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"WHERE PRAYER AND PRAISE TAKE YOU INTO HIS PRESENCE"

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Dedicated Household

Joshua 24:15 “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”


I know a young man who lost his job and had to move back home with his mother. He’d been brought up in the church but had strayed away from this Christian discipline as an adult. His mother agreed to let him move back into the house under one stipulation—he had to go to church. Her comment to him was, “The occupants in this house attend church. And now that you’re under this roof, you will do the same.”


One of the saddest commentaries of this present generation of parenting is that our children have too many options. And while it’s good to encourage them to think for themselves, there are some things that should not be optional. My dad told me coming up, “As long as your big feet dangle from my table you’re going to church on Sunday!” We need more parents who will take a stand for God and will dedicate their households to The Lord. Joshua took this kind of stand during his generation. His exhorted the people to “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15) He made his proclamation that “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Is serving God or coming to church optional in your household? Do those in your home get to decide for themselves whether or not they attend church this weekend? The exhortation is to dedicate our households to The Lord.


Let’s Pray:
“Father, in The Name of Jesus, help us to dedicate our homes to You, 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, June 24, 2010

A Daily Task


I Corinthians 15:31- “…I die daily.”




A couple years ago, I spoke with a pastor who was celebrating his 50th Pastoral Anniversary. I was simply amazed that after fifty years he’s still excited about Jesus and is passionate about his pastoral call! When I asked for words of wisdom to help me along, he replied, “Son, I’m still learning to die each day. I have to so that Christ may live.”



Paul said, “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) You’d think that after being a pastor for fifty years, he would have mastered or even “grandfathered” the Christian walk to the point that his flesh would be dead now. But dying to ourselves is something that we’ll have to do each day until we go to the grave. If Christ is going to live in us, we have to yield to this process on a continuous basis. Paul said, “I die daily.” (I Corinthians 15:31)


Yield to the process of dying to the flesh today (and every day) so that Christ may live.


Let’s Pray:

“Father, help us to die to the flesh each day, 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, June 23, 2010

Sow A Good Seed Today


Genesis 8:22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease."


One of the most powerful principals in the Bible is the principal of Seedtime and Harvest. The Bible establishes this principal as an eternal one: “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) This simply means that as long as cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night are occurring, this principal will be in effect. Many Christians have limited this concept to just money, but this principal applies to almost everything in life. To obtain a harvest in a particular area, you have to sow a seed there. For example, to have good health, you have to sow the seed of exercise and eating healthy; any strong relationship—from marriages to parents and their children to great friendships—have sown the seed of time and communication to develop it; the championship team has sown the seed of hard work on the practice field, court or diamond; the award-winning choir has sown the seed of rehearsing together; the doctor has sown the seed of studying as well as spending long hours in the hospital as an intern; and the effective preacher has sown the seed of prayer and spending time “in the study” preparing for the preaching and teaching assignment.

We must be ever so conscious of this principal because it’s always at work—whether we realize it or not. I once heard a pastor say when he was being challenged with some of his leaders, “Lord, I’m not entitled to this harvest because when I was serving other pastors I sowed the seed of obedience and servitude!” Those reading this devotional that desire to be in charge someday must sow the seed of being a good follower so that you’ll reap that harvest when you’re the leader. Every day, we should sow seeds of servitude, encouragement, kindness, and even a smile so that we can reap a harvest from those seeds that we’ve sown. And please don’t forget that if we sow bad seed, we’ll reap a harvest from those seed as well. Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…” (Matthew 7:12) In other words, sow a seed for how you want to be treated and you’ll reap the harvest from it.

If you’re not satisfied with the harvest you’re currently experiencing, consider the seed that you’ve sown. Then, change your future outcome by sowing good seed today and every day!

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Your Principal of Seedtime and Harvest. Help us to always remember this principal and to sow good seed, 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, June 21, 2010

A Bold Approach

Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.


An interaction between a 4-year old boy and his pastor reminds me of the way we are to approach The Lord. Yesterday morning, a group of us were fellowshipping in the Pastor’s study in Indianapolis prior to the 8 a.m. worship service. Suddenly, an unusually loud knock interrupted the gathering and caught everyone’s attention. When one of the servant leaders opened the door, a young boy walked in, bypassed the rest of us in the room, and took a gift directly to his spiritual father, Bishop Larry D. Grinstead. His gesture caused all of us in the room to erupt in laughter.


