FEAR NOT

30 Meditations to Combat Fear and Worry

#1

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The word FEAR could be translated, timidity, fearfulness or cowardice.

Certainly our God who is a God of faith would not want us to be full of fear, as fear is the very opposite of faith.

No He has given us a spirit of Love (which never fails), power (His Power) and sound or disciplined mind (His thoughts, the Mind of Christ). 

Think on His Word and on His promises. (They are sure)

Doubt the doubts and Believe Him.

Trust Him, He Loves you, He is on your side!

FEAR NOT

#2

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;(to look in dismay, gaze about in anxiety) for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

2 times “I AM” declares Himself.

3 times He declares things He will do.

I AM is with you.

I AM is your God.

I AM that I AM is the self-existent One, The Most High God, The Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.

HE said HE WILL, not maybe, not might do, not could do, BUT WILL DO.

HE WILL, strengthen you, help you and uphold you.

He’s got you today, so FEAR NOT!

#3

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Nothing escapes the view of your Father in heaven. He knows everything about you, He knows where you live. He takes care of the birds, and HE WILL take care of you.

Sing this phrase through your day.

“ His eye is on the sparrow and I know He’s watchin’ me” 

You are valuable to Him, He loved you so much He gave you Jesus. If He did that already, He is not going to hold back from you now.

He’s got you, so FEAR NOT!

#4

Deu 7:17-21

If you say in your hearts, These nations are greater in number than we are: how are we to take their land from them? Have no fear of them, but keep well in mind what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt; The great punishments which your eyes saw, and the signs and the wonders and the strong hand and the stretched-out arm, by which the Lord your God took you out: so will the Lord your God do to all the peoples who are the cause of your fears. And the Lord will send a hornet among them, till all the rest who have kept themselves safe from you in secret places have been cut off. Have no fear of them: for the Lord your God is with you, a great God greatly to be feared.

When your troubles, or your enemy seems overwhelming, don’t let that in your heart. Don’t let those thoughts remain in your mind ….REMEMBER THE LORD YOUR GOD!

HE IS A GREAT AND MIGHTY GOD and He is with you! He won’t leave you, stay with Him.

He’s Got You.  FEAR NOT!

#5

Psalms 118:6

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear:

what can man do unto me?

I WILL NOT fear. You choose... to be afraid or not to be afraid? That is the question each time the enemy tempts you to fear. 

As a believer in Jesus, God is NOT the source of your fears.

Fear is from the outside, it is a spirit from the enemy of your soul attempting to steal your peace and still your faith in your God.

RESIST IT!

Say it: Fear you have no place in me. I declare that I choose to trust in, rely on and adhere to my Lord Jesus Christ and to my Father God. I will follow the Holy Spirit as he leads. The Lord IS on MY side I WILL NOT FEAR. I am on His side and HE IS FOR me. I will not fear!

Thank you Lord for your spirit of love and power and for a sound mind,

Thank you Lord for VICTORY!

Thank you Lord for VICTORY!

Thank you Lord!

#6

Psalms 27:1

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

The Lord gives direction, leading to deliverance and the strength to get through the battles that come our way. He is the Greater One in you today, Jesus defeated the enemy for YOU and sent the Holy Spirit who will help you to walk out His Victory!

Thank you Jesus for ALWAYS causing us to triumph!

Say it: I shall not be afraid, I shall not fear for the Lord is with me and He is my Victory. I 

 NO to Fear, fear get out of my thoughts, Jesus is my Victory, Jesus is my Victory …. Thank you Lord  Thank you Lord

#7

2Ch 32:7-8

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

If our God is for us, what or who can successfully stand against us?    Nobody! 

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is with YOU today. Call on Him, draw near to Him, He WILL answer, listen, do what He says. He will help you!

BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT DISMAYED.

Say it:  I will not be afraid, I will not worry for the Lord is with me. I choose to believe Him, I choose to trust Him, I say NO to fear, I say NO to doubt. I trust in You Lord Jesus. Thank you for Victory!

#8

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Today the Lord is your shield, He is your defense, He is your Help.

Today He is your EXCEEDING GREAT reward. He is the Rewarder and the Reward of them that diligently seek him.

Do not fear....He is near!

#9

Exodus 14:13

Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today you will never, ever see again.

“Do not fear!”, or “stop fearing”

Stand firm, “without fleeing”, stand still, we might say calm down. 

God is a God of salvation, of deliverance, He is the Captain of our salvation, He is our Victory.

Stand firm in Him, LISTEN for and ACT upon the direction He provides, your salvation is at hand.  FEAR NOT ...He is with you!

#10

Deuteronomy 1:21

Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Go up and possess it as the Lord God ...hath said

It’s important to have or know “what the Lord God has said”. Once you do, go for it and FEAR NOT, neither be discouraged.

Who is with you? What did He say? Will He fail you?

NO He will not.

say it... I WILL NOT fear. Lord you are near, I will not fear. Thank Jesus for your faithfulness.

#11

Joshua 8:1

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Two things to notice;

1. “And the Lord said”. You will see as you go through these scripture readings how often this phrase is included. It’s important to recognize we need to be listening and hearing from the Lord all the time. Faith (the opposite of fear) comes by “hearing” the Word not “having heard”. Listening, hearing and acting on the Word is a required, 

repetitive process.

Take time, let the Lord speak to you. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving...praise Him, worship Him, listen and act.

Part 2 tomorrow 

Fear not

#12

Joshua 8:1 (part 2)

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Dismayed

A sudden or complete loss of courage and firmness in the face of trouble or danger; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation. 

The Amp. Bible uses the word “intimidated” for dismayed.

Another source says it means to be afraid of something you can’t see. 

Sometimes we see “the giants”, sometimes it’s the threats of the enemy. No matter, we still need not fear for God is with us.

Doubt your doubts, Trust your Father God.

#13

Deuteronomy 20:3-4

And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

The Lord your God is with you, He will help you. He has the battle plan. His help and your victory is there in your obedience to His instructions. 

DO NOT FEAR 

#14

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Malachi 3:6

For I am the Lord, I change not;...

He doesn’t change and neither will His Word. If He said, He will go with you, not fail you, nor forsake you, you can take that to the bank.

Fear Not, stay calm, stay close to Him. He WILL see you through.

#15

1 Kings 17:13

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

King Jehoshaphat made the statement to his people in regard to a prophetic word before entering a battle; “believe His prophet and so shall you profit”. Mary told the servants to “do whatever he (Jesus) says”. Our obedience gives God the right to enter our circumstances with us. When that happens miracles happen and answers come.

Fear Not ... Do what He says ...He is faithful.

#16

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

We need not fear because He gave us a Spirit of power.

This power is dunamis, the root for our English word for “dynamite”. 

It is defined as, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.

Eph. 4:24 tells us the new man, the new creation is created in the image of God, We have been made partakers of the Divine nature through the precious promises of God.

We have indeed been given a Spirit of power.

Thank you Jesus, help us Lord to grasp what you have in mind for us. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who is with us and in us.

Thank you, thank you Jesus.

Say it; I will not fear, the power of God is available to me. Thank you Lord Jesus!

#17

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Luke 24:49

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Jesus secured the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit for us. He did it to empower us. He did it so we could have the abilities of the Holy Spirit available to us, for living life in Him and for accomplishing His purposes.

Say it again, 

I will not fear I have the power, the strength and ability of the Holy Spirit available to me. He is with me and He will help me.

#18

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Power as defined in Strongs Dictionary;

1.strength power, ability 

   A. inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

   B. power for performing miracles 

   C. moral power and excellence of soul 

   D. the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth

   E. power and resources arising from numbers 

   F. power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

I share this definition just to draw attention to the many ways the power of God can be involved in our lives.

Say it with me; 

I will not fear the Lord and His power are with me today.

#19

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God HAS GIVEN the Spirit of power, and ol love, and a sound mind.

God HAS GIVEN to us.

God HAS GIVEN to you ...!

Say it, God has given me the Spirit of power, the Spirit of love and the Spirit of a sound mind. Think on that, let it settle into your heart. 

  Lord help us to allow your Truth to be engrafted into our hearts. We surrender our thoughts of inability “The I can’t do that thoughts”, we surrender our fears and our doubts to You Lord in Jesus Name.

 Thank you for power, love and a sound mind. Thank you Jesus...Thank you Lord 

#20

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Love and fear DO NOT mix.

Love, perfect love casts out fear.

Remember You HAVE BEEN GIVEN the Spirit of Love. The Spirit of Love is not an emotion, not just a feeling but a Spirit, the Spirit of Love. God is Love. God is a Spirit. He is a Spirit of Love.

He loves with a perfect love. He loves you perfectly, with perfect love.

Rest in that. 

Fear Not

#21

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

God’s love is perfect, everything about God is perfect. There are no flaws. Thank God this is so.

BUT the word “perfect” in this verse could be translated “mature” or “of full age”. We grow in our understanding and in our comprehension of His love for us, and as we do we become more confident. The more wrapped up we become in Him and His love the less fear has a place to get a hold in us.

He has given us the Spirit of love. His love is in us, it works through us and at the same time ministers to us.

He loves you.

Fear Not 

#22

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 We’ve been given a sound mind, that is a disciplined or self-controlled mind. We choose what thoughts to think. We choose to dwell on the “good things” or the doubts or fears. 

 We are told to guard our hearts. What we allow to enter our minds gets into our hearts.

 When fear and doubt knock on the door don’t open the door.

 When fear knocks declare your faith. Declare what your Father says about the situation.

Say it;  Fear get out of my head, get out of my thoughts. Doubt get out in Jesus Name!  Father I thank your for your Word that says ........ and I thank you for your promise to ......... Father thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for my answer. Thank you in Jesus Name.

Fear Not 

#23

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 You and I do not have to live our lives in bondage to fear. We do not and should not live our lives in dread that the “other shoe is going drop” or “something bad might happen”. Worry, dread, and anxiety are all different levels of fear. 

  This scripture tells us God is our Father, our Abba, our Daddy. He cares for you, yes YOU. Right now this very moment, He loves YOU call on Him He will help you.

Fear Not 

#24

Psalms 34:3-4

O magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

 Magnify Him today. Expand your view of Him. Let Him, the Lord be the only thing before you. Picture only Him. Believe in Him only.

 He has and will continue to deliver from all fear. 

 He hears us when we call and He delivers.

 Call on Jesus. Rest in the care of your Father in heaven.

Fear Not 

#25

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 BE strong. Be of good courage. BE not afraid. Be strong IN the Lord and IN the power of His might... WHY?  Because the Lord thy God is with you wherever you go.... and He won’t leave or forsake you!   Fear Not!

#26

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

John 14:16-17

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

He goes before you, He is with you, abiding with you forever. He dwells with and in you. You know Him.

Fear Not 

#27

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

You and I can let trouble and fear into our hearts or keep it out. We are the “gate keepers”. We choose who and what we listen to. Listening to the things He has spoken brings us His peace. Thanksgiving and praise are two great ways to resist fear when it comes.

Begin right now to thank Him for His presence.

Have a great day and Do Not Fear.

#28

Matthew 6:25-32

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? -- Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

“Take no thought”

“ which of you by taking thought?”  In other words don’t take thought (anxious or worried thought) because it won’t change anything anyway.

Then again, “take no anxious thought” ... but this time He shows us how we “take” the thought, how we make ours ... “ take no thought SAYING”. What we think about becomes what we believe and speak and then do and have. If you think worried thoughts, resist them, arrest them and speak faith. Speak praise, speak thanksgiving but do not speak the worry or fear.

Say it, Lord Jesus I will not fear You are here with me and together we have this. Thank you Lord for direction and VICTORY!!

#29

Psalms 56:11

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid

what man can do unto me.

Putting our trust in God is a choice, it is an act of our will. If we have chosen as the psalmist did to put our trust in God, in His Word then we also can chose, “will” to not be afraid. 

Resist the temptation to fear and ‘faith on’ in Jesus.

SELAH 

#30

Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Psalms 118:6

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear:

what can man do unto me?

Because we can answer the question from our verse in Romans in the affirmative with our verse in Psalms 118.

We need not fear. There is no one that can successfully stand against us. As one man put it, “Jesus and me, we are a majority “.

Grab your Bible and look up those verses just so you know they verses in “your” Bible and they belong to you. 😎

FEAR NOT 

WAITING

Psalms 40:1 (KJV) 
¹ I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) 
³¹ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

.... renew - change or renew - exchange - pass on (to)

Notice in the KJV the word "their" is in italics meaning it was added by the translators for clarity, but look at Young's Literal Translation

Isaiah 40:31 (YLT) 
³¹ But those expecting Jehovah pass to power, They raise up the pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint! 

Whose power? God's power. 

Paul tells us in Eph 6 to "be strong in the Lord and the power of His might". 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (YLT) 
¹⁷ And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; 
¹⁸ and we all, with unveiled face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

... There is an exchange happening ...

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (AMP) 
¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). 
¹⁸ And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 14:4 (AMP) 
⁴ He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself ....

.... edify - to charge like a battery, to build up, to strengthen

Jude 1:20-21 (NET1) 
²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, 
²¹ maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life. 

.... While we are waiting on the Lord, looking into the Word, beholding Him and spending time, yielding to Him in the spirit we are being changed. We are taking on His image, His strength and His power. Wait patiently, let your battery get a complete charge and be sure to plug into the "charger" everyday.

There is a song that says, "More Love, More Power, More of You in my life". That requires at least two things.

1. More Time with Him.

2. Less of me.

Thank You Lord for all you give to us as we wait upon You. Thank you for your faithfulness, for your mercy, your love and abundant grace. 

SELAH

Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
¹⁹ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
²⁰ And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
²¹ And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
²² And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
²³ And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
²⁵ But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
²⁶ And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
²⁷ Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
²⁸ For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
²⁹ Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
³⁰ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
³¹ And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Romans 10:13-17 (KJV)
¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)
¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵ all that are in the house.
¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

... We are to let our light shine there is no doubt but there is more to "life style evangelism" than life style. Evangelism involves declaring the Gospel, speaking the Word of God to people who don't know Him. 

... People are not born again by watching you and I live good lives. What we do certainly can and does effect our ability to speak to people. There is a standard to maintain as believers, as ambassadors for Christ and a Love command to obey. 

... But, people are born again by the Word of God, which is imperishable and incorruptible seed. They are born again, saved by hearing the Word and then acting upon it in faith.

... The account of the rich man and the beggar demonstrates the importance of preaching, declaring, sharing, telling, speaking (you choose which verb you like) the Gospel. People need to hear what Jesus has done, why He did it and how to receive it. 

... Miracles, signs and wonders are wonderful we should believe for and expect them but they are not more important than the Word of God. The Word first, always. Consider ... the greatest miracle of all is the New Birth and it is based solely on the Word ... The New Birth doesn't happen without the Word ... Salvation in any aspect is based on the Word.

... We are supposed to "be ready" to give an answer for the hope that we have.

... We are to be witnesses unto Him, in our world ... a witness is someone who tells what they know, or what they have seen.

... We are all to be ministers of reconciliation 

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (KJV)
¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (all of us) the ministry of reconciliation;
¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

Praise God ...WE CAN DO THIS ... Because we can do all things ... all means all ... through Christ who strengthens us. God has given us this ministry. Whenever God gives us something to do He also gives us the ability to do it. 

... Have you ever "accepted" the Commission He gave you? ... Have you ever "accepted" the ministry He has given you? ... Have you embraced His call? 

Jesus told us to, ask the Lord of harvest for laborers to be thrust into the harvest. I am sure we have all made that request at some time. Have you added, as Isaiah did, "here am I Lord send me"? 

Father ... Thank you for working in us the willingness and the ability to be workers together with you in the harvest. Thank you for equipping us through the Holy Spirit and for giving us your Word and life to share with others. We ask for open doors of utterance for ourselves and for the workers we ask you to send. Thank you for sending the right people, at the right time, with the right Word to those in our world that need You. Thank You Lord for Your Word and Thank You Holy Spirit for confirming Your Word in Jesus Name.

SELAH

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- So, we are running a race.

- It is a marathon not a sprint

- We are to run with patience / endurance. Keeping our eyes on the right things, the Right Person helps greatly. Knowing He is faithful and won’t give up on us as our trainer is huge. He IS and HE WON’T... Praise God! (see Phil. 1:6)

- We are to run as unencumbered as possible. The decision to lay things of distraction aside is completely ours, we choose.
Sometimes we lay things down for a time, sometimes for good. You might carry a water bottle or cup for a few strides but not the whole race. Whatever it is, if its getting in the way of your walk with Jesus .. let it go ... Just Do It

- When we run we need the correct shoes for the terrain we are facing. A friend (a collegiate runner ...thanks Chris) told me wet surfaces would usually need longer spikes, cross country running shoes are different from “track” shoes. You are always looking for the best traction. The Roman soldier wore spike on his shoes to help him stand his ground in a fight. I suppose that today if you were in the military running an obstacle course you might be running in combat boots, that might seem 'clunky" for running but there is a reason, proven out in combat, traction and support matter.
The Holy Spirit is the “Ultimate Equipment Manager".  He will give you just exactly what you need to succeed in your race.

 one last thought
- Don’t let the runners around you be a distraction, you have a lane, and they have a lane stay in the one the directed you in. We’re all headed to Fathers house but sometimes the Shepherd leads us in different paths. He has different things for each of us to accomplish along our journey. Follow His direction.

Stay close, keep your eyes on Jesus, He will lead you to Victory.
Thank you Lord, thank you.

SELAH

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Let’s look at the word “witnesses”
There is more to this definition, but for today this is what Vines Dictionary says about this word in context.

“(a cloud) of witnesses,” here of those mentioned in ch. 11, those whose lives and actions testified to the worth and effect of faith, and whose faith received “witness”

Though these witnesses may be seen as spectators or as, “our cheering section”, it is also true that they are examples for us in our walk, in our race of faith.

Abraham and Sarah didn’t look at their circumstances as any reason to doubt God’s Word. Once they were clear on what HE HAD SAID, that was it, obedience and worship was their declaration, their walking out of faith. Their ANSWER came!
That’s not to say they didn’t recognize the circumstances, they were aware, but they gave heed to only the Word of God. They “looked unto” God and gave Him glory.
Jesus said to Jairus, " fear not only believe", He was keeping Jairus focused ... in effect he was saying "don't look at the wind and the waves", look right at Me. only at me, one direction, one focus ... believe.

Read Hebrews 11.

Lord, help us to see what you want to show us. Help us to understand what you are saying and to then move with you. Lord open our eyes, we want to see you more clearly than ever before.
In Jesus Name Amen

SELAH

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Notice the comma at the end of verse 1.
These two verses are conveying a complete thought.
Laying aside every weight, and the sin that easily trips us up is connected to “looking” unto Jesus.
This word "looking" in the Greek is;

g0872. ἀφοράω aphoraō; from 575 and 3708; to consider attentively: — look.

It has within its meaning “to look away from and look unto”.

Perhaps you’ve heard the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. One of the phrases in the song helps illustrate this word, the phrase is “look full in His wonderful face”. Let your gaze be filled with Him.

Another song comes to mind that helps the illustration, and that is, “ I only have eyes for you”.

Keeping our attention, our focus on Jesus, on Christ-likeness, is our prize.
With our eyes on Jesus, the “things of earth do grow strangely dim”. With our affections set on “things above” it’s much easier to lay aside the distractions.
Remember as long as Peter was looking at Jesus he was participating in a miracle. You don’t have to sweat the potholes when you are focused on Him and moving on His Word. He will safely guide you home.

He’s calling....Draw near

SELAH

Matthew 9:1-8 (NASB) 

¹ Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city. 
² And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." 
³ And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." 
⁴ And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 
⁵ "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'? 
⁶ "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—then He *said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." 
⁷ And he got up and went home. 
⁸ But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. 

1 Peter 2:24 (NASB) 
²⁴ and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 

Isaiah 53:4-5 (NASB) 
⁴ Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 
⁵ But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 

Sin and sickness were both dealt with through the sacrifice of Jesus.
God laid on him our sin and our sicknesses and disease.
What God has joined together let no one put asunder. 

Healing for our bodies is just as much part of the Gospel as the forgiveness of our sin. Thank You Lord!

Sickness and disease have no more right to dominate our lives than sin.
The power of both are broken by the Blood of Jesus and the stripes He bore.
We can resist both sin and sickness successfully as we submit to God and agree with His Word.

He sent His Word to heal us and His Word does not, will not and has not returned to Him void.
He has and will continue to heal us and deliver us from our destructions.
Agree with Him and declare what He says.

SELAH

Ephesians 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The new man, the new creation is “created in righteousness and true holiness”.
This is having reference to the nature of the same New Creation Paul tells us about in;
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Notice the phrase, “and all things are of God”.

Now in, 2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We’ve been made the “righteousness of God”. You can’t get any more righteous than that.

Now it’s a matter of you and I walking out this righteousness and holiness. Just like the love of God that’s been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. We choose to walk in love, righteousness and holiness. It’s all in there, in the new man, in our recreated human spirit.

One more scripture,
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Jesus ... is made unto us ... wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, (or holiness) and redemption. It’s all in us, by the Holy Spirit who is in us. Look inside, not to yourself but to Him, The Greater One who dwells in you.
Let Him live and move and have His being in you, today ... everyday!

Have an amazing day and life in Jesus!

SELAH

Mark 10:27
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

How many things are possible?

Q. What’s the prerequisite for that position of ultimate possibility?

A. Being with God.

So the question then becomes are we with God, are you with God, am I with God?
Certainly as God’s children He is on our side, and has promised us that He would never leave us or for sake us, .... but we could walk away from him, we can make choices that put us in opposition to what He wants. So we need to be sure that we are “on His side”. If he’s the coach then we need to make sure that we are running the play as he has designed, we need to be doing it as He instructed.

“WITH God all things are possible”

SELAH

Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

One of the definitions or synonyms of prevail is ...predominant.

