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It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3, AMPC

TODAY'S WORD:

Did you know that when you allow someone else’s words or actions to upset you, you’re allowing them to control you? When you say, “You make me so mad,” you’re really just admitting that their actions have power over you. As long as that person knows they can push your buttons, as long as you keep responding the same way, you are giving them exactly what they want. Sure, people have a right to say and do things that are upsetting, but we also have a right to not get offended.

We have a right to overlook their actions. In fact, the Bible says that it’s an honor for a man to keep “aloof” from strife. In other words, we have to remove ourselves, either physically or emotionally, from strife and offense. It’s not easy, but we can choose to let it roll off of us like water off a duck’s back! Remember, you don’t need everyone to agree with you all the time. You don’t have to have the approval of others in order to be approved by God. Your job is to be the person God made you to be. Overlook offenses and let go of strife so you can live in peace and victory all the days of your life!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father in heaven, thank You for loving, accepting, and approving me just as I am. I know You are doing a work in my life, and I ask for the strength and confidence to overlook offense so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.

— Ephesians 3:20 (AMP)

When I pray about or simply meditate on all the people who are hurting, I have a strong desire to help them all. I sometimes feel that my desire is bigger than my ability, and it is—but it is not bigger than God's ability!

When the thing we are facing in our lives or ministries looms so big in our eyes that our mind goes "tilt," we need to think in the spirit. In the natural, many things are impossible. But in the supernatural, spiritual realm, with God nothing is impossible.

God wants us to believe for great things, make big plans, and expect Him to do things so great it leaves us with our mouths hanging open in awe. James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not! We can be bold in our asking.

Sometimes in my meetings, people will approach the altar for prayer and sheepishly ask if they can request two things. I tell them they can ask God for all they want to, as long as they trust Him to do it His way, in His timing. It is untold what people can do—people who don't appear to be able to do anything.

God does not usually call people who are capable. If He did, He would not get the glory. He frequently chooses those who, in the natural, feel as if they are in completely over their heads but who are ready to stand up on the inside and take bold steps of faith as they get direction from God.

We usually want to wait until we "feel ready" before we step out, but if we feel ready, then we tend to lean on ourselves instead of on God.

Know your weaknesses and know God—know His strength and faithfulness. Above all else, don't be a quitter.

Prayer Starter: Oh, Lord, help me to make you bigger in my eyes and believe You can do the impossible in my life. Help me to live with “God confidence,” and trust You to do things that are above and beyond what I even think I deserve. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’

The Church today is not so much guilty of the sin of commission or omission, but of no mission. We hang back and wait for the lost to enter our world when we need to enter their world with God’s love and His heart.

We have been rescued, saved, delivered, healed, showered with blessings, and highly favored. This good news should be so uncontainable that we are sharing it with every person we encounter. Instead, we often hoard it, hide it, and hope nobody asks.

We stall while we wait for the grand gesture – to speak to thousands, to touch the masses, to travel to a foreign land. But can we walk across the street and talk to our neighbors? Jesus’ example for us was often the opposite of the grand gesture. He held a child. He ate fish with his friends around a campfire. He touched a leper when no one else would. He discussed the Scriptures in the temple. And every one of those simple gestures had a profound impact.

Mother Teresa said, “God never asked me to be successful. God asked me to be obedient.” Let’s begin to think specifically about how we can obey the Lord. How can we be more intentional in the mission to which God has called us? Let’s stop drifting aimlessly.

Who can we invite to church?
Who can we visit in the hospital or nursing home?
Who can we ask out to share a meal?
How can we better use our finances for His purposes?
Who can we pray for tenaciously?
Can we give a cup of cold water to someone? Just start there!

A whole world around us is floundering, flailing, and fading fast. We have the hope. We have the remedy. Jesus has already sent us out on assignment (Matthew 28:19). Let’s fulfill our mission…starting now.

Blessing:

Heavenly Father, here I am. Send me. Let me be quick to answer and quick to go. Where I lack courage, help me to be brave. Help me say the words that You would have me speak. Help me to share generously all that You have given to me. In the name of Jesus…amen.

