Devotion: Graduate Level Christianity
 

Graduate Level Christianity


"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew. 5:44).

There was a man who had become a friend and mentor to me, but a conflict arose between us that we were unable to resolve. I never imagined that this man would go from being one of my best friends to an enemy. I asked God to show me how I should treat this man, and the words of Jesus came to mind, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

"Lord," I said, "surely you don't mean I'm to love this man! Not after the way he's hurt me and refused to reconcile!"

As I argued with God, I remembered that Jesus, before He was betrayed, got down on his knees and washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, His enemy. The moment that scene came to my mind, I knew what God was calling me to do. I had to wash the feet of my Judas. This man who had been my friend and mentor had also been a client of my advertising agency. He was a Christian author and speaker, and I decided to bless this man by continuing to promote his ministry and his books.

Did he ever come back to me and reconcile? Yes, seven years later. But even if he had never reconciled with me, I knew that I did what God called me to do. I washed the feet of my Judas. I passed the test.

God doesn't promise that if we forgive there will be a happy ending. He doesn't promise that the man who refuses to pay a bill will suddenly write a check. He doesn't promise that the one who rejects reconciliation will instantly soften his heart. Jesus forgave his executioners, but that didn't keep them from nailing Him to the cross.

The Graduate Level Test is not about getting the results we want. It's about proving that we trust God enough to forgive our Judases. It's a graduate-level course in Christian obedience. But I believe that every leader whom God uses in a significant way must pass the Judas Test.

God wants to know if we are willing to be imitators of Jesus. How can we say we are followers of Christ if we won't wash the feet of our Judases?

Devotion: Joy of the Lord
 

Joy of the Lord


"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" 1 Peter 1:8 (KJV)

Every Child of God, because of the filling of the Holy Ghost, has inside of their hearts a joy that is SO Great that it is unspeakable! In other words, there is no way to explain it by worldly means or words. Now I agree that there are people, who proclaim to be a Born Again believer, but yet their faces show gloom and their actions show doom! I believe some people instead of being saved, they have got religion instead, and it is for that reason they do not know the Joy of the Lord!

Now, if one has truly been saved, let the world know it by the glow on your face and the words of encouragement from your mouth. Let the redeemed say SO!

Devotion: God is the God of Sucess
 

God is the God of Success


"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

Our God is a God of success. You are created to be a success. Success is rooted in our relationship with God, not in our abilities. When our abilities are separated from our relationship with God, success is short-lived.

"All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you" (Deuteronomy 28:2-8).

Sometimes God allows you to fail in order for you to succeed. Each of us must first experience our own death and resurrection from our old nature. This is for you to learn Who the source of true success is. You will be amazed how easy success will come when your life is in proper alignment with the purposes of God.

Today, reaffirm your commitment to follow His ways in all that you do. This will ensure God's purposes will be fulfilled in you.

Devotion: Riches of Christ
 

Riches of Christ


Ephesians 3: 8 "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

"The Unsearchable Riches of Christ!" I truly believe that every child of God underestimates the Riches of their Salvation. Once a person becomes born again, they are adopted into a Royal family, the family of God, who is the Father. The Children of God need to understand that God OWNS IT ALL and we, the Children inherit all that is our Fathers.

Oh, the world may look at me now and say, "What is so royal about him?" Well I can answer that question this way, "Hey, I don't have much that one can see down here, but just wait until I get to Heaven, and you will see just how Royal I am!"

You know, even though Heaven awaits God's Children, I can gladly say that the benefits of being a child of God is real and available today while I am sojourning on this earth. God walks with me, he talks with me, and He takes care of me and provides for me, EVERYDAY! Friends, it is incomprehensible, the Riches of Christ. All I can say is I am glad that I am SAVED!

Devotion: THE FENCE
 

THE FENCE
By Bill Money

Deuteronomy. 4:40 ÔÇ£Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, forever.ÔÇØ
And make straight paths for your feet . . . Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:ÔÇØ (Hebrews 12:13-14)

Now that summer has ended, Mary Lee has put her chickens in the fenced Garden Yard.

Our home and yard are surrounded on three sides by a six-foot chain-link fence; the Garden Yard is a fenced area within the chain-link surrounding the back yard.

