Daily Devotional

Son, have you seen how fickle your country has become? They are proud that they worship other gods, but this has only polluted their land and made them weak and vulnerable to their enemies. They have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten Me. Everything I blessed them with has been squandered. They have become stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do what is right! Therefore, the earth will mourn and the heavens will be draped in black because of My decree. I have made up my mind and will not change it.

 

Tell these faithless people to come back to Me, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with them forever if they acknowledge their guilt; that they have rebelled against Me and committed adultery by worshiping false gods. If they confess that they have refused to listen to My voice, I will give them shepherds after My own heart to guide them with knowledge and understanding, so that the disobedient are turned to the wisdom of the righteous. I would love to treat them as My own children! I want nothing more than to give them back their beautiful land, the finest possession in the world. Then they would be a blessing to all the nations of the world, and people would come and praise My name for it. I long for them to call Me “Father.” It is My desire that they never to turn from Me again.  So pray and confess, plow up the hard ground of your hearts. Surrender your pride as a nation before the waves of destruction come!

 

Son, when the godly are in authority the people will rejoice. But when the wicked are in power the people groan, and sin flourishes. People do not accept My guidance because they would rather run wild.They see themselves as pure but they are filthy and unwashed. Therefore, although they have sight they are blind. They have ears to hear, but they do not understand what is lacking in them. They look at others proudly, casting disdainful glances at those who truthfully say that what they do – is wrong and destructive. They compare themselves with each other, using their own wickedness as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! The wicked despise the godly, but keep godliness before them as a sign reminding them of who I am and that wickedness will not prevail where I have My presence

 

Lord, because I meet with You and speak with You each day that place is holy by Your glorious presence. It is a high place with You; one that burns with passion – well guarded. I must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, that are being crushed by the oppression of wicked leaders. You have repeatedly told me that You will provide all I need, and that I will always have plenty left over to share with others. I must use Your mighty weapons to knock down their strongholds of human reasoning so that Your wisdom is proved right by my actions. Then their false arguments will fall to the ground having no power. Every word of Yours is true. You are a shield to all who come to You for understanding and protection. For whoever obeys You will be joyful, and by trusting in You there is safety.

 

 

Daily Devotional

Son, before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet. You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. Don’t be afraid of people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I have touched your mouth and said, “Look, I have put My words in your mouth!”

 

Son, has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged Me for worthless things by looking to others for help! They have turned their backs to Me! Their turning from Me should shame them, but they feel no shame. Soon they will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon Me and not to fear Me. No amount of soap or lye can make them clean before Me, for I still see the stain of their guilt. They have brought this upon themselves by rebelling against Me. When the times of trouble start they will cry out to Me, “Save us! We have done nothing wrong. Surely God isn’t angry with us!” But I will punish them severely because they claim they have not sinned. Remember, worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

 

Son, prepare for action, and tell everyone everything I tell you to say. They will fight you by saying this is not from Me, but they will fail; for I am with you and I will take care of you. Tell those who teach My word to stop ignoring Me, and telling My people that everything will be fine the way it is. That’s right, I am watching everything they do and say. I will certainly carry out all my plans against those who ignore Me. I will pronounce judgment on My people for deserting Me. They think their government, or what they have made with their own hands, will save them.  How foolish!

 

Remember that when there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. So tell My children to elect wise and just leaders who search for Me, and listen to Me, and they will bring stability into the nation. Those leaders who lead people along an evil path will only fall and suffer by their own evil doing. Your rich people think they are wise because they are rich, but a person with discernment, even though poor, can see right through them. When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.  Greed causes fighting and disunity, but trusting Me leads to peace and prosperity. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in My wisdom will be safe and sound.

 

Lord, because you have told us what is coming, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. Let us work toward complete holiness because we fear You. You are the one who encourages those who are discouraged. When times of testing come we must realize that in these times we will be filled with abundant joy and Your rich generosity, as long as we keep our hope in You.

Daily Devotional

Son, Satan is the god of this world, and he has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. These people are unable to see My glorious light of the Good News. They have a veil that covers their minds, and it will not allow them to understand the truth. This veil can only be removed by believing in Me. So don’t fret because of evildoers, and don’t envy them. For these blinded people have no future, and I will pay them back for what they’ve done to My children!

