1 Samuel 18: 7

"As they celebrated, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands." ~ (1 Samuel 18: 7)

May an overinflated ego not get in the way of our service to God when someone else does something better or the Lord has a position of honor for one and what we may perceive to be a lowly one for us. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13: 4

"Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited." ~ (1 Corinthians 13: 4)

Happy Friday, Family. Amen.

Truth!

Ephesians 4:11-12
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ...”

a) Apostles - Today it is a ministry, not an office, of signs and wonders applicable to all ages. This  ministry is involved in the planting of churches. The apostolic function is similar to the task of the pioneer missionary today.

b) Prophets - Those who have a special ministry of inspired utterance. While the apostles and evangelists take the Gospel to the unregenerate world, the prophets exercise an edifying ministry to the church.

c) Evangelists - The ministry of an evangelist in a real sense overlaps the ministries of apostles and pastors in the New Testament. The function of the evangelist is to be the first to bring the Gospel to those who have not yet heard.

d) Pastors - Under-shepherds, having the ministry and responsibility of caring for and protecting God’s flock as well as being worthy of their imitation.

e) Teachers - Those who were given a special ability to explain and interpret the truth of God’s revelation.

Luke 14: 8

"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited." ~ (Luke 14: 8)

"Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it." ~ Colin Powell

Seek!

Seek to enter & remain in the Presence of God!

Mark 10: 18

"Why do you call Me good? Jesus answered. 'No one is good except God alone." ~ (Mark 10: 18)

A blessed Wednesday to you all. Amen.

Habakkuk 2: 4 EGO

"Look, his ego is inflated, he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith." ~ (Habakkuk 2: 4)

EGO - the self as contrasted with another self or the world.

Galatians 6: 3

"If anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." ~ (Galatians 6: 3)

When praise is given and success comes, Lord keep us from becoming egocentric. We are but dust and ashes and capable of good only by Christ. Amen.

Luke 2:5

"So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David." ~ (Luke 2: 5)

May we, like Joseph, be obedient and humble in our service to the Lord, never seeking undue recognition. Amen.

Matthew 2: 13

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up!' he said. 'Take the Child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him." ~ (Matthew 2: 13)


God bless. Amen.

John 1: 45

"Phillip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph." ~ (John 1: 45)

"Joseph has taught me unconditional love, honor, trust, faith, obedience, patience, and all a father or stepfather can be." ~ Kris Swiatoche

Matthew 1: 24 - 25

"When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but did not know her intimately until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His name Jesus." ~ (Matthew 1: 24-25)

Praise God. Amen.

Matthew 13: 15 JOSEPH

"Isn't this the carpenter's Son? Isn't His mother named Mary, and aren't His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?" ~ (Matthew 13: 15)

JOSEPH - husband of Mary, Jesus' foster father, ancestor of King David, and carpenter by trade.

Matthew 1: 19

"Because Joseph, her husband was a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, he planned to send her away secretly." ~ (Matthew 1: 19)

So little is written about Joseph, but so much can be learned from that little. Lord, thank You for what we can learn from the life of Your stepfather. Amen. 

God's Word is meant to change us!

2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

During my studies in ministry, I have encountered some questions that have been very challenging & helpful to me.

One of them was this one:
What is the inherent danger in Bible study?
It can degenerate into a process that’s intellectually fascinating, but spiritually frustrating. You can get mentally excited by the truth, yet fail to be morally changed by it.

What two-sided task is necessary to avoid this pitfall?
a. First, we must get into the Word of God for ourselves.
b. But then we must allow that Word to get into us, to make a permanent difference in our character and conduct.

I pray that this will be helpful to someone this day!

"GOD BLESS YOU ALL!"

2 Corinthians 10: 5

"We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." ~ (2 Corinthians 10: 5)

Lord, when the world challenges our faith, may we not back down and when people tell lies about You, may we stand for truth. Amen.

Genesis 2: 7

"Then the LORD God formed man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." 

~ (Genesis 2: 7)

God MADE us. We are NOT the product of millions of years of evolution! Amen.

1 Peter 2: 15

"For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." ~ (1 Peter 2: 15)

"If the truth offends let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while." ~ John MacArthur

Jude 1: 3

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once and for all entrusted to God's holy people." ~ (Jude 1: 3)

It's freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Amen.  

May I Never!

Galatians 6:14
"But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

"MAY I NEVER!!!"

We are called to recognize our need for Christ & then go into the world and help them recognize their need also.

