Tuesday, December 31, 2013

WE ARE FLOURISHING LIKE THE PALM TREE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 31. 2013

WE ARE FLOURISHING LIKE THE PALM TREE

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:12-15

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT: A NEW COVENANT!

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, 2014
THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT:  A NEW COVENANT!  
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward part,s and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:31,32,33).
In the New Covenant there is a new law. Galatians 6:2 calls this law the "Law of Christ": "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  In James 1:25 this new law is called the "law of liberty":  "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." 
   God said that this new law would not be written on tablets of stone, but would be in our inward parts, controlling, governing, preventing, warning, teaching, advising, preparing and convicting.  This new law is the law of the Holy Spirit placed inside the believer, causing the believer to have the  wisdom of God:  In Job 38:36 we see that God is the one who “hath put wisdom in the inward parts.”  

The law of the Holy Spirit brings not only holy wisdom but a holy conscience:  In Romans 2:15 we see that the believer has a law in their hearts-- their conscience bearing witness with thoughts actively accusing or excusing  behavior.  Moreover, the governing law of the Holy Spirit causes us to have godly emotions—our hearts are moved with compassion when there is a need:  I John 3:17 says, "But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"  However, the most important impact that the law of the Spirit has upon our inward parts is its quickening power which quickens us to abundant life, quickens us in the Word, and quickens us to service in and through  Christ Jesus.
  Today, let us thank God for the New Covenant, which brought the NEW LAW, which has brought and is quickening newness of life!

Monday, December 30, 2013

IN COMMAND

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

IN COMMAND

 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.   And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14

Sunday, December 29, 2013

THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL


IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD                                                                                              DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013                                                         THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. John 7:30

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, John 10:39                                  

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. Mark 14:11                                                

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11                                                                                                              

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.  But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. John 2:23.24,25                    

This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24:6-10

  LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
  I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
  Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Psalm3

WE HAVE A MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT, FOREVER

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013
WE HAVE A MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT, FOREVER
 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 2 Corinthians 3:4-12

Saturday, December 28, 2013

GOD HAS PERFECTED PRAISE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 28, 2013

GOD HAS PERFECTED PRAISE


And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.                                                   And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? Matthew 21:14,15,16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I am amazed by the perfected beauty that streams from my two-year old.  If he falls or hurts himself in anyway, he runs to me and says, "Pray for me Mommy.  Pray to Jesus for me."  He loves to praise dance and will easily shout "Hallelujah!"  One day, while we were visiting the University of Pennsylvania's campus, my son saw a statue of a preacher and seemed to quickly identify that this was a man of God.  He asked me, "Jesus?"  It was George Whitefield, a preacher of the Great Awakening.  How amazed I was that this little one, not even two at the time, could identify a man of God. Perhaps it was the book in the preacher's hand and his pose--pointing to the heavens.                                                                                                        
I would have loved to have been in the temple when Jesus was there (as recorded in Mathew 21) to behold those little babes crying out "Hosanna to the Son of David."  But I know for sure that God's cherished children are still crying out praises to the LORD.  Truly, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God has perfected praise!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

THINKING ABOUT A BABY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD                                                                                               DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 25, 2013                                                           THINKING ABOUT A BABY                                                                                                                  

  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:14-18
                                                                                                                                                                 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:32                                                  

                                                                                                     

Friday, December 20, 2013

BE FAIR

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

BE FAIR

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
  Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
  And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. Esther 2:6.7

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. Song of Solomon 1:5,6

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.  Song of Solomon 2:10 

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:13

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

THE GOD WE SERVE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

THE GOD WE SERVE

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. I Chronicles 29:11,12

Friday, December 13, 2013

IN THE BOND OF PEACE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013

IN THE BOND OF PEACE

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. Song of Solomon 2:7

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:11


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

GOD, THY REFUGE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013

GOD, THY REFUGE

There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Deuteronomy 33:26-29

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91

Monday, December 9, 2013

IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013

IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23

 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. Song of Solomon 2:6


Sunday, December 8, 2013

A RANSOM FOR MANY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTION FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013

A RANSOM FOR MANY

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27,28

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. I Timothy 2:5,6 

For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. Esther 10:3

That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.Psalm 60:5

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake. Psalm 31:16

 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. Psalm 119:94

Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? Song of Solomon 3:6







Friday, December 6, 2013

HAVING LOVE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013

HAVING LOVE

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be
grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 2 Corinthians 2:4

