Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying another terrific Tuesday. February is Black History month, and it’s set aside to recognize the lives of important and influential black men in woman in the United States. There are so many who've played major roles in allowing us to have the freedom we have today. I found an article with 20 famous quotes by some of those who pioneered the way, and I'll share some with you throughout the month. Here’s a nice one: "Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise." (-Maya Angelou) We've come a long way, so be proud of who you are, and of your heritage, and be sure to do your best to live a life that would make your ancestors proud, after all, they put in a lot of blood sweat and tears to get you here (that goes for all races and creeds). Enjoy the rest of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about deliverance from evil and temptation. Did you know that it's not totally up to you to change your evil ways? You are not alone in your struggles with the flesh, because we all have weaknesses. Jesus said it best when He taught us the way to pray. Even He was surrounded and attacked by evil on a daily basis, but of course He always prevailed, and because of Him, so could we. I'm sure most of you know the King James Version of the Lord’s Prayer, but I’ll share it anyway. It's written: ...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matt 6:9-13) When Jesus gave this "Sermon on the Mount", He’d experienced life, so He knew the ways of the Spirit, and the ways of the flesh. He gives us everything we need to live in righteousness in this one prayer. We learn that we're to always acknowledge God for who He is, as well as the fact that it's His will and not ours, to Him ask for His assistance daily, ask for forgiveness and forgive, and finally ask for deliverance from temptation and evil. These are the five most important keys to life, and evil and temptation are the biggest speed bumps we’ll encounter. The only way to overcome evil is to submit to God's will, and focus on Him and Him alone. God knows it's easier said than done, which is yet another reason for His saving grace. The part we play in our Faith walk is to acknowledge both sides. Know that greater is He who is in you, than he who's in the word, nonetheless, the “he” who's in the world is a very powerful being as well. We can't fight him alone, because he's crafty and smart, knows God and His Word, and the ways of the world. Jesus said: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16) We have to be aware of the world around us, but not allow it to harden our hearts. I notice as I grow in my Faith walk that I've become more sensitive to human life and suffering, yet cunningly aware of the evil that lurks. These skills are acquired from God, and His wisdom comes from above. Evil is a pandemic like the Swine flu it could spread like wildfires. We must be careful of our surroundings, our choice of entertainment, and the people we choose to associate with, because the devil will use anything and anyone to promote evil in our life. As we become familiar with our Holy Spirit, and strengthen our communication with Him [which includes attentively listening to His guidance], our decrement becomes sharper. Paul taught us in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, that we must glorify God in body and Spirit. It’s written: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (vs. 19-20) Our minds work like computers, everything that we see and hear on a daily basis is data entered, and we can only put out, what’s been put in. The only way to obtain true righteousness is to seek the right knowledge and understanding through the Holy Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. Jesus taught us to be aware of the evil around us, and He stressed the fact that we should pray for deliverance, because no man is above it. Without Jesus you're out here alone, with no amour to protect you from the evils of the world, and once again the only way to be delivered is through the Blood of Jesus. If you don't know Him as Lord and Savior, please go to Him in prayer, and He's sure to answer. What's your other alternative? Take a few moments to think about that, and let me know if you need prayer partner. My favorite verse today is: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelations 3:10)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455230&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!