Devotion: Our Counselor
 

Our Counselor


"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

I was driving down the interstate feeling discouraged from an appointment I had just had. A former employee's company was seeking to displace me, and my company, as their source for our services. It had been one of many difficult events during those months. As I was driving, some words popped into my mind, No weapon formed against you shall prosper. I could not tell you where those words came from other than I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking them to me; I knew they were in the Bible. I knew they were in the Old Testament.

When I returned to my office that day, I searched for the key words in my concordance and found the verse. "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you" (Isaiah 54:17a).

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind us of the things He desires us to know. There are times in our lives when the Holy Spirit speaks into our spirit words designed to encourage us or give us what we need at the moment. That is just one of the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The more you know God's Word, the more often you'll recall verses the Holy Spirit will bring to mind for a given situation.

Study God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of the things He desires you to know.

Devotion: How Would Jesus Impact Your Wedding Party
 

How Would Jesus Impact Your Wedding Party


"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:4-5).

In Bible times, a Jewish wedding was a special celebration that could last seven days. It was a time of joy and celebration on behalf of the couple. Wine was an integral part of these weddings. Jesus, the disciples, and Mary, his mother, were invited guests to such a wedding. At some point during the celebration there was no more wine. Mary became concerned and turned to Jesus to solve the problem. But Jesus had not yet performed any miracles. However, His mother must have known that he was capable of doing so. Perhaps she had been waiting for the time for him to begin performing miracles.

When she proposed to Jesus that He solve this problem, he answered, "My time has not yet come." You can almost hear that motherly Jewish tone... "Yes, it has son. Please handle this emergency for me." Then she instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do, seeming to know that He was going to solve the problem, but she did not really know how Jesus would. Jesus proceeds to respond to his mother's request.

Now, my western mind imagines what the headline would be the day after this wedding, in the politically incorrect Cana's Daily News: "Son of Mary turns water into alcoholic drink - 180 gallons!" What a way to begin a ministry! Thankfully, there was no negative press.

Now the quality of the wine that Jesus made was exceptional and would have cost a fortune. Imagine 180 gallons of fine wine! As in most miracles Jesus performed, He involved the faith and obedience of others. The servants were an important part of the miracle - as they did just what Jesus told them to do.

Have you ever asked Jesus to get involved in an unusual problem? No matter what problem you have, Jesus invites you to seek Him as the solution to your problem.

Devotion: Covenant Relationships
 

Covenant Relationships


"But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark - you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you." Genesis 6:18

The Bible is filled with covenants made between God and people. Six of those covenants were made with Old Testament figures: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. The seventh was made with His own Son, Jesus Christ. God is always the strongest partner in a covenant relationship.

God made a covenant with Noah in order to preserve the human race. This covenant involved Noah's participation by building an ark. He'd never built an ark before. He'd never had a boat. It was a totally new concept to Noah and the rest of the world. Why would he need a boat in a dry land?

Noah did not have to invent the ark; God gave him the plans-in specific dimensional detail. He did not have to gather the animals-God led them into the ark. God even closed the door when they all came on board. God made it rain to prove why the ark was needed.

The covenant provided all Noah needed to complete his mission in life. When God spoke to Noah to do this thing, he needed only to respond to God's call to do it. Noah could rest in knowing the covenant made with God was going to be fulfilled if he fulfilled his part.

If you have entered into a covenant relationship with God, you too can be assured that God will uphold His part of the covenant relationship. He is committed to fulfilling His covenant with you and to fulfill His purposes in and through your life. It only requires one thing on your part-obedience. He will even provide grace and faith to you to help you fulfill your part of the covenant.

Each of us has a covenant with God. But we also enter covenants with others in our personal and business lives. How are you doing in fulfilling covenants to others? God has given us the example to follow. Ask God if you have any unfulfilled covenants you need to honor. He has called you and me to be covenant keepers. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Devotion: Giving Thanks
 

GIVING THANKS
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

When my kids were young, one of the most important rules in our house was the ÔÇ£thank youÔÇØ rule.

I would venture to guess that your families and mine have this in common. Gratitude is something we learn as we grow, and expressing gratitude is just as important as feeling it.

Of course, in order to say ÔÇ£thank you,ÔÇØ you need to be thanking someone for something. You donÔÇÖt just sit around alone in your room saying ÔÇ£thank youÔÇØ to nothing and no one in particular.

Or do you?

For most Americans, Thanksgiving is a day set aside for us to give thanks to God for our many blessings. But many secularists and atheists have a problem with this.

You see, as many secular and atheist groups are aggressively arguing for the elimination of religion from the public square, they are taking away the very meaning of days like Thanksgiving.

They are fine with the idea of a day of giving thanks. They just donÔÇÖt want us to actually thank anyoneÔÇöespecially not God.

Does this sound confusing? Good. It should!

Suppressing the religious nature of holidays, and leaving only meaningless days off work, is a sure way to beat down natural human expression. Religion is part of what gives our country a vibrant, thriving culture.

No matter what the world thinks, I will keep on thanking God, and not settle for generically ÔÇ£giving thanks. I am grateful to God for all HeÔÇÖs done for me and my family and I can never thank Him enough for His love, grace, mercy, peace, protection, healing, faithfulness, blessings and for Everything.

