Isaiah 1:13-19 ERV; “Don’t keep bringing me those worthless sacrifices. I hate the incense you give me. I cannot stand your festivals for the New Moon, the Sabbath, and other special meeting days. I hate the evil you do during those holy times together.  I hate your monthly meetings and councils. They have become like heavy weights to me, and I am tired of carrying them.

“When you raise your arms to pray to me, I will refuse to look at you. You will say more and more prayers, but I will refuse to listen because your hands are covered with blood.

“Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong.  Learn to do good. Treat people fairly. Punish those who hurt others. Speak up for the widows and orphans. Argue their cases for them in court.

“I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow.

“If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land.  But if you refuse to listen and rebel against me, your enemies will destroy you.”

The Lord himself said this.

Well than! That was not a ‘feel good’ passage to read this morning, never-the-less, I don’t post just what feels good, I post what I feel the Lord would have me post. It’s time to pay attention to what the Lord is saying to us during these final hours on the earth. Basically a ‘clean up your act’ kind of word. Get real. Stop doing things to impress people. Stop being like the world and do what He said to do, stand for what’s right instead of melting into the background like every other Christian. We don’t need another staff meeting on how to reach the world for Jesus. We just need to do what is written in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Stop trying to figure it out and start relying on the Spirit of God in you to do what Jesus commanded us to do.

If you have ever heard the words, “Really? I had no idea you were a Christian!” then something’s wrong with your witness. If there’s no power in your life, chances are you need to hunt for the power source and get yourself plugged back in. If you’re too busy to do that than you’re straight up too busy! Spending time with God daily helps you to learn to hear His voice. Reading His Word allows you to know your rights and privileges. Walking in the Spirit allows you to demonstrate that power inside of you. Don’t just be a hearer of the Word, be a doer, an obedient son and daughter.

Father, we repent of our self-centeredness, our loose lifestyles, our own agenda’s. Forgive us for trying to fit into the world instead of fitting into Your body. Jesus, be the center of our lives, our churches and our homes. Be the center of our finances, our marriages, our ministries. May we come together as the body You created us to be and show off Your power. Heal the sick through me. Raise the dead through me. Show Your love through me. I don’t want to be a Christian on Sunday morning and a whatever I want to be the rest of the week. I’m all in, Father! If I’m not 100% Yours, I’m 100% useless. It’s through the blood of Jesus I ask You make me white as snow that it would glorify You. Amen

Psalm 34:19-Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. John 16:33-“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Sometimes we tend to focus on the afflictions or tribulations we’re going through, but the end of both these verses say just that; there is an end. What is that end? The Lord will deliver us. So many battles are being fought right now, battles too numerous to count, but we have the promise that they WILL come to an end.

May our focus be on the end today. May we see the finish line just ahead. One more bend in the road, my friend. The end is in sight. Keep going, keep trudging on. Don’t be too weary, refresh yourself with the knowledge that the Lord is faithful, always and forever faithful to His Word. Whatever your view right now is soon to change. It’s okay to be discouraged. You’re not alone, even King David was discouraged at times, but he always reminded himself of what a mighty God he served.

Father, You are mighty to deliver us from this battle we face. Forgive us for grumbling and complaining in our wilderness, it’s been so long since You’ve promised, but we will hold fast to Your unchanging hand. We are Your children and You never forsake Your own. We run to You in the process, in our dusty surroundings, dirty and tired, for You said we would find rest in You. So we enter Your presence with thanksgiving and we bless Your name for You are good and Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. It’s because Jesus overcame that we are assured of our victory. AMEN!

I Kings 3:6-28 ERV; One day two prostitutes came to Solomon and stood before the king.  One of the women said, “Sir, this woman and I live in the same house. We were both pregnant and ready to give birth to our babies. I had my baby while she was there with me.  Three days later she also gave birth to her baby. There was no one else in the house with us, just the two of us.  One night while this woman was asleep with her baby, the baby died.  That night while I was asleep, she took my son from my bed and carried him to her bed. Then she put the dead baby in my bed.  In the morning I woke up and was about to feed the baby when I saw he was dead. When I looked at him more closely, I saw that he was not my baby.”

But the other woman said, “No! The dead baby is yours, and the one still alive is mine!”

