Devotion: Be Thankful

It has been said that the more thankful you are, the more you attract things to be thankful for.  It has also been said that those who take life day by day, those who complain very little, and those who are thankful for the things in life, tend to be happy.  Scripture tells us to “always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 TLB).  Maybe this is why those who are thankful for the things they have in life are happy truly.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love 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 pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:15-17).

Devotion: God Sees Ahead

Throughout the scriptures, we see where God has always provided for man.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the beginning, when God first created the heavens and the earth.

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.  And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:3-5).  “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:  and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness:  and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:14-18).

Devotion: Always Be Thankful

We know that this world will eventually fade away and everything in it, everything on it, and everything around it will fade away as well.  The things that people have placed so much importance on, those things that so many crave, all those evil forbidden things that people seem to be drawn to, each and every one of them will also fade away as the world fades.  But those who are pleasing God and doing the will of God will live forever.  Therefore, for this reason, we should be thankful.  God is working things out for us, even when we don’t see it or feel it.  We just need to keep our faith in God and be thankful for all that he has given us.  There is always something to be thankful for, if we would just look.

It has been said that the more thankful we are, the more we attract things to be thankful for.  Those who take life day by day, complain very little, and are thankful for the things in life, for they are happy.  Scripture tells us to “always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 TLB).  Maybe this is why those who are thankful for the things in life are happy.

Devotion: Be An Encourager

Are you an encourager?  Or are you a discourager?  Most people are discouragers and do not even know that they are.  Don’t get us wrong, there are some very negative, very disgruntled, and very unhappy people in the world.  Normally, the things that they say can identify them.  But, when was the last time you checked yourself to see what kind of things you say?

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23).

Scripture tells us that it is what comes out of us that contaminates and makes us unclean.  From inside of us, within our hearts flow evil thoughts, fornication, sexual sins, thefts, murders, adultery, covetousness, greed, wickedness, evil actions, deceit, licentiousness, unrestrained immorality, envy, reviling, insults, pride, arrogance, reckless folly, and foolishness.  All these wicked things come out from within our heart to contaminate and make us unclean.

Devotion: Thank You!

Dear God,

I praise you!  I worship you!  I thank you!

I woke up today and I am healthy.  I have a roof above me and a floor beneath me.  I have food on my table and a great place to sleep.  I have shoes on my feet and clothes on my back.  You have granted me another beautiful day to see and hear the goodness you have left here for us.  Thank you.

I have family and friends who love me.  I have people around me who make life more meaningful.  You continually cover my family and me with your blessings.  Each day, you give me courage, strength, clarity and you remove all my fears.  I know you are bigger than all of my problems.  Thank you.

I know that I am not perfect.  I forget to praise you, to worship you, the give you thanks.  There have even been times when I have questioned my faith but your love never fails.  You are continually working things out for me, even when I don’t feel it.  You love me unconditionally and you bless me with that same unconditionalness.  Thank you.

You have forgiven me and cleansed me.  You have granted me grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  You have arranged for all of my debts to be paid through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for my sins.  You give me the strength and power to extend that same grace, that same mercy, and that same forgiveness to those in my life who have hurt me.  Thank you.

Scripture tells us that everything that has breath is to praise you Lord.  I am thankful for you Lord God, for there is always something to give praise to you.  I praise you!  I worship you!  I thank you!

In Jesus name, we lift this prayer of thanksgiving to you,
Amen and Amen.

If this prayer has blessed you, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Are You Psalm 91 Equipped?

Are you Psalm 91 equipped?  Have you made your declaration today?  The Bible says that when you decree or declare a thing it shall be established, or it shall come to pass (Job 22:28).  When you decree or declare a thing, expect to see it, expect it to come to pass.  So, let us decree this thing, let us declare Psalm 91 in the mighty name of Jesus and watch it come to pass.  Hallelujah, Glory to God.

• I declare that I will dwell in the shelter of the Most High God.
  
  
• I declare that I will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
  
  
• I declare that God is my refuge and my fortress.
  
  
• I declare that you are my God, in whom I trust and with great confidence, in whom I will rely.
  