 

Son, don’t look at the troubles you can see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen that are true and glorious. For the things you see now will soon be gone, but the things you cannot see will last forever. Though your body is dying, your spirit is being renewed every day by My word. Your present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for you a glory that vastly outweighs them all, and that glory will last forever!

 

So when you feel pressed on every side by these troubles, you will not be crushed. When you become perplexed, you will not be driven to despair. When you get knocked down, you will not be destroyed, and you will never be abandoned by Me. Your qualification comes from Me, and this should give you so much confidence that you can be very bold. With My Spirit there is freedom and mercy; so never give up. This is the truth, and all who are honest know this.

 

Son, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions; which are from Me. If you obey Me, and follow all My instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. You must serve only Me, and I will bless you with all that you need, and I will protect you from illness.

 

Therefore, don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Commit yourself to My instruction by listening carefully to My words of knowledge; it will keep your heart on the right course. Know the truth and never sell it, and it will make you wise, disciplined and give you good judgment. Remember, you will fail under pressure by relying on your own strength.

 

Lord, I must rely on Your great power, and not my own. I must continue to tell everyone, “Who You are.” I can never give up.  I must tell of Your unfailing love. I will praise You for all You have done. I will rejoice in Your great goodness, and Your awesome deeds and promises that are beyond my highest expectations. For no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him!

 

Kingdom Thinking – Part 30 – Building God’s House

Haggai 2:20-23 “The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: ‘Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

 

One of the things that we need to be aware of when it comes to kingdom thinking is not only what is happening in the world, but also what is the Lord doing?

 

God says: “I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.”

 

The writer of the Hebrews mentions this as well in chapter 12:26-27 “Now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’  The words ‘once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”

 

When we look at the situation in the world today we see that the “perfect storm” is taking place. There is no doubt about God shaking the heavens and the earth.  Just a quick look around the world and we see the truth of this. For example:

 

There is the possibility of a major war in the Middle East. Syria with its civil war, which has claimed over 100,000 lives, is drawing in fighters from all over the world. Along with what is happening in Iran, Lebanon and Israel the situation is like a powder keg ready to explode.

 

When I look at Southeast Asia again we see war that can break out between China and Japan over who owns a disputed group of islands called the “Diaoyu Islands.” What about North Korea and its threats against Seoul and USA? Washington and South Korea because of the threat have signed a new joint security agreement that lays out plans and responses against North Korea in case war breaks out.

 

Conflicts in the EU are brewing between the rich countries of Europe and the bankrupt countries on the periphery especially in the south and east. Could there be conflicts that might break out like the genocide that occurred in the Balkans in the 1990’s?

 

Britain’s Daily Mail Newspaper said: “The world is at a crossroads in history, vast, untamable economic forces are remaking the landscape of international affairs.” From what I can gather the economic austerity imposed by the central EU government is beginning to spark ultra-nationalist as well as potential neo-fascist movements across the continent of Europe. The great depression in the 1930’s led to outright war in Europe. Can this happen again? Does history repeat itself? Riots have already broken out in many of these countries.

 

Egypt is on the verge of civil war, nuclear-armed Pakistan is moving into chaos. Saudi Arabia wants to buy nuclear bombs from Pakistan because of what is happening in Iran with their enrichment program of nuclear fuel. Ethnic fighting is still taking place in Iraq and now in Nigeria as well.

 

Then you have the communal riots taking place in Myanmar with Buddhists attacking Muslims. I just got a report from Sri-Lanka of Buddhists that are constantly attacking Christian churches as well as Hindus and Muslims battling one another in India.  We have the Muslims rebelling against the Han Chinese in Western China. Then all over the Middle East you have the Shia Muslims at war with Sunni Muslims.

 

When these communal riots break out it is not just a few hundred that are killed. I have been in India when riots broke out between Muslims and Hindus where thousands were slaughtered.

 

In Haggai’s days God told His people to stop and consider and I believe that today the Lord is telling us the same thing. We need to consider. In the New Testament Jesus told us that we are to watch and pray. When we see this shaking taking place we need to realize, like the writer of the Hebrews is saying, those things that cannot be shaken do remain, which is the Kingdom of God.

