Sunday December 3, 2023: The Wisdom of God Is Better than Money from Man Monday December 4, 2023, 2019: Accepted and Proven Tuesday December 5, 2023, 2019: I Love It When God Speaks Wednesday December 6, 2023, 2019: What Has God Spoken to You? Thursday December 7, 2023, 2019: How I Got Over! Friday December 8, 2023, 2019: Heart Stealers Saturday December 9, 2023, 2019: Confess, Don't Just Admit Sunday December 10, 2023, 2019: Never Cooperate in Shady Deeds Monday December 11, 2023, 2019: Just Make Sure You Have Shared Horizons Unlimited PDF Archive 
Sunday December 3, 2023
The Wisdom of God Is Better than Money from Man 1 Corinthians 2:4, NKJV: My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Every evangelist, prophet, or prophetess that comes to town will use this verse to get you in position to receive when they lay hands on you. Some do receive, but what Paul is saying is that the demonstration of the Spirit and the power are in you taking God’s wisdom, not man’s, and applying it consistently to your life. When you do this, you can lay hands on yourself and your loved ones, and healing will take place.
The laying on of hands is scriptural and many receive healing, deliverance, or release. But they can only retain it when the wisdom of God’s Word is their foundation.
When you recall the promises of God spoken and preached to you and you get relief and deliverance, God’s Spirit and His power are at work and you become persuaded that it is His Word in you that gets the job done.
There are those in the ministry who want contracts signed before they agree to come to you. They want guaranteed monies and attendance or they won’t come. This is not scriptural and eventually will cost them their anointing.
Money is needed and should be used to spread the Gospel and bring relief to the poor; it is never to be reserved and hoarded in the hands of those who teach and preach the Gospel.
Paul never charged or refused an opportunity to preach. In fact, it was the Holy Ghost who forbade him to go into certain places. What he did was teach the church their responsibility toward visiting preachers.
We, as spiritual leaders privileged to be anointed and called to preach, need to stop building empires that, it seems, can’t trust the Lord to support. I am not suggesting we accept every invitation. I am suggesting we do not refuse to go where the Holy Spirit leads though not a penny may be given. Man has kept money intended for men. God has met every need of our ministry and personal lives.
Back to list Monday December 4, 2023
Accepted and Proven 1 Corinthians 11:19, KJV: For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. In order for the people of God to be recognized as such, we must put up with others right in our midst who have not yet been proven. Our natural tendency is to get rid of everyone who is not like us. That is not God’s way. He does not want us to get rid of them. He wants us to help them find what we have. He wants us to affect them with what we have that has been proven and accepted by Him.
The only way we will know who is of God is to allow Him to do His work in our midst among those who have not yet become part of the body of Christ. Every unbeliever is a potential believer. Every heathen is a potential saint. And every “enemy” is a potential brother or sister.
We are who we are today because God approved us. We need to remember that God sent Jesus to do the same for the unbelievers around us. We must never allow the heathens’ heresies to distract us from being manifested among them.
You and I can never afford to hate anyone. We may hate what the heathen do contrary to God’s Word and will. However, as true children of God, we do not have the option of judging, hating, or criticizing others.
God judges us. And He raises our approval rating when we love our enemies, do good to them, bless them, and pray for them (Luke 6:27).
Father God, in Jesus’ name, I say thank You that You sent the One You first approved of into the midst of the lowly place where I was, so that, as He was made manifest, I was able to glimpse light at the end of my dark tunnel. It was Your love, Your grace, and Your strength that propelled me one step at a time through that darkness until I was able to walk fully in His light, which I saw through others who demonstrated Your love to me. Thank You for manifesting Yourself to me through them. I yield myself to be a reflection of Your light to the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Back to list Tuesday December 5, 2023
I Love It When God Speaks 2 Kings 3:16, NLT: And he said, "This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water!" God never seems to be impressed or moved by adversity, negativity, or impossibility. He simply speaks what brings Him glory and what benefits the people. He has been trying to teach this principle to His people for a very long time. Some of us are acting on it- speaking words that glorify Him and benefit the people-and others are still floundering in intellect and reasoning.
To avoid being disappointed and adversely affecting my faith, I have learned the importance of asking God what I should request of Him before I pray, or what He would have me to speak out before I represent Him. When I do it this way, the words He gives me always come to pass.
The other effective way I have learned to receive from God is simply to listen and react when He speaks a "will be/shall be" statement to or through me. These "will be/shall be" words of the Lord are wonderful and powerful. They are seldom for me personally, yet I benefit from their manifestation. The benefit is often an increase in my confidence and a desire to trust Him even more.
