Beware the company you keep!

I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate [closely and habitually] with unchaste (impure) people. – 1 Corinthians 5:9, The Amplified Bible

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Beware the company you keep! Yep, that’s right and it is from the Bible.
The company you keep has such an influence on your spiritual life. Fellowshipping with godly people will help speed you on to victory, while fellowshipping with those who are ungodly, immoral, LGBT, homosexual, or whatever will drag you down to defeat. That’s why God has said in His Word: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” ( Heb 10:25)

That’s why the Bible has some things to say about your friends. That’s why it tells you to separate yourself from the world. Because the world and its evil, immoral companions will corrupt you. This is not talking about ministry, where you are actively out ministering to the lost. Jesus Himself ministered to sinners. You have to mix with them to preach to them and pray for them. But, you NOT have to let them make you become like them! What the Bible is talking about here are the people you choose for your close friends. The people you spend your leisure time with. The people you buddy, buddy with on a regular basis.

If you want to walk in the things of the Lord, don’t choose friends who walk in the things of the world, people who talk and act ungodly, who don’t give God any place in their lives, people who lust after sex and money and other immoral things. They’ll pull you down. As you rub shoulders with them, you’ll expose yourself to temptation. You’ll get so familiar with sin it will start to appear less repulsive to you. Sooner or later, you’ll fall into it.

So choose your friends wisely. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim. 2:22 ) Fellowship with those who call on the Name of the Lord out of a pure heart. Expose yourself to their love and peace. Let their faith rub off on you!

MY PRAYER…
Father, I just want to thank You that You have sent Christ to me as an example of how to live and to love others. You said in Your Word that we should not forsake fellowship with each other. Father, let Your Holy Spirit give me the want to, the strength to, and the power I need to live by faith in You and what Jesus has already done for me. Strengthen me day by day as I walk with You. Lead and guide me into the “Christ-like” life style everyday. Show me how to avoid relationships with those who would distract me from the business You have for me, from the lifestyle that You would have me to live. Draw me ever closer to Your side and strengthen my spirit man from within. Help me to become God inside minded and to walk and talk as Christ did always. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

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Who’s Traditions Do You Follow

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men (change your thinking and cause you to stray from the Word of God), after the rudiments of the world (doctrines of men and of demons), and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8 King James Version Italics added to add clarity to what is being spoken.

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Which do you follow ‘traditions of men’ or the ‘Word’ of God? Some so-called churches are full of traditions of men and not Jesus. These are not desirable churches to spend time in.

Watch and pray, that’s what Jesus told His disciples in the garden. Lest you be deceived. You can’t just watch and you can’t just pray. You must do both! Take everything that comes your way: talk, videos, tapes, radio, television, church traditions, written correspondence, books, etc. and pass what it says or depicts through the ‘filter’. The filter of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for us. The Word of God. It doesn’t matter who or where it’s coming from, pass it through the filter! Paul warned the church at Galatia, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” I don’t care if it’s the preacher at the church your family has gone to since great-great-great-great-great grandpa, or if it’s your favorite televangelist, the priest at the local catholic church or methodist minister, or whomever. It doesn’t matter who is saying it, if it doesn’t line up with Jesus Christ and Him crucified for us, with the Word of God…chuck it out quick! There are tons of sayings out there that people attribute to the Word of God or the Bible that are just plain twisted scripture at best, some are just old wives tales and they are NOT God’s Holy Word or in the Bible! There are some scripture that are not God’s Word or desires for you, but are just thing said by men and cited for reference in the Bible. Know what you are hearing and reading. There are even some teachings in churches and by so-called pastors that do not come from the Word of God at all in anyway, don’t allow them to get planted in you! Guard what you allow to pass through your eye gate, your ear gate, and to come out of your mouth gate. Check it yourself with your own Bible. Because whatever passes through these gates is what gets into your heart. Do NOT be deceived into following the traditions of men or the”church”, make sure it is really from the Word of God! Remember, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” “Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, help me to put a guard on my heart. Help me Father by giving me the wisdom and revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for me. Let Your Holy Spirit always remind me to pass everything through Your Holy filter. That I may discern that which is of true value and is truly edifying according to Your Word. And to be able to shut out, turn off, or otherwise disconnect from that which is not in line with Your precious Word.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

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Many Take The Easy Way!

“Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSES…
The world wants an easy way (the wide gate and the broad way, the worldly way, the I don’t have to do anything EASY way.) Most of the churched people just want a Savior only, if that (fire insurance against the coming fire of judgment) but not a Lord of their life. A true Christian is one who wants Jesus to be the of their lives. A Lord is one who governs our lives in all aspects. Most are not willing to allow Jesus to be their Lord as well as their Savior, and He must be your Lord before He can truly be your Savior! Most still want to do the things of the world all week long and then come on Sunday morning and expect God to bless them. Some even only make it to church once in a while or on special occasions and still think He should be their Savior. But Jesus wants you fulltime, He wants a daily fellowship with you. The way to the full and righteous Life and to Godliness is narrow and the only way in is through the narrow gate, through Jesus. There is ONLY ONE way in to the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) He also said in His Word: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25) Both of those are pretty clear to me, there is no other way to the Father or to everlasting life, except through Jesus! NO other religion or NO other prophet, or NO other so-called god or great white spirit is going to get you there, only Jesus. And we are supposed to be a part of a congregation or fellowship, a church, as we call it today! Not loners – loving Jesus by ourselves! That is NOT His Way! And certainly not forsaking Him and living in sin and immorality as is most of the world today. Those who practice sin and immorality will be judged accordingly on judgment day and it cannot be avoided.
The New Testament is clear, a Savior who is not Lord also is not a Savior and no friend. It has to be more than just knowing about Jesus and God. It has to be knowing them personally and daily! Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, speaking doctrines of men that are not found in the Word of God, or are the Word of God twisted and misaligned for their purposes. These are nothing more than ravenous wolves whose sole purpose is to lead you astray where they can devour you. You shall know them by their fruits. Let’s not only make Jesus Lord and Savior, let’s live in a way that shows that He controls our lives and that His Spirit within us produces our character, which is His character, from within.

MY PRAYER…
Most Holy Father, these are my hands, my feet, my tongue, my body, and most of all my heart. I present them to You this day, from this day forward please take control of my life and my will so I may be wholly yours, not just in word, but in thought and in deed as well. Today Lord, I lay my life and my will at Your feet and I take up Your life and Your will for me.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen

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Being Full Of The Godhead

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted
people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically,
through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your
being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the
divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God
Himself]!
Ephesians 3:17-19 Amplified Version (I turned up the volume so you could hear what God was saying to you!)

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSES…
Being full of the Godhead, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit!
Love that surpasses knowledge. That’s very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you begin to experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you begin to understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all His great riches, a full sibling (brother or sister) to Jesus Christ the Lord, and you know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase. The Love God has for His children. To stand in His great and awesome presence fully accepted and fully received! UNCONDITIONAL LOVE – Love that isn’t dependent on us doing something to earn it. Just making Jesus our Lord and believing in Him. Just let God touch you now with His awesome love.

MY PRAYER…
Holy and incredible Father, help me to know in my soul the love that is greater than words can ever tell. Help me to have the knowledge so that I may not only be like You, but that I may know You in experience just as I know You in faith. That I may be filled with all the fullness of You and have the richest measure of Your divine presence, being wholly filled and flooded with You Yourself. Father that I may be so full of You that anyone gazing on me will see nothing but Your light shining forth. That I may bring Glory and Honor unto to You.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

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Love is more than a 4 letter word that means lust!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Love is NOT lust or SEX or even a sexual act, they are just lust or sex!

Notice that love does not focus on me or on self, but instead the focus is on others. Each of the qualities of love in the verse above is based upon an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others of value and not self first. It is an unconditional love. It is a God kind of Love. These principles are based on the way Jesus saw people. The Jesus kind of Love is the basis that makes our faith work. Did you ever notice that the middle of the word “sIn” is a big I! Did you know that I is one of the most commonly used words in the English language today! Too many times we let our self (our EGO, the “I”) get in the way and we forget to walk in love. Love someone today, with the ‘AGAPE’ love of God through Jesus. Put the I in your ego aside for once and see others as Jesus and the Father sees them. Through the Father’s Love. Love for someone is laying down yourself for the sake of them. Doing for them MORE than you would even do for your own self!

