Hungering for God



God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalms 53:2 - Acts 21:11-12



"I really don't understand why I should come to this. How can I really benefit?" was his response. At that moment, I realized that I was wasting my time with this man on whom I had invested much throughout his Christian walk. He was often like a roller coaster-up one minute, down the next.

"You simply aren't hungry enough," I commented to my friend.

Whenever someone must always rationalize and examine whether the things of God are beneficial to them, you know that they are not hungry enough for God. I recall one time when I was in a difficult place. I received an audiotape from a man who gave me some insights into my problem. I was hungry enough to book a flight to a city 500 miles away just to meet him and find out more. My finances were at a very low point, so it took some real faith to do this. That meeting turned out to be a divine appointment and became a turning point in my life.

God is looking for men and women who hunger to know Him. When we believe that we know all we need to know, we are in a dangerous place. God has placed men and women in the Body of Christ who have had different experiences and gifts that can be helpful in our own spiritual pilgrimages.

It requires humility of heart to realize that we can learn from others. We can easily rationalize our business pressures and time commitments to discount such opportunities.

High Positions





"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position" (James 1:9).



Whenever God takes a saint to a very lowly state it is designed to accomplish something only that process can do. Job learned that "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). Job's trials allowed him to learn things about God, himself and his friends that we all needed to know as well. He assumed things about God that he had to recant: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know" (Job 42:3).



God reveals things in the dark places of circumstances that will be used to reveal something He wants you and others to know. He has sent you ahead to learn these things so that you and others will benefit from your unique experience. God views this place where you receive these truths as a high position. The world views it as a place to be despised.



"He called down a famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them - Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles; his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true" (Psalms 105:16-19). Joseph was also led to this high position. It was here he was prepared to be the most powerful man in the world as a thirty-year old. He learned many things about God during his captivity that was used later as a ruler over a nation.



So, if you find yourself in a lowly state, realize your lowly state is considered a high position by God that is preparation soil for revealing deep things from the dark places that God desires you to learn.

HIS GRACE IN TIME OF NEED



The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

I am so sorry for your wait or what you are going through. It is hard. I'm not going to pretend it isn't. I'm not going to tell you that everything will be better tomorrow. The only thing I know for sure is that Christ loves you. He really does sympathize with you. You can read God's words to you in Hebrews: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16 <http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%204.15-16> ).

I know you've probably seen this verse many times, but I think God has a lot to say to you in these verses. He is reminding you that He isn't far-off. He has entered into the ugly and hard places that you see your heart going as you struggle with worry or anxiety or fear or anger. He knows it. He knows your temptation. Jesus reminds you that He walked this earth perfectly for you. And in your weakness He invites you to draw near to Him. He wants to comfort you and uphold you with His righteous right hand. Come to Him, weary friend, and receive grace and peace and rest. This is your time of need, and He does not turn away from you during your time of need; He wants you to find grace to help.

Friend, I pray that you would receive His good grace today. As you look to this day know that He has you in mind and intercedes even now on your behalf. "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 <http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2034.18> ).

All Things through Christ





"I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.



This is a very interesting passage of Scripture. When we consider this passage in conjunction with John 15.5: "without me you can do nothing", we have a significant insight into how the Kingdom of God works. In John 15.5 Jesus tells us that we must have Him involved in the activity to make any difference for His Kingdom. This is the Holy Spirit representing Christ in our lives (John 14:26). Then we see from Philippians 4:13 that there are no limits to what can be accomplished with the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. In a real sense that is to be expected, because of whom the Holy Spirit is and because full authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ. This is a remarkable insight provided by Scripture into how the Kingdom works.

This has significant implications for us and how it affects what we do on a daily basis. This passage tells us to make sure the Holy Spirit, representing Christ, is doing the work through us on a daily basis. This passage tells us that this is the key to running our lives effectively. We are all faced with impossible situations, overwhelming obstacles, and circumstances that seem totally beyond our ability to deal with. But this passage says that the situations are in fact not impossible, the obstacles are not overwhelming, and that all the resources necessary to deal with the circumstances have been provided to us. Our part is to ask him through prayer how He wants to deal with them. Our part is to pray and ask Jesus to deal with these issues. Our part is to believe that these passages are true (that's called faith), and to act as if we believe them. That is, to make decisions as if we believe these passages to be true, and trust Jesus to do what He said He would do.



Note the use of the words "all things". There is nothing that is beyond the reach of Jesus to fix or deal with. We just have to believe that is true and act accordingly.

Intimacy with the Upright



"For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright" (Proverbs 3:32 NASU).



It is human nature to want to be included into the inner circle. It means that you are qualified to hear things, experience things and be privy to information the masses are not allowed to see.



Jesus had an inner circle of friends made up of Peter, James and John. John had a very special relationship with Jesus. He was considered to be Jesus' best friend. It was John who recognized Jesus after the crucifixion when He came to them on the seashore. "Then the disciple whom Jesus loved, said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!'"(John 21:7).



The Bible tells us that John's friendship was such that he could even lay his head upon his shoulder at the last supper when he inquired about the betrayer: "So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, 'Lord, who is it?'" (John 13:25-26 RSV). Almost forty years after the last supper John wrote the final Gospel in A.D. 90, He was chosen by God to receive "the vision" and record it in the Book of Revelation.



When it came time for Jesus to leave the earth for good, it was Peter, James and John who had the privilege to see the transfiguration. "After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus" (Mark 9:2).



Do you long to have an intimate relationship with your creator? The Lord desires to have the same with you. He does not want you to have a mere form of religion, but a relationship whereby you experience His presence and power. Where you can see God perform His acts of power and love among others.


One of the keys to intimacy is uprightness. Uprightness means we are living a life of obedience and submission to His will in our lives. When we live at this place we enter His inner circle.



Pray for God to make your life upright and intimate with Jesus.

You Need Power

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).


D.L. Moody was a shoe salesman until God moved him into a full-time preaching ministry, often in the streets of Chicago. There came a point in his journey with God that he realized he needed more in his life than what he was experiencing. "At the close of the Sabbath evening services I remember two holy women they would say to me, 'We have been praying for you.' I said, 'Why don't you pray for the people?' They answered, 'You need power.'


