March 17, 2014. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

Monday March 17

“The word of the Lord came to Elijah...saying…‘I will send rain on the earth.’”

1 Ki 18:1 NKJV

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

Three years earlier, God told Elijah to announce the coming of a severe drought. As a result, it was all people talked about. Then God told him to announce that rain was coming and they were to prepare for it. Understand this: unless you learn to attune your spiritual ear to what God is saying, you won’t be ready for what life throws at you. God can tell you when to save and when to sow, when to buy and when to sell, when to come to the table and when to walk away. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isa 30:21 NKJV). But Satan can also speak to you and tell you things like, “You’re going bankrupt. You’re going to die. You’ll never succeed. Nobody loves you.” You’ll never hear that from God! In spite of what you’re hearing around you or within you, you must believe in God’s faithfulness and trust Him to fight for you. Knowing He would soon be crucified, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered” (Jn 12:28-29 NKJV). Isn’t it amazing? Some can hear the voice of God, while others standing right beside them hear only noise. What Jesus heard that day galvanized His faith and gave Him strength to march victoriously to the cross. So who are you listening to? What are you hearing?

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

March 16, 2014. WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

Sunday March 16

“We walk by faith, not by sight.”           2Co 5:7 NKJV

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

Your eyes can deceive you! Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, dipped his coat in goat’s blood and told their father he had been torn to pieces by a wild beast. As a result, the old man said, “I shall go down into the grave to my son mourning” (Ge 37:35 NKJV). In reality not only was Joseph alive, he’d soon become Prime Minister of Egypt and save his family during the time of famine. But his father lived all those years grieving because of something he saw: a coat. Sometimes theres a difference between facts and truth. The facts may confirm that the economy is bad, but the truth is, “ God shall supply all your need according to His riches” (Php 4:19). One day Elisha and his servant woke up in the town of Dothan to discover they were surrounded by an enemy army. When the servant saw this, he panicked. But Elisha said, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed… ‘Lord...open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2Ki 6:16-17 NKJV). God wants you to look to Him and know that in your darkest moment you don’t have to be afraid. What you have going for you is so much greater than anything that comes against you. So rise up in faith and say with Psalmist, “My help comes from the Lord” (Ps 121:2 NKJV). Then act like you believe it!

Taken from The Word for You Today Devotional

March 15, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (6)

Saturday March 15

“Deliver us from the evil one.”          Mt 6:13 NKJV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (6)

Deliver us from evil (Lk 11:4). The original Greek language reads, “Deliver us from the Evil One,” not from subtract entity called evil. So, should we fear Satan? No, but we must alert to his strategies (See 1Pe 5:8-9). If we’re unaware and fail to put on the full armor of God, we invite defeat (See Eph 6:10-18). But when alert and fully armed, we needn’t be afraid of Satan: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Jesus, not you, guarantees your victory. The Holy Spirit within you is what enables you to resist the Devil. “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and...Nothing will injure you” (Lk 10:19 NLT). When you’re battling the Evil One this prayer activates the power of the “greater One” who is in you, and by His strength you can triumph over him. Add to this God’s word dwelling in your heart and mind, enabling you to rebuff Satan’s temptations as Jesus did with, “It is written” (See Mt 4:3-11). Satan was vanquished by the power of God’s Word, and it’ll work for you too! “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever” (Mt 6:13). What a final note of recognition and praise! No uncertainty or tentativeness here. It mirrors David’s great doxology: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness...the power...the glory...the majesty and the splendor...Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1Ch 29:11 NIV). Your prayers are certain to be effective when you pray in faith to such God.

Taken from the Word for YOu Today Devotional

March 14, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (5)

Friday March 14

“He will show you a way out.”          1Co 10:13 NLT

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (5)

As we forgive our debtors (Mt 6:12 NKJV). Forgiving others isn’t an option, it’s an obligation. Being forgiven depends on forgiving others. Young Robert Louis Stevenson’s family customarily prayed the Lord’s Prayer before dinner. One evening he left the table before they reached the part, “As we forgive our debtors.” Asked why, he replied, “I’m not prepared to pray that prayer today.” Recognizing his reluctance to forgive, he knew he couldn't’ receive God’s forgiveness. “If you forgive men...your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not...your Father will not forgive your sins” (vv. 14-15 NIV). No matter how badly you’ve been wronged, God requires you to forgive. “Lead us not into temptation” (v. 13 NIV). This seems odd in light of God’s Word: “When tempted, no one should ever say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (Jas 1:13 NIV). William Barkley says the Greek word used here for temptation means “testing,” as in ordeals and trials of life. It refers to life’s stressful experiences. An athlete might use the words with his trainer, “Please don’t push me beyond my endurance!” It calls for acknowledging three realities: (1) Your human limits and vulnerabilities. (2) That God’s in charge of your testing. (3) That He wants you to ask for help and not try to handle it alone. “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand...he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1Co 10:13 NLT). He won’t just intervene on your behalf, He will use the experience to strengthen you spiritually.

Taken from the Word for You Today devotional

March 13, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (4)

Thursday March 13

“Give us each day our daily bread.”  Lk 11:3 NIV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (4)

The second part of the Lord’s Prayer addresses our everyday concerns: “Give us each day our daily bread” (v. 3). Your Father is willing to meet your physical and financial needs. The word Jesus used here literally meant “food.” God is more concerned about the necessities of your everyday life than you are. He multiplied food for five thousand hungry people. “He...healed all who were sick” (Mt 8:16 NKJV). And He wants to meet your needs too. “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat”’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Mt 6:31 NIV). The “bread man” delivers fresh bread daily! So trust Him for today’s needs, and tomorrow morning get up and do the same. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12 NKJV). The moment you enter God’s presence you become aware of your sin. And Satan will try to bring condemnation on you. How does he do it? By making you feel unwelcome and uneasy in God’s presence. But Satan is a liar. “There is...no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:1). God’s presence brings your sins to light not to condemn you, but to motivate you to confess  them and receive His forgiveness. God’s Word identifies several categories of sin that we need to recognize. Theres falling short of what’s required; the deliberate violation of a specific rule; unintentional and often passionately motivated slips; deliberate disobedience and rebellion; failure to fulfill your indebtness; the sin of omission. Regardless of what your sin is, the moment you confess it and ask God for forgiveness, He restores you (See 1Jn 1:9).

Taken from The Word for YOu Today Devotional

March 12, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (3)

Wednesday March 12

“Is anything too hard for me?” Jer 32:27 NIV

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (3)

The words, “Our Father,” remind of God’s unconditional love. Ever looked into the eyes of a suffering child and wanted to make them well, but you lacked the power? “Which art in heaven” reminds of God’s unlimited power to do what we can’t. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” The answer in the Hebrew language comes back, “No, nothing, absolutely nothing, with you shall be extraordinary.” You can have total confidence that what God’s love prompts Him to do, His power enables Him to do. “Hallowed be thy name” distinguishes His name and character from all others. “Hallowed in Greek indicates that He’s unlike others, different, special, the only One. In an age where respect for authority is disappearing because it challenges our self-importance, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Heavenly Father, enable us to enable You the place Your Holy Name and character deserve.” “Thy kingdom come.” Jesus came preaching God’s kingdom; it was the heart of His gospel. The kingdom incorporating Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. was past. The present kingdom includes all those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord. And the future kingdom will encompass the whole earth at Christ’s return. Each time you submit to God’s will, His kingdom is brought into operation. As a believer you are in His kingdom, and His power is available to you. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven God’s will is never questioned. Nor should it be in your life. And Jesus instructs us to pray and believe that what happens in heaven will also happen through you here on earth.'

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

March 11, 2014. PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (2)

Tuesday March 11

“Take the mercy, accept the help.” Heb 4:16 TM

PRAYING JESUS’ WAY (2)

When you pray, “Our Father,” you define every other relationship in your life: (1) You define your relationship to the material world. Since God is your Father you’re not a stranger but an heir to the blessings of His universe (See Ps 24:1). But beware of the values of the world: “Don’t love the world’s ways...Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 Jn 2:15 ™). Nothing must take God’s place! (2) You define your relationship to others. Everyone around you is your Father’s creation and as such you must accept, color, creed, or distinction. We’re not to compete with them, or strive for superiority over them, or use them for own ends. (3) You define your relationship to yourself. God says He’s your Father; what a foundation on which to build your self-worth! Regardless of what’s been said or done in the past to make you feel inadequate or inferior, you can hold your head high. You’re not a nobody once God calls you His child. (4) You define your relationship to God. Because of your relationship to Jesus, the Father declares you “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6 NKJV). As He accepts Jesus, so He accepts you! “As many received Him...He gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12 NAS). You no longer need to approach Him in fear. You can “walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” It doesn’t get any better!

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional