Power source system

Power source system

I Cor. 12: 7

But to each one [as Christ-followers]

is given the manifestation of the Spirit [able to see, know and understand the character and works of the Holy Spirit]

for the profit withal [common good of all for unity and edification].

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Pray the Word:
Lord, sometimes we want to boast about ourselves and everything we do for You, but we know that all we  can do is connect the power source of the Holy Spirit  if we want any results. You’ve given us the Holy Spirit to profit someone else, not ourselves. Every gift of the Spirit that flows through us is only looking for a channel to bless someone else.  Help me to be on guard to decrease so I can be a channel of Your blessing to minister to others today!

Heart-rendering position

Heart-rendering position

Joel 2: 13

REND [pull apart by grief] YOUR HEARTS [expression of inner repentance]

and not your garments [an outward expression of grief]

and return to the Lord, your God,

for He is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger,

and abounding in loving-kindness;

and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, it's more gratifying to our flesh to rend our 'garments' [be centered

on the outward emotions & circumstances] than to render our hearts [where

the deep, secret grief is personally experienced]. Most times, I don't 'want

to go there' because it hurts too bad. . . . but, I know that's where the

soul moving work of the Holy Spirit is experienced & healing is found.

Deny myself – what . . .? ? ? ?

Deny myself – what . . .? ? ? ? 

Matt. 16: 24 – 25

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him DENY HIMSELF [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and TAKE UP HIS CROSS and FOLLOW ME [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. ------------------------ Pray the word: Lord, You have presented us with the conditions of being followers of Jesus Christ . . . . LET HIM DENY HIMSELF [prepared to say "no" to many of the strongest cravings of our nature of earthly ease, comfort, dignity, and glory]. .  AND . . . .  TAKE UP HIS CROSS [symbol of doing our duty, even at the cost of the most painful death] . . . AND. . . .  FOLLOW ME [take You for our master, our teacher, our example; to believe Your doctrines, to uphold Your cause, to obey Your precepts, and to do it though it leads to heaven by way of the cross]. I will rely on Your grace and power as I am determined to dig deep every day to fulfill this.

What remains . . . . wheat or chaff?

What remains . . . . wheat or chaff?

Lk. 22: 31 - 32

Simon, Simon (Peter), [ listen! ]

Satan has asked [excessively] that you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God],
that he might sift [shake and agitate] you like wheat.

[Grain was agitated or shaken in a kind of fan or sieve. The grain / seed remained in the fan, and the chaff (the worthless husk) and dust were thrown off.],

-------------------------- Pray the Word: Lord, it is relatively unimportant to Satan whether we are healthy or sick, rich or poor; what he wants is to sift out our faith. And, we‘re in as much jeopardy as Peter was as Satan desires to shake and agitate us with trials and temptations to see whether or not anything of faith will remain, or whether there’s too much chaff [worthless and useless effort outside of faith]. We ask for Your protection and divine power as we stand strong through the sifting process!

SHOUT your wall down!

SHOUT your wall down!

Josh. 6: 20

[After walking around the city of Jericho for 6 days in silence – on the 7^th day they walked around the city 7 times - AND after the 7^th time around, in obedience to what God had commanded them . . .]

So the people SHOUTED [called out loudly],

and the trumpets were blown [announcing the presence of God].

When the people heard the sound of the trumpet,

they raised a GREAT SHOUT [yelled],

and [Jericho's] wall fell down in its place [crumble upon its foundations],
 

so that the [Israelites] went up into the city,

every man straight before him,

and they took [gained possession] the city.
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Pray the Word:Lord, we’ve walked around our ‘Jericho’ that ‘s in our way to the victory You have promised us pretty much in silence throughout our lives. Now, in faith, as You have given us the command to shout – for You are with us! – we raise our voice in triumph over all that stands in our way victory! ! ! !

More than just a ‘good book’ . . .

More than just a ‘good book’ . . .