Today's Bible Reading:

Old Testament

2 Samuel 18:1-19

New Testament

John 20:1-31

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 119:156-176

Proverbs 16:14-15

Luke 14:25-35

Unlike many churches today, Jesus was never interested in gathering crowds, nor did He make His message more appealing in order to gain a larger following. In fact, He consistently emphasized the high cost of discipleship instead of making it easy for people to follow Him halfheartedly. That’s because His goal was to make true disciples who were totally committed to Him—and this is the same charge He gave us in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

In contemplating what makes up the essence of a human being, we might think of an individual’s life, relationships, and possessions. Yet Jesus demanded that His followers surrender all three. In Luke 14, the Lord taught that to be His disciple, a person could not …

Love anyone more than Him (Luke 14:26). When Jesus used the word translated as “hate,” He wasn’t advocating animosity toward family members. Rather, He was emphasizing a commitment to place Him before any human relationship.

Love one’s own life more than Him (Luke 14:26-27). The image Christ used was that of carrying a cross. This symbolized death to our former sinful lifestyle and, if necessary, a willingness to die in order to remain faithful to Him.

Be unwilling to give up all possessions (Luke 14:33). This doesn’t mean we must live as paupers, but we should hold everything loosely, knowing that we are merely stewards of whatever God has entrusted to us.

None of us can fully live up to Jesus’ call. But by His grace, we can commit to Him all that we are and all that we have. This should be the mindset of those who enter through the narrow gate to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14).

Bible in One Year: Job 1-4

God opens doors of opportunities for each and every one of us everyday to serve Him in a greater capacity. But He doesn’t open these doors of opportunity for no reason. God always has a purpose for what He does.

Why does He give us these opportunities? So that He will be glorified in everything we do. He wants us to be blessed so we can be a blessing. God wants us to be able to help others. When we can do that, it brings glory to Him. It makes Him look attractive to the world.

Someone once said that the secret to success is to be ready for the opportunities that come into your life. I believe that God wants us to become more sensitive to the opportunities that are being presented to us.

I have seen people come to meetings where the Word of God is being preached and do nothing with it. And yet, there are others who sit in the same meetings, experience the same anointing, hear the same Word, and they seize the opportunity to apply it to their lives. If you examine their lives a year later, you see their lives are better. They have progressed, and the blessing of God is abounding at a greater level in their lives. However, the lives of the people who did nothing with the message are the same as, or worse than, before.

The difference is that some chose to seize the opportunity of the Word and some did not. Which one will you be today? Remember, God always has a purpose. He has a plan when He presents you with opportunities. Be still and hear His voice.”

Confession: “I will glorify God in everything I do today!”

Author: Jerry Savelle

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Some Christians believe that although you have forgiveness of sins, you are not free from the penalties of your sins. In other words, you can still expect punishment from God. For example, some married Christian couples have been told that they are childless because God is punishing them for having had pre-marital sex. So although God has forgiven them of that sin, He still has to punish them for it.

I am certainly not for pre-marital sex, but I want you to know that God, who is the only one who can fully appreciate the full value of His Son’s blood and who is completely satisfied by His Son’s sacrifice, is at rest in His heart today concerning your sins! That is why He is not against you even when you fail. Neither is He out to punish you when you sin. No, He still loves you, is for you and wants to help you overcome that sin.

In the Old Testament, the blood of bulls and goats could only “cover” sins and not take them away (see Hebrews 10:4). But the blood of Jesus is not like the blood of animals! For by one sacrifice, the eternal blood of the Son of God has forever removed your sins (see Psalm 103:12) and cleansed you of all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9)! In fact, God is so satisfied with His Son’s perfect work that He says to you today, “Your sins and lawless deeds I will by no means remember!” (see Hebrews 10:17). And if God does not remember them, why would He punish you for them?

Beloved, you have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Because Jesus’ work is complete, all your sins have been completely forgiven. And complete forgiveness means that the penalties for your sins can no longer fall on you because they had already fallen on Jesus at the cross (see Isaiah 53:5).

So don’t think for one moment that God is punishing you for some sin just because something bad happened to you. Look to the cross and know that all your sins have already been punished fully in the body of Christ. Believe that God is for you and expect victory!