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death I John 3:14

 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew 5:46

 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please. Song of Solomon 8:5


Thursday, December 5, 2013

HEALTH

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

HEALTH

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.  And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. Jeremiah 30:17-20

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Psalm 67:1,2

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Proverbs 3:7,8

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 1:2

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Isaiah 58:8

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. Acts 27:33-36


Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. Song of Solomon 2:5

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Psalm 84:1,2





Wednesday, December 4, 2013

POWER: IN THE RAINDROP AND IN THE WORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 4, 2013

POWER: IN THE RAINDROP AND IN THE WORD

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11

It is so easy to forget that raindrops have power.  They have the power to produce; in fact they never fall in vain.  They're not just a substance that gets wiped off of our windshields by our wipers.  No, they are the genesis of the manufacturing cycle.  They water the earth and cause it to bring forth and bud.  This provides seed to the sower and bread to the eater. What power!

In like fashion, the word of God has great power.  It has the power to wash and cleanse. A husband is told in the Scriptures to wash his wife with the word.  The power in the word of God will cause beauty, holiness, grace to blossom:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Like manna from heaven, I thank God for his daily supply of the word which truly washes and cleanses, heals, delivers, enlivens, and forever blesses his Church.  What power!


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

PEACE, EATING AND REJOICING

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013

PEACE, EATING AND REJOICING

  And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
  And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 27:2-7

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremish 15:16

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. Song of Solomon 5:1









Monday, December 2, 2013

PURITY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

PURITY

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. I Timothy 4:12

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colosians 4:5,6

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. I Thessalonians 4:7-12

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5:10








Sunday, December 1, 2013

THE LIGHT OF HIS COUNTENANCE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

THE LIGHT OF HIS COUNTENANCE

 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Psalm 4:6

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 89:15

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. Song of Solomon 5:15

 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:26


Friday, November 29, 2013

THRONES

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

THRONES

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.   Luke 22:29,30

King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.Song of Solomon 3:9-11

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Psalm 4:3

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

SERVING TOGETHER

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

SERVING TOGETHER


 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.   Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luke 10:1

 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Song of Solomon 8:5,6




Monday, November 25, 2013

THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NIGH UNTO YOU

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013

THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NIGH UNTO YOU

 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:8-11

 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Song of Solomon 6:10

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Song of Solomon 2:17


Sunday, November 24, 2013

A BODY BROKEN FOR ME?

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2013

A BODY BROKEN FOR ME?

 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. I Corinthians 11:24

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zechariah 12:10

 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Matthew 26:26

 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 
  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 
  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 
  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 
  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Hebrews 8:6-10

 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 
  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 
 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 
  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 
  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Hebrews 10:5-9

  I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. Song of Solomon 7:10


Saturday, November 23, 2013

A PROMISE TO BE PERFECT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013

A PROMISE TO BE PERFECT

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.  Deuteronomy 18:13
 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

God truly expects us to be perfect.  And with such hope and heavenly promises ahead, we really should walk in this expectation. So here's a perfect 7 ways to walk in perfection.
1.  Be filled and flowing in the Spirit.  Eat Scriptures! (They really are sweet like honey!)  Drink in the presence of God through prayer and meditation.  Spend time with God in the Word...and worship Him. Listen to God and love Him.  Mostly, pray in the Spirit; speak in tongues.  Sing spiritual songs.
2.Have true FAITH.  Know that God has everything under control.  He is Sovereign over every situation, and nothing happens outside of his rule.  Pray believing-- and remember that all things shall work together for your good as you are called according to His purposes.  Always work out your faith, demonstrating the power and glory of God.
3.Repent.  Confess your sins.  Cleanse your heart.  Turn from your wicked ways.
4.Walk in Forgiveness.  There's so much to be upset about down here, but we must remember that Christ forgave us-- so we must forgive others.  Keep the cross in mind as you forgive trespasses and debts daily.  Pray the Lord's prayer.
5. Keep your word.  Honor your promises.
6.  Develop a life of Holiness, purity, love and obedience.
7.  Witness to the unbeliever; preach the Gospel; be Light in the world.




Tuesday, November 19, 2013

PRESERVING US ALIVE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

PRESERVING US ALIVE


" And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day" (Deuteronomy 6:23,24).

