Friday, July 25, 2008
Evening Devotional
Job 37:1-24 The Lord Reveals Himself
Elihu observes the power of God. (1-13) Job required to explain the works of nature. (14-20) God is great, and is to be feared. (21-24)
Verses 1-13 The changes of the weather are the subject of a great deal of our thoughts and common talk; but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu, with a regard to God, the director of them! We must notice the glory of God, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more common and less awful changes of the weather; as the snow and rain. Nature directs all creatures to shelter themselves from a storm; and shall man only be unprovided with a refuge? Oh that men would listen to the voice of God, who in many ways warns them to flee from the wrath to come; and invites them to accept his salvation, and to be happy. The ill opinion which men entertain of the Divine direction, peculiarly appears in their murmurs about the weather, though the whole result of the year proves the folly of their complaints. Believers should avoid this; no days are bad as God makes them, though we make many bad by our sins.
Verses 14-20 Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So 4:16. The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God, know nothing, in comparison with what is to be known, and of what will be known, when that which is perfect is come.
Verses 21-24 Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation. Now that God is about to speak, Elihu delivers a few words, as the sum of all his discourse. With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear him.***If any of these sound like this is You then say this prayer and let it sink deep within your own heart today! I know that these past few month since my husband had died I've had simliar attitudes and had to say this unto the Lord myself and it then didn't come unto me either as it once did and today I'm at peace deeply within my life and so will You. Prayer: Dear Precious Heavenly Father; I know that you are holy and cannot sin. YOU do all things well. My attitude toward you has been, at times, one of questioning and bitterness. This is sin. I repent of it. Wash it out of me with your blood. I realize that all evil comes from Satan, not from You, and forgive me for blaming You for any of the works of the enemy. I can, and do, trust You. I know all things do work together for my good. Father, I love You and pray in Jesus Name, Amen" 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepeared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. [Philippians 3:20;21]
The Word for Today
The Word for Today
with Bob Gass
Forgiveness (1)
Forgive - only then will your Heavenly Father... wipe your slate clean.
Mark 11:25
TM
How heavy is a glass of water? That depends on how long you have to carry
it. A minute is no problem, and after an hour your arm might ache. But after
24
hours you'll probably be in bad shape! In each instance the glass weighs
exactly the same, but the longer you carry it the heavier it feels. It's the
same
with a grudge - it can get so heavy it stops you from living.
People will hurt you; that's the reality of sharing this planet with others.
Sometimes it's intentional, other times they've no idea they've upset you,
far less broken your heart. Does that mean you should go around pretending
nothing's wrong? No, the first step is to confront your feelings. And when
the
hurt is deep, it's even harder to forgive. That's when you need to pray. The
Bible says, "Pray for those who mistreat you" (
Luke 6:28
NIV). When you do that something unexpected happens; your heart softens and
you start seeing them through God's eyes instead of your raw emotions. Jesus
said, "If you have anything against someone, forgive - only then will your
Heavenly Father. wipe your slate clean" (
Mark 11:25
TM). When you sow unforgiveness you reap unforgiveness - even from God!
Isaac is a prime example of practising forgiveness. During a drought he dug
wells that his enemies moved in and claimed. But instead of retaliating, he
moved on and dug new ones. As a result God filled Isaac's empty wells and
promised to bless him, and his children too! (
Genesis 26:22-23)
. And He will fill the emptiness in your life, when you forgive those who
have hurt you.
Forgiveness (2)
People insulted Christ, but... He let God... take care of Him.
1 Peter 2:23
NCV
A little boy who'd been rude to his Mum started sneaking off upstairs.
"Where are you going, young man?" she asked. "To my room to talk to God," he
replied.
"Isn't there something you want to tell me first?" she said. "Nope," he
said, "You'll just get mad. God will forgive me and forget about it." Long
after
you think you've forgiven somebody you can still be harbouring hard
feelings.
Here are some clues that you've still got work to do: you get angry thinking
about what happened; you give the offender the cold shoulder; you rehearse
the incident mentally and in conversation; you seize every opportunity to
remind the offender of what they did. Refusing to forgive and forget is just
another way of justifying an unforgiving attitude. The Bible says there are
two things God won't share: (1) His glory (
Isaiah 42:8)
; (2) His right to settle old scores. He said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will
repay" (
Romans 12:19)
. Don't take over His authority by trying to get even; take your hands off
the situation and let Him work it out. When "people insulted Christ. He did
not
insult them in return. He let God. who judges rightly, take care of Him" (
1 Peter 2:23
NCV).
