Devotional

Praising God Brings Favor

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.  People in general liked what they saw.  Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.  –(Acts 2:46-47 The Message)

This passage from Acts describes the daily lives of the first believers.  It is a life marked by simple acts — worshiping, taking meals together, and praising God.

Amazingly, these simple acts put the early Christians in a favorable light, and every day their number grew.

Living a simple life of prayer and praise may be the most powerful thing we can do to reach the world with the good news.

2021-03-29T12:23:00-06:00June 7th, 2021|

Turn it Over to God

Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  (James 4:7 NKJV)

How many times have you quoted the verse, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”?  But we cannot resist the devil if we don’t submit to God first.  When we find ourselves in difficult situations, we must look first at ourselves in difficult situations, we must look first at ourselves and ask, “Have I submitted to God in this area of my life, this situation, or this circumstance?”  Once we have truly submitted to God, we then have the power to resist the devil.  Resist the devil and watch him run!

Sometimes when we are caught in the middle of a difficult situation, our worldly instincts tell us that we must rely on worldly instincts tell us that we must rely on worldly understanding and worldly solutions.  We try to analyze the problem, instead of immediately turning it over to God.

Always check your circumstances.  Do it in this order:  submit to God, resist the devil, and watch him flee.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today that we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices.  We see him for who he is and what he is doing.  We submit ourselves to You for this day in every circumstance.  And we resist the devil with God’s power that is within us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2021-03-29T11:34:31-06:00May 31st, 2021|

We Are Never Alone

Jesus’ disciples slowly began to realize that dealing with fear was going to be an important part of their lives as His followers.  The more time they spent with Him, the more evident it became that He would not always be with them and that it might not be either popular or safe to identify with Him.  Persecution, an unappealing thought, was a frightening possibility.  Jesus tried to help them prepare for what lay ahead and remember that they would not be alone.

No matter how alone we may feel or how frightening a situation we find ourselves in, we can take courage in the fact that Jesus is always with us; we are never alone.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  (John 14:18 NKJV)

I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  (Matthew 28:20 NKJV)

2021-02-22T09:36:53-07:00May 24th, 2021|

Victory in Every Situation

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” –(James 5:16a NKJV)

There is a small and unusual “hook” in this scripture.  Not only are we to confess our faults “one to another,” but we are to pray “one for another”—that WE might be healed.  God is saying that, by praying for someone else, YOU can be healed!

Here again we see the law of sowing and reaping.  Do you need healing?  Then pray for someone else who needs healing, and watch God heal you.  As you sow healing, you reap healing.

The idea that we should confess our faults to one another is not aimed at squeezing confessions out of people, but rather God wants our faith to be released.  If we have unconfessed sin, our faith is hindered.  God does not want our faith hindered in any area of our lives.

Here is God’s beautiful formula:  if you need healing, confess your faults one to another.  Then pray for someone who needs healing, and expect to be healed yourself.  It will work for whatever need you have.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today for the power and wisdom of Your Word that works in our bodies and minds.

In Jesus’s Name,

2021-02-22T08:28:29-07:00May 17th, 2021|

Use Setbacks as Seeds

When a setback changes the landscape of your life, trust God to bring new life into the situation.

Put everything — yourself, your family, and the crisis — in God’s hands.

Don’t run from the challenge; adjust to and learn from it.

Look for signs of life springing up in the hard soil and realize that, if you will maximize every opportunity to learn and grow, the trial will become the seed of new growth.

In the end, a bad situation can produce a magnificent harvest.

What harvest are you believing for?

2021-02-22T07:39:49-07:00May 10th, 2021|

Jesus Reigns in Us at ALL Times

For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a NKJV)

Several years ago, God opened a door for me to preach in Nigeria.  I knew that men and women would travel many miles from other countries to that convention.  So, I cried out to God for the greatest anointing that I had ever experienced.

Sometimes we may think that God anoints us only in teaching and preaching.  But God’s anointing is available in every situation we encounter.

On the conclusion of our first service, a young woman passed by me.  I knew immediately that she needed ministry.  I confronted her, and she briefly revealed her difficult home situation.  We agreed in prayer for a miracle in her life.

Days later she presented me with a beautifully beaded bracelet.  It was as though the Lord said to me, “Your ministry to this woman will bear fruit in Africa.  When you look at this bracelet, it will remind you of My work in her life.”

Sometimes our greatest ministry takes place on the sidelines.  Remember, Jesus reigns in us at ALL times.  We live, move, and have our being in Him.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that we live, move, and have our being in Jesus.  He is guiding and directing every aspect of our lives.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

2021-02-15T07:40:38-07:00May 3rd, 2021|

A Pattern of Blessing

Remember, it is never too late to initiate a pattern of blessing.  It begins with a decision, and it happens in a moment of time.  We are empowered by God’s grace to initiate blessing.

Hear this, because it can transform your life:  we are not doomed to live chaotic, fear-filled lives.  We are not victims; we are victors, people of great value bought with the precious blood of the Lamb.

Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So, don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).

We must speak these words over our lives because the truth of God always nullifies the threats, taunts, and traumatizing words of the devil.  Decide and affirm often:

  • In our home, we choose a gentle tone of voice and godly words to bring encouragement to others and promote a sense of safety and security.
  • Our children speak lovingly, never taunting one another.
  • We praise and encourage our children, balancing constructive criticism with affirmation.
  • Our discipline is based in love and understanding; we do not attempt to change our children’s behavior by issuing threats.
2021-02-08T09:47:27-07:00April 26th, 2021|

Victory in Every Situation

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  (I Peter 4:10 NKJV)

Manifold means “many folds.”  If we fold a piece of fabric and then unfold it, section by section, we would see, in each section, a different part of the pattern—until the whole piece of fabric was unfolded and the complete pattern revealed.

Peter spoke of “manifold temptations” in I Peter 1:6, while I Peter 4:10 speaks of “manifold grace.”  Grace will take care of temptation.  There are different portions of grace of various sizes of temptation.  If you hold up your hand, you will see that you little finger is smaller than your middle finger.  Likewise, there are different sizes of temptations.  Your little finger could represent small temptations, and your middle finger could be tall temptations.

Now look at your other hand, and see it as God’s manifold grace.  He has a little amount of grace to go with a little temptation, and so on.  God has provided just the right amount of grace to match the size of any temptation that we face.  I’m so glad that God has made a way for us to come through every temptation victoriously.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today to look for the grace to match our temptation.  Thank You that You have given us a way to have victory in every situation.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2021-02-08T09:13:51-07:00April 19th, 2021|

Living in Abundance

Jesus tells us how-to live-in abundance — we are to take everything He has given us and maximize its potential by putting it to work for good — He promises, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance” (Matthew 25:29 NLT).

Paul explains abundance more specifically in terms of sowing and reaping, giving and receiving:

Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV)

Can you see how the power of blessing operates?  Cheerful giving produces harvest, meets needs, generates grace, and increases our ability to perform good works.  Imagine how your quality of life and the quality of your family’s lives are transformed when God makes all grace abound to you!

2023-03-02T14:07:23-07:00April 12th, 2021|

Spend Time on Your Inward & Spiritual Beauty

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30)

This world puts a great deal of emphasis on our exterior appearance and very little emphasis on the “hidden man of the heart.”

This outward emphasis on looks can be particularly crippling to women.  Not only is a woman judged and valued today for her beauty and attractive appearance, but also there has been an equally strong emphasis on youth—far beyond what is normal.  Thus, many women go on extensive, and possibly damaging diets, or even seek the service of plastic surgeons.

Think how much more valuable it would be to spend the amount of time on one’s inward and spiritual beauty!

Some of the women who are beautifully used in God’s kingdom are not OUTWARDLY glamorous.  But these women are outstanding in their INWARD beauty.

It’s great to LOOK attractive.  But it’s even greater to BE good.  God’s goodness—His soul prosperity—is extended to those who seek His kingdom and righteousness first.  Which is first in your life?  The way you look or the way God looks IN you?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today for the great work that You are performing in our hearts and lives.  We are daily being conformed to the image of Your Son.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2021-02-08T07:30:04-07:00April 5th, 2021|

God Loves Generous Hearts

Give, and it will be given to you:  good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use it, it will be measured back to you.  (Luke 6:38 NKJV)

We sometimes limit this verse in the church to refer only to the giving and receiving of money or material goods.  In truth, Jesus was referring to all acts that flow from a generous heart:

  • If you give of your time to the church or to those who need your help, your giving will return to you, perhaps in the form of increased productivity in your own endeavors.
  • If you are a loving person, always friendly and quick to encourage other, you will receive more love than you gave out.
  • If you are diligent and always do your best for your employer, you will receive favor and promotion in return.
  • If you pour guidance, wisdom, and love into your children, you will receive the joy of watching them develop and grow strong, do good works, and raise healthy families of their own.

If you truly want to be in the full flow of God’s giving and receiving, give generously.  God loves a generous heart.

2021-01-04T08:29:13-07:00March 29th, 2021|

The Most Powerful Cleansing Agent

“Blows that hurt cleanse away evil” (Proverbs 20:30a NKJV)

Some people worry about the black and blue marks of a bruise, but these marks are actually symptomatic of the healing process.  The blue is the rich oxygen of the arterial blood that brings in new supplies and healing materials of the body’s “first aid” kit.  Then red venal blood carries out the damaged cells, refuse, and waste products.

Have you ever realized that Jesus’ blood also has a twofold healing purpose?  It cleanses us of sin and waste, and it also brings the freshness of His love into our lives.

Christ’s blood is one of the most powerful cleansing agents known to mankind!  His blood does more that whitewash our hearts—it purifies them from the inside out.  Christ’s precious blood purifies our hearts so completely that we become temples of God.

When Jesus was confronted with the wrong-doings of the Pharisees, he warned them, “You are clean on the outside, but your hearts are like the insides of tombs—filled with death.”  What do you want to be?  A tomb of death or a temple of God?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today for the life of Jesus that flows through us.  We thank You for the dealings of Your Spirit to remove the garbage from our lives; and we thank You for Jesus’ love that brings us freshness.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2021-01-03T12:24:19-07:00March 22nd, 2021|

Developing a Prayer Life

And God heard the voice of the lad.  Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar?  Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.  Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”  (Genesis 21:17-18 NKJV)

Poor Hagar, the water was about to run out, and she knew death would not be far away.  She couldn’t bear to see her only child die, so she left him under a bush and sat off in the distance, not wanting to witness the inevitable.

But Ishmael had grown up in Abraham’s household.  Ishmael prayed.  God heard, and an angel was assigned to minister to the family.