'I need power?' I said to myself. Why, I thought I had power. I had a large Sabbath school and the largest congregation in Chicago. I was in a sense satisfied. But then came these two godly women who prayed for me and their earnest talk about "the anointing for special service" set me thinking. I asked them to come and talk with me, and we got down on our knees. They poured out their hearts, that I might receive the anointing of the Holy Ghost. And there came a great hunger into my soul. I knew not what it was. I began to cry as I never did before. The hunger increased. I really felt that I did not want to live any longer if I could not have this power for service. I kept on crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit.

Well, one day, in the city of New York - Oh, what a day! I cannot describe it; I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to me. Paul had an experience that he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say, God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.

I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you would give me all Glasgow.*

*Elmer Towns, Understanding the Deeper Life, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1984, pp. 224, 225

this guy writes a lot about our conduct at work..and i have NEVER really thought about it.

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Equipped for the Workplace



May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20 - Proverbs 13:12



Over 70 percent of our time is spent in the workplace, yet our training and teaching focuses on areas where we spend much less time. The workplace is the greatest mission field of our day, yet we do not train workplace believers how to effectively integrate their faith into their workplace. The wall between Sunday and Monday still exists. Most workplace believers do not understand that all of life is spiritual, not just life on Sunday.



A recent study found that 50 percent of Christians have never heard a sermon on work; 70 percent have never been taught a theology of work; and 70 percent have never heard a sermon on vocation. Why do we focus on the fringes rather than the center where most people spend most of their time - the workplace?



God is removing the wall of separation by speaking to pastors and workplace believers all over the world. A pastor recently shared how his church ordains their workplace believers for their calling to the workplace. Another pastor described their church's commitment to integrating training for their workplace believers on the theology of work. Another told how they began a workplace ministry within their church for their workplace believers, and even integrated Sunday school programs specifically geared to help workplace believers understand their calling in the workplace.



We are entering a new era in the Church when workplace believers are seen as a remnant of the Body of Christ who needs to be mobilized and trained for the work of the ministry to their own mission field-the workplace. Are you one of the men and women God is raising up for this task? Pray that God will help pastors understand and affirm this calling, and that they will respond by training the people of their churches for their own ministry to the workplace. When we reclaim the 70 percent, the remainder will be reclaimed automatically.

it shames me to think of how poorly i serve God.

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A Conversation in Heaven

"I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always" (1 Samuel 2:35-36).


I once imagined a meeting in heaven between the angel Gabriel and Jesus. It went something like this: "Gabriel, I chose 12 men from the workplace to build my Church. They were an unlikely group. But I wanted a people to express my life where they spend most of their time and experienced most of their challenges. However, today we have a problem. My Church is not being represented in the workplace. So, I've decided to call several people to serve me in this arena. We must awaken the Church in the workplace.

There is a man in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, He reminds me of my servant Jacob. What a manipulator and controller Jacob was before I did my work in him, now Jacob has became one of the patriarchs!

This businessman in Atlanta has the same potential. He is our man to awaken my servants. However, in order to awaken him to my plan and my destiny for him, I must remove some things he relies upon. This will draw him to me. It will be painful at first, but necessary. It will take 7 years. But I plan to restore all I take from him.

The result will be quite amazing. He will engage many others. He'll usher in whole new focus in my Church that has been lost since those early days. I plan to do this with many others as well. My plan is designed to rise up an army in these last days before I return. It is time for you to go now. You know what you must do. Be gentle, but firm with my servant."


What kind of conversation might Jesus have about your life? What catalyst is needed to bring you in alignment with the purposes and plans of God?

Praying Intentionally


"For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy." (Colossians. 1.9-11)



Do you have some key people you pray for everyday, such as family, employees, church family? Paul models for us, in this verse, praying for people on a regular basis, perhaps daily or at least weekly is a way to pray "without ceasing".



Notice the focus of Paul's prayer. He did not pray for blessing, or provision, or many other things expected to be the focus of such a prayer. Instead, he prayed for key things that have to do with effectiveness in the kingdom. be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding " He is interceding before the Lord asking the Father to fill the Colossians with the knowledge of His will. That is a highly appropriate thing to pray for anybody.

Our effectiveness is directly a function of how well we know and follow God's will in a matter. Paul gives the reason why: ÔÇ£that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God." Being filled with the knowledge of God's will leads to bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being fully pleasing to God, and walking worthy of the Lord. That is an amazing statement. We think that all those things are accomplished by hard work. But this passage is telling us that it is the knowledge of God's will that leads to this amazing list of accomplishments. This indeed is a worthy thing to pray for.



But he did not just ask that they be filled with the knowledge of God's will, but he asked that the filling would be accomplished "in all wisdom and spiritual understanding". Paul is asking that they will understand that will in the spiritual realm and have the wisdom to apply it. This is a very complete request, an in-depth request, a request that is laying the groundwork for future action. I would like to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, wouldnÔÇÖt you? WouldnÔÇÖt your family and friends and leadership team?



In the next sentence Paul asks that the Colossians be strengthened in all power, not just some power, but all power. And this power is "according to His glorious might". How great do you think that power is? Do you think there would be any lack in that power? If you and I were filled with power like that, do you think there would be any limitation to what God might accomplish through us?



And note the reason for this filling with power: "for all endurance and patience, with joy." It is this power that enables us to endure the trials that are sure to come, with patience and with joy.



So let me encourage you to pray for loved ones and friends:
1) without stopping, perhaps daily,
2) pray for them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, and
3) pray for them to be strengthened in all power, according to God's glorious might. Then ask them to do the same for you. And watch to see what God might do through you and in you in response to those prayers.

When Planting Yields No Fruit



"You have planted much, but have harvested little...." - Haggai 1:6



Have you ever worked and worked only to yield very little from your efforts? Such was the case for the workplace believers during the time of the prophet Haggai. Finally, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to inform the people why their efforts were not yielding any fruit. There was a specific reason this was happening.



"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house? Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands" (Haggai 1:9-11).



God had finally had enough. His priorities were not His people's priorities. So, He withheld in order to get their attention. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah at the time. He was a godly man who sought to do God's will. He listened as the prophet gave these words; then he responded.



Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord (Haggai 1:12).



Sometimes God has to stir up the spirit of one man to initiate needed change. Zerubbabel was that man. Scriptures say, "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel" (Haggai 1:14). God is stirring up the spirit of a remnant of workplace believers throughout the world today. They are seeing what breaks God's heart, and they're responding. Has God placed the spirit of Zerubbabel in you? Are you one who will make a difference for the Kingdom, or are you concerned about building bigger and better barns? The Lord is calling forth His people in these last days to make a difference. Ask Him what He wants to do through you.

Exceeding Expectations

"She said to the king, 'The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard'" (1 Kings 10:6-8).

When people meet you, or experience your work life skills, would they say that you far exceeded their expectations? Do you undersell and over produce, or oversell and under produce? Solomon's wisdom far exceeded any man's wisdom and it was evident to others. When people come in contact with you do they come away with a sense of greater appreciation of you after meeting you?


"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men" (Proverb 22:29). Whenever we exceed the expectations of man, we bring glory to our Heavenly Father and He often elevates us among men.

Bezalel was a man who designed the Ark of the Covenant for Moses because God handpicked him to design it because of his exceptional skill. Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others" (Exodus 35:30-35).

If there were a Kingdom project to be done would God recommend you for the job? God calls you and me to live our lives and do our work with excellence.

The Proper Foundation

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. - Psalm 127:1a

Imagine spending years building an expensive home with the finest materials and craftsmanship. It is a work of art, and the project is almost complete. As the day arrives to move in, a building inspector arrives and hands you a notice that condemns your beautiful home because it doesn't meet code.

Many Christian workplace believers who invest years in their businesses will one day stand before the Lord and realize they were building the house, not the Lord. God is very picky about motives behind the actions. Before we act, we must ask why? Why are we doing what we are doing? Has God called us to this task, or is the real motive purely financial, or control, or prestige.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).

David learned this principle by the end of his life. Throughout his life he had learned that God always tested him to find out what was in his heart, and what his motive was in his actions.

David instructed his son to "...acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" (1 Chronicle 28:9a).

Receiving Only What God Can Give


"A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27).

John the Baptist was in the business of bringing sinners to the place of repentance by baptizing them and teaching them about the coming Messiah. Over time, he had developed quite a customer base of disciples. Yet when the promised Messiah showed up-the fulfillment of John's business plan true to form, his coworkers (or disciples) went to John to complain that the one he had testified about was stealing all of his customers. "Rabbi," they said, "that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan . . . well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him" (John 3:26). John's response showed clearly he understood his purpose and role in life in the above verse.

John understood that we receive by understanding our purpose and what God desires us to receive in light of our purpose. We need not worry about what others receive, only if we are receiving what God wants us to receive. Many of us try to receive things God never intended us to receive or be someone God never intended us to be.

A story is told about F. B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church when he began to notice that attendance was dropping. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought this was happening. A member suggested, "It is because of the new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak." The young preacher's name was Charles Spurgeon.

Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this development, exhorted his entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this "move of God," as he described it to them. "If this be happening, then God must be at work." Meyer, like John the Baptist, understood the principle of receiving from God and was not threatened by the new competition in town. Instead, he joined it.


Do you model a Kingdom mindset? Do you rejoice when others succeed? Are you receiving only what God desires you to receive?

i think this one is awesome, what about you guys?


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ANSWERING THE CALLBUT NOT UNDERCOVER

Written by Doug Hunter


Im fascinated by the new television program called Undercover Boss. Admittedly, I dont rush home to watch every episode, but Ive seen enough to, well  be fascinated.
If you are not familiar with the program, it centers around a different CEO and his/her company each week. The first 45 minutes show and tell of the experiences that CEO has when he/she goes ÔÇ£undercoverÔÇØ to work as a new employee in a variety of functional areas across the scope of the organization.

For example, the CEO of Roto-Rooter helped clean out clogged sewer lines, the CEO of 7-11 learns to make coffee, several experience their customer service call centers  and all the while, the people they are working with have no idea who this new person really is  and that can be hilarious. Of course, it can also be other things  several CEOs have been told they have no potential for the job they are trying to learn, Ive seen one actually get fired! The most common result is that the CEO finds that his company has some amazing people who love the company, who have great ideas, who may be living in incredibly difficult circumstances, who dont really understand the big picture, or who are hungry for input and encouragement.

In the final 15 minutes of each show, the CEO reveals his/her true identity to the people they have been working with, and gives them personal feedback ÔÇô which is usually wonderfully affirming and often quite emotional. It all makes for pretty good television.

Part of the fascination for me, however, is how clearly biblical truth pops up in the most unique places! No  verses dont scroll across the bottom of the screen, nor does anything else happen to highlight the moment, but if you have been reading Proverbs lately, they can be hard to miss.

Examples: You donÔÇÖt have to be in customer service call center environment very long before you see the truth of Proverbs 15:1, ÔÇ£A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.ÔÇØ

Or watch the tension and anger melt away from a rumor-believing employee when he hears from the CEO that his company has no plans to close the plant he and his friends depend on to support their families ÔÇô and resource their small community ÔÇô and you know the truth of Proverbs 25:25, ÔÇ£Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.ÔÇØ

How about the anger felt by the CEO who had to watch a salesman overcharge a customer because ÔÇ£he can afford itÔÇØ ÔÇô anger reflecting Proverbs 20:23, ÔÇ£Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false scale is not good.ÔÇØ


Perhaps the most frequent truths that I see reflected in the experiences of this program are those found in verses like Proverbs 22:1, ÔÇ£A good name is more to be desired than great wealth,ÔÇØ 27:2 ÔÇ£Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.ÔÇØ 25:11 ÔÇ£Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstancesÔÇØ. And in those final scenes, as the excellent employees stand before their boss, and then as the CEO stands in from of his/her entire organization, Proverbs 22:29 says to me ÔÇ£Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.ÔÇØ

Have you ever walked around your company and looked for Proverbs  for truth? Its a great exercise, and you may be surprised at both the encouragement and the challenge it can be. Of course, Steve Marr would also remind you  and me  that the best way to see Proverbs come alive in your company is to immerse yourself in them on a regular basis. Then they become a lens through which you can daily see the truth of how you and your company reflect the character of your real Boss ... and thats a reflection that you never want to be undercover!