A few nights ago, I was awakened by the sound of coyotes singing out in the alfalfa field. There is an animal highway that runs outside our land from the woods along the river to the interior part of our little town, and the coyotes were right along that highway, within feet of the Garden Yard chicken coop.

Her chickens have no concept of how important that fence is to them. If they think about it all, they are probably annoyed that the fence prevents them from getting to the neighborÔÇÖs alfalfa field, where there are lots of bugs!

But that fence also protects them from hungry coyotes. They heard the coyotes, and the coyotes were indeed close by, but the chickens were protected by a fence they did not understand or even comprehend.

We are very much like the chickens. (Compared to God, I am nowhere near as smart as a chicken.)

God erects fences in our lives to protect us from harm, often from harm that we know nothing about.

We don't understand the fences and are usually annoyed by them. We complain about them and seek ways to work around them so we can get to whatever is attractive to us on the other side.

But those fences are for our good and protect us from evil that would destroy us.

This is one of those places where trusting the Lord is so important. We need to choose to trust that He loves us.

We need to choose to trust that He knows what is best and is doing the best for us, personally. We need to trust and respect His fences.

He describes some of His fences in the Scriptures: do not commit adultery, stay out of debt, do not lie, donÔÇÖt cheat anyone, do not be lazy, etc. That is one reason we need to be studying the Scriptures on a daily basis, to know His fences and respect them.

There are other fences, specifically for each of us individually. We need to be in prayer on a daily basis, watching for Him to identify a fence and to tell us "Don't go there". We need to respect and honor the fences He has put up.

So make your prayer life deep and your study of Scripture profound. Pay attention to what God is telling you and obey Him.

And, praise Him for the fences.

Devotion: Going Against Public Opinion
 

Going Against Public Opinion


"On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, 'No! He is to be called John.' They said to her, 'There is no one among your relatives who has that name.'" (Luke 1:59-61)
.
Have you ever had to go against public opinion or advice from family members or peers? Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. It was time to name the child. Tradition said the name would be in honor of a family member. The family members were insistent. When Elizabeth didn't agree with them, they appealed to Zechariah who supported Elizabeth.

Zechariah was told by the angel Gabriel the name was to be "John." They were being obedient to the Lord's command which went against tradition and public opinion.

We live in a day when leaders are often driven more by public opinion than what is right. We are each called to live a life based on obedience-based decisions, not public opinion. Living a life of obedience will often go against the tide of public opinion. Jesus lived a life based on a purity of purpose and mission. The Pharisees wanted Him to conform to the rules of religious tradition. The result was He died because He lived to obey an audience of One, not public opinion.

Are you challenged to live a life of conviction versus pleasing others? Be true to what God has called you to do no matter the cost.

Devotion: GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL
 

GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL

"Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Looking around the world, watching and listening to the News channels, one would think that everything is out of control and God is NOWHERE to be found. As we look at the behavior of people today of people in America it is clear to see that many have deserted the Lord and His ways. But I am glad to report to everyone, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!

Some may fear that the Lord is somewhere in a corner of Heaven wringing His hands wondering what to do, but friends God knows everything that is going on and God is STILL on the Throne having the last word in everything! So, let your hearts be at ease, the same God that made the world with His hands, He is Still in Control, Praise God.

Devotion: I Can Do It Myself - Lies of the Adversary
 

I Can Do It Myself - Lies of the Adversary
Bill Money

Jesus: "without Me you can do nothing." John 15.5
Us: "Thank You for the guidance, Lord. Now I understand what You want me to do. I can handle it from here. I'll let You know if I need any help."

We would never admit saying this, but this is what our behavior looks like.

Once we get a glimpse of what God wants us to do, we go galloping down the road, leaving the relationship in the dust. Then, a little ways down the road, we find the bridge over a deep canyon is washed out. As we then slowly backtrack, we come to Jesus standing at a fork in the road.

He says to us: "Why do you not believe the Scriptures to be true? Why do you think you can do something of significance for the Kingdom without Me?"
We respond: "Forgive me Lord. What would you want to do through me?" He says: "Take this fork, and I will ride with you, I will give you the capability to cross the deep canyon."

The priority is the relationship, not the completion of the task. Jesus is much more interested in building the relationship with us than He is in having us complete the task. That relationship is so important to Him, that He will remove our ability to complete the task if we are attempting to do the task without Him.

