Stay inspired in the word.

Greetings,

Quick decisions can produce catastrophic results that you will later regret. It certainly pays to do some thinking and praying before making a major decision, rather than making an impulsive choice that is based on emotions and having to spend a lot of time thinking and praying about it later.

It is vital to seek God’s will in prayer, and listen to godly counsel before making a firm decision about an important matter. Is this the house God wants me to buy? Is this the person God wants me to marry? Don’t be in such a hurry that you’ll make a decision you’ll later regret.

The Gibeonites deceived Israel into believing they were from a distant country by wearing old tattered clothes and carrying molded bread. That is how they convinced Joshua and the leaders of Israel to make a peace treaty with them against God’s instructions to make treaties with people of the land.

Joshua 9:14-15 (NKJV) – “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. [15] So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.”

By failing to seek God’s advice, Israel was ashamed and embarrassed when they learned the men lived just a short distance away. The decision they made without first consulting God, produced consequences that Israel had to deal with for many generations. Five minutes in prayer could have helped them avoid this huge mistake.

Father, I need Your guidance in all I do. Direct me in the decisions I make so I may fully walk in Your ways. Lead me in the path that You want me to take. Guide my thoughts and my actions. I want to make choices that will exalt You and bring You glory, not those that could dishonor You and cause pain. Thank You for hearing me and guiding my steps.

Today, I’m worshiping with James Wilson and “Wait on the Lord.”

We love you and are praying for you. Be INSPIRED!

Pastor

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Greetings,

Have you ever noticed how those who have endured the most trouble and faced the greatest tribulation are often the happiest, and how they have the greatest faith in God? That’s because God has proven Himself to be faithful and that has given them a healthy and positive outlook on life! Embracing a healthy outlook is vital to living successfully. If your outlook is negative, your whole life will be too.

On the other hand, those who have the least about which to complain, often do so the most, and inevitably they are the loudest. Everyone around them is often thinking, “Do you not see all the good things you have been blessed with?”

Remember how God miraculously delivered Israel from the Egyptians so they walked across the Red Sea on dry ground? They ate angels’ food in the desert and lived in what we would call “air conditioned comfort” by day and “central heat” by night.

Their shoes and clothes did not wear out and a rock followed them that constantly poured forth rivers of water in the dry desert. Yet, these same people complained without end. Old folks used to say “that some people can complain with a loaf of bread under each arm!” I would think that it’s always better to have a thankful heart!  

Psalm 75:1 (NKJV) – “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

Father, help me to focus on the many, many good things in my life, rather than the few disappointments I’ve encountered along the way. As the old song goes, “All of my good days, outweigh my bad days, I won’t complain.” Lord, You have truly been good to me!

Today, I’m worshiping with Shekinah Glory Ministries and “How Deeply I Need You.”

We love you and are praying for you. Be INSPIRED!

Pastor

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Greetings,

What is the secret to overcoming temptation? Every believer will be tempted by the enemy. Therefore it makes sense to know how to resist temptation. It is a weapon the enemy never tires of using against us. The secret is to continually store God’s Word in our hearts.

Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

If you’re wondering how God’s Word helps you overcome, remember that His Word not only causes us to be aware of His feelings about sin, but the Word of God will actually change our thoughts as well. It literally reprograms our thinking with the beliefs and wisdom of God!

That’s needed because when man fell, our thoughts were affected. We have been programmed to think incorrectly. Good is presented as evil, and evil as good. Society and culture make the problem even worse! They constantly fill our minds with negative input and teach us to be self-focused rather than God-focused.

The Word of God will replace wrong thinking with truth. That will cause us to want to please God, rather than live in rebellion to Him.

Father, fill my heart and mind with Your desires and thoughts. Transform me from the inside out. Cause me to see life the way You see it, so sin no longer seems attractive. Help me see through the lies of the enemy. Teach me to understand how destructive and damaging sin is, to both me and to those I love. At the same time, help me understand how profoundly rewarding life is when it is lived in accordance with the principles found in Your Word.

Today, I’m worshiping with William McDowell and “Only You Can Satisfy.”

We love you and are praying for you. Be INSPIRED!

Pastor

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Greetings,

How can we ever master the Word of God? It can seem like such a daunting task. I’m talking about 66books, 1,189 chapters, and—depending upon the translation, 31,102 verses and up to 807,362 words. That’s a lot to become familiar with and to thoroughly understand.

Can we ever really master or learn everything we’re supposed to know? 

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

You will never learn everything that’s written in scripture, it has so many layers of meaning, but you can learn how to understand the Bible and grasp its teachings. When you read the Word of God with a hungry heart, God delights in inspiring you to see things in His Word that you have never noticed or understood, even though you have read the same passage numerous times. 

The secret is to be consistent and keep reading it over and over, from Genesis to Revelation. Enroll in a good daily program that will help you read through the entire Bible every year. They are available for free on the internet. Read it daily.

Also do word studies. Individual characteristics of God and His attributes come alive as we study them. You will be amazed at what you’ll learn from God’s Word and how it will strengthen and help you to stand.

Pray the Word back to God. This is one of the most powerful forms of prayer there is. Why? Because you are praying His forever settled Word!

Father, I thank You for the Word of God. It is truly a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Please keep leading me, according to Your Word. Help me learn the teachings that are found in Scripture for they contain wisdom and life. My soul thrives upon the bread of Your Word.

Today, I’m worshiping with Vicki Yohe and “In the Waiting.”

We love you and are praying for you. Be INSPIRED!

Pastor

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