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Showing posts from October, 2019

A Good and Spacious Land!

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"So I have come down to rescue them…and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land..." (Exodus 3:8) A Good and Spacious Land Notice in today’s verse that God did not say He would bring His people into a small land; a little place, tight or crowded. No, receive this into your spirit: Just as God brought the children of Israel into a good and spacious land, so He will do the same for you! He wants to take you to the land of “more than enough,” a land of plenty of room flowing with increase, good breaks and opportunity. He wants you to live in a land where you not only have enough for yourself, but you’re so blessed that you can be a blessing to other people. If you’re not in a good and spacious place today, the challenge is: don’t settle where you are. This is not your permanent address! It’s only temporary. Keep standing, keep believing, keep pressing forward and walk into the good and spacious land God has in store for you! A Prayer for Today

What Question Would You Ask Jesus?

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What Question Would You Ask Jesus? “ So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to Him, ‘Lord, that our eyes may be opened.’ So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. ” (Matthew 20:32–34)  “ Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.’”  (Jeremiah 1:12)  If Jesus Christ were to stop by your home, what one question would ask him?  I believe today’s passages suggest a question that should be high on our priority list: Lord, please open our eyes so we can know you better; see and understand your will for us in the time we have remaining in this world. In our relationship with the Lord, we receive one revelation after another so we can understand what he wants us to do.  “ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know

By the Breath of God!

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"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6) By the Breath of God In the original Hebrew, the word “spirit” in today’s verse literally means “breath.” This Scripture is saying that the breakthroughs that are coming in our lives are not going to happen just by our talent, our connections or who we know. It’s going to happen because God breathes in our direction. God will shift the winds that blow healing, promotion and restoration our way. How are you going to get well? The medical report may say it’s impossible, but when God breathes on you, health, wholeness and restoration are headed toward you. How are you going to accomplish your dreams? You may not know the right people or have enough money or feel as though you have the talent. No, God is breathing and sending ideas, resources and the right connections your direction. If you will stay faithful and keep honoring and obeying God, suddenly, things will change. Sudden

Christ Alone!

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Christ Alone “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  ( Matthew 7:21–24 ) Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of  Kingdom of God  wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works.   I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their works to get into heaven. Works, no matter h

Call Out Seeds of Greatness!

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"...God…calls those things which do not exist as though they did." (Romans 4:17) Call Out Seeds of Greatness Very often, we see potential in other people that they haven’t see in themselves. When you speak vision into them, when you tell them what they can become, you can help set the direction for their life. Your words have the power to push people into their divine destiny. I believe that the reason some people are not living at their full potential is because no one has ever spoken faith into them. No one has taken the time to say, “Hey, you’re great at this. You have a gift here. You’re going to do something amazing!” I believe that one of our assignments in life is to call out the seeds of greatness in other people. Look around at who God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. Take time to study them. See what they’re good at. What are their gifts? What do they excel at? Don’t just think about it, speak vision into them. Tell them what they can

Giving: The Major Gateway!

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Giving: The Major Gateway “ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ” (2 Corinthians 9:7–8)  The Christian life is a giving life. This is the direct opposite of what the world dictates to us in order to be happy. Most of the messages of the world are directed at self-consuming activities saying you need to have certain possessions and experiences in order to be fulfilled. These messages tend to make us “getters” instead of “givers.” When we speak of giving, we are not talking about just money. Remember, we have the 3 Ts: Time, Talent, and Treasure. Time and talent are just as important as any treasure we might have. God loving the cheerful giver is a statement of God’s action. By giving, believers place themselves in the position where God, su

Breaking Strongholds!

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"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4) Breaking Strongholds Scripture tells us that there is a battle going on in our minds. Our thoughts dictate our actions. That’s why the enemy will do everything he can to get you thinking in the wrong direction. Sometimes it’s not our own thoughts that are holding us back; sometimes it’s that we’ve believed the negative things that other people have spoken over us. Those words are like seeds. If you dwell on them long enough, they’ll take root and become a reality. In life, there will always be people telling you what cannot be done, speaking negative things. Too often we latch on to those negative words and develop what the Scripture calls a “stronghold.” It’s a wrong thinking pattern that keeps us imprisoned in defeat and keeps us from God’s best. The way you break those negative strongholds is by rejecting the lie and embracing the truth of God’s Wor

Be a Vessel of Christ!

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Be a Vessel of Christ “ I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. ” (Psalm 71: 16) As we navigate through this world, we need to remember that we are mere vessels. We are carrying precious cargo: the message of Christ to declare to a lost and dying world. Our mission is to proclaim  his  story, not our own story. Only by the strength of Christ can we hope to live the Christian life in a credible way. The righteousness of God saves us and gives us right standing with God. This is why the Psalmist said he would go into his everyday life in the strength of the Lord and in God’s righteousness alone. We have no righteousness of our own. In fact, Scripture says our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. The apostle Paul said he did not want a righteousness that comes from self – one based on the law, works, and self-effort. Rather, Paul wanted the righteousness that comes from God, by faith in the person

PRAY!

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Lord God, you hear the cries of those who are victims of injustice. Fill me with your Spirit and power and give me the courage to speak out against injustice. Amen.

Ever Grateful!

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Ever Grateful “ …Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. ” (Colossians 1:12–14) This passage is a great candidate for being a Spiritual M & M (Memorize & Meditate). I lift my heart in gratitude to God for his marvelous provision of salvation. Truly, he is the God who sees and provides. God himself has qualified us to partake of the inheritance of the saints. He qualifies us when we place our faith in the person of Jesus Christ, alone, for our salvation.  Salvation is a  gift of God . Paul emphasizes this: “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ” (Romans 6:23)  “ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not o

New Life at Work!

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New Life at Work “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ” (Galatians 2:20) “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ” (Romans 6:11) Christ can live and continue his ministry through us while we are still in this world. These two verses encapsulate these “secrets” of the kingdom to us. If we grasp these truths, in faith, our lives will be in for radical change. We can become “overcomers,” no longer helpless victims enslaved to sin. We must be crucified with Christ, counting ourselves dead to sin. Yes, sin lurks inside of us, always trying to reassert itself. But the good news is we no longer have to surrender to its control. The following verses verify this spiritual truth: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ” (Romans 8:12

PRAY!

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Lord God, like a shepherd you gather us into your fold. In the security of your love I find peace and rest. Lead me, Lord, in the way of your justice and truth. Amen.

Yes and Amen!

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"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20) Yes and Amen Have you thought about the fact that God has already said “yes” to His promises in your life? You don’t have to beg God to be good to you. You don’t have to plead with Him to help you. God wants to help you. He wants to pour out His abundant blessing on your life. The Scripture says His promises are “yes and amen.” "Amen" means “so be it.” In other words, it’s a done deal. All you have to do is make sure you are living up to your end of the bargain. God’s love is unconditional, but we have to obey His commands in order to see His promises come to pass. For example, Malachi 3:10 says that we have to bring our tithe to Him in order to see the windows of heaven open. It says in Deuteronomy 5 that we are to honor our parents in order to live a long life. The good news is that when we surrender our hearts to Him, He empowers us to fulfi

The Roots of Hope!

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The Roots of Hope “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. ” (Habakkuk 3:17–19,)  From a circumstantial standpoint, the prophet Habakkuk lived in a terrible time. The land was soon to be invaded and, because of the disobedience of the people to God over time, prosperity was no more. Even though the circumstances were bad, Habakkuk gives us the formula for not only surviving but also thriving in such a period. The above passage shows us that Habakkuk did not allow circumstances to steal his joy. It is an example for us that our joy and happiness have to be based on more than just having g

Bold As A Lion!

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"The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1) Bold As A Lion We are called to live bold, confident and overcoming lives. You don’t have to live under a burden of fear. You don’t have to live with anxiety. Because of Jesus, fear, worry and uncertainty are beneath you. When you rise up in faith, knowing that God is with you and for you, all doubt and fear have to leave your life. Notice that today’s Scripture says that the righteous are as bold as a lion. Righteousness is God’s way of doing things. When you do things according to what He says in His Word, when you are submitted to His plan for your life, He promises success. It may not always be the way you had in mind, but ultimately, His plan is to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future! Today, if you’ve been feeling anxious or fearful, begin to declare God’s truth over your life that will set you free! Declare that you are righteous in Christ Jesu

The King’s Service !

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The King’s Service  “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ” (Matthew 7:8) There is nothing like being in the King’s service. Then we realize what we are designed for and the particular works he wants us to do. We experience a fulfilling and abundant life when we are in the center of God’s will. Our lives will truly echo into eternity as we experience the favor and blessing of God when we are in harmony with his will.   How do we know this for sure?  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” (Ephesians 2:10) This verse tells how we are God’s handiwork, special vessels made for the purpose of being productive. He wants us to be engaged in the good works he has prepared for us. When we are spiritually born into his family, we become a new creation with renewed purposes and works to do for his kingdom. How do we find these works he wants us

Celebrate Others!

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"Rejoice with those who rejoice..." (Romans 12:15) Celebrate Others When a friend or family member succeeds, gets promoted or experiences an unexpected good break in life, how do you respond? Some people wonder, “What about me?” Others criticize or say, “It won’t last long.” But really, the way you respond to another person’s success will determine the level of your own success. Whether you respond in a negative or positive way, you are sowing seeds for your future. That’s why the Scripture tells us simply to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” God wants you to be successful. His commands are for your good. He doesn’t want jealousy or strife to enter your life and rob you of His blessing. Today, make it a point to find someone who is celebrating and celebrate with them. Congratulate them on their success no matter how small it seems in the natural. Rejoice with those who rejoice, sow seeds of blessing, and open the door for victory in your own life in return! A Pra

New Life at Work!

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New Life at Work "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."  (Colossian 3:3) I once heard a preacher say, “Whatever you have will blow off on the way up or burn up on the way down.” There is truth in that statement. When you die and go to heaven, the cares and things of this world will have no impact whatsoever. That should make a big impact on us! The Psalmist realized this when he wrote,  “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  (Psalm 73:25–26) Our inheritance is Jesus Christ. Someday we will be just like him.  “As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”  (Psalm 17:15) Not only will we be satisfied, but we also will be ecstatic! “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ

Be Transformed!

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"When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings..." (Psalm 84:6) Be Transformed Do you feel like you are walking through a tough place in your life today? The psalmist wrote of “passing through the Valley of Weeping,” but not of “settling in the Valley of Weeping,” or “getting stuck in the Valley,” or “building a house in the Valley.” The Valley is temporary; you’re walking through it, and God is walking with you. He wants to strengthen and empower you to keep moving forward. He is leading you to a place of blessing and refreshing! Be encouraged today that God always causes us to triumph! The Bible says that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! It also says that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter until the full day. No matter how dark your circumstance may seem, you are on a path that is shining brighter and bright

Blessed Wherever You Go!

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"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands…you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country..." (Deuteronomy 28:1-3) Blessed Wherever You Go Do you want to experience more of God's blessing in your life? Living in obedience and integrity is the key that unlocks the door to His abundance. When you put God first place in your life, you'll be blessed in the city and in the country—you'll be blessed wherever you go! Deuteronomy 28 goes on to say that you will be so blessed that you will lend and not borrow. Can you see yourself in that position? Can you see yourself living in that kind of abundance? God doesn't want you to be living with a barely-get-by attitude. We don't serve a barely-get-by God; our God is more than enough! He wants you to have more than enough to meet your needs and be a blessing to the people around you. Today, make room in your life for the blessing of God. Choose to live in obedience to