The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14)(NIV)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)(KJV)
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent. (Exodus 14:14)(NAS)
Be still; hold your peace; keep silent.
The message is clear; whatever be the translation you use. Don't get fidgety; don't mess around; don't do something against God's plan. The Lord will fight for you.
But how does one stand still when the enemy is close on the heels? Especially with a huge sea in front and mountains on either side. The enemy is no stranger to you. You've just escaped from him with the skin of your teeth. Now he's back again to haunt you as a bad dream.
But Moses says, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever."
Can we believe Moses? Must we believe him?
There's no other go. So better believe.
And when they held their peace, God revealed his plan to Moses:
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. "As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. "Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen." (Exodus 14:15-18)
And it happened exactly as God said it would.
Are you being pursued by the enemy? Hold still. Don't murmur. Listen to what God has to say to you. He has a plan for your deliverance. Follow that plan and God will destroy the satanic forces that are troubling you. Remember,
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Praise the Lord.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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Friday, October 30, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-221
And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." (1 Kings 18:41)
This is what the Lord must have spoken to Elijah and as the Lord said, so Elijah proclaimed to king Ahab. Mind you there was no trace of rain, not even a small rain cloud or even a distant thunder. The sound of heavy rain first sounded in the spiritual realm but Elijah was sure that it would happen physically soon enough. But instead of just waiting, he chose to pray and see the miracle being birthed.
So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42)
Amidst praying we read of Elijah searching for signs of the impending miracle.
"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." (1 Kings 18:43)
And finally....The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'" (1 Kings 18:44)
A sign that his prayers had been answered was sent from God- A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea. A sign, not very prominent, nevertheless a sign to indicate the miracle will happen immediately.
And then the miracle itself...after 3 and a 1/2 years of drought....
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45)
Hallelujah! The drought was finally over. Promised by God. Birthed by Elijah's prayer.
God will end the drought in your life too. Meanwhile get into the birthing mode..prayer, prayer and more prayer...and don't forget to look for the signs..even small ones..for they signify a soon happenning miracle. May Jesus bless you.
Praise the Lord.
This is what the Lord must have spoken to Elijah and as the Lord said, so Elijah proclaimed to king Ahab. Mind you there was no trace of rain, not even a small rain cloud or even a distant thunder. The sound of heavy rain first sounded in the spiritual realm but Elijah was sure that it would happen physically soon enough. But instead of just waiting, he chose to pray and see the miracle being birthed.
So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42)
Amidst praying we read of Elijah searching for signs of the impending miracle.
"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." (1 Kings 18:43)
And finally....The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'" (1 Kings 18:44)
A sign that his prayers had been answered was sent from God- A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea. A sign, not very prominent, nevertheless a sign to indicate the miracle will happen immediately.
And then the miracle itself...after 3 and a 1/2 years of drought....
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45)
Hallelujah! The drought was finally over. Promised by God. Birthed by Elijah's prayer.
God will end the drought in your life too. Meanwhile get into the birthing mode..prayer, prayer and more prayer...and don't forget to look for the signs..even small ones..for they signify a soon happenning miracle. May Jesus bless you.
Praise the Lord.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-220
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)
So what have you been giving? And does the above promise on giving work as Jesus said? It does, but the dividends come back to us only as heaven decides.
Not only money-wise, even in other ways things can be measured back to us as we give. Talking about love, can you expect it from others without giving any? Of course God gives his love to us without us having given any, but speaking in terms of our relationship with our family members or others, nearly everyone expects us to give as we wish to receive.
Jesus also said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1, 2)
That means whatever you measure out to others, the same will be measured back to you in one way or the other. A very good example of this is Jacob (from the book of Genesis) who happened to deceive his father Isaac and his brother Esau and then went away from home fearing that Esau would kill him. He landed up in his uncle's house where he laboured for 20 years and was deceived by his uncle continually. With the measure he used, it was measured back to him.
If we measure out love, peace, joy and the other wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit to others; in due time, these will also be measured out to us. And when we give, Jesus says,
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. And the golden rule that Jesus taught is so very right. He said,
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Shall we then be doers of the Word rather than just listeners or readers? If we do, then surely this promise of Jesus will come true in our lives too. God bless you.
So what have you been giving? And does the above promise on giving work as Jesus said? It does, but the dividends come back to us only as heaven decides.
