Welcome!  Blessings!!!

This devotion takes me back to when I was a young child and I would hear the older Christians testify, “I’m living to live again!”  I look at the church today and see such a stark contrast.  It seems that Christians are living to enjoy the present moment as if there’s no eternity.  Blessings are defined and understood to be whatever material excess is received for their own selves.  Life, for them, indeed consists of the things that they get (and God forbid lose).  They are not primed, prepped or conditioned for anything else or anything more.  They have become a slave to lesser things and are complacent in that pitiful state.  They don’t even realize that they have received this corrupt notion and justification in exchange for their soul.  According to the word that Jesus preached in the gospels, these are the ones who are losing out (John 12:25 – He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal). 

There’s a hymn that says ‘I’m naturalized for Heaven now.’  Since we’ve been born again, we love not our lives but seek the life of Christ for our prized possession.  If ye are dead & your life is hid with Christ in God and if ye then be risen with Christ, you will seek those things which are above  (Colossians 3:1-3).

Revelation 12:

10 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ:  for the accuser of our brethern is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Let me give my testimony,

How I’ve overcome;

Where the blood of Jesus Christ

Has saved and brought me from!

Come taste of this victory:

You’ll know the reason why,

It’s something valued more than life

For which I’d gladly die.

Phillippians

1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3:7 – But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

3:8 – Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

1:23 – For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

Be So Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

Today’s devotion is so fitting for today (& every day) but especially today.  There are many people paying homage to the devil without a thought or care.  As Christians, when we decide to proceed with something according to our own instincts and do not heed the Lord’s instructions, do not seek the Lord or search His Word for His counsel, the mystery of iniquity has already begun to work (2 Thessalonians 2:7) and its finishing touch and end result is death (James 1:15).  I caution you to consider this:  Adam & Eve died, but they did not drop dead.  In fact, it seemed that what Satan had told them about God’s warning being an exaggerated scare tactic was true.

When a person becomes has heard God’s voice, knows His commands but has grown cold and indifferent, they are in a critical spiritual condition.  When they know better but become unmoved by sin and take it “lying down,” like they’re unconscious, they are on a spiritual deathwatch.  Satan really needs to do nothing more to secure their demise.  And their grave and rebellious condition will influence others.  If you just look around, you can see it happening today.

In Proverbs 16:25, it says that there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  In Proverbs 14:12, it says almost the same things except instead of the word “that” it has the word “which” (which is no difference).

Since it is natural for a person to see nothing wrong with themselves, and it’s common for the incorrect way to appear to be right, we need the Lord like never before to show us Himself, who is the Way.  We need His Word to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).  We need Jesus to lead us and teach us.  We don’t know it all and we have so much to learn.  And we’re never going to learn it from ourselves or on our own.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12 [see 16:25]

Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.  Psalm 27:11

The wicked one’s outside Your will;

Just anxious to destroy and kill.

The cruel lure of the tempter’s snare;

Awaits outside Your loving care.

He wants to sift my soul like wheat;

And if our paths would ever meet;

He would deceitfully invite

Me to a way that seemeth right.

And I’d fall victim easily;

For life’s a path unknown to me.

So, Lord, I need for You to show;

And teach me the right way to go.

Jesus saith…I AM the Way… John 14:6

Psalm 32:

8 – I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.

9 – Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Be Rightly Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!!!

Adversity is God’s missionary.  Receive its mission; embrace its vision.  Don’t send it away or wish it away before its work is done.  But share in the rewards of its labor.  Do not bid it stay beyond its visit to be the guest of honor at your pity party but permit it to go according to God’s timing and purpose.  Do not hinder it from doing God’s will.  Fret not:  it shall be obedient to God and accomplish only His will.  It shall not cause you any loss or harm.  Be at peace with it and God, our Maker.  Amen.

…the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity…  2 Samuel 4:9

Adversity that comes will never worry nor distress me;

Because it only has the power to enhance and bless me.

Adversity’s a trusted servant sent from God above

To demonstrate His power and to minister His love.

It does not happen on its own but moves at God’s command;

It’s synchronized by God and fully yielded to His hand.

God causes it to do what it would normally not do;

And to God’s will and purpose, it’s always steadfast and true.

