Praying

Praying For You!

[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength...
Eph.1:17-19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7tQRR-dXQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Downpayment

No Downpayment Required

If you have ever bought a house or you are in the market for a home you will understand the down payment concept.  It is cash upfront to secure the deal.  In respect to our relationship with God, the price was payed in full, the transaction completed and our inheritance legally recorded in the Lambs book of life.  All made possible by the all sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  No downpayment was needed but God in His mercy and goodness still left an enormous,  priceless downpayment that promises our completed redemption will one day be completed.  That downpayment is the Holy Spirit of God that indwells all who have been redeemed. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 AMP
In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it–to the praise of His glory.

Blessed

The Extent of Our Blessings

We would all have to say we are blessed.  In spite of our circumstances, troubles and difficulties; we are blessed.  The simple fact that we are alive today is sufficient.  I am writing this on a personl electronic device and you reading it in many locations simultaneously.   We are blessed.  Yesterday most of us ate till we could eat no more.  Most eveyone received at least one gift during the Christmas season.  We are blessed!  I also realize that there is sickness and even death taking place in some lives at the same time.  There are broken relationships and hurting familes with great disappointments.  But even in spite of all these things we are still blessed.  So for a moment look beyond the material world and lets examine our spiritual blessings.  One verse sums it up very clearly.   How big are our spiritual blessings?  Bigger than big!  Here it is...

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Not just a few things, EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING!  WE ARE BLESSED! 

Footnote:  contingent on your personal relationship with God through Christ alone.

Dont Lose Heart

Even when we are trying to do good, pressing forward for good causes, living with integrity, helping others, striving to live as God would have us live...its still easy to grow weary in doing good.  Its tiring, sometimes exhausting you even reach the point when you want to quit.  Emotions are frazzled, physically your worn out, you keep pressing on but your tongue is dragging the ground and another step in the right direrection seems impossible.  All the effort will soon be rewarded, dont lose heart!

Galatians 6:9
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

Carry The Load

Carry Someone's Load

We all have burdens to carry.  At times there are the burdens of life that are no fault of our own but because we live in a fallen world burdens come our way.  It may be the burden of sickness, death or even disappointment.   It may be the burden of a broken down car or washing machine.  It might be the burden of a child, family member or friend who is making poor choices.  Then there are those burdens we bring upon ourselves because of troublesome moral faults or deliberate actions of sin.  Regardless we are called to endure and carry each others burdens.  Suddenly we become very selfish and pious...I have my own burdens to worry about and besides they made their mess, they need to handle it.  We forget that sometimes life brings burdens beyond our control.   There is a difference between enabling and carrying anothers burdens and helping to restore them.  Scripture gives us clear instructions.   Don't enable others by just being sympathetic with poor choices.  On the other hand don't turn your back on a fallen comrade. 

Galatians 6:1-2
BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

Fruit Business

Personal Orchard

Our lives produce something.  It pops out all over every day.  The question is what is my life producing.  A orange tree is supposed to produce oranges,  an apple tree apple, a peach tree a peach...you get the idea.  The name of the tree or plant tells us what we should expect when by virtue of the maturing process fruit is produced.  What is being produced from your personal orchard?  If we call ourselves Christians (Christ likeness) then the instruction manual says we should produce spiritual fruit.  Fruit which by the way is very sweet to those around us.  So...how goes your fruit business these days?

Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

Unashamed

The Fellowship of the Unashamed
Romans 1:16

I am a part of the ‘Fellowship of the Unashamed.’ I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals!I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power.My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.I won’t give up, back up, let up or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know and work until He comes.And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.
(Author Unknown)

What a Moment In Time

The Single Greatest Appointed Time.

There has been many  times in our lives that have been significant.  The day you were born, the day you spoke your first word, the day you took your first steps, when you said your ABC'S for the first time.  When you held his/her hand or that first kiss or when you said "I do", graduation day, seeing the ocean or some other magnificent created landscape for the first time.  The list goes on and on of significant appointed events in your life.  But there is an appointed event that outweighs them all....

Galatians 4:4-7 AMP
But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]. And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.

From a crown to a cradle to a cross at the appointed time for our benefit.

