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"WHERE PRAYER AND PRAISE TAKE YOU INTO HIS PRESENCE"

Friday, May 28, 2010

Instructions for Life

Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light…”


There have been occasions when I’ve attempted to put together purchased items without first reading the instructions. Usually, these were items that had very few pieces and I resolved that I could just figure out how to assemble without the wisdom of the product’s inventor. Unfortunately, I wasted my most important resource, my time, trying to figure out how to fit the pieces together when all I had to do was read the instructions.

Many reading this devotional are frustrated simply because you’re trying to put together life outside the wisdom of God, The Creator of Life. Like manufacturers know the intricate details of the products they make, our Creator knows us better than anyone else; He even knows us better than we know ourselves! (Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 10:30) As we read, study, and obey God’s Word, the pieces of our lives start coming together. (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130) I encourage you to find a church that teaches and preaches God’s Word and commit to learning all you can about the Lord. And as you come into a relationship with God through the study of His Word, it will change your life.

Let’s Pray: “Father, thank You for Your Word. Give us the discipline to study and obey Your Word like never before, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Thursday, May 27, 2010

LOVING GOD'S WAY

Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?


I’m sure you’ve had people who have come into your lives that you’ve given your best but felt as if you were taken for granted. I submit that all of us—from parents to teachers to doctors to leaders in the military to pastors—have felt this way before. Once we’re hurt by someone, it tends to cause us to be guarded around others to the point that some interpret our behavior as “impersonal.” Contrary to the views of others, many of these individuals aren’t “stuck up” or trying to be sophisticated, but people who have crossed their paths have wounded them to the point that they’re simply protecting their hearts.

At the same time that many of us are guarding our hearts, there is the Scriptural mandate to love everyone unconditionally. Listen to the words of Jesus:
Matthew 5:43-"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

A friend of mine and I were talking about this passage and he said to me, “It almost seems unfair!” The question becomes, “How can we obey this mandate without getting our feelings hurt continuously and our hearts broken on a repetitive basis?” The answer is to focus on giving love and not receiving it or to focus on loving others without expecting anything in return. Jesus suggested that even the worst of individuals can love folks that love them! (Matthew 5:46) The type of love that Jesus is describing in the above passage is agape or unconditional love. Agape love says, “whether or not you love me, I’m going to love you; and whether or not you treat me right, I’m going to do what God has required me to do.”

The Living Bible’s Translation of Matthew 5:45 says that when you love unconditionally, “…you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven….” I’m not saying that this is easy! But I’m informing you that it is commanded which means we can do it! Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

There will be those who will hurt us, but the law of reciprocity teaches that God will raise up someone to appreciate us for who we are and they too will love you with God’s Kind of Love. The exhortation today is to love others unconditionally.

Let’s Pray:

“Father, help us to love others unconditionally. Help us to focus on the act of giving love and not receiving it, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

KEEP PRAYING

Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”


My spiritual mother, Prophetess Alean London, is a great example of being diligent in prayer. For seventeen years she spoke that God was going to use her husband for His Glory. She’d speak with such assurance until it made others believe it was going to happen. But she didn’t just proclaim his salvation; mother mixed it with intercession as well. Our family was sure that it was just a matter of time before his salvation manifested. When God saved his soul several years ago, we were very happy, but we were not surprised.

Believers must resist the temptation of “throwing in the towel” in our prayer lives. Our prayers must be fervent and continuous until we see a manifestation of our requests. Although Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,” the tenses of the verbs (ask, seek and knock) are continuous. In other words, Jesus teaches us to “keep on asking, keeping on seeking, and keep on knocking.”

Don’t give up Christian soldier…Keep praying!


Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that You’ll give us a desire to continue in prayer like never before. Give us an appetite to pray until we see change, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Explaining the Unexplainable

Isaiah 55:8-9: 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.