Blessing Those Who Curse You
 

..."Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." - 2 Samuel 16:11-12

As David's enemies were increasing and he was fleeing the city from his son Absolom who was seeking to take his throne, a man named Shimei began heaving rocks and cursing him as he passed by. Cursing the king was against the law, so David had every right to cut off the man's head -- as his generals were encouraging him to do.

Here we see the difference between Saul and David in their response to those who would seek to do them harm. This is the defining difference between a leader who seeks to lead through a vertical dimension with God versus a horizontal fix-it mode. God knew David as a man after His own heart. Yet, David was a murderer, adulterer, and had failed in many areas of his life. But one thing separated this leader from all the rest: He had a heart that sought to please God and be in His will. When David blew it, he repented.


What is the purpose God desires to accomplish with the estranged relationship you may have with someone? Has He brought this affront to find out what is in your heart today? Will you seek revenge and solve the problem yourself? Or will you find the grace to allow God to carry out vengeance in His time if it is needed? When I learned this lesson to stay vertical with God and avoid the trap of fixing things in my own energies, it was a day of freedom. No longer was it my problem. We must examine our own heart in these matters. But if we are clean, then this affront is for character building. It is the only way God builds the deepest level of character in His saints.

A.W. Tozer tells us, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." God actually rises up storms of conflict in relationships at times in order to accomplish that deeper work in our character. We cannot love our enemies in our own strength. This is graduate-level grace. Are you willing to enter this school? Are you willing to take the test? If you pass, you can expect to be elevated to a new level in the Kingdom. For He brings us through these tests as preparation for greater use in the Kingdom. You must pass the test first

Concealing a Matter

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" (Proverbs 28:13)


None of us are immune from making poor choices in our lives. David made a number of seemingly minor choices that snowballed into an avalanche of suffering, shame and tragedy. It started when he chose to stay at home in Jerusalem instead of going out to lead his troops into battle, as was his duty. David had too much time on his hands, which ultimately led to him committing adultery with Bathsheba and trying to cover up that sin with murder.



So God sent the prophet Nathan to tell King David a story: "There were two men in a town, one rich, one poor. The rich man had many sheep and cattle. The poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he raised like one of the family. The ewe lamb shared the man's food, drank from his cup, and slept in his arms. One day, when the rich man had a guest to entertain, he didn't want to slaughter any of his own sheep or cattle, so he took the poor man's lamb, killed it, and prepared it as a feast for his guest."



David responded: "The rich man deserves death!" he said. "He must pay the man four times the value of the lamb, because he did an unjust thing and had no compassion!"



Then Nathan turned to King David and said, "You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in His eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own!'" To his credit, David confessed and repented of his sins, and God forgave him.


God's forgiveness restores the broken relationship between Himself and sinner, but forgiveness can't make everything exactly as it was. Sin has consequences that forgiveness cannot change. David had consequences he had to live with for the rest of his life.

Direct Our Paths
 

Proverbs 3: 6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

To acknowledge someone is to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of. When a person comes to a place in their life that they know that the Lord is real, He is our Savior, and that God does exist, the Lord will direct our paths. King David said that God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Are you walking today on a directed path of God or are you being led by the devils GPS?

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!

i think this keeps some guys away from being Christian...they see a guy they think "is a good Christian" getting beat down in some way, and they think "why would I want to have that happen to me" and they never follow Christ.

but they dont realize that most strong, true, faithful Christian men will come thru adversity stronger and tougher, and softer and more loving, and THEN they can help other people thru the same situation.


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God's Chosen Few

But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. - Job 36:15

Bradley was born with cerebral palsy in South Africa. He barely survived his birth. He did not walk until he was four years old. One leg was longer than the other and he could not speak well. For most of his life, his hands shook and he had little control over them. Feelings of rejection and bitterness at his plight were common occurrences during his growing-up years. During his school years, he was chastised by kids and generally rejected by society.

At age 17, his father felt led to take his son to a healing service. That night, the young boy's leg divinely grew two inches. He no longer walked with a limp. Bradley met the Savior and began to grow in his intimacy with Him. God began to speak to him and show him things. Prayer became his source of comfort and strength. God gave him insights about people and situations, bringing blessing to all who encountered him. Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man.


God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest.

God's Proving Ground for Faith
 

He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience. - Judges 3:2

God brought the nation of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan through Joshua. After Joshua, there came an entire generation who had very little experience in fighting battles like the ones fought by Joshua. Training and testing God's people is one of God's important strategies that enable His children to succeed in spiritual warfare. This is why we do not live a life free of trials. These trials are sent specifically to see if our faith is real or simply empty words.

"They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which He had given their forefathers through Moses" (Judg. 3:4). God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart.

You will discover if you have passed the tests or if you need more battles that will give you the opportunity to learn the art of spiritual warfare. Do not fear these battles that are before you. God has already given you the victory if you choose complete dependence and obedience to Him. Then you will become one of God's greatest warriors, skilled in spiritual warfare.

The First Requirement of Ministry
 

"The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord." - Joel 1:9b

The first requirement for being used by God in the life of others is to mourn on their behalf. We must identify with their pain and suffering. Each of us must be broken for others first.

In order to be fully used by God in the workplace, we need to understand what breaks God's heart. When we understand what breaks God's heart, we are able to mourn on behalf of a grieving person, or a nation we are called to serve. What breaks God's heart? When we begin to answer this question, we begin the first step to becoming instruments of change for those things that are important to God. Perhaps it is an overemphasis in our own talent and abilities, or lack of complete trust in Jesus.

Perhaps it is the lack of respect for human life that leads to the killing of innocent babies. Perhaps it is the deceit and pride that often rule the workplace of commerce. Or perhaps it is the strife and divisions among His own Body that grieve Him most. When we begin to mourn over our own sins in these areas, God begins to use us as instruments of righteousness to affect these things. It was only when God let me see my own sins in the workplace and how they broke His heart that I began to be an instrument for His purposes.


