WHAT YOU PUT TREASURE IN MANIFEST IN YOUR HEART

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”—Luke 12:34

 

Charlotte Brontë mused about the human heart’s hidden treasures by writing, “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.”  She is saying that if the secrets of the hidden treasures of the heart are exposed then the allure of the treasure would be broken.   However, Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount that the real issue is: where my heart is. He wants the hidden treasures of our hearts exposed so that we can evaluate if our hearts are seeking after self or after a real vibrant relationship with God (Matthew 6:19-24).

 

Sometimes people perceive us as being spiritual or godly, when in reality, deep in our hearts we know that we have just put on a mask.  Because in our private life, we struggle with fears, temptations, and desiring the things of the world for man’s praise instead of glorifying God.  The treasures that we have sought have only brought physical or emotional comfort rather than true spiritual happiness.  Jesus directly addresses the heart by asking the question, “Where is your treasure?”  He says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”  There are a lot of things competing for your heart, as this is the control center for life. 

 

Your life is a reflection of your heart.  “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).  The heart is like a water well and from if all the issues of life gush forth.  Therefore, we must guard our hearts and watch over them so that our heart follows hard after the things of God and is not distracted by the things of this world.   

 

We must ask the question, “Where is our treasure?”   Because in asking this, we will answer the question “Where is our heart?” because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The second question to ask ourselves is: “Where is our focus?”  What are our eyes focused on? Are they focused on the seen or the unseen?

Where Is Your Treasure?

The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 came to ask Jesus a question. The question he asks is how he might have eternal life.  Jesus answers the man by telling him that he needs to obey the commandments, and the rich young ruler responds, “Which ones?” Jesus responds, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young ruler responds that he has kept all these things and asks, “What do I still lack?” This is where Jesus drops the bomb on the rich young ruler. He says, “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor” and “follow Me.”  Where was this young man’s heart? You can tell by his reaction. His heart is controlled by his wealth and riches. This young ruler is wealthy and supposedly has a lot going for him, but he is not willing to let those things go in order to follow Jesus. He is willing to love his neighbor and do the commands that pertain to his fellow man, but when it comes down to loving the Father and having no other gods before Him, he is not willing to let go of the wealth he obtained here on earth.  His end result was spiritual death. His heart was set upon the things of this earth, and he was willing to disobey God for the sake of temporal riches that do not last. The things we gather here on earth are only temporal; they do not last for eternity.

 

Where is your treasure?  Are you earthly-minded or heavenly-minded?  Are you investing in the future eternity to come, or are you investing in the here and now?  Are you enthralled with the temporary versus the permanent?   Jesus used the three examples of the moth, rust and thief in Matthew 6:19 -20 to show how the things we deem most important are only temporary., “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

 

At the end of our life as believers, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for our lives here on the earth.  Those believers who seek to build up wealth and riches on earth will suffer loss and will be saved as through fire, whereas those who strive to lay up treasures in heaven will receive a reward.

 

So the question arises, “How do we lay up treasures in heaven?” The answer is by living the way God has asked us to live and following after Him in all that we do. For example, loving your neighbor as yourself – if a man has a need for a shirt and you have extra, give him one – being a cheerful giver, honoring God in your marriage, guarding your mind against adulterous thoughts, sharing the good news of the gospel with those around you. There are so many things which all narrow down to loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

 

Jesus always looks at the heart: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” One of the Ten Commandments states: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).  When we set our hearts on the things of this earth and fall to the temptation of being worldly in our ways, we are committing idolatry because we are no longer serving God.  Rather, we have put our riches above God, and we are serving them. They have become our god and our life.  Jesus challenges us, to ask ourselves where our treasure is. If your treasure is on earth and the things of this world, your heart will be there as well. If your heart is focused on the Father and on laying up treasures in heaven, your heart will be there.  “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3-4).

 

Prayer—Father I repent and ask You to forgive me for not focusing on laying up treasures in heaven, and with Your help from today forward my focus, my treasures will be upon You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

NEW LIFE COMES FORTH FROM DEAD THINGS

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.”—John 12:1

Jesus is the only man raised from the dead that has the power to take away sin and infuse a person who believes with new life. Miriam Hellman wrote in a recent article that, “Jerusalem’s empty tomb reminds us that Jesus Christ arose - and because He arose, we rise also!”  What an awesome statement as Christians from all over the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You may be experiencing some things in your life that have lain dormant and need to be resurrected.  I want to encourage you today that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you and raises you up, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).  This power is available to us on a daily basis to help us walk in authority and anointing.  

 

Abiding in the vine (Jesus—in His Word) guarantees us that fruit and newness of life will become evident in our lives.  The struggle to produce ceases when we simply be!  A butterfly does not struggle to become a butterfly; it becomes a butterfly by going through the process.  The process is what produces a beautiful creation of God.

Jesus went through the process of the cross, death, burial and resurrection so that we could enjoy the new life that He has for everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him.

