Proverbs 17: 24 FOCUS

"Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool's eyes roam to the ends of the earth." ~ (Proverbs 17: 24)

FOCUS - 1. a center of activity or attraction. 2. directed attention.

Hebrews 12: 2

"Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." ~ (Hebrews 12: 2)

Lord, help us to look past the enemy's distractions and keep focused on serving You. Amen.

1 John 5: 7

"For there are three that testify." ~ (1 John 5: 7)

Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one true God forever and ever. Amen.

Daniel 3: 18

"But even if He does not, let it be known to you, oh king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up." 

~ (Daniel 3: 18)

Amen.

Isaiah 42: 8

"I am the Lord; that is My name; I will not yield My glory to another." 

~ (Isaiah 42: 8) 

"You don't have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you love more than God is your god." ~ D.L. Moody

Isaiah 43: 10

"You are My witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me." ~ (Isaiah 43: 10)

Amen.

Exodus 23: 13 god

"Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips." ~ (Exodus 23: 13)

god - a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship.

Exodus 20: 3

"You shall have no other gods before Me." ~ (Exodus 20: 3) 

The world is full of gods, but You are the one true God. Help us to dismiss those who try to imitate You. For You ought now share Your glory with any. Amen.

Psalm 127: 3

"Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." ~ (Psalm 127: 3) 

Jesus, in Your name, we pray against the forces of evil that have blinded the hearts of so many into thinking that abortion is anything other than murder of life. Give our leaders boldness to ignore protest and bring an end to this genocide. Amen.

Courage!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."

The phrase; "ACT LIKE MEN!" is a challenge to all.

If you pay close attention to the before & after of this phrase, you will soon notice that Paul is addressing the Corinthian church in general.

His goal was to encourage them to a lifestyle that was drastically different.

He wanted them to live out their faith by the means of "LOVE!"

"LOVE TAKES COURAGE!"

The phrase; "ACT LIKE MEN! was literally a challenge to the entire congregation to "ACT COURAGEOUSLY!"

That word; "MEN!" was a term used to describe the courage of real men of faith WHO DARED TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S ATTRIBUTES!

Here, Paul is challenging us.

He is saying:

"LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH IN LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT OPPOSITION MAY COME YOUR WAY!"

"WHAT BETTER WAY TO DEMONSTRATE TO THOSE AROUND US THAT GOD IS LOVE!"

Deuteronomy 30: 19

"I call on heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. CHOOSE LIFE so that you and your descendants may live." ~ (Deuteronomy 30: 19)

Amen. 

Leviticus 18: 21

"Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God." ~ (Leviticus 18: 21)

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." ~ Mother Teresa

Whose Gifts?

1 Corinthians 14:1-4

"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church."

"LORD, I PRAY THAT WE WOULD GET BEYOND OURSELVES & THE GIFTS YOU HAVE GIVEN US!"

"THAT YOU WOULD HELP US SEE THE VALUE OF INVESTING IN OTHERS!"

"THAT WE WOULD SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD UP OTHERS!"

"THAT WE WOULD USE THE GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US UNSELFISHLY!"

Ezekiel 16: 20

"And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?" ~ (Ezekiel 16: 20)

Amen.

Ezekiel 16: 21 ABORTION

"You slaughtered My children and sacrificed them to idols." ~ (Ezekiel 16: 21)

ABORTION - the deliberate termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of a human fetus.

Exodus 20: 13

"You shall not murder." ~ (Exodus 20: 13)

Lord, we cry out to You for the end of our country's promotion and funding of the evil and atrocious practice of abortion. Amen.

Psalm 122: 6

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you." ~ (Psalm 122: 6)

Thank You Lord for leadership that understands this promise from You. Guide, direct, and lead them to do Your will for Israel. Amen.

Malachi 1: 5

"Your eyes will see this, and you yourselves will say, 'The Lord is great, even beyond the borders of Israel." ~ (Malachi 1: 5)

God be with you family. Amen. 

Gifts, who are they really for?

1 Corinthians 12:7

"But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

"FOR THE COMMON GOOD!"

"ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL!"

"THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ARE MEANT TO BE ADMINISTERED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE!"

