Day 30: October 30th - - Psalm 46:10 & Day 31: October 31st - - James 1:22

"POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 30 & 31
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJ

As a child, we are told many times to ‘sit still’. Usually we had to be told that, because it was time to pay attention to what was being said, & to not distract others while they were listening as well. God sometimes needs to sit us down in His presence, and tell us to be still. He is our Father, and we are His children, and He wants us to pay attention. We can get so busy with things around us, and not take time to honestly pay attention to Him. Our lives are so busy in this day and age, and sometimes we are even busy doing things for the Lord, that we don’t always take time with the Lord. In the case of when we were children, or looking at children today, we say the old saying, ‘Silence is golden’. We truly don’t realize that silence, doesn’t mean just standing motionless, and having no sound around us, it means silencing our hearts and minds as well. God speaks in a still, small voice, and if we really want to hear Him, and be able to listen to His Words, then we need to silence our entire beings, heart, soul, mind, spirit & body.

I know that when I worship & pray to God I can get excited, and I speak in tongues, and like to praise Him, but there are times when I need to ‘be quiet’. Sometimes God needs to remind me of this truth, (as He did at the “Expect a Harvest Fall Conference” last weekend – Thank you Lord!) and I need to remain in His peace. I thank the Lord for His peace that passes all understanding, and that although there may be storms around us, we can rest in His peace, and truly know He is God.

To ‘know’, according to the dictionary, is;
- to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty:
- to have established or fixed in the mind or memory:
- to be cognizant or aware of
- be acquainted with, as by sight, experience or report:
- to understand from experience or attainment
- to be able to distinguish, as one from another

How does one truly ‘know’ God? This is a question in the hearts and minds of Biblical scholars, and regular people all around the world. So many authors, teachers, professors, scholars, pastors, evangelists, etc have given their take on the answer to this question, and you can read many books or articles, attend many conferences or seminars, but the answer lies in this verse… “Be still and know that I am God”. Spend time with God. It’s as simple as that. When you first begin to date, you get to know the other person, and spend time with them. As time goes by, and you spend more time with them, listening and sharing, you learn more about them. But they also learn more about you. God knows all about you, but He wants you to share your heart with Him. He wants you to know Him in an intimate way as well.

There is a worship song called, ‘In the Secret’, and in the chorus it says, “I want to know You, I want to hear Your voice, I want to know You more. I want to touch You, I want to see Your face, I want to know You more”. To truly ‘know’ something or someone, you need to use all your senses to experience it or them for all they are worth, or for all they have. I cannot say I know ‘Spanish’ for example, just from watching some Dora videos, where Dora uses a few Spanish words like ‘agua’ (water) and ‘Hola’ (hello). I actually have to experience it for myself, learn the words, listen to others speak it, and to understand it fully, and clearly. Obviously I cannot physically touch the Spanish language… but I’m sure you get my point.

To know God, is to love God. When you truly experience God for yourself, you will come to a whole new understanding of who He really is, and what He can and will do in and through you. When we come to this realization of God, to ‘know’ Him as the definition above stated, we can truly:
- perceive or understand God as fact or truth; to apprehend Him and His ways clearly and with certainty:
- to have established or fixed Him in our mind or memory:
- to be cognizant or aware of Him
- be acquainted with God, as by sight, experience or report:
- understand Him from experience or attainment
- & be able to distinguish Him, as one from another (discernment).
We will not have trouble distinguishing His voice from all the others around us, nor will we have trouble remembering that He is with us wherever we go. He will be exalted among the nations, and exalted in the earth, as the rest of the verse in Psalm 46:10.
When we ‘know’ God, we can understand Him, and what He wants for our lives. We can truly listen to His Words and not just hear them. We can then be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.

This leads us to devotional #2 – Day #31

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 NKJV

Hearing and listening are a great topic of discussion. In the dictionary in most cases, hearing is defined as ‘to listen’ or ‘to perceive by the ear’. Listening on the other hand is defined as;
- to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.
- To pay attention; heed; obey
- To wait attentively for a sound.
In once sense, they are the same, but in another, they are not. Once you have experienced God, you can come to the realization that you can hear the voice of the Lord, but to truly listen to what He says, you need to ‘be still’ and actively listen and then obey what He has said. It’s the same again, with children and their parents. When mom says, “take out the trash” to the little boy who is watching his favourite show on TV, he can hear her talking, but is he actually listening to what she is saying, or is he listening to the TV?

Listening is acting upon what is being heard. Communication barriers come up when people just hear, and don’t truly listen. Gossip is spread, and stories are changed, because some people hear what they want to hear, and they don’t listen to what is truly being said.

Music today is a great example of this ‘hearing vs. listening’ debate. We can hear the music, and love the tune, rhythm and the beats, but are we actually listening to the words? Some songs have very questionable lyrics, yet have really cool tunes, beats, or drum solos. One example for me is the song, ‘Mambo #5’. I used to work in a retail party store, and we sold party music CD’s and videos. We would play the video to help sell the merchandise, and so we would hear it all day long, and even learn some of the cheesy dance moves along with ‘Drew’. One of the songs was ‘Mambo #5’. Don’t get me wrong, (you will be convicted in your own time regarding songs, I am just sharing one that has affected me) I still like the tune, and unfortunately we have it on one of the CDs at work that we play for the children (which I still don’t understand). But anyhow, the tune is cool and the beats are cool and somehow we can even sing along to the words… and the one part is really fun to do the actions and dance to–
‘jump up and down and move it all aroundshake your head to the sound put your hands an the groundtake one step left and one step rightone to the front and one to the sideclap your hands once and clap your hands twiceand if it looks like this then you doin' it right’
But the words in the rest of it are truly questionable. In reality, the man singing the song is proud of the fact that he can flirt with so many women in his life, and each has a different ‘spot’ in his heart. He is having different relations and flirting with each of these women, and in one case he is with one of them ‘all night long’. One woman, and one man is the way God intended. Unfortunately he also prays to the Lord in the song. Eek… and this is what we are letting our kids listen to? (This isn’t even one of the worst ones).

We need to listen to worship music, and uplifting and inspirational music, or scripture so that is what goes in our minds, to come out our mouths, and also in our actions will be of the Lord. You need to ‘GET INTO GOD’S WORD, SO THAT GOD’S WORD GETS INTO YOU’! Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Hear the word of the Lord, listen to what He is truly saying, and act upon His Words, not the words of the world. There is life in the Words of God, and we need to pay attention to His Words. In Proverbs 22:17-19 it says, “Listen carefully to what wise people say; pay attention to what I am teaching you. It will be good to keep these things in mind so that you are ready to repeat them. I am teaching them to you now so that you will put your trust in the Lord.” (NCV)

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we pray Lord that You will help us find that “secret place” with you, where we still our entire beings to hear and listen to what You want to tell us. Show us the ways in which You want us to walk. Teach us the things which You want us to say. Train us to discern Your voice, and the voice of Your Holy Spirit. Help us take time to be alone in Your presence, and to wait on You, and to truly come to ‘know’ You. Remind us that in the ‘storms of life’, you can still the wind and the waves, and we can rest in Your peace no matter what is going on around us. Hide us under Your wings, and let us rest in Your embrace. Draw us close to You, and never let us go. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!

