Daily Devotional for November 20, 2009
And the woman conceived, and bore a son:
and when she saw him that he was a goodly child,
she hid him three months.
Exodus 2:2
and when she saw him that he was a goodly child,
she hid him three months.
Exodus 2:2
The Spirit of the Lord is calling the people of God to fast, pray and seek his face. The Lord wants to reveal secret things to you for the season that is upon you. There is a mandate of change that has come for the people of God and as we stay in His presence He shall defeat the enemies round about you.
The Lord shall hide you in the day of adversity even from those who seek to destroy you and wipe you off of the face of the earth. He will hide you for His appointed time and for His appointed purpose even if it means placing you into the camp of the enemy so that you can learn their ways and eat of their stores. In the midst of adversity, while you are encompassed round about by evil on every side God is devising His plan to deliver you in your due season.
Moses was born in a time when there was great persecution in his homeland against newborn males which placed him in the predicament of facing certain death unless rescued. However, despite the time and the season of his birth and all that man had conspired to do God had a design on his life, a divine purpose for him to fulfill and a mandate set that could be accomplished by no other. God has a plan for your life; a mandate set that no one else can accomplish and He has devised a master plan to deliver you from the hands of your enemies round about you.
This present time may be considered as your worst but in the plan of the Master it may be your final frontier before walking into His divine destiny for your life. The scripture tells us that Moses’ mother was inspired to hide him as she discerned that there was something goodly about him. She came up with a plan and went to work to procure the child to a place where his life would be preserved as is seen in Exodus 2:3 “And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.” Having done this she set a watch over him but the Lord had a plan and oh what a mighty plan. He deposited him in the care of Pharaoh’s daughter, brought his own mother to nurture him, with compensation and hid him under the protection of the enemy.
Today know that the Lord God of hosts is making a way to bring you out and into the place of your expected end. You were created for His purpose and must go through your process of refining, purification and preparation for the mighty work that is appointed for you to do. Though born in adversity, dwelling in the midst of strife, confusion, trouble and episodes of disaster, yet you are coming out. Hidden in the ark of bulrushes made with the most menial materials was the deliverer of Israel. Hidden in the old house, the cooped up apartment, in the most menial accommodations is the deliverer of the nations. The man and woman that God has appointed to do His strange work in His appointed time. Hidden in the job being under paid and unappreciated is the next generation Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Caleb waiting for God’s appointed time.
Moses was born in a time when there was great persecution in his homeland against newborn males which placed him in the predicament of facing certain death unless rescued. However, despite the time and the season of his birth and all that man had conspired to do God had a design on his life, a divine purpose for him to fulfill and a mandate set that could be accomplished by no other. God has a plan for your life; a mandate set that no one else can accomplish and He has devised a master plan to deliver you from the hands of your enemies round about you.
This present time may be considered as your worst but in the plan of the Master it may be your final frontier before walking into His divine destiny for your life. The scripture tells us that Moses’ mother was inspired to hide him as she discerned that there was something goodly about him. She came up with a plan and went to work to procure the child to a place where his life would be preserved as is seen in Exodus 2:3 “And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.” Having done this she set a watch over him but the Lord had a plan and oh what a mighty plan. He deposited him in the care of Pharaoh’s daughter, brought his own mother to nurture him, with compensation and hid him under the protection of the enemy.
Today know that the Lord God of hosts is making a way to bring you out and into the place of your expected end. You were created for His purpose and must go through your process of refining, purification and preparation for the mighty work that is appointed for you to do. Though born in adversity, dwelling in the midst of strife, confusion, trouble and episodes of disaster, yet you are coming out. Hidden in the ark of bulrushes made with the most menial materials was the deliverer of Israel. Hidden in the old house, the cooped up apartment, in the most menial accommodations is the deliverer of the nations. The man and woman that God has appointed to do His strange work in His appointed time. Hidden in the job being under paid and unappreciated is the next generation Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Caleb waiting for God’s appointed time.
Wait, just a little while longer, for your deliverance is coming!
Word For Today: If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. - Job 14:14 - It’s coming, don’t quit now; for it’s springing forth right about NOW!
[ 20 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 2169 ]
Daily Devotional for November 19, 2009
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds
2nd Corinthians 10:4
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds
2nd Corinthians 10:4
“Arise” says the Lord, “for the shofar has been blown.” The trumpet of the Lord is heralding His people to war. “As the whirlwinds come out of the four corners of the earth, a strong and mighty wind shall blow through the nations of the world causing many to fear and be shaken,” says the Lord. “Arise to war, put on the mantle of My authority and power. Fast, seek My face in consecration and listen for the sound of My voice as I will give you the strategies for the diverse warfare that shall shortly be upon you. It’s time for war,” says the Lord.