Prayer—Father I give you the dead things in my life, the things that have lain dormant and our unproductive in my life and I ask You to create a New Heart in me so that I can experience and appreciate Your new life, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

LET LOVE SPEAK THROUGH YOUR LIVE

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—John 13:35

 

I received a testimony from a woman who thanked me for praying with her concerning the salvation of her husband.  She contacted me several times over the years; we prayed that her husband would come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  He would accompany her to church from time-to-time, pastors would stop and present the gospel to him; however, nothing seemed to make a difference in her husband’s attitude.  Finally in exasperation, she told the Lord that she was just going to stop nagging him about going to church and living right. She would continue to pray for him, for she knew that it was His will for everyone to be saved, but she had said and threatened him with everything she knew.   She said that it felt like a big weight fell off her back when she decided to quit nagging him.  She began to be a nicer person and do extra things for him that demonstrated how she really felt about him.  After a few weeks, her husband began to notice and asked her why she was treating him so nice.  She replied, “Because I love you.”  Not long after that conversation with her husband, he went with her to church and received Christ’s salvation.

 

When we talked she was excited about her husband’s conversion, and asked me, after all these years, what I thought made such a huge change in his attitude.  I replied to her that the Scripture tells us that love covers a multitude of sins, and that some people are won by the conduct in which we live our lives (I Peter 4:8; 3:1). 

 

Jesus said that the one characteristic that would cause the world to identify us as His followers was our love for one another.  According to Jesus, the unity of believers through a genuine God-kind of love is the greatest tool of evangelism for the church.  Although the early church did not have the massive organizational structures that we see in the world today, nor the huge financial resources spend in campaigns for outreaches, they had evangelized the known world in less than thirty years. In fact the pagans of Thessalonica said of Paul and his companions, “these that have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6).

 

Jesus gave what is called “the Great Commission” to the church in Matthew 28:19-20.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  The fulfillment of the Great Commission will take place as we walk in love towards one another.  We are not to seek what is best for ourselves; but, in honor, we are to prefer our brothers and sisters and seek what is best for them.  Let love speak volumes through your life.

 

Prayer—Father I ask you to show me how I can express my love for my brothers and sisters, in Jesus Name. Amen

BELIEVERS PUT CHRIST’S LOVE ON DISPLAY

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them….And He took them up in His arms, laid His hand on them, and blessed them.”—Mark 10:13, 16

 

In our scripture for today, we see where people were bringing little children to Jesus, for Him to touch and bless; however, his disciples took upon themselves to stop the children from coming.  Jesus did not like what the disciples were doing; in fact the Scripture says that, “He was greatly displeased.”  He went on to tell them to allow the children to come to Him.  In essence, He was saying that no one is insignificant to God, and He went on to bless the children.  He then took this time to teach that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it (Mark 10:13-16). 

 

One of the great privileges of my life was to have Dr. Daisy Osborn, as my mentor.  She had the ability to greet everyone personally, in a room, and make you feel better about yourself.  Somehow you came away from this brief time inspired, your confidence built up, and you left feeling important.   She truly had the ability to inspire you in Christ’s love.

 

Believers are called put Christ’s love on display.  Because the Lord is living through us, we are equipped to impact others.  Instead of trying to resonate in some impressive way that impacts thousands of lives, why not let God use you to reach one person at a time?  You can made a big difference with simple acts of service and kindness—a hug, a conversation, a meal.  Try “loving on” people the way your heavenly Father shows affection for you.

 

Everyone matters to the Lord.  At times all it takes for someone to feel His care and compassion is a little bit of kindness from one of God’s children.  Believers have the privilege to serve as the Father’s hands and feet on earth.  It has often been said that, “God has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, on the earth.” Let your light shine into someone’s private darkness.  Let them know that they are important—significant.  Inspire someone today.  Your smile and encouraging word may be the difference that they need today.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that I am important to You.  Thank You that You cared enough about me to shed Your love in my heart today.  Today I purpose to let Your love shine through me to others, in Jesus Name. Amen.

OUR HOMES SHOULD BE THE OUTPOSTS FOR THE KINGDOM

“…A certain man gave a great supper and invited many. And sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come for all things are now ready.’”—Luke 14:17

 

Our home has always seemed to hum with the activity of people.  We have always welcomed family, friends, and strangers into our home.  During our children’s teenage years, it seemed like our home was the central point of a gathering place for all their friends, and those who needed housing assistance when they were in a family crisis situation.  Recently, I heard a person make comment about their family coming for a visit, and that is when I realized that not everyone had the same view as I did on being hospitable.  The individual was upset because the visiting family members were interrupting their family’s schedule, and would require extra effort on their part.  Perhaps if this person had a clearer understanding about the practice of Christian hospitality she would have thought differently.