But the adversary lies to us, saying: "You can do this on your own. You don't need any help. Didn't God give you a brain? Use your competence and experience to get this job done And so, he entices us to eat the apple " and you will be like God." (Genesis 3.5)

But the Scriptures teach us the truth, with Jesus telling us: "without Me you can do nothing." (John 15.5) And, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4.13)

The truth is, we can do nothing that matters for the Kingdom unless Christ does it through us. On our own, we can create a lot of dust and activity - but, it has no eternal value and none of it will matter in the long term.
I don't know about you, but I want my life to count for something. I don't want to spend my life doing nothing of value for the Kingdom. And that which is of value must have Christ doing it through me. Don't let the lies of the adversary steer you into the ditch.

In your time of prayer, seek to know the truth of the Scriptures and seek Christ to do His work through you, so that your work matters for all eternity.

Devotion: Asking the Question
 

Asking the Question


"You are not your own, for you were bought at a price." (1 Corinthians 6.19b ÔÇô 20a)

"Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price: do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7.22b-23)

If we are not our own, whose are we? Who bought us? It is Jesus who bought us, at a very expensive price (our businesses are also part of the package.)

Are we just friends of Jesus (John 15.15) or are we also bond slaves to Christ (Romans 1.1)? If bond slaves, then who controls our schedule? If I have been purchased, who determines how I spend my time? Is it not my owner?

This is very sobering. We are used to setting our own schedules and doing what we want. But I am no longer free to set my own schedule or make my own decisions. Jesus said I had to give up everything to be His disciple (Luke 14.33). That includes my right to set my own agendas and schedules.

This realization calls for three steps we need to take daily. The first is to consciously surrender our schedules to Christ and seek to be His disciple.

The second is to ask Him what He would have us do. Every major decision should be taken to Christ. Third, we must obey what He has told us to do. Our desires, what I want to do, are not of importance or significance. I am not my own, I have been bought with a price, and I gave up everything to follow Christ.

Extensive time in prayer in the morning is so important. We have to have time to surrender our schedule to Christ, ask about the issues and opportunities facing us, and then sit quietly while He impresses on our hearts what He wants us to do.

How else can we be effective for the Kingdom (John 15.5)? How else will we hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant"?

Devotion: Out of Control
 

Out of Control

ÔÇ£When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. . . But Jesus immediately said to them: ÔÇÿTake courage! It is I. DonÔÇÖt be afraid.ÔÇÖÔÇØ (Matthew 14:25-27)
Jesus dismissed His disciples to head by boat to the other side of the lake. He went by Himself to a mountainside to pray. Later, a storm on the lake caused waves to crash against the disciplesÔÇÖ boat. They were terrified when Jesus walked to them on the storm-tossed water. They thought He was a ghost! He spoke soothing words to them: ÔÇ£Take courage! It is I.ÔÇØ

That reminds me of one night when my friend heard the police dispatcher call out instructions for officers involved in a "chase." As a chaplain, he jumped in his car and headed for the scene. A crash had occurred and one of the officers was injured, pinned in his squad car. He asked God to help him with the right words as he walked over to the car. God provided that night as he ministered to the man caught in an out-of-control situation. He and the officer became good friends, sharing faith in the Lord.

When we find ourselves in out-of-control situations, we can go to the One who is always in control and He promises to help us.
When people are driven to the edge, Jesus brings an alternative to the disappointments of life

Devotion: Memories of My Father
 

this is the best one he has written, you need to read it twice to grasp it all.

I hope my children can say this about me:
He had a reputation for integrity and fairness

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Memories of My Father


My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. (Proverbs 3:1)
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. (Proverbs 4:1)

It is only in the passing of time after death that we understand the value of a life well lived. That is certainly the case with my Dad. He went to be with Jesus in September 1975 and every day as I grow in my faith, I see more of the impact of his life. So, this FatherÔÇÖs Day is a special one to me. Yes, I remember the day our son was born when I became a father for the first time.

Being a father is a special gift and having a father is something that each of us should cherish for a lifetime. I pray that God will help me be a great Dad that my children will remember and that my love for them and God will go forth in them. I ask for forgiveness for the things I did or didnÔÇÖt do and any failure in this responsibility that God gave to me.