There are times when we really don’t understand the Mind of God. While we comprehend why God blesses the faithful and obedient, it’s difficult to embrace (much less explain) that God would choose to smile upon the disobedient and unfaithful! I know that Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” but one everyday application of faith is to “keep doing the right thing—even when it appears that others doing the wrong things are being rewarded!”

If we’re going to stay the Christian course, we must grasp the revelation that God is Sovereign—which means He does what He wants, when He wants, and He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation for doing it! While we’d like to understand everything He does, we were not created to comprehend God’s Mind. The Bible says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) Human understanding is not a variable in God’s Formula for faith; in fact, real faith is trusting God’s Sovereignty above our finite comprehension (Proverbs 3:5).


Let’s spend more time asking God to help us accept what He does and less time asking Him to explain it.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we ask You to help us accept what You allow to happen in the earth. We admit that there are times we have difficulty understanding Your Sovereignty. Help us not to be too analytical concerning the things of the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Daily Prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Monday, May 24, 2010

WHAT MATTERS MOST

Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”


Steven Covey’s concept of Discover, Plan, and Act is a legitimate model in organizing our lives. Mr. Covey suggests that in order to live fruitful and productive lives, we must truthfully answer the question “what matters most.” He argues that in order to be effective in life we have to first of all, discover “what matters most,” then plan “what matters most,” and lastly act in accordance with “what matters most.” He hypothesizes that living out this model will bring fruitfulness, productivity and meaning to life.

The great thing about being a Christian is that the first part of the paradigm—“Discover what matters most”—has already been figured out for us. Both the Old and New Testaments verify that God has predetermined that He is to be the believer’s top priority. In fact, His Proper Placement in our lives is so important to Him until He made it the first commandment in both testaments! (Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before Me;” Matthew 22:36-38: 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment.”). The problem with most believers is that we don’t embrace God’s Discovery; therefore, we neither plan our lives around God nor act the way He intends for us.

The exhortation for today is to take a critical, objective look at ourselves and ask two tough questions: “Is God my main priority?” “Is pleasing Him the most important thing in my life?” If the answer to either one or both of them are “no,” then commit or recommit to the Lord today.

Let’s Pray:
Father, we pray that You’ll help us to make You our main priority in life. We ask for forgiveness for the many times we committed the idolatrous sin of putting other things before You. Holy Spirit, convict us when our priorities are out of God’s Will, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Friday, May 21, 2010

I AM NOT THE ONE

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

It’s possible to be fascinated with the blessing and the favor of God upon the lives of other believers. It can be mesmerizing to see God’s Anointing flowing through one of His servants or observing a spiritual gift in operation. Unfortunately, there are those who do not rightly divide the correlation between the possessor of a gift and The God Who is The Giver of it (the gift). The purpose of our gifts, talents, and abilities is to glorify our Father by leading others to Christ and edifying, comforting, and exhorting His body. And if anyone tries to exalt us, we must give God the glory instead of allowing ourselves to take credit for what He does through our lives and ministries.

John the Baptist came onto the scene after a four-hundred year period without a prophetic voice in the earth. People all across the land came out to the wilderness to experience the ministry of the forerunner of Christ. John’s message was this: “…He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry…” (Matthew 3:11) He made it perfectly clear that The Coming Messiah would be so great that he wouldn’t even be worthy to carry The Shoes of our Savior. In laymen’s terms, John proclaimed, “I am not the one!”
While it’s alright to honor, admire, and respect the grace on another believer’s life, make sure that you only worship God—He shares His Glory with no one else.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for placing Your blessings, favor, and Anointing upon flawed human beings for the purpose of building Your Kingdom. We ask that we’ll NEVER be so mesmerized with another person to the point that we worship them rather than You. We pray that we won’t take the credit for the things that You do through us, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Things Will Turn Around!