II Tim. 3: 16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed],

and profitable [valuable] for DOCTRINE [teaching & instruction of the will of God],

for REPROOF [convincing of Truth & convicting of error],

for CORRECTION [restoring things to their proper uses and places, correcting false notions and mistaken views],

for INSTRUCTION [communicating knowledge] in righteousness [holy living, conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, most love to skim through Your Word and read it’s incredible stories, inspiring psalms and awesome revelations of a ’better place’ in the future for them . . . . . . but, to read it for the actual purpose of being reproved, corrected, and taught Your will and Your way is another thing – albeit, the most important! This can be uncomfortable at times and, at other times, it is exhilarating!

Change carriers!

Change carriers!

Is. 53: 4

Surely [without a doubt] He has BORNE [took on His shoulders] our griefs [sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses]

and CARRIED [lifted & bore the weight] our sorrows [depression] and pains [of guilt],

yet we [ignorantly & mistakenly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if suffering on account of His own sins instead of suffering for the sins of others].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, why do we inadvertently continue to carry our own sorrows when You have removed the burden from our shoulders and have placed them on Your own? Just as You carried our sin to the Cross and put it away, You open Your arms and urge us to roll-off the burdens we are carrying onto Your shoulders. This is the level of trust and peace I want to be able to daily live in.

What’s your motive?

What’s your motive?

I Cor. 13:3

Even if [despite the fact that] I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food,

and if [despite the fact that] I surrender my body to be burned [in order that I may boast],

but have not love (coming from God's love in me),

I gain [profited or helped] nothing [results in no satisfaction, advancement, success or respect] .
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Pray the Word:Lord, I want whatever I speak, whatever I have, whatever I know, whatever I do, whatever I suffer, to count for something. . . . not for me. . . . but for You!

Tower of Refuge

Tower of Refuge

 

Ps. 9: 9 – 10

The Lord also will be a REFUGE and a HIGH TOWER [a place where your enemy cannot reach you] for the oppressed [crushed, broken, dejected, afflicted and unhappy],

a REFUGE and a STRONGHOLD in times of trouble [destitution and desperation].

And THEY WHO KNOW YOUR NAME [who have experienced Your mercy and grace]

will lean on and confidently put their TRUST IN YOU,

for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek [inquire of and for] You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, can we even count the times have we had to run for our lives to You to find safety from Satan, who was literally crushing us in both body & soul? In Your sacred refuge, we know we are safe and will find direction, guidance & power to once again be Overcomers!

True World Hunger

True World Hunger

 
Amos 8: 11

Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God,

when I will send a FAMINE [short supply] in the land,

not a FAMINE [short supply] of bread, nor a thirst for water,

but [a FAMINE - short supply] for HEARING the WORDS of the Lord.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we know YOUR WORDS are still available, but it’s rare that those WORDS are really HEARD. . . . This is THE FAMINE. . . . HEARING is in short supply because it’s far more than just being aware of words or concepts – it’s focusing careful attention to what’s been said that ends in obedience. Today, we open our ears to HEAR Your WORD and ask to be fed right in the middle of the FAMINE.

What’s got you all stirred up?

What’s got you all stirred up?

II Pet. 1: 13

I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle [our fleshly body],

to STIR YOU UP  by way of REMEMBERANCE [pull back the curtain of your memory].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, it’s easy in our weariness of facing the pressures of life to soon forget how You have brought us through difficulties over & over - time & time again! Don’t let us be overcome in our weariness & say, ‘What's the use?  I give up.’ STIR US UP by pulling back the curtain of our memory to remind us of all You have done for us and that what’s happening now is intended by You to prepare us for what’s to come.

Hey . . I’m talking to you!

Hey . .  I’m talking to you!

Jn. 6: 63

It is the spirit [the inner man of perception] that quickeneth [restores to life];

the flesh [bodily desires & emotions] profiteth nothing: [conveys no benefit whatever]

the WORDS THAT I SPEAK TO YOU,

THEY ARE SPIRIT [give perception],

and THEY ARE LIFE [life-giving].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, it has taken awhile to learn why those ‘breakthroughs’ we were looking for seemed to be so elusive at times. Until I learned to pray Your Words [that are Truth & are Alive], my prayers were only meaningless words. Now I know where the hope I need to keep going & the guidance and directions I need for my ‘breakthroughs’ are revealed. . .  Your Words.