Children of the Most High God, the call has been made and it’s time to go to war. The time has come to arise, get on the offensive and engage the enemy. This is necessary so that we can begin to cut down all his strongholds and demolish his yoke of bondage from over our lives. It’s time to invade his camp and take back all that he has stolen from you, knowing that the Lord our God has equipped us to win this warfare. God has made every weapon of war available to us so that we can counteract what the enemy has. He has even given us weapons that the enemy doesn’t have in his arsenal. So it’s time for war and not for complacency, it’s time to put on the mantle of authority and power. It’s high time for us to arise and go forth in the power of His might and tear down the strongholds of the enemy. The stronghold of doubt, fear, intimidation, complacency, passivity and procrastination which must be demolished and vanquished out of the way in order to win this warfare.
We need to recognize that the devil has intensified his attacks and has set in motion a plan designed to wipe out every man, woman, boy or girl that he can gain access to. He is killing our young men and women, imprisoning them, raping them, and subjecting them to abuse and persecution. The weapons that we are provided with are invincible and designed to search out and destroy anything in the realm of the Spirit that seeks to attack God’s children. Our weapons of warfare were given the distinct description of being spiritual first of all and secondly mighty through God for the express purpose of pulling down strongholds.
The word ‘stronghold’ is defined as ‘fortress; fortification; citadel; bulwark; stockade; rampart; hold or castle’. Our instruction from the Word is to wage war against the enemy using our spiritual weapons to effectively carry out this mandate for war. We’ve got to fight to take back our children, our finances, our spouses, our jobs, our homes, and this whole nation. It’s wartime but we need to recognize that the battle is already won in the realm of the Spirit. All the child of God needs to do is engage the enemy offensively and declare victory. Speak the Word of faith and it will cause what has already transpired in the realm of the Spirit to be made manifested in the physical realm. It is the Word - the sword of the Spirit declared over your situation that is going to bring the breakthrough and effectively demolish Satan’s stronghold in your life. So put on your war clothes, take up your sword and begin to move in offensive warfare to take back the territories that the adversary has taken.
We need to recognize that the devil has intensified his attacks and has set in motion a plan designed to wipe out every man, woman, boy or girl that he can gain access to. He is killing our young men and women, imprisoning them, raping them, and subjecting them to abuse and persecution. The weapons that we are provided with are invincible and designed to search out and destroy anything in the realm of the Spirit that seeks to attack God’s children. Our weapons of warfare were given the distinct description of being spiritual first of all and secondly mighty through God for the express purpose of pulling down strongholds.
The word ‘stronghold’ is defined as ‘fortress; fortification; citadel; bulwark; stockade; rampart; hold or castle’. Our instruction from the Word is to wage war against the enemy using our spiritual weapons to effectively carry out this mandate for war. We’ve got to fight to take back our children, our finances, our spouses, our jobs, our homes, and this whole nation. It’s wartime but we need to recognize that the battle is already won in the realm of the Spirit. All the child of God needs to do is engage the enemy offensively and declare victory. Speak the Word of faith and it will cause what has already transpired in the realm of the Spirit to be made manifested in the physical realm. It is the Word - the sword of the Spirit declared over your situation that is going to bring the breakthrough and effectively demolish Satan’s stronghold in your life. So put on your war clothes, take up your sword and begin to move in offensive warfare to take back the territories that the adversary has taken.
It’s time to declare WAR!!!
Word For Today: Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. - Joel 3:9 - War is imminent whether you want to be involved or not.
[ 19 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 2840 ]
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2009
Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers,
Whose damsel is this?
Ruth 2:5
Whose damsel is this?
Ruth 2:5
I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying “Today is your day of victory; begin to worship and declare for it is so. A turnaround has come in your finances and broken relationships are mended… this day” says the Lord.
Make no mistake about it, as we lay claim to be anything or anybody in the Body of Christ, be sure that there will be someone somewhere who will notice and observe the quality of our service. Yet in the midst of that, Child of God, know for certain that your service will not go unnoticed in the realm of the Spirit either. I read in Ecclesiastes 9:10 where it says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”, true Christian service will never go unseen by God, it will always be rewarded. That’s why we’re told, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1st Corinthians 15:58).
Boaz recognized that Ruth was committed and that the quality of her service to Naomi reflected her conviction and commitment to God. Listen to what he said, “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust” (vs. 12). I place emphasis on ‘full reward’ to point out that the word ‘full’ means that the reward was given with nothing lacking. This reward didn’t come from man, not from her mother-in-law but it came from, “the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust”. Boaz considered Ruth’s service to Naomi as an expression of her trust in God. It’s interesting how the quality of our service can speak volumes in reference to our level of intimacy with God, to the significance of our relationship with God as well as to our obligation to His vision. Intimacy denotes knowledge and a sort of familiarity which speaks of a level of closeness developed between two people. When there is a level of closeness felt in relation to God it will prompt the believer to want to serve Him. We want to serve Him because we have come to KNOW that He is GOOD.