Job 42:10 “And the Lord restored Job's losses…Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

A member of our church recently shared a real life experience that encouraged me. One of my spiritual daughters told me that she experienced the worst hail storm that she’s ever seen. Unfortunately, she was driving home (Clarksville, Tennessee) from work (in Nashville) on I-24 when it happened. She shared that the golf-ball sized hail was falling so rapidly that it was almost overwhelming (literally). As she was being bombarded with various emotions, her situation suddenly changed. Instead of driving in hail, her travel conditions changed to sunshine. The key to her breakthrough was the fact that she kept moving forward.

During some seasons of our lives, it appears that situations are spiraling downward swiftly with no relief in sight. There have been times when not only did I feel like “throwing in the towel,” but I’ve had the unction to set it afire and then throw the ashes in the river! But The Lord always has a way of turning things around for his children. After all Job had gone through in the first forty-one chapters of the book that archives his life, in the final chapter of Job the Bible says that “…the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
The exhortation today is to keep moving forward—things will turn around!

Let’s Pray:
“Father, turn things around for the one who needs You to do so, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

LET GOD DO IT

John 15:6: “…without Me you can do nothing.”


One of the most trying times in parenting is when a child transitions from being an infant to being a toddler. This season is more often that not one of frustration; mainly because of the disparity between the parent(s) and the child concerning the child’s growth. At the same time that parents are planning infant activities, the toddler is enjoying a whole new world of fun things to do—from breaking dishes to destroying important documents. Not only are motor skills developing, but the child’s social skills are maturing as well. One line syllabuses turn into understood words and phrases. Looking in retrospect, each of my three children made the same statement to alert me that they were making this transition: “Let me do it.”



Unfortunately, many of us are spiritually frustrated, mainly because we’re unaware (or in denial) of our great need for God. While it’s normal for us to evolve into independence from a natural perspective, our spiritual health and survival is directly correlated to our dependence upon God. Beloved, please understand that there are enemies that won’t be defeated, problems that will not be solved, and victories that can’t be won unless they are done so by God. The Bible has Scripture upon Scripture that proves God’s Desire that we be depend upon Him. When faced with several pursuing enemies, God told King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” (2 Chronicles 20:15) Peter exhorts us to give our problems and concerns to the Lord in I Peter 5:7 when he says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Paul tells the church at Philippi to “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” (Philippians 4:6—New American Bible)



Jesus reminds us (rather emphatically) that “…without Me you can do nothing.” God likens believers to sheep—one of the most dependant animals alive. Without the loving leadership of the shepherd, sheep will simply not survive. Child of God, regardless of your education, your pedigree, or your social status, without God, you are bound to fail. Allow the words of the songwriter to marinade in your spirit today:



“Without God, I can do nothing,

Without Him, I will fail,

Without God, my life has no meaning,

Like a ship, without a sail.”




Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Your Desire that we be dependant upon You. We ask that You’ll help us to realize that without You we can do nothing, but with You, we can do all things. Lord, help us to get the revelation that it’s ‘in You that we live, move, and have our being,’ in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”



Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”



The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Today's Daily Devotional shared with us by Christ The Healers very own Elder Rashidah Leverett

On Sunday evening May 16th, 2010 Bishop Calvin Locket preached a sermon entitled "The Question of Identity", the text came from Acts 19:11-15. The seven sons of the chief priest Scheva tried to "call out" a evil spirit in Jesus name (paraphrasing).

This morning as I reflected back on the message, I could not get the words of the 'evil spirit' out of my mind, "but the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? (v 15, ESV). How did the evil spirit "know" specifically Paul and Jesus? Because both Paul and Jesus had certain things in common that the sons of Scheva did not. One,they encountered evil on a continuous basis! (WOW! God's been talking to me.)

For example,
1. Jesus was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13)-EVIL!
2. Jesus was rejected by his people (Luke 4:23-28)-EVIL!
3. Jesus was kissed them betrayed by his friend (Luke:47-48)-EVIL!
4. Paul was forceed out of the city for preaching Jesus (Acts13.50)-EVIL!
5. Paul & Barnabas were stoned for preaching Jesus (Acts 14:5)-EVIL!
6. Paul & Silas were beaten and jailed for teaching Jesus (Acts 16:19-30)-EVIL!