Today, ask God to show you what things in your world are breaking His heart. Then see how He might want you to be the priest to affect for Him. The first step is identification with what breaks God's heart.

The Race of Faith
 

here's the verse they are using:

Hebrews 12

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.



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ÔÇ£Weeds"

By Mary Lee Moeny



Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin (bindweed, puncture vines, sand burrs) which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance Hebrews 12:1

It was a hot, muggy day and the flies were very sticky. I was tackling a long-put-off task of pulling weeds and was talking to the Lord about the weeds, the heat and the annoyance of the flies.

While pondering the weeds in my garden and my response to them, the Holy Spirit brought to mind other weeds ÔÇô my sins.

The writer of Hebrews 12:1 tells me to: Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin (bindweed, puncture vines, sand burrs) which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance

God reminded me of how the weeds came into my life ÔÇô through the sin of Adam and Eve, my original parents who turned from trusting God wholeheartedly and followed their own inclinations.

He reminded me that in this lifetime there is not a one-time application that removes those weeds, but that He has given me a lifetime task of pulling the weeds and deliberately removing sins from my life.

Weeding is now part of the process of following Him. Scripture says that Jesus ÔÇÿlearned obedience through the things He suffered.ÔÇØ

Because of His death on the cross, we have been given the resources to enable us to weed our lives, to deliberately choose to follow our Lord rather than follow our own desires and inclinations.

Weeding is taking on new meaning for me. Instead of being an onerous chore, it reminds me of the work of our good and gracious God ÔÇô that He is in the process of transforming me to be like His Son and that one day I will stand before Him, the weeds in my life totally eradicated. Gone forever!

In the meantime, I pull weeds.

Becoming a Valued Draft Pick
 

Looks like Glenn did not send one for Saturday

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"...Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel...." Zechariah 4:10

As children in grammar school we often played pick-up football. Two captains would alternate making the best choices among schoolmates to make up the two teams. My friend was often chosen first because he was a good athlete. I know it must have felt good to be valued by others for what they perceived he could contribute. Conversely, it must have felt crummy to be the last chosen or not chosen at all.

Such was the case for Zerubbabel. He was a man chosen by God to rebuild the temple. God saw something in Zerubbabel that He could use for His purposes. The people also recognized that Zerubbabel was a man in whom they could place their faith. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people (Haggai 1:14a).


Are you part of the remnant of workplace believers whom God is calling out today? Do not let the business of today's workplace sidetrack you from the importance of God's agenda for you. Can you recall the day God's Spirit rested on you? Have you walked in that anointing since that day? Satan's strategy is to keep us distracted with the urgency of the moment versus the importance of eternity. Ask God what your priorities should be today. Make God's priorities your priorities.

Stoplight Faith
 

I always tell people "i can live with failure..., i can accept I done something wrong, I cannot live with REGRET for not trying."

failure is for a moment, regret is for a life time
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"And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith" (Matthew 13:58).

You can learn a lot about people in traffic. For instance, I observe a lot when I see 20 cars in one line and only 3 cars in another. The reason for the longer line is these people want to make sure they get to make their turn after the light. I, on the other hand, want to get through the light first, and then I will worry about making the next turn. This is a difference in risk taking tolerance, or perhaps faith; or even some might argue with me that I'm operating out of presumption versus real faith.

No matter which person you might be in this situation, it is sure that faith is often spelled R.I.S.K. When the priests carried the ark into the Jordan River at flood stage there was a risk they could lose the ark to the Jordan River. However, that is not what happened. "And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap" (Joshua 3:13). God changed the entire environment and made it possible to walk across without the pressure of wading through the powerful water only when they took the first step.

Risk means there is a potential for loss. However, when God leads us to take a risk, then He is there whether we succeed or fail. He is there in the success and He is there in the failure. If He leads you to take a risk it may not always succeed in the way you think. In fact, it could even fail.

The only true failure is when we fail to take the risk when God is leading us to do so. Sometimes the fear of failure is the greater obstacle than the risk itself.

Has God called you to step out in an area that requires risk? This could be the place He wants you to move. Ask Jesus to give you the courage to step out.

Spirit-led Creativity
 

Spirit-led Creativity



"He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things" (1 Chronicles 28:12).



It is said of George Washington Carver that he got up early in the morning each day to walk alone and pray. He asked God how he was to spend his day and what He wanted to teach him that day. Carver grew up at the close of the Civil War in a one-room shanty on the home of Moses Carver- the man who owned his mother. The Ku Klux Klan had abducted him and his mother, selling her to new owners. He was later found and returned to his owner, but his mother was never seen again.



Carver grew up at the height of racial discrimination, yet he had overcome all these obstacles to become one of the most influential men in the history of the United States.



He made many discoveries with the use of peanuts and sweet potatoes. However, after he recommended farmers to plant peanuts and sweet potatoes instead of cotton, he was led into his greatest trial. The farmers lost even more money due to the lack of market demand for peanuts and sweet potatoes. Carver cried out to the Lord, "Mr. Creator, why did You make the peanut?" Many years later, he shared that God led him back to his lab and worked with him to discover some 300 marketable products from the peanut. Likewise, he made over 100 discoveries from the sweet potato. These new products created a demand for peanuts and sweet potatoes, and they were major contributors to rejuvenating the Southern economy.


As he made new discoveries, he never became successful monetarily. But during his lifetime, he overcame great rejection for being black. He was offered six-figure income opportunities from Henry Ford, and he became friends with presidents of his day, yet he knew what God had called him to do.



His epitaph read: "He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."


Like Carver, each of us must connect with our primary purpose in life. Pray that God allows you to fully fulfill your purpose.

Devotion: Gently Leading
 

"So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir." Genesis 33:14


Work often determines that we move at a pace that can put incredible stresses upon people and relationships. Jacob was a man who learned to manipulate and control outcomes. He even stole the birthright of his brother, Esau, through trickery. The Bible speaks of Jacob as a man who strived with God. He knew how to force situations to his advantage. It took years for God to break down all the rough edges of Jacob so that he could be worthy of becoming the patriarch of the 12 tribes of Israel. God saw something in Jacob that He could use.


