Isaiah 43:1-3 – “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.  I’ve called your name.  You’re mine.  When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.  When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.  When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God…”  The Message Bible

There is trouble on every hand, but God is Always present to keep, cover, guide, protect, and provide!   This is His day, and we are His and heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus, so it is our day, too!  Hallelujah!

I have heard the saying, “Between a rock and a hard place,” all my life.  I thought about that but in a different vein this morning.  What is the difference between a rock and our life?  That is probably so obvious that most would say, “What’s the point?” 

However, if you pick up a rock or place your hand on a bolder, you feel the rock and nothing more.  But if you place your hand on your neck or over your heart, you feel something.  You feel your heart beating inside your chest.  That is called life!

Rocks and much of God’s creation just exist; they do not have a life, but we have life in us because God breathed it into mankind at the creation of Adam.  We do not just exist; we live; well, we are supposed to.

Outside of knowing God, our mission in life is a continual pursuit of being all we can be.  If we embrace His life in us and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, we become what He says we are, but if we pursue our own purposes, we will live our entire lives grasping for the wind. 

Many people view prosperity and success as what you have or do and see it as something external.  The Bible reveals that true prosperity and success begins on the inside, in the heart (the core of the being), and works its way to the extremities.   That is why John could pray that we would prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers.  It is the proper process.  Life is not in the abundance of possessions but by whom we are possessed.

We keep trying to make ourselves what God says we are through our own efforts and live frustrated lives of disappointment.  We keep trying to achieve what we deem success and live from one disappointment to the next.  We discover that things do not bring peace; only God does!  We must cease striving and relax and allow the Holy Spirit to live the Life of Christ through us.  Then, we find peace and can enjoy prosperity and success with no sorrow attached.

Today, the LORD wants to lift you up into His presence and transform you.  Even if you have been saved, you must be continually transformed from glory to glory.  We need to grow in the grace of God and learn to live the abundant life.  We are more than conquerors but live lives of defeat because we believe the lies of hell and fail to see ourselves as God says we are.  God is Truth, and He tells the Truth! 

Rejoice, today is your day to begin living the Kingdom Life!  Live expectantly! 

May the Lord of Creation help each of us move beyond our difficult spot and into His victory!

Genesis 22:14 – “Abraham named that place, ADONAI Yireh, —as it is said today, “On the mountain, ADONAI will provide.”

Do we quote this out of context?  Notice it says, “On the mountain, Adonai will provide.”  Where?  On the mountain of the Lord.  That mountain was the place of sacrifice, covenant, commitment, and obedience.   God may not provide anything, anywhere or anytime, but He is Always the Provider on the mountain of sacrifice and obedience!

My point and thought is that God is Not our supermarket, candy store, or genie.  He responds to commitment, sacrifice, covenant, and obedience.   If we abide in Him and His Word, we ask Anything, and He provides.

But it is not about us but our relationship with Him.  It is cooperation through obedience that brings the Kingdom to earth.

Let me ask some probing questions:

• Is it possible that we sometimes have more faith that something is not going to happen than that it is? 
• Do we expect our prayers not to be answered more than we believe that they will be? 
• Do we believe God? 
• Jesus said that what He did and even greater things we Would do. 
• He spoke to the winds and waves, do we? 
• He spoke to the fig tree, do we? 
• He spoke to demons and disease, do we? 
• He expected His words to come to pass, do we?

We sometimes tend to believe theoretically and abstractly.   We see God out there, up there, or over there.  God is here, there, and everywhere!   We try to convince ourselves of what God said but have more faith that it won’t happen than that it will.

In this devotional, I am talking to myself. I am guilty, but I am trying to learn to trust completely. I want to develop exercisable faith. The key is to be filled with the Spirit, the Word, and the Presence of Jesus.

My Prayer is, “Lord, help us to have more faith that what God says is present reality than faith that it is not.”  Agreement with God, not sight.  That is our goal.

May God enable us to ascend our Mountain of Provision and Live in His Presence!

