1 Samuel 18:14-16 (KJV)
"14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and "THE LORD WAS WITH HIM". 15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them."
David, in the end known as King David, was a man after GOD's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David always took care to do what honored and glorified the LORD, and GOD blessed his life accordingly. Verse 16 says "all Israel and Judah" loved him as they observed his walk.
But even King David didn't always keep his eyes on the LORD. King David saw Bathsheba bathing one evening on her rooftop and let his lust and selfish desires overcome his desire to serve the LORD. Getting what "we want" sometimes is exactly what we don't need! King David got what he wanted, but it caused him (and Israel) much grief and heartache!
Making a wrong turn (such as King David made) does not mean that GOD can't use you for HIS Glory! After King David sinned against GOD and ultimately married Bathsheba, a son by the name of Solomon was born to them, who was mentioned in the lineage of JESUS in Matthew 1:6! Yes, King David "messed up" with Bathsheba, but GOD can use our messes for HIS Glory! "THE LORD WAS WITH HIM" and HE is with me! I'm so glad that GOD uses imperfect people to accomplish HIS Perfect Plan!!!
Monday, February 27, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
"LISTEN TO ADVICE!"
Proverbs 19:20-21 (ESV)
"20 "LISTEN TO ADVICE" and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."
There seems to be advice being given by MANY people on most subjects, some with no experience or knowledge of the subject! For instance, some want to tell you how to remain fit and trim when they have never had to be concerned about their weight? Or one that really causes my teapot to whistle, how to raise a Godly child and they never been blessed with an offspring? So I submit to you that the BEST source to "LISTEN TO ADVICE" is to pray to GOD the CREATOR!
When you take time to "LISTEN TO ADVICE" from the CREATOR of all things (Colossians 1:16), you are getting some good advice! One cannot minimize the impact of having guidance from THE CREATOR! So how do you make sure you are hearing from HIM and not some "fake news", or false spirit? There are a couple of sessions on this that I highly recommend that I share at the bottom of this devotional. They continue to assist the in making sure I am "in tune" with the Spirit of GOD!
My biggest challenge is to SLOW MY LIFE DOWN ENOUGH to hear from Heaven! When I get caught up in the "rat race" of "this world", it is because I am moving too fast! GOD continually has to remind me that HE won't accommodate my schedule, rather HIS blessings operate on HIS timetable! So from time to time I have to slow everything down to a pace where I can hear the "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) and MAKE SURE I "LISTEN TO ADVICE" from ABOVE!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvi8-86Rak&sns=em
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwkSHuuig3k&sns=em
"20 "LISTEN TO ADVICE" and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."
There seems to be advice being given by MANY people on most subjects, some with no experience or knowledge of the subject! For instance, some want to tell you how to remain fit and trim when they have never had to be concerned about their weight? Or one that really causes my teapot to whistle, how to raise a Godly child and they never been blessed with an offspring? So I submit to you that the BEST source to "LISTEN TO ADVICE" is to pray to GOD the CREATOR!
When you take time to "LISTEN TO ADVICE" from the CREATOR of all things (Colossians 1:16), you are getting some good advice! One cannot minimize the impact of having guidance from THE CREATOR! So how do you make sure you are hearing from HIM and not some "fake news", or false spirit? There are a couple of sessions on this that I highly recommend that I share at the bottom of this devotional. They continue to assist the in making sure I am "in tune" with the Spirit of GOD!
My biggest challenge is to SLOW MY LIFE DOWN ENOUGH to hear from Heaven! When I get caught up in the "rat race" of "this world", it is because I am moving too fast! GOD continually has to remind me that HE won't accommodate my schedule, rather HIS blessings operate on HIS timetable! So from time to time I have to slow everything down to a pace where I can hear the "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) and MAKE SURE I "LISTEN TO ADVICE" from ABOVE!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvi8-86Rak&sns=em
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwkSHuuig3k&sns=em
Thursday, February 23, 2017
"WHO AM I???"
Luke 23:39-42 (ESV)
"39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the CHRIST? Save YOURSELF and us!"
