One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:4-5 NKJV
 
Moses saw God bring the mightiest nation on earth to its knees. He saw God part the Red Sea. The children of Israel passed over on dry land. He saw water gush from a rock. Moses and the children of Israel saw bread fall from the sky! 
 
I saw a former drug dealer and gang member lead other people to faith in Jesus Christ. I committed a gun crime. The Lord delivered me from prison. He raised me to newness of life in Jesus. God is restoring people to right relationship with Him today.
 
David’s faith was sustained by the power of God. God loved David. He blessed David. The Lord promised to bless generations of David’s children.                
 
David was a man of great faith in God. David put his faith into action. He also made mistakes. David committed adultery with another man’s wife. He committed murder when his sin was exposed.
 
God honored David, Why? The Lord sees what is in our hearts.
 
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. David did not just write these words one day when he had nothing else to do. David’s heart was so full of devotion to God it overflowed into other people’s lives.
 
To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life and to behold the beauty of the Lord was David’s greatest desire. David is in God’s presence right now!
 
Ask Jesus to put His desires into your heart. On the day God grants the desires of your heart they will be in accordance with His will. Ask the Lord to give you a heart like David. Seek Jesus with all your heart all your soul and all your strength!
 
When God looks deep into your heart what will He see? Will He see a person who surrenders to the sin that so easily besets us? Will He see a person who knows that temptation is not sin? Giving into it is.
 
The world, our sinful flesh and the devil attack us from within and without. Pornographic images, trinkets and gadgets surround us. If we set our hearts on them lust takes hold.
 
The Lord gave us free will to decide for ourselves. We were not created to be victims. We were created to be victorious through faith in Jesus Christ!
 
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord!
 
People who wait on the Lord will never be disappointed. They will be blessed!
 
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The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
 
But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 NKJV
 
The bible is the greatest love story ever told. It is the story of God creating all things in the heavens above and on the earth below. 
 
God created us to live in a special loving relationship with Him. He would love us. We would love Him. The first man and woman severed that relationship. They chose to live outside of God’s blessing and protection. 
 
God created man to have dominion over the earth and its creatures. Mankind’s rebellion affected everything. God took unilateral action to restore our relationship with Him. Jesus took the punishment we deserve upon Himself! 
 
God wants us to know He loves us. He wants us to know His good and perfect plan for living in relationship with Him will not be thwarted. God will restore creation. He will restore us to our rightful place within His kingdom! 
 
When you read God’s Word ask the Lord how it applies to you? Take the Word of God as it is intended it to be taken. As if God Himself is speaking to us. Because He is! 
 
If you live in obedience to the Word of God He will bless you in ways you could never have dreamed possible. He will use you to bless other people in ways they could have never dreamed possible!
 
The great men and women written about in the bible were ordinary people just like us. They believed what God said. The Lord used them in ways they could have never dreamed possible.
 
The Word of God stands forever. Take a stand of faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God! Do not let the Word of God go in one ear and come out the other. Believe what the bible says. Do what the bible says. Be blessed by the Word of God!
 
The standard of true faith in Jesus Christ is perfection. You will never live up to that standard. That is not a condemnation. It is an exhortation to trust the God of perfection to work out His good and perfect will in you and through you!
 
Do not be deceived. There is a price to pay for sin. Jesus paid that price in full. The Lord gave Himself up so you can live for Him today and with Him throughout eternity. Live your life to the fullest through faith in Jesus Christ!
 
This is the day for you to take a stand of faith on the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God. Trust Jesus to lead you through the perils and pitfalls of life on planet earth. Trust Jesus to lead through a world devolving into a slum of sin. Nothing is impossible for God!
 
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Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
 
Have you not known? Have you not heard? There is a God in Heaven. He is the everlasting, the One True and Living God. Almighty God opposes the proud. He gives grace to the humble. Jesus is a rewarder of people who diligently seek Him. 
 
