Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about staying faithful throughout trials. We are tempted every day, and some of our temptations turn into trials and tribulation. I always like to reiterate the fact that we have a choice in everything we do. However, sometimes we experience trials that are beyond our control, like the lost of a loved one, being laid off of a job, and let's not forget about everyday accidents. How do we handle the things that are out of our control? All that God asks of us is to stay faithful to Him, and continue to walk in love. The enemy is always lurking in the shadows, in order to lead us astray. There’s no better time to attack, then when we’re weak, and experiencing feelings of helplessness and loneliness?

In every period of trial, we’re looking to lighten our load, in order to alleviate the pain that comes with it. Now I don't know about you, but when I'm stressed I turn to a number of things to help me feel better, and unfortunately for me, God wasn't always my first choice. Over the years I’ve realized that it isn’t entirely my fault, because I am naturally fleshly, and God understands that I’m going to make mistakes. However, we must be careful to lean on God first, for strength, and He’ll make sure that everything else falls into place. We're fighting against a number of things during times of stress and grief. It's written: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)

To the my flesh, there’s nothing better than a glass of wine, a red velvet cupcake, French fries, and shopping to make me feel better during my low moments. For others it may be the over indulgence of alcohol, drugs, and even fornication or adultery, which temporarily makes them feel better. At the same time, we all know that there are consequences with each of these things. God wants us to be happy, and does bless us with things and people that are meant to give us a little relief when we’re down, but we mustn’t use or abuse anything or anyone, at anytime. The evil mind can find a way to take something good, and use it for bad. We all have our vices and weaknesses, but always remember that through our weaknesses, God is strong.

A lot of times our tribulation and tests are allowed so that we can use them as testimonies, to help deliver someone else. In book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon always pointed out that “there’s nothing is new under the sun”; everything that we’ve done, will do, or even think about doing has been done before. It’s important to take the lessons learned by biblical scholars, and even the elderly woman across the street, because she’s been there and done that. Share your testimonies, never be ashamed of the things that you’re going through, you’ll never guess how many people are going, or have gone through similar things, and your praise and deliverance could inspire them to seek God.

It’s written: “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isa. 40:6-8) So just know when you’re reading the bible, and you think that most of it doesn’t apply to you, because of “the times we live in”, think again. I get so tired of hearing people make excuses for their blatant sin. This type of attitude explains why we have so many incurable diseases, record numbers of divorce, teen pregnancy, prisons filled to the max, and religious wars, because of the lack of respect for the Word of God. However, none of these things are new; they’re written about in the Bible.

In times when you’re feeling lonely, sad, hurt, depressed, stressed, overworked, or just downright desperate, turn to God. Pray without ceasing, read about His promises, meditate and stand on them, and allow Him to give you that peace that surpasses all understanding. I promise, when you give it to God first, He’ll take care of it, and bring you out of your troubles, a better and stronger you. I have so many testimonies that I could share, including times when I didn’t go to God when I should’ve, as well as times where I did. I’ve learned that no matter what I’m going through I must stay true to Him. Just know that just because you’re going through something, it doesn’t give you the right to take your anger out on other people, nor does it give you a license to sin—always stay faithful, because you have blessed assurance.