Not only money-wise, even in other ways things can be measured back to us as we give. Talking about love, can you expect it from others without giving any? Of course God gives his love to us without us having given any, but speaking in terms of our relationship with our family members or others, nearly everyone expects us to give as we wish to receive.
Jesus also said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1, 2)
That means whatever you measure out to others, the same will be measured back to you in one way or the other. A very good example of this is Jacob (from the book of Genesis) who happened to deceive his father Isaac and his brother Esau and then went away from home fearing that Esau would kill him. He landed up in his uncle's house where he laboured for 20 years and was deceived by his uncle continually. With the measure he used, it was measured back to him.
If we measure out love, peace, joy and the other wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit to others; in due time, these will also be measured out to us. And when we give, Jesus says,
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. And the golden rule that Jesus taught is so very right. He said,
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Shall we then be doers of the Word rather than just listeners or readers? If we do, then surely this promise of Jesus will come true in our lives too. God bless you.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-219
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)
Can't preach as effectively as others do? Can't sing as well as others do? Can't pray as mightily as others do? You would if asked, describe yourself as one with "little strength". Well then, what you read above, is a wonderful promise for you that was once given to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor.
Faithfulness is what counts on the long run. Jesus knows our deeds. Keeping his word and not denying his name were a couple of important factors that Jesus saw in the church at Philadelphia, so he gave them a wonderful promise..."See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."
Mind you, the promise was given by Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible says,
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)
Sustained faithfulness is what Jesus desires, so he exhorted the believer's in the church at Philadelphia saying,
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
Jesus knows how much strength each one of us has and even if our strength may same little compared to others, keeping his Word and not denying his name always brings wonderful blessings from the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Can't preach as effectively as others do? Can't sing as well as others do? Can't pray as mightily as others do? You would if asked, describe yourself as one with "little strength". Well then, what you read above, is a wonderful promise for you that was once given to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor.
Faithfulness is what counts on the long run. Jesus knows our deeds. Keeping his word and not denying his name were a couple of important factors that Jesus saw in the church at Philadelphia, so he gave them a wonderful promise..."See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."
Mind you, the promise was given by Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible says,
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)
Sustained faithfulness is what Jesus desires, so he exhorted the believer's in the church at Philadelphia saying,
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
Jesus knows how much strength each one of us has and even if our strength may same little compared to others, keeping his Word and not denying his name always brings wonderful blessings from the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-218
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." (Romans 15:12)
In the fullness of God's time, part of this prophesy came into being and the Savior came into the world to save sinners. Peter the apostle writes of what our true condition was without Christ and with Christ how dramatic a change has come about.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9, 10)
The Apostle Paul shares his views in this manner:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
And the prophesy written above will soon be brought into completion, for the Bible says,
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Your Savior is coming back...very soon...Are you ready to meet him?
Escape the wrath of God's judgement by living a holy life, obeying the Word of God and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. God bless.
In the fullness of God's time, part of this prophesy came into being and the Savior came into the world to save sinners. Peter the apostle writes of what our true condition was without Christ and with Christ how dramatic a change has come about.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9, 10)
The Apostle Paul shares his views in this manner:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
And the prophesy written above will soon be brought into completion, for the Bible says,
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Your Savior is coming back...very soon...Are you ready to meet him?
Escape the wrath of God's judgement by living a holy life, obeying the Word of God and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. God bless.
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Monday, October 26, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-217
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)
Everyone needs a guide, especially in unfamiliar terrain and what better guide can one have other than the Spirit of God. He is not just another guide, he is the guide who guides believer's in all the truth.
After being a believer for a while, we sometimes tend to think that we have learnt it all and some do behave as they are "know it all's." But we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit each day of our lives until the moment we step into eternity.
God was with the Israelites continually from the time they left Egypt and travelled to Canaan.
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (Exodus 13:21)
Nehemiah commented: "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. (Nehemiah 9:19)
And even now God desires to guide his children. That's why he's given us the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, to guide us in the truth continually. Each day, we can pray these prayers that the psalmist's prayed and recieve divine guidance and counsel in our lives.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. (Psalm 31:3)
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. (Psalm 43:3)
As we pray and receive guidance each day, we too can confidently say what the sons of Korah said: For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14)
Praise the Lord.
Everyone needs a guide, especially in unfamiliar terrain and what better guide can one have other than the Spirit of God. He is not just another guide, he is the guide who guides believer's in all the truth.
After being a believer for a while, we sometimes tend to think that we have learnt it all and some do behave as they are "know it all's." But we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit each day of our lives until the moment we step into eternity.
