sent into it”?

And what if that led us to move beyond our squabbles about whether or not we’re free to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, and the main issue became whether our enjoyment of Jesus and his victory over Satan and the powers of darkness might incline us to think less about our private enjoyments and more about how we might love others? What if we took Halloween captive—along with “every thought” (2 Corinthians 10:5)—as an opportunity for gospel advance and bringing true joy to the unbelieving?

And what if those of us taking this fresh approach to Halloween recognized that Christians hold a variety of views about Halloween, and we gave grace to those who see the day differently than we do?

*Without Naiveté or Retreat
What if we didn’t merely go with the societal flow and unwittingly float with the cultural tide into and out of yet another Halloween? What if we didn’t observe the day with the same naïveté as our unbelieving neighbors and coworkers?

And what if we didn’t overreact to such nonchalance by simply withdrawing? What if Halloween wasn’t a night when Christians retreated in disapproval, but an occasion for storming the gates of hell?

*The Gospel Trick
What if we ran Halloween through the grid of the gospel and pondered whether there might be a third path beyond naïveté and retreat? What if we took the perspective that all of life, Halloween included, is an opportunity for gospel advance? What if we saw Halloween not as a retreat but as a kind of gospel trick—an occasion to extend Christ’s cause on precisely the night when Satan may feel his strongest?

What if we took to the offensive on Halloween? Isn’t this how our God loves to show himself mighty? Just when the devil has a good head of steam, God, like a skilled ninja, uses the adversary’s body weight against him. It’s Satan’s own inertia that drives the stake into his heart. Just like the cross. It’s a kind of divine “trick”: Precisely when the demonic community thinks for sure they have Jesus cornered, he delivers the deathblow. Wasn’t it a Halloween-like gathering of darkness and demonic festival at Golgotha, the place of the Skull, when the God-man “disarmed the powers and authorities [and] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them” at the cross (Colossians 2:15)?

*Marching on Hell
What if we were reminded that Jesus, our invincible hero, will soon crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20)? What if we really believed deep down that our Jesus has promised with absolute certainty, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). What if we realized that the gates-of-hell thing isn’t a picture of a defensive church straining to hold back the progressing Satanic legions, but rather an offensive church, on the move, advancing against the cowering, cornered kingdom of darkness? What if the church is the side building the siegeworks? What if the church is marching forward, and Jesus is leading his church on an aggressive campaign against the stationary and soon-to-collapse gates of hell? What if we didn’t let Halloween convince us for a minute that it’s otherwise?

What if Ephesians 6:12 reminded us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic power over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”? What if we remembered that it’s not our increasingly post-Christian society’s Halloween revelers who are our enemies, but that our real adversary is the one who has blinded them, and that we spite Satan as we rescue unbelievers with the word of the cross?

*Resisting the Devil
What posture would Jesus have us take when we are told that our “adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)? Naïveté? Retreat? Rather: “Resist him, firm in your faith” (verse 9). What if we had the gospel gall to trust Jesus for this promise: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)? And what if resistance meant not only holding our ground, but taking his?

What if we hallowed Jesus at Halloween by pursuing gospel advance and going lovingly on the attack? What if, like Martin Luther, we didn’t cower in fear, but saw October 31 as a chance to serve notice to the threshold of evil? What if we didn’t turn out our lights as if hiding, but went pumpkin-smashing on the very doorstep of the King of Darkness himself?

*Orienting on Others
What if we saw October 31 not merely as an occasion for asking self-oriented questions about our participation (whether we should or shouldn’t dress the kids up or carve pumpkins), but for pursuing others-oriented acts of love? What if we capitalized on the opportunity to take a step forward in an ongoing process of witnessing to our neighbors, co-workers, and extended families about who Jesus is and what he accomplished at Calvary for the wicked like us?

What if we resolved not to join the darkness by keeping our porch lights off? What if we didn’t deadbolt our doors, but handed out the best treats in the neighborhood as a faint echo of the kind of grace our Father extends to us sinners?

*Giving the Good Candy
What if thinking evangelistically about Halloween didn’t mean just dropping tracts into children’s bags, but the good candy—and seeing the evening as an opportunity to cultivate relationships with the unbelieving as part of an ongoing process in which we plainly identify with Jesus, get to know them well, and personally speak the good news of our Savior into their lives?