While it’s Scriptural to reverence and honor the Glory and Majesty of our God, we must also know His Desire to be in an intimate relationship with us. And if we’re going to be in covenant with God, there must be a level of confidence that we have in communicating with Him or accessing His Presence. The Bible exhorts us to, “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)


If you are a Christian, always remember that you have a right to commune with your Heavenly Father—regardless to what season of life you may be in.


Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for giving us access to come boldly before You, 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

Questions of the Day

Friday, June 18, 2010

Unconditional Praise


Job 1:20- “ Then Job arose…and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped…”


We live in a time where relationships are based upon mountaintop experiences instead of loyalty and commitment. There are many reading this devotional who can attest to the fact that your friends were many as long as things were well in your life but your entourage was thin during your valley experiences. Unfortunately, this attitude has even spilled over into their relationships with the Lord. Although our trials and tribulations are intended to strengthen us and draw us closer to God, they’ve had the opposite effect on many believers.



One of the litmus tests in determining our loyalty to God is whether or not we can celebrate Him during life’s low points. Job went through one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever heard of at the beginning of the book titled after him. His donkeys, sheep, and cattle (our modern day businesses/assets) were all gone within the space of a few hours! But when all his children died, his pain escalated to a totally different level. The Bible says that Job did something that doesn’t make sense to the natural mind: he “…fell down upon the ground and worshipped…” (Job 1:20)



Job blessed The Name of God (Job 1:21) immediately after one of life’s most difficult times. As we consider the life of Job, let’s ask ourselves the following question: “Do I celebrate God only during the good times or can I praise Him during life’s difficult moments?” The exhortation today is to evaluate our allegiance to God and then celebrate Him regardless to what’s happening in our lives.



Let’s Pray:
“Father, we bless Your Name today and we celebrate You just for being God. We thank You, praise You, magnify and adore You this day, 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, June 17, 2010

Find Strength in God

1 Samuel 30:1 David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2 and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. 3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured--Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.



Persecution is one of the perils of following Jesus. In fact, our Savior taught the disciples to consider themselves blessed when they were persecuted for the cause of righteousness (Matthew 5:10). Paul informed Timothy that one of the barometers of godly living was persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Most of us expect to be persecuted by enemies or those who make it perfectly clear that they don’t care for us. But what happens when persecution comes from those we endear? Have you ever been slandered by individuals you considered close to your heart?



David had this experience with his army. Four hundred men who were in debt, distressed, and discontented had gathered around him. He took these men and formed his army (I Samuel 22:2). When they returned home in I Samuel 30, they found that Ziglag had been invaded, burned with fire, and their families taken captive (I Samuel 30:1-3). David was devastated because their possessions were destroyed and the families of Ziglag (to include his own) were being held hostage (I Samuel 30:4). But to add insult to injury, his men blamed him! In fact, they contemplated stoning him to death! (I Samuel 30:6) Thank God for the latter part of verse 6: “…But David found strength in the Lord his God.” Only through The Lord was David able to recollect himself, seek God, and reclaim everything the enemy had stolen, to include their families (I Samuel 30).



All of us have individuals in our lives that we endear and regard with high esteem. There are those that we can’t fathom turning their backs on us, especially during our times of distress or moments of need. But the ONLY Person we can bank on is God. And if family, friends, and loved ones turn their backs on us, we can be rest assured that God will be right there.



The exhortation today is to thank God for His Faithfulness.



Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for being there for us when nobody else 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

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

“A God in Crises”



Matthew 14:30- “…he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…”



Have you ever been at either a place or an event and partook in a “moment of silence?” I recall dropping off my daughter at school once during this momentary pause at the beginning of the school day. When the school’s activities resumed, I was a little offended that more time wasn't given to the discipline of prayer. Like most other places, a moment of silence at school was just that—“a moment of silence.”



Will God answer a prayer that’s less than five seconds long? What can we say in such a short period that could possibly cause Him to respond? Jesus’ Parable of the Pharisee and the publican proves that it’s not the length, but the content and sincerity of the prayer that touches the heart of God. (Luke 18:10-14) Because our God is, “…a very present help in trouble…” (Psalm 46:1), He’s available during times of emergency. I defend that accidents have been prevented and lives even spared because of a cry of help (to God) during crises situations. Jesus’ immediate response to Peter’s three-word prayer literally prevented him from drowning in the midst of the sea. (Matthew 14:31)


It’s comforting to know that we serve a God Who responds during times of crises.


Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Your Intervention during times of crises in our lives, 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, June 15, 2010

KEEP MOVING

Galatians 6:9 And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up. (TLB)


His plays and films have grossed around 500 million dollars in North America alone. The hilarious television show he created, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” is the highest rated sitcom to ever appear on cable television. He is the most successful filmmaker outside of Hollywood. I’m sure you know to whom I’m referring, the one and only Tyler Perry.


Conversely, behind his success is a history of pain. His social profile archives a childhood of physical and mental abuse, episodes of sexual molestation, and two failed suicide attempts. Eleven short years ago, he was homeless and unsure where his next dollar would come. In an interview in Ebony magazine some time ago, he offered this advice: “…The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.”


Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are periods when it seems that the more we pray the worse things get! During these times, we need to heed Bro. Tyler’s advice and “keep on moving.” Paul told the church at Galatia the following words, “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” (Galatians 6:9, TLB)


The exhortation today is to not give up…“keep moving.”


Let’s Pray:
“Father, help us to not give up, regardless to where we are in life, 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, June 9, 2010

“It’s About Jesus”

Various Scriptures


Earlier this week, an individual was advertising a new business by holding up a sign with a directional arrow pointing towards the building. I couldn’t tell the gender of the person nor could I see any portions of the individual’s upper torso. Amazingly, the parts of the body that identifies most human beings were totally hidden from the traffic that passed by. The only thing that was visible was the business that the person was promoting.

The above is a classic illustration of the attitude of the Apostle Paul. His passion to have others to see Christ in and through him frequently came out in his writings. He said in:

Acts 17:28, “‘In him we live and move and have our being…’” His testimony to the church at Galatia was, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV) He exhorted the Colossians, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)


Always remember the words of one of last year’s top songs, “It’s Not About Us, but It’s about Jesus” (Bishop Noel Jones and The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir).


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, June 8, 2010

Intimacy: The Missing Link




James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”


I’ve found that there are many Christians who attend church regularly but are frustrated in their relationships with God. I’m saddened by the surplus of believers who come to church, hear the Word of God, and even hold positions and/or offices in their congregations, but yet they feel disconnected from the Lord. While everyone goes through seasons where we feel like God is a million miles away, this feeling of despair should only be temporary. How often do pastors hear God’s people give the same testimony: “Pastor, I love God, but I just feel ‘something missing’ in my life.” Many have just resolved to embrace this temporary state of barrenness as a permanent part of their spirituality.


The missing link in many a Christian life is intimacy with God. One relationship expert defined intimacy as “to see into me.” If we’d take an objective look at creation, we’d see God’s Intimacy regarding man’s design. The Lord didn’t perform mass reproduction regarding us, but He created us “fearfully and wonderfully,” giving us our very own DNA and fingerprints (Psalm 139:14). He even assigned each strand of hair on our heads a number! (Matthew 10:30)


Periodically, it is necessary that we evaluate our relationship with God to see if we’re pursuing intimacy with Him or not. Every now and then, we ought to ask ourselves the hard questions: “Is my spiritual life off balance?” “What amount of time do I spend telling God what’s on my mind verses my seeking what’s on His?” “Has my walk with God dissipated to just talking to Him in emergency situations?” “Is my view of God one of reverence and respect or has He become my “sugar daddy?”


If you aren’t satisfied with the answers to those questions, James has this solution for us: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8) Make the decision today that your relationship with God is going to be one of intimacy—in obedience, in study, in worship, in service, and in church attendance. Then and only then, will the spiritual void be filled and we’ll have the connection with God that our hearts long for.


Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that our relationships with You will be ones of intimacy and not just existence. As the deer pants for the water, we pray that our souls will long after You. Help us to draw closer to You than we’ve ever been, 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, June 7, 2010

The Enemy of Procrastination

Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."



I read some time ago that worry is probably the most universal sin in the body of Christ. If worry is the most widespread sin, then procrastination is a close second! And while we understand The Timing of God, there are some things that we’re failing to do because of our slothfulness. Personally, I’ve met more than a few Christians who have echoed the same words: “I need to start…” More often than not, the greatest hindrance in starting what God is leading us to do is the person we see in the mirror.