One of the most important things Christians need to teach their children is how to pray.  Of course, you want to continue to pray for them, but let them develop a prayer life of their own.

I never miss an opportunity to pray with others, especially unbelievers.  When the time comes that they feel the need to call out to God, I want them to feel comfortable turning to Him in prayer.

Do you need the ministry of angels in your current situation?

2021-01-03T11:43:22-07:00March 15th, 2021|

Lead Me to the Rock

“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I”  – (Psalm 61:2b NKJV)

When my husband, Wally, was a child, his sister Shirley was burned severely in an accident.  She died a few days later.  Shirley had been the “baby” of the family, and she was very much adored.  My husband’s father became very bitter, and he spoke harshly against the Lord.

But one day Wally’s mother said to her husband “Albert, we cannot afford to be bitter against the Lord.  We need Him too much right now.”

I believe with all my heart that it was the devil who destroyed Shirley’s life.  But she’s in heaven today, and we cannot let the devil destroy us, too, with bitterness down here.  Bitterness is a poison that can seep into all parts of your body and soul.  It can taint the way you view life and the way that you live your life.  Bitterness can multiply and feed upon itself until it overwhelms everything else.

Don’t let bitterness overwhelm you.  Go to the Rock that is higher than you, and let Him remove any bitterness in your situation.

Father,

We thank You that when we feel overwhelmed by circumstances, Your Holy Spirit will lead us to the Rock, Jesus Christ.

In His Name we pray,

Amen.

2020-12-27T12:20:07-07:00March 8th, 2021|

God Is Planning a Family Reunion

The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  But the father said to his servants, “Quick!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate” – (Luke 15:21-23 NIV)

The story of the lost son is one of the most beloved in the Scriptures.  God is in the business of bringing families together.  Every day parents are fighting over custody of their children.  In many instances’ children must be forcibly taken from abusive situations or from parents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.  Other families are torn apart by strife, bitterness, and jealously.

Is your family whole, or are you longing for the day when every member will be present at the family reunion?  Is there a son or daughter who seems to have dropped out of sight, as far as your family is concerned?  Why not make a covenant with the Lord to pray each day for the next year for that family member to be reconciled?  God is able to send His holy angels or human messengers along that person’s path with just the right words to turn his or her heart toward home.  The Lord used an angel to bring Peter and Cornelius together, and He can do the same to bring your family together.

And don’t forget, every reunion means a celebration!

2020-12-27T11:44:57-07:00March 1st, 2021|

The Word Produces Good Seed

“He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat” – (Psalm 147:14 NKJV)

God will give us an abundance of revelation knowledge—the good seed out of His Word.  As an adult, I received some of my best advice on studying the Bible from…a TEENAGER!

When our church was small, I was the leader of our teens.  One young man had a tremendous hunger to study God’s Word.  He showed me a small indexed notebook where he wrote the scriptures according to topics.  Whenever people had questions about healing, he would immediately refer to that category.  Many times, he would also jot down special revelations that the Holy Spirit gave him.

At that time, I also taught a small home Bible study.  Sometimes I did not have specific answers to questions.  But with a small indexed notebook such as my student’s, I began keeping scriptures and applying them to specific situations where needed.

I now have many such notebooks on alphabetized topics, Bible characters, and even whole books of the Bible—all supplemented with revelation knowledge.  It is a valuable reference resource that I use to teach the Bible.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to be consistent and stable in our study of Your Word.  Then You will be consistent and stable in giving us revelation knowledge.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-12-07T07:21:31-07:00February 22nd, 2021|

Never Stop Believing

Moses was forty years old when he stood up for who he was a Hebrew man; his actions resulted in his exile.

Moses was eighty years old before he came face-to-face with God at the burning bush, where he decided to follow wherever God might lead him and do whatever God might ask of him.

By faith Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and toward their land of promise.

Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, very likely did not live to see Moses become the man of faith who led Israel out of its bondage in Egypt.

But that’s real faith—they did not see and then believe.

They believed for what they had not yet seen, and they never stopped believing.

What are you believing for?

2020-12-01T09:29:57-07:00February 15th, 2021|

Build Up or Tear Down

“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (James 1:26 NKJV)

One day the Lord spoke strongly to me about my tongue.  He told me that I had begun to listen to bits and pieces of gossip about people and then repeated it.  I had developed a critical attitude.  Instead of praying for these people, I was talking about them.

God directed me to scripture in Ezekiel that says the Lord was looking for a man/woman to stand in the gap of the hedge.  God chastised me for becoming a “gap finder,” rather than a “gap stander.”  Then He reminded me about some people with whom I had been very angry.  These people had gossiped and said untrue things about the ministry.  God said, “You reap what you sow.  You have gossiped about others; now others are talking about you.”

I repented deeply and asked the Lord to help me daily with my tongue.  The sins of the tongue are among the most serious that we commit.  The tongue can build up or tear down.  It is so important to ask God for help in bridling our own tongues.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us guard our mouths today.  Check us if we begin to talk or criticize.  Remind us that when we sow gossip or criticism, we also will reap it.  We cannot afford such an expensive harvest.

In Jesus’s Name,

2020-12-01T08:07:41-07:00February 8th, 2021|

Be Prepared to Face the Lions

Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!  My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6:21-22 NKJV)

Angels are sent to believers to take care of the lions in our lives.  Sometimes we want God to protect us in a time of crisis, but until we repent of sin, we shouldn’t expect supernatural protection.  We can’t live a life of sin and the complain about the lack of supernatural deliverance in our lives.  Daniel was confident of God’s protection because Daniel was in a right relationship with his heavenly Father.

Let me give you a list of things to do NOW to prepare for any future overnight stay in the lion’s den:

  1. Read your Bible before you arrive in the lions’ den.
  2. Have a disciplined prayer time before the lions line up at your door.
  3. Keep your focus on the Word of God during a crisis.
  4. Keep an excellent spirit at all times.
  5. Have faith that the Word will work for you.
  6. Look to God for deliverance.
  7. Give God the glory for your deliverance.
2020-11-30T08:02:22-07:00February 1st, 2021|

How to Receive Your Benefits!

“So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Faith does come by hearing God’ Word.  But many people hear God’s Word and don’t believe it, so they don’t get its benefits.

Do you remember Rahab (Joshua 6)?  She, along with all of Jericho’s inhabitants, had heard about the God of Hebrews.  The people of Jericho all heard the same report; but Rahab alone heard AND BELIEVED.  Not only did she believe in her heart, but she confessed it with her mouth and acted out her faith by hiding the Israelites spies.

Because of Rahab’s willingness to believe what she had heard, she was rewarded beyond her wildest imagination.  When the rest of Jericho was destroyed, the walls of Rahab’s dwelling remained standing—as a testimony to her belief in God’s Word.

We can hear God’s Word continually, but until we believe what we hear and then act on it, it is not profitable to us.

When you hear the Word, don’t just casually receive it in your mind.  Meditate on it.  Accept it and receive it as a special message from God to you.  Then use it to benefit your life.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to mix our faith with Your Word, to take Your Word and use it in our lives, and to know that it is Your personal message to us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-11-10T07:32:56-07:00January 25th, 2021|

Four “I Wills” for the Dark Night

And I said, “This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; surely, I will remember Your wonders of old.  I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.  (Psalm 77:10-12 NKJV)

Like the psalmist, you may be in the middle of a “night” of grief and sorrows, and you may be thinking, “Has His mercy ceased forever (Psalm 77:8)?”  When that happens to you or someone you know, turn to Psalm 77 and contemplate the four “I wills” of verses 10-12:

  • I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.
  • I will remember the works of the LORD.
  • I will remember Your wonders of old.
  • I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.

These four steps will lead you to God.  Great comfort and hope can come from meditating on God’s great provision for our lives.

2020-11-09T11:50:44-07:00January 18th, 2021|

You Can’t Look Backward and Forward at the Same Time

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” – (Philippians 3:13 NKJV)

Once we forget the past, we can then reach forth to the things that are ahead.  If we continue to remember the past, it will press against our “present” and keep us from the future that God has for us.  We can’t look backward and forward at the same time.

The Lord tells us that He puts our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.  I’m glad He didn’t say north from south because then we would meet our sins again!  If you start walking south, eventually you’ll reach the south pole, and then you’ll be going north.  North and south can meet each other, but east and west can never meet!  There is no east or west pole.

When God forgives us of our sins, He forgets them.  He never meets them again, and He doesn’t intend for us to meet them either.  Therefore, we leave the past sins behind and look for the future glory.

Don’t let yourself be burdened down with the memory and guilt of past sins.  Christ shed His blood on the cross so that we might no longer be bowed under the weight of all our sins.  Hand them to Him!

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today that we can forget the past.  It cannot exercise power over our present or future.  We reach forth for the things that You have for us today.

2020-11-03T11:44:00-07:00January 11th, 2021|

Worship in Spirit and Truth

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” –(John 4:23-24 NKJV)

God has such tremendous blessings for each one of us who love Him, but we need to stay in the right position to receive them.  We need to stay under the downpour of His unlimited blessing.

Being in position to receive from God is directly tied to worshiping Him.

The Bible says we are each called to worship God in spirit and in truth.  In other words, we worship God in our hearts (spirit) and in our actions (truth).

We are called to love God with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  We do this by giving thanks and praise to God.

We are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves, which we can do in practical real-world ways.

What are some ways you can love your neighbor?

2023-02-02T12:19:14-07:00January 4th, 2021|

To Live in Prayer is to Live in Power

“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” -(Psalm 55:17 NKJV)

It is not unusual for a man, who is committed to prayer, to pray morning, noon, and night.  Daniel made a commitment to pray morning, noon, and night.  In fact, Daniel enemies could only find one fault with him: his extensive prayer life.  That’s really something when the only fault that your enemy can find is your prayer life!  I wonder how many of our enemies could find that “fault” with us?  But such dedication to prayer also brings forth men like Daniel—and David, who wrote Psalm 55:17.  They were mighty and powerful in God.

Sometimes Christians will complain, “I just don’t have time for a lot of prayer.”  Only the devil doesn’t “have time” for prayer.  A dedicated believer will MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER.  Jesus always made time for prayer with His heavenly Father—even in the midst of horrendous crises, such as His impending crucifixion and death.

