Don’t we all wish we were rich or richer? I think it is normal that we think like that. I really like watching some people win money or anything of value. Sometimes I day dream about what would I do if I were rich. I forget that the riches I really want and need to be blessed with are not in my wallet or bank.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Col 3:16)
Paul knew that the church was always suffering financially; they were suffering in their families and in the poverty. Paul as always wants to bless them. He knew they had no money, little food, always hiding from the authorities, he knew their situations and he wanted to encourage them. What lovely words to say “you are rich in Christ, His word will feed you and comfort you and build up your church.” We also are God’s rich children through Christ.
When those brothers felt the comfort of Christ they praised the Lord and then they gave thanks and begin to prophecy, laying hands on the sick the deaf and the blind. That was that same prosperity of Paul’s churches. When our church is so rich in Christ, that we are showing our family, our neighbour, and the world the same prosperity, that Paul’s churches experienced, through their riches in Christ. We will shouting we are God’s Billionaires today. Amen.
FEB 2
REDEMING THE SLAVE
I know it is not easy for you to think of yourself as a slave. It was not easy for me either. But that is exactly what we are until we are redeemed. In the slave market, there must be a wealthy man that wants to purchase a slave for different reasons. Perhaps you didn’t know that each owner had special tasks for certain slaves, their age mattered, their strength mattered and their gender mattered to each owner.
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Tit 2:14)
Then there were those that were very rich and wanted to see justice, by purchasing a slave and giving them freedom, nothing else mattered for them. They could chose to leave or to work for a wage and live on the rich man’s property. In others the rich man redeemed the slave from a life of being a piece of property to being a person of identity.
How about us as slaves at one time? Were we redeemed or just purchased. The answer depends on who the rich man was in your case and mine. Jesus purchased all mankind and redeemed them on the cross paying their life time debt with His blood. Willing we can go with Him and live on His property and serve Him forever. Or we can go and live our own life without Him .That means we will have no protection, no provision, no security. Being with Jesus is everything to me and I hope the same for you. When He was on the cross dying for us He cried out, "It is finished.” Which meant, “redeem the slaves,” the payment is done today. Amen.
FEB 3
DEMONIC DIVISION
Have you ever felt like you had a demon controlling you life? I don’t think all demons are just for insane people. There are emotions in our lives that are very strong, right or wrong, they have a lot to do with controlling our lives. Demons want to take hold of our emotions and cause division and confusion for us. They want to hit every area of our lives where they know we should have peace and love.
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (Jas 3:16)
James is giving the solution to division and confusion, but he does not give us the root of them. The root of them is envy and strife. Those two emotions can cause us a very unhappy life. The reason is envy is the beginning of division of hate. And where there is hate there is strife. Look into your own life, do you hate anyone? How did that happen? Perhaps you once loved them, what emotion took control of you to bring you to hate them now?
I know that the very thought of those you hate causes strife in your heart and you have no peace. In other words you have a demonic division in your life causing you to suffer with hurt, brokenness and unhappiness. That is the goal of the demon. James turns this around when he states, "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." So now today with prayer let us cause an end to the demon’s goal. Amen.
FEB 4
FINALLY GETTING TO THE BEST
Paul had news that things were not going very well in the Church of Ephesians; they were grieving him and the Holy Spirit. There was so much sin going on among these believers. He has told them everything which is proper in God’s House throughout the first five chapters. Then in the sixth, which has always been my favourite, he tells them how to prepare for spiritual warfare.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
He felt after telling them of preparations’ for all the future attacks that the devil has planned for them, there was nothing else to say. And yet there was, because he couldn’t just leave them like that. He knew how the devil had been slithering into their church, with lies, and the stealing that was grieving the Holy Spirit within these believers. He was sure the majority of the brethren were praying, teaching and dressing daily in their armour of God, ready for warfare to be a church of victory over all the evils. But still there were those ignoring their armour and following their own teachings outside of Paul’s instructions. Paul wanted the believers who were faithfully following him, to know he had not given up on their church or his brethren there. He wanted them to be strong as the Lord is strong for them. His last message to them was finally the best for encouragement to win over the enemy in their own church, and that same message is for us today. Amen.
FEB 5
MIRACULOUS MESSAGES
Have you ever had a message from God thinking, “That is a miracle, why hasn’t that come before?” I have had that happen to me so many times, usually waking me up or not letting me get to sleep. What is going on? The answer is God has had the answer to all the time, to your questions, on direction or information that you have prayed about daily.
