God Did!

But God so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He
quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
Ephesians 2:4-5 Amplified Translation

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…

Everybody say: “But GOD DID!”
God did what you could NOT do yourself! You could not do anything to save yourself except to receive what God has given you, His Son. There is ABSOLUTELY NO other way to be saved or to get to Heaven!! I cannot think of anything else I’d prefer God to be rich in besides His Mercy & His Grace. I know many of my failures, my shortcomings, sins, and transgressions. I know how I was before I received His mercy and grace. Without His mercy to pardon, and without His grace to send Jesus to redeem us back from our sin, I would be lost and without God, I would be on my way to a fiery eternity. Now, because of His rich mercy, my life is tied to Jesus’ future and not the one I earned for myself. I am, because Jesus did. I live because Jesus died (for me). There is NO other way! No other religion, no other god, no other road to Heaven except through Jesus Christ. There is ONLY ONE WAY!

MY PRAYER
Father of all grace and mercy, I give all thanks to You. I thank You for being such a loving Father and Lord. Thank You for extending Your grace when I have not deserved it. Thank You for giving Your mercy when I most needed it. Thank You for giving life when I thought my life was doomed and hopeless. May my health and wealth be found in Your mercy and grace much more than in money and gold. Help me, Father to be more like Jesus each and every day. Through my Lord, and my Saviour, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

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God’s 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…
Come boldly before God’s Throne of Grace!

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

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Don’t Hate People

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…
Do not hate people, hate only the evil they do!

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. Pray for those who’s lifestyles are immoral and who practice homosexuality and lesbianism. Pray that God will have mercy on them and show them the correct way, but don’t hate them. 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 and help them to see your light. Through my Savior, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

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Un-forgiveness or Offense

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…
Holding of un-forgiveness or offense in your heart.

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

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Accelerating Your Spiritual Growth!

“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. Read the above scripture again. 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 worse yet, 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 or elders 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

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Only Two Commandments!

‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31 New King Kames Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
That’s right ONLY 2!
Jesus has only given us only two commandments to follow! Read the scripture above again until you understand what Jesus is saying in it.

While most people think about only the Ten Commandments presented on stone by Moses, there were actually 613 laws or commandments in the Old Testament. No one could possible keep them all. Even just the ten! Now that we are living in the New Covenant Jesus has given us only two commandments to follow. Jesus makes it very easy for us, we do not have to remember a bunch of old laws. Get over it we no longer live by the 10 Commandments set forth in the Old Testament. Jesus did not do away with the old commandments, He simply stated if you will do these two new ones that I give you (as His Body, His Church) you will in effect fulfill the requirements of ALL the others. Jesus loves His Body like He loves Himself and all He wants is for us to demonstrate that love (His Love in us) to those around us always! Live life in the New Testament for Jesus!

Prayer…
Heavenly Father I ask You to help me understand the love that You have placed within me through Jesus. Help me Lord to live out and demonstrate that love to those I come in contact with on a daily basis. Lord, place within my heart Your compassion for Your people and help me Lord to be the image of You that You have made me to be.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen

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Something to consider when you feel like quitting. Message from the front:

TO: Commander and Chief Spiritual Armed Forces,
Jesus Christ
SUBJECT: Transfer

Dear Lord;
I am writing this to You to request a transfer to a desk job. I herewith present my reasons:
I began my career as a private, but because of the intensity of the battle You have quickly moved me up in the ranks. You have made me an officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private.
I realize that You have promised to supply all I would need for the battle. But Sir, I must present You a realistic picture of my equipment. My uniform, once so crisp and starched, is now stained with the tears and blood of those I have tried to assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I have walked trying to enlist, encourage, and instruct troops. My weapons are marred, tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from endless use. The words are now smeared and now difficult to read at times. You have promised You would be with me always, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so alone. I’m tired. I’m discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue and PTSD. I would never ask You for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I humbly request a demotion and transfer. I’ll file papers or clean latrines (bathrooms). Just get me out of the battle–please, Sir.

Your Faithful, but very tired, Warrior.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To: Faithful, but very tired, Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces of The Lord God
Location: The Battlefield
SUBJECT: Transfer

Dear Soldier:
Your request for transfer has been denied.
I herewith present My reasons:
You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I will keep My Word to supply your every need. You do not need a demotion and transfer. I have equipped you and anointed you. (You’d never cut it on latrine duty anyway.) You need a period of “R&R” –Renewal and Rekindling. I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is insulated from all sound and fully protected from the enemy. (Psalm 91) I will prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies. I will anoint your head with oil. (Psalm 23:5)
I will meet you there and I will give you rest.(Matt 11:28) I will remove your old equipment and “make all things new.” (II Cor. 5:17)
You have been wounded in the battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you.(Matt 12:15) You have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will strengthen you and be your strength.(IICor. 12:9) I will instill in you confidence and ability.(1John 5:14) My Words will rekindle within you renewed love, zeal and enthusiasm.(Prov 4:20-22)

Wait for me and I shall renew your strength and you will rise up and soar like an eagle. (Isa 40:31)
Report to Me tattered and empty. I will refill you and refresh you.(Eph 5:18)

Compassionately,
Your Commander-in-Chief,
Jesus Christ

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Who do you acknowledge?

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…
Who do you acknowledge for what you are and what you have in life, yourself, the world, or God? Do you credit yourself with your prosperity and well being, do credit the World, or do you give God the credit? 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

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Debt Free

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…
Jesus paid our debt!

This is not talking about your day to day bills and debts. This is the debt we owe to God. Jesus paid our heavenly 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

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Financial Woes

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…
What to do when you are in a financial bind.

Do you know what we, as Christians, are to do when we are in a financial bind or 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 Him. If you are NOT tithing somewhere you are being disobedient to GOD and His WORD PERIOD! That is NOT me telling you that, it God’s Word telling you that!
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!
Notice that in verse 11 God goes on to say what else He will do when you bring your tithes unto Him!

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! He has shown me many.)
Why? They are robbing God and themselves! See verse 11 above!
Are they ignorant, or do they just want the curse upon? Maybe they think it doesn’t apply to them or that they can get away with it.
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! Though that is where you give it.
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 collection 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.) And this they only do 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

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