Jeremiah 17:8 AMP, For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.

Luke 12:29-30 GW, “Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things.  Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them.”

Oh my, I sure needed to read these verses this morning. Deadlines have a way of pressing in on every side of us until we feel the life squeeze out of us. Three weeks isn’t nearly enough time to pack up the rest of the house, find a place to live and move, all while working full time. If I were only a tree, planted by the water, roots drinking deeply, no fear, always bearing fruit. Wait, there is a place like that, where each of us can go and draw from everyday; in the presence of our Father. It’s a time where deep settled peace, washes over us continually, until all the insanity and turmoil is completely gone. Oh how I love that place.

“Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.” I can hear my mom singing this old hymn as she lifted her head toward God in remembrance of His ability to keep that which she had committed to Him. What a sweet example she’s always been, speaking of God’s promises in answer to our questions, “What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?” Mom always seemed to have the answers but her answer was HIS answer. She taught us to look to God’s Word for everything we needed. Jesus IS the answer, always.

Father, you are indeed the answer for every question. The solutions to every problem, and you have the key to every locked door. What doors you open, no man can close and what door you close, it doesn’t matter how much we pound on it, it won’t open. Help me to walk away from situations I can’t control and that frustrate the stew out of me. You already know the plans you have for me and you lead and guide me each step of the way. My heart trusts in you! I will not lean to my own understanding but in all my ways, I will acknowledge you as Provider, Healer, Deliverer, Strong Tower, Faithful Father, King of kings and Lord of lords. There has never been a problem you couldn’t solve nor a mountain you could not move. I give you glory, honor and praise because it’s in Your Name and for Your glory that I live and breathe. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Luke 6:12-16, Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:  Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;  Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;  Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

Jesus had many disciples or followers that he taught, but he saw the need to place 12 as apostles. These 12 men went with Jesus everywhere and did his bidding. You could say that they were put ‘in charge’ of the other disciples, seeing to their needs and issues that arose, so that Jesus could devote all of his time to teaching and doing miracles. These men were privy to intimate friendship with Christ, in other words, they were told things that Jesus didn’t share with the multitudes. He shared his heart and the heart of the Father with these few, even though it was a part of God’s plan that one betray him so that he could be the sacrifice for the world.

As I read this, I thought of the theatre of life and friends God has surrounded me with. Some have a front row seat, some are a part of the viewing audience, but all bring value with them. Some are seasonal, they come and go, taking what they need and giving to others. Some may be there for a few years, but they’re missionary friends, called to move on and influence other parts of the world. But there are a few, a select few, who know the intimate details of my life. They encourage me, they pray for me and I for them. We share meals together, our families know each other and in spite of all the flaws they see, they still love me unconditionally. They’re never easily offended, they know how to take me, never question my love.  We have learned that the benefits far outweighs the sacrifice.

The key here is to discern who God has placed in the front row seats of your life. Never think that just because you want them as a friend, that they would be the best friend for you. God knows who you need and who you don’t need, trust Him to make those choices for you. In other words, don’t take a seat just because you like it, wait until it’s offered to you. When they leave, thank God for the times you had and ask Him if this friendship should continue, even when they’ve moved to another state. Never be hurt or bitter over them leaving, rather be thankful.  I’ve been blessed with some very deep relationships who live far away. We talk when we can but each time we do, the Spirit of the Lord rushes in. We laugh, we cry, we encourage each other, but bottom line, miles don’t make a difference with a heart connection.

Father, I thank you for each and every person you’ve placed in my life. Near or far, I am rich because of the depth of love they hold for you and how they touch me personally.  I’m thankful that I allowed you to personally choose them for me, from my husband and children, to my very closest friends. They challenge me to hold fast to hope, reach for stars, dream bigger, wait patiently and love deeply. I ask that you will bless each one in the audience and those in the front row seats. May they be blown away by your sweet love and grace today as you lavishly poor out blessing on them. Meet every need, heal every hurt, sickness and disease. Be their best friend as they go about their day. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

Job 22:28, You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. Isaiah 45:19, I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

This morning I heard the Lord say, “It’s time to take your stand and begin to declare the things I’ve spoken; the things I’ve shown you must be spoken aloud. For only as you make declarations will it be established in the heavens and on the earth, it will come to pass.”

