Genuine love

. . . being knit together in love . . .
–Colossians 2:2

 Thousands of young couples go through with a loveless marriage because no one ever told them what genuine love is. I believe we need to read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul gives us a definition of love. He says, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” If people today knew that kind of love, the divorce rate would be sharply reduced.


Lord Jesus, we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts, if we are to love unselfishly.

Enjoy the victory

 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory-making us conquerors--through our Lord Jesus Christ.

– 1 Corinthians 15:57

Victors! More than conquerors! That's what the Bible says we are. I know you've heard that many times before, but today I want you to let the reality of it really sink in. I want you to spend some time meditating about what those terms actually mean.

The dictionary says that victory means "final and complete supremacy or superiority in battle or war, success in any contest or struggling involving the defeat of an opponent or the overcoming of obstacles."

To conquer means "to get the better of in competition or struggle, to master, suppress, prevail over, overwhelm, surmount, to gain superiority, to subdue, to vanquish, to crush, to defeat."

Once you get those definitions firmly in mind, you'll realize in Jesus you've gotten much more than a ticket to heaven. You've gotten the best of the world you're living in now. Through Him, you've overcome it, mastered it, suppressed it and prevailed over it.

No wonder 1 Corinthians 15:57 shouts, "Thanks be to God! Because He gives us the victory, making us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Why don't you shout too! Shout thanks to God today for making you an overcomer. Praise Him that you are joined up with the One Who has conquered the world, the flesh and the devil. Shout hallelujah and enjoy the victory!

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:29-39

What God wants

 Remember that we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God is merciful. Live every day to honor him. Strive for perfection though you are only human and will never attain it. But it is those daily actions you take that will impress the Father so He can welcome you into His grace.

God's ministry

 Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15 NRSV Bible)

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A man went to see the doctor for his annual physical exam. When he came home later that afternoon, his wife asked him, "What did the doctor say?" He answered in a gruff voice, "He told me that if I want to stay healthy, I have to eat what I don't want, drink what I don't like, and do what I'd rather not do!"Jesus tried to get the disciples to do the same thing. The disciples are sitting around a charcoal fire now. The disciples recognize their risen Lord, but still they are disconcerted by the recent chain of events. While they are lost in their thoughts the resurrected Christ takes some bread and breaks it and gives it to them. Then also the fish. Then he turns to Simon Peter and asks one of the most famous questions in the Scripture, "Simon Peter, do you love me?" Three times Christ asks Simon Peter this question--once for each time Peter denied him. "Lord, you know I love you," Peter replies. And after each reply, Jesus instructs Simon Peter to feed his lambs and then his sheep. This is Christ's way of focusing Simon Peter on his real mission in the world.
Go with me back to those earliest days when Jesus first recruited Andrew and Simon. He said he would make them fishers of men. Now he is challenging them to continue that journey on which they first embarked. Not that their prior lives as fishermen were unimportant, but from here on they would have a different kind of calling. Christ was asking them to forget themselves and to center their lives in ministry to others. That is a challenge that Jesus is still offering his disciples today.

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Dear God, teach me to center my life on your ministry. In Jesus name, Amen.

Billy Graham n Oprah

 Last year I watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on television. Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she use to watch him preach on a little black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor. 


She went on to the tell viewers that in his lifetime Billy has preached to twenty-million people around the world, not to mention the countless numbers who have heard him whenever his crusades are broadcast. When she asked if he got nervous before facing a crowd, Billy replied humbly, "No, I don't get nervous before crowds, but I did today before I was going to meet with you."


Oprah's show is broadcast to twenty-million people every day. She is comfortable with famous stars and celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr. Billy Graham.


When the interview ended, she told the audience, "You don't often see this on my show, but we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in prayer. The camera panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads and closed their eyes just like in one of his crusades.


Oprah sang the first line from the song that is his hallmark "Just as I am, without a plea," misreading the line and singing off key, but her voice was full of emotion and almost cracked.


