Do you understand God’s Government system?

This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:6-7 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
This is God’s financial budget plan. First your tithe goes to God, 2nd you pay Caesar – what you owe, your bills, this includes your taxes etc. & what is necessary to run government, 3rd what is left is yours for living on. But where would we be without government, order and laws? While we may not like how the system functions today, what if we had no system at all? Can you imagine what society would be like then. If the governing authorities are from God and we do not submit to them, then we are in rebellion unto God. Remember that rebellion is the greatest of all sin! It’s what cost Lucifer his position in heaven and caused him to be cast out, to be known for ever more as the evil one, Satan. Pay authority to the office even if you do not like or agree with the man/woman holding the office. Then next election seek God and vote for candidate that you hear from God to vote for. If everyone would do the same before voting (instead of voting party lines) then God could put the person in office that He wanted there. If God was able to do this can you imagine how much better our government would be running! Wow!, A Godly government, just imagine that. Remember God has to use man to do His work here on Earth.

MY PRAYER…
Holy God, creator of all that there is, I thank You that I am free in You and belong to no man or power. Yet because I want Your name to be respected, I pledge to obey the laws of this land as long as they do not run directly in contradiction to Your will, which is Your Word. At the same time, I fervently pray that You heal our land, and restore to us devout men, Christian men, as leaders. Father, I thank You for our current President, a man not afraid to let the world know the he consults in You daily in all that he does. Father, continue to lead and guide him and all of his advisors, that we may lead Godly and peaceable lives in You. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Do you have confidence before God to come boldly before His Throne of Grace?

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
1 John 5:14-15 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Confidence before God, that’s an awesome feeling! Through the presence of Jesus in me, (the inner witness) at the Father’s right hand, and by the intercession of the Holy Spirit for us, we can have confidence before God. We can come boldly before the Creator of the universe and know that He not only hears us, but also cares for us (as any father would care for his children). The Bible tells us how to approach God, and there’s only one way, through Jesus. There is NO other way to approach God, NONE. No priest, no Shaman, no man’s idol, no not even through Mary. I didn’t say that, God did in His Word! One God, one Mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, and one final thing, if he hears our requests we know we have what we ask. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14) The asking must of course be according to His Word and His will for you.

MY PRAYER…
Abba Father, for the grace of Your listening ear I thank You more than words can say. You have given us Your Word that if we believe when we pray, and we ask according to Your will, then we can have what we say. For those that believe, we have confidence in Your Word. I thank You, Father, that You provided us with THE Mediator through which we can come boldly before Your Throne of Grace. That You made a way for us where there was no way. You gave us confidence through Him that loves us. In the authority of my brother and my Savior, Jesus and by Your grace and the power of Your interceding Holy Spirit, I offer You my praise, honor, thanks and love this day.
In Jesus name, Amen

Don’t hate people, hate only the evil they do!

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 97:10 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Ask yourself this question: Do I hate people, or do I just hate the evil they do and represent? Hate is a bold and powerful emotion as well as just a word . We must not hate people, but we are to hate evil. It’s a tough combination to pull off, but absolutely vital to our faith. Evil is here because of the evil one — the champion of hate, lies, and death (Satan). So when evil rears its ugly head, let’s be courageous and oppose Satan and his work. God’s Word says we already have the victory over the devil through Jesus. We just have to realize that and then walk it out in life. In the process, let’s pray for those trapped in Satan’s tentacles, even if they consider us enemies. This is what God directs in His Word. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

MY PRAYER…
Almighty God, make my heart grieved by the evil in my world. Give me the power to be strong against those things opposed to your will and your character. Yet Father, just as You redeemed me by grace, and rescued me while I was a captive to sin, give me courage to care about those who are in the evil one’s embrace. Grace me Lord to pray for those who are despitefully used by the evil one, help me to heap coals of fire upon their heads. Through my Savior, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

Do NOT hold un-forgiveness or offense in your heart!

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do not hold any un-forgiveness or offense in your heart against anyone. But, rather go to that person and confront them in person concerning the offense and ask forgiveness. Yes, even if it was they who offended you. You should not let the sun set on you with un-forgiveness in your heart. The Bible says it will give place to the devil! You as a Christian are to go them and ask forgiveness. We must not hold any un-forgiveness in our hearts. It opens the door to Satan and allows him to come and cause trouble. What is Jesus saying here? Notice that the two thoughts or sentences are connected by the word “but”, in other words one is dependent upon the other happening first. He’s telling us that if we hold un-forgiveness or offense in our hearts against anyone that God can NOT forgive us either! If God hasn’t or can’t forgive you, how can He answer any prayer that you offer up to Him? Having trouble getting answers to prayers lately? Let’s make a check, are we holding un-forgiveness toward someone? Let’s get our hearts right with God and with our brethren and our answers to prayer will come. BTW saying:”I forgive you, but I’ll never forget what you did!” is NOT forgiving and is still holding “Un-forgiveness!”