Reuben Morgan (Hillsong) wrote a beautiful peaceful song regarding the verse in Psalm 46:10. It is called “Still”. Turn up the volume a little, and play the video/song, and then quiet your soul to hear from the Lord, and be sure to listen to what He is telling you! (It takes a little bit to start playing, and there is an instrumental part at the end of the song.)


Here’s the lyrics…
(feel free to sing along, and sing it as a prayer to the Lord)
"Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hands

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You, above the storm Father,
You are king over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul,
in Christ alone
Know His power,
in quietness and trust"

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Day 27 & 28: October 27th & October 28th, 2009 - - Hosea 4:6

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 27 & 28
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)



Teddy Bear Generator at Comments101.com

“My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests to me. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6

H1N1 – The flu virus… Recession… how many other negative things can you think of that are disturbing the natural flow of the world and its people? WOW… I will not and cannot give you any medical advice regarding the H1N1, nor can I give you any credible financial advice regarding the recession, yet I do know one thing I can tell you for sure, and I know it’s very medically safe, and very credible financially and will give you the best ‘side effects’ known to man --- FAITH in GOD (the one true God)!

As the verse today says, “My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests to me. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children.” Knowledge is something that we all would like to attain. No one in this world knows everything, except God (the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit). Many people have fought over this issue for years, (looking back to past flu/disease outbreaks) and have stressed, and argued and tried to make their point using opinions and facts. Scientists and medical researchers are on both sides of the fence, and Christian folks are as well. Just ‘Google’ the H1N1, and WOW, see what comes up. I did just that, (for some more insight tonight) and I ‘Google’d “Christian view of H1N1”… interesting reads I must say. Most people are either scared into getting the vaccine, or scared out of getting the vaccine. This seems scary all in itself, yet it should not be… for my Bible and my God says, “For I did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind (self-discipline).” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Flues and diseases will come and go, we had them in the past, and they are certainly present, and will most likely affect our future, but they are ever-changing, and the vaccines and information regarding them are ever-changing, but the Lord our God will stay the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Our faith in God will be the best preventative measure that we can take right now, because it’s the only thing that is certain, and that will last forever, and not change! God has called us to ‘cry out to Him’ for our family and our friends. We have the POWER and authority over these flues and diseases. We need to PRAY for the people, not PREY on the people. Children and seniors, and pregnant women are among the first who are told to get the vaccine… The world thinks they are attracting the weak first, yet I believe these are really the strongest. Children are the next generation, and seniors have the wisdom that this generation needs. The Bible says, ‘a little child shall lead them.’ Pregnant women are bringing the next generation of leaders into the world, and they are the bearers of life. [I cannot say much more regarding this, and still stay basically objective, stating the facts in the Bible, but after reading both views (for and against the vaccine), and the differing views among each side, I will leave you with that truth to study more for yourself.]

God gave us the power to PRAY, as I stated above. I quoted the scripture in 2 Timothy 1:7 above regarding God giving us the power. Yet, we may overlook the verse just before that one. It is so powerful for this time… for such a time as this! “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

WOW! (Say it aloud) WOW! (Now say it backwards) WOW! (Now smile because God is in control). (Thanks P.G.D.!)

The people today need to take that authority over disease, pestilence, and anything else that is coming against them and their families. We have been given the spirit of power, love and a sound mind/self discipline. (Say these words of truth aloud, ‘I have not been given the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind!’) Are we walking around in fear, thinking crazy thoughts, lining up for several hours to get a shot? Or are we walking around in peace, with a sound mind, taking authority over our thoughts and over the diseases coming against us? JUST A THOUGHT…

Am I saying ‘Don’t panic over the H1N1’? Yes! There are much worse things in the world coming against you and your family than the H1N1 (and no I’m not saying it’s the H1N1 vaccine like several other people). The enemy is out to deceive us all, and he is sitting laughing at what the world has become. He is laughing, and we need to silence that laughter, and stomp on him and his plans; he is under our feet, and we need to learn & use the authority we have, and he needs to learn his place. I am saying ‘Don’t panic over the H1N1’, but I am also saying ‘don’t ignore the H1N1’. God has given us a sound mind, which includes common sense (which I know isn’t so common). Use common sense when dealing with you and your family (especially if you have children, seniors or pregnant women in your circle of family & friends)! I believe these truths for three reasons: 1) It is in Scripture, 2) Experience, & 3) Observation.

For the most part, there are everyday steps that can help prevent the spread of germs, or the spread of the influenza bug. According to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/ this includes:
* Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. (*My note* - Usually you are told to cough into your elbow or sleeve, which is good for the most part, but your germs stay on your clothing, and if you work with children, and pick them up, congratulations, you just spread the germ anyway.)
* Stay away from people who are sick. (*my note* - please pray for them)
* Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
* If someone in the household is sick, try to keep the sick person in a separate room from others in the household, if possible.
* Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
* Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.

I’d like to add;

* If you are really worried, take multiple vitamins, like B and D, and of course C.
* Eat a spoonful of honey… just ‘bee’cause!
* Pray over your meals, pray over your family (& friends), and seek God for protection and peace in this ‘storm’ of life. Plead the blood of Jesus over you and your family – declare the words, ‘No weapon formed against me shall prosper!’ and ‘No evil shall come nigh my dwelling place’ (dwelling place – you are the temple, this includes you, your home, your work, your children’s school or work, etc.)
* Take care of YOU… (The best vitamin for a Christian is B1)
* Pray hard to God regarding the vaccine, if He tells you to get it, then get it. If He wants you to trust in Him fully, and resist the temptation, then don’t get it, and pray all the more! Obedience brings blessings! (either way)
* Don’t let the media or others put the fear of man, fear of disease, or fear of any (non-reverent) kind into you. God is in control! (“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV)

Jesus has the power over everything… humans have messed it up. Adam and Eve were a part of the first sin, and that ensured that humans will always be flawed. No human is perfect, no human has enough wisdom and understanding, or counsel or might, or knowledge. No human fears the Lord to the effect that Jesus did. The Word says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge…” Isaiah 11:1-4 NKJV

God will give us all that we need, (which may or may not include the vaccine) “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” 2 Timothy 2:7 NIV