To live in prayer is to live in power.  Set aside special times—morning, noon, and night—for your prayer life, and watch your circumstances change!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today let us emphasize prayer in our own personal lives.  We must not look to other people to pray for us.  We are committed to a consistent, personal prayer life.  We look to You to guide us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-10-21T09:52:49-06:00December 28th, 2020|

The Arrival of a Child Brings Heavenly Praise

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:11-14 NKJV)

I’m persuaded that the birth of every child sets off a chorus of praise in heaven.  It is a happy moment, filled with promise for a new life led in glory to God.

God does not ask you to entrust your children to Him without giving you the all-encompassing hope that He will fulfill your children’s lives in ways that will bring Him the greatest glory and give you and your children the greatest joy.

Take some time to reflect on that truth.  To entrust your child fully to the Lord is to claim, by your faith, that:

  • God loves your child with an everlasting love.
  • God’s purposes for creating your child are going to be fulfilled.
  • Your child’s life is going to count for eternity.
2020-10-21T08:50:52-06:00December 21st, 2020|

Partake & Share of the Fruit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, 23 NKJV)

The fruit of the Spirit is to be very evident in our lives.  When we are born again, we receive the fruits of LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.  These are for our personal enjoyment.  We experience love, joy, and peace.

In addition to these three fruits, there are three more that relate to others:  We need LONGSUFFERING in dealing with other people.  We also need GENTLENESS and GOODNESS.  Thus, not only do we enjoy personal fruit for ourselves, but we can extend His fruit to others.

Lastly, three final fruits deal with our relationship with our heavenly Father.  We give FAITH back to Him, along with MEEKNESS and TEMPERANCE.

Here is a beautiful picture of FRUIT THAT WE OURSELVES CAN ENJOY, FRUIT THAT WE GIVE TO OTHERS, and FRUIT THAT WE MANIFEST TO THE FATHER.  How complete God has made us in Jesus!  If you have Jesus, you have the seed of all nine of these fruits.  Partake of them all.

Dear Heavenly Father,

No law can win against love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance—the supernatural traits of Jesus Christ.  Thank You, Father, that these abide in us in our new birth.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2021-01-20T09:32:53-07:00December 14th, 2020|

The Power of a Joyful Attitude

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

(Psalm 119:74 NIV)

When a man of God receives grace for himself, he becomes a blessing to others.  Hopeful people bring gladness wherever they go.

What do you bring to your friends and family?  Do you remind them of all the bad things that have happened or might happen?  Do you give them a catalog of your aches and pains?  If your conversations are full of complaints, worries, and problems, then you are not testifying for God; you are testifying for the devil.

Your attitude alone can be a testimony to the gifts of God.  You have been forgiven!  You are assured of eternal life!  Considering the magnitude of these gifts, what do you have to complain about?

Reflect your joy and gratitude in every situation — you will be a blessing to your friends and family and, most of all, to God.

2020-10-21T07:59:33-06:00December 7th, 2020|

Repentance Brings Refreshing

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”- (Acts 3:19 NKJV)

Repentance brings refreshing.  I was 19 years old when my mother received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I was very “turned off” with both her experience and her Spirit-filled friends.  For four years she prayed for me and witnessed to me about the Holy Spirit baptism.  Finally, I met my husband-to-be, who was Spirit-filled.  God had begun to work on my heart.

I spent one entire night in repentance for rejecting such a wonderful gift of God, and I promised that I would participate in the next all-night prayer meeting that our church held.  Within four days I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  After my repentance came one of the greatest refreshings I had experienced.

The major things that we need in our lives often come only after we have truly repented.  Then God can send a refreshing peace to us that truly “passes all understanding.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today let us repent of those areas where we have blocked Your flow of refreshing to our lives.  Help us not to examine others, but to examine ourselves.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-10-21T07:36:57-06:00November 30th, 2020|

The Power of Thanksgiving

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4 NKJV)

God has often dealt with me about the act of thanksgiving.  There is power in the giving of thanks.  In the Old Testament there was a special offering just for thanksgiving.  The New Testament says that when we pray, we are to do so with thanksgiving.  We are to thank God for our food.  Then our blessings will be sanctified and set apart for us.

Thanksgiving is like yeast:  Thanksgiving causes your requests to rise with faith into the presence of God, just as yeast causes bread to rise.  The Word teaches that if you are not thankful for the things that God does, He will take away what He has given you.

Of the ten lepers, nine never gave thanks to Jesus.  Only one returned to thank Him.  I believe that because that one leper gave thanks, he received SPIRITUAL wholeness, as well as PHYSICAL wholeness.  Thanksgiving also will help you to be whole—physical, emotionally, and spiritually.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to live in an attitude of thanksgiving.  When we give You our praise and thanks, we know that You will bless us in body, soul and Spirit.  Thank You for all the good things that You do. 

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-09-28T10:11:34-06:00November 23rd, 2020|

A Psalm of Praise

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:1-4 NKJV)

Within two stanzas of this psalm, we are admonished to praise and worship the Lord, and we are given good reasons for doing so!  We are told to make a joyful shout and to be thankful.  Why?  Because, It is He who has made us.

God is your heavenly Father, and He delights in providing for your every need.

Exercise “childlike” faith in God’s goodness; you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to praise and thank Him!

2020-09-28T10:00:57-06:00November 16th, 2020|

How Your Praise in Troubled Times Helps Others

But a midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  (Acts 16:25 NKJV)

You’ve heard the expression “misery loves company.”  When Paul and Silas found themselves unfairly imprisoned in a Philippian jail, they didn’t spend their jail time coming up with a defense or complaining about being falsely accused.  Their instinct was to pray and sing hymns to God.

The other prisoners were listening to them.

In this verse, the Greek word for “listening” includes the idea of listening “with pleasure.”

Everyone jailed with Paul and Silas benefited from their response to a terrible circumstance.

When we find ourselves in miserable situations, let’s use the time to glorify God and edify those around us.

Take a look at Acts 16:26 (the very next verse), and see what happens when we do.

2020-09-28T09:52:09-06:00November 9th, 2020|

His Power Flowing Through Us

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV)

The right hand has always been the hand that denoted power.  When Jesus sat down, He sat down at the right hand of God.  Jesus held the sevens stars in His right hand.  He held the book in Revelation in His right hand.  The antichrist said that he would put a mark in the right hand of those who belonged to him.  When Jacob put his right hand on Ephraim’s head, this indicated that Ephraim would have more power than Manasseh.

Proverbs speaks of wisdom’s qualities: “Length of days is in her right hand, in her left-hand riches and honor” (Proverbs 3:16).  If we seek wisdom, we’ll have length of days for enjoying the riches and honor.

The Lord promises that He will hold your right hand so you can be empowered for action.  At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.  We believers shall lay hands on the sick because our hands are to be full of God’s healing power.  Everything our hands touch will prosper because of His power flowing through us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today to know Your power, experience Your strength, and receive Your help as it flows through us to others that they might be healed.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-09-28T09:28:46-06:00November 2nd, 2020|

The Glory of His Plan!

Save me, O God!  For the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.  I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.

O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.  (Psalm 69:1-3, 5 NKJV)

Do you really understand what Jesus did for you on the Cross?

Not only did He die for you, He bore your sin so that you would be free to accept His sacrifice and receive eternal life.

As you read Psalm 69, thoughtfully consider this awesome sacrifice by the Son of God.  Sincerely thank God for His plan of redemption because it has allowed you to escape the sure judgment of the King of kings.

Praise Him continually for His tender mercies, which will be extended to you throughout the ages to come.

2020-08-27T11:45:35-06:00October 26th, 2020|

Renew your Mind Daily

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” -(Romans 12:2 NKJV)

When we act like people in the world, we CONFORM to their standard.  But the Word of God TRANSFORMS us:  It renews our minds and causes us to think like Him.  The word for TRANSFORM is the same word as “transfigure.”  When Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah, He was transfigured.  There was a glow from within.

When your mind is renewed with God’s Word, your mind also begins to glow from within from God’s Word.  Then, because of the renewing of your mind, you will know what is good, you will know what is acceptable, and you will know the perfect will of God.

It is very important to have a continual process of renewing our mind.  Renewal can be achieved by reading, meditating, and “chewing” on God’s Word in a daily way.  Then we make right decisions.  Because we live in and associate with the world, our thoughts can, at any moment, conform to the world.  That’s why it is so important to meditate on God’s Word daily.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today to meditate on Your Word and to keep our minds renewed with a daily reading of Your Word.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-08-19T07:21:59-06:00October 19th, 2020|

A Cure for the Evening News

In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33 NIV)

Because of the peril of today, sometimes, if Christians are not careful, we can become adversely affected by what we see instead of what we know by faith.  Jesus tells us to be cheerful in the midst of troubled relationships, finances, or health.  And though you should be concerned, don’t let the condition of the world get you down.  Remember that we know how the story ends…and it is a happy, happy ending!

If you do become depressed or anxious about situations surrounding you, begin to praise God.  Turn to Psalm 67; it’s bursting with praise and promise!  Memorize the words so they will be hidden in your heart, then begin to speak or even sing them!  Praise your way through this life, knowing that the conditions we face are not permanent.  One glorious day we will live in a righteous world under the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s live this life in an overabundance of praise to God for His supernatural intervention even before we see His miracles manifested!

 

2020-08-19T07:13:25-06:00October 12th, 2020|

Bless the Lord

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2, 3 NKJV)

The word BLESS is a very powerful word.  However, if we do not mix blessings with faith, then we lose the benefits promised to us.  Basically, the Bible tells us that we are to bless three things:  1) We are to bless our circumstances.  Never murmur against them.  What we bless will bless us.

2) We are to bless our enemies.  Never talk against them or criticize them.  Never do evil to them.  When we bless them, then, in turn, they will bless us.  When a man’s ways please the Lord, He will make his enemies to be at peace with us.  3) We are to bless the Lord.  You might say, “The Lord doesn’t need to be blessed.  He is already blessed.”  But when we bless the Lord, He blesses us back.

Remember, when we bless the Lord, He forgives all of our sins and heals all of our diseases.  Spend time blessing the Lord today!  If you sow blessings, you will reap them.  He will bless you back!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today not to murmur and complain against our circumstances, but to bless them.  Help us to not murmur against our enemies, but to bless them.  Above all, help us to bless You.  Throughout the day we will take time to bless You, Father, with our hearts.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-08-19T07:05:04-06:00October 5th, 2020|

Your Inheritance from Father Abraham

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – (Galatians 3:29 NIV)

The rewards promised to Abraham are the same rewards God holds out to you as you live a righteous, faith-filled life of obedience to the Lord:

Fruitfulness — a life and legacy of increase, influence, and effectiveness on the earth, for you and your heirs.