In Acts 26:14-16 we read of Paul’s Damascus Road account and are made cognizant of the fact that All that is there speaks of Paul coming into a personal relationship, a relationship that is devoted to a Person not a cause. It is a relationship that literally compelled Paul into unwavering service. There is conclusive evidence that where there is a sense of responsibility, duty or obligation to a purpose there will be passion in the response to the vision of that cause. The vision that Paul had on the road to Damascus was not just some passing emotion, it was a vision that had clear and emphatic directions for him because he said in Acts 26:19, “…I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision…” In our minds we might think that it is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then we’re not bothered by what God requires; common sense is our guide, concealed by Christian emotion. We feel that we can be more prosperous and more successful, more leisure-hearted as long as we don’t carry out the vision of God.
The truth is quite to the contrary because once I’ve received God’s call on my life the knowledge of what God has mandated will become like a provoking in my spirit. I’ll no longer be able to do service for Him based on common sense. Nothing that I attempt to do will ever attain to any degree of prosperity or success if I’m not following God’s vision. Only complete service to God will bring a feeling of joy and satisfaction. Knowing that you have given your best to the Master will bring a sense of gratification that no degree of prosperity or success can bring. As we look at our text and we observe Ruth’s commitment and service, even though she was not a Jew, she was to be highly favored and honored to the point where she became the mother of David’s father, out of whose lineage our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born. Not only that but the quality of her service brought the restoration of honor to Naomi, her mother-in-law. She was so highly honored that the book in the Bible was not named ‘Naomi’ but rather ‘Ruth’.
Boaz recognized that Ruth was committed and that the quality of her service to Naomi reflected her conviction and commitment to God. Listen to what he said, “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust” (vs. 12). I place emphasis on ‘full reward’ to point out that the word ‘full’ means that the reward was given with nothing lacking. This reward didn’t come from man, not from her mother-in-law but it came from, “the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust”. Boaz considered Ruth’s service to Naomi as an expression of her trust in God. It’s interesting how the quality of our service can speak volumes in reference to our level of intimacy with God, to the significance of our relationship with God as well as to our obligation to His vision. Intimacy denotes knowledge and a sort of familiarity which speaks of a level of closeness developed between two people. When there is a level of closeness felt in relation to God it will prompt the believer to want to serve Him. We want to serve Him because we have come to KNOW that He is GOOD.
In Acts 26:14-16 we read of Paul’s Damascus Road account and are made cognizant of the fact that All that is there speaks of Paul coming into a personal relationship, a relationship that is devoted to a Person not a cause. It is a relationship that literally compelled Paul into unwavering service. There is conclusive evidence that where there is a sense of responsibility, duty or obligation to a purpose there will be passion in the response to the vision of that cause. The vision that Paul had on the road to Damascus was not just some passing emotion, it was a vision that had clear and emphatic directions for him because he said in Acts 26:19, “…I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision…” In our minds we might think that it is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then we’re not bothered by what God requires; common sense is our guide, concealed by Christian emotion. We feel that we can be more prosperous and more successful, more leisure-hearted as long as we don’t carry out the vision of God.
The truth is quite to the contrary because once I’ve received God’s call on my life the knowledge of what God has mandated will become like a provoking in my spirit. I’ll no longer be able to do service for Him based on common sense. Nothing that I attempt to do will ever attain to any degree of prosperity or success if I’m not following God’s vision. Only complete service to God will bring a feeling of joy and satisfaction. Knowing that you have given your best to the Master will bring a sense of gratification that no degree of prosperity or success can bring. As we look at our text and we observe Ruth’s commitment and service, even though she was not a Jew, she was to be highly favored and honored to the point where she became the mother of David’s father, out of whose lineage our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born. Not only that but the quality of her service brought the restoration of honor to Naomi, her mother-in-law. She was so highly honored that the book in the Bible was not named ‘Naomi’ but rather ‘Ruth’.
The quality of your service to God must be easily identified by ALL!
Word For Today: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. - Ephesians 6:7-8 – It is the service that you do “as to the Lord” that is recognized and smiled upon by the Heavenly Father.
[ 18 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 791 ]
Daily Devotional for November 17, 2009
But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not
the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction:
truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth
Jeremiah 7:28
the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction:
truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth
Jeremiah 7:28
The Lord is calling the Church to walk in love and to have compassion one for another. Hear the Word of the Lord, “Be careful to show mercy and do that which is within your power to do for in not doing so you endorse the enemy to appoint a season in which you will be the one in need of mercy. Be careful therefore, to walk in love; putting on bowels of mercy and compassion giving no occasion to the adversary.”
As we look around daily and observe the state of the world in which we live it is clear that the hearts of men and women have turned away from the truth of the Word of God. Not only do we constantly hear reports of thefts, rapes, murders, and all manners of violence, but we witness and experience these events with our own eyes and in our own homes. 2nd Timothy 3:1-4 states, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”. It is a fact that we are now living in ‘the last days’ and we can easily see the contents of this list reflected in our society. Young men and women have turned to sex, drugs, and violence as a way of escape from their problems, not recognizing the true value of their bodies and their lives; men have forsaken their wives and children, forgetting that they have been appointed as priests over their households; and women have turned to gossip and garrulousness, abandoning their roles as intercessors.
