GOD IS OUR REFUGE

The Lord knows those who are truly committed to Him and who
earnestly seek Him. For those, He is a refuge, a safety net, a
shelter of protection. He is our safeguard from evil through trials,
and in tribulations.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that we have such a loving and
merciful God who is our protector and refuge from all that would
harm us. In Jesus' name.

Read Nahum 1:7

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who
trust in Him." (NIV)

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him." (KJV)

   
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ACTIVE FAITH

When we put our faith into action, it becomes evident that the power
of God is real and present. We can then understand the great treasures
God has for those who exercise their faith. Others will know it too and
they will want to have that active faith operating in their lives.

Heavenly Father, we earnestly seek to put our faith into action so that
your glorious blessings will be evident to us and draw others to seek
this same active faith In you. In Jesus' name.

Read Philemon 1:6

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have
a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (NIV)

"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (KJV)



"Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works." Martin Luther

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TRUST IN THE LORD

Jesus Christ knew what was in mankind and how the human nature is.
We, too, understand that putting our trust in other humans instead of
God will lead to certain disappointment. Therefore, our only hope is to
put our trust in the Lord God as we watch and wait for Him. We know He will hear us and always be with us. With Him, we will never be disappointed.

Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of where we put our trust. Keep us on the right path of total trust in you and not in mankind. In Jesus' name.

Read Micah 7:7

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour,
my God will hear me." (NIV)

"Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my
salvation: my God will hear me." (KJV)
    
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LIVE IN PEACE

We are expected to fight the good fight against sin and evil. However,
we are not to fight against each other or those who oppose us. We are to
exert our utmost effort to maintain a peaceful attitude and behavior toward everyone. This is not always an easy thing to do. But, if we keep ourselves clothed with holiness which means being detached from worldliness and attached to Godliness, we will have access to the same attitude that is in the Lord.

Heavenly Father, help us to walk in holiness as Jesus did. Give us a Spirit of peace so that we will spread your peace to all those we encounter. In Jesus' name.

Read Hebrews 12:14

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without
holiness no one will see the Lord." (NIV)


"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord." (KJV)

   
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PRIDE AND DECEIT

Some people have a very inflated view of themselves. In fact, these
people are deceived by their pride into thinking others see them in
the same way they see themselves. Their deceptive pride brings them
to places that make them feel they are above the rules and laws of both
God and man. God will allow them to continue in their delusion for a time, but will bring them to reality at some point. We really need to examine ourselves, be real about who we are, and keep ourselves from falling into deceptive pride. Yes, it can happen to any of us. We can fall from any level.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you help us to keep an honest and true view of ourselves, to see ourselves as you see us, so that we will bring glory to you, in Jesus' name.

Read Obadiah 1:3,4

"The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord." (NIV)

"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." (KJV)

    
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ASK FOR WISDOM

Do any of us feel we are wise? Wisdom is a precious understanding
of the mind of God that He will lavishly give us if we ask sincerely.
With His wisdom, we can more fully understand the situations we
encounter and the events going on in the world.

Heavenly Father, we humbly come to you, asking for wisdom so that
we will understand your ways and know you in a deeper way. In
Jesus' name.

Read James 1:5

"If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously
to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (KJV)

    
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FEAR IN PERSPECTIVE

If we were to take a stroll down a country road and a lion appeared from
the side of the road with a loud roar, we would certainly react with fear
and motivation to move. When God Almighty, who created the lion, speaks to us, how much more should we fear and be motivated to tell others what He has said?

Heavenly Father, we ask that you restore to us discerning ears, committed hearts, and readiness to hear from you. Then we will be moved to tell others Your words. In Jesus' name.

Read Amos 3:8

"The lion has roared--who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken--who can but prophecy?" (NIV)

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" (KJV)

    
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GOD'S GREATNESS THEN AND NOW

We read and listen to the way God moved by His mighty power and miracles in Bible times. Knowing our God has done these incredible things brings us such awe and inspiration. It can also give us a strong desire to see God move in that same way today in our time. The way the world has become more and more evil, we are pressed to ask God for His mercy and to intervene in the glorious ways He did in times past.

Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy as you look on the condition of this world. We ask that you would show your mighty strength and power in our time. In Jesus' name.

Read Habakkuk 3:2

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." (NIV)

"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy
work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in
wrath remember mercy." (KJV)

    
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TRUE LOVE

How can we show God that we truly love Him? Jesus tells us He
will know we love Him if we obey His commandments. What are His
commandments? They are to love God with all of our being and to
love each other. The love He is commanding is not merely words or
sentiments, but acts of giving and sacrifice.

