February 28 – Miracles

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Are you interested in miracles and healing? Pursuit or action is a necessary element of FAITH to receive miracles. FAITH is SUBSTANCE and FAITH is EVIDENCE. In other words, even when you cannot SEE with your natural eyes, FAITH is what you see with.

There are three active ingredients to FAITH:

1) Faith SEES – One must have a hope, a vision, an expectation of a desired result.

2) Faith SPEAKS – One must open his mouth and make a confession of belief in the expected result. Speaking about something you cannot yet see with your physical eye is an exercise of faith.

3) Faith ACTS – One must be willing to move, to do something in pursuit of the desired result.

Miracles come through FAITH. FAITH is exercised when you are actively seeking (pursuing) God.

Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

PRAY: “Most Holy Father, my desire is to please You by my seeing, speaking, and acting in FAITH today. Help me to live diligently and expectantly. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

February 27 – Signs

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”  Mark 16:17-18

SIGNS of a healthy, growing CHURCH are emerging today…salvations, healings, and deliverances. Individuals are finding that in Jesus’ Name they can “cast out devils” of carnality, fear, unbelief, slothfulness, and depression from their very own lives!

It is nice to see a sign on the Road of God’s Perfect Will. A sign does not mean you have arrived; a sign means you are on the way. You may pass a sign on the highway which says: “Orlando, 90 miles.” The sign does not mean you have reached Orlando, but it tells you you are on the right road!

SIGNS are often few and far between. That is why it is necessary to have a road map to direct you to your destination. God’s Word is your road map for your spiritual journey. You need to study it while on this highway of life. Familiarity with the road map brings faith, and God’s abiding presence becomes your guide.

SIGNS are a nice confirmation of being on the right road, but they “follow them that believe.” Belief comes by faith and knowledge of God’s Word.

PRAY: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your concern that I stay on the right road. Open my understanding as I study Your perfect-will road map. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

February 26 – The Garment of Praise

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” Isaiah 61:3a

Isaiah speaks of substituting “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” Many people today wrestle with a spirit of heaviness or depression. It is not just an attitude, feeling, or influence…it is a spirit — an evil personality that grips the heart and mind of a person bringing discouragement, frustration, and negative thoughts. This spirit robs you of the joy of the Lord, which is your strength! (See Nehemiah 8:10.)

How do you shed this evil spirit? Through PRAISE!  Every morning when you arise, you decide what clothes to wear. You go to the closet and make a distinct decision as to what to “put on.” Likewise, you must decide to “put on” the GARMENT OF PRAISE to combat the spirit of depression.

Praise is an act of your WILL! David said, “I WILL bless the Lord at all times…” (See Psalm 34:1.) (Emphasis supplied.) Sometimes it is difficult and takes sacrifice, but God loves sacrifice because it forces you to choose HIM over yourself. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

Have you “put on” your GARMENT OF PRAISE?

PRAY: “Father, You are worthy of my continual praise. Help me to decide always to ‘put on’ the garment of praise rather than the spirit of heaviness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”