"9 But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. 10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God." (2COR. 2: 9-10)
I know who has visited me in the middle of the night, my best friend the Holy Spirit; He is the messenger that comes with good news. His message is many times a revelation that answers our prayers also. Knowing when we seek the Lord for direction or a need that He is already on the case and that He is preparing the right moment to reveal the answer to us, is a miraculous message that we have so anticipated to get. When we get it we are in awe of how direct He is with us, and how peaceful and thankful we are with His answer today. Amen.
FEB 6
SOUND MIND
When you are fearful is when you have lost the peace of God. But not only have you lost your peace, what has happened to the mind of Christ which God says we can have with the Holy Spirit. Paul knew Timothy was concerned about his life. No doubt all the Christians in Ephesus church were in danger for their lives at the time of Nero's insanity. All Paul wants to do is encourage Timothy and the church.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2Ti 1:7)
When we rebuke the spirit of fear we accept the Spirit of Faith and with the Holy Spirit present we develop the power and the sound mind Paul speaks of. That sound mind is also the mind that gives us the peace of Christ that removes all fear. Faith in the Lord secures our thoughts and keeps us focused on Jesus. Today with the power of the Holy Spirit we rise above our fears and settle on a rock of comfort and love, resulting with the strength we need for a sound mind. Amen.
FEB 7
LEGAL AUTHORITY
Have you ever thought of yourself as person with legal authority? Legal authority comes with a name, a position and security. You as a Born-again Christian, child of God, filled with the Holy Spirit have legal authority in the Name of Jesus, as an Ambassador for the Kingdom and a Victor for Christ.
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col 2:15)
The cross was the open show that Jesus made public, triumphing over sin, death and all evil. Well He did it, so we can do it. In Jesus we can triumph over all evil, including the power and principalities that belong to Satan. We want good health, good relationships and good prosperity, all we want is what is good, and all God wants for us is good.
Our legal authority in the name of Jesus gives us the title of a victor in the Spirit instead of a victim of the flesh. However, though Jesus won over evil on the cross the devil is still active, trying daily to get back his own with his attacks on us. Face it, face him, and use your legal authority in Jesus Name today. Amen.
FEB 8
THE TWIST OF THE SWORD
When we speak of swords we think of Roman soldiers or someone Medieval, lots of violence and pain. As you know there are so many types of swords, some very long and heavy others shorter and easier to handle. Whatever, they all were made to inflict good or evil. Paul speaks of a sword made for good, the sword of the Spirit.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:17)
The Word of God is the heaviest weapon, we as Christians have to cut down evil. Paul calls this sword a “double edge” sword, one edge His Word the other edge our word. Our word is strong and fearless when it is one with the Word God. This kind of a sword was not long and heavy it was like a dagger with a corkscrew at the point, so it was a fatal weapon when it came in contact, it finished off the adversary. You had to get very close to use that dagger, and one twist of it was the end for your enemy. I like thinking that I can use the sword of the Spirit, and with just one twist and the devil once again has lost the battle and Jesus has the victory today. Amen.
FEB 9
UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART
When Jesus was with His disciples, they had no idea what the future was going to be for their master and teacher. They only knew as long as they had Jesus with them in their everyday lives, they had more healings, miracles, adventures than we can imagine being with Him. But then He took the Viva Rosa path to the cross, and they were alone without their teacher.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (Joh 14:18)
We have lived 2000 years after Jesus died. The disciples thought now Jesus is dead we are left on our own, in other words they felt like orphans. On the other hand Jesus told them He wouldn’t leave them as orphans, He said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will send you a comforter that will be your new teacher, and guardian. ”When He ascended to His Father taking His place as the King of Kings, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower His followers and that includes us 2000 years later. Today we have the Holy Spirit, the comforter, our guardian here on earth until death do we part and then we will live again. Amen.
FEB 10
JUST REWARDS
We know that God has rewards for us in Heaven. Did you ever think about the rewards He has for us here on earth. Faithful believers cannot go out into the world without telling about Jesus. In some cases that can be dangerous.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
But the protection God provides is a reward for our faithfulness. The provision He provides for us is because we are His soldiers. The strength and power that we get through the Holy Spirit is also a great reward. We think of only a crown and golden streets as our rewards, but we must think and give thanks differently. We have as Christians, serving and loving Jesus, daily rewards. Just count the miracles the healings and the deliverance you have had in your lifetime from the day you got saved. Perhaps you don’t think of yourself as a pastor, prophet or apostle, but they are not the only ones that receive just rewards. Give thanks and you will easily be able to count your just rewards today. Amen.