When Billy stood up after the show, instead of hugging her guest, Oprah's usual custom, she went over and just nestled against him. Billy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her under his shoulder. She stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of sheer contentment.


I once read the book "Nestle, Don't Wrestle" by Corrie Ten Boom. The power of nestling was evident on the TV screen that day. Billy Graham was not the least bit condemning, distant, nor hesitant to embrace a public personality who may not fit the evangelistic mold. His grace and courage are sometimes stunning.


In an interview with Hugh Downs, on the 20/20 program, the subject turned to homosexuality. Hugh looked directly at Billy and said, "If you had a homosexual child, would you love him?" Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity and gentleness, "Why, I would love that one even more."


The title of Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all. His life goes before him speaking as eloquently as that charming southern drawl for which he is known.


If, when I am eighty years old, my autobiography were to be titled "Just As I Am," I wonder how I would live now? Do I have the courage to be me? I'll never be a Billy Graham, the elegant man who draws people to the Lord through a simple one-point message, but I hope to be a person who is real and compassionate and who might draw people to nestle within God's embrace.


Do you make it a point to speak to a visitor or person who shows up alone at church, buy a hamburger for a homeless man, call your mother on Sunday afternoons, pick daisies with a little girl, or take a fatherless boy to a baseball game?


Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for what's beautiful in someone else?


Billy complimented Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he said, "Salvation given to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "and the way you have made people all over this country aware of the power of being grateful."


When asked his secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the same person, he said, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."


How unexpected. We would all live more comfortably with everybody around us if we would find the strength in being grateful and happily incompatible.


Let's take the things that set us apart, that make us different, that cause us to disagree, and make them an occasion to compliment each other and be thankful for each other. Let us be big enough to be smaller than our neighbor, spouse, friends, and strangers.


Every day, may we Nestle, not Wrestle!

Don't depend on guesswork

 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

– Jeremiah 33:3

Who do you turn to when you need help, when you need an important answer to an important question? Do you ask God first?

So many believers fail to do that. They'll stand around wringing their hands and talking to each other all day. They'll inquire of their pastor. They'll inquire of their friends. They'll inquire of their husbands or wives. But do they inquire of God? No.

Don't make that mistake.

Instead, follow the example of King David. In 1 Chronicles 14, the Bible tells us he was about to face a battle with the very powerful Philistines who had ALL come out against him. The Philistine nation had been an enemy of Israel for years. David probably could have guessed that God would tell him to go to battle against them. But he didn't guess! He went to God and inquired, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand."

Don't depend on guesswork. When you encounter a problem, seek the Lord through the Word and in prayer and ask Him what the solution is. No matter how much scripture you learn, no matter how fully you perceive who you are in Christ Jesus, you'll never outgrow your need to do that.

Go to the Lord and find out exactly what He wants you to do. Don't decide your course of action and then ask God to bless your plans. Go to Him and say, "Lord, what are Your plans?" His plans are already blessed. If you follow them, your victory is guaranteed.

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 14:8-17

God's promise of forgiveness

 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25).

God’s memory is short when we ask for His forgiveness and repent of our sins. He promises to obliterate the very recollection of them from His mind when we turn to Him.

Thank you blessed God for your comforting words n promises to love me when I turn back from my sins. I praise You n worship You coz onli You can forgive my sins, have mercy on me n bless me ... Thank you Lord for Your mercy n kindness that surrounds me at all times. I earnestly pray to you to strengthen me to forgive those who sin against me, hurt me or don't talk to me... Thank you. In Jesus' name i pray .. Amen 

Take your place

 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ...And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

– Ephesians 2:4-6

God has raised us up to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! That's what the Word of God says. Very few of us have actually dared to believe this. We've uplifted Jesus. We've exalted Him--and rightly so! But at the same time, we've unwittingly belittled what He did by not allowing Him to bring us alongside Him.

That was God's purpose at Calvary: to bring us alongside Jesus. To make us what He already was.