 

What are we to do? To have peace we need the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ, and so we are to go into all the world with His message. I believe that God is preparing the world for a great harvest and we, the church, need to be ready. God said: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Jesus reminds us: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

 

Daily Devotional

Son, are you ready for the task of telling everyone that I am coming, and that I bring My rewards with Me? I have opened a door of opportunity for you to spread the knowledge of Me everywhere. To those who accept this knowledge of Me it will be like sweet perfume to Me; a fragrance of obedience rising up to Me. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are perishing; to them it is a dreadful smell of death and doom. Those who listen and obey Me – I will make an everlasting covenant with them and I will faithfully reward them.

 

Tell My children that they will be recognized as a people I have blessed, a Holy People Redeemed by Me. Tell them to remember how merciful I have been to them, and if they shut their ears to the cries of the poor and needy, I will ignore their cries when they cry out to Me in their time of need. 

 

I am the source of all comfort. The more My children suffer for Me, the more I will shower them with My comfort. Some will feel they are being crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure, and think this suffering will never end. I allow this in their lives so that they will stop relying on themselves and learn to rely only on Me.

 

Lord, thank You for anointing me with the privilege of bringing the good news to people who don’t know You, and to comfort the brokenhearted by proclaiming that You are the One that can release them from the bondages of this world. I will tell those who mourn that the time of Your favor has come! Help me not to waver from what You have said, for I want to be known as Your child. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit in my heart; for He guarantees and reminds me of everything You have promised me.

Daily Devotional

Son, America wants to be known as a righteous nation. Some of its leaders even ask Me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near Me. They think wealth is a strong defense; a high wall of safety to protect them from the things coming. They act so pious, pretending to know Me. They left Me long ago when they traveled far, even into the world of the dead, to seek new gods to love. How foolish to think that these new gods will help them. There is no peace for the wicked!

 

My church needs to know that I did not give their responsibility to the government. They need to help those in trouble. Share their food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from anyone who needs their help. Then My light will shine out from them. I will continually give back to them and restore their strength. My church will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes, and when they call out to Me I will answer them. Then the world will know I am truly among them.

 

Son, let Me show you the life that is the best. Love others! Remember what love is: It is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not proud or rude. It does not demand its own way, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It is not happy or joyful about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever! Remember that of these three things: faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love. So make it your goal to love others like I do, for this is the strength of My church.

Daily Devotional

Son, if you listen carefully to My voice and do what I say you will know and enjoy the best for your life. Therefore, come to me with your ears wide open, and listen. Seek Me! Call on Me! Trust Me! Know that My ways are better than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. Remember My word always produces fruit, and will accomplish all I want it to. Those who live by My word will prosper in everything.

 

I always test My children to see whether or not they will follow My instructions by leading them through the deserts of life. In these times some of My children complain and will turn on each other. They question My word by asking, “What are we going to do now?” I hear all of their complaints, which are not against people but are really against Me. What have I done that they should complain about? I have lead them this way to show them how to overcome the things that hinder them and weigh them down.

 

So do not turn on each other, but remember a gentle answer deflects anger. My children should think carefully before speaking. They may think that they are pure in their own eyes, but I examine their motives. The wise are known for their understanding and their words are pleasant and persuasive.

 

Remember that pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Everyone seems right in their own mind, but those who commit all their words and actions to Me will be successful. So listen to Me, for I am coming soon to display My righteousness.  Those who listen to My instruction will prosper; those who trust Me will be joyful.

Kingdom Thinking – Part 29 – Building God’s House

Haggai 1:5-6 “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.

 

“‘You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.’” (vs. 9-11)

 

Because God’s people forsook the task that the Lord gave them we see the consequences. God says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” We see the consequences in Haggai’s days, but what about ours?

 

Look at the economic downturn in the Western world. Runaway debt that we are drowning in, inflation (hidden tax) that leaves us with little left (wages in a purse with holes in it), and we never seem to get ahead or keep our heads above water. “Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.”

 

Because the house of the Lord was being neglected in Haggai’s time we see the result upon nature – no dew or rain for the crops, drought that affects all crops, animals (cows, sheep) and people – their livelihood. What do we have in the West today? Out of control unemployment, government entitlements that will eventually sink the Western countries, and calamities that have come upon us costing billions of dollars.

 

Haggai gave God’s message to God’s people in his time and I think that is also relevant for us today. “Give careful thought to your ways.” What Haggai was bringing out is that the reason all of these things coming upon the nation of Israel was “because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.”

 

So what does this mean today in the 21st century? We come back to 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.”

 

Since we are building the temple out of living stones, so that we are each a part of the temple, we need to ask ourselves: Are we ready to be fitted into the temple?