FEB 11
SPIRITUAL BONDAGE
For a Christian loving the Lord and wanting to serve Him this title is scary. Being in spiritual bondage is like being a prisoner to darkness, the devil. I am afraid there are many sisters and brothers in Christ that are still wearing these chains of bondage.
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1Jn 3:8)
It is our mind that Satan first tries to attack us with lies and deception. Yes, good faithful Christians can be deceived and set in bondage of the lies of darkness. In other words they are stuck behind a stronghold in their mind. Once the devil places the lie it is not easily removed. Spiritual bondage starts with the mind, then can affect to soul and at last the body. Depression is bondage. Insecurity is a bondage as well as sickness can be a bondage. All of these bondages are started in the mind; all have to do with spiritual thinking. Jesus came to break the bond of bondage on all mankind. The world finds comfort in bondage but Christians find misery. Call upon Jesus, He sets the prisoners free, He heals mind, soul, and body, He breaks down and away all spiritual bondage. Hallelujah He is our Saviour today. Amen.
FEB 12
TORNADOS AND HURRICANES
Wow, I lived in Florida for 10 yrs, weather conditions were always our concern. I don’t know why some Christians don’t think God is concerned about weather conditions. Here with Mark we have a confirmation that the Lord is in control of the weather. But at the same time He allows some things to happen and only does He know the reason why they happen.
"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." (Mar 4:37)
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mar 4:39)
When we read that there was a great storm and the Lord calmed the winds and waves, we understand a little of the reason for the storm, because Satan did not want the Lord to deliver the man that was in chains and insane with demonic spirits. Satan tried to stop the Lord from arriving to this point of destination of glory to God.
In the same way we look at that day for Jesus, we need to look at our stormy days. We actually had newscasters telling us this is the month of tornados and hurricanes, they predicted them. I lived there and prayed the Holy Spirit would blow those storms away or calm them down. I lived through them all in our mobile home park undamaged, and completely protected against 4 hurricanes while I was there. Yes, Christians pray when you hear those predictions coming over the news, God is listening and concerned about tornados and hurricanes where His children live today. Amen.
FEB 13
BARGAIN BASEMENT BARGAINS
Very seldom will we find a quality piece of china in a bargain basement sale. We need to go to a shop of fine china that is very costly to get the same dinner service that the wealthy like having in their home. What we find in bargain basements is usable but not as attractive, in most cases this ware is defected.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2Co 4:7)
Before we met Jesus and gave our lives to Him, we thought we could do anything we needed to do to make ourselves happy. We spent most of our time trying to gain happiness. We were defect earthen vessels that Paul speaks of, and yet we were made to last until our day of rebirth in Christ. The great potter broke us and stareds making us from a new beginning. When we became the new child of God, He could use us. He could place His Spirit in us, His power in us and His love in us. He could do it all and we could do nothing good without HIM. We became a fine piece of china, costly, from a bargain basement defect, now only worthy of the KING OF KINGS table today. Amen.
FEB 14
DIVINE LOVER
How much do you desire a lover? Of course you may have a lover that loves you, but do you desire more of them than you are getting? The love of man can never compare to the love of God. The divine lover that wants and desires you is the Holy Spirit, His love cannot be compared to any person.
"Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?" (Jas 4:5)
You know what it is to have a desire for a person or a thing. Your thoughts are continuously on that you desire. Thoughts you have are base on lust and envy. Well the Holy Spirit has lust and envy for you. He wants to be your divine lover. He wants you to think constantly on Him. Therefore He wants to be your constant companion. Those who love you protect you, guide you, and provide for you. That is what your Divine Lover the Holy Spirit wants to do also, if you will let Him today. Amen.
FEB 15
BATTLE SCARS
When I think of battle scars pertaining to Peter, Paul, and the disciples they suffered so much in their physical bodies as well as many others that followed Christ teachings and were called Christians. The Romans and the Jewish leaders thought they could put a stop to Christianity by beatings and killings of Christians.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." (2Co 10:3)
Today the suffering continues in many nations, the beatings, killings and now beheadings are all part of Satan’s ultimate path he has taken to dispose of God’s Kingdom on earth. We will all be scarred in time because he is not going to let one Christian be free of his wrath. On the other hand we have the Victor and the Victory on our side. So if we bare battle scars, we also will wear a Crown and sit at a place at the KING OF KINGS table. Daily battles with our enemy, he will afflict scars on us every day, sometimes very painful but never fatal. Our battles scars against the prince of darkness and for the Prince of Peace confirm our position with Him in Heaven today. Amen.