You see, Jesus didn't need exalting. He was exalted before He ever came to this earth. He was already one with the Father. He didn't need to get authority over the devil--He'd never lost it!

He put on a physical body so that He could come to earth as a man and gain authority over sin and sickness, demons, fear, poverty and all the other curses that came when the law of death moved into the earth--and He did it. He succeeded. He mastered everything in the world of the intellect, everything in the physical world.

Before He ascended, He said, "All authority is given unto Me both in heaven and in the earth." Then He turned around and gave that authority to us by giving us His Name.

You and I are the reason Jesus came to earth and died and lived again. He didn't do it for Himself. He did it so He could bring us alongside. So we could wear His Name and wield His authority on the earth. He did it so that we could stand before God and be everything to Him that Jesus is.

When you were born again, you were made the righteousness of God in Christ! So as a born-again believer, dare to receive this message, to meditate on it and to act on it. Go ahead--dare to take your place!

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-13

Honor God in privacy

 Honor God in privacy. Christ was not impressed by the outward show of the Pharisees as they strutted about appearing to be humble and contrite. God cares little for outward showing. He insists that when you pray you do it secretly without expecting accolades or seen by others as saintly.

God walks with you

 But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

– 1 Corinthians 6:17

I once heard about a great man of God who looked in the mirror every day when he put on his suit and said, "Suit, everywhere you go today, God goes in you." And you know, he's right. If you have united yourself to God by receiving Jesus as Lord, everywhere you go today...God goes too!

As believers, we need to start becoming more conscious of that. We need to train ourselves to be constantly aware of God inside of us, talking to us, teaching us, counseling us, empowering us, and enduing us with Himself.

We need to continually remind ourselves that we are one spirit with Him. That means that every time we face a problem, every time we face an evil spirit that tries to influence and hinder our lives, God is facing it too. When we meet those things, God meets them. And He's already overcome them!

Let me encourage you when you get dressed today to look in the mirror and say, "I am united to the Lord and I have become one spirit with Him. Body, everywhere you go today...God goes. God is in you. The power of God is in you. The wisdom of God is in you. The victory of God is in you."

Say that to yourself every day-- many times a day. Keep doing it until you begin to develop the habit of thinking that way. Cultivate a constant awareness of the reality of God living in you!

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

Choose life

 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

– Romans 8:6

If you were given the choice between life and death, which would you choose? The answer seems obvious. But, in reality, it's not.

You see, choosing death doesn't necessarily mean jumping from the nearest cliff. It's much more subtle than that.

The Bible says death is being carnally minded, being entangled in this present worldly realm. The Bible also tells us what life is. "My son, attend to my words," says Proverbs 4:20-22, "...for they are life!"

To be worldly-minded is death. To be Word-minded is life.

In Luke 10, there's a story that illustrates this principle extremely well. It's the story of Mary and Martha. You probably remember it. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him teach while Martha was bustling around in the kitchen cooking dinner for everyone.

Finally Martha couldn't stand it anymore. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work myself? Tell her to help me!" Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary had set everything else aside, so she could hear the Word. But Martha had let the seemingly important business of living take priority over the Word. She'd chosen death, not life.

You see how easy it is to slip into that?

"But Brother Copeland," you say, "if I didn't spend all my time taking care of the business of living, my life would fall apart!"

Oh, really? Martha probably thought that too. She probably thought if she didn't cook dinner for all those folks, they'd go hungry. But they wouldn't have. Jesus had miraculously fed multitudes before and He could have done it again in Martha's home. She could have plopped herself down at Jesus' feet, and they could have had a banquet at God's expense!

Don't make the mistake that Martha did. Don't get so entangled in the business of living that you choose death by default. Decide to put the Word first place. Choose life!

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:5-13

Seek ye first ....

 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his 

righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto 

you” (Matthew 6:33).

Make God’s way a priority in your life, and everything 

else will fall into place.

