Wonders or Blunders

“… If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body…. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” James 3:2b,13

Your words can work WONDERS or they can work BLUNDERS! You will never rise above the level of your own words. If you talk defeat, fear, failure, anxiety, sickness, or unbelief. . . you will live on that level.

The words you speak tell a lot about the spiritual condition of your heart. Matthew quoted Jesus as saying, “0 generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. “(See Chapter 12, Verse 34.)

However, when you believe the promises of God to the point of confessing them with your mouth, you exercise FAITH, which allows God to work WONDERS on your behalf!

The Apostle Paul said, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt he saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. “(See Romans 10:8-10.)

PRAY: “Father, let Your Spirit guard my confession so that it lines up with what is in my heart. Thus can I expect You to fulfill Your promises to me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Be A Peacemaker

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

Jesus considered peacemaking so important it was included in his very first sermon as one of the Beatitudes.

James 3:17-18 purports that godly wisdom is gentle, peaceable, and full of mercy . . . that sowing peace actually brings a harvest of righteousness. As you keep your heart and mind focused on the promises of God’s Word, you grow in righteousness and become a peacemaker in the body of Christ.

The writer of Hebrews 12:14 admonished his readers to “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. “In Ephesians 4:3, the Apostle Paul exhorted the believers to “[endeavor] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The Lord is pleased when His people “dwell together in unity.” (See Psalm 133:1.) Holiness, peace, and unity follow each other in people who desire to “see the Lord.”

Further, Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” A “bone” of contention has no place in the body of Christ where the peace of God rules! ARE YOU HELPING TO KEEP THE PEACE?

PRAY: “Father, help me to ‘be perfect. . . of good comfort. . . of one mind and live in peace so that Your love and peace shall be with me. ‘ In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

*11 Corinthians 13:11

Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

There are many uncertainties in the world today that cause people to be fearful and unsettled in their hearts and minds, but Jesus spoke the words recorded in John’s Gospel for everyone’s comfort in all the ensuing generations.

Jesus went on to confirm those words in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

The Apostle Paul experienced that inner peace, because he wrote about “. . . the peace of God, which passeth all understanding . . . .“ (See Philippians 4:7.) That kind of peace is a peace that transcends your “natural” response to the world’s troubled situations. That peace is the “supernatural” solution to coping with the conditions and problems of life here on earth.

Even though the Bible predicts an increase in wars and famines and tribulations in the last days, it also gives assurance of “perfect peace” when your “mind is stayed” on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. (See Isaiah 26:3.)

PRAY: “Father, You sent peace to the world in the form of Your Son, Jesus, born in a manger 2000 years ago. May that wonderful peace sweep over my spirit and fill my whole being today. Bless my family with it, too. In the Name of the Prince of Peace, I pray. Amen.”

A Prayer of Adoration

O Lord, my God,

There is no other name above You; blessed be Your Name, God of Jacob, Shepherd of Israel;

Holy unto Your Name; holy unto Your Name.

Praise, glory, honor and power unto You, O Lord, God of Abraham, faithful and true;

Holy, holy are You; holy, holy are You. “Son of Righteousness and the Lamb who was slain, “You are my Bright Morning Star;

You are the Beginning and the End. You are the Everlasting Father; You are the God of all glory; You are my Healer and the King of kings. You are my Deliverer and my Friend; You are the Sweet Rose of Sharon; You are all Love and all Power. You are Merciful and Mighty; You are the Redeemer of all mankind; You are the Lion of Judah.

You are the Ruler of this whole universe; You are the Most High Messiah; You are the Soon Coming King.

Holy, holy is Your Name; holy, holy is Your Name! Amen and amen.

Continual Praise

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth… 0 magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1,3

There is a new generation of PRAISERS who understand the importance of ministering to the Lord through MUSIC and SINGING.  There are over two hundred Scriptures in the Bible that tell us to sing. God Himself loves to sing. Zephaniah 3:17c says: “. . . he will joy over thee with singing.”  God’s army should not only be equipped with swords (His Word), but with PRAISE, as Psalm 149:6 says: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two- edged sword in their hand.”

When you SING and PRAISE, you are doing spiritual battle, allowing God to fight on your behalf. All through history, as well as recorded in the Bible, armies went into battle with music, singing, and shouting.  A spiritual battle is being waged . . . it is war . . . so SING!

You can SING and PRAISE privately, in a small group, or in a church setting. Wherever you do it, do it with your whole heart, and do it with enthusiasm as the joy of the Lord springs from your soul and spirit.

PRAY: “Master of Music, thank You for the song You put in my heart. I can praise You continually in the daytime and in the night hours. Let my song be sweet music in Your ears. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

Repairing The Breaches

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

How are your walls coming? Have you done some repairing recently? As you grow in righteousness, you can see that the walls that guard your heart (temple) are being strengthened. Remember: People may not see your conduct IN the temple, but your “walls” are most visible.