Robert Hicks, in his book Masculine Journey, describes five biblical stages of manhood that must be passed through before a man becomes a mature man of God. One of those early stages is known as the "warrior stage." In this stage of manhood, the man is known by what he does, what he accomplishes, and he is totally defined by his performance. It can be a tumultuous time for the man and those close to him. It is often signified by broken relationships because the goal is often more important than the way the goal is accomplished. When I meet with a man, I can easily determine what stage of life he is in by hearing him talk.



Jacob had successfully passed through these five stages based on the verse above. It takes someone mature to be able to "move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children." Leaders who never come to understand this may be successful materially but fail at the most important aspect of leadership-leading at a pace that his followers can maintain. The roads are full of wives, children, and workers who cannot keep up with the pace of leaders and are left behind with broken dreams, broken hearts, and unfulfilled promises.


Are you a person who is more concerned with outcome than how you achieve the outcome? Can the people around you describe you as someone who leads at a pace that ensures respect and admiration? Ask the Lord for the ability to be a godly leader who understands the condition of his flock and the pace in which you can lead without alienating.

Devotion: Live For Christ
 

Job 22: 23 ÔÇ£If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles."

Why is America falling apart? Simple, the Church has fallen asleep and fallen in dry, dead, powerless, lack of belief, full of iniquity, Body.

The Church is playing games at the foot of the Cross and while the Church has lost its burden, our country is going to waste. I am glad to say that I have been around some great men of God in my time.

If I were to name them right now it would take a lot of time and space, but one thing that I was taught by those great men is this; whichever way the Husband goes, so will the wife. Whichever way the Husband and the wife go so will the Children. Whichever way the Home goes so will the Church. Whichever way the Church goes, so will the Nation.

THAT IS A FACT! That is why I believe with all my heart that it is of the utmost importance that the Church has REVIVAL. I am not talking about a week of daily services, I am talking about where the lives of Believers are AWAKENED to THEIR Laziness, and the Church falls on their knees in REAL REPENTANCE.

Folks, if the Church would catch on FIRE, there would be a BIG change in this country. Not long ago, there was a huge fire that consumed the forest, it consumed houses and business. That is what America needs to happen, it needs a HUGE FIRE to start at the House of God that would consume the hearts of people, consume homes and cities for the Glory of God.

Right now, there are more people that do not believe in the Rapture, simply because the Church is not showing any evidence of a LIVING GOD IN THEIR LIVES! The question is not is God ready to send revival, the question is this, IS THE CHURCH READY TO DIE TO SELF AND LIVE FOR CHRIST?

Devotion: Simply Obey
 

Glenn works at the place that caught on fire yesterday, so was surprised to see a devotion from him...but it was time stamped 11 PM!

the Fire Dept was still out there this morning.

my daughter was driving by, when it started, she said the fire truck had to do like a 7 point turn to get down in there,

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Simply Obey





"But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy'" (2 Kings 5:11-12).



Naaman was an army general who needed healing from Leprosy. A young servant girl of the king's house suggested that the prophet Elisha could heal him. He followed her advice and Elisha sent a message to him to do the following: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed" (2 Kings 5:10).



However, when the instruction came as to what he was to do, it seemed ridiculous to him. Like many of us, Naaman expected God to perform his miracle through Elisha in a dramatic and "religious" way. Sometimes we fail to recognize that God can work through a simple act of obedience that seems unrelated to the problem. God told Joshua to walk around Jericho seven times to win the battle. He told a man to put mud on his eyes to be healed. He told Peter to catch a fish to get a coin to pay his taxes.



There are other times God calls us to use the natural to receive a breakthrough. Sometimes we simply need to change our diet or go see a doctor to see a breakthrough in our health. Sometimes we need to change the way we are doing our work to get a breakthrough in our careers.



Samuel the prophet told King Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. Learning to listen to the Lord and following His instruction is the key to success in God. Sometimes God chooses the dramatic and sometimes He chooses the ordinary. In either case, both are miracles because God is the God over all creation.



Ask Him what steps you are to take for your breakthrough.

Devotion: Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
 

guys, jump in here if you have a comment.

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Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself



"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13


In the thirteenth century a man named William Wallace became the instrument of freedom from England's tyranny over Scotland. A very wicked king ruled England. A tragedy in the life of William Wallace launched him into living for this cause. Initially his cause was revenge, but soon his cause turned to something bigger than himself - freedom for a nation.

When he challenged the commoners to fight for this freedom, they responded that the enemy was too great and that they might die on the battlefield. They also refused to fight for the nobles, the knights and leaders who had a vested interest in gaining more land for themselves versus a pure cause of freedom. Wallace's response: "Yes, we might die. We will all die sooner or later. But we will die for a cause worth dying for. So that our children and their children might live in freedom."



Today we find many Christian workplace believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as "business as usual" than a life demonstrating God's power. Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence. While this takes place, millions upon millions die without the saving grace of Christ.

Many other Christians die never experiencing the freedom in Christ that His blood paid for. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves - a life that is dependent on His grace and power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life.

This power is available to you and me to live for a cause greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today. And consider yourself dead already to the consequences of what that might mean for you.

Devotion: Revival
 

Revival



2 Chronicles 7: 14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

If I were to ask how many would love for your home, your Church, your town to have revival, I believe the vote would be over 75% in favor of Revival. It is a fact that every great Revival had a starting point. Many great Revivals started with just one person. Did you know that a revival could start at YOUR home, at YOUR church, in YOUR town all because of YOU?

The one thing that keeps us from having revival is this; it is always other people that are in need of Revival, not us. You know, Christians are so SELF RIGHTEOUS and we wonder why did Jesus have to die for these perfect/sinless people? The fact is, there is NONE righteous, NO NOT ONE!

Revival must start with YOU, so don't be quick to point out your brother or sisters faults! The Lord want you to be concerned with YOUR faults and the Lord is ready for YOU to deal with YOUR faults first. I have found this true, if we deal with our faults, then we will not have any time left to worry with our Brother and Sisters faults.

Instead of singing REVIVE US AGAIN, WE SHOULD SING, REVIVE ME AGAIN!