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. Father, Thank You that with a pure heart You hear my prayers, and I know if You hear them You will answer them. Father, thank You for purging me and helping me to remove all un-forgiveness, strife, envy, and anything else that is not a part of Your Love from me. Thank You Lord for filling me with Your Love, Agape love for people.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Do you want to accelerate your spiritual growth in the fastest possible way?

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man…and he will increase in learning.”
Proverbs 9:8-9 The Amplified Bible

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you want to accelerate your spiritual growth in the fastest way? Then you need to learn to take correction, from the Spirit of God and through His people when He sends correction through people. Most of us love it when our pastor preaches about something we already know, or about some aspect of life we’ve already submitted to the Lord in, we think he’s a great pastor. We like him because he makes us feel good. But let that same pastor stand up and begin to preach about something we’re doing wrong, or some area that we need to change in or turn over to the Lord for His help and we immediately put up a wall and begin to take offense. How dare him preach that! There will even be some who will get up and leave while he is yet preaching! How dare them leave, when God is trying to correct them! They can’t take or don’t want correction in their walk with God, they are not submitted to God’s correction in their lives. We have got to get over that and learn to esteem the gift of the pastor that has been given to us by God and learn to accept the Lord’s chastening through him. Or for that matter through any of the leaders the Lord has placed over us. We need to learn to receive that word of correction or guidance and begin to examine ourselves and ask the Lord; “Is that right? Does that agree with Your Word? Do I need to make some adjustments or changes in this area?” If any of the answers are yes, then make them and watch your spiritual life begin to flourish even more. A man once said, “If you think you’ve already arrived, you really aren’t going anywhere anyway.” Remember correction is not rejection, it is direction given unto perfection!

MY PRAYER…
Thank you, Father, for loving me and sending me Jesus to be my example. I ask, that by Your Holy Spirit, You help me to live the life that Jesus would have me to live. Father help me to allow the ‘Teacher’ to teach me Your ways and help me Lord to receive correction when correction is due. Lord I want nothing more than to grow and mature in You more each day. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray.
Amen

Who do you acknowledge for what you are and have in life, yourself, the world, or God?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you credit yourself with your prosperity and wellbeing, do credit the World? You should be acknowledging God, for He gives us our very breath and the ability to gain wealth! When things are tough and it seems like everything is going wrong, like everyone is against you, can you find it easy to turn and call on God and to lean on His mercy and grace? I must confess, when I’m reveling in His blessings and things are going super, I am so much like the Israelites and tend to forget to acknowledge that all the blessings I have and all the opportunities I have received are mine ONLY because of His grace and His mercy toward me. In our joy and success, we need to remember to acknowledge Him and thank Him for all He has done for us and for all we are enjoying. He has redeemed us and made our path straight. He has given us every good and perfect gift. And it is He who has come and saved us every time we have been down and out. That’s why only one set of footprints in the sand – He was carrying you! Then, we also need to remember to thank Him even when things are going bad around us, for in thanking Him we acknowledge Him and then He will help us!

MY PRAYER…
Gracious Father, every good thing I have in my life has come because of and from You. The family I have been blessed with, the protection I have received, the values that I now hold, the successes I have enjoyed, the hope I now have, the salvation I have received, and the future I anticipate are all mine because of Your grace and mercy, not because of my goodness or my works of the flesh. They are all mine because of what You did through Your Son and not the result of anything I have ever done. Thank You Father! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Through Jesus I thank You for ever more!
Amen

Why would you want to humble yourself?

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Humble yourselves. That sounds ridiculous, why would you want to humble yourself? At least to the world and those that believe “get ahead at all costs” and “don’t look back, the competition is gaining on you” it sounds ridiculous. But, humility is a forgotten virtue, a virtue God highly prizes in His children. Often confused with weakness or timidity; humility is really ALL about knowing your proper place in the spirit realm and in the world without flaunting it. Humility is about kneeling before God and saying “Not my will Lord, but Yours be done.” Being humble is NOT being weak or timid or letting people walk all over you. And it’s NOT about being poor and doing without so as to appear humble, that’s not humble – that’s just plain stupid ignorance and being poor, plain and simple. Being humble is about knowing that only God can exalt someone in a permanent way, so the key is to know your place before Him and let Him put you in the place He chooses for you, to honor Him. Jesus said, “…If any man DESIRE to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) That’s what humble is. If you want to be at the top in the Kingdom of God, then you must first humble yourself before God. You do not want God to have to humble you because you won’t humble yourself. That would be like a boulder falling on you, it would hurt big time!

MY PRAYER…
Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank You for allowing me into Your presence. When I think of all that You have done, the incredible universe You have made and hold together by Your Word and Your Spirit, I am amazed that You would invite me into Your presence and care about my needs. Thank You for knowing me and having a plan for my life to please You. Help me this day to glorify You in what I do and say. Let Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me in all things, teaching me Your will and Your ways. Lord keep me from pride and teach me to be humble before You. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

God Himself declares, there is no savior except Himself (Jesus).