This holiday, discover an even greater reason to be thankful. That reason is the freedom found in Jesus Christ. With Christ, we have hope and guidance, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.
May your hearts overflow with gratitude to God for all He has done and is doing in your life.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - (Devotion: Thankfulness)
 

Thankfulness

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57

Many years ago ten men were walking down the road. They each had an incurable disease. All ten men were instantly healed yet only one of the ten returned to say -ÔÇ£thank youÔÇØ You say, ÔÇ£I canÔÇÖt believe that.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£If I got AIDS, then someone gave me a miracle drug to permanently cure me, I would be forever grateful.ÔÇØ But donÔÇÖt be so fast to judge. All of us are basically selfish, ungrateful, and can see only our current ÔÇ£needsÔÇØ and desires. Everyday hundreds of others serve us and we only pause to complain to the one of 100 who did not perform up to our standard.

Have you said thank you lately to the fire fighter, law enforcement officer, store clerk, teacher, doctor, pastor, or the service person? Even more importantly what about the friend who is always there, that special grandparent, your brother or sister, your mom or dad, your mate, or even your children? Why are we so ungrateful to those who love us the most and are closest to us?

In a world bent on satisfying ÔÇ£selfÔÇØ with power, pleasure, and possessions the gracious thankful person with a smiling face and positive words is a rarity. America is one of the greatest nations on this earth, but even on Thanksgiving Day few will even pause between the turkeys and T.V. to offer a word of thanks to their creator. Billy Graham says, ÔÇ£Thanksgiving is a part of the intimate relationship that exists between us and God. Yet there are thousands today who are not thankful. We arenÔÇÖt thankful as individuals nor are we thankful as a nation.ÔÇØ

Robert Woods quoted in Forbes Magazine says, ÔÇ£We donÔÇÖt thank God enough for much that He has given us. Our prayers are too often the beggarÔÇÖs prayer, the prayer that asks for something. We offer too few prayers of thanksgiving and praise.ÔÇØ Just because most people we meet will be ungrateful does not mean that we should return in kind. ÔÇ£It is anotherÔÇÖs fault if he be ungrateful; but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige many that are not so. I had rather never receive a kindness than never bestow one. Not to return a benefit is a great sin; but not to confer one is a greater.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Seneca

More than one hundred thirty times in the Bible we are called upon to give thanks to God. In the Psalms alone we are reminded of it thirty times. ÔÇ£Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.ÔÇØ (1) ÔÇ£It is good to give thanks to the LordÔÇØ (2) My favorite is in the New Testament when we are instructed to ÔÇ£thank God no matter what happensÔÇØ (3).

As we enter this holiday season may we form a life-long habit to be thankful to our family, friends, and everyone that we encounter. And let us all be thankful to God. He has given us all things. And remember, spiritually speaking, we are all born with an incurable disease, yet He has freely offered the cure.

May we all learn to be ThankfulÔÇôeven in the difficult times.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

May this day we all remember that God owns it all, and we are His steward, We should be Thankful for Everything, and I am thankful for You. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Devotion: Such a Time as This
 

Such a Time as This


"On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall." - Esther 5:1a

Esther was a woman who lived for a cause greater than herself. God used this woman to save the entire Jewish people from extermination. However, before God could use her, she had to come to a place of death in herself. It was not an easy decision. Her uncle Mordecai was the instrument God used to challenge her to measure up to the task.

Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13b-14)

Mordecai was telling it straight. For her to speak up meant great risks if the king did not receive her. It was automatic death if the king did not extend his scepter, which meant acceptance of her approach to the throne.

It was also a time to realize that God may have brought her to this place and time for this specific purpose. However, if she did not respond in faith, God would use another instrument to deliver the people. What would she do?

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16).

On the third day of the fast she came and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. She was like Jesus who stood in the inner court of Heaven on that third, resurrection day. She gave up her life, but God raised it up on that day and delivered an entire people from destruction because of one woman's willingness to give up her life for a greater cause. God has called each of us to a purpose greater than ourselves. Know that it will require death before life can be given to this purpose. It must be His life that lives, not ours.

Devotion: Stephen: A Marketplace Minister
 

Stephen: A Marketplace Minister


"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people (Acts 6:8-9).

In the beginnings of the early church, the disciples were seeing God move in mighty ways. The disciples found themselves preaching the word of God all over the region. However, there became practical needs that arose among the people that the disciples were tending to. However, due to their preaching, these needs were not being met adequately. One of these needs involved food distribution to widows. There became an issue as to whether the needs of all the widows were being cared for. This brought pressure upon the disciples who felt their primary focus must be to preach the gospel. They now realized they could not do both adequately. This led them to appoint seven men whose lives qualified for service as leaders to serve these needs.

The first man named to fill this responsibility was Stephen, described as a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost; with a strong faith in Christ. He was full of courage, gifts and graces. He was an extraordinary man, and excelled in every thing that was good; his name signified a crown.

This was a time when the church began mobilizing other marketplace believers for ministry in the community. Stephen was the first chosen and interestingly, became the first martyred believer. One of the most interesting things one can notice when the disciples took this action is described in these passages. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). It is as though the Lord took the cap off and everything started happening. Even a large number of priests came into the faith.

Take an inventory of your life today and determine if someone could describe your life as a person "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and power, and one who does great wonders and miraculous things." If not, begin asking God today to accomplish this in your life

Devotion: New Things
 

New Things


"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13b-14

Our past can be a hindrance or a help in moving toward God's purposes for each of us. For some, the past has meant pain and heartache, and grace is required so that we do not let our past dictate our responses to the future. If we allow our past to make us a victim, then we have not entered into the grace that God has for us. If we live on memories of past successes and fail to raise our vision for new things, we again are victims of our past.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:19). Our past should only be viewed for what we can learn from it. We must move forward and avoid viewing the negative or the positive for more than what we can learn. Many have allowed their past to dictate their future. God is always about doing new things in our lives. He gives fresh revelation of His purposes in our lives. Do not live in the past. Do not hold onto bitterness that may hinder God from doing new and exciting things in your life. He turns our wastelands into streams of water to give life, not death.