God was with the Israelites continually from the time they left Egypt and travelled to Canaan.
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (Exodus 13:21)
Nehemiah commented: "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. (Nehemiah 9:19)
And even now God desires to guide his children. That's why he's given us the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, to guide us in the truth continually. Each day, we can pray these prayers that the psalmist's prayed and recieve divine guidance and counsel in our lives.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. (Psalm 31:3)
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. (Psalm 43:3)
As we pray and receive guidance each day, we too can confidently say what the sons of Korah said: For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14)
Praise the Lord.
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-216
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.' (Jeremiah 30:17)
Israel was a diseased nation because of the many sins that it had committed, but God here was promising them restoration. He was going to bring them health and healing.
God is our healer. He always was and always will be. Leading his children through the wilderness enroute to Canaan, God gave them a promise of healing.
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)
Yes our Lord is Jehovah Rapha or Ropheka, God our Healer. He promised healing to the Israelites many a times. The psalmist David sang,
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2, 3)
Once when 2 blind men followed Jesus seeking healing for their blindness, Jesus asked them; "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you" and their sight was restored.
Jesus can heal you too. He can still do a miracle. Will you believe despite the arguments against your healing from a scientifical/medical point of view?
Will the following be your testimony?
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:19, 20)
God bless you.
Israel was a diseased nation because of the many sins that it had committed, but God here was promising them restoration. He was going to bring them health and healing.
God is our healer. He always was and always will be. Leading his children through the wilderness enroute to Canaan, God gave them a promise of healing.
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)
Yes our Lord is Jehovah Rapha or Ropheka, God our Healer. He promised healing to the Israelites many a times. The psalmist David sang,
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2, 3)
Once when 2 blind men followed Jesus seeking healing for their blindness, Jesus asked them; "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you" and their sight was restored.
Jesus can heal you too. He can still do a miracle. Will you believe despite the arguments against your healing from a scientifical/medical point of view?
Will the following be your testimony?
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:19, 20)
God bless you.
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-215
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)
Satisfaction is what we all desire in our lives; be it in our spiritual, material or in our family lives. And God promised Israel that he would satisfy their needs even in a sun-scorched land. Wherever we live in this world, we can find satisfaction in Jesus Christ. God wants to be our guide, he wants to satisfy our needs and he wants to strengthen our frame. He promised his chosen ones that they would be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Many times God expressed his desire to bring satisfaction to his people.
I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:14)
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25)
I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations. (Joel 2:19)
Spiritual satisfaction is so very important. Often believers neglect their spiritual lives in quest for material gain and finally they are neither satisfied spiritually nor materially. Spiritual satisfaction gives great peace of mind even when the material needs are not met immediately. But Jesus has promised to meet out material needs too. He said,
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
God loves us because we have trusted in him through faith in the atoning sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. He will provide us with what we need to live satisfied lives while we live here on earth too. He is able to fulfill our needs like no one else can. So we can confidently say the following along with the psalmist;
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1, 2)
Praise the Lord.
Satisfaction is what we all desire in our lives; be it in our spiritual, material or in our family lives. And God promised Israel that he would satisfy their needs even in a sun-scorched land. Wherever we live in this world, we can find satisfaction in Jesus Christ. God wants to be our guide, he wants to satisfy our needs and he wants to strengthen our frame. He promised his chosen ones that they would be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Many times God expressed his desire to bring satisfaction to his people.
I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:14)
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25)
I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations. (Joel 2:19)
Spiritual satisfaction is so very important. Often believers neglect their spiritual lives in quest for material gain and finally they are neither satisfied spiritually nor materially. Spiritual satisfaction gives great peace of mind even when the material needs are not met immediately. But Jesus has promised to meet out material needs too. He said,
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
God loves us because we have trusted in him through faith in the atoning sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. He will provide us with what we need to live satisfied lives while we live here on earth too. He is able to fulfill our needs like no one else can. So we can confidently say the following along with the psalmist;
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1, 2)
Praise the Lord.
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Friday, October 23, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-214
But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. (2 Kings 3:15-17)
3 kings were in search for water for themselves and their animals and when they couldn't find any, they consulted Elisha for a word from the Lord and the words that we read above are what he said.
When Elisha asked them to make the valley full of ditches, they must have thought that they would find water when they dug. But that was not how God had decided to give them water. It's true that they dug ditches, but this is how God gave them water.