But the first woman said, “No, you are wrong! The dead baby is yours! The one that is still alive is mine.” So the two women argued in front of the king.

Then King Solomon said, “Each of you says that the living baby is your own and that the dead baby belongs to the other woman.”  Then King Solomon sent his servant to get a sword.  He told the servant, “Cut the living baby in two and give one half of the baby to each woman.”

The second woman said, “Yes, cut him in two. Then neither of us will have him.” But the first woman, the real mother, loved her son and said to the king, “Please, sir, don’t kill the baby! Give him to her.”

Then King Solomon said, “Stop, don’t kill the baby. Give him to this woman. She is the real mother.”

The people of Israel respected the king when they heard about this decision. They saw he had the wisdom of God to make the right decisions.

There are so many times in life when we’re just not sure what to do, but we are instructed that if we lack wisdom, we’ve only to ask the Father and He will give liberally to all who ask. So why don’t we ask? Is it because we forget or simply because we don’t feel we deserve it? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been alive long enough to know that I’m just not that smart! All the education in the world can’t compare with the wisdom of God and I need that.

King Solomon was Davids son and chosen king, but he knew that all the riches in the world couldn’t buy him the thing he needed most; wisdom to rule and make wise decisions. The bible says that it pleased the Lord when Solomon asked for wisdom, so wouldn’t it please the Lord when we ask for wisdom? Yes, yes it would.

Ephesians 6:17 says; “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Funny that Solomon asked for a sword, isn’t it. Without the Word of God, we’re merely men and women of this earth, relying on our own wisdom and knowledge, but when we take up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, we become a wise warrior, mighty in battle for pulling down strongholds.

Father, I ask for wisdom because I need it. I need it in my financial decisions, my job, my home, my children, when I teach others or sit at Your feet to hear Your voice. I want to discern right from wrong, to live free in the truth of Your Word. You alone know what lies ahead for me and what I will need for tomorrow, so I ask that You would lead and guide me into all truth.  I constantly depend on You to show me the way so I can walk on the correct path. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Ephesians 3:14-21 ERV

So I bow in prayer before the Father.  Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him.  I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit.  I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.  And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.  Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.

With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.  To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.

As I read Paul’s prayer this morning, I saw something about the love of Christ I had previously overlooked. He talked about a life strong in love and built on love, that we must have understanding of the greatness of Christ’s love, a love that’s not just deep, but wide, long and high as well. It’s a love that is greater than we’ll ever know completely, but in knowing that love, we can be filled with everything God has for us. Wow. Did you know to be filled with everything God has for us, we must operate in an unfathomable love?

I don’t know about you, but I’m illiterate in the knowledge of Christ’s love. Knowledge only goes so far. Unless this kind of love is experienced, until it transforms who I am, to who He is in me, until everything I say and do are prompted out of this love, I cannot be filled with everything God has for me. That’s powerful. A love that can fill me like that is a very powerful love. That love pushes beyond hurt and rejection. It just keeps on loving when people talk smack about me, when things don’t work out like I’d planned. It never gives up, it never stops, it never fails. It loves from birth to death. It’s not based on performance, it’s taking what He did and owning it without paying the price for it. It’s knowing I’m the benefactor of something someone else perfected.

What a gift Father, this love that is perfect in every way is what produces good fruit in me. It’s the soil for every seed you’ve planted. Without love, it’s impossible to please You. In myself, I just can’t do it. I can’t unconditionally love people like that. If that’s what You’re asking me to do, I’m not sure I’ll ever get it right. But You didn’t ask me to love them out of my love, You asked me to love them out of Yours. Everything I need for a life of love is already in me when You sent Your Spirit to live in me. Less of me and more of You. So that You may receive the glory and honor through my life as I allow Your love to flow through this vessel made of clay, in Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen

I Peter 2:11 & 12; Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves.  People who don’t believe are living all around you. They may say that you are doing wrong. So live such good lives that they will see the good you do, and they will give glory to God on the day he comes.

If you’ve ever had house guests, you’ll understand that although you love having them for a visit, you also look forward to the return of ‘normal’ when they move on. Living in Florida has taught us that, for sure. We love guests to come, but we’re equally glad when they walk back out the front door. The older I get and the fact I still work full time, the more I appreciate having a refuge to return to after a long day at the office. You can’t do that when you have guests. After work, you have to entertain, plan and fix meals, take them to see the sights, etc.

