meditations on the true christian life

volume 4

The "seeds" for this project were planted as far back as 1982 as the Lord led me to various writings by many men and women who had one thing in common: they loved the Lord their God with every fibre of their being. Because of this, they were used greatly by the Father to speak [write] the deepest thoughts and intentions of His heart - and, thus, paint a "clear" and "true" picture of His highest Will and purpose for the Body of Christ.

I perceive, by the Spirit of God, that it is important at this time to state emphatically that the foremost priority of every child of God is to continually place the Word of God first in their lives - and, thus, remain faithful to God's requirement to "meditate on it day and night" [Joshua 1:8].

The writings contained in this volume of work are not meant to stand on their own - apart from the revealed Word of God - but, rather, the words found within are simply an expansion and confirmation of God's Word - a revealing of the thoughts and intentions of the Father's Will and purpose for His Church - a running commentary expressed by God, Himself, through His anointed bondservants and handmaidens.

It is my fervent prayer that as you read this volume of work you will "allow" the Holy Spirit to reveal to your heart the fullness of the Divine Requirement [Luke 10:27] concerning your life and ministry. For, as you do, you shall surely be brought to the place of "abiding" in Christ - and, from that holy place, you shall surely fulfill the Father's highest Will and purpose for your life and ministry in your remaining time on earth.

The words contained in "Meditations on the True Christian Life" are anointed by God to help lead His precious children into the "fullness" of their inheritance [salvation] in Christ.

Therefore, let us receive freely all that the Father has given to us in this last hour that we might be those who are found living [demonstrating] the "true" Christian life in the midst of a "crooked and perverse generation".

A word from the Father:

...."The purpose of "Meditations on the True Christian Life" is so that My children might experience a "cross-section" of the anointed words [absolute truths - "patterns"] that I have passed on to My consecrated ones down through the ages.

Truly I say to you, there would not be time for all those of My children, who seek only to walk in the "fullness" of their inheritance in Christ, to read all of the books that I have instructed you to "glean".

Therefore, continue on with great diligence and never underestimate the great importance of any aspect of My Will. For all those who desire to walk in the "fullness" of the Kingdom-
position and destiny, in Christ, that I have called them to must be introduced to, and taught, the "absolute" truths and principles contained in the "writings" that I have instructed you to place in this volume of work"....

DEDICATION:

This book is dedicated first, and always, to the glory of God, but it is also dedicated to the memory of all those saints - both men and women - who, through their faithfulness to the uncompromised Word of God and their obedience to the Holy Spirit throughout their time on earth, made possible the writings contained in these volumes. Writings which [by the power of the Holy Spirit] paint a true picture of God's Will for "all" of His children - and which, once and for all, disprove the "lies" of Satan which state that the "true Christian life" is something "less" than a heart and life "wholly" given to, and empowered by, God.

January 1ST

*	Courage is not having the strength to go on - it is going on when you do not have the strength.

...."the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold".... Nehemiah 8:10 The Amplified Translation

...."the righteous are bold as a lion".... Proverbs 28:1b NASB

January 2nd

*	The wisdom of man stands in contrast to the power of God. The only true mark of divine wisdom is its power. The spirit of the world and the wisdom of the world are one. The extent to which many Christians yield themselves to the influences of the age, without fear or caution, is one of the great reasons why the Holy Spirit cannot guide them to reveal Christ in them.

...."Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. So do not associate or be sharers with them. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them. For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light".... Ephesians 5:6-13 The Amplified Translation

January 3rd

*	If one is not first a blessing to God, then they can, in no way, be a blessing [an empowerment] to others.

...."But without faith [love and obedience] it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]".... Hebrews 11:6 The Amplified Translation

January 4TH

*	Faith is the refusal of one to lean upon their "own understanding". It is the exchange of the desire and right one has to "forge" their own destiny, for an unadulterated dependence upon the Word of God - and all that He is.

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

January 5TH

*	"Courage" is the God-given ability, and power to do or say the "right" thing in any given situation.

...."the righteous are bold as a lion".... Proverbs 28:1b NASB

January 6TH

*	The Word of God contains the seed of eternal life. The living Word, the Christ of God, is hidden in the written Word [and spoken Word], and when planted in the heart of a man a new life is communicated. Let God's messengers remember this: the devil is not afraid of "addresses" about the Word but of the Word itself which contains the seed of life.

...."For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life [soul] and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart".... Hebrews 4:12 The Amplified Translation

...."For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the matter] for which I sent it".... Isaiah 55:8-11 NASB

January 7TH

*	As long as we are yielding to the flesh, we are incapable of receiving spiritual insight into truth. We may "know all mysteries and have all knowledge", but without love - the love which the Spirit works in the inner life - it is only a knowledge that puffs up; it profits nothing. The carnal life makes the knowledge carnal, and this knowledge again being thus held in the fleshly mind, strengthens the religion of the flesh, of self-trust and self-effort. The truth so received has no power to renew and make free. No wonder that there is so much Bible teaching and Bible knowledge with so little spiritual result in a life of holiness. I pray that God's Word might sound through His Church; whereas there is among you jealousy and strife are ye not carnal?" Unless we are living spiritual lives - full of humility, love, self-sacrifice and spiritual truth, the Truth of God cannot enter or profit us.

...."Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy".... James 3:13-17 NASB

January 8TH

*	The first thing that must be done after one is "recreated", is to bring their five senses into subjection to their recreated spirit, and the Word of God. When this is done the mind shall begin being "renewed". Although one is "born-again" they still possess the same mind and body that had been under the dominion of the Adversary. This is the reason that it is so important to renew the mind and bring it into harmony with the recreated spirit. The trouble with the "majority" of believers is that their minds have never been renewed!

...."be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth".... Ephesians 4:23-24 NASB

...."Do not be conformed to this world [this age], [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed [changed] by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]".... Romans 12:2 The Amplified Translation

January 9TH

*	If you have much of the Spirit of God, you must make up your mind to have much opposition, both in the Church and in the world. Very likely the leading men in the Church will oppose you. There has always been "opposition" in the Church; so it was when Christ was on earth. If you arc far above their state of "feelings" Church members will oppose you. If any one will live godly in Christ Jesus, they must expect persecution. Often the elders and even the minister will oppose you if you are filled with the Spirit of God.

...."Indeed, all who desire to live godly [lives] in Christ Jesus will be persecuted".... 2 Timothy 3:12 NASB

January 10TH

*	There is no deliverance from "deception" but by the acknowledgement and accordance of truth.

...."And ye shall know [gain a revelation of] the truth, and the truth [that revelation of the truth that enters your heart] shall make [and keep] you free".... John 8:32 KJV

January 11TH

*	If you follow the "law of love" you cannot fail!

...."If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well".... James 2:8 KJV

....."Love [God's Love in us] never fails".... 1 Corinthians 13:8 NASB

January 12TH

*	Our ministry as bondservants and handmaidens of the Lord Jesus Christ is not to give "unwanted" answers. Our ministry is to create the "right" question in the heart of the one being ministered to.

...."A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!".... Proverbs 15:23 NASB

January 13TH

*	We confess at times that we are impatient with men and circumstances that hinder us, or with ourselves and our "slow" progress in the Christian life. If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we shall find that it is with Him we are impatient because He does not at once, or as soon as we would wish, do our bidding. It is waiting upon God that our eyes are opened to believe in His wise and sovereign will, and to see that the sooner and the more completely we yield absolutely to it, the more surely His blessing can come to us.

...."And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises".... Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB

January 14TH

*	The very idea of using "set" forms of prayer rejects the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is more calculated to destroy the Spirit of prayer, and entirely darken and confuse the mind, as to what constitutes true prayer, then to use set forms. Forms of prayer are not only absurd in themselves but they are the very device of the devil to destroy the Spirit working and break the power of prayer. Prayer does not consist merely of words, for it matters not what the words are if the heart is not led by the Spirit of God. If the desire is not rekindled, the thoughts directed and the whole current of feelings produced by the Spirit of God, it is not prayer!

...."But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him".... Matthew 6:6-8 NASB

January 15TH

*	There is no place for the "professional" minister and the "private" person, they must be one true thing throughout - day in and day out. Here is this remarkable thing: God wants an entire Church just like that!

...."prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY".... 1 Peter 1:13-16 NASB

January 16TH

*	The manifestation of an absolute love and an absolute faith is dependent upon an "absolute" denial of self.

...."You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind".... Luke 10:27 NASB

January 17TH

*	In "waiting" upon God [in faith, love and obedience] we shall find rest and joy and strength, and the supply of every need.

...."For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for Him! You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways".... Isaiah 64:4-5a NASB

January 18TH

*	All complaining is a direct criticism [mistrust] of God.

"complain" - to express "feelings" of dissatisfaction; resentment; grumble; to describe one's pains or ills; to make a formal accusation [against God, through unbelief];

...."Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting".... Philippians 2:14 The Amplified Translation

January 19TH

*	The forms of wickedness that are to be most dangerous in the times of the end, are not those marked by an open defiance of God, but those that shall be cloaked under a "form of godliness" without the power, and which are Satan's counterfeits of the Holy Spirit.

...."But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these".... 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB

January 20TH

*	To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in persuasive words of man's wisdom produces a faith that will bear the mark of its origin - the wisdom of man. The true faith, on the other hand, as the result of preaching in the Spirit and power, stands in the power of God. The believer is led in the preaching, by the Holy Ghost Himself, beyond man, into direct contact with the Living God; his faith stands in the power of God.

...."And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God".... 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NASB

January 21st

*	Every child of God must come to the place wherein they have a revelation of the fact that they can neither be happy, successful, or love, apart from abiding in Christ.

...."For in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being [entire existence]".... Acts 17:28a The Amplified Translation

January 22nd

*	Godly obedience must have its source in the Love of the One being obeyed. Any departure from this "absolute" Love is not true obedience but rather, "duty", and is carried out only with a view to benefitting one's self, without any true regard for the Kingdom of God.

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right]".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

January 23rd

*	The secret of spiritual success is a hungering after righteousness that persists.

...."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied".... Matthew 5:6 NASB

January 24th

*	God's Word is: supernatural in origin; eternal in duration: inexpressible in valour; infinite in scope; regenerative in power; infallible in authority; universal in application; inspired in totality. The Word of God changes one until they become an "epistle" of God.

...."For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart".... Hebrews 4:12 The Amplified Translation

...."Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit".... 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NASB

January 25th

*	If you have asked God seven times for the same thing - at least six [maybe seven] times are in unbelief!

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God [lit. "have the God-kind of faith"]. "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:22-24 NASB

January 26th

*	Great faith is a product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come after great trials.

...."Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing [maintaining a deep revelation of the spiritual reality] that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".... James 1:2-4 NASB

...."But He [the Lord] knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food".... Job 23:10-12 NASB

January 27th

*	We should not be a people who are searching for the "acceptable" but we should be those who are searching for the "perfect".

...."you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect".... Matthew 5:48 NASB

January 28th

*	God has not called us to "regard" anything other than that which He is doing at any given moment. Every person walking this earth is either in the way or in the "Way".

...."Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to [enters into the Will of] the Father but through Me".... John 14:6 NASB

January 29th

*	Obedience is the ultimate act of love towards God and man.

"perfect obedience" - the seeking after and gaining a "revelation" of God's Will and, THEN, carrying it out to fulfillment from beginning to end [regardless of how long that may take] in the unction and power of the Holy Spirit [Who is the Spirit of Love, the Spirit of Christ etc.], alone.

...."If you [really] love Me, you will keep [obey] My commands".... John 14:15 The Amplified Translation

January 30th

*	The greatest blessing we can bestow upon others is to put them in the Presence of God!

...."For in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being [entire existence]".... Acts 17:28a The Amplified Translation

January 31st

*	God knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory. Waiting in the sunshine of His love is what will ripen the soul for His blessing. Waiting under the cloud of trial that breaks in showers of blessing is as needful. Be assured that if God waits longer than you would wish it is only to make the blessing doubly precious.

...."Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing [maintaining a deep revelation of the spiritual reality] that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".... James 1:2-4 NASB

...."But He [the Lord] knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food".... Job 23:10-12 NASB

February 1ST

*	Spiritual maturity does not come through a prayer line or impartation, but is "walked out" in each of our lives.

...."So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure".... Philippians 2:12-13 NASB

February 2nd

*	Faith is not blind - faith is sight of a higher kind.

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

February 3rd

*	Righteous decisions emanate from spiritual purity.

...."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see [both know and understand] God [and His highest purpose]".... Matthew 5:8 NASB

February 4th

*	Righteous prayer turns ordinary mortals into men and women of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God.

...."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".... James 5:16 KJV

February 5th

*	The life of faith is a life of honour, submission and humility before God. It is a life of obedience. It is a life of trust.

...."And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? 'My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes'. You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. [Prov. 3:11, 12.] Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live? For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness - in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]".... Hebrews 12:5-11 The Amplified Translation

February 6th

*	Jesus' spirit had a perfect predominance over his soul and body, even to the laying down of his soul and body unto death - unto a perfect obedience.

...."the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked".... 1 John 2:6 NASB

...."Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass".... 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NASB

February 7th

*	No weapon formed against a child of God shall ever prosper unless they "form" it themselves!

"form" - to construct; to frame [ideas, opinions, etc.] in the mind;

...."'In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Whoever assails you will fall because of you. Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and brings out a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to ruin. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,' declares the LORD".... Isaiah 54:14-17 NASB

February 8th

*	The Word does not "work" for the wilfully disobedient.

...."God is opposed to [resists] the proud [self-reliant], but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.... 1 Peter 5:5b-7 NASB

February 9th

*	Prayerlessness is what allows the seeds of rebellion in and prayerfulness will be what removes them.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

February 10th

*	A "holy" sorrow is an effectual part of true repentance.

...."For the [holy] sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death".... 2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB

February 11th

*	How can we have a fear of the unknown if God is truly at the helm of our lives?

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

...."The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever".... Psalms 23:1-6 NASB

February 12th

*	The world is "addictive" but how much more the Kingdom [in a positive sense] to the heart that is wholly given to the highest purposes of God!

"addict" - to habituate or abandon [oneself] to something compulsively or obsessively;

...."Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever".... 1 John 2:15-17 NASB

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right]".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

February 13th

*	Time is not a factor in faith. The exercising of an absolute faith [trust and patience] eliminates "time" as a factor in the perfect unfolding of the Father's highest Will and purpose.

"factor" - an element or cause that contributes to a result;

...."Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

...."And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises".... Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB

February 14th

*	The bond between the children of God goes far beyond the "formality" of social fellowship.

...."Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing - life [love, truth, revelation, righteousness] forever".... Psalms 133:1-3 NASB

February 15th

*	Devotion means a life given, or devoted to God. The devoted one is, then, one who no longer obeys their own will, nor conforms to the way and spirit of the world, but obeys only the Will of God. Such a one considers God in everything, serves God, and makes every aspect of their life a part of devotion. They do everything in the name of God; in everything they conform to God's rule and bring glory to God.

...."If you [really] love Me, you will keep [obey] My commands".... John 14:15 The Amplified Translation

February 16th

*	We willingly accept that our prayers should be ruled and measured by God alone. We agree that in prayer we are to look to Him and act wholly for Him, and that we are only to pray in ways and for things that will bring Him glory. Now if anyone wants to know why they are to be so absolutely God-centred in their prayers, they will discover that it is for the same reason that they should be as absolutely God-centred in all the other areas of their life.

There is not one "rule" for prayer and a different rule for the rest of life. It is absurd and a mark of failure, to pray prayers that are not in harmony with the Will of God. It is equally absurd to follow any pattern of life and use any of our talents, abilities, time, or money, in ways that are not in accordance with the Will of God and do not bring glory to His Name!

...."You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as your self".... Luke 10:27 NASB

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

February 17th

*	We, as children of God, are called to reject the lust of the body the lust of the eyes and worldly glory. We are to bear "injuries" to seek the true happiness of our enemies, to love mankind as God loves them giving our whole hearts and affections to God, and to strive to enter through the narrow gate into a life of eternal glory.

...."Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow [contracted by pressure] and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it".... Matthew 7:13-14 The Amplified Translation

February 18th

*	Many church-goers have the same taste for the world [as unbelievers], the same worldly cares, fears and joys; they have the same attitude of mind, and are equally empty in their desires. You see the same love of status, the same pride and vanity of dress, the same self-love and self-
indulgence, the same foolish friendships and groundless hatreds, the same frivolity and same superficiality, the same escapism, the same aimlessness, the same empty conversations. They are exactly like the rest of the world!

...."Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever".... 1 John 2:15-17 NASB

February 19th

*	If we are a stranger to watching, fasting, prayer and self-denial, how can it be said that we are, "working out our salvation with fear and trembling?"

...."So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure".... Philippians 2:12-13 NASB

February 20th

*	The best guide for anyone who wonders how much they ought to aspire after holiness, is to ask themselves, not how easy it will make their present life, but how easy it will make their hour of death.