Second Kings 3:17 says, "You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and for your cattle and your other animals." This verse teaches me that the "how" of God is not as important as the results.
Think about that. Surely if your Father God promised to provide for you and your animals, He has a plan for your hungry, needy children. Please don't focus on the "dry valley"-perhaps your kitchen cabinet or bank account. Instead, begin to worship God; then listen as He either gives you a word to stand on or simply manifests what you need.
Verse 18 says, "But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious...." We have received the victory over negative forces, fortified cities, and anything else that tries to hinder us. God's plan for our lives is available and is "no big thing" to Him.
Learn to listen for the voice of God. You will love what He says.
Back to list Wednesday December 6, 2023
What Has God Spoken to You? 1 Chronicles 22:8, KJV: But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight." David was the apple of God's eye. God was with David in battle and protected him from all of his enemies, yet it appears that God was expecting more from David.
But this verse raises a question: Although God is for me and with me, providing wealth and health in abundance and wisdom liberally, could it mean nothing on God's scale of justice if my actions contradict His concern for humankind? You may ask, "Should we defend ourselves?" My question to you is "What would God have you to do?" I suspect that David believed what he was doing was right. I don't get the impression that he just went around deliberately killing people. I'm sure David thought he was justified. However, when it came time to do the one thing he had on his heart to do in appreciation for God's protection, God said, "No, you are not the one."
Imagine how it felt to have God reject the desire of David's heart concerning Him. Why did God say "no" to David? To answer that, you have to look at what He was looking for in the one to build a house for Him.
Verse 9 said, "Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest...." In other words, God is not looking for those with skills and abilities in natural war. He is looking for people who will rest in Him and allow Him to fight their battles while He gives them rest from all their enemies.
As leaders, we must ask ourselves: Are we struggling in our attempts to build for God because God Himself is rejecting our efforts since we are guilty of promoting bloodshed? I know that there is evil in the world, and so does God. It will not be stomped out until the Prince of Peace takes His place here in the earth. But God's kind of love is the greatest weapon we have going for us. It takes a decision to ask Him on a daily basis for more of that love and the wisdom needed to dispense it so that we will be found pleasing in His sight.
Back to list Thursday December 7, 2023
How I Got Over! Deuteronomy 1:31, NLT: "And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you again and again here in the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place." The longer I live, the more I understand the importance of trusting God and conferring with Him about everything. Why? It's because I can clearly see that the Lord's care for me has carried me to where I am today.
As I thanked the Lord this morning for allowing me to experience this day, I also reminded Him that I only want to accomplish His plan for my life so I can benefit others and bring glory to Him and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I suppose if I have a question for God at this point in my life, it is "What did You see in me that caused You to love me this much?" Many years ago my husband and I faced the choice to obey God by quitting our very good jobs and going to Bible school. Then I compare it with this past year, when there were many more opportunities to faint and falter. What I discover is that this past year was a breeze in comparison.
Years ago, I trusted by faith. Now I can also trust by experience. I have experienced tremendous growth in my confidence in God because of the past victories that He has given me.
Where are you today? Do you still have questions? Are you concerned that the good in your life will not continue? Are you anticipating the negative to the point that you are not enjoying the present blessings?
Stop where you are this second and think about it. Did your ingenuity get you to where you are now? No, it did not. God and His love did it, even when you did not trust Him for the health, the peace, and the wealth that you now enjoy. Well, since He did this and more when you didn't know to trust Him, why not make a decision to honor Him by thanking Him and committing to trust Him for your future? Difficult moments will come, but never stop basking in His present benefits. One day you will be able to see that the difficult moments do not faze you anymore, for you are too busy remembering how you got over, and landed as more than a conqueror.
Back to list Friday December 8, 2023
Heart Stealers 2 Samuel 15:6, KJV: And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Unfortunately, the Absalom spirit still prevails today. In addition, if you will handle the situation the same as David did, the outcome will be the same.
Never compete with another person for the affection of others. That is all in the flesh. However, if you will choose to do what David did, you will release the Spirit of God to operate His power for your benefit and His glory.
What did David do? Second Samuel 15:31 reads, "And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absolam. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." This verse once helped to save our ministry. My husband and I got in agreement with God's plan for this ministry after seeking the Lord about a potentially explosive situation. Using this verse as the foundation for our prayer concerning an Absalom spirit in one of our leaders, we chose to walk in love and let the wheat and tares grow together and watched God continue His work and plan through us.