 

Dr. Christine Pohl, the author of Making Room, said that, “A lot of us see our homes as retreats from the world instead of outposts for the kingdom.  And so we are leery of whom we welcome and how much time it will take.”  She went on to say that some societies have become so task-oriented that their view of opportunities for hospitality seems as interruptions.  If our whole focus is on getting things done, then opening our homes to others will always be inconvenient. 

 

Perhaps the most inconvenient, if not uncomfortable, aspect to the biblical tradition of hospitality is its emphasis on welcoming the stranger into the home.  Jesus said when you welcome the least of these you have welcomed Me (Matthew 25:45).  The early Christians took these words so seriously that it was common practice to set aside a special room in their homes.  This room was called “Christ room,” or “prophet’s chamber,” so that as strangers had a need the believers would not miss an opportunity to welcome “Jesus.”   

 

A passage in Luke’s gospel teaches an important lesson about the best approach for taking in a stranger—we should not welcome others for personal gain.  On the Sabbath, Jesus dined in the home of a ruling Pharisee.  Noticing the dignified guests who were seated around the table, Jesus challenged the host not to invite friends, rich neighbors, or relatives, who could return the favor in one form or another: “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:13-14).   

 

We as Christians are called to extend to strangers and those who are usually left-out the same kind of welcome that we extend to family and friends.  It is very difficult to show hospitality to strangers if we are not showing it to the people we know and love. 

 

Begin to ask yourself how you could expand your table, with questions such as: Who are the people in my world that need welcomed?  It is the person down the street whose family lives on the other side of the country?  Is it my child’s friends, an international student, a disabled church member, or a widower?  View your home not as a private haven but as a tool for the kingdom of God.  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

 

Prayer—Father forgive me for the times that it has seemed inconvenient to invite people into my home.  I purpose in my heart to look for ways to expand my table, and for my home to be used as a tool for Your kingdom, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS IS POWERFUL

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”—John 15:13

 

Friends are an important part of our society and culture.  At a young age, we formed friendships and usually had someone we could call our “best friend” with whom we shared our dreams, secrets and had a lot of fun with.  As we grow older, new friendships emerge and we connect with friendly “acquaintances,” and a few become connected to us as good friends with shared interest.  

 

Levels of friendship seem to develop within the diversity of those we call friends.  This could be due to distances, personal interest changes, children, marriage or any number-of-things seem to influence our friendships.  I once heard someone say, "A friend is a gift we give ourselves," and when you find a good one, you will want to keep him/her forever. Of course, as with any gift, you must treat it with care and respect, and he/she will return the favor.

 

Sherri Curry wrote, “Too often the I-can-handle-it-myself society we live in seems to promote loneliness rather than friendship.  Friends are an important part of sharing the burden and worry of each day.”  Long before social media made it popular to be called a friend, Jesus called us His friends (John 15:14). 

 

Our friendship with Jesus is powerful.  He rescued us (Ephesians 2:4-5), restored us into relationship (Ephesians 2: 13-14), He is a faithful friend (2 Timothy 2:13), and He is a good listener (Hebrews 4:16), just to name a few things that make our friendship with Him powerful.  Today consider what are some of the things that make your friendship with others powerful?  Are you loyal, trustworthy, a good listener?  People need good friends.  Determine today to become the best friend that you can.

 

Prayer—Father thank you that Jesus is my friend, and I ask you to help me become the best friend that I can be, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

DIVINE ENCOUNTERS REFRESHES US

“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing;’
Yet they would not hear.”—Isaiah 28:11-12

 

Jesus told his followers that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power (Acts 1:5, 8).  Acts 2 records the event of the Holy Spirit filling Jesus’ followers and their speaking in other tongues.  Peter proclaimed that this event was the fulfilling of Joel’s prophecy (2:28-32) which said, in part, “That I[God] will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath.”   It was after they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues that the early disciples experienced divine encounters and it was through the Holy Spirit that they were refreshed. 

 

Peter and John were going to the temple to prayer when a begging lame man was completely healed because of a divine encounter (Acts 3:1-10).  Later, Peter and John were arrested and jailed because the man was healed.  The religious leaders demanded to know by what power the healing took place, and another divine encounter took place when Peter filled with the Holy Spirit answered them.  The religious leaders understood that these men were uneducated so they were moved by the words by which they spoke, plus the healed lame man was standing with them as a testimony.  After they were threaten not to preach anymore in the Name of Jesus, they were let go.  Peter and John reported back to their companions everything that had happen.  The congregation began worshiping and praising God and they said, “‘Now Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4).  Their refreshing experience resulted in the word of God spoken with boldness.  Jude wrote a letter “To all who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ,” saying, “But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20).