Another commonality between Paul and Jesus was "they were filled with the Holy Spirit" (see Luke 4:1 and Acts 13:2,4,19). So for the sons of Scheva to be so bold as to think that they were powerful enough to "call out" a evil spirit and yet not allow the Holy Spirit to "send them" was a very arrogant act.

But I can't judge the sons of Scheva, I too have thought I could claim the power that Jesus had over evil, but not have His power take authority over the evil in my life. We think as long as we are Christians, evil will not touch us. Not so! The truth is because we are Christians "evil is ever present." We have to know that only through the power of the Holy Spirit can evil be defeated. Evil will stand in our faces and make a mockery of our power like it did the sons of Scheva. They enemy knows who the counterfeit believers are. My advice is, don't let evil make a fool out of us!

Dear God, Only through your son Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can we overcome evil. Give us faith so as to allow Jesus to rule our lives, so when evil comes, it won't make a mockery of our power. In Jesus Name, Amen

Monday, May 17, 2010

HE'S THERE!!!!!


Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.


Some time ago, I met a married couple at an important appointment. I arrived before they did and parked my vehicle on the side of the building. I was looking out the window when they pulled up and watched as they dialed my cell while walking inside. As my phone was ringing, they came inside and saw me! When they asked, “Where’s your truck,” I told them its location. My reply to their remark, “I didn’t see it” was, “Just because you didn’t see it didn’t mean I wasn’t here.”

It’s comforting to know that there’s not a place in the universe that we can travel where we’re outside God’s Watchful Care. And although we don’t see Him physically, we can be assured that He’s there (or here) with us. The psalmist said, “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. (Psalm 139:8)
Thank God that He’s always with us.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You that You’re forever with us, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Friday, May 14, 2010

DEVOTIONAL EMAIL

"Today's devotional is an E-mail sent to Bishop from one of his spiritual daughters."


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: May 13, 2010 10:29 AM
Subject: Walking Away from Jesus
To: "bishop lockett"

Morning Bishop,
I read one of the most remarkable scriptures this morning that put a jolt in my spirit! After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him (John 6:66). I had never read this passage before. "After this?" After what? I went back to the beginning of chapter 60 and several things took place. 1. Jesus fed five thousand (v 1-15). 2. Jesus walked on water (v 16-20). 3. Jesus reveals He is the bread of life (v. 22-59). In verse 60, the disciples grumbled at the things Jesus was teaching, they found it to be difficult "when many of his disciples heard it, they said 'this is a hard saying, who can listen to it?' (ESV). In my short time of living I have found that people walk away from Jesus because it is not easy. Living a Christian life is not a bed of roses, it will require us to give up some things, some people, some habits, some behaviors and some mindsets. I too have been like the disciples and felt this walk was too hard and I needed to throw in the towel, so I pondered my alternatives, and this is what I found. Eternal Damnation. Disconnection from the Father. Life of Misery. No Peace of Mind. It amazed me that some of the disciples would leave after experiencing some of Jesus' miracles, they had first-hand access to the Son of God and walked away from it all! I can't walk away, I've seen what he has done in my life, I can't walk away. He delivered me from sin, I can't walk away. He set me back in right standing with Him, I can't walk away. He provided for me when I had nothing, I can't walk away. I have examined the alternatives, and I JUST CAN'T WALK AWAY!

Thank You Lord, I just can't walk away from you, you have delivered me from things I can't tell no one about. I love how you saved my soul and delivered me, for that I worship you. Even when this walk gets hard and I want to give up, I just remember your miracles in my life and I keep pressing, Lord I love you, and I can't just walk away. In Jesus Name Amen.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

DAILY PROVISION

Matthew 6:11- “Give us this day our daily bread.”