A heritage of natural and spiritual heirs — your physical children (adopted and biological) and your spiritual children, entrusted to you by God, to spread your legacy of fruitfulness over space and time.

A supernatural place of provision and protection — the place or places to which God will lead you to establish and benefit you and your family, the place where He will cause you to influence others for His glory.

2020-08-07T13:41:41-06:00September 28th, 2020|

Blessed are the Peacemakers

“He who is of a proud heart stir up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” – (Proverbs 28:25 NKJV)

Strife always brings problems.  Out of it comes every evil work.  Sometimes it is very difficult not to respond to people who speak against us.  One time I was very upset because a woman had told some terrible lies about me.  I wanted to respond by telling her off, but the Lord said, “Vengeance is mine.”

The Lord told me that He would fight for me and that I should bless my enemies.  I made the decision not to enter into the strife.  If was the Lord’s problem, not mine.  If any fighting were to be done, the Lord would have to do it for me.

God prospered me in that situation.  I will never forget it, and I remind myself of it when I have new opportunities for strife.  Strife is a luxury you cannot afford; it is too expensive.  Strife will cost you time, energy, and your mental peace and well-being.  If you want to be a victorious Christian, stay out of strife.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today to see the pitfalls of strife.  Help us to rebuke and resist strife with all of our hearts.  You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”  Help us to see that we cannot be a part of strife.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-08-07T13:35:45-06:00September 21st, 2020|

Royal Priesthood

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…- (I Peter 2:9 NKJV)

It is a challenge to keep our true identity in Christ fixed in our minds.  When we are fighting traffic, stressing over finances, walking the dog, we can easily forget that we are children of the King of kings.

And we have been honored still further; we are all priests, our lives given over in service and praise to our God, the Father of light, who never changes.  Like the rest of creation, we exist to glorify our Father, the King.

One day, everyone will know God’s true identity.

Come soon, Lord Jesus.

2020-08-07T13:28:16-06:00September 14th, 2020|

Supernatural Ways to be Victorious

“And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends”- (Job 42:10a NKJV)

Many people feel that Job’s trial was a blessing in disguise from God.  I do not believe that.  According to the Word, it was the devil who took from Job.  His affliction was called a “captivity,” not a “blessing.”  In the hedge of Job’s life, there existed a gap that made him susceptible to Satan’s attack.

When you read the book of Job, you find that Satan, not God, robs Job.  And in the end, we find that God gives much to Job.  Satan is always a thief; he takes away.  But God is a giver.

If there if an area of fear in your life, Satan can use this as an opportunity to rob from you, just as he robbed from Job.

People have often emphasized Job’s trials, rather than the story’s ending.  But the book of James tells us, “seen the end intended by the Lord” (James 5:11).  Job’s trials lasted only about nine months, but he lived for 140 years.  Let’s “major” on his blessings and “minor” on his trials.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that whatever the trial or affliction we may face, You have a supernatural way for us to be victorious.  We give You praise and glory for what You are doing in our lives.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-08-07T13:16:28-06:00September 7th, 2020|

The Miracle Tree

There is no situation too big for God where His children are concerned.  When the children of Israel reached the Red Sea, Moses parted the water and led the Israelites across a dry sea floor—just ahead of the pursuing Egyptians who drowned when the waters closed back over them.  God’s people should have seen that the Lord was bigger than any problem.  Nevertheless, in just a few days the Israelites were murmuring and complaining because they had no water except the bitter water of Marah, which they were unable to drink.  (I sometimes wonder if the bitter water reflected the bitterness in their own hearts.)

Here were 2 million people in a desert without water fit to drink, but who did they have with them?  Yes!  They had the Lord!  He instructed Moses to cut down a tree and throw it in the water; then the water was “healed.”  People speculate about what kind of tree would have neutralized the bitter water, but I know it was a miracle tree.  Just as the Passover lamb typified Jesus, so the tree typified the cross of Calvary.  Because of that tree, the bitter waters of sin have been neutralized and we can drink freely of the waters of salvation.  God can heal our bodies, and He can heal our circumstances.

It was here at Marah that the Lord gave to Israel, and to us as children of faith, one of the greatest promises of healing found in the Scriptures.  When God made the water of Marah “sweet,” He said to the people, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you” –(Exodus 15:26 NIV).

Let’s praise God that through Him, we can be healed!

2020-08-07T13:06:14-06:00August 31st, 2020|

God Will Fight For Us

“Create from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm” –(Psalm 37:8 NKJV)

A young man shared a marvelous testimony with me.  He had purchased an expensive bicycle that he absolutely loved and rode to work whenever possible.  But one night someone broke into his house and stole his bike.  He was very angry because he had saved for the bike, and now it was gone.

The Lord really dealt with him to cease from anger, forsake wrath, and trust God.  The man called the police, filed a report of the theft, and said, “Father, I trust You.”

One year later a bicycle repair shop employee called this young man and said, “I remember selling you a bicycle.  Today someone came into my shop with the same bike.  The numbers even match!  I suspected that the bike was stolen, so I called the police, who still had the theft record.”  The man’s bicycle was returned to him one year later—in perfect shape!

God will fight for us.  We need to seek His wisdom in trials and then expect a miracle!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we thank You that You are a God of the miraculous.  Anger only harms us and causes us to miss Your supernatural.  Help us to forsake wrath and walk in Your wisdom.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-07-22T07:56:52-06:00August 24th, 2020|

Creation’s Praise

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  –(Isaiah 55:12 NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  –(Psalm 19:1 NIV)

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet the stones will cry out.”  –(Luke 19:39-40 NIV)

On those beautiful days when the air is clear, the sun shining brightly, the flowers calling out with their colors for all to see—we are experiencing creation’s praise to God.

Let’s join in!

2020-07-15T13:34:03-06:00August 17th, 2020|

God’s Supernatural Strength

“I will go in the strength of the Lord God” -(Psalm 71:16a (NKJV)

This scripture has been the spiritual theme of my life.  Many times, I have felt weak before speaking at a crusade or convention.  But God tells us that when we are weak, we should confess His strength.

I have experienced tremendous anointings when I confess the Lord’s strength.  Samson received the same anointing of strength.  God’s anointing would break in upon Samson, and he would experience strength beyond that of any man!  He then could perform supernatural feats of might.

God not only can strengthen our inner man, but He can impart strength to our physical being.

The Bible shows us many instances of supernatural strength and endurance being given to a mortal man when he was at work for God’s Kingdom.  Even Jesus had a man’s body—but God’s supernatural strength.  Let’s claim our physical heritage in Jesus.

When we are weak, let’s say, “I am strong.”  We will receive our supply of supernatural strength.  It works…I know it!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we grasp the physical strength that You have for our day.  As our day is mighty in You, so is our strength.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-07-12T15:04:48-06:00August 10th, 2020|

Freedom from Past Mistakes

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.-(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)                                                     

There was a time when the apostle Paul murdered some Christians and threw others in prison.  There were many things in his past that he regretted, but Paul learned the secret to freeing himself from past sin and present guilt:  forget it and move on.  If you don’t, you can become a prisoner.

Hatred and bitterness can be very real prisons.  Have you ever known someone who was so obsessed with ill feelings toward an individual that they put themselves in bondage?  So many people are enduring the equivalent of a life-sentence because they are holding fast to the past.

Thanks be to God, we have a Savior who sets us free from sin and death, who makes it possible to forget our mistakes and live a life of praise.

2020-07-12T15:10:15-06:00August 3rd, 2020|

Know God’s Voice

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”– (John 10:27 – 28 NKJV)

God does not “hide and seek” with us.  He wants us to know His voice.  Some people make understanding God’s Word sound so difficult.  They think that it takes years of fasting and prayer to make the smallest Word-directed decision.  But Jesus promises us that, as His sheep, we will hear His voice and not follow the voice of a stranger.  When we see Jesus calling men by name before they know Him, we realize how well the Good Shepherd knows each one of His sheep.  He calls them by name, and they follow.

How can we hear Christ’s call?  Many of us often hear Him through an inner voice.  God’s inner voice came to Elijah when he got in trouble and ran from Jezebel.  God took Elijah to a cave and let him hear the thunder and the shaking of the earth.  Then Elijah heard and heeded—not the outward, tremendous manifestations—but a small, quiet inner voice.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to listen to Your voice, and to learn and know You so intimately and so well that we can recognize Your divine intentions.  Help us to live not in the reasoning of our head, but in the perception of our spirit.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-06-09T16:17:14-06:00July 27th, 2020|

Plan to Walk in Victory

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says…the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”- (James 1:22, 25 NIV)

Approach every day as though it were the only day you have to achieve your goals and be a winner.  In reality, that is true.  Yesterday is gone forever, and tomorrow isn’t here yet.  Nevertheless, yesterday is the foundation you’re building today on, and today is the foundation for tomorrow.  Too soon, today will be gone and you will be faced with tomorrow.  What you do right now sets the stage for your future, for achievement or failure.  Choose to be a winner.

We hear a great deal today about stress and how to handle it.  Our society seems to be plagued with stress, which manifests in confusion, frustration, anxiety, fear, etc.  Let me give you valuable keys to stress management.  Put God first, plan each day wisely, schedule your time, write things down, stick to your goals, and avoid delay.  This will enable you to eliminate a great amount of stress.

God wants His saints to reflect joy and walk in victory.  He doesn’t want them stressed out under their circumstances.  Remember, others are watching you.  The world needs to see a different kind of person—an optimist instead of a pessimist, a winner not a loser, an overcomer rather than an underachiever.  That kind of person just might have the opportunity to lead others to Christ.  Will you be that person?

2020-06-09T15:39:26-06:00July 20th, 2020|

Godly Wisdom, Natural wisdom, and Earthly Wisdom

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”– (James 3:17 NKJV)

James 3 shows the difference between godly wisdom and natural, earthly wisdom.  I have used this distinction to determine whether I am hearing from the Lord or from my own personal soul.  Is it a decision full of mercy?  Will it bring forth good fruit, or will it bring confusion to the body?  If it will bring confusion or if it’s not merciful, then it must not be God’s wisdom.  If it’s not gentle or open to reason, it must not be God’s wisdom.

My number-one daily prayer is that I would be saturated with the wisdom of God because of the man decisions our ministry faces.  Years ago, God dealt with me about doing a Bible reading plan.  At that time the ministry was very small, and we didn’t have the money for startup costs.  Yet I felt a gentle “tugging” of the Holy Spirit.  Getting people involved in the Word was certainly God’s mercy.  Certainly, it would bring forth good fruit.  I made the decision, and God paid the bills.  Cry out for wisdom.  He will give it to you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We ask to be full of Your wisdom for this day.  Let us recognize that which is pure, peaceable, and gentle—that which is full of mercy and good fruits.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-06-09T15:26:52-06:00July 13th, 2020|

Cleansed of Sin and Sickness

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .-(1 John 1:9 NKJV)

Sin brings death, and sickness is death attaching itself to us.