Keep repairing the breaches in your walls. You do that by “diligently” seeking God and allowing Him to make needed changes in your heart. As Nehemiah experienced with the walls of Jerusalem, rebuilding is actually more difficult than building the first time. That is simply because there is so much “rubble” in the way. (See Nehemiah 4:10, NIV.)

As you continue to “diligently” seek God and are willing to change and grow, then you can proclaim the blessing of God from Isaiah 60:18: “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.”

God is making something beautiful of your life. Be patient. . . He is not finished yet!

PRAY: “Father, I agree with the songwriter who said, ‘All I had to offer You was brokenness and strife, but You made something beautiful out of my life.’ I am thankful, Jesus, that You finished the work on the cross to rid me of ‘rubble,’ and that You are not finished with me yet. Amen.”

Earthen Vessels

“And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.”  Judges 7:16

God instructed Gideon to fight the Midianite army of 135,000 men with a meager 300 men, each armed with a most unusual weapon.. . a lamp inside a pitcher.

These lamps were torches which would smolder in the clay jar, or pitcher, and burst into flame when taken out and waved. Instruction was given to smash the clay jars at the given time so that the torches would be revealed, shedding light on the enemy in a nighttime surprise attack.

The clay jar with a smoldering torch inside is a picture of your life, which also must be smashed, crushed, and broken in order to reveal the true light of Christ inside.

II Corinthians 4:7 says: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”  The treasure of His presence and power inside your earthen body will be revealed only when you become broken and humble before God.

Brokenness is REPENTANCE … Repentance brings LIGHT.. . Light brings VICTORY.

PRAY: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise ‘‘ I humble myself before You today. Amen.”

*psalm 51:17

Three Weapons of War

“And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand. . . .“ Judges 7:7a

Judges 7 records the story of Gideon’s victory over the enemy with only three hundred men. Take another look at the weapons of war that God used for the victory:

1) An empty jar. . . the vessel had to be broken.

2) A smoldering torch. . . ignited to flame when the vessel was broken.

3) A trumpet. . . a ram’s horn, sounded in praise.

God still promises to give you victory over the enemies of your life with these three weapons:

1) A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP. . . represented by a broken, submitted heart toward God.

2) THE HOLY SPIRIT. . . represented by a spirit on fire for God and His righteousness.

3) PRAISE AND WORSHIP. . . your voice singing out loudly, as a trumpet sounds, bringing glory and honor to God.

Let God win those battles of life. Look to Him for the VICTORY. Use the right weapons. Here they are again:

1) Walk in A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God.

2) Be filled with THE HOLY SPIRIT.

3) Lift your voice in PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

PRAY: “Father, Gideon’s deliverance was wonderful! I thank You that these words are meant for me even today. Let’s go forward into battle! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

Strenght in Weakness

“Fear thou not for l am with thee: be not dismayed for am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

Q. Have you ever felt like you could not reach your goals?

A. The truth is: You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength, wisdom, and knowledge to complete tasks. (See Philippians 4:13.)

Q. Have you ever been nervous or afraid to do something new and different from your “normal” course?

A. Fear reminds you that you need faith. Have confidence that God will go ahead of you to clear the path. (See Isaiah 43:19.)

Q. What about the obstacles that stand in the way?

A. Obstacles are stepping stones. God wants you to speak to the mountain in your way and say, “Be thou removed!” (Matthew 21:21)

Paul boasted about his weakness, knowing in that weak condition he was the most powerful! “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians 12:9) When you rely on your own strength, you are limited; but if you have faith in what God can do, there are no limits!

PRAY: “God… how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.  Give me Your strength today.  In Jesus’ Name. amen.”

Step By Step

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

Have you ever said: “I wish God would just straighten everything out!”?

When -God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land, His sovereign hand was doing battle for His people to bring every needed provision and victory.

Yet, in Exodus 23:30 (NIV), God’s strategy for Israel AND for you can be understood more fully:  “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.  God intends for you to increase. He intends for you to overcome and be victorious. Be patient. . . it is a process.

As a child learns to walk . . . step by step, through a series of falls, thereby building strong legs, a confident spirit, and knowledge about walking. . . so spiritually, “little by little,” God will see you through those trying circumstances. All the while He is building a stronger character in you and developing a closer relationship.

Keep trusting Him!

PRAY: “Heavenly Father, an old gospel song comes to my mind: ‘All The Way My Savior Leads Me,’ as I think on Your Word for today. Trusting You step by step really IS the only way to live in this world. Lead me on, Jesus. Amen.”