Wednesday, February 19, 2014

PRAISE AND HONOR


STOP CONDEMNING YOURSELF

'Who is he who condemns?...' Romans 8:34 NKJV

Stop being mad at yourself because you're still struggling in certain areas. When it comes to an area of your life that needs improvement, be concerned about it, but not consumed with it. You are always going to be working on something, so learn to separate your 'who' from your 'do'. Who you are in Christ is a settled issue. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus...' (Romans 8:1 NKJV)

Because God has chosen to see you 'in Christ', you are always acceptable to Him and you always have access to Him.

Your 'who' is not based on your 'do'. Your 'who' determines your salvation, your 'do' determines your future rewards in Heaven. God is not condemning you, you are condemning yourself! God will convict you, and when you repent of sin He will cleanse you, but He will never condemn you. Satan does that. You do that to yourself. But God never will. 'Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.' (Romans 8:34 NKJV) Every time you fail, Christ your advocate offers His atoning blood to cover your sin. As a result, God sees you as 'accepted'.

Stop comparing yourself with somebody else. You are you, and you will never be them. We are all equal in Christ! So when somebody condemns you, stand on this Scripture: 'Surely the Lord God will help me; who is he who will condemn me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up.' (Isaiah 50:9 NKJV)

STAND STILL AND SEE YESHUA YOUR SALVATION

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” - Exodus 14:13–14

Not long after Moses brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, they found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. In front of them was the treacherous Red Sea, and behind them was the army of Pharaoh, armed to the teeth and charging toward them to slaughter them!

Naturally, the Israelites were terrified. But Moses said to them, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…” (Exodus 14:13). I can just imagine what some of the Israelites must have thought: “Stand still? Is he out of his mind? We better do something quick!”

My friend, in the midst of a crisis, the last thing that we would want to do is “stand still.” Yet, that is what God wants us to do—“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” The word “salvation” here is the Hebrew word,Yeshua, the name of Jesus. In other words, God wants us to “stand still,” and see or keep our eyes on Jesus. When we stop trying to solve the crisis using our own smarts and strength, and turn to the Lord, He will “part the Red Sea” or make a way where there is none. He will fight our battles for us!

So the next time the devil tells you, “What are you going to do about it?” don’t fall for his old trick and move out of your position of rest by getting into fear and anxiety. See Yeshua and keep your eyes on Him. He is your salvation—your healing, your wisdom and your provision. Let Him deal with your enemies. He will bring you safely to the other side. What He did for the Israelites, He will do for you today!

PUT THE WORD FIRST :

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. – Proverbs 4:5-6

Recently, God has been raising up ever-growing numbers of people who are hungry. Hungry to know their Lord in a deeper way. Hungry to serve Him--in pulpits, on mission fields, in homes, in office buildings, and anywhere else He might choose to send them.

They are people who simply aren't content to find the path of least resistance and coast their way into heaven. No, they're determined to run the race...to run, as the apostle Paul said, to obtain the prize. Spiritually speaking, they are on the road to excellence.

Are you among them?

If so, I want to share four simple words that, I believe, will enable you to run the race like a winner:

Put the Word first.

Whether your goal is to be an excellent evangelist or a first-rate engineer in the service of the Lord, it is the wisdom that comes from the Word of God that will get you there.

Jesus said it this way: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

So commit yourself right now to do whatever it takes to totally saturate yourself with the Word of God. Use every available moment to read, study, listen to, and meditate on it.

I know it won't be easy, but if you've made a definite decision to amount to something in the ministry of Jesus Christ and you are determined to take the Great Commission seriously, then be diligent. Put the Word first and there will surely be glorious victories ahead.

 THE ELEVENTH HOUR

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. —Isaiah 2:4

World War I has been ranked by many as one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Millions lost their lives in the first global modern war. On November 11, 1918, a ceasefire was observed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. During that historic moment, millions around the world observed moments of silence while they reflected upon the war’s terrible cost—the loss of life and suffering. It was hoped that “the Great War,” as it was called, would truly be “the war that would end all wars.”

Despite the many deadly military conflicts that have followed, the hope for lasting peace has not faded. And the Bible offers a hopeful and realistic promise that someday wars will finally end. When Christ returns, Isaiah’s prophecy will come true: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:4). Then the eleventh hour will pass and the first hour of lasting peace in a new heaven and new earth will begin.

Until that day comes, those who follow Christ are to be people who represent the Prince of Peace in the way we conduct our lives and in the way we make a difference in our world.

Only in Christ can true peace be realized.

MAKE YOUR LIFE A DECLARATION ….


I love to read the Psalms. I love how David always had something powerful to say about our God. He declared, “I will say of the Lord, You are my strength, my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” All throughout the Psalms, David proclaims who his God is. Faithful. True. Deliverer. Protector.

What are you saying about your God today? We ought to take a lesson from David and say things like, “God, You are everything I need. You are every breath that I breathe. You are every bit of my substance. You are my fortune. You are my strength in time of trouble. You are my victory.”

Not only do we need to declare who God is with our words, we need to declare who He is with our actions. It doesn’t make much sense to go around saying that God is the joy of your heart, and then have a sour look or a frown on your face all the time. It doesn’t make any sense to say with your words that “Jesus is Lord” but then live like He doesn’t exist. Or saying, “God is my provider,” then spending the week worrying about every little thing. And yes, sometimes you need to declare some things by faith, but let’s make the decision to make our actions line up with our words. Let’s make the decision to make our lives declare the goodness and glory of God. Let’s be consistent whether we are in church, at home or in the workplace and let our lives be one long continuous praise to Almighty God!

“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:24, NIV)


GOD’S LOVE DEMONSTRATED :

ROMANS 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

When we go through a trial, we tend to ask ourselves, “Does God really love me? How come I don’t seem to see it?” When that happens, it is time to bring in the cross, for God’s love for you is displayed forever at the cross.

God gave up His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus was pierced in seven places for you—in His head by the crown of thorns, His two hands and feet by the nails, and His side and heart by the spear of a Roman soldier.

Jesus wore the crown of thorns on His head so that you can have a sound mind free from fears, guilt, depression, anxieties and stress.

When Jesus first showed His nail-pierced hands to His disciples, He said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19–20) He wanted them to know that peace is found in His finished work, typified by His pierced hands. The more you see His finished work which has bought complete forgiveness of all your sins, the more your conscience will be at peace and rest.

Jesus’ feet brought Him to places where there was lack, diseases, rejection, condemnation and even death. And those feet were nail-pierced so that you do not need to be in such places yourself. He has rescued you from having to accept and suffer these things in life.

Blood and water flowed out of Jesus’ side when it was pierced. (John19:34) Medical science will tell you that that means His heart had ruptured. Jesus died literally of a broken heart so that your heart can be filled with joy.

And just as Eve came forth from Adam’s side when he was sleeping, the bride of Christ, the church, came forth from Jesus’ pierced side and death. If He died to have you as His spotless bride, He lives today to care for you.

Beloved, the only man-made things in heaven today are those scars on His body. They will remain forever as tokens of His everlasting love and passion for you. So if God did not spare His Son, but delivered Him up for you, how will He not with Him also freely give you all things!


PRAYER FOR THE DAY :

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.“ (Psalm 32:7)

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You. I honor You. I thank You Father for another beautiful day. Everything is on its revival under Your light; so as my life is very well blessed that I may live joyously. Let Your unfailing love wrap me up like a cloak and clothe me with the garments of salvation throughout my sojourn on this earth.O my Father in heaven! Great is Your faithfulness, I remain blessed at all times.

Gratefully, in Jesus’ holy name. Amen !!

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