Worry, or Worship?

Joel Osteen

Today's Scripture
"We have no power against this large army that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we look to you for help." (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
The enemy would love to get you worrying instead of worshiping God. When the devil brings you thoughts of worry, anxiety and fear, let them be a reminder for you to thank God that His answer is on the way. Say, "Devil, thank you for reminding me," and then say, "Father, I thank You that You are at work on my behalf." That's what King Jehoshaphat did. The people of Judah were surrounded by three major armies. It didn't look like they had a chance. This godly king was probably bombarded with thoughts of fear and anxiety. But he gathered the people together, lifted his eyes toward heaven, and prayed the simple prayer in today's verse. Jehoshaphat's prayer was answered. God told the people to march right in to the enemy's camp, singing and shouting praises on their way. Notice, they weren't worrying—they were worshiping—and God delivered them. Do you need a victory in your life? Then learn to worship instead of worry!

A Prayer for Today
God, You are truly the great God who is the Provider of everything we need, and much more. I want to be a worshiper instead of a worrier, so today I claim Your promise of deliverance from thoughts of fear or anxiety. Thank You for giving me the victory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part III

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Stand Against the Devil's Strategies!

Kenneth Copeland

"Leave no room or foothold for the devil give no opportunity to him." (Ephesians 4:27, Amp)

If you give the devil place, he will take it. You have to stay alert and keep your shield of faith high because if you don't, he'll turn around and steal back from you the ground you just took.

There have been people who have received their healing and have fallen back into their old thinking patterns of sickness. They let their faith down and gave the devil an opening. When he came along with an old symptom, they weren't ready for him. They fell victim to his counterattack.

You can stand successfully against the devil's strategies! But before you do, you're going to have to make three quality decisions.

First, you must make the Word of God the final authority in your life. Line up your thinking with whatever the Word says.

Next, you must decide to live your life by faith in what God has said. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Finally, you must decide to live by the love of God because faith works by love. Without love, your faith won't function. Without the Word, you can't have faith. So don't try to make one of these decisions without the other two. You need to make all three of them. This lifestyle of the Word, faith and love keeps you in a place of resistance to the devil!

I suggest you get alone with God and pray:

In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by the Word of God, to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God.

Decide today to give the devil no place!

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Scripture Study: John 15:7-12

Nothing to Be Afraid Of

Gloria Copeland

"He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Self-consciousness is a major problem in the Body of Christ today. It keeps us from doing the things God tells us to do. Instead of simply obeying Him, it makes us start to wonder, "Now what will people think of me if I do that? What if I command that person to get out of the wheelchair and he doesn't get up? What if I start believing for prosperity and go broke? What about that, God? I won't look too good, will I?"

If you've ever been through that, let me tell you something: It doesn't matter how you look! It's obeying God that counts. When it comes to obeying God, your own reputation doesn't count; and the sooner you forget it, the better off you'll be.

But you know what's ironic? Once you do that, your reputation gets better. It's a funny thing. When you lose that desire to protect your image, your image will improve. Why? Because then when people look at you, instead of seeing that puny little image you have of yourself, they'll see the image of the Lord Jesus coming through.

So put aside that old self-consciousness and develop God-consciousness instead. Stop being dominated by the fear of man and start being motivated by faith in what Jesus can do.

After all, He has promised He will never leave you or forsake you. Grab hold of that. Believe it. Act on it. Once you do, you'll realize there's really nothing to be afraid of anymore!

---

Scripture Study: Romans 8:29-39

Raising Politically Incorrect Christians - Part 2

JoJo Tabares

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." -1 Peter 3:15

As we discussed in part one of this series, our Christian children are going to face opposition to their faith, both in college and in their career. How should our Christian teens respond when their faith is questioned, when their beliefs are mocked, when their rights are trampled upon? Sometimes it is easier to look at a question in reverse, so let's start with how Christians should not respond. Here are a few items that occurred in the past year that will help illustrate.

Rosie O'Donnell told The View audience, "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam." This comment was illogical and inflammatory, and I am certain Miss O'Donnell does not really believe that a large, organized group of Christians exists who are blowing up innocent people. Miss O'Donnell lives a lifestyle in opposition to some of the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, and certain laws she would be in favor of would not pass if Christians had their way. So it seems what she really meant to say was that Activist Christians would be a threat to the laws she would like to see passed. A very different comment than the one she made, and it doesn't pack the same punch.

Many Christians were highly insulted and either asked for or demanded an immediate apology. Some called for her resignation. I asked a different question that I would like you to consider: What would bring Miss O'Donnell to say something like this that was obviously not true?

I believe what fuels the fire for accusations such as hers are those who call themselves Christians but who do not behave in a very Christ-like manner. Each time someone calling himself a Christian speaks out in anger, it only serves to inflame. Unfortunately, the mainstream news media is only too willing to run their stories because they make Christians look like intolerant wackos.

This brings us to another story. A Christian guest on the Hannity and Colmes show stirred up some controversy after the Amish school shooting last fall when she expressed the opinion that the five little Amish girls killed at that school had so angered the Lord with their sins that He had them murdered. Apparently, no other sinners walking the earth that day deserved God's wrath. Two other things kept running through my mind as she spoke. 1) If she really believed that the Amish and our country are on the wrong path, wouldn't it have been more persuasive and Christ-like to share those opinions in love and with respect? 2) As it stands now, the only thing she succeeded in communicating is that she is a Radical Christian Wacko. You know, like the kind Miss O'Donnell warned you about!

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." –Proverbs 18:19

Another incident of a Christian responding inappropriately occurred not too long ago when a secular band released a new CD that was explicitly anti-Christian in its content. It shouldn't surprise us when these types of groups use Satanic hype in order to rally fans and sell CDs. It has been going on for decades in the music industry. These are usually lost souls, ignorant of the truth. They are caught up in things that, for the most part, they do not fully understand. As Christ said, "They know not what they do."

I came across a website on which people were discussing the new CD. Most of the comments were, as you might expect, primarily the rantings of young teens cheering the band on using foul language and very little intellect. Most entries made fun of Christians or denounced any responsibility in life. Some comments were from kids who just did not want to answer to anyone. Life was one big funfest to them and Christians were raining on their parade! However, one comment in particular caught my eye. It was posted by a woman claiming to be a Christian. I was deeply disappointed and saddened to find that her comment was harsh and hateful as she told the band to, "burn in hell." Here was a Christian's chance to speak up and defend the faith or plant a seed for Christ, but she failed to do either. As we might expect, the responses to her comment were even angrier and more focused than the original comments. When you respond in anger, it only turns the level of anger up a notch. What it almost never does is raise the level of persuasion!

Does the Lord really want the members of this band to burn in hell? No, He wants them to come to Him! But would you come to someone whose followers told you to "burn in hell"?

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." -Colossians 4:6

These are extreme examples and situations in which most Christians may never find themselves. However, there are many other ways to respond that are also less than Christ-like. Have you ever replied to an e-mail or an online comment out of anger or disrespect? Has your son or daughter ever been upset by something someone said and spoken out in a harsh tone? Each and everything we say and do communicates something to those around us. If we call ourselves Christians, we must be careful to speak in love and with grace and respect. Anger only begets anger. Comments that bring anger may elicit the thought, "If that's a Christian, I sure don't want to be one!"

The fact that we are right about something doesn't give us the right to hit someone over the head with it. It also doesn't make it an effective way to persuade someone of something. If we respond in anger or with disrespect, we are only doing what I call screaming in a deaf man's ear Screaming does not help a deaf man understand you better. It only serves to make him certain that he does not want to!

As Christians, we should also not respond to others with an attitude of judgment, condemnation, scorn or arrogance. These also cause others to turn a deaf ear. Nobody wants to be told he is an awful person or that he is wrong. No one enjoys having his beliefs attacked. Most people who are treated this way will not be receptive. What might happen is that they will be far less inclined to listen to anything else about Jesus. This does not mean that we have to be "tolerant" of everything that people do. However, we would be wise to remember the old saying, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." We can speak the truth, but we should do it with a spirit of love and grace.

Instead of getting angry and defensive when someone makes a rude comment, we should train our children to "bless those who curse us." Instead of firing off a rude or mean-spirited response, they should share, in a spirit of love, what they know about Jesus. We need to teach our children to be Christ-like in their reply even when they are attacked or mocked for their beliefs.

The Bible tells us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. While silence is not an answer, the Lord asks us to love our neighbor and turn the other cheek. He tells us to respond with gentleness and respect. The reason He tells us to respond in this manner is that God knows the hearts of men He knows that when we respond with anger, condemnation, disrespect, judgment, sarcasm, hurt or arrogance, we will not be effective witnesses for Him.

"He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend." –Proverbs 22:11

The Lord doesn't want any of His children to perish, but wants all to come to Him and be saved. That is the message we need to share with non-Christians. When the Lord deems it time, He will come to judge. But right now there is still time to share God's love, grace and mercy with the lost. Condemnation will not turn a soul's ear toward Christ; it will only lead it further away. Those who continue to speak up for their beliefs by telling others to "burn in hell" or by becoming angry or judgmental are actually enabling Satan to lead others away from the saving grace of Christ Jesus.

So before your daughter rattles off a response to Aunt Jenny, before your son types that e-mail response, teach them to take a look at the tone of their communication. Is it respectful? Does it share God's love? Is it something that is going to make the other person listen with an open heart or is it merely designed to make your child feel better after his or her beliefs have been attacked?

By sharing our beliefs in a spirit of love, we can have a far more positive impact on those around us than if we react with hostility, anger or scorn. Let's work now to raise up a generation that will speak out boldly for the cause of Christ, sharing the light of His love in the darkness of the world.

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JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication. Her Christian and humorous approach to communication skills has made her a sought after speaker. She is the author of the Say What You Mean communication curriculum, and has had articles published in various homeschool magazines and websites. JoJo and her husband live in Southern California where she homeschools their two children. For more information, please visit www.ArtofEloquence.com

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part III

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Train Your Senses

Kenneth Copeland

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:13-14)

You're spiritually "grown up" or mature when, through practice, you have trained your senses to discern between good and evil. You've practiced walking in the Spirit and renewing your mind by the Word of God until even your flesh habitually goes God's way instead of the world's way.

Stop and think for a moment. Aren't there some things your old flesh used to pressure you to do before you made Jesus Lord of your life that you don't even want to do anymore?

There are for me. For example, I used to smoke tobacco, and I felt sorry for all those Christians who couldn't. But you know what? Now that I'm a believer, I have no desire for tobacco anymore. It is not even part of my thoughts much less my lifestyle.

That's the kind of thing that happens as you feed and renew your mind on the Word of God. It doesn't necessarily happen quickly or easily. Your flesh may fight and buck for a while because it's been trained to go the way of the world so long. But if you stick with the Word and keep growing, your flesh can develop the habit of righteousness just like it developed the habit of unrighteousness.

Don't starve your spirit by trying to get by on just a little spiritual milk now and then. Develop the habit of feeding on the solid food of the Word every day and find out what real maturity is all about.

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Scripture Study: Hebrews 5:11-14, 6:1-3

Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part II

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Habits That Will Change Your Life - Part I

Joyce Meyer

Do you desire more joy, peace and a greater sense of accomplishment? These inspiring teachings include some of the building blocks you will need to begin a whole new way of life.

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Starting Your Day Off Right

Joel Osteen

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How you begin your day usually determines the kind of day you experience. If you begin your day in a hurry, rushing from one task to another or stressed out, often you will become uptight and stay on the edge the rest of the day.

In the Bible, David says, "Early in the morning, my song will rise to You."

If you're going to be your best and live life to the full, then God needs to receive the first part of your day. Before the stress and busyness comes, before you read the newspaper and before you think about all you have to do, take time to thank God for His goodness. Read the Scriptures, meditate on His promises and speak words of victory over your life. When you do this, you're giving God your first fruits and he'll walk with you the rest of the day!

Living by Faith-- It's a Lifestyle

Gloria Copeland

"Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Timothy 2:3)
Times of hardness are inevitable. You need to know that. It's true that we've been redeemed from the curse, and there's nothing Satan can do to reverse that, but he is going to challenge you on it.

So don't be surprised when things get tough. Times will come when you have to stand strictly by faith, when you'll have to speak and act as though what God says is true even when you can't feel it or see it happening around you. There will be times when everything looks terrible. That's when you must endure hardness as a good soldier.

So many people hear the word of faith about healing or prosperity and they think, "Hey! I'm going to try that." Then when the hard times come, they give up and cave in.

Let me warn you, living by faith is not something you try. It's a lifestyle. You do it when it's hard. You do it when it's easy. You do it all the time because you're not doing it just to get in on the benefits. You're doing it because you know that faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6).

Things may get a little rough at times, but let me assure you, you'll always come out on top if you endure hardness as a good soldier. If you refuse to faint and fall away, you will have the victory. The only defeated Christian is the one who quits!

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Scripture Study: Numbers 14:1-24

God Is Gearing You Up for a Miracle

Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 13:1–20
Key Verse: Numbers 13:18

[Moses said,] “See what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many.”
Just as God led the Israelites to the land of promise and told them to “see what it is like,” so He will tell you to go to the place He has promised you. He wants you to open your eyes and assess what is going on. Is the land strong, weak, or overwhelming?

God shows you how you are outnumbered and overwhelmed so He can get you geared up for a miracle. He wants you to look at the promise so He can tell you, “I have something for you, but I want to show you what lies in front of it: I have your enemies guarding your blessing.”

Are you bold enough to press in? God is setting you up so that no one can get the credit but Him. There was a day when you would not face trouble, but after coming through so much, you now look at trouble and say, “Trouble, you cannot stop me.”

God says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isa. 54:17 NKJV). That may mean that He will let you see your enemy form the weapon, but it just will not be successful. That is what happened in the lives of Queen Esther and Mordecai—they watched Haman form a gallows for Mordecai and a death decree for Esther and the Jewish people. Yet those weapons went unused. When God shows you the weapon, just pray:

Today's Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that this weapon is not going to prosper. Thank You for revealing the enemy’s plots and plans and for removing their power to hurt me. You are gearing me up for a miracle, for my life is not my own; I have been bought with a price. I bless You, Lord of heaven and earth.

Watch Your Language

Kenneth Copeland

"In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent."
(Proverbs 10:19, Amp)
We believers need to start watching our language! We need to quit throwing words around like they weren't important and start using them like our lives depended on it--because, according to the Word of God, they do! (Prov. 18:21).

Too many of us have what Proverbs 19:1 calls a perverted mouth. Having a perverted mouth means more than lying and using profanity. It means having a disobedient mouth. It means saying things that are out of line with the Word of God.

All of us have done that at one time or another. We'll say, for instance, that we're believing God for our healing and then we'll turn right around to someone and make a statement like, "This pain is about to kill me!"

That's perverted! It's backwards from what God's Word says.

"Oh well, Brother Copeland, I know I said that, but it's not really what I meant."

Listen, the world of the spirit doesn't operate on what you mean. It operates on what you say. Mark 11:23 tells us that "whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

Take note. That verse didn't say you shall have whatsoever you mean. It says you'll have what you say. It's what you say that counts.

Now, I'm not suggesting you should be tied up in knots all the time worrying about what your next phrase might be. Just use the wisdom God has given you. Train your mouth to be obedient to His Word. Then, when you need it most, you'll find that Word dwelling richly in you.

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Scripture Study: Proverbs 10:11-21

Humility in Relationships

Os Hillman

1 Peter 5:5 - All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

I'll never forget the first time I discovered what a feeling was. It was in my early forties. Surely not! you may be thinking. Yes, it is true. Since then, I have discovered many men still live in this condition. It took an older mentor to help me understand the difference between information and a feeling. Wives are frustrated because their husbands share information, but not their feelings. They want to know what is going on inside their man. The fact is, most men have not been taught to identify feelings, much less how to share them. It is something that men must learn to do because it is not a natural trait. If they do share their feelings, society often portrays them as weak. No man willingly wants to be portrayed as weak.In order to become an effective friend and leader, one must learn to be vulnerable with others and develop an ability to share feelings. It is a vital step to becoming a real person with whom others can connect emotionally. This is not easy to do if your parents did not teach you to share your emotional life with others. Emotional vulnerability is especially hard for men. Author Dr. Larry Crabb states,

Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their own children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference. When our approach to life revolves around discipline, commitment, and knowledge [which the Greek influence teaches us] but runs from feeling the hurt of unmet longings that come from a lack of deeper relationships, then our efforts to love will be marked more by required action than by liberating passion. We will be known as reliable, but not involved. Honest friends will report that they enjoy being with us, but have trouble feeling close. Even our best friends (including spouses) will feel guarded around us, a little tense and vaguely distant. It's not uncommon for Christian leaders to have no real friends. [Larry Crabb, Inside Out (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Navpress, n.d.), 98-99.]

If this describes you, why not begin on a new journey of opening up your life to others in a way that others can see who you really are? It might be scary at first, but as you grow in this area, you will find new freedom in your life. Then, others will more readily connect with you.

Perception Is Not Reality

Os Hillman

Job 4:10 - The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.

In the advertising business we often say that "perception is reality" for the person who views our advertising message. It does not matter whether the audience believes the message to be true, only that they perceive it to be true. Their actions will be the same whether they believe it or only perceive it.

The enemy of our souls is very good at this game. He may bring on us what we perceive to be true when it is a lie. It may appear that there is no way around a situation. He may bring great fear on us. When we buy into his lie, we are believing only what we have chosen to perceive to be true. It usually has no basis of truth. Such was the case when Peter looked on the waters during a night boat journey with the other disciples. At first glance, he and the disciples screamed with fear, thinking that what they saw was a ghost. It was actually Jesus.

Satan's name means "accuser." He travels to and fro to accuse the brethren. He brings an impressive front to all he does, yet behind that front is a weak, toothless lion with a destination that has already been prepared in the great abyss. He knows his destination, but he wants to bring as many with him as possible; so he often has a big roar, but little bite.

The next time some event comes into your life that creates fear and trembling, first determine the source. Look past the emotions and evaluate the situation in light of God's Word. Perception is not always reality.

Lifebit

You are welcome in my parade…

just don’t rain on it.
Romans 12:15

Think on These...

If you are a stranger to prayer…you are a stranger to power.

We study because our mind is hungry for knowledge,
we pray because our soul is hungry for God.

Prayer should be your steering wheel,
not your spare tire.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible
than to be alive without breathing.

If we don’t believe God when circumstances seem against us,
then we do not believe Him at all.

Faith in God is Enough to Overcome Any Challenge

Use the faith God gives you to overcome any challenge you’ll ever face:

Live by the Spirit. Don’t rely on your own limited strength. Instead, plug into God’s unlimited strength by asking the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you. Trust that He will help you obey God’s leading in all situations.

Believe even when you don’t see answers to your prayers. Remember that God is always at work, but sometimes He’s working behind the scenes until the right time to reveal His answers to your prayers. Believe in who Jesus really is and in what He has done for you. Recall God’s promises from Scripture. Ask God to give you the confidence to continue to listen to God’s guidance and act on it.

Be courageous. Understand that faith in the known is greater than fear of the unknown. Pray for the courage you need to follow uncharted paths. Expect that there may be a time of testing between the time you act in obedience and the time you receive what God has promised.

Be patient. Know that your faith must sometimes be tried to produce patience in you and help you mature. Don’t lose your vision simply for a lack of patience. Trust God as you wait. Remember that God is never late.

Build unity with other believers. Recognize that faith is effective when there is unity. Understand that agreement on Earth releases provision from heaven. Do your best to work with others to find a place together in God’s will, so that God’s will supercedes your individual wills. Then agree to do God’s will together.

Realize that true faith originates from God – not just good intentions. Don’t take claims based simply in good-intentioned emotion seriously. Know that when sincere or zealous statements of faith have no divine origin, they don’t bear witness to the truth, and they don’t bring real comfort. Understand that it’s much better to face reality – no matter how hard that may be – and speak the truth in love than to speak without God’s leading and just tell someone what he or she wants to hear.

Don’t worry about provision. Be assured that God will not only meet your needs, but He’ll do so abundantly. Pray specifically about whatever practical needs you have, and trust God to respond.

Don’t substitute sacrifice for obedience. Realize that your greatest sacrifice to God is not enough to justify disobedience.

Stay focused. Expect your faith to waver if you allow other concerns to distract you from God’s guidance. Focus on your God-given goals instead of the past, and on God’s promises rather than your circumstances. Invite God to remind you of how much He loves you, and let that motivate you to stay steadfastly focused on what He wants for you.

Let fear jumpstart your faith. Whenever you experience something that troubles you, realize that God may intend that experience to be a roadblock to help you change direction in your life. Turn to God with all your heart when He’s trying to get your attention, and ask Him to direct your steps.

Know that faith makes it possible to be secure anywhere. Understand that anyplace is secure with Jesus, but no place is safe without Him. Realize that God’s provision isn’t dependent on your own resources, that His ways aren’t subject to your approval, and that His timing is often different from yours. Recognize that your security lies in trusting God. Know that, no matter what, your faith can stand when it’s based on God’s promises instead of your own understanding.

Stand firm when you encounter evil. Know that faith born in the light may be tested in darkness as you go through attacks from evil. Be strong, pray, and keep believing when darkness temporarily hides victory from view.

Remember that faith without love is worth nothing. Realize that any attempt to follow Jesus’ example of ministry will be ineffective unless you also follow His example of love. Don’t let any of your sacrifices or service for God be in vain. First, get your motivation right by getting your heart right with God. Then – out of true love for God and gratitude for His love for you – give to others.

Let faith give you quiet confidence. Recognize that strength comes not from power, but from the quiet confidence of an indwelling faith. Expect that every time you submit your needs to Jesus, you’ll experience the confidence that only He can give you. Rely on that confidence to do whatever God leads you to do.

Act in faith when it’s not convenient. Whenever you sense God leading you to do something that doesn’t make sense in your current circumstances, be willing to follow His leading despite that. Remember that it’s rarely convenient to walk by faith, and that God may challenge your faith when He wants to encourage you to grow. Choose to hold God’s call in higher regard than the circumstances surrounding you.

Let faith build understanding in your relationships with others. Know that you can share a bond with other people through faith, which will transcend all your differences and unify you like nothing else. As you interact with others, take the time to truly get to know them, and let God’s love flow through you into their lives.

Fight so that the enemy doesn’t steal your faith. Be alert to ways Satan is trying to discourage you and tempt you to turn away from God. Stay connected to God through frequent prayer, and build relationships with other believers who will regularly encourage you. Remember that good is more powerful than evil.

Don’t give up under pressure. Be assured that God will give you faith sufficient for whatever you need you’ll face. Never give up in the midst of tough circumstances; just pray for the faith to handle them well.

Let your faith help you solve problems. Look beyond your problems to the God who will give you solutions. Pray for creative ideas to solve whatever problems you’re dealing with, and apply the wisdom you receive.

Remember God’s promises. Understand that, while you may be unfaithful to God, God will always be faithful to you. Read God’s promises in the Bible and know that you can count on Him. Persevere in tough circumstances, trusting that God will deliver on His promises to you.

Recognize that faith works by love. Realize that the power behind faith is love. Let love inspire you to reach beyond your own inadequate abilities and resources and into the realm of God’s help. Be willing to try whatever God wants you to try, trusting that He’ll help you along the way. Remember that nothing is impossible with God. Expect that you may even experience a miracle as God’s love flows through you.

Know that faith is never in vain. Don’t judge your faith by the apparent failure or success of your work. Remember that faith is not based on what you can see. When you don’t see the results you’d hoped for when you prayed about something, remember that God still has in answer. When your current circumstances don’t indicate anything to assure you that God is working, wait for the right time and know that God will reward your faith.

Understand that faith is not limited by time or space. Realize that God is always near even when He seems distant. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, be assured that God sees you and cares. Know that someone is always interceding for you in prayer – either Jesus in heaven, or another person who cares about you. Recognize that prayers from another dimension (heaven) or another location (even across the globe) are just as powerful as those uttered by someone in the same room with you.

Expect God to reward your faith. Know that God will never send you out to accomplish something without generously providing everything you need in order to do it. Understand that God will sometimes surprise you with extra blessings when He sees you respond faithfully to His guidance.

Recognize that God calls young people to be just as faithful as older ones. If you’re young, don’t let your age be an excuse or a hindrance from living out your faith. Remember that maturity isn’t the same as chronological age. Respond to God’s challenge to live a life of integrity that pleases Him and represents Him well to others. If you’re older, do all you can to encourage youth to live out their faith.

Remember that faith is worthwhile. Be patient during times when your faith is tested by hardships. Remember that the effort you must make to follow God’s leading is always worth it.

Let faith motivate you to give. Remember how much God has given to you, and let your gratitude for His generosity motivate you to give to other people. Know that God sees when you give with pure motives, and will reward you in heaven for doing so.

Don’t trade your faith for comfort. Know that you’ll regret any time you back away from something God wants you to do, just because it makes you feel uncomfortable. Instead of focusing on temporary, earthly rewards, focus on the eternal rewards that God will give you if you’re faithful to follow where He leads.

Don’t sacrifice obedience on the altar of common sense. Understand that faith’s security lies in obedience. Rather than basing your decisions on circumstances you can see, seek wisdom from God, who has the benefit of a complete perspective on every situation. Rely on God’s guidance instead of your own limited understanding.

Bolster your faith with daily guidance from God. Don’t neglect regular prayer time during which you seek divine direction. Know that God always has something to say to you; make time to listen to Him.

Let your faith transform your weakness into strength. Read, study, and meditate on God’s Word, the Bible, often. Realize that the substance of faith is inherent in God’s Word. Expect that when you receive His Word in faith, you’ll also receive the strength you need to live it out.

Realize that you can’t reach a positive goal by taking negative steps. Understand that faith can either be strengthened or defeated by your actions. Decide to trust God, even when you don’t understand or like what He’s doing in your life. Don’t give in to wrong feelings and act outside of God’s will. Ask God to help you stay positive.

Know that your faith will affect future generations. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children, grandchildren, and the others that come after them is a heritage of faith. Hold onto your confidence in God, realizing that doing so will benefit not only you, but others who will be inspired by your example.

Remember that faith is the substance and evidence of the unseen. Know that faith points to the One who gives it: God. Remembering that your faith is a gift from God, decide to use it to serve God as your gift back to Him. Make good use of the faith God has invested in you, and trust that as you apply this intangible resource, you’ll see tangible blessings as a result.

Realize that God can multiply a single act of faithful giving. Expect that, when you lovingly give even a small gift to help someone in need, God will use it in ways that go beyond what you can imagine. Be willing to let your possessions go when God asks for them, knowing that the little gifts you give may become great.

Let the knowledge that God truly sees and cares about you strengthen your faith. Realize that, through your relationship with God, you are truly known and truly loved. Let His deep personal love for you increase your hope for the future and bolster your faith.

Be active, not passive. Don’t squander your time and energy on activities that don’t relate to God’s purposes for your life. Don’t be idle and then pity yourself when others receive opportunities you would like. Ask God to give you the self-discipline you need to grow in your faith and serve diligently.

Link your faith together with other believers’ faith. Build meaningful relationships with other believers. Participate in and contribute to a healthy church. Know that when believers are linked together in active faith, they form a chain of deliverance. Be obedient enough to give to others in need, and humble enough to receive from others for your own needs.

Remember that faith is founded on, and maintained by, an intimate relationship with God. Recognize that faith isn’t measured by anything else but the quality of your relationship with God. Make building a close relationship with God your top priority in life, and know that God will respond by giving you more and more faith.

Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Words have the power to motivate or destroy, energize or deflate, inspire or create despair. Many successful executives can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either overachievement to prove their worth, or underachievement to prove he was right.

Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Stories abound regarding the power of words. There are just as many stories of those who have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their lives.

Jesus knew the power of words. He used parables to convey His principles of the Kingdom of God. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.

Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness? Who does God want you to encourage through your words today? Affirm someone close to you today.

Expect to Hear His Voice

Gloria Copeland

"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice, and I know them and they follow Me."
(John 10:27, Amp)

So many believers are unsure of their ability to hear God or know His voice. They're always afraid that they won't be able to tell when the Spirit of God is talking to them.

What they don't realize is this: Hearing the voice of the Spirit is a privilege that the Bible says belongs to every believer (Rom. 8:14). All we have to do to exercise that privilege is to receive it by faith and put ourselves in a position to hear.

Next time the devil tries to tell you that you can't hear God's voice, remember that.

Jesus said His sheep will know His voice and a stranger's voice they will not follow. That is a promise of God to you today. You see, the Spirit of God will never guide you in opposition to the written Word of God (John 16:13). So, if you're not familiar with what the Word says, you'll find it more difficult to discern His leading.

Get familiar with God's voice by meditating and studying the Word of God. Follow God's instruction to Joshua and meditate on it day and night. Act on what you find in the Word, not just when it's easy but every time. Be obedient even in the slightest things.

That continual obedience to the written Word will bring you into maturity and tune your inward ear to the voice of the Spirit. You'll soon be able to recognize it as easily as you recognize the voice of your dearest friend.

So, instead of wondering about it, start expecting to hear from Him.

Then start sharpening your spiritual ears by spending time in the Word.

---

Scripture Study: John 10:1-9

Lifebit

Pray through the storm…

but keep rowing.
Mark 4:35

Think on These...

Hardening of the heart will age you
quicker than hardening of the arteries.

Character is not formed on the mountaintops,
it is formed in the valleys.

There are times when silence speaks the loudest.

After victory, tighten your helmet chord.

The more you pray during times of peace, the
less you bleed during times of battle.

See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the enemy. No one can put a hand on you.
Luke 10:19 (Message Bible)

our body...

our finances...

our families...

The devil has no authority to lay a hand on us unless we give it to him through sin or simply allow him to attack us without a fight.

If you are standing on the word of God or something God has spoken to you ~ not matter how it seems ~ if you keep standing, God will enforce the victory that Jesus purchased for you.

If you are willing to believe God for it, He will back you up every time. Go ahead; trust Him when it seems impossible. Trust Him when it looks like it’s not going to happen, trust Him anyway and remind the enemy who has the power (you) and who has the authority (you) and who is backing you up (God, Jesus and Holy Spirit).

Be Consistent

Kenneth Copeland

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

Years ago, God spoke a phrase to Gloria's heart that I've never forgotten. She'd been asking Him to teach her to walk in the Spirit, to operate more fully in the supernatural power of God.

"In consistency lies the power," He said.

That revelation was tough for me. In the natural I'm anything but consistent. My human nature tends to be up one day and down the next. But, praise God, I don't have to depend on my human nature to get me by. I have Jesus Christ living within me and He's the same yesterday, today and forever!

Jesus isn't fickle. He doesn't change His mind from one day to another. He's constant, and if you'll press into Him, He can cause you to be that way too.

Most believers don't do that. That's why there are so many "faith failures" around. They stand on the Word one day and fall off of it the next.

What we need to do is continue. Jesus said if we would continue in His Word, then we would be His disciples. He said if we would continue, we would know the truth and that truth would make us free (John 8:31-32). There's a revelation of God that comes from consistency that the inconsistent person will never see.

Determine today to be consistent. Don't try to base today on yesterday's Bible study. Base today on today's Bible study. Start with the Word today, stay on the Word all day, and end the day with the Word. Then tomorrow get up and do it all again!

There's power in constant consistency. So don't be an "off again, on again" Christian. Continue in the Word every day.

---

Scripture Study: Colossians 1:14-23

Disobedience Rooted in Fear

Os Hillman

Exodus 16:19 - Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."

Have you ever seen God do something really good in your life only to find that you have abused the blessing He gave you? Such was the case of the Israelites as they were traveling through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. God was providing for them in miraculous ways. Manna was provided each day as their bread. God gave Moses specific instructions as to how this manna was to be eaten. God said each one was to gather only what he needed for that day. No one was to keep it until the next morning.

"However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them" (Ex. 16:20). God was teaching the Israelites daily trust in His provision for them. He wanted them to trust Him one day at a time. If they tried to hoard, God put a self-destruct feature in the manna. Yet God also told them to gather two days' worth on the sixth day so that they would have manna to eat on the seventh day. Interestingly, this manna did not stink or have maggots.

For many years I gathered manna in business out of fear of not having enough. One day, the Lord decided that manna should be destroyed in order for me to learn total trust in His provision. When we operate out of fear, we can expect the Lord to lovingly discipline us in order to help us learn to trust Him. There is a danger when we seek to "insure ourselves" against calamity. If your actions are born from fear, you can expect God to demonstrate His loving reproof so that you might not live in fear.

Perspective

Now, THIS is really fascinating.  It's rather dazzling to see it presented this way.
 
 



 




I certainly thought this was enlightening. Beyond our sun ... It's a big universe.



 



Antares is the 15th brightest star in the sky.  It is more than 1000 light years away.

Defeat Your Giant

Kenneth Copeland

"Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
(1 Samuel 17:26)

You may be facing a giant today. He may be a giant of sickness or failure, of financial shortage or another kind of trouble. But don't let him scare you. You have a secret weapon. A weapon that once turned a shepherd boy into a bear-busting, lion-killing, giant-slaying champion. That weapon was a blood covenant with Almighty God.

Back in David's day, circumcision was the sign of that covenant. So, when he called Goliath uncircumcised, David was saying: This guy may be a giant; he may be strong; but he has no covenant with God and that's why I can kill him.