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear GOD, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this MAN has done nothing wrong."
42 And he said, "JESUS, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
I am 6'6" tall. I have been this height since I was a senior in high school. Being this tall there are a LOT of things that can be seen with no effort that a 5'10" person cannot see. For instance, with no problem I can see the top of most refrigerators. Most refrigerators have significant dust on top of them, but I don't go around telling people how dirty their refrigerator is!
While driving to work recently, GOD spoke to me that in the same way I can SEE the tops of refrigerators, a person dying from a lengthy disease SEEs death a lot differently than those who have always been healthy. Like the criminal on the cross, when you get to the point where you KNOW you are going to die, you SEE things through a totally different prism. You can SEE things that were previously withheld from your view, whether by your choice, or by the Heavens Father!
But not all who are in dire circumstances are able to SEE even where they are! The one criminal was bitter and smirking. The other was broken and humbled. Who am I, in regards to the criminals? Am I the arrogant criminal who, even though he was already nailed to a cross, wanted to ridicule the perfect SON of GOD? Or am I the broken, humbled criminal who could SEE the Lamb of GOD dying for the sins of all mankind? WHO AM I???
"39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the CHRIST? Save YOURSELF and us!"
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear GOD, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this MAN has done nothing wrong."
42 And he said, "JESUS, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
I am 6'6" tall. I have been this height since I was a senior in high school. Being this tall there are a LOT of things that can be seen with no effort that a 5'10" person cannot see. For instance, with no problem I can see the top of most refrigerators. Most refrigerators have significant dust on top of them, but I don't go around telling people how dirty their refrigerator is!
While driving to work recently, GOD spoke to me that in the same way I can SEE the tops of refrigerators, a person dying from a lengthy disease SEEs death a lot differently than those who have always been healthy. Like the criminal on the cross, when you get to the point where you KNOW you are going to die, you SEE things through a totally different prism. You can SEE things that were previously withheld from your view, whether by your choice, or by the Heavens Father!
But not all who are in dire circumstances are able to SEE even where they are! The one criminal was bitter and smirking. The other was broken and humbled. Who am I, in regards to the criminals? Am I the arrogant criminal who, even though he was already nailed to a cross, wanted to ridicule the perfect SON of GOD? Or am I the broken, humbled criminal who could SEE the Lamb of GOD dying for the sins of all mankind? WHO AM I???
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
"THE LORD IS NEAR!"
Psalms 145:16-18 (ESV)
"16 YOU open YOUR hand; YOU satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all HIS ways and kind in all HIS works.
18 "THE LORD IS NEAR" to all who call on HIM, to all who call on HIM in TRUTH."
I would love to have everyone I am associated with come to realization of GOD and HIS SON JESUS that I personally know HIM. On the other hand, I wish that I truly knew HIM as deeply as I really could! In Exodus 33:19 GOD tells Moses "And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." Therefore, GOD chooses who HE will show grace and mercy to, and it's not because of any good we have done (Titus 3:5; 1 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:9), rather because of HIS favor!
Sometimes it grieves me that others can't SEE that GOD is being so good to them. For them to take credit for all the blessings they enjoy seems almost like a slap in the face of GOD ALMIGHTY. Then I am made aware that the scales have not been removed from their eyes and they can only SEE what it is they see! Unless it is REVEALED to them (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) they will not SEE the TRUTH!
"THE LORD IS NEAR" alright, but the scripture above also goes onto say "to all who call on HIM in TRUTH". Unless we come to JESUS as broken, humbled vessels, HE will not use us in HIS Plan. Isaiah 42:8 says "MY glory will I give to no other"! "THE LORD IS NEAR", but HE is also jealous! May I always remember that in my feeble mind!
"16 YOU open YOUR hand; YOU satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all HIS ways and kind in all HIS works.
18 "THE LORD IS NEAR" to all who call on HIM, to all who call on HIM in TRUTH."