Seeing all this, God has described today’s generation as a disobedient people who refuse correction, and from whom truth has perished (cf. Jeremiah 7:28). There is a stain of sin which runs throughout the nations, and from it a stench ascends to the nostrils of the Lord. Yet God has not blotted us out or cast us aside, on the contrary, He continually extends an invitation to us “to obey His voice”, and “walk in all the ways that He has commanded us” (cf. Jeremiah 7:23). Having done so, not only will He be our God, but it will be well with us.
Serving the Lord should not just be something we talk about, or something we do on-and-off, instead it should consume our everyday lives, so much so that serving God becomes inseparable from our daily living activities. Walking in all the ways that He has commanded means following the code of conduct outlined in the Bible, it means ensuring that your thoughts, words, and actions are rooted in righteousness according to His will.
Many have forsaken the ways and the Word of the Lord; many have turned their backs to Him or have backslidden to a state of indifference and shoddy Christianity, but today He seeks one who will stand and declare His truth, one who isn’t afraid of being different from the crowd, one who will enlist him or herself as a part of the remnant, the holy, the sold-out for Christ.
Seeing all this, God has described today’s generation as a disobedient people who refuse correction, and from whom truth has perished (cf. Jeremiah 7:28). There is a stain of sin which runs throughout the nations, and from it a stench ascends to the nostrils of the Lord. Yet God has not blotted us out or cast us aside, on the contrary, He continually extends an invitation to us “to obey His voice”, and “walk in all the ways that He has commanded us” (cf. Jeremiah 7:23). Having done so, not only will He be our God, but it will be well with us.
Serving the Lord should not just be something we talk about, or something we do on-and-off, instead it should consume our everyday lives, so much so that serving God becomes inseparable from our daily living activities. Walking in all the ways that He has commanded means following the code of conduct outlined in the Bible, it means ensuring that your thoughts, words, and actions are rooted in righteousness according to His will.
Many have forsaken the ways and the Word of the Lord; many have turned their backs to Him or have backslidden to a state of indifference and shoddy Christianity, but today He seeks one who will stand and declare His truth, one who isn’t afraid of being different from the crowd, one who will enlist him or herself as a part of the remnant, the holy, the sold-out for Christ.
Are you the one He is looking for?
Word For Today: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. - Jeremiah 7:23 – He has already explained to us what we must do in order to prosper, the only thing we have to do is obey.
[ 17 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 1734 ]
Daily Devotional for November 12, 2009
I love them that love Me;
and those that seek Me early shall find Me.
Proverb 8:17
and those that seek Me early shall find Me.
Proverb 8:17
I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying that this is the season of return, for many that have forsaken you shall return. Many that lost their first love shall return and many that lost their way shall find it once again. It is a new day children of God, begin to walk in it and declare the heart of your God and the power of His might for He has delivered you from your enemies.
There are many of God’s children that are seeking His face in this season, because of varying degrees of trouble. There are issues with the family where children or marriage is concerned; financial issues and even interpersonal relationships issues; issues which drive us to seek the face of God for solutions and solace. But how many understand that the desire of the Lord is for us to seek Him, just to adore and worship Him for who He is. How often do we find the time to get into God’s presence without asking petitions or making supplications? How often do we get into His presence just to tell Him, “I love You Lord; You are awesome; wonderful; You are altogether lovely; magnificent and marvelous?”
It is important for us to understand that our solutions are found when we worship Him and set our love for Him as our number one priority. Oh how wonderful it is to bask in the presence of the Lord as we pour out love to Him and feel the glow of His appreciation. We come away knowing His heart and feeling the passion of His love for us. The light of His countenance shines in our eyes and upon our faces as a reflection of His glory and approval of the time we spent together. In an atmosphere of pure unadulterated love we are empowered to face every trial or trouble that comes our way.
We need to come to the place of understanding that the joy of the Lord is our strength, but it is in His presence that we find that quality of joy. The Psalmist says it like this: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (cf. Psalm 16:11) In His presence, loving Him just for who He is will bring you fullness of joy and pleasure that you cannot even begin to fathom, because it extends into the borders of releasing gifts into your bosom that you didn’t even ask Him for.
Our father delights in us when we show Him affection, remember we are told that He is love and so it stands to reason that if we pour out our love upon Him it will result in Him responding in kind. We are dealt with intimately, He begins to pour out His heart and share secret things with us that will give us strategies for our warfare. He will tell us things before they happen and even what’s going on in the stock market… think about it and the numerous things that He will reveal. Psalm 40:16 says, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” My beloved brethren, the Lord wants to share His heart with you, but He needs you to change your focus from your needs to spending quality time with Him, loving on Him.
