Matthew 7:21-23 Amp; “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’

As I read this verse, I realized that Jesus was talking about believers and I asked Him, “Lord, if they thought they were doing good in Your name, but You said You didn’t know them, what hope is there for any of us?” This is what I felt Him speaking to me; When you truly submit your life to me, surrendering all of your passions and desires, dreams and goals so that I can work in you and through you, I will know you’re My disciples by your love. I am love and My own will respond in love.

Matthew 22:37-40 shows a lawyer coming to Jesus asking what the greatest commandment of the law. Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  That’s it. That’s the greatest commandment, loving God with all our hearts and when we do this, that love will spill over onto our neighbors. We won’t need to wonder if He’ll know us, we will already know He knows us because we will walk with Him and talk with Him everyday and every hour.

Father, everything I do, may I do it out of the love I have for you. May I stay surrendered and submitted to Your call love. May Your love prompt me to mercy, grace and forgiveness just as You have given so much of these to me. Help me to reflect the light of Your love to those in my path so that they may be drawn to this wonderful, deep and cleansing love of Yours. May my voice be Your voice. May my song be unto You. May my motives be pure and untainted, all for Your glory. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

James 1:2-7, “ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The attitude of gratitude during the cultivation of faith, produces patience. WOW! So when I find myself becoming impatient because things aren’t going the way I think they should, I’m actually postponing the realization of what I’m standing in faith for. But if I let little Miss Patience do her thing, I will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Well no wonder I’m so far from perfect; I’m so impatient.

Have you ever prayed for something, than allowed your thoughts to play ping pong? Back and forth, back and forth. One moment you’re speaking the Word of healing, the next minute you’re thinking about going to see a doctor. One moment you’re praising God for His word, the next moment you’re checking the internet for your symptoms. No wonder we don’t get what we’ve asked for. We’re double-minded or as we used to say, ‘two-timin’.  You can’t be in a relationship with light and darkness at the same time; light dispels the darkness! You can’t get in bed with truth and wake up with lies; you must know the truth because only the truth sets you free.

Father, I’ve oscillated between two opinions for far too long. I need help that only comes from You. Please help me to be patient! I want to have that calm assurance deep inside of me that when You said it, it was settled in heaven and on earth. Every promise is mine. Your promise of peace, provision, prosperity, all mine. May I learn to praise You in the middle of the process so that it takes the place of that ‘two-timin’ spirit that wants to steal my promise. It’s in Jesus name I pray. Amen

Jeremiah 1:12 AMP; Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”

Notice God didn’t say, ‘I am casually watching over my word,’ or ‘occasionally watching over my word,’ He said, “I am actively watching over my word to fulfill it.” Let us look at this word ‘active’ in the dictionary; being in a state of existence, progress, or motion: involving physical effort and action: having the power of quick motion; nimble: characterized by action, motion, volume, use, participation, etc.: the active voice; a form or construction in the active voice.

Do you understand that God doesn’t just say it and not do it? What He said He would do will be done. You may not see it, it may be taking time, but He is actively at work on your behalf.

When my mom was 40, God called her to start an orphanage in Haiti. She wasn’t qualified to go. She had never attended bible college. She heard God call her and walked through every open door until she arrived at her destination. She had every reason not to go. She was a wife and mother, a widow who had recently remarried. It wasn’t convenient. She had no financial backing but the Lord told her to go and He would provide. My mom has the kind of faith that moves the hand of God. It didn’t matter what people said, she had tuned into the voice of God and come hell or high water, she would trust in the Lord. I remember my mom saying, “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.”

Sitting across the table today at dinner 43 years later, I asked if she remembered the time we sat in our little 4 room house we rented in a small Haitian village, our cupboards were bare and we had nothing to eat. We set the table and prayed that God, who had sent us to Haiti, said He would never leave us or forsake us. “You have never seen the righteous forsaken or your seed begging bread and we’re Your seed.” Someone knocked at the door. I don’t remember who answered it, but I do remember the basket of fresh vegetables and two guinea hens from a thankful father who with moms help had a healthy baby in his house.

I could tell you story after story of Gods provision over the years, not only for us in Haiti, but for my little family when Walt was out of work for 3 years. You see, He is actively watching over His word. He’s only wanting You to be the activator and speak what He’s promised. It gives God great joy when His children depend upon Him.