When the Word of God is in ascendency it will prevail, it will predominate. The Word becomes the first avenue of thought, “ second or better yet first nature”.

Many ask for God to take over, but in order for that to truly happen we must consistently CHOOSE the Word and its direction.
CHOOSE to get yourself and keep yourself full of the Word of God. It will prevail and so will you.

The Truth that sets and makes you free is the Truth you know and do. (see John 8:31-32)

The nature of the Word of God is too dominate. When we put it first we give the Word its opportunity to do its work in our lives.

SELAH

THOUGHTS FOR HEALING

John 4:46-54 (NASB) 
46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 
47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 
48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe." 
49 The royal official *said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 
50 Jesus *said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 
51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 
52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 
53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed and his whole household. 
54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. 

Q. What did the official believe? 

A. "the word that Jesus spoke to him"

Q. What did the official do? What was the action of his faith?

A. "and started off" 

Jesus had challenged him to simply believe, without the aid of a "sign", or a "feeling" but to simply believe Him. This nobleman accepted that challenge and acted on what Jesus said. We too can make this choice, the Word of God is just as much alive and powerful today as then ... the issue is hearing what God has said ... He is speaking by the Holy Spirit in and through His Word ... are you listening?

This man started off ... without getting Jesus to come to his house ... but believing what He said ... Nothing looked different, nothing felt different (perhaps he was at peace, faith will do that after when one enters into faith he enters into rest) but as far as he knew in the natural nothing was different, yet he believed ... standing on the Word of God alone.

When did faith come to this man? When he heard the Word (see Rom 10:17). What did he do? He acted like what Jesus said was true. 

What was the outcome? Healing.

Has God changed? Has His Word changed? No and No!

Will He still do what He said? YES!

Will He do what He says today? YES!

Will He do it for you? YES! He is no respecter of persons, and whosoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved (delivered, healed, protected and preserved). 

Romans 10:13 (KJV) 
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Go have a little talk with Jesus, don't worry about the circumstances just believe what He says to you and go by that. 

All the goodness of God is coming your way!

SELAH

John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

What are the words we are speaking?  Are they spirit, that is from the Spirit? Are they life, do they contain life? Words are containers, they are filled with something. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue:" Prov. 18:21. 
Words are creative, they create the reality or the world we live in. What we fill our words with will be reproduced in our days.

By way of illustration, let me share a story. I have a a Pastor friend who lives in a house in the country, across the road was a piece of property that  he and his family wanted so they could build a new home. He began to speak about it to others, not necessarily "claiming it" but speaking his desire, being thankful and looking for an opportunity. To make a long story short, they purchased the land and are making plans to build. He had a vision, a thought , a dream, he thought about it, talked about it, pursued it and the "mountain is moving". He is creating "his world". You and I are doing the same kind of thing all the time in a myriad of different ways. The question is what are we building? What is in our words? What are we filling our world with?

Words are the expressions of thought. What we think about deeply and often will eventually become what we say and do. 

Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Lets get our thoughts and words from the same source Jesus did, the Spirit, and lets fill our words with life like He did... It's possible... Words that are spirit and life are words that are acceptable in the sight of our God. Acceptable thoughts and acceptable words will produce an acceptable life.

SELAH

SAY THE TRUTH

John 8:31-32 (KJV)
³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Philemon 1:4-6 (KJV)
⁴ I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
⁵ Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
⁶ That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (KJV)
²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 

²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will

give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 

²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 

Part of continuing in or keeping the Word is acknowledging it, from the standpoint of recognition as well as speaking and doing it.

In Philemon verse 6 we have the word communication / fellowship or it might be put this way the "living out of our faith", it's about how our faith touches others not just about how it works for us. This "living out" of our faith is made effective by acknowledging every good thing we have in Christ. Remember that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (which is the Truth). Faith comes in our own hearts through hearing the Word and as we declare the Word, the Truth and others hear, faith can come in their hearts as well.

If one finds themself in a place contrary to the Truth repentance is required. Repentance is more than a change of thinking it is also a change of heart, together both will produce a change of behavior. Repentance requires the acknowledging of the Truth, both in word and deed. This act of agreeing with and then participating / doing the Truth sets one free from the snare of the enemy. This same action not only brings deliverance, but serves to make us free and keep us free from the bondage of the enemy. 

Sometimes, probably most of the time when we read this passage in Timothy we tend to think of people that are caught up in some terrible sin (all sin is terrible), something violent or socially unacceptable. But again all sin is sin, whether its a "white lie" or a "whopper" its still a lie .. right? My point is that there may be many subtle ways we are snared by the enemy. What if we persist in speaking and thinking sickness and disease, when God desires and has provided healing? Poverty and lack vs. Supply of every need ... Sinner saved by grace vs. New Creation created in righteousness and true holiness ... I can't do it vs. I can do all things through Christ ... the list could go on.

Saying, acknowledging, thinking, acting upon, doing, continuing in the Truth makes us free.

Saying, acknowledging, thinking, acting upon, doing, continuing in thoughts and traditions of men that are contrary to the Word, to the Truth brings us or keeps us in bondage.

We choose.

Say the Truth.

SELAH

The truth is, I am a new creation in Christ, old things have passed away and all things are new. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ, created in righteousness and true holiness. It is also true that I have been seated in heavenly places with Christ, I have been given power and authority over all the power of the enemy. I have been forgiven, made clean, redeemed and justified by the Blood of Jesus, I am in right standing with God and at peace with my Father. The truth is I am the temple of the Holy Ghost, I have an unction from the Holy One, the Greater One dwells within me. Again it is true, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, my God supplies all my need and His grace is sufficient for me. The truth is, I am healed by the stripes Jesus bore, He became a curse for me and redeemed me from every sickness and every disease. He took my infirmities and carried my sickness and pain. The truth is I am free from the law of sin and death because the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ has made me free and is ruling in my life. The truth is God loves me (and you) more than the devil hates us. It is true that God is working in me and in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure. We are His workmanship and the work He has begun in us He will complete.

Thank you Lord for your Word. Your Word is Truth. Thank you Lord for Victory!

SELAH

The Truth is .. I am clean through the Word of God. I have been grafted into the Vine. Jesus is the Vine and I am a branch, I am in Him and He is in me, and we are one in the Father. 

.. Because Jesus went to the Father and secured the Promise of the Father, the Holy Ghost, I can do the works of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is my Helper, my Teacher, my Advocate, my Guide, my Strengthener and my Standby. God is my refuge, my fortress, my high tower, my ever-present help. The truth is He will never leave me or forsake me, He will never abandon me, or leave me comfort less, the Comforter is with me at all times, He is with me and in me, He is in me and upon me, He abides with me forever. He is the Greater One and He puts me over. He has made me to be more than a conqueror and has given me the Victory!

Thank you Lord for your Word. Your Word is Truth and Your Word is working mightily in me. Your Word is making me free. Thank you Lord for Victory!

SELAH

The Truth is ... My God, my Father delights in my prosperity. He is thinking good thoughts about me and He has spoken every blessing over me. He desires that I prosper in spirit, soul and body. He has given me life more abundantly for my spirit, He has given me His Word for my soul and He (Jesus) bore my sickness and disease, bore stripes for my body. He has given all this and more so I can be fruitful in Him. He is Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord my Peace, the Lord my well-being. 

He has forgiven all my iniquities, healed all my diseases, crowns me with loving kindness and renews my strength. 

Bless you Lord. Thank you Lord, thank you for Victory!

SELAH

I acknowledge this Truth today. The Lord is my Shepherd and He is leading me in the paths of righteousness. He is leading me to the right place at the right time, equipped in the right way to do His will and pleasure. I am His sheep and I know His voice. I acknowledge Him in all my ways and He directs my path and orders my steps. He guides me into all Truth and shows me things to come. I am being led by the Spirit of God, He is teaching me to follow Him. His Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. He is the Light of my life. 

Say it ... In the Name of Jesus my future is bright as I walk in the Light of the Son shining down on me.

Thank you Lord for leading me through dark places and tough times to still waters and green pastures. Thank you Lord for leading me safely home, to Your house for eternity.

Thank you Lord for Victory!

SELAH

More Truth that ... is ..

I / you have been made a joint-heir with Jesus and Jesus is heir of all things. 

Jesus inherited a Name that is above every other name, it is a more excellent name. Every knee in heaven, earth and under the earth shall bow to His Name.

Thank you Lord for the Name of Jesus.

I have been authorized to use His Name to do Kingdom business, to go into all the world preach the Gospel, in that Name I can cast out devils, speak in new lounges and lay hands on the sick and they will recover. I am protected in that Name.

There is only one Name that brings salvation ... Jesus.

There is healing in His Name, through faith in His Name.

There is deliverance in the Name of Jesus.

I am an ambassador of Christ, a witness unto Him, I am a minister of reconciliation.

I am an able minister of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is my Helper. the Lord is my Helper.

Say it .. Today I "Go" into my world in the Name of Jesus. Thank you Lord for the Name of Jesus, Thank you Lord for Victory!

SELAH

The Truth is ... We were healed by stripes Jesus bore, if we were healed by the stripes Jesus bore then in agreement with Isaiah 53 we are healed by the stirpes Jesus bore.... say it... I was healed, so I am healed by the stripes Jesus bore. He took my infirmities and bare my sicknesses. Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for me, therefore I am redeemed from every sickness and disease whether it is named in the Book or not. He forgives all my iniquities and heals all my diseases. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me and He quickens, gives life to my mortal body. God sent His Word to heal us and deliver us, the Word became flesh and accomplished all he was sent to do. In Christ Jesus I healed and delivered. He is the Lord that heals me. He is the Lord my Victory.

Say it ... Sickness and disease you have no place in me, by the Power of the Blood of Jesus, the Power of His Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit working in me I am healthy and I am free. Thank you Lord for Victory!

SELAH

The Truth is ... The Lord is Good. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, He is my Good Shepherd. Only Good and Perfect gifts come from my Father in heaven. He knows how to give Good gifts to them that ask. My God is not a theif, He is not a killer, He is not a destroyer, My God is a life giver not a life taker. The Lord is Good, all the time, in every circumstance, the Lord is Good. His mercy endures forever, the Lord is Good. His thoughts toward us are Good, He is Love and He thinks no evil. The Lord is Good. My God is a Good God. 

Say it ... Lord You are Good. Your mercy endures forever, and You are forever Good. Lord You are Good. Thank You for Your Goodness, Your Grace, Your Mercy, Your Faithfulness, your Faith, Your Love and Your Word. Thank you Lord. LORD YOU ARE GOOD! Praise you Lord, Bless You Lord, Glory to You Lord. LORD YOU ARE GOOD!

SELAH

Hope

Romans 15:13 (KJV)
¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Hope - 

from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

We can anticipate God keeping His promises to us (and be happy about it). 

We can expect God to do what He said He will do.

We can have confidence in Him to be who He says He is.

He CANNOT lie.

He DOES NOT change.