 

Waiting before God in prayer will not only renew your strength, but it will also bring a great refreshing to your spirit.  Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:16, “That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.”  The words “renew” and refreshing” are similar in meaning.  Peter uses the word “refreshing” to describe what occurs in the Presence of the Lord, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).  Notice in this verse the expression “times of refreshing.”  We do not get just one time of refreshing in our walk with God.  We can have continual times of refreshing as we set aside time to spend in God’s Presence, praying and worshiping Him in the Spirit.  We must need these times of refreshing and renewal, or God would not have provided them for us.  Praying in tongues builds our faith and opens our spirits to divine encounters and refreshes us.

 

Prayer—Father, as I pray in the spirit today, I am expecting experiences in Your presence that You have just for me.  I believer I shall have an increase of divine encounters and experiences in Your glory.  Even now, as I pray in the spirit, I am being refreshed, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

THE ATTITUDE OF FAITH

^“ And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.”—2 Corinthians 4:13

 

Some people are able to get things done simply because they are stubborn and will not give-up or quit.  Their attitude is almost to the extreme as, “I am going to get this done if it kills me.”  However, in God’s kingdom things are accomplished not out of stubbornness, pride or guilt, but out of the attitude of faith.   The Apostle Paul, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said it this way, “…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17).

 

The attitude of faith believes the Word of God and stands until it has the answer.  In Luke 11:5-13 Jesus is teaching His disciples and asked them a question. 

“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;  For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?  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.  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.   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.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

 

Jesus posed a question to the disciples.  Remember that Jesus is teaching on attitudes, and He taught them that the attitude of faith is without bashfulness.  Some say persistence is saying over and over and over again until you get the answer.  The word, importunity in the Greek, means without bashfulness.  Hebrews 4:16 directs us to come before the throne room of God boldly—without bashfulness.

 

Jesus continued His teaching in verses 9-13 by encouraging His disciples ask, seek and knock.  He said that everyone that asks receives, seeks and they find, and those that knock the door would open.  Our attitude of faith is one of expectancy of the answered given and received.

 

Prayer—Father I come to asking for an attitude adjustment.  I ask You to forgive me when I have been in doubt and unbelief and not in faith.  I receive Your forgiveness and adjusting my attitude by faith, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE LORD DURING THE TIMES OF TROUBLE

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.   The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hand.”—Psalm 138:7-8

 

David was a man who walked through trouble on a regular basis.  By reading His psalms, David expresses the struggles and disappointments that he faced, yet in the end, he always turned his focus back to God.  The key to his victorious attitude was his strong faith in the Lord.

 

David was confident in God’s purpose.  That is why he could say, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me” (v. 8).  The only way we can walk through trouble and not be defeated is by keeping our focus on the Lord and His purpose.  He has promised to do good work in our lives, even during the times of hardship, we can expect His good hand upon us, to guide us. 

 

David relied on the Lord’s power.  When troubles arise, we too, can trust God to deliver us, but it may not be through escape.  Because there are times that He sustains us through the difficulty, walking with us every step of the way.

 

David believed the promises of God.  In today’s scriptural reference, he repeatedly reminds himself what the Lord will do.  We also need to have some specific promises from Scripture that will anchor us in times of trouble.  The truths of the Bible are our most valuable possession when the storms of life assail us.  Self-reliance or advice from others can never equal the help that God’s Word offers to us.

 

God assumes responsibility for accomplishing what concerns us in times of trouble.  Our job is to believe that He will fulfill His purpose.  His power is adequate, and He will keep every promise. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that Your Word is eternal and that You are my anchor in the storms of life.  I know that I can run to Your promises and that I am safe, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

TURN YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT INTO A PETITION FOR GOD’S HELP

 “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God for I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.”—Psalm 42:11

 

Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment.  I have known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation.  Some time later, however, they were in a much better place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions.  The reason?  They never gave up.  Instead of sulking in self-pity, they chose to believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit.

 

Nehemiah is a good example.  He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble.  After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved.  Though pain flooded his soul, he did not allow himself to stay in that low place.  Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God seeking direction.

 

Sadness in the presence of royalty was a punishable death.  But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and then to ask what he could do to help.  This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God’s people.

 

“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxexes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the kings said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.’ So I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?’ Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if you servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.’ Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him). ‘How long will your journey be? And when will you return?’ So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Furthermore I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.’ And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Nehemiah 2:1-8).

The Lord can take impossible situation—no matter what it is—and move in ways mightier than you can imagine.

 

Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do?  Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair?  Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God’s help.  He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a stranglehold on your life.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for allowing negative emotions cutting me off from your best for me, and I ask You to restore hope in my life, in Jesus Name. Amen.

CLAIM YOUR LEGAL INHERITANCE OF HEALING

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”—Matthew 8:17

 

Healing belongs to the believer.  Jesus purchased it by going to the cross.  You have ever right to be healed as you do to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. 

 

According to Matthew 8:17, Jesus took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”  The word “infirmities” means feebleness of body or mind, sick, without strength, weak, impotent, and “sicknesses” means disease, infirmity, sickness.  Jesus bore infirmities and sicknesses in His own body so that you and I would not have to.  We are redeemed from sickness and disease.