...."[Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy [Lev. 11:44, 45]".... 1 Peter 1:14-16 The Amplified Translation

February 21st

*	If you do not spend your money in doing good to others. it follows that you must spend it in harming yourself. Now these are the true results in riches spent on ourselves in worthless and needless expenses, and when used recklessly where there is no "real" need. We only succeed in using them to our own harm by creating "unreasonable" desires, nourishing bad qualities, indulging our passions and supporting a worldly, empty, attitude of mind.

For high eating and drinking, fine clothes and big houses, status, worldly pleasures and distractions, all harm and distort [defile] our hearts and minds. They are the food and nourishment of all the stupidity and weakness of our human nature. They are sure ways of making us worthless and worldly in our characters. They support things that ought not to be supported; they are contrary to that sobriety and devotion of heart which relishes Divine things; they are like so many weights upon our minds, which make us less able and less inclined to lift up our thoughts and affections to higher things, things that are above.

...."And He [the Father] raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the Anointed One]".... Ephesians 2:6 The Amplified Translation

...."Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God".... Colossians 3:1-3 NASB

February 22nd

*	How can one blame a "distraction" for affecting their walk with the Lord when they have full authority over what attempts to distract them?

...."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you".... Luke 10:19 NASB

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

...."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see [both know and understand] God [and His highest purpose]".... Matthew 5:8 NASB

February 23rd

*	As the race which is set before us is a race of holiness, purity and love for heavenly things, so our every day diet must have this one end: to make our body more fit for this spiritual race.

...."feed me with the food [both spiritual and physical] that is needful for me".... Proverbs 30:8b The Amplified Translation

...."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you".... Romans 8:11 KJV

February 24th

*	A holy, joyful expectancy is of the very essence of true waiting.

...."It [the vision] hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith".... Habakkuk 2:3-4 NASB

February 25th

*	Things, not bad in themselves, can be "relentless masters" when put in the place of rule reserved for the Lord.

...."Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry".... 1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB

...."He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me".... Matthew 10:37-38 The Amplified Translation

February 26th

*	To the degree that we fail to acknowledge God in our lives, it is to that degree that we have a fear of what others think, and thus we seek their approval instead of God's approval.

...."For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ".... Galatians 1:10 NASB

February 27th

*	Every child of God must desire to have the Holy Spirit in such abundance and to abide in them so thoroughly and rest upon them so heavily, that wherever they go a "work" will be effected for God.

...."greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world".... 1 John 4:4 KJV

...."Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?".... Luke 11:11-13 NASB

February 28th

*	The sense of utter and absolute helplessness, the confidence that God can and will do all - these must be the mark of our "waiting". Jesus Christ, the Word of God, brings us into contact with spiritual things, not mental things. Spiritual things are as real as physical things. Your spirit can come to the point where the things in the Word will become as real to you, and Jesus Christ will become as real to you as any loved one. From this one can see the necessity of taking time to meditate, to get quiet with the Lord. We must take time to sit with His Word and let the Holy Spirit unveil that Word to our spirit.

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 1st

*	Idolatry reflects the attempt to create God in one's own image.

...."Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry".... 1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB

MARCH 2nd

*	When our minds are conditioned by prejudice or paralyzed by traditional vices, we may face a truth in scripture again and again without it ever touching us. Our spiritual inhibition concerning that truth permits us to see but not perceive. The truth lies dormant within, mentally apprehended but not spiritually applied.

...."If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know [gain a revelation of] the Truth, and [that revelation of] the Truth will set you free".... John 8:31-32 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 3rd

*	If humility is the basic ingredient of true holiness, the soil in which the graces flourish, is it not needful that from time to time we should, like David, humble our souls with fasting? Behind our besetting sins and personal failures, behind the many ills that infect our church fellowships and clog the channels of Christian service - the clash of personalities and temperaments, the strife and division - lies that insidious pride of the human heart.

...."humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully [Ps. 55:22]".... 1 Peter 5:6-7 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 4th

*	Utter obedience to God, that is humility [total dependence upon Him!

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 5th

*	In all of the talking that men and women do in the world, when the conversation is "ordered" in heaven, it will have eternal consequences!

...."Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give [impart] grace to those who hear".... Ephesians 4:29 NASB

MARCH 6th

*	..."If at any time I declare, concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will repent of the evil that I intended to do to it.... Jeremiah 18:7-8

This repentance of God does not imply any compromise on His part, but is wholly in keeping with His intentions declared beforehand. Because man repents in respect to sin, God "repents" in respect to judgement. Strictly speaking then, it is not God that really changes, but man. Man's change of heart makes it "morally" possible for God to behave differently towards him, yet act consistently with His holy character and principles.

MARCH 7th

*	We have the mind of Christ and we are the Body of Christ!

...."we have the mind of Christ [the Messiah] and do hold the thoughts [feelings and purposes] of His heart".... 1 Corinthians 2:16b The Amplified Translation

MARCH 8th

*	Faith is not a message you preach, faith is a life you live. Faith is not measured by the things you have or the things you do without - faith is a lifestyle, totally trusting in God for all things.

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

...."for we walk by faith [trust in God], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

MARCH 9th

*	Interpret your Bible by what your Bible says and not by what men say that it says. Each one of us, as children of God, have a "glorious liberty" to study the Word of God for ourselves under the immediate tuition of the Holy Spirit, always remembering that we are to bow to no authority as final but the Word of God as illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

"establish" - to make secure, stable or permanent; to initiate and cause to last; to clear from doubt;

...."Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You".... Psalms 119:38 NASB

MARCH 10th

*	Speaking the truth in love will always be "construed" as criticism by those who have a fear of what others think of them and who thus seek the approval of men before the approval of God.

...."The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted".... Proverbs 29:25 NASB

...."As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love".... Ephesians 4:14-16 NASB

MARCH 11th

*	The believer must not only resist the devil when he tempts visibly or attacks consciously but by "constant" prayer they must bring to light his hidden and covered temptations, knowing that he is a "tempter" and therefore is always planning temptation for the believer. Those, who thus by prayer bring to light those hidden workings are, by experience, widening their horizons in knowledge of Satan's work as tempter and becoming better able to co-work with the Spirit of God in the deliverance of others from the power of the enemy; for in order to be victorious over the powers of darkness, it is essential to be able to recognize what they are doing.

To the degree one resists temptation, it is to that degree that they shall not be ignorant of Satan's schemes.

...."Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you".... James 4:7-8 NASB

...."so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes".... 2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB

MARCH 12th

*	Believe in the Word of God [speak and act in faith, love and obedience] and the results shall follow. Wait to "see" [or "feel"] the result [in fear, mistrust, doubt and unbelief], and you will never have the victory [appropriate the blessing].

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God". [lit. have the faith of God] "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

...."So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest - an absolute faith and trust in Him], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out]".... [Num. 14:1-35]".... Hebrews 3:19 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 13th

*	The "hidden" life is simply the life of a little child, a little child living in its Father's Presence, desiring their Father's Will, depending upon their Father for all of its protection from all its foes, and showing their Father's Spirit to all around.

...."At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven".... Matthew 18:1-4 NASB

...."Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God".... Colossians 3:1-3 NASB

MARCH 14th

*	If "I" feel, then "I" am living; but if I believe in the Word of God, then it is the Son of God who is living in me and through me.

...."I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me".... Galatians 2:20 NASB

...."for we walk by faith [trust in God], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

MARCH 15th

*	Faith seeks the "invisible" and lives in it.

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 16th

*	The one need of the ministry is this: to wait at the footstool of the Throne without ceasing for the clothing with the Power that comes from on high.

...."I [Jesus] am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high".... Luke 24:49 NASB

MARCH 17th

*	If you want God's blessing, be absolutely faithful in that which is least, and do the "small" things as thoroughly as the great ones, for the small things may turn out to be the great ones in the end.

...."He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much".... Luke 16:10 NASB

MARCH 18th

*	Fasting has a way of detracting us from the world of the material so that our thinking becomes rightly orientated, focused on God and the unseen world of which He is the center, and this inevitably results in a much greater release of faith.

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 19th

*	The value of a fast is not to be judged by how much there is of the spectacular or the dramatic, but how much there is of solid, lasting gain for the Kingdom of God.

...."The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it? 'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments'. Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil".... Joel 2:12 NASB

MARCH 20th

*	All "satisfaction" derived from the outworking of one's own understanding decreases one's desire within them to truly fulfil the purposes and plans of God and, thus, their work takes on a direction and purpose contrary to the Will of God. There is no "true" fulfilment in this earth apart from the carrying out of God's Will.

...."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied".... Matthew 5:6 NASB

...."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see [know and understand] God".... Matthew 5:8 NASB

MARCH 21st

*	Under the Old Covenant God had a temple for His people under the New Covenant God has His people for a temple.

...."Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. 'and do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, ad you shall be sons and daughters to Me', says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".... 2 Corinthians 6:14-
7:1 NASB

MARCH 22nd

*	Persecution for the Word's sake [righteousness' sake] can become "trouble" if one ignores the command to walk in love in the midst of it.

...."Love [God's love in us] does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]".... 1 Corinthians 13:5 The Amplified Translation

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled [persecuted] for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

MARCH 23rd

*	The anointed words of a true servant of God are as shafts of light and fire.

...."each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is [to be] revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work".... 1 Corinthians 3:13 NASB

MARCH 24th

*	To the degree that one "fully" guards their heart with all diligence, it is to that degree that they are able to measure the Word of God fully.

...."Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life".... Proverbs 4:23 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 25th

*	To the degree that one forsakes all to follow Jesus, it is to that degree that they shall "ultimately" experience the "fullness" of salvation [their precious inheritance in Christ].

...."He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders [his] way [aright] I shall show the salvation of God".... Psalms 50:23 NASB

...."Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear [reverence] Him, and He will make them know His covenant".... Psalms 25:12-14 NASB

MARCH 26th

*	One is either going to exalt themselves or Jesus Christ, as they speak.

...."Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give [impart] grace to those who hear".... Ephesians 4:29 NASB

MARCH 27th

*	All foolishness has its beginning in the mistrust of God.

...." A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self-confident] fool are on the ends of the earth".... Proverbs 17:24 The Amplified Translation

...."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is".... Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV

MARCH 28th

*	To "play it safe" may be considered wise in worldly circles; but never is "holding part back" [through fear and unbelief] acceptable to God.

...."Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness".... Luke 11:35 KJV

MARCH 29th

*	The essence of "true" [effectual] prayer is obedience in the life of the one praying.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

...."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".... James 5:16 KJV

MARCH 30th

*	To lose sight of God is to lose all "assurance". To be in a position [through a wilful disobedience] wherein one cannot hear His voice means certain "deception".

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right]".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

MARCH 31st

*	The key to "our" success is not to dwell upon "our defeats", but on the victory of Jesus Christ! We as born-again, Spirit-filled believers, cannot plead ignorance and the only thing left is rebellion!

...."By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith".... 1 John 5:2-4 NASB

...."But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]".... 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 The Amplified Translation

April 1st

*	The life of a true Christian is filled with evidence of true faithfulness.

...."Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it".... Psalm 37:3-5 NASB

April 2nd

*	Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.

...."He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all [other] seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES".... Matthew 13:31-32 NASB

...."He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much".... Luke 16:10 NASB

April 3rd

*	It was well done of Paul to reprove Peter to his face, and it was well done of Peter, to praise Paul in his absence.

...."But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned".... Galatians 2:11 NASB

...."Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:14-16 NASB

April 4th

*	Let this encourage those of you who belong to Christ: the storm may be tempestuous, but it is only temporary. The clouds that are temporarily rolling over your head will pass, and then you will have fair weather, an eternal sunshine of glory. Can you not watch with Christ for one hour?"

"temporary" - lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent;

...."And He [Jesus] came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak".... Matthew 26:40-41 NASB

...."For our light, momentary affliction [this slight distress of the passing hour] is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal [brief and fleeting], but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 The Amplified Translation

April 5th

*	Faith, focus and the exercising of obedience stops all "double-mindedness" cold.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith [trust] that he asks with no wavering [no hesitating, no doubting]. For the one who wavers [hesitates, doubts] is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds [hesitating, dubious, irresolute], [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]"... James 1:5-8 The Amplified Translation

...."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded".... James 4:8 NASB

April 6th

*	It is the willing and obedient life [heart] that creates and nurtures the environment [atmosphere] in which faith can breathe and grow.

...."Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life".... Proverbs 4:23 The Amplified Translation

April 7th

*	Courage is not the absence of fear, but instead, moving forward despite fear.

...."the righteous are bold as a lion [in both word and deed]".... Proverbs 28:1b NASB

April 8th

*	Expect a nuclear blast to go off when you make the "quality decision" to allow Jesus to live through you.

...."Indeed, all who [even] desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted".... 2 Timothy 3:12 NASB

...."Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great".... Matthew 5:10-12 NASB

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled [persecuted] for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

April 9th

*	There are blessings of The Kingdom that are only yielded to the violence of the vehement soul.

...."Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent [vehement]men take it by force".... Matthew 11:11-12 NASB

April 10th

*	Only when we are captured by an overwhelming sense of awe and reverence in the presence of God, will we begin to worship God in spirit and in truth.

...."But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth".... John 4:23-24 NASB

April 11th

*	John Wesley one day walked to his mother and asked: "Mum, define sin for me". Her answer was this: "Whatever weakens your reasoning, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes away your relish for spiritual things, in short, if anything increases the authority of the flesh over the spirit, that to you becomes sin, however good it is in itself.

...."whatever does not originate and proceed from faith [which is activated and energized by love] is sin".... Romans 14:23b The Amplified Translation

April 12th

*	It is not difficult to say what it is that hardens the hearts. The seed sown by the wayside could not enter the soil because it had been trodden down by the passersby. When the world, with its business and its interests, has at all times a free passage, the heart loses its tenderness.

...."These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. "In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. "And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things [that are apart from God's Will] enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful".... Mark 4:15-19 NASB

April 13th

*	Nothing so effectually hinders hearing God's voice as opening the heart too much to other voices. A heart too deeply interested in the news, the literature, and the society of this world cannot hear the divine voice. It needs stillness, retirement, and concentration to give God the heed He claims.

...."Be still, [in a certain and steadfast trust] and know that I [am] God".... Psalms 46:10 NASB

April 14th

*	When alone with God, be alone with Him.

..."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded".... James 4:8 NASB

April 15th

*	It is a fine line between presumption and passivity. The "fine line" is the narrow path of perfect obedience.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8]".... Matthew 7:13-14 The Amplified Translation

April 16th

*	Faith comes by getting acquainted with the Father through the Word. Not in studying the Word alone, but by actually living the Word; doing the Word, practicing the Word, and letting the Word "live" in us. God's Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is the "food" of the recreated human spirit. As we meditate in the Word, and become doers of the Word our spirits slowly but surely gain ascendancy over our "sense-ruled" mind.

...."But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing [his life of obedience]".... James 1:22-25 The Amplified Translation

April 17th

*	The natural man cannot understand the expression "in Christ" or what it means, but the God-taught re-created spirit grasps it with eager joy. The greatest need of the present day church is the renewing of the minds of the believers, and of the education and development of the re-
created spirit. The "average" Christian today is carnal, or sense-ruled. They remain "babes" in Christ, walking after the manner of men and the senses. They have never learned the way of love. They are full of talk but they are not "doers" of the Word. Their wisdom is the wisdom of natural men. They are ever striving but never arriving. There is only one way to help these people, and that is to teach them to take their place in Christ, to become doers of the Word and not hearers only.

...."But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly [meaningless nonsense] to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]".... 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 The Amplified Translation

April 18th

*	For a person to be "born-again", they need first to confess that they are not able to save themselves. Likewise, for one to overcome, they must also acknowledge their inability to overcome on their own strength in any way.

...."if you confess with your mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in [the fullness of] salvation".... Romans 10:9-10 NASB

April 19th

*	How can you make people believe that self-denial and separation from the world are necessary unless you practice them?

...."Your testimonies are very sure; holiness [apparent in separation from sin, with simple trust and hearty obedience] is becoming to Your house, O Lord, forever".... Psalms 93:5 The Amplified Translation

April 20th

*	There is an anointing upon every child of God to walk in "perfect obedience".

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you ".... John 14:26 NASB

...."But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come ".... John 16:13 NASB

April 21st

*	When we realize the reality of spiritual things, so that we will take account of them, and plan on them as we do on material things, our life will cease to be an excursion in the dark.

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

April 22nd

*	Faith is the creative force in the human spirit. Bolstered by wisdom, it cannot fail. Wisdom is not a product of knowledge, schools, teachers or libraries. Godly wisdom springs forth in all its beauty from the spirit of a man/woman indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

April 23rd

*	Fear is a child of ignorance; it is a deadly enemy to success. It dwarfs our thinking. It devastates faith. It fills the whole life with a spiritual paralysis.

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

...."I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed".... Psalms 34:4-5 NASB

April 24th

*	If one is not both seeking and walking in perfect obedience then they are not "waiting" on God; God is waiting on them!

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end, In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith [by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises".... Hebrews 6:11-12 The Amplified Translation

April 25th

*	Nothing makes so solemn an impression upon sinners and bears down with such tremendous weight on their consciences, as to see a Christian, truly Christ-like, bearing affronts and injuries with the meekness of a lamb. It cuts like a two-edged sword.