As Christians, we have a God-given responsibility to spread the Good News.

Let us not dare build our own kingdom when we are called into God's Kingdom.

The only kingdom that is a lasting kingdom is the Kingdom of God.

God has shown us grace by allowing us to enter His Kingdom through what Christ did on the Cross of Calvary.

"LET US NEVER ATTEMPT TO DETHRONE GOD!"

"LET US NEVER ATTEMPT TO ROB HIM OF HIS GLORY!"

"LET US NEVER, I MEAN 'NEVER' ATTEMPT TO BOAST IN ANYTHING BUT THE CROSS OF CHRIST JESUS THAT SAVED OUR SOULS FROM ETERNAL SEPARATION & DAMNATION!"

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!"

Proverbs 31: 9 DEFEND

"Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." ~ (Proverbs 31: 9)

DEFEND - 1. to take action against attack or challenge. 2. to support in the face or argument or hostile criticism.

Titus 1: 9

"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." ~ (Titus 1: 9)

Lord, help us to be courageous defenders of our faith in and age of skepticism and rebellion. Amen.

Psalm 78: 70

"He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds." ~ (Psalm 78: 70)

May we all be willing servants, ready to be taken from our place in life to be used for God in mighty ways. Amen.

Acts 13: 22

"He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will." ~ (Acts 13: 22)

God bless you. Amen.

1 Samuel 17: 26

"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?"

~ (1 Samuel 17: 26)

"The church needs more 'Davids' - men and women ready to be used in defense of the truth against the 'giants' of unbelief." ~ Dave Hunt

2 Samuel 6: 14

"David was dancing before the LORD with all his might while wearing a linen ephod." ~ (2 Samuel 6: 14)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, family. Amen.

1 Chronicles 18: 14 DAVID

"So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people." ~ (1 Chronicles 18: 14)

DAVID - second king of Israel reigning 1010 - 970 b.c. a valorous warrior, poet, and musician.

Ezekiel 34: 23

"And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them and be their shepherd." ~ (Ezekiel 34: 23)

From nobody to king and from adulterer to psalm writer, may the life of King David be an example to us about how God can use us. Amen.

Matthew 26: 41

Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~ (Matthew 26: 41) 

Father, forgive us for those times we've known you wanted us to do something and we weren't willing. May we answer with an unreluctant yes the next time You call. Amen.

Revelation 3: 20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me." ~ (Revelation 3: 20)

 

Are you wiling?

John 5: 6

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to get well?" ~ (John 5: 6)

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~ E.M. Foster

1 Timothy 6: 18

"Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share." ~ (1 Timothy 6: 18)

Have a blessed day, good people. Amen.

The Absolute & Trustworthy Authority of Scripture!

Matthew 4:4

But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Authority of Scripture

It is infallible, that is incapable of error therefore not capable of misleading, deceiving, or disappointing us. It is God breathed. It is absolute.

"We believe the Bible is the Word of God written; it is the revelation of the truths of God conveyed by inspiration through His servants to us. As such, it is infallible and without error.

Excerpt from "Pentecostal Doctrines"

This is part of my core beliefs!

This is what allows me to trust in God's Word!

This is why I run to God's Word for wisdom & counsel!

It has never failed to bring true & lasting results to my circumstances!

It has kept me on the right path & will continue to do so!

Challenge of the Day:

"DARE TO BELIEVE GOD'S WORD FOR YOUR LIFE!"

"DO NOT ADD TO IT!"

"NOR TAKE FROM IT!"

"JUST BELIEVE IT OVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!"

"IN GOD'S WORD, YOU WILL FIND YOUR TRUE IDENTITY!"

Isaiah 1: 19 WILLING

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." ~ (Isaiah 1: 19)

WILLING - 1. prompt to act or respond. 2. done or accepted by choice or without reluctance.

Psalm 51: 12

"Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit." ~ (Psalm 51: 12)

Lord, help our spirit overcome our flesh and grant us a willing heart to be used by You. Amen.

TRUE WORSHIP!

"WORSHIP IS NOT A THING WE DO, IT IS WHO WE ARE!"

"WE WERE CREATED TO WORSHIP GOD!"

Acts 1: 14

"With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." ~ (Acts 1: 14)

Lord, we thank You for the lessons in care, obedience, service, and the many more we can model for our own lives by looking at Mary's life in Scripture. Amen.

John 2: 5

"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever He tells you." ~ (John 2: 5)

Praise God. Amen.