Like David, you, too, have a covenant. But yours is better. The covenant David had offered a wealth of blessings to those who kept it, but it also included curses for those who broke it.

Yours doesn't. Yours is a New Covenant that Jesus bought with His own blood. It doesn't depend on your ability. It depends on Him and what He has already done. He has done it all! All you have to do is believe it and receive it.

Right now, read Deuteronomy 28:16-68. That's a list of the curses Christ has freed you from. You might even call it a list of the giants Jesus has already slain for you. It contains every diabolical thing the devil could ever use to destroy you.

Read it and rejoice. God has healed you and delivered you from those things!

Don't let any giant intimidate you. You have a blood covenant with Almighty God. There's no uncircumcised circumstance on the face of this earth that can take your victory away from you.

---

Scripture Study: Galatians 3:13-29

A New Remnant of Priests

Os Hillman

Isaiah 61:5 - Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

God is calling forth a remnant of businesspeople whom He will use mightily to bring good news to those who have never heard the gospel. The "10/40 Window" is commonly referred to as those areas of the world where no one has heard the name of Jesus Christ. This region represents many of the Muslim nations in the Middle East, India, China, and the former Soviet Republics. If Christian missionaries are not welcome in these countries, how do you suppose God plans to bring His message to these people? Certainly He loves these people just as much as He loves us.

God is mobilizing His businesspeople around the world to be the vessels who will bring the good news to these peoples. These countries welcome commerce, and in most cases this represents the only way to bring the gospel to these nations. In these countries, businesspeople are often viewed as those who have corrupt morals. However, God wants to change this. The "Joshuas and Calebs" are spying out the land. This class of businessperson has a pioneer spirit that is seeking ways of penetrating strongholds of spiritual darkness in these countries. God is raising them up. They see the risks, but they see the awesomeness of God that enables them to accomplish something for His Kingdom by using their resources and talents.

And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs ( Isaiah 61:6-7).

Businesspeople in these nations will be called priests of the Lord. They will feed on the wealth of these nations. The wealth of these nations are the souls who are precious in God's sight. Salvations will be their true reward as a result of their efforts. No longer will the shame many of these people live under rule their lives. God will set them free.

Has God called you to be such a vessel? Has He called you to be a catalyst in some way? Ask your heavenly Father if He might want you to affect nations for Him.

If you have never attended The 9 to 5 Window Workshop, we are offering an "extended" workshop weekend in just 3 weeks in Atlanta. This is an excellent opportunity for you to be encouraged, challenged, and equipped in practical ways to bring the Kingdom of God into your workplace. Plus, a special time of personal prayer ministry is being provided to each participant. Os and Angie Hillman will be hosting this workshop, which is being held at a beautiful wooded property conference center nestled along the Chattahoochee River just north of Atlanta. Space is limited, so don't delay registering.

A two-minute video overview and more details and online registration are available here--
http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/pages.asp?pageid=41217

Be Willing to Wait

Gloria Copeland

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles."
(Proverbs 21:23, Amp)

There's just no two ways about it. To live a life of blessing, we have to make our words agree with what God says. Not just for a few hours or a few days, but all the time.

If you've ever done that, you know it's not easy. As time wears on and the circumstances around you appear to be stubbornly determined to stay in the same miserable condition, it can be hard to keep on speaking God's Word. But you have to do it if you ever want your harvest of blessing to come in.

When Kenneth started preaching prosperity, I sat out there and listened to him with holes in the bottom of my shoes. But we knew our financial problems didn't change what the Word of God said. We knew His prosperity promises were true even if we hadn't been able to tap into them yet. So, even though we felt foolish at times, we just kept on talking about God's generous provision for us.

I realized later that Word went to work for us from the first day we began to believe it and speak it and order our lives according to it. Our prosperity crop began to grow the moment we started putting seeds in the ground. It just took time for them to come up.

Sometimes, believers don't last that long. They start planting well enough, but then when they don't see immediate results, when the bank account gets low and rent is past due, they get discouraged and begin to speak words of lack and defeat. They tear up their crop with the words of their own mouth, and they never get to enjoy the fruit of it.

The next time you strike out on faith, whether it's in the financial realm or any other area, keep that in mind. Determine from the beginning that you're not going to let that waiting period discourage you. Then hang on until the Word of God is manifested in your life. Put patience to work and keep your words in line. You will receive your harvest.

---

Scripture Study: "Proverbs 18:4-8, 20-21"

The Greatest Test

Os Hillman

1 Chronicles 29:17: I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity.

God tests His children to know what is in their hearts. God's desire for each of His children is to walk in relationship with Him, to uphold His righteousness and integrity. It is a high calling that we will fail to achieve without complete dependence on Him.

The greatest tests come not in great adversities, but in great prosperity. For it is in prosperity that we begin to lose the sensitivity to sin in our lives. Adversity motivates us to righteousness out of a desire to see our adversity changed. Prosperity fails to provide this motivation for obedience. We fall into a satisfaction and confidence in life that is based on our prosperity rather than on God.

Hezekiah was a great godly king. He was a faithful, God-honoring king most of his life, but toward the end he became proud. God wanted to find out if he would still honor Him and recognize His blessings in his life. He failed the test when God sent an envoy to his palace to inquire about a miracle that God performed on behalf of Hezekiah. The test was designed to find out if Hezekiah would publicly acknowledge the miracle performed on his behalf.

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicle 32:31).

Hezekiah's failure resulted in his children failing to carry on as rulers of Israel, and the nation would eventually be taken over by Babylon.

The lesson of Hezekiah is clear. If we are to remain faithful to our Lord, we must remain steadfast in our obedience to Him. Prosperity can be our greatest test. Ask the Lord to give you the grace to be a faithful follower during times of prosperity.