Put your faith in God, because God is in control… whether you believe it or not, this fact is true! ‘There is no power above or beside Him, we know God is in control.’ (Lyric from God is in Control, sung by Twila Paris)

Quoting the lyrics from the song, “God is in Control”, I conclude;

“This is no time for fear
This is a time for faith and determination
Don't lose the vision here
Carried away by emotion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan
Oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever
He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

watching over you… watching over me…watching over every things…watching over you… watching over me…every little sparrow…every little things…”

Gods Word will stand forever… “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

PRAYER: [My heart is breaking and my spirit is crying out for the people of this world (believers and non-believers), and I am praying for us (ALL of us) not to be deceived. I am praying that the Lord will give each of us individually the knowledge and wisdom needed regarding this and other diseases and spirits that may come against us. I plead the blood of Jesus over me and my family (and I hope that you pray the same). I will close with the best prayer known to man, the Lord’s Prayer. In a time like this, we need His words, and not our own.] “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory. Forever and ever, AMEN! (Matthew 6:9-13)

*Here's a video with the song, 'God is in Control'... play it loud, and declare it over your household or workplace today!* May God bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Day 26: October 26th, 2009 - -

Seeds are being sown... hallelujah!!

Psalm 103 (New Century Version)

Praise to the Lord of Love
Of David.
1 All that I am, praise the Lord; everything in me, praise his holy name. 2 My whole being, praise the Lord and do not forget all his kindnesses. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy. 5 He satisfies me with good things and makes me young again, like the eagle. 6 The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are wronged by others. 7 He showed his ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord shows mercy and is kind. He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love. 9 He will not always accuse us, and he will not be angry forever. 10 He has not punished us as our sins should be punished; he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. 11 As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who respect him. 12 He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from west. 13 The Lord has mercy on those who respect him, as a father has mercy on his children. 14 He knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. 15 Human life is like grass; we grow like a flower in the field. 16 After the wind blows, the flower is gone, and there is no sign of where it was. 17 But the Lord's love for those who respect him continues forever and ever, and his goodness continues to their grandchildren 18 and to those who keep his agreement and who remember to obey his orders. 19 The Lord has set his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over everything. 20 You who are his angels, praise the Lord. You are the mighty warriors who do what he says and who obey his voice. 21 You, his armies, praise the Lord; you are his servants who do what he wants. 22 Everything the Lord has made should praise him in all the places he rules. My whole being, praise the Lord.

Thank you Lord for your Word which shall not return void! PRAISE THE LORD!

Day 25: October 25th, 2009 - - Hebrews 13:14-16

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 25
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

“Here on earth we do not have a city that lasts forever, but we are looking for the city that we will have in the future. So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name. Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God.” Hebrews 13:14-16 NCV

OH GOD, WE CRY OUT FOR YOUR MERCY... OH GOD, WE CRY OUT FOR YOUR GRACE... OH GOD, WE CRY OUT, SET US FREE... OH GOD, WE CRY OUT ONCE AGAIN... ONCE AGAIN!

Do we honestly cry out to the Lord, or is it more like whining? Do we honestly take the Lord at His word, and believe that when we ask, we will receive?

God wants to hear us. When we talk to or about Him, He blesses us. In the Bible, many times it speaks of people being healed by Jesus, because of their faith. How is our faith? Is it seriously smaller than a mustard seed? Or do we trust Him completely with our lives? It also says in the Bible, that these people came to Jesus, they didn't wait for Jesus to come to them. In some cases however, when they couldn't see or walk, to make it to Jesus, they CRIED OUT IN A LOUD VOICE. How many times have we cried out to Jesus in a loud voice? Do we take time to tell Him what is really on our hearts, although He already knows? He wants us to speak to Him. God is tired, and I am tired of people who just seek after Him in troubled times... and then complain that He isn't there, or He doesn't answer prayers, or they blame Him for the trouble. If we sought God everyday, and at every time of the day, we wouldn't have time to get ourselves into trouble, because there is no way we can stray away from Him, if we are completely focused on Him. Isn't that a truth and a half? WOW! Thank You Lord for Your wisdom.

We don't just cry out for ourselves either, we cry out for those around us. Even if they do not even know you are crying out for them. We want God to get the glory for their answer to prayer, not us. We don't want people worshipping us, we want them worshipping God. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phil. 2:3-4 NIV

At the OUTPOUR Conference, one of the pastors spoke about Bartimaeus the blind man, who cried out in a very loud voice, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me". We had a time of crying out to the Lord for mercy and grace. During the 'EXPECT a HARVEST' Conference on Sunday night, we again were taught on crying out for mercy. This time it however had a little more of an impact on me. WOW! Obedience brings rewards. I have always tried to 'dance' when the worship song says, 'I will dance'. I have always tried to 'clap' when the worship song says 'clap'... yet when the worship song says, 'I will shout', I sometimes do, and sometimes don't, and when I do, it's not all that loud all of the time. However, when I was younger, someone once (probably more) told me that if I can shout and cheer at a hockey game or a sporting event, how much more should I shout and cheer for Jesus? I have always remembered this, and thought of the verse 'to worship in Spirit and in truth'. It's not really worshipping in truth, if I'm singing, "bow to my knees" and I'm standing. It's not really truth, if it says, "I will sing, I will shout..." and I'm singing quietly. During the AM church service, we sang that song, "I Will Do the Same", and I shouted, but yeah, it wasn't really loud, and for some reason I felt silly like people would stare and wonder.

That night at conference, we had an altar call, and I didn't really feel the spirit moving for me to pray for myself, yet I had the desire to pray for others. I didn't go up to the altar, I sat quietly interceding... that was until the pastor spoke the words 'Why are you still in your pew?'... and started saying that we should be breaking for others, and crying out for them. He had spoken on the 10 lepers, and how 10 were cleansed, but only one came back to praise Jesus and give Him glory, so he was not just cleansed but healed. Jesus asked the man where the other 9 were... and as the pastor said, 'If Jesus doesn't know where they are, then they are really lost'. We are called to cry out for the lost... lost family, lost friends, lost co-workers, and lost strangers. Well we were all on our face, well as far as I saw before I lay down on my face... and we were praying and crying. We were clinging to Jesus, and crying out... yet still really quiet. The pastor spoke about clinging to Jesus, and that struck my Spirit, and so I started clutching my hands, and I hit something, I opened my eyes wondering who's leg my hand was near, and when I opened my eyes, I saw I was at the foot of our cross. WOW, what a powerful moment, and that's when my Spirit wanted to cry out and groan. But again, fear of man started to creep in, and the pastor spoke the words regarding the silence, and how the people in the Bible cried out in a LOUD voice... so overcoming the fear of man, because God is STRONGER, I cried out loudly! I shouted in a really loud voice, in obedience to the Spirit, and that helped others to cry out. Not taking any glory, because it certainly was not me, it was the Spirit in me that cried out for the lost. What a powerful time there, at the foot of the cross. 'I want to cling to you Jesus'.