He ALREADY GAVE us Jesus and withholds no good thing from those who seek Him (Ps 34:10 and Rom 8:32 ).

The joy, the peace and the answer to our prayer (the thing we are hoping for .. see Heb.11:1 ) come in response to our believing, it is "in" believing, during believing, after believing but NOT before.

Jesus said in one place, "Have faith in God" and in another "You believe in God, believe also in Me". Both "faith" and "believing" carry in their definitions the idea of trust. So lets look at our text with that in mind.

Romans 15:13 (KJV)
¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in trusting, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Have trust in God ... You trust in God, trust also in me.

You have all probably seen a demonstration of the "trust" exercise where one person falls backwards trusting in their co-worker or teammate to catch them. 

Imagine yourself falling into the arms of Jesus. Declare your trust in Him .. declare it TO Him and as you relax into His arms give Him thanks for the answer He said you could have.

SELAH

Hope .. 

Romans 15:13 (KJV)
¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing / trusting, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NET1)
¹¹ For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)
¹¹ ~'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a plan for you / us, He is thinking of us, He thought of us and made a plan. God's plan is a good plan, one of prosperity, peace and welfare, Jesus called it "life more abundantly". 

Disaster, calamity, harm and evil ARE NOT in His plan for you and I. So, you might ask, why do those things happen in my life? Do you and I always and in every way follow the "plan" God has for us? 

His benefits come from walking in His ways. His plan for us isn't going to work out in lives without our cooperation. "All the promises of God yes and amen in Him, by us". We have our part to play. What is that part? The disciples once asked, "what must we do to work the works of God?" Jesus answered, "believe on Him whom God hath sent". Believing, trusting in Him, relying on Him and adhereing to Him, this is our part. Adhereing to ... like adhesive tape or glue ... adhereing to Him and His Word ... Sticking to the plan (His Plan)... adhereing to His teachings, to the teachings of our Master, being doers of the Word.

Thank God we have the Holy Ghost and His power to help us do our part. Thank God for His grace at work in us. Thank God He is working in us the willingness adn the ABILITY to do His good pleasure ... His good plan ... The one that includes prosperity, welfare and peace, the one that in life mor abundantly.

Let your hope rest in God and His declared plan for you. Trust Him, obey Him, just do what He says and be thankful.

SELAH

Hope ...

Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)
¹¹ ~'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 

Say it ... Thank you Lord for the good plan you have for me.

Notice that phrase, "declares the Lord" or "saith the Lord". Who said that? Who is speaking here? Who is speaking through the Prophet? 

God ... Almighty God ... "Big G" God ... The Most High God ... This is the One who declared a plan of welfare and hope for you .... and again just to remind us His plan did not include, did not intend calamity ... calamity can happen because we are in a fallen world / environment but that was NOT His intention. Thank God He ALWAYS gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

The Lord "declared" this plan, the Lord "said / spoke" this plan, correct?

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Numbers 23:19 (KJV)
¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 

What God says happens ... Always 

What God says will happen in your life and mine when we say what He says and do what He says to do ... Always

"Whatever He tells you to do, do it" (John 2:5) is the catalyst to miracles.

One person put it this way, "Jesus and me we are a majority". Agreement with God and obedience to Him just works ... plain and simple .. it just works ... we need to "just do it". 

Say it: Father God thank you for Your plan for me. Thank you working in me and helping me to walk out your plan for my life. Thank you for life and life more abundantly, thank you prosperity spirit, soul and body, thank you for well-being and thank you for peace with you. Thank you for Victory ... Always ... In the Name of Jesus.

SELAH

Romans 8:31-32 (KJV)

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  
³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

Romans 8:33-34 (AMP) 
³³ Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] 
³⁴ Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

 God is for us. He is our justifier ... not our accuser.(ver 33). He, Jesus is the One making intercession for us ... not condemning us. (ver 34). He is the One who made it possible and continues to make us able for us to be over comers, to be more than conquerors.

Psalms 118:6 (KJV) 

⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 

Say it: Thank you Lord for being for me. Thank you Lord for being on my side. I will not fear, You are with me, You are ever near. Thank you Lord for Victory, I will not fear. You Lord are the Victorious One and I thank you for sharing your victory with me.

SELAH

When faith speaks it calls those things that be not as thought they were.

When faith speaks it is with confident expectaion that what is being spoken will come to pass.

When faith speaks it is with a focus on what has already been given to us by God.

When faith speaks it is with the belief that what is being declared will be accomplished. 

Scriptures to consider :

Rom 4:17 ... Eph 5:1 (followers - imitators - mimicks)

Heb 11:1

John 3:27 ... John 15:7 ... Heb 13:5-6 (what have you been given inChrist?)

2 Cor 2:14 ... (triumph refers to the cellabration of victory not the securing of it) Jesus already finished the work of redemption. He already won the war and in Him we are more than conquerors. Celebrate ... Ps 92:4 ... Give Him thanks for the Victory!

Isa 55:11 The words God speaks accomplish something ... the thing they are sent to do ... When He speaks he isn't simply communicating, He isn't just talking ... He sends his words ... He speaks with purpose ... knowing they will come to pass. Compare Mark 11:23 ... Jesus is telling us to have the same attitude about our words that God has about His. We are to believe that those things we say will come to pass ... We are to believe that the words that we speak accomplish what we send them to do. (Our words need to line up with His Word and Will for the best results) 

He sends His words, He speaks with purpose ... we are to imitate Him ... we should speak with purpose (with His direction would be wise) ... Speaking with purpose will probably require that we speak less ... We will need to learn to be "swift to hear and slow to speak" but being deliberate, choosy and specific with our words will bring better results.

Ps 19:14 

Our thoughts and words determine our future, if they are acceptable to the Lord our lives will be also.

SELAH

You are Welcome

Ephesians 1:6 (KJV)
⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV)
⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:4-5 (KJV)
⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Praise God! 

According to the good pleasure of his will he has made YOU accepted, raised YOU up, seated YOU in heavenly places in Christ. 

'Good pleasure' says to me that God enjoyed doing this for us. This wasn't just some 'ho humm deal', no this brought pleasure to Him. He wanted to do this, He wanted to bring us CLOSE to Him.

Jesus suffered separation from God, was cast out from His presence so we could be made welcome there. Thank You Jesus!!

Say it ... I am welcome in the presence in the God. I am accepted in the Beloved. I am seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenlies, far above all principalities and powers, might and dominion. This is what I have because of what Jesus has done. This is what I have because God wanted me to have it. Thank You Lord for making me welcome. Thank You Lord ALWAYS giving me the Victory.

SELAH

Good Morning  

Our words set the boundries of our lives, lets establish and perhaps expand our horizons in Jesus Name.

Declare this with me today.

I am a part of the Kingdom of God, a member in the Body of Christ. 

I am a new creation, old things have passed away and all things are new. 

I am the righteousness of God in Christ and sin has no more dominion over me. 

I am free from the power of darkness, free from the curse of the Law because Jesus became a curse for me and purchased me, redeemed me with His precious Blood. 

I am a Blood bought and Blood washed child of God. 

I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. 

I am complete in Him. 

The Love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost who lives in me. He is the Greater One, He strengthens me, He is my Helper. 

I am strong for all things through Him.

I am anointed with the Holy Ghost, the anointing is abiding in me.

I am an able minister of the New Testament, a minister of reconciliation, an ambassador of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. 

I am healed by the stripes Jesus bore, I am being made alive in my mortal body by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. 

I am an heir of God, a joint heir with Christ and He is heir of all things. 

The riches of the glory of His inheritance are mine now, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in me now. 

I am a worker together with God and He is working in me the willingness and ability to do His good pleasure. 

I am increasing in fruitfulness in every area of my life. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, kindness and faith are increasing in me. 

I am being overtaken by the blessing of the Lord.

I am tithing and the windows of heaven are open over me.

I am giving and it is being given unto me. I have all I need through Christ and His riches in Glory.

I have life more abundantly. His life in me is my advantage. 

I am a sheep of the Good Shepherd

I listen to His voice only, green pastures, still waters and the House of the Lord forever are my destination.

ld like to challenge you to find the scriptures these statements are based upon and email them to me. If you have a question about a statement let me know.

All His best to you

SELAH 

John 8:31-32 (KJV)
³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

It seems that much of the time the latter half of this sentence is all that is quoted but really doesn't give the whole picture. There is an "if" connected to a "then". 

Praise God for the freedom that we come to experience from knowing and acting in concert with the Truth. Remember Jesus is called "The Living Word" and the "Truth" so when we are continuing in the Word we are continuing "in Him", we living and moving and having our being in Him. 

When you look at the definition of the word know you will find that it carries the idea of "participating with the truth that is known". It is more than mere knowledge it is the application of what is known. It is being a "doer" of the Word. 

It is in the doing, the keeping, the continuing in the Truth that we are not only set free, but made free. We are transformed, a metamorphisms takes place as our minds are renewed and the Power of the Word is released in our lives.

Again we can say "If we do "then" ... He "can and does". He the Truth makes us free, and he whom the Son makes free is free indeed.

Say it: Thank You Lord for your Word. Thank You for the truth. Thank You for the Power and Life in your Word. Thank You for doing exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or think according to the power of Your Word that is working in me. Thank You for the ability to do Your good pleasure and to cooperate with You fully. Thank You for freedom and victory in the Name of Jesus.

SELAH

Read Deut 8 

Deuteronomy 8:1 (KJV)
¹ All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

Note ... The Promised Land is a picture of the abundant life Jesus came to give us, not heaven. There are no giants in heaven, no enemy to overcome in heaven there will be no curse and no resistance to our faith .... IT WILL BE AWESOME .. AMEN!

But we can live in the blessing of God here and now as well. Our part is to obey His commands, be doers of the Word and follow His leading. Then we can live, multiply and possess. HALLELUJAH!

Are you ready for another "when not if"? Perhaps this time you could say "if .... then". When we do the commands, do the Word, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit .. if we do ... then we will possess.

Deuteronomy 8:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 8:12-13 (KJV)
¹² Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
¹³ And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

If we are doers of the Word the blessing of God in our lives is a "when not an If". Is this a gimmick, no it is a lifestyle. It is the just living by faith, it is living by every word the proceeds from the mouth of God.

James 1:25 (KJV)
²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (that is the Word), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

One last point. The "work" spoken of here is whatever the Word requires us to do whether that is giving, tithing, loving, forgiving, witnessing, being thankful, giving praise, speaking faith ... whatever the Word requires ... Just do it.

"If" we do "then" ... He "can and does". 

Thank You Lord for your faithfulness.

SELAH 

"WHEN" not "IF"

Matthew 6:2-4 (KJV)
² Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
³ But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
⁴ That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 

Matthew 6:5-8 (KJV)
⁵ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV)
¹⁶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
¹⁷ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
¹⁸ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)
²⁶ How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Acts 20:7 (KJV)
⁷ And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 

1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1 Corinthians 11:20 (KJV)
²⁰When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
1 Corinthians 11:33 (KJV)
³³ Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 

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

Notice that these scriptures say "when" not "if". Praying, giving, fasting and coming together, all actions we should be involved in. 