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was - water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. (2 Kings 3:20)
So if God has promised to do a miracle, he can do it in any way that he chooses. The Bible says,
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: to him who alone does great wonders. (Psalm 136:1-4)
The last verse says, "who alone does great wonders."
The 3 kings dug ditches and the water came flowing into them. The ditches were important, for they could hold the blessing (water) that God sent. We have to obey what God says and he will do miracles his way in answer to our prayers. God bless you.
3 kings were in search for water for themselves and their animals and when they couldn't find any, they consulted Elisha for a word from the Lord and the words that we read above are what he said.
When Elisha asked them to make the valley full of ditches, they must have thought that they would find water when they dug. But that was not how God had decided to give them water. It's true that they dug ditches, but this is how God gave them water.
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was - water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. (2 Kings 3:20)
So if God has promised to do a miracle, he can do it in any way that he chooses. The Bible says,
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: to him who alone does great wonders. (Psalm 136:1-4)
The last verse says, "who alone does great wonders."
The 3 kings dug ditches and the water came flowing into them. The ditches were important, for they could hold the blessing (water) that God sent. We have to obey what God says and he will do miracles his way in answer to our prayers. God bless you.
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises-213
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)
"Truth" is so very important in the life of every believer. But only each one of us know how much truth there really is in us. Lying blatantly may not be a habit but speaking half-truths which are also half-lies can be a habit. Let's look at someone who specializes both in lying as well as speaking half truths or half lies. And many are deceived by him.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:1-5)
The serpent said,"You will not surely die"- which is half truth and half lie in that they didn't immediately die bodily, but there happened a death of their perfect relationship with God and also brought about bodily death later on.
The serpent said,"you will be like God"- which was far from the truth.
Speaking of the devil, Jesus said,
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
David realized what God desired in his life after sinning and then repenting on being reprimanded and so he said,
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (Psalm 51:6)
Jesus loves us and expects us to speak "the truth" in love. The promise for today says, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."(Psalm 145:18)
So let us take this advice given by the psalmist, for that has a great bearing on our prayers being answered by God. Praise the Lord.
"Truth" is so very important in the life of every believer. But only each one of us know how much truth there really is in us. Lying blatantly may not be a habit but speaking half-truths which are also half-lies can be a habit. Let's look at someone who specializes both in lying as well as speaking half truths or half lies. And many are deceived by him.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:1-5)
The serpent said,"You will not surely die"- which is half truth and half lie in that they didn't immediately die bodily, but there happened a death of their perfect relationship with God and also brought about bodily death later on.
The serpent said,"you will be like God"- which was far from the truth.
Speaking of the devil, Jesus said,
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
David realized what God desired in his life after sinning and then repenting on being reprimanded and so he said,
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (Psalm 51:6)
Jesus loves us and expects us to speak "the truth" in love. The promise for today says, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."(Psalm 145:18)
So let us take this advice given by the psalmist, for that has a great bearing on our prayers being answered by God. Praise the Lord.
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises- 212
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
In Psalm 91 we read of some of the deadly weapons that the devil forges against believer's.
...fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)
...the terror of night and the arrow that flies by day. (Psalm 91:5)
...the pestilence that stalks in the darkness and the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:6)
But God says that none of these weapons will prevail. How & why can these weapons be forged against us and yet not prevail. The answer is given in the same psalm.
If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the LORD, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:9-12)
As believers we must remember that God is our refuge and fortress; that we dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Because we love God and acknowledge his name, he says,
"I will rescue you and I will protect you..... (Psalm 91:14)
Whan we call upon him, he will answer us; he will be with us in trouble, he will deliver us and honor himself.
God assures you this day through his Word that if you dwell in his shelter and live a life pleasing to him, "No weapon forged against you will prevail."God bless you.
In Psalm 91 we read of some of the deadly weapons that the devil forges against believer's.
...fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)
...the terror of night and the arrow that flies by day. (Psalm 91:5)
...the pestilence that stalks in the darkness and the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91:6)
But God says that none of these weapons will prevail. How & why can these weapons be forged against us and yet not prevail. The answer is given in the same psalm.
If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the LORD, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:9-12)
As believers we must remember that God is our refuge and fortress; that we dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Because we love God and acknowledge his name, he says,
"I will rescue you and I will protect you..... (Psalm 91:14)
Whan we call upon him, he will answer us; he will be with us in trouble, he will deliver us and honor himself.