We need to take quiet time alone with God, but we also need to let the Spirit groan in utterings that we do not understand. We need to cry out in a loud voice. MERCY... Have MERCY on us Lord. Do you know the difference between Mercy and Grace?? The pastor enlightened us this weekend...

GRACE - Getting something which we don't deserve. (eternal life)

MERCY - Not getting something that we do deserve. (eternal death)

Wow... that is so powerful! Thank you Pastor for being an obedient vessel, for God to work in and through! Thank You Lord for your Mercy!! Have mercy on us Lord we pray!!

Prayer: 'Father of life, seated on Your throne of grace. It's only by Your mercy we are saved. Lord, You have said if we call upon Your Name, we and our families will be saved. So we cry out Your Name, El Shaddai, God of grace - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. We rely on Your grace, Adonai, crowned in praise - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. Father of love, never failing to forgive. Each moment is a gift from You to live. We're only here to tell the world about Your grace, until the day You take us all away. We will cry out Your Name, El Shaddai, God of grace - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. We rely on Your grace, Adonai, crowned in praise - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. O, so we cry out Your Name, El Shaddai, God of grace - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. We rely on Your grace, Adonai, crowned in praise - Lord Most High, Jesus Christ.' Help us cry out to You God, in a loud voice, not having the fear of man, but having the fear and reverence for You and who You are. Guide us in the paths You wish us to take, and lead us to those souls that we are to sow seeds into, water, and best of all harvest! In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, AMEN! (*Words in 'quotes' taken from the song 'We Cry Out' by Kari Jobe - Gateway Worship)

Be blessed, and be a blessing as you choose to be ‘chosen’ & speak the Words of the Lord.
check out this video... we sang this song and cried out to the Lord... maybe its time for you to cry out to Him too!

Day 24: October 24th, 2009 - - Matthew 9:36-38 EXPECT A HARVEST!

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 24
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

“When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus said to His followers, ‘There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them. Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that He will send more workers to gather His harvest’." Matthew 9:36-38 NCV
WOW~ God is amazing! If you have been reading these devotionals, yesterday you would have read that I have been attending a Conference called Outpour. Today was the last day of the conference, there was an AM session, an afternoon session, and a PM session. Usually you feel a little sad that a conference is coming to an end, because the speaker is leaving, and leaving at a high note in your life spiritually. However, this Conference may be complete, but we have another Conference starting tomorrow night, with the same guest speaker!! Hallelujah God! Speak, your servant is listening! =)

So, there was a delay in writing this, part due to laziness, yet also I think part to God not being done speaking into my life on this thought and action. Harvesting... to a farmer, or a gardener that means alot. It means all the hard work has paid off, and you are reaping the benefits of sowing seeds, tending the field/garden, getting rid of weeds, watering, fertilizing, etc. Harvesting to us as Christians is basically the same, we reap what we sow. These past few years have been a great time of sowing for us. We have, so we give. When we haven't financially, we give in other ways, and God gives to us financially and in other ways, and we then give more financially to the Lord. Our acts of worship, teaching, and working FOR the Lord are also ways to give back to God.

Compassion... what a word. In this verse, it says Jesus saw the crowds and felt sorry for them. This does not mean pity, it means compassion. He had a heart for the 'multitudes', whether they were male or female; Jewish or Gentile; young or old; rich or poor; etc, you get the picture. As we learned back a few devotionals ago, Jesus is our Shepherd. A Shepherd has compassion for his sheep. I am thankful that I have a heart that breaks for His people, yet I continually need to ask God to 'break my heart for what breaks Yours'. He wants to harvest people. He is sowing seeds of love from the Father, to reap the benefits of more people in the Kingdom of Heaven, instead of in the clutches of the enemy. God wants to see everyone come to know Him, believe in Him and live for Him, but because He also gave us our free-choice, not everyone will make that important decision. We know there are millions and billions, and trillions and more people in the world who don't know Jesus, and what are we doing about it? Really?

Harvest time… Yes Lord, it’s harvest time! We need to be out ‘planting seeds’ if we expect to reap a harvest! We need to do some harvesting, but we also need to pray for others, so that there will be more harvesters. Lord, send more people to gather the harvest! Your harvest, for Your glory! We have to have a heart for the people. A heart like Jesus! I have been praying for a long time, and more recently & more often with the children I work with, for God to help us love others, like He loves us. WOW! What a statement, but when prayed with faith and believing it makes all the difference! Jesus was out with the people. Jesus talked with the people, even the ones no one wanted to talk with, or even hang out with. People that others hated or despised, or ones that were basically left to die. We need to start reaching out more, in love. Not expecting something in return from them. We can certainly expect somethng from our Father in Heaven, because He promises that we will reap what we sow. If we are sowing words of judgement, and ignoring other's needs around us, why in the world would we expect to reap a life of favour? WOW... I am speaking to myself on this one too, so don't think of me as nagging on you. But really, sometimes we need to be shaken up a little. Most of us have family members and close friends who are not saved. Yes, they may have said the cute lil' sinner's prayer when they were 5, but really, how are they living now? They have to experience God for themselves, and sometimes we have to be that 'first impression'. It's been said many times that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. It's also been said that we are sometimes the only Bible that people will get to see/read. We are the hands and feet, and mouth and ears... etc... of Jesus! We may never get a second chance to share the gospel with some people. Others in our lives may hear it over and over. Keep pressing in, and pressing on! Persevere through... Be the best example of Christ that you can be. People need us, because people need the Lord! We need to share that JOY with everyone.