Just think of what a blessing that my life would always be,

If I’d just be a faithful servant, like adversity!

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.  Proverbs 24:10

Be Unduly Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

I’ve had several irons in the fire lately, so I wasn’t able to post on Friday but I made it a point to make sure that no matter what, I would post today.  Please keep me in prayer as I endeavor to do all that God has put in my heart to do.  I need the get-up-and-go that my sister Patrice has!  Be blessed!!!

How can something be a secret if it’s been frequently heard?  That’s one of the divine mysteries of God’s holy Word.  He reveals things, yet they are not open to everyone.  Everyone does not have ears to hear; hearts to receive and willing, obedient spirits in order to put it into practice.  Thank God if you are one who has heard His secrets!

Hast thou heard the secret of God?  Job 15:8

Some marvel at my trouble and they cannot understand—

How I can take it all in stride, as if I’m in command.

They focus on the darkness, so it’s hard for them to see—

That God’s made it His secret place and He is there with me.

He made darkness His secret place; His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.  Psalm 18:11

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion:  in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.  Psalm 27:5

Matthew 13:

16 – But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17 – For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Be Untiringly Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

I apologize for not posting yesterday.  I attended a revival last night and had every desire to post when I got home but I simply fell asleep.  I’ve been keeping late hours, working on gathering material to equip the body of Christ with the truth that will set them free concerning the origins & practices of Halloween (Hosea 4:6 & John 8:32).  It’s no longer an exposé because no longer are people ignorant or denying the fact that it’s totally the works of darkness.  In fact, there are websites that not only give the information and admit the truth, but they think that it’s wonderful!

On Monday, I stayed up until 3 am Tuesday, transcribing information from a video.  On Tuesday, I didn’t lie down to rest until past midnight, after I spent hours typing & copying the information.  So, no wonder I sort of collapsed last night!  & Today’s devotion would shed some light on why we believers would go to such extremes to do things for the benefit and edification of the body of Christ and the glory of God.

The title of this devotion can be interpreted in two ways.  In one way, one may think that it is suggesting that something must be done in order to obtain, earn or merit the love of God.  But for those who truly love Him, they gaze upon each word with great pleasure as they think of how their love for God compels them to love Him more; to express their love for Him in all that they do and to do even more to express their love for Him.

For those who truly love God, the issue of works is a non-issue.  No deed or act is ever work for them and they could never do enough—not in an attempt to satisfy God, but to satisfy themselves & their selfless desire to be pleasing and bring pleasure to His heart.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:  and His commandments are not grievous.  1 John 5:3

It’s not hard work to live for God, but just a “work of heart,”

When it is out of love that you obey Him from the start.

Obeying His commands is natural and habitual;

When it’s a sheer delight, not a required ritual.

You’re not attempting to fulfill some type of obligation;

But feel you just can’t do enough to cherish your salvation.

And walking in His ways becomes the normal thing to do;

And it will not demand an extra effort out of you.

It’s when you serve halfheartedly or feel it’s out of duty;

That it’s no more a privilege that holds such joy and beauty.

To do His will or work begrudgingly is sure to spoil—

The blessed pleasure that it gives because it turns to toil.

If ye love Me, keep My commandments.  John 14:15

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

Be Extra Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

Speaking of not knowing what to do—I thank God for my sister Patrice’s tech support service, patience & eagerness to help me that indeed helped me get things connected with my computer without me falling apart!  I apologize for not posting yesterday—I forgot to tell you that I would be away.  But at last, we’re together again & so let’s enjoy it!  Today’s devotion is definitely for me.  I need God’s guidance and direction so very desperately.  Please pray with me that I’ll go exactly where He wants me to go and do exactly what He would have for me to do.  Thanks so much!

How many times in our Christian walk and ministry we are faced with the uncertainty of what to do next!  It all seems to right, it all seems so wrong!

Are we displaying our God-endowed stamina or mirroring the enemy’s determination?  Are we going with it because God allows or because we’re not going to allow anything (including God’s will) to stop us?  Are we letting God show that He is unequaled in power and He is a force to be reckoned with or are we busy matching the actions of the opposition?  Are we resting or backing down?