How have you viewed your past? Has it hindered you in some areas of your life? Have you relied on past successes to dictate what you will do in the future? Put aside such thoughts and allow God to do a new thing in your life. Ask Him to help you see the new things He wants to do in and through you today.

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave"

Devotion: A Call to Worship
 

A Call to Worship

...but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage. - Exodus 6:9

It is very difficult to lead when those you are leading believe they have been mistreated and have lost all hope. Such was the case when God called Moses to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. They had lived under many years of oppression and slavery. Yet God heard their cry. He sent someone to bring them out of slavery "so that they might worship God" (see Exodus 8:1); Interesting that God didn't say, "To serve Him." Above all else, God desires our worship. A person cannot enter into true worship of God while still in slavery and bondage.


In Proverbs, the writer tells us "hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverb 13:12a). There is a place in life where life becomes so discouraging and hopeless that we lose all hope, and it can actually make us sick. I have been at this place; it is a scary condition. It brings you to the edge of despair.

The people would not listen to Moses. Yet God did not deliver immediately. In fact, it would be many plagues later before ultimate deliverance would take place. Why does God withhold deliverance at times? It is in order to bring greater glory from the situation. It isn't because He doesn't care. It is because His plan for mankind is resting in these events. It is a finely tuned plan that involves many people and situations - all operating at the same time. It can seem cruel at times. But God knows that His children cannot worship Him if they are in bondage and lose all hope. He won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, so He has a plan of deliverance for each of us. This plan is not always the kind of deliverance we might think is best. It sometimes has pain surrounding the deliverance. When a mother gives birth, that child is delivered into this world through much pain.

But with that pain comes great joy on the other side. Every mother will say the pain was worth it because of the exceeding joy that child brought in the midst of the pain.

What are you in bondage to today? What keeps you from entering true worship? Work can keep us in bondage if we fail to enter into freedom in Christ during our workday. Today, ask God to show you the areas of bondage that you are living in so that you may worship Him.

Devotion: The Causes of Failure
 

IDK about you guys, but in all my reading & daily devotions, Glenn is the only guy to focus on work, business, and how you conduct yourself at work.

a buddy and I were discussing something similar to this lesson, a mutual friend wants us to recommend him for a job, and we are both like..... "nah, I'm good...." because some stories of what he did at his last job.

the below is basically saying, if you lie steal & cheat, God can't expand your business, because everyone who REALLY knows you will wonder how you call on God in one breath, then cheat someone in the next?

and if you think about it, CHP is the same way, we all know "of" each other, and usually, if you meet someone in town, they know "of" someone you know, and they dang sure know if that person is a cheat or a liar.

how many of you guys have had to go back a long time in to the past & make amends?

-----------------------------------


The Causes of Failure


"You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it." Joshua 7:13b

The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory.

They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was devastated. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?" (Josh. 7:7a)

In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle. However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire nation for one man's sin.

Whenever we act without God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God to thwart our plans. God's word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.

Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort: unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits, dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises. These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God wants to bless, but cannot because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.

Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure the blessing of God today

Devotion: Trusting in the Lord
 

Trusting in the Lord

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3: 5
Today people are trusting in everything but the Lord. They are placing their trust in their money, 401k, Stocks and bonds, in property. They are placing trust in people and even their own abilities. It is for this reason that so many people have lost hope and are at rocks bottom. The fact of the matter is this, there is nothing else that one can place their trust in EXCEPT Jesus! We have no control over the matters of our future, nor our present. People have placed false hopes in Government, only to come up discouraged. If people by faith, will place their trust in the Lord, they will come to find out that Jesus is the only one that we can have faith in that HE WILL COME THROUGH FOR US!

If we are going to Trust in the Lord, we must do it with ALL our heart, not leaning to our understanding, because in Isaiah 55:8-9 the Word of God tells us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

The only way is by faith, without faith no man can please God. It is by Faith in believing in the Lord for guidance and help that we are given all things. It may not have made sense to the other disciples for Peter to get out of the Boat, but to the World, trusting in the Lord goes beyond all understanding.
Try it, and you too can walk on Water!

Devotion: Having a Great Number Two Man
 

Having a Great Number Two Man


"Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent" (Exodus 33:11).

An organization cannot grow without a trusted and skilled second in command or "number two" man or woman. Joshua was Moses' "number two" man. He could trust him explicitly in all matters. He came to Moses as a young man and demonstrated his devotion to Moses early. A situation arose in the camp in which Joshua felt others were seeking to usurp Moses' leadership.

"Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp (Num 11:28-30).

His loyalty is an example of what is required of a "number two" man. Joshua never sought to elevate himself. He served Moses until the day came when God promoted him to be the leader. He was a model of servant-hood.

When a friendÔÇÖs ministry began to expand, God sent him a great "number two" man. He was living in Florida with his wife and their three small children. He learned of their need through their prayer letter. God spoke to him and his wife before they ever talked. They could not pay him what he was worth. He came by faith. God honored his faith and has enabled their work to grow and allow him to be away from the office to minister around the world.


Do you need a "number two" man? Ask God to bring him or her to you.

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.