We love the advancement in our world, but have so many things in our way today, and technology is a great thing, yet also a hassle. We love things like blogs, Facebook, MySpace, IM's, and more... yet, how much time do we spend on them, and how much time do we give to the Lord? I know I am guilty of this one too. (so don't take me wrong) This one is totally for me too! Writing the words, and speaking the words will help encourage me to do the Word and the words. I can use the 'excuse' (as that is a good excuse right now in the Christian circles) that I use Facebook, and my blog to minister and spread the good news, because that is definitely true. But that's not all I use it for, I also spend time on the silly things, like too many silly quizzes, and reality-based Social games. Do you notice that they can't just have ONE social based game (ie: Yo-ville), they have to keep adding more... and we keep accepting.... pretty soon these applications bog up our system, and that's all we can do. We think, I have 6 hours before I have to come back and take the cake out of the oven in the Yoville sweets factory, which should give me lots of time to check out my fields and crops in FarmTown, and of course its counterpart FarmVille (just incase you need more than one farm); yet I also have time to serve people in my restaurant in Cafe World or the Restaurant one (whatever its called). Oh, I can't forget I have to go help my Mob boss kill somebody, before they kill me in Mob Wars or Mafia Wars... but wait, I forgot to go back and take the 'French Onion Soup' off of the stove in Cafe World, so its gone to waste. Because I was too busy getting the hit man, I missed harvesting the crop of corn in FarmTown, so it has gone to waste.... and so on and so on, and soon our time with Jesus has gone to waste too! How our mindset changes, to think that feeding people every minute in Cafe World, or harvesting fields in FarmTown or FarmVille is totally a necessity. We fret when the preacher talks too long, because we have to 'serve our homestyle chicken dinner' in Cafe World before it goes to waste. What are we thinking??? Really...?? God's Word says, "Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn't really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies." (Isaiah 55:2 -NCV)

I was going to write a devotional before on harvesting, and on FarmTown, because the Lord was showing me things about sowing, reaping and harvesting. I was getting tired of the game, yet, I did however keep the application on, and checked in every now and then. I haven't planted any crops, and allowed my trees to grow, because for some reason crops go to waste, but trees stay fruitful. (Is there a spiritual meaning here, yes, and I'm sure God will reveal that to me more later.) You keep some games/applications on your page because your friends are playing it, and you are helping them. Pfffttphh... are we really helping them?? I can use all the excuses to why the applications were still on my Facebook, but in reality I just wasn't giving top priority to the One who deserves the top priority in my heart and life.

More about FarmTown, as that's the one that hit me first... Here are some pictures from the game, incase you don't have the application (and please, this is not a paid ad for FarmTown, so please don't go and add the application, unless you are willing to apply it to your life).








So, by these pictures, you see that there are many different 'signs' showing what's going on, so you know what you are to do. The first picture says 'plowed field', so you know that you can sow seeds, and in time they will grow into the crop that it says. The second picture says 'harvested field', so this shows that you just harvested a crop, and now can plow it and sow a seed. The third picture shows 'Apple Tree - Ready to Harvest', meaning you can now harvest the fruit from the tree, and then it will grow again and produce more fruit. The last picture shows a 'Potato Field Gone to Waste'. How sad is this picture? This means that you didn't harvest it in time, and you can not harvest it anymore, or get anything back from those seeds that were sown. You know the name of the crop, but its gone, so its no good anymore. Fortunately in the game, you can plow over the field, and start fresh, planting new seeds. The Lord is revealing a new truth to me, as I said He would in the above paragraph. The crops go to waste, yet the fruit trees remain fruitful. When we let seeds that were sown, die & not get harvested, or get choked by weeds, or eaten by birds, they go to waste. In other words, if we leave people un-harvested, they will go to waste, living a life of eternal damnation in hell. (Yes, hell is a real place.) Yet, when we harvest the fruit of love, joy, salvation in people, they in turn become more fruitful, and harvest fruit of their own. How amazing is God?? Now, wouldn't it be so much easier, if we all had 'signs', like the apple tree in the picture. Walking through the mall, and observing people, and seeing signs that say 'Ready to Harvest', would sure be a help wouldn't it? We would get excited I think, and go and speak to people more. Yet, taking the other side, what if we walked through the church, and saw signs that said 'Gone to Waste'?? Would it be too late to plow their hearts? Fortunately and unfortunately, we don't have physical signs, yet if we allow the Spirit to speak to us, He will tell us His heart for the people.

There is a book called 'The Heart Reader', and in it the man gets the spiritual gift (for lack of a better word right now) to be able to read the hearts of the people around him, and he can help them according to their desires and needs for the Lord. For the secular world, there is a movie called 'What Women Want' starring Mel Gibson. In this movie, Mel's character has an unfortunate (or fortunate in his case) accident, and he is able to hear the hearts of women and their desires and needs too. He in turn helps out many women because he can hear what they really want. However, this can happen in the real world, as I said above, if we allow ourselves to hear what the Spirit is saying.

We need to approach every day with God, expecting a harvest! Who knew when I put 'fall harvest conference' and 'expectation ministries' together, that coming up with 'Expect a Harvest' would mean sooooo much? Even if the title just ended up being special to me, and God speaking to me, that would be awesome. But I know that many others were touched at this conference, and will continue to be from Sunday night, to Tuesday night, and long after. (For those of you who couldn't make it out to Conference, or others who may be reading this, if you desire, you can contact me here to order yourself a CD set - - they are $5 a CD, and there will be 3 CD's) EXPECT A HARVEST! Pray for an OUTPOUR of His Spirit! Hallelujah Jesus!!
I'm not even going to touch on Cafe World, or the others, yet how much more important are the hungry people in this world, who need the 'bread of life', rather than a bowl of cyber soup. "Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Your hearts should be strengthened by God's grace, not by obeying rules about foods, which do not help those who obey them." (Hebrews 13:9 NCV) I am not condemning anyone, (as condemning nor convicting is my job), I'm just speaking the truth, and this is for my own benefit too. As I said, I am not condemning you if you have these applications on your Facebook, and maybe you will or will not be convicted by the Holy Spirit to change. Maybe you are okay in your spiritual walk, and can spend time on these frivolous activities. As long as you spend more time with God then you do with the Mob...
Think of the word 'applications', how do these really apply to your life? For the most part, you have to think of what you are actually playing. The innocent "killing", because its not real, and the innocent "stealing tips" because its not real, is still technically killing and stealing, and those are two of God's 10 commandments. Gets ya thinking doesn't it?? How much more fun would it be to go out and share Jesus, and get your friends sharing Jesus, and hearing the angels rejoice in Heaven over a lost soul coming home? Think of your Heavenly rewards, and our Lord saying, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant!"

Prayer: Wow, where to begin Lord. What to say Lord... I thank you above all that you do not want us to 'go to waste'. I thank You God for the truths that You have spoken and confirmed through your Word, and through your prophet. God help us to truly put You first in all we do. Lord, help ME to put YOU first in all I do. (I cannot speak for others, but because my heart breaks for them, I do). Thank you for showing me the silliness of it all, and how serious You are about Your people. They are not just crops and fruit, they are Your people, Your children, none of whom You want to see perish! Help us not want to see them perish either. As I have prayed on many occasions, help us love them like You love us. Help us see them through Your eyes. I pray for the Spiritual Words of wisdom and knowledge that I have used before, and let go to the wayside, to be refired in me. Help me to hear people's hearts, and to speak Your words into them. Words of life, and not death; words of peace, & not war; words of love & not hate; words of encouragement & not discouragement; words to build up & not tear down. Show me Lord the ones who are ready to harvest, the ones who need more seeds sown, and the ones who the world has told them they have gone to waste, but they are still alive to you. We all have to die to ourselves, to live fully in You. Praise You Lord that You made me who I am, and help me to share your love and make a good 'first impression' for You and Your gospel! To give Your love, we must be full of Your love, so let us fall more in love with You. Show us how high, how deep, how wide Your love is. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, AMEN!