I’ve heard so many people say, “I don’t believe there are any prophets in the earth today.” My friend, each time you declare, “Jesus is coming soon!” you are prophesying the coming of the Lord. When you declare, “Kingdom come! Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” you are coming into agreement with what God has spoken. If you read the Word, commune with God and get His direction, you are qualified to be a mouthpiece for God. Jesus said that we are to be His witnesses. That requires opening our mouth and speaking what the Spirit of God is saying.

There are times when I’m in prayer and the Spirit will tell me to say something. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but hey, who am I but a servant of the Lord. I don’t have to see it to believe it. I just need to speak what he tells me to and let Him carry it out. You may think me crazy, but I don’t care much about what you think, I’m here to please the Lord. Opinions are like arm pits, they stink! Keep yours to yourself and you just focus on doing what God wants you to do.

Does God have to answer to man? I think not! We so often want to see the whole plan before we make a move to believe or speak, but that’s not how any of this works. It’s by faith, Abraham left all that was familiar and launched out on a journey that began a nation. It’s by faith, Moses went before Pharaoh and told him to let God’s people go. It was by faith, David took up 5 smooth stones and killed the giant. It was by faith, Mary received the seed of God and gave birth to the Messiah.

God is looking for someone who will declare what He says in the earth. Will it be you? He said, “You will declare a thing it it will be established for you.” YOU!

Father, I thank you that by the blood of Jesus, I am saved, healed, delivered and provided for. I thank you that your promises to me are yes and amen. Every place the soles of my feet will walk has been given to me. Souls are being added daily to your Kingdom. I walk in the authority Jesus gave to me when he took the keys of death, hell and the grave from satan and placed him under my feet. No weapon formed against me will prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgement, you will condemn it. I am your servant, which means my life is not my own, I am bought with a price, therefore I will glorify you in my body.

As I go about my day today, may my words be Your Words. May I use my mouth to declare and agree with Your Word, not the opinion of man. Wake our hearts today to be mindful of what we speak. May we be salt and light in the world as you created us to be. It’s in Jesus’ Name and for Your glory, Amen.

Joshua 1:1-9, After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The word courage is defined; the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.  Middle English states, “What is in ones mind or thoughts.” The word ‘strong’ isn’t just about physical strength, but strength of mind.  My thoughts on this is that God was telling Joshua to fortify his mind and trust completely in His ability to deliver on His promises.

Think about it for just a moment if you will. Let’s say your car breaks down and you have no money to get it fixed. Fear sets in, right? You begin to think, “What am I going to do? How will I get to work? Where will the money come from? My credit is shot!” Why does that happen? Because your trust was in something that is gone-money. But say your mind was fortified, strong and trusted completely in God. How would this same scenario play out then? “Father, I thank you that your Word says that You supply all my needs according to your riches, not mine. Thank you that you give me wisdom and favor in everything I face. There is nothing too hard for you.

“I thank you for my car, but I’m not dependent on that as my source. You alone are my Provider and my heart trusts in You. Nothing is too hard for you! You are a God of Your Word and I thank you that my steps are ordered by You. You take great delight in the plans You have for me. Great will be my peace and undisturbed composure. Even when the world falls apart around me, my hope is in You. Thank you for your provision in every area of my life. You are my Father, thank You for loving me.”

Do you see that? Our fear comes from our inability to control of fix things. But our God is well able to keep what we commit to Him. When we place all of our trust in Him instead of searching for this way and that way, this man or that man, this doctor or that doctor, this bank or that bank, we are transferring the control to someone much bigger then we are.

Father, make me strong in Your Word and courageous to trust in You. I will always fail if I try to do it all myself, but You never fail. Thanks for speaking to my heart this morning. I love to listen to Your voice, it’s music to my ears. It calms and soothes my spirit, teaches me truth and shows me the right paths to take. Without You I would be lost with no course or purpose. I owe you everything. I am Yours, Jesus. Amen

Esther 4:13-16, And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.  For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:  “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

One of my favorite stories in the bible, for sure! I love how throughout history, God delivered His people when they cried out to Him. If you’ve never read this book, it’s a must read. This is a beautiful story of a girl who was taken from her home, forced to be prepared for the Kings harem, chosen as queen, then used of God to save the Jews from an evil plot. Since we are in the days when Jews everywhere are celebrating Purim, I wanted to read this story again this morning to give better understanding. What I didn’t expect is the following statement from the Lord this morning.