God assures you this day through his Word that if you dwell in his shelter and live a life pleasing to him, "No weapon forged against you will prevail."God bless you.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises- 211
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Things seem to linger sometimes in our lives. Situations don't seem to be changing. We have the promise but there's no real action taking place. A sort of inert state even though we have been praying and worshipping and fasting and claiming the promises. So what's God upto?
Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah was to be prophet after Elijah. God told Elijah to anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet. We read in 1 Kings 19-
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
There was not much for Elisha to do for quite a few years. In fact, long after Elijah's time and after Elisha was established as prophet, once when the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom to fight against the king of Moab and they couldn't find any water for themselves or their animals, Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. " (2 Kings 3:11)
The last sentence gives us a hint as to what Elisha used to do when Elijah was prophet in Israel- He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. Not very exciting, especially if you are in the ministry.
But in the fulness of God's time, Elisha had double the anointing power as that of Elijah. In fact, the first miracle that Elisha did when God's power was on him was the same as the last miracle that Elijah did, before he was taken up into heaven- the parting of the waters of the Jordan river.
If you have been waiting for God to use you powerfully in the ministry, this is the message for you. In a little while from now, in the fullness of God's divine time, he will use you mightily. Till then, stay calm, stay focussed and keep doing what the Lord wants you to do now.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. God bless you.
Things seem to linger sometimes in our lives. Situations don't seem to be changing. We have the promise but there's no real action taking place. A sort of inert state even though we have been praying and worshipping and fasting and claiming the promises. So what's God upto?
Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah was to be prophet after Elijah. God told Elijah to anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet. We read in 1 Kings 19-
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
There was not much for Elisha to do for quite a few years. In fact, long after Elijah's time and after Elisha was established as prophet, once when the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom to fight against the king of Moab and they couldn't find any water for themselves or their animals, Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. " (2 Kings 3:11)
The last sentence gives us a hint as to what Elisha used to do when Elijah was prophet in Israel- He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. Not very exciting, especially if you are in the ministry.
But in the fulness of God's time, Elisha had double the anointing power as that of Elijah. In fact, the first miracle that Elisha did when God's power was on him was the same as the last miracle that Elijah did, before he was taken up into heaven- the parting of the waters of the Jordan river.
If you have been waiting for God to use you powerfully in the ministry, this is the message for you. In a little while from now, in the fullness of God's divine time, he will use you mightily. Till then, stay calm, stay focussed and keep doing what the Lord wants you to do now.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. God bless you.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Simple Thoughts On Promises- 210
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jeremiah 33:3)
Have you been desiring an in-depth relationship with the Lord? It's possible, if you have the thirst for such a relationship. The thirst that the psalmists had for God stands out in their psalms.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1, 2)(Sons of Korah)
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)(David)
The Apostle James gives us some advice regarding this:
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8)
God desires to have a close fellowship with each one of us, but on his terms. We can always approach him with a repentant and contrite heart and he will guide us each day of our lives with his Holy Spirit, till his return or till the day we breathe our last breath here on earth and join him in eternity.
Spending quality time in prayer, praise and worship, meditating his Word and bearing fruit as a Christian will bring about a greater presence of the Almighty in our lives.
When Job underwent intense trials in his life, he remembered the intimacy he had with God earlier.
"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, (Job 29:2-4)
This intimacy with God is possible in our lives too. Abraham experienced it, Moses did, Samuel did; you too can. Praise the Lord.
Have you been desiring an in-depth relationship with the Lord? It's possible, if you have the thirst for such a relationship. The thirst that the psalmists had for God stands out in their psalms.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1, 2)(Sons of Korah)
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)(David)
The Apostle James gives us some advice regarding this:
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8)
God desires to have a close fellowship with each one of us, but on his terms. We can always approach him with a repentant and contrite heart and he will guide us each day of our lives with his Holy Spirit, till his return or till the day we breathe our last breath here on earth and join him in eternity.
Spending quality time in prayer, praise and worship, meditating his Word and bearing fruit as a Christian will bring about a greater presence of the Almighty in our lives.
When Job underwent intense trials in his life, he remembered the intimacy he had with God earlier.
"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, (Job 29:2-4)
This intimacy with God is possible in our lives too. Abraham experienced it, Moses did, Samuel did; you too can. Praise the Lord.
Free Daily Christian Flash
To put this flash animation on your site/blog, use the code found here:
http://www.jesuschrist.co.in/authority66.html
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