Check out this video... we sang this song to the Lord at OUTPOUR to our consuming fire~ 'Let us fall more in love with you'!

EXPECT a HARVEST!!!!!

Day 23: October 23rd - - Deuteronomy 30:16

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 23Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)
I command you today to love the Lord your God, to do what he wants you to do, and to keep his commands, his rules, and his laws. Then you will live and grow in number, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to take as your own. Deuteronomy 30:16 NCV

I thank God for His servants that are obedient, and speak His Words of truth. I am blessed to be a ‘chosen’ one of God, and I am attending a Conference this weekend called Outpour. We are praying for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, to help us walk as the ‘chosen’ ones of God. The guest speaker moves in the prophetic evangelism anointing, and he is an amazing man of God. For those of you who are attending the conference too, take notes, and listen to the words of the Lord. He will speak to you through the Pastor, and new revelations will come to you during this time as well. You can live a ‘chosen’ lifestyle too – it all comes down to making the right choices. But as this verse also says, part of those right choices include; loving God, obeying God, & listening to God’s voice. He promises that we will live and multiply (grow in number in NCV). This does not just mean ‘babies’, it is your spiritual children too. The people you lead to Christ, also fit into this category. Are you multiplying the kingdom?? WOW! I am totally excited about this conference, not with hype or those feelings of the moment, but for the message of truth that will be shared. The Bible tells us that ‘many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14 NKJV). Even if you do not have a personal relationship with the Father, He is still YOUR God. We are all called to follow Him. However, several of us do not feel worthy of the calling, and turn away from God. But there are a select few that choose God, and choose to be ‘chosen’.

If YOU do not know Jesus as your personal friend, brother, and Saviour then please do not hesitate any further. Take that step today - - It’s as simple as A.B.C., and it only takes a moment, to change your life forever. If you so desire, you can re-commit your life to Him as well too ~ it's never too late, while you are alive anyway.
A - - Admit to God you are a sinner, and repent and turn away from your sin.
B - - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He gave His life for you and me.
C- - Confess your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord forevermore.
This simple prayer will change you from the inside out.

The verse today says, ‘the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to take as your own.’ Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to receive more blessings, in the new places you are entering… the changes you are making in your life? I sure do. This verse reminds us of the greatest commandment, to love the Lord with all our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. Loving God means obeying Him, listening to Him, and putting Him first in your life. Those are tough to live out, but they are possible. We have a ‘cloud of witnesses’ standing by cheering us on. All things are possible to him who believes. We know that Jesus has the ultimate victory, and because He has risen, we can rise above all our failures too. He gives us the peace to go through each day, no matter what storms may rise. Please listen to the song below, and let it sink deep into your mind and spirit. Remember that you are an over-comer too. Rise on wings like eagles today, and take time to fall on your knees to praise Him. (No excuses, as the pastor tonight said, if it’s too hard to kneel, and you are good at making excuses why you can’t, then just lay prostrate and worship Him.)

‘I Will Rise’ by Chris Tomlin – ‘Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He has risen from the dead. And I will rise when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles wings, before my God, fall on my knees and rise. I will rise!’





Prayer: Hallelujah God! Father we thank You that we are over-comers with Jesus, and that we can rise on eagles wings. We can run and not grow weary, we can walk and not faint, if only we wait on You. Help us to set aside weaknesses or selfish thoughts of embarrassment, and allow us to seek You on our knees, or laying prostrate, knowing that You will come and speak with us. Help us live the life of a ‘chosen’ one. Thank You Lord for choosing us, and for allowing us the choice to choose You as well. Help my friends and family who may be walking in doubt and unbelief. Let them pray the simple ABC prayer, to start changing their life today. Convict by the power of Your Holy Spirit. I ask You to bless the rest of the Outpour Conference, and the guest speaker, the worship team, the host pastors, and their church, and all the attendees. Come outpour Your Spirit and anointing as we walk the paths You have laid out for Your ‘chosen’ ones. Bless the rest of the weekend conferences as well, and the Grand opening service of The Sanctuary Worship Centre. We ask all these things in the name of JESUS, AMEN!

Be blessed, and be a blessing as you choose to be ‘chosen’ out of the multitude.

Day 22: October 22nd, 2009 - - Proverbs 29:6

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 22
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

Evil people are trapped by their own sin, but good people can sing and be happy. Proverbs 29:6 NCV

Did you know that your sin can trap you? But, there is a way out -- only God can set you free. I am glad to be considered a good person, for I can sing and be happy all day long. We just spoke in our last devotional about praising in all circumstances, and especially in challenges. WOW! What a day I had today… challenges galore with the precious little preschoolers. I needed to keep my cool, remain calm and peaceful and also joyful. That was a struggle and a half, having screaming, jumping, running, spitting Preschoolers inside on a rainy day. But as I said, I appreciate challenges. I was thinking to how my day would be without those challenging children, and I would really miss them. Deep down they are very precious and sweet children, who just have a rough time every now and then. Some of them have to get up really early and be dropped off at daycare early, and they are there all day long, and that in itself can be trying on a little body. So I always empathize with them, which poses to be a problem sometimes, and ignoring the behaviour doesn’t always work. But we managed to get through the day, as challenges help me increase faith, which helps me increase perseverance and patience! YAY GOD! A few of the mom’s even commented how I could remain so patient. It’s all God! =) Praise Jesus! But getting back to the Scripture above, I am a good person, and therefore I can sing and be happy in crazy circumstances.


Paul and Silas were put into prison, and while they were chained they sang praises to God. God sent an angel to unlock the cell doors, but not one of the men escaped. The guard came back very worried that he would be killed if the men escaped, and Paul reassured him that they all were there. Then Paul and Silas went to the guard’s home, and all his family was saved. WOW! The power of our praise, it can change the atmosphere! It has been said on many occasions that worship changes the atmosphere and attitude of those around. We should be able to notice other Christians just by their attitude and when they walk into a room the atmosphere changes. It should be the same with us and our Christian walk.