God is the creator of all life, this the believer knows.  But we must also know that He is wholly interested in preserving life and making our life abundant.  God wants us to be abundant in good works, and abundant  in wisdom and honor, and abundant in spiritual blessing.  He desires for us to prosper materially and to be in good health, just as our soul prospers as we daily gain spiritual blessings.

Just as He separated Israel from heathen nations who served idols, He desires to separate us from the world and its corruption. He wants us to be peculiar people unto Himself.  He wants us to be His breath of fresh air in the world, and His salt that adds good flavor to the world, and His salt that preserves life in the world.

How will God use us to preserve life in the world?  I see two ways that I would like to share.  First, as God fills us with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are to witness(share, testify) and preach this salvation.  This is the salvation which will save men and women from eternal damnation and give them hope and purpose in this life and a future with God.   How can the church not preach the good news of her Savior.  "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified!"  This is our message to the world and our Light to shine on those who sit in darkness.

Secondly, we will preserve much life as we fill up with the Holy Spirit.  It is not enough to simply let the Holy Spirit  wash over you ( though this is wonderful).  We must drink deeply of the Spirit, be filled up so that out of our belly will flow rivers of living water.  This river of water will act as a life preserver for those living and dying in a dry place.  Isaiah prophesied this in the Old Testament:  "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isaiah 32:2)

Yes, God wants to preserve us alive in Christ Jesus.







Friday, November 15, 2013

FEAR THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

 FEAR THE LORD

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 10:12

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Psalm 34: 9

If we fear the Lord, there will be no want in our lives.  Those consecrated to His service shall have every good thing.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

ARE YOU INCREASING IN THIS?

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

ARE YOU INCREASING IN THIS?
STATURE

 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes. Song of Solomon 7:7

The Merriam Webster definition for stature is the quality or status gained by growth, development or achievement.  Jesus is said to have increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man.  This is said of him as he was growing into manhood, throughout his teen years, as he was submitted to his parent's authority, yet conscious that He belonged to and was called by His Heavenly Father.  The people began to see that Jesus had superior  understanding:  "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes"(Matthew 7:29). 

God wants us to increase in stature, but this is the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Scripture clearly asks the question: "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" ( Matthew 6:27).  The Holy Spirit moves on us, giving us revelation.  He gives us insight and wisdom.  He adds joy and blessedness.  He gives us favour and friends.  The Holy Spirit makes us fruitful in our work and a blessing in our influence.  
He teaches us the Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus so that we can live in true liberty and abundance.  

In the book of Acts, we see the Apostles, Peter and John, moving in the Spirit as the Holy Spirit increases their stature:
  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 
  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 
 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 
  Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 
  But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 
 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 
  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 
  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 
  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 
  For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 
  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 
  And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 
  Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 
  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 
  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 
  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 
  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 
 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 
  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 
  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 
 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:13-33).



Monday, November 11, 2013

IN A PERFECT WAY, WITH A PERFECT HEART

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2013

IN A PERFECT WAY, WITH A PERFECT HEART

  A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
  I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
  A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
  Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
  He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
  I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. Psalm 101

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

ISRAEL AND HER KING

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2013

ISRAEL AND HER KING

I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. Isaiah 43:15

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21

I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. Song of Solomon  7:10


Monday, November 4, 2013

FAVOR AND A CROWN

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY,NOVEMBER 4, 2013

FAVOR AND A CROWN

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17


 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 
 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 
 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. I Samuel 2:6-8

The pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.  He decides what He decides.  Favor isn't fair, but it is God's blessing and grace upon the favored. 
To God be the glory!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING

 IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013

MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING

 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward    thy holy temple.Psalm 5:3-7

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. Song 2:8

Our LORD treasures our voice, just as we treasure His.  He will hear my voice in the morning; in the beginning of my day will I direct my prayer to Him.

His voice is so sweet to me.  I am blessed by His voice and comforted by His Word. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit can speak right into our heart, teaching us, warning us, comforting us, loving us, leading us and inspiring us.

We speak to the Lord and He speaks back.  Mutual love.  We go into His house and we worship Him, and He blesses us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.  Mutual love.  His voice is such a treasure!
So glad to hear it today, and always!
  

Saturday, November 2, 2013

I AM HIS!

 IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

I AM HIS!

Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.
 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:30,31

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16

Throughout the Old Testament God professes his love to Israel.   He speaks through the prophet Isaiah these words of devotion:

"For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (Isaiah 43:3-7).

In the verses in Isaiah we see the powerful ways in which God loves Israel.  He loves Israel so much He declares that He is her Saviour and gladly gives "people for thy life."

Again in Deuteronomy we see this marvelous love of God professed to Israel:  " For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
  The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
  But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
  Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" Deuteronomy 7:6-9

So yes, we see God's love declared for Israel throughout the bible, but it is in the lovely Song of Solomon that we most clearly see Israel's intense love declared for her LORD.  Indeed, the love is mutual and they both know it.  "My beloved is mine, and I am his..."  This is the love that God has always desired and commands the blessing upon--mutual love.  We love God back.  We belong to Him.  We adore and treasure Him.  We follow His commands.  We are in love with Him.  We seek Him.  We know Him and are filled with Him.

What a heavenly blessing...






Tuesday, October 29, 2013

THROUGH CHRIST AND THE CROSS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

THROUGH CHRIST AND THE CROSS

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18

We can do all things through the power of God.  These two verses in Philippians and I Corinthians reveal the cross of Christ as the power of God.  The cross in and of itself is simply a piece of wood, but in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the cross possesses the strengthening power of God.

As the holy saints of God, we begin to understand that the work that Christ did on the cross defeated every foe, every power, every temptation, every devil. There is absolutely nothing that can defeat the Church of God, or you-- His beloved.  He destroyed every principality and power that opposed Him and every power that endeavors to oppose you.
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colosians 2:14,15).

Yes, the law of sin and death was against us and  has been nailed to the cross.  In Christ, we have the perfect law of liberty which allows us to be moved by His Spirit into great exploits (deeds, doings) for the glory of God.

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

Praise God!  Through Christ and the power of God, which is in  the cross, we can do all things-- and we shall be blessed in our deeds. 

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19). 


 So take up your cross and go...nothing shall by any means hurt you!
  


Monday, October 28, 2013

LYING VANITIES

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013

LYING VANITIES

 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.  Jonah 2:8

Lying vanities have a way of attracting us and distracting us from the will and purpose, power and glory of God.  The lying vanity comes and says, "follow me."  It may be a program that is in church but has nothing to do with Christ, but is appealing to the flesh.  It could be someone promoting worldliness in your prayer group or bible study. When the prayer group, or the bible group, or the pastors' group gets mingled with carnal pursuits so that it has a mixed essence, this becomes a lying vanity.  And when the people of God have no salt in themselves, when they are good for nothing, when they have no word of salvation to offer and no hope or power to share, when the church is as fearful and shaky as the world, this is a lying vanity.

 A lying vanity can also be an insincere show of worship or prayer as stated in the scripture: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward" (Matthew 6:5).  And again in Matthew's gospel we see a warning against the lying vanity demonstrated in giving: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).

When we ignore the needs of those around us we are lying vanities.  Especially if you pretend not to see a need when God has made it obvious.  The Holy Spirit wants to move upon our hearts, leading us to compassion and a demonstration of love for those around us.

We forsake the portion that God has prepared for us when we consider, observe and spend our time with lying vanities.  We are to be about our Father's business and turn from these foolish forays into vain pursuits.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

THE SIGN OF HIS GLORY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

THE SIGN OF HIS GLORY

  And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
  Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
  And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
  And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
  And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.  Exodus 8: 20-24

Isn't it true that the Lord wants to be seen, even magnified, in the midst of the earth.  He has always wanted a peculiar people unto Himself, to show forth His praise and His glory. In this text from Exodus 8:20-24 we  see his divine protection over his people, Israel. In the midst of the judgement of flies, there was a land named Goshen, where His people were preserved, uncorrupted.

Today, God still desires to have a people wholly kept by Him, uncorrupted by the world and its perversions.  In Christ Jesus, we have the salvation that we need.  In Christ we are made new.  Let us continue to confess our sins and renew our minds, daily, in the Word.  Let us take on the practice of fasting  and praying as God works in us to build us up and to transform us.

