Jude 1:17-22;  ^“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said would happen. They told you, “In the last times there will be people who laugh at God and do only what they want to do—things that are against God.”  These are the people who divide you. They are not spiritual, because they don’t have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up even stronger. Pray with the help of the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves safe in God’s love, as you wait for the Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.  Help those who have doubts.  Rescue those who are living in danger of hell’s fire. There are others you should treat with mercy, but be very careful that their filthy lives don’t rub off on you.”

This very short letter written by Jude, James brother, could have been written for us today. It hits the target when he explains in verse 4 that “They are against God. They have used the grace of our God in the wrong way—to do sinful things.” He’s not writing this to sinners, but people in the church. Often I see the church making allowances for people to continue sinning within the church. They turn their eyes and hearts in the other direction, away from the Word of truth which clearly calls sin, sin.

Jude says that they’re not spiritual because they don’t have the Spirit. You see, it’s the Spirit of God that leads us into all truth. It’s the Spirit of God who is our helper, our comforter and who gives us wisdom, understanding and discernment. If we submit our desires to the Lord, He will show us which are right and which are wrong and the Word of God will confirm it to us. You see, the grace of God was given to help us to keep from sinning, not give us special privilege to do whatever we think or feel is right. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” So he knew we had weaknesses and never intended for us to use our own strength to win the battle of our flesh. He wants us to rely on His strength. How do we do this, by praying in the Holy Spirit (tongues-see Acts 2:4) which according to Jude makes us stronger.

Oh how I love the Word of God. It gives us such clarity if we’ll just read it and obey it. It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When I don’t know which way to go, I pray in the Spirit and ask God to show me. As I wait on the Lord and read His Word, He always shows me clearly that there is only one way to live with peace and joy, that is to obey His Word alone. Not mans compromised version of the Word. Not the law of the land, but the Word. Anything or anyone that attempts to usurp the Word of God is a liar and the truth is not in them. It’s time to take a stand for truth in love. It must be our moral compass.

Father, I’m again thankful that your Word is alive and powerful, sharper than a two edged sword or scalpel, cutting out false statements and compromise. Thank you that You love us so much that You sent Your Word to heal us and deliver us from all our diseases. Thank You for Your son, Jesus who gave His life so that we could live, not as powerless wimpy Christians, but You sent us the Holy Spirit to live with us and make us strong, always abiding in the truth of Your Word. I pray for each one of my friends, perhaps they’ve allowed others to define Your Word for them instead of relying on Your Holy Spirit to lead them into truth. Show them Your ways, oh Lord. Renew a right spirit within them. May they turn and become Your disciples in Jesus’ name. Amen

Psalm 34:19 ICB, People who do what is right may have many problems. But the Lord will solve them all.

Being a Christian does NOT exempt you from problems. Not by a long shot! In fact, if you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced more than your fair share of troubles. I know I have. The difference is this; We have the Lord to solve all our problems. You’re probably reading this thinking, “Sandy, I’ve had a slew of problems that didn’t get solved, at least not the way I thought they should have.”  Well, perhaps it’s because you tried to solve it instead of allowing God to.

I think the most difficult thing to do at times is wait on the Lord. There have been times when I’ve respectfully said, “Lord, um, I’m sure you’re aware that on earth, we have these things called ‘deadlines’ or ‘due dates’. Mine is coming up soon and I’m no closer to having an answer then when I brought it before you the first time. Could I maybe put a rush order on it?” That may have brought a smile to your face but we’ve all done it, right?

There is more to God than I will ever know in my lifetime, but Deuteronomy 4:29 says if I pursue Him with my whole heart, I will find Him so here I go, continuing my search. I’m not good at waiting, but Isaiah 40:31 says for those who wait on the Lord will be strong again so waiting is like exercising, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Trust is not always easy, but Psalm 18:30 says. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Bottom line; You trust those you know. You know those you have relationship with. No relationship, no trust. Know God, know you can trust Him. Psalm 40:1 says it like this; I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry for help. So next time you’re waiting, wait patiently. Take a deep breath, let it out, smile and just tell the Lord you love Him. Thank Him for hearing you and making a way for you. Thank Him for solving all your problems for you, with you and through you. He’s good all the time.