Peace at Home

Kenneth Copeland

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
(James 3:16)

Have you ever noticed that the easiest place to remain self-centered is at home? There's an incentive to be lovely with others, but with your family you are tempted to allow yourself more selfish privileges as if it didn't count there.

Before I was a Christian, I was more courteous and nicer to friends than to my own family. I was more demanding and less forgiving with those dearest to me than with anyone else.

But after I made Jesus Lord of my life, I realized all that had to change.

Gloria and I began to learn through the Word how important harmony is within our family. We learned that if we wanted the power of agreemeent (see Matthews 18:19) to work in our lives, we could not allow strife in our home.

Strife drops the shield of faith, stops prayer results, and invites Satan and his cohorts into your midst. Discord is deadly. It paralyzes the power of God in your life.

Don't allow the enemy to stop at your own front door by allowing strife in your home. If you do, you'll be no threat to him anywhere else.

Put the power of harmony to work in your family.

Determine that.

---

Scripture Study: Philippians 2:1-13

Lifebit

The only difference between black coal and a precious diamond...

is the amount of pressure it endured.
Hebrews 6:15

Think on These...

The only way to find the limits of the possible is
to go beyond them into the impossible

Wisdom doesn’t come by chance,
but by choice

Happiness depends more on inward perception
than on outward circumstances.

The brightest thunderbolt comes from
the darkest storm

Our ideas, like orange plants, spread out in proportion
to the size of the box which imprisons the roots

Better Things to Come

Gloria Copeland

"But [God's grace] is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10)

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when your body dies and you go on to heaven? Well, according to the Word, when that time comes, this flesh and blood tent you live in will die, but you won't feel a thing. You'll just take off the cloak of your flesh, lay it down, and go to a better place.

Believers who have died and come back say that they have no sensation of loss--no sting. Their minds stay intact, and they even have arms and legs, but they are spirit and not flesh. One man said he couldn't even tell he wasn't in his body until he tried to grasp something. His hand would just go right through the material object. He was spirit and not flesh.

According to the Apostle Paul, to be absent from the body is to be present with God (2 Corinthians 5:1). So, when God calls you home, you'll just abandon your fleshly body and go to be with Him forever.

It's interesting though. God doesn't even refer to our old, abandoned bodies as being dead. He says they're just asleep. Why? Because He knows that just as sleep is temporary, so is the death of the body. He's planned a day when our sleeping bodies will be awakened and raised up in glory just like Jesus' was.

Hallelujah! There's coming a day when not only our spirits have victory over death, our physical bodies do too!

Death is not the end for you. It's only a change to a better place!

---

Scripture Study: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

He Will Lead You

Gloria Copeland

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

Walking in the Spirit. That's the key to overcoming the flesh. If you follow the prompting of the Spirit of God within you, you won't be dominated by the pressure your flesh tries to put on you.

As you listen to the written Word and the Holy Spirit telling you what to do, you'll constantly be making little adjustments in your life according to what He says. And those little adjustments will keep darkness from overtaking you.

You see, God knows just what you need. He can look ahead in your life and see the traps and pressures the devil is laying for you. So follow the Holy Spirit's leading and He will maneuver you safely around them to victory.

---

Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

Those in Whom God Delights

Os Hillman

Psalms 147:10
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.

Mammon and power are the ruling strongholds of the marketplace. If you possess either of these, you will be courted by those who serve the marketplace in hopes of increasing market share. It is a competitive environment that often gives way to decisions and actions that are dictated by the financial bottom line. A recent newspaper article stated that employers are requiring workers to put more time into their jobs, often requiring weekend work in order to be more competitive. For the Christian worker, this brings pressures on the family and will result in "lost market share" in the spiritual realm.

The Lord has a different measuring stick. The Lord is not impressed with your ability or what you can do for Him. Only one thing delights Him-people who fear Him and put their hope in His unfailing love. What does it mean to fear God and place our hope in His love? It means we acknowledge that God is the source of all that we are. He is the one who gives us the ability to work, plan, and execute. He does not want us to look to our abilities, but to His abilities. Sometimes it is difficult to balance these two perspectives. However, if we ask God to show us how to maintain this balance, He will do it. Put your hope in His unfailing love today. Then you will know that your heavenly Father is looking on you as a proud Father.

His Extravagant Love

Kenneth Copeland

"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Some people have very low expectations of what God will provide for them materially. They trust Him to feed and clothe them, but they don't trust Him to feed and clothe them very well!

Somehow they've gotten the idea that God's an old miser who will do little more than put rags on their backs and beans on their tables. But that's not what Jesus told us. He said in Matthew 6 that God would clothe us better than He clothed Solomon. That one statement alone proves that God wants to do more than just meet our basic needs. He wants to bless us abundantly. I know that from personal experience.

A few years ago I came home and found two expensive automobiles parked in my driveway. They'd been given to me to use by men who'd been blessed by the Lord through my ministry.

I was baffled. "Lord," I said, "I didn't need these cars. I hadn't asked You for them, and I wasn't believing for them. What are they doing here?"

Then the Lord spoke up on the inside of me. "Have you ever read the scripture in Deuteronomy that says blessings shall come on and overtake those who hearken to My voice?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Well, son," He said, "you've just been overtaken."

Am I saying God gave me those expensive cars just so I could enjoy them? Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.

First Timothy 6:17 says, "He giveth us richly all things to enjoy." God is a loving Father. He gets great pleasure from blessing His children. He's extravagant where we're concerned. But don't let that worry you. He can afford it.

Hearken to His voice and it won't be long before His blessings will be overtaking you.

---

Scripture Study: 1 Kings 10:1-24