When tough times come

 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

– Acts 9:31

There are times when life on this earth is hard and uncomfortable...and even downright painful. When those times come, you deeply need the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring.

How do you receive that kind of comfort?

By doing just what the believers in Acts did. By "walking in the fear of the Lord."

Now, when I talk about "the fear of the Lord," please understand, I'm not saying you should be afraid of God. He's your Father! You should be as secure and unafraid when you come before Him as a child who knows he is dearly loved. But you must also have so much respect for Him that whenever He reveals something you need to do, you do it immediately-- even if it goes against your natural desires. That's walking in the fear of the Lord.

Let me show you what I mean. Once, several years ago, I received a very disturbing phone call shortly before I was to preach at one of our meetings. It was painful news about a situation in which one of my children had been wronged. The news of it wounded my heart.

I cried, and in the natural, I wanted to get angry about it, to strike back in some way. But instead, I began praying in other tongues. As I prayed, I was prompted in my spirit to rejoice and praise the Lord.

I certainly didn't feel like praising. I felt like stomping my foot. But, out of respect to the Lord, I put my feelings aside and obeyed. Next, the Holy Spirit impressed me to read a particular prophecy. As I did, I could tell I was being strengthened.

Then suddenly, I realized I was free. By my obedience, I had opened myself to the comforting power of the Holy Spirit. The anger and pain that had filled me just moments before were gone! They had been replaced by the gentle love and reassurance of the Lord.

No matter how tough or painful a situation you may be facing today, trust and obey the directions of your Father. He will make that same supernatural, Holy Spirit-inspired comfort available to you!

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

God's blessings of wealth for your prosperity n others

 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant.

– Deuteronomy 8:18

What is God's reason for prospering His people? Is it so we can watch bigger TVs? So we can buy finer houses and more luxurious cars?

Establishing God's covenant on the earth and giving to those in need: Those are God's purposes for prosperity !

I've had some people tell me, "Well, Brother Copeland, Jesus' ministry was poor and He got along just fine." That's ridiculous. All the way through the Old Testament God promised material blessings to anyone who would walk perfectly and uprightly before Him. If God had failed to bless Jesus financially, He would have been breaking His own Word.

Jesus never built a worldly empire for Himself. But that doesn't mean He was poor. It means He was the greatest giver Who ever walked the face of this earth--and it's about time we started following in His footsteps.

If we'll start giving, if we'll start taking care of the needs in people's pocketbooks, we'll be far more likely to win their hearts.

What do you think will happen to the heart of a starving nation when you bring in a 747 full of food, clothes and medical supplies to them in the Name of Jesus and His love? The hearts of those people are going to soften! They're going to be willing to listen to what we have to say about Jesus.

Don't you ever let anyone tell you it's wrong to want to prosper. It's wrong for you not to want to prosper when that prosperity can mean the difference between heaven and hell for millions of people.

Forget about your own little needs. Raise your vision and set your mind on giving to meet someone else's, on establishing God's covenant in the earth. Then stand fast in faith and get ready to enjoy the greatest prosperity you've ever known.

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 8:11-18

My prayer

 Dear Heavenly Father, I am asking that You be merciful to our nation and deliver us from evil. Father, You said in Your Word that judgment begins at the house of God, so convict Your people of their sins so that they may repent of them and return to You with their whole hearts. Lord, if You see anything in me that I am blind to, or that I have clung to, because of tradition, please show me my need to repent and change my thinking. May I always choose Your Word over all traditions of men. Create in me a clean heart. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Directions for life

 If any one intends to come after Me, let him deny himself--forget, ignore, disown, lose sight of himself and his own interests--and take up his cross, and...follow with Me. For whoever wants to save his [higher...] life, will lose [it]...and whoever gives up his life for My sake and the Gospel's, will save [it].

– Mark 8:34-35

When Jesus said those words, He wasn't just giving us a prescription for getting to heaven. He was telling us how to live a superior life right here on earth.