 

In fact, Paul wrote in Galatians 3: 13-14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Jesus bore the curse so that we could receive the blessing.   A study of Genesis chapter 17 tells us what the blessings are.  “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect [or upright, sincere].   And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly…Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee…And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”  This covenant God made with Abraham was sealed with the blood of Jesus.  According to Galatians 3:29, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” when you belong to Jesus Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. 

 

You are an heir to the blessing which God gave to Abraham.  This blessing found in Deuteronomy chapter 28, covers every area of your existence: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.  One of these blessings is physical healing.  You have the right to live free from sickness and disease.  Peter said of Jesus, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed’ (1 Peter 2:24).  The stripes laid on Jesus’ back by the Roman soldiers stood for your healing.  Notice that in both this scripture and in Matthew 8:17 the form of both words used is past tense—“bore” and “were.”  Bore our sickness—past tense.  By those stripes, you were healed--past tense.  You were healed over 2,000 years ago, but you have to receive it by faith today. 

 

Healing is part of your inheritance, part of the blessing of Abraham; but in order to live in your inheritance, you have to believe it for yourself and accept it as a reality in your life. 

 

As a child of God, you have a right to your legal inheritance; however, just as in the natural realm you would inherit something you would have to claim it.  The same is true in the spiritual realm.  You must claim by faith what Jesus Christ has provided for you.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for provided healing for me in every area of my life, spiritually, physically and mentally.  Thank You Lord Jesus for bearing in your body the healing that I need in my life.  I receive Your healing right now; no longer will I allow Satan to unjustly put sickness and disease on me.  Lord I submit myself anew to You today for complete healing in every area of my life, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

TONGUES ARE A REFRESHING

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission f sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”—Acts 2:38

  

I had been “born again” for several years before I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Through teaching and the study of the Word of God, I discovered the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the “new birth” and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These are two separate works of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Although I was instantly delivered from drugs and alcohol when I was “born again,” it was though the baptism of the Holy Spirit that I received empowerment to break many bad habits in life. People of today are no different than the people were when the Holy Spirit was initially poured out during the Day of Pentecost. We need the help, the comfort, the power and the life giving rivers of living water that the Holy Spirit gives to us when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

To have a good understanding of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, today’s devotional is longer than usual. However, I hope that today’s devotional will give you a better understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, and if you have not yet done so, to be inspired to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

The term, baptism of the Holy Spirit, comes from the prophecies made by John the Baptist and Jesus concerning this experience. John said to those he baptized in the Jordan River “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and fire”(Matthew 3:11). Just before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He spoke to the apostles and, “… commanded them they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from me” (Acts 1: 4-5).

 

At the moment a person is converted, The Holy Spirit gives birth to a new creation in the believer (John 3:1-8; II Corinthians 5:17). Not my works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit’s basic work in salvation is to impart a new life to a person, and thus making her/him a child of God (I John 5:12; John 1:12). Through the process of the Holy Spirit you become a part of God’s family; the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13). Scripture tells us that “…no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:3). As believers, it is the Holy Spirit that bears witness with your spirit that you are the children of God (Romans 8:16). God has more for you as a believer; not only does He wants you to be blessed, He wants to use you to bless others.

After His resurrection, Jesus told his disciples, “Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The baptism of the Holy Spirit was called the promise of the Father in this passage of scripture. According to Jesus, these followers would be endowed with God’s power to be witnesses of Him. Furthermore, following His instructions some 120 of His followers, including the disciples, met together to wait for the promise of the Father.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as a rushing might wind, and if filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” –Acts 2: 1-4

 

An important reason for the baptism of the Holy Spirit is power for witnessing of the living Christ. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). After the 120 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit they went into the streets witnessing of Jesus. Not only that but, Peter stood up and preached about Joel’s prophecy and the resurrection of Christ. The results were amazing as they witnessed in the power of the Holy Spirit; about 3,000 people received Peter’s word and were baptized (Acts 2:41). Soon another 5,000 people believed the word and they were added to the church (Acts 4:4). By reading the Acts of the Apostles, you can discover more remarkable events including the miraculous due to the empowerment (the enablement) of the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as rivers of living water that would flow out of the believer’s innermost being. “…Jesus stood and cried out saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7: 37-39). The Holy Spirit produces rivers of life, love, joy, peace, and power to flow out of your spirit to meet the needs of others. Jesus said those that believe upon Him should receive the holy spirit.

 

One of the names that Jesus used in speaking of the Holy Spirit was “Comforter.” The Greek word is Paraclete, meaning “one called alongside to help.” Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would teach and guide the believers. “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” (John 14:16-17). It is important to notice that Jesus declare that an unbeliever cannot receive the Holy Spirit, for Jesus said that the world cannot receive Him. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus to the believer. It is He who is the revealer of truth to the believer. He reveals the wealth and riches in Christ, opens our eyes to what is promised to you in Christ. He glorifies Christ Jesus the Lord and Saviour. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16: 13-14). The truth is in God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will always guide you into an understanding of the truth as revealed in the Scriptures. What He hears from God, He speaks to you. What He speaks will always glorify Jesus and be consistent with the Word of God.

