Led By The Heart

God has given to us a secret weapon for our walk with Him as believers. It is something that came as a result of our Messiah coming to earth to die for us, for our sin. He gave it to us as a contract signed in blood. It does not get more serious or intense than that. The children of Israel did not have it, and without it walking in God’s ways was difficult at best. What did He give to all believers?

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Paul also addresses this.

Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

God wrote the Law inside us and in our hearts and minds. It is grafted into us. If we are believers, the Law is no longer an external thing but something inside of us. Only our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) ever kept the Law perfectly. It is written in us now to help us do it. And perhaps the best part is that when we fail at it, He forgives us because we have the perfect sacrifice through the shed blood of the Messiah. We have a better shot at doing it, and a better sacrifice to cover for us when we don’t! What a great treasure buried in our hearts – the New Covenant.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God, our One True King. Let Your kingdom reign in our hearts and minds. Let it reign in this earth. We need Your provision. Send Your abundant provision today Lord. Even though You gave us this amazing new covenant of the Law written inside us, in our hearts and minds, we still mess this up. Please forgive us when we do. We love You. Send today healing and deliverance for Your people. Let the perfection of the kingdom that You live in, in heaven, let that perfection of the kingdom be here on earth today. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

We Will Make It

When we experience sickness, we have an opportunity to understand first hand how frail we are as humans. It is possible to go through life not thinking of all that we have to do and to be to get through day to day, to get so caught up in living it that we forget we are humans with weaknesses. God will always allow us to learn life’s lessons, and He will be there to help us through it.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Sometimes it takes us a while to realize it is okay to be human. It is our job. We are meant to walk through life learning from God and growing. We grow as a result of what we live.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Send us today the abundant provision we need. We ask that You send Your kingdom to this earth. We need Your mercy and truth. Please forgive us when we get things wrong. Heal up our minds and hearts. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Be An Encouragement

A friend of mine has a significant other than ran into trouble with the law. The end result was that he was incarcerated. As I think about their situation, I am reminded of something that Paul said to us as believers.

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

I do not know clearly where they are at with God other than they pray. That is not really my job. But Paul clearly does say what my responsibility is. I am to be mindful of him as though I was in prison with him. We have a mission of mercy to those with whom we have contact, or so I believe. One thing I can do is encourage them to seek God. He alone is able to judge people. He alone is able to set men free.

Today’s world is longing for their Creator even if they are not aware that they do. As ambassadors for the Messiah, we can offer compassion and mercy, telling people the truth that God loves and cares for them.

He will set us all free.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. You are worthy of our praise. Send today our overwhelming provision. Let Your kingdom reign in the earth and draw men to You. Forgive us when we err. Let the people that are in prison feel Your love and compassion. Heal them, heal us. Deliver us all. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

The Best Path

This morning as I drank my coffee and looked out at my garden, I thought about how God makes life possible for us. He is ever present in our lives working His wonders for us. Even the rabbit family that has decided to move in to my garden is a miracle in the making. As I looked at all of these things, a scripture came to mind that reminded me of how life unfolds for our betterment.

Psalms 16:5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God does all He does in an attempt to show us the path of life. He wants us to have good and not evil in our life. He wants us to experience complete joy. If we will but be in His presence and seek His face. We can have that joy on the path of life!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King, there is none other for us. Please send us our provision today. Let Your kingdom come and reign on the earth. Forgive us when we fall. Send Your healing and deliverance. Keep us on the path of life. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Time For A Change

Have you ever had a habit you wanted to change and found it difficult to make that change? It could be eating too much ice cream, the way we drive, smoking, etc. We end up with habits by repeating actions over and over. Some of these actions actually result in a biochemical dependency as well. Once we have them they can be hard to break on our own. So how do we overcome these? With another habit.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Here we see scriptures help us to do the good works. By spending time reading scripture we can displace bad habits for a little while.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Here we see time spent in scripture helps us to get better at doing the things of God.

Psalms 96:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

And even David said he praise God and spent time with God daily. I do not suggest in all this that it is a very simple process or step to overcome a bad habit. But there is a way that provides help when we need it most. We can seek God daily and ask for help. In the process we begin to substitute this new behavior of time with God for some of the time spent in our old habit.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. We need Your kingdom in our lives. We cannot get things right on our own. We need help. Please forgive us when we get it wrong. Help us to find Your ways. Help us to know You more each day, and those of the house of faith. Please send us today Your healing, deliverance, and overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Taking Heart

Today as I was watering my garden I thought of the many things coming up in my life, and I think I have a good life. It made me think of all of the happenings in all of the body of believers. I know there have been times I have felt overwhelmed in the past. For those reading this, if that is your situation today, or you know someone that is in this situation that could use and encouraging word, this scripture might help.