Its Mine

Black Friday Revenge

You woke up at 4:30 AM to be at the store.  Your children will never be the same without "the toy".  It is the virtual deal of the century.  You arrive to sheer pandemonium.   You navigate through the masses, pushing, shoving and feeling good because the 4 cups of coffee and the monster drink are just now kicking in.  You arrive at the isle, and there it is,  and its the last one.  As you begin to pick up the pace, heart pounding, breathing fast and shallow...you notice out of the corner of your eye a sweet little gray haired grandma seemingly beating you to "THE TOY".  A  ethical, moral and spiritual delimna ensues.  She is old, has plenty of money and nothing but time on her hands so I will cut her off, run her over and if necessary punch her in the face.  Just a vulnerable old woman whose time will soon be over..right?   Yes...its my time to shine and get "the toy"...so look out grandma I am taking you out. Wow where did that thought come from! 

You know David faced a similar delimna.  He was the rightful heir to something that mattered.   But he refused to harm Saul.  All his men were saying kill him, its your right.  David even felt guilty about cutting off part of Sauls robe when he found him in a vulnerable position.

So go ahead run over who ever you need to today, and get what is rightfully yours.  I am sure God approves of that sweet, consume at all cost, attitude.

1 Samuel 24:4-8
And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord ’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord ’s anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.  Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.

The Enemy Pursues

Sela-hammahlekoth

Our God is our Sela-hammahlekoth!  Even when the enemy seeks us every day, God will not deliver us into His hand because we are held tightly in His hand.  The question of the day.  What is Sela-hammahlekoth and who are the characters involved?

Whiter!

Now Thats White!

"...wash me and I will be whiter than snow."  Psa. 51:8

I dont know about you but I am overwhelmed with this great truth.  God took all my filth put it on his Son on the cross; and daily takes all my filth and washes it in the blood of His Son.  And poof....my filthy, nasty sin is whiter than snow!  I am undeserving but eternally grateful.

You've Got A Friend In Me

You've Got A Friend In Me

Friends are hard to find. They say blood is thicker than water but a real friend is even thicker, as in the case with Jonathan and David. They say real friends don't let thier friends drive drunk.  No, real friends don't let thier father kill thier friends, as in the case of Jonathan and David.   There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24.  For humanity God is that kind of friend.  No other human being would give thier own Son to die in your place and that is exactly what the eternal God of the universe did for all mankind.

David said he was one step from death (I Samuel 20:3) knowing that Saul desired to kill him and had already attempted to do so. Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life. (I Samuel 20:17).  A lifetime covenant was made between Jonathan and David. 

An even greater eternal covenant was made by our best friend at the cross.  Do you have any friends?  Friends who would put thier life in the line for you?  Are you that kind of friend to anyone else?   To borrow a phrase from Toy Story "you've got a friend in me".  That is a phrase echoed from the cross.

I Hate My Job

When Your Boss Hates You

Have you ever been in an employment situation that was hoorible?  Did you ever feel like pulling your hair out and dreaded going to work?  You couldn't wait to leave Monday through Friday.  Just when you think you have it bad, somebody has it worse.  Davids boss tried to play pin the tail on the donkey and make a pin cushion out of him with a spear. So the moral of the story; it might be bad...but until your boss literally starts throwing spears at you...you've got it pretty good.  Hey its Monday, pray for your boss and your colleagues, put a smile on your face, suit up with some Kevlar and have a great day at work.

1 Samuel 18:11
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
1 Samuel 19:1, 10
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

The Bandwagon

The Bandwagon Leader

Everybody was afraid and chickenlivers until David showed up.  Not even the King had the gumption or Holy Spirit empowerment to go fight the big bad giant.  The giant huffed and puffed day after day, the mighty Israeli army ran with their tails tucked.  Then one little boy with a sling shot showed up and the gaint came tumbling down.  Then the army jumped on the band wagon and chased all the rest of the Philistines.   Moral of the story...be a band wagon leader.  Listen to the instructions of God and go,  even if you have to go alone.  The rest will catch on and join the band wagon; they just need a Godly, Holy Spirit filled, unashamed, fearless, anointed leader to lead the way. You might be little and the only thing you have is a sling shot and some stones, but in the hand of God those stones and that sling shot are mightier than any giant you will ever face.  So you go band wagon leader...you go!

1 Samuel 17:51-53
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

Rush The Enemy

Rush The Enemy Head On

Be bold when empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Dont sneak around, beat around the bush, hem and haw about what needs to be done.  Pick up the Word of God which is sharper than any two edged sword,  throw the book at that sorry old enemy and then when he falls down because you made a kill shot, chop off his head.  And then all the cohorts of the enemy will run.  Remember all your enemies are only as strong as the other enemies.  So when one goes down in defeat because you have relied on the right weaponry the rest of them tend to lose heart. 

