Daily Devotional for February 24, 2010
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:18
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:18
“I long to hear the voice that would cry out in humble submission ‘I surrender ALL’ for truly when you think about it, you owe more than you could have ever paid and yet I have removed every barrier and erased every failure and yet still you will not come to Me. All that I ask of you is everything which is nothing in comparison to what I gave for you. I gave of My only Son so that you might live” declares the Lord God.
The words used in our devotional scripture show that the Apostle Paul had his eye especially on those who, not having readily accepted the written revelation from God, might yet know of Him through His works of nature. Paul’s view is that God’s invisible attributes has been apparent to the human mind, ever since the creation of our world; being revealed by the things He has made. In and by means of these works, we may learn His eternal power and His real divinity. Hence, all men have some means of knowing the great truths that pertain to God, our infinite Creator. Therefore God may, with the utmost respectability, hold men responsible for either accepting or rejecting this truth reverently, and rendering to their Creator the homage due. For withholding this, they are utterly without excuse. So then, what is the true idea of unrighteousness? Well, beyond question, it cannot be less than the exclusion of righteousness, and may imply more or less of downright wickedness. Here the question will arise, what is righteousness? To which I answer, rightness; moral rightness, the original term being used in regard to material things, to denote what is straight; as, for example, a straight line.
Unrighteousness, the opposite of this, must then mean that which is morally crooked, distorted or not in harmony with the rightness of God’s law. To support the idea of sin, the Scriptures employ some terms which properly signify a cancellation, or utter absence of what should be. Some theologians have maintained that the true idea of sin is simply negative, supposing sin to consist in not doing and not being what one ought to do and to be. This idea is strongly implied in our devotional, for you see sin is, indeed, a neglect to do known duty and a refusal to comply with known obligation. Inasmuch as love is required always and of all men, this must be a state of real disobedience. Suffice it, then, to say, that unrighteousness is an omission; a known omission, a refusal to be what we should, and to do what we should. Of course it is completely voluntary. It is the mind’s refusal to obey God which becomes a matter of its own free choice. We choose to obey or disobey God. Think about it, whenever you do something that you know is wrong, you are not forced, you do it because you make a choice, a conscious decision. What is implied in “holding the truth in unrighteousness?” Well, the meaning of the original term “hold” is to ‘hold back, to restrain’. The idea here is that man restrains the reasonable authority of the truth, and will not let it have its proper influence over his will. You see, the human mind is so established that truth is its natural motivation. This stimulus of truth would, if not restrained and held back, lead the mind naturally to obey God. Therefore, man holds back the truth through his own unrighteousness, when, for selfish reasons, he overrules and restrains its natural influence, and will not allow it to take possession and rule his mind.
The point being emphasized in this devotional is that God, manifesting Himself from heaven, has revealed His high and just displeasure against all restraining of the truth and withstanding of its influence. Now before I proceed to show why this is, (which I shall talk more about in our next devotional) I feel led to talk to some of you whom I see before me this day, and in talking to you I must be frank and honest. There are some of you, who have not been outwardly immoral, but you have restrained the truth, you have withstood its influence. You are therefore the very persons against whom the wrath of God is said to be revealed. This is true of every one of you who have not given himself or herself over to the influence of truth. You have restrained that natural influence; therefore, against you God has revealed His wrath, and that is a terrible thing. The wrath of a king is terrible; how much more so is the wrath of God! I ask you, who can stand before Him when once He shall arise in His wrath to avenge His truth and His own glorious name?
Unrighteousness, the opposite of this, must then mean that which is morally crooked, distorted or not in harmony with the rightness of God’s law. To support the idea of sin, the Scriptures employ some terms which properly signify a cancellation, or utter absence of what should be. Some theologians have maintained that the true idea of sin is simply negative, supposing sin to consist in not doing and not being what one ought to do and to be. This idea is strongly implied in our devotional, for you see sin is, indeed, a neglect to do known duty and a refusal to comply with known obligation. Inasmuch as love is required always and of all men, this must be a state of real disobedience. Suffice it, then, to say, that unrighteousness is an omission; a known omission, a refusal to be what we should, and to do what we should. Of course it is completely voluntary. It is the mind’s refusal to obey God which becomes a matter of its own free choice. We choose to obey or disobey God. Think about it, whenever you do something that you know is wrong, you are not forced, you do it because you make a choice, a conscious decision. What is implied in “holding the truth in unrighteousness?” Well, the meaning of the original term “hold” is to ‘hold back, to restrain’. The idea here is that man restrains the reasonable authority of the truth, and will not let it have its proper influence over his will. You see, the human mind is so established that truth is its natural motivation. This stimulus of truth would, if not restrained and held back, lead the mind naturally to obey God. Therefore, man holds back the truth through his own unrighteousness, when, for selfish reasons, he overrules and restrains its natural influence, and will not allow it to take possession and rule his mind.