And what if we made sure to keep reminding ourselves that our supreme treasure isn’t our subjective zeal for the mission, but our Jesus and his objective accomplishment for us?

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.– Jesus in Matthew 9:37–38

Amen

The Fullness of God’s Forgiveness.

“He that is in us is GREATER than he that is in the world”.

Sin weighs down the soul, so much that it begins to physically effect a person.

Remember…we must first recognize our ungodly thoughts before we can hand them over to God. We can’t give something to God if we don’t know it exists.
* “I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.'”Psalm 32:5

* God wants us to come to Him the first time and daily- as we are – in our imperfections. He wants us to trust Him to love us as we are.

“NO FISHING.” Do not go down there and try to fish old sins out once God has dealt with them. What relief comes when we begin to understand this “Fullness of God’s Forgiveness”.

*“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
Think—How far is that? Well, how far do you have to go east before you start going west? You never come to west. Then God says He will “hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
*This IS true Fullness of God’s Forgiveness!!!

In forming the new covenant, God obligated Himself by an oath to supply all the enabling power and strength to fulfill every condition and demand of the covenant.
So, when God says by oath, “I will do it,” faith in us responds, “Let it be so.”

** The new covenant is all about our Lord’s commitment to keep His children from falling, and to console, comfort and assure us that the power and dominion of sin CAN and WILL be broken by the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

**This Truth is the only hope for those believers who have lost heart in their
struggle against a besetting sin.
* Only by having the new covenant unveiled to us can we learn the secret to having Total Victory over sin.

** “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”  Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.(Hebrews 10:16 -18)
***Forgiven, accept it, enjoy it.
*God does not hold grudges against us he fully forgives us. There are consequences for our actions but he will always give us his grace & mercy to get through tough times and challenges.

1Jn 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

**Death is the only way out of the old covenant and into the NEW.
* Flesh faith has to die—no more striving to believe.
If I am to have faith—true faith, the faith of Christ—He must give it to me.
We have been given a measure of faith, yet if it is true that I can do nothing of myself, then this includes having His faith.
* That is why Scripture calls it “the faith of Christ.”
Galatians 3:26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
*Think about it. We are not bound by the task master of the law but we are free to walk in fellowship with a Savior who loves us and allows us to walk freely and forgiven.
*When Christ comes and we place our faith in His perfect and completed sacrifice(Cross), we are made free from the control of the law because we have been freed. We become sons and daughters of Christ. We are no longer prisoners but we are free to call out to our “Abba Father” or heavenly dad.

Are you sin-sick? Are you truly yearning to live a holy life, free from the
habituating lusts of the flesh?
Then get ready to die to the flesh . Get ready to embrace the cross. The old covenant will bring you to your wits’ end—to nothingness.
*When you have given up all hope of overcoming sin by your own human power and will—– THEN  you are ready to enter the glorious realm of Freedom through the new covenant.
Eph. 1:7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
*Many of us have not been delivered because we are too ashamed to admit we are struggling.
******Admit the Sin and Listen!
Every one of us is recovering from something. We ALL are addicted to some sin. (Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard).

Galatians 3:22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

What you really believe changes what you do. And when you really believe in Christ, His power changes your life to be able to do what God demands, but normal man only wishes he could change. “By grace are you saved through faith…” This is not in theory, but God’s salvation actually Transforms people, that is why proof is essential, and fruit is the evidence.

The fruit of change is the character, attitudes, and actions of God coming through the lives of those who are True Belivers. The “wanna be Christians” are actually hypocrites, and they can deceive people, but not Jesus, because some hide their sins in secret where only God sees them. But He will bring justice.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2).

God has fixed it so that true believers will always be victorious, according to His will and purpose, so we never loose! Isn’t it awesome to know that once we do what God wants us to do; things will always work out in our favor and for Gods Glory! So the challenge is for us to grab hold of He that is spiritually IN us and loose holt of our worldly flesh selves and watch victory after victory manifest in our lives!
*We do not fight for victory. We fight from victory.
Father, thank You that I can come to You with my sin and cry out for mercy and love. Your love is steadfast; your mercy is abundant. I trust that You are always willing to forgive.  Help me have the courage to come to you as I am, with no mask. And earnestly seek the intimacy You long for.  In the name of JESUS, through the precious Blood of the Lamb; Father GOD: I ask that I continue to grow in Your Word, Your Honor, and Your Truth. For I now truly know that greater is HE that is in me— thank You for taking me from glory to glory, higher than I ever imagine. Thank you for The Fullness of Your Forgiveness. Thank You Jesus for taking on all my sins on the Cross Showing Your Great Love for a sinner like me— I am SET FREE!  Thank You!  Amen

Our Awesome God has done great things. Let’s not keep it to ourselves!