My Dad was a Pastor of a small holiness Church and he loved God with all his heart and he not only spoke about his salvation but lived it for everyone to see. There are many who are forever grateful for DadÔÇÖs flexibility and sensitivity to GodÔÇÖs leading. Many lives have been changed by his obedience to God and remember DadÔÇÖs encouragement, prayers, and gifts at just the right time.

He had a reputation for integrity and fairness and was always there when someone in our neighborhood needed prayer, a box of food, or a helping hand, no matter whom, no matter when.

Dad was generous to a fault. While never spending much on himself he loved to give to others. He would quietly give to family members, widows, pastors, missionaries, and those in need that he encountered. He would rarely share this even with his own children, but would give silently behind the scenes to many.

He made his relationship with Jesus and his family a continual priority. He taught all of his children the value of hard work, giving, spending wisely, and most of all his love for God. Dad loved for God caused him to spend many hours in GodÔÇÖs Word in preparation.

Dad never lost his hunger for GodÔÇÖs Word. Cancer may have taken his health but nothing could take his love for God and family. He had a joy and a laugh even up until his last days. He finished well and left a tremendous legacy for his children, grandchildren, and his many great-grandchildren.

A life well lived! What a gift to all of us in the family on this FatherÔÇÖs Day. On FatherÔÇÖs Day my Dad is with his Heavenly Father. That is the greatest gift that any father could ever receive. I am thankful for his life, his legacy, and his influence on my life. I just pray that I will be able to impact those in the future generations as my Dad has influenced me. Thank you, Dad, for modeling to me a relationship with our Creator who is the best Father of all.

To all of you out there with a dad don't waste time. Tell him you love him and give him a big hug and a kiss. Don't wait until he's gone to understand him better. Take the time to understand him now. That's the best gift a dad could ever get.


HAPPY FATHERÔÇÖS DAY TO ALL FATHERÔÇÖS

Devotion: Clipping the Wings
 

Clipping the Wings


"His ways are not our ways" (Isaiah 55:8-9)

A friendÔÇÖs wife, Mary Lee recently moved her small chickens from the portable chicken coop (ÔÇ£chicken tractorÔÇØ) into the main coop and chicken yard.

The chicken yard is not covered. So, before she moved the birds into the chicken yard she clipped the flight feathers from their wings. She clipped just enough off the feathers to prevent flight.

Those feathers will not grow out again until the bird molts. If the birds flew out of the chicken yard into the garden, there would really be no problem. She would simply capture the bird and put it back in the chicken yard. But, there is an alfalfa field behind our house that we do not have easy access to. There is also a major coyote runway through that field.

If a chicken flew out of the chicken yard and over into the alfalfa field at night or early morning a coyote might get it before it could be rescued.

Therefore, Mary Lee performed a significant service to the birds by clipping their flight feathers. But they don't realize that. They are probably simply frustrated that, before they could fly around the chicken tractor and now they can't fly at all. They have no concept of the risk and danger that awaits them in the alfalfa field.

We are often the same way. God will ÔÇ£clip our wings" to keep us from doing an activity that would be very harmful for us, perhaps would terminate our life or the lives of others.

We may complain and struggle over something that has been removed, with no concept of the significance of the danger and the incredible blessing of God's care over us, even in the clipping of our wings.

The key to all of this is trusting God and believing that He really loves us, as shown by Jesus on the cross. If we are really convinced that He loves us, then we won't fight against His clipping of our wings.

If we firmly believe that "God works together in all things for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes" then we will rejoice in the clipping of our wings because we know that God is choosing to work it for our good.

This is why it is so very important to be studying the word of God every day and spending time with Him in prayer. Then we come to know Him and begin to grasp His character and His overwhelming love for us.

We begin to appreciate that "His ways are not our ways" (Isaiah 55:8-9) and we begin to trust Him. EVEN when He clips our wings.

Devotion: The Place of Nothingness
 

The Place of Nothingness


"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

Do you find yourself in a place of nothingness? There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of isolation and waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.

During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is a place of nothingness designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something" while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this place when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.

Many people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot see what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.

Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life.

Devotion: A Reflection on Wisdom
 

A Reflection on Wisdom

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.ÔÇØ Isaiah

The Bible says that Paul both thanked God for the churches in and around Ephesus and that he prayed for them. Specifically we see that he prayed that they might be given ÔÇ£a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him [God].ÔÇØ

Note that he did not pray that they might learn to be wise or that they might somehow attain wisdom through their own efforts, but that God would give the church a spirit of wisdom and revelation. So we can see that God is not only the source of wisdom, He is the dispenser of wisdom as well.