FEB 16
SAYING YES TO YOUR BEST FRIEND
Do you sometimes wonder who your best friend is? After all I am sure you have a list of good friends, but which one is your best friend? Perhaps you have a friend from your childhood, and you like doing everything together, spending free time together. That sounds great. Is your best friend Christian, do they believe as you do, are they saved?
"Quench not the Spirit." (1Th 5:19)
I had a best friend, we went to the same church, but after 20 yrs friendship she backslides back into the world and the materialistic lifestyle from her past. I pray for her everyday and she has never befriended me on FB. Perhaps the same has happened to a strong relationship in your life.
The Holy Spirit wants to be your best friend; He wants to spend time with you. He wants to guild you and be your constant companion. The Spirit wants to be so alive in you and work through you and be always with you. We all need to listen, obey, and follow the Holy Spirit. By all means we must not quench the Spirit. We must say, "Yes," because He is surely our best friend today. Amen.
FEB 17
OTHERS HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Have you thought about the fact that exactly where you are now in your walk with Christ or your battle with Satan, others have been there also? These others have gained victory over the place where you are. We have always had the desire to move on from where we are. That is because we are saints and wish to rise higher every day.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses." (Heb 12:1)
Paul was always trying to encourage the church. He wanted them to know that all the trials they we going through, others had been through before, and they have come out, rising to the clouds. Actually the word “cloud” pertains to the highest seats in a stadium. To get to these seats takes a lot of energy and strength to make the climb. Those who are the wittiness’s are seated in the “cloud section” have had to use all their strength to get up there. They have been faithful and obedient to Christ. Although many times the devil has whispered to them, "You can’t make it up there,” they persevered and made it.
There has always been a cheering group up there shouting, “You can make it, keep going.” Anytime that we feel this is too hard I am not strong enough to overcome these problems, not faithful enough to overcome the darts of the devil, not good enough to be up with the saints in the cloud section. Just remember they have been where you are now. So you can look up and see where they are now, is also your goal today. Amen.
NUGGET: FEB 18
THEY MAY LAUGH AT YOU
I am aware that you as a Christian enjoying a relationship with Christ are meeting people that have a little laugh and a comment, "Oh, you are religious," then you say, “No I'm a Christian, I have I have a relationship with Jesus, just like a friend." Then they tell others and you don’t hear from them again. They don’t say anything to your face, but they will with a laugh and sheepish smile, you get the message.
"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1Co 1:27)
Well, what to with these people is to pray for them, and bring them to the Lord. Paul tells us that there are foolish things that can confuse us. We want friends, sometimes it is important for us to commune with unbelievers at work or at play.
The thing I have noticed with the unbelievers they always talk about themselves. Yes, that is the high point in their conversation, when the high point in our hearts is to talk about Jesus. No more confusion when we know who we are and who we serve. Goliath laughed at David, he was young, skinny and not much to look at as a champion for Israel. But that is who and what he was, a champion for the Lord Almighty. Next time they laugh at me or you, we must remember that we have the "champion of champions” on our team and we can have the last laugh today. Amen.
FEB 18
SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND
Are you seeking God? It is amazing how easy it is to find God. And so many seek Him and have found Him. Does that sound like a mystery to you? Yes for those who have not found Him it is a mystery. But for those who have found Him and are seeking a full relationship with Him it is still a mystery.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb 11:6)
How you build a relationship with God, is the same way you would build a relationship with a new friend. You would want to spend time with them, talk with them, invite them to your home, these are the things you would do to build a relationship with a new friend and same to build a relationship with God. New friends require some special things and so does God .He requires your faith, He wants you to spend time in His Word, and to be in your home and your life and talk with God. God wants to reward you for diligently seeking Him and that reward is that you have found Him today. Amen.
FEB 19
GUILTY UNTIL FORGIVEN
Now that we are new born-again Christians we can still look back to those days when we did not know our Saviour. We didn’t know Him, we didn’t talk to Him, we didn’t even want Him in our lives. All that has changed now, because we found out that Holy Spirit was always on our case.
