Exodus 29:43
There also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my Glory.
There is something special that occurs when God decides to visit with his people in the context of worship. There is something you can’t get when you are not present in the assembly. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name then I will be in the midst.” When believers come together touching and agreeing God shows up. Every now and then the Glory cloud shows up and fills the temple. There have been times in worship, as a leader, that I didn’t know what to do next because his Gory was so thick. The word Glory means, the weight of God’s presence. When God led the children out of Egypt it was his Gory that led them out. He was a cloud of fire by night and a cloud by day.
When God gave Moses instruction on how to preset burnt offerings in the tent of meeting he told Aaron to consecrate himself. Before you go into the presence of God you ought to consecrate yourself.
1. Get your mind right. James 1:8 says, “ a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
2. Get some rest. Dr. Gardner Taylor said, “if you can’t give the Lord anything else give him a rested body to work with.”
3. Come in already prayed up. Ephesians 6:18 pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
4. Check your hygiene. Leviticus 16:4 so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.” Godliness is next to cleanliness.
5. Dress as not to offend. Exodus 20:26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.” Do not come to church with anything that will expose your nakedness.
I thought you could come to church as you are. You can to a degree. You have to do everything you know to do to make yourself presentable on the outside but there is still some inside work the Holy Spirit has to do. There are some spots you can’t get to in your mind and in your heart but God can. Whatever else is not right will be cleansed in the cloud. God says, “I will consecrate the place with my presence.
Earnest Pugh had it right when he said; “Rain on us!” you ought to pray this song this morning:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle and purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord, purify our hearts
Verse:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle purify hearts
Surround us in this place
and breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord saturate our hearts
Chorus:
Rain on us
Breathe on us
Shower down
Shower down
Send your spirit Lord
Dear God,
Rain on us, saturate our hearts until we look and act more like you. Fill this earthly vessel with your power. I feel you in here this morning. I still feel your Glory in this place. Thank you for showing up in the place and for filling me with your Glory. We have this gift, this treasure, in earthen vessels. Thank you for the gift of your presence.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord.
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I Need A Hand!
Exodus 17:11-12 (New International Version, ©2010)
11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Have you ever been in a position where you were overwhelmed in your responsibility or grew tired holding it together? We’ve all had jobs whether at home, work or church where we had our hands full and we needed an extra hand to help us out. There used to be an old colloquial saying, “Can you lend me a hand?” meaning you wanted someone to assist you because the task you were attempting required more hands than just yours.
It’s been said that when we get to heaven our elbows will not bend. We will not be able to feed ourselves. If you don’t believe me try putting your hand to your mouth without bending your elbow. In order to eat in heaven we will have to feed each other. If it’s like that in Heaven we better start down here on earth. (This is not in the bible just allegory) J
The only hand we are accustomed to giving today is the applause from a crowd of spectators commending our accomplishments without any assistance. If we are going to win against the enemy and build the Kingdom of God we are going to need some more hands.
When the Children of Israel escaped Egypt it was not long before they were attacked by an enemy called the Amalekites. These ex-slaves were not use to fighting so they needed supernatural assistance from God. Moses lifted his rod and his hands toward heaven; because that was the only help he knew to ask for. After all God just parted the Red Sea by lifting his hands so why not go for a repeat? When we lift our hands in praise and worship we are telling God you are the only help I know of that can get me out of this. I need a hand! As long as Moses held up his hands with the staff the Israelites were winning but when he got tired and let them down the Amalekites would win. Moses needed a hand because his arms were getting tired. Even that which looks easy can become a burden if you do it for a long time. Aaron and Hur came and held Moses hands up until the battle was won.
As mature Christians, we have to stop being spectators and sitting back applauding leaders whose arms are growing tired. Your leaders need your help to hold up their arms by lending them a hand. Praying for them, assisting them administratively, volunteering your service, and being obedient to what they ask you to do. When was the last time you offered your assistance to your pastor, coach, President or boss?