You see, there's a high life that we can live right here, right now. But to get in on it, we have to lay down the way of life that most of us are accustomed to. We may have to let go of the very things we've been trying so hard to latch onto. We have to set our hearts instead on doing what God wants us to do.

That's what Jesus did. He didn't live His life for Himself. He lived it completely for God. He did only what the Father told Him to do--and He lived in total victory.

It's time to realize that getting born again is not something we do just to miss hell. Our purpose is to please God. To lay down our lives in order to fulfill His desires. To be His special possessions in the earth and to do whatever He tells us to do. Our top priority is to give ourselves to Him and to live in communion with Him. To spend enough time with Him that we can hear His voice and respond in obedience.

Only when we do that will we be genuinely fulfilled. Only when we do that will we be able to live the high life we've been longing for.

Scripture Reading: Acts 20:7-24

God says ....

 Got big dreams and grandiose plans?  Share them with God.  He’s interested in you.  Seek to develop a plan for how you might achieve those dreams or realize your goals.  God places dreams, talents, hobbies, and desires in us for a reason.  How might you be able to start the process of realizing a more fulfilling life today?

Help me to stay away from gossip

 Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your words of wisdom in dealing with tale bearers. May we have the courage to go to a brother or sister who has sinned against us, and confront them in love, in order to try and win that one. Lord, deliver me from any spirit of gossip, so that I not only do not speak amiss, but also give me the grace to refuse to listen to others who gossip. By walking away, I will not be adding fuel to the fire of gossip. May I speak kindly and graciously of others and defend those who are targets of a gossipper. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Speaking the truth in love

 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions....

– 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Envying, strife and divisions had reduced the early Corinthian Christians back to the natural, or carnal, state that they were in before they were born again. It had so stunted their spiritual growth that they couldn't understand the things the Apostle Paul wanted to teach them.

Satan has sent the same spirit of division among us today. He knows that a house divided against itself will fall. He also knows if we all come together in the unity of our faith, we'll arrive at the full stature of Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:13). So he has assigned a spirit of division to operate in our personal lives, our church lives, our social lives and our family lives. His goal is the same as it was in Corinth: To bring envying, strife, division and to stunt our spiritual growth.

But we don't have to yield to that spirit. Instead Paul says, "[by] speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."

Compare "speaking the truth in love" to "envyings, strife, and divisions." Diametrical opposites, aren't they? You can't do both of them at the same time. As you speak the truth in love, you grow up. As you envy, fuss and separate from one another, you go back to babyhood.

Don't let Satan stop your spiritual growth by giving in to the spirit of division but speak the truth in love and "grow up into Him in all things!"

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-11

Power of words

 These verses from Proverbs tell us that a man who deceives his neighbor, and then claims it was a joke, is like a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death. Men live and die by words (spoken and written) and all words have power to them. Truthful words, spoken in faith, will bring about good results, while evil and dishonest words, spoken in anger and deceit, will produce bad things. The Bible warns us of this over and over throughout its pages. The words that we speak will produce the kind of fruit we shall eat -- good or evil.
Proverbs 18:20-21:
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The scripture below tells us that there are many different kinds of voices in the world, but every one of them has significance.
1 Corinthians 14:7-10:
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
If our words have significance, then we need to choose them carefully. We need to line up our words with the Word of God and agree with His idea about the matters at hand. Solomon made the supplication below to God as he was dedicating the temple to Him. By reading it, we can see that Solomon requested that God would listen, not only to the prayers of His people, but that He would also hear the cries allof the distressed and hurting.
2 Chronicles 6:28-31:
28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
29 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
Below we read God's reply to Solomon's request.