Heavenly Father, fill our hearts to overflowing with love for You and
for each other so that we will bring glory to You; In Jesus' name.

Read John 14:15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." (NIV)

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (KJV)

    
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PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

How can we live consistent, holy lives around a world full of unbelievers? It is a sure thing that when we do, we will be ridiculed and stereotyped. But, we can be certain that our actions will have an impact on those around us and our God will be glorified.

Heavenly Father, help us live holy and consistent lives wherever we are;
In Jesus' name.

Read 1 Peter 2:12

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of
doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (NIV)

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (KJV)

  
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GOODWILL

At times we feel a sense of satisfaction when those who have wronged us
have to pay for what they did. God's heart is different. Although unrepentant sinners will be punished, He delights in and would rather sinners turn from their worldly ways and humbly walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, we ask you for hearts like yours that rejoice when our
enemies repent and turn to you; In Jesus name.

Read Ezekiel 18:23

"'Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?' declares the Sovereign Lord. 'Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?'"
(NIV)

"'Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?' saith the Lord
GOD: 'and not that he should return from his ways, and live?"' (KJV)


    
©2010

SECURITY

How can we be sure that we are secure in our calling and election as
children of God? If we are eagerly growing spiritually and make this our
first priority, we are most likely to stay in the Way and to not stumble.

Heavenly Father, give us eagerness to grow and mature as Christians; in
Jesus name.

Read 2 Peter 1:10

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and
election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall." (NIV)

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (KJV)

     
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WAIT PATIENTLY

We all face enormous trials and struggles. Sometimes we wonder where
God is. We need to stop wondering and start seeking Him. It is a most
satisfying exercise that will give us strength to wait. God delights in and
blesses those who hope in, seek Him, and wait with peaceful trust that He will deliver.

Father in Heaven, we are in need of your grace and mercy to help us wait for you and trust you. Give us this strength today; In Jesus name.

Read Lamentations 3:25,26

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (NIV)

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (KJV)

   
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CHRISTIAN SINNERS?

Because we are Christians, are we perfect? Are we free from mistakes?
Do we always obey the principles of the Word? Most likely not. But, if we
are truly children of God, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we get off
track. The love and grace of God will overpower the desire or inclination
to sin and, being alerted by His Spirit, we will turn back to His way. If we
continue in the sin and ignore the Holy Spirit's conviction, we are in danger of numbing our consciences from the voice of God.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you will help us be open to the Holy Spirit
and let your love and grace overpower our own desires that will lead us
away from you; In Jesus name.

Read 1 John 5:18

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (NIV)

"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (KJV)

    
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INSIDE AND OUT

Circumcision was the outward, physical act representing the covenant
between God Almighty and His children. Unfortunately, for many, they
failed to circumcise their hearts. Today, we can be church members,
church workers, talk the Christian lingo, know the Bible inside and out,
and never have given our hearts to Him. If that is the case, then we are
merely ungodly people masquerading as Christians. Let's examine
ourselves. Are we true Christians, inside and out?

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us the true condition
of our hearts. We want to have pure hearts that are in your hands, in
Jesus' name.

Read Jeremiah 9:25

"The days are coming declares the Lord, when I will punish all who are
circumcised only in the flesh." (NIV)

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised." (KJV)



     
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HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU HAVE

There is no room for complacency in the Christian life. We are warned
over and over to watch, be on guard, stand firm, and be alert to the
dangers that rob us of our faith. We have to be constantly walking in
the Spirit in order to be ready on that day and to receive the reward
He has promised to us.

Father, we ask you to help us be alert and wise, always walking in Your
Spirit, so that we won't fall into the things of this world that rob us of our faith; in Jesus name.

Read 2 John 1:8

"Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that
you may be rewarded fully." (NIV)

"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a full reward." (KJV)

  
©2010

CALL IT WHAT IT IS

What does it means to have a reprobate mind? It is the lack of
acknowledging or even caring about the difference between right and
wrong. There is no shame in sin or evil. Whatever feels and seems right
is the guide. It is frightening to know how easy it is to get deceived by
someone with a reprobate mind, because the talk flows smoothly and
convincingly that it is okay to do what is wrong. It is so very easy to
influence the unsuspecting. The reward is death. We can't let anyone get
us confused about what is good and what is evil. Pray for discernment.