Many years ago, I became very angry over a situation.  A certain person had pulled some bad business deals on people in our church congregation.  Although the matter had been handled, I began to meditate on it, and the more I meditated, the angrier I became.

Shortly after I came down with severe flu symptoms—sore throat, temperature, etc.  Of course, I rebuked the devil and rebuked the devil, but without results.  Imagine how shocked I was when the Lord said, “The devil isn’t the problem; you are.”  The Lord showed me how I had opened the door to sickness by allowing bitterness to lodge in my heart.  What the person had done was wrong, but I needed to leave the matter with God.

Needless to say, I repented of my sin, slammed the door on sickness, and received my healing!

What healing do you need in your life?

2020-06-09T12:35:38-06:00July 6th, 2020|

Grace has Dominion Over You

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”– (Romans 6:14 NKJV)

The devil will do his best to convince you that sin has dominion over you.  But the Bible says that grace has dominion over you.

A dear pastor friend had been an alcoholic in his past.  Two years after he was born again, he was tempted by Satan to take a drink.  When he did, he became hopelessly drunk and fell into terrible despair.  He felt so condemned that he said, “There is no hope for me.  Sin has totally taken over.”  He decided to take his life because the devil told him that there was no hope.  The devil told him that the sin of alcoholism would always have dominion over him.  But, thank God, another pastor cursed this work of the devil and strengthened our dear friend’s heart in the Word of God.  Our friend was set free.

This happened many years ago.  But even today, when you talk to this man, he will tell you again and again about the power of grace.  We need to know Who Jesus is in us-that He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today that sin does not have dominion over us.  We choose, instead, for Your grace to have dominion over us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-07-22T11:16:41-06:00June 29th, 2020|

Move Mountains

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.- (Mark 11:23 NKJV)

 

Sometimes when things are going great, Christians get lazy about the Word and sloppy in their living.  Others give up on the Word when things go particularly bad.  These people are heading for some nasty bumps along the way.

Please don’t think I’m saying that if you live by the Word you’ll never encounter difficulty, but I am saying that you will overcome the difficulty when you confidently and consistently make the Word your rule.

Never say the Word isn’t working!  Always judge your circumstances by God’s infallible Word; do not judge the Word by your circumstances.  There are those who reject God’s promises when they don’t see their situations change.  If your difficult situation looms bigger in your eyes than the Word, you will fail; but if you keep speaking the Word with faith and patience and act as though you believe it, that mountain standing in your path will eventually move.

Let’s praise God that His Word is true and lasting!

2020-06-09T07:28:52-06:00June 22nd, 2020|

Wait for Wise Counsel

“They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel” (Psalm 106:13 NKJV)

Sometimes it takes time to receive the counsel we need.  When we make hasty decisions, we can miss God’s counsel for us.  Then we may do something very carnal that blows our opportunity for a God-given miracle.

I’m reminded of King Saul.  In the early part of his kingship, he had to fight the Philistines.  Saul became impatient as he waited for Samuel to arrive and pray for the battle.  The people began to pressure Saul, so he took the place of the priest and offered the sacrifice himself.  That sin led to other weaknesses in Saul.  Finally, he lost his entire kingdom.  If Saul had only waited a few more hours, Samuel would have arrived and the requirements of the Lord would have been met.  And Saul, instead of being a defeated man, could have been a victoriously king.

There are times of my life when I have run ahead of the Lord—often because people pressured me—and I did not wait for God’s counsel.  Sometimes we think that God is so slow; but really, He is always on time—His time!  Let’s time our timing with His and wait until we get a word from Him before we move.  Then we will have the results that we desire.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to know how to wait on Your counsel.  Give us hearing ears and seeing eyes today for what You have for us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-06-09T06:48:06-06:00June 15th, 2020|

When You Feel Abandoned…Try TRSR

How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1 NKJV)

Depression can sometimes sneak up on us over a long period of time.  The devil would like to wear us down through a prolonged sickness or an extended time of debt or unemployment.  After standing in faith for a particular situation month after month (or year after year), we may eventually feel like David and sigh, “How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?”

David started feeling that way in Psalm 13, but in two short verses (5 and 6), he had the perfect antidote for depression:  trust in God’s mercy, rejoice in your salvation, sing to the Lord, and remember all the things God has done for you in the past.

Try it the next time depression hits!

What can you sing about today?

2020-05-13T13:16:44-06:00June 8th, 2020|

Send the Word

“He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20 NKJV)

I think I have used this scripture more than anyone else in the world.  I have prayed it for literally thousands of people who did not live in my area or could not come to a meeting where I was speaking.  It is the fastest means of transportation and will do the best job.

Years ago, a staff member told me about her husband’s horrendous back problem.  I was unable to go lay hands on him, and he was unable to come to church.  So, I prayed Psalm 107:20 and sent the Word to his back.

Early the next morning I had to call his wife concerning another situation, and he answered the phone.  He said, “the most unusual thing happened to me yesterday.  Something clicked in my back while I was working.  It totally went into place; I was healed.  And I slept like a baby all night.”  I asked him at what time he was healed, and it was at the same time I had sent Psalm 107:20 to him.  God’s Word will go where you cannot.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We send Your Word into our circumstances and those of others.  We claim triumph in our lives today.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-05-13T11:28:52-06:00June 1st, 2020|

Live Life Aware of God’s Awesome Presence

…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose-. (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)

Fear in this verse refers to an awareness of God’s awesome presence.  Recognize that God is on your side.  He wants to help you.  The Lord is your shepherd.  He wants to guide you into those things that will fulfill His good plan and purpose in your life.

You’ve heard the Latin phrase carpe diem or seize the day—David’s motto might have been coram deo, which means living life in the presence of God.  It is one way of accounting for David’s rich outpouring of poetry and praise, graciously preserved by God in His Word.

An awareness of God’s presence in your life will lead you into praise and thanksgiving.

How do you see God at work in your life?

2020-04-23T15:01:48-06:00May 25th, 2020|

Walk in the Light

 

“He who loves his brother abides in the light” ~(1 John 2:10a NKJV)

Have you ever felt heavy, depressed, and “out of it” in your spirit—like everything was dark around you?  When I think of depression, I think of darkness.

When I am depressed, I ask the Holy Spirit to examine my heart to see what is really behind that depression.  I believe that in every circumstance, behind any depression, is some unconfessed sin.

If you have some unresolved sin in your life, it is as though you are walking inside a dark cloud.  When you look at life around you, you need to peer through the darkened mist—and everything looks gloomy and depressing.

But if, instead you walk in the light, you will not be depressed.  Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world and that we are to let our light so shine that men will follow our example and glorify our Father in heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today help us to see that if we have sin in our lives, it is an area of darkness.  It keeps us from the light.  And when we are “out of it,” it’s usually related to some area of darkness.  Let the Holy Spirit shine His light in those areas and expose the sin so that we might confess it and be free.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-04-23T14:02:44-06:00May 18th, 2020|

Teach Your Children to Praise

Faith is contagious.

The greatest lesson of faith you can pass on to your own children is the example of faith they see daily in your life.

Your children will see your faith, feel your faith, and hear your faith—in turn, they will repeat your words of faith and model your works of faith.

If you give thanks often for good things that come your way, your children, who overhear you, will learn to do the same.

If you give praise to God for His presence in your life, your children will overhear you praising God and will also praise Him.

How can your family praise God together?

2020-04-23T13:07:31-06:00May 11th, 2020|

Staying in Perfect Peace

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

Sometimes it is difficult to keep our minds “stayed” on the Lord.  When we look at our circumstances and the difficulties around us, it is easy to pick up those difficulties and really fall apart with them.   have sometimes found that I have had to discipline my mind severely.  When my soul wanted to worry and worry and worry, my mind would react with fear.

To combat this, I began to memorize certain chapters of the Bible.  One time I memorized the book of James.  Another time I memorized the book of Matthew.  Even another time I memorized the book of Proverbs.  Those are some of the sweetest, richest times in my life because I had my mind so filled with the Word.  I would go over the scriptures early in the morning, again at noon, and one more time before I went to sleep.  My mind became so saturated with the Word that I maintained tremendous peace.  Of course, having the Word of God in your heart gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring it to your mind at other times when you need peace.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to take the scriptures so seriously that we don’t PLAY with them; we USE them, literally, in our daily walk.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-07-22T11:25:32-06:00May 4th, 2020|

Breaking the Genetic Code

When I was thirty-six years old, I found myself under tremendous pressure.  The devil whispered to me, “You are just like your father.  You look and act like him.  You are going to have a nervous breakdown just like he did.”

I began to agree, “Yes, I’m just like my father.  I’m probably going to have a nervous breakdown too.”  At that point, the Lord spoke to me and reminded me, “I am your Father.  You are just like Me, and I’ve never had a nervous breakdown.  Neither will you.”

The question is this: whose nature are you believing for?

Do you believe the die has been irrevocably cast, forcing you to be just like your earthly parents or grandparents?

Or do you believe you can choose to take after your heavenly Father?

2020-04-20T07:59:21-06:00April 27th, 2020|

Live the Best Life

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27 NKJV)

In this scripture PEACE means “the act of living life at its best.”  Jesus gave us peace, a way to live life at its best—something that the world can never give.  This peace passes natural understanding.

I’ll never forget the night when my father had a heart attack.  The doctors worked on my father for several hours, but he finally passed away.

My mother was simply overwhelmed with grief.  But I experienced a wonderful, wonderful peace that flooded my heart.  I remember thinking several times in the night, “my father isn’t really dead.  It was just a bad dream.”  But when I would finally remember, “He really IS dead,” the peace of Jesus would fill my heart.  I knew, that my father was in heaven.

Once I asked the Lord about this unusual experience on the night of father’s death.  He told me, “I let you enter into a small portion of the glory in which your father is now walking.”

What is that special peace that God leaves with us?  An extension of the peace that exists in heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today that we have the peace of Jesus.  It passes our understanding of circumstances and of ourselves.  It’s a peace that knows You rule and reign in our lives and that we can trust You. 

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-04-03T09:06:51-06:00April 20th, 2020|

Travel and Longing

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times (Psalm 119:20 NIV).