What’s your opinion?

What’s your opinion?

 

Prov. 18: 2

A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding [getting sound information and knowledge to base his thoughts on]
but only in revealing his PERSONAL OPINIONS [which exposes his true self].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, how easy (and self-gratifying) it is to evaluate, critique and  pick apart people and ideas–to be quick to form and give our opinions on various issues – only to later look like a fool because we really did not know what we are talking about.  Sadly, it has happened to me more times than I would like to admit. I’m working on watching myself to be "slow to speak and quick to hear" so that I can avoid having to go back and clean up the mess I made. And, by the way . . .  Lord, I need help handling others who do the same :)

J

Wide Awake

Wide Awake

Lk. 21: 36

KEEP AWAKE [alert] and WATCH AT ALL TIMES  [be cautious, pay special attention, and be ready],

praying that you may have the full strength [power] and ability [capability]

and be accounted worthy [have the honor and to be fitted or prepared] to escape all these things that will take place,

and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, this message seems to not be an admonition to watch world events so that we will know when You will return. . . . instead, it’s an instruction to stay SPIRITUALLY AWAKE and  WATCH OURSELVES [vs.34] so that we will find ourselves prepared when the end comes. I ask You for the keen awareness I need each day to not be distracted by circumstances & responsibilities of this life that I lack in preparing for the next life!

Added Ingredients Needed

Added Ingredients Needed

II Pet. 1: 5 – 7

For this very reason [because of God’s divine promises/blessings/privileges],

add your diligence [your carefulness] to make every effort in exercising your FAITH to develop VIRTUE [excellence & courage],

and in exercising virtue develop KNOWLEDGE [understanding],

and in exercising knowledge develop SELF-CONTROL [will power & discipline],

and in exercising self-control develop STEADFASTNESS (patience, endurance),

and in exercising steadfastness develop GODLINESS (holiness),

and in exercising godliness develop BROTHERLY [loyal] KINDNESS [compassion & thoughtfulness] ,

and in exercising brotherly kindness develop God-like LOVE.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, side by side with Your gift of precious promises, blessings & privileges;  we are to do our part by being diligent in our faith to apply ourselves to developing good character. I want to develop the COURAGE of DAVID; the KNOWLEDGE of SOLOMON;  the PATIENCE of JOB; the GODLINESS of DANIEL; the BROTHERLY KINDNESS of JONATHAN; and the LOVE of JOHN. Whew . . .  that’s a lot to go for – but, that ‘s my goal!

Show your ID, please!

Show your ID, please!

Titus 3: 1 – 2

REMIND PEOPLE

to be submissive to their magistrates [those in charge] and authorities [those who have the power to determine] ,

to be obedient [willing],

to be prepared to do any upright and honorable work,

To speak evil of no one [defame, criticize, insult]

to avoid being contentious [argumentative],

to be forbearing (compliant, calm, and peace-making),

and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody.

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Pray the Word:

 Lord, we’ve always heard that ‘your PERSONALITY is what people think you are and your CHARACTER is what you really are’. Have others turned away from me when my CHARACTER was revealed during a tense situation?  Please forgive me for allowing my PERSONALITY to be my priority – I will focus on building my CHARACTER

Full Coverage Policy

Full Coverage Policy

Is. 43:2
When you pass through the WATERS [overpowering  circumstances],
I will be with you,

and [when you pass] through the RIVERS [uncontrollable conditions] , they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the FIRE [disastrous tragedy] ,
you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the FLAME [effects of the fire] kindle upon you.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, what an incredible guarantee of SECURITY You’ve given to us! . . . . We have more than just a  ‘fire insurance policy’ [escaping the flames of Hell], but we have a FULL COVERAGE POLICY through the power of The Cross that will take us safely through [from the beginning to the end] the overpowering circumstances & uncontrollable conditions & even disastrous tragedies of this life.