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (Joh 16:8)
You remember how you had bad feelings about something you had done, well who do you think was bothering you about that. John is telling us who was coming and who would reprove sin. Yes of course he was speaking of the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that convicted you when you were sinning. He came to you to bother you until you surrendered to Jesus, until you committed your life to Him. First you cried out “forgive me”; you knew how guilty you were of sin. Perhaps you done nothing criminal but you were guilty of hurting others and yourself with sin. We all were until we surrendered to Jesus our Saviour. From that day that we were judged and forgiven, we became righteous in the eyes of God. John was the revelator; he knew that you and I were going to get that second chance from the Holy Spirit today, that chance from being guilty of sin and to be forgiven through the cross. Amen.
FEB 20
DIVINE WEAPONS WITH DIVINE STRATEGY
We all know the old hymn “Onward Christians Soldiers," have you ever thought of yourself as a soldier, battling against the devil in God’s army?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. (2Co 10:4)
To battle the evil spirits of darkness we must have divine weapons. We must also be clothed in a divine armour. In Eph 6: 13-18 Paul gives us a description of our divine armour. Starting with our “Helmet of Salvation.” The only way you can take on the divine armour is after you are saved at the cross. So then we can continue dressing, the ”Breastplate of Righteousness" and the ”Belt of Truth,” which are connected together. Then we have our shoes of the “Peace of Christ," we will carry our weapons the ”Sword of the Spirit” and the “Shield of Faith." All this armour is very important to bring a victory against the devil and break down his strongholds.
Then we also must listen to our commander the Holy Spirit. In that battle-room of the Father where, with the Son and Holy Spirit, has planned the battle strategy to win the war. As we submit our energy and strength to persevere against God’s enemies, we reap the reward of that victory for God today. Amen.
FEB 21
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Paul refers to this sword as a “two edged sword." That type of Roman weapon was a shorter type “dagger” which had to be applied at close range.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword." (Heb 4:12)
What is the closest weapon you have? Yes, it is your tongue. And the same for God. His spoken word is the strongest weapon. When His Word is spoken it is passed on to us, so that we too will use our strongest weapon, our mouth. First edge is God’s Word, His prophecies and we pass His words on to declare victory. The sword is a weapon to remove the enemy, to kill him off, to free the prisoners and to win the land for Christ. God gives us His weapon and commands us to use His weapon today. Amen.
FEB 22
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, YOU HAVE A PARTNER
We are never so holy that we are not in need of the Holy Spirit. Actually He has offered to be our partner. We all want to be independent of others interfering or help. But there comes a time in our lives we must ask for help. Many times we go to the wrong source of help and therefore that help ends up as a disappointment and failure.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (2Co 13:14)
If we change direction and come to the source that the Lord has provided for us in a divine partnership with the Holy Spirit, we will find that our strength and faith will increase, because then there are two, which is always better than one. So here in this verse we have it all. The grace that we are in need of because of sin, the love we are in need of because of loneliness and the communion we are in need of because of insecurity. We have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that is answering all our needs, and giving us a divine partnership that we can truly rely on today. Amen.
FEB 23
LIFE OF OBEDIDENCE
When we became Christians, we found out that there were a few rules to follow to please the Lord. Jesus said “If you love me you will obey me." Here I am, a women of 30yrs, and heard the same from my parents all my life.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight." (Heb 12:1)
As a new Christian, born-again, I had to understand that I needed lots of instruction of what the Lord now expected of me. To begin with faith, trust and obedience. Growing up I had my parents tell me what to do; now I have the Word of God telling what to do. As a child I tried to get away with as much as possible. Yikes! I found out that it is not as easy as a child of God to try those shortcuts.
Paul tells us there have been many “cloud of witnesses“ that have also had to learn the teachings of obedience by laying aside weights. Those weights I have found out pertain to sin, bad habits, lousy attitudes, doubt and fear. All these weights lay heavy on us as we are just beginning to walk with Christ. But there is one consolation, we can turn to a lifestyle of obedience. We can learn to apply the rules to our own desires. When we desire to please God we find it easier to obey Him. Then today there will be more joy, peace and love in our new lifestyle of obedience. Amen.
FEB 24
HIS NEW HOME
Did you know when you opened your heart to Jesus; someone made your heart their new home. When I say someone I am referring to the, "Holy Spirit."
"For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1Co 6:20)
Paul tells us we were bought with the price of Christ’s blood. In other words the most costly price asked of mankind was paid at the cross and we were redeemed. Our soul is not any longer ours, our spirit is no longer ours, our body is no longer ours, and we belong to a new owner Jesus. He has placed the Holy Spirit to manage His new property, you and I.