  
• I declare that God will rescue me from every trap and protect me from every disease.
  
  
• I declare that I am covered and protected by his outstretched arms.
  
  
• I declare that God’s faithful promises are my armor and my protection.
  
  
• I declare that I will not be afraid of the terrors of night, nor of the arrows that fly in the day.
  
  
• I declare that I will not dread any disease that stalks in the darkness, nor any disaster that strikes at midday.
  
  
• I declare that because God is my refuge and the Almighty God of my home, no evil can befall me, and no plague can come near my dwelling.
  
  
• I declare that God has ordered his angels to guard, to defend, and to protect me and my house.
  
  
• I declare that God’s armies of heaven will keep me from falling.  I will walk unharmed and kick anything that is evil from my path.
  
  
• I declare that because of God’s love for me that I will call upon him, he will set me above all my troubles, he will deliver me from all my fears, and he will honor me with his presence and power.
  
  
• I declare that he will reward me with long life, and he will show me his salvation.
  
  
• Hallelujah, I am Psalm 91 equipped, in Jesus’ mighty name.  Amen.
  

We thank Brother Creflo Dollar for this Psalm 91 Confession.  We pray that this inspirational message will abundantly bless you and greatly inform you.  We also pray that you will be the better for having read it.  If you are blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Don’t Talk Too Much

Most people do not believe that we choose what happens to us.  Regardless of how things appear in the world, the truth of the matter is that the words we speak play an important role in what happens in our life.  The Bible tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), which suggests that with one’s mouth an individual can speak death into his or her life or the same individual can speak life into his or her life.  We know that the words that we speak are like seeds that are planted in the ground and it is from those seeds, we reap the blessings or the cursings from that which we have sown (Galatians 6:7-8).  This is why the words that we speak are so important; they really do control the things that happen to us.  It is like “the entire system of blessings and cursings” hinges upon the very words we speak.

“We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in his mouth.  And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong.  So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.  A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.  And the tongue is a flame of fire.  It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body.  And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.  Men have trained, or can train, every kind of animal or bird that lives and every kind of reptile and fish, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is always ready to pour out its deadly poison” (James 3:3-8 TLB).

We have learned to control and tame all kinds of animals, including birds, reptiles, sea creatures, and all sorts of land animals, but we have yet learned to control and tame our tongue.  We have yet to learn that it, our tongue, is a source of great evil and deadly poisons.  With our tongue, we praise Father God and with the same tongue, we curse our fellow man who was created in image and after the likeness of God.  Yes, blessings and cursings come from the same tongue, out of the same mouth, but this is not the way things should be (James 3:9-10).

“But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.  For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced” (Matthew 12:36-37 AMP).  “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23 AMP).  “If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies” (I Peter 3:10 TLB).  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).  “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4 NIV).  “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips” (Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV).  “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Matthew 12:34 NIV).  “...the tongue of the wise is health” (Proverbs 12:18).

If on the “Day of Judgment,” we must give an account for every idle word that we speak, then just this fact should tell us just how important the words that we speak are.  The passage goes on to say how we will either be justified by or be condemned by the very words that we speak.  We are told to guard our tongue and keep our mouth shut so that we can stay out of trouble.  If we want a happy, good life, then we must learn to control our tongues, guard our lips, and not talk so much.  We must get rid of things like anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8).  We must do all that we can do to bring about peace, harmony, and mutual edification of one another (Romans 14:19).  Our conversations should always “be full of grace and seasoned with salt” so that we are never at a lost for the proper words when we are called to answer.  Remember, that which comes out of our mouth tells the world where our heart really is and what is truly in it.  We need to watch our tongue and keep our mouths shut so that we stay out of trouble.  “The words you speak become the house you live in” (Hafiz).  With that being said, be careful with your words; they really do control the things that happen to you.

Here is today’s inspirational message.  We pray that it will be a blessing to you and we pray that you will share this message with others so that they may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God’s Word In Your Mouth

One of man’s biggest problems is his ability to misinterpret the things God has said in his word.  We sometimes want to add to his word and other times, we want to take away from his word.  We see evidence of someone adding to his word, when Eve said what God supposedly said about the fruit of the tree, which is in the midst of the garden,

“Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3).