Read Isaiah 5:20

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for
light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for
bitter." (NIV)

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness
for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for
bitter!" (KJV)

IMITATION

Are you following good or evil? The answer is evident not in your
verbal response, but in your day to day actions. If from your heart,
you are loving, kind, seeking to do good and sharing the grace and
mercy of God to others, you are following good. If you are unfeeling,
judgmental, impatient with others, or doing your own thing, you are
following evil and do not know God at all.

Read 3 John 1:11

"Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone
who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil
has not seen God." (NIV)

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He
that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."
(KJV)

OUR PLANS HIS PURPOSE

It is a good feeling to make plans, dream, and set goals for our lives.
However, never forget that it is God who has already made plans for
our lives. He will use our plans, or make alterations to our plans, or
may totally disregard our plans. That is not a problem for those who
have completely entrusted their lives to Him.

Read Proverbs 19:21

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose
that prevails." (NIV)

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel
of the LORD, that shall stand." (KJV)

GOD'S LOVE

While we wait for Christ's soon return, it is our responsibility to
keep ourselves holy, faithful, and living out in that first love we
had for Him. We can do this only by God's grace and mercy. It is
His love for us that supplies His grace and mercy so that we will
be found ready when He comes.

Read Jude 1:21

"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (NIV)

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (KJV)

SHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Let your mind cause the world around you to be quiet. Stop thinking about tomorrow. Stop thinking about your illness. Stop thinking about family issues. Stop thinking about you job or lack thereof. Stop thinking about your finances. Stop thinking about what you have, don't have, or want to have. Think only on God and His power, His love, His grace, and His mercy. This is the greatest spiritual exercise there is. It benefits not only your mind, but your spirit and body as well.

Read Psalm 46:10a

"Be still, and know that I am God;....." (NIV)

"Be still, and know that I am God:..... (KJV)

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

When Christ comes back He will have His reward with Him. What is
His reward? It is giving of the right to enter the eternal city and take
freely of the tree of life. Who will get this reward? Those who have
been cleansed by His blood shed on the cross and have kept the faith.

Read Revelation 22:12

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to
everyone according to what he has done." (NIV)

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give
every man according as his work shall be." (KJV)

HOLY VS PROFANE

The sacred message of the Gospel and the holy principles of the Word
are precious and are totally worthy of reverence and respect. It is our
charge as Christians to handle these precious "pearls" of God with
discernment and wisdom. Jesus told us to keep from giving them out
to those who are so hardened in heart that they will ridicule and stomp
on these blessed truths. Those people have willingly and permanently
rejected God. They are reprobate.

Read Matthew 7:6

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you
do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." (NIV)

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again
and rend you." (KJV)

GOODNESS & SEVERITY OF GOD

The love of God is boundless and glorious. However, we fail to understand that the severity of God also exists when it is needed. Those who fall from or refuse His salvation will know His severity which is eternal death and darkness. Those who turn from unbelief and rebellion to God will bask in His love forever and ever.

Read Romans 11:22

"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to
those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His
kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. (NIV)

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." (KJV)

WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT

Have you ever heard the saying "When God closes a door, He always
opens a window?" This is a distortion of scriptural truth that sets us
up for major disappointment and shaking of our faith. It gives us a
false hope that we will get what we want. The truth is, when God
shuts a door, no one can open it. There may or may not be another
door. We can accept the closed door and know that it is for our own
good and for God's glory.

Read Isaiah 22:22
(See Revelation 3:7)

"I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he
opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (NIV)

"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." (KJV)

WISDOM BEGETS PATIENCE

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in an insightful, true, and
discerning way. When we have wisdom and trying situations come
our way, we can endure them with peace and confidence that God
is working out His plan. We can let many disturbing offenses roll off
our backs. God is pleased with that.

Read Proverbs 19:11

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an
offense." (NIV)

"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." (KJV)

OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

Retaliation! Revenge! Getting Even! They are all just the same as trying
to put out a fire with a blow torch or cleaning the mud off your feet by
walking through a mud pit. All pointless wastes of time that increase
evil. As Christians we are called to overcome evil with good. Easier
said than done, but we can choose to do it out of love for the Lord.
Blessings are waiting for those who choose to trump evil with good.

Read 1 Peter 3:9

"Do not repay eveil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
(NIV)

"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
(KJV)

STANDING THE TEST

It is truly difficult to stay strong and to cope with trials and temptations
in these times. Understanding the good that can come from these trials
makes it easier to endure them. If we cannot see the purpose of our trial,
we can ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding. He will give it to us.
If we remain true to the Lord no matter what trial we face, we will know
God's blessings and abundant life now and forever.

Read James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love Him." (NIV)

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him." (KJV)