Only in the darkness do we learn to walk by faith

*"Prayer of an Unknown Soldier," quoted in Austin Pryor, "Trusting God to Answer Our Prayers," Crosswalk.com. http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1386973.html (accessed April 24

Devotion: Sharing Your Faith with Others
 

how often do you guys share your faith (evangelize)?
I used to all the time, but I have not really lately.


-------------------------------------------


Sharing Your Faith with Others


"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ" (Philemon 6-7).

There is a strong correlation between those who publicly share their faith with others and an increase in spiritual growth for that individual. In my own journey I've discovered that when I stop sharing my faith with non-believers I begin to see dryness in my walk with God.

Sometimes we justify our lack of verbal witness by saying we don't have the spiritual gift of evangelism. Or we conclude that because we have an introvert personality we leave witnessing to others who we deem as more qualified. As a well-qualified introvert myself, I've often wanted to use that excuse. Then, the Holy Spirit reminds me of a few instructions Jesus said to EVERYONE:

"But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:33). "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15-16). There is not much confusion about what Jesus is saying in these verses. And it relates to all of us.

When we share Christ with others God allows us to gain a deeper and greater understanding of every good thing in Christ. Do you see the direct correlation between sharing your faith and your own spiritual growth? Paul says it's actually a prerequisite to spiritual growth.

One of the great ways to turn a conversation to faith is by asking someone if there is anything you can pray for them about. You will be surprised how easily this will transition you into a conversation about their faith lives.

Ask God for boldness today to offer to pray for someone.

Devotion: Completing the Work
 

Completing the Work


"I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do" (John 17:4).

Have you ever had a big project to do and felt great when you'd finished the job and it was a big success? The Lord has revealed to us that the number one thing we are to do is love the Lord our God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. His desire is for us to know Him and the power of His resurrection. These mandates deal with our relationship with Him. The fruit of this relationship must then result in our glorifying Him by completing the work He has given each of us to do. It will become a by-product of this relationship, not an end in itself.

What is the work God has called you to do? Jesus never did anything the Father had not instructed Him to do. He lived in such communion with the Father that He knew when to turn left and when to turn to the right. Is it possible to have such a relationship with our heavenly Father? I think that if it weren't, He would not have given us such an example.

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). What has He called you to do? Perhaps you are called to be the best lawyer in your city or the best advertising executive or the best office worker or assembly line person in your company. Whatever work He has called you to, He will use you as His instrument to accomplish something that He has uniquely prepared you to do.

When our life is complete, what a glorious day it will be if we can each say, "I have completed the work You gave me to do." This will have brought great glory to Him.

No More Reproach ..."Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you".... - J
 

No More Reproach

..."Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you".... - Joshua 5:9

Joshua and the people had just crossed the Jordan River. They were camped at Gilgal. But before they could proceed they were required to circumcise all the males, because a whole new generation had grown up while living in the desert. This is where Israel, like a worm in a cocoon, was transformed.

Circumcision is bloody, personal, and it exposes all that you are. God was saying that before you can become His army, you must roll away the reproach of the Egyptian way of life. You are no longer a slave to the ways of Egypt. It is a time to put aside the old way of life. Many are walking around as goats in sheep's clothes, practicing a form of religion without the true source of truth and power.

Sin in our midst testifies against us. It keeps us in Egypt and never allows us to enter the Promised Land. Our lives must be circumcised in order for us to come out of Egypt into our own Promised Land of spiritual blessing with God.
This transformation marks the first time Israel begins to taste the fruit of the Promised Land. No more manna from Heaven. The manna stopped the day after they were circumcised. There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate produce from Canaan.

God is turning our plowshares into weapons of love to usher in a new generation of workplace warriors. But we will not be effective if we have the reproach of sin in our lives. Ask God to show you what needs to be confessed this day so that no reproach exists. The cross of Jesus takes away all reproaches. Enter the Promised Land with power.

Devotion: May It Be
 

May It Be


"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).

Have you ever had a boss come to you and give you an assignment which had rules never before used? Not only were the rules different, he was asking you to agree to them not knowing the outcome or impact it would have on your life. That must have been the way Mary, the mother of Jesus felt.

God was about to do something so extraordinary that it required a face to face meeting with the subject, Mary, and His key angel, Gabriel. What God was about to do was so foreign that it needed detailed explanation.

Mary had been handpicked to give birth to the Christ-child. Can you imagine!? However, in order to do so she was going to be pregnant while yet unmarried, something totally taboo in her culture. In fact, women were stoned to death if found to be fornicators. So, when Mary heard the assignment and responded by saying, "May it be," this tells us what a courageous woman of faith she must have been.

She did not understand the implications of what she was about to do. However, she placed her total trust in God and knew that if God chose her for such an assignment, she could trust the outcome to Him. She would even have to trust the explanation to Joseph, who was not going to understand. In fact, when he discovered Mary was pregnant, he immediately considered divorce proceedings.

However, when God saw Joseph's response, He sent an angel to explain the situation through a dream. I am sure the time between her telling him and his dream must have been difficult to explain. She did not know God was going to solve the problem. This is another example of her faith and courage. I would imagine most women might have responded to the angel like this, "I won't do it unless you tell my husband!"

Do you have an assignment from God that seems impossible on the front end? Is God calling you to trust Him for the outcome? Take a lesson from Mary and release the outcome to God

Devotion: Who or What Do You Love Most
 

WHO or WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST?

Luke 14: 26 "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."

Ask yourself, "How much do I love the Lord?" The above verse will have some totally confused when they read this verse. They will not understand the Word of GOD saying that anyone should hate their parents or their children, brothers or sister, even our own selves.