You see, God never mentioned anything about touching the tree, but Eve added that to original word.  But more interesting than anything else is the catch phrase, “God hath said” that Eve used to validate what she told the serpent.  The problem is this is not what God said.  It may be close but when it comes to God’s word, close does not count for anything.  God has said that “his word will not return to him void” (Isaiah 55:11).  When we repeat God’s words, then we need to make sure that we do just that and not add to what he has already stated in his word because once altered, they be not his word anymore.

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:10-11 TLB).

God says that his word will not return to him void.  God says that his word will always produce fruit.  God says that his word will accomplish all that he wants it to accomplish.  And God says that his word will prosper everywhere he has sent it.  Since God has sent us his word, then we need to repeat what God has already said.  By repeating what God has already said, we return his word back to him.  By returning God’s word back to him, we know that it does not return to him void, but accomplishes, prospers, and always produces fruit.  When we repeat God’s word, then we need to make sure that we do just that, repeat his word and not add to what he has already stated because once altered, they be not his word anymore.  God’s word has the power to create, if you could only believe.  As for us, we choose to believe, we choose to believe in the power of his word, and we choose to place our faith in God, “for with God nothing shall be impossible.”

We pray that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what it means to “have God’s word in your mouth.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Prayer Strengthens You

Prayer is always an interesting subject because of the many aspects associated with the process.  We know from previous discussions, prayer is nothing more than how we communicate with God.  We now know that prayer will also strengthen us.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 TLB).

Worrying causes stress and stress can causes all kinds of other issues, mainly issues that can affect our health.  Instead of worrying about things, we are told to pray about everything.  And when we pray, we will experience God’s peace, which will keep our thoughts and our heart quiet and at rest.

“Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

We are told to pray without ceasing.  As we know, prayer is just a conversation between God and us, so basically God is telling us to “communicate with him without ceasing.”  God is telling us that we should not cease to be in constant contact with him, constantly having a conversation with him, which will allow us to experience his peace.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12 NIV)

Prayer should always be our first response to everything and never used as our last resort because we have become desperate and run out of options.  We should devote ourselves to prayer and to being in constant communication with God.  Prayer, that constant communication with God can actually strengthen your faith.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 TLB).

We should never underestimate the power of prayer, especially when we do it the way God wants us to do it.  Prayer can renew our strength.  Cease not to pray.  Cease not to constantly communicate with God.  Prayer, constant communication with God, will strengthen us.

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen./span>

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Why Pray?

Understanding the benefits of prayer will help us to understand why we should pray.  Most people, believers and non-believers alike, only pray in a time of need, when things are out of their control.  The problem is that prayer should be the first thing you, as a believer, do every morning and the last thing you, as a believer, do before you go to sleep.  This is not to say that these are the only times that you should pray because the scripture say that we should pray always, without ceasing.

“Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

We are told to pray without ceasing, but did you notice what else we are to do when praying?  Scripture tells us that we should give “thanks in everything.”  According to this passage, prayer is not just something we do in our hour of need, but something that we should constantly do, constantly giving thanks to God in every situation, because “this is the will of God for us.”

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth (Luke 11:1-2).

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John taught his disciples to pray, the first thing Jesus did was to teach them to give honor and praise to God.  Jesus said, when we pray, we should say, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”  Jesus basically told them to revere the name of the Father and to honor him for his holiness.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).

When we come before God, we are to enter into his gates with great thanksgiving and as we enter into his courts, we enter with praise.  Yes, when we come before God, we need to first thank God, we need to first praise God, we need to first worship God, and we need to first glorify God.  Then on top of all of that, we need to be thankful to God.  And last but not least, we need to bless his holy name.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name” (Psalm 34:1-3 TLB).  “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3).