The point being emphasized in this devotional is that God, manifesting Himself from heaven, has revealed His high and just displeasure against all restraining of the truth and withstanding of its influence. Now before I proceed to show why this is, (which I shall talk more about in our next devotional) I feel led to talk to some of you whom I see before me this day, and in talking to you I must be frank and honest. There are some of you, who have not been outwardly immoral, but you have restrained the truth, you have withstood its influence. You are therefore the very persons against whom the wrath of God is said to be revealed. This is true of every one of you who have not given himself or herself over to the influence of truth. You have restrained that natural influence; therefore, against you God has revealed His wrath, and that is a terrible thing. The wrath of a king is terrible; how much more so is the wrath of God! I ask you, who can stand before Him when once He shall arise in His wrath to avenge His truth and His own glorious name?
If you think you can, think again!!!
Word For Today: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient – Romans 1:28 – Convenience can be an extremely dangerous tool, when used incorrectly.
[ 23 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 794 ]
Daily Devotional for February 19, 2010
Now a certain young man followed Him,
having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.
And the young men laid hold of him,
and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
Mark 14:31-32
having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.
And the young men laid hold of him,
and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
Mark 14:31-32
The Spirit of the Lord is speaking as in times of old and He is saying, “Worship Me, for I am indeed seeking those who would worship Me; not for what I can do but for Who I AM. I AM the Lord your God who has brought you through many situations. I am Jehovah Rapha, your healer and I have come with healing in My wings to appoint unto you comfort from the pain that you have been suffering. Worship Me, as I permeate through your body and drive sickness far from you. Worship Me, as I bring your daughter back home and I deliver the son that you have been crying over. Worship Me, and watch Me move in the midst of every situation that concerns you. WORSHIP ME!!!”
See this today as a reminder of King David and his march to bring back the Ark of the Covenant. This is a picture of worship in the hands of men for real worship must be offered in humility and freedom. It must be offered by enthusiastic followers of Christ. Do not think there are not those like the young man in our devotional scripture, who have sought to come after God but have been frightened away. The scene here is of the disciples having left and this one lone man trying to follow Christ. He represents the worshipper, the king who wore a linen ephod. He represents the last to be pushed away by man, by religion and parameters of such things as self-preservation and respectability.
“Come after Me” as this young man, even if no one else does, even if the rest have already fled. “Come after Me” says the Lord. “Keep at it, for there is a reward for those who will pursue Me to the end. There is a reward for the vigilant and faithful. I want worshippers today who would worship Me in spirit and in truth. Did I not say it would be so?” I hear the voice of the Lord saying, “In this day there is no force, no band of men who can send you away. This is the day of My resurrection power and soon return. Do not think it is as in the past. You are entering into a new era of unending praise. Watch, as I open the floodgates on this side. Be singers and dancers, and worshippers before My throne.”
Hear the voice of the Lord as He would say, “Come in. Come in and take part. This is the day. This is the hour for great praise. Be bold. Cause people to stop and behold My glory being displayed. Magnify My name in the earth. Why not start here? Why not start now? Think of ways to worship Me. Think of places in which you can offer praise. I want the ark of My presence brought into many sectors of society, in many settings and localities. I am coming and I want My coming to be heralded throughout the nations of the earth. Usher My presence into your place with praise. Would it be so different as in former days? What about praising Me every six steps as My servant David did? (cf. 2nd Samuel 6:12-13) It is near. I am near. It is as if the ark were being brought up from Obed Edom’s house into your life, your home, your place of worship, into your situation and with it comes My favor.”
“Come after Me” as this young man, even if no one else does, even if the rest have already fled. “Come after Me” says the Lord. “Keep at it, for there is a reward for those who will pursue Me to the end. There is a reward for the vigilant and faithful. I want worshippers today who would worship Me in spirit and in truth. Did I not say it would be so?” I hear the voice of the Lord saying, “In this day there is no force, no band of men who can send you away. This is the day of My resurrection power and soon return. Do not think it is as in the past. You are entering into a new era of unending praise. Watch, as I open the floodgates on this side. Be singers and dancers, and worshippers before My throne.”
Hear the voice of the Lord as He would say, “Come in. Come in and take part. This is the day. This is the hour for great praise. Be bold. Cause people to stop and behold My glory being displayed. Magnify My name in the earth. Why not start here? Why not start now? Think of ways to worship Me. Think of places in which you can offer praise. I want the ark of My presence brought into many sectors of society, in many settings and localities. I am coming and I want My coming to be heralded throughout the nations of the earth. Usher My presence into your place with praise. Would it be so different as in former days? What about praising Me every six steps as My servant David did? (cf. 2nd Samuel 6:12-13) It is near. I am near. It is as if the ark were being brought up from Obed Edom’s house into your life, your home, your place of worship, into your situation and with it comes My favor.”
Worship Him without reservation!
Word For Today: And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. – 2nd Samuel 6:14 – In true worship there is no shame.
[ 18 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 726 ]
Daily Devotional for February 18, 2010
And the evil spirit answered and said
Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are ye?
Acts 19:15
Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are ye?
Acts 19:15
“I hear the cries of My people; I see their tears and I am moved” says the Lord, “to comfort them”. Hear the Word of the Lord, for this is the season in which many that have sown in tears shall reap in joy. “Sorrow of heart and grief shall be healed and the brokenness shall be removed for I, the Lord, have spoken it.” Get ready, for March is the month of miracles.