The word "hate" here does not instruct anyone to dislike someone with a spirit of hatred, but what Jesus was saying here is that a Born Again Child of God should love the Lord more than anything else in their life,

YES, including their father, mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, and yes, children and grandchildren. Many say, "I love the Lord," but their actions does not show it. Jesus said in this verse that if we don't love him more than any other thing we have, then we cannot be his disciple. WHO or WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST?

Devotion: Watch
 

ÔÇ£WATCHÔÇØ

Matthew 25: 13ÔÇØWatch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
One of the greatest events is about to happen! In the History of the World, there have been HUGE events that has ROCKED the whole Earth, affected ever person on earth. Well, another event is about to happen, the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH! This event will affect every life on Earth, no matter where people are. Christians will suddenly be missing and it will cause a great ALARM around the world. Question is, are you ready? Have you been Born Again? The first word in the devotion verse is "WATCH." This word conveys the thought of being ready for something to happen. It conveys the thought that those that are Born Again should be living a life of preparation and looking forward to THAT DAY. My prayer is that we will heed the warning from the Word of GOD to get ready, the Bridegroom is coming!

Devotion: How God Makes Fishermen
 

How God Makes Fishermen


"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19

Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives.

It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 33 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.

Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose.

Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation.

For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ.

For Jesus, it was the cross. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.

Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming a foundational leader for the early Christian Church. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.

What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.

here's the blog site, that is done by our neighbor,
she taught school for a while, and they are working with a family in Israel now, so she digs into the Jewish meaning of the Jewish words/phrases pretty deep.

to me, it brings a new perspective on some stuff I "thought" I understood before.


http://e-biblestudy-philandpattimoore.blogspot.com/

here's Fridays, so you can see the detail:

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Indictments were made against Paul for teaching “The Way” in the temple. It would be a similar situation if someone were to go and teach the New Testament at a Jewish synagogue in Indianapolis.

Paul is given many opportunities to witness as he is brought before many authorities. He takes advantage of these opportunities. Do we as Believers in Jesus take advantage of every opportunity to witness for Him?

When Paul addressed Felix, the governor of Judea, concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was obviously upset and sent Paul away. Hmmm, sounds like Paul was getting dangerously "close to home". Was Felix being convicted? Obviously Felix cared more about getting the bribe than being uncomfortable with Paul's discourses. Isn't it ironic that in order to get the bribe, Felix had to listen to Paul's words. Secular history indicates that it was the Jews who prompted Felix's recall to Rome. Could the Jews have been concerned that Felix was beginning to believe what Paul was saying?

When Paul spoke before King Agrippa, he mentions that he lived as a child in another country. We know from Scripture that Paul was a citizen of Rome. That doesn't mean he was born and lived previously in Rome. He was born in Tarsus located in the Roman province of Cilicia, modern day Turkey. Citizenship outside of Italy was an honor reserved for people who made great contributions to the Empire. So, we may conclude that Paul's parents were people of influence and perhaps even moderate wealth. His father was a Pharisee of pure and unmixed Jewish blood.

Tarsus, the city of Paul's birth combined both Roman and Greek (politics of Rome and Greek culture). It was the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even that the universities of Athens and Alexandria. Paul spent his childhood here. No doubt he left his home during early adolescence and taken to Jerusalem for his formal education in the most prominent rabbinical schools of the day. Again, the apostle Paul had some very impressive credentials.

Acts 26:29
Paul replied, "Short time or long-- I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
Paul was praying for those of us who are reading and listening to this Scripture today. Do you think that Paul had any idea of the millions (or billions) of people who would be influenced by his words???

Some things to ponder:
We are not in literal “chains” like Paul was, but are there some “chains” that bind us from teaching about Jesus? What might some of those “chains” be? How can we break those “chains”?

--
Posted By Patti to 3 - e-bible study - phil and patti moore at 12/12/2014 06:00:00 AM

Devotion: Do Not Reach for the Power
 

Do Not Reach for the Power

"For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).

A few years ago, a friend was asked by a large organization to meet with them about doing some cooperative projects in the faith at work area. He visited their headquarters and had several initial discussions. They concluded that they would proceed on a joint conference.

During his visit, he stayed overnight at the headquarters of this ministry. He was awakened at 5 A.M. and led to read Exodus 33:15. Moses said he could not go any further if God did not promise that His presence would go with him. He sensed this was to be their theme for the conference.

Later that morning, he shared that he had received this leading from the Lord regarding the theme of the conference with some of the people in the organization. However, when he shared this with the leader of the organization, he did not take it seriously. He was a bit irritated and his pride was hurt, but he decided to follow a principle that he had been walking in for a few years: act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power. He realized that if God had truly spoken His words into his heart, he would not have to exercise his authority to make it happen. God would orchestrate it.

More discussion was given to the theme, but nothing was resolved. A few hours later, the conference theme came up again. He turned to a friend and read Exodus 33:15 aloud, and he got excited about using that verse as the possible theme of the event. The leader, to his amazement, chimed in as well and said, "Yes, that should be the theme of the conference." It was a big lesson for him.

Act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power.

Devotion: An Eternal View of Circumstances
 

An Eternal View of Circumstances


"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." - Philippians 1:12

Are your life circumstances advancing the gospel? Can you see the Lord's hand in your life in such a way that all of your life experiences, joys, sorrows, hardships, and training have resulted in advancing the gospel?