Getting back to the dreaded first part of the verse, ‘Evil people are trapped by their own sin’, I am reminded of a drama that our youth group drama team performed years ago called ‘The Chair’. The silent drama starts with an empty chair on the stage, and there is a sign on the chair that says ‘Do Not Touch!’ Several people walk by the chair and notice it, and then walk back one at a time to the chair. The first guy touches the chair, and smacks it with his hands, not getting stuck, then he chuckles and does it again, and he gets stuck. He starts to walk away, but the chair comes with him. Someone else comes by, and the guy is struggling to get his hand off the chair. They offer him assistance, and get stuck to the chair as well. A cute girl walks by and the two look masculine and manly pretending there is nothing wrong, but continue still to try and get free from the chair. The girl offers to help, but they don’t want any help. The girl walks on. Another person comes by and sees them struggling, offers help, sees the sign, touches the chair and gets stuck to the chair. Yet another person comes along, sees the chair, and the sign, and the others smiling and such, and then walks over to touch the chair, and the others silently act out ‘No don’t sit down’ by shaking their heads and they try to get them not to touch the chair. They end up sitting on the chair. The drama stage now has a bunch of people pretending to be stuck to the chair. A person with a Bible comes along and sees the chair of people. They are struggling, and so they look in their Bible, and show the people a verse, and act out leading them in prayer. The people on the chair pray one by one, some of the last ones still doubting. They roll their eyes; shake their heads, etc… while one by one the ones who pray are released from the chair. Finally, the last person (who was the first person) gets unstuck, and they all do a happy dance, and the ‘Christian’ kicks the chair over, and stuck on the bottom of the chair is the word ‘SIN’. Then the Christian reads the scripture found in James 1:14-15, “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” It’s really powerful! It was one of my favourite ones to dramatize. I usually played the ‘Christian girl’. We cannot let ourselves get dragged away and enticed. For as we see it all leads to death and I choose life. As we have said before, and I’m sure you have heard many times, it all comes down to our choice. God gave us the power to choose. We have our own free will, and its that selfish fleshly mind-set that takes over and allows us to become enticed, and allows sin to conceive, which gives birth to death. Which is redundant in itself, but makes a lot of sense. Choose life with me today! Freedom = Life!


We can truly sing, ‘I Am Free’…



I <3 the NEWSBOYS!
Prayer: Lord, we thank You once again for all You do for us. Forgive us once again for the sins we have committed in thought, word and deed, intentionally and unintentionally, so that we may boldly enter Your throne-room. Thank You for giving us a way out from our sin, so that we are no longer trapped by it. Thank You for the freedom we can have through Your Spirit. Thank you for creating us to be good people. We praise You and we honour You, we sing and worship You for who You are, and what You’ve done. We will try to strive for complete joy in every circumstance, knowing that You walk beside us, and even carry us along the way. Thank You Lord that when we do look back and see one set of footprints, that you don’t let our hearts get discouraged, but that You encourage us, by reminding us that You carry us through those times of trouble. I ask for wisdom and discernment, to assist us when temptation comes our way. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, in the name of JESUS, AMEN!

Be blessed and keep the smile on your face, the twinkle in your eye, and the love of Jesus in your hearts! <3 Shine and worship our Father in the darkness around you! Declare your FREEDOM in CHRIST!

Day 21: October 21st, 2009 - - James 1:2-4

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 21Written by M. HallPlease feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired.
If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 (The Message)

My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. James 1:2-4 (NCV)

WOW… I am finally coming to realize that God has been using this very verse in my life for quite some time now, and I have finally gotten a hold of more of this revelation. I always knew the verse was there, and knew it was a good one to try to follow, and did try to have JOY in all circumstances, but never really thought much about the rest of this verse. I know in my own life, I love challenges. Some challenges do get frustrating, let me tell you, but for the most part I think life would be pretty boring without them. For those of you who don’t know me, I am an Early Childhood Educator, and I work with Preschoolers. These children range in age from 2½ to 5½ years old, and some of them can be very challenging. I am realizing now that this verse is a very important one in my life.

I usually am a very patient person, but when something has been tested over and over and over, my patience feels like it’s whittling away and I have to pray and seek God for more. I am trying to live out my life as open and ‘real’ as I can. I am not one person one place and another person somewhere else. I am ‘Me’ wherever I am. I am a very compassionate, and empathetic person, which helps me to ‘give people chances’ more often than some other personalities. Yet it also frustrates me, because I am also assertive, and don’t like when people seem to have to get their own way to be happy. I hate tantrums! (Who doesn’t?) LOL! My personality and characteristics do not match (according to textbooks and studies), as I can be very enthusiastic and outgoing, and extroverted, and assertive; yet I can also be very quiet, observant, introverted & passive. After doing many personality and character tests and quizzes, my two highest are opposites each other on the scales.
I always remember a statement from a VBS or March Break outreach that we did when I was in Youth regarding your character, and finding out who you really are; “If you want to know who you are, you must first know Jesus!” This statement is sooooooo true, and you do have to have that relationship to gain the whole revelation. I know that I am ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14), and that God created me to be who I am, with all my flaws, character traits, gifts, personality traits, talents, and more. He made ME like that for a purpose. I am beginning to understand that purpose more and more as I continue to seek Him and His will for my life, not my own.

I thank God for the increase in FAITH that I have, and the increase in PATIENCE that I have been given. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I am not afraid to tell you that, or to live my life according to that truth! If you walk each day of your life, transparent, in a ‘real’ way that shows your true colours, people will trust you more, and see the Light of Jesus that comes from the inside out. I pray that I can be an example to the little lives that are in my care each day at work, and also at church. I also pray that I can be an example to the adults I meet each day, and work with, play with, pray with, worship with, learn with, shop with, etc. I pray that YOU can live your life as ‘an open book’ as well, where people can see the ‘Light of Jesus’ shining in your heart too. (If you don’t have this ‘Light’… you can! If you do not know Jesus as your personal friend, brother, and Saviour then please do not hesitate any further. Take that step today - - It’s as simple as A.B.C., & it only takes a moment, to change your life forever. If you so desire, you can re-commit your life to Him as well too ~ it's never too late, while you are alive anyway.
A - - Admit to God you are a sinner, and repent and turn away from your sin
B - - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He gave His life for you and me
C- - Confess your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord forevermore

This simple prayer will change you from the inside out.
The verse today says, ‘then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need’. We will never ever truly be perfect, until we walk on those Heavenly streets, but we can be made perfect only through the power of the Holy Spirit. God will complete the good work that He started in you, and if that good work has challenges along the way, step up to those challenges remembering the verse, ‘I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13’. How many things can you do?? ALL things… Isn’t that an amazing truth all in itself? Do you have the FAITH to believe this? Do you have the PATIENCE and PERSEVERANCE to press on through the challenges that come your way? If so, God promises us that we ‘will have everything [we] need’. Amen and hallelujah! Amen means ‘so be it’ for those of you who may not know. Thank you Lord, for Your promises that will be fulfilled and completed.
God we put our trust in You, and lean not on our own understandings, and we acknowledge you, so that You may make our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer: Father God, we thank You again for Your Word, the living Word that we can put our full trust in. We thank you that we can put our full trust in You as well as your words and promises. All your promises are Yes, and Amen! Help us to accept all our flaws and traits, and to walk in the ones that You have called us to do. Help us step into the roles and traits that you have placed in our lives, and help us not to covet other’s personality traits and gifts. You have made us in Your image, and to fulfill Your purposes. Help us to set aside or throw away some of our own desires, to take up the desires of Your heart. Increase our faith, and our patience as we will walk through many trials and challenges. Help us continue to gain exciting revelations from Your Word, to teach us and equip us. Give us the words to use as we teach and equip others! Let Your anointing fall on us, as we seek Your will. We ask all these things in the name of JESUS, AMEN!
Be blessed, and be a blessing, and be filled with the JOY of the Lord as you face challenges of many kinds!