Who are you? This is a question that most people have been asked at some point in life. Perhaps on a more personal level many of us have questioned our own identity. We find ourselves at the mercy of varying opinions as to our identity and the identity of others as we sometimes tend to judge based upon some experience or misadventure. In the case of our devotional scripture for today, the question is being directed to seven men who chose to act without proper authority, to their shame on someone else’s authority. As we read the story within the confines of content and context of scripture we will find that the Apostle Paul was ministering in Ephesus and according to Acts 19:11 “God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul”. He baptized in the name of Jesus, laid hands and many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:6 also affirms the following: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” So many must have witnessed the ministry of Paul and recognized that the origin of authority within him came through his relationship with Jesus. We are further told in the preceding verses that seven men became very presumptuous concerning the things they saw done in the name of Jesus.
These men, namely the seven sons of someone by the name of Sceva, a Jew and chief priest; took it upon themselves; without divine appointment, authority or relationship to Jesus, to start a deliverance ministry. They had no clue that demons are quite aware of our identity. We might have questions about ourselves as they make accusations daily to bring us into self-condemnation; others might post a question mark against us because they have prior knowledge of misconduct, improprieties or as a result of slanderous information that defamed our character. However, make no mistake. Demons are well aware; cognizant of who and whose we are. They see us and know the things that they are able to deceive us into entertaining or practicing as a part of our lifestyle. In John 14:30 Jesus told His disciples: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” Jesus had nothing of the enemy within Him. When the devil saw Him, he saw the image of the invisible God. The demons asked the seven sons of Sceva: “Who are you?” When the enemy sees you; does he question the validity of your claim to authority in Jesus’ name or does he bow to the anointing of the Holy Spirit within you? Who are you? I dare you to respond before God, man and devil…
These men, namely the seven sons of someone by the name of Sceva, a Jew and chief priest; took it upon themselves; without divine appointment, authority or relationship to Jesus, to start a deliverance ministry. They had no clue that demons are quite aware of our identity. We might have questions about ourselves as they make accusations daily to bring us into self-condemnation; others might post a question mark against us because they have prior knowledge of misconduct, improprieties or as a result of slanderous information that defamed our character. However, make no mistake. Demons are well aware; cognizant of who and whose we are. They see us and know the things that they are able to deceive us into entertaining or practicing as a part of our lifestyle. In John 14:30 Jesus told His disciples: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” Jesus had nothing of the enemy within Him. When the devil saw Him, he saw the image of the invisible God. The demons asked the seven sons of Sceva: “Who are you?” When the enemy sees you; does he question the validity of your claim to authority in Jesus’ name or does he bow to the anointing of the Holy Spirit within you? Who are you? I dare you to respond before God, man and devil…
“I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!”
Word For Today: For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him – 2nd Corinthians 5:21- He knew you even before you knew yourself and He knew what you were made of even then.
[ 17 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 584 ]
Daily Devotional for February 17, 2010
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent,
ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5
ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5
Hear the Word of the Lord, “Is there not any among you that will hear My voice and heed to the warnings that I give? Have I not been patient and longsuffering in spite of your persistent ignoring of My Word? Now is the time, for tomorrow is not promised. Come unto Me and I will set you free.”
As sad as it seems, sometimes it takes horrible tragedies to bring out the best in human beings. In the United States it was seen on 9/11 through the heroic efforts of the average citizens and the exemplary efforts of police and firefighters. Sometimes entire communities or even entire nations learn from the example of a few. I once read an article in a newspaper which talked about a mother whose son was attacked and murdered for no good reason by a band of teenagers who were eventually caught and brought to justice. The mother, who was frequently seen reading her small Bible during the trial, says that the pain of her son’s death has not diminished over the years. “Sometimes I sit here and cry” she said. But speaking of the three young men who were convicted for the attack, she said, “At night I pray for them. When I talk to people about that, they say ‘You’re crazy; how can you feel that way about somebody who killed your son?” This challenge is always before us. How can we forgive, as individuals, even as a nation, when horrible things happen that seem above and beyond the normal flow of life? I pose this question to you because it has so much to do with the issues set forth in the lessons we face today, issues concerning random tragedies, guilt and punishment, confession and absolution, and being in a right relationship with God.
For the people of Jesus’ time, the guilt of a nation would take precedence over the guilt of an individual and certain laws of justice and righteousness held sway over the way people of the day thought about events. In the events surrounding our devotional scripture Jesus tells the story of two tragedies. One seems to be the result of Pilate who had put an end to some kind of rebellion in Galilee, slaughtering the protestors even as they were offering their sacrifices at the temple. History tells us that Pilate was a cruel and vicious oppressor, unhappy about his assignment to this Galilean outpost so far from Rome, and that he had more than 10,000 people crucified, beheaded and killed in any number of ways during his reign.