Another time Moses was wearing himself out sitting alone all day judging the cases of all the people from sun up to sundown. His father-in-law Jethro said, “You are going to wear yourself out working by yourself. This ain't good! The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Exodus 18:18
Jethro gave Moses a suggestion. You need some more Hands!
Exodus 18:21-22 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
We need a hand! It’s time to come off the sideline and be active in your church, school, or community and tell your leader I’m here to lend a hand so you will not wear out.
Dear God,
Help me to lend a helping hand today. Give me a sensitivity to know when my leaders arms are growing tired and show me how to assist them so the battle can be fought and the victory be won. Use my gifts and abilities to bless the Kingdom by lending a hand today.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Have you ever been in a position where you were overwhelmed in your responsibility or grew tired holding it together? We’ve all had jobs whether at home, work or church where we had our hands full and we needed an extra hand to help us out. There used to be an old colloquial saying, “Can you lend me a hand?” meaning you wanted someone to assist you because the task you were attempting required more hands than just yours.
It’s been said that when we get to heaven our elbows will not bend. We will not be able to feed ourselves. If you don’t believe me try putting your hand to your mouth without bending your elbow. In order to eat in heaven we will have to feed each other. If it’s like that in Heaven we better start down here on earth. (This is not in the bible just allegory) J
The only hand we are accustomed to giving today is the applause from a crowd of spectators commending our accomplishments without any assistance. If we are going to win against the enemy and build the Kingdom of God we are going to need some more hands.
When the Children of Israel escaped Egypt it was not long before they were attacked by an enemy called the Amalekites. These ex-slaves were not use to fighting so they needed supernatural assistance from God. Moses lifted his rod and his hands toward heaven; because that was the only help he knew to ask for. After all God just parted the Red Sea by lifting his hands so why not go for a repeat? When we lift our hands in praise and worship we are telling God you are the only help I know of that can get me out of this. I need a hand! As long as Moses held up his hands with the staff the Israelites were winning but when he got tired and let them down the Amalekites would win. Moses needed a hand because his arms were getting tired. Even that which looks easy can become a burden if you do it for a long time. Aaron and Hur came and held Moses hands up until the battle was won.
As mature Christians, we have to stop being spectators and sitting back applauding leaders whose arms are growing tired. Your leaders need your help to hold up their arms by lending them a hand. Praying for them, assisting them administratively, volunteering your service, and being obedient to what they ask you to do. When was the last time you offered your assistance to your pastor, coach, President or boss?
Another time Moses was wearing himself out sitting alone all day judging the cases of all the people from sun up to sundown. His father-in-law Jethro said, “You are going to wear yourself out working by yourself. This ain't good! The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Exodus 18:18
Jethro gave Moses a suggestion. You need some more Hands!
Exodus 18:21-22 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
We need a hand! It’s time to come off the sideline and be active in your church, school, or community and tell your leader I’m here to lend a hand so you will not wear out.
Dear God,
Help me to lend a helping hand today. Give me a sensitivity to know when my leaders arms are growing tired and show me how to assist them so the battle can be fought and the victory be won. Use my gifts and abilities to bless the Kingdom by lending a hand today.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Stand Still!
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.
When I was younger and was assigned by my mother to go find something for her, I oftentimes became confused and bewildered in the maze of her closet. I would be unsuccessful especially when it was looking for something in that ‘no man’s land of a closet.” I would wander aimlessly through the house looking for what she told me to find. She would get exasperated and tell me, “just be still! Running around here like a chicken with your head cut off.” You can only appreciate this analogy of confusion if at any time you have witnessed your grandmother grabbing a chicken by its head and twirling it around in the air until its head came off. The chicken would then run around the yard with no head until it died! Then we had chicken for dinner that night.
When we find ourselves in unchartered territory and the enemy is on our trail, sometimes it's tempting to lose our heads and just start running around frantic. A wise person keeps their heads in a crisis while everyone else is losing theirs. Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on him.”
Moses and the children of Israel were fresh out of bondage when they found themselves at a dead end. God led them there to get some Glory out of the situation. The people were running around like chickens with their heads cut off because Pharaoh’s army was hotly pursuing them and the Red Sea was in front of them.