We know that this somewhat different from the way you have been taught to pray, but this is how Jesus told his disciple to pray and what he told them to do.  When we pray, we need to give praise to the Lord God.  When we pray, we need to speak of his glories and of his grace.  When we pray, we need to boast of his kindness.  When we pray, we need to give thanks and to bless his holy name.  When we pray, we need to exalt his holy name.  When we pray, we need to pray for these reasons.  Notice that we did not say that these were the only reasons we need to pray, but they do be the primary reasons.  Prayer is a process and there is more to come in the near future.

Here is one other thing that we found most interesting in all of this; the fact that the disciples had asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John the Baptist had taught his disciples to pray.  There is not much mentioned in scripture as to what or how John the Baptist taught his disciples about prayer, but we do know that John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ; that he prepared the way for Jesus; and that John and Jesus had many similarities between their ministries.  With that being said, we can conclude that he must have taught his disciples the same if not a very similar way to pray as Jesus did, saying, “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

We pray that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on “prayer and why we pray.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: You Must Control The Devil

We have previously talked about this battle that we are in, where we wrestle against the evil rulers of this unseen world, which includes the mighty satanic beings, the great evil princes of darkness, and a huge number of wicked spirits (Ephesians 6:12).  This battle takes place in the arena of our mind and is unavoidable, knowing no bounds, no gender, no age, no race, and no religion.  It attacks everyone.  As we see the daily struggles of those who succumb to poverty, sickness, and death, we know this war to control our soul involves tactics such as depression, fear, discouragement, low self-esteem, worry, anxiety, confusion, and doubt.  What many do not know is that we actually have the power to control these evil rulers of the unseen world.

“For though we walk (live) in the flesh (in this body), we do not war (fight) after (according to) the flesh (human standards)” (II Corinthians 10:3).  “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down (destroying) imaginations (false arguments) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5).

We now know that our enemy comes from the spirit realm, therefore, the weaponry of our warfare cannot be that of conventional human weapons.  No, we must use spiritual weaponry, weapons provided to us by God.  These mighty weapons are designed to knock down and overthrow the enemy’s strongholds.  When used properly, these mighty weapons can cast down every proud argument against God, can pull down every high thing that promotes itself against the knowledge of God, can bring into captivity every thought, every idea, and every suggestion that comes into our mind, and can bring into compliance our mind with the mind of Christ.

We are warned to be sober and watchful because we have an adversary.  This adversary, the devil, “walks about like a roaring lion looking for those whom he can devour” (I Peter 5:8).  His tactics have not changed since the first temptation in the garden and there are really no secrets to his approach.  He tries to control us through our minds, with thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  These thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are usually tied to our five senses.  Our sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing offers him an avenue into our mind and are the areas he tempts in order to gain control of our thought-life.  When we give in to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16), we become “carnally minded, which is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7) and forgo all that is spiritual, meaning the spiritual weaponry God has provided for us has no effect.

“Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:27).

We are warn to be sober-minded, to be self-controlled, to be careful, and to be vigilant, curbing every passion because we have an adversary seeking to devour us.  We know that he comes “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) and it is through our thought-life that Satan gains access to steal our peace of mind; to steal our self-esteem; to destroy our relationships with our spouse, children, parents, and others; and to basically attempt to take us out; all of which causes us to have an out-of-control mind.  Now some of you believe that you are protected by God or have some hedge that God has around you, and all of that might be true, but when you read your Bible and see such phrases as “be sober, be vigilant, resist the devil, and neither give place,” do you get the sense that you have been given the authority to one up or control the one who has come to kill, steal, and destroy?  Everything hinges on your mind and you controlling your thought-life.  When you learn to control your thought-life, you can learn to control the devil.  Remember, your thoughts will always precede your actions and you always want to make sure that your actions be in line with the word of God.

As always, we pray that today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: All Things Are Possible

Most believers believe God to be an omnipotent or an all-powerful entity.  By definition, God has certain innate capabilities and abilities that come with him being who he is.

“Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him” (Deuteronomy 4:35).  “Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else” (Deuteronomy 4:39).  “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?  saith the Lord.  Do not I fill heaven and earth?  saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:23-24).  “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).