Consider these Scriptures on the fast:

 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
  Isaiah 58:5-14.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

SATAN HAS NOTHING IN CHRIST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

SATAN HAS NOTHING IN CHRIST

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30

As the saints of God we have everything in Christ:  Our hope, our purpose, our righteousness, our future, our truth, our love.  We live and move in Christ.  We can't live outside of Him. When we encounter our brothers and sisters in Christ we have unity because we have the same hope, and the same purpose, and the same righteousness, and the same future, and the same truth, and the same love.  This is why we can have fellowship with one another and we are commanded to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

In direct contrast, Satan has nothing in Christ.  Satan's hope is in the world.  He desires to interact with the world and the worldly to promote his purposes, which are all of pride and deceit. He can't enter into Christ.  Though he hates the body and dares to destroy it--the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ or His Church. Disunity and division are the weapons Satan uses within the Church body and those who are not knit together in love, in Christ, are easy targets.  He looks for the self- centered, self- serving carnal "Christian" who is not truly united with Christ or His body--the Ananias and Sapphiras of the church--those who have their own agenda and are not rooted in love. Consider the Scriptures:

 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
  And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
  And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts 5:1-11

Ambition is the characteristic that Satan looks for when he chooses vessels to enter.  He looks for those individuals who don't really believe in waiting on the Lord.  Those who promote their own causes and have confidence in the flesh.

In Christ, God adds all blessings to us as we rest in Him.  We refuse to be ambitious because we have the peace of Christ which passeth all understanding, which is our glorious treasure in this world of tumult and wickedness.  We cleave to Christ as we grow deeper and deeper in love with our LORD.  There is no falling away for the faithful.



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

IN CHRIST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

IN CHRIST

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:3-12

Every blessing of God is in Christ.  There is no getting around Him: He is Savior and He is Lord.  Interestingly, the sacrifice of time that it takes to get to know Him is more than worth it, at any age. I hope no one believes that they are too old or too young to get to know Him.  True life begins and never ends in Christ.

I am aware that many seek Christ for what they can get from Him.  For instance, many like the idea of a church family.  And many like the idea of a "Christian home."  And many like the idea of prosperity.  Yet it is the person who seeks what he can get from Christ who never gets Him at all.  You must want Him.  If you don't seek for Him, you won't find Him; you won't get Him; you won't know Him.  You will have missed the mark and will be in the outer darkness.

In Christ, we find the path of life; there is fulness of joy; there is pleasure forevermore (see Psalm 16:11).  In Christ, we are accepted in the beloved and have redemption through his blood.  In Christ, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.  In Christ, we are the children of God.  In Christ, we are in LOVE.


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

THE PERFECT DAY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, COTOBER 15, 2013

THE PERFECT DAY

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Today seemed so much like a perfect day in New York.  The sun was just the right temperature of right.  The leaves glistened on the trees...and falling from them.  The waves of the Sound shore rippled to what had to be heaven's symphonic smooth.  And though there were a few things I would have changed about the day, it had a perfectness about it--something that made me think of heaven.

There is a perfect day prepared for us.  A day when we will be with the ONE we love.  " For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isaiah 64:4).


Monday, October 14, 2013

SHINETH MORE AND MORE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 14, 2013

SHINETH MORE AND MORE

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Proverbs 4:18

As God moves us along the path of his pleasure, the revelation of His will increases, more and more.  What at first was just a hint of revelation becomes a beam of revelation, guiding and directing, promoting and encouraging.

The path becomes evident, more and more, and the course clearer.

We can feel, taste, sense, and rejoice in the victory that is ahead.

Today, thank God for the light that is shining, more and more!



Sunday, October 13, 2013

THE PATH OF THE JUST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2013

THE PATH OF THE JUST

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
PROVERBS 4:18,19

You are "the just" when your life has been justified, in line with the will of God.  When you take hold of the instruction of God and embrace it, you are allowing God to teach and guide you in the way of wisdom.  When you receive the sayings of God, it is then that your life is blessed, preserved, lengthened.  You are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to run the race that has been set before you.

Sometimes we have made wrong decisions and entered a path that "seemeth right," but we find out that it is full of wickedness and crookedness--leading to death. Each step on this path is difficult; each step on this path is rocky and uncertain. This path is dark and very dangerous.  We are to turn from this path--for it is full of strife and violence.

God wants us to walk before him on the path that is full of light.  He wants to lead us and guide us into all truth. He wants us to run the race that is set before us.  He wants us to have confidence that He will be with us every step of the way.