Why does God oppose the proud? Why does He give grace to the humble? Why does He reward people who diligently seek Him?
 
Pride is the original sin. Satan’s pride led to a rebellion against God. Pride is at the root of every sin committed by mankind. Humility is the opposite of pride. Every genuine act of service is done in humility. Jesus wants us to be convinced of the value in humility.
 
God rewards people who diligently seek Him because He created us to live in intimate relationship with Him. People who seek Jesus with their whole heart will find Him!
 
God’s understanding is unsearchable. It is difficult to know why God does things. We know He loves us. We know the Lord is for us and not against us. He knows what is best for us. He wants the best for us. God’s good and perfect will is always the best path for us to follow.
 
Jesus desires intimate relationship with us. His love completes us. Why does Jesus love us? Why does Jesus desire intimate relationship with us? 
 
We do not have anything to offer the Lord. Jesus does not need anything from us. Like a loving Father He is moved with compassion for us. His love for us is limitless. His love for us is unconditional. His love for us is eternal.
 
The Lord of Heaven and Earth created us in His image and likeness. He created us with the capacity to love Him. When we express our love for God and each other the stamp of the Lord’s image and likeness is seen on us!
 
God’s power and might is unequaled in all of creation. His wisdom and knowledge are beyond our understanding. Jesus gives strength to the weak. Jesus opposes the proud. Jesus gives grace to the humble!
 
People who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed by Him so that God’s character can be revealed in them and through them!
 
If you are worn and weary cry out to the Lord. Almighty God will renew your strength so you can make Jesus famous in your corner of the world!
 
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By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him, for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 NKJV
 
The bible does not tell us very much about Enoch. We know he was the seventh generation from Adam. The book of Jude tells us he prophesied. He is one of only two men in the bible who did not taste death.
 
Enoch walked with God after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Enoch pleased God after sin and death entered the world. How did Enoch please God? Enoch pleased God by faith. He walked with God by faith. Enoch’s faith pleased God!
 
You can please God today. You can walk with God today. How can you please God and walk with Jesus? You can walk with the Lord and please God through faith in Jesus!
 
Faith is like a muscle. Faith grows stronger when it is exercised. The more you practice stepping out in faith the easier it becomes. Exercising our faith leads into a closer walk with Jesus!
 
How is Jesus calling you to step out in faith? Ask the Lord. Jesus will answer you.
 
Did God really take Enoch to be with Him? Did Enoch really please the Lord so much God did not allow him to die? Is it really possible for God to take someone before death?
 
God created the heavens and the earth. The Lord breathed life into the first man and woman. He created the natural laws that govern the universe. Taking Enoch before he died is not a problem for God. Jesus can do anything He wants anytime He wants! 
 
God never changes. He does many of the same things today that He did in the past. There will be a generation of Christians who do not taste death. They will be caught up with Jesus in the air. They will spend eternity with Jesus in the beauty of holiness!
 
I cannot promise if you live by faith God will take you to be with Him before you die. We do have God’s promise that if we live by faith in Jesus we will not die the second death. 
 
The bible speaks of the blessedness of living in eternity with God for people who live by faith in Jesus. It also speaks of the second death that will be experienced by people who choose to live out their lives separated from Jesus!
 
You can do the same things the great and mighty people of the bible did through faith in Jesus. You can begin a great journey of walking with the Lord that will never end, how? Trust Jesus enough to let Him be the Lord of your life!
 
You may be living among the most blessed generation of believers. You may be caught up to meet Jesus in the air before feeling the sting of death. Let Jesus be the Lord of your life today. Choose to spend eternity in the beauty of God’s holiness!
 
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But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39-40 NKJV
 
If Jesus is your Lord and Savior you are righteous. Being righteous does not mean you are perfect. Being righteous does not mean you are so heavenly minded you are no earthly good. Righteous people have been brought back into relationship with Jesus. 
 
