Friday, March 9th> Nehemiah chapter 9
What must we do to get back to the place of believing God again? What a loaded question. The REAL question is, are we willing to do what it takes to get our faith back? Are we ready to open the door to our family secrets and expose the iniquities, sins and transgressions that we've accepted from our ancestors? Are we willing to let go of the same old patterns and habits we've kept and held on to "just in case" God's way doesn't work? If you've answered "yes" to those things, it's time to repent and come back to the Father, trusting that everything He asks of us is only to bring us into a place of healing, joy and blessing. I'm ready to see true deliverance take place in my life and the lives of others around me. Are you? Then it's time to TURN.
Don't Get Cut Out!
Thursday, March 8th> Romans chapter 11
In what way does unbelief cut us out of God's inheritance? We are the children of the promise through Abraham, who received it by being obedient to God's command. The children of Israel cut themselves off by repeatedly rebelling against God because of their unbelief. And we who have been GRAFTED in by grace, can miss out on the privilege of being adopted by the Heavenly Father. Acts of obedience driven by faith in Who He is keep us secure, but the opposite will occur if we rebel because of our unbelief that He IS, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
In what way does unbelief cut us out of God's inheritance? We are the children of the promise through Abraham, who received it by being obedient to God's command. The children of Israel cut themselves off by repeatedly rebelling against God because of their unbelief. And we who have been GRAFTED in by grace, can miss out on the privilege of being adopted by the Heavenly Father. Acts of obedience driven by faith in Who He is keep us secure, but the opposite will occur if we rebel because of our unbelief that He IS, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Excuses, Excuses
Wednesday, March 7th> Luke 18: 15-30
In what ways do we say "No" to God because of our unbelief in Who He is? When we demand that He give us what WE want BEFORE we'll do what He's asking us to do. When we come up with excuses to explain why we're not ready to step up and walk out what He's calling us to accomplish. At least the rich young ruler was honest about the fact that he thought Jesus' request was too much to ask. He walked away, shaking his head. At least he expressed his "No" with no pretense. We, on the other hand, say "yes" with our words but our actions show what we really want to say. We have a simple choice: fall in agreement with God's plan and let Him accomplish His plan through us, or spend valuable time making excuses.
In what ways do we say "No" to God because of our unbelief in Who He is? When we demand that He give us what WE want BEFORE we'll do what He's asking us to do. When we come up with excuses to explain why we're not ready to step up and walk out what He's calling us to accomplish. At least the rich young ruler was honest about the fact that he thought Jesus' request was too much to ask. He walked away, shaking his head. At least he expressed his "No" with no pretense. We, on the other hand, say "yes" with our words but our actions show what we really want to say. We have a simple choice: fall in agreement with God's plan and let Him accomplish His plan through us, or spend valuable time making excuses.
It's All About TRUST!
Tuesday, March 6th> Exodus chapter 32
What are some pitfalls believers find themselves in when they walk in unbelief? Can you say "the pit of stupidity"? I can't recall how many stupid mistakes I've made in the past just because I thought I knew better than God how to take care of myself. Time after time, I found myself making decisions based on emotions -- decisions that landed me in more hot water than I was in to begin with. All I had to do was trust and obey, but I didn't. I'm finally beginning to get the picture. The more I trust God with my life, the more I see Him move on my behalf. The more I walk in unbelief, the farther I get from the very things I'm asking Him for. It's all about trust.
What are some pitfalls believers find themselves in when they walk in unbelief? Can you say "the pit of stupidity"? I can't recall how many stupid mistakes I've made in the past just because I thought I knew better than God how to take care of myself. Time after time, I found myself making decisions based on emotions -- decisions that landed me in more hot water than I was in to begin with. All I had to do was trust and obey, but I didn't. I'm finally beginning to get the picture. The more I trust God with my life, the more I see Him move on my behalf. The more I walk in unbelief, the farther I get from the very things I'm asking Him for. It's all about trust.
Declare His Mighty Acts!
Monday, March 5th > Exodus chapter 15
What impact is made on our faith as a result of remembering the miracles God has done? The Word tells us to meditate on the miraculous works of God and tell them to our children so that a generation that hasn't even been created yet can praise Him. Faith comes by hearing, doesn't it? Well, don't expect anything to be added to the building of your faith if you haven't HEARD of His mighty acts. What's God done in YOUR life lately? Have you told anyone? Begin today.