2 Chronicles 7:12-15:
12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
Notice God addressed His answer to Solomon and His people, not the sinners. Today, if we want to see our land healed from the evil that is in it, then we must follow God's instructions to humble ourselves. Then we must ask God to forgive us, and pray and seek Him with our whole hearts, and turn from our wicked ways. Only then can we see our land healed of its wickedness.
Today's verses compare a man who practices deceit against his neighbor and then tries to make light of it, to a man who is mad. There are many madmen today who are angry and dishonest and are spewing out dishonest words that are deadly. We must ask God for discernment in order to recognize those who are lying, and not believe everything we hear, lest we embrace a lie ourselves. It is very serious to accuse people and then try to lightly dismiss it. When someone lies, they should own up to it and make it right to the offended party.
Ephesians 5:1- 7: 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Prayer for the Day

Dear Heavenly Father, We are grateful that You are trustworthy and we want to be like You. Lord, may our words in the world, line up with Your Words in the Bible. Lord, we want to act with integrity in all of our ways. May we always be honest in our dealings with all people. Give us discernment when others are lying to us, so that we do not get trapped into any unholy alliances. Lord, let us be good and loving neighbors so that our neighbors will desire to know You by the demonstration of our lives in this world. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Our Oood God

 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

– Psalm 103:2-5

Is there actually a divine purpose behind the bad things that happen in your life? Could it be that the sicknesses and calamities you experience are somehow a part of God's plan for you?

Before you can ever begin to experience the healing, delivering power of God, you've got to know the answer to those questions. You have to settle them once and for all. If you even suspect that God is the source of your misfortunes, you won't be able to believe Him for deliverance from them. Your faith will be crippled because you'll think that by escaping those things, you'll be opposing His will.

In order to receive all the benefits God desires to give you, you must be absolutely sure that He is a good God. You must be certain that His will for you is health, not sickness; prosperity, not poverty; happiness, not sorrow-- 100 percent of the time! Psalm 103 alone is enough to prove that's true. But if it's not enough to convince you, there are many others too. One of the best known verses is Psalm 136:1 that says, "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

If religious traditions have robbed you of the goodness of God, if it's taught you He brings trouble into your life so He can teach you something, start today washing those traditions away with the truth. Get out your Bible and let God Himself tell you through His own Word that He is the God that heals you (Exod. 15:26). Dig into the Scriptures and discover for yourself that He is a God of mercy (Ps. 86:5), loving-kindness (Jer. 9:24), and compassion (Ps. 145:8).

Put your doubts to rest and open your heart to receive the truth about your heavenly Father. It's the only thing that can truly set you free.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 89:1-28

Walls of water

 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.

Everyone is aware of what can happen to the best laid plans of mice and men. But when the plans of men are in conflict with the purposes of God, they are destined for defeat. More than once the pages of Scripture record that God reversed an evil plan designed to destroy His people (cf. Esther 7:10; Daniel 3:22; 6:24).

The ancient Egyptians had been subjected to the ten most torturous plagues in history. The last of these plagues brought death to the firstborn of every Egyptian family, including the family of Pharaoh. The king called for Moses and Aaron and commanded them to get out of his land. Soon, however, because his heart was bitterly hardened, Pharaoh regretted letting his Israelite slaves go, and he quickly assembled the Egyptian armies, including an elite corps of 600 chosen chariots. The troops mustered, Pharaoh pursued the Israelites and overtook them at Pi-hahiroth. God's chosen people were trapped. With the wilderness to Israel's side, the vast Red Sea before them, and the Egyptian armies closing in, a wretched grin must have crossed Pharaoh's face. There was no way out for Israel, and the Egyptian king knew it.

Yet God had warned Moses not to fear but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. At nightfall, without warning, the angel of God removed the pillar of the cloud from before the Israelites and placed it between their camp and the Egyptian armies. From this vantage point the cloud lighted the breadth of the sea for the Israelites but at the same time obscured the view of the Egyptians, causing them to grope in the inky darkness. As Moses stretched forth his hand, the Lord caused an east wind to howl with such force that it pushed back the waters of the Red Sea. The children of Israel, 600,000 men, plus women and children, crossed the sea on dry land between the walls of water. All night long the crossing proceeded. Finally the Egyptian charioteers apprehensively pursued God's people into the midst of the sea.