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father, teach me to notice others and value them just as You do. I know You loved me when I was not lovable, and redeemed me when I was not worthy. Help me to take my eyes off myself and see others as You see them. Help me to love others as You love ALL mankind. Father, give me the will to and the want to, to be able to change in the area of walking in love.
In Jesus’ name, Father, I pray.
Amen

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Commanding Your Angels

For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do know that you have angels that are assigned to you and for your use and benefit.

Well, it’s time we set the record straight about angels. Angels are not kid stuff, they’re not cute little fat babies with long blonde hair and bows and arrows in their hands. They are not those of our family that have gone on to heaven before us. Human beings do NOT become angels when they go to heaven, we are already ‘saints’ here on earth in Daddy’s eyes once we become a Christian! Angels are a separate created being, NOT a human. They are a creation of God the Father just as we are, but they are a separate creation. They are real, they are big, they are powerful, and they are God’s messengers and His warriors! They are also spirit beings like God. That’s not what I say they are, that is what God’s Word says about them and we need to set the record straight about who they are. And, if you are a believer, they are a vital part of your life. They are available to us for our protection and to do our bidding, as long as it’s in line with God’s Word. (“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (believers)?” (Heb 1:13-14 KJV) ) Are you born again, are you a believer in Jesus Christ, if you are then you have angels at the ready, waiting for you to beckon them to do something. I think it’s time we start calling on them to assist us in the things of God. They are standing by at the ready, but can not do anything until you tell them what to do! I use them on a regular basis. They have always came through when my requests lined up with God’s Word! I have seen them work on my behalf more than once, after I commanded them into action. But, they can not do anything for you until you command them in line with God’s Word!

MY PRAYER…
Lord I thank You that You have given Your angels charge over me, that they keep me in all thine ways. I thank You that I can speak forth Your Word and the angels of heaven will go forth to harken unto that word and make it happen. Lord I thank You that when I am weak You are strong and Your angels will come and minister to and for me. Help me to understand the true meaning of Your Word, Your Covenant, and Your Promises. Help me Father to use those tools, including Your angels, that You have given me to use in this life. In Jesus mighty name, I pray.
Amen

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God is not your problem!

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Hosea 14:9 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE
God is not your problem, He is your answer!
A wise man understands the ways of the Lord and His wisdom is the wise man’s wisdom, a prudent man knows the ways of the Lord for the Lord is His Shepherd. Why would a wise man want to understand or know the ways of the Lord? Because the JUST shall walk in the ways of the Lord (the just shall live by faith!), not just talk it, but live it every day. Are you one of the ‘Just’? Have you been ‘Justified by Jesus? Then I would think you would want to know of the Lord’s Ways and have His wisdom in ALL that you do. How does one understand and know the ways of the Lord? Through His Word, through a personal daily relationship with the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. If you want to understand and know God’s will for your life, you have to read, study, and meditate His Word for yourself daily. You have to have a personal, daily, no a constant relationship with Jesus! You have to be filled with His Holy Spirit (the Teacher, the Guide, the Counselor, The Helper) so that He can give you revelation of the Word of God. You have to pray and fast regularly and listen to the voice of God when He speaks to you. You can’t rely on someone else’s reading, speaking, or experiences, you must get in there and find out for yourself, truly experience God, and let God speak to you through His Word and His Spirit. God can’t do anything for you until you release your faith for Him to work through you. God is not your problem like many people think, He is your answer!

MY PRAYER…
Father I pray that You open the eyes of my understanding and flood my heart(my spirit man) with the hope of Your calling for me, that You reveal to me what is that glorious inheritance You have given to Your saints and heirs of salvation. That You reveal in my heart the exceeding greatness of Your power given to us who believe according to the working of Your mighty power. That power that You demonstrated in Christ when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all the principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named (this includes all disease and sickness and poverty and bondages), not only in this world, but also in the world which is to come. Thank You Father, that I have dominion, through Jesus, NOW IN THIS WORLD over all disease and sickness and poverty and bondages. How You, Father, have put all things under Jesus’ feet and have made Him the head over the Church, which is His body, yes WE are HIS body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Father for this reason, seeing the greatness of this plan of Yours, by which I am built together with in Christ, I bow my knees before You and give You all praise and all glory forever and ever.
In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray.
Amen