Day 20: October 20th, 2009 - - John 1:1 & Isaiah 55:11

“POINTS TO PONDER” – Day 20
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired. If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)
*Editor note: Thank you to our 'destest duddy' Pastor Jason who graciously gave me the following 2 scriptures for today's devotional! May you be blessed as well, and receive NEW revelation through the power and annointing of the Spirit!*
“In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ~ John 1:1
“…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.” ~ Isaiah 55:11

Well, I guess God wants us to continue on with words, the Word, and His Word. There are several meanings behind the one simple word, ‘word’. However, the funny thing is when you click dictionary.com, and look up ‘word’, it says ‘no results found’. In the Greek, one of the translations is ‘logos’, which is message; the spoken word; and is also used to refer to Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." God has always been, and therefore so has Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God spoke everything into being, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit were right there with Him. In John 1:14, it says, "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us". Need more proof? Check out Genesis 1, and please do not fall for the gap theory or the theory of evolution. God CREATED the world and everything in it. He spoke the light into the world (physically and spiritually). Jesus is the light of the world. Whatever words come forth from the mouth of God will have power and His promises and declarations are all true. 2 Peter 1:4 says, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” His Word frees us from the bondage of sin. “I have hidden your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). We need to always be in the Word, and meditating on it, so that it is in our hearts, minds and spirits. We don’t hide it as a dirty little secret we hide it like a special treasure, one that brings life. We also don’t hide it from others. Sometimes our lives are the only Bibles that they will read. WOW! That’s sure an eye-opener isn’t it. Therefore we need to be reading, meditating, speaking and living the Word.

When we use God’s Word (as in His Scriptures), it’s like throwing a boomerang. We speak forth the Word, and it comes back to us, and blesses us, and He answers our prayer requests and petitions. His Word does not come back empty though. Another way of saying it, in a different translation it uses the word void. His Word will be sent out, and come back fulfilling the promises that it set out to do. It will not and cannot be voided. The verse in Isaiah 55:11 above, says that it indeed will accomplish what God desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent it. WOW! How awesome is that truly? Think on that truth for a moment. What is it that you have been praying for? What do you truly believe that God desires for you? Are you seeking His will, or your own will? Are you asking in faith, or are you a doubting Thomas? Are you delighting yourself in the Lord? Remember it says in His Word, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. AMEN & AMEN! Thank you Lord for your promises! Are you trusting in the Lord, or trusting in men? Are you lacking faith due to unanswered prayers? Did you know that it is in God’s will to leave some prayers unanswered? I thank God for unanswered prayers. I’m sure throughout our lives, there isn’t one person who hasn’t thought or prayed idle words to God, and then got upset at God because those words didn’t come into being. (For example wanting to date a high school crush, and not being able to) But God did answer, just not the way we wanted, because they didn’t fit into God’s divine plan for our lives. But now in the present you can thank God that He didn’t answer those prayers, because you wouldn’t have all that you have now. Garth Brooks sings a song called, “Unanswered Prayers”, and in it he sings,

“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers”

The man in the song is married, and went to his high school reunion with his wife, and they met up with his old flame. He was reminded in his thoughts, of the times they had together, and was reminded of the prayers that he had prayed for them to be together, and that he wouldn’t ask for anything else, if God gave her to him. However, in looking at the ‘flame’ that day, he realized that she wasn’t all that he thought she was, and what he prayed for. He then looked at his own beautiful wife, and thanked God for not answering that particular prayer, but in reality his wife was the answer to his prayers.

We have to be careful of what we pray for or wish for. People say that a lot in jest, and teasing, but it is a true sentence. God knows our hearts & motives, and also our desires, but most importantly He knows what we need, and when we need it. He created us in our mother’s wombs, from conception to delivery, we were alive with Him. (that’s also another devotional all on its own) We don’t always get what we want, but God sure does provide what we need. Again, our words need to be ‘chewed’ before we speak them – especially to God. Remember to use words of life. For God’s Word is also alive…

In Hebrews 4:12 it says, “God's word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.” WOW and double WOW! The Word is God-breathed, and new things can be revealed each time you read it. Each person in a youth group could read the same verse in the Bible, and each one could have a different revelation about that verse. (Same as these devotional verses, when you read them here, you get my interpretation, and what the Spirit is telling me, but He may be telling you something new and different. That doesn’t make this view wrong, or your view wrong, He speaks to each of us in ways we can understand, and in ways that we need to hear.)

Again, this verse brings a song to mind, but not a scripture song, a song by Casting Crowns, ‘The Word is Alive’ – “this world and its glories will fade, but His truth it will not pass away. It remains yesterday and forever, the same. The Word is alive!”




May you be blessed as you read the Word, have relationship with the Word, and speak the Word! Spread the message of life to the hopeless!

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for Your Word, the living Word that we can put our full trust in. Thank You for Your Son, who was there with You in the beginning. Thank You Lord that we were even part of Your plan, at creation. You spoke everything into being. Your Words have power. Help us to never underestimate the power of our words, and the power of our prayers. Thank You Lord for ‘unanswered prayers’. Help us to desire what You want us to have in our lives. Help us to fulfill our destiny in You, by using the gifts and talents that You have given to us to share with the dark, dying and hopeless world. Use Your Words and speak to us now, teach us to listen for Your Spirit. I thank you Lord, that when we speak Your Word, that it will not return empty, but will accomplish what You desire and achieve the purpose for which You sent it. Help us God to resist temptation using Your Word, as Your Son Jesus did in His fight against the devil in the desert. May our hearts, minds and Spirits be filled with Your holy Scriptures. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. We ask all these things in the name of JESUS, AMEN!

WORD OF GOD SPEAK – Mercy Me
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say…



Be blessed, and be a blessing as you Shine the Light into the dark world!