"In the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud and troubled the host of the Egyptians" (Exodus 14:24). The Lord caused the wheels of the heavy Egyptian chariots to clog with mud and soon they began to break off. Panic-stricken and exhausted, they began to flee from the Israelites. But it was too late. The Lord commanded Moses to stretch forth his hand over the sea. When the first light of day appeared, the walls of water thundered together and not one Egyptian soldier was left. The bodies of Pharaoh's men washed ashore as a visible reminder to Israel of God's salvation.

Once a public school teacher, who was prejudiced against the Bible, was explaining to her class that the Jews' crossing the Red Sea was no miracle. "The water was only six inches deep," explained the godless teacher. "The Jews had nothing to worry about." From the back of the room came a little boy's shout, "Praise the Lord, Hallelujah."

"No, Johnny, you didn't hear me correctly. I said the water was only six inches deep where the Jews crossed the Red Sea. It was no miracle."

Johnny replied, "Oh, that's not what I was praising the Lord for. I was praising Him for the miracle that Pharaoh's army could drown in just six inches of water."

Once again Israel's situation was completely reversed by God. That which was to be the downfall of the children of God proved to be their salvation. The Red Sea became a great symbol of victory instead of a story of defeat. Israel was now rejoicing in the Lord on the other side of a miracle.

MORNING HYMN
Safe is my refuge, sweet is my rest,
Ill cannot harm me, nor foes e'er molest
Jesus my spirit so tenderly calms,
Holding me close in His mighty arms.

Be full of power, Love n of a sound mind

Thoughts for the Day These verses from Proverbs tell us that a slothful and lazy person will never get anything done because of his fear of trouble and his desire to sleep away his life. The dictionary definition of the words "slothful" and "sluggard" means "one who is habitually lazy, idle, or indolent." A person who is slothful will always have an excuse for not getting his work done. The excuse the slothful man used in Verse 13 is that a lion was outside in the streets and it would be dangerous for him to go outside. This may, or may not, have been the truth, as many times lazy people will make up a story to justify why they are not going out to look for a job or go to work. Even if it was the truth, others would not have let the threat of danger keep them from their jobs. They simply would have watched out, and took measures to protect themselves from any danger as they went to their jobs. According to Verse 14, the lazy person would rather stay at home and lie upon his bed. The comparison is made with a door that is attached to hinges that swings back and forth, to a person who is attached to his bed that turns over and over, but never leaves the bed or house. Laziness and fear keep him there. Fear is a terrible master and those who yield to it will never accomplish much. The Lord calls His people to walk in faith and trust in Him. Fear is the opposite of faith. There is only one way we can be without fear in a world of turmoil, hatred, war, and uncertainty. The way to do this is to trust the One who told us not to be troubled or fearful. Only through Christ's power can we walk in peace and safety. We must give our lives completely to the Lord and yield to His will as to what He wants us to do, where He wants us to live, what He wants us to sell or give away and what we are to do with our time. This is a total commitment by giving God first place of our time, money, careers, family and future. The Word of God tells us that God's people do not have to be afraid of evil news if we keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus. Psalm 112:7: He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Fear is the opposite of trust. The devil continually tries to get us to be fearful. We live in an hour in the earth that the Bible speaks of as the "last days." Because we are in the end times, we know that according to prophecy it will be a time of great tribulation and trouble. 2 Timothy 3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Luke 21:25-28:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Many people shall not overcome fear, but be overcome by it. As Christians, we are not to be fearful but are to trust in the Lord. Should Satan come against us with his lies and fear, we are to turn to God and ask that the fear be removed. People's fears are many. Some fear death, others are afraid of getting cancer, afraid of losing their loved ones, afraid of the house burning down, afraid of having car wrecks or afraid of flying in airplanes, afraid of the future. Others are tormented with the fear of the dark, fear of being molested or fear of staying alone. Fear is a horrible monster, no matter what form it takes. We can ask God to deliver us from fear, and give us the courage to overcome whatever is threatening us. Laziness or fear has no power over a Christian. 2 Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Isaiah 35:3-4: 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.