As I read this, I began to think of the many Christians who’ve forgotten this verse; that we are indeed only visitors and strangers here. So many have not just unpacked, but hung pictures and made themselves at home in this world. Remember the old saying, ‘Home is where the heart is?’ Perhaps the reason they’ve unpacked is because their heart’s just not in the Kingdom anymore.

Don’t ever get comfortable in a place you don’t belong. Don’t adopt their customs, their beliefs, their ideals, don’t fall in love with their money, their things, remember, they are only temporary. You have been commissioned to spread the word that Jesus saves, heals and delivers. You are to show a better way, to make disciples, to speak into others, encouraging them on their journey. This is only a stopping off point on a long journey toward heaven.

Thank You Lord that this world is not my home, I’m just passing through. You are constantly reminding me how temporary my life on earth is, always leading me on, showing me this is a journey towards you. I will not stay where I am and be content with what I have, this is only temporary, You have so much more in store for me. Everyday, I will sit with You getting instructions for this day, knowing that tomorrow is a new day, full of surprises, hope and a future with You. I thank You for Your steadfast love and protection on this trip You’ve planned. I commit my ways to You in Jesus’ name, Amen

Hebrews 4:11-13 NASB; Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Did you know that God’s word works? I mean, it’s not lazy, it’s never late, it’s never early, it’s always working and it’s always on time. When we use God’s word correctly, it is meant to work for us. Paul talked about this in Ephesians 6 when he said, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (that is, made by man) but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Everything ever created was by words, God’s words. He created us to be like Him, to use our mouth, speaking His word to overcome in every area of life.

But the first part of this passage talks about entering into that rest. In fact the verses prior to that also talk about God resting on the 7th day after He had done all the speaking and creating. So I got to thinking about that and what the purpose is for that rest and this is what I’ve found. There comes a time when you’ve done all, said all and prayed all, that it’s time to rest in the assurance and confidence of God and rest. Take your hands off, let it go, close your eyes and see it done! If you’re stressing, you’re not resting. If you’re trying to do in with self-effort, you’re not resting. You either learn to lean into God and rest or stress, you can’t do both.

2 Chronicles 20:17 God says, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” When you have confidence in God’s word, you’ll listen to His instruction, do what He says, than rest in the knowledge that HIS WORD will work while you’re resting. Your job is to listen and obey. If He says, “You don’t need to fight in this battle,” and you do anyway, you’re being disobedient and sabotaging your own victory. Obedience is key here. Disobedience brings stress, which is trusting in your own ability to do it and not God’s.

Father, thank you for this reminder today. You never intended for me to fight my own battles, but to remind You of Your word which is alive and active, always working for me. You sent Your word and healed me and delivered me from all my diseases. I will rest in that knowledge while Your word does the surgery it was meant to do. It’s enough! I have complete confidence and trust in You and Your word never goes back to you without first accomplishing all it was sent to do. Wow. NOTHING is too hard for You. NOTHING! All glory and honor to You, my King. I’m so glad You adopted me as Your very own daughter. I’m so glad You sent Your Holy Spirit to teach me and lead me into all truth. I have so much more to learn, but You never tire of me coming to You to know more. I love You so much! I will always love You. It’s for Your kingdom and in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Ephesians 1:17-21 ERV;  I always pray to the great and glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that he will give you the Spirit, who will let you know truths about God and help you understand them, so that you will know him better.  I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious.  And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power  he used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in the heavenly places.  He put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings. He gave him authority over everything that has power in this world or in the next world.

What a great prayer to pray over yourself, your family and friends. It’s what we should pray. That God fill us with his Spirit so that we will know his truths, understand them, know him better. That he open our minds to receive the truth. What truth is that? The truth that we are his holy people and that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us, a great power, that gives us authority over everything that has power in this world. As Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Personally, I love the first part, the part where the Holy Spirit helps us to understand God. Who better than the very Spirit of God to help us understand the nature of God. It’s in the times we seek Him that we will find Him, not haphazardly, but with all our heart. He knows those who want to know Him just to know Him, and those who want to kiss up so they can get something from Him. But He’s so glad you came that He’s willing to let you sense His presence in hopes that you’ll come back again.