Most believers understand that God is sovereign, that he has supreme authority and supreme power, and that he is able to operate totally independent of any part of his creation, which translates to him being omnipotent or all-powerful.  God can do any and all things.  It was by his word, his spoken word, that God created all things.  God first said, “Let there be…” (Genesis 1:3) and that which he called came to be.  God created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence, placing everything in its place.  Yes, that’s right.  Scripture says,

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6-9).

God spoke and the heavens and all the host thereof were created.  By the breath of his mouth, God spoke and the earth was formed.  It is by faith that we, who are believers; believe these things to be true and have accepted them as fact.

“By faith—by believing God—we know that the world and the stars—in fact, all things—were made at God’s command; and that they were all made from things that can’t be seen” (Hebrews 11:3 TLB).

Remember, faith is defined as trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof.  It is having trust in somebody that you consider worthwhile and truthful.  It is also accepting that something exists when there is no physical proof of its existence or of its reality.  Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).  “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).  Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Jesus makes it very clear that those things that seem impossible with man are not impossible to God, for “with God all things are possible.”  Faith in God makes all things possible.  More importantly, faith in “the word of God” makes all things possible.

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:10-11 TLB).

God says that his word will not return to him void.  God says that his word will always produce fruit.  God says that his word will accomplish all that he wants it to accomplish.  And God says that his word will prosper everywhere he has sent it.  Since God has sent us his word, then we need to repeat what God has already said.  By repeating what God has already said, we return his word back to him.  By returning God’s word back to him, we know that it does not return to him void, but accomplishes, prospers, and always produces fruit.  When we repeat God’s word, then we need to make sure that we do just that, repeat his word and not add to what he has already stated because once altered, they be not his word anymore.  God’s word has the power to create, if you could only believe.  As for us, we choose to believe, we choose to believe in the power of his word, and we choose to place our faith in God, “for with God nothing shall be impossible.”

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: The Benefit Of Prayer

Prayer is always an interesting subject because of the many aspects of it.  In its most basic form, prayer is nothing more than how we communicate with God and is one of the greatest privileges on earth for the believer.  It is also one of the most misused and most abused things in a believer’s life.  We have become a “microwave society,” where we want what we want immediately.  We do not want to wait for anything or anyone, especially God.  We try to package him up like “a cheap TV dinner” that we can microwave into an instant relationship once the timer goes off.  We are seeking the easy way out of our situations and quick fixes to all our problems.  We continually try to receive these quick fixes, expecting God to hit us with some magical wand, and instantly fix whatever problems we have.  We think that God is “a cosmic bellhop” who will do whatever we want, whenever we want, but that is not how the system works.  Most people believe that just as long as they can somehow pray, everything will be fine.  What they don’t realize is that there is a “right way” to pray and there is a “wrong way” to pray.

“Prayer” is defined as “the act or practice of praying, as to God; an earnest request; entreaty; supplication; a humble and sincere request to God or a god; an utterance to God in praise, thanksgiving, confession, etc.; any set formula for praying, as to God; in some religions, a devotional service consisting chiefly of prayers; any spiritual communion with God; something prayed for or requested, as in petition.”

People pray all the time, for many different reasons, for many different things, using many different methods.  Most of these people are not aware of the different types of prayer that God has made available and that each of these prayers are governed by their own set of spiritual laws or rules.  So, whenever we pray, there are some things that we need to know about prayer.  First of all, in order to enjoy the benefits of prayer, we need to know how to pray.  Then when we pray, we should expect to have our prayers answered.  Contrary to popular beliefs and some teachings, if God did not want to answer all of our prayers, he would not have told us to pray and more importantly, he would not have told us how to pray.  In the above definition, it mentions as part of the definition for prayer, “a set formula for praying.”  To some, this “set formula for praying” notion may sound foreign, but it was one of the disciples, who requested that Christ “teach them to pray, as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus would go on to teach the disciples to pray using a prayer now referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer.”  While many believers frequently recite the words to this prayer, believing this to be the actual prayer Jesus intended us to use, the truth of the matter is that this was a sample prayer, giving to the disciples as an example of a suitable prayer model and in no way embodied, all of Christ’s teaching about prayer.  Christ did not intend for this particular prayer to be merely recited with empty meaninglessness or vain repetition but instead revealed it as the model by which all of our prayers should be modeled after.  Remember, the disciple asked Christ to teach them to pray as John taught his disciples to pray.  Do you think John taught his disciples this exact prayer?