Paul was a tentmaker by trade. But he had an overall ministry objective in his business life. That objective left him imprisoned and persecuted at times. But Paul saw these events not as roadblocks to his mission. Rather, they were catalysts to advancing the cause of Christ. Paul's revelation of this kept him from despairing about his circumstances.

One day a little-known pastor who lived in the small African nation of Benin began to pray for his Marxist president. For two years he prayed. Then the Lord told the pastor to go to meet this president and share the gospel with him. The president rejected the gospel, but after another such occasion, the president accepted the gospel and became a Christian. He was removed from power but was disciple'd by this pastor. Sometime later this same president was elected again. Today that president is now a Christian leader of a nation committed to spreading the gospel throughout his nation. One man - yet millions have been affected by his obedience. This modern-day story is retold in countless lives of those willing to live for a cause greater than themselves.

Are your work and life experiences serving to advance the gospel? What experiences has God allowed in your life that is part of His plan to advance the gospel? Ask Him to help you see your life the way He sees it. Seeing our life the way God sees it will help us avoid discouragement in those times when life appears to be a mystery to us.

Devotion: Decision_Making
 

Decision-Making

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible related to gaining wisdom and direction from God. Yet I have never heard one teaching on this passage that teaches what I believe the psalmist is really saying. The first part is pretty easy; we are to trust with all our heart. But the next part is not so clear. We are not to lean on our own understanding. If we are not to lean on our own understanding, on whose understanding are we to lean? God's!

Throughout the Old Testament we find that God set up structures by which those in authority made decisions. God has always set a principle whereby we are to seek Him in all our decisions, that He might truly make our decisions. In the Old Testament, the priest made decisions based on which way the Urim and Thummim fell inside his breastplate. The casting of lots was another means of allowing a decision to be left with God. Proverbs says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" (Proverb 16:33).

Another means of making a decision was through the agreement of two or three. No one could be guilty of any crime without the witness of two or three. This was a biblical way of confirming a matter. Still another means of making a decision is through a multitude of counselors.

Given all these scenarios, what are we to gain from these examples? We are told in Jeremiah 17:9a, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." So what really protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart? I believe it is the combination of all the above.

When we get to a place with God that our decisions are accountable to others, whether that be a wife, a board, or a few close friends who are committed to the same godly ideals, this is when we are protected from the deceit of our own heart. This is one of the hardest things to yield to God, the right to make our own decisions. Yet, it is the most elementary principle God requires of us to receive His blessing in our lives.

This principle took a long time for me to appreciate. However, today I can tell you I would never make a major decision without the counsel of others who are close to me. Relational accountability has become lost in our culture due to our hunger for independence. I have experienced too often the hardship that results from making decisions that God isn't behind. Walking in obedience is the only real freedom in Christ.

Devotion: Joy
 

JOY

John 17: 13ÔÇØAnd now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."


Many people are filled with Joy during the Christmas time, but it is not the joy of the Lord, it is the joy of the world. There are many that are planning parties where there will be alcohol or drugs used to celebrate the season. But that dear friends that is not true Joy. There is a JOY that the world gives, but the Joy of the Lord is a Great, Lasting JOY!

Even when the presents are old and gone, the Joy of the Lord is always fresh and everlasting. I am so glad that I have learned to celebrate the REASON for the season than just celebrate the season. There is no gift like that of what the Lord can give! Hey, it may be Xmas to some, but it is CHRISTMAS to me! Tell everyone you see, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Devotion: An Early Christmas Story
 

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS STORY

Pa never had such compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible; instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didnÔÇÖt worry about it long though; I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load.

Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood ~ the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting.

What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, IÔÇÖd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it.

Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait.

When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying those shoes and candy?

Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, and then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, ÔÇ£Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time.

There was a pair for her and one for each of the children sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, MaÔÇÖam," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too.

In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that He would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true.

I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get.

Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug.

They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasnÔÇÖt been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said,ÔÇØ Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and I have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough.

Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and I were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do.

Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the JensenÔÇÖs, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

Don't be too busy today...
Share this inspiring message!
Author Unknown

(Shared for God's Glory)

"Love is not getting, but giving . . . .
It is goodness and honor and peace and pure living . . .
Love is the best thing in the world and the thing that lives the longest."
Henry Van Dyke

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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."
Hebrews 10:24-25

Devotion: Grow in the Lord
 

Grow in the Lord

1 Peter 2: 2ÔÇØAs newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:ÔÇØ

It is the will of God that all believers grow in the Lord. A person that has just accepted Jesus Christ as their person savior, they are considered BABES in Christ because they have not yet studied the Word of God to see what the will of God is for their lives. Christian maturity comes when we study the Word of God and apply what we have studied. A person can read the Bible completely thru many times, but if there is no application, there will not be any growth. So many times people evaluate their Christian growth by how many verses they have read in the Bible, some evaluate their growth by how many scriptures they have memorized, but both are very poor ways to evaluate Christian growth.

The best way to evaluate Christian growth is by the way that other can see the bible scriptures being lived out in your daily life. A baby would never grow if we only showed them their food, it must be applied before there can be growth. 1 out of 6 Americans suffer from malnutrition today. I wonder how many Christians suffer from spiritual malnutrition.

Devotion: A Candy Maker
 

A Candy Maker


For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.... - John 3:16

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness of his faith. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy-white to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church and the firmness of God's promises.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also be thought to represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs that, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, and by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

The candy became known as the candy cane-a decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there.

During Christmas, do you reflect on the real meaning of the season? It is one season we can use like no other to bring the focus on Christ. Ask God to give you opportunities to share Christ with someone this Christmas.