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Samuel 17:48-51
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

He has your back!

Who has your back?

Run into the battle...the Almighty God of the universe has your back!  The battle belongs to Lord!  All the advanced weaponry in the world is no match for our God!  Bring it on Mr. Giant!

1 Samuel 17:45-48
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's , and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Psalms 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Mouthy

The Mouthy Enemy

Have you ever met a "loud mouth"?  Yes you have; obnoxious, belligerent and down right rude.  The kind of person you just want to smack in the mouth.  You know exactly what I mean, we have all had that thought.  Or at least you wanted to stuff a big sock in thier mouth and duct tape it shut.  David had just that kind of experience as he faced the giant.  You see, the giant is always mouthy; taunting and degrading.  Sometimes just in your head the giant is screaming at you,  mocking you playing mind games.  Don't let the enemy get in your head, defeat him with the weapons of your warfare(Eph.6) and go whip him!

1 Samuel 17:41-44
And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.”

Armor Checklist

Armor Checklist

Going to fight the giant today need:
1. Bazooka
2. 44 magnum
3. Shotgun
4. Kevlar
5. Bullet proof vest
6. Body armor
7. Ak47
8. 400 rounds of ammo

Better yet I will take...
1. Sling shot
2. Loin cloth
3. 5 stones

Duh David obviously you need the first list.  Dont be ridiculous and put yourself in danger.  After all use some common sense.   I have been fighting longer than you have so I know what is needed to fight giants.  Even though I am not willing to personally go fight him.  Everybody always has better ideas for your battles.  Thats not to say that others dont have wisdom that is helpful and insightful but you better be sure to get your marching orders and battle armor list from God who by the way will fight for you. 

2 Chronicles 32:8
"With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles...."

1 Samuel 17:38-40
And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

Tenacity

Supernatural Tenacity

God has already empowered me to whip the lion and the bear so whats another big hairy creature.  That was young Davids attitude when the doubting "fearless" King Saul; who by the way stood head and shoulders above all Isreal(I Sam 9:3); was trying to discourage the young boy David from going after Goliath.   With supernatural tenacity there is no giant too big.  God has already proven himself in the past to you and has enabled you to whip the bear and the lion...now go take out the giant!

1 Samuel 17:31-37
And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

Your More Than That

You Too Little and Insignificant

That is exactly what many have said.  "You dont have what it takes", "You will never survive, you dont have enough experience", "That is unheard of and has never been done before", "Impossible for you, you just dont have the skill set", "Nobody will listen to you"...I am glad David didnt listen to Saul and everyone else.  Young or old you are neither too young  or insignificant! Go slaughter that giant!

1 Samuel 17:33
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Be Still

I was reminded of this today and thought,  how simple yet profound.  I dont know who this is for but just remember...

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgaHaioAjyg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

What Were You Thinking?

YOU CANT DO THAT!

You would think that people would be excited, jubilant and ready to help when the Spirit of God wells up within you and directs you to accomplish a seemingly impossible task.  Not always the case.  Jealousy, pride, lack of faith and spiritual whimpiness takes over and they would  rather criticize the efforts that you know God has called you and empowered you by His Spirit to accomplish.   Do not be deterred by the nay sayers and spiritual whimpys.  There is no giant that should keep you from accomplishing what the God of the universe has called you to fulfill.  March into the battle even if your own family questions your motives.  That was Davids experience as he continued to follow God. 

1 Samuel 17:20-29
And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.  All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”  Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?”

The Big Enemy

The Biggest of Big Enemies

So there is the enemy, camped out in your backyard and ready to raid your life.  Thats bad enough but there is always that one big, huge, ginormous giant enemy that is your personal nemesis.   You know who he is, bigger than life, he has mocked you and beat you up several times in the past and you dread the fact he has returned.  There he stands yelling and screaming all your past failures and defeats.  He is even mocking your faith and your paralyzed.   That is where the children of Israel found themselves as the story continues.  Can you relate?

1 Samuel 17:3-11

And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

The story continues tomorrow!

ENEMY

The Enemy

The enemy is always gathering to come against us.  The enemy is doing exactly what the enemy is supposed to do.  The enemy is sizing us up and will seize any opportunity to attack.  Dont be surprised or even alarmed when you see the enemy poised to raid your life.  As a matter of fact the enemy will even set up camp in your backyard.  If there were no enemy there would never be a victory!  So yes there is even a reason to be thankful for enemies. 