One of the best ways to find out what people are really like is to examine their deepest longings.  What do you want more than anything?  A new car?  A better job?  The psalmist of Psalm 119 wanted to feed upon God’s Word.

Once you have entered the world of God’s Law, you become filled with a longing to know more and more.  It is a bittersweet longing, because you become more aware of your own imperfections.  God’ forgiveness will become even more precious to you.  What a wonderful journey it is!

Spend more time in the Word, and the secrets of His covenant will be revealed, opening like the petals of a miraculous flower.  Let your soul be consumed with a longing for His truth.

What are you consumed with in this moment?

2020-03-10T11:53:02-06:00April 13th, 2020|

Jesus has done what is necessary. 

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”

Many people think that it’s difficult to be saved.  They say, “You mean, all I have to do is to call upon God?  That’s too easy—too simple.”  It IS simple to be saved—for one reason:  Jesus has done what is necessary.  It is not what we have done.  It has already been done.  We must simply believe that He has done it for us.

Today’s scripture can transform any life—if it is mixed with faith.  If we call upon the name of the Lord, repent of our sins, invite Jesus into our hearts, and confess it boldly with our mouths, the Bible says that we will be saved.  Jesus did it all.  He paid it all so that we might have it all.

Today, ask the Lord to lead you to someone who needs Him.  Ask God to open that person’s heart and show him how he can call upon the name of Jesus and receive the cleansing of Christ’s blood for all sins.  Let Jesus be acknowledged as the Lord of that person’s life.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that every one of us is called to be a soul winner.  Each of us is called to be light wherever there is darkness.  Lead us to a hungry soul in Jesus’s Name.

Amen.

2020-03-10T10:50:42-06:00April 6th, 2020|

Everything is Included in the Package

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. –(James 1:16-17 NKJV)

When you take Jesus as your Savior, you get the whole salvation package.  In that package are deliverance, redemption, and healing.  The Greek word sozo, which is translated salvation in the New Testament, literally means “deliverance, redemption, and healing.”

Jesus takes your sin and gives you His righteousness.  He takes your sickness, and He gives you health.  He takes your death and gives you eternal life.  Do you think that is a good package?  Even though you lost it all in the first Adam, you regained it all in the last Adam, Jesus Christ.

All the weapons which were formed against you cannot prosper (see Isaiah 54:17) because Jesus came and dismantled those weapons.

Praise the Lord!

2020-02-11T12:55:08-07:00March 30th, 2020|

The Fourth One is With You

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” -(Isaiah 43:2 NKJV)

This must have been the scripture that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego stood on when they were thrown in the burning, fiery furnace.  They certainly were not burned, nor did they even have the scent of smoke upon them when they came out.  Only the rope that held their hands was burned.

What will bring us through the deep waters?  What will bring us through the hottest fires of persecution?  It is the One Who brought Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego through the burning, fiery furnace.  It is the fourth Man in the furnace—the Son of God.  Our Lord Jesus Christ will go through the waters when we go through the waters.  He will go through the fire when we go through the fire.  We will emerge without being bitter, rejected, or damaged in our personalities—we can come out free.  Today, remember, whatever your crisis, the fourth One is with you too!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You today that whatever trial I go through, You are there to go through it with me and You are there to bring me through victoriously.  It is always Your will that I triumph in Christ.

Amen.

2020-02-11T12:37:38-07:00March 23rd, 2020|

The Real Children of Faith

The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God (Galatians 3:7 NLT).

Faith lessons are passed down from generation to generation.

When we live by faith, we are the spiritual children of Abraham.

What is the point of receiving any type of lesson?

So, you can learn and apply that lesson to your own life.  So, you can have equal or even better results than those who received the lesson before you.  This especially true of faith lessons.

Be quick to share with your children how God has honored your acts of faith.

Be quick to tell them how you have lived by faith and what resulted from that faith.

Pass the faith lessons of your life on to your children.

What are some of these lessons?

2020-02-11T11:31:38-07:00March 16th, 2020|

Miracle-working Power

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 NKJV)

This special phrase appears more than one time in the Bible, and it almost always has to do with the birth of a child.  All our married life the doctors said that I could never have a child, that it was utterly impossible.  But with God all things are possible.  Thirteen years after we were married, we miraculously gave birth to a child of our own.

Can you imagine the excitement of Abraham and Sarah when they were told that Sarah would receive the strength to conceive Isaac!  When I looked up this word STRENGTH, I found out that in Hebrew the word was DUNAMIS, which means “miracle-working power.”

With God nothing is impossible, and even though Abraham and Sarah were “old and well stricken in age,” Sarah received her strength and Isaac was born.

The word for POSSIBLE is also DUNAMIS— “miracle-working power.”  With God there is miracle working power for every “impossible” situation.

Make a vow never again to think or say the word “impossible.”  Instead, flood your life with God’s positive and possible power!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we thank You, in the name of Jesus, that the impossible is possible when we put our trust and confidence in You.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-02-11T10:47:43-07:00March 11th, 2020|

The Essence of Faith

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrew 11:8 NKJV).

Abraham was willing to go wherever God told him because he believed what God promised him about his own life and future.

He did not see in order to believe.

He believed that he might—even if he had only a glimpse of what was to come.

Abraham did not know—and then believe.  He believed that he might know.

Abraham did not possess—and then believe.  He believed that he might one day possess.

This is the very essence of faith.

What are you believing for?

2020-02-10T11:37:54-07:00March 2nd, 2020|

How does God correct us?

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17 NKJV)

This scripture is also found in the book of Hebrews.  Many times, we read it and think, “I don’t like chastening.”  But I believe that this scripture is a “Double-D” verse—we are neither to DESPISE the Lord’s correction nor DESPAIR in it.

How does God correct us?  He corrects us with His Word—His cleansing agent.  Notice that this passage talks about chastening, or correction, by the Almighty.  The word ALMIGHTY in the original Hebrew is EL SHADDAI.  EL SHADDAI means “The God of all sufficiency; the God Who is more than enough.”

As El Shaddai, God came to Abraham in the context of total impossibility.  God said to Abraham, “I’ll give you seed as the duct of the earth.”  Abraham was 99 years old; Sarah was 89.  However, God has the capability of superseding all-natural events—He caused Abraham and Sarah to have a child.

When God corrects you, He does it so that He can give you more than you ever expected.  Let’s receive His correction with love and be blessed by it.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today for Your correction.  Search our hearts and reveal any wicked ways that are hidden within us.  We desire to walk in Your light.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2020-02-10T09:55:38-07:00February 24th, 2020|

Make God’s Truth Your Family’s Foundation

But for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15 NKJV)

A life built on God’s truth becomes the foundation for generational blessing, because knowledge of the truth empowers us to make habitual choices that are in line with the Word of God and the character of Christ.

God honors righteousness.

God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

He blesses choices and decisions that honor Him.

A family can choose to follow God and be blessed by God—generation after generation.  A family can choose to obey God, receive forgiveness, and become the very embodiment of God’s blessing to the world.

A family who believes and lives the truth will be blessed.  Sadly, a family who fails to value truth or refuses to receive truth will eventually reap negative consequences.

Prize the truth…seek the truth…reap the truth’s glorious harvest.

2020-02-10T08:34:11-07:00February 17th, 2020|

Love One Another…Love God

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11 NKJV)

The best way to love one another is to love God and experience His love in our hearts.  When we try to love people with our own supply of love, it runs out quickly.  Sometimes people are hard to love.  Sometimes we are hard to love.  But if we go back to His love, we find an endless supply.

I’ve learned that when we begin to act in love—just because God has asked it—our emotions will get in line, and soon we will feel it.

Sometimes it is very difficult to extend love to others—particularly when they have been offended or hurt us.  We know in our hearts that we should radiate that AGAPE kind of love.  But deep in our souls and bodies lies a strong resistance.  That’s when it’s so important to lean on God and borrow some of His love.

Say something good about a person who has said evil things about you.  Begin to speak God’s Word about that person, and your feelings and emotions will change into the love of God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we see that it’s very important to love our enemies.  We should do good to our enemies and pray for them.  In doing so, You can change our enemies and make them to be at peace with us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2020-01-14T12:00:58-07:00February 10th, 2020|

We Never Fully Arrive

Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you.  Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left.  Then you will be successful in everything you do.  Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.   (Joshua 1:7-8 NLT)

At a critical moment in your Joshua’s life, God spoke to him some of the most positive, inspiring, and courage-building words in the entire Bible.

Hearing God’s Word is a lifelong process.  We learn as we go, and we never fully arrive.  There are always enriching new insights to be gained and intimate moments with God yet to be experienced.  This is the “little by little” Isaiah talked about (Isaiah 28:9-10).

For true learning to take place, information must be encountered repeatedly.  The same is true of learning God’s way; we benefit from “soaking” in His Word, from “chewing” on it as we ask Him to reveal what a particular passage means and how it relates to our lives.

2019-12-23T10:48:48-07:00February 3rd, 2020|

Arm Yourself

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV)

How can we stand against the wiles of the devil if we haven’t put on the whole armor of God?  In Ephesians 6 we read about seven pieces of armor.  We need each one of them.

Each piece of armor is offensive, not defensive.  There is nothing to cover our backs because we can never turn our backs on the devil.  We’re always to move forward in God!

Our orders are to “occupy” until Jesus comes (Luke 19:13b).  OCCUPY is not a passive verb, nor does it denote a defensive position.  Rather, it denotes action—an active stance—an offensive maneuver.

Then Ephesians 6:13 says, “having done all, to stand.”  When I looked up the word STAND, I found that it means “to stand as a conqueror.”  We stand as conquerors—soldiers who have already won the battle.

What are our orders from the Lord?  First, put on the whole armor of God—be prepared!  Second, take the offensive—move forward with God as your Captain!  Third, occupy the land—until Jesus comes!  Fourth, stand as a conqueror—the battle is won!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that we are victorious and that we always triumph in Christ.  We are not defeated.  We are victorious through Your Word and the power of Your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2019-12-23T09:27:28-07:00January 27th, 2020|

Live a Forgiving Lifestyle

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

It is so important for us to live forgiving lifestyles. Forgiveness is not something we use now and then, or when we are in a difficult situation. Forgiveness is a way of life. It is a part of the new nature we receive when we are born again.

At times we may grow impatient with people, but we must remember that we sin daily, and we need forgiveness daily. Others sin daily, and they, too, need forgiveness daily. When we expect to receive God’s grace for OUR sins, we must also extend it to others.