...."Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great".... Matthew 5:10-12 NASB

April 26th

*	The will of the believer "willing physical death", gives the Adversary, power of death over that one, and no believer should yield to a "desire to die" until they know beyond question that God has released them from further service to His people. That a believer is "ready to die" is a very small matter; they must be ready to live, until they are sure that their life work is finished. It is Satan, as a murderer, who gives "visions of glory", "longings to die" to workers of value to the Church of God, so that they yield to death, even in the days of active service and slowly fade away.

...."Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness - trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation".... Psalms 91:14-16 The Amplified Translation

April 27th

*	Believers who would have victory over Satan at every point, must resist his attack on the body as well as on the spirit and mind. They must seek knowledge of God's laws [principles] for the body, so as to obey those laws, and give no occasion to Satan to slay them. They should know the place of the body in the spiritual life; [l] it's prominence, and yet [2] it's obscurity!

...."make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship".... Romans 12:1 The Amplified Translation

...."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you".... Romans 8:11 KJV

...."What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Exod. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:1; Ezek. 37:27.]".... 2 Corinthians 6:16 The Amplified Translation

...."For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry".... Colossians 3:3-5 NASB

April 28th

*	Sin is the only thing that can rob us of God's presence; holiness is the one secret of power and blessing.

...."whatever does not originate and proceed from faith [which is activated and energized by love] is sin".... Romans 14:23b The Amplified Translation

April 29th

*	Uncentered from his place in the order of God, Satan is an aimless and dissatisfied wanderer with no joy in Heaven or earth, but in tempting others and bringing them into the same sore plight as himself.

...."And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever".... Revelation 20:10 NASB

April 30th

*	We have little appreciated the fact that "sense-knowledge" has had so large a place in the formulating of creeds and doctrines. If love had dominated the writers of doctrines and creeds, there would never had been a division in the Body of Christ. Truth never separates or divides the Church into groups, never makes believers "antagonistic" to each other. Doctrines that separate the Church were never born of love, for love binds us together and makes us one.

...."And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love".... Ephesians 4:11-16 The Amplified Translation

May 1st

*	Why does God keep faith in the "unseen"? Because if we are not able to "see" it in the natural then neither can Satan see it. Satan is spiritually blind and can only influence and control what he sees and "hears" in the natural scheme of things. We, as children of God are called to walk based upon what we "believe" [our faith and trust in the things that are "not seen"]. Our evidence is based upon the things that are not seen in the natural [the revealed Word of God, inwardly] rather than the things that are seen and experienced through the five physical senses, "outwardly".

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

May 2nd

*	When we are required to fast at times, and thus deny our natural appetites it is to lessen that struggle and war that are within our "nature" and to make our bodies fitter instruments of purity, more obedient to the "good emotions" of Divine grace; it is to dry up the springs of our passions that war against the soul, to cool the flame of our "blood" and to make the mind more capable of Divine meditations. It is to lessen the power of bodily appetites and passions and increase our taste for spiritual joys.

...."feed me with the food [both spiritual and physical] that is needful for me".... Proverbs 30:8b The Amplified Translation

...."Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?..... If because of the sabbath [rest], you turn your foot from doing your OWN pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and honor it, desisting from your OWN ways, from seeking your OWN pleasure and speaking your OWN word, THEN you will take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth [Ephesians 2:6]".... Isaiah 58:6, 13-
14a NASB

May 3rd

*	All growth in revealed knowledge means increased protection against the deceiving enemy. As "new ground" is revealed, and fresh truth about the powers of darkness, and the way of victory over them, is understood, the truth delivers from their deceptions, and hence protects the believer up to the extent of "knowledge", from further deception; but let the believer who has been "undeceived" cease to use the truth of

[1] the existence of evil spirits;

[2] their persistent watching to deceive them again;

[3] the need of perpetual resistance in fighting against them;

for the keeping of their spirit in purity and strength in co-operation with the Spirit of God; and other truths parallel with these, and they will sink down again into "passivity" and possibly deeper depths of deception. For the Holy Spirit needs the believer's use of truth to work with in energizing and strengthening them for conflict and for victory, and does not guard them from the enemy, apart from their co-operation in watching and prayer.

...."Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in [your] faith".... 1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB

May 4th

*	The Church must be separated as a "whole". This being the direct result of an "individual" separation from the world unto the Word of God.

May 5th

*	The greatest "testimony" a child of God shall ever have is to walk in the fullness of their inheritance in Christ! Thus giving all those who cross their path a revelation of the "living" Christ as He is, even now.

...."Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today and forever".... Hebrews 13:8 NASB

...."Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, [even] Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] the glory forever and ever. Amen".... Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB

May 6th

*	Faith is a tender plant. It must be fed continually upon the Word of God and upon our acting on that Word. Simply reading the Word and meditating on the Word will not build faith. It will build a capacity for faith, but faith is only built when the Word becomes a part of our daily use, our daily conduct - a part of our daily speech. Every time one breaks the "silence" caused by fear with an open confession of the integrity of the Word, and one acts on the Word, they destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief in their life.

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

May 7th

*	Christianity is called "the great confession". The law of that confession is that I confess [proclaim] that I have a thing before I "consciously" possess it.

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God". [lit. have the faith of God] "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

May 8th

*	Your "confession" is your "present" attitude toward the Word of God.

...."Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession".... Hebrews 3:1 NASB

...."Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give [impart] grace to those who hear".... Ephesians 4:29 NASB

May 9th

*	Confession [profession], with thanksgiving always brings realization. Confession [profession] before realization is foolishness to all those who are "sense-ruled".

...."For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [and do hold the thoughts {feelings and purposes} of His heart {Amplified}]".... 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 NASB

May 10th

*	A life devoted to God, looking totally to Him in every way and doing all things to His glory, far from being dull and uncomfortable, is what creates new life and brings "comfort" in everything we do. How ignorant, then, of the nature of true religion, of the nature of man and of the nature of God is the man/woman who thinks that a life of strict devotion to God is a dull, uncomfortable state, when it is so clear and certain that comfort and joy can be found in nothing else!

...."When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them.' The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad...... Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying [his] bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves [with him.]".... Psalms 126:1-6 NASB

May 11th

*	The "itch" in your spirit cannot be "scratched" in your soul!

...."Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths".... 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NASB

May 12th

*	Worship is fundamentally love responding to love.

...."Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship [serve] the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array".... Psalms 29:2 The Amplified Translation

...."Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array out of the womb of the morning [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 The Amplified Translation

May 13th

*	If the believer is conscious of "difficulties", "obstacles" or "interference" in what they are doing, they should at once refuse all ideas, thoughts, suggestions, "visions" [ie. pictures to the mind], words, or impressions that the spirits of evil may be seeking to insert or press upon them, so that they may be able to co-operate with the Holy Spirit, and have a clarified mind for the carrying out of His [God's] Will.

That is, the believer, by their refusal and resistance of all supernatural attempts to interfere with their "outer man" [soul and body], is actively to resist the powers of darkness, whilst they seek to co-work with the Holy Spirit within their spirit. At first this means much conflict, but as they maintain active resistance, and increasingly close their whole being to the spirits of evil and is on the alert to recognize and refuse their workings, their union with the Risen Lord deepens, their spirit grows strong, their vision pure, their mental faculties clear to realize a perpetual victory over the foes who once had them in their power.

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]"....

2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

...."Submit therefore to God [in obedience]. Resist the devil [from the position of faith in a revelation of the Father's Word/Will] and he will flee from you".... James 4:7 NASB

...."For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.]".... 1 Corinthians 2:16 The Amplified Translation

May 14th

*	The character of a man or woman is revealed in the hour of "sudden" crisis with no time for recollection. What is in the heart will suddenly break out!

...."as he [a man/woman] thinketh in his/her heart, so is he/she".... Proverbs 23:7 NASB

...."out of the fullness [the overflow, the superabundance] of the heart the mouth speaks".... Matthew 12:34 The Amplified Translation

...."Death and life are in the power of the tongue".... Proverbs 18:21a NASB

May 15th

*	There is only one thing that one can do better than anyone else, and that is to carry out "their" portion of the ministry of Jesus Christ!

...."For we are God's [own] handiwork [His workmanship], recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined [planned beforehand] for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]".... Ephesians 2:10 The Amplified Translation

May 16th

*	The first condition in obtaining the life that wins is "letting go".

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

May 17th

*	Having begun in the Spirit, continue, go on, persevere in the Spirit. Beware of, for one single moment, continuing or perfecting the work of the Spirit in the flesh. Let "no confidence in the flesh" be your battle cry; let a deep mistrust of the flesh and fear of grieving the Spirit by walking after the flesh, keep you humble before God. Pray to God for the spirit of revelation that you may see that Jesus is all and does all, and how by the Holy Spirit a divine life actually takes the place of your life, and Jesus is "enthroned" as the keeper and guide and life of the soul.

...."For in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being [entire existence]".... Acts 17:28a The Amplified Translation

...."put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts [desires]".... Romans 13:14 NASB

...."[For I {Paul} always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints [His set-apart ones], And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], [Ps. 8:6.] Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself]".... Ephesians 1:17-23 The Amplified Translation

May 18th

*	We have majored in sin-consciousness. We have preached the "law". We have kept our people under condemnation. Faith cannot grow in that kind of atmosphere, consequently almost none of the believers today have an "active" faith in the Word [their Covenant].

"sin-consciousness" - any belief or mind-set that constitutes one "believing" that that which they have actually been redeemed from is still to be in force in their life;

"righteousness-consciousness" - a continual awareness of who we "actually" are in Christ;

...."when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith [the exercising of an absolute trust in God] on the earth?" .... Luke 18:8 NASB

May 19th

*	I, me, my and mine are the four highways into the realm of "broken fellowship" with God.

There are only two great forces in the world today; they are love and selfishness. Every sin that one commits begins in selfishness. Selfishness may lead them into a host of different kinds of sin but there is only one basic sin and that is selfishness.

...."whatever does not originate and proceed from faith [which is activated and energized by love] is sin".... Romans 14:23b The Amplified Translation

May 20Th

*	Satan's charges and accusations are of no account before God, for they are the charges and accusations of a liar and a murderer - and he has no standing in Heaven.

...."[There is] therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".... Romans 8:1-2 KJV

...."And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever".... Revelation 20:10 NASB

May 21st

*	It is only possible to wrestle against the powers of darkness by the Holy Spirit. It is a "spiritual" warfare and can only be understood by the spiritual man - that is, one who lives by and is governed by their spirit. The objective of evil spirits is to get the spirit down - and, thus, render the believer powerless to take the aggressive against them; a "great victory" means great danger because when the believer is occupied with it, the devil is scheming of how to rob them of it. The hour of victory therefore calls for "soberness of mind" and watching unto prayer, for a little over-
elation may mean its loss and a long fight to full victory.

...."Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in [your] faith".... 1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB

May 22ND

*	In the final analysis "all" work depends upon the supernatural, upon the "all-sufficiency" of God and upon His infinite Love and Power.

...."I [Jesus] am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high".... Luke 24:49 NASB

May 23RD

*	Many Christians today foolishly thrust from themselves Heavenly blessings. They are so quickly "offended" with any truth they do not readily grasp or understand. They measure all things by their present capacity and apprehension, instead of meekly receiving the Word of God and counting upon the Holy Spirit to bear witness, and bring the seed of the Word into full fruition in His own time and way.

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

...."Who is the man who fears [reverences] the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear [reverence] Him, and He will make them know His covenant".... Psalms 25:12-14 NASB

May 24th

*	Wisdom is the choice of the best end and the selection of the most appropriate means for the accomplishment of that end.

...."For this reason also, since the day we heard [of it,] we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son".... Colossians 1:9-13 NASB

May 25th

*	All half-belief is unbelief; all half-repentance is unrepentance, all half-worship is false worship.

...."A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough".... Galatians 5:9 NASB

...."The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays".... Luke 11:34-36 NASB

May 26th

*	No leader could do a greater kindness to the Church than to help all of its ministers to a full apprehension of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. When our ascended Lord spoke the words, "Ye shall by My witness to the ends of the earth,"...and "wait...tarry, until ye be endued with power from on high,". He gave a principle for all time to His servants in regard to the secret of work. The Holy Spirit received daily in fellowship with God is the only secret of successful work.

...."I [Jesus] am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high".... Luke 24:49 NASB

May 27th

*	Communion with God is very much like breathing, it can only be maintained just one moment at a time. We must refuse to look back, or to look forward, however much the enemy may tempt us to do so. Vain regrets over the past, and vague fears for the future will harass our minds enough to break our fellowship with God. The mind cannot be occupied with two matters at once, so that we need to trust our Lord to keep us abiding, even unconsciousness, whilst we give our attention fully to our duty in "doing the next thing".

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

May 28th

*	The scripture says that the Lord is the vine and we are the branches. It does not say He will be our vine and we will be His branches. Whether we believe or not, He nonetheless is the Vine and we nonetheless are the branches. Yet only those who believe will "allow" the spiritual sap flow through them; with the result that they bear fruit. But for those who do not believe, the life of the Lord cannot flow through them; therefore they must themselves labour for "any fruit".

...."Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish [desire], and it will be done for you".... John 15:4-7 NASB

May 29th

*	Not living in communion with God, and separation from the world; neglecting prayer and fasting, all lead to one thing - unbelief!

...."So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out]".... [Num. 14:1-35]".... Hebrews 3:19 The Amplified Translation

...."The intellectually arrogant seek for wisdom but they never seem to discover what they claim they are looking for. For revelation knowledge flows to the one who hungers for understanding".... Proverbs 14:6 The Passion Translation

May 30th

*	The existence of a thing is one matter, while the "substantiating" of it is quite another. There are numerous things in the physical world, but every one of them needs some "ability" [five physical senses] to prove its reality. In the spiritual realm, this "ability" is what faith is. All the "facts" of God are real and true, but faith alone can verify them.

We need faith to prove a spiritual matter just as we need eyes, ears and hands to prove physical matters. How do you know a painting is beautiful? Because you have seen it with your physical eyes. How do you know the "riches of Christ"? Because you have seen with your spiritual eyes. The one great failure of a Christian is unbelief. Believe and the fact is proven. See with faith and the fact is "substantiated" in experience.

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

May 31ST

*	While God does not promise us a comfortable day every day, three things are certain as we abide in the Word of God:

[1] We shall daily have an ever increasing knowledge of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and their "workings";

[2] We shall harm the devil;

[3] We shall be a blessing to the people.

...."Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me".... John 15:4 The Amplified Translation

...."whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked".... 1 John 2:5-6 NASB

June 1st

*	It is only in direct and living contact with God Himself that the Word will open the heart to believe.

...."So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God".... Romans 10:17 NASB

...."He who has ears to hear, let him hear".... Mark 4:9 NASB

...."For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light".... Matthew 6:21-22 KJV

...."Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see [both know and understand] God".... Matthew 5:8 NASB

June 2nd

*	Spiritual victory is obtained by being watchful in small matters. If a small temptation comes and you can overcome it your faith, courage, and strength, will be increased. Then when you face a stronger temptation, you are fortified and can be victorious more easily. By contrast, when you encounter a small temptation and fail, your faith, courage and strength will be reduced and you will become weaker. Then when you face a larger temptation, you are already guaranteed to fail.

...."He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much".... Luke 16:10 NASB

*	The job of the Holy Spirit is to make spiritual things as real to our spirits as physical things are real to our senses - John 14:16-17 [Paraphrased]. "I am going to send you the Spirit of Reality. He is going to unveil to you spiritual realities, so that they will become as tangible and real to you as material things. He is with you now but a little later He is going to be in you".

...."I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you".... John 14:16-17 NASB

June 4tH

*	To the degree one hates and despises arrogance and pride in themselves; it is to that degree that they will walk in love.

...."Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]".... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a The Amplified Translation

June 5th

*	There are only two kinds of authority: true and false!

...."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you".... Luke 10:19

NASB

...."Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, 'All authority [all power of rule] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me".... Matthew 28:18 The Amplified Translation

June 6th

*	It will either be faith or fear that controls us, therefore let us take the necessary step to wholly trust our faithful God.

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

June 7th

*	I believe the most likely means in the world to inspire a person to true godliness is to witness the example set by some distinguished and holy servant of God, but the next thing that is likely to fill one with the same zeal is to see the stupidity, the bareness and the impoverished joys of any life destitute of God. As the one excites us to love and admire the wisdom and greatness of true Christian service, so the other may make us fearful of living without it.

...."Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust [the desire for things that are apart from God]".... 2 Peter 1:2-4 NASB

June 8th

*	From the human perspective success is measured by the achievement of many great enterprises. Jesus measured His life by the accomplishment of the task God had committed to Him, and He judged that it was a success. He had lived on earth for only a few years and had not accomplished "outwardly" great things, but He had truly invested His whole life to glorify God and do what God expected of Him. Others despised Him, thought Him different and peculiar, even insane; certainly He had never gained the approval of the "establishment". In the eyes of the people, the Jesus hanging on the cross was a "defeated" Jesus. Jesus understood the heart of God: He knew God's will, and that is why He could make such a declaration in prayer before His Father in the garden saying,

...."I have glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given me to do".... John 17:4 KJV

June 9th

*	Some Christians excel in social relationships: flattering people, manipulating others "psychologically", being men-pleasers, crafty, putting on a mask, puffing up themselves, propagandizing their efforts. By these means they succeed in climbing high in society or in the church. They are esteemed by many as having accomplished great things in the world - many splendid achievements. But they have never glorified God nor fulfilled what He has committed to them. In the eyes of men, such people are successful; but before God they are failures.