As a child of God, you have a privilege to be able to go to God anytime day or night, and receive comfort and/or healing, in the Name of Jesus. He has freed our heart, mind and spirit from the whiles of the devil. However, if you don’t know Jesus as Lord, than you’re open to all of the evils of the world and you don’t have anyone to help you fight those demons. Remember what Paul said, we’re fighting against something more than other humans, but “the rulers of the darkness of this age”. To be free, you must invite Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior. If you’re saved, but still don’t know how to cope with your trials, you should also take the God Quiz. At the same time, never forget to ask, seek, and knock, and then stand on God’s promises by faith. My favorite verses today are: Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter. 1:6-7)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about trusting the Lord to supply all of our needs. This has always been a true statement from the beginning of time, but for some reason most of us don’t trust Him with all of our heart. God understands that, so we go through a number of test and trails, to prepare us for our blessings. Today's scriptures lead off with a partial verse from Genesis 22, which tells the story of when God tested Abraham. It’s written: One day God called out to Abraham and told him: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (vs. 2) What would you have done, if God said this to you? Personally, my first reaction would’ve been to think that I was going crazy. I’d then immediately say, "the devil is a liar", and keep moving forward, but that's just me. Abraham on the other hand, was a brave soul, it isn't written anywhere that he questioned God, nor second-guessed His command, he just packed up his son, his supplies, and headed toward the mountains. Moses took his "only son", whom he loved dearly, and laid him on an alter that he built, took out his knife, raised it in the air and without a blink of an eye, was about to sacrifice his only son. At that moment: ...the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (vs. 11-12) Abraham, out of faithfulness, still gave his burnt offering with a clean animal, and he called that place "The-LORD-Will-Provide" (vs. 14). What an enormous amount of faith and trust Abraham had in God! Although it isn't written here, I'm sure he went through feelings of fear, anger, remorse, sadness, and much more, but through it all, he still trusted in the Lord to supply His every need. This is a true example of what Dr. Stanley's meant when he said, "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him". The scripture goes on to say: Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (vs. 15-18) How awesome is this? Abraham inherited so much, just because he trusted the Lord to supply all of his needs, through a simple act of obedience. We too are rewarded this way everyday, when we have just a little faith in God. God asks us to follow some rather simple rules, love Him, love each other, and trust and believe in His son Jesus Christ. When we're obedient to these things, we have the opportunity to go to Him and ask for anything, within His will, and it'll be provided to us. The everyday blessings that we take for granted all come without us even asking. Clean air to breath, shelter, clothing, food, etc., will all be there, when we trust Him. Jesus said: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt 6:31-34) I urge you to try and minimize life's evil distractions, because when we fail one of God's many test and trials, we get knocked off the narrow path of righteousness, and we lose out on many blessings. What if Abraham would've said to God, "I will not kill my son", because he did have a choice? He would've missed out on one of the most tremendous blessing man has ever received. Trust in God requires us to give up "self", and take on the mind of Christ. If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you're truly missing out on the greatest thing that will ever happen to you. Most importantly, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. A little trust will get you a long way, so pray and ask for Salvation today. If you don't know how, please contact me, and I'll pray with you. My favorite verses today are: Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death. (Psalm 33:18-19)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying another beautiful "hump day". I'm doing great! I was feeling a little under the weather earlier today, but I think it's only allergies. With all the fuss about the Swine flu, and the differences between the flu and a cold, every time I get the sniffles or a headache, I always become a little concerned. I've had my Flu shot, but I don't think I'll get the Swine Flu vaccine this year. I wash my hands often, keep my Purell handy, take my vitamins, and pray without ceasing, so I think I have all points covered. Nothing is new under the sun, and similar "Plagues" or "Pandemics" are written about in the bible. It's just another sign to get your life right, to insure that you're under the eternal protection of God. I'm grateful we're halfway through the week, and it's the start of a new month, God is good. One more month to a new year, and new beginnings, this has been a wonderful year for me, and I see it only getting better. Have a wonderful day, and been blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about expecting temptations and trials. Walking with Jesus entails a lot more than blessings and sunshine, but requires us to live a certain type of lifestyle. Temptations and trails are to be expected, because we live in the mist of Spiritual warfare. It's written in a Revelation, revealed through a dream: And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev. 12:7-9). Satan's main objective is to get us out of the will of God. He has a legion of demons working for him, and they will stop at nothing to keep us bound by sin, heartache, pain, worry, anxiety, and fear. As children of God, and joint heirs to His Kingdom, our jobs are to stay strong. Have you ever heard the song "Soldier in the Army of the Lord"? That's exactly what we are, and we're given Victory by the blood of Jesus Christ. Here's what Jesus said: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20) By the blood of Jesus, we've already won, Hallelujah! The enemy will never be as powerful as God, and doesn't reign over His children. God allow us to be tempted to test our strength in certain areas, in most cases to prepare us for the road ahead. When we're going through trials, it's import to keep our focus on God, and not our current circumstance, because there's always a benefit at the end. When those seasons come we shouldn't be shocked and react irrationally, but get on our knees and pray and ask for the Strength to be endure. All the while, we should be rejoicing and thanking God for the blessing to come. Job is one of the most profound books in the bible in my opinion. I’ve studied parts of it, and I've also heard many sermons preached on his life. Job was a man who loved God, lived a righteous life, and did His best not to sin. He prayed, fasted, offered sacrifices, paid his tithes, gave offerings, raised God fearing children, etc. Anything you could do the magnify God, Job did. God allowed Job to be tempted by Satan, and Job lost every earthly possession and loved one he had, as well as his health. Through all of this pain and suffering, Job never stopped loving and praising God. He never stopped doing all of the things he was doing before. He came close to giving up, as any of us would, but he never did. You could only imagine how much God blessed Job when the suffering came to an end. We often think that life is supposed to be good all the time, and the minute we hit a "speed bump", instead of slowing down and acknowledging God and learning from our trials, we want to speed through them. This behavior could cause more harm than good. Marvin Gaye said it best in the song entitled "Trouble Man", There are only three things that's for certain, taxes, death, and trouble. That song has a lot of Faith in it, although he never mentions God. Marvin is saying no matter what type of life he's had or trails he’ll face, he's still going to make it. That's where God wants us to be. No matter what may fall in your path, hold on your Faith and allow God to get you through it. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior then you're on the wrong side of the war. Please take a moment and get your relationship right with God, by saying one simple prayer asking Jesus to be a part of your life. If you need a prayer partner please contact me, because I want to see you in Heaven. My favorite verses today are: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12,13)

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