In order to have your prayers answered, you must be aware of the different types of prayer; you must know the right type of prayer to use for your situation, and you must know the procedure for using that prayer.  Because all of the prayers require the same tools, many times the spiritual laws that govern each of them are misused, misconstrued, and misapplied resulting in little to no results.  Because we lack the needed knowledge about prayer and its purpose, more prayers go unanswered than are answered.  Imagine playing a game of football while mixing in the rules for basketball.  Would the final result of the football game be similar to what you would expect had the game been played by its own rules?  Although they are both games, each game has to be played by its own set of rules and not a combination of the two.  Prayers work the same way; we cannot mix the spiritual laws or rules that govern prayer.

If you are not getting the results that you desire, then you need to check on the tools you are using.  Either what you believe is wrong or the method you are using is wrong.  It could be a combination of the two.  Unanswered prayers can discourage you, cause you to lose hope, and to give up on God because it seems that he doesn’t care about or never heard your prayers.  The problem does not lie with God but with you.  As the righteousness of God, you have the right to have your prayers answered.  As a child of God, you have the right to the inheritance of the new covenant, a better covenant, built with better promises.  As the righteousness of God and as a child of God, you have the right to come boldly to the throne of God, stand there bravely in the presence of the Almighty and find grace to help you in your times of need (Hebrews 4:16).  There are benefits to prayer, but to fully enjoy them, you need to learn to pray God’s way, by his rules.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (I John 5:14-15).

We pray that our inspirational message abundantly blesses you as well greatly informs you.  We also pray that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: Rejoice In Trouble

We live in a fallen world, where we are constantly bombarded with negative things.  We live in a time where the ungodly appear to get more and more prominence.  We live in a world where nearly all of the reports we hear through the news media are all negative.  We live in a time where one has to make a deliberate effort to be positive and counter this negative culture that we live in.

“A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.  I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:1-3).

Praising God is something that we are supposed to do all the time.  When we check our praise life, it is like checking our spiritual pulse.  If we are not praising God and if we do not have a life that is constantly giving thanksgiving and praise unto God, then we are not spiritually healthy.  From a spiritual standpoint, there is no excuse for anyone not to praise God.  This is not to say that there may be a reason why one does not praise God, but there is no excuse as to why one should not praise God.  Most people want to wait until everything is perfect before they give God praise, but the problem with that notion is that they will not be praising God often or they will not be praising God at all.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

In a letter to those at Philippi, Paul mentioned that we are to “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”  And just to make sure that there was no possible misunderstanding, he mentioned “rejoicing” twice.  Paul, who wrote this letter from prison and who was facing possible execution, wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”  When he wrote this letter, things in his life were pretty negative and were not going well at that time, yet the entire letter to the Philippians appears to be one of the happiest letters written during one of the worst set of circumstances in Paul’s life.  And in all that he went through, he was still able to tell us that we need “to rejoice, to celebrate, to delight in the Lord always,” regardless of our circumstances or our situations.  David tells us “to bless the Lord at all times and to let his praise continually be in our mouth.”

Certainly, if Paul could “rejoice in the Lord always and continually praise God” in his situation, we can rejoice and praise God regardless of our circumstances or situations.  Paul is telling us and showing us that there is not a single time where we should not be praising and giving thanks to God.  So, check your praise life for that spiritual pulse.  If you are not rejoicing in the Lord always, blessing the Lord at all times, and continually giving praise and thanksgiving to God, then it is possible that you are not as spiritually healthy as you should be.