One of the members of our church wrote the following and it was a tremendous blessing to me:

“We quote all the time, ‘And God shall supply all of my needs according to His Riches in glory…’ Question of the day, ‘Am I content with how God chooses to supply my need, or am I upset because I can’t control the way He chose to supply it?’ Today, I have everything I need. I’m not hungry, I’ve got some place to stay, health, strength, and a way to get wherever I need to go. Today, the lights, water and phone (the essentials) are paid.”

How appropriate for living in times like these! If we looked at things in the natural, it could cause us to become worried and even depressed. But our faith is in A God Who supercedes the economy! And while we may not be able to figure everything out long term, we must pause and thank God for today and trust Him with tomorrow. Jesus taught the disciples to pray for daily provision. (Matthew 6:11)

Let’s thank God for today’s provision and let Him handle tomorrow’s like He’s doing today.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for today’s needs being met. Teach us how to trust You for tomorrow, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10 ‘

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

EXPECT GOD

Romans 4:19 “Abraham's faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly a hundred years old. He knew that he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God's promise…” (Contemporary English Version)


The Bible is clear that faith is an absolute necessity in our walk with the Lord. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Five verses later, the Word declares that faithlessness displeases God. (Hebrews 11:6) God’s Word says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” I’d venture to agree with the saints of old that “Prayer is the key to the kingdom, but faith unlocks the door.” Although faith is the foundation to our spiritual victory, there are multiplied masses who don’t exercise it. Why do we find it so difficult to operate in faith?

Many of us have been inadvertently crippled by fear. The longer we wait on God to manifest what He’s promised, the more difficult it becomes to “hold onto our faith.” There are those who have resolved to throw up their hands and say things like, “What’s the use? Maybe it wasn’t for me after all.” I want to remind you that God keeps His Promises! The Contemporary English Version of Numbers 23:19 says, “God is no mere human! He doesn't tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Like Abraham, we must not doubt God or question His Promises. Although he and his wife (Sarah) were well past child bearing age, the miracle child (Isaac) manifested because He refused to doubt what God had promised. The exhortation today is simply to encourage you to hold onto the Promises of God—“it shall come to pass!”

Let’s Pray:
Father, we ask that You’ll help us to hold onto our faith. Lord, we know that all things are possible to those that believe (Mark 9:23), but we pray today that You’ll ‘help our unbelief’ (Mark 9:24). We pray that we’ll “trust You and give you time, no matter how long it takes,” in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Makeover


Jeremiah 18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
Customers shopping at Wal-Mart (one of America’s favorite pastimes) in the city of Clarksville are probably frustrated during this season. Because of the frequency of which Americans patronize the store, many of us are pretty familiar with the location of most items. However, the stores in Clarksville (with the exception of one) are getting a total makeover. Product s are being moved from their traditional locations to places that marketing experts say will make our visit to the store more pleasurable. Wal-Mart’s reputation of customer service, cleanliness, and convenience is being temporarily forfeited for a better shopping experience in the future. Although we don’t see it now, the end result of the makeover will benefit us at a later time.

Jeremiah got to witness a makeover when he visited the potter’s house. When he arrived to his destination, he witnessed the potter making clay pots on the potter’s wheel. The Bible says that the clay was marred (spoiled or messed up) in the hands of the potter. But instead of disposing of the vessel, the potter put the pottery back on the wheel and made it over again resulting in an extreme makeover.

If you’re reading this and you’ve been affected by the twists, turns, and traumas of life (especially being involved in both church and ministry), don’t forfeit the fight because you’ve been wounded. Allow The Potter of Life to “make you over again.”