The people started to panic and told Moses, “Why didn’t you just let us stay slaves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die?” Sometimes when we are fresh out of bondage and we struggle for the first time, what we left looks better than where we are. What’s amazing is that we forget how miserable we were in Egypt because it looks so bad where we are presently. All we have to do is to listen to Moses. Moses tells the children of Israel:
1. Do not be afraid. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. There is something God is trying to accomplish in this situation and the people are in danger of missing it because the threat looks more dangerous than it really is.
2. Stand firm. Have some confidence and some courage that God didn’t ‘bring you this far to leave you.
3. The Lord will fight for you. Yolanda Adams said it best, “this battle is not yours, it’s the Lords.”
4. Be Still. Quit running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What you are looking for is right there in front of you. God is a present help in the time of trouble.
Moses said, “The enemies you see today you will never see again!” Today you will see a great deliverance from the lord if you only keep still! That’s good news. God is going to deliver you today in the presence of your enemies if you just keep still. Be still and know that the Lord he is God!
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing me out of bondage. Now help me as I transition from what I’m used to, to where I’m destined to be. God make a way out of no way today. Thank you for fighting my battles when it seems I’m out numbered. I’m expecting a miracle today to get me over to where you want me to be.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to stand still.
When I was younger and was assigned by my mother to go find something for her, I oftentimes became confused and bewildered in the maze of her closet. I would be unsuccessful especially when it was looking for something in that ‘no man’s land of a closet.” I would wander aimlessly through the house looking for what she told me to find. She would get exasperated and tell me, “just be still! Running around here like a chicken with your head cut off.” You can only appreciate this analogy of confusion if at any time you have witnessed your grandmother grabbing a chicken by its head and twirling it around in the air until its head came off. The chicken would then run around the yard with no head until it died! Then we had chicken for dinner that night.
When we find ourselves in unchartered territory and the enemy is on our trail, sometimes it's tempting to lose our heads and just start running around frantic. A wise person keeps their heads in a crisis while everyone else is losing theirs. Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on him.”
Moses and the children of Israel were fresh out of bondage when they found themselves at a dead end. God led them there to get some Glory out of the situation. The people were running around like chickens with their heads cut off because Pharaoh’s army was hotly pursuing them and the Red Sea was in front of them.
The people started to panic and told Moses, “Why didn’t you just let us stay slaves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die?” Sometimes when we are fresh out of bondage and we struggle for the first time, what we left looks better than where we are. What’s amazing is that we forget how miserable we were in Egypt because it looks so bad where we are presently. All we have to do is to listen to Moses. Moses tells the children of Israel:
1. Do not be afraid. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. There is something God is trying to accomplish in this situation and the people are in danger of missing it because the threat looks more dangerous than it really is.
2. Stand firm. Have some confidence and some courage that God didn’t ‘bring you this far to leave you.
3. The Lord will fight for you. Yolanda Adams said it best, “this battle is not yours, it’s the Lords.”
4. Be Still. Quit running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What you are looking for is right there in front of you. God is a present help in the time of trouble.
Moses said, “The enemies you see today you will never see again!” Today you will see a great deliverance from the lord if you only keep still! That’s good news. God is going to deliver you today in the presence of your enemies if you just keep still. Be still and know that the Lord he is God!
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing me out of bondage. Now help me as I transition from what I’m used to, to where I’m destined to be. God make a way out of no way today. Thank you for fighting my battles when it seems I’m out numbered. I’m expecting a miracle today to get me over to where you want me to be.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Shortest, Fastest or Longest?
Exodus 13:17
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to destruction. Whenever I use my Navigational system, I enter my destination and it always asks me to choose my preference for my route; shortest, fastest or other. Most of the time I push shortest because I like to get there quickly but there are other times when I want to avoid traffic lights and residential obstacles and I opt for fastest.
Then sometimes "other" is a mixture of the two. When God give us our destination he has the same options. The only thing is that he adds a fourth one and it’s his choice to choose it based upon where you are spiritually. He has shortest, fastest, shorter and longest.