In Isaiah we read these marvelous words: ÔÇ£And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.ÔÇØ You may recognize that as a prophecy about Jesus, and you will know from your study of Jesus that He did indeed possess a spirit of wisdom and understanding.

You will also notice the similarities in IsaiahÔÇÖs prophecy and in PaulÔÇÖs prayer.

But there is an aspect to wisdom that we often forget, and it is phrased beautifully by C. S. Lewis in his book The PilgrimÔÇÖs Regress. The lines go like this:

ÔÇ£And what is this valley called?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£We call it now simply WisdomÔÇÖs Valley: but the oldest maps mark it as the Valley of Humiliation.ÔÇØ
Every blessing,

My prayer is that you will find each day's devotions stimulating, inspiring, and thought provoking, and that in some way they will deepen your love for God and your love for GodÔÇÖs children. May your day be about HIM and full of GodÔÇÖs love, grace, mercy, protection and blessings....Glenn

Devotion: Retirement or a New Assignment
 

Retirement or a New Assignment


For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill... (Ecclesiastes 2:21).

He didn't begin this job until he was sixty-nine years old. He had already had a successful Hollywood movie career and decided to try his hand at politics. He would be known by one job more than any other. He would also be known as one of the United State's greatest statesmen. He had a faith that was genuine but not intruding or very public, but you knew where he stood. He always treated people, even his detractors with grace. He was known for his extraordinary love he had for his wife.

His name was Ronald Reagan, and he did not begin his greatest work until he was sixty-nine years old. By this season of life, most are thinking of retirement in Florida. Ronald Reagan decided to run for President of the United States and successfully served two terms as our 40th President.

It was Reagan's faith that led him to see the Soviet Union as an "evil empire." He'll be remembered as the President who brought down communism in the Soviet Union. And it was his Christian faith that gave him the quiet confidence and self-certainty that made him a great leader and earned him the title "the great communicator."

Where did he get his spiritual values? There were a number of influences. First and foremost was his mother, Nelle Reagan. I'm confident that had Nelle Reagan died in the winter of 1918-19, a near-victim of the devastating influenza epidemic that killed millions of healthy, middle-aged mothers around the world, Ronald Reagan very likely would not have become President. It was Nelle who insisted her boy go to church-a request he happily obliged-and it was in church that Reagan picked up not only those core beliefs and values, but also the intangibles so vital to his success: his confidence, his eternal optimism (which he called a "God-given optimism"), and even his ability to speak. Indeed, history has also overlooked the fact that the Great Communicator found his first audiences in a church. He learned to speak in a church.*

(*http://www.heritage.org/Research/Pol...ophy/hl832.cfm)

Consider this: Your greatest work may yet be ahead of you. Don't let age keep you from being used by God, if you young or old.

Devotion: Offense - a Major Hindrance
 

good one, pulled it from back in the archives.
anger is to easy to kindle & keep going.
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Offense - A Major Hindrance

An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19

Offenses (unsolved bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness in broken relationships) grieve the Holy Spirit and undermine the unity and prayer vital to revival. When the Holy Spirit is grieved, the flow of His power, counsel, and comfort is stymied, and the enemy is given opportunity to accuse, torment, imprison, and ultimately defeat us.

This blocks our ability to give or receive GodÔÇÖs mercy because our relationship with Him is compromised, and the church is prevented from presenting the glory of God to a community.

If we repent of our offenses to God and make things right before others, (Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24), we can live in the power of an ungrieved Holy Spirit.

Thus release from anger and bitterness, we can expect continual revival, abounding in the grace of His forgiveness, mercy, and kindness. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins. Mark 11:22-24.

Devotion: Our Words
 

I have this going on at my work right now
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Our Words

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such as a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29)

“A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18: 20-21)

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

Is every word you utter useful and constructive, or do you let off steam at times?
Consider each word we utter. Is our motivation to teach, instruct, or help, or are we demonstrating frustration or anger.

Accept the responsibility of every word from your mouth, and accept the responsibility of maintaining personal control at all times.

When we insure each word is constructive, we save time, energy, and maintain positive business relationships. In addition, your staff will become more effective with constructive instruction and at home our families will love it too.

