REFUSING THE BREAD OF IDLENESS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 29, 2012

REFUSING THE BREAD OF IDLENESS

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 21:37

God has great exploits and many good works for the church of God.  We must refuse the bread of idleness.  The bible tells us that "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).  The chosen ones refuse the bread of idlness; for we shall be busy doing our good works as the Scriptures command:
Matt5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John10:32
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Acts9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Rom_13:3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Eph_2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1Ti_2:10
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1Ti_5:10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1Ti_5:25
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
1Ti_6:18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
2Ti_3:17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Tit_2:7
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit_2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit_3:8
  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Tit 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Heb_10:24
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1Pe_2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Today, let us refuse the bread of idleness!

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 27, 2012

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

God wants us to give our life to that which we are called to perform for his Kingdom and for his glory.  Just as Jesus gave everything for his sheep, we are to give our all to those we serve.  How tiring at times.  Because our flesh is weak, we will trust in the One who is strong.  And we will be good and serve well because we are renewing our minds and being transformed and walking in the newness of life which Christ provides. 
Today, let us praise God as He gives us a shepherd's heart.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 26, 2012

STRONG IN THE LORD

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Ephesians 6:10

How many derive their strength by the power of their own might?  How many find strength outside of God?  The church of God must be strong in the Lord.  We must not rely on our flesh, its strength or its weakness.  We must know that Jesus has all the power and strength that is necessary to accomplish every task, to defeat every satanic attack, to remove every reproach, and to dominate every devil.

 Today, let us be strong in the Lord!

THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 25, 2012

THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY


  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8

It is the Lord our God who is strong, who is mighty.  In our weakness, he prevails. Apostle Paul reminds us in Second Corinthians that we are made strong by the power of Christ Jesus.  It is the grace of Christ Jesus which is sufficient for us in our weakness and in our powerlessness.  Paul says, " Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong"(2 Corinthians 12:10).
Our strong and mighty Savior is the provision that we need in every battle and every circumstance.  As the Beloved of Christ we have the wonderful privilege of casting our cares upon our Lord.  In fact, we are instructed to cast all our care upon him because "he cares for you".  And for those of us who are humble, we have the honor of being protected under the mighty hand of God.

Our strength will come as we dwell in Christ.  In Him we are to live, and move, and have our being.  The church shall say: " For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy" (Psalm 61:3).

Today, let us be strong in the Lord!


  

RULING HANDS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 23, 2012

RULING HANDS

  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.  Proverbs 12:24

God is calling the church to have hands that bear rule.  The diligent church must show forth strength and power and great competence as we accomplish the will of God in the earth. 

Today, let us pray for hands strengthened to rule.

A STRONG HAND

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 22, 2012

A STRONG HAND

Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.  Psalm 89:13

We need a strong hand like our heavenly Father’s hand.  For what can we do if our hand is slack, weak or withered?  The Proverbs speak of a slack hand: “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich”(Proverbs 10:4).

God’s strong hand is full of power and might, accomplishing His plans and purposes.  He does not hold back his intentions, but accomplishes them to the full.  It was with a strong hand that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt (read Jeremiah 32:21).

Today, let us pray for healing and strength for our hands. 

TAKING THE CROSS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 19, 2012
TAKING THE CROSS

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  Matthew 16:24

The followers of Christ will walk in the similitude of Christ.  We will suffer pain, persecution, isolation and be gazingstocks as we glorify God.  But let us not fear the cross, the call to public suffering; but like those before us, let us count it a privilege to suffer shame for his name.  Truly, it is in the losing of one’s life that one finds the greater treasure of Heaven; then, too, we find the purpose of our existence:  peace with God, eternal hope, and to behold and worship the majesty and glory of the Father.

Today, let us not fear taking the cross.

GOD'S TREASURE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 18, 2012
GOD'S TREASURE


  Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
  Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
  For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:1,2,3

Zion is God's treasure.   Like a treasure is hid in a pit, so was Zion dug out.
Like Zion, God wants you to know that you are one of His treasures. He will comfort you and replenish you.  He will restore and refresh you.
Today, know that you are God's treasure.

HE CHERISHED ME

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 15, 2012

HE CHERISHED ME

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:29,30

 He cherished me…tending to my heart, carrying me through my trials and giving me many reasons to smile in the midst of the storm.  He cherished me…telling me to think on these things: whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise. He cherished me…made me the apple of his eye, lifted up a standard against the enemy’s flood, put up a banner over me that said, “LOVE!”  He cherished me… gave me all the fruits of His Spirit, covered me in His Righteousness, and preached the Gospel in me, through me, to me.  He cherished me…allowed me to abide in Him while His word made its abode in me , and  in the fullness of time He remembered me, so that I, too, like Hannah, must sing:

"My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

 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.

