TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL: Day 16/Psalm 116
Today is a perfect day to make a wholehearted decision to DEVOTE your life to walking with God for the rest of your life. That means 24/7 365 days of the Year! In Psalm 116:9 (NKJV) the Psalmist shares with us a defining moment for his life. He says, "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the Living". The New Life Version says, "I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living", both translations give an clear picture of the Psalmist's decision to Devote his life to walking with God. He devotes himself to living a life in the presence of God that will be pleasing to God.
Then he says, I'm going to do this "in the land of the Living", which means that this declaration that he has made will be reflected everywhere he goes in life, when he's around his saved friends and his unsaved friends, when he's in church and when he's not at church, he's made up his mind that he's going to walk with God in front of everyone, this is called "unashamed living". What an awesome declaration!
So today during the 16th day of this 21-day Fast, make a declaration that you're going to devote your life to walking with God unashamedly and unapologetic.
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Day 15 of 21-Day Fast
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL: DAY 15/Psalm 115
Right out of the gate in Psalm 115:1 the Psalmist makes it plain and clear that it is God that gets all of the Glory! He says, "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness" (NLT). I love that, because he makes it clear that it's not about us! In other words I can't take credit for the wonderul things that have happened in my life, only God can bless me like I need to be belssed.
So as we reflect today during this 15th day of our 21-day Fast, let us remember that no matter what we have, how far we've come, how many Obstacles we've overcome or how many blessings we've obtained, it's God that's due all of the Glory!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Right out of the gate in Psalm 115:1 the Psalmist makes it plain and clear that it is God that gets all of the Glory! He says, "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness" (NLT). I love that, because he makes it clear that it's not about us! In other words I can't take credit for the wonderul things that have happened in my life, only God can bless me like I need to be belssed.
So as we reflect today during this 15th day of our 21-day Fast, let us remember that no matter what we have, how far we've come, how many Obstacles we've overcome or how many blessings we've obtained, it's God that's due all of the Glory!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers - Encourage Yourself
For everyone who may be going through today! Watch and Be Encouraged!
DAY 12 OF 21-DAY FAST (Special Blog)
I wanted to pause today and step outside of my routine Blogging for our 21-day Fast and talk briefly about something I believe God is saying during this season of fasting and prayer. Here's something to think about, What we "DO" determines what's "DUE"! Now you say, where did I get that from well, over in Galatians 6:9 it delcares this, “ Let us not grow wearing in well doing for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.”
If we continue to "DO" good we'll reap what God says is "DUE" us. I'm a firm believer that the type of seed you sow determines the kind of Harvest you reap! What I put in, determines what I get out! Even in the midst of trying and difficult times God wants to prove Himself to you by way of your personal Faithfulness to Him.
Don't give up now, you've come too far, "not growing weary in well doing" puts "giving up" in check and says to the world that no matter what I have to face, "giving up" is not an Option! Hang in there, there's a blessing on the other side of those seeds of faith and prayer that you've been sowing!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
If we continue to "DO" good we'll reap what God says is "DUE" us. I'm a firm believer that the type of seed you sow determines the kind of Harvest you reap! What I put in, determines what I get out! Even in the midst of trying and difficult times God wants to prove Himself to you by way of your personal Faithfulness to Him.
Don't give up now, you've come too far, "not growing weary in well doing" puts "giving up" in check and says to the world that no matter what I have to face, "giving up" is not an Option! Hang in there, there's a blessing on the other side of those seeds of faith and prayer that you've been sowing!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
DAY 11 of 21-DAY FAST
Today's Devotional: Day 11/Psalm 111
Today I encourage you to reflect on the graciousness and compassion of the Lord! Psalm 111:4 (NKJV) says, "He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion". That's powerful because no matter how much I have to complain about today, I have even more to be grateful for as I take the time to reflect and remember all of the kind and wonderful things God has done in my life. The Old Saints used to say, "He's been better to me than I've been to myself", now I understand what they meant, because all of the great things He's done cannot be numbered! That's why the Psalmist started off Psalm 111 in vs. 1 by saying "Praise the Lord! I will praise Him with my whole heart..." He's a FAITHFUL and JUST God! Meditate on His goodness today and then send up a praise!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Today I encourage you to reflect on the graciousness and compassion of the Lord! Psalm 111:4 (NKJV) says, "He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion". That's powerful because no matter how much I have to complain about today, I have even more to be grateful for as I take the time to reflect and remember all of the kind and wonderful things God has done in my life. The Old Saints used to say, "He's been better to me than I've been to myself", now I understand what they meant, because all of the great things He's done cannot be numbered! That's why the Psalmist started off Psalm 111 in vs. 1 by saying "Praise the Lord! I will praise Him with my whole heart..." He's a FAITHFUL and JUST God! Meditate on His goodness today and then send up a praise!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
DAY 10 of 21-day Fast
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL: Day 10/Psalm 110
Jesus wants a position of Honor in your life! That means placing Him high and above everything else in my life, nothing comes before Him, nothing comes in front of Him, He wants to be the first and the last, the beginning and the end in our lives. In Psalm 110:1 God shows us the place of Honor that Jesus has in Heaven! In fact when speaking about Jesus over in Acts 2:33 (NLT) it says, "Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today".
So just as Jesus is at the highest place of Honor in heaven, so He should be in our lives, make Him your highest and number one priority today, you won't regret it!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Jesus wants a position of Honor in your life! That means placing Him high and above everything else in my life, nothing comes before Him, nothing comes in front of Him, He wants to be the first and the last, the beginning and the end in our lives. In Psalm 110:1 God shows us the place of Honor that Jesus has in Heaven! In fact when speaking about Jesus over in Acts 2:33 (NLT) it says, "Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today".
So just as Jesus is at the highest place of Honor in heaven, so He should be in our lives, make Him your highest and number one priority today, you won't regret it!
STAY STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
DAY 9 of 21-Day Fast
DEVOTIONAL: Day 9/Psalm 109
It is popular from the World's standards to repay men evil for evil. When someone hurts you according to the World, you should hurt them back, in the world's eyes it's right to reward someone according to how they treated you whether good or bad. However, God's standard for handling the evil and hatred that man gives you, is totally opposite of the way the world believes you should handle it.
In Psalm 109:2-4 the Psalmist says this (NKJV)... " 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. 4 In return for my love they are my accusers. But I give myself to prayer."
Wow, how powerful is that? The Psalmist instead of exchanging evils with his enemies, says "I give myself to Prayer". In other words his weapon of choice in dealing with this battle with his haters is the Spiritual Weapon of Prayer! In fact the bible instructs us in several ways and on several other occasions on how to Deal with our haters, our enemies with the power of prayer or some other spiritual means. Let's look at a few:
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) admonishes us to:
- love your enemies
- bless those who curse you
- do good to those who hate you, and...
- pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
Romans 12:21 says:
- overcome evil with good
So as you can see, it's biblical, Godly and right to deal with the bad that others display toward you in a good, Godly way. So instead of attempting to go blow for blow with those who hate you, devote yourself to Prayer and watch God do the rest!
Stay Strong!
-- Pastor V.
It is popular from the World's standards to repay men evil for evil. When someone hurts you according to the World, you should hurt them back, in the world's eyes it's right to reward someone according to how they treated you whether good or bad. However, God's standard for handling the evil and hatred that man gives you, is totally opposite of the way the world believes you should handle it.
In Psalm 109:2-4 the Psalmist says this (NKJV)... " 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. 4 In return for my love they are my accusers. But I give myself to prayer."
Wow, how powerful is that? The Psalmist instead of exchanging evils with his enemies, says "I give myself to Prayer". In other words his weapon of choice in dealing with this battle with his haters is the Spiritual Weapon of Prayer! In fact the bible instructs us in several ways and on several other occasions on how to Deal with our haters, our enemies with the power of prayer or some other spiritual means. Let's look at a few:
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) admonishes us to:
- love your enemies
- bless those who curse you
- do good to those who hate you, and...
- pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
Romans 12:21 says:
- overcome evil with good
So as you can see, it's biblical, Godly and right to deal with the bad that others display toward you in a good, Godly way. So instead of attempting to go blow for blow with those who hate you, devote yourself to Prayer and watch God do the rest!
Stay Strong!
-- Pastor V.
Monday, January 23, 2012
DAY 8 OF 21-DAY FAST
DEVOTIONAL: Day 8/Psalm 108
Whenever you're dealing with Opposition, enemies, foes and adversaries in your life, it's important to know where you can turn when dealing with them. Opposition can be spiritual, social, physical, economical or relational. The Great news is this, that no matter where the opposition comes from, GOD is our one and only hope, we can rely on Him, we can count on Him, we can depend on Him.
In fact the Psalmist who knew first hand of being able to trust and count on God when dealing with opposition, says in Psalm 108 verses 12-13 with a sense of Urgency (NLT)... 12 "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. 13 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes".