Father, help me to be active as You are. Active in my belief. Active in my speaking. Active in my loving and my giving. I don’t want to just sit on what You’ve provided for me, I want to use it for Your glory. You never intended for me to sit on my gifts, but to be actively using them for You. Everything I have is Yours. You are welcome to it. I ask You will bless and multiply my seed so that it will produce good fruit. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

2 Kings 2:19-22 TLB; Now a delegation of the city officials of Jericho visited Elisha. “We have a problem,” they told him. “This city is located in beautiful natural surroundings, as you can see; but the water is bad and causes our women to have miscarriages.”

“Well,” he said, “bring me a new bowl filled with salt.” So they brought it to him.

Then he went out to the city well and threw the salt in and declared, “The Lord has healed these waters. They shall no longer cause death or miscarriage.”

And sure enough! The water was purified, just as Elisha had said.

Several translations omit the fact that this is Jericho, you know, the first city the Israelis conquered after leaving the wilderness. It’s the city they marched around for 7 days and the walls fell down flat. Interesting. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the location, if you can’t drink the water without dying, that’s a bad thing. But they new if anyone could change things, it was the man who spoke for God in the earth, the prophet Elisha.

Salt in the water? Really? But notice that the men didn’t question, they did exactly what he said to do. What was the result of their obedience? The water was fixed. How did they know the water was fixed? They had to drink it, right? I can only imagine the scene at the well with this group of men. “You taste it first, you’re the oldest!” “No, you taste it, you’re youngest.” ” I know, lets give it to your wife. She’s pregnant, we’ll let her taste it first.” Sorry, my imagination runs away some times. Although it doesn’t mention it, human nature says it could have happened that way. Or perhaps not. Perhaps we’ve just lost our faith in the power of God to do what He says.

There’s an old song that pops into my mind, “Only Believe. Only Believe. All things are possible, Only Believe.” Only believe that when you speak Gods Word, it will come to pass. Only believe that if He said it, He will do it. Only believe that He is everything you need Him to be. Only believe that He still heals the waters, calms the storms, raises the dead, makes blind eyes see, heals diseases, sets the oppressed free. If you can believe, the bible says that all things are possible to those who believe.

Father, I believe. I believe that I’m Your daughter, made in Your image and likeness, created for greatness. I believe that when I speak Your Word, You listen and send Your angels to accomplish what it was sent to do. I believe that Your love changes lives. I believe that when we humble ourselves and pray, seek Your face and turn from our selfish, prideful ways, You forgive us and heal our land. I thank You for Your miracle working power that resides in me. You created me for signs, wonders and miracles just as You made Elisha to do the same. I expect You to make good on Your promises because You cannot lie. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

James 3:15-18 Voice; The wisdom of this world should never be mistaken for heavenly wisdom; it originates below in the earthly realms, with the demons.  Any place where you find jealousy and selfish ambition, you will discover chaos and evil thriving under its rule.  Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy.  The seed that flowers into righteousness will always be planted in peace by those who embrace peace.

Well said, brother James! I constantly hear people comment on debates and speeches given by every Joe and Jane in the political arena. “Oh, they’re so wise!” or “I think they could actually pull us out of the mess we’re in!” comes floating into my office as the gym members comment on what they heard. But this passage says that the wisdom of this world should never be mistaken for heavenly wisdom. I’d much rather see a humble man or woman who looks to God for answers, ask ‘we the people’ to pray and seek Gods face, then one who boldly stands and says, “I can change this!” Without God and Godly wisdom, nothing will ever change.

When asked, “Who are you voting for?” Your response should be, “I’m looking for leadership based on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy.” If you’re looking for a man or woman to fix the mess America is in, you’re looking in vain. Only God and a hunger for Him will save America. Only repentance, humble hearts and a sincere desire for His ways will change America. When men and women stop shouting out their displeasure and get on their knees to cry out for God’s mercy, than you’ll see change.