There’s no need to frustrate ourselves with what we don’t know when we can dwell on the many things that we do know:  we know that all things work together for good; we know that God knows best; we know that God is in complete control; we know that God cannot fail.  & Always remember:  God does not ask us to do His part, just His will.

May God grant you the wisdom in knowing of a surety what is right to do.  Amen.

O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us;  neither know we what to do:  but our eyes are upon Thee.  2 Chronicles 20:12

When the enemy advances on me and as a result,

All the progress I’ve been making comes abruptly to a halt;

Though I may not see a way, I know exactly what to do:

Stop looking at the enemy and fix my eyes on You.

When I’m walking in obedience according to Your plan,

And I know I’ve walked upright before You and done all I can;

I won’t be discouraged nor give up—that’s not what I should do;

I’ll let You complete that work and I will keep my eyes on You.

When I am attacked though living as commanded in Your Word,

My faith will not be subdued but it shall all the more be stirred;

I’ll not waver in my confidence of what I know is true,

For I know I’m doing what is right in looking unto You.

I would never think I’d be where I don’t know what’s right from wrong.

In the face of opposition, do I press to move along?

Do I lack determination; is this for me to go through?

Do events dictate my actions or am I controlled by You?

When all else says to retreat, shall I go forward and advance?

If I wait, is that defeat; will I be passing by my chance?

When I can’t go any further, I will call to mind that You’ve—

Got the way to victory, so I’ll just rest and let You move.

When I don’t know what to do, I know to seek Your blessed will,

I know I’m not being idle in my season to be still;

I know I cannot go wrong if I just turn and look to You,

And I know for sure, without You, I don’t know what I would do!

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him…  2 Chronicles 16:9

Be Plentifully Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!!

Of our own selves and because of our own procrastination, we are robbed of the greatest opportunities.  There is much to be said about how the miracles and healings of Jesus were not only of immediate action but also dictated immediate action.  I will share more on that later but I caution you—DON’T MISS YOUR MIRACLE!!!

When God says He’s going to do something, it is always accomplished at the appointed time.  He never makes extensions, exceptions or excuses.  Any rational Christian can rest confidently and assuredly that it’s done.

So when the Lord commands something of us, that is His appointed time for us to respond in obedience.  He wants to be able to count on us getting it done just like we can count on Him to do what He says when He says.

He never requests or requires us to do anything that we can’t do.  But here’s a big contrast:  when the call to be Christ’s disciples was immediately obeyed, success was instantaneous.  But when the disciples acted in immediate disobedience (John 21:3) and went back to the very thing that Jesus called them from, there was utter failure.  They caught nothing.  Whatever we endeavor, let us be sure that it is at the command of the Lord and let us do it immediately with all of our might!  Now is the only acceptable response time!!!

Matthew 4:

18 – And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 – And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 – And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.

21 – And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.

22 – And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him.

When God instructs me as to what to do or where to go;

Who am I to say I can’t or boldly tell Him no?

The Lord enlightens me to realize that I can do more;

When He calls me to do something I’ve never done before.

My answer should not be more questions as to how or when;

But I’m to answer ‘yes’ and know the time to start’s right then.

But if I hesitate or answer Him reluctantly,

I only rob myself of what God has in store for me.

So when He speaks to me, I will wholeheartedly obey;

Not merely just agree, but do His bidding that same day.

…In the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.  Genesis 17:23

Be Instantaneously Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!!!

When Christians speak of their present troubles, they often speak in respect to God as if He will help them eventually.  Their statements suggest that somewhere near the end of it all, God will arrive on the scene and bring them out.  They talk as if the Lord is not helping them at that moment.

Do we realize that if the Lord weren’t our help that we would be utterly consumed?  It doesn’t have to be a big problem; in fact, it doesn’t even have to be a problem at all.  Without Jesus, we would be swallowed up by life but with Him, we’re enjoying and benefiting from it!!!  Bless His holy name!!!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and our strength:

Why face things on your own;

When you can safely hide in Him,

And never be alone?

God is a very present help:

Why do you hesitate;

And act like trouble disappears

If you procrastinate?

God is our refuge and our strength;

A very present help:

So, don’t wait too late to ask of Him

Or try things by yourself!