 

God’s will is for every believer to be filled with His Spirit “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5: 17-18). His desire is that you be continually overflowing with His Spirit. Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had been endued with power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). In John 7:39, Jesus said that those that believe on Him should receive the Holy Spirit.

 

Knowing that it is God’s will for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit gives you confidence in asking Him to baptize you with the Holy Spirit. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (I John 5:14-15).

 

Jesus said that our heavenly Father would give the Holy Spirit to those that would ask Him. We may ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit and have confidence we shall receive (Luke 11:9-13).

 

The 120 believers all spoke with other tongues on the Day of Pentecost when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The gentiles in the house of Cornelius spoke with tongues when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 10:44-48). Likewise, the people at Ephesus spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 19:6). Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him. He later told the Christians at Corinth that he thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than they did (I Corinthians 14:18). In his message to the Corinthians Paul concluded his instruction on tongues with these words, “Therefore brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order”(I Corinthians 14: 39-40). One of the signs Jesus said would follow those who believe was that “…they would speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).

 

If you have not yet received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, ask your heavenly Father to baptize you today. I have found that there are many believers who have not spoken in their new tongues in some time. How long has it been since you have prayed in tongues? The Bible tells us that tongues are a refreshing (Isaiah 28:11 -12), and that praying in tongues will build you up on your most holy faith (Jude 20).

 

Prayer—Heavenly Father, I ask you for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the refreshing, the empowerment to be a witness for you. Please fill me now as you promised me you would in your Word in Jesus Name.  Amen.

THE ROOT OF SELF-GOVERNANCE IS REBELLION

“These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him; A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that she innocent blood, a heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.”—Proverbs 6:16-19 (Amplified)

 

In America, our society is constantly being bombarded by the media and special interest groups to be tolerant and accepting of people’s lifestyle choices that are in direct opposition to God’s ethical standards of conduct.  For example, special interest groups have led the charge to accept as a normal lifestyle, homosexuality, lesbians, same-sex marriage, and all manner of sexual perversion.  The Scripture explicitly forbids this lifestyle and instructs us not to approve it (Romans 1: 18-32). 

 

Let’s be clear, as Christians we are to love people, but we are not to condone lifestyle choices that are immoral and unethical.  We are to love and minister to people who are engaged in these activities, but we are not to be a partaker of another person’s sin.  As ministers of the gospel, there is no scriptural justification to tattoo and have body piercings to present the gospel to any particular group of individuals.

 

A spirit filled believer came to me one time and told me that she was going to start ministering to teenagers; furthermore, she believed that God had told her to get her nose pierced, so she could identify with the teenagers she would be witnessing too.  I shared with her the following scriptures which teach us concerning body piercings and tattoos.  “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28).  Although 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings, it does give us a principle: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”  After I had shared these scriptures and reminded her that God does not contradict His Word, the young woman said, “I do not care what the Bible says; I am going to do it anyway!”   Even after I told her that I Samuel 15:23 said, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” she stilled rebelled and got her nose pierced.  From that time on, this young woman has experienced a lot of difficulties in her life.  The root of self-governance is rebellion.

The Apostle John had a revelation that he wrote about in Revelation 2:18-23.  The church in Thyatira was doing well for the Lord.  The church was commended for their works, love, service, faith and patience; however, there was a problem because they tolerated a woman by the name of Jezebel.  Jezebel called herself a prophetess, and taught and seduced the people to commit sexual immorality and eat things that had been sacrificed to idols.  She was given time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not; therefore she experienced many difficulties.  

 

Examine your heart and make sure that you are not tolerating those things in your life that God does not tolerate.  He wants you to yield to the Holy Spirit so that your whole life is pleasing to Him.  

 

Prayer—Father I willing yield my life to You today, and if I am tolerating sin in my life in anyway, I ask You to show it to me.  I repent of anything that is not pleasing to You, and I ask You to strengthen me today so that my life reflects You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

GOD IS A GOOD GOD: THE DEVIL IS A BAD DEVIL

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written, Amen.”—John 21:25

 

Every detail of every man’s life that has ever walked on the earth has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus’ life.  Jesus was not just a man; He was God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16). 

 

In Acts 10:38, Peter gave a brief yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  Jesus was anointed with power and with the Holy Spirit.  He used this power, to do good, not evil.  This is one of the main characteristics of God and it is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil.  God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil.  If it is bad, it is from the devil; if it is good, it is from God.  “Good and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8).

 

Tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law.  God’s wrath rests upon unbelievers only, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).  Believers will never experience His wrath, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9).  New Testament believers are exempt from the punitive judgment of God since Jesus bore it for them, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10).