I would love to have everyone I am associated with come to realization of GOD and HIS SON JESUS that I personally know HIM. On the other hand, I wish that I truly knew HIM as deeply as I really could! In Exodus 33:19 GOD tells Moses "And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." Therefore, GOD chooses who HE will show grace and mercy to, and it's not because of any good we have done (Titus 3:5; 1 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:9), rather because of HIS favor!
Sometimes it grieves me that others can't SEE that GOD is being so good to them. For them to take credit for all the blessings they enjoy seems almost like a slap in the face of GOD ALMIGHTY. Then I am made aware that the scales have not been removed from their eyes and they can only SEE what it is they see! Unless it is REVEALED to them (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) they will not SEE the TRUTH!
"THE LORD IS NEAR" alright, but the scripture above also goes onto say "to all who call on HIM in TRUTH". Unless we come to JESUS as broken, humbled vessels, HE will not use us in HIS Plan. Isaiah 42:8 says "MY glory will I give to no other"! "THE LORD IS NEAR", but HE is also jealous! May I always remember that in my feeble mind!
Monday, February 20, 2017
"GOD is Spirit!"
John 4:23-24 (ESV)
"23 But the hour is coming, AND NOW IS HERE, when the true worshipers will worship the FATHER in Spirit and Truth, for the FATHER is seeking such people to worship HIM.
24 GOD is Spirit, and those who worship HIM must worship in Spirit and Truth."
"We should allow prayer back in schools" is a popular battle cry that the church is allowing "this world" to think they have taken away from us. The only reason that Believers in the TRUE and LIVING GOD are hampered by the enemy is because it is allowing itself to be enslaved. John 4:24 says "GOD is Spirit"! Since "GOD is Sprit", man cannot limit what/how HE is worshipped. Only a spirit can do that.
The sad testimony is that there are many pastors and so-called men of God who are at the forefront of the crowd saying "We should allow prayer back in schools". People, we must realize WHO we are in JESUS CHRIST and fulfill our role we have been left in earth to fulfill. GOD did not Call us out of darkness to remain in darkness. HE called us out of darkness to be a Light that shines in darkness for HIS Glory!
We are children of the Most High GOD and it's high time we began acting like it. Growing up(and sadly into my adult life), my temperament was extremely hot-headed. That was from my earthly father. My Heavenly FATHER instilled traits in me that I have not been real diligent about showing and sharing. "GOD is Spirit" and I will reflect that with the remainder of my earthly life!
"23 But the hour is coming, AND NOW IS HERE, when the true worshipers will worship the FATHER in Spirit and Truth, for the FATHER is seeking such people to worship HIM.
24 GOD is Spirit, and those who worship HIM must worship in Spirit and Truth."
"We should allow prayer back in schools" is a popular battle cry that the church is allowing "this world" to think they have taken away from us. The only reason that Believers in the TRUE and LIVING GOD are hampered by the enemy is because it is allowing itself to be enslaved. John 4:24 says "GOD is Spirit"! Since "GOD is Sprit", man cannot limit what/how HE is worshipped. Only a spirit can do that.
The sad testimony is that there are many pastors and so-called men of God who are at the forefront of the crowd saying "We should allow prayer back in schools". People, we must realize WHO we are in JESUS CHRIST and fulfill our role we have been left in earth to fulfill. GOD did not Call us out of darkness to remain in darkness. HE called us out of darkness to be a Light that shines in darkness for HIS Glory!
We are children of the Most High GOD and it's high time we began acting like it. Growing up(and sadly into my adult life), my temperament was extremely hot-headed. That was from my earthly father. My Heavenly FATHER instilled traits in me that I have not been real diligent about showing and sharing. "GOD is Spirit" and I will reflect that with the remainder of my earthly life!
Friday, February 17, 2017
"SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS!"
1 Samuel 3:7-10 (ESV)
"7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS."
Sitting here with no noise happening around me is a rather splendid thing. There is nothing quite like hearing nothing but an occasional automobile in the distance. Samuel was in the quietness of the Temple and GOD was trying to speak to him, but he had no experience listening to GOD! There are times when GOD is speaking to me and I initially don't recognize HIM, nor HIS voice.