Watch God take the lead to fulfill His plan. Ahithophel was once David's advisor and seemed as wise as though his words came directly from God's mouth (2 Samuel 16:23). However, when he advised Absalom, though it seemed good to all (17:4), suddenly, Absalom wanted to compare it with the advice of Hushai, who had been sent by David for this purpose (15:31-32).
All the leaders, including Absalom, followed Hushai's advice as better. "For the Lord had arranged to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan..." (17:14).
Pastors, never concern yourselves with those who conceal an agenda of their own. If God has assigned someone to support His plan through you, He will defeat their counsel should they oppose you. Ahithophel, who was publicly disgraced when Absalom did not go with his plan, went home to set his house in order and hanged himself. Those opposing you will lose God's wisdom and verbally hang themselves. You stay steady.
Back to list Saturday December 9, 2023
Confess, Don't Just Admit 1 John 1:9, KJV: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. To confess a sin is to acknowledge it, despise it, and turn from it. To admit a sin is merely to acknowledge that you did it, usually because you were caught.
We may be able to keep man from knowing what we have done, but not so with God. He knows before we do it, which is why He tries by the Holy Spirit to warn us ahead of time to stop the thought before it becomes the deed.
God cannot cleanse us from what we neither despise nor ask forgiveness for. We will not obtain mercy or prosper when we refuse to turn from sin. The Spirit of Christ in us is on assignment to convict us of wrongdoing so we can live to declare the works of the Lord.
The Word of God is infallible and will not change. That makes me feel secure. It means any adjustment must be on my end. Sin was once a regular part of my life. I was not thrilled with all I was doing, but I also did not despise it enough to turn from it permanently. But one day, I began to want to please God more than I wanted to satisfy personal passions.
That is when I began to judge my thoughts before acting on them. I finally began to count the cost-not because I feared the flames of hell but simply because I fell in love with Jesus. You see, we never want to hurt the one we love.
Back to list Sunday December 10, 2023
Never Cooperate in Shady Deeds Ephesians 5:11, KJV: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of the light" (Ephesians 5:8). Regardless of the color of our skin, we all were once as dark as midnight; but now we are light in the Lord. Now we are to tread all around and follow as companions the luminous fire because we are sons and daughters of the ultimate fire, produced by God's Spirit working in us.
God created Adam and Eve. We are products of God's fire through the Holy Spirit by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Because of this wonderful change in our lives, we are never to cooperate in shady acts.
The fire in us is to consume all the darkness in and around us. Just as light causes the darkness in a room to disappear, we are to be so luminous that no darkness can remain.
We are to be tried by fire because we are fire, and children of fire. The fire does not consume fire, but it consumes everything else. Whenever there is a fire, everything that was conceived in the darkness is brought to light. It is exposed. We cannot have or be partakers of the barren unfruitfulness of the darkness. Our fire, the fire in us, is to convict, convince, rebuke, and tell a fault--not conceal it and cover it up.
Father, I thank You that as Your child, produced by Your Holy Spirit, I am fire. I do not just have fire, but I am fire. Therefore, I will not participate in the works, acts, or deeds of barren or unfruitful things. I ask You to continue to work within me as I continue my walk throughout the earth as a child of light. Please release in me Your fire that will illumine all the darkness that exists among the people. Help me to expose what is not pleasing to You and to help others desiring a change to come in the direction of Your life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Back to list Monday December 11, 2023
Just Make Sure You Have Shared Deuteronomy 31:27, NKJV: "For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. If today, while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord, then how much more after my death?" What a blessing it would be to leave a legacy that all who have been taught by you would walk in the understanding of the truth. Some will, and others will choose not to. You still get credit for having shared.
Moses said in verse 29, "For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands."
Those were Moses' words spoken over the children of Israel. Paul speaks a better word over us. "But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39).
What is the difference? A man named Jesus.
Paul said, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" He then answered his own question: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin" (Romans 7:24, 25).
Pastors and Teachers, make sure your expectations of people are according to what God requires and not your pet doctrine. Every spiritual leader has personal preferences. You will be less discouraged when you preach and teach the requirements of the Lord from His Word.
Are you like Moses, highlighting the people's negatives? Or, do you find yourself like Paul, believing for God's best to influence them to be and do better? Remember, Pastors and Teachers, make sure you have shared the truth of God's Word. You will have whatever you say. Harness your loose tongue to line up with God's desire for your sheep, and stop agreeing with the way they are now. You make the difference.
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