Have you ever really just blew it?

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
“I blew it man!” I’ve messed up. I’ve sinned against my friends and my family and most importantly of all, against God. Come to think of it, we’ve all blown it at some point in time, we’ve all sinned, whether we think we have or not. In fact, we were all born with a sin nature the moment we came into this world. We didn’t then and we don’t now measure up to God’s standard. We’re not divine and we surely haven’t arrived at perfection. We might be decent, but decent won’t make the grade with God. We might be good, but good won’t pass God’s righteousness test. Only those who are without sin, the truly righteous, make it past the grave into everlasting glory. How then can a mere man make it? Thank God that His grace has been freely given and the price for our sin was already paid by Jesus on the cross for us. While I “blew it” and you “blew it”, Jesus redeemed us! Jesus put away our (yours, you who don’t think you’ve ever sinned) sin. It was put away, forgiven and forgotten by the Blood of Jesus that we might be the righteousness of God through Him. There by securing a place in heaven for us for eternity.

MY PRAYER…
Kind and Loving Father, thank You for being so generous with Your grace. Thank You for loving Your children so much that You made a way for us where there was no way or hope. You sent Your only begotten Son, the treasure of heaven, to pay the price for my sin, for our sin, once and for all. May I be as passionate for Your righteousness as You were in redeeming me from my sin. Through the Blood of Jesus I ask this.
Amen

Do you truly understand forgiveness?

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Luke 17:3-4 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Forgiveness! God is very concerned about forgiveness. After all He forgave all of mankind! He is also concerned with un-forgiveness because if you hold un-forgiveness against someone, then He cannot forgive you. I didn’t say that, He did in His Word! If He can’t forgive you then He can’t hear you and if He can’t hear you then He can’t answer your prayers to Him either. Jesus even told Peter that he should forgive not just seven times, but rather seventy times seven in a single day (490). Forgiveness is the key to walking in fellowship with the Lord and with your fellow brothers and sisters. Forgiveness opens the door to the blessings of God. Don’t say: “I forgive you, but I’ll never forget what you did!” That is NOT forgiveness, you have NOT forgiven.

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, thank You for giving me the power through Your Holy Spirit to forgive those who trespass against me. Thank You Lord, for forgiving me, for cleansing me of all unrighteousness through the precious blood of Jesus. Help me Father, to understand that I must come to You with a pure heart, because only with a pure heart will You hear my prayers. Now I know if You hear my prayers that You will answer them, for Your Word tells me this. Father, thank You for giving us the guidance and teaching through Your Holy Word to help us put away all un-forgiveness, strife, envy, and anything else that is not a part of Your Love. Lord by Your power that works within us, help us to walk in the same love for people that You have. In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen

Can you stand and praise God anywhere?

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
What better way to express our joy than with laughter and song. We sing to the Lord because we are joyful and thankful for all He has done for us! Not what is going on in our lives and in the world around us. Our music is not inhibited or held back, but exuberant and as full of heart as it is of sound. We praise Him with our whole being, all that we are. Just like David danced in the streets before the Lord. You can do it at sports events and concerts and no one cares, try being that exuberant when you praise God and see what happens. Thanksgiving and praise to Him is what brings us into the Father’s presence and it is our joy at the knowledge of what He has done for us that leads us to praise Him. Even if we are not musically inclined it’s okay. He said in His Word we could make a joyful noise unto the Lord. It’s our hearts that matter, not what we sound like. Remember He said, He would inhabit the praises of His people.

MY PRAYER…
Most wonderful and glorious Father, thank you so much for sending Your Son and saving me from sin, death, and the law. Thank you for saving me and giving me the assurance, through your Holy Spirit, that I can come before you with exuberant and overflowing joy. Your love and grace have not only given me hope but have made me your child, a son and an heir. Hear my heart and be blessed by my sounds of praise. Through the mighty name of Jesus I pray and because of Jesus I will shout your praise forever and ever.
Amen

Do you know how to receive God’s Blessings?

