Your circumstances are unique, but not impossible for the LORD. “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18:14 KJV). Sarah was well past child bearing age, but the LORD promised Sarah would bear a son. Humanly speaking, who could blame her for shaking her head in disbelief and disagreeing? But, God had just made a promise! All of our circumstances require us to work out a solution of faith, where our comprehension of the LORD grows, as we deal with His Word’s application to us. Don’t just look for a solution to your problem, but look for a greater appreciation and understanding of the LORD. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2Peter 3:18). By the way, shortly after the LORD’s promise to 89-year-old Sarah, the LORD must have increased her outward beauty, as well as her physical vitality to bear a child, for King Abimelech desired and took Sarah to be his wife — but, God made him give her back to Abraham (Genesis 20). Father, cause us to respond to life, so that we grow closer in our relationship to You. Cause us to grow in awesome wonder of who You reveal Yourself to us to be. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.
Author: Ken
Obedience Is Intimacy With Yahweh (Psalm 119:6)
“Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6 KJV). The Psalmist previously requested that his “ways [Hebrew, derek, manner, habit] were directed to keep Thy statutes” (119:5). This is the very anticipation of the NT ministry of the Holy Spirit, i.e., “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). How shameful under the New Covenant we should not always say with the Psalmist, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6). Obedience is not simply compliance to an arbitrary set of rules, but our most intimate interaction with our Divine Spouse. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). May God’s Divine Spirit elevate our thinking about obeying His Words. In worship, we ascribe with our hearts and mouths recognition of who God is, and in obedience, we are given the opportunity to put into practice, what would only be in our heart. Just as angels lean in to see what happens in our earthly circumstances, we can do what they have not been appointed. We have been called to bring up a “godly seed” (Malachi 2:15). Father, may we have the grace to inherit the earth with a godly offspring that will praise Your name. May You be delighted in Your children. May You receive the reward of all Your works. Preserve us to Your glory and to the shame of the enemy. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we ask it.
We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not
Only God knows our limits. How far can we go before we faint? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). Wherever we can go in faith is where we faint not. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). The reasonableness of God and gentleness of Christ prevents us from harming ourselves, when we exert ourselves to accomplish “great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). We are more prone to complacently trust in ourselves, forgetting it was always the LORD, who had delivered us in times past. “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10). The secret to growing in our knowledge and relationship with the LORD is to give Him the glory for whatever good He has accomplished for and through us. Remember, Herod Agrippa did not pay attention to giving God the glory for what had been accomplished under his administration. “And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost” (Acts 12:20-23). Lord, grant us the faith and humility not to faint, when accomplishing Your work. May we be assured of Your direction and not let go until Your will has been done. Help us to glory in You and not ourselves. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Directed to Keep His Statutes (Psalm 119:5)
“O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:5 KJV). The “grievous wolves” (Acts 20:29 KJV) Paul warned the Ephesians elders about, entered into the flock of the Ephesian Church, though they patiently struggled to maintain fidelity to apostolic doctrine, they lost their devotion to Jesus, who is the True Reason for obedience. Sadly, Jesus had to condemn the Apostolic Church of Ephesus, “Thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). Even so, the Psalmist yearned for a devotion to the LORD, which would cause him to keep the LORD’s statutes. “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:5). The form of obedience without the heart of devotion to the LORD is reprobate. But, now we have the NT gift of the Holy Spirit, who is our primary aid in keeping our focus upon Jesus. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). LORD, cause us to be ready for Your appearing. Give us a heart of devotion and love to You that we may walk in True Obedience. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
The Godly Will Be Victorious
“I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious” (Psalms 75:10 NET). How do you want to internalize this promise of God? For what is the Spirit of God leading you to pray? Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 KJV). You’ll notice, Jesus had just asked the blind man, “Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord” (9:28). And, once He healed the blind man, He warned him, “See that no man know it” (9:30). Why? He didn’t need the publicity, which would only hinder His free movement (Mark 1:45). Back to the “power of the wicked” one (Psalm 75:10). Jehovah will absolutely remove all power from the Wicked One. The Antichrist, the False Prophet, the Devil, and “whosoever was not found written in the book of life [were] cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15), where all their power is brought to nothing. If you can claim this promise in faith for your peculiar situation, do so! It’s not even necessary to publicize your prayer request. “The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed” (Acts 14:9). Give God the praise!
Diligently Keeping Precepts (Psalm 119:4)
“Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently” (Psalm 119:4 KJV). How are we to keep Your precepts? Diligently. We are to treat the keeping of God’s precepts carefully, as if we were handling our own soul. “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently” (Deuteronomy 4:9). God uses careful language, when He wants our attention about how we should handle our relationship with Him. He invites us to receive deeply from Himself, but we must be aware. “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). The LORD is willing to show more of Himself to us, but it comes with greater responsibility. Prepare ourselves for exercise. LORD, You know best what we need. We ask for a greater revelation of Yourself and Your glory. And, we ask for the grace, faith, and diligence to receive it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
It’s All About Relationship
Who He is to us, and who we are to Him. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2Peter 3:18 KJV). Many years ago, I would have agreed with the word Relationship, but only superficially. I would have actually meant, “Get them saved, ” then repeat the process with the next one. But, they come in through the front door and leave through the back door. We try to solve the problem by social engagement, church member interacting with church member, with the understanding, “They won’t leave, if they have friends.” But, then they leave with their friends. Perhaps we need to be asking one another, “What is the LORD trying to teach us about Himself?” How has our understanding of His Word’s application to ourselves changed our understanding of Him? Paul seems to have captured that understanding. “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Father, stir us out of our lethargy. Cause us not to be satisfied with the way things are. Enable us to see You as our all in all to meet all the difficulties of life that You use to motivate us. May our cries for help fall upon Your hearing ears. May our hearts not be satisfied with mere answers for our deliverance, but may we see Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Love or Obey?
“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 KJV). God is dealing with His created beings, who have the capacity to choose or reject Him. That has always been the significance of being human. Embryos that grow two heads or children who turn into angry screaming grievance collectors, what’s worse? Jesus reminded us, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Both love and obedience are equally important. What is more significant, faith or works? “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Both faith and works are equally important. Let us not turn life or the study of God into impossible choices. Instead, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Father, form us into the image of Christ. Magnify Yourself by how well we reflect You. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Joe Versus the Volcano
Are you awake? “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV). Patricia (Meg Ryan) said to Joe (Tom Hanks) in the fantasy comedy movie, “Joe Versus the Volcano” (1990): “My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.” Do you see more than just what the average church member has been programmed to see, as they encourage themselves they are on their way to Heaven? “How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!” (Matthew 7:14 NET).
Ways of His Words (Psalm 119:3)
“They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways” (Psalm 119:3 KJV). Negatively, we do no evil. How can we be so sure? Because, positively, we are walking in His ways. This is positive holiness, for we are separated to “walking in His ways.” In our Unity of Moral action, we cannot be both holy and sinful at the same time. If we are truly doing no iniquity, then we are walking in His ways. Our purpose, intention, or emphasis must be Him. Loss of that intention, all is lost. We must persevere “to the end” (Matthew 10:22) with wholehearted devotion to Him. LORD, make it so. In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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