Shortest is when you are ready, you’ve matured in Christ and God can promote you.
Fastest is when God takes you from the back of the line to the front of the line because you have been obedient.
Other is when God takes you an unexpected route because you ran into the unexpected but you still end up in the place he said he was going to take you.
Longest is when God is trying to work some things out before your arrival.
The children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. Pharaoh finally relented and let them go with Moses. God was going to take them to the Promised Land; it should have taken them 4 days, instead it took them 40 years! The bible says they could have gone through Philistine country because that was shorter but instead they took the desert road because that was longer. Why did he take them the longer route? Because if they would have went to war right after slavery they might have gone back to Egypt. They were armed for war but not prepared for war. God had equipped them but not empowered them. God is not going to set you up for failure. He’s got to prepare you first.
Enroute he provided Navigational assistance. It was the first Onstar. His star was on, his presence was On. God’s presence was a cloud by day and fire by night. His presence never left them.
Then he gave them the “other” route. When they were at the Red Sea at a seemingly dead end God made a highway through the waterway. He dried up the Red Sea so the people could walk through on dry ground. Sometimes, God’s got to take you the long way and then if you get stuck he will take you the other way.
Today, don’t despair if it seems like God is taking you the long way because there is something that he is preparing you for that you can’t handle right now. Let God guide you in a New Direction!
Dear God,
Lead me; guide me, along the way for if you lead me I will not stray. Thank you for getting me where you want me to be when you wanted me to be there. I will follow you wherever you lead me, however long it takes me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to destruction. Whenever I use my Navigational system, I enter my destination and it always asks me to choose my preference for my route; shortest, fastest or other. Most of the time I push shortest because I like to get there quickly but there are other times when I want to avoid traffic lights and residential obstacles and I opt for fastest.
Then sometimes "other" is a mixture of the two. When God give us our destination he has the same options. The only thing is that he adds a fourth one and it’s his choice to choose it based upon where you are spiritually. He has shortest, fastest, shorter and longest.
Shortest is when you are ready, you’ve matured in Christ and God can promote you.
Fastest is when God takes you from the back of the line to the front of the line because you have been obedient.
Other is when God takes you an unexpected route because you ran into the unexpected but you still end up in the place he said he was going to take you.
Longest is when God is trying to work some things out before your arrival.
The children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. Pharaoh finally relented and let them go with Moses. God was going to take them to the Promised Land; it should have taken them 4 days, instead it took them 40 years! The bible says they could have gone through Philistine country because that was shorter but instead they took the desert road because that was longer. Why did he take them the longer route? Because if they would have went to war right after slavery they might have gone back to Egypt. They were armed for war but not prepared for war. God had equipped them but not empowered them. God is not going to set you up for failure. He’s got to prepare you first.
Enroute he provided Navigational assistance. It was the first Onstar. His star was on, his presence was On. God’s presence was a cloud by day and fire by night. His presence never left them.
Then he gave them the “other” route. When they were at the Red Sea at a seemingly dead end God made a highway through the waterway. He dried up the Red Sea so the people could walk through on dry ground. Sometimes, God’s got to take you the long way and then if you get stuck he will take you the other way.
Today, don’t despair if it seems like God is taking you the long way because there is something that he is preparing you for that you can’t handle right now. Let God guide you in a New Direction!
Dear God,
Lead me; guide me, along the way for if you lead me I will not stray. Thank you for getting me where you want me to be when you wanted me to be there. I will follow you wherever you lead me, however long it takes me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, January 24, 2011
Why So Serious?
Luke 24:38
Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
It’s easy to allow your mind to become frazzled after you’ve experienced trauma. It’s a wonder that many of us haven’t lost our minds after all that we have been through. Many times people will see great consternation upon your face and not realize the hell you’ve experienced. They want to know why you are so serious. It’s not that you want to walk around with a mind clouded with troubling thoughts and doubts swirling around like turbulent waters it’s just that you’ve been through so much lately. That’s why I appear to be so serious.