On the other hand, there are other Christians just like the Lord, neither striving nor making noise. No one has heard their voice on the street. Also like their Lord, they have been despised, rejected, made sorrowful and full of grief. But they have actually lived a superior life by glorifying God and always doing their best to fulfill what God has committed to them. They have received no one's praises but God's; they have attracted little glory on this earth; but they will receive the greatest glory when Christ comes into His Kingdom.

...."Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in".... Matthew 23:10-13 NASB

June 10th

*	True "success" is always a product of "active" obedience to the Will [Word] of God.

...."No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it [the Word of God] to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law [the Word of God] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go".... Joshua 1:5-9 NASB

June 11th

*	In God's sight real success is to have one's word valued as gold, silver and precious stones. When a person is forced to go through much labour or sorrow with patience and faithfulness the result does not seem to be much, but those qualities are real, eternal and valuable in God's sight. Human success is like the works of wood, hay and stubble. Such works take little exertion or faithfulness. Let us stop long for, and pursue, human success. Let us seek success in God's sight with an undivided heart so that at the end of our life's journey, without the slightest doubt or regret, we too may report to God as Jesus did, "I have accomplished what Thou has committed to Me."

...."According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is [to be] revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire".... 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB

June 12th

*	1 Timothy 2:4 intimates the Father's desire for His children. "Who desires all men to be saved", and come to this perfect, this precise, this exact knowledge of the truth. Not only that they may be saved, but that they may grow in Christ; that they may spiritually come to full age so that the Word will become a living reality to them, and that prayer will not be "begging", but a joyful, cooperation with the Father. We are taking Jesus' place here on the earth and prayer should be simply a conference with the Father laying before Him the needs of men and women about us.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

June 13th

*	The greatest thanksgiving that the child of God can give to the Father for the superabundant blessing that He has blessed them with is for them to thank Him and then continue on in perfect obedience, never stopping to dwell on anything but the next moment's obedience.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving".... Colossians 4:2 The Amplified Translation

June 14th

*	Those who are placed in a position of authority in the Church merely represent "God's authority"; their authority is due to their being in a representative capacity, not because they, in themselves, have any merit more excellent than the rest. The measure of one's revealed knowledge of God's Word [Will] is the measure of their delegated authority. God establishes a person to be His delegated authority entirely on the basis of that person's revealed knowledge of His Word.

Brothers and sisters who are young in the Lord are unlearned and have little revelation knowledge; hence God has put them under delegated authority. In each and every dealing with them it is imperative for the delegated authority to know beyond a doubt what God's Will is in any given situation. Were any delegated authority to tell others what to do without having that thing revealed to them by God, they would be representing themselves and their interests, rather than God and His interests. Only God's revealed knowledge and wisdom are "authoritative"; whatever proceeds from the flesh is wholly void of authority for it has only the potential to serve self. "All" authority depends upon what we have learned and "known" before God.

...."But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders [hypocrites]! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so".... Matthew 23:13 The Amplified Translation

June 15th

*	Only those who live in God's Presence and learn of Him are qualified to speak before the brothers and sisters. God's delegated authority must live in His presence, commune with Him continuously, not just once in a while and seek in all things to know His mind. Whenever we wander astray from intimate fellowship with God [Father, Son and Holy Spirit] the character of our authority changes. If communion with God is cut off by a rebellious attitude within us then the flow of authority also ceases.

...."O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend".... Psalms 15:1-3 NASB

June 16th

*	No delegated authority need try to establish their authority within the Body. Do not insist that others listen to you. If they err, let them err. if they do not submit, let them be insubordinate; if they insist on going their own way, let them go. A delegated authority ought not strive with men. Whoever refuses to hear the delegated authority disobeys God. It is not needful to try to force people to listen. God is my support, why then should I fear? The more God entrusts to us, the more liberty we give to those with whom we have to do and those who are thirsty for the Lord will come after us. God's true delegated authority will always be able to bear "any" opposition.

...."But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house".... Ezekiel 3:27 NASB

June 17th

*	Those who are disturbed and overwhelmed by words of slander prove themselves unfit to be a delegated authority. Vindication or defense or whatever reaction there may be must come from God not from man. He who vindicates himself does not know God. Authority and "self-
defense" are incompatible.

...."God is opposed to the proud [self-reliant], but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt [and, thus, vindicate] you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.... 1 Peter 5:5b-7 NASB

June 18th

*	To be a true delegated authority is not at all an easy thing because it requires the emptying of one's "self".

...."Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility [lowliness of mind] let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others".... Philippians 2:3-4 The Amplified Translation

June 19th

*	A faithful servant of God, though personally rejected and despised himself, will bear the burdens of many. We must be those who allow God to judge all things which pertain to us, never allowing ourselves to take a thought outside of love.

...."Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ [which is the law of Love]".... Galatians 6:2 NASB

June 20th

*	All those who "know" God can wait. If one keeps their heart-attitude right before God, they will be recognized not only by the Lord as His representative but also by the body of Christ as God's representative. No one may rise up and claim "I am God's established authority and you must all submit to me." We must first learn to have spiritual ministry before the Lord and then, in God's time, we may enter into the midst of His children to serve them.

...."I [Jesus] am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high".... Luke 24:49 NASB

June 21st

*	Coming out of God's Presence is to speak and act for God with authority, but going in is to lay oneself at the feet of the Lord in total dependence upon Him. The more authority one possesses, the less that one is conscious of it. Whether one is a delegated authority within the Body of Christ does not depend on the crowds of followers or, for the matter, any physical evidence, but rather on God.

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

June 22nd

*	The main and principle lesson of the Cross was the total and complete subjection of Jesus to the Will of the Father.

...."Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his [self] life will lose it; but whoever loses [denies] his [self] life for My sake will find it ["zoe"- divine life]'"..... Matthew 16:24-25 NASB

June 23rd

*	The man or woman of authority whom God establishes is able to endure provocation. If the authority one possesses cannot be "offended" they are qualified to be a delegated authority. One should never imagine that they can freely exercise authority because they have been appointed by God. For only the "obedient" are fit to be in authority.

...."prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY".... 1 Peter 1:13-16 NASB

June 24th

*	Sensitivity of heart before God must be maintained continually for the flow of God's authority to be manifested in the life of a believer.

...."Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life".... Proverbs 4:23 The Amplified Translation

...."He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him ...... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21, 23 NASB

June 25th

*	To represent God is not an easy thing; we need to walk strictly in the narrow path of perfect obedience. The path for us is obedience, not authority; it is to be servants not to be heads; to be slaves not to be rulers.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in".... Matthew 23:11-13 NASB

June 26th

*	Those who are near to God should never allow themselves to be "reckless". There is a much severer discipline applied to those in authority than to the people in general. For God has chosen those in authority to lead His children into the fullness of their inheritance in Christ.

...."Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment".... James 3:1 NASB

June 27th

*	Anyone who works for God should make an "irrevocable" decision whether they intend to please God or to please men. There is only one choice - a person cannot have it both ways!

...."For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ".... Galatians 1:10 NASB

June 28th

*	Righteousness means the ability to stand in the Presence of the Father without any sense of guilt, fear, or condemnation; and in the presence of Satan without any inferiority or fear!

...."the righteous are bold as a lion".... Proverbs 28:1b NASB

...."by His [the Father's] doing you are [already] IN Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption".... 1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB

...."In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death [no death can remain standing]".... Proverbs 12:28 NASB

June 29th

*	All unbelief reflects on God as though He was lying!

...."God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?".... Numbers 23:19 NASB

...."So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out]".... [Num. 14:1-35]".... Hebrews 3:19 The Amplified Translation

...."it is impossible for God to lie".... Hebrews 6:18 NASB

June 30th

*	Heroes are not necessarily judged by their apparent failure or success, but rather by their faithfulness and loyalty under adverse circumstances.

...."And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them]. THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance [unnecessary weight] and that sin which so readily [deftly and cleverly] clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us ".... Hebrews 11:39-
12:1 The Amplified Translation

July 1st

*	Declaring [proclaiming] the Word of God in faith is the highest level of spiritual warfare there is.

...."Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him".... Matthew 4:1-11 NASB

July 2nd

*	The declaration of God's Word from the pulpit is another form of spiritual warfare. The preaching and teaching of the Word can have a life-changing, yoke-destroying effect on people's lives. When the Gospel is proclaimed, the power in those words of truth penetrate the hearts of people who are in sin. The Word of God breaks down strongholds, releases the supernatural power of God, and transforms minds and lives as it changes eternal destinies.

That's why Satan is always after the pulpit! He attacks it not so much because of the individuals who stand in the pulpit, but rather because of what they declare from their position in Christ and the authority Jesus has delegated to them as ministers of the Gospel. The enemy wants to stop the light from going forth because of the high level of warfare that's effectively demonstrated when truth penetrates the human spirit and enlightens a person's mind.

There's power in the proclamation of the Gospel to snatch a person right out of a lifetime of bondage and plant his feet firmly on the right path. On that path is everything that person could ever need: light for his feet, freedom for his mind, strength and resolve for his will, and vision for a bright future. That's what God's Word can do! It is therefore no wonder that Satan tries to stop the preaching, teaching, and ministry of the Word! Mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds are demolished when the Word of God is proclaimed!

...."The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel of the Kingdom) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]. [Isa. 61:1, 2.] Luke 4:18-19 The Amplified Translation

July 3rd

*	The more you grow in understanding of who God is, and the more you grow in your relationship with Him, the more you trust Him. When we rest and trust in God, the storms of life may come but our heart will not be moved. Trusting God means we give up worrying and reasoning and we enter into His rest with simple, childlike faith; for we live by grace through faith.

In that place of trust, there is perfect peace, regardless of what we are going through in our lives. We are partners with God in what He calls us to do - we have a part and He has a part. The Lord wants us to be obedient and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, which is our part to play. Sometimes we try to do God's part and that brings us worry and stress when all that is required is to rest in Him and allow Him to do what only He can.

We are invited to rest in Him knowing He is aligning all things for our good and He has prepared the path for us to walk in. When we feel overwhelmed we need to refocus our eyes on Jesus, for when our eyes are on Him, we are no longer ruled by our circumstances and we have heavenly perspective to see the way He sees. We can say "It is well with my soul" regardless of our circumstances.

Matthew 14:30 says, "But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord save me!'" Like Peter in this Scripture, when we focus on the wind (our circumstances) we will begin to sink, but if we look to Jesus we will be at rest. When we surrender our fears to God He gives us His peace. Fear is the opposite of faith as fear paralyzes you, while faith propels you. When we focus on the promises of God and speak out the Word of God in faith, we won't be swayed by our circumstances.

...."My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken".... Psalm 62:5-6 NASB

...."Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth".... Psalm 46:10 NASB

...."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".... Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

July 4th

*	The life of the Cross is a most excellent pursuit. Many have sought the Lord in the early years but have slipped into "self-righteousness" because they have let go of the principle of the Cross [obedience unto the denial of the self-life]. It is very easy for one to fall into that trap if they do not "fix" [focus] the eyes of their heart on Jesus [the Word of God].

...."Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his [self] life will lose it; but whoever loses [denies] his [self] life for My sake will find it ["zoe"- divine life]'"..... Matthew 16:24-25 NASB

July 5th

*	Signs and wonders always follow [and are discerned by] the one whose heart is wholly given to God.

...."At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico".... Acts 5:12 NASB

...."Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked. I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders. O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells"....Psalms 26:2-8 NASB

July 6th

*	The Holy Spirit, in us, is well able to empower us to glean that which is both necessary and accurate from any given ministry. I believe that in this hour - right through to the end of the age - one will be able to see quite clearly that which is of the Kingdom and that which is of the world and its "thinking". The key is simply for us to keep seeking first the Kingdom - as those who are truly seeking absolute Truth will NOT be deceived in this final hour.

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right]".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

July 7th

*	Satan knows prayer is the power that crushes his kingdom. Satan is not afraid of power-
hungry saints, but he trembles at the sound of a praying saint!

...."Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven [will enter.] Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'".... Matthew 7:21-23 NASB

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God [lit. "have the God-kind of faith"]. "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:22-24 NASB

July 8th

*	No one can lead a work of God if he allows himself to be governed by what other people think. This is precisely why each of us must come to a deep revelation of the Father's Love - for it is the Father's Love [and His approval and acceptance of us as His precious children that is its perfect fruit] that empowers us to both guard against and overcome the "fear of man".

...."For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ".... Galatians 1:10 NASB

July 9th

*	"Third day" truths are being parroted with a "second day" application primarily geared to meeting the needs of people, rather than expressing the pure dynamic Christ-centered paradigm.

There is a definite transition from the "second" day and the "third" day - which represents true rest in Christ and the fullness of Kingdom-living.

...."But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day".... 2 Peter 3:8 NASB

...."Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn [us,] but He will heal us; He has wounded [us,] but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the , that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth".... Hosea 6:1-3 NASB

"If because of the sabbath [rest], you turn your foot from doing your OWN pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and honor it, desisting from your OWN ways, from seeking your OWN pleasure and speaking your OWN word, THEN you will take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth [Ephesians 2:6]".... Isaiah 58:13-14a NASB

July 10th

*	The "report" we are to fix ourselves on is the Word of God - Who supercedes EVERY "temporal" report. The very definition of "temporal" is: that which is subject to change whereas, the Word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

"report" - a statement or announcement;

...."Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today and forever".... Hebrews 13:8 NASB

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

July 11th

*	Stillness before the Father and meditation on His Word is the certain "antidote" for an "overdose of people".

"antidote" - something that prevents or counteracts injurious or unwanted effects;

...."Be still, [in a certain and steadfast trust] and know that I [am] God".... Psalms 46:10 NASB

...."Thou wilt keep him/her in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he/she trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength".... Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV

July 12th

*	Praise Him in the storm - for God lives among the praises of His people [Psalm 22:3]. As we praise God we sense His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy. Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon as it changes the atmosphere around us.

In the Scriptures we read how the walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people due to the Israelites releasing shouts of praise [Joshua 6:20]. In Acts 16:25-26, we read that the prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas prayed and praised God. We can sing praises in the midst of trials and difficulties as we know God will overcome.

Praise lifts our eyes from the battle to the victory, for Christ has ALREADY won the victory. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Though the rewards of praising God are many, we praise Him because of who He is, not because of what He gives. We can remain joyful no matter what is happening in our lives because we have the Lord, and in Him we will overcome no matter what the Devil is trying to bring against us. It is the Will of God for us to rejoice no matter what comes. As we rejoice in God, we release joy to others.

...."Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name".... Hebrews 13:15 NASB

...."The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; Declare among the peoples His deeds".... Psalm 9:9-11 NASB

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled [persecuted] for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

July 13th

*	The Scriptures reveal that foundational ministries are essentially under, not over the people of God.

...."But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in".... Matthew 23:11-13 NASB

July 14th

*	Whether we realize it, at times, or not someone is always watching our walks - even if it is from a distance.

...."You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might".... Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB

...."If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends".... John 15:10-13 NASB

July 15th

*	Those who are "self-oriented" [self-focussed] do not have much desire at all for the true things of God or the Kingdom.

...."let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God [Ps. 110:1.]".... Hebrews 12:1-2 The Amplified Translation

...."keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God".... Colossians 3:1-3 NASB

July 16th

*	The measure of our prayer is the measure of our power. Every deeper insight into what Christianity is and into what our daily life ought to be and into what the ministry is and needs - will all lead us to the one deep conviction: Christianity is nothing unless it is supernatural! Our Christian life and work must fail unless we live deeply rooted in the power of God's inspired Word, in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and in the importunate prayer to which the promise of the Father will most surely be given.

...."But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]".... Galatians 5:16 The Amplified Translation

...."For in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being [entire existence]".... Acts 17:28a The Amplified Translation

...."Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving".... Colossians 4:2 The Amplified Translation

July 17th

*	Our task is to discern the Will of God and obey it, taking "no thought" for anything else. It is God's task to undertake our "empowerment" and He is ever faithful and diligent to bring His Will/Word to come to pass through us as we adhere only to Him.

...."Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".... Proverbs 3:5-6 The Amplified Translation

...."I am alert and active, watching over My Word [Will] to perform it".... Jeremiah 1:12b The Amplified Translation

...."Be still, [in a certain and steadfast trust] and know that I [am] God".... Psalms 46:10 NASB

July 18th

*	A faithful person who "loves their neighbour as themselves", no matter in what generation or environment they live, is a most safe, blessed, respected and trusted man/woman. For faithfulness is the spontaneous fruit of a heart that is "wholly given" to God.

...."YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF".... Luke 10:27 NASB

July 19th

*	All "assurance" comes from believing [faith and trust in] God.