It is important for us to understand that our solutions are found when we worship Him and set our love for Him as our number one priority. Oh how wonderful it is to bask in the presence of the Lord as we pour out love to Him and feel the glow of His appreciation. We come away knowing His heart and feeling the passion of His love for us. The light of His countenance shines in our eyes and upon our faces as a reflection of His glory and approval of the time we spent together. In an atmosphere of pure unadulterated love we are empowered to face every trial or trouble that comes our way.
We need to come to the place of understanding that the joy of the Lord is our strength, but it is in His presence that we find that quality of joy. The Psalmist says it like this: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (cf. Psalm 16:11) In His presence, loving Him just for who He is will bring you fullness of joy and pleasure that you cannot even begin to fathom, because it extends into the borders of releasing gifts into your bosom that you didn’t even ask Him for.
Our father delights in us when we show Him affection, remember we are told that He is love and so it stands to reason that if we pour out our love upon Him it will result in Him responding in kind. We are dealt with intimately, He begins to pour out His heart and share secret things with us that will give us strategies for our warfare. He will tell us things before they happen and even what’s going on in the stock market… think about it and the numerous things that He will reveal. Psalm 40:16 says, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” My beloved brethren, the Lord wants to share His heart with you, but He needs you to change your focus from your needs to spending quality time with Him, loving on Him.
Come with me and let’s love on our Father; He is worthy!!!
Word For Today: That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. - Proverbs 8:21- The courses in which wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity.
[ 12 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 1367 ]
Daily Devotional for November 11, 2009
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD:
and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled;
and the fire of the LORD burnt among them,
and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Numbers 11:1
and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled;
and the fire of the LORD burnt among them,
and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Numbers 11:1
“I still have you in the palm of My hand” says the Lord. “I am carrying you, I am with you. Remember where I brought you from, remember the times I’ve come through for you before and trust Me” says the Lord.
There is an old hymn which says, “Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessing see what God has done, count your blessings name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God has done”. Perhaps the children of Israel may have profited from being acquainted with the words of this song and the virtue of thanksgiving for ALL things. A virtue which we should endeavor to practice daily instead of complaining about what we lack, can not acquire or the many shortcomings that we experience from time to time. Another songwriter pens the words, “Give thanks with a grateful heart” an expression of thanksgiving for the privilege of having our needs ministered to by the Lord according to His design.
When we look at Israel’s history there was so much for them to be thankful for instead of complaining. They were miraculously delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh by walking through walls of water heaped up on either side as they journeyed not on … but THROUGH the Red Sea while their enemies who tried to do the same were drowned before their eyes. The hand of the Lord was there directing them as they journeyed to the place of freedom on the other side; freedom from the bondage and slavery of Egypt; freedom from the whip master who had often beat them with many stripes when they failed to meet the desires of the Egyptian slave masters. They should have been the most thankful people on the face of the earth in their generation because of the mighty deliverance which was wrought for them by the hand of God. Yet they constantly murmured and complained against the Lord. Sound familiar?
As we reflect upon the goodness that God has shown us from various situations in the past and His faithfulness which we experience on a daily basis; it ought to be enough for us to always live with an attitude of thanksgiving. We need to count our blessings and be mindful of His divine intervention which prevented our demise, interrupted the plans and schemes of the enemy, protected our loved ones and things too numerous to mention. Let me challenge you today to think about what you have, how blessed you are and how much the Lord has already done for you and then make the determination to give thanks. Remember this, complaining is a spirit which leads to ingratitude and unappreciative attitudes. So, why not try doing just the opposite….
When we look at Israel’s history there was so much for them to be thankful for instead of complaining. They were miraculously delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh by walking through walls of water heaped up on either side as they journeyed not on … but THROUGH the Red Sea while their enemies who tried to do the same were drowned before their eyes. The hand of the Lord was there directing them as they journeyed to the place of freedom on the other side; freedom from the bondage and slavery of Egypt; freedom from the whip master who had often beat them with many stripes when they failed to meet the desires of the Egyptian slave masters. They should have been the most thankful people on the face of the earth in their generation because of the mighty deliverance which was wrought for them by the hand of God. Yet they constantly murmured and complained against the Lord. Sound familiar?
As we reflect upon the goodness that God has shown us from various situations in the past and His faithfulness which we experience on a daily basis; it ought to be enough for us to always live with an attitude of thanksgiving. We need to count our blessings and be mindful of His divine intervention which prevented our demise, interrupted the plans and schemes of the enemy, protected our loved ones and things too numerous to mention. Let me challenge you today to think about what you have, how blessed you are and how much the Lord has already done for you and then make the determination to give thanks. Remember this, complaining is a spirit which leads to ingratitude and unappreciative attitudes. So, why not try doing just the opposite….
in EVERYTHING give thanks unto the Lord!
Word For Today: Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. - 1st Corinthians 10:10 – We need to be extremely careful with what we choose to complain about.
[ 11 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 209 ]
Daily Devotional for November 10, 2009
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough:
turn you northward.
Deuteronomy 2:3
turn you northward.