Devotion: One Flock, One Shepherd
 

One Flock, One Shepherd


I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. - John 10:16

A friend of mine told me a story about an experience he had in Israel. They were in the country visiting some of the famous biblical sites when they saw a group of sheepherders. A shepherd brought his flock of sheep into a round pen for the night. Then, a few minutes later, another shepherd brought his flock into the pen. Then, a few minutes later, yet another shepherd brought his sheep into the pen. There were three groups of sheep in the pen with no identifying marks among any of them. My friend wondered how in the world they would separate their sheep the next day.

The next morning, a shepherd came over to the pen and made a comment to his sheep. One by one, the sheep filed out to follow him. Only his sheep followed his voice. My friend said it was an amazing scene to see only that shepherd's sheep follow him and the others remain in the pen. What a picture of Jesus' words spoken centuries earlier.

Hearing and responding to Jesus' voice is the key to having a two-way relationship with God. It is the difference between having religion and a relationship. Can you recognize God's voice in your life? Are you listening to the Shepherd's voice? Do you respond when He calls? Ask Jesus to help you increase your ability to hear. Give more time to spending quiet moments in His presence to hear His voice. He wants to be your Good Shepherd.

Devotion: A New Kind of Army
 

A New Kind of Army


"Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears" (Joel 3:9-10).

God is rising up a new kind of army in these last days. It is the remnant in the Body of Christ that has the greatest potential for societal transformation of any segment of society - men and women in the workplace. It is a remnant that has been largely silent.

Plowshares and pruning hooks are agricultural instruments that farmers use in their work. The prophet Joel says these very instruments will be used in the last days as weapons of war. However, it won't be a war against man and an enemy, but against the Kingdom of darkness.

As we enter the last days, men and women will begin to see their vocations as instruments to defeat the forces of evil and usher in the Kingdom of God. You will see Christ glorified in the marketplace like never before. You will see hundreds and thousands become part of a new harvest of souls in the "9 to 5 window", where many have yet to experience the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What has to happen for your plowshare or pruning hook to be transformed into a weapon of love, designed to cut through the strongholds of unbelief and corruption in your workplace? You are a spiritual warrior in a worker's uniform.

God has called you to transform your view of yourself and your work. He desires to use you and your work life to impact your workplace, city and nation. Are you ready to beat your plowshare into a sword and your pruning hook into a spear?

Devotion: Business as Usual
 

Business as Usual


"And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:7

Imagine if the God of the universe decided to visit planet earth as a new baby and you were given the opportunity to host His first night-in your hotel! Think of the future promotional possibilities..."God stayed here His first night!" You could sell tickets to see the room where He was born. What an opportunity to make history as a small-business owner!

God had need of a business owner's establishment one night 2,000 years ago. But there was no room for God in this business that night. There was no room for the unexpected miracle; no awareness of what was taking place in the heavenlies, no sign that God might be reaching out to this workplace believer to be used like no other in all of history.

Every day God has need of some man or woman's job. He wants to demonstrate miracles in their work. But there is no room in their work for Jesus. He is not asked to participate.

That night God slept in a stable. That night a business opportunity from Heaven was missed. It was business as usual.

May we all have spiritual eyes and ears to know when our Master needs what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.

He is the Reason for the Season!

Devotion: Adoring God
 

Adoring God


Exodus 34.6: "and He (God) passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness".

In this verse, God Himself tells us of five key qualities of Himself:
1) He is compassionate and merciful,
2) He is gracious,
3) He is slow to anger (long-suffering),
4) He is abounding in loving-kindness, and
5) He is abounding in faithfulness (or truth).

It is appropriate and important to praise God for who He is in our prayer time, using these qualities as topics of praise.

Let's start with item 4: "He is abounding in loving-kindness". ÔÇÿLoving-kindnessÔÇÖ is the Hebrew word chesed. Our English language does not begin to communicate the breadth and depth of meaning in this word. It is far more than loving-kindness. The best example of the breadth of God's love for us, as expressed by the word chesed, is the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Nothing else matters without the Cross.

This is the strongest possible way God could have communicated and demonstrated His incredible love for us. Paul expresses it well in Ephesians 3.17-18: ÔÇ£And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,ÔÇØ

It is appropriate to start our prayer time by praising God for His incredible loving-kindness, as expressed by His sending Jesus Christ to pay for our sin. Never doubt GodÔÇÖs love for us. It is His very nature to love us so deeply and completely.

If you ever start to doubt GodÔÇÖs love for you, just look at the Cross. The Cross shouts His love for us, proclaiming it for all eternity and throughout the entire universe. As His creation, we need to praise him for his incredible loving-kindness (chesed) to us.

Heb 10:26-27
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Devotion: A Child is Born
 

A Child is Born


And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

On the night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Mary wrapped him in cloths and placed him in manager because there was no room in the inn. When Jesus was born, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels to praise God. The birth of this child was good news for the whole world and still good news for this world today.

Christmas invites us to let Jesus be born in our lives. Then every day God will give us life, joy, and peace.

Lord, help us see that no matter how dirty or crowded our situations may be today, that Christ can be born anew in our lives this Christmas. We thank You Father for the life of Your Son and our King, Jesus Christ. Thank You Immanuel, for the joy and peace You give us.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

2 Thessalonians 3:10

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

in context:
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passa...3&version=NKJV

Devotion: Empty Mangers
 

Empty Mangers

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest" (Proverbs 14:4).