God has placed you where you are for a specific purpose. It’s not by chance you are in this job, this city, this church, this home. God has elevated you to the position you are in right now, for His Kingdom, not your own. What will you do with what He has called you to do? What if it costs you everything? What if He places at your disposal more wealth then you’ve ever seen? Will you still be faithful? Will you keep before you first and foremost, the desires of your God? Can He trust you with what He’s about to take you to?

Father, my heart is set on you, your purpose, your Kingdom. Jesus only did Your will, not his own. Your will was to deliver us from the wicked plan of our enemy who wanted to keep us in bondage, to kill us and rob us of the authority You had given us. Father, I ask that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. I submit myself, my will and my wants to You. It’s You I am here for. It’s You who has placed me where I am. If I have found favor in Your sight, use me to satisfy your needs today. I give You complete access to everything I have and everything that I am. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

I John 3:18 GNT; My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

How do you show love in action? By helping others in anyway you can. Jesus said that if you have the resources but merely say, “I’ll pray for you,” and go on your way, that’s not love. Anyone can ‘say’ they care, but to really care, you help alleviate the suffering. Jesus didn’t say to do it all yourself, no, we are to affect our own sphere of influence, those around us, the ones God places in our path to see how we’ll respond.

He didn’t say, “Wait until you win the lottery or are fully vested,” He simply said to put action to your words and love like God does. Kingdom says, “I’ll give while I have little,” but the world says, “I’ll wait till I have more.” My friend, if you have that attitude, you will never have enough to give nor will God bless what little you have. What you do with the little actually determines the blessings on what remains.

In Luke 6:38 Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Did you see that? What are you using as a measure to give. If you use a spoon, a spoon will be used to bless you back with, but if you use a dump truck, look out, the blessing could bury you alive.

Father, may I be observant today to be a blessing to someone. Sometimes I miss opportunities that you place smack dab in front of my face. I can be so self absorbed at times, but give me another chance to put action to my words. I want to walk in your footsteps and be a giving and loving daughter. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 58:13-14 GNT;  The Lord says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day,  then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

When I was growing up, the only thing open on Sunday was a few gas stations. No one worked on Sundays because saved and unsaved alike were treated to a day when you actually rested. Factories were closed. Stores were closed. There weren’t even restaurants open on Sunday so that families could enjoy dinner together at home. Even Christians today who attend church on Sundays, enjoy a meal out at the favorite eatery at the expense of cooks, waitresses and busboys who work on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath to you may be Saturday or Sunday, depending on your faith, but regardless, it’s a day that we should be giving wholly to the Lord. I wonder what would happen to us as a family, as a city or a nation, if we were to revert back to this old practice. Well, this passage says we will find joy that comes from serving Him and will be honored all over the world and enjoy the land He has given us. So few people truly take the time to enjoy what they have. They are always after more money, bigger homes, more things, better clothing, the latest technology, a smarter smart phone.

Father, I am satisfied with you. Forgive me for not honoring the entire Sabbath day and setting it apart for you alone. I have been guilty of doing things that pleasure me, not things that pleasure you. One day. It’s all you’ve asked for and I am squeezing it into a few hours of that day when I gather together in church with other believers. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to enjoy your presence the entire day. To minister to you from sun up to sunset. It’s to you and for your glory I ask this, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

I Kings 17:8-16;  Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,  “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”  So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.”  And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”

So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”

So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate formany days.  The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of theLord which He spoke by Elijah.

This story is one of many in the bible that shows what happens when we put God first. Bringing our tithe to the Lord isn’t because God needs our money, it’s simply returning to Him what is already His. If we don’t, we become thieves, using what wasn’t meant for us to keep. This widow woman knew how God worked. She knew of Gods deliverance and provision to the children of Israel, so when the prophet of God was sent to her and asked for a cake first, she recognized it as an avenue for God to take care of her and her boys.

When we always put God first at our own expense, He will trust us with more than enough. TD Jakes says it like this, “The principle is in the priority; if you don’t master it, you’ll always want.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just bring my tithes because it’s what God requires, I want to add to it an offering out of the knowledge that God can do more with the little I have then I ever could. I don’t want to live life focused on my little, I want to live life focused on His vast supply.