 

As for natural law, as mankind violates the laws of God, in both a natural and moral sense, they will reap what they sow, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). For example, if a person drives recklessly and kills themselves and others, it is not God or the devil that killed them.  They violated natural law and thus paid the price.  Unfortunately, the devil often steps in to accuse God of being behind all tragedy.  But our God is a good God, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). 

 

It is incorrect to believe that God has some redemptive purpose in tragedies.  This type of thinking will lead you to ignore the devil and give him a free hand to destroy your life.  It will also cause you not to use wisdom. “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.  He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).

 

Today determine to walk in the sure knowledge that God is a good God, and that He has good things in store for you today.  Say with the psalmist, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for Your goodness in my life.  I choose to impact my world by demonstrating Your goodness to the world, in Jesus Name. Amen.

PEACE IS A PROMISE TO EVERY BELIEVER

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10

 

Nations around the world are in turmoil.  For some the turmoil is political, for others it is economical, and some are experiencing turmoil due to the changing global weather patterns that bring economic and human devastation.  The scope and scale of global turmoil is hard to phantom; however, Paul wrote in Romans 8:22, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pang together until now.”   Matthew Henry writes in his commentary concerning this verse that the miseries of the human race are brought on because of sin and these sins have brought woes and turmoil to the earth.  The only hope for people that there is help is found in the Blessed Hope, Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus told the early disciples that they would experience problems and that they could have peace in the midst of the turmoil, “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” (John 16:33).  Many years ago, I heard an observation about Christian life that makes a lot of sense.  We all are either heading into, going through or coming out of a trial in our lives.  No one gets through life without a struggle because the refining of our hearts is done through fire.  True lasting peace can only come through Jesus Christ.  It does not come through some person, some thing, some possession, some job, some vacation, some event, or some arranged peace between political allies.  It can only come through a personal relationship through Jesus Christ.  All these other ways are only an illusion—a mirage, and will soon fade because they are not real. 

 

Have you ever been through a difficult time in your life and were able to have a peace that you could not explain?  I have experienced this.  My husband went in for minor surgery and was in the operating room being put to sleep when the doctor’s thought that he had a heart attack.  I was notified what had happened, and that they were trying to stabilize him.  I immediately had a sense of peace, it was like a bubble surrounded me, and no report could sway me that he was not alright.   Had I not been a Christian I would have been petrified of what I was being told.  Instead, God gave me a promise in His Word and I rested in that promise, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).  I refused to be swayed and said, “My husband’s heart is not troubled it is at peace.”   Years later, my husband’s heart is still at peace with no trace or evidence of a heart attack.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

God’s peace is available to anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Peace is a promise to every believer and it is your Heavenly Father’s desire for you to have peace, not only through a difficult time, but in your every day life.  His peace is to be the constant state of being for the Christian and is not dedicated by circumstance—good or bad.   Jesus said, “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 145:27).   This is what our Heavenly Father wants for His children—that they walk in peace even in the midst of the storm in their every day lives.

 

This does not mean that sometimes we might feel fear or anxiety; but, for the person of peace, the Holy Spirit’s presence quickly calms the fear and anxiety, and then that person begins to feel the power of the Holy Spirit speaking calm and assurance to their heart. 

 

A deep genuine God-given peace can be the norm for the believer.  It is what God desires for you and me.  God does not desire that your soul be in turmoil, but hat your heart be anchored in peace.

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that my heart is fixed, trusting in You.  I thank You for the Peace that passes all understanding to keep my mind stable and focused upon You.  Holy Spirit I ask You to strengthen and help me to keep my eyes upon Jesus and not the turmoil around me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

VISIONS ARE WAYS THAT GOD REVEALS HIS PURPOSES

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.  Your old men shall dream dreams.  Your young men shall see visions.  And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” –Joel 2: 28 – 29

 

God gives visions to individuals for revelatory purposes.  It is heaven coming to earth to reveal God’s plan and communicate important information.  In Acts 10: 9 - 28 we read that Peter experienced a vision when he was praying.  Visions can be experiences of intense imager and sound.  Heaven came to earth to communicate God’s plan to Peter.  Peter did not understand the vision, and doubted the vision because it did not agree with his way of thinking, or the way he had been taught.  Many times we may not understand the vision, but God will always clarify what He means if we will wait for Him to reveal the correct interpretation.

A missionary told me about a group of small tribal village children that God used to preach the gospel to another village.  The leader of the group of children was about 9 or 10 years old when he saw in a vision his neighboring village.  He saw Jesus walking across the river to get to the village, and then saw Him standing in the village showing His nail scarred hands and feet to the whole village.  The leader told the vision to the other group of children, and after prayer they decided that they must go to the other village; however, when they got to the river that they had to cross it was swollen by heavy rainfall.  The children prayed for direction and remembered the vision, so they walked across the river to the other side.  As a result, of their believing and acting upon the vision a whole tribal village received salvation.   