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Exodus 15:26 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you want the blessings of God in your life, do you want God’s divine health and healing in your life? He tells us in His Word how to get it. Trouble is most of us are too busy listening to the things (lusts and cares) of this earthly world to give heed to His voice and His will for us so that we can even know what He wants us to do. We don’t realize that He speaks to us in many different ways. Sometimes through a friend or co-worker, sometimes through an e-mail, or a phone call, sometimes by our Pastor, sometimes just by that still small voice in our spirit. That voice that most people call their conscious or their intuition. And always He speaks to us through His Word, His Word is always truth. Trouble is we very seldom listen, especially when we are too caught up in things that will one day (and soon) perish and pass away instead of laying up treasures and spiritual things in heaven. As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord! Oh let me also set the record straight. If you would study out the Hebrew/Aramaic of the verse above it actually says: “God will NOT allow to be put upon you these diseases, which I allowed to be put upon the Egyptians.”
God does NOT put sickness and disease on His people, but when His hand of protection is removed, then the sickness and diseases can and will come! The devil sees to that! Why would He put it on you if He is the God that heals thee? Don’t ever blame God for sickness and disease, find out instead why you are not under His covering and His protection from them.

MY PRAYER…
Father God, I thank You for giving us a choice in this life. We can choose Your way or we can choose the World’s way. You allow us to choose life or to choose death. But You tell us which one we should choose. Your way leads to life and health and all things that pertain to life and Godliness. The World’s way leads to sickness, disease, poverty, lack, death and eternal destruction. I choose life, Lord. I purpose from this day forward Lord to diligently pursue life and Godliness through You, Your Will for my life, and Your Word. Lord increase my strength in these areas through the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may have the power to overcome. Lord, help me to receive that which You have already provided through Your Son. Lord I receive Your healing and Your prosperity for myself and my family now here on the earth. Lord I realize that I can of myself do nothing, but that all things are possible through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen

Do you seek first God and His Kingdom in all you do?

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16 Amplified Bible

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, the cares of everyday life, the lust for things of this world, sickness, disease and death. Satan will take what ever opportunity we give him and he will exploit it, remember he only comes but to steal, kill, and destroy. Be careful that you do not leave even a tooth pick in the door for Satan to come through, he will wedge it open if you do! But God is immovable, un-stealable, un-corruptible, and unchangeable! When we invest ourselves in Him we can know our spirits are secure in His care, He is our fortress and a refuge. He changes not, nor will He ever leave us or forsake us as long as we press in and draw near to Him. If we seek Him and draw near to Him in the ’Secret Place’ He will hide & protect us under His wings (covering) from all that is going on around us. We must seek Him first and foremost above all else, yes even over our natural family, He is our Family. If we do, He said He will give us all those other things that everyone else is seeking. And He will be our Fortress and our Refuge.

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, Rock of my salvation, thank You for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank You for being the source of my security and my future in a day of chaos and change. Thank You for being God. My God. You are my God and in You I place my life, my hopes, and my future. May You be glorified in all I do and say. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen

Can you worship God in and from the spirit?

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Genuine worship is a gift, it is something we are given by the spirit when we are born again unto God. Since God is spirit (a spiritual being), since He is holy, we cannot fully approach Him without the free gift of His grace, the cleansing of His Son’s Blood, and the blessing of His Holy Spirit. As Christians who received His Spirit when we were baptized into Christ and born again of God’s Spirit, we can now speak to Him and worship Him spirit to Spirit. In fact, we can ONLY worship Him in spirit, our natural man can not communicate with His Spirit. But we must also worship him in truth, the true knowledge of who He is and what He has done for us will cause you to worship Him from your heart (your spirit man). Through this worship by the spirit you will truly come to know and have a personal relationship with God the Father!

MY PRAYER…
Abba Father, by the gift of Your Spirit I come to You as Your child. Thank You so much for giving, Your Son to redeem me, Your Holy Spirit to make me a new creation, and filling me anew each and every day with Your Holy Spirit so that I can approach You with confidence and know You hear the concerns of my heart. Please accept the worship of my heart, of my words, and of my actions. May the things I do today be done in spirit and in true knowledge of who and what You are in my life. May I bring You glory and Honor forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Jesus is the Great Reconciler!

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Be reconciled to each other before you offer anything to God. What is Jesus saying here? He’s telling us that the altar (our hearts, we are the temple of the living God under the New Covenant) is more important than the gift being offered. God is more concerned about our heart condition toward each other than He is about a gift or offering or sacrifice to Him. Make sure you have prepared your heart and that you come to Him having a pure heart, not holding any un-forgiveness toward anyone.

