“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23 KJV). In other words, everything you do flows from your heart. Let God’s Spirit continually remind us to guard our heart, because absolutely everything starts in our heart. If I was the CEO of a failing company, I would cut expenses everywhere I could without simply killing the company. I would stop the slightest, unnecessary trickle of cash from flowing out of the company, if I wanted to survive. And, I would be looking for ways to keep cash flowing in. Christ is the secret of all spiritual life flowing into us. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us in all His names, capacities, and relationships, because He is our very life (John 14:6). Somehow, the doctrine and Scripture, where Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), has to mean just that, as life would mean to a drowning man, or we are merely “saying our prayers” and waiting for religion to apply to someone else, generally the next lost sinner to “get saved” and find religion. May the Spirit of God reveal Jesus to our heart. “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). Spirit of God, strip away everything until it is only myself clinging to Jesus for “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2Peter 1:3). Amen.
Promises
God’s Presence Secures Our Obedience (Psalm 119:8)
“I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly” (Psalm 119:8 KJV). Spoken like someone who not only understood how important obedience was but how obedience worked, i.e., God’s presence secures our obedience. Even in the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with Yahweh, but did not possess the key gift only a Resurrected Jesus could give — the gift of an indwelling Holy Spirit. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). We NT disciples have misunderstood, neglected, and taken for granted a gift greater than Christ’s purchase of our salvation on the Cross, none other than Christ’s endowment of the indwelling presence of God’s Obedience Securing Spirit. Under the Old Covenant, God’s inward presence was not part of the revealed relationship of “obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people” (Jeremiah 7:23). Under the terms of our New Covenant, “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). Paul understood a “more excellent way” (1Corinthians 12:31) than “spiritual gifts” (12:1), which was the way of loving obedience (1Corinthians 13). Peter again added his voice, “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Spirit inspired obedience from those whom the Spirit inspires to obedience. Father, You have given us the gift of Your Son to save us. Your Son has given His Spirit to sanctify us in loving obedience. May we understand, respond, and continue until Jesus soon returns for us. Amen and amen.
Daily Loads Us With Benefits
Who wouldn’t praise someone who daily weighs us down with benefits? “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19 KJV). How can anyone be so generous? How can anyone be so capable? Who could do such a thing? “Even the God of our salvation” (68:19). Why doesn’t everyone sign up to be His people? You can see why God’s adversary the devil has a full time job of giving everyone, especially God’s people, the impression that the LORD is not as good as He really is. The adversary must take the little he has and entice us that he has more than the Unlimited Almighty God of our Salvation. “Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them” (68:18). Leading “captivity captive” (68:18) is overpowering and delivering from the enemy. Receiving “gifts for men”(68:18) is distributing to us things we have not earned or worked for, like presents for little children. “For the rebellious also” (68:18) means He is willing to use His goodness in giving gifts to attract even His enemies, who still can change sides. LORD, help us to get the word out that You are the greatest benefit in all of existence for humankind! There is none like You! May we overcome the overcomer of our faith, as we untie our tongues in Your praise. May the feebleness of our minds be unfeebled as we search for words to rightly give You the praise for which You are worthy! Lord Jesus, return quickly that we should ever be in Your presence! Amen and amen.
Too Hard for the LORD?
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.
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.
We Need A Miracle 
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