By "LOVE," I mean "GOD!"

Why do I say this?

Because throughout God's Word we see that He has a vested interest in all humanity.

"THEREFORE, THAT WHICH HE BESTOWS ON US IS MEANT TO DRAW PEOPLE'S ATTENTION & AFFECTION TO HIM, NOT US!"

Challenge of the Day:

"DARE TO LET GOD USE YOUR GIFTING'S ANY WAY HE SO CHOOSES!"

Wait!

Hebrews 13:5

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”"

"WAITING IS ESSENTIAL IF YOU TRULY DESIRE GOD'S BEST FOR YOUR LIFE!"

"LET PATIENCE BE YOUR GOAL!"

"THAT WHICH GOD HAS FOR YOU IS YOUR'S!"

"YOU NEED NOT CHASE IT!"

"YOU ONLY NEED TO WAIT FOR IT TO COME YOUR WAY!"

THEN GRAB HOLD OF IT & NEVER LET GO!"

"GOD IS FOR YOU!"

Romans 11: 8

"Being grafted in, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you." ~ (Romans 11: 8)

"Now when I hear that Christians are getting together to defend Israel, of course it brings joy to my heart. And it simply says, look, people have learned from history." ~ Elie Wiesel

Isaiah 60: 12

"For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste." ~ (Isaiah 60: 12)

Praise the Lord. Amen.

Genesis 12: 7 ISRAEL

"The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your descendants I will give this land."

~ (Genesis 12: 7)

ISRAEL - nation in SW Asia bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Dead Sea, established again in 1948, capital - Jerusalem, pop. - 7,412,000.

Hitting the target!

John 4:23

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers."

Question of the Day:

"IF WE ARE CALLED TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT & IN TRUTH, DOES OUR WORSHIP REGISTER IN THE HEART OF GOD!"

"ARE WE WORSHIPPING ACCORDING TO GOD'S PRESCRIBED METHOD?"

"OR HAVE WE TAKEN IT UPON OURSELVES TO RE-WRITE THE PRESCRIPTION & DEMAND THAT GOD ACCEPT OUR FORM OF WORSHIP?"

"OUR LIFESTYLE WILL ULTIMATELY REVEAL THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS!"

I would like to challenge everyone today;

"EXAMINE YOURSELF HONESTLY!"

But you may be asking yourself;

"HOW DO I ACCOMPLISH THIS?"

The answer is;

"ALLOW GOD'S WORD TO BE THE MEASURING ROD FOR YOUR EXAMINATION!"

"MEASURE YOUR ACTIONS WITH GOD'S WORD & SEE IF YOUR ACTIONS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HIS STANDARDS!"

"JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE YOUR STANDARDS WITH HIS!"

The way you will know this is:

"HIS WILL ALWAYS BE HIGHER!"

Question of the Day:

"IF WE ARE CALLED TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT & IN TRUTH, DOES OUR WORSHIP REGISTER IN THE HEART OF GOD!"

Genesis 12: 3

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse." ~ (Genesis 12: 3)

May our nation never lose sight of the importance of its alliance with Israel. May we maintain our support and good relations with them always. Amen.

John 16: 33

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." ~ (John 16: 33)

Amen.

Jesus, lead the way!

John 16: 5-15

"“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you."

"JESUS, LEAD THE WAY!"

Many times in life, we struggle with the unknown, that which lies ahead.

Because of this concern, we decide to take matters into our own hands & we usually makes mistakes.

But I want to encourage you today, maybe you just need a reminder;

"CHRIST IS ON THE THRONE & WE CAN TRUST HIM TO GUIDE US DOWN THE RIGHT PATH!"

"HIS DESIRES FOR US ARE WELL-INTENDED!"

"THEREFORE, WHEN STRUGGLES COME OUR WAY, WE CAN REST ON THE TRUTH THAT HE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL!"

"WE CAN ALSO TRUST THAT THE END-RESULT WILL BE GOOD!"

Numbers 6: 26

"May Yahweh look with favor upon you and give you peace." ~ (Numbers 6: 26)

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." ~ Jimi Hendrix

John 14: 27

"Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." ~ (John 14: 27)

Glory to God. Amen.