What is living in grace? It is receiving God’s grace and giving it to others. I make it a habit, every morning, to forgive anyone who might offend me during the day. Before anyone can offend me, they are forgiven. Today let’s choose to be tenderhearted and to forgive in the name of Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We forgive anyone who may offend us today—even before they do it! In Jesus’s name, we extend the same grace to others that we have so freely received.

Amen.

2019-12-05T09:25:34-07:00January 13th, 2020|

The Truth is Out There

“What is truth?”

Pontius Pilate asked Jesus this question shortly before he ordered Jesus to be crucified.

We don’t know what tone of voice Pilate used.  Perhaps, he asked in dismay, believing truth could not be discovered.

What we do know is that people continue to ask this question—in many tones of voice.  People today are as puzzled as ever about what is true and what is false.

Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me” (John 15:26 NIV).  Paul said those who followed Jesus would be people who walked in truth: “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:9-10 NKJV).

As Christians, we can know the truth, believe the truth, speak the truth, and act in a way that is in full agreement with the truth of God.  If you sincerely desire to establish a life of blessing for yourself and your family, you need truth.

2019-12-05T08:50:01-07:00January 6th, 2020|

Take it to God in Prayer

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing. Instead of feeling anxious about circumstances and situations in our lives, the Bible advises us to pray about them.

If you are anxious about something, take it to God in prayer. Make your petition known, and then thank God that He is answering your requests. Giving thanks demonstrates that you have faith that He will give you things in line with His Word. Remember to give God thanks on a daily basis.

Sometimes I thank the Lord for answers; yet the problems begin to look worse than ever. However, I do not give up and become discouraged; I continue to give thanks. It seems as though the thanksgiving is the very thing that causes my prayers to rise—just like the leaven in bread causes rising power in the dough.

When you feel anxious, turn your worries into praise and thanksgiving. Let your prayers and praise rise up to heaven, and watch your heavenly Father soothe your anxiety and resolve your cares.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we will not be worried and anxious, but we will use our faith and make our supplications with thanksgiving. We expect our needs to be met in You.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2019-11-07T12:34:53-07:00December 30th, 2019|

Special Guardians for the King’s Heirs

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?  (Hebrews 1:14 NKJV)

The writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament tells us that God has appointed angels to minister to the heirs of salvation.

Are YOU an heir of salvation?  Are YOU in the household of faith?

Then you have special angels appointed just to YOU.

Guardian angels show us just how much God loves us and how He is always doing everything to meet our needs, to prepare us, to assist us in all kinds of situations and circumstances.

What needs has He met?

What are you believing for?

2019-11-07T12:17:30-07:00December 23rd, 2019|

The Fellowship of His Sufferings

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Philippians 3:10 NKJV)

For years I did not understand the part of this verse that speaks of “the fellowship of His sufferings.” What does it mean “to fellowship” in His sufferings? I could better understand the “power of His resurrection” than the “fellowship of His sufferings.”

Then I began to ask, “Why DID Jesus suffer?” I realized that He suffered for the lost. Jesus suffered to the point that He was willing to die. When we enter into the fellowship of His suffering, we will feel the way Jesus felt toward lost souls, and we become willing to die.

Moses was willing to die so that his people might enter the Promised Land. He said to God, “If You’re going to erase their names from the book, then you might as well erase mine too.” Paul felt it, too, when he said, “I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3).

What were these men feeling? The fellowship of the Lord’s suffering. I believe that the Holy Spirit will let us enter into that fellowship of suffering for the lost.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to remember that Jesus suffered to save the lost. Never let us think that we are too spiritual to have a burden for the lost. Thank You for helping us, by Your Spirit, to enter the fellowship of the Lord’s suffering.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2019-11-07T12:02:16-07:00December 16th, 2019|

The War on Terror

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… (Ephesians 6:12-18 NKJV)

How do we “wrestle” against these powerful spiritual beings?  Our “fight” is to stand in the victory that Jesus has already won for us!  Paul says that we are to “take” the whole armor of God, which Jesus has provided for our complete victory.

You and I are caught up in the most angelic wrestling match at all times; we need to be ready for whatever the devil tries to throw at us.  We need to have our loin girt about with truth, which means we’re not into any false doctrine or flaky teachings.  We must surround ourselves with the Word, the Word, the Word!  We also need the breastplate of righteousness.  We must examine ourselves and be sure we are walking in righteousness.  Wherever there is sin or carnality, the devil has a way to get to us with the intent of destroying our testimony and our Christian walk.

2019-11-07T11:43:23-07:00December 9th, 2019|

With Jesus, You Will Succeed

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12 NKJV)

Have you ever wanted to become something that you are not? Have you ever said, “If only I could be strong in faith and free from fear. If only I would do certain things.” Jesus has given us all power to do and power to become anything that He is—in all our circumstances.

Once I received some heavy criticism from a pastor in our city. I was so angry that I wanted to tell him off immediately. But the Lord said this: “How should you treat your enemies?” I admitted that the Word days we should pray for them, do good to them, and bless them. And God said, “THAT is the very way I want YOU to treat your enemy.”

I replied, “That may be the way YOU treat Your enemies. But I can’t.” He said, “Yes, you can. You have Jesus. You have the power to become like Me.”

I began to bless that pastor with my mouth. He later invited me to be a guest speaker in his church. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes one’s enemies to be at peace with him.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray that TODAY we will enter into what You have for us. We will walk in the power and anointing of Jesus Christ. We will know that in us is Jesus—doing all the work.

In His Name,

Amen

2019-11-07T11:12:49-07:00December 2nd, 2019|

Thankfulness

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. –(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

When you think about the times a sense of thankfulness fills your mind, it is not usually in times of need or anxiety, but it is in exactly those times that we need to fill our thoughts with God’s presence and recall His blessings.

When we are thankful, we are in the right spiritual place to make our requests known to God and to receive His peace.

What are you most thankful for?

2019-11-04T13:46:19-07:00November 25th, 2019|

Forsake Sin, Receive Mercy

“Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19b NKJV)

Sometimes the act of departing from sin seems like an overwhelming mountain, especially if the sin is a habitual thing or exists in a blinded area of our lives.

Some Christians fall into the trap of grading themselves on the curve. This can be very deceiving. We should never compare the sin in our lives to what we see in the lives of people around us.

The Lord, instead, has shown me there are three easy ways to overcome iniquity. First, we look ahead to what would happen if we were to continue committing this sin. When we look at the ultimate results of sin, we often realize that they are very dangerous.

Secondly, we must look around. God has been so good to us. Look at all of the many blessings He has given us. Start counting blessings. We are complete in Christ. We don’t have to be involved in sin. Finally, we need to look within. He Who is in us is greater that he that is in the world. We are vessels to bring glory to God. By looking ahead, looking around, and looking within, we can depart from iniquity.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us today to name sin as sin, help us not to grade ourselves on the curve, but by Your Word. Help us to forsake sin and receive Your mercy.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2019-11-04T08:27:54-07:00November 18th, 2019|

The Reality of Iniquity

Who is responsible for acting against iniquity?

The Bible message is a very clear one: if we do not deal with the iniquity in our lives, God eventually will. If we do not clean up our unclean nature, our unclean nature will keep us in a miry pit.

In most cases, God does not act in a supernatural way to eradicate iniquity from a family or a nation. He has given us free will; He allows evil people to wage evil deeds. God removes His hand of blessing when the evil heart of man functions according to its unclean nature.

Don’t wait for generational iniquity to run its course in your family tree.

Take action now—in your own life and in your family’s.

2019-10-28T14:31:43-06:00November 11th, 2019|

Unforgiveness is a Disadvantage

Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.  (2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NKJV)

No one wants to play a game and have disadvantages against himself. Every one of us want to get every advantage possible in both spiritual and natural things. Unforgiveness is a DISADVANTAGE. It gives SATAN an advantage over you. The scriptures tell us to FORGET what others have done to us and to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is an ADVANTAGE. In the past I have occasionally felt that I had a right to be unforgiving. But one day the Lord said to me, “Unforgiveness is a luxury you can’t afford. It is too expensive; it costs you your spiritual advantages.”

You will have already formed your victory for the day if you pray this prayer in the early morning, before your day begins: “Father, I forgive all people their trespasses before they EVEN trespass against me.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

With an act of our wills, we forgive those who trespass against us. We forgive with the forgiveness of Jesus. We forgive in the person of Jesus. We do not walk by feelings of forgiveness. We walk by faith and obedience to Your Word.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2019-10-28T11:17:41-06:00November 4th, 2019|

The Power in His Name

In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by not means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV)

The name of Jesus is higher than any name.

Devils quiver at His name.

Angels are launched into flight in His name.

The sick are healed and the oppressed are delivered by His name.

No evil thing can stand against the name of Jesus.

When you speak in the name of Jesus, you are speaking from the identity of Christ Jesus. You are standing firm on the conviction that Christ is in you and you are in Christ. You are completely covered by the blood of Jesus, so nothing of your old nature is evident. Christ is your all in all. This attitude positions you for victory!

2019-09-19T07:35:53-06:00October 28th, 2019|

Trust in the Lord

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. -(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV)

When I read these scriptures, I find that they closely parallel the words in Psalm 1. Truly when we put our trust in the Lord and meditate on His Word, then we are fruitful and productive, even when the circumstances around us are falling apart.

Jeremiah lived in a day when the people worshiped idols. Even when Jeremiah knew that an enemy kingdom was soon to overwhelm Israel, he kept fresh and alive in God. There may have been drought AROUND him, but there was no drought IN him.

When at one time I found my circumstances very overwhelming, I said to the Lord, “What’s wrong with my life? I just want to run away and change my name.” The Lord answered, “This is not the time for ‘isolation;’ this is the time for ‘insulation’ with the Word. A right heart can overcome bad circumstances.” I insulated my thought-life with His Word, and soon my circumstances became fruitful.

Dear Father,

Don’t let us put our trust in natural things, but let us put our trust in You, our Supernatural God. Turn our times of drought into times of fruitfulness.

Amen.

2019-09-19T07:10:07-06:00October 21st, 2019|

The Cleansing Power of Confession

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9 NKJV).

The devil didn’t make you do it. Your forefathers didn’t make you do it. What you have done, you have done.

Own up to your own faults, errors, and sins. The Bible tells us that people who cover over their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

God’s promise is sure.

2019-09-19T07:03:18-06:00October 14th, 2019|

Faith makes us whole.

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.  (Mark 10:52a NKJV)

Faith makes us whole. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We may think that the Bible is not useful for today’s situations, but it really will work in whatever area we need. Sometimes we look to the natural world for wisdom, when God’s supernatural wisdom, instead, will absolutely answer our dilemma.