The other “news report” Jesus refers to seems to be one of those random tragedies that just happen; a tower of some type collapses and 18 people are killed in the accident. Jesus asks them a question because it was a commonly held belief of the day that people got what was coming to them. Therefore if something terrible happened to a person, it had to be the result of sin – God was punishing them for their wrongdoing. I wonder how many times such a thought has passed through your mind? I know that it happens to people particularly those who face terrible tragedies. When a woman finds herself in an abusive situation, she often stays because she believes the false notion that she has done something wrong and deserves to be punished. Her abuser will fan the flames of such incorrect thinking by telling her what a rotten mother she is, how poorly she keeps the house or how badly she cooks. Such verbal abuse, coupled with the physical abuse, convinces the victim that she really is no good and that she deserves what she gets and if she just tries a little bit harder, things will be ok, which of course they can never be under such circumstances.
Children too, often internalize such feelings. Children whose parents divorce must often be convinced that even though they didn’t pick up their toys, or they didn’t eat their vegetables, or they weren’t as good as they could have been to their brother or sister; that such actions had nothing to do with their parent’s divorce. They carry a heavy burden of feeling personally responsible. And then there are those survivors, people who have come through a horrifying plane crash where others die and they survive, or those who survived the tragedy of 9/11 when so many others died. Many of them spend years feeling guilty, asking why they survived and not the person next to them. Some even commit suicide in a twisted attempt to correct the situation that they cannot control or comprehend. What often happens in situations like this is, in the end, God gets the blame. When there seems to be no logic, when no amount of thinking or talking, when nothing seems to make any sense, people call it “the will of God” and turn their resentment, anger and frustration towards God. It is unthinkable that such things could just happen. “Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?” Jesus asked. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
When things happen, we want a logical explanation, we want Jesus to come and tell us what to do. We want to have a discussion with Jesus about the sources and reason for tragedy. But Jesus refuses to have any of this and instead moves us to a discussion about our sin and our need to repent. We want to talk about the error of God in creating a world where there is suffering and pain, and yet Jesus forces us to talk about our misdeeds and our need to confess and to change. It isn’t that He is sidestepping the issue. Jesus acknowledges that things happen which seem to be illogical, unexplainable and incomprehensible. But He uses such incidents to point out to us the fact that life is precious – we must live every day fully and also righteously, for we do not know the day when tragedy will come our way, and God calls us to be prepared. We may wrestle with God’s justice and fairness when we experience catastrophes small and great, but in the end we all have to ask ourselves this question…
For the people of Jesus’ time, the guilt of a nation would take precedence over the guilt of an individual and certain laws of justice and righteousness held sway over the way people of the day thought about events. In the events surrounding our devotional scripture Jesus tells the story of two tragedies. One seems to be the result of Pilate who had put an end to some kind of rebellion in Galilee, slaughtering the protestors even as they were offering their sacrifices at the temple. History tells us that Pilate was a cruel and vicious oppressor, unhappy about his assignment to this Galilean outpost so far from Rome, and that he had more than 10,000 people crucified, beheaded and killed in any number of ways during his reign.
The other “news report” Jesus refers to seems to be one of those random tragedies that just happen; a tower of some type collapses and 18 people are killed in the accident. Jesus asks them a question because it was a commonly held belief of the day that people got what was coming to them. Therefore if something terrible happened to a person, it had to be the result of sin – God was punishing them for their wrongdoing. I wonder how many times such a thought has passed through your mind? I know that it happens to people particularly those who face terrible tragedies. When a woman finds herself in an abusive situation, she often stays because she believes the false notion that she has done something wrong and deserves to be punished. Her abuser will fan the flames of such incorrect thinking by telling her what a rotten mother she is, how poorly she keeps the house or how badly she cooks. Such verbal abuse, coupled with the physical abuse, convinces the victim that she really is no good and that she deserves what she gets and if she just tries a little bit harder, things will be ok, which of course they can never be under such circumstances.
Children too, often internalize such feelings. Children whose parents divorce must often be convinced that even though they didn’t pick up their toys, or they didn’t eat their vegetables, or they weren’t as good as they could have been to their brother or sister; that such actions had nothing to do with their parent’s divorce. They carry a heavy burden of feeling personally responsible. And then there are those survivors, people who have come through a horrifying plane crash where others die and they survive, or those who survived the tragedy of 9/11 when so many others died. Many of them spend years feeling guilty, asking why they survived and not the person next to them. Some even commit suicide in a twisted attempt to correct the situation that they cannot control or comprehend. What often happens in situations like this is, in the end, God gets the blame. When there seems to be no logic, when no amount of thinking or talking, when nothing seems to make any sense, people call it “the will of God” and turn their resentment, anger and frustration towards God. It is unthinkable that such things could just happen. “Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?” Jesus asked. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
When things happen, we want a logical explanation, we want Jesus to come and tell us what to do. We want to have a discussion with Jesus about the sources and reason for tragedy. But Jesus refuses to have any of this and instead moves us to a discussion about our sin and our need to repent. We want to talk about the error of God in creating a world where there is suffering and pain, and yet Jesus forces us to talk about our misdeeds and our need to confess and to change. It isn’t that He is sidestepping the issue. Jesus acknowledges that things happen which seem to be illogical, unexplainable and incomprehensible. But He uses such incidents to point out to us the fact that life is precious – we must live every day fully and also righteously, for we do not know the day when tragedy will come our way, and God calls us to be prepared. We may wrestle with God’s justice and fairness when we experience catastrophes small and great, but in the end we all have to ask ourselves this question…
Am I in right standing with God?