Eli was experienced in hearing from GOD, but the voice of the LORD was rare in those days (1 Samuel 3:1) and even Eli wasn't adept at hearing when he should have. Eli's sons were not in tune with the things of the LORD and could not hear from GOD. THEY PROBABLY WERE UNABLE TO HEAR FROM GOD BECAUSE TGEY WERE TOO BUSY LIVING A SELFISH LIFESTYLE THAT GLORIFIED THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF GOD.
My prayer is that I will be like Samuel and say "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS." GOD will generally speak to those who take the time, and slow their lives down enough, to hear from HIM! Keeping pace with "this world" will more than likely guarantee us to be like Eli's sons and NOT hear from GOD! Cause me LORD to SLOW MY LIFE DOWN and say "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS!!"
"7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS."
Sitting here with no noise happening around me is a rather splendid thing. There is nothing quite like hearing nothing but an occasional automobile in the distance. Samuel was in the quietness of the Temple and GOD was trying to speak to him, but he had no experience listening to GOD! There are times when GOD is speaking to me and I initially don't recognize HIM, nor HIS voice.
Eli was experienced in hearing from GOD, but the voice of the LORD was rare in those days (1 Samuel 3:1) and even Eli wasn't adept at hearing when he should have. Eli's sons were not in tune with the things of the LORD and could not hear from GOD. THEY PROBABLY WERE UNABLE TO HEAR FROM GOD BECAUSE TGEY WERE TOO BUSY LIVING A SELFISH LIFESTYLE THAT GLORIFIED THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF GOD.
My prayer is that I will be like Samuel and say "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS." GOD will generally speak to those who take the time, and slow their lives down enough, to hear from HIM! Keeping pace with "this world" will more than likely guarantee us to be like Eli's sons and NOT hear from GOD! Cause me LORD to SLOW MY LIFE DOWN and say "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS!!"
Thursday, February 16, 2017
"WHERE ARE THE NINE?"
Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
"11 On the way to Jerusalem HE was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as HE entered a village, HE was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, "JESUS, MASTER, have mercy on us."
14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, WHEN HE SAW that he was healed, turned back, PRAISING GOD WITH A LOUD VOICE;
16 and he fell on his face at JESUS' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then JESUS answered, "Were not ten cleansed? "WHERE ARE THE NINE?"
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to GOD except this foreigner?"
19 And HE said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Everybody has difficulties in this life. Some have more than others! The thing I have to be careful about is not recognizing BLESSINGS, especially when they are SO abundant in my life.
Many Christians experience BLESSINGS but they don't realize that the BLESSINGS come from GOD because they are living their lives "in the fast-lane", failing to recognize the CREATOR for what HE BLESSES them with. The "ten lepers" in Luke 17:11-19 were ALL healed, but only ONE came back to honor and praise his healer!
Will you be that person who pauses to appreciate your CREATOR, or will you be one who is TOO BUSY to recognize where your BLESSINGS are coming from??? Will the CREATOR say of you "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well", or will HE say of you "WHERE ARE THE NINE"???
"11 On the way to Jerusalem HE was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as HE entered a village, HE was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, "JESUS, MASTER, have mercy on us."
14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, WHEN HE SAW that he was healed, turned back, PRAISING GOD WITH A LOUD VOICE;
16 and he fell on his face at JESUS' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then JESUS answered, "Were not ten cleansed? "WHERE ARE THE NINE?"
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to GOD except this foreigner?"
19 And HE said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Everybody has difficulties in this life. Some have more than others! The thing I have to be careful about is not recognizing BLESSINGS, especially when they are SO abundant in my life.
Many Christians experience BLESSINGS but they don't realize that the BLESSINGS come from GOD because they are living their lives "in the fast-lane", failing to recognize the CREATOR for what HE BLESSES them with. The "ten lepers" in Luke 17:11-19 were ALL healed, but only ONE came back to honor and praise his healer!
Will you be that person who pauses to appreciate your CREATOR, or will you be one who is TOO BUSY to recognize where your BLESSINGS are coming from??? Will the CREATOR say of you "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well", or will HE say of you "WHERE ARE THE NINE"???
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