When Jesus was brought into this world, He chose to be born in a most unusual place - a manger. It was no more than a livery stable with goats and oxen and other livestock animals. There is a distinctive characteristic about a place like this. It is filled with odors and dung from the animals. God seems to work best among the unpleasantness of circumstance. In fact, "where there are no oxen, the manger is empty."

What is this really saying? I believe it is saying that in order for Jesus to be present, we must invite those things that bring with them "messes to clean up." God works among the messy things in our lives. And, from these messes, come an abundant harvest. This is what He did with all of His highly used servants in the Bible. God is filled with paradoxes. Why can't life be seamless and smooth? Because God likes to show Himself in the midst of the messes of life. This is what brings us into the harvests. So often the bigger the mess, the bigger the harvest.

When a major road construction project takes place in a crowded city street, it appears to be absolute chaos. It is inconvenient, slow moving and tends to get us irritated because it appears we are moving much slower than we would like.

It is ugly and so much of what we see is torn up. But when we look at that same area a few months or years later, we see why the construction was necessary. There was meaning to the mess. It actually made life so much better for those who would use the road.

It has been through the messiest of times in my business and personal life that God has revealed His power and strength in my life. It is when these "oxen" of hardship have walked into my manger that the greatest harvest is manifest. However, when I seek to remove the "oxen" and rid myself of the odor and the mess, I fight the ultimate work of God. God works in mangers.

Devotion: Walking in God's Blessings
 

Walking in God's Blessings


Psalm 119: ÔÇ£Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. (1)
Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways. (2-3)
You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. (4)
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! (5)
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. (6)ÔÇØ

Let us continue mining Psalm 119 for the riches of the Scriptures God has placed there. Do you want to be blessed of God? I do. Verse 1, gives us two criteria for being blessed: "having blameless ways" and "walking according to the law of the Lord".

"Having blameless ways" reminds us of 1 John 1.9: ÔÇ£If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.ÔÇØ The "purifying from all unrighteousness" makes us blameless and according to verse 1, makes us blessed. We need to confess sin daily.

We are taught more about "walking according to the law of the Lord" in vs. 2 - 6. We are to keep His statutes and seek Him with all our heart. His precepts from His Scriptures are to be fully obeyed; that is what it means to "walk according to the law of the Lord". This reminds us of JesusÔÇÖ statement from John 14.15: "If you love me, you will obey what I commandÔÇØ.

To "walk according to the law of the Lord" is to base our activities and actions on the Scriptures. "Walking" is an activity that requires intentionality, effort, and direction. We have to be intentional about getting out of our chair and walking. Walking requires effort; energy is expended. Walking requires direction; we are going somewhere. To "walk according to the law of the Lord" also requires intentionality, effort, and direction.

We need to be intentional about basing our activities on the Scriptures (the law of the Lord) (intentional obedience). It requires effort to study the Scriptures to know how to proceed with the activities we are facing, and how to base our activities on the Scriptures; it requires effort to analyze our activities and direction from a scriptural worldview.

The direction of our activities needs to be driven by the teachings of Christ, the kingdom principles revealed in the Scriptures, and the guidance we have received in prayer. Enoch ÔÇ£walked with GodÔÇØ (Gen. 5.24) and that is our goal: To develop the relationship with God so deeply through prayer and the Scriptures that it can be said of us "he walked with God". We will be blessed as we do so.

These passages show us that the way to receive God's blessing is to
1) confess sin and receive the resulting cleansing from all unrighteousness, and
2) to obey his Scriptures.
We need to be intentional about basing our activities and strategic direction on the Scriptures, and on the relationship with God through prayer.

Devotion: Obedience to God's Word
 

Obedience to GodÔÇÖs Word


"If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce" (Leviticus 26:3-4 NASB).

When you ask God for wisdom, guidance, or other help, makes sure you are obedient to all of God's commandments.

If you have strayed from God's word and commandments, repent and ask God for forgiveness.

Then turn around, change your life, and begin to walk in the center of God's will.

When you take this step, you will begin to allow God to hear your prayer, and God will be faithful and send you rain in the proper season.

Your obedience to God's word will not make everything easy, but it will result in peace for you and will allow God to bless your life and business.

Devotion: The Purpose of the Desert
 

The Purpose of the Desert


Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. - Hosea 2:14

If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.

God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace.

The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride.

It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 

My Prayer for the New Year

ÔÇ£The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no lawÔÇØ (Galatians 5:22-23).

Father, thank you for all that You have accomplished in me this past year. For the ups and downs of everyday life, and, Lord, for proving Your love to me time and time again. Forgive my weak moments, those defeating times of unbelief, mistrust, worry, and complaining.

Thank you that in my weakness Your strength came shining through. May I honor You more fully in the coming year. Teach me to cling to You like never before.

Give me opportunity to illuminate Your perfect grace and mercy. Lord, may the fruits of Your Spirit be expressed from my inner being. May I love more, experience joy more, and claim your undeniable peace that passes all understanding. Enhance my patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness to Christ like proportions.

May You find me faithful. Fill me with Your supernatural power of self-control. For it is in this fruit of the Spirit that all the others become possible. This prayer is my New YearÔÇÖs Resolution. I lay it at Your feet, Father. May You and You alone be glorified.

What shall you give in the coming year? Start with loving God and others through the fruits of the Spirit. Through them the world will see Jesus shine through you.
________________________________________


The Lord is Faithful!!! And I thank Him for giving me the privilege and opportunity to be involved in His work by sharing the devotion with you each day, and for you being part of my life

May 2015 be a blessed and bountiful year for you.
May God bless you richly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!