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.
(Psalms 66:16).

*WE are not  mistakes, but put on the earth for a very specific purpose!

Testimonies proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and glory to all who hear. God does wonderful and miraculous things in our lives, which are meant to be shared. Your testimony will bring God glory and encourage someone, which may lead them to a relationship with Christ. Don’t hide your light under a basket.

** Why Your Testimony?
*A time-honored, effective method of evangelism is “Your Personal Testimony”.
Just telling about your spiritual pilgrimage. The skeptic may deny your doctrine or attack your church, BUT he cannot honestly ignore the fact that Your Life(what Jesus has done for you) has been cleaned up and revolutionized
Now, I’m not talking about some stale, dragged-out verbal marathon. That kind of testimony never attracted anyone!

I’m speaking of an effective, powerful missile launched from your lips to the ears of the unsaved. Consider these five suggestions:

1. You want to be listened to, so be interesting. It’s a contradiction to talk about how exciting Christ really is in an uninteresting way. Remember to guard against religious clichés, jargon, and hard-to-understand terminology. Theologians, beware!

2. You want to be understood, so be logical. Think of your salvation in three phases and construct your testimony accordingly: (a) before you were born again—the struggles within, the loneliness, lack of peace, absence of love, unrest, and fears; (b) the decision that revolutionized your life; and (c) the change—the difference it has made since you received Christ.

3. You want the moment of your new birth to be clear, so be specific. Don’t be vague. Speak of Christ, not the church. Emphasize Faith more than Feeling. Be simple and direct as you describe what you did or what you prayed or what you said. This is crucial!

4. You want your testimony to be used, so be practical. Be human and honest as you talk. Don’t promise, “All your problems will end if you will become a Christian,” for that isn’t true. Try to think as unbelievers think. Remember where you and your thoughts once were.

5. You want your testimony to produce results, so be warm and genuine. A smile breaks down more barriers than the hammer blows of cold, hard facts. Let your “Enthusiasm” flow freely. It’s hard to convince someone of the sheer joy and excitement of knowing Christ if you’re wearing a face like a jail warden. Above all, be positive and courteous. Absolutely refuse to argue. Nobody I ever met was “arm wrestled” into the kingdom. Insults and put-downs turn people off.

Ask the Holy Spirit to open your lips and honor your words . . . but be careful! Once your missile hits the target, you’ll become totally dissatisfied with your Former Life as an earthbound, secret-service saint. You will want to tell the world!

1 John 5:9 Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son.
*God as true rests on His testimony. Believing what is true, we believe His testimony.

To be sentenced we must testify to the sin in our life. God in flesh and blood testified to the truth that can save us from being sentenced.
God’s Holy Spirit now stands as our testimony to the Truth. Convicting us of sin, but our testimony of Sin no longer holds up in God’s court if we accept the true testimony of Christ as our testimony.  Jesus at the Cross set us Free!
Psalms 107:2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
*”Let the redeemed(means to restore to usefulness something that has been rendered useless) of the Lord say so…” No one else can say it like us. No one else can express like we can.
* We know He’s done a miracle on our behalf and has saved us from the clutches of the enemy and an eternity in darkness.
*Now we have joy. We have a newfound joy!!!
*Are you really excited about what God has done for You? Can you recall what an effort He made to redeem you?
* If so, say so. If it is real to you, say it and share it. Only those who truly know can say so.

” So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ( 2 Corinthians 5:20)
Dear Lord, please help us be a beacon and not hide that light you’ve given us. Help us represent you well as Ambassadors of Christ.  Lord, help me to move forward and take action ; help me to remember to review everything and do it for You, but first, to take action! Lord let the Holy Spirit take all Fears and Lies out of my mind and then Guide and Teach me the words You want on my lips for your Glory and my joy. In Jesus name I pray. Amen