JULY 31, 2014. A WALL OF PROTECTION

THURSDAY JULY 31, 2014.

'You have...put a wall of protection around him...' Job 1:10 NLT

A Wall of Protection

When God praised Job for his integrity, Satan replied, 'You have always put a wall of protection around him...take away everything he has, and he will surely curse You.' So God gave Satan permission to test Job, but He placed limits on how far he could go (Job 2:6). There are times '...When the enemy comes in like a flood...' (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV) to attack your mind, your marriage, your ministry, and anything that's born of God in your life. When that happens, Isaiah says, '...The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [shield] against him.' (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV) When you feel you're at breaking point and can't handle one more thing, the Holy Spirit lifts up the wall of the blood of Jesus and tells Satan, 'This far and no further!' Paul says, 'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.' (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV) There's a wall of protection around you. There's also a time for your deliverance. '...In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV) God will step in and intervene. The Psalmist said, '...When my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.' (Psalm 61:2 NAS) When your resources are depleted and you think you're going under for the last time, God has provided a refuge that's higher than your circumstances, a place where you're under divine protection and the enemy has no jurisdiction. All you have to do is lift your eyes and heart toward Heaven.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

http://www.wordalive.org/sabbath/

JULY 30, 2014. DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

WEDNESDAY JULY 30, 2014.

'...O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Psalm 25:4 NLT

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions-like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery etc.-mean life can be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these Biblical principles: (1) Do the research. 'Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused.' (Proverbs 18:13 NCV) Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you'll regret. Knowledge has never been more accessible-through the internet, helpful books, and especially God's Word: 'Your commands...are my constant guide.' (Psalm 119:98 NLT) (2) Talk to God. 'Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.' (Psalm 37:23 NLT) (3) Be open to new ideas. Don't get trapped in old mind-sets. 'An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.' (Proverbs 18:15 NRS) Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. 'It's a hard road that's walked alone,' says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon's counsel: 'A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.' (Proverbs 12:15 TLB)

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

http://www.wordalive.org/sabbath/

JULY 29, 2014. HOW JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY (4)

TUESDAY JULY 29, 2014.

'...Deliver us from the evil one...' Matthew 6:13 NKJV

How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (4)

Jesus taught us to pray: 'Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one...' Satan knows your areas of weakness and he will exploit them. But there's good news. It's your weaknesses, not your strengths, that draw you closer to God and make you lean on Him. Paul wrote: '...I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT) At first this verse doesn't seem to make sense. You want to be freed from your weaknesses, not boast about them. But Paul gives you several reasons: (1) Your weakness prevents pride. Paul writes: '...to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud...' (2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT) You'll often find a weakness attached to strength, acting as a governor to keep you from becoming boastful or running ahead of God. Gideon chose 32,000 men to fight the Midianites, but God reduced his numbers to 300 (Judges 7). Why? So that Israel would know it was God's power and not their own that saved them. (2) Your weakness creates fellowship. Your struggles show you how much you need the support of others. Vance Havner said, 'Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic.' (3) Your weakness enables you to help others. It's the broken who become masters at mending. Your most effective ministry can come out of your most painful experiences. The things you're most reluctant to share are often the very things God will use to help others.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

http://www.wordalive.org/sabbath/ 

JULY 28, 2014. HOW JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY (3)

MONDAY JULY 28, 2014.

'...Forgive us...as we forgive...' Matthew 6:12 NKJV

How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (3)

Let's clear up some misconceptions about the words, 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.' Satan will try to convince you that if your feelings haven't changed toward the person who wronged you, you haven't truly forgiven them. No, you can make the right decision and still have the wrong feelings! This is when you need faith to carry you through. You have done your part, now you are waiting for God to do His. God has the power to change your feelings toward the one who hurt you, and He will. Another misconception is that all you have to do is make a decision to forgive and then your job's finished. No, you are instructed to 'Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you...' (Luke 6:28 AMP) You say, 'Bless them? Are you serious?' Yes. The word 'bless' translates from a word meaning 'to speak well of'. You're extending mercy to those who don't deserve it. But isn't that what God does for you? The truth is, you cannot truly forgive without the Holy Spirit's help. So today why don't you pray, 'Holy Spirit, breathe on me and give me strength. I forgive _____________ [name] for what they did. I release them from this debt and ask You to bless them. I turn the situation over to You. I trust You for my total restoration. Help me, Lord. Heal my heart, in Jesus' name, Amen.' Now, by faith, leave it all in your Father's hands, move forward and anticipate His blessing. You won't be disappointed.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

http://www.wordalive.org/sabbath/

JULY 27, 2014. HOW JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY (2)

SUNDAY JULY 27, 2014.

'Give us this day our daily bread.' Matthew 6:11 NKJV

How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (2)

Jesus taught us to pray, 'Give us this day our daily bread.' Notice the word 'daily'. You can't fight today's battles on the strength of yesterday's bread; you must have a fresh supply. In the wilderness God's people were only permitted to collect enough manna for one day. If they tried to collect more, it rotted. It's wonderful to talk about what God did yesterday and what He's going to do tomorrow, but all you've got is today. 'Give us this day our daily bread.' Only as you partake of what God's provided for you today will you be able to stand up to the challenges you face. This prayer is an expression of faith. The very fact that you ask means you believe God's got what you need and that He cares enough to provide for you. It says, 'I don't need to go to anybody else but You, Lord.' So hang up the phone, turn off the TV, shut the door, get down on your knees, approach God in faith and pray, 'Give me what I need for this day.' God knows what you need, you don't! As you partake of what He provides for you each day you'll be able to handle whatever life throws at you.

And one more thought. When people start getting on your nerves for no apparent reason or you start having all sorts of mood swings or you begin living by feelings instead of faith, it's probably because you're not eating right. If that's so, it's time to go back to your Source and say, 'Lord, I've come for my daily bread.'

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JULY 26, 2014. HOW JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY (1)

SATURDAY JULY 26, 2014.

'...Therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven...' Matthew 6:9 NKJV

How Jesus Taught Us to Pray (1)

Here's how Jesus taught us to pray: (1) 'Our Father in Heaven.' When you say, 'Father' you are acknowledging that you're 'family', that you have a special relationship with God which entitles you to go to Him at any time, confident you're loved, welcomed and assured of His favor. When you say, 'in Heaven,' you can go no higher. You're drawing what you need from the ultimate source of goodness, grace, mercy, provision, protection and authority. What a privilege! (2) 'Hallowed be Your name.' (Matthew 6:9 NKJV) This thought should always be uppermost in your mind: 'Whatever I do today, Lord, whether in thought, word or deed, let it honor You.' People should be able to look at your life and want to become acquainted with the One you serve. (3) 'Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.' (Matthew 6:10 NKJV) Each time you choose to say no to yourself and yes to God's will, you demonstrate to a watching world what it means to live as a citizen of His Kingdom. Note the words, 'as it is in Heaven.' Is anyone in Heaven fearful or doubting? Stubborn or disobedient? Critical or negative? When the enemy brings something to your door that's contrary to God's will, you have the authority to rise up and say, 'If it's not done and approved in Heaven it has no place in my life here on earth.' When it comes to disobedience, refuse to accept the package and sign the receipt. The one thing Satan hopes you never discover is that you have the God-given authority to restrict his movements in your life.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

JULY 25, 2014. READ GOD'S WORD-EVERY DAY

FRIDAY JULY 25, 2014.

'...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' Romans 10:17 NKJV

Read God's Word-Every Day

If you are wise, when God talks you'll listen. And He will talk to you through the Bible. The reason the Bible has outsold every other book is because it is God's Word on the issue. It takes approximately 56 hours for most people to read the Bible through. If you read 40 chapters a day you would complete the Bible within a month. If you read nine chapters of the New Testament each day you would complete it within 30 days. But you must read it systematically, regularly, and expectantly. (If you use our Soul Food reading plan you will read your Bible in one year!) When Satan attacked Him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted the Scriptures to him. That's why the Psalmist said, 'Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.' (Psalm 119:11 NKJV) The book of Proverbs has thirty-one chapters. Here's an idea: since there are thirty-one days in most months, why not read a chapter in this wisdom book every day. Can you imagine what you'd learn? The Word of God will build your faith. 'Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' Your faith grows when you hear God speak, and it works when you do what He says. If you struggle to lead a victorious Christian life, read these words carefully: 'How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.' (Psalm 119:9 NKJV) The solution to every problem you face is contained in Scripture. To be wise you must study it. To be strong in faith you must believe it. To be successful in life you must practice it.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

http://www.wordalive.org/sabbath/