Silence is Deafening

Silence is Deafening

Psalm 22: 2

O my God,
I cry in the daytime,
but YOU ANSWER NOT;

and by night [I cry ]
I am not silent or find no rest.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, there’s been those times that we’ve earnestly sought You for an answer for guidance or help, but in return we only sensed Your silence. This silence can be difficult, frustrating even excruciating.  But, just because You are silent, it doesn't mean we doubt You or stop praying. Your silence isn't a license for us to turn our backs on You. Instead, it's an invitation for us to press forward and seek You even more diligently while we are listening to the sounds of Your silence and are trusting.

Too Salty?

Too Salty?

James 3: 10 - 11

Out of the same MOUTH comes forth [gushes out] blessing [one time] and cursing [another time].

These things, my brethren, ought not to be so [shouldn’t  keep on happening].

Does a fountain send forth [at the same time] from the same opening sweet [fresh water] and bitter [salty water]?

[These are all contradictions, and indeed impossibilities, in nature.]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, this is letting me know that such things as this is impossible to happen in nature, yet it only happens with us [as humans] who has the capacity to be sweet & gracious on one hand and on the other hand be bitter & cruel.  Help me to be more aware of this inconsistency in my life and, by Your help and grace, I will not let this happen

Weeping Willows

Weeping Willows

Ps. 137: 1 - 2

By the rivers of Babylon [enemy territory], there we [as captives] sat down [gave up hope],

yes, WE WEPT [our emotions overpowered us] when we REMEMBERED ZION [the city of our God imprinted on our hearts].

On the WILLOW TREES in the midst [of enemy territory] we HUNG OUR HARPS [once used to accompany the songs of praise and the service of God].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, there are times we, too, feel like we’re trapped in the middle of enemy territory with no way out. We want to just go & sit down in our misery & cry. We seem to have lost our song & have HUNG OUR HARPS on the willow tree [of weeping].  How quick we are to soon forget that no matter where we find ourselves – You are there! . . . and we have a song to sing! Let’s get our harps of praise back in our hands today and let’s sing again!

What You Remember . . . .

What You Remember . . . .

Mk. 14: 72

And at once for the second time a cock crowed.

And Peter REMEMBERED how Jesus said to him,

Before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times.

And having put his thought upon it [and REMEMBERING], he broke down and wept aloud and lamented.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, how easy it is to forget who we are and to Whom we belong. The daily rush of living our lives can easily cause us to lose ourselves, which will lead us to lose our cause & purpose, our heritage, our ability to focus on the tasks at hand, and, even, lose our relationship with You. Help me to constantly REMEMBER my daily assurance of living life successfully is the fact that I am Your child & to never let it go!

To die for LOVE!

To die for LOVE!

Rom. 5: 7 -8

Now it is an EXTRAORDINARY thing for one TO GIVE HIS LIFE even for a righteous [moral, upright] man [who is distinguished for his integrity of conduct],

though perhaps [maybe] for a good man, [whose life is given to the public good] someone MIGHT EVEN DARE [have the courage] TO DIE.

BUT………. God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners [standing powerless in our guilt before God with no way to appeal for vindication]

CHRIST (the Messiah, the Anointed One) DIED FOR US. [took our place to save us from eternal separation from God].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, with every word we read, it increases what an EXTRAORDINARY ACT OF LOVE it was that You give up Your Son to suffer & die for us! There is nothing amiable in our life or conduct that would so endear You to any of us as to induce Christ to give his life [die] to save such as we are. There’s no work that we’ve accomplished, nor can we plead before You any good that we’ve done . . . . . we can only let the Blood of Christ speak for us!

Feeling Faint?

Feeling Faint?

Ps. 27: 13

I had FAINTED, [what would have become of me]

UNLESS I HAD BELIEVED [in the midst of my troubles]

that I would see [experience] 

the goodness of the LORD [providing both to the physical and the spiritual] 

in the land of the living. [now! In this world]. 

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Pray the Word:

Lord, even the best of us are inclined to FAINT when troubles become so greivous & tedious, that it begins to overwhelm us. . . . . But, then, FAITH rises up in our soul . .  assuring us that we have a HOPE & we need not faint under our burdens, feeling there's no relief. Oh, how can we thank You enough for Your love, mercy & constant presence in our time of need.

Your Loudspeaker

Your Loudspeaker

Eccl. 5: 6

Do not allow your MOUTH to CAUSE [to start into motion] the BODY to SIN,
and DO NOT SAY before the angel, that IT WAS AN ERROR or MISTAKE.
Why should God be [made] angry at your voice [with your excuses]
and destroy the work of your hands?

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 Pray the Word:

Lord, it’s an understatement to say that it’s our mouth that causes us the most trouble. To learn to keep our mouth under control and not let words fly out from it that we should have kept to ourselves. . .  is a daily task! ! ! Help me to be able to keep quiet when I need to and not utter anything rash, foolish, hurtful or unnecessary.

A Passionate Plea!

A Passionate Plea!

Matt. 11: 28

Come to Me,

ALL YOU WHO LABOR [overdo]
and are HEAVY-LADEN [very tired & troubled]
and OVERBURDENED [too much weight on your shoulders],

and I [Jesus, Who alone took on the weight of this world for you]
will CAUSE YOU to REST.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, . . .  we’re all searching frantically for some REST! We’re a ‘tired’ generation of people. Our lives, all too often, has brought us stress & frustration that exhausts us mentally, emotionally & physically. We find ourselves tired & troubled from the constant weight on our shoulders.

But . . . .  You are pleading with us to keep coming to You daily for the REST we are looking for. . . . that REST where we feel so sheltered in Your love & and are resting in the natural rhythm of Your grace of unearned favor granted to us out of Your goodwill, rather than from justice we deserve, that though the storm all around us be raging . . . we have peace & REST! 

Troubled, troubled, troubled. . .

Troubled, troubled, troubled. . .

John 14: 1

DO NOT let [ allow or permit] your hearts [your mind, will & emotions] be troubled [disturbing your mental calm and contentment with anxiety].

[how? ? ?]
You [your choice] believe in [hold fast to, trust in and rely] on God;

[You] believe in [hold fast to, trust in and rely] also on Me [Jesus Christ].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, the bottom line of how I handle the things that trouble me is . . . .’do I trust You?’ . . . My answer is ‘yes’, I trust You. You’ve never failed me! You’ve proved Yourself to me over & over as Your unchanging Word has been my guide through troublesome times & has held me up when I thought I would fall.  Yet, today I pray for grace to trust You more.

Can you walk a straight line?

Can you walk a straight line?

Prov. 4: 25 – 27

Let YOUR EYES look right on [with fixed purpose],
and let YOUR GAZE be straight before you.

Consider [in order to make a decision] well the path of YOUR FEET,
and let all YOUR WAYS be established and ordered in a correct way.

Turn not aside to THE RIGHT HAND or to THE LEFT [keep focused];
remove YOUR FOOT from evil.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, every day there are distractions (some small & others devastating), that are intended to strip our focus from those things that You have given us to pursue.  First, I’m asking Your for the wisdom to recognize more quickly that these distractions are to redirect my attention away from what You want me centered on AND, next, I ask for power through Your Holy Spirit to not become involved in insensitive, hasty, careless, and destructive actions that will only delay the pursuit of those things You have in & for my life.

What’s in your Book of Remembrance?

What’s in your Book of Remembrance?

Malachi 3: 16
Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another;
AND the Lord listened and heard it,

AND a BOOK of REMEMBRANCE was written before Him

of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord
and who thought on [giving mental attention to] His name [the reputation of who God is & the power of what God is].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, since You’re listening to us as we talk to one another AND writing it down in Your BOOK of Remembrance . . . . well now, that makes me stop & think ‘what have I been saying? ? ?’. Lord, I want no regrets when You open my Book.