1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered...., and encamped...

Tomorrow the rest of the story!

20/20 Vision

Gods Perspective vs. My Perspective

What a remarkable thought that brings great encouragement.  "...God sees not as man sees..."  I Sam. 16:7.  His view is eternal, His view internal, His view is beginning and ending.  My view is temporal, my view is external and my view is only immediate.  Who has the better perspective?  All too often I think I do.  Real 20/20 vision is when we see as God sees.  Lord grant us today to see as you see!

When You Think You Have It Bad...

Have you ever looked at you life and you circumstances and bemoaned how horrible it is?  When you think you have it bad just look around.  The reality is, there is always someone, somewhere in situations that make ours look miniscule.   Thats not to say that our battle is not significant it just helps with keeping the perspective.  Listen to what Paul endured:

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
"...more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure."

So I guess my life is coasting along pretty smoothly.  I also know that when the proverbial wheel runs off in my life; and I know it will; God is able to carry me through!

Rely on God

Day 20 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation? 
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
That is has all to often been our fallback.  As Americans we trust in our abilities, our might, our power and authority.  My son Caleb serves in the US Airforce and I could not be any prouder of his accomplishments early in his career.  He has excelled and has been honored several times for his outstanding efforts.  In an interview with the base newspaper listen to his responses.

"Since arriving at McConnell and the fuels flight," said Master Sgt. Joseph Dudley, 22nd Logistic Readiness Squadron fuels management flight operations section chief, "Hubbard has continued to lead the way and do great things, standing out among his peers."
Who is the most positive influence in your life and why? My father is the most positive influence on my life. He has and always will be my hero. He is not only the ultimate example of an excellent dad, but a spiritual leader and wise guide. He has given me guidance and direction physically, mentally and spiritually through wisdom, advice and his own life. 
If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?I would like to meet the biblical Joshua and Caleb because they stood up for what they believed in with an unshakable faith and fortitude, even when their peers were willing to give up."

Now certainly the answer about my influence puffed me up, however his response to the last question made me the proudest. 
We are on this day praying for our militaries protection as they serve around the globe and praying that a spiritual awakening would change the perception of America in the world.  Instead of pushing filth and garbage via Hollywood, instead of being a mass producer of porn, instead of being a drug dependent culture, instead of relying on our might and strength may we once again rely on the Power of God!

Awaken US!

Day 19 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  America needs a Spiritual Awakening.  The Great Awakening of the early 1700's led by the influence of men like Jonathan Edwards and the Second Great Awakening led by the influence of men like Charles Finney are nothing but history that we can read about.  We need a fresh heaven sent Holy Ghost awakening for this generation one that will turn us upside down and inside out.   An awakening that is produced by God with far reaching and long lasting effects.   We dont need an emotional frenzy stirred up by another false teacher who is interested in padding his pockects.  We need a awakening that sets both the pulpits and pews of America on fire!  Revive Us Oh God!  Awaken us by your Spirit!  Reveal sin and may we be willing to repent running to you seeking forgiveness, mercy and grace.  Strip away all the junk in our lives that gets in the way.  Dear God shake us, move us from our complacency and apathy.  Restore righteousness in us, our communities and our nation! 

Psalm 85:1-13
Lord , you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.  You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah  You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.   Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!   Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord , and grant us your salvation.   Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.   Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

OUR ONLY HOPE

OUR ONLY HOPE OF UNITY

Day 18 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation? There is little unity in America today and quite honestly we are divided because there is little to be unified over.  The familes are falling apart, churches are splitting wide open, neighbors are at odds, communities are crumbling, states are succumbing to ungodly pressures and Washington has imploded.   There is only one unifying factor that will ever bring about real hope and change...that is the person of Jesus Christ.  As Christ pleaded in His prayer in John 17.

"When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,  since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.  And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.    “I have manifested your name to the people   whom you gave me out of the world.   Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.  Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.  For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.  I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.  All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.  While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.  I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.    “I do not   ask for these only, but also for those   who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Join us as we participate in a Nationwide event of Hope that is our only hope of unity in Christ alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYaB4ke3GTk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

K.I.S.S.

K.I.S.S.

Day 17 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Sometimes we look for a complex answer for a complex problem when in reality the answer is simple.  My wife always gives me a big KISS before I speak.  Keep It Simple Stupid! :)  You get the idea.  Americas problems are certainly complex!  Oh what a tangled web we have woven.  Yet the solution is quit simple.  The gospel provides the solution and spiritual growth/discipleship keeps us focused and on the right path. 
Take the gospel and share it.  If you have never heard the gospel consider it today.  If you have embrassed the gospel keep growing or your growth will be stunted and your effectiveness stifled.  
Here is the gospel:
Your dead in tresspasses and sin (Eph 2:1)

You are not a good person (Rom 3:10)

You are sinful (Rom 3:23)

The penalty of all the above is physical and spiritual death (Rom 6:23, 5:8)

The solution is for you to repent turn from your sin and self and receive what Christ did for you (Rom 5:12, John 3:16)

Cry out to God in prayer, repent of your wickedness and sin and receive the gift of salvation made possible by Jesus Christ only (John 14:6)

Simple solution to complex problems.  Costly solution to your eternal problem!

Brokeness Epedimic

Brokeness Epedimic
Day 16 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?   Families are broken by divorce, abuse, death and addictions;  the unemployment line is growing; cancer is an everyday word.  When will the maddess end?  Is there a solution for the epedimic of brokeness?   It is sweeping America, what can we do? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J14ZSqhpAjw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

There is hope for you and there is hope for America!

Self Destruct or Spirit Walk?

Self Destruct or Spirit Walk?
Day 15 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  What are you full of?  Self or the Spirit?  We are called to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
It sure is easy to walk for self because then I can do what self wants.  The result is self destruction.  Reminds me of this for you old time Mission Impossible fans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQV0hbK6P6c&feature=youtube_gdata_player.

Unfortunately America is on a path of self destruction but that doesnt mean that we as individuals have to follow suit!

Thanks

Day 14 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  On day 14 we are simply thanking God.  We dont have to wait until Thanksgiving Day to thank the Lord.  Why are you thankful today?
 
Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth!   Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!  Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.   Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!   For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Workers Needed!

Day 12 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation? Our prayer today is for an increase in missions.   There were an estimated 400,000 international missionaries sent by Christians in 2010.  The US still lead the way with 127,000 or the 400,000.  Yet the work is still unfinished.  The 100 largest unreached people groups totals nearly 1.7 billion people.  That is just those who have never been reached with the gospel.  With a world population of 7 billion that are several million more who are without hope.  You can be involved in missions where you are or across the globe.  There is a shortage of workers!
Luke 10:2
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Praying for Americas Leaders

Day 11 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Regardless of our political persuasion or our view of any related political position we are admonished to pray for those in positions of authority.  There are two glaring benefits to our earnest prayers over all in authority.             (I Timothy 2:1-4) The first benefit is ours...we get to lead a peaceable life potentially unharassed and or controlled by the government.  Again we would all have to agree the less government the better, then it would be a Theocracy-God in complete control.  The second and greater benefit is the salvation of leadership.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  Pray that God would bring to salvation all who are in authority over us. 

I Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Poverty and Laziness

Day 11 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  We are praying today that God will bring many out of poverty, bless our communities with honest business opportunities and break the wicked spirit of laziness that has a choke hold on many!  There may be nothing more crippling or humiliating than losing your job, your financial security and wondering where you will get the resources to feed, cloth and care for your family and yourself.  Thousands upon thousands across America are facing that today.   There are those who have been mired in destitution and poverty for a lifetime and for some even generations in their family.  The recent economic downturn has stripped some of their lifetime investments.  Financial blessings and prosperity are like a two edged sword.  On the one hand we can enjoy all that comes with those blessings, yet on the other hand we often forget God even abandoning Him because we become self sufficient.  Laziness is another side of the coin that many dont want to talk about.  There are thousands over and over again who are living off assistance because they are genuinely lazy.  Thats not to say that assiatance in one form or another isnt needed but becoming addicted to assistance because of laziness is a sin!  Listen to what scripture says. 

Proverbs 21:13
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
Proverbs 10:4
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Unity not Coexist

Day 10 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Everyone is keenly aware of the lack of unity in Washington these days but I wonder how keenly aware we are of the lack of unity in many churches.  The church for the first few decades of our American culture was the backbone and center of community action.  Then false teaching and bickering amounst the church members began to split churches, communities and families.  It is time unity returned.  Let me make it very clear there is a huge difference between biblical unity and the absolute godless fade coexist that is sweeping the religious community.  Listen to the words of scripture. 
Ephesians 4:1-6
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Don't miss the fact that in order for unity to abound we must all adhere to one way.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We must be Christocentric in all we do for unity to bind us together.  Are you for your way or Gods way.  The national spiritual crisis we are currently entangled in would easily be defused with a good dose of unity.  It would certainly solve the Washington crisis!