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that You’ll make us over again and again, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”



The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daily Devotionals: God is Working Things Out

Daily Devotionals: God is Working Things Out

God is Working Things Out

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
My in-laws’ home is a reminder of how God takes what looks like a bad situation and works things out for our good. Several years ago their home was completely destroyed by a tornado. Their place of residence was laid to ruins while they were inside. It’s a notable miracle that they’re still alive considering the way the storm came through the home. Although a great deal of their property and personal belongings was ruined, they had insurance so everything was replaced. The end state of their trial resulted in The Lord blessing them with a wonderful home that’s twice the size of the one they had. On top of that, they bought the home with a fair amount of equity already in it! What looked initially like a catastrophe ended up as a wonderful blessing.

Many times we’re unable to see The Plan of God amidst the things that we endure. But The Master has a way of working things out in a way that both favors us and gives glory to His Name. The challenge for the believer is to trust God when we don’t understand what He’s doing or why we’re having to endure the things we do. Our faith has to rise to the point where “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that we’ll know that You’re working out every detail of our lives for our good, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Friday, May 7, 2010

What’s On Your Mind?

Psalms 111:1 “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”
As believers sit in churches each Sunday, all kinds of thoughts bombard their minds—from sports being played on television to the final chores needing to get done before the upcoming week to where they’ll eat when they get out of church…The lyrics, “Your body is here with me, but your mind is on the other side of town” manifests as a reality each week—ironically in the House of the Lord of all places! Though many believers’ bodies are in our churches, their minds are often torn between giving its attention to the worship service and wandering off someplace else.

The key to having a wonderful worship experience and fully accessing the Presence of the Lord is to “…forget about yourself, and concentrate on Him…” Martin Luther, the great German reformer, once said, “To let your face blabber one thing while your heart dwells on another is just tempting God…Any and every thing, if it is to be well done, demands the entire man, all his mind and faculties.” The psalmist confirmed Luther’s words of wisdom when he pinned, “…I will praise the Lord with my whole heart…” As we prepare to attend our worship services over the weekend, let’s make sure that we “reel in our wandering minds” prior to entering the sanctuary. It could be our ticket to receiving what we need from the Lord.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, forgive us for the many times our bodies were in church but our minds were every place but there. Teach us how to focus on You only and to access Your Presence, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”


Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”



The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Thursday, May 6, 2010

The National Day of Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:13 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. (KJV)


Earthquakes are leaving thousands of people dead in different parts of the world. Uncontrolled forest fires have spread over hundreds of acres at a time destroying everything in their paths to include homes. Record snowfall amounts have fallen over the past year which caused many to be stranded in airports and hotels and even shut down cities (to include our nation’s capital). The recent volcano halted the operations of the airways causing the airline industry to lose billions of dollars in revenue and delaying and/or re-routing the travel itineraries of thousands. Violent storms have swept through cities causing devastation that will take months to overcome. This past weekend, our city (Clarksville, Tennessee) experienced its worst flooding in decades damaging homes and businesses and shutting off parts of the city. And these are only the natural disasters! When you factor in the crime and unemployment rates, a shaky economy, increased terrorist threats (the list goes on and on) in our nation, then you have a formula that equates to a generation of people who are living in perilous times.

While many would chalk up the aforementioned events as coincidental, I defend that there is a direct correlation between the increase in natural disasters and man’s decreased desire for God. At the same time that our world is trying to take God and His Way of doing things out of society, the doors are being left wide open for Satan to come in. Not only have we witnessed the warfare of continuing prayer in our schools and other public establishments, but our President’s desire to recognize the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer was even opposed. Thank God that His Promise still remains: “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.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

If at all possible, touch and agree with at least one other believer today and intercede for our nation and our world.

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Sunshine After The Rain

Psalms 30:5 “…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (ESV)


The weather forecast for this past weekend called for thunderstorms beginning on Friday around mid-day and continuing all-day Saturday and Sunday. Nothing extraordinary about the weekend predictions; rainy weekends have been forecasted many times before. Very few people (if any) anticipated the record-breaking downpour we experienced. A state of emergency was declared in many areas of our state as many homes and businesses were flooded. The devastation caused by the forty-eight hour downpour catapulted Nashville and the surrounding middle Tennessee area into the local, regional, and national news headlines. But the workweek began on Monday morning in a very optimistic way—the sun was bright and shining! The beautiful sunlight and eighty degree weather we’ve experienced the past two days have been welcomed here in Middle-Tennessee—more especially after such unseasonal rain.