What was it that kept our ancestors through slavery, Jim Crow, and integration? What was it that kept the Jewish people through slavery, wandering through the wilderness, and surviving Babylon? What was it that kept the Native Americans through war, the trail of tears, and the colonization through reservations? I have to believe it was the presence of the Almighty God. It is the Spirit of God that can give us peace which surpasses all human understanding. The things you went through this past year would have taken the average person out but because God put some “Super” on your “Natural” you made it this far by faith.
Oftentimes, we allow our minds to be filled with doubts and to be troubled because we fail to recognize His presence. When Jesus reappeared to his disciples he didn’t look the same. Remember he had been beaten and crucified. He told them to look at his hands and feet. He was showing them the evidence of his crucifixion. It was the evidence of his crucifixion and now his resurrection that put their minds at ease. The thing that is going to put our minds at ease is the evidence. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We walk by faith and not by sight. In order to overcome our troubling thoughts we have to get in the presence of Jesus.
This morning if you believe that Jesus is alive in your situation you shouldn’t let your minds be troubled. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. If you believe in God also believe in me. Whenever doubts begin to rise get yourself into the presence of God through:
1. Worship. That is why regular worship attendance is so crucial during hard times. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name there Jesus will be also. He will show up and say, “Peace be unto You!”
2. Singing praise songs. Africans in America, Jews in Babylon, and Native Americans on reservations have all had songs that reminded them of who God is. I sing because I’m happy I sing because I’m free, his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me!
3. Prayer. God is just a prayer away. Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.
4. Meditating on the Word of God. Psalm 1 says that we will be like a tree planted by the streams of water when we meditate on the Word of God.
Dear God,
I thank you for putting my mind at ease. I will not allow doubts to swirl around in my mind; instead I will exchange the garment of despair for the oil of gladness. I feel you in my heart right now and I know there is no problem so hard that you cannot solve. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Today, I will have Joy!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
It’s easy to allow your mind to become frazzled after you’ve experienced trauma. It’s a wonder that many of us haven’t lost our minds after all that we have been through. Many times people will see great consternation upon your face and not realize the hell you’ve experienced. They want to know why you are so serious. It’s not that you want to walk around with a mind clouded with troubling thoughts and doubts swirling around like turbulent waters it’s just that you’ve been through so much lately. That’s why I appear to be so serious.
What was it that kept our ancestors through slavery, Jim Crow, and integration? What was it that kept the Jewish people through slavery, wandering through the wilderness, and surviving Babylon? What was it that kept the Native Americans through war, the trail of tears, and the colonization through reservations? I have to believe it was the presence of the Almighty God. It is the Spirit of God that can give us peace which surpasses all human understanding. The things you went through this past year would have taken the average person out but because God put some “Super” on your “Natural” you made it this far by faith.
Oftentimes, we allow our minds to be filled with doubts and to be troubled because we fail to recognize His presence. When Jesus reappeared to his disciples he didn’t look the same. Remember he had been beaten and crucified. He told them to look at his hands and feet. He was showing them the evidence of his crucifixion. It was the evidence of his crucifixion and now his resurrection that put their minds at ease. The thing that is going to put our minds at ease is the evidence. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We walk by faith and not by sight. In order to overcome our troubling thoughts we have to get in the presence of Jesus.
This morning if you believe that Jesus is alive in your situation you shouldn’t let your minds be troubled. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. If you believe in God also believe in me. Whenever doubts begin to rise get yourself into the presence of God through:
1. Worship. That is why regular worship attendance is so crucial during hard times. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name there Jesus will be also. He will show up and say, “Peace be unto You!”
2. Singing praise songs. Africans in America, Jews in Babylon, and Native Americans on reservations have all had songs that reminded them of who God is. I sing because I’m happy I sing because I’m free, his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me!
3. Prayer. God is just a prayer away. Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.
4. Meditating on the Word of God. Psalm 1 says that we will be like a tree planted by the streams of water when we meditate on the Word of God.
Dear God,
I thank you for putting my mind at ease. I will not allow doubts to swirl around in my mind; instead I will exchange the garment of despair for the oil of gladness. I feel you in my heart right now and I know there is no problem so hard that you cannot solve. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Today, I will have Joy!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Beware of Double Dealing!