Word For Today: Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. – Ezekiel 18:30 – God speaks to the nations of the earth and His Word is “Repent”.
[ 16 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 737 ]
Daily Devotional for February 16, 2010
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,
but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1st Corinthians 9:24
but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1st Corinthians 9:24
There is an urgent call to prayer; pray like you’ve never prayed before. We are approaching some evil days ahead so please be aware that the enemy desires a blood festival and is focusing on our young people. Pray, people of God, pray. Cynthia, I hear the Lord saying, “The bills have been provided for.” “Rest in My presence” says the Lord. Pray for every Christian in Japan as a new wave of persecution will arise in that region.
“So run that ye may obtain.” Listen to how this passage of scripture is commented on from John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, “The Apostle accommodates or applies the above account to the Christian’s course of life, and exhorts to run in it in like manner as racers do in a race. The “stadium”, or “race” plot in the which the believer runs, is this world, or this present life; the course he runs includes the exercise of every grace, particularly faith, which is expressed not only by going to Christ, walking in Him, but by fleeing and running to Him; and the discharge of every duty, signified by a running in the way of God’s commandments; and, in a word, the whole of a Christian profession, and the holding of it fast, and holding on in it unto the end. The act of “running” is a motion forward, a following on to know the Lord, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another, a pressing forward toward the mark for the prize; and requires spiritual strength from Christ, and a daily renewal of it.”
Blessings, miracles, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, harvest, completion and peace is the message being shouted from many pulpits; either on the radio, television or in the local congregation. However, there are a few missing elements or factors to the message that are not being made clear. The message of holiness unto the Lord is being watered down by the prosperity gimmicks and the proclamation of ALL the wonderful material things you are going to receive from the Lord. Yes, it is time for your breakthrough in every area of your life, but the primary breakthrough must come through the breakthrough of the veil of the flesh; the breakthrough which brings your flesh under subjection to the enemy so that you are positioned for your financial breakthrough. You will also experience release in other areas that have been dormant but the prerequisite set is for spiritual prosperity first for the Lord is calling the church into true repentance. Repentance that pleases Him; that which is not temporal or the usual confession without remorse. There must be a relinquishing of that which is sinful and transgresses the known laws of God for He seeks those who are of a broken and contrite heart who will walk away from every representation of their sinful acts.
God is calling His people to repent of the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, for these present hindrances to us and block us from receiving the blessings of God. The enemy uses our lack of submission to the principles of God’s Word as a means of justification for placing obstacles in our way. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (cf. Galatians 5:7) were the words the Apostle Paul spoke to the Galatians. John Gill further writes concerning this reprimand to the Galatians: “Ye did run well, in the Christian race; when they first set out in a profession of religion, they embraced and held fast, and were zealously attached to the truths of the Gospel; they were in the lively exercise of grace on its proper object, and very diligent in the discharge of duty; they made great proficiency in the knowledge of divine things, and ran with cheerfulness and without weariness in the ways of Christ, and in the paths of truth and holiness.” Holiness! This is the principle thing for the child of God to live by and hold on to in order to complete the race that is set before us.
In this particular verse the word ‘hinder’ translated in the Greek language means, literally, “hinder by breaking up a road.” Robertson’s Word Pictures describes it like this: “Someone “cut in” on the Galatians as they were running the Christian race and tried to trip them or to turn them.” In other words, you are running a race and there is a finishing line; your objective is to get there but you must know the rules of the game. You must know how to finish the race; you must achieve your goals but you cannot do that if you loose sight of your objective. If there is a breaking in your momentum by someone who was either permitted to step in your way or one who simply intruded. Their intrusion will cause you to draw back – away from your target. Sin – the works of the flesh and everything that represents carnality will draw you back from finishing the race and receiving the prize. In our devotional scripture today we are admonished: “So run, that ye may obtain.” Obtain the prize, but the question is: “What is the prize?” Blessings, miracles, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, harvest, completion and peace in the midst of your battles these are the prizes given to those who finish their course. Those who run the race based on the principles of the Word of God.
People of God, it’s about holiness – nothing but holiness will bring about the Lord’s favor and release. It is time for the church to arise and wash from all the filthiness of the years gone by and begin to walk in true holiness before the Lord God. Loving one another with purity of heart; serving one another with the joy of the Holy Ghost. Pray without ceasing as you lift up the hands of the brethren that are hanging down and bring strength to the feeble knees; rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. Brethren it’s time to receive your miracle. Time for your blessings, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, completion and peace in the midst of your battles; it’s time to become a friend of God. Holiness is the key; it takes precedence over ALL!
Blessings, miracles, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, harvest, completion and peace is the message being shouted from many pulpits; either on the radio, television or in the local congregation. However, there are a few missing elements or factors to the message that are not being made clear. The message of holiness unto the Lord is being watered down by the prosperity gimmicks and the proclamation of ALL the wonderful material things you are going to receive from the Lord. Yes, it is time for your breakthrough in every area of your life, but the primary breakthrough must come through the breakthrough of the veil of the flesh; the breakthrough which brings your flesh under subjection to the enemy so that you are positioned for your financial breakthrough. You will also experience release in other areas that have been dormant but the prerequisite set is for spiritual prosperity first for the Lord is calling the church into true repentance. Repentance that pleases Him; that which is not temporal or the usual confession without remorse. There must be a relinquishing of that which is sinful and transgresses the known laws of God for He seeks those who are of a broken and contrite heart who will walk away from every representation of their sinful acts.