There are times when we’re faced with adverse situations that are totally unexpected. There have been seasons when the troubles of life caught me totally by surprise. But the good news is that trials, tribulations, and traumas are not terminal—they’re temporary. Thank God that the storms of life eventually “pass over.” And after every storm, there’s a bright cloud somewhere. The Bible says that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Regardless of who you are and what you’re going through, I believe by faith that God is turning things around in your favor.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, I pray that You’re turning things around in the life of the person reading this devotional. I pray that You’ll help them to ‘hold on til their change comes,’ in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

GRACE, GRACE, GRACE

2 Corinthians 12:9: And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…”


The month of May is the fifth month of the year and five is the number for grace. Most of us understand grace from the definition of “favor, kindness, friendship, and God’s forgiving mercy.” One of the great hymns of the church (written by John Newton) echoes this great blessing:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.”


While the first two (of six) stanzas celebrate God’s Favor and Forgiving Mercy, the third shifts and takes on a totally different meaning—God’s Ability. The third one reads:

“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.”


Although Paul prayed fervently for God to remove his infamous, “thorn in the flesh,” the request of one of God’s most faithful servants was denied (II Corinthians 12:7-8). However, the Lord did grant Paul the grace (or the ability) to overcome the proclivity assigned his human body (II Corinthians 12:9). Like Paul, there are times that we pray fervently for things that the Lord just doesn’t grant. During these moments, we question God and sometimes even doubt His Concern concerning our plight(s). I want to encourage you, beloved, that God heard and answered your prayers by giving you grace to go through whatever comes your way. The exhortation today is to thank the Lord for His Amazing Grace.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Your Grace.” We pray that You’ll give us the revelation that we’ve been graced to handle whatever comes our way, in Jesus’ Name, amen!”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”


The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Monday, May 3, 2010

IT IS WELL

“…It is well.” (II Kings 4:26)


In 1871, a great fire struck the city of Chicago, and the real estate holdings of a young man by the name of Horatio Spafford were all but destroyed. Mr. Spafford was a Christian lawyer and though much of what he owned was gone, he still maintained his faith in God. He knew that God was in control, and that The Lord loved him. Two years later, he and his wife decided to take their four young daughters to England to be educated. Most of the schools in Chicago had not yet been rebuilt and they weren’t of the quality of the schools overseas. Just before the boat was to leave, Mr. Spafford got called away on business, so he sent his wife and daughters ahead intending to join them on the next boat.


During the voyage, their ship collided with another ship and it sank to the bottom of the ocean. Unfortunately, most of the passengers aboard the ship died—to include Mr. Spafford’s four daughters. Thankfully, his wife was rescued from the seas and the telegram she sent to her husband simply read, “Saved, alone.” When Mr. Spafford received this message, the tragedy of the fire seemed nothing in comparison to what the telegram read. Money and burned buildings could be replaced but his children were gone!

But during these clouds of darkness and despair, he somehow remembered the Promise of God’s Presence. God would not forsake him in his trying hours, no matter what the circumstances. And with that thought on his mind, H. G. Spafford put on paper the lyrics:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Verse 4 says:

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

When Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, inquired about the welfare of the Shunammite woman immediately after her son had expired, she simply replied, “…It is well.” (II Kings 4:26) Her response wasn’t one of denial, but one laced with the possibility that things would get better. Middle Tennessee and the surrounding area is being affected this morning by flooding like it has never seen. But in the midst of the chaos that’s going on in many a life, I exhort you to expect things to get better. It is well!

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for things being as well as they are. Help us to be optimistic that things will get better, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10