Deuteronomy 2:3
“Life can be beautiful but it all depends on YOU and the choices you make. Either you will choose to walk according to My Word or you will decide to live outside of the blessings that I have established for your life, the choice is yours” says the Lord.
The declaration is “long enough”. This ought to be good news from the Lord as you have been battling with the many mountains of difficulties in your life and wondering if it will ever come to an end. But I hear the voice of the Lord saying, “It’s been long enough and it’s time for your change.” Change has come and it’s time to release the things that you have been accustomed to and using for support; the old familiar things that have kept you in bondage, going around in circles and making no progress. “Turn” says the Lord for now He has sent you directive to change your course of direction and has specifically told you where you must set your focus. Hearing words like these often has a way of stimulating excitement and filling us with great expectations but we must be cognizant of the fact that it will require hard work and dedication. It will also require your commitment to obediently follow the Lord’s instructions for it will not be presto-chango and ALL is changed. You will have to apply yourself to diligently seek the Lord, listen for His voice and then carry out His instructions precisely as He gives it to you.
When we think of a mountain we think of something that is high, rough, rugged, rocky terrain; something that is challenging and must be forged. There are many mountains in the world and men have gained reputations for conquering these mountains by meeting the challenge to get to the top. Mount Everest is one of these mountains and men and women across the globe have risked their lives to conquer this formidable giant. Perhaps your mountain is your marriage, job, children, socio-economical problems, interpersonal relationships or even the pain of the past. God is saying to you that you have been in this position for too long, focusing all your efforts and energy on the mountain when the solution to your problem is away from the mountain. If you could STOP, stand still and see beyond your situation you would see that God is the source of ALL that you need and that your focus should be on Him.
You see the problem lies in the extent of time that you have spent confronted by this situation; it has obscured your vision causing you to become mentally enslaved and accustomed to its existence. This obstacle has blocked you from seeing ALL that God has designed for you and has blocked you from having clear passage to the place that you desire to dwell. Well here’s the good news - you have been here far too long and the Lord is ready to bring you out by changing your focus. “How long?” you may ask. I hear the voice of the Lord saying in response to your question, “Now, the time is NOW! If you will hear My voice and follow Me.” If you have come to the place where you’re tired of the same old same old, then it’s time to change your focus and do what the Lord says to do. The Psalmist cried unto the Lord, “My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?” (cf. Psalms 6:3) He had had enough, have you reached that point as yet?
When we think of a mountain we think of something that is high, rough, rugged, rocky terrain; something that is challenging and must be forged. There are many mountains in the world and men have gained reputations for conquering these mountains by meeting the challenge to get to the top. Mount Everest is one of these mountains and men and women across the globe have risked their lives to conquer this formidable giant. Perhaps your mountain is your marriage, job, children, socio-economical problems, interpersonal relationships or even the pain of the past. God is saying to you that you have been in this position for too long, focusing all your efforts and energy on the mountain when the solution to your problem is away from the mountain. If you could STOP, stand still and see beyond your situation you would see that God is the source of ALL that you need and that your focus should be on Him.
You see the problem lies in the extent of time that you have spent confronted by this situation; it has obscured your vision causing you to become mentally enslaved and accustomed to its existence. This obstacle has blocked you from seeing ALL that God has designed for you and has blocked you from having clear passage to the place that you desire to dwell. Well here’s the good news - you have been here far too long and the Lord is ready to bring you out by changing your focus. “How long?” you may ask. I hear the voice of the Lord saying in response to your question, “Now, the time is NOW! If you will hear My voice and follow Me.” If you have come to the place where you’re tired of the same old same old, then it’s time to change your focus and do what the Lord says to do. The Psalmist cried unto the Lord, “My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?” (cf. Psalms 6:3) He had had enough, have you reached that point as yet?
Enough is enough! It’s time to set your face in another direction!
Word For Today: Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. - Deuteronomy 5:32 - The way of truth and righteousness is a right line; a man must walk straight forward who wishes to go to glory; no crooked or devious path ever led to God or happiness.
[ 10 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 1012 ]
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2009
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1
and a time to every purpose under the heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a wave of My presence which is about to sweep this whole earth. I will cause the people to be affected in diverse ways” says the Lord. “No longer will My people be able to deny that I am among them. No longer will you who have ignored My voice be able to escape My judgment.”
Most of us are familiar with this passage of scripture. In fact it’s a verse that some of us are learning is true quicker than others. We all know that a season is a period of time. Our calendar year consist of four seasons. If you follow sports you know they deal in seasons. It’s the same with our lives, they have different seasons. Some of us have to come around and face reality, because the season for certain things in our lives has passed. There are some things that we just can’t do anymore. It’s not that we don’t want to do those things; we’re just not physically able anymore, because that season has passed. Seasons! In order for us to have a clear understanding into the realm of the Spirit, we’ve got to have an understanding of seasons.