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word (Acts 10:44).

Consider what we just read in Acts 10:44; while Peter was yet speaking, the Holy Ghost was “working”; He “fell” on them to whom Peter was speaking. He didn’t wait for Peter to finish, showing that we’re never alone and we can always trust Him to do His part, as we do ours.

In Mark 16:20, after the ascension of the Master, the Bible says the disciples “…went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Observe that He was with them, not as a passive observer, but was actively working, confirming their words with signs, wonders and miracles.

Each time you go out to preach the Gospel, be conscious of the Lord’s presence and His power that’s manifested through the preaching of the Word. It makes no difference whether you’re on street-evangelism, or you’re preaching in a bus, in an office, or in a mall, be assured that the Holy Spirit is working with you and through you.

Therefore, be bold to preach the Gospel. Preach Jesus Christ. Preach that He came into the world to save sinners and make them sons of God. Let the unsaved around you know that God isn’t counting their sins against them; rather, He’s made provision for the remission of their sins.

The ministry of the Gospel He’s committed to your trust is a divine one, which you can only fulfil by the power of the Spirit. It doesn’t matter what your efforts are, they’re in vain without Him. That means you can’t do anything of eternal significance without the help of the Holy Spirit. In John 15:5, Jesus emphasized this, saying, “…for without me ye can do nothing.”

Don’t go through life or ministry struggling on your own; work with the Spirit. Discuss your work with Him; if there’re challenges, talk to Him about them and He’ll grant you the wisdom you need to put you over. Trust Him, and there’ll be nothing you can’t do; His power will work through you in a tremendous way.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the fulfilment of the glorious ministry of your Spirit in my life. I’m completely yielded to Him, for He’s the One who works actively in and through me, to fulfil your divine plans and purposes in the earth. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m effective and fruitful in every good work, bearing fruits of righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 1:8 AMPC; Philippians 2:13

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 16:17-33 & 1 Chronicles 7-8

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 14:32-42 & Numbers 35  

Saturday June 1st 2019
Memorise: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2nd Corinthians 5:1

Read: Hebrews 11:32-40 (KJV)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Bible in one year: 
Leviticus 17:18,
Jeremiah 48:1-20,

Hymnal: 
Sing hymn 1

Message:
Not long after I wound up conceived once more, God demonstrated to me that Christianity is an unceasing Journey with Him which shows signs of improvement constantly for the individuals who live in compliance to His charges.

When I got this, I decided on two things: to carry on with the rest to my life in complete acquiescence to God, and to live with the outlook that the best is yet to come, independent of my present status, accomplishments or achievements. The choice yielded a propensity for acknowledging God for each achievement and accomplishment throughout everyday life and service, without the scarcest sentiment of achievement or the thought that we have "arrived". The individuals who have seen the various dimensions of development, advancement and marvels that God has caused conceivable in the Redeemed Christian Church of God to have dependably thought about how we can make these incredible jumps without laying on our paddles. The appropriate response lies in Philippians 3:13-14, which says:

"Brethren, I tally not myself to have caught: however this one thing I do, overlooking those things which are behind, and achieving forward unto those things which are previously, I press toward the imprint for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Paul had the option to pen these words since he had a disclosure of a regularly expanding wonder in his soul. He along these lines lived ordinarily of His existence with the frame of mind that regardless of the present greatness, with God on his side, the best was yet to come. No big surprise he carried on with a real existence that went from brilliance to more prominent wonder, to such an extent that God performed extraordinary marvels through him (Acts 19:11-12). Regardless of everything, he never enabled himself to harp on his accomplishments just as he had arrived or achieved enormity.

We ought to thusly gain from Paul's model that doing incredible things on a steady premise is integral to the reason and motivation God has for us. 1st Corinthians 2:9 says:

"In any case, as it is composed, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have gone into the core of man, the things which God hath arranged for them that affection him."

Basically, the best rationalists, speculators and researchers can't fathom what God has coming up for His youngsters. God is so incredible, and His ways are far higher than our ways. Along these lines, we can persistently anticipate extraordinary and relentless things from Him. The occasions in second Kings 13:18-19 train that when anybody is on a task for God, the individual should steadily and forcefully do such obligations as indicated by God's high calling, and not as indicated by close to home inclinations. Feel free to prediction to yourself today that your best is yet to come!