Prayer for the Day Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that we can overcome the threat of fear through our faith in You. It is so wonderful to walk in peace and faith when trouble surrounds us. Lord, You have never failed me in the past and I know You will not fail me now. You are so faithful and I am grateful for Your mercy and love over and over again. Help me to overcome the lies of the devil that would try to get me to doubt Your love and provision when I am facing a need that seems overwhelming. I voice my trust in You and thank You, even before I receive the answers to my prayers. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Put patience to work

 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

– Hebrews 10:35-36

Most of us have a distorted idea about patience. We think of it as something designed to help us suffer failure gracefully, but according to these scriptures, it will actually put us on the path to success!

Patience (or being consistently constant) is the power twin of faith. They work together to see to it that the promises of God are fulfilled in your life.

Say, for example, you need a job. You can go to the Word and see clearly that God promises to provide your needs. You can see He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants. Once you see that, faith takes hold and you shout, "Hallelujah, I've got the job I need."

But what happens to that faith tomorrow morning when you go to three interviews and get turned down all three times? Then what? That's when patience has to take over! That's when you have to make a decision to stay constant, to act as if nothing's changed.

The truth is, if you based your confidence on the Word of God, nothing has changed. It says exactly the same thing it said yesterday.

So, if you'll put patience to work, you know what you're going to say after those three unsuccessful job interviews? You're going to say, "Hallelujah, I've got the job I need!" just like you did before.

You see, faith opens the door to God's promise for you; and patience keeps it open until that promise is fulfilled.

Do you have your faith sights set on a promise of God today, a promise you've been waiting on for some time? Don't let the delay discourage you. Put patience to work. The Word guarantees you will receive your reward.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 6:10-15

God's message

 Today God’s message for you is a reminder. All things are possible with God. Marvel at the possibilities of this life. Work towards righteousness, but do not cling too hard to any one path. Learn to be gentle, meek, and humble, and then you shall find rest and refreshment for your soul. 

One Glorious Name

 And I will do--I Myself will grant--whatever you may ask in My name [presenting all I AM] so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in [through] the Son.

– John 14:13

In Jesus' Name. It's more than a phrase we tack onto the end of our prayers. All that God is and does is represented in the Name of Jesus. The Amplified Bible says when you ask in His Name, you present your requests to the Father on the basis of all that Jesus is. So you can boldly expect to have those requests granted--not because you're worthy, but because He is !

What's more, the Name of Jesus carries authority over all other names. In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul tells us, "God also hath highly exalted him [Jesus], and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."

In spite of all the Word of God has to say about the power of the Name of Jesus, most believers don't seem to put much stock in it. They'll pray in the Name of Jesus, then turn right around and say, "I sure hope God answers that prayer." They don't realize that if they only had the faith to believe it, Jesus' Name alone carries enough clout to guarantee their prayers will be answered.

They even let religious slang rob them of the power of using that Name. I've heard many a well-meaning believer end his prayer with the phrase, "For Jesus' sake." But Jesus didn't say to pray for His sake. He said to pray in His Name.

I used to make that mistake myself. One night I was praying because I was suffering from a stomachache. "Oh, for Jesus' sake," I prayed, "heal my stomach."

After I'd said that a few times, the Lord spoke up on the inside of me. "Wait a minute," He said, "whose stomach is hurting here, Mine or yours?"

"Mine!" I answered.

Then He very plainly said, "In that case, pray for your stomach's sake, in My Name!"

Jesus' Name. Dig into the Word and find out just how much power and authority it really carries. Then use that power every time you pray. Stop hoping God will answer and start expecting Him to cause every circumstance in your life to bow its knee in honor of that glorious Name!

Scripture Reading: John 16:13-24