Psalms 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Psalms 113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

From these two scriptures we see that God wants to raise us up. He is waiting for us to call upon His name. Today, call out to God, either for your own situation or for that person you know, and ask God to show Himself strong.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We need Your kingdom in our lives. We need You for You alone are God and our Help. Forgive us when we say and do those things we should not. We ask that You send Your healing deliverance, and abundant prosperity. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Living Proof

Many times when we face challenges in life and we want to know what we should do. We may get input from others. Ultimately we have to decide, and frequently we want proof. This also happens in life with regard to our faith. The unbelievers often ask for proof when we speak of our God. There is an answer to this in scripture.

Psalms 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

We see in this scripture that God wants to move in a positive way in our life. He does this to show us as a token, a sign, “living proof” to the unbelievers that He alone is God.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are worthy to be praised. Please send Your kingdom into our lives today Father. Please forgive us our trespasses. Please send Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision in a mighty way so that all men might know that You alone are God. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Restoring Hope

When we walk with God, we begin with great hope and expectation. Over time we can experience certain negative experiences that cause us to wonder what is going on. If we do not resolve this issue, over time we can lose that eager expectation, that hope. When we do, it erodes some of the foundation of our faith in God being on our side. I have seen many believers over the years experience this, and there have been times I have experienced it myself. The question becomes, how do we get it back?

There are many parts to the answer, but what comes to mind for me is to use the scriptures to focus our minds and hearts on God. Faith in God, the ability to focus on Him so that we both trust and believe in Him, is a beginning point.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We see here that Paul says that it takes faith to please God. He defines that as when we both believe that He is and that we can trust Him. For me this often takes stopping whatever I am doing and focusing on who God is to me and who I am to God. I am His kid. What Father does not fight to defend their kid? The next thing I have to remember is that no matter our condition, we have a powerful weapon in prayer and praise.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Elijah was just like us, with all the same challenges and faults. Yet, he prayed and the atmosphere changed! We can do that same thing if we will have faith in God. That faith becomes the ground work for the hope, the eager expectation, of God moving. One more thing is important about Elijah. He lived through it. God told him that He would send rain when he went to see the king. Then Elijah had to live through the challenge of the false prophets. Then he went to pray for rain and nothing happened. But he kept calling to God. Why? Because he trusted God and believed in Him.

1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

God is on our side. When we feel like our hope is gone, we need to remember we are living through what God has spoken. If we align ourselves to that, and we trust and believe in God, we can see Him rain the reign!

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You are our King and Deliverer. We ask You send Your kingdom today. We ask You forgive us when we lose hope. Help us get it back. Send Your whirlwinds to defeat our enemies. Bring them to shame that they know You alone are God. Send us today Your healing, deliverance, and overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Strength In Numbers

My father had a saying about doing what is right. Might is not always right, but right is might. As we look around the world today, or even at our own government trying to work things out with rival parties, it is difficult at times to see the truth in my dad’s words. My dad also said that there was strength in our numbers, and that there were more fighting for good than for bad. In all these sayings that we learn growing up, there is some truth. Today I reread a scripture that speaks about strength in numbers.

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

It does not take many men to overtake evil. David was a shepherd boy and brought down a giant with small stones. However, guidance for wisdom among people is more precious. When this is absent, when not more than one voice is brought into the mix for important understandings, then we have the opportunity for a people to fall. Today in government and other places we see some individuals trying to move on their own. It takes all of us to get it right.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You have much wisdom, and You give to those who ask. Today I ask You send Your kingdom. I ask that You stir men to ban together to seek Your face. Forgive us when we act to our own interest. Deliver us from the evil men who try to overpower us. You alone are worthy of our praise. Heal us from our hurts of the past. Send us overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

What To Do?

Have you ever had a number of choices to make on a number of subjects with the resulting decisions all taking some of your time, and there is no way you can do them all? I believe that is called a very busy life. We don’t have to be Wall Street wonders or business executives to have this experience. Many of us have this everyday, especially if we have a family and children. It is important to consider what to do, but don’t you feel just a little overwhelmed and a sense of not knowing? Good news. You can know.

Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

We can have knowledge and wisdom. We need understanding from God. It is why God tells us to pursue understanding.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

Wisdom and understanding seem to travel together. God has placed these words here so we can know how He has made things to work. God always comes through on His words to us. He keeps His promises. And there is a promise for us to get wisdom.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

When we are in these troubled times we can know that God is using it to teach us patience. Why does patience work perfection? Because when we are patient in these times we can get to that place where we know beyond any doubt that God is working and is on our side. When we get to the pure essence of that in our hearts in the face of adversity then we have made our way to the place where we trust God above everything. That trust is the basis of knowing. And we can ask God for the wisdom we need. With this wisdom and knowledge we will have understanding.

In the face of the flurry of life, we can find the way. We must ask God for wisdom and direction. He will show us His ways if we trust in Him.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You are our Deliverer King. Come in Your kingdom today Lord. Come and bring Your wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Show us the right way to go in the midst of the flurry of life. Forgive us when we become impatient or do not trust You. We are weak vessels. Raise us up. Send today Your healing, deliverance, and overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.