Father, I’m so glad you’re my problem solver. We’ve faced some very challenging times and weird seasons in the past, but oh how wonderful to have You on my side. Where would I be without You? Even when I run ahead, I know you’re with me because You said You’d never ever leave me. Please be with my friends today as they learn to trust in You. May their confidence in You be strengthened as they stand on the Rock. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT; “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?  But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.  I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

Well, that’s an uplifting word, right? The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. When I first read this I thought, geez, if God searches our heart and knows our secret motives, there are going to be a whole lot of us with a reward we won’t be looking forward to. But two verses before that I read; “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

My heart may be wickedly deceitful and difficult to control, but when I trust in the Lord and have made Him my hope, I am planted in His Word and my roots go deep enough to keep me from being blown over by every wind of change that comes my way. I will be fruitful in dry seasons and be strong and healthy. My rewards are in not just knowing about God, but knowing God as friend and confidant.

Oh to be like Him. To love like Him, walk like Him, speak like Him, heal like Him, that is truly my hearts desire. We’ve all heard the saying, ‘You become like those you spend the most time with’, well I want to hang with Jesus. I want His words to come out of my mouth everyday. I want to be moved with compassion, to heal the sick and raise the dead so that the name of Jesus will be once again known in the earth. Who else will carry His presence? Who else will set aside time to have a heart change? To allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in them so that they can be fruitful in the earth?

Father, pick me! I surrender all of my selfish heart to You. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. I submit to Your way not my way. Give me the grace I need to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in Your love. It’s for Your glory and praise. Amen

Proverbs 2:3-5, Yes, if you want better insight and discernment, and are searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure, then wisdom will be given you and knowledge of God himself; you will soon learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting Him.

One definition of the word discern is; distinguish (between), separate (by sifting). I like that. I remember sifting flour when I was young and all the larger lumps were left in the sifter and the finer flour was in the bowl. Sifting is a way to get the good stuff away from the bad stuff.

I’m thankful that I know the Word enough to discern truth from fiction. I’ve watched movies based on Bible stories and listened to people comment on how accurate it was. REALLY? I was not hesitant to say, “No, it was not accurate at all. Read it for yourself!” We live in a world where people would rather be entertained then to know the truth. Not me! Truth is always better than fiction! I don’t just want to be entertained. I don’t want to just hear a sweet word on Sunday. I want to know the Word and have it confirmed to me on Sunday. If I’d never cracked open my bible, then our pastor could read a Mother Goose storybook and it would be good enough.

“But it’s so hard to understand! I just can’t read the Bible!” Get a different translation! Find a version that you can read or switch back and forth between several versions. It’s nice sometimes to read a familiar passage with  another perspective, but know this, YOU must read the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to understand. That’s what He’s there for, to lead you into all truth.

God’s Word is final authority for everything. If I hear something that makes me question, I try to find it in the Word. If it’s not there, I flush it! Learn to discern. You have to hunt for it like you’re looking for lost treasure. Be a seeker, for if you seek with all your heart, you will find it.

Father, I thank you for giving me Your Word and helping me to understand it, to speak it, to believe it. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It shows me the way to go and gives me the strength to get there. I hunger for Your Word. I taste and see that it is good. It satisfies my life with good things, it refreshes me and causes me to be victorious over the schemes of the enemy. How I love Your Word. You said I would find You when I seek You with all my heart and here You are. I love You, Lord. I ask You will walk with me this day. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

John 2:23-25, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Many people believed in him because they saw the miraculous signs he did.  But Jesus did not trust them, because he knew how all people think.  He did not need anyone to tell him what a person was like. He already knew.

Ever feel compelled to tell Jesus all about it? The way you’re being treated? The things that are going on in the world? About your lack? Your sickness? How people have lied about you and made fun of you? How you lost your job? Your house? How unfairly you’re being paid? Guess what? He doesn’t need anyone to tell Him what a person is like because He already knows.

It’s a well known fact that whatever you give your attention to, grows and whatever you ignore, shrinks. If you have two plants, one you water and fertilize, the other you neglect and don’t care for, which of those plants will thrive and which one will die. It’s the same with anything, good or bad. Whatever you give your attention to will thrive so you’d better be watchful as to what you give most of your thoughts and words.

Perhaps it would be better to stop talking about it and just believe that He is able to change each situation you’re in, whether you created it for yourself or someone else set you up for it. Perhaps if we spent more time speaking of His goodness, His mercy and grace, we’d spend less time griping and complaining as if He didn’t know. Guess what? God already knows what is going on in the world. He’s aware of what our president is doing, He put him into office. Yes that’s right! You may not like his policies but he is a part of Gods mighty plan for these last days. Who are you to question God? He who knows the end from the beginning is well able to take care of this thing. Is anything too hard for God? Well, when you talk about the problem like you do, you’re exalting the problem over the power of God to change it.

Father, we exalt or make large Your most Holy Name! There is nothing You’re not aware of or able to take care of so today, instead of looking at the news, we look at Your Word. Instead of looking at our lack, we see You as Provider. Instead of looking at our sickness, we see You as Healer. Instead of talking about the battle we face, we see You as our Strong Tower, Mighty Deliverer, Redeemer, King of kings and Lord of lords. You rule and reign supreme. No one has knocked You off Your throne! You’re still watching over us and even if we feel alone, Your Word says You’ll never leave us or forsake us, NEVER! So we thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. We thank You for victory over every area we currently struggle with. I am compelled to worship You and to praise You for all You are and all You will do. It’s in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen

I’ve just finished reading the longest Psalm, chapter 119, 176 verses total. Throughout the entire chapter I hear a constant repeating pattern and that is his love for Gods Words, His laws and precepts. Oh trust me, David questions what’s going on, he even whines a bit, but he always goes back to how good God is and praises Him in the middle of what he’s going through.

I think we can all take a lesson from this great king of Israel. He had learned that regardless of what he faced, the more he focused on Gods Word, the more he fell in love with the God who loved him. Verses 157-160 is a great example; I have many enemies trying to hurt me, but I have not stopped following your rules. I look at those traitors and hate what I see, because they refuse to do what you say. See how much I love your instructions! Lord, I know your love is true, so let me live. Every word you say can be trusted. Your laws are fair and will last forever.

Do you see that? He poured his heart out to the Lord as a king to his King. He understood Gods authority to change any circumstance. He knew that if he went before the Lord with his problems, he could trust Him to do the right thing. He understood that the Kings Word was law and could not be broken. He merely reminded God that he loved His Word. In doing that, he was also confidently taking his requests and requirements before the great King who had fought his enemies countless times before and won.

Psalms 119: 137-144 is my prayer today.

Lord, you do what is right, and your decisions are fair. The rules you have given us are right. We can trust them completely.
 Something that really upsets me is the thought that my enemies ignore your commands. I love your word. Time and again it has been proven true. I am young, and people don’t respect me. But I have not forgotten your instructions. Your goodness is forever, and your teachings can be trusted. Even though I have troubles and hard times, your commands give me joy. Your rules are always right. Help me understand them so that I can live. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Romans 10:17 Amplified;  So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

Where does faith come from and how do we use it? If faith has purpose, what is it? In Romans 12:3, we are told that each of us is given a measure of faith, so we know that we each have faith, right? Some of us have used our faith to believe in Jesus as our Redeemer, our sacrifice for sin. We believe in what He did on the cross “by faith” we are saved. It’s not by being good or doing good, it’s when we use our faith to believe. That is every Christians first exercise of their faith and often it is the only time they exercise their faith,

There was a woman that came to Jesus who had an issue of blood, remember her? She’s talked about in each one of the gospels, but I found her story first in Matthew 9:20-22. It’s a short two verses that seem to explain a lot about exercising our faith.

²⁰ And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. ²¹ For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” ²² But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

We know a few things about this woman from the gospels. First of all, she was a woman of means because she had spent all of her money on doctors and only grew worse. Secondly, she had heard reports about Jesus and the miracles He had done among the people. News travels mouth to mouth when there are no newspapers or television, so I’m sure all of her friends were talking about Him, each time she went to the market she heard about Him. So much so that she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”

Lastly, she put her faith into motion. She went and pressed through to crowd of people. Look, this woman was not well, she’d been bleeding for 12 years. I’m pretty sure she was weak to say the least, but she was determined to not let her feelings deter her from reaching her destiny. How long she pushed toward Him isn’t known, but her persistence paid off and she got what she had come for. The coolest part of this is found in Mark 5:30; And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

You see, Jesus knows when someone touches Him by faith! Not only had she received His power to heal, but He felt it leave Him as she reached out to touch Him. You may be waiting on Him to heal you, but let me assure you of this one thing, everything Jesus ever needed to do for your healing was done when they whipped Him (Isaiah 53:5). Your confidence must come from hearing and reading the Word, then reaching out to receive it. If all you can do is lift your arm and touch His robe, then do it. He’s waiting on you.

In my spirit I hear this old song my mom used to sing; “Reach out and touch the Lord as He passes by. You’ll find He’s not too busy to hear your hearts cry. He’s passing by this moment your need He’ll supply. Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.” Whatever you’re needing He’s made provision for it, reach out and take it. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of what is rightfully yours by trying to convince you that you’re not worthy. You became worthy when you believed on Jesus to be your personal Savior. He’s all that and more to you today, He’s only waiting on you to reach out and touch Him.

Father, I extend my faith to touch You today. I lift my hands up and worship You as everything I need, You’ve provided. I’m thankful for the blood of Your Son that made a way for me to access all I would ever have need of, so I come to You boldly to obtain favor in my time of need. I reach up to take my healing. I reach up to take my provision. I reach up to take my wisdom. I reach up to take my peace and protection. I reach up to take my success. I love You so much, Father! Today, I not only exercise my faith for me, I exercise my faith for my friends who read this, those who are in desperate need of an answer. Father, show them great and mighty things that they know not of. Reveal Your great grace and mercy to them as they reach out in faith as well. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Acts 16:25-26, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Our worship is not just an expression of deep gratitude toward a wonderful loving Savior or love toward our God, it’s the power to loose chains of bondage and oppression, to open prison doors to set captives free. Worship shouldn’t just be something we do when we’re in church, it should accompany us wherever we go. Every morning when we rise, His praise should be on our lips (Hebrews 13:5). Praise sets the atmosphere to walk in freedom. It doesn’t just open literal prison doors as it did for Paul and Silas, it opens us up for salvation from whatever we face (Psalm 50:23 TLB, But true praise is a worthy sacrifice; this really honors me. Those who walk my paths will receive salvation from the Lord.)

It makes you want to praise Him, doesn’t it? So do it! Lift your hands and focus on Him. Oh God, I praise Your holy and wonderful name. You are great! Your name above all names! Holy are You! Worthy! Full of power to save, heal and deliver! Great are Your many works. When I think of all You’ve done, I get giddy with excitement of what You have planned for me! Halleluiah! No one like You! You have set the path of my life. You order my steps. You remove obstructions. You reveal to me Your glory. You have great plans for me. Oh how I love You. My praise is a weapon against my enemy. He may come against me one way, but he must flee before me 7 ways because of my praise to You. You wrap me up in Your glory and my life becomes a sacrifice of praise to You.

I will close with Psalm 100 TLB: Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy. Try to realize what this means—the Lord is God! He made us—we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.  For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.

John 14:12-14, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

It wasn’t enough for Jesus to say it once, but twice; “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do.” I was listening to a camp meeting with Kenneth Hagan from 1997 and one of the closers, Keith Moore said something that has been stirring in my spirit all nigh long. He said that he had heard Kenneth Hagan teach that if you ask for the Holy Ghost and don’t receive Him, it’s because of one of two things; 1. No faith and 2. Not yielding.

The same is true when we ask in Jesus name. Either we have no faith in the Name and it’s ability to save, heal and deliver, or we’re not yielded to the working of Gods power to flow through us. Go back with me to the moment Jesus spoke to the fig tree to dry up. He just kept on walking because knew the power of His words, He’s already seen what happened when His Father spoke. So faith is fully expecting that what you ask for is going to happen, period! You ask in Jesus’ Name then go about your business fully confident that the words you speak are backed by the God who created the universe.

Healing? If you asked in Jesus’ name, it’s already done. The key to receiving is praising Him for what He’s done, speaking the Word to doubt and unbelief (like Jesus in the wilderness), being confident that just as Jesus said in the above verses, it WILL be done. Please don’t judge Gods ability to do what He said just because it didn’t ‘work’ for you. If the miracle you’re waiting on hasn’t manifested yet, examine your thoughts. Are you just letting them run wild or are you coming against them out loud with the Word of God. It is written, “By His stripes I am healed.” “If I ask anything in Jesus’ Name it WILL be done!” Hear this, if you’re not willing to take the sword of the spirit and do some battle, you’ve already allowed doubt and unbelief to undermine the ability of God to deliver on His promises.

Father, I yield myself to You today. Not just my hands, but my feet, my mind and my mouth. May I speak You Word with confidence in Your ability, not my own. It’s all for Your glory, not to make a name for myself, but to lift up Your Name. It’s never Your will that any should perish, but all would come to repentance, so Father, use me today to bring glory to Your Name. To have faith in You, to say it and walk away knowing that You always keep Your Word, it never returns to you void. Help me to recognize the schemes of the enemy to undermine Your Word and to immediately cast those thoughts down. If it doesn’t look like You, doesn’t sound like You, it’s not You! I will not be fooled because I know You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Acts 11:16, Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Jude 1:20-21, But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

I currently run a physical therapy and fitness center and have been able to watch people build up their bodies so that they can do what they were unable to do. Physical exercise is important, because the muscles you don’t use today will be the muscles you need to use but can’t tomorrow. As important as it is to have physical strength, we must remember that we are a spirit that lives in a body. What good is a strong body if our spirit is weak. We can’t neglect either one because a strong spirit without a strong body is incapable of doing what the Spirit of God wants us to accomplish.

Through the New Testament, we are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit or baptized in the Spirit, but because we don’t understand how it works, we’re afraid of it, afraid we will not have control of our tongue. Trust me on this, most of us can’t control our tongue anyways, but if the Holy Spirit can help with that, we’d better ask for a double portion! Jude said that it builds up our faith. I like to think of it as spiritual muscle building. The more you pray in the Holy Spirit, the stronger you get in your inner self.

As with anything, it’s a discipline we all need to work on. You can start by praying in the shower, it’s something you do everyday and takes about 10 minutes, so that may be a place to start. Driving to work may also be a good place to continue this practice, it may also help you to be less angry on your ride. However you chose to do it, do it as often as you can. Paul wrote, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit“, it was one of the weapons of our warfare he talked about in Ephesians 6. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Don’t worry about how it sounds, just know that the Spirit is praying through you to accomplish great things in the spirit realm and that is where it counts the most.

Father, make us more aware of using our prayer language for optimal use in the spirit realm. When we don’t know how to pray, praying in our heavenly language is the perfect way to pray because Your Spirit makes intercession for us. Use us for signs, wonders and miracles. Make us bold in our walk with You, our partnership with Your Spirit in the earth. May we trust you deeper and be more affective in our walk with You. It’s in Jesus Name we pray. Amen