So it is clear that our only defense when dealing with adversaries and opposition is GOD! The only way to have the strength and perseverance to deal with those who oppose you, simply comes by way of leaning and depending on and trusting in God. You don't have to resort to human efforts and means to defeat, retaliate or even deal with the enemies in your life, just know with God on your side, the Victory is already yours! In fact you don't have to wait until the battle is over, you can shout NOW, because has already administered the knockout punch to the enemy!
BE STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Whenever you're dealing with Opposition, enemies, foes and adversaries in your life, it's important to know where you can turn when dealing with them. Opposition can be spiritual, social, physical, economical or relational. The Great news is this, that no matter where the opposition comes from, GOD is our one and only hope, we can rely on Him, we can count on Him, we can depend on Him.
In fact the Psalmist who knew first hand of being able to trust and count on God when dealing with opposition, says in Psalm 108 verses 12-13 with a sense of Urgency (NLT)... 12 "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. 13 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes".
So it is clear that our only defense when dealing with adversaries and opposition is GOD! The only way to have the strength and perseverance to deal with those who oppose you, simply comes by way of leaning and depending on and trusting in God. You don't have to resort to human efforts and means to defeat, retaliate or even deal with the enemies in your life, just know with God on your side, the Victory is already yours! In fact you don't have to wait until the battle is over, you can shout NOW, because has already administered the knockout punch to the enemy!
BE STRONG!
-- Pastor V.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Day 5 of 21-day Fast
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL - Day5/Psalm 105
Today as we go about our day, let's make God the talk of the town! Here in Psalm 105 the Psalmist encourages us and admonishes us to do several things in order to make God the talk of the town specifically, but not limited to verses 1-2:
1. We must GIVE THANKS TO HIM, because we are the Benefactors of the Blessings and Favor of God both past and present. When ever someone does you a Favor it's always appropriate by responding with a "Thank You"! So we're thanking Him because we have so much to be thankful for.
2. CALL UPON HIS NAME, as a sign of our Dependence upon Him and because He is the center of our need! Anytime we are in need, God should be our first option, I call on Him, because I need Him and can't make it without Him.
3. MAKE KNOW HIS DEEDS or (NLT "Let the whole world know what he has done") (v. 1), why so that others will join with you in praising him.
4. TALK OF HIS WONDROUS WORKS or (NLT "Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds ")
(v. 2), When we talk about all of the wonderful things God has done for us, it will in turn began to affect others. One of the greatest things we can witness about is the Goodness of the Lord! God’s wondrous works should be the subject of our Conversations, Instant messages, text messages, e-mails, Facebook chats and Twitter Tweets with our families, friends, co-workers and acquaintices, not for entertainment purposes, but for the excitement and encouragement of our own faith and the faith of others and our continued hope in God.
So today make Jesus the talk of the town! Talk about Him more than your problems, your issues, your struggles, your pains, your heartaches, your difficulities and as you talk about Him, talk TO Him about those things and rather than magnify them, MAGNIFY HIM!
Stay Strong!
-- Pastor V.
Today as we go about our day, let's make God the talk of the town! Here in Psalm 105 the Psalmist encourages us and admonishes us to do several things in order to make God the talk of the town specifically, but not limited to verses 1-2:
1. We must GIVE THANKS TO HIM, because we are the Benefactors of the Blessings and Favor of God both past and present. When ever someone does you a Favor it's always appropriate by responding with a "Thank You"! So we're thanking Him because we have so much to be thankful for.
2. CALL UPON HIS NAME, as a sign of our Dependence upon Him and because He is the center of our need! Anytime we are in need, God should be our first option, I call on Him, because I need Him and can't make it without Him.
3. MAKE KNOW HIS DEEDS or (NLT "Let the whole world know what he has done") (v. 1), why so that others will join with you in praising him.
4. TALK OF HIS WONDROUS WORKS or (NLT "Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds ")
(v. 2), When we talk about all of the wonderful things God has done for us, it will in turn began to affect others. One of the greatest things we can witness about is the Goodness of the Lord! God’s wondrous works should be the subject of our Conversations, Instant messages, text messages, e-mails, Facebook chats and Twitter Tweets with our families, friends, co-workers and acquaintices, not for entertainment purposes, but for the excitement and encouragement of our own faith and the faith of others and our continued hope in God.
So today make Jesus the talk of the town! Talk about Him more than your problems, your issues, your struggles, your pains, your heartaches, your difficulities and as you talk about Him, talk TO Him about those things and rather than magnify them, MAGNIFY HIM!
Stay Strong!
-- Pastor V.
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