 

Remember when the Old Testament temple was being built there was no sound of any building tool heard within the building. “In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7)

 

Since we, the church of born again believers, are the living stones are we allowing the dressing (cutting and polishing) to take place? Could this be what Chronicles 7:14 means by humbling ourselves? Are we allowing the Divine tools that the Lord uses to cut us down to size, polish us to get us ready to fit in just like it was with the Old Testament temple? Are we individually moving towards sanctification, working out what the Lord has worked in us? Are we humbling ourselves before Him?

 

We are told to seek His face, but again what does that mean practically? Could it be what Haggai told the Jewish people 2500 years ago?  This is what the Lord Almighty says: “‘Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:7-8)

 

It would seem to me that if I am seeking His face that it means I would be seeking His will, His desire, etc. What is His will? First, His will is to believe in the One that He has sent – the Lord Jesus Christ, and secondly, it means to GO. Where? To go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the to the ends of the earth. In seeking His face He will show and reveal to us where to go. For me it was to go to the ends of the earth, but for others it might be their neighbors, fellow workers, or students, etc. But, we are each commanded to GO with the good news of His Gospel, teaching the Word of God and making disciples after Him!

 

If we fulfill our part, the Lord will fulfill His: “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” May we see this happening in our own lands for His glory and coming Kingdom. May we have Kingdom Thinking!

Daily Devotional

Son, do not be afraid of people, or fear their insults, for I am the One who will comfort you. I will go ahead of you, and will protect you from behind. Since I paid a high price for you, don’t become enslaved by this world again. The time that remains is very short, and this world as you know it will pass away; use the things of the world to tell everyone about Me!

 

Son, My children are so afraid of these mere humans who wither like the grass and that will soon disappear. There is a distinction between My children and the people of the world. When I look at My children I see My blood, and I will pass over them when judgment begins. Remember, if you search for evil, it will find you! If your trust is in your money, down you go!

 

Son, without wise leadership a nation will fall. These wicked leaders are trapped by their own words, and they think their own way is right. Their wickedness will never bring stability, and their dishonesty will destroy them. All of their riches won’t help on the day of My judgment. Now keep this in mind, truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed and forgotten.

 

Son, let me tell you how to live in this wicked time. Honesty will guide you and rescue you from trouble, Give freely so that you will  become wealthy in My kingdom. Listen and seek Me with all your heart; then you will know right from wrong. Cherish My word and store it in your heart. Remember that knowledge of My word might make you feel important but it is love that strengthens My church.

 

My Children will soon know the full power in My Name, and then at last they will recognize that I am the One who speaks truth to them. The person who loves Me is the one I will recognize.

Daily Devotional

Son, I alone am God, and there is none like Me. I speak only what is true and declare only what is right. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. I make bold promises, and everything I plan will come to pass. I do whatever I wish.

 

I would not have told people to seek Me if I could not be found. You sought after Me and found Me. I have cared for you since you were born knowing you would seek Me. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I have been your God throughout your lifetime. Even now that your hair is white with age I am still with you. Because I made you, I will care for you and save you.

 

So remember the things I have done in the past, and tell everyone that will listen that I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save anyone who calls on Me. I will even show my glory to America.

 

It will sound foolish to most and they will not receive this truth because they won’t understand it. The world will never know Me through their own logic and human wisdom. Therefore, only sorrow awaits them. Soon every knee will bend to Me and every tongue will confess allegiance to Me. All who were angry with Me will come to Me and be ashamed. They will fall to their knees in front of Me and say, “You are God, and there is no other.” I have spoken the truth, and I never go back on My Word; what I have said will happen – will happen!

 

Lord, how can I expect anyone to listen to me? I’m such a clumsy speaker and I need help with my writing. Why would anyone want to listen to me? People have become hard and their hearts have become perverted. They refuse to listen to the truth; they think they know what is right, but it is wrong. They would never admit that they are wrong. Even Your children have become too discouraged by their bondage to this world to listen.

 

Son, I have equipped you because I have called you, so why do you question Me?  I choose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. I choose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. Therefore, since I made you and freed you from sin, rely only on the power of My Holy Spirit. Remember, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what I have prepared for those who love Me! My Holy Spirit searches out everything and will show you My deep secrets and that you can know the wonderful things I have freely given you and that I have in store for you.