Just as a point of clarification, in our text that word ‘season’ speaks of an appropriate period, and that word ‘time’ refers to an appointed moment. So, in essence, the text could read “to everything there is an appropriate period and an appointed time to every purpose under the sun”. I’ve come to realize that as believers we don’t have a problem believing whatever God has purposed for our lives is going to come to pass. Our problem is not IF it’s going to come to pass, our problem is WHEN it is going to come to pass. So life consists of seasons and seasons consist of particular moments in time.
Because so much hinges on WHEN rather than IF, it’s important to be able to discern the seasons in our lives. It is important to be able to understand, when God is ready to take you from Point A to Point B. It’s important to understand when a shift is coming, because you might need to brace yourself and get ready, or you might need to pack your bags and get moving. It all depends on the season and the time. We have to be cognizant of what season we’re in so that when it’s time to move we move and when it’s time to be still, we know to be still. It’s important to recognize because there will be seasons when things just happen. Most of us, when things happen, you know what we do? We look for anyone and everywhere to point the blame, when, in reality, sometimes we are our biggest hindrance. Watch this, the devil isn’t my biggest hindrance, because the Bible says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. The Bible says that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I read where it says, the gates of hell shall not prevail. No, the devil isn’t my biggest hindrance because I’ve got the victory over that rascal. Am I saying that I won’t be attacked? NO! Am I saying that I won’t feel the effects of the attack? NO! I’m saying that this light affliction will only last for a moment, and all things work together for good to those that love the Lord.
Yes, the devil is coming, but if you’ll just stand on the Word of God, if you’ll just stand on the promises of God, that season of temptation will pass. That’s why the psalmist could boldly declare that weeping may endure for a night; because there is a season for weeping, but he went on to say that joy comes in the morning, because there’s a season for joy.
It’s imperative, it’s important, it’s necessary that we learn how to discern the seasons, because we don’t want find ourselves weeping when we should be rejoicing; mourning when we should be laughing; keeping when we should be casting away. What am I saying? We need to be in tune with what the Lord is doing. We need to know when the season changes. We need to know when appointed moments have arrived. In the natural realm we have a calendar which says that on a certain day of a certain month, the season changes. Yet we know the season doesn’t always change on that day. In other words, the physical manifestation doesn’t always appear on the date set by the calendar. The season doesn’t change because the day has arrived, the season changes because the time has arrived. What am I saying? Seasonal change doesn’t necessarily follow any rigid formula.
Just as a point of clarification, in our text that word ‘season’ speaks of an appropriate period, and that word ‘time’ refers to an appointed moment. So, in essence, the text could read “to everything there is an appropriate period and an appointed time to every purpose under the sun”. I’ve come to realize that as believers we don’t have a problem believing whatever God has purposed for our lives is going to come to pass. Our problem is not IF it’s going to come to pass, our problem is WHEN it is going to come to pass. So life consists of seasons and seasons consist of particular moments in time.
Because so much hinges on WHEN rather than IF, it’s important to be able to discern the seasons in our lives. It is important to be able to understand, when God is ready to take you from Point A to Point B. It’s important to understand when a shift is coming, because you might need to brace yourself and get ready, or you might need to pack your bags and get moving. It all depends on the season and the time. We have to be cognizant of what season we’re in so that when it’s time to move we move and when it’s time to be still, we know to be still. It’s important to recognize because there will be seasons when things just happen. Most of us, when things happen, you know what we do? We look for anyone and everywhere to point the blame, when, in reality, sometimes we are our biggest hindrance. Watch this, the devil isn’t my biggest hindrance, because the Bible says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. The Bible says that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I read where it says, the gates of hell shall not prevail. No, the devil isn’t my biggest hindrance because I’ve got the victory over that rascal. Am I saying that I won’t be attacked? NO! Am I saying that I won’t feel the effects of the attack? NO! I’m saying that this light affliction will only last for a moment, and all things work together for good to those that love the Lord.
Yes, the devil is coming, but if you’ll just stand on the Word of God, if you’ll just stand on the promises of God, that season of temptation will pass. That’s why the psalmist could boldly declare that weeping may endure for a night; because there is a season for weeping, but he went on to say that joy comes in the morning, because there’s a season for joy.
It’s imperative, it’s important, it’s necessary that we learn how to discern the seasons, because we don’t want find ourselves weeping when we should be rejoicing; mourning when we should be laughing; keeping when we should be casting away. What am I saying? We need to be in tune with what the Lord is doing. We need to know when the season changes. We need to know when appointed moments have arrived. In the natural realm we have a calendar which says that on a certain day of a certain month, the season changes. Yet we know the season doesn’t always change on that day. In other words, the physical manifestation doesn’t always appear on the date set by the calendar. The season doesn’t change because the day has arrived, the season changes because the time has arrived. What am I saying? Seasonal change doesn’t necessarily follow any rigid formula.
Tell yourself, “This too shall pass”
Word For Today: And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? – Matthew 16:3 - It is the undoing of multitudes, that they are not aware what will be the end of their refusing Christ.
