Verse Today

1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Where you dwell

April 22 – Where you dwell – Psalm 43:3

     It does not state who the writer of this psalm actually is but it is someone who was in trouble and brought their case before the Lord.  They wanted vindication and truth.  In this verse they psalmist asked for two things.  Light and truth.  Light to the Jewish mind always meant God.  To bring something to the light was to expose it to reality.  Truth is an absolute and unshakable thing.  When Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the light his claim was proven by His resurrection.  This is an absolute.  His next desire that light and truth guide Him.  This person was a moralist.  They were not satisfied with the changing whims of the world they wanted truth and the stability it brings. 

     Their next cry was they could be brought to the holy mountain of the Lord.  The place where the Lord lives.  In the mind of the psalmist this was Zion, the temple mount.  This is where in their mind the presence and glory of the Lord was.  The desire and plead of the psalmist was to be in the presence of God and the place where God himself dwelled.  Is this your cry today?  I hope it is.

A means of escape

It is the beginning of the week and here is a fantastic thought.  In

1 Corinthians 10:

¹³ No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  In this verse we learn that no matter what you face you are not alone that God will always give you help and a means of escape.  You will overcome and be victorious when you apply this verse.  So be that victor today in Christ.

To the Church and Nation of Belarus

To the Church and Nation of Belarus

     I have seen your struggles.  How to have prayed for your nation with limited results.  After years of domination by the forces of darkness your light was nearly extinguished.  You struggled against forces that tried to destroy you.  You had to hide and practice your faith in secret.  Even now you have had to be careful.  Those around you still cling to the old days.  I know you have limited resources but I remind you that you have struggled and prevailed.  You are stronger than you were when you began.  I love you and have kept you for a time such as this.

     I want you to know that I have placed you where you are for greater things.  You are about to receive a fresh anointing and empowerment by me.  You have already proven your strength now you will prove your victory.  You will prevail against all you face.  You will become more than conquerors.  You will overcome and be a church of victory.  Do not despise your humble and small beginnings.  I have made you this way because in the days to come you will be lean and travel light.

     I am sending you into the lands around you.  I will give you my spirit and then you will go and be my ambassadors to the countries around.  All will see you will be amazed.  They have seen you defeated but now they will see you as the church victorious.  You will be my leaders and evangelists among the Slavic people.  You will have great influence on the countries around you.  You will awaken them and in turn together you will lead Europe back to God.  People will say, “If God can move there He can move in our world.”  You will inspire others so rise and take your place among those who will know their God and do exploits.

Salvation

April 12 – Salvation of the righteous - Psalm 37:39-40

     David is reminding those listening and reading this psalm that the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.  Man cannot attain righteous standing any other way.  Our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord.  The Lord is the source and perfector of salvation, faith and righteousness.  The Lord is our stronghold in times of trouble.  When you are in the middle of a trial, problem, trouble or situation the Lord is your stronghold, place of protection and rock in the midst of the storm.  The Lord sometimes calms the storm and other times He will be with you because your enemies cannot swim.

     The Lord will help and deliver His people.  An ocean could not Moses, a wall could not stop Joshua, a lion could not stop Daniel and death could not hold Jesus.  Nothing can hold you when you are in the palm of the Lord.  He delivers His people from the wicked.  Death, hell and the grave will not defeat you.  The Lord saves us all because we take refuge in Him.  It is your choice to take refuge in the Lord.  His promise is to protect you but it is your choice to go to that place of refuge.  Remember choose wisely.

His Word

It is the weekend and here is your thought to ponder.  In Isaiah 55:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God promise to back His word 100%.  That means what whatever promise you are given the Lord will stand behind it.  What do you need today the Lord will meet that  need.  So today stand and claim your promise from the Lord.  They are yes, and amen.  

A real future

April 11 – A real future – Psalm 37:37

     What a great verse.  David calls his audience to notice two things.  First, consider the blameless.  Look at the lifestyle of the blameless.  They walk with integrity, honesty and transparency.  Like Daniel no one can lay a charge against them.  Like Joseph they prosper in whatever situation they find themselves.  Secondly, observe the upright.  Look at how they conduct themselves.   They are righteous, holy, sanctified.  They have favor with God and man.  That was Jesus’ testimony.  Not only should we observe the upright but also copy or imitate their walk. 

     David then lays out the promise.  The blameless and the upright have a future.  They are people of peace.  They have come to know the Kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy.  The righteous not only have a hope and future it is based on faith and love.  God’s love brings faith which secures the future.  What a great promise for today.

April 12 – Salvation of the righteous - Psalm 37:39-40

Delight

It is Thursday and here is your thought.  In Psalm 37:4, we learn to delight our ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart.  It all starts with God.  When we seek Him first everything will be added to us.  God is the source of true life.  So today do this and each moment you will have divine health and intervention.  That is a great way to live.

Never Forsaken

April 8 – Never Forsaken – Psalm 37:25-26

     This is such a great verse.  David is reflecting over his life and he observed one truth.  Once he was young and now he is old and in the twilight of his life and this is what he has learned.  The righteous will never be forsaken.  God will never leave or forsake us.  His care and protection are constant.  What a great promise and reality.  Neither will their children ever be seen in the lines of poverty.  Jesus promised to give us an abundant life.  John reminds us in 3 John 2 that prosperity and health are given as our soul prospers.  Health and prosperity start from the inside out.  Think about that for a moment. 

     When you are blessed you in turn can bless others.  It is the law of sowing and reaping.  You sow you reap.  When you are generous you and your children will be blessed.  Generosity is a learned behaviour and one in which we should pass on to our children.  So today give and in turn you will teach future generations the wonderful promise of resource management and giving.

Verse Today

Psalm 89:34 New King James Version (NKJV)

34 My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.

God's Word

It is the beginning of a new week and hear is your thought to ponder.  Today's verse is

Psalm 89:34 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁴ My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.

God will not forsake or alter his word.  What He says He will do.  So as you start a brand new week trust Him and His word.  You can apply these truths to your situation.  You will see this happen in your family and friends.  What He says He will do He will do it.  So today let Him influence you and those in your world.

Verse Today

Proverbs 10:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Monday Muse

It s Monday and the start of a new week and month. Easter is coming and we will be celebrating the passion of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life that you and I can have eternal and abundant life. This he did for us out of love. Today as we begin this new month and week show His love in our world by telling others what the Lord has done for us and by loving a life of love.

My soul rejoices

April 1    My soul rejoices – Psalm 35:9-10

     David then tells how his mind, will and emotions will rejoice in the Lord.  The Lord has given him joy which is his strength.  David then delights in the salvation of the Lord.  Delight is the last of the steps to victory in the Lord.  First, you have desire, then discipline, after that delight.  When you delight in the Lord He will give you the desires of your heart.

     David then lists the reason why we should delight and exclaim the goodness of the Lord.  First, He rescues the poor from those that are to strong and try to oppress them.  The Lord is the father to the fatherless.  He has a special place in His heart for the widows and the orphans.  He then protects the poor and the needy from those that would rob them.. God is a God of justice.  He uses His people to keep the needy and the poor safe.  In Matt 25, we have the judgment on the sheep and goat nations.  Each will be judged on how they deal with the needy and poor.  God is the helper to those who have no voice.  Let Him use you for this special mission.