God wants us to be humble. He wants us to exalt Jesus not ourselves. God does not want us to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. Jesus wants us to consider other people more highly than ourselves.
 
The Lord wants to show us who we are in Jesus. He is in the process of forming the life of Christ in us. One day we will be perfected and live in total perfection. Today we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world.
 
Jesus will help you in times of trials and troubles. The Lord will give you the strength you need to get through today no matter what it brings. Jesus will deliver you from or through the circumstances tomorrow may bring!
 
The promises of God to save protect and provide for the needs of the righteous can be found all throughout the scriptures. God does not want us to spend our time just reacting to the trials and difficulties of life in a fallen world. Jesus will enable us to overcome them!
 
The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:19 NKJV
 
I believe God will give me the strength to do the impossible. I can tread upon and rise above the obstacles in my life. I can live an abundant life. I can live with a song in my heart and a smile on my face. I can serve Jesus without fear of failure and rejection!
 
God can give you the strength to do the impossible. You can rise above and tread upon the obstacles in your life. You can live an abundant life today. You can live with a song in your heart and a smile on your face today. You can serve the Lord of Lords today!
 
Facing the challenges life presents is not as difficult as worrying about them. Making difficult decisions is not as gut wrenching as stressing out about them.
 
Do what you can with what you have right where you are and leave the rest to Jesus. Let the Lord be God. Let Jesus be your strength! Walk through life in the boldness of righteousness!
 
Do not live like a pinball in the game of life bouncing off one set of circumstances after another. Jesus is with you watching over you and protecting from seen and unseen dangers. The circumstances of life cannot overtake the righteous!
 
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The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in His way. Psalm 37:23 NKJV
 
Once again I sense the hand of God leading and guiding me along the path of my life. My life is not my own. I belong to my Father in Heaven.
 
When Jesus was called a “good teacher” He said, “no one is good but one, that is, God.” Who is this good man whose steps are ordered by the Lord? What does it mean to have your steps ordered by the Lord?
 
A good person is someone who lives by faith in Jesus Christ. A good person is not perfect. The One who is perfect forms the life of Christ in him or her degree by degree. Good people fail time and time again. We all make mistakes.
 
There is no condemnation for the child of God. Jesus forgives our sins!
 
God will lead us and guide us according to His will. Jesus chose us to do good works. He had a plan and a purpose for us before He placed the stars in the night sky. Jesus takes great delight in making a way for us through the pitfalls of life in a fallen world.
 
Years ago, I applied for a position as a salesman with a linen service. I went through a lengthy interview process. I was confident I would be offered the position. I ended up working as a substance abuse counselor in a state prison.
 
I went into that prison to help men break free from bondage to sin. I was a missionary. Jesus appointed me to work there. I was blessed by the work God did in me and through me in that prison. I trusted the Lord to order my steps into a dark and evil place. 
 
Three years after my interview with the linen service they called and asked if I was still interested in the position. The call came just as state budget cuts were forcing layoffs at the prison. I became a sales consultant with a national linen service.
 
My life has taken many twists and turns since I left that prison. One thing will never change. The unseen hand of my Lord and Savior still orders my steps along the path He chose for me. Jesus still delights in my way when I walk in obedience to Him!
 
Jesus orders your steps! He will lead you and guide you in ways you do not understand. Jesus will open doors without showing you where they lead. He will close doors that seem to lead into blessing and prosperity. Jesus will guide you with a gentle loving hand. 
 
Jesus will love you every step of the way on your journey through life if you trust Him with your mistakes and failures. Jesus will guide you safely through pitfalls and potholes if you trust Him with your future. Jesus will take great delight in leading you along the path He chooses for you!
 
Trust Jesus with every area of your life. Trust Jesus to order your steps through life in a broken world!
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Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
 
God revealed Himself to Isaiah. Isaiah’s iniquity was taken away. His sin was purged. God commissioned Isaiah as a prophet to the nation of Israel.
 