God is calling His people to repent of the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, for these present hindrances to us and block us from receiving the blessings of God. The enemy uses our lack of submission to the principles of God’s Word as a means of justification for placing obstacles in our way. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (cf. Galatians 5:7) were the words the Apostle Paul spoke to the Galatians. John Gill further writes concerning this reprimand to the Galatians: “Ye did run well, in the Christian race; when they first set out in a profession of religion, they embraced and held fast, and were zealously attached to the truths of the Gospel; they were in the lively exercise of grace on its proper object, and very diligent in the discharge of duty; they made great proficiency in the knowledge of divine things, and ran with cheerfulness and without weariness in the ways of Christ, and in the paths of truth and holiness.” Holiness! This is the principle thing for the child of God to live by and hold on to in order to complete the race that is set before us.
In this particular verse the word ‘hinder’ translated in the Greek language means, literally, “hinder by breaking up a road.” Robertson’s Word Pictures describes it like this: “Someone “cut in” on the Galatians as they were running the Christian race and tried to trip them or to turn them.” In other words, you are running a race and there is a finishing line; your objective is to get there but you must know the rules of the game. You must know how to finish the race; you must achieve your goals but you cannot do that if you loose sight of your objective. If there is a breaking in your momentum by someone who was either permitted to step in your way or one who simply intruded. Their intrusion will cause you to draw back – away from your target. Sin – the works of the flesh and everything that represents carnality will draw you back from finishing the race and receiving the prize. In our devotional scripture today we are admonished: “So run, that ye may obtain.” Obtain the prize, but the question is: “What is the prize?” Blessings, miracles, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, harvest, completion and peace in the midst of your battles these are the prizes given to those who finish their course. Those who run the race based on the principles of the Word of God.
People of God, it’s about holiness – nothing but holiness will bring about the Lord’s favor and release. It is time for the church to arise and wash from all the filthiness of the years gone by and begin to walk in true holiness before the Lord God. Loving one another with purity of heart; serving one another with the joy of the Holy Ghost. Pray without ceasing as you lift up the hands of the brethren that are hanging down and bring strength to the feeble knees; rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. Brethren it’s time to receive your miracle. Time for your blessings, breakthrough, increase, prosperity, completion and peace in the midst of your battles; it’s time to become a friend of God. Holiness is the key; it takes precedence over ALL!
Run that you may obtain!
Word For Today: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not a uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1st Corinthians 9:25-27 – This message is first to the messenger and then to those foreordained to hear the message.
[ 15 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 3606 ]
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2010
Remember ye not the former things,
neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Hear the Word of the Lord, “I know your struggles, those things that you battle within. I have come to let you know that it does not matter the nature of the struggle, just as long as you realize that I am the only one that can help you. If you would simply seek My face.”
Being held captive to your past is an overwhelming burden and a shackle that clangs ever so loudly behind you at every stage of your life…if you let it. It is undeniable that most, if not all of us, have suffered some measure of trauma at some point in our lives. Some have been abused, others abandoned, some raped, others have taken a path that has led to shame, but the Bible tells us that “whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (cf. John 8:36). In other words, should you decide to grab a hold of God’s delivering power and allow Him to bring deliverance to every area of your life and you walk in that deliverance then there is no cause for shame.
As we examine the genealogy of Jesus Christ we notice the presence of the names of two women in particular, namely Rahab and Ruth. Now the presence of these names is very significant because of the past that these women had. We are first introduced to Rahab in the book of Joshua when spies are sent to spy out the land of Jericho. We are told that as the spies arrived in Jericho that they “came into a harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” (cf. Joshua 2:1). While they were there, the king of Jericho sent to her in regards to the men of God that had come to spy out the land. However, she decided to hide them so that the king and his men would not be able to harm them. This simple decision made by this woman was a service to God and because of this God chose to honor her, her family and her offspring after her. No one would have predicted that a prostitute from an idolatrous land would end up being one of the mothers in the lineage of Jesus, the Son of God. Yet God saw it fit to raise her above the shame of her past.
Then there was Ruth, a woman from Moab, a land also filled with idolatrous people. Her husband died while she was still young and she had the opportunity to return to her family, however she decided to follow after the God of Israel and for this reason God brought restoration to her life. Not only did He grant her a new and respectable husband, but He also considered her worthy to be included in the lineage of His Son.
Do your memories haunt you and hinder you from availing yourself to God? Are your past hurts and pains affecting your performance in ministry? Today, God wants to liberate you from your past. He desires to free you from the crippling pain that you feel whenever you remember particular events that occurred and decisions that you made in the past. Today God desires to deliver you and empower the ministry that is within you.