"assurance" - full confidence; freedom from doubt;

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

July 20th

*	Our struggle is not against "flesh and blood" for our dependence is not upon flesh and blood!

...."Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm".... Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB

July 21st

*	Whether I speak or whether I do not speak, I will think or speak the truth in Love.

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

July 22nd

*	Through whatever tribulation or persecution or opposition or darkness you are being tested, if you believe without faltering, then that faith of yours gives glory to God's name. God causes our faith to go through testing not only to make us grow and to enable us to satisfy His heart, but also to stop Satan's mouth. God's enemy is deadly opposed to our saying that we have believed. He tried to hinder us from claiming that we have received in faith. He always throws doubts and troubles at us. But by testing our faith, God shuts up the mouth of Satan. For the latter discovers that we are no easy prey and he will thus retreat. If possible, he will always attempt to hinder us from living "peacefully" and having the blessings of God. He will not give up until he himself is shut up through the exercising of the authority that we have been blessed with in Christ.

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

...."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you".... Luke 10:19

NASB

...."Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, 'All authority [all power of rule] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me".... Matthew 28:18 The Amplified Translation

July 23rd

*	All seeking to lay the blame on others, stems from a root of "unforgiveness" in one's heart.

...."[Now having received the Holy Spirit, and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained".... John 20:23 The Amplified Translation

...."And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop [leave it, let it go], in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings".... Mark 11:25-26 The Amplified Translation

July 24th

*	Satan accuses the brethren before others and themselves. He works overtime, continually "inspiring" Christians to find fault with each other. This prevents them from having fellowship or from working together, delaying the "full formation" of the Body of Christ. If Satan is unsuccessful in accusing one Christian to another, he will accuse one to himself. If you allow this to happen, he will back you into a corner, hand you his club of "self condemnation", and leave you beating yourselves. This frees him to find somebody else whom he can accuse. Today many Christians are living under condemnation - a work of the devil. The Holy Spirit does not bring condemnation but conviction, a work of love.

...."[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".... Romans 8:1-2 KJV

...."In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Whoever assails you will fall because of you. Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and brings out a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to ruin. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me, declares the LORD".... Isaiah 54:14-17 NASB

July 25th

*	Rebellion against God's Word seems always to have a "corollary" in rebellion against God's spokesman. The man/woman of God who would be faithful today is to preach God's Word irrespective of the response of his/her hearers. He/She, like the prophets of Israel, must give an account of his/her ministry before the Lord.

...."Then He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!" As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. Then He said to me, "Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' As for them, whether they listen or not - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious".... Ezekiel 2:1-7 NASB

July 26th

*	If every child of God had a revelation of what was truly best for them they would "drop everything" and obey the Will of God without taking any other consideration.

...."put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts [desires]".... Romans 13:14 NASB

...."But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing [his life of obedience]".... James 1:22-25 The Amplified Translation

July 27th

*	When a child of God sows to the Spirit in "perfect obedience" they allow God, without exception, to "order" their circumstances. When a child of God sows to the flesh in disobedience, they allow Satan to order their circumstances.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit [Who is the Spirit of Obedience] Who has been given to us".... Romans 5:5 The Amplified Translation

July 28th

*	When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in a man, He seeks to reverse the condition of the fall by raising man's "spirit" again to the place of dominance. He wants to have right of way through our entire being, from center to circumference. We are so anxious to get the "outward" life changed - you must do this and you must not do that - but God's way is to renew us from within-
outward. Incidentally, this is where "life" for the Body comes in. It is God in your spirit, moving out through your soul-life, penetrating even the physical frame, strengthening and enabling it for His service. It is the purpose of God that your very disposition shall be changed and quickened by His Spirit; and that His life shall penetrate and energize "all" your faculties.

...."Do you not know that your body is the temple [the very sanctuary] of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body".... 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 The Amplified Translation

...."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you".... Romans 8:11 KJV

July 29th

*	Every child of God must have a "righteousness-consciousness", a "Body of Christ-
consciousness" and a "God-inside minded-consciousness" in order to carry out faithfully and fully the call of God upon their lives, in this last hour. They must have a deep revelation of every "facet" of the true Christian life, a life based upon what is set before one by God and not by men.

...."But by His [the Father's] doing you are [already] IN Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption".... 1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB

...."You are from God, little children, and have overcome them [the spirits of antichrist]; because greater is He [the Love of the Father; Jesus and all that He is - and has DONE [His "finished" work], the fullness of the Holy Spirit - Who is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, the Spirit of Truth etc.] Who is in you than he who is in the world".... 1 John 4:4 NASB

July 30th

*	To believe that the things which are perceived by the five physical senses are more real than the Word of God, to any degree, indicates clearly that one is "gripped" by a spirit of darkness, and thus they are deceived and easily moved from the narrow path of perfect obedience, which is located in the center of God's Will.

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

July 31st

*	Without exception the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the believer is marked by a Christ-like spirit of love, soberness of spirit, a deep humility of heart and meekness of spirit, with lion-courage against sin and Satan, and clearness of the mental faculties with a "sound mind".

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

August 1st

*	Selfishness and self-focus are a lifestyle - as are Love and focus upon the Father and His Word.

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

August 2nd

*	Worry is the inability to forget the things that will never happen.

...."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".... Philippians 4:4-7 NASB

August 3rd

*	"What is faith? It is the very nature of God. Faith is the Word of God. It is the personal inward flow of divine favour, which moves in every fibre of our being until our whole nature is so quickened that we live by faith, we move by faith, and we are going to be caught up to glory by faith, for Faith is the Victory!

Faith is the glorious knowledge of a personal presence within you, changing you from strength to strength, from glory to glory, until you get to the place where you walk with God, and God thinks and speaks through you by the power of the Holy Ghost. Oh, it is grand, it is glorious!

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

...."Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

August 4th

*	The true Church lives and moves and has its being in prayer.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

August 5th

*	True prophecy is simply history spoken or written in advance.

...."for no [true] prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men [and women] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God".... 2 Peter 1:21 NASB

...."do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully [with a holy caution]; hold fast to that which is good [righteous]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 NASB

August 6th

*	Paul was "God-inside" minded. He knew that in him was the Spirit whom Jesus had promised should guide them into all reality. He know that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead had made His home in his body. He knew that the Spirit could heal the sick and raise the dead, and bless the multitudes with messages which would produce faith and the New Birth. He knew that the omnipotent One was dwelling in him, and he dared yield himself to the sway of that mighty One.

...."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you".... Romans 8:11 KJV

...."You are from God, little children, and have overcome them [the spirits of antichrist]; because greater is He [the Love of the Father; Jesus and all that He is - and has DONE [His "finished" work], the fullness of the Holy Spirit - Who is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, the Spirit of Truth etc.] Who is in you than he who is in the world".... 1 John 4:4 NASB

August 7th

*	There is a three-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit with each one of us: first, He re-creates us; second, He builds the nature and life of God into us; third, He ministers to the world and to the Church through us.

...."But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall [will remind you of, bring to your remembrance] everything I have told you".... John 14:26 The Amplified Translation

August 8th

*	It is the love of God inside of you making love greater in you than selfishness and its child, hatred, in the world. Selfishness and hatred are the blighting curses of the human race. The indwelling love of God is the only cure for selfishness. This is the very "genius" of Christianity. It is God in us, His ability in us. He takes the weak, the useless. and the outcast, and makes them the leaders by filling them with Himself. He takes common men and makes them "supermen". He made mere fishermen to become "empire builders" and a tent maker to be the voice of Almighty God!

...."and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out ["shed abroad" KJV]within our hearts through the Holy Spirit [Who is the Spirit of Love] who was given to us".... Romans 5:5 NASB

August 9th

*	Our prayers on earth are truly "essential" for bringing down the power of Heaven for the extension of God's kingdom on earth.

August 10th

*	Oh, how we expect to see a result as soon as we believe! We want to experience victory in our "circumstances" the very moment we believe. But let me ask you if you can believe God for three hours, three days, even three months. If you cannot believe Him for three hours, three days or three months, where is your faith? Genuine faith believes in the Word of God exclusively, it is not believing in one's own experience, feeling, or environment.

If environment and experience coincide with God's Word [Will] we praise and thank the Lord. But if these disagree with His Word, then the Word of God alone stands true. For whatever is contrary to God's Word is false. With genuine faith you can meet the test head-on and stand. Little faith hides at testing, whereas big faith stands against the testing. False faith falls in trial, but genuine faith stands throughout all the trial regardless of its "length".

...."for we walk by faith [trust in God], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

August 11th

*	When the Christ who dwells in you allows you to be tested who is the one really being tested? Permit me to say to you that each time a trial of faith comes your way, do understand that it is not you being proven, it is the Lord. When your faith is being proven, it is the Son of God being proven; it is God's faithfulness and not you who is being tested. For whatever trial descends upon you, it is to test what Christ can do. Each trial tests the faithfulness of God. By standing on the side of God and His Word, by standing on the side against feeling and environment, you have faith - and this can this can truly be called victory.

Satan says you are still unclean, but you can say Christ is my holiness. Satan says you are yet proud, but you can say Christ is my humility. Satan says you are still defeated, but you can say Christ is my victory. No matter what the enemy says your response is and always shall be that Christ is trustworthy and God's Word is dependable. This is faith; this substantiates the truthfulness of God's Word.

Remember that the trying of faith will not be long. During the period when you first cross the threshold of victory, you will be especially tested. However, once having your faith tested, you will be able to help and benefit other people. God's heart will be satisfied, and His Name will be glorified. Satan's mouth will be sealed, and he can do nothing to you. Thank God, that when you stand before Him, nothing can stand before you. When you stand in faith, there is no mountain that cannot be removed, because faith is for the sake of removing mountains. If there be a mountain in your path, it shall be removed indeed.

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God". [lit. have the faith of God] "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

August 12th

*	No one can fight against a God who controls Heaven and earth with the highest authority. Whoever thinks they can resist God or harm anyone who fears [reverences] God is asking for trouble. People of God, what are you afraid of? Men in lofty positions and with authority are only human! God does not allow men to "hurt" one who is faithful to Him.

...."The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD".... Psalms 27:1-6 NASB

August 13th

*	God will work miracles today to set His work free from financial difficulties, if we do but obey Him. God does not change, and His Word through Paul the Apostle, "owe no man anything", stands as the revelation of His mind in this matter. If we desire God to manifest His presence in our midst, we must obey Him in the least of His commands. If He has said, "Owe no man anything," can we expect Him to work among us and set His seal upon us if we do? Will He smile upon anything contrary to His will? We have longed for the rivers of living water to flow through our various branches of work; may it not be that God is waiting for us to prepare the way of the Lord by removing the "stones", the things that are contrary to His revealed Will?

...."Owe nothing to anyone except to love one".... Romans 13:8 NASB

August 14th

*	A "pure" heart in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation is something to behold!

...."Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world".... Philippians 2:14-15 NASB

...."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see [both know and understand] God [and His highest purpose]".... Matthew 5:8 NASB

August 15th

*	The first principle of "true" intercession is for one to keep their eyes fixed on the things which are "not seen" [God's Word] rather than the things which are "seen" [physical circumstances].

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

August 16th

*	We must be ready and open to receive all the blessings that God has blessed us with in Christ, for it is only to the degree that we have "received" the blessings [divine empowerments] of God, that we can be a "blessing" [divine empowerment] to others!

...."But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers".... Deuteronomy 8:18 The Amplified Translation

...."Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear [reverence] Him, and He will make them know His covenant".... Psalms 25:12-14 NASB

August 17th

*	After Saul's death David enquired of God as to what city he should go to. Humanly speaking, David with his army should quickly descend upon Jerusalem for there was the palace. This was a chance not to be missed yet he asked God and God told him to go to Hebron. Hebron was only a small and insignificant city. David's going there proved that he was not trying to snatch authority on his own initiative. He waited to be "anointed" by the people of God.

Samuel had first anointed him because he was chosen by God. Now Judah anointed him because he was the people's choice. This action typifies the Church making it's choices. David could neither oppose nor refuse the people from anointing him, he could not say, "since I already have the anointing of God upon me, I do not need your anointing." To be anointed by God is one thing; to be anointed by His people is another thing. There must be both the Church's "choice" and God's choice.

No one can force themselves upon others. David did not go up to Jerusalem, because he was waiting for God's people to anoint him. He remained at Hebron for seven years. Though it was not a short period David was not impatient. God never chooses anyone to be an authority who is full of self and who seeks for self-glory. By it's nature authority can neither be "self-
instigated" nor imposed upon others; it must be both the establishing by God and the "anointing" by men. To be an authority over God's children, both the anointing of the Lord and the anointing of the people are needed.

All those who truly know God can wait. If one's "condition" is right they will be recognized not only by the Lord as His representative, but also by the Church as God's representative. Let us never strive with the flesh not even so much as to lift a finger. No one may rise up and claim, "I am God's established authority, you must all submit to me." We must first learn to have spiritual "ministry" before the Lord and then at "God's time" we may enter into the midst of His children to serve them.

...."Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." So David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron.".... 2 Samuel 2:1 NASB

August 18th

*	Anyone who represents authority should be low and humble before God and before His people. They should not be "high-minded"; neither should they seek to maintain their own authority among men. Though some may be chosen to be in authority in the Church, everyone is the same before God. Herein lies the ground and secret of true authority.

...."Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility [lowliness of mind] let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others".... Philippians 2:3-4 The Amplified Translation

August 19th

*	There is a great difference between man going into God's presence and coming out from His presence. Coming out is to speak and act for God with authority, but going in is to prostrate oneself at the feet of the Lord acknowledging the "need" one has for an absolute dependence upon God and thus become a partaker of His all-sufficiency.

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

...."He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21,23 NASB

August 20th

*	Whoever "thinks" or "feels" that they are an authority is not worthy to be that authority. The more authority one possesses the less that one is conscious of it. One who truly represents God's authority must have this blessed "foolishness" in them: to have authority yet to be unconscious of being an authority.

...."Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me".... Matthew 16:24 NASB

...."For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God".... 1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB

August 21st

*	Let all brothers and sisters learn this lesson: the man of authority whom God establishes is able to endure provocation, If the authority you possess cannot be "offended", you are qualified to be in authority. Do not imagine that you can freely exercise authority because you have been appointed by God, for only the "obedient" are fit to be in authority.

"provocation" - something said or done that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates;

...."Be still, [in a certain and steadfast trust] and know that I [am] God".... Psalms 46:10 NASB

....."a man/woman of understanding keeps silent".... Proverbs 11:12 NASB

...."Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]".... 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a The Amplified Translation

August 22nd

*	Prayer is the nearest approach to God, and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life. When our hearts are full of God, sending up God-centered desires to the throne of Grace, we live in our highest state, upon the utmost heights of human greatness. We have entered into the Presence of the Lord of all the earth. Man can rise no higher, till death is swallowed up in glory.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

August 23rd

*	There never was, and never will be, anyone saved [delivered] by anything but "Truth" [the Word of God] as the means.

...."And ye shall know [gain a revelation of] the truth, and the truth [that revelation of the truth that enters your heart] shall make [and keep] you free".... John 8:32 KJV

August 24th

*	If you were to rise early every morning as a demonstration of "self denial", as a method of renouncing self-indulgence, as a way of restoring your time and fitting your spirit for prayer, you would find enormous advantages from it. It would, in all probability, be a way to great godliness. It would teach you to exercise power over yourself and make you able to renounce other "pleasures" and "attitudes" that war against the spirit.

This one rule would teach you to think of others: it would put you in a frame of mind which demanded "precision" and would very likely bring the remainder of the day under the rule of discernment and devotion. But, above all, the one certain benefit you will gain from it will be to fit and prepare you to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

When you so begin the day in the Spirit of true humility renouncing sleep because you are renouncing "fleshly weakness", and making good use of your time, this attitude will put not only your heart into a right state, it will also gain the assistance of the Holy Spirit; what is so planted and watered will certainly have a fruitful increase from God you will then speak from your heart, your soul will be awake, your prayers will refresh you like food and drink, you will feel what you say and you will begin to know what saints and holy men have meant by "ardent love of God".

...."Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food".... Proverbs 20:13 NASB

August 25th

*	We must abide in unbroken fellowship with God, and "walk in the light as He is in the light", if His power is to be manifested for ourselves and others. Only as we work in God's way, and under God's directions, shall we find Him manifesting His power. "Absolute" obedience to God's revealed Will is the "condition" for the manifestation of His power.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

August 26th

*	The principal reason for the defeat of Christians is because they live by "feeling" instead of living by faith [trust] in the Word of God.

...."for we walk by faith [love], not by sight [feelings]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

August 27th

*	We do not know our "spiritual strength" except as we use and exercise it. Faith and obedience [Love] ever precede the conscious enjoyment and experience of the Holy Spirit's power. The more intimate your communion with Jesus and the more the life of Heaven is through the Holy Spirit, the more accurate will be your translation of that life into the "relationships" of daily life.

...."If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love".... John 15:10 NASB

August 28th

*	If we have faith, we can disregard "feeling". Herein lies the difference between Christianity and psychology.