Prayer Point
Father, please help me to always look forward to a greater future in You, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Once you start stepping out in faith and walking in the spirit, the devil will see to it that you have ample opportunity to fall flat on your spiritual face. He’ll try to get you into some jams where there appears to be no way out.

But take it from me as one who’s been there, if you’ll look to God and trust His wisdom instead of your own, He’ll always show you a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Not only that, but He’ll do it in such a way that He’ll get the glory and you’ll have the last laugh on the devil.

I remember one particular Wednesday night in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I was faced with just such a situation. I was preaching on the reality of the righteousness of God, and the anointing was really strong. Just as my message reached its climactic moment, a woman in the audience suddenly burst forth in tongues. I told her to stop three times, but she only continued to grow louder. By the time she hushed, the anointing had gone and the message was forgotten. So I looked at that woman sternly and began to correct her for being out of order.

Then a man sitting next to her spoke up and said, “Brother Copeland, she is stone deaf. She can’t hear a word you’re saying.”

At that point, I had no idea what to do. Not only had my sermon been shattered, but the whole congregation was mad at me for getting onto that poor deaf woman. (I found out later the man next to her used her to disrupt services and run preachers out of town. When the service reached a high point, he’d punch her and tell her it was her turn to prophesy.)

So, I just stopped a moment and got quiet and waited for the Lord to tell me what to do. Sure enough, He told me. He said, Call her up and lay hands on her and I’ll open her ears.

Talk about a turnaround! When God healed that woman’s ears, He turned that disaster into one of the most powerfully anointed meetings I’d ever had. Everyone was blessed!

Next time the devil tries to back you in a corner, get quiet. Ask God to show you the way of escape. He’ll bring you out in victory every time.

Scripture Reading:
Acts 14:8-22

This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself . . .
—Hebrews 6:19 (TLB)

What are you placing your hope in for the future? Your country’s government, educational system, some plan or organization? My hope is in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God. I have hope and know that I’m going to heaven. And, right here and now in this present life, I have God’s presence to help me.

Suppose we had no Bible. Suppose there were no cross, no salvation, no empty tomb. Suppose we had nothing to hang on except, “Do your best, try to patch it up, do what you can.” Oh, but we have a hope. There is a plan of redemption, a plan for the future. The New Testament is an exciting Book to read, it is so full of hope and expectancy. And God is interested in you!

Is your hope in Jesus Christ?

Listen to this 1-minute message from Billy Graham about how we can have hope for the future.

Prayer for the day
Reading Your Word, my heavenly Father, makes me realize that the world and all its heartaches are so transitory. Inspire me to reach others with Your message of hope.

"Jesus I Love You" as recorded by Jonathan Nelson

Carter Conlon - Times Square Church
Rebuilding The Wall Of Prayer

God is not moved by the outward show but the inward sincerity.

Total immersion in God’s WORD can save your life! Watch Kenneth Copeland (as previously aired) on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he shows you how to be safe in times of trouble. In an emergency, what your heart is full of and what you are thinking about will come out of your mouth. Fill your heart with God’s WORD, so you only speak victory!

God said, "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." - Isaiah 45:3 NKJ

Beloved. There is a NEW SOUND going forth. Eagles on Fire that roar with My Roar! You are My "Fire Birds". You are My Eagles on Fire in Christ Jesus. 

You are My prophets flying high in the heavenly realms that roar with My Roar! YES! Eagles that roar! You have My DNA by your new birth. As I am a Fire, so are you, Dear One. As I AM, so are you in this world. I am a consuming Fire. You are not common. You are not of this world.

The true and HOLY Fire, My Spirit, dwells in you. You are above and not beneath. You are MIGHTY in Me. As you yield to my Spirit, I am bringing you forth in POWER! The enemy would try to keep you in your shell and bound to the earth. But I tell you that YOU ARE LOOSED! Come forth, My Fiery One! Come forth My Eagle! I am calling you UP where you belong. You shall prophesy. You shall raise the dead and heal the sick and cast out demons. You shall fly high in the Spirit. Not tomorrow, but TODAY. NOW I am raising you up.