In the shadow of God’s holiness Isaiah became aware of his sinfulness. Isaiah said “woe is me, for I am undone. Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell among a people of unclean lips, For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
 
In the light of God’s holiness Isaiah saw the darkness of his own heart. Isaiah expressed his unworthiness to speak for God. Why would the Lord use a soiled vessel to speak to such spoiled people?
 
My son and I built an altar to the Lord on our property. It became my favorite place to pray and spend time with Jesus. One day as I came before the Lord He said, “Get your house in order. I will appoint you to the nations.” 
 
God revealed Himself to me. He forgave my sin. Jesus continues to reveal the wickedness of my heart. Why would the Lord choose a wretch with such a sinful past to speak to His people? Why would Jesus fill such a soiled vessel with His Spirit?
 
If we do not share the gospel with people who will? God gave us the revelation of His Holiness. Jesus chose us to be His witnesses. We have unclean hands and lips. We live among people with unclean hearts. We live in a fallen world dominated by sin and evil! 
 
God did not choose Isaiah to speak to for Him because He was righteous. He did not choose Isaiah because He was worthy. Isaiah responded in faith. It was the revelation of God’s holiness that gave Isaiah the faith to serve the Lord!
 
Jesus wants us to put our lives in order so we can speak for Him. Jesus knows we will make mistakes, sin, and fail repeatedly. Jesus does not want us to serve Him because we are perfect. Jesus wants us to serve Him because He is perfect, righteous, and holy!
 
In the revelation of God’s holiness, we can discover the faith to serve Jesus?”
 
Jesus is calling us to share the gospel with other people. Jesus wants us to answer as Isaiah did. Jesus is not looking for people who are good in their own eyes. Jesus is searching for people who find their righteousness in Jesus.
 
Jesus is looking for people who will humble themselves before Him. The Lord is searching for people He can mold into the image of Christ! 
 
How will you answer the Lord’s call? Will you step out in faith? Will you speak the Word of God to the people He created in His image and likeness? Will you share your testimony with a world that desperately needs Jesus? Answer the Lord’s call today!
 
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For thus says the Lord God: Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out, As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. Ezekiel 34:11-12 NKJV
 
You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God, says the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:31 NKJV
 
God spoke to Israel in agricultural terms because they lived in an agricultural society. He used terms they could relate to and understand. God referred to Israel as sheep because they raised sheep. They placed great importance on the welfare of their flocks.
 
God reminded Israel they were vulnerable and fragile. He reminded them their welfare and safety are important to Him. The Lord promised to protect Israel from all harm. The God of Israel promised to provide everything they need!
 
If the bible was written today God might use different terminology. God might not call us sheep. He might not describe Himself as Shepherd. The Lord has or many names that reveal His love and care for us!
 
God might tell us He will watch over our children when we cannot. The Lord might tell us He will keep them safe from the devastation of drugs and alcohol. Jesus might remind us that He is always with us and never forgets us. We are always on His mind!
 
God might tell us He will provide for our financial needs so we can feed and clothe our families. The Lord might say He will give us a safe place for our families to live. Our God could use modern terms to comfort and encourage us, to instruct and command us. 
 
I am thankful God calls us the sheep of His pasture. As for me and my house we are very aware of our fragility and vulnerability. We realize our need for the great and mighty shepherd who declares “I will feed my flock, and I will make them lie down.”
 
A lamb in danger would never lie down. It would stand and search the horizon for danger. A lamb would stand on its feet prepared to run for safety. It would run to the safety of the shepherd who loves and cares for it. 
 
God wants you to know you can lie down in safety today. The shepherd of your soul is near. Our Shepherd is near to people who call out to Him for safety and refuge. The Great Shepherd is near to people who call out to Him out of a sincere desire to know Him.
 
Flee to Jesus when the dark clouds of fear and desperation roll into your life. Flee to Jesus for safety and refuge. Flee to Jesus out of a sincere desire to know Him!
 