Luke 20:20
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest…he saw through their duplicity.
One of the best spy movies I’ve seen in a while is Salt. Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who turns out to be a Russian Spy, raised from birth to be a double agent. It seems that her mission is to work for the protection of the President and the United States of America’s best interest but really her mission as a Russian Spy is to get close enough to the President to kill him. It is only through the Love of her husband that she is able to stop her duplicitous mission and shift towards redemption.
We all have the potential to be double agents, torn between our allegiance to God and pulled by the temptations of satan. We are after all trained at birth. We are born into sin and shapen in iniquity. If we are not careful, even our best intentions can lead to betrayal because of our duplicitous nature. Paul said, “When I would do good, evil is right there. That which I am supposed to do I don’t and that I don’t want to do that I keep on doing. What a wretched spy I am! Who can save me from this condition?” It is only the love of a man named Jesus that can intercept our duplicity and shift us to being redeemed.
Jesus ran into some spies pretending to be honest. There are people assigned to you to try and bring you down pretending to be honest. They appear to be friendly but are trying to ensnare you. You can always tell by the questions they ask you. The spies asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar or to God? Jesus saw past their duplicity and answered, “Whose inscription or image is on the coin? Caesar’s. then render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Always answer a question in a way that will not incriminate you if repeated. God will give you wisdom that cannot be easily refuted when you are in the Spirit.
When you are in your flesh you are more susceptible to double dealing. You remember Delilah, a double agent, questioned Samson until she got his secret to his strength. Then she betrayed him for some money. Double Agents are always searching for secrets that might lead to your vulnerability. Samson could not see her double dealings because of his lust for Delilah. It is only when you are in the Spirit that you can clearly see through duplicity or double dealing.
The bible says, “Jesus saw through their duplicity. Jesus saw their agenda behind their smiles. Jesus saw their traps and side stepped them. This morning ask God to show you the double agents and to give you words that cannot be twisted or refuted by evil men/women. Open your eyes so you can see through their duplicity.
Dear God,
Thank you for freeing me to be single minded. I work solely for you and your Kingdom. Give me discernment to recognize double agents and to see past their double dealings. Give me words that cannot be refuted. Make my discernment keen so that I can see and avoid the enemy’s snares.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest…he saw through their duplicity.
One of the best spy movies I’ve seen in a while is Salt. Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who turns out to be a Russian Spy, raised from birth to be a double agent. It seems that her mission is to work for the protection of the President and the United States of America’s best interest but really her mission as a Russian Spy is to get close enough to the President to kill him. It is only through the Love of her husband that she is able to stop her duplicitous mission and shift towards redemption.
We all have the potential to be double agents, torn between our allegiance to God and pulled by the temptations of satan. We are after all trained at birth. We are born into sin and shapen in iniquity. If we are not careful, even our best intentions can lead to betrayal because of our duplicitous nature. Paul said, “When I would do good, evil is right there. That which I am supposed to do I don’t and that I don’t want to do that I keep on doing. What a wretched spy I am! Who can save me from this condition?” It is only the love of a man named Jesus that can intercept our duplicity and shift us to being redeemed.
Jesus ran into some spies pretending to be honest. There are people assigned to you to try and bring you down pretending to be honest. They appear to be friendly but are trying to ensnare you. You can always tell by the questions they ask you. The spies asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar or to God? Jesus saw past their duplicity and answered, “Whose inscription or image is on the coin? Caesar’s. then render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Always answer a question in a way that will not incriminate you if repeated. God will give you wisdom that cannot be easily refuted when you are in the Spirit.
When you are in your flesh you are more susceptible to double dealing. You remember Delilah, a double agent, questioned Samson until she got his secret to his strength. Then she betrayed him for some money. Double Agents are always searching for secrets that might lead to your vulnerability. Samson could not see her double dealings because of his lust for Delilah. It is only when you are in the Spirit that you can clearly see through duplicity or double dealing.