 NOW I am releasing you to FLY in My Glory! You will mount up with wings as My Mighty Eagles. You have My Fire in your eyes. You have your Father's eyes. Eyes like blazing Fire. Heaven's perfect vision. Fear not, Beloved. When you look upon your enemies and you speak my Words, when you say the name of Jesus, they shall be consumed by Holy Spirit FIRE, they shall flee from My Presence in you. Let your faith roar louder than your fear, Beloved. You shall mount up with wings as Eagles, flying in the power of My Glory and Grace!

...John 17:20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22The GLORY that you have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.

... John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.

...Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

...Revelation 19:11Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its Rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. 12He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.
...John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Yesterday as I was praying with two mighty women of the Lord, the visions that came forth for us, I feel represent many women in ministry in this hour. 

One was of a woman in full armor, sword and shield in hand, riding a white horse with a purple velvet saddle. One was dressed as an Indian warrior on top of a war horse. And the third was standing in a golden chariot, being pulled by a team of horses. She was wearing golden armor with a purple cape and had a golden scepter the size of a staff raised as if issuing a “Charge” to the army....

The Lord started ministering to me that he is raising up Esthers, Debras, Annas and Marys in this season. He said, I will call on the husbands who will willingly help encourage, build up and lift up their wives in this hour. For those married couples that are being sent out, I have tied their promotion to each other. We are in an unprecedented season of being equally yoked. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Husbands, love your wives, and wives respect and honor your husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33).

I then saw an interesting vision, there was a husband and a wife standing on a plank of wood. They were facing each other, and I heard the Lord give the command to the husband,“Wash your wife in the living word, poor blessing upon blessing on her!” As the husband began to pour bucket upon bucket of water on her, the water level began to rise and lift her higher and higher, promoting her to new levels. However, I saw the husband looked down at his bare feet standing on the plank. Suddenly realizing he had achieved the same promotion because they shared the same plank. There are special Apostolic unions taking place all over the world.

Power couples being sent of the Lord. After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him, to every town and place where he was about to go (Luke 10:1). Can two walk together, unless they are agreed (Amos 3:3). And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart (Ecclesiastes 4:12)....

The enemy has been relentless in his attempts to tear these couples apart by any means necessary. What God has joined together let no man put asunder (Matthew 19:6). I really want to encourage you to listen to the Lord with your heart, not your mind. Don’t go by religious doctrine or man-made ideas. Really get quiet and hear Holy Spirit for yourself. There has been a shift in the atmosphere, and the angels are ministering, if you are listening. Not by power, nor by might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Don’t go by what your eyes see, or your ears hear, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. I hear the Lord asking,”Son of man, can these bones live again?” I said,”O sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me,”Prophesy to these bones and say to them, dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” This is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life (Ezekiel 37:3).

The Lord is breathing on your marriage right now. He is saying,”Come alive, and do the work I first commanded.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons! Freely you have received; freely give (Matthew 10:8). I hear the words echo in my heart, charity starts at home! Husbands, freely give to your wives; and wives freely give to your husbands.....

Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. If one puts a thousand to flight, and two puts ten thousand to flight. How many captives can you set at liberty, if you would do the work that the Lord has commanded....

Let Freedom Ring!!!!

Tammy Lang Jensen

“I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2 NLT).

It took me a while, but I finally figured out that this marriage thing is about communication. I discovered that on the days when I had deep, soul-communication with my wife Kay—not “Hi. How are you? I love you. See you later”—our relationship grows. And on those days when we have little or no communication, our relationship decays. A relationship is never standing still. It’s either growing or decaying.
The same is true with God. On the days when you have deep, significant talks with God, your relationship grows. On the days when you have little or no conversation with God, your relationship decays. It’s that simple.

When you really love somebody, you don’t just want to spend time together. You want to talk with that person. Remember when you first fell in love as a teenager and your parents got upset because you were always on the phone? You talked and talked and talked because you were getting to know that person. Communication is how you get to know others.