Hell is real...The Gospel saves!

Day 9 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  We not only have a national spiritual crisis but there is a deep seeded personal spiritual crisis in the lives of many individuals.  The greatest crisis is the rejection of the gospel and complete daily surrender to Christ being Lord of our lives.  No doubt you have family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors and school mates that you know are in this condition.  They are  blinded to the truth of the gospel by the god(satan) of this world. 
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Are you burdened over the fact that someone you know and love may spend eternity separated from God in hell?  If you know Christ you pocess the answer.  Not only should you pray for them but you should with great love, compassion and gentleness tell them the truth of the gospel message...their eternity is at stake!  There is no one good no not one (Rom 3:10).  All have sinned (Rom. 3:23). The penalty of breaking Gods law, which we all have done,  is death; physically and spiritually which is separation from God forever (Rom. 6:23).  There is no hope apart from crying out to God, repenting of your wicked ways, turning from sin and self and giving Him control.  All made possible because of the death, burial and ressurection of Jesus Christ.  If you hope is in this world alone you are of all men most miserable (I Cor. 15).  Go tell somebody before its too late!

Forgive

Day 8 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Conflicts abound in our lives, our communities, our nation and world largely due to the fact we are unwilling to forgive.  Who has done you wrong that you just cannot forgive and quite honestly you dont want to?  Family member, friend, coworker, neighbor...who is it.  No doubt they were wrong but who is bearing the albatross of unforgiveness and maybe even the seed of bitterness that is eating you up?  With God's help you can forgive, don't delay forgive today and walk free.  Remember the words of Jesus.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Thankful?

Day 7 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  One of our greatest personal and national downfalls is our greed for more.  We seemingly are never satisfied with what we have.  We have to have the latest this or that, then we are satisfied mometarily until the fashion changes or the latest home decor or electronic gadet comes to the local thing store.  Today lets just stop and be thankful; not just for what we have but who we are in Christ.  

Psalm 118:21
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

Deplorable Activity

Day 6 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Spiritual brokeness accentuates the absolute depravity of the human heart and mind.  The result of mans depravity are deeds of wickedness against the innocent.  One such deed is the deplorable activity of human trafficking.   Pray that God will protect innocent girls and boys from such a life.  Also pray that those caught up in trafficing activity would be convicted of thier sin and gloriously changed.  By the way this is not a far away problem.  Its in our backyard.  May God have mercy on our depravity.

Leviticus 19:29
“Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land fall into prostitution and the land become full of depravity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R8z45OwKjk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Fasting for Our Nation

Today begins 21 days of Prayer and Fasting.  A Solemn Assembly will conclude these 21 days on October 26 and 27.  Everyone can participate in prayer and fasting.

What is Spiritual Fasting?
In most cases, a spiritual fast involves abstaining from food while focusing on prayer. This can mean refraining from snacks between meals, skipping one or two meals a day, abstaining only from certain foods, or a total fast from all food for an entire day or longer.For medical reasons, some people may not be able to fast from food altogether. They may choose to abstain only from certain foods, like sugar or chocolate, or from something other than food. In truth, believers can fast from anything. Doing without something temporarily, such as television or soda, as a way of redirecting our focus from earthly things toward God, can also be considered a spiritual fast.

We are burdened over the spiritual condition of our nation, state and communities.  We are asking God to send a spiritual awakening. 

Joel 1:14 ESV
Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord .

Broken Families

Day 2 of the 21 days of prayer and fasting.  Todays prayer focus is the family pray that marriages and brokeness in family relationships with be restored.  Our culture is in a family crisis and the breakdown of the family unit has a tremendous impact on the spiritual breakdown of our nation.  We are calling for a Solemn Assembly on October 26 and 27.  We will be gathering for public prayer and praise crying out to God pleading for forgiveness of the sins of our nation.  We have forsaken Him.  Join us October 26 at 6pm at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.  We are also asking every church to conduct a Solemn Assembly on Sunday morning the 27th.  We need the mercy of God not the judgment we deserve. 

Joel 2:13b

...Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;...