...."for we walk by faith [trust in a revelation of God's Word], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

August 29Th

*	Genuine faith is long-lived. Whatever is short-lived is not faith. Genuine faith is that which can believe after day, or months or years. It is able to endure obstacles once and many times over. It will continue to believe after being "tested" even to the "seventh" time. A so-called short-lived faith that is terminated after one encounter with difficulty is no faith at all.

...."for we walk by faith [trust in God], not by sight [feelings - or the passage of time]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

...."Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Amplified Translation

...."Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing [maintaining a deep revelation of the spiritual reality] that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".... James 1:2-4 NASB

...."But He [the Lord] knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food".... Job 23:10-12 NASB

August 30th

*	The most obvious failing in the whole history of Christianity is that we have wandered into abstract and endless discussions instead of putting faith into practice. Uncommitted onlookers have been begging us not to entertain them with the debate about our doubts. They are asking: "Show me what it would be like if I did believe and commit myself."

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

...."For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:11-13 NASB

August 31st

*	The difference between one being "hurt" and one being "offended": When one is hurt they look for someone to heal them but when one is offended they look for someone to hurt.

...."He [the Father] sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions".... Psalms 107:20 NASB

...."Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]".... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a The Amplified Translation

September 1st

*	If you are willing to stand forever you will not have to stand very long.

September 2nd

*	When God blesses you financially, do not raise your standard of living , raise your standard of giving.

...." If [when] riches increase, do not set your heart upon them".... Psalms 62:10 NASB

September 3rd

*	Faith makes one's life a "living" testament to God's Power.

...."for we walk by faith [revelation], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

September 4th

To the extent we trust God, to that same extent do we walk in the Kingdom. To the extent we trust in man, to that same extent do we walk in the world. We are keenly aware that two systems compete for our affections daily, one producing life, the other death. Circumstances don't make the man, they reveal him to himself - what is revealed when the storm comes? Peace in the storm is a Kingdom characteristic, just as stress in the storm (denoting lack of trust) is of the world. The Kingdom produces peace while the world can only produce stress and anxiety. This is what the Lord says:

...."Cursed is the one who trust in man (most often self), who depends on flesh (human ability) for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord (and to self for answers). He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. BUT BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUST IN THE LORD, WHOSE CONFIDENCE IS IN HIM. He will be like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit".... Jeremiah 17:5-8

September 5th

*	Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.

...."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".... James 5:16 KJV

...."Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving".... Colossians 4:2 The Amplified Translation

September 6th

*	Hope is called the anchor of the soul, because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a "wish" [I wish that such-and-such would take place]; rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.

supernatural hope" - hope based on a "revelation" of God's Word [Will] - the origin of which is in Heaven;

"natural hope" - hope based on what can be discerned through the five physical senses in the natural [physical] realm;

...."In [supernatural] hope against [natural] hope he [Abraham] believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, 'SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE'. Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform".... Romans 4:18-21 NASB

September 7th

*	Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.

...."But without faith [love and obedience] it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]".... Hebrews 11:6 The Amplified Translation

September 8th

*	Unfortunately the word "church" itself has taken on meanings which it did not originally have and has suffered untold injury in the house both of its enemies and of its friends... All that is meant by that wondrous word cannot be stated in one sentence, nor in one paragraph, nor scarcely in one book. The universal Church is the body of Christ, the bride of the Lamb, the habitation of God through the Spirit, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The local church is a community of ransomed men, a minority group, a colony of heavenly souls dwelling apart on the earth, a division of soldiers on a foreign soil, a band of reapers, working under the direction of the Lord of the harvest, a flock of sheep following the Good Shepherd, a brotherhood of like-minded men, a visible representative of the Invisible God... The spiritual essence of a true church cannot be reproduced anywhere but in a company of renewed and inwardly united believers.

...."Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, [Even] Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing - life forever".... Psalms 133:1-3 NASB

...."that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless".... Ephesians 5:27 NASB

September 9th

*	Those religio-social institutions, with which we are all too familiar, where worship is a form, the sermon an essay and the prayer an embarrassed address to someone who isn t there, certainly do not qualify as churches under any scriptural terms with which we are acquainted.

The church will produce a spiritual culture all its own, wholly unlike anything created by the mind of man and superior to any culture known on earth, ancient or modern. God is getting His people ready for another world, and He uses the local church as a workshop in which to carry on His blessed work.

That Christian is a happy one who has found a company of true believers in whose heavenly fellowship he can live and love and labor. And nothing else on earth should be as dear to him, nor command from him such a degree of loyalty and devotion.

...."Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility [lowliness of mind] let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others".... Philippians 2:3-4 The Amplified Translation

...."Can two walk together, except they be agreed [have a revelation of God's Will and act in obedience upon it]?".... Amos 3:3 KJV

"concur" - to agree; be of the same mind [in this case the Mind of Christ]; be in one accord;

September 10th

*	People are saved [delivered, experience the "fullness" of salvation] by words. Salvation comes by hearing and speaking words in alignment with a "revelation" of God's Word/Will.

...."But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" - that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation [deliverance]. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED".... Romans 10:6-11 NASB

September 11th

*	Your faith is voice activated. You must speak what you believe. Even the devil doesn't care what you believe as long as you are silent about it.

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God" [lit. have the faith of God]. "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

September 12th

*	In a recent study, a leading neurosurgeon discovered that the speech center of the brain exercises dominion over the entire central nervous system. He found that different parts of the body respond with stimuli to corresponding parts of the human brain. However, when the speech center is stimulated, the entire central nervous system responds. This means when someone says, "I am weak", the speech center sends out the message to the whole body to prepare to be weak. This must be the reason God said, "Let the weak say, I am strong" [Joel 3:10].

...."For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body".... James 3:2

Actually, James 3 makes it clear that the tongue controls not only the body, but the destiny and quality of our lives as well:

...."If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you would have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything - or destroy it! James 3:2-5 The Message Bible

This study may seem to be a new discovery in medical science, but the Bible has been teaching this fact for thousands of years. Medical science is finally finding out that what the Bible has been saying has been true all along

...."For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile".... 1 Peter 3:10

September 13th

*	One of the first things a doctor does when examining you is to look at your tongue. Much the same, when you go to God with a problem, He says, "I see the problem. It is written all over your tongue".

The speech center is the dominion center for our lives. Our words will make us or break us. Our words determine the boundaries of our lives. Our words can limit us or loose us. God gave Adam dominion in the beginning through the power of the spoken word. That dominion is still true. The Lord Jesus, the Last Adam, said,

...."By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned".... Matthew 12:37

Jesus also gave us a revelation of how speaking by faith works in Mark 11:23 when He said,

"Whosoever shall say...he shall have whatsoever he saith"....

Few people take this revelation as seriously as the Bible emphasizes.

September 14th

*	Any time God wants to change our life, He touches our mouth. God changes lives through "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation." He puts His Words in our mouth to bring life, salvation, and healing.

When God wants to change a city or nation, He always touches someone's mouth. God touched Isaiah's mouth with a coal of fire and sent him to speak words that changed a nation. Those same words are still changing lives today - thousands of years later. God touched Jeremiah's mouth and not only changed his life, but an entire nation. The list of people God has used to change nations is long, but the most important thing is for God to touch your mouth and change your world through your words.

Your voice is your address in the realm of the spirit. Your words custom design and specifically shape your own future. Your speech center exercises dominion in your life.

...."And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." Then 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!".... Isaiah 6:3-8 NASB

September 15th

*	F. F. Bosworth once said:

"It is impossible to boldly claim by faith a blessing that you are not sure God is offering. You cannot boldly possess things you don't realize are available to you."

If your confession [that which you proclaim] is wrong, your thinking is wrong, you will do without God's best blessings. As we speak the Word of God, it tears down, roots out, builds, and plants our world. God wants us to speak His Words and frame the picture He has for us. He has a custom plan for each of us in Christ Jesus.

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

...."Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear".... Hebrews 11:3

...."For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them".... Ephesians 2:10

September 16th

*	Faith is not knowledge for faith is not of the intellect. Faith is a spiritual force - and is of the heart.

...."out of the fullness [the overflow, the superabundance] of the heart the mouth speaks".... Matthew 12:34 The Amplified Translation

...."But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak".... 2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

September 17th

* Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "Whosoever shall say...shall believe those things which he saith...he shall have whatsoever he saith. Notice He said believe once and say, saith, saith a total of three times. The speaking part of faith is vital. Faith is released or put into action by speaking. If you are silent, you lose by default.

In Mark 11:23, Jesus used three different Greek words to explain the speaking part of faith.

The first "say" is the Greek word "epo", which means command. It shows the authority of the believer.

The second reference to speaking is the word "saith". This word in the Greek "islaleo", which means to speak out, use your own voice, and be bold.

The third reference to speaking is also the word "saith". However, this Greek word is "lego" which means a systematic set discourse.

At toy stores we see Lego sets that contain building blocks for children to construct according to the diagram or picture on the box. Jesus said,"I am giving you a set of Lego building blocks you can use to frame your world according to the picture and diagram I have given to you in the Word of God.

The Bible has given us a set of building blocks for salvation, healing, blessing, prosperity, and victory in life. Take the Word of God and build by putting His Word in your mouth and framing your future.

...."Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]".... Hebrews 4:14 (AMP)

"Your success and usefulness in this world will be measured by your confession and your tenacity to hold fast to that confession". F. F. Bosworth

In other words, do not just speak the confession, but be tenacious about it as well. God can be no bigger in you than you confess [believe and know] Him to be. A spiritual law few people recognize is your situations and circumstances are not what determine your future. Your words and your confessions are what shape and determine who you are and what you will become.

...."But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" - that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in [the fullness of] salvation [deliverance and inheritance]. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED".... Romans 10:6-11 NASB

September 18th

*	I do not believe that any situation or circumstance is insignificant in our sanctification. For our God is ever working to "perfect" us in His love, that we might be conformed at all times to the image of his dear Son - as a dear son - and, thus, do the works of God, untainted by the flesh. The children of God must come to the full and absolute realization that the flesh indeed "profits nothing" as far as the establishment of God's kingdom goes; and to whatever degree a believer remains "in the flesh", it is to that degree that they hinder the establishment of God's kingdom and the coming forth of His "spotless and unblemished" Church.

Therefore God works in each of those who truly love Him to bring them to that glorious place of a continual and constant sowing to the Spirit of God, for then, and only then, shall the true Church arise from the "dregs" of darkness which, up until this time, have encompassed all those who have retained "sin and fear" in their lives.

...."Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit".... 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NASB

...."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".... 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

September 19th

*	It is as one walks according to the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, that the Spirit of life will keep one from being controlled and dominated by the law of sin and death in their members.

...."[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".... Romans 8:1-2 KJV

September 20th

*	The urgent work to be done now is to meet the need of the "advanced ranks" of the Body of Christ. Those who can, "by reason of use", exercise their spiritual senses, and are able to "eat" and assimilate the "solid food" which is for those who are of full age; as well as to give the same spiritual food in "milk-form" to the babes, so that they may grow.

...."Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil".... Hebrews 5:11-14 NASB

September 21st

*	In all the highest relationships of life, love is everything. Between a mother and child, a husband and wife, a king and his people, love is the chief thing. And so also with Christ. Their may be diligence in His service, their may be zeal for the honor of His name, there may be patient endurance of suffering for Him, and yet Christ's heart can be satisfied with nothing less than first love. That is, the constraining love which delights in His fellowship, yields itself wholly to His personal influence, and gives a "living" testimony to Him.

...."I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love".... Revelation 2:2-4 NASB

September 22nd

*	Can one be thought to have the joy of God, a concern for eternity, a watchful spirit, if one has not love enough to rise in the morning to pray?

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

September 23rd

*	A true "self-effacement" does not mean a state of unconsciousness, it means that you become more acutely conscious, both of things around you and above all, of Christ Himself. The only way you can know that one has been "crucified with Christ" is that there is an entire absence of the "I" motive in all their words and actions. The fruit of the spirit is "self-control". There should be at the back of every action, a deliberate volition, and full knowledge of what we are saying or doing as well as the "faith" that that is what God bids us to do or say.

...."I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me".... Galatians 2:20 NASB

September 24TH

*	No one who is in bondage can enjoy the righteousness of God. The very thought of righteousness means deliverance. It means that Satan's dominion has been annulled, abolished and destroyed. We must be free from Satan's dominion. There is no "ground" for faith as long as one is conscious of slavery. Faith can only grow in the realm of freedom.

...."the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day".... Proverbs 4:18 NASB

...."For this reason also, since the day we heard [of it,] we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us [past tense] from the domain of darkness, and transferred [past tense] us to the kingdom of His beloved Son".... Colossians 1:9-13 NASB

...."I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed".... Psalms 34:4-5 NASB

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

September 25TH

*	The cleansing power of the Blood of Christ is needed continuously for those who seek to walk in the light, cleansing themselves from of all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

...."Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. 'and do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, ad you shall be sons and daughters to Me', says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".... 2 Corinthians 6:14-
7:1 NASB

September 26TH

*	Next to the act of conversion, in which one turns from sin to God, and after that, of the reception of the Holy Spirit as the power of a new life, I know of nothing that will aid a man or women so much in the Christian life as the irrevocable decision to spend at least one-half hour in the morning alone with God.

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

...."He who has My commandments [gained a revelation of the Father's Will] and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him .... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21, 23 NASB

September 27TH

*	If the slumbering and weak church is to be roused, the ministers of God must first be wholly devoted and given to the call upon their lives, for it is only in this way that the fulness of the uncompromised Word of God shall go forth from the pulpits!

...."You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind".... Luke 10:27 NASB

September 28TH

*	I feel deeply that unless there is a call sounded throughout the church to an immediate repentance on the part of believers, and there is held out to them the hope of a possible and sure restoration to a life devoted to Jesus Christ in perfect obedience, there is no prospect of anything like a "true response" to our task in this earth today. Surely the question comes with tremendous "urgency", "Can anything be done to bring Christians to a sense of their shame, and to the desire for the restoration of that "spirit of loyalty" (faithfulness) and devotion without which Christianity is but a form?"

Let a few band themselves together to ask God for this one thing - the full insight into the terrible state of the church in which so few members are brought into the fulness of their inheritance in Christ, by the preaching of the Word. Let them offer themselves to God for a new baptism of His Spirit and a new power to preach the day of the Lord and His presence in the midst of His people. Let them not rest until they begin to gather together, however few they may be, the people who are willing to be living witnesses that Christ does indeed save from the power of selfishness and the world. He does indeed enable men and women in the ordinary walk of life to live with His life, so within their hearts that the conquest of the world for Him shall be their greatest reality, the all-absorbing object of their life and their love.

...."Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing [your restoration and the power of a new life] shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness [your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God] shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard [Exod. 14:19, 20; Isa. 52:12]".... Isaiah 58:8 The Amplified Translation

...."For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you'.... Isaiah 60:2 NASB

September 29TH

*	It is not in the emotions, not in conscious light, power, or joy, that the filling of the Holy Spirit must first be sought, but in the hidden, inmost parts, deeper than knowledge or feeling - the region to which faith gives access and where we "are" and "have" in Christ before we "know" or "feel".

...."for we walk by faith [trust in God], not by sight [feelings - or lack thereof]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

...."But by His [the Father's] doing you are [already] IN Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption".... 1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

September 30TH

*	It is an action on our part in obedience - that the full consciousness of the Holy Spirit's presence comes.

"perfect obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."He who has My commandments [gained a revelation of the Father's Will] and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him .... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21, 23 NASB

...."the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day".... Proverbs 4:18 NASB

October 1st

*	There is no defeat in the "heavenly places".

...." [I, Paul] do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come".... Ephesians 1:16-21 NASB

...."And He [the Father] raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the Anointed One]".... Ephesians 2:6 The Amplified Translation

...."Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God".... Colossians 3:1-3 NASB

October 2nd

*	...."For, if, through the transgressions of the one individual, death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty. All the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness, reign as kings in life through the one individual, Jesus Christ".... Romans 5:17 Weymouth Translation

We have received the abundance of God's ability to help humanity. We have received the gift of righteousness, the ability to stand in the Father's presence without a sense of "inferiority" or fear, the ability to stand in the presence of Satan and his hosts as a "master", to stand in the presence of disease and sickness as a deliverer. We have received that abundance of grace and this gift of Righteousness. What is the result? We reign as kings in the realm of life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We are dealing with the actual things that belong to the Christian, but have been ignored for the most part by the church. Today any man or woman who "confesses" these things is considered to be a "fanatic". Jesus died as a fanatic! Paul died as a fanatic! John and Peter, and all of the rest of the apostles died as fanatics! People said Paul turned the world upside down. Indeed, this message will turn the world upside down if men and women will believe and act upon it.

October 3RD

*	"Be strong in the Lord" means to be strong in the strength of His might. According to the first chapter of Ephesians, the "strength of His might" is the very strength that lifted Christ from the dead, and set Him at God's right hand. That very strength of His might can enter into your spirit, and lift it to the place of victory. Your spirit will never get there but as it is actually joined to the One who is there. "In the strength of His might": that very same strength that lifted Christ from the depths of Hell and took him right through the "powers of the air", for He passed through them into the heavens and sat down. Be strong in that position of the Spirit and in that Spirit - strength which comes from "union" with Him who overcame and sat down in the place of victory and power.