Praying, giving and coming together in fellowship are all activities we would / should do with consistency. To say it another way, we associate the idea of consistency with these activities.

Fasting maybe not so much. Consider though that fasting is an exercise in subduing the flesh / appetites of the body. That doesn't just mean food, but also any other pursuits or desire that might come between ourselves and God. It has to do with laying aside weights and things that hinder our "race running". TV isn't bad (in and of itself), or golfing, reading novels or a myriad of other "distractions" that we can get "over" involved with. 

Fasting is a spiritual discipline when it is connected to prayer and fellowship with the Lord. Fasting (food) without prayer is dieting. 

Fasting as a spiritual discipline can be a valuable asset in our spiritual growth as we set aside "things or activities" for the sake of pursuing (without distraction) the Lord and the things important to Him. 

Consider this thought as well, there is a difference between fasting a meal or TV show from time to time and living a fasted lifestyle. The latter being a consistent exercise of self control. Read Isa. 58 for some more thoughts on the subject.

To get back to the original point the Lord put in my heart. Praying, giving, fasting and coming together for fellowship in the Lord are "whens" not "ifs".

Life and success are about priorities and choices. 

Choose life and seek first the Kingdom of God and His way of living and doing right.

SELAH

Romans 8:31 (NASB)
³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

How do we see ourselves? The apostle Paul exhorts us check ourselves to see if "we are in the faith". We are also told to judge ourselves so we won't be judged. 

Jesus warned us saying, "watch and pray", in fact he made similar statements several times. 

I just wanted to make the point that we need to stay "hooked up" with the Lord and not allow ourselves to become distracted from our relationship with Him and His will for our lives.

So, how do we see ourselves? Do you see, think of yourself as a new creation or sinner saved by grace. 

Do you see yourself as having the gift of righteousness, as having been justified and therefore at peace with God and welcome in His presence, or a "dirty old worm" of some kind thinking that God won't listen to you anyway and doesn't really care about you?

Do you see yourself as capable in Christ? Do you see yourself strong for all things, sufficient for all situations through Him who loves you and strengthens you? 

God is for you, He is for us. If he wasn't He wouldn't have sent Jesus to set us free from the power of sin and Its penalty. He wouldn't have sent Jesus to become a curse for us if He didn't want us to be free from the curse of the Law.

If He didn't want us to pass the test He wouldn't have given us the Answer to every question. Thank God for Jesus, Amen!

God intends for us to live in victory, to be over comers and to live life filled full with Him. (This is where true fulfillment is found.)

Proverbs tells us, as a man thinks in his heart so is he. 

What we think shapes our destiny. 

We become what we think on ... positive or negative .. up or down ... victor or victim .. can or can't ... relevant or irrelevant ... happy or sad ... righteous in Christ or unrighteous ... accepted in the beloved or not.

A great way to begin to correct our thinking (if its been goofy) is to practice being thankful, because thanksgiving is in "up" mode. Thanksgiving releases faith, thanksgiving gives God words He can work with in our behalf.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 

Psalm 50:23 (NIV1984)

23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, 

and he prepares the way 

so that I may show himthe salvation of God."

Psalms 50:23 (AMP)
²³ He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God. 

Thanksgiving prepares the way for victory. 

Think about all you have in Christ, think about what has been given to you in Christ, think about what has been promised to you in Christ. He is alive, He doesn't change and He is faithful. With those things in mind GIVE HIM THANKS ... RIGHT NOW ... TODAY IS THE BEST TIME TO SHAPE TOMORROW.

THANK YOU LORD ... THANK YOU ... LIFT YOUR HANDS ... LIFT YOUR HEART ... LIFT YOUR VOICE ... THANK YOU LORD

SELAH

Luke 11:5-9 (KJV)
⁵ And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
⁶ For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
⁷ And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
⁸ I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
⁹ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Importunity - shamelessness, boldness, shameless audacity, persistence

While many use the word persistence, this is not the primary / normal use of the word in the original language according to some dictionaries.

Shameless audacity seems to best convey the idea Jesus is expressing. 

Certainly Jesus is not teaching us to be rude when we pray, but rather to be bold.

I would say that most of the time when we think of being shameless it's from the "you should be ashamed of yourself" side of the issue. There is however a positive way of looking t this word and that is being without or free from shame. 

Romans 8:1 (KJV)
¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

If there is no condemnation, there is no basis for shame. So we can approach the throne with boldness, confidence and no sense of shame ... shame-less. 

Luke 11:8-9 (NIV)
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Notice, Jesus tells the parable, then the "pay off line" and then He says ASK.

In other words, when you ask in boldness, with confidence, you will get your answer so ASK. 

Ask, seek and knock with boldness, with confidence you will receive, find and have an open door. Those words are "RED LETTERS" and "RED LETTERS" trump everything.

As to the issue of persistence, let me put it this way. In Heb 4:16 we are told come ... to obtain grace and mercy in a time of need. When don't we need grace and mercy? The way to throne is open and we should be using it as often as necessary, as often as possible. Be persistent, be consistent in prayer, Jesus said "men ought always to pray", Paul mentioned prayer without ceasing. So as we pray, when we pray let it be with boldness and confidence, with no sense of shame but standing in the right relationship Jesus has made available to us.

SELAH

CONTINUALLY Part 5

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. Psalms 40:16 (KJV)
 
4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. Psalms 70:4 (KJV)
 
So many times we find ourselves magnifying something or someone other than the Lord. But we can see from these verses who we should always be magnifying. It must be important if the Lord would choose to say the same thing twice.

Magnify is to be or make large. 

You've probably heard of someone "turning a mole-hill into a mountain" (that process starts with thoughts and words). It's so important that we be continually making God large and great in our thoughts and words for He is greater than any mountain, obstacle or enemy we can face. 

As the Apostle John says, 
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater (larger, the greatest) is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (KJV)

When mountains arise in your life turn them into mole-hills by considering God, His Greatness, His Power and Ability, His Provision, His Faithfulness, His Grace, His Mercy, and His willingness to Help you. 

SAY IT:  My God is GREATER than any attack of the enemy. My God is GREATER than sickness, GREATER than lack, GREATER than all the bad things I've done, My FATHER, MY GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL. 

SELAH

CONTINUALLY Part 4
 
7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 2 Chron 9:7 (KJV)
 
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.Prov 6:20-21 (KJV)
 
Q. How often does a farmer plant a crop?
A. As often as he wants a harvest.
 
No planting ... no harvest.

Once the harvest is over for a particular planting the process starts over again, so it is with the seed of the Word in our hearts and lives. How often do we need to hear the wisdom of God? 
A continual planting will produce a continual harvest. 
When you plant the Word, faith comes. When you plant faith answers come.
 
Take the time today to stand in His presence or sit at His feet, take the time to let Him speak to you. Hear His wisdom and apply it, let His Word be bound to or sown into your heart.
 
SELAH

CONTINUALLY Part 3

 Continuing with "Continually" 
 
11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chron 16:11 (KJV)
 
11 Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always1 Chron 16:11 (HCSB)
 
11 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.1 Chron 16:11 (ASV)
 
Good advice since the Apostle Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. We aren't supposed to live this life in our own strength but in an interdependent communion with Him. Walking and talking with Jesus everyday, that's what He wants. He wants us to lean on His strength, wisdom, grace and mercy all of which are made available to us in our fellowship with Him in the Word, at His feet at Throne of Grace.
 
How often should we be seeking? When its convenient ... Once in a while ... When we "feel" like it .. Once a week .. When I have all the other stuff I have to do done?
 
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33 (KJV)
 
Have a great time with the Master today.
 
SELAH

CONTINUALLY  Part 2

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 
 
( Just a note, if you look at a printed page in your KJV you will find that the word "our" is italicized meaning it was added for clarity. Read the verse without that word and ponder.)
 
15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.[Heb 13:15 (HCSB)
 
 
Continually - from (dia) and the genitic of (pas); through all time, i.e. (adverb) constantly :- alway (-s), continually.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
 
Do what? ... How often? ... Say what?
 
Lord we confess your Name. Jesus you are ... You fill in the blank.


SELAH

CONTINUALLY PART 1

 
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.Psalms 35:27 (KJV
 
continually - from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverb constantly); elliptic the regular (daily) sacrifice :- alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.—Strong's 
 
Do what?

How often?

Say what?
 
I magnify you Lord, I exalt you Lord for you have pleasure in (you are pleased with)my prosperity, you have pleasure in ( you are pleased with) my well-being. Lord, You are wonderful, You are righteous and You are faithful. Thank You for caring for me.
 
SELAH

OUR PART

 2 Corinthians 1:20

King James Version (KJV)

 20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

 This verse points out that we have our part to play in the fulfillment of the promises of God.

 Many times we find Christians “waiting” on God, and not really doing anything. They say the “battle is the Lord’s” but the reason that the battle is the Lords, is because the “battle plan” is the Lords. When we follow His plan we win. Consider the battles of old, even though the Lord moved in behalf of Israel they still had to go to the battlefield, and play out their part.

 We have our part to play in the “good fight of faith” just as they did. James tells us that “faith without works is dead”, other translations say faith without “corresponding actions” is barren or unfruitful. 

 Having said that realize that the beginning of any action is your thoughts and your words. So your meditations (thoughts and imaginations) and the words of your mouth must line up with your faith. Take the time to build your faith for what you are asking for, give the Lord the opportunity to speak to you about it. Once you’ve heard from him, then it is time to pray. Giving God thanks for the answer you believe you have received is a great place to start and a great way to maintain your position of faith.

 Should there be more action required let the Holy Spirit lead you in the acting out of your faith. Ask Him, listen to Him and do what He says. Again I say, Listen to HIM and do what HE says. Obedience (not presumption) is the catalyst to a miracle. Obedience is defined as “compliance with someone’s wishes or orders.” That sounds like doing or acting on the Word, that is doing what He says.

 SELAH

BELIEVE WHAT?

 It’s good to believe that God is faithful, because He is.

 It’s good to believe that God is Almighty, because He is.

 It’s good to believe that God keeps His Word, because He has, does and will … forever.

 It’s good to believe that God has made provision for your every need because He has.

 It’s good to believe that God has provided healing for you through the stripes Jesus bore, because He has.

 It’s good to believe that you shall not want or lack because the Lord is your Shepherd … He is … Praise God!

 It’s good to believe that God loves you with an unconditional love , because He does.

 It’s good to believe that God  will lead you into all truth, because He will.

 It’s good to believe that God will lead you in the right path, the path of righteousness, because He will.

 It’s good to believe God will be your light in dark times, because He is the Light and always will be.

 It’s good to believe that God will strengthen you for all things, because He will.

 It’s good to believe that God will comfort you in times of trouble, because He is your fortress and your refuge.

 It’s good to believe that God will never leave you nor forsake you, because He won’t.

 It’s good to believe all these things and all the many wonderful things about our Father God, His son and His Holy Spirit.

BUT, according to what the Master said in Mark 11:24 in order to have the things your desire when you pray you MUST … BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM.  You and I must believe that we “take”. “lay hold of” or “seize” the thing we have asked for.

