Bow not as one who is resigned to some heavy blow about to fall or to the acceptance of some inevitable decision.

   Bow as a child bows, in anticipation of a glad surprise being prepared for it by one who loves it.

   Bow in such a way, just waiting to hear the loving word to raise your head, and see the glory and Joy and wonder of your surprise.


><//>--------------------Prayer for the Day

Father, we Pray that we may not ask to see the distant scene. We pray that one step at a time may be enough for us. Amen. 


A Disciple’s Reflections: God Doesn't Say -No- Pt III

Right now you and I, beloved, are on the honor system with God. There’s only one problem with that. You see, there is something within us that is by nature… a cheater. Uh, Oh!

Let us take a look at one of those areas that gets in the way of getting our prayers answered.  Resentment and grievance – real roadblocks

In a sense, over the years the organized church and our leaders have let us down a bit. It’s almost as though they have become intoxicated with grace and have become untouchable. We are led, in general, to believe that all is well, because we are under grace. This is not quite the truth.

Anyone who places concerns of wrongdoing on our conscience must be of the devil, they teach us. Well, if that were the case, would not the Holy Spirit be in a lot of trouble. After all, one of His greatest charges is to convict us of our sin, as well as, bring us to Salvation in God’s precious Son.  Yes, the offer of forgiveness always follows our responding positively to the revelation of our sin on a daily basis.

If you will allow, precious one, I desire to shine a light, on those things within us that block us from the sunlight of the spirit, so to speak, using myself as an example.

We should look back on our lives to once and for all make right the misdeeds of the past.  We don't live in the past in Christ, but we don't shut the door on it either that we may learn from it. 

God is still God – Righteous and Holy. Though it is true that we are no longer judged under the Law of Moses, we are judged under the Law of the Spirit, as we are called to live the Life of Yeshua, our precious Jesus Christ. 

Why such a high standard? Well, we are being granted the Life of God in Eternity. Not just for later, but for right now if we will only believe. We are also being granted, according to our reward, various supernatural powers to be used now and in God’s Kingdom now in our lives and work for Him. Powers not unlike those used by Jesus when He was among us, and in some cases, we may even see greater deeds still, as the Lord promised. 

We all know that Peter, Paul, and the other Apostles wrought great powers from on high to the advance of their service unto the Lord and in His Name. It is written that God is not a respecter of persons, therefore those powers are available for us as well, should there be a calling to use them for His glory and His purpose and at His leading.

Prayer is such a power and privilege. Prayer is often likened unto a soldier calling headquarters for support in battle. Could you imagine them saying no, or maybe? Well, God is never short on supply, so He NEVER says NO to his soldiers when we call. It’s just that simple.

You notice I don’t preach word for word from scriptures beloved. That’s because I live them, and speak from the authority of knowledge from experience that is a picture of His word. I have personally tasted these powers. I have witnessed healings as led by the Spirit, cast out demons as they screeched through panes of thick window glass, and I have known in my heart what I should pray and knew that the prayer was immediately answered. What comfort and joy to live under such a cover in this horrid world.

Therefore, when God says we may NOT harbor resentment or unforgiveness, and pretend we don’t when we really do, then we shall suffer the consequences for that dishonesty.  This is what I mean when I say that for now the Lord has us on the Honor System.

The psychological term 'denial' that we so often hear used is actually a rejection of the truth in any given situation.  This term says of us that we prefer deceit or self-deception.

The consequence of not being honest about resentment and unforgiveness is unanswered prayer. Sorry, that’s the Law of the Spirit. The only prayer God can rightly hear at this point is to be SAVED from unforgiveness and resentment. Once that is dealt with, we can grow onward and upward once again. There is absolutely no room for deception, whether self-deception or the deception of others.

The quality of our lives as believers, the assurance of our faith, the safety, condition, and the very salvation of our families depend not on our perfection, but on our perfect HONESTY about our spiritual condition and dealing with it appropriately through prayer trusting in the grace of God to do for each of us what we cannot do for ourselves. 

Together, beloved, we will continue to deal with this important issue until the spirit of resentment and unforgiveness is broken and cast out forever from our lives and can no longer steal from us the power and joy of answered prayer.


Peace and Righteousness

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
– James 3:18 (NIV)

Peace. Do we know what that means? Do we understand its value to the world at large? At the moment we know that many do not.  How about the value of peace within our own homes or between our friends and co-workers? 

Most often we look at peace as something global or, in the case of America, we are far from at peace – something that we seem to have virtually no control over. We know that world peace will not be achieved until the millennial reign of Christ. However, we can all be peacemakers to those around us, be it family, neighbors, friends, work associates or anyone whom our lives may touch each day. And if we sow peace, we will reap righteousness.

If peace begets righteousness, then it is truly something we should pursue. If we could all do our own small part in peacemaking, then visualizing world peace would be more than just the mantra of the new age movement. Start sowing the peace process at home (and at work) today for the harvest will be plentiful. Remember, God says, "Blessed are the peacemakers...”

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
– Matthew 5:9 (NIV)


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Please have a blessed day, be hopeful, be encouraged, and know that you are not alone.

”God’s Calling” compiled by A. J. Russell.
”Twenty Four Hours A Day” Hazelton (adapted).
Greg Candelaria writes Peace and Righteousness.
Barry Gray writes A Disciple’s Reflections.