As we examine the genealogy of Jesus Christ we notice the presence of the names of two women in particular, namely Rahab and Ruth. Now the presence of these names is very significant because of the past that these women had. We are first introduced to Rahab in the book of Joshua when spies are sent to spy out the land of Jericho. We are told that as the spies arrived in Jericho that they “came into a harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” (cf. Joshua 2:1). While they were there, the king of Jericho sent to her in regards to the men of God that had come to spy out the land. However, she decided to hide them so that the king and his men would not be able to harm them. This simple decision made by this woman was a service to God and because of this God chose to honor her, her family and her offspring after her. No one would have predicted that a prostitute from an idolatrous land would end up being one of the mothers in the lineage of Jesus, the Son of God. Yet God saw it fit to raise her above the shame of her past.
Then there was Ruth, a woman from Moab, a land also filled with idolatrous people. Her husband died while she was still young and she had the opportunity to return to her family, however she decided to follow after the God of Israel and for this reason God brought restoration to her life. Not only did He grant her a new and respectable husband, but He also considered her worthy to be included in the lineage of His Son.
Do your memories haunt you and hinder you from availing yourself to God? Are your past hurts and pains affecting your performance in ministry? Today, God wants to liberate you from your past. He desires to free you from the crippling pain that you feel whenever you remember particular events that occurred and decisions that you made in the past. Today God desires to deliver you and empower the ministry that is within you.
Your past does not disqualify you from being used by God
Word For Today: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. - John 8:36 – Ask yourself, “Am I truly free?”
[ 09 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 1399 ]
Daily Devotional for February 9, 2010
Some trust in chariots,
and some in horses
but we will remember the name of the LORD our God
Psalm 20:7
and some in horses
but we will remember the name of the LORD our God
Psalm 20:7
The Holy Spirit is seeking; He is calling for the sons of God to arise in power and authority for this is our season to take back everything which the enemy has stolen. I hear the Lord saying, “Open the doors of your store houses; open your cupboard and make room for the outpouring for I am about to pour into your life and you shall lack no more.” I hear the Lord saying, “Declare – make declaration for it shall surely come to pass.”
In this precarious dispensation of time the people of the world are crying from trouble, depression and economic catastrophe. Frustration over inability to pay bills and sustain the family is the cause of much heartache in homes around the globe. Some have walked away from their families, while others have turned to other sources as a means of supporting themselves and/or their families. In some homes the end result has been divorce or separation because there are just too many stressors due to lack of finances and work, or due to insecurity and instability. But there is hope and there is peace in the midst of the turmoil; in the midst of the troubles and cares of this world. As a matter of fact there is a solution to every issue; every situation that has brought chaos into the sanctity of the home… His name is Jesus.
Jesus is the answer; the solution to ALL of life’s problems. Before the world began He was there and at the closure of it, He shall be there. He is the author and finisher of our faith; He wrote the BOOK. It is common practice that one would check with the manufacturer of a product in the event that there is either defect or some form of breakdown. We need to check with Jesus and what He prescribes in the Word to sustain us in what was revealed to the Apostle Peter as “perilous times.” Our God is the inoculation against ALL maladies and the physician that can both diagnose and heal ALL sicknesses and diseases. He can put it ALL back together again.
The main ingredient which He prescribes is directed towards our reliance upon who He is and His capacity to do the impossible. That’s right, ‘R-E-L-I-A-N-C-E’ which simply means that we trust Him. Trust Him to direct our path as we trust in Him with ALL of our hearts. Trust Him to hide us under the covering of His wings until ALL these calamities are over passed. Trust Him! The wisest king who ever lived penned theses words: “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (cf. Proverb 29:25) In spite of the world’s condition, we are safe when we put our trust in the Lord our God. Therefore we need not fear or trust in the report of the world, but rather believe the report of the Lord and trust Him to guide and make provision for us. After all, it was He who taught His disciples…”Give us this day our daily bread.” Divine bread is available for us on a daily basis along with our daily portion of benefits; so trust the Lord and seek Him. Seek His face; seek His presence and worship Him as you trust Him for direction.
Jesus is the answer; the solution to ALL of life’s problems. Before the world began He was there and at the closure of it, He shall be there. He is the author and finisher of our faith; He wrote the BOOK. It is common practice that one would check with the manufacturer of a product in the event that there is either defect or some form of breakdown. We need to check with Jesus and what He prescribes in the Word to sustain us in what was revealed to the Apostle Peter as “perilous times.” Our God is the inoculation against ALL maladies and the physician that can both diagnose and heal ALL sicknesses and diseases. He can put it ALL back together again.
The main ingredient which He prescribes is directed towards our reliance upon who He is and His capacity to do the impossible. That’s right, ‘R-E-L-I-A-N-C-E’ which simply means that we trust Him. Trust Him to direct our path as we trust in Him with ALL of our hearts. Trust Him to hide us under the covering of His wings until ALL these calamities are over passed. Trust Him! The wisest king who ever lived penned theses words: “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (cf. Proverb 29:25) In spite of the world’s condition, we are safe when we put our trust in the Lord our God. Therefore we need not fear or trust in the report of the world, but rather believe the report of the Lord and trust Him to guide and make provision for us. After all, it was He who taught His disciples…”Give us this day our daily bread.” Divine bread is available for us on a daily basis along with our daily portion of benefits; so trust the Lord and seek Him. Seek His face; seek His presence and worship Him as you trust Him for direction.