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed" (I Samuel 1-10).

Today, bless the Lord with me!

HE LOVED ME

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, March 12, 2012

HE LOVED ME

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Ezekiel16:8

 While Satan was trying to destroy me and rob me of peace…He loved me.  In the midst of the belittling, the barrage of accusations, the slander and the hatred… He loved me.  He covered my nakedness and gave me beauty for ashes.  And in the place of my pain, He gave me joy unspeakable and full of glory. He said, “You are mine!”   He loved me.

Today, let us remember the time of love… and know that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God.

IT'S A GIFT

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 9, 2012

IT’S A GIFT!

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Salvation in JESUS CHRIST is the best gift of all!  The blood of Jesus washes and cleanses us from all sin so that we can have communion with God.  What a blessing to be in the Lord, rapped in his eternal love and righteousness, saved from hell and the wrath of God and divinely protected against the wiles of the wicked one.  Salvation in Jesus Christ allows us to enter into the blessed Kingdom of God where we can bear fruit for our Father’s glory.  This salvation delivers us out of the world-- with all of its strife and confusion-- and gives us PEACE with God.  I am so grateful for this salvation; so, with my life… I will praise the LORD!

Today, if you have not yet asked Jesus for the gift of salvation, please open your heart and receive JESUS CHRIST today!

HIS WEAPONS DON'T WORK

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 7, 2012

HIS WEAPONS DON’T WORK

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.  Isaiah 54:17

Jesus will go to battle against our enemy, Satan.  He will surely destroy every satanic force which is positioned to destroy the church, and her faith.   Satan’s weapons, though they are great, don’t work.  Like Goliath opposing David, Satan is defeated. Have you ever had Satan send his lies out against you—creating strife, division, confusion and every evil work?  Have you ever had to simply stand still in the PEACE that passeth understanding until the Lord fights your battle? Have you ever seen Satan’s work turn to stone and stubble, or burn right before your eyes?  Have you ever seen God turn Satan’s schemes around: what Satan meant for evil God meant for good.   Yes, Satan is busy and getting a lot of press, but every weapon that he forms against us will fail, while we continue to flourish in Zion.  And all those tongues, those haters of God, that boldly rise up against us in judgment, we see that they are already condemned--for this is the servant of the Lord’s birthright because our life is hid in Christ and His righteousness is seen in us.

Today, God is for us!

SANCTUARY

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MARCH 5, 2012

SANCTUARY

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in thee O Lord, in the Sanctuary which thy hands have established.

The Holy Spirit draws the unbeliever to Christ and changes him, sanctifies him, makes him fit to be a child of God.  At that miraculous moment of change, where Christ is accepted and his atonement gifted to our account, the moment that we receive salvation, there the believer finds the Sanctuary of God.  The Sanctuary, held between the crucified arms of Christ and the stretched out arms of the Father, there is our space of peace, love, blessedness, joy, restoration, holiness.  Deuteronomy 33:27 says: "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." What wickedness shall touch you in the Sanctuary of God?  Your Lord shall destroy all foes. “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” (Psalm 91:9, 10).

Today, let us allow our souls to have holy rest in the holy Sanctuary of God. 

I'LL SHOW YOU

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, March 4, 2012

I’LL SHOW YOU

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.   James 2:18

What will you show the unbeliever?  What do you do that bears witness to the power of God? Our faith must be demonstrative; it must be alive, fruit bearing, extraordinary and miraculous.  Our faith is not just in word, but it is in the demonstration of the power of God; it must be in deed.    Constantly, our belief in God, our faith, must be evidenced by our work.  We shall not be normal or ordinary-- but peculiar, spectacular.  The world has never seen anything like us before.  Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.  Jesus came doing “good,” and we shall be busy in the same pursuit.

Today, let us show off our faith.

GOD SPEAKS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, March 1, 2012

GOD SPEAKS

And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob.  And he said, Here am I.  And he said, I am God, the God of thy father:  fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.   Genesis 46:2,3

Christianity allows us a privilege that no other religion offers: The incredible privilege of having a personal relationship with God.  That is the God of the universe; the Creator of life.

In this passage in Genesis, God introduces himself to Jacob by saying, “I am God.”  What an introduction!  Amazingly, God is still introducing himself  to us.  He is still considering us, entering into relationship with us, and still speaking to us.  Indeed, God wants to assure us that He has a plan for our life…though it may take a while for the revelation to become clear and even longer for the performance to become reality.  Yes, GOD SPEAKS!

Today, let us rejoice because God has not forsaken His people or His promises.