Revived Child of God
 

REVIVED Child of God



2 Chronicles 7: 14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

This one verse is probably the most used scripture of the entire Bible in Revival sermons. I call it the four Steps to Revival. It is actually four changes of the heart of mankind that brings revival. Those four things are to:

humble ourselves,
Pray,
Seek the face of God, and
Turn/Repent from our wicked ways.

Those four things, if Christians were to do them, WE WOULD SEE REVIVAL. Now, many times in History, mankind would turn away from God and that would bring the judgment of God upon God's people. Oh and then they would cry out, "OH GOD WE ARE SORRY," and expect God to stop the judgment, but it does not work that way.

You see, if a Christian starts to slip into sin, also known as Backsliding, they will be chastised by God. This is God's way of correcting the Child of God, like a parent would correct a child.
Oh but I believe God KNOWS the heart of man. If a Christians would cry out with a heart of repentance, I believe God would hear our prayers and that he would send revival. Who will take the four steps to a new Godly life with Christ to become a REVIVED Child of God?

What's Your Brand?
 

"The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Coca-Cola is the number one "brand" in the world. Companies spend millions of dollars making their brands known in business. They want you to recognize their brand. When you think of their brand they hope you will have positive thoughts in hopes it will influence your next purchasing decision.

Every individual has a personal "brand" whether you want it or not. Cultures have a brand. Ethnic groups have a brand. Your brand is defined by your conduct. If you are always late, you'll soon develop a brand or reputation for being late. Others will even show up late because they know you will be late. If you are a person who exaggerates the truth, others will soon fail to take you serious.

However, the opposite can also be true. Your brand can be incredibly positive. By being a man or woman of your word, who is consistent in dealing fairly and honestly with others, your brand becomes known as someone who is faithful in all aspects of life.

One of God's most important characteristics is His faithfulness. Faithfulness means one is true to fulfilling their promises to others in the time which was committed. God is faithful to fulfill all His promises to His children.

Moses was also an example of faithfulness to his call. "Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house" (Hebrews 3:5-6).


What is your brand among your peers? Is it a positive brand or does it need improvement? Allowing the Lord to make us more like Jesus is the only way our brand becomes trustworthy.



Ask the Lord today to make you a faithful brand in which others can trust.


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about the fire:
Thanks for checking on us, yes, we are good, we had brought a new grinder and after having it only three weeks it caught fire and burned to the ground, setting the piles of wood around it on fire

Devotion: God's Faithfulness: Stones and Stories
 

GodÔÇÖs Faithfulness: Stones and Stories

By Melody Wright

ÔÇ£He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' then you shall inform your children, saying, "Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.' ...that all the peoples of earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever." Joshua 4:21, 22, 24 NASB

We've all ÔÇÿbeen thereÔÇÖ in our lives and in our businesses. Disheartened, forgotten, grieved, betrayed, wiped out by a natural occurrence or by manÔÇÖs inhumanity to man. Sometimes, itÔÇÖs a thousand little things between work life and home life that finally bring us to a place of exhaustion and overwhelm.

In parallel, many of us have traveled through trial, and have seen the hand of a faithful God in the midst of it all. We see clearly how He got us through ÔÇô most of the time in spite of ourselves. Even better - many of us have stories of God turning a mess into nothing short of a miracle.


God knew if the Israelites had no physical remembrance to remind them of His faithfulness, they would soon forget when they came upon a new trial. But He used something as simple and common as a stone to prepare them for the future.

Remembering GodÔÇÖs faithfulness in our lives gives us confidence when we (again and again) face-off against another trial or challenge. Though we canÔÇÖt see the ÔÇÿhow,ÔÇÖ we learn to trust and know HeÔÇÖll turn it all to His glory. I believe that unwavering faith is connected to our ability to remember GodÔÇÖs past provision.

It is important that we remember and share our stories! In fact, we would be wise to heed GodÔÇÖs advice to the Israelites and be intentional about it. Then, whatever we are faced with, we can go back to those 'stones and stories' marking GodÔÇÖs faithfulness, and allow God to use them not only for our encouragement, but for the encouragement of others.

Devotion: The Faithfulness of God
 

The Faithfulness of God


"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:13b-14

Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you could depend on that person to do what he said. You learned that his word was completely trustworthy. If he said he would call you, he would. If he said he'd be somewhere at a certain time, he'd be there. In fact, if he was late, you began to wonder if he had an accident because it was so contrary to his nature. It's great to have friends who are faithful.

God is faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise in His Word. Sometimes we think God isn't faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have. Sometimes we think He is not faithful because of a crisis event that seems to say God isn't faithful. We must remember that God is more concerned about accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the desires of our heart. Sometimes this results in hardship.

The Bible is full of accounts of God's faithfulness that was often accompanied by hardship. He brought Joseph out of slavery to be greatly used in a nation. He delivered the people from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave Abraham the son of promise late in his life. He delivered David from his enemies and made him a king. In story upon story, we learn of God's faithfulness. Are you a faithful man or woman? The workplace needs faithful men and women. Take an inventory of your life today and ask God if you have been faithful with what He has entrusted to you.

Devotion: Found Faithful
 

how many of you guys are faithful to attend church...and why?

we just changed churches, and we have been going Sunday mornings, but not so much on Sun & Wed nights. maybe we need to get back to going Sun & Wed nights.

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FOUND FAITHFUL


Hebrews 10: 25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

What is it about the church and your fellow members that you don't like about your church? Now I know when you read this you will have a frown on your face and saying in your minds, "Where is he going with this?"

Well, where I am going is here, if everyone loved their church as much as I do mine, they would not miss a service unless an uncontrollable situation came up. I want to be found faithful to every service at my Church, where I attend. I have a duty to my Lord and my pastor, and my church.

I sing on the Praise Team there, I have a duty, but greater is my desire to BE FOUND FAITHFUL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. I do not go to church faithfully because of my singing on the Praise Team; I go to church faithfully because of my love for my Lord. I have never went to church faithfully because I did not want anyone to take my job, nor have I ever felt that no one could do my job in church like me. Understand, Jesus is my Savior, but He is also my Lord.