Father, as David said in Psalm 34:8, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” I have tasted of Your goodness. Your grace and mercy has surrounded me like a blanket. Your Love for me is the very thing I think on day and night. Sometimes, I’m just overwhelmed by the fact that I, I am Your daughter. You chose me. WOW! I want to be like You. I want to love like You, to show mercy like You do. I want to be patient and kind like You are. I want to know You more. Father, this morning I ask that for everyone who comes to You and asks for more of You, that You would sweep them off their feet today in ways that they know it could only come from You. It’s in Jesus’ name I ask this, Amen

Deuteronomy 3:21-22; “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass.  You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’

Moses has just given an account to all the children of Israel, of all that the Lord had brought them through since leaving Egypt. The battles that the Lord had brought them through victoriously, was merely an example for Joshua when he took over the command to lead them into the promised land. I feel that this is so necessary for us to do when we’re facing a battle that looks too big for us. Remembering what the Lord has done and remembering His promises.

My mom and dad are getting ready to return to Haiti after several months in the states. As we sat together and remembered what the Lord had done to bring them through so much, she said this is what she wanted to tell all the children and workers. Their story. How satan tried on so many occasions to take them out, get them discouraged so they would quit and return, but they did not. Now, after more than 40 years and ‘retiring’ from the daily running of the orphanage, they’re finding ways to encourage others to go after the calling of God.

What has the Lord brought you through? Have you ‘remembered’ lately? Is your focus still on the journey or is it on the one who took you THROUGH the process? Have to spoke of His goodness, His deliverance? Have you told others of His faithfulness, that through it all, you’ve leaned in and learned to trust Him more. Have you told your children and grandchildren to never give up, never quit trusting the Lord. It may look bad, but the victory is sweeter than the obstacle you’re facing.

Father, thank you for every valley, it’s there we’ve communed with You and rested beside still waters. Thank You for the mountains we’ve climbed, out of breath, weary from climbing, yet you strengthened us and we persevered. The view from the top was breathtaking and we rejoiced in your faithfulness. For every step, we praise You. For every fall, we praise You. For every wound, every scrape, every near death blow the enemy has taken, we praise You because we’re alive today to give You the glory. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Nehemiah 2:18;  And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Let me give you a little back story on Nehemiah. He was taken from Israel and made to serve as wine bearer to the king. He must have been known for his great attitude because the king noticed when he had a heavy heart. “Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”

Now this was no way to come before the king and the next verses show that Nehemiah was afraid, but he told the king why he was sad; the city where he had lived his whole life sat in ruins. So the king granted him time to go repair the walls. WOW! What favor! And here we see Nehemiah come before the rag tag people left in Israel, rallying the troups to rebuild the walls.

I know, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with you, right? Well, God always has plans and strategies and He will always raise up people to do His pleasure. Are you one of them? God is rallying the troups in this day to be the church and carry the gospel to the nation. I hear so many people saying, ‘I’m not called to missions’, when we’ve ALL been called. Jesus didn’t say, ‘Stay comfortable and well fed’, He said, “Go into all the world! Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils! Freely you’ve received, freely give!” (Paraphrased by me)

My plan to accomplish this goal is to always be ready to share. I will not be afraid to share Jesus with others. I will not worry about offending someone because they may not believe. I will share the good news of the gospel, it’s the only way! Everyday, I ask the Father to give me opportunities. If I miss it, I don’t beat myself up, I continue to look. If someone says they’re in pain, I ask if I can pray for them. I’m not worried about God not backing me up. He told me to lay hands on the sick and they SHALL recover. That’s on Him, not me.

If you don’t have a plan, your life will fade away and be unproductive for the Kingdom of God. I don’t want my life to be that way, do you? Then lets commit to being used where we are. This is your mission field. These are your lost. Make a difference where you are. You have the light of the Father living inside of you to change the world. You may never preach to a thousand, but you can reach a thousand one at a time.

Father, I commit myself to Your plan and purpose. Help me to share the love You’ve given me, the grace and mercy You’ve shown me. I’m nothing without You and I want others to know You as I do. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.