In Numbers 13, 10 of the 12 spies who went on the reconnaissance of the Promised Land came back with an evil report. Although there were giants in the land, Caleb and Joshua refused to allow procrastination to become an enemy. Caleb’s reply to the negative report of the other spies was, “…Let us go up at once and take possession…” (Numbers 13:30)

Has procrastination become one of your greatest enemies? My prayer for you today is that you’ll overcome this enemy and walk in obedience to God.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that You’ll ‘break the back’ of procrastination in our lives, 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, June 4, 2010

VARIOUS SCRIPTURES

When God created man, He placed him in the paradise of a Garden where he could enjoy anything and everything except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Genesis 2:16-17) The major consequence of Adam’s sin was our being eternally separated from God. But thank God for Jesus! Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, restored that which man lost at the fall and gave us back privileges that were forfeited by Adam. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Paul informed the men of his day that “…in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28) Peter boldly proclaimed to the hearers in the 1st century, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The authority we have over Satan isn’t in and of ourselves, but The Name of Jesus. Our Lord tells us in Luke 10:19 that, “…I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.”

Let’s celebrate our God today simply because of the access we have through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Jesus and the access we have through Him, 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, June 3, 2010

****HEED THE WARNING****

John 16:13: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.


Once upon a time, flashing lights at oncoming traffic represented that law enforcement was ahead. I recall an occasion when I was traveling on a road that I’d never seen a police car. While driving that morning, an oncoming car flashed its lights at me. Although the speed limit was 30, most people accelerated over the speed limit on that road and I was no exception. The flashing lights provoked me to decrease my speed to the legal limit. One-half mile down the road, a policeman was nestled snug in a wooded area with his radar gun pointed directly at me. Not only did heeding the warning cause me to adhere to the laws of the land, but it also prevented me from getting a ticket.

Whether you realize it or not, Our Heavenly Father has given His children an Internal Warning System and His Name is The Holy Spirit. One of the many reasons that we can give Our God praise is because He left His Spirit to comfort, lead, guide, teach, and show us things to come. Like natural lights flash when we need to proceed with caution, The Holy Spirit warns us when there is danger ahead during our spiritual journeys. We can attribute some of the fixes, binds, and jams in our lives to our failure to heed the Counsel of the Comforter. In fact, one of the gauges of growth is when we can recognize and obey the “flashing lights” given us by the Spirit of God. Let’s resolve today to listen and submit to the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank you for The God here on earth right now in the Person of The Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord, for loving us enough to leave us Someone Who knows the past, present, and future. Thank You for your desire to lead us, guide us, and show us things to come. Help us to both recognize and yield to Your Voice this day, in Jesus’ Name we 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, June 2, 2010

The Importance of Spiritual Fathers

This week, Christ the Healer Church will celebrate its 12th Church Anniversary. Later this week, Bishop Calvin and Pastor Lynn Lockett will be honored for their contributions to the Clarksville Community.


There are no other people deserving of this honor! In the body of Christ it is important who we maintain relationships with. One of those relationships must be to our spiritual fathers and mothers.
Let us look at the mantle of anointing that Elijah passes down to Elisha. Elijah took the mantle, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and left, then the two of them crossed over into dry ground. After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you?’ So Elisha answered, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” Elijah replied, you have asked a difficult thing. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t (2 Kings 2: 8-10).

Elisha went on to receive the double portion of the spiritual fathers anointing. You see, Elijah had walked with God, talked with God, demonstrated his faith in God, so God allowed Elijah’s spirit to transfer to his spiritual son, Elisha. But before Elisha could take the mantle, he had to first submit himself to Elijah’s training, for over 20 years! Too many in the body today are in a hurry to grab a mic and preach but we have no foundation from the father. You can’t be a Bishop Calvin Lockett without a Pastor Verdell!

Your spiritual fathers’ anointing came out of submission to God and allowing his body to be “buffeted about.” When your pastor tells you it is not your time yet, believe them, they see what you can’t! People who are anointed can see for real, they know who you are in the spirit. Your spiritual father is responsible to protect you from harm, so don’t get mad when he/she has not given you a title yet, they can see! Only a person who is under the obedience of God can lay hands on you and anoint you to greater works!

Today's prayer is that we value our spiritual fathers and be mature enough to discern what they mean in our lives. Father, allow us to trust that the portion of anointing that flows from our spiritual fathers will find us and we will follow in that same anointing.