Father, I never talk about politics or get into debates, but I know I have a responsibility to pray, to seek Your face and turn from my own wicked ways. I know that I’m to ask forgiveness for abortions, the sacrifice of the unborn whose blood runs into the soil of our land. I am to pray for our leaders, husbands, fathers, mayors, governors, elected officials as well as the president and his family. Help me to be faithful to pray as You taught me to. I know that You will show me who to vote for and who You want to lead this great nation of ours. I thank You for wisdom that comes from You. I ask that today, I would walk in that wisdom in everything I do and say. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Acts 16:16-18 ERV;  One day we were going to the place for prayer, and a servant girl met us. She had a spirit in her that gave her the power to tell what would happen in the future. By doing this she earned a lot of money for the men who owned her.  She started following Paul and the rest of us around. She kept shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are telling you how you can be saved!”  She continued doing this for many days. This bothered Paul, so he turned and said to the spirit, “By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!” Immediately, the spirit came out.

Just because you know something, doesn’t mean you’re getting it right! I mean, really, this woman ‘knew’ that Paul and Silas were servants of God telling people to get saved, but her knowledge was given by an evil spirit rather than the Spirit of God. What she did was distracting and bothersome. Paul recognized it and commanded that spirit to come out of her and it did. In doing so, the men who owned her lost a lot of money and were angry, dragged them into the town square, the crowd turned on them and beat them severely then put them in jail.

Why? Why would God allow this to happen? These two were evangelizing and telling people about Jesus. Well, if you read on you will find that this is the place where Paul and Silas were singing praises in jail and God caused an earthquake to shake the prison and open the doors. When the jailer woke up and saw what had happened, he was about to kill himself but Paul cried out, “We’re still here!” He took them to his own house, cleaned their wounds, fed them and his whole house heard the gospel and got saved. This was a huge breakthrough for starting a first church in this city.

Just because we don’t understand, doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a plan. Our problem is we just don’t trust what we can’t see. Faith in God isn’t a ‘seeing is believing’ thing, it’s a ‘believing is seeing’ thing. I’ve never seen God, but I’ve seen the affect He has had and is still having in my life. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

I may not understand His plan, but I know He loves me and has my best on His mind. I may have not done it that way, but I know that His ways are higher then mine and that the end result will be the best result. I won’t be a ‘self made millionaire’, but I’ll be a ‘God made millionaire’. For everything, I praise Him and give Him the glory. It may be the final hour, but it will be my best hour. I will not question His ways, I will praise Him and continue to do what He’s called me to do-encourage others.

Father, there is just so much I want to say to You this morning. First of all, thank You that You are always working everything out in my life for Your glory. Thank You for making me Your daughter, designing my life so that it always shines for others to see the path that leads to You. I thank You for making my way prosperous and giving me great success. In all I do, may it reflect You to the world around me. Thank You for signs, wonders and miracles manifested daily in and through me. I know that You made me to be like Your son, Jesus, so may I do You proud today. It’s in His name I pray, Amen

Deuteronomy 2:7; ‘Remember that the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He knows about everything that happened on the trip through this great desert. The Lord your God has been with you these 40 years. You have always had everything you needed.’

Remember. Sometimes we’re so focused on what we’re facing that we forget to do that. Remember how good God has always been to you. I was talking to a dear friend last night who has faced so many challenges that I almost wanted to encourage her to quit. No kidding! I’ve been there. I’ve seen what they’ve been through and it ain’t pretty. As I prayed for them and was thinking about them this morning, God led me to an Elijah List article by Al Thomas, Look Up, Not Down; Financial Blessings Are Coming to the Church! I encourage you to read it because it will set your wrong thinking back on track again.

I don’t know about you, but when I remember all that God has done for me, I begin to rejoice. It just naturally causes me to get excited to know that the God who did it then is the same God that will do it now. The God who took care of the Israelites in the desert is the same God who will take care of us now. He is a good, good Father! He loves us so much! We are always on His mind and in His heart. The bible even says that our names are engraved on His fingers. WOW! He’s got some big hands and they’re full of blessings for us. We just need to believe. We just need to remember.

The devil is doing his job when he gets you to think about lack of money, lack of groceries, lack of a job. He just rubs his hands together and laughs when he sees he’s distracted you and caused you to doubt what God can do. My friend, you need to treat him like the pesky fly he is and get out your fly swatter! As soon as he lands, swat him away! Get out the Word and tell him off! He’s nothing more than a thief and a liar so don’t let him in your home or your mind! Philippians 4:8-9 tells you exactly what you’re to think on. Get your bible out and read it!!!!!