John 19: 25

"Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopus, and Mary Magdalene." ~ (John 19: 25)

"Love will cost you dearly. And it will break your heart. But in the end, it will save the world." ~ Sarah Thebarge

Thank You, Jesus!

"I AM GRATEFUL!"

"Thank You Jesus for my Family & Friends!"

"Thank You for the Good Times as well as the Bad Ones!"

"Thank You that You Love Humanity & Desire to be with us!"

"Thank You that You Gave Your life on the Cross so that I would be able to say 'THANK YOU' today!"

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!"

Context Based!

Isaiah 55:11

"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Speaking Out of Context renders God's Word powerless to your current situation.

It can not affect change in the area you are desiring because that is not its intended purpose.

Rather, it serves as a witness against you.

God is jealous for His Word & will not tolerate any deviations meant for selfish gain.

Yes, God desires to help us, but according to what He knows to be best for us.

When we try & manipulate God's Word to mean what we want it to mean, we fail to encounter God as He intended.

Challenge of the Day:

"DARE TO ALLOW GOD ABSOLUTE CONTROL IN YOUR LIFE!"

Luke 1: 42

"In a loud voice she exclaimed, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." ~ (Luke 1: 42)

And you be blessed today family. Amen.

LET GOD USE YOU!

Hebrews 13:16

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Matthew 1: 16 MARY

"And Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah." ~ (Matthew 1: 16)

MARY - 1st century Galilean Jewish woman, wife of Joseph, mother of Jesus.

WHERE IS JESUS LOCATED IN YOUR LIFE?

John 4:23

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."

"PLACE YOUR TRUST IN HIM WHO IS TRUSTWORTHY!"

"JESUS IS THE ONE!"

"NO ONE DESERVES A GREATER PLACE IN OUR HEARTS!"

The catch is that;

"WE ARE NOT TO "SAY" THAT WE TRUST HIM, BUT "LIVE" LIKE WE TRUST HIM WITH EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LIFE!"

Challenge of the Day:

"GIVE JESUS HIS PROPER PLACE IN YOUR LIFE!"

Luke 1: 38

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word." ~ (Luke 1: 38)

As men and women of God, we can both learn a great deal from Mary's humility and willingness. We give thanks today for the willing vessel of our Savior. Amen.

Matthew 19:23

"I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!" ~ (Matthew 19: 23)

Accepting Jesus is easy. Living for Him is hard, but more than worth it. Father, thank You for our enemies who push us, for hard times that motivate us, and for life's struggles that teach us to overcome. Amen.

Romans 16: 6

"Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you." ~ (Romans 16: 6)

May the same be able to be said for our service to Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 118: 13

"You pushed me hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me." ~ (Psalm 118: 13)

             

"Your friends will believe in your potential, your enemies will make you live up to it." ~ Tim Fargo

Hebrews 10: 32

"Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings." ~ (Hebrews 10: 32)

Praise God! Amen.

Proverbs 14: 23 HARD

"There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty." ~ (Proverbs 14: 23)

HARD - 1. not easy. 2. difficult to bear or endure.

John 16: 33

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." ~ (John 16: 33)

Thank You Lord for being our refuge and strength in hard times. Help us not to run from them, but to cling to You through them instead. Amen.

Job 1: 20

"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship." ~ (Job 1: 20)

There may be no better example than Job to show us that we can praise God through any and all hardships. May we always do just as he did and trust our God's plan. Amen.

Move!

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

"IT TAKES MORE THAN WORDS TO CONVINCE A PEOPLE!"

"IT TAKES A LIFESTYLE!"

"LORD, HELP US TO LIVE THE WAY YOU DID!"

"REMOVE THE SHACKLES THAT KEEP US FROM MOVING FORWARD!"

Family;

"THERE IS A MOVE OF THE SPIRIT TAKING PLACE!"

"JOIN THE MOVEMENT TODAY!"

Job 13: 15

"Though He slays me, yet I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face." ~ (Job 13: 15)

Praise God always family. Amen.

Character!

"WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST GOD IF WE ARE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL IN OUR LIVE'S!"

Job 22: 13

"But you say, 'what does God know? Can He judge through the deep darkness." ~ (Job 22: 13)

"God is everywhere and can see through the darkest/hardest hearts. He sees everyone's intentions. Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God?" ~ Adrian Rogers

Job 2: 9-10

"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!' But he said to her, 'You speak as a foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and not receive evil? In all of this Job did not sin with his lips." ~ (Job 2: 9-10)

Amen.