      



Friday, October 11, 2013

DON'T YOU DARE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

DON'T YOU DARE

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
 For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:11-14

Don't you dare try to come into the body of Christ without putting on His Righteousness.  For it is Christ alone who gives us communion with the Father.  As the Scripture tells us, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).  Again, speaking of Jesus, the Scripture says:  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As you accept Christ's sacrifie on the cross for your salvation, you will be forgiven of all sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness.  It is only the blood of Jesus that has this miraculous, cleansing power:  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).  By faith in Christ Jesus we are saved from the wrath, condemnation and judgement that is sure to come on this wicked world.  We must confress with our mouths and believe in our hearts:  "JESUS IS LORD."  

It is so odd to think that the self- righteous, "good works" workers are going to be left out.  You know the ones who look down on others, or the ones who spend their lives volunteering and in great acts of  philanthropy; their goodness will not save them. Righteousness is in Christ alone.  We must die to this "no good thing" flesh, and humbly take on the riches and righteousness of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Today, don't you dare try to come to the wedding  in your filthy rags of self-righteousness.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

TRANSFORMED AND TRANSFIGURED: ENTER IN

 IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013

TRANSFORMED AND TRANSFIGURED: ENTER IN

 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. Luke 9:28-36


Monday, October 7, 2013

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

If you feel discouraged today, remember that the kingdom of God is prepared for you.  Those who suffer and are lonely, weak and poor in spirit, God desires to have you in His presence for eternity.  You who have been oppressed and have struggled with opposition, the kingdom of heaven is prepared for you.  There will come a time when your sorrow will be turned to joy, and you will be with all the saints of God, forever rejoicing.  Jesus Christ is your provision for the blessed future God has prepared for you.

Today, you who are poor in spirit, come into communion with Christ.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

WHEN THERE IS NO GOING BACK

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013

WHEN THERE IS NO GOING BACK

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-39

Have you ever gone hiking in the woods and reached a point where you are well aware that there is no going back?  You know, the only way you're going to get out is to continue ahead.  No, you don't know what is ahead, but you know it's something you've been waiting for, hoping for, and traveling for. And actually, going back would be just plain stupid.  Not to mention all of the time you have invested in your journey, but back...well, you've been there already.  Ahead is newness of life.  Ahead is the intended purpose.   All you have to do is stay on course.  You could possibly create a course of your own and see where it might lead you.  But that would be-- off course-- which would most likely lead you into a deep, dark, ditch--and all hope would be lost.  So, you've journeyed far and salvation is just ahead.  No going back!

The Bible says that our faith must not "draw back."  That is to say,  if we lose our faith in the middle of our faith journey it is like wandering into a deep, dark, ditch...call it perdition. The Bible says that we are to continue in faith: "believe" to the saving of the soul.

Remember this lamentation  as you journey forward in faith:

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentation 3:22-26

Today, one foot in front of the other :-)

Saturday, October 5, 2013

WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM IS AWAY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013

WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM IS AWAY

 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:15

When the bridegroom was near, we rejoiced and were merry.  We felt delightful because of His presence.  We laughed.  We smiled.  We danced.  This is how the disciples felt when Jesus was bodily on the earth, alive and present.  They could touch him.  They could see him preaching the good news.  They could hear his wonderful voice.  They could rest on the ship with him, knowing that He could calm any storm.  What a marvelous time it was when the bridegroom was near. There was no time for mourning then. 

But when the bridegroom is away, we mourn and feel lonely, even sad.  We want to be near him again.  We want to see His smile and hear him preaching.  But Jesus said that it was necessary for him to go away:  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7)

Yes, the Comforter has come as our provision for the deep loneliness that probably would have engulfed us.  We would not have survived the emptiness and loss of our Saviour.  With the Comforter, we have hope as we fast and wait, ever believing that we will be reunited with the one we LOVE.  The Comforter gives the Church grace to wait and hold on, as He prepares the bride for her soon coming King!  

So yes, while the bridegroom is away, we feel sad, and lonely, and mourn and fast-- but we are thanking God for the blessed Holy Spirit who is causing us to rejoice in hope, preparing us for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and transforming us anew so that when we see Him we will be just like Him.

Today, rejoice in hope!