Crumbling Church

Day 3 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Today we are praying for our churches.  The church has historically been the place where truth has been spoken and the gospel proclaimed.  Unfortunately ungodly, unbiblical liberal theology has crept into many pulpits and the church is no longer a spiritual influence.  Churches need to be filled with people, but numerical growth is worthless if there is no real spiritual food and spiritual growth.  We need a spiritual awakening in the churches across America. 

1 Peter 4:17 ESV
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Addictions

Day 4 of 21 Days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  Our nation is in a spiritual crisis and one of effects of this spiritual vaccum  is addictions.  We are praying today specifically for those who are caught up in addictions.  The bondage of addiction is crippling individuals, families, communities and our culture.  There is relational, financial, spiritual and physical costs to adddictions.  Drug, alcohol and pornography addictions are choking out life.  Dependency on any harmful subtance or activity is detrimental and devastating.  If you are caught up in an addiction or you have a family member or friend that is caught up in an addictive lifestyle know that you are being prayed for today.  But there is even better news, in Christ and by the Spirit of God living in you, you can be free!  There is hope! 

John 8:34-36 ESV
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Have Mercy

Have Mercy On Us God!
Day 5 of 21 days of prayer and fasting.  What will you commit to fast today so as to focus on crying out to God for the spiritual broken condition of our nation?  There are a number of moral and spiritual crisis that are afflicting our nation, unfortunantely the list grows daily.  The 1973 landmark case of Roe v Wade ussered in a new era of open acceptance of genocide on innocent unborn children.  As a nation we mock the creator who knits a child in the womb of a mother. (Psa. 139:13).  The recent striking down of Defense of Marriage Act likewise mocks God because it was God himself who ordained marriage in the very beginning as the foundation for all humanity.  Romans 1 certainly gives a clear picture of where we have come. The Supreme Court's DOMA decision, Liberty Councils lead attorney said, "was not reflective of "natural law, biblical law or common sense; it is contrary to the natural created order of God almighty."  By the way that is just the tip of the iceburg.
May God have mercy on us!  Cry out to God for His mercy endureth forever!

A Balancing Act

A Balancing Act

We are called to be salt and light in the world (Matt. 5) and we are to be in the world but not of the world, falling in love with it (I John 2) and we are also admonished in (II Cor. 6) to be separate.  We are called by Christ to be an influence but not be influenced.  Walk the balance beam holding you candle and letting your light shine, you have a hope and a peace to offer the world they are clamouring to find.  Beware of ungodly influences that can tarnish your thinking, reputation and testimony.

James 1:27
"...  keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world."

Rejected

Rejected

That is the heart of Americas problem.  That is the heart of our problem in life.  We have simply rejected God and His way of doing things.  How often do we find ourselves living out Frank Sinatras infamous song...I did it my way! 

1 Samuel 8:7 ESV
And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

Oh No We Are Doomed

Oh No What Are We Going To Do?

Long before government existed the eternal God of the universe was.  He is the great I Am!  Without Him nothing exists. That means the universe is still running in an ordely fashion while human government that desires to mock God and His very existance runs amuck!  Oh no what should we do?  Run for the hills?  NO....RUN INTO THE ARMS OF THE EVERLASTING, ALMIGHTY, ETERNAL CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE.  Let the government fail, believe it or not Washington won't be governing the universe in eternity.  It is in Jesus Christ we have hope becuase He Is!

Colossians 1:15-18
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

God warned that human government would be disasterous in I Samuel 8.  We wanted a human king to rule over us and take care of us from cradle to grave.  Well...that is exactly what godless leaders will do for a people...put them under.  Turn to God America and quit looking for another government bailout!

Look Close

Things Don't Look So Good...Wait Look Closer!

Dont be discouraged by your failing physical body.  It is inevitable because from the dust we were formed and to the dust we must return.  The process is sometimes painful to watch and/or endure.  However, the inner man having been transformed by the power of Christ is being renewed daily instead of decaying.

2 Corinthians 4:16 AMP
Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.

Self Sufficient

Self Sufficient

How easy it is to become self sufficient in our daily  routines.  We come and go doing our stuff becoming so comfortable that we disengage God from what we would consider the mundane things of life.  Then little by little our self sufficiency grows into all areas of our life.  Rethink your routines, reconsider involving the Lord in ever move you make.  The Apostle Paul recognized his insufficiency and the all sufficient power of Christ in him.

2 Corinthians 3:5 AMP

Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.