Habakkuk 2:2-4 – “And the LORD answered me and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he who reads it may understand it clearly.³ For the vision will come to pass at its appointed time, and it shall be fulfilled at the end, it shall not lie; and if it should delay, do not be impatient, because it will surely come, it will not delay.⁴ For his soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by faith.”

As I read, prayed, pondered, and contemplated the Word, I heard a whisper in my heart.  What is your vision?  What is the vision of your heart?  What is your dream?  What have I birthed in you?

As we contemplate that, we should realize that God’s Vision is vast and varied.   Let me ask about your vision, the God-given vision of your heart. “Can you write it down?  Can you detail it clearly so those who read it can implement it?  Have you written it down?”

I asked myself that question and answered, “I am not sure, but I think I can.”  The addendum question is, “Have I?” The answer is, “Not in complete form.”   At that juncture, I heard in my heart, “What is not articulated cannot be completed.  My vision and purpose are never ambiguous but clear.”

Therefore, the question for each of us is, do we have a clear vision?  Can we or have we put it into words on paper as a guide and goal?  The spoken and written words have power, drive purpose, and inspire faith.  Where there is no vision, there is disjointed and distracted living.  We get sidetracked unless we are focused.   It may take time and prayer to articulate the vision, but if it is God-given, It Cannot Die!

As we put into print our dreams, desires, and goals (VISION), the Holy Spirit and angels begin to work to bring the pieces together.   Too often, we live with unconnected visions that we do not understand ourselves, much less give a guide to others.

The Word of God is powerful.    It transforms, and assurance flows into our hearts through the Word of God, resulting in boldness and determination.  

Today and tomorrow, or as long as it takes, Think about the Vision.   Ask God to enable you to write it out not necessarily for sharing but for course setting, faith-building, and assurance.   It will become a lamp and light because it is God’s word to you.  His words illuminate.

God’s plan for each of us requires our participation.  He will not make or allow you to be a puppet or stay a spiritual child.  He wants to give you the Kingdom and has made it available.   It only awaits your involvement and investment of your whole self.

I do not want this message to be viewed as corrective but inspirational.   It is not chastisement but encouragement.   It is not shaming but to give hope. 

God has done His part, and now He wants us to do what He has called, inspired, equipped, and prepared us to do.   Pull down strongholds!  You have authority. Use it.  You have power. Demonstrate it.  You are Victorious.  Be it.

Today begins a new and exciting journey in Jesus.  No weapon or enemy can stand.  They may come but without victory because YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God in the midst of you is a mighty Saviour; he will make you rejoice with gladness; he will renew you with his love, he will make you joyful with praise as in the day of a feast.”

In Zephaniah 3, I read about God being in our midst, filled with His might, power, and love, and singing to me- joyful singing from God to us.  Wow!  In Haggai, I read God’s warning about trusting our own abilities and pushing God to the back burner.  The call was to examine ourselves and our ways.  In Zechariah, I saw God’s pathway to His presence.  Return to Me so that I can return to you.

Notice the words “So that I may or can.”   God will not intrude or violate our will, but He will come where invited. He spoke of a repentant people and promised to be a wall of fire around them, displaying His glory.

Then, something caught my eye and my heart in Zechariah 3 that I would like to focus on.

• Joshua was in the presence of God and angels, and the devil was there accusing him (remember Job).
• Joshua, the priest, had on filthy clothes.  The angel gave him clean clothes (salvation).  “I have made your iniquity pass away from you and will clothe you in festal robes (like a wedding garment).
• They put a clean turban on his head. (Thoughts, mind transformed mind.  Every thought is captive.)

In Zechariah 3, 7 “IF (that pesky little word) you will walk (live) in My ways and IF you will keep the RESPONSIBILITY  given by Me, THEN you will also render justice in My House AND ALSO keep my courts, AND I will grant you ACCESS to walk among those standing here.”

Did you see that the Courts of God?  We can walk among those standing here.  Standing where?  In the presence of God, angels, and those in the courts of God.  We are invited to come into God’s courts and presence with clean hands and pure hearts.   We have been granted authority and power.

What is our part?  Walk in His ways AND keep the responsibility (assignment) given to us.  All else is counterproductive and unimportant.

He goes beyond that and declares that we have open access to God’s courts and presence. There, we realize that we function not by might or power but by God’s Spirit.

What does this say to us now?  We have God’s promise of cleansing, peace, protection, and power.  Therefore, we can take authority not only in our own situation but also in our family and environment.   Speak the Word.  Obey the voice of the Spirit of God.  Receive God’s grace and provision.  Stop limiting yourself and God.  Expect the promises to be realities; they are in God.

Rejoice in the reality that God is in us and with us and wants to work through us!  This is your day to rejoice!

Matthew 18:21-22 – “Later Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times!  TPT

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word, my heart was moved to cry out for grace.  The Kingdom of God operates from love.   All that God is and all that God does and has flowed from Love.   It is who He is.  Love refuses to be complacent and fights to complete its object.

The incredibly simple but enormously difficult directive of Matthew 18:15-35 is only possible through the power of love. We tend to make Matthew 18:18-20 separate from vv. 15-17. That robs us spiritually.

Out of the overflow of love comes the unrelenting desire for restoration. We forbid bitterness of heart and release love and miracles to walk into our lives. Healing comes. Restoration comes. Power manifests itself. Lives are transformed beyond those directly involved because love is the most powerful witness on earth.

The example Jesus used on debt makes the necessity of unrestricted forgiveness clear. When we consider what He has forgiven us of, we are forced to compare that to any offense that comes to us.

If we are faced with impossible situations and no answer seems forthcoming, we need to ask ourselves a penetrating question: Is there any hint of unforgiveness in our hearts toward anyone?

Do not justify it, gloss over it, or deny it. Have we fully released that person? Can we be around them without bristling inside or feeling the pain all over again? Is the wound still sore? Do we have an inner sneer when they speak? If so, maybe we have not forgiven fully from the heart.

Matthew 18:19 – “…If two of you ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, My heavenly Father will do it for you.”

Can you pray for and with the person you forgave? Can you agree with them in prayer? Can you manifest God’s love to them and for them?

I want nothing to be allowed to stand between me and God. I want nothing to hinder my access to the throne. I want nothing to hinder the Gospel.   Love heals, but unforgiveness produces festive wounds that become obstacles to faith and freedom.

When we stand before Jesus and, He asks, “Did you learn to love?” What will we be able to say? Love is demonstrated, and if our attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds do not agree with our profession, we will not be able to say, “Yes, Lord!”

We have authority, but love must prevail for it to function fully.  Love releases power that would be tyrannical if released outside of love. The Isaiah 61 anointing only comes through love! Father, forgive me for not loving as You love, and help me to begin now!   Nothing is impossible in Him, and nothing is impossible for us! We overcome through Love as He manifests Himself in our lives!

May God’s Forgiveness flow to us and through us and release the Power of God in us!

Galatians 6:9 – “And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!”  TPT

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word, Life, and Living this morning, several humorous things popped into my mind.  Some seemed to flutter like butterflies in the corridors, and I just laughed as I mused.

God spoke some serious things to me, but in those moments of humor that led to life reflections, I recalled some songs, like the George Jones song “Choices,” and realized that life is a series of choices, and each of them has consequences.  I recalled some humorous events that arose out of some choices I made and my personal embarrassment.  I will not go into them; sorry, they are private!

I remembered the TV Program HeeHaw and their song about “Bad Luck.”   “Gloom, despair, agony on me Deep, dark depression, excessive misery.  If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.  Gloom, despair, and agony on me.”  That song was funny as they sang it, but reflecting on that mindset is profoundly saddening.  Yet, multitudes live in a measure of that mindset and expect the worst rather than anticipating the best of God. 

That mindset brings fear, and fear brings torment, imprisonment, and paralysis, robbing us of faith and hope. But God’s Promises are sure, and God never lies. If He says it, He means it, and it breaks God’s heart when we doubt Him.  

Sadly, too many believe God theoretically but not experientially.  Too many believe that God’s promises are for the select of the elect super saints, and they do not see themselves in that number.  After all, we are only human, right?  Right and wrong!  Jesus said He has all authority and power and authorized us to walk in the authority and exercise that power – “Why Not Now?”

Among the things I heard in my heart today, one was to determine that you are going to Trust the Word of God and the God of the Word.  Determine that you are going to think thoughts founded upon what God said.  Determine that even if you make a wrong choice, you will not give up and give in, but you will turn to Him and receive His restoration.

The only way the devil can win and we can be defeated is to Give Up!  If we quit, we cannot win, so do not give up!   Simply, right?  Well, yes, it is because God has provided all we need to be who He says we are.  We have the Blood of Jesus, the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Truth of the Word, the Armor of God, and Authority!  Therefore, we are More Than Conquerors; why not live like God is telling the truth?  He Is!

I pray that today, you will see life differently and with hope and expectation.  I pray that you will no longer talk down to yourself and talk yourself out of God’s promises but will embrace them and, with eager anticipation, face the day with hope, joy, and peace.  This is the day of victory; receive it!

May today be a day of wonderful victory as you make the right choices!

Malachi 1:6 – “A son honors his father, and a servant his master…”

As I read, prayed, and pondered, my mind exploded with whispers of the Holy Spirit, making the Word alive.  The veil was being lifted, and I was challenged on several fronts.

In Malachi, God began by asking a chastening and challenging question: “A son honors his father, and a slave his master.”  Then, he came to the point. He took their own words and challenged them—and he still does today.

He said, “If, as you declare, I am your Father, where is the honor you should be giving me?” He was not looking for words but commitment of heart and obedience.   Words have power but can be empty if the heart is not in the words.  They continually said the words but kept back their hearts.

Next, He said, “You call me Lord (master); IF I am, then why don’t you have fear and respect for Me?”  They were dumbfounded.   After all, they attended church and said all the right things, wasn’t that what was required?

What is God talking about when He says defiled food on the altar?  It is giving God the second best and leftovers.  Spare Change (money and heart).  I call it “Tipping Living.”

They were allowing the profane to thrive and not shutting it out.  Feasting at tables, they should be overturning.   God accepts no offering that is not pure-hearted commitment.

In Malachi 2:17, God said, “You have wearied Me with your words.”  His following statement is penetrating, “You say evil is good, and everybody and everything is okay.”  Calling evil good and good evil incurs God’s disfavor, not blessing.

In Chapter 3, the matter of the tithe surfaces, and it is more than just the tithe. It is about obedience, commitment, love, faith, and revelation. God invites us to put Him to the test and prove to ourselves and the world His faithfulness.  Obedience in faith produces an open heaven.

The blessings promised are “until it is Beyond Enough.”  Beyond enough indicates abundance and even lavishness.

The Promise becomes even better as He promises that the devourer will be rebuked and restrained.   What you have and do is protected from corruption.   That means you have pure offerings to give that invoke more blessings and greater protection.   It becomes a perpetual cycle.  It is for His Glory.

• Money is not the object God is! 
• Fulfilling the purposes of God is! 
• The harvest is! 
• Functioning in power is.

Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith through the personal prophecies he had received.  He later spoke of imparted gifts through the laying on of hands and prophecy.  We have a commission, and Malachi reveals a pathway to God’s person, provision, and power.  Timothy shows how to function in that.

I heard: “Give Me Your Whole Self, all you are and have, and I’ll give you Myself, all that I am and have.  I will open heaven, and NOTHING will be impossible or withheld from you.”  What is our part?  It is obedience and faith.   We must train ourselves to expect God’s promises to become realities Now!

God will not receive or accept superficial offerings but bless and multiply pure-hearted offerings.  Therefore, I urge you to begin speaking to your problems.  Speak the Word and Promises of God.  Give God your best, and He will do the rest.

May today be a day of overwhelming victory for you!

Genesis 1:1-2 – “GOD created the heavens and the earth in the very beginning.² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water.”

As I read, I prayed and pondered several things tugged at the strings of my heart.  One was God’s Perfection.   God is perfect, and what He creates is perfect.

Genesis 1:1-2.   Virtually all translations say that the earth WAS without form and void.   Two Hebrew words – “tohu” and “bohu” are used.  When combined, describe a place of chaos or a wasteland of darkness. Did God create a wasteland of darkness and chaos?  Isaiah 45:18 tells us God created the earth to be inhabited.  That sounds inconsistent if God made it formless and void.

The word was (hayah), which means a change or progression.  It could be translated (to become).  Genesis 19:26 – “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

When did the change in creation become a reality?   I ask that you consider this possibility and maybe probability:  when Lucifer and his followers fell and the ensuing war.  Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning.”  He was hurled down to the earth by God!  Imagine the force God used and the destruction that could result.

If we remember that God gives good gifts and what He creates is good, we can develop a new view of life.  Satan is the corrupter.   He seeks to destroy, mar, damage, and render useless.  But God comes to give life. 

Let me suggest a verse from Aramaic to English – Genesis 2:4 – “These are the GENERATIONS of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the heavens and the earth.”  The six days of creation are called generations.

The snake is subtle.   I call him the sneaky snake.  He caught Eve off guard by asking a question.  “Did God say you can’t eat from any of the trees?”  He sought to instill the idea of unfairness and unreasonableness on God’s part.

From the time of his fall, the devil has been producing chaos.  Chaos is not God.  Resist chaos and take authority over it. God is restoring what Satan and man are destroying.   Jesus is our restoration and our restorer. 

The devil is trying to destroy; God’s promise is restoration!   That is your heritage-RESTORATION!  Today is your day to exercise the spiritual authority you have been given. Do not put up with chaos and destruction.

May God fully restore you to His desired place and allow you to enjoy His perfection!

Genesis 19:12 – “What are you doing in this place?” 

I heard a question as I read, prayed, pondered, and mused on the Word and the Lord.  It was the first of several questions.   The angels sent to judge Sodom and Gomorrah asked Lot an expansive question.   A question that was both geographical and spiritual.   Genesis 19:12 – “What are you doing in this place?” 

Geographically, it was speaking of Sodom.  However, the emotional, mental, and spiritual factors were also to be considered. Your geography can be so saturated with corruption that it steals your heart, distorts your thinking, and diverts your faith.   But even more powerful is the question, “Why are you willing to let the lifestyles and ideologies of corruption have a place in your heart?”

We are in but not of the world.   We cannot avoid corrupt people.  But we can avoid corrupt thinking.  We can be in the world but not of it.  We can be separate without being self-righteous.   We can be lights in the darkness.  Yet, sometimes, the Spirit of God asks, “What are you doing here?” 

If we get comfortable with the corruption around us, we may and probably will have a longing for the provisions and temporary pleasures found there.   Acceptance is a huge factor for most people. 

To gain acceptance, many live in a place and have a mindset that elicits the question. “What are you doing in this place?”  A prime example is Lot’s wife.  She looked back, and it cost her her life, if not her eternity.  We are not those who look back longingly or desire the comfort zone of acceptance that demands the tainting of our souls.

We are lights, witnesses, examples, and manifestations of God’s love, person, purpose, and power.  If we are being drawn away from purpose geographically, emotionally, or spiritually, are we in the right place?  In Christ, there is peace, power, and purpose.

If our spiritual authority is lacking, it might be good to ask, “What am I doing in this place or condition?”  Is what we are experiencing what God says we are and can be?  If not, what are we doing in this place?

Submit Everything to God and fasten your seat belts. Your world is about to change.  No more riding coach class; 1st class is your call.

May the LORD of All Creation empower you to break free from whatever holds you back and propel you into His Presence so you can fulfill His Purpose for your life!