As always, we give thanks and glory to God for his wisdom and understanding.  We are so blessed to be able to share with you, those things that God has placed in our hearts.  We continue to pray that our inspirational message will be a blessing to each of you and that you will be the better for having read it.  If you are blessed by what has been provided, please feel free to share so that others may be blessed as well; for as freely as our Father has given this to us, we freely give so that others may share in the love and be blessed.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: According To Your Faith

Let us continue with the “snapshot” of you and your faith.  Remember that this snapshot is not meant to be a picture of where you wanted to be with your faith but one that will reveal where you are and where your faith currently stands.  Once you determine where you are, you can determine the course that you need to take to get you where you want to be with your faith and then, then you will be able to determine when you reach your goal.  Previously, we covered “great faith” (Matthew 8:5-10); “little faith” (Matthew 14:22-31); “weak in faith” (Romans 4:17-19); “strong (strengthened) in faith,” (Romans 4:20-21); and “full of faith” (Acts 6:1-5).

FAITH UNFEIGNED (SINCERE FAITH) - Now the end (purpose) of the commandments is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of “faith unfeigned (sincere faith)” (I Timothy 1:5).

SHIPWRECKED FAITH - This charge (command) I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee (previously made concerning you), that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put (rejected) away concerning faith have made (suffered) shipwreck (I Timothy 1:18-19).

FAITH NOT WAVERING (CONSTANT) - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in “faith, nothing wavering (not doubting).”  For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:5-7).

RICH FAITH - Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world “rich (to be rich in) in faith,” and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him (James 2:5)?

PERFECT FAITH (MATURE or GROWN-UP) - Seest thou how faith wrought (working) with his works, and by works was “faith made perfect (complete)” (James 2:22)?

OVERCOMING FAITH (WORLD) - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that “overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4).

EXCEEDINGLY GROWING FAITH - We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your “faith groweth exceedingly,” and the charity (love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth (II Thessalonians 1:3).

We hope this snapshot has helped you to locate your picture of faith so that you can determine where you truly are with your faith.  From this, we hope that you will know what you need to do and where you need to go to maximize your faith.  If you were able to determine where you are, then you will be able to determine the course that you will need to take in order to get to where you desire to be with your faith.  Finally, we pray that you will exercise your faith so that you can reach your goal, for you have truly been given the measure of faith.  And above all, do not forget to feed your faith, it will need the nourishment in order to grow strong and healthy.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Faith comes by “hearing” (listening) and “hearing” (listening) by “the word of God.”  Please note that this does not state that faith comes by praying, it comes by hearing.  We know that prayer changes things but praying for more faith will not get you more faith.  You get all that you are going to get, that measure of faith (Romans 12:3), but what you do with what you are given is entirely up to you.  Your faith must grow in order for you to profit from having it.  Your faith must be developed.  To develop your faith, it must be fed, for nothing grows unless it is fed.  If you feed your faith you may grow up into Him (Ephesians 4:15), grow up in the fullness of your salvation (I Peter 2:2), grow in spiritual strength (grace) and become better acquainted with our Lord (II Peter 3:18).  However, be very careful of what you hear though.  You are surrounded by many things that get into your mind and your heart—things that try to influence you to limit your faith.  Everything in your Christian life depends on and is according to your faith.  Therefore, grow it, develop it, and exercise it; it’s up to you to do it.

Again we pray that our commentary along with the inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Be Slow To Speak

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring?  My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water (James 3:7-12 NIV).

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4 NIV).  Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips (Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV).  You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Matthew 12:34 NIV).

An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.  Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.  Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!  No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.  The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth (Proverbs 12:17-22 NLT).

What are worthless and wicked people like?  They are constant liars, signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.  Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.  But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.  There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family (Proverbs 6:12-19 NLT).

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8 NIV).  Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19 NIV).  Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up (Romans 15:2 NIV).  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6 NIV).  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).

It is said that a tongue has no bones, yet it is strong enough to break a heart.  Therefore, we need to be extremely careful with our words.  We should not allow unwholesome talk to come forth out of our mouths because it tells the world just where our heart truly is and what is in it.  Instead, let only those things that are helpful for building others up according to their needs come from our mouths.  It is this kind of talk that benefits all who listen.  Keep in mind and never forget that it is always best to listen much, be slow the speak and even slower to anger.  Once angered, you cannot be good as God has demanded us to be nor can we achieve his righteousness.  So, let us get rid of all that is wrong in our lives, all filthiness and rampant wickedness, both inside and out.  Let us be grateful for the wonderful message and receive it with all meekness and humbleness because it is able to save our souls as it takes over hold in our hearts.