A grudge shackles you to the offender, and you become the hostage! Dwelling
on something your parents did, or on how an associate took credit for your
work,
or on what someone said about you, makes you, not them, miserable. You walk
around in turmoil and they don't even know you're upset! Why give somebody
that kind of control over your life? What's important is what happens in
you, not to you. So forgive, forget, and move on!
Forgiveness (3)
[I]... could never have made it apart from... mercy.
1 Timothy 1:15-17
TM
If you're finding it hard to forgive yourself for something you've done in
the past, it may be that you're reaping what you have sown. And it's
particularly
hard (but not impossible) to keep from feeling bad when you've condemned
somebody else for doing the same thing. Here's a Scriptural truth you need
to
understand, accept and live by: as long as you're alive you will have to
keep forgiving - yourself and others!
When guilt and condemnation tell you your sins are too big for God's
forgiveness, remember what Paul said: "Jesus. came. to save sinners. I'm
proof - Public
Sinner Number One. someone who could never have made it apart from sheer
mercy. evidence of His endless patience" (
1 Timothy 1:15-17
TM). Before his conversion Paul persecuted the church, killing and torturing
believers. It's how he made his living! And if he could learn to forgive
himself,
you can too! In fact, when you don't you're implying that your
transgressions are beyond the scope of God's grace to forgive and Jesus'
blood to cleanse.
And that's a bigger sin - pride! Plus, when somebody always has 'issues'
with other people, they may be looking for somebody to offend them; that way
they
can point out how bad the other person is and feel better about themselves.
Pride and a judgmental attitude feed off each other the way humility feeds
off forgiveness.
God said, "I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake.
And I will not remember your sins" (
Isaiah 43:25
NASB). When you adopt a humble attitude and work on forgiving yourself the
way God has, it's a lot easier to overlook other people's mistakes. Give it
a
try. You'll be amazed!
The Word for Today is brought to you by TheVine in association with The
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Word for
Today is copyright © Bob Gass Ministries, PO Box 5130, Alpharetta, GA
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20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. [Philippians 3:20;21]
Good Morning
Thank You for loving me, caring for me and for Your abundant
provisions to me. I ask forgiveness of all my sins, forgive those who
have sinned against me. Create in me a clean heart O Father. Thank
You for all answered prayers. Thank You for this day and allowing me
to see it. Thank You for life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and with
wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of Your Word.
Father let me sit at your feet wanting to know more of You. Give me
a heart of love and compassion for the lost. Give me a heart with a
desire to witness for Your kingdom. I pray for the souls of the
lost, bring them to You who desire a change in their lives.We bring each and everyone unto You as You send out those holy angles in watching and taking care of the sick and diseased, widows, orphans, those whom are in all hospitals that truly need Your most Holy Divine touch that heals and destroys all evil that may surrounds each of them.
I do take a stand against all the workings of Satan that would hinder me in this time of prayer, and I address myself only to the true and living God and refuse any involvement of Satan in my prayer.
Satan, I command you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to leave my presence with all your demons, and I bring the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ between us.
Heavenly Father, I worship You and I give You praise. I recognise that You are worthy to receive all glory and honour and praise. I renew my allegiance to You and pray that the blessed Holy Spirit would enable me during this time of prayer. I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that You have loved me from past eternity, that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to die as my subsitute that I would be redeemed. I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ came as my representative, and that through Him You have completely forgiven me; You have given me eternal life; You have given me the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ so I am now justified. I am thankful that in Him You have made me complete, and that You have offered Yourself to me to be my strength.
Heavenly Father, come and open my eyes so that I might see how great You are and how complete Your provision is for this new day. I do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, take my place with Christ in the heavenlies with all principalities and powers (powers of darkness and wicked spirits) under my feet. I am thankful that the victory the Lord Jesus Christ won for me on the cross and in His resurrection has been given to me and that I am seated with the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore, I declare that all principalities and powers and all wicked spirits are subject to me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for the armour You have provided, and I put on the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace and the helmet of salvation. I lift up the shield of faith against all the fiery darts of the enemy, and take in my hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and use Your Word against all the forces of evil in my life; and I put on this armour and live and pray in complete dependence upon You, blessed Holy Spirit.
I am grateful, Heavenly Father, that the Lord Jesus Christ spoiled all principalities and powers and made a show of them openly and triumphed over them in Himself. I claim all that victory for my life today. I reject out of my life all the insinuations, the accusations, and the temptations of Satan. I affirm that the Word of God is true, and I choose to live today in the light of God's Work. I choose, heavenly Father, tho live in obedience to You and in fellowship with Yourself. Open my eyes and show me the areas of my life that would not please You. Work in my life that there be no ground to give Satan a foothold against me. She me any areas of weakness. Show me any area of my life that I must deal with so that I would please You. I do in every way today stand for You and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life.
By faith and in dependence upon You, I put off the old self and stand in all the victory of the crucifixion where the Lord Jesus Christ provided cleansing from the old nature. I put on the new self and stand in all the victory of the resurrection and the provision He has made for me to live above sin. Therefore, in this day, I put off the old nature with its selfishness, and I put on the new nature with its love. I put of the old nature with its fear and I put on the new nature with its courage. I put off the old nature with its weakness and I put on the new nature with its strength. I put off today the old nature with all its deceitful lusts and I put on the new nature with all its righteousness and purity.
I do in every way today stand into the victory of the ascension and the glorification of the Son of God where all principalities and powers were made subject to Him, and I claim my place in Christ victorious with Him over all the enemies of my soul. Blessed Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fill me. Come into my life, break down every idol and cast out every foe.
I am thankful, Heavenly Father, for the expression of Your will for my daily life as You have shown me in Your Word. I therefore claim all the will of God for today. I am thankful that You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am thankful that You have begotten me unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I am thankful that You have made a provision so that today I can live filled with the Spirit of God with love and joy and self-control in my life. And I recognise that this is Your will for me, and I therefore reject and resist all the endeavours of Satan and of his demons to rob me of the will of God. I hold up the shield of faith against all the accusations and against all the insinuations that Satan would put in my mind.
I do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, completely surrender myself to You, Heavenly Father, as a living sacrifice. I choose not to be conformed to this world. I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I pray that You would show me Your will and enable me to walk in all the fullness of the will of God today.
I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses, for destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought into obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore in my own life today I tear down the strongholds of Satan, and I smash the plans of Satan that have been formed against me. I tear down the strongholds of Satan against my mind and I choose to think my thoughts after You, blessed Holy Spirit. I affirm, heavenly Father, that You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I break and smash the stronghold of Satan formed against my emotions today, and I given my emotions to You. I smash the stronghold of Satan formed against my body today, and I give my body to You, recognising that I am Your temple; and I rejoice in Your mercy and Your goodness.
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would renew me with your life; show me the way that Satan is hindering and tempting and lying and counterfeiting and distorting the truth in my life. Enable me to be the kind of person that would please You. Enable me to be aggressive in prayer. Enable me to be aggressive mentally and to think Your thoughts after You, and to give You Your rightful place in my life.
Again, I now cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that You, blessed Holy Spirit, would bring all the work of the crucifixion, all the work of the resurrection, all the work of the glorification and all the work of Pentecost into my life today. I yield my life to You. I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope. You have proven Your power by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead and I claim in every way Your victory over all satanic forces active in my life and I reject these forces; and I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Amen.
and give thanks in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen.
________________________________________________ Scripture:
Acts 26
Paul’s Early Life
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them . 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Recounts His Conversion
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now[a] send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me . 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Agrippa Parries Paul’s Challenge
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. The faith of humble Christians understands this better than the fancy of the most learned men. From what we see of heaven and earth, we learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and place as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet. The Son of God, one with the Father, was with him when he made
the world; nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing was made without him. Oh, what high thoughts should there be in our minds, of that great God whom we worship, and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray! And here, at the beginning of the sacred volume, we read of that Divine Spirit, whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other parts of the Bible. Observe, that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form,
and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion, and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself: this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us. (Ge 1:3-5)
PRAYER: Dear precious Heavenly Father Thank You for our word today in sharing with us in our lives in knowing and giving us Your understanding in what it means unto everyone by the Holy Spirit and we gladly thank you ever so much deep within us in giving praise and worship as You lead us in your infallable instruction that guides our very steps which gives us security and hope that carries us until You come for us. For You are Holy as we adore you and bless your name Lord Jesus Christ in whom we serve daily in our love in You for what You've done for everyone in watching and waiting as we magnify You Father. As only we can do in Jesus' name we pray... Amen. i_amgodschild
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. [Philippians 3:20;21]
Jesus Christ Sees All !!!
Welcome Home To I_amgodschildcc Place
14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:14-17 (New Living Translation)
My Prayer for You in each one of you as an individual person and family and friends as well as aquaintances this journey we call life is for All of You!
10 Love each other with genuine affection,[a] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[b] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.