What impact is made on our faith as a result of remembering the miracles God has done? The Word tells us to meditate on the miraculous works of God and tell them to our children so that a generation that hasn't even been created yet can praise Him. Faith comes by hearing, doesn't it? Well, don't expect anything to be added to the building of your faith if you haven't HEARD of His mighty acts. What's God done in YOUR life lately? Have you told anyone? Begin today.
NO MORE FAMILIARITY!
Saturday, March 3rd> Mark 6: 1-6
Signs and wonders are the signature, a sort of stamp, if you may, that identified Jesus and His disciples and set them apart from all the other religious people around them. It was God's way of saying, " I'm not just going to TELL you Who I AM- I want to SHOW you". Signs and wonders left a mark on everyone who was healed, saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then those people went and allowed God to use them to leave a mark on others. And the rest is still being written in the lives of God's people today.
But somewhere along the line, we've exchanged the demonstration of power talked about by the apostle Paul for the familiar traditions and religious practices we uphold, making God's Word and power of no effect. These same traditions create an attitude of "same old, same old" towards God that kills our faith. And without faith, there will be no works. Jesus couldn't even perform as many miracles as He had in other places. And it wasn't because He lost His anointing to heal, save and deliver. So when we forget the very reason we've been called to come out of darkness -- to heal, save and bring deliverance to others-- we reduce God to this Person Who has no power. And that's exactly the way the enemy likes it.
But by faith I say, " NO MORE!" May God's glory and power arise in us as we meet to edify one another and exalt Him, EXPECTING Him to move with power to heal, save and deliver EVERYWHERE we go in Jesus' Name.
Signs and wonders are the signature, a sort of stamp, if you may, that identified Jesus and His disciples and set them apart from all the other religious people around them. It was God's way of saying, " I'm not just going to TELL you Who I AM- I want to SHOW you". Signs and wonders left a mark on everyone who was healed, saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then those people went and allowed God to use them to leave a mark on others. And the rest is still being written in the lives of God's people today.
But somewhere along the line, we've exchanged the demonstration of power talked about by the apostle Paul for the familiar traditions and religious practices we uphold, making God's Word and power of no effect. These same traditions create an attitude of "same old, same old" towards God that kills our faith. And without faith, there will be no works. Jesus couldn't even perform as many miracles as He had in other places. And it wasn't because He lost His anointing to heal, save and deliver. So when we forget the very reason we've been called to come out of darkness -- to heal, save and bring deliverance to others-- we reduce God to this Person Who has no power. And that's exactly the way the enemy likes it.
But by faith I say, " NO MORE!" May God's glory and power arise in us as we meet to edify one another and exalt Him, EXPECTING Him to move with power to heal, save and deliver EVERYWHERE we go in Jesus' Name.
Changing Our Mindset About Church
Friday, March 2nd > Ezekiel 33: 30-32
What are some root causes of approaching the Word and the things of God as though they were entertainment? I believe that, in a well- meaning attempt to offer God excellence in the things of His kingdom, we as the body have focused on making sure the outer workings of ministry are right. We want to be sure our buildings look nice when people come in. We want the music to be top- notch so that people will know God's kingdom is not second-rate. But in the midst of all that, we tend to exchange the POWER of God for something He never intended it to be. He never intended His House to be a hotel where people can come, relax and be catered to as if it were all about them. It is a military training camp and a hospital-- so they can come and be healed, then get out in the battlefield and join us in defeating the enemy and taking territory for our God.
What does it mean, then, when we come together and rejoice about "Having church"? Does it mean we just had a shoutin' good time, but no-one was saved, set free, or changed? God is calling us not to be satisfied about appealing to the flesh, because it is only a temporary thing that will not compel people to change beyond the service they attended.
What are some root causes of approaching the Word and the things of God as though they were entertainment? I believe that, in a well- meaning attempt to offer God excellence in the things of His kingdom, we as the body have focused on making sure the outer workings of ministry are right. We want to be sure our buildings look nice when people come in. We want the music to be top- notch so that people will know God's kingdom is not second-rate. But in the midst of all that, we tend to exchange the POWER of God for something He never intended it to be. He never intended His House to be a hotel where people can come, relax and be catered to as if it were all about them. It is a military training camp and a hospital-- so they can come and be healed, then get out in the battlefield and join us in defeating the enemy and taking territory for our God.
What does it mean, then, when we come together and rejoice about "Having church"? Does it mean we just had a shoutin' good time, but no-one was saved, set free, or changed? God is calling us not to be satisfied about appealing to the flesh, because it is only a temporary thing that will not compel people to change beyond the service they attended.
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