The bible says, “Jesus saw through their duplicity. Jesus saw their agenda behind their smiles. Jesus saw their traps and side stepped them. This morning ask God to show you the double agents and to give you words that cannot be twisted or refuted by evil men/women. Open your eyes so you can see through their duplicity.
Dear God,
Thank you for freeing me to be single minded. I work solely for you and your Kingdom. Give me discernment to recognize double agents and to see past their double dealings. Give me words that cannot be refuted. Make my discernment keen so that I can see and avoid the enemy’s snares.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Are You Interested in God or Just Paying Interest?
Luke 19:23
Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I come back I could have collected it with interest?
Interest: 1. the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone. 2. Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the case of money lent, or delaying the repayment of a debt.
We usually spend our time on what interests us. We get more back from an experience when it interests us. We pay better attention when something interests us. It pays off in the long run when you pursue a career that interests you and not just a job that pays you. Isn’t that interesting?
Interest is either working for you or against you. When you borrow money interest is working against you. The longer you borrow the more interest you are paying. Every time I look at the finance charge for what I’m paying my lenders monthly it makes me want to wipe out my debt that much faster and not borrow again because the borrower is servant to the lender. I refuse to be a slave!
The opposite is also true, interest can work for you when you save or invest. Wouldn’t you rather be earning interest than paying interest? Why then didn’t you put your money on deposit so that you would gain interest? Dave Ramsey’s book, “the Total money makeover” teaches people how to live like nobody else so you can live like nobody else. He teaches that we need to begin to attack our debt so we can put that money in savings and investments to earn interest.
It’s interesting that in this parable the king gives each servant three months wages to keep until he gets back. Two of the three invest and get interest back while the other one hides the money and gives the same amount back to the king. The king chastises the idle servant for not growing the money that he gave him.
One of the things Dave Ramsey suggests as the first thing to do before investing is to build an emergency savings account for three months of your salary. This is the starting place for debt freedom. The next step is to invest so the interest works for you and not against you.If you are interested in being debt free go to www.totalmoneymakeover.com/mytmmo
Dear God,
I’m interested in being the lender and not the borrower. Give me the discipline to see it through. Help me to be a better steward and to use wisely the money you give me. Thank you for your interest in me and for the deposit of the Holy Ghost which is my treasure in this jar of clay. I pray I have more to give back before you get back.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I come back I could have collected it with interest?
Interest: 1. the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone. 2. Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the case of money lent, or delaying the repayment of a debt.
We usually spend our time on what interests us. We get more back from an experience when it interests us. We pay better attention when something interests us. It pays off in the long run when you pursue a career that interests you and not just a job that pays you. Isn’t that interesting?
Interest is either working for you or against you. When you borrow money interest is working against you. The longer you borrow the more interest you are paying. Every time I look at the finance charge for what I’m paying my lenders monthly it makes me want to wipe out my debt that much faster and not borrow again because the borrower is servant to the lender. I refuse to be a slave!
The opposite is also true, interest can work for you when you save or invest. Wouldn’t you rather be earning interest than paying interest? Why then didn’t you put your money on deposit so that you would gain interest? Dave Ramsey’s book, “the Total money makeover” teaches people how to live like nobody else so you can live like nobody else. He teaches that we need to begin to attack our debt so we can put that money in savings and investments to earn interest.
It’s interesting that in this parable the king gives each servant three months wages to keep until he gets back. Two of the three invest and get interest back while the other one hides the money and gives the same amount back to the king. The king chastises the idle servant for not growing the money that he gave him.
One of the things Dave Ramsey suggests as the first thing to do before investing is to build an emergency savings account for three months of your salary. This is the starting place for debt freedom. The next step is to invest so the interest works for you and not against you.If you are interested in being debt free go to www.totalmoneymakeover.com/mytmmo
Dear God,
I’m interested in being the lender and not the borrower. Give me the discipline to see it through. Help me to be a better steward and to use wisely the money you give me. Thank you for your interest in me and for the deposit of the Holy Ghost which is my treasure in this jar of clay. I pray I have more to give back before you get back.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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