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Being Justified Before God

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Nothing, absolutely nothing that you can do will justify you in the sight of God. No works of the “Law”, no being “goody two shoes”, not even caring for the poor and homeless can justify you before God. Not depriving yourself and living poor and destitute, not inflicting self pain and suffering, nothing. Not strapping a heavy wooden cross to your back and traveling around the country side, NOTHING you can do justifies you. You can keep every one of the Ten Commandments, “the Law”, all your life and still not be justified in the eyes of God. There is only one thing that justifies you before God and that is your faith in believing what Jesus Christ has already done for you through His death, burial, and resurrection and making Him the Lord of your life! This being done, Jesus will then stand before the Father on our behalf and proclaim, “Father, Pastor Duane, he’s one of mine!” So that brings up the next question, are you one of the just, are you one of Jesus’ that He will declare before the Father as His? Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life? Do you live by faith or by the ‘works’ of the “Law”, the works of the flesh, and the works of the religious ones (Pharisees and Sadducees were religious ones, they were not the just)? The Bible says: “The just shall live by faith!”
Will Jesus declare you as His before the Father?

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father, I know that I was not worthy for You to justify. But You loved me so much that You gave Your very best to pay for my sin. You sent Your mercy and Your grace through Your Son Jesus, when You sent Him to take my place, there on the cross. You sent Him to bear my punishment, my sickness, my disease, and my poverty. All these are results of the curse I was under because of the “Law”. I didn’t deserve your grace, I didn’t even ask for it. But You did it anyway and all You asked was I believe in Your Son, believe that He died, was buried, and was raised on the 3rd day for me. You only asked that I believe that You exist and that You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek after You. Father, I love You and I give You all praise and glory forever. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray.
Amen

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Christian Fruits

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.
2 Corinthians 13:5 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Are you displaying the fruits of Christian faith?
When a person says they are a Christian what they are really saying is that they are in “The Faith” of Christianity. Christianity is “The Faith”. They are saying that Jesus lives and flourishes inside them. They are saying they are Christ like in all they do and say. They are saying they have a day to day personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, that they really know Him! In fact you cannot be a Christian, saved and going to heaven unless you are in faith and abiding in Christ and His Word. For it is by grace through “faith”, that you are saved (Eph 2:8). You are not a Christian just because you go to a church on Sunday morning, or once a week and have a Bible on your bookshelf or coffee table. No, you are a Christian only because you have Christ living inside you, because He is your Lord, because you are fellowshipping with Him daily, and because you are living a Christ like lifestyle everyday. Knowing about Christ Jesus will not make you a Christian, you must personally know Jesus. Christian means Christ-like or Christ-inside! Are you displaying the fruits of that faith? We should be, if we are calling ourselves Christians. Or are you an actor (hypocrite), pretending to be holy and a Christian, going to church on Sunday, but then living like the rest of world the rest of the week. The fruits of your life will show us and the world, and God which you are. You can not hide your fruit, especially from God.
Are you displaying the fruits of Christian faith?

MY PRAYER…
Father, I just want to thank You that You have sent Christ to me as an example of how to live the live of faith. You said in Your Word that the “just” shall live by faith. So if I am just (in right standing with You because of what Jesus did for me) then I need to be living by the faith. Father, let Your Holy Spirit give me the want to, the strength to, and the power I need to live by faith in You and what Jesus has already done for me. Strengthen me day by day as I walk with You. Lead and guide me into the “Christ-like” life style everyday. Show me those things that need to change and be removed from my life. Draw me ever closer to Your side. Help me to become God inside minded and to walk and talk as Christ did always. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

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Sowing vs Reaping

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
What kind of sowing are you doing? Before you can reap you must first sow!
Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren’t many peace sowers! Just watch those around you and you’ll see what I mean. Heavenly wisdom is full of the fruits of sacrificial action, the action of sowing in peace. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know, but indeed it’s what you sow! AND, in knowing what not to sow. Because you can’t change the spiritual or natural laws of “sowing and reaping!” You will reap what you sow. Are you sowing for a loving peaceful harvest? Or are you sowing worldly wisdom, which really isn’t wisdom in the long run, but is instead folly. God wants us to embrace His Godly wisdom, not the world’s wisdom.
What kind of sowing are you doing? God’s kind? Before you can reap of God’s goodness you must first sow His kind of sowing!

MY PRAYER…
Holy and Wise Father, thank You for demonstrating purity, peace making, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, sincerity, and most of all love through Your Son Jesus. I ask You to continue to fill me with Your power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities as I seek to live more like Jesus.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

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