If Jesus is really your Lord, BE FOUND FAITHFUL IN YOUR ATTENDANCE AT YOUR CHURCH, IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!

Getting Refueled
 

Getting Refueled



"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35-36).



How do you get refueled? When our cars run low on fuel, we simply drop by the local filling station to get more fuel. When our bodies are hungry, we feed them. How do we refuel our spiritual lives? We can learn from the example Jesus modeled in His life.

In the New Testament we see that Jesus had a very demanding schedule. He traveled from town to town, often walking many miles between the towns. He spent a lot of time with people. It is very draining to minister for extended periods. Your body and your spirit become fatigued.



The day before the above scripture was recorded, Jesus had a full day of ministry healing the sick, delivering people from demons and walking to different cities (Mark 1:29-37). The following day it says Jesus got up before the sun rose and went to pray. The disciples were wondering where He was.



When Jesus was on earth, He was fully man. Everything He did was based upon receiving specific directions and power from His father to do them. He was not operating as God, but as a human being with the same limitations you and I have. So, Jesus knew one of the key ways to refuel His mind, body and spirit was by spending time in prayer to His Heavenly Father.



This is a critical discipline for every follower of Jesus if you expect to have power and victory in your Christian walk. We each need to find a solitary place to focus upon the Lord, His Word and His input for our lives.



If this is not a part of your daily experience, why not start tomorrow with a few minutes of focused time of reading and prayer. You will be encouraged with the new spiritual focus you will have by making this a priority

Devotion: From Adversity to Destiny
 

From Adversity to Destiny



"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position" (James 1:9).



Most of us avoid pain. We keep our medicine cabinets loaded with pain relievers. We couldn't imagine major surgery without an anesthetic. We are so averse to pain that we think God must desire that we will experience pain-free lives. After all, a loving God surely wouldn't want us to suffer pain, would He? Although God takes no pleasure in our pain, we have to acknowledge that He sometimes allows painful circumstances to occur in our lives in order to shape us and make us more like Christ. Sometimes our times of despair turn out to be a much needed light into our soul.



I once came across the following poem written by an anonymous Confederate soldier, a devout young man who fought in the American Civil War. The lines of this poem express the soul of a man who has learned to view his times of adversity from a different perspective:


I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among men, most richly blessed.*



Do we trust God to lead us even though we can't see the pathway in front of us? Do we trust Him to be all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful? Do we believe He does all things well? As Paul wrote, "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). That's why God leads us through the dark places.

Devotion: Spiritual Harassment
 

Spiritual Harassment





"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8-9).



In the spiritual realm we deal with spiritual harassment from satan and his legions. The Bible says "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians. 6:12). It is important to recognize when we are coming against these forces. Satan attempts to distract us from our calling and destiny in life. We often trivialize the reality of the spirit realm of evil.



Paul tells us we must set our minds to deal with the spiritual realm of evil when it impacts our lives. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13).



The next time you feel obstacles have been placed in your life designed to distract you from your God-ordained mission, remember Paul's words and stand firm in Christ.

Devotion: Elevated From the Pasture
 

Elevated From the Pasture

Now then, tell my servant David, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over My people Israel." - 2 Samuel 7:8



Have you ever heard someone say, "He is a self-made millionaire"? They are stating that this person accomplished everything through his own efforts. His achievements were a result of his hard work and street smarts.



David was nearing the end of his life. The prophet Nathan was responding to David's idea to build a temple where the Ark of the Covenant would stay. God reminded David of his roots and where He had brought him. God took David from the fields of pasturing sheep to pastoring a nation. God reminded David that He cut off all of David's enemies. (David never lost a battle.)



Have you ever felt tempted to look at your accomplishments with pride as if you were the reason for your success? Have you ever thought your prosperity was due to your ingenuity? Has your material success been a testimony to others that God is the ruler of all aspects of your life, even the material side?



Joseph's greatest test was not his temptation to be bitter against his brothers. It wasn't the sexual temptation that came inside Potiphar's house. It wasn't even the discouragement of years of imprisonment for being wrongfully accused. It was the temptation of prosperity and ownership. Once he was elevated, he was given choices that he never had before. It was totally up to him as to which choice he would make. Stewardship reveals what we believe about God and ourselves.


Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity. -Oswald Chambers



Do you have a proper understanding of who you are? Do you understand that it is God who has given you the ability to work and achieve? He is the source of all good things. Ask God today if your life models this belief.

Devotion: Seeing the Works of God
 

Seeing the Works of God


Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord.... - Psalm 107:23-24a



When you were a child, perhaps you may have gone to the ocean for a vacation. I recall wading out until the waves began crashing on my knees. As long as I could stand firm, the waves were of no concern to me. However, as I moved farther and farther into the ocean, I had less control over my ability to stand. Sometimes the current was so strong it moved me down the beach, and I even lost my bearings at times. But I have never gone so far into the ocean that I was not able to control the situation.



Sometimes God takes us into such deep waters that we lose control of the situation, and we have no choice but to fully trust in His care for us. This is doing business in great waters. It is in these great waters that we see the works of God.



The Scriptures tell us that the disciples testified of what they saw and heard. It was the power behind the gospel, not the words themselves, which changed the world. The power wasn't seen until circumstances got to the point that there were no alternatives but God. Sometimes God has to take us into the deep water in order to give us the privilege to see His works.



Sometimes God takes us into the deep waters of life for an extended time. Joseph was taken into deep waters of adversity for 17 years. Rejection by his brothers, enslavement to Pharaoh, and imprisonment were the deep waters for Joseph. During those deep waters, he experienced dreams, a special anointing of his gifts to administrate, and great wisdom beyond his years. The deep water was preparation for a task that was so great he never could have imagined it. He was to see God's works more clearly than anyone in his generation. God had too much at stake for a 30-year-old to mess it up. So, God took Joseph through the deep waters of preparation to ensure that he would survive what he was about to face. Pride normally engulfs such young servants who have such access to power at such a young age.



If God chooses to take us into deep waters, it is for a reason. The greater the calling, the deeper the water. Trust in His knowledge that your deep waters are preparation to see the works of God in your life.