Friday, October 4, 2013

ABOVE ONLY: RULERS AND GOVERNORS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

ABOVE ONLY:  RULERS AND GOVERNORS

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: Deuteronomy 28:13

 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 
  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 
  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 
  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 
 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 
 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesian 1:15-23



Today, RULE!!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

DON'T BE THIS: SIMPLE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

DON'T BE THIS:  SIMPLE

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgement, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: Proverbs 1:1-5
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:18
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Proverbs 14:15

God never designed life to be simple.  You can see that there is nothing simple about our Creator.  Look at the stars, the moon, the heavens.  Look at the complexity of our biological systems and the chemistry and physics of nature.  Woe to the simpleton.  Woe to you if you lack the power to solve your problems through thoughtful choices, wise decisions. Folly makes decisions based on simple, meaningless notions resulting in short term ease.  God has created us for wisdom, and justice, and judgement, and equity. We must consider matters, weigh them and choose right judgement.  If a man lacks wisdom he is to ask God for it. 

Today, receive the instruction of wisdom, and justice, and judgement, and equity.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

REJOICING IN HOPE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 1, 2013

REJOICING IN HOPE

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

Empty hope always makes one ashamed.  When you hope for something that is unfounded, ungrounded, unpurposed--the results are empty, void, vain.  But hope that is given by God is full of promise--enlightening our future, fulfilling God's plans, and making whole our potential.  Hope is a grace given to bring us to our promised futures.  And you know that God's hope is real because He fills our hearts with the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost comforts us in hope. The Holy Ghost excites us in hope and sheds a LOVE that is greater than wine abroad in our hearts, sustaining us in hope.

This hope given by the love and grace of God  maketh not ashamed.

Today, we are rejoicing in hope!

Monday, September 30, 2013

GLADNESS OF HEART

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

GLADNESS OF HEART
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Psalm 4:5-7

God wants us to trust him fully, with gladness of heart for the abundance of blessing.  It is so good to trust in the LORD.  For He has done great things.  His love is better than wine.

Today, thanking God for gladness of heart.

Friday, September 27, 2013

WARRING PASSIONS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

WARRING PASSIONS

Genesis:
And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.  And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Genesis 25:21-32

Hebrews:
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:12-17

Malachi:
 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.  I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.   Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?   Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. Malachin1:1-8

Warring Passions

Do you find yourself with warring passions?.  Are you  loving two things so much that you could divide your day in two, and there still would never be enough time for both.  But with God, there is always one choice that honors Him-- and you must choose the one.  God often puts this into a love/hate relationship. "I loved Jacob , And I hated Esau" (Malachi 1:2-1:3).  He pursues one and turns His back on the other.  He embraces one, and despises the other.  He cleaves to one, and forsakes the other.  This is God's way.  

Are you indirectly despising God by pursing things outside of His will?  Are you the double minded man or woman who is unstable in all your ways?  Let us ask God for the strength and power to put those things in subjection that get in the way of the desire and work of God.  Let us not be like Esau, profane, carnal, getting nowhere.  Instead, let us follow peace and choose God's directives. 

Today, let us follow peace and pursue it!



Wednesday, September 25, 2013

DEDICATED TO THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

DEDICATED TO THE LORD

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
 I Samuel 1:11

Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.  And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. I Samuel 1:20-22

The blessed dedicate the gifts of God to the LORD.  What has God gifted you with?  Use your gift for the glory and purposes of God, but first dedicate them.  Purpose in your heart that God will be honored in every way.
Today, to God be the glory!

Monday, September 23, 2013

CALLED TO BE SAINTS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

CALLED TO BE SAINTS

 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Romans 1:7-9

Have you ever thought of your calling to be a saint?  What does that mean to you?  A saint is one whose life is dedicated to God--set apart for His work and His glory.  We are not of the world, though we are in it.  We are sojourners in the earth, passing through--good for salt and light.
Yes, we are called to be saints!  What a blessed calling.

Today, let us walk worthy!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

KEEPING THE WORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

KEEPING THE WORD

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11

God's Word has power and purpose.  He tells the prophet Jeremiah, "... I keep watch over my word to give effect to it" (Jeremiah 1:12) BBE.  God's words are not idle.  In fact, Jesus tells his followers that  because of our relationship with God, we will give account for every idle word that we speak:  "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned " (Matthew 12:36,37).
  
As God's children, our word is to have power and purpose-- "fitly spoken" and "in due season." "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it" (Proverbs 15:23)!  God is training us to so value our word that we shall at once move in the creative realm by faith:  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you (Luke 17:6). 


  Today, Keep your word, watch over it and perform it.