Lord, please help me to think about what I’m saying before I say it. Help me guard what I let come out of my mouth. Help me hear what I sound like to other people, and help me to measure what I say. Amen

1 -e-bible study
 

1 -e-bible study

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Posted: 03 Jul 2016 03:00 AM PDT

Oh, boy, here we go again, back into Isaiah. An interesting application from Isaiaheven though Isaiah knew the ultimate outcome...that the nations would bring about the suffering of Gods people, he continued to preach against sin in Judah. Often as Believers we may know that our witness for Him may fall on deaf ears, we should still continue to witness. Our job is to witness, He takes it from there.

Again in Isaiah 13 we have a foreshadowing of a prophecy concerning the Day of the LordÔÇÖs wrath. (see the book These Last Days for explanations concerning the Day of the Lord). The prophecy of the judgment against Babylon is a multi-layered prophecy. While it is prophetic of the day of the Lord, it was literally fulfilled with the defeat of Babylon. There is mention made in this chapter about the land being desolate, the stars of heaven and their constellations not showing their light. They will be obscured because of the heavy smoke from the burning of the surface of the earth.

Speaking of the people during the Day of the Lord,
Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor.
The closer to delivery, the more frequent and more intense the labor pains are for a woman in labor. This is how it will be as time gets closer to the Day of the Lord.

1Thessalonians 5:3
People will say, "We have peace and we are safe." At that time destruction will come to them quickly, like the pains of a woman giving birth. And those people will not escape.

God commanded that Babylon will never be inhabited again according to Isaiah's prophecies. Saddam Hussein tried to rebuild but was unsuccessful. Look what happened to him!
Isaiah gives us a glimpse into SatanÔÇÖs plans through the king of Babylon. More details concerning Satan are found in Ezekiel 28 .

The Lord gives an admonition through Isaiah in Chapter 21,
"Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees." and "...let him be alert, fully alert."
This admonition is not just for the nations of Old Testament times. It is equally relevant today. If we don't make this personal and relevant, then the Old Testament is just a history book.
Along with a reference to "Babylon fallen" in Isaiah are several in Revelation.
Revelation 18:2
With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.

Babylon is used in analogy to represent the false church during the last days. Unclean and detestable birds are analogous to false teachers in the church. Before the false church becomes a haunt for demons and evil spirits, there must first come a ÔÇ£falling awayÔÇØ or a rebellion. The Christian church will become apostate before it becomes the false church. The seeds of disbelief and unfaithfulness in the church began in Babylon in Nimrod's day. This was from ancient times.

II Thessalonians 2:3
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

What does this mean for us? We must be on the alert, prepared, and ready. The "labor pains" are becoming more frequent and more intense as we near the last days.

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Devotion: Being Fully Persuaded
 

Being Fully Persuaded


"Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." - Romans 4:21

Why did God consider Abraham a righteous man? It was because Abraham looked beyond his own limitations of age and strength and considered God as the one who could accomplish His own goals. Abraham came to a place in his life where he realized it had little to do with him and all to do with God. His part was initiating the faith within himself.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:18-20).

What are the things in your life that are mere impossibilities? What are the mountains in your life? Are these there in order to build your faith in the one who can enable you to ascend to the peak? Once you know that it is His will for you to pursue, do it with faith. Faith requires action when we know it is He who is leading. It may require risk. Faith is sometimes spelled R-I-S-K. Abraham did not limit God. It is this confidence in God that God honored and rewarded. He wants to do the same with you and me

Devotion: Vested Interests
 

Vested Interests

"When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed" (Nehemiah 4:1).

Leaders who attempt something greater than themselves will always get attacked and it often comes from those who have a vested interest in what you are changing. Nehemiah was rebuilding the ancient wall of Jerusalem. It was a major undertaking. Not everyone was pleased with this initiative. Sanballat, another government worker, did not want this to happen.

When Jesus began confronting the Pharisees about religious traditions, He was attacked by the religious establishment because they had a vested interest that would be negatively impacted by His teaching. The apostle Paul confronted a religious tradition that generated income for those in the trade. Opposition arose because he was impacting a vested interest.

"About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen.


He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty" (Acts 19:23-27) .

Whenever you introduce a new product into the market, expect opposition from competitive products that have a vested interest. If God leads you to initiate a cause greater than yourself, expect opposition from those who may have vested interest.