Once I had horrendous battles with my thought life. A person had wronged me in a certain circumstance. I had great bitterness in my heart.

I said, “God, help me. Give me an answer. Certainly, my mind is sick in this area.”

And God gave me a beautiful scripture, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). So, I began to pray that scripture. I said, “God, I commit my ways to You this day.” My thoughts began to get in line. It was so wonderful. My thought-life did a turnaround, and wholeness came into that area of my thinking again. Faith makes you whole, wherever you are.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that we have Your promises that will bring provisions and answers to all problems. Give to each of us a special promise that will bring forth a needed provision.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2019-09-19T06:34:08-06:00October 7th, 2019|

Outrun What Runs in Your Family

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, that problem runs in my family.” The person may be talking about a particular weakness or disease or, perhaps, a certain vulnerability of some kind.

More and more, we are learning that certain physical ailments certainly do run in families—arthritis, asthma, cancer, obesity, alcoholism, heart conditions, diabetes, digestive tract, kidney problems, and chronic pain.

Emotional and psychological behaviors can also be inherited. Some families seem to be riddled with depression, lust, and anger.

Iniquity is likely at the root of a host of many other negative things in a family lineage—sterility, divorce, adultery, rebellion, debt—the list can go on and on.

The good news is that God gives you the ability to outrun anything that runs in your family.

2019-09-19T06:11:50-06:00September 30th, 2019|

When we stand on His Word, we are in an even place.

My foot stands in an even place   (Psalm 26:12a NKJV).

Did you ever feel like your foot was slipping? That you were slipping in your faith and commitment? The devil would like for all of us to slip and slide. But God says, “Your feet stand in an even place.” When we stand on His Word, we are in an even place.

Once when our ministry went through a financial trial, the devil told me just to close the doors and hang it up. He said that I had never been capable of making good financial decisions—that I had blown it. But God didn’t say that to me; in fact, God gave me a promise that if I would trust Him, He would bring me through. While the staff was crying the blues, I stood on an even place. I said, “God will deliver us, God is delivering us,” and in one month we had a total turnaround.

When it looks uneven, put your confidence in the Word, and it will keep you even—until the circumstances come in line with the evenness of God’s Word. Let me pray for you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray that if we slip and slide, we will know in our hearts that there is no temptation You cannot lead us through victoriously. We have Your deliverance because we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Thank You for our deliverance and our strong place of standing on Your Word.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

2019-09-09T13:36:45-06:00September 23rd, 2019|

Making Forgiveness Part of Your Daily Life

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  (Matthew 6:14 NLT)

Never harbor a victim mindset against your family members. They may have passed on to you a propensity or bent toward sin, but no family member, alive or in your distant past, can truly make you sin. Each of us has the freedom to choose how we will behave.Making Forgiveness Part of Your Daily Life

A family member may have passed on a genetic predisposition to a disease, but be encouraged.  Scientists tell us that the majority of disease we experience is strongly related to our personal choices. You may have inherited a weakness toward cancer, for example, but you have a choice as to whether you will smoke, what you will eat and drink, how you will exercise, and the amount of stress you will internalize. These behavioral choices are just as potent, or more so, than your genetic predisposition.

Forgive your family members for the role they played in continuing a pattern of generational sin. Move forward toward generational blessing by taking responsibility for your own life.

Forgiveness is vital. It is not a suggestion to Christians—it is a commandment

2019-09-09T13:11:48-06:00September 16th, 2019|

Be an Overcomer

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7 NKJV)

These promises made to overcomers are absolutely, positively marvelous.

overcomers

Sometimes we want to ride through our lives on a pink cloud and play a harp—with nothing to overcome.

But we are not in kindergarten; we are in a battle. Battles take weapons, endurance, and guts. God wants His people to have spiritual guts. With His Word in us, we can overcome wrong mental attitudes, bad habits, and any defeat.

Years ago, God told me to be an overcomer in one area of my life. I thought, “God, I can’t do it.” This area had been a stumbling block for so long that I was blind to it. But the Lord sweetly said, “I’m not asking YOU alone to overcome, I am asking you to release Jesus to be the Overcomer in you. You have a new nature—an overcoming nature.” I then made the decision to allow His nature to take over in my life. Too often we are “undercomers” and will never surmount that which God would set before us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today we’re not defeated Christians—we’re victorious Christians. We are Christians who overcome in all things. We are more than conquerors,

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2019-08-22T11:55:51-06:00September 9th, 2019|

When Your Store of Faith is Nearly Depleted

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality.  He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:14-16 The Message)

As with anything of spiritual value, faith is the key to receiving.person sitting under tree in the fall

But what happens when your faith is sagging?

Are you disqualified from being blessed?

No! When your store of faith seems depleted, return to your Source.

Those we consider the strongest in faith rely heavily on the Father to fortify and guide them.

God is just fine with that.

His Word urges us to come to Him with all our needs.

What are some of your needs?

2019-08-20T13:05:23-06:00September 2nd, 2019|

When Your Store of Faith is Nearly Depleted

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So, let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.- (Hebrews 4:14-16 The Message)

When your faith store is nearly depletedAs with anything of spiritual value, faith is the key to receiving.

But what happens when your faith is sagging?

Are you disqualified from being blessed?

No! When your store of faith seems depleted, return to your Source.

Those we consider the strongest in faith rely heavily on the Father to fortify and guide them.

God is just fine with that.

His Word urges us to come to Him with all our needs.

What are some of your needs?

2019-07-22T10:37:58-06:00August 19th, 2019|

God’s Love Frees us from Fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  (1 John 4:18 NKJV)

Fear torments. No one disputes that. But God’s love frees us from fear. When we realize the greatness of God’s love, then we will not be afraid.

Fear makes us immature, and PREFECT here means “mature.” unconditional loveWe are not made mature when we allow fear to overwhelm us. The more we read God’s Word, the more we realize how much He loves us. We find His provision and His love printed on every page of our Bible. God is absolutely wild about you! He loves you, and the more you bask in His love, the more freedom you will have from fear.

The best thing about God’s love is that it is an unconditional love. God loves is always there to comfort you. When you go astray, God’s love is there to guide you back on the right path. And as God’s love fills us, it will overflow from our lips, our hearts and our spirits.

When we speak the truth in love, we begin to grow up in His Son. Speak God’s Word today, in love, and watch fear flee from you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you today that we are set free from fear in the name of Jesus. We are set free from fear because of Jesus’s overwhelming love for us.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen.

 

2019-07-22T09:26:58-06:00August 12th, 2019|

Recall His Mighty Work in Your Life

Recall His Mighty Work in Your Life

Think back on a time when God delivered you from an impossible situation or an unpleasant attitude.

Can you recall how diligently you prayed, how much time you devoted to painstakingly searching the Scriptures for the promises of God?

While your deliverance is fresh in your mind, read Psalm 48, say out loud “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, because He has delivered me (state your name) from (state the situation or condition).” Now, contemplate the mercy of your heavenly Father, who came to your rescue simply because He loves you.

Doesn’t that excite you and make you want to tell someone about how wonderful God is, how He is able to deliver you from your circumstances or attitudes?

Well?

Do it!

2019-07-18T08:10:39-06:00August 5th, 2019|

Signs and Wonders

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8 NKJV)

Every one of us needs miracles and wonders. The two things that precede miracles and wonders are faith and power. POWER means “miracle-working power” or “the fullness of the Holy Spirit.”

To be filled with faith, we must be full of God’s Word and full of the Holy Spirit. We must pray, live, and walk in the Spirit in order to see wonders and miracles.

Sometimes our faith may seem weak or just neutral. signs and wondersAt one service I felt led to pray for people who had foot problems. Afterward, a woman came up to me and said, “Please come look at my daughter.” The woman’s daughter was walking up the steps to the platform with great joy.

I said to the woman, “What happened?” She said, “Several years ago my daughter crushed the bones of her feet, and she could hardly walk. But now she’s walking normally.” When we go after God’s Word, miracles will come after us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray today that we will be so committed to the Word and to the power of the Holy Spirit that signs and wonders will truly follow us. We give all the glory and praise to Jesus.

Amen

2019-06-26T10:32:46-06:00July 29th, 2019|

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
(Psalm 148:2-3 NKJV)Praise Him

Whether in the heavenly, earthly, or subterranean realms, the command to praise calls all of creation to fulfill their purpose for existence.

If you have ever questioned the reason for your existence, know that your purpose is to exalt God for His wisdom, which is exhibited in creation, and to adore God because of His incomprehensible love, which you experience through redemption.

Take heed to the exhortation in Psalm 148 and rejoice in any or all its verses.

Lift your heart and join with the angels, the sun, the moon, and the stars in joyous exaltation of the Lord most high!

2019-06-24T14:04:55-06:00July 22nd, 2019|

Hang on to the Rope of God’s Hope

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV)

There are three things in this verse that stand out to me, and I know that you will love them just as I do:

Faith can work, love can labor, and hope can give you patience. If we feel we have faith, yet do nothing, hang onto the rope of God’s hopewe don’t really have faith. If we say we have love, yet do nothing, we don’t really have love. If we say we have hope, then we will be patient until we see the manifestation of what God has for us.

HOPE in the Hebrew means “rope.” I believe God lets His rope down from heaven so we can tie a knot in it and hold onto it until we see the manifestation of our faith and our love.

Rahab had hope in God’s Word. She even put a red rope in her window. Her wall stood when other walls fell. When other people’s walls fall, their lives fall down too. If you hang onto the rope of God’s hope, your wall will stand.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We know that it is through faith and patience that we inherit Your promises. We make a decision to hold on to faith and to have patience until we see the fulfillment of Your promises. 

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2019-06-20T13:14:47-06:00July 15th, 2019|

What Cannot be Inherited

One thing that cannot be passed down from one generation to the next is the most important thing of all—a personal What Cannot be Inheritedrelationship with Jesus Christ. God doesn’t have any grandchildren.  Every person is required to accept Jesus as Savior, as an act of his or her own will and faith.  Every person must choose to follow Jesus as Lord, again as an act of his or her own will and faith.

Certainly, all Christian parents want to see their children choose Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Even more than we desire this, God desires this. He wants our children and grandchildren to be in intimate relationship with Him and to serve Him all the days of their lives.

The enemy of our souls, however (Jesus called him the thief and robber, the father of all lies, and the devil), desires to stop God’s truth from operating beyond our own lives and generation.

Thankfully, our God is victorious in all things!

2019-06-20T11:19:42-06:00July 8th, 2019|
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