...."Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm".... Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB

October 4th

*	We do not lose sight of the fact that God became man, lived among us, and died for us, not merely to rescue us from Hell but to restore us to "Edenic" relationship with God Himself. Therefore the ultimate work of the Cross is less an act of rescue and more a work of "restoration". Calvary, and a subsequent work of the Spirit in the lives of Calvary's converts, enables us to come back and learn to do once more that which we were created to do in the first place - worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.

...."Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship [serve] the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array".... Psalms 29:2 The Amplified Translation

...."Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array out of the womb of the morning [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 The Amplified Translation

October 5th

*	We are so anxious about our bodies. We want our bodies strong, but if your spirit is first strengthened, your body must become strengthened. Your body is not to "control" your spirit, but your spirit should control your body. For this the spirit must be made strong by the "strength of His might", and this is given by spirit-food. The Word of God is "spirit-food". The words He has spoken to us, they are "spirit and life". When your spirit is strong, it "assimilates" the spirit-food of the Bible, and you feed your spirit. You need a strong spirit more than a strong body, and even a "strong" mind. Your mind will be "stronger", if you have a strong spirit to quicken it, for in that spirit dwells the Holy Spirit. It is the shrine of God. It is the place where God dwells, and the strength of the might of God is to get into your spirit until your spirit is "strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might."

...."But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you".... Romans 8:11 KJV

...."Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it [flow] the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you".... Proverbs 4:23-24 NASB

...."It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life"..... John 6:63 NASB

October 6th

*	For a Christian to set any accomplishment against devotion to God, or to think anything or everything in this world bears any resemblance to its excellency, is the same "absurdity" as it would be for a philosopher to prefer food to the greatest improvement in "knowledge". For as philosophy professes purely the search and inquiry after knowledge, so Christianity supposes, intends, desires and aims at nothing short of the raising of fallen man to a Divine life. Any one who does not believe this of Christianity may be "reckoned" an unbeliever. The person who does believe this has enough faith to give them the right judgement of the value of things, to support them in a "sound mind", and enable them to conquer all the temptations which the world places in their way. True devotion is nothing but a right understanding and right love of God. All practices then that heighten and improve our true understanding of God, all ways of life that nourish, raise, and fix our love on Him, are to be reckoned as helps and aids to fill us with a true devotion.

...."No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other".... Matthew 6:24 NASB

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right], and then all these things taken together will be given you besides".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

October 7th

*	O, that the church might become "God-inside minded"! Many children of God have been weakness-minded; they have been sickness-minded; they have been inferiority complex-minded; they have been trouble and poverty-minded, but they have not been "God-minded". If one becomes God-minded, then the Mind of Christ shall become theirs. God will think through their mind, and speak through their lips. God will heal the sick with their words and the touch of their hands. They will pass out of the realm of the "inferior" into the realm of the supernatural. They may expect to dominate and rule demons as Christ did, for greater is He that is in them than he that is in the world.

...."For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.]".... 1 Corinthians 2:16 The Amplified Translation

October 8th

*	Who is in the "world" opposing God? Satan is, through men and women. It is not the men and women who are opposing God, it is the demon power that has gained the ascendency over their minds. It is only the "Truth" that is going to set men and women free. In this last hour we are going to "unveil" the Word so simply, so clearly, and the power of God is going to be so mightily upon it that men and women are going to get their deliverance. Supernatural men and women will be "dressed" as common men and women, but they will have the ability, the strength, and the wisdom of God in them to set the captives free!

...."[You know of] Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and [how] He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him".... Acts 10:38 NASB

...."the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked".... 1 John 2:6 NASB

...."Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater [mightier] than he who is in the world".... 1 John 4:4 The Amplified Translation

October 9th

*	Many think that wisdom is knowledge - knowledge of gaining treasures from the bowels of the earth; knowledge of how to refine gold; to melt iron; to polish brilliant stones; to blast flinty rock; to remove mountains by their "skill", and to divert mighty rivers, so that, as it were, all the secrets hidden in the earth are under their command and control - but God says that the highest wisdom is to be obtained in knowing Him, in understanding His Will, and in "departing from evil". This is the wisdom which "comes from above", for "the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding".

...."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is".... Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV

...."The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]".... Proverbs 1:5 The Amplified Translation

...."The fear [reverence] of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do [His commandments;] His praise endures forever".... Psalms 111:10 NASB

...."For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; [He is] a shield to those who walk in integrity".... Proverbs 2:6-7 NASB

October 10th

*	The power to pray and the power to teach others to pray is entirely dependent on the depth of the spiritual life. Did not our Lord Jesus say, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you"? Many have resolved to pray more and have failed because they did not know the secret that the "average" Christian life is not sufficient to give power with God in prayer. It needs a heart wholly given up to God, one longing to be led by the Holy Spirit, if we are to claim all the wonderful promises in God's Word connected with prayer.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

...."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man/woman availeth much".... James 5:16 KJV

October 11th

*	The supernatural must be emphasized as never before since the days of the early church. Christians need a fuller, more constant, and more commanding realization of the personal presence of Christ. That means there must be the experience of a closer daily fellowship with Him than is "ordinarily" thought possible. Up until this time, There has been an alarming neglect in facing the great central problem, namely, how to translate into actual experience the statement of Christ, "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit; for apart from Me ye can do nothing."

...."Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish [desire], and it will be done for you".... John 15:4-7 NASB

October 12th

*	If we approach God in the pride of our being, accomplishment, or station in life, we are pushing away from the Divine presence. But if we approach God in true humility, He draws us unto Himself and none can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Worship without true humility is like love without commitment; it is shallow, emotional and fleeting!

...."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you".... James 4:8 NASB

....'The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. [John 7:17; 15:15.]".... Psalms 25:14 The Amplified Translation

October 13th

*	It needs a very thorough surrender to the Will of God for any soul in the furnace of trial, never to look back with "regret" upon the past, nor forward with any "wish" for the future, and yet it is easy to see that such regrets or desires are not consistent with a true and complete abandonment of out whole being to God. The Adversary knows this, hence his persistent endeavor to occupy our minds with what we once were, and, apparently, are not now; or what we ought to be and seem not to be at the moment! Comparing ourselves with ourselves is a fatal hindrance to "present rest" in the Will of God.

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

October 14th

*	The hesitation and self-reproach for "unfaithfulness" in the morning unconsciously brings a cloud all the day. The decision, at any cost, to do God's Will in the morning hour [in the "inner chamber"] casts us upon Christ and makes the will strong for the whole day.

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

...."[There is] therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".... Romans 8:1-2 KJV

October 15th

*	If you knew that no word from God is void of power; if you knew that Isaiah 55:11 which reads, "so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it," could be utterly depended upon; that no word from God is void of fulfilment; that He watches over His word to make it good; that the eternal Throne is founded upon His Word; and Jesus declared to be the surety of the New Covenant; and that Jesus is the surety of every word from Matthew to Revelation; and His (God's) throne is back of it, and His integrity is enwrapped in it; if this were real to you, then you would have no "faith problem".

...."For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, [II Cor. 9:10.] So shall My word [Will] be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it".... Isaiah 55:10-11 The Amplified Translation

...."Then the LORD said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over My word [Will] to perform it'".... Jeremiah 1:12 NASB

October 16th

*	God's Will [Word] is not only good but also perfect. What He has prepared for those who love Him is nothing but what is "most profitable" - both now in this age and throughout Eternity.

...."All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work".... 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB

October 17th

*	The time of youth, both in nature and in grace, is very beautiful. In the spiritual life it is lovely in fervor and freshness of love, but it has its "crudities", its impulsiveness; its partiality; its assumption of knowledge and its one-sided vision. On the other hand there is beauty and fervor, devotion, energy and life, but it is the beauty of "possibility", not fulfilment.

In the midst of God's crucible many look back upon their past with grateful remembrance of the joy and bright light that then shone upon their path, but they shall see greater beauty in the "matured" faith that walks with God in calm and quiet trust, and the loveliness of the chastened spirit which can rest confidently in His wise and gentle workings in the world around, knowing that all things are being wrought after the counsel of His own blessed Will.

...."For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [outside.] I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, how blessed is the man/woman who trusts in You!".... Psalms 84:10-12 NASB

October 18th

*	When God undertook the stupendous work of creating man in His own image and after His likeness, His great object was to have a being in whom He could perfectly reveal all the glory of His divine power. Man was to be here on earth what God is in Heaven - the king and ruler. Mankind was made in the image of God so that, just as God is self-determined and is what He is by His own will, mankind also, as far as a creature dependent on God could, would be able to fashion their own character and being. In this way they are fitting themselves for the power to rule others.

The New Testament states that we are made kings and priests unto God. As priests we turn our face God-ward to worship and receive His blessing. As kings we turn man-ward to dispense that blessing in ruling and guiding them. The great thought of God was thus to train man for the place that they are to have with Christ upon the Throne. God's purpose was that man should so rule that God would do nothing except through them, and that man should understand that they would do nothing but through God.

It is in this wonderful relationship that prayer has its mystery and its glory, for God promises to give His Spirit and to exercise His power according to the desire of man. If man will take advantage of their high prerogative, and fully yield themselves to the Holy Spirit's teaching in regard to the Will of God, God will make literally true what Christ promised, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7), the prayer of faith will indeed remove mountains!

...."And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God" [lit. have the faith of God]. "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe [based on the finished work of the Cross, the Word of God and the Blood Covenant] that you have [already] received them, and they will be [granted] you".... Mark 11:23-24 NASB

October 19th

*	Every child of God should be found "trodding" not "plodding"!

"trod" [past tense of tread] - to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk; to step, walk, or trample so as to press or crush, or injure something [in this case, the Enemy and his forces];

to trample or crush underfoot;

"plod" - to walk heavily or move laboriously [in this case, under the weight of a burden - through unbelief]; to proceed in a tediously slow manner;

...."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you".... Luke 10:19

NASB

...."Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, 'All authority [all power of rule] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me".... Matthew 28:18 The Amplified Translation

...."Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. 'They will be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down [devastate] the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing', says the LORD of hosts".... Malachi 3:16-4:3 NASB

October 20th

*	Peace with God brings the peace of God. It is a peace that settles our nerves, fills our mind, floods our spirit, and in the midst of the uproar around us gives us the assurance that everything is all right.

...."And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places".... Isaiah 32:17-18 The Amplified Translation

October 21st

*	Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.

...."So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth".... Revelation 3:16 NASB

October 22nd

*	Only good things come from God's hands. He never gives you more than you can bear. Every "burden" prepares you for eternity.

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled [persecuted] for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

...."He [God] has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor - it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has [so] worked that men should fear Him. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been".... Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 NASB

October 23rd

*	The greatness of one's power is the measure of their surrender.

...."You shall love [trust] the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind".... Luke 10:27 NASB

...."Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil".... Proverbs 3:5-7 NASB

October 24th

*	Depend on it! God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.

...."And my God will liberally supply [fill to the full] your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus".... Philippians 4:19 The Amplified Translation

October 25th

*	Faith continually expects from God what is beyond all "expectation".

...."Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Ampliflied Translation

...."But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. [Heb. 12:1-3. ".... Isaiah 40:31 The Amplified Translation

October 26th

*	Readiness and ability for any work is not given before the work, but only "through" the work.

...."So also faith, if it does not have works [deeds and actions of obedience to back it up], by itself is destitute of power [inoperative, dead]".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

October 27th

*	Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

October 28th

*	Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all; forgiving means to pardon that which is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all - and to hope means hoping when things seem hopeless or it is no virtue at all.

...."Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]".... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 The Amplified Translation

...."In [supernatural] hope against [natural] hope he [Abraham] believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, 'SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE'. Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform".... Romans 4:18-21 NASB

October 29th

*	None of us ever desired anything more ardently than God desires to bring men and women to a knowledge of Himself.

...."The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance".... 2 Peter 3:8-9 NASB

October 30th

*	Faith is not shelter against difficulties, but belief in the face of all contradictions.

...."for we walk by faith [trust in a revelation of God's Word/Will], not by sight [outward circumstances]".... 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

OCTOBER 31st

*	The statement that our God of love makes war surprises many people but an examination of God's Word reveals that He has made war on several occasions. God's nature is not only one of unfailing love, but of fierce indignation, fury, and holy jealousy. He firmly allows no "acquittal" of the unrepentant wicked and is a God of vengeance. God delights in being our Father and friend. It is much better to meet Him in His tender affection than in His wrath!

...."and I say heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, in righteousness He doth judge and make war".... Revelation 19:11 NASB

November 1st

*	Joy is not happiness so much as gladness; it is the ecstasy of eternity in a soul that has made peace with God and is ready and willing to do His Will.

...."the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold".... Nehemiah 8:10 The Amplified Translation

November 2nd

*	The more I pray, the more I feel my need of the Word. The more I read God's Word, the more I have to pray, and the more power I have in prayer.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

November 3rd

*	Faith is not an effort, a striving, a ceaseless seeking, as so many earnest souls suppose, but rather a letting go, an abandonment, an abiding rest in God that nothing, not even the "soul's" shortcomings can disturb.

...."Now faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

November 4th

*	There is reward for the obedient disciple, there are power and authority for the faithful disciple, there is glory of achievement for the zealous disciple; but there is the whisper of His love, the joy of His presence, and the shining of His face for those who love Jesus for Himself alone.

...."Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn [the "inner chamber"]".... Psalms 110:3 NASB

...."He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21,23 NASB

November 5th

*	Success is neither fame, wealth nor power; rather it is seeking, knowing, loving and obeying God. If you seek, you will know; if you know, you will love; if you truly love, you will obey.

...."This book of the law [the Word of God] shall not depart from [always be in] your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for THEN you will make your way prosperous, and THEN you will have success".... Joshua 1:8 NASB

November 6th

*	If you will abide in Jesus, the very thing you desire will be exactly what He has been waiting to do for you.

...."If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish [desire], and it will be done for you".... John 15:7 NASB

November 7th

*	Many find the true Christian life so difficult because they seek for God's blessing, while they continue to live in their "own" will. They make their own plans and choose their own work, and then ask God to give them His blessing.

...."For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh".... Romans 7:18 NASB

...."I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing".... John 15:5 NASB

November 8th

*	One can accept what Christ has done without knowing how it works; indeed, they certainly will not know how it works until they have accepted it.

...."if you confess with your mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation".... Romans 10:9-10 NASB

...."we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Amplified Translation

November 9th

*	What a real spiritual awakening does is to take Jesus Christ out of the realm of "religion" and into the realm of reality. It makes people look at themselves honestly, stripped of their usual protective covering.

...."Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit".... 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NASB

November 10th

*	Obedience to God today is the best preparation for tomorrow! Obedience is never in the past or in the future but in the present [now]. The true state of one's obedience is found in the present moment.

"obedience" - receiving a revelation of the Father's Will, and then carrying out that Will in the timing [unction] and power of the Holy Spirit - alone [through the continual exercising of an absolute faith working through a perfect love];

...."But seek [aim at and strive after] first of all His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right]".... Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Translation

November 11th

*	We like someone "because". We love someone "although".

...."Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]".... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 The Amplified Translation

November 12th

*	God judges one not by the point they have reached, but by the way they are facing; not by distance, but by direction.

...."Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye [your conscience] is sound and fulfilling its office, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound and is not fulfilling its office, your body is full of darkness. Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. If then your entire body is illuminated, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright [with light], as when a lamp with its bright rays gives you light".... Luke 11:34-36 The Amplified Translation

...."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".... Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

November 13th

*	Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.

...."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension [understanding], will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things".... Philippians 4:6-8 NASB

NOVember 14th

*	We must be "anchored" in self-discipline if we are to venture successfully onwards in our freedom.

...."But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please".... Galatians 5:16-17 NASB

...."But the fruit of the Spirit is love: [and the spontaneous by-product of divine Love is] joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control".... Galatians 5:22-23 NASB

November 15th

*	God does not comfort us to make us "comfortable", but to make us comforters.

November 16th

*	Our Lord's primary interest was not the shoring up of the moral and spiritual values of a sagging social structure, but the ushering in of an altogether new order; the Kingdom of God!

November 17th

*	God cannot give us true happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing!

November 18th

*	We are always in the presence of God, yet it seems to me that those who pray are in His Presence in a very different sense.

November 19th

*	Things "human" must be known to be loved; things Divine must be loved to be known.

...."He who has My commandments [gained a revelation of the Father's Will] and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him .... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him".... John 14:21, 23 NASB

November 20th

*	There is always enough time in a day to do God's Will.

...."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is".... Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV

November 21st

*	You will never be an inwardly spiritual and devout man/woman unless you pass over in silence, the shortcomings of your fellow men and "diligently" examine your own weaknesses in the light of God's Word.

...."Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand".... Romans 14:4 NASB

...."Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment [by revelation]".... John 7:24 NASB

...."Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you".... Matthew 7:1-2 The Amplified Translation

...."For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life [soul] and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart".... Hebrews 4:12 The Amplified Translation

November 22ND

*	To know God is at once the easiest and the most difficult thing in the world. It is easy because the knowledge is not won by hard, mental toil, but is something freely given. It is difficult because there are "conditions" to be met and the obstinate nature of fallen man does not take kindly to them!