Lamentations 3:

21 – This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

22 – It is of the LORD‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

23 – They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

Psalm 124:

1 – If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

2 – If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3 – Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4 – Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5 – Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 – Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 – Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 – Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Be Immediately Encouraged!

Pam

God is looking for believers who have ‘water-standing’ faith.  Those who don’t will find that they have ‘standing-water’ faith.  Here’s the difference:

Standing Water Faith – Those who have faith enough for standing water.  They have faith for no more than anything out of the ordinary and govern their actions accordingly.  Standing water does not move or flow.  As a result, it loses its purity and becomes foul and stale.  It becomes a problem that’s difficult to solve and its only growth is that of mold and bacteria.  Standing-water faith is just like it.  That type of faith shows little or no sign of activity or advancement.  It is sluggish; dull and lacks vitality.  It is non-progressive; non-developing and motionless.

Water Standing Faith – Those who have faith enough for God to take something that is a problem and turn it around into something that is a solution.  It’s faith that believes things that are unprecedented and only found in God and His Word.  It’s faith that will walk according to God’s promise that as soon as their feet step into standing water that should be a problem; the waters will stand up!  GLORY TO GOD!!!

Which stand are you taking concerning your faith?  Some people look for the supernatural to happen.  Yet, from where they stand, they wouldn’t be able to see a miracle if it was being performed.  God commands us to do things that we cannot do on our own because we are co-laborers together with Him.

I cannot choose to do things that I’m comfortable with and expect Him to assist.  I cannot choose to do things that require menial effort and no faith and expect Him to perform some amazing, miraculous act to validate it.  If I decide that I will only wash dishes for the up-building of His kingdom, then there is no need for me to expect Him to part the waters in my sink to make it easier for me to see if there are any dishes left at the bottom.  I will only see the magnitude of what He can do when I step out by faith and do what He says I can do.

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon the heap.  Joshua 3:13

How soon shall you see the way open for you?

As soon as you move toward what God said do.

How soon shall it be for the waters to part?

As soon as you act on your promise to start.

How soon will the waters stand up in a heap?

As soon as you go to launch out in the deep.

The way will be made as you leave from the shore:

As soon as you will, not a moment before!

Joshua 3:

14 – And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

15 – And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

16 – That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

17 – And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Be Irregularly Encouraged!

Pam

Welcome!  Blessings!

Today’s devotion is for me.  I went to a security review & orientation for the prison ministry & shared with my sister Patrice how the Lord really spoke to me there.  I’ve attended so many of these mandatory annual trainings until I could teach those sessions in my sleep.  But I never count out the fact that I could learn something new, even if it has nothing to do with what is being taught to me.  Such is this case.  When the facilitator covered the subject of hostage situations, God showed me so much of what is going on in the spiritual realm (which I will share in depth at a later date).

Anyway, today I was about to feel that I was caged in by my circumstances; held against my will.  But the Lord is giving me to know that I am hedged in, blessed on every side and what I do concerning that is up to me.  So with that I rest and leave it up to the Lord.

A hedge is a means of protection or defense.  It is also a barrier or limit.  With the Lord, it is all of these.  He uses various trials to protect us, fend off the adversary, create a barrier that keeps out that which is unwanted and unwelcome (as well as keep us out of it) and limit how much any given circumstance can impact us.

So many times it seems that circumstances have come into our lives and locked us out of opportunities of a lifetime when actually they’ve come into our lives and locked us into the chance of a lifetime:  time alone doing nothing else and being with no one else but shut in with God!

Reckon it nothing but joy…whenever you find yourself hedged in by the various trials, be assured that the testing of your faith leads to power of endurance.  James 1:2 – 3 (Weymouth)

Hedged in by great trials, what blessed assurance!

It strengthens and lengthens my faith and endurance.

Hedged in by the trials ordained by His will;

To give me no choice but to stay and be still.

Hedged in by great trials yet by His love, constrained;

So that His divine purpose in my life’s attained.

How precious it is that the Father allows

That my life includes times when I’m hedged in by trials—

To know of the worth that is hidden in them;

And brought to that place to be closer to Him.

Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?  Job 3:23

Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.  Job 1:10

Be Boundlessly Encouraged!

Pam