SELAH

WHEN GOD MOVES

God was moved by our need once. The result of His action was the sending of His Son Jesus.

Now that Jesus has come every need is supplied through Him. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

“Your Father in heaven knows what you have need of even before you ask”. To be sure He knows, but we must ask so He can answer. James tells us, if we are going to ask it must be in faith nothing wavering, no double-mindedness allowed.

God has His part to play and we have ours. “All the promises of God are yes and amen in him by us”. To many times we assume that things will just happen because God knows the need.

God does not move based on our need, He moves based on our faith.

Why don’t we ask?

1.     I’ve heard people say, “well I don’t want to bother God with such a trivial thing”. Your Father not only knows what you need but He knows the number of hairs on your head. He is interested in every aspect of your life.

2.   “If my people that are called by my name will humble themselves and pray”.  Sometimes the reason we won’t ask is simply pride. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Grace = God’s ability in us to do the things we cannot do ourselves.  Which according to Jesus is anything of eternal value. He said, “Separated from Me you can do nothing”.

3.   Sometimes we “ask not” because we don’t expect anything to happen. That may be from a past experience in our own life or the life of someone else. Perhaps you’ve listened to the enemy tell you “prayer doesn’t work”, or “why would God answer you, don’t you remember what you did?  James tells us that, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (makes much power available AMP). You and I are qualified as righteous “pray-ers” because of the gift of righteousness given to us by the Lord Jesus. Praise God for such an awesome gift!

God moves when you move. The ball is in our court. He has moved because of our need and supplied our complete answer in Jesus Christ the living Word.  It is our responsibility to receive by faith that which He has provided.

John 16:23-24 (New King James Version)

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

SELAH

DO’S AND DON’TS

Phil. 4:5-9

The Lord is near.

 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

I know Christianity is much more than a list of do’s and don’ts, but there are some things that can fall into that kind category.

Notice this phrase, ‘dwell on these things”. I think this paragraph could qualify as a list of dos? Don’t you?

I want to take the other side for a moment and look at the opposites, the don’ts if you will. 

Don’t dwell on things that are untrue, dishonorable, unrighteous, impure, unlovely, of ill or bad repute, things that lack excellence of quality or attitude, or things that are not worthy of praise.

Now our focus to be sure should be on the positive list given to us in the scripture, but if some of the things we are allowing ourselves to dwell upon fall into the negative list I think we can all agree our focus needs to change. 

One fact that has always been apparent to me is that all these positive traits can be applied to the Word of God. If you need something good to think about the Word is a great place to start.

One last thought in regard to Paul’s instruction to follow his example. When he was in the storm about to be shipwrecked, he was focused on God. When he and Silas were beaten and in chains, their focus was on God and their praise to Him. I can only remember him “whining” one time, and once he heard that God’s grace was sufficient for him, he went on to learn that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Following his example is a challenge but one well worth taking up.

SELAH

• BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD IS MORE THAN JUST BEING A “SPIRIT BEING” AS HE IS.
• YES … INDEED HUMANS ARE SPIRIT BEINGS, WHO HAVE A SOUL AND LIVE IN A BODY.
• BUT BEING CREATED IN HIS IMAGE IS MORE THAN JUST THAT FACT.
• IT IS ALSO ABOUT HIS NATURE, CHARACTER AND ABILITY.

• ROM 8:29
• IT IS OUR DESTINY TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF THE SON OF GOD.

• PHIL 2:5
• LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU …
• WHAT MIND?
• THE MIND OF CHRIST THAT IS HIS ATTITUDE, CHARACTER AND EVEN THOUGHT PROCESS
• EVERY THOUGHT OF JESUS WAS IN UNITY WITH THE THOUGHTS OF THE FATHER
• JESUS ALWAYS HAD THE GOD THOUGHT, HE DIDN’T DWELL ON THE EVIL HE WAS CONFRONTED WITH.
• HE ALWAYS FACED THE WORST OF THE WORLD WITH THE BEST OF GOD
• ONE REASON WAS THE DISCIPLINE OF HIS THOUGHT LIFE.
• WE ARE TOLD TO “THINK ON THESE THINGS”, IN SHORT THE GOOD THINGS. IF IT WEREN’T POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO THIS GOD WOULDN’T TELL US TO DO IT.
• JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE IN ALL THINGS, INCLUDING THE “SOUND” OR “DISCIPLINED” MIND AND THE “PROSPEROUS SOUL”.
•  
• BEFORE YOU CAN “LET THIS MIND” BE IN YOU, YOU WILL HAVE TO ALLOW YOURSELF TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO THINK LIKE GOD.
• YOU AND I CAN LEARN HIS WAYS. MOSES DID.
• YOU AND I CAN THINK HIS THOUGHTS. JOSHUA DID.
• YOU AND I CAN MEDITATE IN HIS WORD DAY AND NIGHT.
• IT IS A SPIRITUAL LAW THAT WE BECOME WHAT WE BEHOLD.
• THE MORE WE LOOK AT HIM THE LIKE HIM WE WILL BECOME.
• WHAT WE ALLOW TO CAPTURE OUR ATTENTION IS COMPLETELY UP TO US. WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF OUR HEARTS AND MINDS.
• IF THE WORDS OF OUR MOUTHS AND THE MEDITATIONS OF OUR HEARTS ARE PLEASING TO HIM, THE LIVES WE LIVE WILL BE ALSO.
• BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD (IT IMAGE OF YOU) BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.
• BEHOLD HIM. MEDITATE IN THE LAW OF LOVE DAY AND NIGHT. YOU WILL PROSPER EVEN AS HE DID AND BE A LIGHT IN YOUR WORLD. PEOPLE WILL SEE HIM IN YOU. HIS IMAGE WILL BE DISPLAYED AND THAT’S WHAT ITS ABOUT, PEOPLE SEEING AND COMING TO KNOW JESUS. AMEN.

John 3:16 (New King James Version)

Fret Not / Think on these things

Philippians 4:6-9 (Amplified Bible)

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (^[a^]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

    7And God's peace [shall be yours, that ^[b^]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall ^[c^]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

    8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

    9Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of ^[d^]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

Have no anxiety about any thing. A tall order seemingly, but God won’t ask us to do something He won’t enable us to do.

How can we be asked to do such a thing as not worry?

Look back at verse 5 for the answer;

Philippians 4:5-6 (English Standard Version)

5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.⁽A⁾ The Lord is at hand; 6⁽B⁾ do not be anxious about anything,⁽C⁾ but in everything by prayer and supplication⁽D⁾ with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

The Lord is at hand, He is always near, He never leaves us (although we might wander off at times), He will never forsake us. He will abide with us forever.

SO STOP WORRYING!

Peter walked on the water because Jesus was with him in the storm. The disciples made it to the other side because Jesus was in the boat with them. Paul and all those with him made it safely to land because God was with him. No matter the storm we might be facing God is with us as well.

Jonah called upon the Lord from the belly of the whale, he was definitely surrounded by contrary circumstances, and God heard him and delivered him. We like Jonah may have gotten ourselves in dire straights but God will have mercy on us if we will call upon Him.

Jonah said, “they that observe (dwell or meditate on) lying vanities forsake their own mercies”. Lying vanities are worthless, vain words, words and thoughts contrary to the truth. The origin of these words and thoughts is not God, but the father of lies. The fish was real, the seaweed was real but Jonah set his heart upon the Lord, not the circumstances or the accusations, threats and fears the enemy was no doubt screaming at him. No Jonah called upon the mercy of God and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

That’s what the Holy Ghost through Paul is telling us to do. Make your request known, give thanks for the answer and think on the right things (observe) the truth, look at the Word.

Just as a reminder you don’t have to be in the belly of a whale or in a storm to call upon the Lord. We can come with assurance and confidence to the throne of God and obtain mercy and grace at any time.

SELAH

OBSERVATIONS

Jonah 2:8 (King James Version)

 8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Lying–

 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood

a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity

b) emptiness of speech, lying

c) worthlessness (of conduct)

Vanities –

1) vapour, breath

a) breath, vapour

b) vanity (fig.

Joshua 1:8 (King James Version)

 8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Observe –

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

a) (Qal)

1) to keep, have charge of

2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

a) watch, watchman (participle)

3) to watch for, wait for

4) to watch, observe

5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

8) to keep, preserve, protect

9) to keep, reserve

The question is, what are we observing? What are we watching with our minds eye? We are the ones who are to exercise control over the “remote” of our minds. The enemy has no remote privileges. When the wrong “movie” starts playing CHANGE IT!

What are we retaining and treasuring up in our memories?

Are we allowing ourselves to think (dwell, ponder) on the “good things” of Phil. 4:8 or upon evil, unbelieving, empty, worthless, vain or false things. Dwelling on the symptoms, the problems, the failures, mountains or obstacles is vain and worthless. Worrying about these things and dwelling on them is describing the same mental activity. Worrying doesn’t solve anything it just makes the problem worse or prolongs it. We need to direct our thoughts to the solution, to the promises of God, the wisdom of God and to the direction and answers He provides in His Word.

The Word of God has all the attributes listed in Philippians 4 and it appears that the other things have the attributes that come from the father of lies.

You and I choose the “movie” we watch. I want to watch the one written by my Father in heaven, produced by the Lord Jesus Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.

SELAH

 The Lord said to the Apostle Paul, "my grace is sufficient for thee".

Grace in its simplest definition is the unmerited favor of God. God's favor, what an awesome thing to have. 

Humanly speaking if someone has your favor they are in your "good graces", or in other words you are pleased with them.

I think its the same with the Lord. One thing that comes to mind as I write this is the admonition in Hebrews 11:6 where we learn that "without faith it is impossible" to please God. It as we walk out our lives in faith, trusting in, relying on and adhere to him that we please him, it is also through faith that we access this grace (favor) wherein we stand. (Rom. 5:2)

Something else to consider. Think about what Paul was facing, tumults, shipwrecks, being stoned and left for dead and unjustly jailed to name a few. This messenger from satan was making life tough for Paul (don't know about you but tougher stuff than I've faced for the most part). Yet Paul looks at it all and says if I have His favor it's all good. He said later on in the letter to the Philippians that he had learned .. that he could do all things or was sufficient for all things through Christ who strengthened him. 

I was just thinking. Lord if you are pleased with me the rest of "it" really doesn't matter. Life can throw some crazy stuff at us at times, but as long as we stick to Jesus, trusting in and obeying him he will be pleased and thats what counts ... right? I want to hear him say "well done thou good and faithful servant". 

Stick with Jesus ... His Grace is sufficient to make you sufficient.

SELAH

 The Bible tells us that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. The word 'sight' has to do with what we understand through our five natural senses as opposed to knowledge that comes by revelation apart from the senses.

God is a Spirit. He deals with us, that is communicates with us through our spirit primarily. 

Jesus told us that His words, (the Word of God) are spirit and life. 

God used His Word to create everything we interact with in this natural world. If His Word (which is spiritual not natural) created the natural, His Word can change the natural. The Word of God is the highest form of power there is. Praise God it is available to us.

Can you feel, taste, touch, smell or see words (excluding reading of course) :-)? No, but words can effect anything that you can perceive with your 5 natural senses.

Rom 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Faith is a substance, a heavenly materiality, or a spiritual material and it is the evidence of things "not seen" or "not perceived by the natural senses". It is just as real as the Father, Jesus or their Word but outside the parameters of the natural senses. Acting in faith or believing is acting upon the Word of God as though it true (which it is) even if natural circumstances are contrary. It is agreeing with what God said instead of the what is perceived by your senses.

At some point we have to come to the decision that the Word of God is the Truth and the foundation of life we will live. We have to choose to believe the Word above anything else. The Word of God must have the final say in all decisions, if we are to know its full benefit in our lives.

Having said all that, here is an interesting bit of information. The account of the "Lady with the issue of blood" in Mark 5 and Luke 8 is the only instance out of all the people Jesus healed where it is mentioned that either Jesus or the person who was healed felt anything. This leads me to the conclusion that feeling something (tingles or goosebumps, or whatever) is the exception not the rule. I will say from experience that most of the times I've ministered healing to someone I didn't feel anything, sometimes I do but most of the time not. There are times the receivers feel something and I don't. In fact the most notable healing's that have taken place in my ministry had no "feelings" in either myself or the person ministered to.

Decide to agree with and walk by the Word. Let your faith rest in God and His Word not your feelings.

SELAH

CHRIST IN YOU

Colossians 1:27 (King James Version)

 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Unlike Old Testament saints, the Lord of Lords, the Father of Glory and the Holy Spirit dwell within you and I that have chosen to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Jesus told us that if we kept His commandments the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit would make their abode in us.

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3, “that Christ may dwell in your (our) hearts by faith”.  What do you believe about Christ dwelling in you? Are you convinced that Jesus and the Father are in your heart? Are you fully persuaded that the Greater One dwells in you? Do you know that you are the temple of the Holy Ghost?

Christ has been defined as, “The Anointed One and His Anointing”. You cannot separate Jesus from His Anointing, that’s what makes Him the Anointed One, that is the Christ. If you have one you have the other, it’s a package deal.

Think about it, Christ (The Anointed One and his Anointing) in you, your hope of glory your confident expectation of glory (His presence manifest).  His anointing is His ability. His ability is the ability of God. You can do all things, you are sufficient and you are strong for all things through the One (The Anointed One and His Anointing) who constantly infuses you with power. 

1John 4:17 contains the phrase, “as He is so are we in this world”.

How is he?

Who is He?

What does He have?

Where is He?

How will Him being in you effect what you do?

Christ (The Anointed One and his Anointing) in you, your hope of glory.

Be joyful and be confident in your anticipation of His presence manifest in your life.

SELAH

 If you are following the Shepherd (The Lord Jesus) goodness and mercy are following you, and the will continue to as long as you follow. According to Duet. 28 if you are keeping His commandments (which for New Testament believers is Walking in Love) His blessings are coming upon you and overtaking you.We don't have to chase the blessing of God we need to chase Him. Seek Him first and the rest will be added.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is the prize!

SELAH

 TODAY I CHOOSE

 Today I choose to be patient, to be kind and to be free from envy. I choose to think of myself properly, to not be boastful or proud. I will act in a way becoming a child of God. I will look out for the other guy not just myself. I will not be easily provoked with others or myself. I will not take into account a suffered wrong, I choose to forgive and forget. I choose to the think the best, believe the best and hope the best for everyone. I will not think, meditate or hold on to evil but will rejoice in truth.

God is love. I am born of love. God cannot fail and neither will I.

 Today I choose ... What do you choose?

 DECIDE THE DAY.

SELAH

 1Cor 13 ... Love never fails.

 1Jn 4 ... God is Love.

 Rom. 5 ... The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

The love spoken of in these verses is 'agape' which is the God kind of love. This kind of love is first and foremost a decision, it requires an act of the will, it is an action we choose to take. Because this Love is the nature of God and He resides in us as believers we CAN choose this path. 

Let me suggest that you read John 14 and 15 and as you do consider the benefits that come from keeping the Commandment of Love.

Love NEVER fails. We may fail to love at times, but Love NEVER fails.

SELAH

 The book of James tells us "faith without works is dead", barren or unfruitful. Another translation says, "faith without corresponding actions" is dead.

 In other words, if you say you have faith, or you believe something or someone but it doesn't effect your actions you really don't believe what you say you do. You may be coming to a place of faith, but until you take action the power of your faith lies dormant.

 For example, you say you believe in tithing but you are struggling in your mind with "how can I do this"? You may agree in your heart that its the right thing to do but until you decide to act the blessing of tithing is blocked to you.

 Let your faith in God and His Word move you to action. How can you act on your faith today?

SELAH 

 God is Good

 I'm sitting here on this beautiful autumn morning watching the sun rise with Jesus. Mt. Hood is in the distance, the fire is burning, my granddaughter is eating cereal and there's coffee in my cup. Ahhhh! Life is good. God is good, always good to me.

 Everyday He loads us with benefits. Everyday He loads or reloads us with strength, health, peace, joy and life abundantly. He loads us up with Love and compassion so we have plenty to share. He gives us wisdom, understanding and direction so are ways are blessed.

 GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GOOD TO ME. ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD. Say that a few times and let it soak in because He is good to you as well.

SELAH

 THE FLIP SIDE

 THINKING

 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:  Prov 23:7 (KJV)

 thinketh  a primitive root; to split or open, i.e. (literal, but only as denominative from (sha`ar)) to act as gate-keeper (see (show`er)); (figurative) to estimate :- think.

 —Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

 To think; to split or open. I imagine a picture of a seed being opened, releasing whatever is inside. The earth (our heart) is holding (meditating or pondering) the seed and as it germinates it splits open releasing the life within. It could be a magnificent flower or fast growing weed.

 When we looked at the word meditate we found that the beginnings of the meditation could be positive or negative. We choose what thoughts we mull over, what seeds we crack open.

 This definition also carries the thought of 'gate keeper'.

 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. "Prov 4:23 (KJV)

 Take the time to consider what seeds are you planting. Your harvest depends upon the seed you sow.

SELAH

 MEDITATE

 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Josh 1:8 (KJV)

 Notice the definition of the word 'meditate'  

a primitive root [compare (hagiyg)]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication to ponder :- imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, × sore, speak, study, talk, utter.

 To murmur (in pleasure or anger).

Our inner dialogue can be positive or negative. Fueled by love or anger, faith or fear.

By implication to ponder.    

 The word itself implies that we think on (use our imaginations) meditate these inners thoughts, these inner conversations we have. So it is also implied that we will be thinking negatively or positively depending on what we choose.

Now we have mutter, speak, and talk.

 These could still be describing the inner speech, but also point to the product of the inner thoughts and conversations.

 Having looked at this one word, lets also see it in context. We are being told to keep the Word of God, the Highest Truth, the Highest Wisdom, the most positive and uplifting thoughts and words available to us as our focus. We are to allow His Words to continually paint the picture of us in His plan, we have the opportunity to see ourselves through His eyes and live out His vision for us.

 Thank God for His Word.  Think on these things.

SELAH

 TRUTH IN THE HEART

Ps.15:1-5 Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; 3 He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor;  4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honoreth them that fear Jehovah; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;  5 He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. 

Notice the highlighted phrase. There is another scripture that uses some of those same words.

 Ps.51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. 

The heart, the inwards parts and the hidden part are all synonyms for the human spirit.

God desires truth in our hearts and it appears from Ps. 15:3 it is the one inward qualification required to dwell in His presence.

More could be said, but my purpose is to point out the importance of what we say to ourselves. When we speak anything other than truth to ourselves and within ourselves we are  frustrating the will and purpose of God within our lives. It is difficult for the Lord to bless us with the benefits of truth if we are in contradiction to the truth.

Finally consider the words of Jesus, who is the Truth and only speaks truth.

 John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

SELAH

I was thinking recently about the phrase "eternal optimist" which led me to the dictionary.

I discovered that by definition both optimism and pessimism are beliefs.

Beliefs are decisions, they are choices.

We choose whether we believe good will overcome evil, or that evil is more powerful. This choice determines our outlook on life, optimistic or pessimistic.

We as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who have His promise to never leave us or forsake us, who have His strength, life, power and authority available to us at all times have the most incredible basis for optimism. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "if God be for us who can be against us?", another translation says, "if God be for us who can successfully stand against us?" The answer, NO ONE.

Praise God! He has made us to be "more than conquerors", He "hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" and "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ". Thank God, He has placed us in a position for and desires our success in all areas of life.

The future is bright if we will walk in the Light.

SELAH

 I heard a line in a song the other day, some thing like this. "The weeds grow high where the corn don't grow". 

It made me think of two things.

First: The admonition in Proverbs 4 to guard our, "heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues (forces) of life.

Second: Jesus made a comment in Mark 4 saying that the earth (heart) produces or brings forth fruit "of itself" the sower not knowing how.

Have you ever noticed that a garden left unattended becomes overrun with weeds? Hearts are the same way.

We are the "guard-ners" of our hearts, we are the ones who choose what is planted there. 

One way to keep weeds to a minimum is to sow the desired crop really heavy. Just keep the good seed going in and it chokes out the bad.

Thank God for His Word, it is imperishable and incorruptible life giving seed. Plant heaven in your heart and enjoy the crop.

SELAH 

 We are told in Eph. 5:18 "and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;".

We need to BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, AND STAY FILLED  WITH THE SPIRIT and GO BE JESUS TO OUR WORLD.

Draw out of your "well of salvation", take another drink from the "rivers of living water", drink deeply of His presence. Take a few minutes and give Him thanks, give Him praise and allow Him to cover you with Himself. 

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit, thank you Lord that you are always right here with me / us.

SELAH

THOUGHTS & PLOTS

Psa 19:14  KJV                        Let the words 561 of my mouth 6310, and the meditation 1902 of my heart 3820, be acceptable7522 in thy sight 6440, O LORD 3068, my strength 6697, and my redeemer 1350. 

     Meditation - 1) meditation, resounding music, musing

     a) resounding music

b) meditation, plotting

Acceptable - 1) pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will

a) goodwill, favour

b) acceptance

c) will, desire, pleasure, self-will

What song are you singing?  The Gospel or the Blues?

What are you thoughts plotting success or failure?

Are the thoughts, the plots you are making acceptable to Lord?

 God has a plan for our lives. We can plot our course based on His plan and direction, if we choose to do so. We can think His thoughts about us or we can take the worlds view.

 Because the world system we live in is under the curse of sin much of what we confront in the natural is contrary to the Word of God. We have to choose to think His thoughts, we have choose His way and we will have to resist the “easy” way of just going with the flow of what everyone else (the world) is doing. We will have to resist the negative thoughts and attitudes that come our way. 

 We will have to choose to go “with the flow” of the Holy Spirit.

 We decide our focus. We choose our thoughts, which in turn shape our words, our actions and our lives.