Oh Father, the tenth is yours and I freely give that to you, but you can’t bless me on what is yours, you bless me out of my own supply. You’re after being master of my heart and if I”m stingy, you can’t bless me. That’s why you said that if I have it to give and don’t, I’ve missed it. You always give me opportunities to bless others, you’re just waiting to see what I’ll do with it. If I have food and feed the needy first, you love that. If I have a room and someone needs a place to stay, even temporarily, you see that as a seed. If I hang on tightly to what I have, it will be taken from me and given to someone else you can trust, but when I give it to you first, it opens the windows of heaven to pour out a ‘more than enough’ supply.

By surrendering my bank account to you, it gives you access to what is mine so that you can give me access to all that is yours. I will not be a hoarder, I will be a philanthropist for you, giving where you tell me to give, when you tell me to give it. If I do this with my own money, you will trust me with more. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

“On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”  If you were raised in church as I was, you’ll recognize that old hymn. But do you understand the meaning of it?

I Samuel 2:2; “No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”

I’ve never been mountain climbing, nor do I know much about it, but I do know there are many types of rock. I remember studying rocks in school when I was young, collecting them and examining them. There are rocks like sandstone, that will actually crumble. There are rocks that can crush other rocks. But there is one Rock that when all other rocks fail, will remain; God, the rock of our salvation. When we build on Him, we will never be moved.

As many of you listen to the news and hear all the turmoil going on around you, I hope that you will remember that when you make God your foundation, His promise to you is that you will not be moved. All through the Word, you’ll find that when you really know who God is and that you are His children and heirs to the promises, these things are not meant to cause you to fear, but to trust more deeply in God. Sometimes we’re tested to see if we’re going to stay on the Rock or jump off. It’s a no brainer, right? Stay on the Rock! But you’d be surprised how many people allow fear to drive them into unstable situations because they trust more in what they see then what they know.

Friend, we must know our God and completely trust in Him. When you don’t get your miracle when you thought you should have, stand on the Rock. When the deadline has come and gone and your mind is screaming, “THIS ISN’T WORKING!”, stand on the Rock your provider. When the doctors report says the opposite of what you’re believing for, stand on the Rock your healer. The earth may quake around you, but when you’re standing on the Rock, you will not be moved. It’s so important that you get this.

“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Father, in the middle of my immense storm, may I remember this truth and not move myself from the safety of your arms. It’s in your mighty, precious name I pray, Amen.

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT; Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hold tightly without wavering. That word waver means;become unsteady; begin to fail or give way; to feel or show doubt, indecision, etc.; vacillate. James 1:6 says, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” Does this describe you in life? Wavering is a bad thing! Where is our focus? What have we been thinking on?

These are verses I have kept very close to my heart, because there are times when a really bad storm comes along and threatens to blow me away, to shake the foundation of my faith. But there is one thing I want to say to you this morning, when God is your foundation and the focus of your trust, nothing, absolutely nothing can shake that. It reminds me of Psalm 91 which is my proclamation each day. He is my place of safety, my God in whom I place my complete trust and total confidence. He is faithful. He will keep me safe. He will be my shield and tower. I won’t be afraid! I will see it with my eyes but it won’t come near me, nor my husband, nor may children, nor my children’s children. Everything around me may fall apart, but I will be safe in the arms of God.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” I know of whole lot of people that don’t go to church. They make every excuse in the book why they don’t, but let me tell you this, the church is a meeting place where we’re encouraged and encourage others. The time is short and Jesus is coming soon. Being part of a body is how God designed us to operate. A finger would not just look silly all by itself, but it would become dead and useless. Connect that finger to a hand and it has purpose. Find your place and encourage one another.

Father, I’m thankful for the body you have connected me to. I will be a healthy part of that body and do what you’ve called me to do. I will eat my daily bread, the Word you’ve spoken to me, and drink the blood of Jesus Christ, His DNA that makes me righteous and gives me access to You. I will be a viable giver, not a hoarder, seeding into others so that You may reap a great harvest when you return for us. My eyes, my thoughts and my hope will remain on you, author and finisher of my faith. It’s in Jesus Name I pray. Amen