WEDLOCK

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

WEDLOCK

Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.  Matthew 19:6

 The marriage covenant is a holy bond, established in heaven.   God says that he has put the two (man and wife) together: who can take them apart? No man or earthly creature shall take them apart.  Holy is the marriage union--  high and above the ways of the world; sealed and stronger than the ways of man; deep and more dynamic than the devices of Satan.  Because marriage is locked, God has the opportunity to create in this bond.  Not only does God create children in this bond, but He also develops the man and his wife into glorious human beings with His divine nature.

Today, let us enjoy our wedlock!

OUR GOD REIGNETH!

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

OUR GOD REIGNETH!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God Reigneth!

Isaiah 52:7

God overcomes every circumstance, every life event, and every devil.  God is greater than our fears and our failures.  God is there for us when the doctors are unable to help us, and when the lawyer says that we can’t win the case.  Yes, our God disappoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.  He delivers us in six troubles, and in seven, no evil can touch us. God makes our seed great and shall cause us to live to fullness of age (read Job 5). Yes, our God reigneth!

Today, let us testify and preach the goodness of our God!

GOOD MEDICINE

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012
GOOD MEDICINE
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:  but a broken spirit drieth the bones.  Proverbs 17:22
Joy is a gift from God.  In all circumstances, we can maintain peace and spiritual joy.  There is something about the Joy of knowing Jesus that keeps us full and over flowing--ever ready to pour into the lives of others.  We must keep our hearts merry so that we can bring health and healing to ourselves, our loved ones, our friends and even our enemies. Yes, knowing our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gives us so much to be merry about.
Today, let us fill up with the joy of knowing Jesus and  be good medicine.

SETTLED FOREVER

SETTLED FOREVER
IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012


For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:18

When everything is shaking, and all ways moveable, it is good to know that the Word of God is settled.  Not just settled, but settled forever!
Today, let us rejoice in the Word!

WITH ALL AUTHORITY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012

WITH ALL AUTHORITY

These things speak, and exort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise thee.  Titus 2:15

When God gives us authority, in and through Christ Jesus, we are to use that authority to build up the body of Christ--first in our families, in our churches, in our communities.  We are not weak, and we do not deny the power of the risen LORD:  we walk in it.

 This is the instruction for young men and servants:
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  Titus 2:6-14

Today, let us build up the body with all authority.

CREATED BY GOD

CREATED BY GOD
IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012


For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  Colossians 1:16,17
What a privilege to know Jesus: the creator of all things in heaven and earth.  All things were founded and designed and thought up by Him. We see some of this creative power being shared with the first Adam when all the animals were brought to him to see what he would call them: "and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof" (Genesis 2:19).  Yes, God shares his creative power with his offspring.  Even today, he is willing to share it with you. What good thing will you create for God's Kingdom and for His glory?
Today, let us be busy... creating!

THIS WILL COST YOU

THIS WILL COST YOU
IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
I Peter 1:18,19

When Jesus shed his blood to take away our sins and to justify us as eternally righteous, it cost him everything.  And he gave everything willingly.  In like manner he makes the demand on his followers.
Luk 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.


We often hear that salvation is a free gift, and that is true.  But it cost us everything.  There are very serious terms to the salvation agreement. According to I Corinthians 7:23: " Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."
Christ wants us established in His kingdom, under His blessed rule and dominion.  He wants us beautiful and glorious, at peace under His authority.  He wants us leaving the old lives behind so that he can make us completely new: born again from above.
Today, let us count the cost of this great salvation.  

WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012

WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?


Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psalm 119:11

What are you hiding in your heart?  David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, was dedicated to hiding the word of God in his heart.  Why?  So that he would not sin against God.  The commands of God were ever before David; he would be sure to remain upright and filled with the Holy Spirit. David did not want to offend God by wayward walking but wanted fellowship with God.

The best way to keep our heart in fellowship with God, is to keep His word in our heart.  Read the Word. Pray the Word. Preach the Word in season and out of season.

As we keep the word in our heart, our faith will continue to grow and we will be ready to do  great exploits.

Today, let us hide the Word in our hearts.    

LOVE!

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 14,2012
LOVE!


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

What a wonderful Father!  He loves us so much that He sent His One, Beloved Son to be the punishment for our sins.  The blood that Jesus poured out on the cross of Calvary made perfect atonement for our sin.  Though our sins were as scarlet, He washed them white as snow.  Now, we are together, eternally with Christ Jesus, in the Kingdom of God.  We are forever in Love! 
Today, let us confess our Love for God!  I love you LORD!

PASSION

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012

PASSION

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:1-3

Passion--the only time this word is used in the Bible is in regards to the experience of Christ on the cross in Acts 1:3.  The agony, the pain, the suffering is called the passion.  In definition, the term means to go through suffering or to even feel. 

God wants to know if we are willing to be a people of passion.  Not driven, not romantic, but a people ready to experience the blessed will of God and go through and feel whatever pain or suffering is associated with the experience.  To be passionate is to say yes to God's way...knowing that the way of Christ comes with a cross. Will you dare to be called by His name, knowing that you may be separated from the company of others?  Will you dare to teach His word, knowing that you may be ridiculed and condemned?

Today, as we are called to God's purposes, we must be a people of passion!

NO DENYING IT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012

NO DENYING IT


Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.II Timothy 3:5

In these last days, we must not only walk in godliness, but we must walk in the power of God's righteousness, the power of God's victory, the power of God's healing virtue.  We must try to live out our Christian experience in and through the Holy Spirit.  The word of God is powerful and if we use it for our spiritual development it will quicken us unto great works.
Today, let us claim our power in Christ and work the works.

MY HEART'S DESIRE FOR ISRAEL

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

MY HEART'S DESIRE FOR ISRAEL

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God  for Israel is, that they might be saved.  Romans 10:1

The blood of Jesus was shed for the salvation of Israel. Not only Israel, but for all mankind, but especially Israel. It is Jesus who, himself a Jew, came for the Jews.  So the way is prepared for their salvation.  And in the fullness of time they shall be saved; let this be our prayer to God and our heart's desire.

Today, let us pray to God for the salvation of Israel!

SWEET WATER

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

SWEET WATER

Doth a fountain at the same place send forth sweet water and bitter? James 3:11

God wants us to be fountains of sweet water, flowing fountains of goodness, and springs of health and wholeness.  This sweetness must begin in the heart.  The roots of bitterness, envying and strife must be washed out through confession and forgiveness.  Ministry can only happen with sweet waters flowing out of our hearts, creating rich and fertile soil for souls.  As our hearts are renewed under the blood of Jesus, our tongues shall be governed by the law of kindness--and we shall be living temples, like fountains, springing up sweet, sweet water.
Today, Let us be fountains of sweet water.

THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME


Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isaiah 54:2-5

What wonderful news!  The Maker, the Creator of heaven and earth is our husband.  What provisioin, what promises,what splendor he will bestow upon us.  Certainly we shall prepare for great blessings by enlarging our tent and stretching forth our curtains, lengthening our cords and strengthening our stakes.  For God is going to richly bless us;  His church shall not be about shame--but glory.  For a small moment, it may seem as if God has put his Beloved to shame, but it shall turn.  And for any shame she had to endure for a season, she shall be rewarded doubly in blessedness.  For the fullness of the Gentiles shall come into the body of Christ and then the Jewish nation shall return to her husband, inheriting the Gentiles.
The Lord of Hosts, your husband is a God of battle.  He will fight for you.  He is a husband of provision; He will use the resources of heaven and earth to bless you and me.  What wonderful news!
Today, Let us know our Husband.

WALKING APART

IN THE BEGININNG...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012

WALKING APART

For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isaiah 8:11-13

God desires for us to walk apart fromthe ungodly, the worldly, the enemy of the Lord.  He desires for us to get out of their way and get into the Way of the upright.  Sometimes you can be joined with the ungodly in friendship, in family, in business.  God is instructing us to no longer be joined with this people: say ye not a confederacy. 
Today, let us be joined unto the Lord God, who alone is Almighty! 

THE HIGH CALLING

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012

THE HIGH CALLING

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 3:14

Why is this calling high?  It is high because it is like God--Holy.  No common thing can attain unto it.  It is separate, apart, sanctified.  It is peculiar, spiritual, not discerned my the brute or natural man.  It is heavenly, above and super-natural.  And because it is high and holy, while we are in this flesh we must press into it, press toward it.  Like a runner who knows only one will get the prize, we must be disciplined:"forgetting those things that are behind, and reachng forth to those things that are before" (Philipians 3:13).    Like Jacob's ladder, we are climbing higher and higher. We must keep going forward and upward.

Today, let us press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling.

KEEP YOURSELVES

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

KEEP YOURSELVES

 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21

Though the work of salvation has been accomplished by the work of Christ on the cross, we have an active role to play in the keeping of ourselves.  Several times in the Bible we are told to do certain taskS for ourselves:  Keep yourselves(Jude 1:21), build up yourselves (Jude 1:20), examine yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5), Humble yourselves (I Peter 5:6), submit yourselves  (James 5:7), comfort yourselves (I Thessalonians 5:11), judge in yourselves (I Corinthians 11:13).  Surely, we must be a self disciplined people—especially since we are connected in the body of Christ.

Today, take care and pray for yourself, and I will pray for you.

HEALING IN HIS WINGS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012

HEALING IN HIS WINGS

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.  Malachi 4:2

Do you fear the name of the Lord?  We must be careful to honor our Lord in all our ways.  We shall pray for strength to overcome, knowing that we have the name of Jesus to deliver us from sin's hold.  Jesus is the name above every name; We cry out for Him when we need restoration.  He is the healer of all of our infirmities--natural and spiritual.  Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness; With his robe of righteousness spread around us, we are made perfectly whole, cleansed from sin.  Jesus heals our stony hearts and causes our hearts to be like his, full of love, hope, and compassion.  He has healing in his wings for our continual health and wholeness. 

Today, will you rest under the powerful, healing wings of the Almighty?

ESTABLISHED

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

ESTABLISHED
 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
1Samuel 3:20

God is His time and in his season, establishes.  The opposite of established is moveable, given to change, unsteady.
The prophet Samuel had been established by the Lord because his word was sure.  And just as God established  Samuel, God wants to establish you in his kingdom.  He wants you to be planted with Christ Jesus in death and raised up with him in life and that everlasting.
Today, be sure that you are established in the Kingdom of God.