...."If you [really] love Me, you will keep [obey] My commands".... John 14:15 The Amplified Translation

....'The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. [John 7:17; 15:15.]".... Psalms 25:14 The Amplified Translation

November 23rd

*	To do so no more is the truest form of repentance.

...."repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".... Acts 3:19 NASB

November 24th

*	To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.

...."Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great".... Matthew 5:10-12 NASB

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled [persecuted] for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

November 25th

*	Cure yourself [break the habit] of the inclination to bother about how you look to other people. Be concerned only with the idea God has of you.

...."We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the true knowledge of God [and who we ALREADY are, in Christ], and we are taking every thought captive [through proclamation] to the obedience of Christ [a revelation of the Father's Will]".... 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB

November 26th

*	The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far one can logically analyze their reasons for believing, but how far in practice they will stake their life on their belief.

...."faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)".... James 2:17 The Amplified Translation

November 27th

*	Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

November 28th

*	Anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for a diligent study of God's Word, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it!

...."All things are legitimate [permissible - and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]".... 1 Corinthians 10:23 The Amplified Translation

November 29th

*	Throughout the Bible, when God asked a man or a woman to do something, methods, means, materials and specific directions were always provided. The man or woman had one thing to do: obey!

November 30th

*	You can have no greater sign of a confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough.

...."God is opposed to the proud [self-reliant], but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt [and, thus, vindicate] you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.... 1 Peter 5:5b-7 NASB

DECEMBER 1st

*	There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go, and that is to travel that way yourself.

...."Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it".... Proverbs 22:6 NASB

DECEMBER 2nd

*	True servants of God are prayer warriors. God's glory will be revealed through you daily in proportion to the time you spend in hidden communion with Him.

...."pray without ceasing [remain in constant communication with God]".... 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB

DECEMBER 3rd

*	Faith, Love and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. The one that obeys God, trusts God; the one that trusts God, obeys God - and the one who trusts and obeys God loves God.

DECEMBER 4th

*	Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes away the relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body and soul over your spirit - that thing is sin to you.

...."It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]".... John 6:63 The Amplified Translation

...."I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much [abundant] fruit. HOWEVER, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing [that is profitable for the Kingdom]. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you".... John 15:5-7 The Amplified Translation

DECEMBER 5th

*	If one seeks to please God first and foremost in all things, then they shall not necessarily please "flesh and blood". If one seeks to please flesh and blood first and foremost then they can "never" please God!

...."For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ".... Galatians 1:10 NASB

DECEMBER 6th

*	For complete restoration to take place in the church of Jesus Christ, there must first arise a significant ministry of apostolic and prophetic men and women with hearts and vision like those of the first disciples. They will be men and women who recognize that the Lord will return for a Church wholly separated unto Him, one that He can present to Himself in "all Her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing"; a Bride who has made herself ready! Therefore, they will be committed to all that pertains to Her divine architecture and fulness.

...."Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless [without blemish]".... Ephesians 5:25-27 NASB

DECEMBER 7th

*	There is a crucible related to leadership. It is the crucible of servanthood. Servanthood is the essential heart attitude for godly leadership. The heart of a bondservant, not "career-training" for professional ministry, is the Lord's qualification for leaders in His Church. While true for leaders in general, this is particularly true for apostles and prophets who are jointly responsible for the foundation of local churches.

...."But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves".... Luke 22:26-27 NASB

DECEMBER 8th

*	Commitment to God's purpose in our generation is a commitment to see and experience the fulness of His power, character and glory displayed in the Church. Such commitment must include a willingness on our part to embrace and walk in all the grace and truth Christ reveals to us, through the Holy Spirit, for the building of His Body. In particular, He has extended specific grace to "five ministry gifts", whose joint purpose is to properly equip each saint for the work of service that God has called them to. Therefore commitment to His purpose must include recognition of the need for each of these ministries. Unfortunately, two of them, apostles and prophets, whose service includes the laying of Church foundations, have been "neglected" in much of Christendom.

...."And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him".... Ephesians 4:11-13 The Amplified Translation

DECEMBER 9th

*	Leaders in the Church are not primarily called to be decision makers; they are men and women who, because of the Anointing and Grace upon them, are able to hear from God and act accordingly.

...."If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish [desire], and it will be done for you".... John 15:7 NASB

...."For in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being [entire existence]".... Acts 17:28a The Amplified Translation

DECEMBER 10th

*	Those who press on with the Lord in this time of renewing and restoring His Church will discover that everything which does not conform to His character and word will be "dealt" with.

...."For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor [anything] secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him [more] shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him".... Luke 8:17-18 NASB

...."According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is [to be] revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire".... 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB

DECEMBER 11th

*	The humility of the early apostles is evident in that they saw themselves, first of all, as bondservants of Christ. They sought no "self-grandeur" in titles or offices, for they were following in the steps of their Lord. Therefore, as "valid" apostles and prophets are raised up we can expect them to be men and women who see and present themselves as the apostles and prophets of the early Church did.

...."Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession".... Hebrews 3:1 NASB

...."Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"..... Philippians 2:5-11 NASB

DECEMBER 12th

*	Each ministry gift of the Holy Spirit is uniquely a matter of God's grace. There is no difference in greatness or importance between the "giftings" of the Holy Spirit, there is only a difference in grace. This is dispensed as God sees fit, with each believer receiving a "measure" of grace for the ministry they are called to. Grace establishes the sphere, or dimensions of one's ministry, as well as its specific character. It is important to note that grace does not promote or elevate the recipient; on the contrary, grace is given to those who recognize their "personal" inability and weakness. The Lord is glorified when His life flows out to others from vessels who are meek and lowly in heart. In fact grace is never given to the self-sufficient or proud in heart. Any lack of brokenness will limit the grace of God in a ministry.

...."For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me".... 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NASB

...."Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity".... 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NASB

...."God is opposed to the proud [self-reliant], but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.... 1 Peter 5:5b-7 NASB

DECEMBER 13th

*	If there is "unbelief" present concerning the nature or content of the ministry of the apostle or prophet, there would be little or no benefit to others. Thus, faith at the "assembly" level is also necessary for the grace of any ministry to become a beneficial reality to that body of believers; and this is particularly true for the ministries of apostles and prophets. Thus, the Church needs to be instructed on how Christ manifests His life through such men and women, and how to recognize and receive their ministries.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only standard for prophets, apostles, and all other ministries. The five-fold [or ascension gift] ministries listed in Ephesians 4:11 are Christ's gift of Himself through men and women to the Church. The diverse "anointings" upon these ministries are given to unveil the "fulness" of Christ to His people and to equip each member for service in order to bring the Church to maturity.

...."For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God".... Ephesians 3:14-19 NASB

DECEMBER 14th

*	How often the complaint is heard that it is so hard to pray aright, to pray enough, to pray in power. The reason is simple. We think very much of prayer as a means of getting blessing for ourselves. We enter so little into the thought of yielding ourselves entirely to the holy fellowship with God, and the self-denying sacrifice needed in bearing the needs of our fellow-men. We are so little conscious of our being kings; no wonder that the confidence of our priestly access to God for the work of bringing down blessing on the world, is but feeble.

A man's thought rules his actions; the ideas he fosters make his character. Oh that God's children might take hold of the wonderful promises that whatsoever they ask in the name of Jesus it shall be done unto them, and learn to look upon themselves as God's chosen intercessors, the channels without whom His love cannot do its work. They may be sure that prayer will begin to have a new attraction, and fellowship with God will become their highest privilege

...."This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him".... 1 John 5:14-15 NASB

DECEMBER 15th

*	The confession of the Churches that they are impotent to keep hold of their members; the world spirit is too strong.

The sad truth that both these things are owing to a lack of that spiritual life and power without which our work must be in vain. The conviction that nothing but the power of God's Holy Spirit in our heart and life can cure the evil.

The faith that God longs with all His heart to give His Spirit to the fervent prayer of the righteous man that avails much, and so to lift His Church to the life that there is for her in Christ Jesus.

As we study and pray over these thoughts, step by step, in God's presence, the mystery of prayer will open out to us. We shall see that God has actually made us "partners in the business", made us kings and priests to dispense His blessings to a feeble Church and a perishing world. We shall hear a call to forsake that half-hearted, selfish, prayerless life in which we have lived, and to begin as intercessors to take our place before God, in the assurance that He has put the quickening of the Church in our hands, and will give to persevering, believing intercession the high honor of restoring His children to the life which He has meant for them.

,,,,"and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood, and did make us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him is the glory and the power to the ages of the ages! Amen".... Revelation 1:5-6 Young's Literal Translation

DECEMBER 16th

*	Paul describes an apostle's ministry by the word "master builder". This is translated from the Greek word "architekton" from which we obtain our English word "architect". One would not start to build a house without first having a set of approved, detailed drawings. Thus, the "architect's" function must precede that of the building contractor.

"Architekton" is composed of two root words in Greek, one meaning "to begin", and the other meaning "craftsman". This is precisely what an apostle's ministry is in the Church. The grace of God resting upon them is in their anointing to know what must be laid "foundationally" upon the cornerstone in order for the Lord to build, in the Holy Spirit, that which He purposes to do. After the foundation is laid, each man must then be careful how he builds upon.

The subsequent "building process" could continue even until the Lord returns. It is important, therefore, that the foundation laid be accurate and complete in "anticipation" of "all" that lies in the future.

...."According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is [to be] revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire".... 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB

DECEMBER 17th

*	The Lord has one central purpose for His house; it is to be the place of His presence. It is to become His dwelling place where He can express the fulness of His glory to all creation. Other goals are secondary and must flow out of this purpose. When a "foundation" is laid for a local church, and is truly based on His purpose, it will be what scripture terms, "a foundation of apostles and prophets". Implicit in this foundation will be all the fundamentals of salvation such as grace, faith, repentance, water-baptism, spiritual gifts and ministries, prayer, worship, family order, fellowship, etc.

However, in the end, the importance of these truths is not simply in the amount of knowledge they represent, but how well they serve to build together the "saints" into a suitable dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit. Apostles and prophets are not themselves the foundation of a church; rather the "foundation" is what they "establish" through their ministries in building the saints together as a functioning local expression of the Body of Christ.

....and He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as proclaimers of good news, and some as shepherds and teachers, unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ, till we may all come to the unity of the faith and of the recognition of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ, that we may no more be babes, tossed and borne about by every wind of the teaching, in the sleight of men, in craftiness, unto the artifice of leading astray, and, being true in love, we may increase to Him in all things, who is the head--the Christ; from whom the whole body, being fitly joined together and united, through the supply of every joint, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body doth make for the building up of itself in love".... Ephesians 4:11-16 Young's Literal Translation

DECEMBER 18th

*	One can "optimize" their control by imposing levels of "authority", but only at the cost of disrupting the "horizontal" bonds of life built by the Holy Spirit between the "members". This we must not do! There is no one in the Body of Christ without value in God's eyes. By the power of the Holy Spirit, and faith in the Word of God, even the least promising individual can be saved from sin, be healed in their "emotions" from the consequences of sin to become a unique expression of God's love and life. It is by the integrated total from each individual contributing member that the Lord's life is fully expressed in an assembly.

Only through the multiple, diverse anointings of the "five-fold, equipping ministries can each member in a local church be taught, shepherded, built up in the faith, brought into relationship and "established" in righteousness, so that they can attain to the place of service they have been called to in Christ. A correct foundation is one that both "anticipated" and "promotes" this "diversity"; a "human" foundation leads to "religious conformity" and man's control.

...."For even as the body is one and [yet] has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not [a part] of the body," it is not for this reason any the less [a part] of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not [a part] of the body," it is not for this reason any the less [a part] of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those [members] of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need [of it.] But God has [so] composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that [member] which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but [that] the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it".... 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NASB

DECEMBER 19th

*	Whoever is called to the "five-fold" ministry must be prepared to have the Lord trim, smooth and sandpaper them in order to fit them into the "place" they have been called to serve. It is one thing to be called to a ministry; it is another thing for everyone in the Church to recognize the grace of the Lord Jesus resting upon the one so-called. The "gold" of God's character must be seen!

...."Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing [maintaining a deep revelation of the spiritual reality] that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".... James 1:2-4 NASB

...."But He [the Lord] knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food".... Job 23:10-12 NASB

DECEMBER 20th

*	We communicate with God in order to pray, worship and have fellowship; while He, in turn, reveals Himself and His ways to us that we might come into the fulness of our relationship as His sons and daughters. His Person, His ways, and all that He has prepared for those who love Him, cannot be understood apart from "revelation".

...."but, according as it hath been written, `What eye did not see, and ear did not hear, and upon the heart of man came not up, what God did prepare for those loving Him--' but to us did God reveal them through His Spirit, for the Spirit all things doth search, even the depths of God, for who of men hath known the things of the man, except the spirit of the man that is in him? so also the things of God no one hath known, except the Spirit of God. And we the spirit of the world did not receive, but the Spirit that is of God, that we may know the things conferred by God on us, which things also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit, with spiritual things spiritual things comparing, and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned" 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 Young's Literal Translation

DECEMBER 21st

*	As Christians begin to live and walk in truth, they become a prophetic people to the world. The Lord's purpose is that they become a people living in the "darkness" of the world in such a way that their words, their lives, their relationships and ministries are a prophetic light to men and nations. God seeks to make His Word "flesh" in His people, so that in them, the world can understand the nature, works and purpose of God. Through them the word of the Lord will expose lies coming from the voices of "false teachers", and all "human ideologies" and the spirits of deception behind them.

...."the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked".... 1 John 2:6 NASB

...."Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising".... Isaiah 60:1-3 NASB

DECEMBER 22nd

*	The sure mark of a bond-servant's heart is that they seek to "serve" rather than "rule" others. Such a one shall not emphasize "their" ministry, but they shall continually point to the Grace of God. It can take years of the Lord's dealings to work the qualities of His heart into His "chosen one" making them sufficient as a valid "apostolic" ministry. They will not be one who is "highly acclaimed" in the religious realm, for they will not fit in the mold of the status quo. Thus, the process of their training will involve "misunderstandings" and "persecutions". These, along with trials, tribulations, "unpleasant circumstances", will all be "used" by the Lord for good in building a stability and quality of character that "qualifies" their ministry.

...."But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you".... 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 NASB

DECEMBER 23rd

*	A mind filled with faith is doubt and worry-free.

...."we have the mind of Christ [the Messiah] and do hold the thoughts [feelings and purposes] of His heart".... 1 Corinthians 2:16b The Amplified Translation

...."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".... Philippians 4:4-7 NASB

DECEMBER 24th

*	The restoration of apostles and prophets will be a primary step from the many divisions and religious traditions of today to the united, restored [Glorious] Church that Jesus will come for.

...."At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico".... Acts 5:12 NASB

...."the signs of an [true and genuine] apostle [apostolic ministry] were wrought among you [first] in all patience, [then] in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds".... 2 Corinthians 12:12 KJV

DECEMBER 25th

*	The ministries of the apostle and prophet must be prepared for the crucible of persecution, for they will never be popular with the "world" or inflexible religious establishments.

...."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you".... 1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB

....'"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".... Matthew 5:10-
12 NASB

DECEMBER 26th

*	It is easy to be caught up in a personal area of service for the Lord because of some need we see. However, it is not the needs of man, whether they are social, material, or spiritual, but it is the purpose of God that is to direct us in ministry.

DECEMBER 27th

*	Apostles and prophets have grace for "insight" by revelation into the mystery of Christ. This insight is manifested by the prophet in their anointing to sharply declare the heart of God. Prophets keep the saints from becoming "at ease" in Zion, and from getting stuck in the ruts of tradition. Such "insight" is revealed in an apostle's ministry by their "ability" in the Holy Spirit to communicate clearly the purpose of God to the people by written and spoken words. Their ministry of the Word will be "prophetic" in content. They will bring an overall "balance" because they see the "whole picture" more clearly than do other "ministries". Both ministries (apostle and prophet) will know the priorities and emphasis of the Lord for the time and place where they live, and this will be reflected in their ministries. Above all else they will exalt and reveal the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

...."For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit".... Ephesians 3:1-5 NASB

DECEMBER 28th

*	"Religion" is one's last defense against the "living" God!

...."Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin".... Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB

...."For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven".... Matthew 5:20 NASB

DECEMBER 29th

*	Either the Word of God shall be better to His children than thousands of gold and silver pieces or thousands of gold and silver pieces will seem better to them than God's Word!

...."The law [Word] of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces".... Psalm 119:72 NASB

DECEMBER 30th

*	To me the essence of the true faith has always seemed a certain "intrepidity" of loyalty that can believe undauntedly in the "dark" and that still trusts God unshaken even when the evidence looks fairly damning.

"intrepid" - resolutely fearless; bold;

"dauntless" - brave;

....NOW, faith is the assurance [the confirmation, the title deed] of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]".... Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Translation

...."we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting".... 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Amplified Translation

DECEMBER 31st

*	To know God's Will is man's greatest treasure; to do His Will is life's greatest privilege.

...."You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind".... Luke 10:27 NASB