 

Prayer—Lord, give me the courage to receive and understand your visions, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

GOD STILL SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE THROUGH DREAMS

“[One may hear God’s voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men…Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction…” –Job 33:14, 15

  

The Bible gives many accounts of God speaking to men and women through dreams.  He has never stopped using this method of speaking to people; however, the church has simply stopped listening.  Many people believe that their dreams are just a result of too much of one-kind-of-food, or another; nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is reawakening the body of Christ to one of God’s primary ways of communicating.

 

It may be helpful for you to write down your dreams in detail and note any emotions that are felt, any colors, time, location, etc.  Ask the Lord, then, what is He speaking to you.  As you wait upon the Lord, He will begin bring different things to your mind, and what the different aspects of the dream contents could mean. Another tool that is helpful is a good dream interpretation book.

 

Be prepared to listen when God speaks to you through a dream with a clear message, and a specific purpose.

 

Prayer—Lord, speak to me in the night season and teach me your ways, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

IT IS TIME FOR A HEART CHECK-UP

 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”—Luke 12:34

 

Charlotte Brontë mused about the human heart’s hidden treasures by writing, “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.”  She is saying that if the secrets of the hidden treasures of the heart are exposed then the allure of the treasure would be broken.   However, Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount that the real issue is: where my heart is. He wants the hidden treasures of our hearts exposed so that we can evaluate if our hearts are seeking after self or after a real vibrant relationship with God (Matthew 6:19-24).

 

Sometimes people perceive us as being spiritual or godly, when in reality, deep in our hearts we know that we have just put on a mask.  Because in our private life, we struggle with fears, temptations, and desiring the things of the world for man’s praise instead of glorifying God.  The treasures that we have sought have only brought physical or emotional comfort rather than true spiritual happiness.  Jesus directly addresses the heart by asking the question, “Where is your treasure?”  He says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”  There are a lot of things competing for your heart, as this is the control center for life. 

 

Your life is a reflection of your heart.  “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).  The heart is like a water-well and from if all the issues of life gush forth.  Therefore, we must guard our hearts and watch over them so that our heart follows hard after the things of God and is not distracted by the things of this world.   

 

Prayer—Father today I lay-aside anything that is distracting me from following after you with a pure heart, and I ask You to keep me from temptations that arise to pull me away from you, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

PARTAKE OF YOUR HEAVENLY SEATING CHART

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”—Ephesians 2:4-6

God’s desire for the body of Christ is for us to sit together with Him.  Sadly, most Christians do not realize where they are to sit.  Instead of being aware that they have this awesome place of honor and respect, too often they see themselves as begging for whatever already belongs to them.  Picture a king sitting in his throne room on a beautiful chair.  Envision him thirsty and needing a glass of water what does he do?  He does not beg for a glass of water he tells his servant to get him something to drink.  Beloved, you are a “…chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).  Once you became a new creature in Christ Jesus, you became a royal priesthood.  No longer do you have to beg.

Determine in your heart today to no longer live your life as a failure, moaning, complaining and begging.  God is on your side, He is for you not against you.  We are His children and He loves us.  It is a legal fact that you no longer have to beg for what is already yours, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out ‘Abba Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).

Accept as fact that you a representative of the kingdom of God and as a representative you have certain rights.  It is your right to have everything that pertains to life, health, and abundance, and now by faith begin to partake of that position (that seat) that He has given to you in the heavenlies.

Prayer—Father I thank You that You have given to me everything that pertains to life, health abundance, and I purpose in my heart to partake of that position that you have given to me by faith, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

PARTAKE OF YOUR HEAVENLY SEATING CHART

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”—Ephesians 2:4-6

 

God’s desire for the body of Christ is for us to sit together with Him.  Sadly, most Christians do not realize where they are to sit.  Instead of being aware that they have this awesome place of honor and respect, too often they see themselves as begging for whatever already belongs to them.  Picture a king sitting in his throne room on a beautiful chair.  Envision him thirsty and needing a glass of water what does he do?  He does not beg for a glass of water he tells his servant to get him something to drink.  Beloved, you are a “…chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).  Once you became a new creature in Christ Jesus, you became a royal priesthood.  No longer do you have to beg.

 

Determine in your heart today to no longer live your life as a failure, moaning, complaining and begging.  God is on your side, He is for you not against you.  We are His children and He loves us.  It is a legal fact that you no longer have to beg for what is already yours, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out ‘Abba Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).

 

Accept as fact that you a representative of the kingdom of God and as a representative you have certain rights.  It is your right to have everything that pertains to life, health, and abundance, and now by faith begin to partake of that position (that seat) that He has given to you in the heavenlies.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You have given to me everything that pertains to life, health abundance, and I purpose in my heart to partake of that position that you have given to me by faith, in Jesus Name. Amen.