Yes, the Holy Spirit has moved into your heart for one purpose, to glorify God. He lives with us to comfort us, to guide us, and at times to convict us. He is also there in us to speak through us, at times in our tongue, or other times in His Heavenly tongue. Jesus knew what we were going to need as His servant and His soldier, we are in need of His power which is now in us through the Holy Spirit. We want to treat the Holy Spirit with the same respect that we would have for a Royal visitor in our home. But now, Praise God, the Holy Spirit is not our guest. Today He has now taken full residency in us, and has made us His new home. Amen.
FEB 25
KINDS OF PRAYER
Paul tells us that there are kinds of prayers.
"Praying always with all (kinds) prayers." (Eph 6:18)
The prayer of faith is a very strong prayer. Jesus said faith can move a mountain. When we pray in faith we are asking the Lord to make all decisions over our request. We believe that our request was answered on Calvary and will be manifested in God’s timing and at His will. For one that is sick we anoint them with oil as we pray in faith.
The prayer of intersession is always directed to the needs of others. Starting with loved ones etc. It can be spoken for their provision, deliverance, healing, also for the church and world leaders.
When we get personal we pray for signification. We want a special request of God; we need Him to lift us up and away from the world environment. The prayer of Jabez is a very good prayer to pray ask for consecration and sanctification for your spiritual life for ministry and servant hood.
Power is in unity and the prayer of agreement is powerful and can break through strongholds, such as deliverance, healing, provision also rebuking lies from the devil.
Prayer of thanksgiving is a form of worship to the Lord.
These are the some of the prayers Paul was speaking of and today we should make them ours also. Amen.
FEB 26
YOUR OLD PHOTO ALBUM
We all have a past; I mean a past before we gave our lives to Christ. We all have family with the old photos from our past also. Paul knew that his duty to the church and brethren was to encourage them to do better.
"Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:" (Eph 2:2)
Paul was a little harsh with this verse accusing others of serving the devil and being bad and disobedient. He knew how important it was for his brethren to walk a straight line, not swerving to left and right and compromising with the enemy. They all had temptations from family and friends to turn from Christianity back into the world. Paul just wanted to remind them of their old lives and habits. He was not doing it to judge them, he called them children, and he loved them all. With this verse Paul is reassuring them that they have control now and don’t have to revert back to who they were back then, back then was no longer of any importance to the new life they had with Jesus.
What about us, sometimes we look back in the old photo album. Do we look with regret or with relief? Do we look at that person with shock or with a smile? We don’t have to go back to the past because with Jesus we can just go forward to the future starting today. Amen.
FEB 27
LOOK UP YOUR REDEMPTION IS HERE
I hope that you saints will always preach the “message of the cross." There are sadly so many churches that preach everything on Christianity except the cross. Paul was certain about teaching salvation and redemption because of the cross.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree." (Gal 3:13)
When we were under the law we were slaves to the law. The blood of Christ washed away the law and broke the bonds that were holding us like prisoners. Through the grace of God our sentence has been scratched and we are redeemed. We are not just free for a season we are free for life.
Wearing a cross around your neck is a sign of what happened at Calvary. Throughout the day you may touch your cross and kiss it as it reminds you of where you were and now where you are because of Jesus. We are not only redeemed for life, but we have a friend for life, because He gave his life for us. If you look around you see mankind in bondage, but if we look up, we see our redemption is here. Amen.
FEB 28
SERIOUS MATTER WITH GOD
Have you ever thought how serious a backslider has made a big mistake? A believer that returns to the world, living a worldly life is in serious trouble with God.
"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Jas 4:4)
God has never stopped loving the backslider, but what happened is the backslider has stopped loving God. For this reason whoever has returned to their past life before their conversion promising their life to Christ, has become a serious matter with God. You remember God saying, “This is my Son listen to Him.” In other words God was saying, listen to Him, follow Him, obey Him and love Him. Those who have chosen to forget these commands are losers.
God does not stop loving losers, He just can’t back them. God knows that those on His team are winners, He see the losers and remembers when they were on His team. This is sad for God. Do you remember the father with the prodigal son? He was waiting everyday for his son to return. That is like God waiting and hoping for the backslider to return, to repent and to receive his redemption. Until his return his absence is a serious s matter with God. And today it should also be a very serious matter with those who have left God. Amen.