“I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed … I, and not some foreign God among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.”
Isaiah 43:11-12 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
There is only one true and living God. All others are foreign and are but idols dreamed up in the minds of men. Men living a life of deception in a world of perversion, greed, and lusts of the flesh. And there is but one way to come unto the Father which is in heaven and that is through His Son Jesus. There is NO other way! All other ways are roads of deception unto a bitter end. Choose wisely for He has set before us life and death. The choice is yours. Choose life through Jesus Christ, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). All other so-called ways are but lies from the Devil and deception of men to make you think there are other ways. No Man comes to God any other way except through Jesus! I didn’t say that, God’s Word said that very clearly. God has set before us life and death and He told us to choose. He gave us the choice in the matter, but He told us also to choose life! Beware those who profess other Gods and other ways, they will lead you to death and destruction only!

MY PRAYER…
Oh Most High God, You have revealed Yourself unto me. Lord speaking by Your Spirit unto my spirit and confirming Yourself to me. Thank You Lord for showing me that there is no other God but You and that You and You alone are the way unto salvation. All other roads lead to destruction in the end. Thank You Lord for quickening my spirit and helping me to believe in You. Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your most Holy Son Jesus. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus I thank You for ever more!
Amen

Jesus paid our debt once and for all and now we owe only one thing.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
This is not talking about your day to day bills and debts. This is the debt we owe to God. Jesus paid our debt once and for all and now we owe only one. Thank God I don’t owe the debt for my sin, Jesus paid that in full with His Blood on the Cross. But I owe others the same love, respect and grace with which God has treated me! That is the debt I now owe, to live the life of Christ, since He lives within me and to share that love and life with everyone.

MY PRAYER…
Holy God who owns all things, I thank You for not just owning me, but for having bought me out of slavery, sin, sickness, disease, poverty, oppression, and death. Please re-kindle Your Holy love in my heart through Your Holy Spirit so I will be able to love others as You do. Father, give me the want to and the power to do so In Jesus’ name.
Amen

What are we to do when in a financial bind and in debt?

Bring the WHOLE TITHE into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Malachi 3:10 New International Version, but let’s continue to the next verse , which is conditional on your tithing also.
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;
Malachi 3:11 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you know what we, as Christians, are to do when we are in a financial bind and in debt?
Should we submit to God and give our tithes to Him first? Verse 10 above says that God says: “test me in this” this is the only place in the Bible where God allows us to test Him!
The Word of God says that the first fruits of our income belong to the Lord. If you are NOT tithing somewhere you are being disobedient to GOD and His WORD PERIOD!
Will God be trusted to provide for our needs in a tight financial situation if we tithe when it looks like we can’t afford to? Actually you can’t afford NOT to tithe – you just don’t understand that. Or will you be like the rest of the world and let money rule you? God has NEVER failed to come through for my wife and I NEVER!

The Word of God says if we will put the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first, then He
will see that all of our needs are met. (Matthew 6:31-34) Notice it’s needs not wants.
Too many Christians claim to know God’s Word and yet refuse to tithe. (Shall I name names here? I could!)
Why? They are robbing God and them selves! See verse 11 above!
Are they ignorant? Do they want the curse?
Have they let man offend them, or are they just letting money rule them? Remember the tithe is unto God, NOT to a man or the preacher or the church!
They sit and listen to the Word about tithing and give their amens and nod their heads that they understand the Word, and yet when it comes time to give their tithe or an offering they often just pass the plate on to next person. I could name names here because God has given me first names of those who claim to know the Word concerning Tithing and the difference between a Tithe and an Offering and yet they barely give even an offering (which is NOT a tithe, they are two different things) once in a while. But, He wants me to pray for them that they get a true Revelation of His Word, not enumerate them publicly.
Giving an offering once in a while is NOT tithing, it is NOT even in-line with His Word. We are supposed to have our tithes and offerings ready to give every time we come into the house of God according to His Word. And besides His Word says to give tithes AND offerings. They are different. Do you know the difference? A tithe is you move the decimal place one place to left in your check and that amount is a Tithe, and an offering is something you give above and beyond the tithe!
When you do not tithe and you know God’s Word says to, you are in disobedience and are rebellious.
You set yourself up for the curse to come in clean house on you.
You tie God’s hands and He can NOT do His part (Verse 11 above) because you have NOT done yours!

MY PRAYER…
Father God , I pray that You would continue to help us purge ourselves of the I and Me, and show us how to refill with more of Jesus. Help us, Lord, to lay our cares at Your feet, and to not get caught up in the things of this world, but that we would be doers of your Word. Father, You said in Your word, for us to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness and then You would add all these THINGS (things of the world) unto us. Help us lord to understand truly that in our hearts and to learn to bring unto that which is Yours anyway, That in so doing we will be able to receive Your Blessing back in our lives. Help us Lord, to maintain our spiritual well being first and foremost. I thank You, Father, for Your perfect grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen