We have learned the importance of determining goals. We should also be sure to establish them with God’s guidance, rather than devising them on our own and expecting Him to bless our efforts. Our success will be determined by our dependence upon the Lord. If we set out to accomplish anything in our own strength—even a godly task—we will fail.
Other factors can also help us achieve an objective. A consuming passion, for example, can provide motivation and prevent discouragement. In addition, we should have confidence to reach the goal, knowing that the Lord will equip us for every task He assigns. Think back to David, the shepherd boy: he seemed like no match for Goliath, but God prepared him through his experience in protecting sheep from dangerous animals.
Planning a step-by-step course of action will also help us to be successful—a calendar is useful in setting up deadlines for each part of the plan. And two more things we need are courage and consistency. Fear of failure and the opinion of others can be paralyzing. But courage comes from reading God’s Word, praying, and turning a deaf ear to negativism. Then, consistency will keep our eye on the goal so we will not deviate from it.
You can continue to live as before, or you can find out what God plans to do in your life. Is He leading you toward a specific goal? Remember, the Lord is all-powerful. If you employ these principles, you’ll experience His ability to do mighty things and accomplish His divine objectives for you. READ Isaiah 41:10
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER1
DAWN
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Speaking Through Failure
Probably the most painful and least desired ways that God gets our attention is through failure. After all, nobody likes to fail. However, this is often the best way for God to get through to us.
Pride is something that can absolutely block your communication with God. It is one of the few things that Scripture clearly says the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-17; 8:13; 16:5). So, if there is pride in your life, God knows exactly what you need: a good dose of failure.
And that is what happened to Israel in Joshua 7. The new nation had just won a mighty victory in Jericho and, as a result, had become rather prideful. Considering themselves invulnerable after taking such a powerful city, they allowed faithlessness and disobedience to creep into their attitudes.
In arrogance, Israel ignored God’s battle plan for the little city of Ai—the soldiers were certain that they could take the small town on their own. But they were wrong. God denied them this victory, and the few men of Ai drove them back in a humiliating defeat. God had blessed Israel with a shocking victory over Jericho, but He now needed to get their attention in another way. And you can be sure that God still speaks to us through failure when it becomes necessary.
If failure today can lead to great success tomorrow, isn’t the setback worth it?
When unexpected failure occurs, be sure to check your response. Don’t just say, “Well, I blew it.” Instead, agree with God that “I messed up pretty badly.” But then ask, “Lord, what are You trying to tell me in this?” READ Proverbs 21:4
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Pride is something that can absolutely block your communication with God. It is one of the few things that Scripture clearly says the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-17; 8:13; 16:5). So, if there is pride in your life, God knows exactly what you need: a good dose of failure.
And that is what happened to Israel in Joshua 7. The new nation had just won a mighty victory in Jericho and, as a result, had become rather prideful. Considering themselves invulnerable after taking such a powerful city, they allowed faithlessness and disobedience to creep into their attitudes.
In arrogance, Israel ignored God’s battle plan for the little city of Ai—the soldiers were certain that they could take the small town on their own. But they were wrong. God denied them this victory, and the few men of Ai drove them back in a humiliating defeat. God had blessed Israel with a shocking victory over Jericho, but He now needed to get their attention in another way. And you can be sure that God still speaks to us through failure when it becomes necessary.
If failure today can lead to great success tomorrow, isn’t the setback worth it?
When unexpected failure occurs, be sure to check your response. Don’t just say, “Well, I blew it.” Instead, agree with God that “I messed up pretty badly.” But then ask, “Lord, what are You trying to tell me in this?” READ Proverbs 21:4
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Seeking God Through Prayer
1Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the (A)Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in (B)Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi)." 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and (C)turned his attention to seek the LORD, and (D)proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2Chron. 20:1-3 (NASB)
During the reign of Jehoshaphat, a vast army assembled to attack the nation of Judah. His response to the situation can guide us in handling our own crises. The Bible records that the king "turned his attention to seek the Lord" in prayer (v. 3). Likewise, when we face hardship, our best response is to cry out to our heavenly Father. As God’s children, we can be certain that He loves us and cares about the details of our lives. Through the cross, He established a new
covenant for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:20)—He agreed to forgive our sins, adopt us into His family, and watch over us. This salvation does not depend upon our good actions but upon the completed work of Jesus, who died in our place (Eph. 2:8). God also sent His Spirit to live in us as proof of our salvation and to be ever-present with us. He is interested in every aspect of our lives and promises to hear our prayers.
Jehoshaphat was ready for this crisis because he had developed the habit of seeking the Lord in various situations (2 Chron. 19:3). If we want to be prepared for the unexpected, then we must discipline ourselves to seek God every day, acknowledging His Lordship and our dependence upon Him. By examining our habits and thought life, we can know whether our attention is on the Lord or other things. If we start our day thinking about Him instead of our own plans, and regularly read and apply Scripture, then we demonstrate a heart that is pursuing Him.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in (B)Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi)." 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and (C)turned his attention to seek the LORD, and (D)proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2Chron. 20:1-3 (NASB)
During the reign of Jehoshaphat, a vast army assembled to attack the nation of Judah. His response to the situation can guide us in handling our own crises. The Bible records that the king "turned his attention to seek the Lord" in prayer (v. 3). Likewise, when we face hardship, our best response is to cry out to our heavenly Father. As God’s children, we can be certain that He loves us and cares about the details of our lives. Through the cross, He established a new
covenant for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:20)—He agreed to forgive our sins, adopt us into His family, and watch over us. This salvation does not depend upon our good actions but upon the completed work of Jesus, who died in our place (Eph. 2:8). God also sent His Spirit to live in us as proof of our salvation and to be ever-present with us. He is interested in every aspect of our lives and promises to hear our prayers.
Jehoshaphat was ready for this crisis because he had developed the habit of seeking the Lord in various situations (2 Chron. 19:3). If we want to be prepared for the unexpected, then we must discipline ourselves to seek God every day, acknowledging His Lordship and our dependence upon Him. By examining our habits and thought life, we can know whether our attention is on the Lord or other things. If we start our day thinking about Him instead of our own plans, and regularly read and apply Scripture, then we demonstrate a heart that is pursuing Him.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Monday, October 5, 2009
Run to Obey
Obeying God is a phenomenal thing.
You know you're talking to a baby Christian when you hear things like, "The Bible says to do . . . what? That just doesn't make sense to me," and "Isn't that a little crazy?" When someone new to Christ hears a call that demands him or her to go against the natural human tendency to protect or promote self, the person will sometimes react.
Not so for someone who has walked with God for a long time. We know that every step forward is a step of faith. Obedience to God is not a burden. And once you've done it a few times, you realize how awesome God's program is.
Every time I do what God wants me to do - I get blessed. Every time I humble myself and ask for forgiveness or reach out in relationship or deny my flesh or give to the Lord's work or make the choice to serve or open my mouth and speak for God - I get blessed! Every time! Obeying God always makes things better, even when it's hard. Even when the good outcome takes a while.
The more you get to know the Lord, the more you realize that everything He asks of you is for your good. I'm thinking right now of that amazing pronouncement in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." When you get that panorama perspective of life, then obeying God today is not a burden; it's a joy.
Things will always work out for good when I obey God. If I could live my life over again, I wouldn't go back on any of my obedience choices, but I'd go back to some disobedience choices and change them in a hurry.
Today I purpose to obey the first time, every time. Let’s be like David who said, "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!"
"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." - Psalm 119:32-35
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
You know you're talking to a baby Christian when you hear things like, "The Bible says to do . . . what? That just doesn't make sense to me," and "Isn't that a little crazy?" When someone new to Christ hears a call that demands him or her to go against the natural human tendency to protect or promote self, the person will sometimes react.
Not so for someone who has walked with God for a long time. We know that every step forward is a step of faith. Obedience to God is not a burden. And once you've done it a few times, you realize how awesome God's program is.
Every time I do what God wants me to do - I get blessed. Every time I humble myself and ask for forgiveness or reach out in relationship or deny my flesh or give to the Lord's work or make the choice to serve or open my mouth and speak for God - I get blessed! Every time! Obeying God always makes things better, even when it's hard. Even when the good outcome takes a while.
The more you get to know the Lord, the more you realize that everything He asks of you is for your good. I'm thinking right now of that amazing pronouncement in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." When you get that panorama perspective of life, then obeying God today is not a burden; it's a joy.
Things will always work out for good when I obey God. If I could live my life over again, I wouldn't go back on any of my obedience choices, but I'd go back to some disobedience choices and change them in a hurry.
Today I purpose to obey the first time, every time. Let’s be like David who said, "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!"
"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." - Psalm 119:32-35
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Saturday, October 3, 2009
THE MEASURE OF LOVE
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:9-17 (NKJV)
On October 2, 1954, First Lieutenant James O. Conway was taking off from Boston Logan Airport, flying a plane that carried a load of munitions. When his plane became airborne, he suddenly lost power over Boston’s bay. In an instant, Conway faced a brutal choice—eject from the plane and save his own life, or crash the plane into the bay causing his own death.
If he ejected, however, the plane would crash into an East Boston neighborhood filled with homes and families. Amazingly, Conway chose to crash the plane into the bay—giving his life for the lives of others.
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others shows a heart that cares more about the needs of others than the needs of one’s self. Someone once said that “the measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it.” God the Father loved so much that He gave up His Son. Christ loved so much that He gave up His life—even taking our sins on Himself and dying in our place.
The measure of God’s love for you is great. Have you accepted His love personally? — Bill Crowder
When Jesus gave His life for me,Enduring all the agony Upon the cross of Calvary,He showed the love of God. —Sper
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Christ.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
John 15:9-17 (NKJV)
On October 2, 1954, First Lieutenant James O. Conway was taking off from Boston Logan Airport, flying a plane that carried a load of munitions. When his plane became airborne, he suddenly lost power over Boston’s bay. In an instant, Conway faced a brutal choice—eject from the plane and save his own life, or crash the plane into the bay causing his own death.
If he ejected, however, the plane would crash into an East Boston neighborhood filled with homes and families. Amazingly, Conway chose to crash the plane into the bay—giving his life for the lives of others.
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others shows a heart that cares more about the needs of others than the needs of one’s self. Someone once said that “the measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it.” God the Father loved so much that He gave up His Son. Christ loved so much that He gave up His life—even taking our sins on Himself and dying in our place.
The measure of God’s love for you is great. Have you accepted His love personally? — Bill Crowder
When Jesus gave His life for me,Enduring all the agony Upon the cross of Calvary,He showed the love of God. —Sper
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Christ.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Friday, October 2, 2009
Confronting Goliaths
David’s short battle with Goliath was more than a fight between Israel and the Philistines. It was a defense of Jehovah’s name against those who doubted His supremacy. As David pointed out, the only way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior like Goliath was by the Lord’s hand. And that’s exactly what happened.
In confronting Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults. Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.
Modern audiences often read this story merely as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient superhero. We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for God. Given how our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in David’s sandals. The question is whether we will turn and run or stand and fight in God’s name.
You don’t need a theology degree to combat those who would mock God. Your “smooth stones” (v. 40) are the truths you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against Scripture. Whatever the outcome seems to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives victory to the faithful. READ 1 Samuel 17:1-53
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
In confronting Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults. Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.
Modern audiences often read this story merely as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient superhero. We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for God. Given how our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in David’s sandals. The question is whether we will turn and run or stand and fight in God’s name.
You don’t need a theology degree to combat those who would mock God. Your “smooth stones” (v. 40) are the truths you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against Scripture. Whatever the outcome seems to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives victory to the faithful. READ 1 Samuel 17:1-53
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Most all Christians go through some sort of spiritual warfare in life. The intensity of an attack can temp us to run and hide in fear. Jesus faced several incidents of spiritual warfare during His earthly ministry, such as His encounter with the devil in the wilderness.
Before His ascension into heaven, He descended into hell, took the keys out from Satan's hand, and set captivity free. So why are some of us running in fear from a devil that doesn't even have the keys to his house any more?
The kind of spiritual battles that often attack us can be compared to a mouse that creeps into the tiny openings of our homes, sniffing and sneaking around the house while it is dark and we are sleeping. The slightest crack or crevice can invite an occasional mouse family into the
house. You can feel their horrifying uncomfortable presence that leaves you feeling uneasy and insecure.
Spiritual warfare is like fighting a nasty breed of mice that have invaded the peace of your home. All it takes is just one little mouse to infiltrate your safe haven and set up camp. Their filthy droppings provide a sickening stench that signals its partners who can smell the scent. They ravage your food pantry and release nasty droppings as evidence they've been there.
The mouse is the devil and the droppings are the stench of his contaminating foul presence. It's the odor of sin. The house could be your literal house, your family environment, your work environment, or even your own human vessel. Whatever way to apply the message, you decide.
In other words, you have to be careful not to give any place for the devil to creep into your house. Any tiny opening, one slight act of sin, a night spent in adultery, a quick hit of crack, or a gossiping tongue, can tear a hole in your soul that leads to contamination and hinders your relationship with God. In some cases, you may not be the guilty party leaving the doors open, but what about the other people you let into your life?
Are they opening up doors of negativity, bad influences, disobedience, and ungodly behaviors? If you can catch someone's contagious cold, you can catch the stench of their droppings. Their sin can rub off on you simply by association.
The interesting point is that a mouse doesn't go into a house that doesn't have any food. That means if you are under spiritual warfare, the devil knows your value. He has no need to attack his own. Don't back down in fear, and don't backslide, but recognize that your value is what's taking you to the next level of your destiny. God doesn't consult your past to decide your future. He want only the best to come out of you.
You have to sweep your house clean to get the mouse out. Serious warfare warrants a tough repellant to eradicate the enemy. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" So pull out the big guns and shoot from the Word of God, "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy. Spiritual warfare may not always be caused by a source within your physical or spiritual house, but if it is, slam shut every door of sin that enters through the eye gate, the ear gate, the mouth and the mind. Seal up every crack of iniquity to stop the infestation.
Jesus gives us an illustration pertaining to an unclean spirit that was cast out of the house. The demon stated, "I will return to my house from which I come," The devil will try you, and test you, even after you do some house cleaning.
The truth is, once your house is swept clean and completely taken over by the Holy Spirit, you will never have a mouse in your house again.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Before His ascension into heaven, He descended into hell, took the keys out from Satan's hand, and set captivity free. So why are some of us running in fear from a devil that doesn't even have the keys to his house any more?
The kind of spiritual battles that often attack us can be compared to a mouse that creeps into the tiny openings of our homes, sniffing and sneaking around the house while it is dark and we are sleeping. The slightest crack or crevice can invite an occasional mouse family into the
house. You can feel their horrifying uncomfortable presence that leaves you feeling uneasy and insecure.
Spiritual warfare is like fighting a nasty breed of mice that have invaded the peace of your home. All it takes is just one little mouse to infiltrate your safe haven and set up camp. Their filthy droppings provide a sickening stench that signals its partners who can smell the scent. They ravage your food pantry and release nasty droppings as evidence they've been there.
The mouse is the devil and the droppings are the stench of his contaminating foul presence. It's the odor of sin. The house could be your literal house, your family environment, your work environment, or even your own human vessel. Whatever way to apply the message, you decide.
In other words, you have to be careful not to give any place for the devil to creep into your house. Any tiny opening, one slight act of sin, a night spent in adultery, a quick hit of crack, or a gossiping tongue, can tear a hole in your soul that leads to contamination and hinders your relationship with God. In some cases, you may not be the guilty party leaving the doors open, but what about the other people you let into your life?
Are they opening up doors of negativity, bad influences, disobedience, and ungodly behaviors? If you can catch someone's contagious cold, you can catch the stench of their droppings. Their sin can rub off on you simply by association.
The interesting point is that a mouse doesn't go into a house that doesn't have any food. That means if you are under spiritual warfare, the devil knows your value. He has no need to attack his own. Don't back down in fear, and don't backslide, but recognize that your value is what's taking you to the next level of your destiny. God doesn't consult your past to decide your future. He want only the best to come out of you.
You have to sweep your house clean to get the mouse out. Serious warfare warrants a tough repellant to eradicate the enemy. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" So pull out the big guns and shoot from the Word of God, "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy. Spiritual warfare may not always be caused by a source within your physical or spiritual house, but if it is, slam shut every door of sin that enters through the eye gate, the ear gate, the mouth and the mind. Seal up every crack of iniquity to stop the infestation.
Jesus gives us an illustration pertaining to an unclean spirit that was cast out of the house. The demon stated, "I will return to my house from which I come," The devil will try you, and test you, even after you do some house cleaning.
The truth is, once your house is swept clean and completely taken over by the Holy Spirit, you will never have a mouse in your house again.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
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