What do you talk about if you want to express love to God? Anything that you’d talk to your closest friend about: your hopes, your fears, your dreams, your anxieties, the things you’re embarrassed about, the things you’re proud of, the things you’re ashamed of, your goals, your ambitions, your hurts, your cares—every part of your life.

The Bible says in Psalm 116:1-2, “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (NLT).

If you don’t feel close to God because your Christian life has become routine, dull, joyless, and lifeless, there’s a simple remedy: Start talking to God again.

Prayer is not some duty that you have to do. It’s a privilege that you get to do. You get to talk to the Creator of the universe! He’s waiting on you to have a conversation with him so that your relationship can grow.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over

How often do you talk to your closest friend? Is it more or less often than you talk to God?
Have you ever tried praying Scripture to God? Why do you think it’s important?
If prayer is a conversation, how have you responded to what God has been saying to you?

A good mans leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.
Proverbs 13:22, AMPC

TODAY'S WORD:

Did you know there are resources and blessings laid up for the righteous? There are funds that will eventually be transferred over into the hands of the people who will use them for God’s purposes. In the Scripture, God is called "the Lord of the Sabbath." That means He is “the God who puts His armor on and goes to war against those who hold His treasure from His purposes.” Just imagine God getting His armor on and going into the forces of darkness and saying, “Okay, I’ll take those funds. I need them for My children. I’ll take these businesses, these ideas, these contracts. They have My children’s names on them.”

Friends, God is fighting your battles for you. He has immeasurable favor that He is going to transfer into the hands of the righteous. The key is to make sure you’re in the righteous group. Make sure you are honoring God with your life and keeping your heart pure. Let go of any weights or any sins that are holding you back. As long as you stay in faith and live righteously before Him, God has promised abundance.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for fighting my battles. Help me to keep my heart pure so that I honor you with my life in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.

— 1 Corinthians 6:19

The first key to overcoming stress is to recognize or admit we are experiencing it, and look for the source of it.

There was a time in my life when I was constantly having headaches, backaches, stomach aches, neck aches, and all the other symptoms of stress, but I found it very difficult to admit I was pushing too hard physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I wanted to do all of the things I was doing and wasn’t willing to ask God what He wanted me to do. I was afraid that He would lead me to give up something I wasn’t ready to give up yet.

Although the Lord gives power to the faint and weary, if you are worn-out from continually exceeding your physical limitations, you will have stress.

Our bodies are the sanctuary (home) of God, and we are in disobedience when we push ourselves past God-ordained limitations and live in continual stress. We all have limits and we need to recognize what they are and eliminate excess stress from our lives.

If you wear out your body, you can’t go to a department store and purchase another one, so take care of the one you have!

Prayer Starter: Father, I lift my schedule and activities up to You. Show me areas where I need to change. Help me to do my part to eliminate stress and take care of my body, the temple of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your grace to change! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Matthew 20:27-28
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many

Social scientists have a name for the tendency to watch from the sidelines: The Bystander Effect. It’s a social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any of them will help. Everyone thinks that someone else will do something or step in to rescue the victim.

It is easy, in the middle of our busy, fast-paced lives, to think that someone else will do what God is actually calling us to do. Someone else will witness to a neighbor or volunteer at our church or pray with a co-worker. We often think that throwing money at a need relieves us of the responsibility of wading in and getting our hands dirty.

If we are all honest, God is prompting us at this very point in time to do something we have not done before, to stretch beyond what is comfortable for us. So, why do we hesitate and hang back? Why are we content to watch while another believer steps in to meet that need?

For someone in your life right now, you are God’s Plan A. Jesus is counting on you to listen to His voice, to obey His prompting, and to reach out to meet the need. He created you for exactly this moment in history, to perform this good work that He ordained, and to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Blessing:

Lord Jesus, help me to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Thank You for being my example of how to love and serve. Help me not to wait on someone else to do what I have been called to do. I was not saved to sit but to serve. In Your name…amen.

Today's Bible Reading:

Old Testament

2 Samuel 17:1-29

New Testament

John 19:23-42

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 119:132-155

Proverbs 16:12-13

Romans 14:22-23

Have you ever had to take a stand against a barrage of opposing opinions in order to be true to Christ? Or has a group of friends or coworkers ever wanted to cut corners or participate in a sinful activity—and you were the only one saying no? When the godly voice is outnumbered, it can be challenging to speak up for righteousness.

We all have convictions that define who we are and determine our lifestyle and choices. We may like to think that these are a private matter, but in reality, they are constantly on display for all to see. That’s because we live them out each day with our words and actions.

Since convictions have a powerful influence, we should examine what ours are saying about us. Are they leading us to a righteous life in accordance with God’s will, or are they so weak that our life is dominated by the old fleshly nature?

God has given us principles from His Word to guide, protect, and help us lead godly lives. These standards are like guardrails that keep us from veering off track when temptations beckon. By holding firmly to these convictions, we follow a path that fits our identity in Christ. Instead of going along with the crowd, we’re to walk in God’s will and abstain from the sins that surround us in the world.

The time to establish our convictions is before we face temptations, not in the midst of them. We need solid, immovable biblical principles to shape what we believe and how we live.

Bible in One Year: Esther 6-10

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me…” Jeremiah 29:12-13

Do you know how difficult it is to seek God with all your heart when you’re in captivity and being stolen from?

Human nature is not to seek God when you are being stolen from. It wants to pout, have a pity party, and get mad at God. But God is saying, “If you want My thoughts for you to come to pass, then while you’re in captivity, while you’re being stolen from, while you’re living beneath your covenant rights, call on Me. Seek Me. Find Me. Search for Me with all your heart.”

I studied this out from original Hebrew and the indication here is searching is with an intensity beyond the norm. The worst thing you can do when Satan is stealing from you is less praying, less giving, less fellowshipping with God. And isn’t that what usually happens? Satan steals from you, and the first thing you want to do is quit going to church, quit giving, and quit praying. But, God says when you’re in captivity, that’s when you turn the intensity up. That’s when you turn the volume up on your seeking Him.

Why? Because God says, “Don’t get out of My presence. Because if you get out of My presence, you’ve fallen into the adversary’s trap. He won’t have to pay it back. He keeps what he stole from you. But if in the midst of that captivity, keep seeking Me, and I will restore you.” Hallelujah.

So let me just encourage you and challenge you today. Whatever has been stolen from you, you can get it back – and then some. Don’t get offended at God. It will delay your restoration. Release all offenses and start seeking God with your whole heart. Your due season, your miracle and your breakthrough will come.

Confession: “I will stay in God’s presence. I will seek Him with everything within me!”

Author: Jerry Savelle

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Have you ever tried to break a bad habit on your own? You probably found that when you tried to stop it by sheer willpower, you saw improvement for a while, and then bounced back to square one. Worse, you found yourself binging on the very thing that you were trying not to do. And your condition is worse than before you started your “I’m going to quit” program!

The changes were temporary because it was you doing it.

A church member who had been a chain-smoker used to believe that with willpower, he could quit smoking. He would tell himself, “If there is a will, there is a way!” But he discovered that with willpower, he could stop smoking for a week or two, and then he would succumb to the pull of nicotine again.

When he turned his life over to God and learnt about God’s grace, he told God, “I realize that I cannot stop smoking. I cannot, but You can break my habit, Lord.” And every time he lit up, he would say, “Lord, I am trying to stop smoking, but I cannot. I am trusting You.” He would even say, “I am still righteous because of Jesus’ blood.”

Well, in the very same year, all his cravings to smoke vanished! When asked how he succeeded, he would say, “It is entirely God and none of me! It is all by His grace.” This man lost all the desire to smoke. That is true transformation.

When you receive the grace of God to do for you what you cannot do, you will experience effortless and permanent change on the inside, which in turn changes your actions on the outside. The Bible tells us that God works in us to give us both the will and ability to perform what He desires. It is God who removes the old want to’s and gives us new ones. And He even gives us the power to carry them out!

Beloved, look to His grace to do what you cannot do. Say, “Lord, I cannot, but You can!” Then, what you experience will not merely be behavior modification, but true and lasting inward transformation!