Oh Father, today I will think about Your goodness and what You’ve done for me! I will think about Your promises and hold fast to Your unchanging hand. I will rejoice in the victories I have seen with my own eyes and experienced in my own life. What I’m believing for are merely promises You’ve made to me and You are faithful to Your Word and You WILL do what You said You would do! Nothings too hard for You! Nothing! I will put on my dancing shoes and dance before you. I’m so excited for my future that I refuse to step back into my past. I’m no longer THAT girl any longer. I’m Your daughter and You are my Father. You always take care of Your own. I thank You and keep my eyes locked onto Your eyes today in Jesus’ name. Amen

Philippians 2:1-4 ERV; Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings,  then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think.  In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves.  Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.

I’ve often been asked how Walt and I have stayed married so long. This passage pretty much sums it all up; agree with each other (don’t argue over everything-it’s just not worth it) and SHOW your love for each other. Be united in your goals and the way you think. You have to be going in the same direction! Have goals that unite you, not divide you. Oh, and the next part is HUGE! Don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. You must always consider the other person because you two are one now. It will never be just about you ever again! If you want to live selfish, DON’T get married because there is no I in WE.

Lastly, be humble and honor your spouse above yourself. I try to brag on Walt, tell people what an awesome man he is. I do it in front of him and behind his back. We have this little game we play with each other, sort of a competition, to see who can outdo each other. We’re so focused on serving each other and creating a loving environment in our home, lifting each other up, helping each other reach goals, encouraging and praying for each other. Our goal is to be an example of what marriage was created it be like. Are we perfect-NO! Do we have problems-YES! But we don’t allow the problems to carry us away from each other, we merely link arms and find ways to overcome them.

Father, I thank you for the husband you’ve given me. I thank you for his deep love for You, that as he honors You, he honors me. Thanks for giving him to me because he was exactly who I needed to partner with in life. Through this journey, I have learned that love and service begins at home, everything else spills over from there. Bless my husband today. Enlarge his territory and give him good success in all he does. Your hand on his life, it’s the only blessing that matters. May he find favor with You and with man. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Exodus 3:14 AMP; And God said to Moses, I Am Who I Am and What I Am, and I Will Be What I Will Be; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I Am has sent me to you!

This verse has been stirring in my spirit since my friend spoke it at our Singles Bible study on Saturday. It seemed to be a reminder that God is everything and will be everything we need. Let that sink in for a moment. God is saying to you, “You need your debt canceled? I AM. You need healing in your body? I AM. You need direction through this construction zone? I AM. I AM always what you need when you need it. I AM!”

Our problem is a believing problem. We simply don’t believe that God is who He said He is nor do we believe that the promises of who we need Him to be is for us. Let me add this to that statement; If we truly believed that the Spirit of God who raised Christ from the dead lives in us, laying hands on the dead to raise them up would NOT be an issue for us. Moses believed it, that’s why he could stand before Pharaoh and say what God said. He knew irrevocably that God would do what He said He would. Standing before the Red Sea wasn’t an obstacle at all! He knew God would either split the sea or build a bridge because at that point, he was convinced that God could do anything!

I AM, You are all that and more to me. You said You would bless me and multiply me. You said You’d cause Your face to shine on me and give me peace. You said You’d be my healer, protector, strength, wisdom and provider. You said this is the year of Jubilee, that all my debts are canceled. You are who You are! You cannot lie because You are God. Every promise You made is living and active in me and as I decree them, they will not fall to the ground empty, but full of potential and possibility. Just as every seed falls into the ground and dies so that it can yield a great harvest, so is Your Word. It may seem inactive right now, but as I water the seed and You cause Your Son to shine on it, it will yield 100 fold now, in my lifetime. I will reap if I don’t faint and grow weary.

I speak blessings and increase over my friends today. I ask that You would reveal Yourself to them in new ways. Show them who You are and that You will never ever leave them, NEVER! May they keep their eyes steadfastly on the prize that You have placed before them, diligently pursuing Your Word and sweet intimacy with You. It’s in Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen