1 John 4:1-6 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore, they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” NKJV

It is a beautiful morning, wonderful coffee, pleasant time watching the morning break, refreshing reading from the Word, and the stillness of the quietness in which the “still small voice could speak” asking me the above question – – “WHO IS RUNNING THE SHOW?”

When God asks a question, it’s not like He doesn’t already know the answer. He is wanting us to come to the same conclusion in our finite understanding as He is in his Omniscience. It’s a question that He knows we often already know the answer but wants to reinforce it in our spirits and lives. He chastened me for the times when I let a little twinge of fear for what is happening come into my heart. He reminded me that He (GOD) has not abdicated the Throne of Heaven and is still in charge. He is still the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! He is still ALPHA and OMEGA!

He brought comfort to my heart that no matter what happens He is still God! He warned that He was not telling me not to work. He was not saying that I was not to do that which I know needs to be done. He was not telling me that I was not to be involved in the daily affairs of man but not to neglect the most important the Spiritual side of man. “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…”  Look to Him first and foremost! Educate, evaluate, elaborate, and even where needed debate what is right, biblical, holy, and good and point people first to Him and then to what they should be doing in the natural realm.

I will be vocal regarding the wrong in the political and human side of life, but I will also be vocal in pointing to the one and only one who can give ETERNAL LIFE!  I have arisen with a new confidence that even if evil seemingly gained total control, we will be okay. If they take our heads from our bodies, we will be okay. If we must daily contend with violent evil, we will be okay. If we face an early death, we will be okay. If we, like Moses, live to be 120 we will be okay. GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE!

Hallelujah, God is in Charge! God is in Charge! I have no fear because my Savior is near! God is still in Charge! I face today with that on my heart! I will face the night with that on my heart! GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE!!! I AM AT TOTAL PEACE!!!

Blessings to everyone – Remember always that GOD IS IN CHARGE!

Isaiah 43:1-3 – “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” NKJV

What another beautiful day in North Texas, pleasant weather, wonderful coffee, birds and other creatures stirring, sun peaking over the horizon, Bible verses jumping off the page at me and conversation and fellowship with the Lord PRICELESS!!!! This is where he led me today to consider.

All of us, from time to time, face trials, difficulties, and even tribulations. Some of them are of our own making and some are for the cause of the Kingdom of God. Regardless, we have a promise from the Father that we can lay claim to here in this passage. WE ARE HIS! He has given us a simple but powerful promise that I have stood on many times in the past and will probably stand on many times in the future.

When you pass through the waters (either people or troubles) He will be with us. When we go through the rivers (difficult times) – they WILL NOT overflow or overwhelm or overcome us. When we walk through the fire (tribulation, trouble) – we WILL NOT be burned! Hallelujah!  Not only not burned but not even scorched. We’ll walk out as the three Hebrew Children and not even have the smell of smoke on our clothes. WHY? Because He is the Lord our God, the Holy One of Israel or Savior!

Therefore, be of good cheer – – There is no problem that God cannot solve. No river that He cannot cross. No mountain that He cannot climb. Nothing is impossible with Him and we are in Him, so nothing is impossible for us who believe! Today is a day of miracles walks in yours. No matter what you are facing, face it with the knowledge and assurance that you are not walking alone. HE IS THERE WITH YOU! If He is there, then everything’s going to be alright! Make this a day of rejoicing it is a day of victory!

May the Blessings of the LORD overflow in your life today!

John 1:19-34 – “This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, ” I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, ” I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘ After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, ” I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” NASB

Amazingly it is another beautiful morning here in North Texas. Temperature a pleasant 70 degrees, morning breaking on the horizon with all the sounds of coming to life. Coffee cup in hand filled with great coffee that only I can make, Bible in my lap opened to a place that the Holy Spirit prompted and a song in my heart, a praise on my lips and a prayer for the labors of the day being sent heavenward. The first five words are what I heard today! BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Sometimes we just need to stop everything else and focus on the only thing that is truly important – HIM!  We need to be reminded that Jesus is truly the “Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world for us.” As John Baptist said here, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the SIN of the world!”

The SIN that reaches back to the Garden of Eden where man lost his way and Satan became the god of this world and all the torment that has ensued subsequently – Jesus bought us back! His sacrifice enabled us to be transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. We have moved from darkness into light. We have moved from servants of satan to servants of God. We have moved from lost sheep to the redeemed! 

BEHOLD THE LAMB of God today! Meditate upon Him and what He has done. Mediate upon on His ultimate and complete sacrifice – HIS FINISHED WORK!  Rejoice in the relationship that you have and is available with and in Him. We shall behold Him… We do behold Him… We are beholding Him… Today, make it your singular objective to BEHOLD HIM! Like the old song, “Turn your eyes upon on Jesus… Look full into His wonderful face…” Then, truly the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS Glory and Grace! Make this a day of rejoicing and worship. Make Him the beginning of your day!

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!  May the Lord richly bless each of you as you begin your day, and may this be the best day you have ever experience to this point and may tomorrow be even better!

Blessings to all, you are my special friends and my prayers are with you today and every day!

Today the LORD reminded me of THREE WORDS and those words I focus on now.

John 19:30 – “…It is finished!…….” NKJV

IT IS FINISHED!  Jesus was on the cross giving His life a ransom for whosoever would and will come to Him. He was satisfying divine justice that blood had to be shed for the past, present, and future sins of mankind. He is purchasing the race back from the legal control of the devil.  As he was hanging on the Cross, He uttered the words IT IS FINISHED!  Does that mean the all hope is now gone and he failed? Heaven forbid, it means the exact opposite!

Those words meant that He has succeeded in accomplishing what mankind could not accomplish for itself.  He came born of a woman, lived among us yet without sin, and presented himself as a blemish-free sacrifice to satisfy the demands of divine justice, and now we can enter in because IT IS FINISHED!

There is no more sacrifice needed to purchase our salvation. No works of the flesh can ever earn the right to enter in. No amount of penitence, no amount of keeping rules and regulations can buy that entry. It is only by recognizing that He is truly the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world that we have hope.  It is only receiving Him as Messiah, Savior, and Lord that we have peace.  It is by Grace that we are saved, through Faith and not of works it is THE GIFT OF GOD!

The Finished Work of Christ is complete!  How complete is complete?  We can add nothing to it and can take nothing away from it.  We receive it by faith and through the miracle of salvation, the Blood of Jesus is applied to the doorposts of our hearts and we are transformed out of darkness into His marvelous light.  We are, by faith, crucified with Him, and now the life that we live in the flesh we live by the faith “of” (KJV) or “in” (NKJV, NASB) the Son of God. He lives through us. We manifest Him to the world. His life becomes intertwined with ours so that when people see us, they see Jesus.

I’m not suggesting that we don’t have flaws and from time to time exhibit wrong character but we are moving from glory to glory and as we behold Him and turn our focus upon Him and surrender our lives to Him we become more and more and more like Him. Because He lives, we live! Because He loves, we love. Because He is accepted by the Father, we are accepted in Him.

Stop trying to earn your salvation, you cannot. Stop beating yourselves up when you stumble, run to Him with a broken & contrite heart and He will pick you up and restore you. You are Alive in Him now and your eternal Destiny is Eternity with Him in Glory!  Be encouraged, be of good cheer, be alive!  Truly it is Christ in you that is the hope of Glory. As you go through your day remember that your life may be the only Bible that some people ever read, so what is the Gospel according to you?

Sow your gospel seed and trust God for the watering and harvesting to take place. Like the old song and saying – “Brighten the corner where you are” and “Bloom where you are planted.”

May you enjoy the rich Blessings of the Lord as you enjoy this wonderful day that the Lord has made!

Psalms 144:1-4 – “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? 4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” NASB

What a Great Day to be Alive!  My spirit almost leaped from my chest as the Lord spoke so simply and clearly to my heart. He said, “I AM IN CONTROL and I AM PREPARING MY CHILDREN FOR THE BATTLE!”

As we praise & worship the Rock of our Salvation, we should never forget that He has been and is “training” our hands for war and our fingers for battle. He is our defense, our pavilion tent of safety to run to when we become weary from the battle. He is our sword, shield, and defender. He is the Eternal All-Wise God and we are mere mortals looking through a glass darkly seeing only in part but He sees the end from the beginning and we do well to see the beginning from where we are much less the end. He is the author and finisher of our faith. In Him, we have refuge in the time of trouble.

Many things are bleak on the world scene today, but we have this confidence that He is in Control and He Trains our Hands for War!  He equips and prepares us, and He goes with us into each and every battle. He never leaves nor forsakes us. He guides our thoughts, our words, our actions, and divine encounters. He makes us harmless as doves but wise as serpents and ready for war. Our war is not with flesh and blood, but it is a war nonetheless and with God and the whole armor He has provided WE WILL NOT FAIL!

It is vital that we begin our day rejoicing no matter what you hear around us.  God is in Control!  I suggest that we begin our day with worship & praise.  God is in Control!  It is vital that we begin our day with thanksgiving.  God is in Control!  We then can begin our day with Peace.  God is in Control! 

Do those things He directs and say those things you hear Him saying and you will find that in that crisis moment you will be prepared and know that you are never alone. You have God with you, and you have your true friends standing with you. Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow!

Have a Great Day today in the Lord! Blessings!

James 1:2-8 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let, not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” NKJV

James 1:2-8 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” NASB

Today I felt that the LORD would have me simply let the Scripture speak with almost no comment from me.  I give you the same passages from two different translations.  Notice the subtle differences and similarities.  The message is powerful in both. 

The Book of James is an incredible book that gives vital insight as to how we should, could, and must learn to live. Patience and/or endurance results in faith. Faith is a growing element in our hearts. It finds completion in the Lord and His incredible Love. It produces the quality of NOT DOUBTING! I try to look for the rainbow in the storm. I try to find the silver lining in the clouds. I try to seek the answer in the trials. I seek to use the troubles of life as steppingstones to God’s higher calling in Christ Jesus and thereby minister to others at the point of their need!

May the LORD bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

Psalms 122 – “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”  2 Our feet are standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem,  3 Jerusalem, that is built As a city that is compact together; 4 To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD  An ordinance for Israel — To give thanks to the name of the LORD.  5 For there thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.  6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 “May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ” May peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.” NASB

David’s love for Worship is unparalleled in Scripture.  His love for the Lord, his desire to be in the presence of the Lord, and his quick response to a revealed sin through repentance caused him to be identified by God as, “a man after My own heart.”

It is good to learn to worship and praise God while alone but there is something irreplaceable in gathering with others for the express purpose of Worshiping God.  You draw strength from those around you as their joy, exuberance, faith, and presence encourage you to enter in and continue.  No man is an island.  No man or woman lives or dies to themselves; we need others for this journey.

David recognized that God’s presence was the key to life and in the second portion he identified a need to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.  Why?  Jerusalem represented the seat of the government of God.  David was crying that God not only be Lord in Jerusalem but in so doing be Lord in the hearts of all men.  It is only as God is the center of our lives that we walk in victory on a continuing basis.

God is to be sought first and foremost.  He is to be placed above all else. He is to be relied on and trusted explicitly. He is to govern our lives in every aspect and dimension.  As we allow His love to permeate our hearts and lives, we become vessels of honor to be used by Him in the labors of His Kingdom.

May God bless you as you go through your day.