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, thank You forgiving me, for cleansing me of all unrighteousness through the precious blood of Jesus. Father, let me see the revelation of the teaching offered in these verses. Help me Father, to understand that we must come to You with only a pure heart. A heart that holds no malice or un-forgiveness, but only love. The Love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Father, take me and purge me with Your Refiner’s Fire and remove all un-forgiveness, strife, envy, and anything else that is not a part of Your Love from me. Father, make me a vessel You can use for Your Glory. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Did you know we are not to be Judges?

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 6:37 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
The Word of God instructs us not to be judgmental or condemning toward others lest we ourselves be judged. If we are so busy passing judgment and condemnation on others then we can not see our own transgressions and therefore we will also be judged by men and God. But God went even further than telling us not to judge or condemn. God would instead have us to forgive and to share love, His love with others. He would have us to forgive even our enemies through love, so that He can forgive us. (Mark 11:25) Not just say we forgive them, and then not let pass what we have against them, but to give it up and let it go, not remembering what we had against our enemies. You can not forgive something if you say to them: “I forgive you, but I’ll never forget what you did!” You must also forget it and let God deal with it or it is NOT forgiven! To actually pray for and bless them instead! Remember, God is Love!

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father in heaven help me to walk in Your love and forgiveness here and now on this earth. Father, by Your grace, let me not judge or condemn even an enemy of mine. Instead Father, help me to show loving kindness and forgiveness even in the face of scorn and malice, that they may know Your love. Father help me to produce the fruit of righteousness that will uphold and build up the reputation of Christianity before the world. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

God is like gravity, you can’t see it/Him but He still exists!

The fool says in his heart there is no God. Psalm 14:1 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
To deny there is a God would be like trying to deny there is gravity. You can deny it exists, but jump off a roof and I guarantee you it will prove to you that it does exist! You can deny God now, but on judgment day you will know that He exists, but it will be too late then to acknowledge Him as Lord!
How many of us have ever raised an angry fist to the sky, cursed the darkness, and denied there is a God or worse yet – cursed God! Each of these things is equally ineffective and really very futile. To believe that there is no God is only to rob ourselves of His Love, His mercy, His grace, His hope for our lives, and a heavenly future with Him for all eternity. How foolish indeed to forget or deny that behind a creation of wonder, beauty, greatness, unexcelled pattern, and kingly order is our God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein. The great I AM who was and is and will be forever. Who is far greater than His handiwork in us. Man didn’t just happen to come about nor did we come from some other species or crawl out of the ocean as some slime blob. God created man (us, you and I) in His likeness and in His nature for His great pleasure!

MY PRAYER…
Lord God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, thank You for being there, not just then, but for being with me today and everyday. Thank You Lord for creating me in Your likeness, breathing the breath of Your Zoe life into me, for giving me Your Spirit and placing in my character your character and being. Help me Lord to never forget that it was You who gave me life, and it’s You who give it more abundantly. There is only one God, one Jesus, & one Holy Spirit and you Father them all in one! In Jesus name I pray.
Amen

What can fill that void in our inner man and satisfy us?

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
What can truly fulfill and sustain us? What is there that can fill that void in our inner man (our spirit man) besides the one who created us and wants His spirit in us? Maybe the best way to answer these questions is by asking another. What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at the death of this flesh that we currently live in? When our bodies return to the dust of the earth that they came from, what will we have? You must realize that we are spirit and live for eternity as a spirit, only this earth suit that we live in, our earth home (our bodies) die. Only God and our relationship with God by our spirit will last beyond the grave, (or if you are not a Christian, the devil and Hell, there are only two choices.) If He is what lasts, then how can we displace Him for anything else that doesn’t last now?

MY PRAYER…
Mighty Yahweh, My Strength and My Shield, Keeper of the Covenant and Creator of all that was, is, and ever will be. You are my hope, my strength and my future, my “High Tower”. I live this day in wide open amazement that the keeper of the universe knows my name, hears my voice, and cares for me personally. That He has adopted me as one of His own and made me an heir to His Throne. Thank You Lord for being my past, my present, and my future, for being the Great I Am in my life. Through my Savior, Jesus, I pray.
Amen