[ 05 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 2522 ]
Daily Devotional for November 5, 2009
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest,
and cold and heat, and summer and winter,
and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
and cold and heat, and summer and winter,
and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
Hear the voice of the Lord, “My son I have called you, anointed and appointed you do not be discouraged but know that the Lord your God is with you.” Daniele, be encouraged for your season of testing is at an end in a few days you will see the new beginning. There is an anointing released for the healing of the eyes, lay your hands on your eyes and declare your healing.
The divinely appointed time of God’s release into the Kingdom has come and He is calling His people into a position of readiness to receive the outpouring of the increase that was predestinated before the foundations of the world. There has been a deposit made in the realm of the Spirit that is waiting for the proper seed to be sown for its release, and that unique seed is in your hand. This seed of which I speak is anointed to extract the appointed release in your life, spiritually, physically, and materially, it is also designed to bring about breakthrough in your family.
When God created the heaven and the earth He deposited everything that man would need to sustain himself and his family. He also deposited everything that the Church would need to function effectively. When the first Adam sinned man was brought into an arena of warfare, a warfare that would require us to fight by the principles of the Word of God to bring the release in our lives. Adam’s sin brought us into a place where we must invest into the Kingdom in order to make a withdrawal from that which was designated as our increase. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (cf. Genesis 3:19).
The principles that were instituted by God are founded in the fact that He has appointed every seed to bring forth of its kind. Man shall bring forth man, apple trees will bring forth apples, $1.00 will bring forth $1.00; every seed will develop into that which is able to reproduce after its kind. This is the master plan of faith where our financial seed is concerned for when we sow seed of our finances that seed will bring forth of its kind. This principle is based on faith for when a farmer sows seed in the ground, he hopes for a harvest but he must trust the preparation he has made, the process of maintenance, and the elements provided by God.
There is a move of the Spirit which has been appointed to bring forth abundance in the area of finances as the urgency for the spread of the Gospel increases. God is about to move through the earth like a mighty storm, seeking His own. He is coming with a vengeance and a mighty devouring wind and He is speaking to His people, the Church, to bring about order. He is giving instructions to remove the idols from our hearts (cf. Ezekiel 14:3). There is an idol of money that is blocking the flow of the anointing in many ministries and the Lord has sent this Word for the purpose of bringing warning, healing and deliverance. Through this Word the voice of God has come to wash with an overflowing scourge everything that is attached to this idol of money, for as many as refuse to sow into His vineyard that which the Lord has spoken will find that the very thing which they have made their symbol of worship will become cankerous and will be taken away, says the Lord. “The time is at hand,” says the Lord “when I must be the object of My people’s highest devotion, for I will come quickly and My judgment will come with Me. Those who refuse to sow in the season and place I’ve appointed shall receive double at My hand, but those who heed My voice will receive an abundance of blessings because of their obedience” saith the Lord.
When God created the heaven and the earth He deposited everything that man would need to sustain himself and his family. He also deposited everything that the Church would need to function effectively. When the first Adam sinned man was brought into an arena of warfare, a warfare that would require us to fight by the principles of the Word of God to bring the release in our lives. Adam’s sin brought us into a place where we must invest into the Kingdom in order to make a withdrawal from that which was designated as our increase. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (cf. Genesis 3:19).
The principles that were instituted by God are founded in the fact that He has appointed every seed to bring forth of its kind. Man shall bring forth man, apple trees will bring forth apples, $1.00 will bring forth $1.00; every seed will develop into that which is able to reproduce after its kind. This is the master plan of faith where our financial seed is concerned for when we sow seed of our finances that seed will bring forth of its kind. This principle is based on faith for when a farmer sows seed in the ground, he hopes for a harvest but he must trust the preparation he has made, the process of maintenance, and the elements provided by God.
There is a move of the Spirit which has been appointed to bring forth abundance in the area of finances as the urgency for the spread of the Gospel increases. God is about to move through the earth like a mighty storm, seeking His own. He is coming with a vengeance and a mighty devouring wind and He is speaking to His people, the Church, to bring about order. He is giving instructions to remove the idols from our hearts (cf. Ezekiel 14:3). There is an idol of money that is blocking the flow of the anointing in many ministries and the Lord has sent this Word for the purpose of bringing warning, healing and deliverance. Through this Word the voice of God has come to wash with an overflowing scourge everything that is attached to this idol of money, for as many as refuse to sow into His vineyard that which the Lord has spoken will find that the very thing which they have made their symbol of worship will become cankerous and will be taken away, says the Lord. “The time is at hand,” says the Lord “when I must be the object of My people’s highest devotion, for I will come quickly and My judgment will come with Me. Those who refuse to sow in the season and place I’ve appointed shall receive double at My hand, but those who heed My voice will receive an abundance of blessings because of their obedience” saith the Lord.
Heed this Word of warning that the Lord has appointed!
Word For Today: Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. – Jeremiah 5:24 - God appoints a harvest time, and in His good providence He generally gives harvest weather.
[ 04 November, 2009 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 1644 ]