 Discipline your thoughts, so you don’t lose the plot.

  SELAH  

 Something different this morning. Have a listen and enjoy.  SELAH

http://www.indie-music.com/bands/Steve_F

 Prov.13:2-3  "2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of transgressors shall eat violence. 3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

Today as I read these verses I was caught by the gravity of verse 3. Much has been said about the statement "we can have what we say", and its true that we can but I think its more important to realize that 'WE GET WHAT WE SAY". It's only my opinion but I believe that perhaps one reason Jesus cursed the fig tree was to demonstrate the negative power of our words. He could have just as easily said to the tree 'the next time I pass by you will be full of fruit' and it would have obeyed Him. (Mark 11) Something to think about.

I am sure we have all heard the expression about 'shooting oneself in the foot'. If words were bullets some of us wouldn't have any feet. Its so easy to open wide our lips and begin to 'shoot off our mouth' without taking into account the damage we are doing to ourselves and perhaps others. Remember it's not always about what we say out loud but even more importantly it's what we say within ourselves, to ourselves, about ourselves, out circumstances and others. 

Keep life, truth and love in your mouth. Sow those seeds. Speak with intention. Speak with purpose. Choose the seeds you sow or allow to be sown in your heart. I heard a saying that goes something like this, 'Put your hands (or His hands) on the wheel, put your mind in gear before you set your mouth in motion'.  

"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

SELAH

 #2 DECIDE THE DAY

Again we read;

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (KJV)

[19]  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: [20]  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

And again;

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NASB) 

[19]  “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your *descendants, [20]  by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for *this is your life and the length of your days, *that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

Notice the difference in the transition from verse 19 to 20.

Choose life ... By loving the Lord your God. Loving is doing not just saying, it requires some kind of action. If we love God we love the brethren as well (1Jn 4:21). In fact the Royal Law of Love, the Law of the New Testament encompasses all the laws of the Old Testament. While we fulfill the Law of Love we fulfill all the other laws of God. (Rom 13:10)

Choose the way of Love. Remember Love never fails, God is Love, He never fails, and He never changes.

The way of Love is the most excellent way, not always the easiest but always the best. It is always the Blessed Way; after all it is Gods way. 

Read 1Cor. 13:4-8 (or the whole chapter). Decide and declare that the attributes of Love are yours. Decide, choose and declare that's who you are, who you will become and how you will act.

Choose your way. Decide the day.

SELAH

 DECIDE THE DAY

Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)

[19]  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

He says, "choose life". It is up to you and I to decide which path we will follow. We must do the choosing and not allow circumstances or the enemy who manipulates them to choose for us. We may not be able to control all that comes our way but we certainly can decide our response which ultimately effects the outcome in our lives.

Choose life, choose the life of God, choose the way of God, choose His path for your life. Decide right now, decide this day and everyday whom you will serve, whom you will imitate. Decide how you will respond now. Set the course of your day in God, declare your day in God. Declare what you know to be Gods will for you.

DECIDE THE DAY - CHOOSE LIFE

SELAH

Doubt your doubts

Mark 11:22-23 (King James Version)

 22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

 23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Notice the phrase, “shall not doubt in his heart”. The heart is the “inner man” or the “spirit”, not the soul. Many times folk do not differentiate between soul and spirit and began to rehearse the doubts they have in their mind. Faith according to this verse is a matter of the heart not the mind. You can have faith in your heart and doubt in your mind at the same time. One issue of importance is to speak the faith in your heart not the doubt in your mind. It is also important to discipline your thought life and not allow the doubts to remain or dominate. This is one critical reason we as believers need to practice meditating in the Word of God.

Again faith is a matter of the heart, not the mind or emotions. Faith first, then emotions, we act upon the Word first then emotions will follow. We act upon the Word because we decide to not because we feel like it.

Let your faith rest totally upon the Word of God, believe what God has said to you … have Faith in God. Doubt your doubts. The source of the doubt is NOT God or His Word. If doubts come after you pray or declare your faith, don’t dwell on them and don’t rehearse them. Consider the Greater One who is in you, His faithfulness, and His willingness to keep His Word to you and give Him thanks for the answer

Doubt your doubts.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND HIS WORD TO YOU

SELAH

What can the righteous do?

KJV

³If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

This scripture caught my attention the other day and I began to consider an answer to the question. 

First lets think about the foundation being spoken of. It can't be Jesus because He is our Rock, He is unshakable and unchangeable. Jesus told us that "hearing and doing" His sayings was building our life on the rock as opposed to the shifting sand. Godliness is profitable in the world to come and also in this one. Sowing the seeds of Love and righteousness will produce their harvest, we will reap what we sow.

I looked at this passage in different translations. The Message expressed it well.

 ^1-3I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. 
   So why would I run away now 
      when you say,

   "Run to the mountains; the evil 
      bows are bent, the wicked arrows 
   Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness 
      at every heart open to God. 
   The bottom's dropped out of the country; 
      good people don't have a chance"? 

 ^4-6 But God hasn't moved to the mountains; 
      his holy address hasn't changed. 

My short answer to question is this. When foundations fail, when the bottom drops out, the righteous will continue to do righteousness. They will continue to do the Word, walk in love, act in faith ... not out of fear ... and receive from the God who hasn't moved and hasn't changed.

RUN UNTIL THE RACE IS RUN

I am watching hundreds of marathon runners pass by on their way to the finish line. The 2 leaders were easily 1/4 to 1/2 a mile ahead of the pack. Yet every face is looking forward. Every face is marked with the determination to finish.

There are men and women, young and old with one goal in mind ... Finish the course.

Some are running hard, some at slower pace and some are walking but all are headed to the finish line.

There may be some in this natural race I am watching that will not finish because of conditioning or perhaps you could say a lack of mental and physical preparedness. I am reminded of some admonitions in scripture to, “Gird up the loins of your mind," "put on the helmet of salvation," be ready to "fight the good fight" and to "endure hardness as a good soldier" of Christ. We must realize there will be obstacles in our path; there will be battles to fight. If there were no battles we wouldn’t need armor, if there were nothing to overcome how would we become over comers to whom rewards will be given?

Thank God that in our race we have a well of strength to draw upon every moment of everyday. It is a well that never runs dry. Christ strengthens us and is our hope of glory. If we will continue to put one foot in front of the other we will finish. Jesus already won the race now we just run to finish our course. Someone once said, "As Christians we can't fail if we won't quit," the Bible says we "will reap if we faint not". Keep going.

I just saw two men go by that were tethered together. One was missing an arm, and being tethered to his friend was his balance, being helped by a brother, hmmmm?

I guess that's a pretty good example of how we need each other. Every member of the Body of Christ is important and we are linked together with "each joint" supplying its part. Here is a good place to point out those who are all along the course encouraging the runners. Hebrews 12:1 speaks of a great cloud witnesses and of running our race with patience or endurance. Though we can draw courage, strength and wisdom from the lives of those who have run the course before us, and we should. I want to bring our attention the Greatest Comforter and encourager of all.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit who dwells with us and in us, who never leaves us or forsakes us. He will be with you and I all the way to finish. Thank God that, “He that hath begun a good work in you (us) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”.  God is working in each of us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure," which includes you and I overcoming, being victorious and fulfilling His plan for our lives. He wants us to finish our course. It’s just up to us to cooperate.

Enjoy the your journey today. You are not alone, call on Him, He will answer.

SELAH

Theology 101

God is good and the devil is bad ALWAYS.

John 10:10 KJV

"The thief cometh not but for to steal, kill, and destroy but I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly."'

That's a pretty clear statement as to who is on our side and who isn't. If what we are facing steals, kills or destroys it is coming from the enemy, NOT GOD. 

We must be careful not to blame God for things that He didn't do. The enemy will constantly try to get you to blame God and in so doing cut off your source of help. If he can make you think God is your problem or the creator of it you will be less likely to approach God in faith for a solution. 

God is always our answer, never our problem. He is ever ready to help us, to strengthen and guide us. Even if we have opened the door for the enemy to attack the Lord will help us to adjust and repair. He is there to forgive if we sin, He restores when confess our sin and He gives us the ability to repent, to change course and do that which He can bless.  

The last phrase in our text "have it more abundantly" could be translated "might hold and advantage". The life of God in you is your advantage. His presence, His nature and His anointing in you is your advantage. As the Apostle Paul put it, "if God be for me who can be against me"? Who can successfully stand against you?  Ps 116 says "The Lord is on my side". Heb 13:5-6 tells us He will never leave us or forsake us, that we can boldly (with confidence) say he is our helper and that need not fear.

He is not our problem, EVER. 

He is for you, in you and with you. ALWAYS!

Look to Him, run to Him and stay with Him, He is your Shepherd and He will see you through.

ENJOY LIFE WITH HIM TODAY.

SELAH

 ANOINTED TO PROCLAIM

Isa. 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Luke 4:18-19 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

In 1 John 2:20, 27 we are told that we are anointed. We are anointed with the same anointing Jesus is anointed with. We are His body, we are one with Him and the same Holy Spirit who worked in Him is now working in us.

Consider this, the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth and He is the anointing that's working in us. He worked in Jesus proclaiming ONLY truth. Jesus worked with Him and proclaimed ONLY truth, only what the Father said.

Doesn't it make sense that the unction that teaches us truth and only truth would direct us to PROCLAIM truth and only truth in our daily walk?  

We have all heard WWJD? He would proclaim truth and only truth. Perhaps we should be asking Him, "What would You have me proclaim"?

Proclaiming is not asking nor is it praying. Proclaiming is to call, commission, appoint or declare. Jesus proclaimed "liberty" to a captive when He said, "Lazarus come forth". What would He have you proclaim in your life today?

SELAH    

 HEB 13:8

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.”

What a comforting thought that is. He never changes. What He has done before He will do again. His Love is constant. His mercy is constant. He is ever ready to forgive, to strengthen, to comfort, to heal, and to provide in whatever capacity. He is utterly faithful, absolutely trustworthy.

What a Rock, what a Refuge, what a fortress, what a Mighty God.

Thank you Lord for being my Shepherd and for leading me in the right path, to the right place at the right time. Lord I thank you today for making me lie down in green pastures, beside still waters and leading me through the valleys and dark scary places

SELAH

TAKE THE TIME.

It's the day and hour for each of us as believers in the Lord Jesus to press into our relationship with our Master as never before. 

Everyday is a day for communion with Him, everyday is a day to be a "Mary" no matter how much the world and the "Martha's" would try to pull you away. 

It's no secret that good relationships take time and effort to develop. The most important relationship we have is with Him so it only stands to reason that we give Him the time He deserves. 

Each time we behold Him we are changed more into His image. The more time we spend with Him the conscious we become of His presence. Just as children become accustomed to the voice of their parents so we become more accustomed to His. Have you ever noticed that a parent or child can distinguish the voice of the other even in a crowd? How important is it for you and I to hear the direction of our Saviour?

It's up to you and I to TAKE OR MAKE THE TIME to spend with Him. 

SELAH