Our world is spiraling farther and farther into the abyss of chaos. The devil spreads discord and discontent. The uncertainty of disease and economic collapse may weigh heavy on your heart. Do not be fearful. The Great Shepherd is watching over His flock today!
 
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For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV
 
Are you facing difficult circumstances? If you are not I am sure you know someone who is. Habakkuk faced the same issues we face today.
 
If God is in control of everything why do bad things happen to good people? Why are so many people suffering? How could our lives be transformed so quickly? The Lord is not offended when we ask questions. Turning to God for answers is an act of faith!
 
We would not turn to God for answers if we did not believe He is in control of all things. We would not seek His wisdom if we did not believe God knows all things. There would be no confusion if we did not believe God loves us.
 
The Christian life is often described as a fight because it can be a struggle to maintain our faith during difficult circumstances. It is described as a run because we need the stamina only Jesus can provide to endure the afflictions and sorrows that beset us!
 
We must focus on what we know when we are faced with uncertainty.
 
God loves you. God is for you and not against you. He will never turn His back on you. He will never leave you. He will be with you every step of the way as you follow Jesus!
 
Our circumstances do not change God’s character. The Lord is just as faithful in times of trial and turmoil as He is when we stroll along the mountain tops of peace and blessing!
 
Jesus does not expect us to stuff our feelings or pretend all is well when it is not.
 
God wants you to bring everything to Him in prayer. He wants you to be thankful even when you think you do not have much to be thankful for. Our faith will bear fruit. We will spend eternity with Jesus. We will know the reality of unrestrained and unending Joy! 
 
Our trials and suffering will become no more than a distant memory. The old things will fade into oblivion. All things will be made new. That includes us. Our perfect glorified bodies will match our spiritual state. We will worship God in the beauty of Holiness!
 
The Earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. There will be no more crying death or sorrow. We will witness with our own eyes the fruit of our faith in Jesus!
 
Trust Jesus with your trials and hardships. Trust Jesus with your life!
 
The faithful will see the great and mighty works Jesus accomplished in us and through us when His glory is revealed!
 
Set you heart on the glory to come. Follow Jesus. When the earth is filled with the knowledge of God’s glory as the waters cover the sea you will know that you are home!
 
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For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 2:5 NKJV
 
Paul tells us to pray for all people. He wants everyone to know the truth. What truth is Paul talking about?. Jesus is the Savior of the World. Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Jesus is the only way to God the Father. Jesus Christ is God!
 
People use the word god in different ways. Quite often they are not talking about the God of the bible. A growing number of people believe we are all “god”.
 
My wife and I left a financial meeting stressed out and fearful. My son overheard us talking. He said, “Dad I wish it could rain money, but it can’t rain money.”  I said, “God can make it rain money if He wants to.”
 
My wife was thirsty. We stopped to get her a bottle of water. She got out of the car. My son followed right behind her. He stepped out of the car reached down and picked up a hundred-dollar bill. I looked at it very closely. It seemed real.
 
We thought God gave us a miracle to strengthen our faith and meet our needs. We stopped to buy some groceries with our miracle money. God gave us grace. We were not arrested for passing a counterfeit bill! 
 
Jesus does not want us to be deceived.
 
We have all read stories about scientists, historians, archeologists, and theologians who claim to have uncovered hidden truth. They may claim discovery of knowledge that has been withheld from us. Quite often these discoveries bolster ungodly theories.
 
It is a conspiracy of lies and deception that is an ancient evil. God’s enemy and ours seeks to counterfeit the work of God in our lives. He wants to deceive us and draw us away from Jesus!
 
God will not withhold any good thing from you. He has not withheld truth from you. The Lord gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us and guides into His good and perfect will. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to reveal the truth that Jesus Christ is God!
 
The Lord gave you the Word of God. He gave His one and only Son for you!
 
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
 
If you have questions turn to Almighty God. Jesus has the answers you seek!
 
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