He is the solution to ALL your problems!
Word For Today: They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright - Psalm 20:8 – The Lord will never forsake those who put their whole trust in Him.
[ 08 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 975 ]
Daily Devotional for February 8, 2010
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in His heart
I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake;
for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth
neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done
Genesis 8:21
I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake;
for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth
neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done
Genesis 8:21
“Behold,” says the Lord “The day of your harvest is near; for I have restored unto you what the locust has eaten; I have restored that which has been stolen; lost or borrowed.” I hear the Lord saying; “Get in position for it’s about to rain down favor like you have never seen before.” “Phenomenal favor in your going out, coming in; down sitting and in your uprising,” says the Lord. I hear, “Angela, It’s about to rain. Your marriage is restored and you are healed.”
In Genesis 8:17 we are informed that Noah was instructed to “Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee.” Noah went forth in obedience and did all that the Lord instructed him to do and then we are told in verse 20, that Noah built an altar unto the Lord and as a result we read in verse 21a that “the LORD smelled a sweet savour.” It was the sweet savour of the sacrifice that got God’s attention and moved His heart to the place where He vowed never to destroy the ground or every living thing. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on The Whole Bible makes this comment, “Here is, Noah's thankful acknowledgment of God's favor to him, in completing the mercy of his deliverance, so He built an altar. Hitherto he had done nothing without particular instructions and commands from God. He had a particular call into the ark, and another out of it; but, altars and sacrifices being already of divine institution for religious worship, he did not stay for a particular command thus to express his thankfulness. Those that have received mercy from God should be forward in returning thanks, and do it not of constraint, but willingly. God is pleased with free-will offerings, and praises that wait for Him.” Noah began with an altar for God; in other words, God must be first served and then he could consider anything else, but on the other hand, when God is first, He will always give instructions so that we are fruitful in our endeavors. There is saying which states: “he who begins with God; does well that begins with God.”
The love of God for His children is unquestionable as we consider how many times He has demonstrated His remorse for having to chasten; judge or punish us. One can imagine His sorrow as He looks upon us; sees His own image and considers the desires of His heart toward us as we respond to Him with such attitudes of dismissal. We are a people that are often callous, negligent and many times find it bothersome to even get into His presence or to even think about the goodness, mercy and grace which He has extended toward us. We literally have no clue how much God loves us even though He gave His only begotten Son for us. Noah’s act of gratitude was expressed by the altar which he built and in his observance to do only that which would please His Father. Herein lies a moral for us to embrace and use as a guideline for our lives on a daily basis: that we should daily build altars of worship and thanksgiving unto our Father for His mighty deliverance which He has already accomplished and for that which is about to come. See that we offer up the best sacrifice that will cause a sweet smelling savour to come up into His nostril and move His heart.
Throughout the history of God’s people, we are told that many of our patriarch fathers built altars after they had experienced some form of deliverance by the hand of God. In Genesis 35:3 we find the words penned: “And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.” Come; let us separate ourselves unto Him and build altars unto Him with sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Let us enter into His presence with rejoicing; for His mercies endureth forever and He daily loads us with benefits. Come! Will you come and offer yourself as a sacrifice unto Him? Offer a broken and contrite heart which yearns for a touch from the Master and the joy of basking in His glory.
The love of God for His children is unquestionable as we consider how many times He has demonstrated His remorse for having to chasten; judge or punish us. One can imagine His sorrow as He looks upon us; sees His own image and considers the desires of His heart toward us as we respond to Him with such attitudes of dismissal. We are a people that are often callous, negligent and many times find it bothersome to even get into His presence or to even think about the goodness, mercy and grace which He has extended toward us. We literally have no clue how much God loves us even though He gave His only begotten Son for us. Noah’s act of gratitude was expressed by the altar which he built and in his observance to do only that which would please His Father. Herein lies a moral for us to embrace and use as a guideline for our lives on a daily basis: that we should daily build altars of worship and thanksgiving unto our Father for His mighty deliverance which He has already accomplished and for that which is about to come. See that we offer up the best sacrifice that will cause a sweet smelling savour to come up into His nostril and move His heart.
Throughout the history of God’s people, we are told that many of our patriarch fathers built altars after they had experienced some form of deliverance by the hand of God. In Genesis 35:3 we find the words penned: “And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.” Come; let us separate ourselves unto Him and build altars unto Him with sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Let us enter into His presence with rejoicing; for His mercies endureth forever and He daily loads us with benefits. Come! Will you come and offer yourself as a sacrifice unto Him? Offer a broken and contrite heart which yearns for a touch from the Master and the joy of basking in His glory.
Come! The Master says, “Come!!”
Word For Today: Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? - 1st Corinthians 9:13 - If the Jewish priesthood was maintained out of the holy things that were then offered, shall not we, as ministers of God have a maintenance out of our ministry? Is there not as much reason that we should be maintained as they?
[ 08 February, 2010 ] • [ icem ] • [ Leave comment - 2017 ]