We forever pray that this inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength

Rejoice in the Lord.  The Lord is your strength and your defense.  I delight greatly in the Lord for my soul rejoices in him.  I will be joyful in God my Savior.  I will be happy in the God of my salvation.

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7).

“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Exodus 15:2 NIV).

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isaiah 61:10-11 NIV).

“Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 TLB).

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

We will rejoice in the Lord and we will not let our heart be troubled for he is our strength and our defense.  We will rejoice in the Lord and we will be joyful in God our Savior.

We always give thanks to God for the ability to share this inspirational message with you.  We constantly pray that you will be blessed as well as informed by this message and that you will be the better for having read it.  If you are blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God's Covenant of Words

Recently we talked about the most powerful system in the world, and we said that we had been given “the power” to control and “the authority” to command this very system.  We mentioned how important the words were that we spoke and how they do control the things that happen to us.  We found that we choose between life and death, blessing and cursing based on what we say because we discovered that “death and life rest in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).  We found where Jesus told the disciples that if they believed the things that they spoke would come to pass and not have any doubt in their hearts, that whatsoever they spoke would come to pass (Mark 11:23-24).  We even found where salvation required us to speak with our mouth and to believe with our heart (Romans 10:9-10).  We know that some of you are not convinced that there be a system that hinges on what we say, be it saying something good or saying something bad, much less that you have been given “the power” to control and “the authority” to command such a system.

“You brood of snakes.  How could evil men like you speak what is good and right?  For a man's heart determines his speech.  A good man's speech reveals the rich treasures within him.  An evil-hearted man is filled with venom, and his speech reveals it.  And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak.  Your words now reflect your fate then:  either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34-37 The Living Bible).

Jesus says that whatever is in our heart will come out through our mouth.  Both blessings and curses come out of the same mouth, but this all depends on what is in the heart.  Therefore, if the mouth “ain’t” speaking then there must be nothing in the heart.  Our tongue, our mouth, our words have the power to choose life or to choose death, to bring blessings or to bring curses into your life.  Did you know that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ and law of sin and death are subject to our mouth (Romans 8:2)?  This means that with our mouth, we can turn on either the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus or the law of sin and death.  Did you know that our mouth gives us authority “on earth, in heaven, and in hell?”  With our mouth, we can “command” the forces of heaven, we can “change” the situations of earth, and we can “bind” the forces of hell.

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

According to this passage, we have the authority to bind and loose things on earth, which in turns will bind and loose things in heaven as well.  Nevertheless, we need to take hold of this authority to bind and loose things on earth and in heaven.  We have God’s spirit dwelling inside of us and the angels of God surrounding us.  They are there with us in the midst of all of our needs, in the midst of our wants, in the midst of our desires, and in the midst of our darkest problems.  However, God’s spirit cannot do anything, neither can the angels do anything until we open our mouth and “say” what we need to “say” to employ the forces of heaven.

“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation.  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet” (Psalm 91:9-13).

“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word” (Psalm 103:20).

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)?

We see from these passages, God has ordered his angels to protect us wherever we may go.  They will protect us in all of our ways and keep us wherever we go.  These angels will steady us with their hands so that we will not dash our foot against any rocks.  They will hold us up in their hands to keep us from stumbling.  The angels will even protect us so that no evil will happen or come to us.  These same angels will protect us so that no disease or plague will come near our dwelling or house, which is our body.  These angels are there to protect us because God has given them charge over us to protect and to keep us in all our ways.  These mighty angels carry out his orders and do all of his commands because they are not only spirit-messengers but are also ministering spirits sent out to minister to those who have received salvation.  But so few know what is needed to enable these angels to come forth.  And so few know what to say that will get these angels to act.  Do you still think or believe that your words are not important?

We again give thanks to God for this avenue that he has given us to share his word through our inspirational messages.  We continually pray that God’s grace will be upon you and that these devotionals will be a blessing to you.  If you are blessed by them, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW