Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “1 Thessalonians 4:17

Through Our Language

 May the Lord use us, through our language and our attitudes, to inspire others to lift up their heads and look unto the hills from whence cometh their help.  “Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better.” (Eph.4:23, Living Bible)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Something Someone Said

There are people who stopped taking medicine or started taking a medicine because an individual, who had no medical training, said they should and the result was disastrous. There are people who have brought someone into their life or expulsed someone from their life because an individual said they should and the result was disastrous. There are people who have invested in something an individual told them to invest in and the result was disastrous. We should be very wise in deciding whether to live by something said by others and decide the correctness of it by the truths evident in the Bible.  ”…the counsel of the wicked and ungodly is far from me.” (Job 22:18, Amp)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Mis-beliefs and Mis-understandings

(Kathy Gabler)—Can the Church, after this many centuries of preaching and teaching and experiencing God still have mis-beliefs and mis-understandings about Him and His Word? We don’t want to say, “Amen,” but we can say, “Evidently.”  However, the good news is that as long as we are not stubbornly or fearfully determined to stop and camp out on a “someday” or “no way” or “never now”, God who is faithful intends to open our understanding of “Thy Kingdom come”.  Just like yeast spreading, our understanding should be continually increasing and more and more folks should be realizing that “THY KINGDOM COME” means more than heaven “someday”.  It means more than Thy Salvation come or Thy Religion come.  It means more than Thy Tradition come and even more than Thy Church come!  It might hit a holy nerve to realize that the Kingdom is more than the Church and that it actually encompasses the Church!  The Church can be a touchy subject with us Christians because the Church cradles our concepts of  Christianity.  “Churchianity” provides the platform for our worship and represents God to a community.  Churchianity usually defines our expectations upon God and His Word.  Even so, when we pray, “Thy Kingdom come”, it can rattle Churchianity and initiate changes.  In fact, we need to be aware that “Thy Kingdom come” is going to cause more radical rattles this year, both personally and corporately, because there are some NEW  NORMS in the making.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Keep Standing in Freedom

If it were not possible to keep standing in freedom, our Lord would not have commanded us in His Word to do just that. He does not want us to be captive to any degree of slavery. We have been set free to enjoy freedom within the auspices of His character and redemptive purposes. Living our lives under the wisdom and direction of the Word of God leads us in the liberty of sons/daughters who know their Father desires nothing less than the richness of that purchased freedom. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has brought us to liberty that we may glorify Him who purchased it.  ”Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery.” (Gal.5:1, Phillips)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Freedom in Christ

July 4th is a celebration about freedom in the USA but we know that, the world over, “if the Son gives you freedom, you are free!”. (Jn.8:36, CEV)  “[Freedom in Christ] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal.5:1, NIV)  “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” (1Pe.2:16, NIV)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


July is For Setting Our Eyes on The Goal

The month of JULY IS FOR SETTING OUR EYES ON THE GOAL that is centered in Christ;  for getting a solid grip on His purpose for us.  “It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.” (Phil 3:12, CEB)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


To be in Harmony

As the people of God assemble today, may they come to be in harmony with each other and endure as they are encouraged by the example of Christ Jesus being taught and ministered in their midst.  “May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus. Then, having the same goal, you will praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom.15:5-6, GW)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Which is More Costly?

When wading into war became obvious on the present course of progress, 10 spies decided to change course for a whole nation and a whole generation. Not desiring to deal with any difficulties, they began to yell, “Giants!” Taking that lead in opposition to the will of God became very costly for them – much more costly than the war which was waged for the promised land (Num 32:13). But Caleb’s response to the opposition was, “We are able to overcome it.” Caleb and Joshua, who gave the good report, were the only two out of that generation who possessed the promised land.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Courage Accompanies Purpose

In the Bible God gives us the example of a young teenage boy with very limited abilities. He shows us this David who will not tolerate the bullying and tyrant posture of opposition to the will of God. Courage accompanies purpose. When we do not understand God’s purpose and God’s ways, not only will giants intimidate and prevent us but anything which poses as a possibility of change or adjustment in our comfort zones. When we receive a prophecy, the elements of that prophecy will require adjustments in some area. From the moment David received his prophecy, his life was in continual change being propelled toward destiny. Consider the story of Joseph’s life if you still have questions about change and adjustments.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Contend, Wage War, Heed

Do you have a word or promise of God that has not come to pass in your life? Then (1) CONTEND—Deut.2:24 “begin to possess… and contend”; “contend”: to excite oneself against a foe,  (2) WAGE WARFARE— 1Tim.1:18 “wage the good warfare”: expedition, campaign, (3) HEED—2Pe.1:19 “…the prophetic word which you do well to heed”:  to attach oneself to; to be given to or addicted to; to devote thought and effort to.  Seems that while we are expecting God to do it all, there is a considerable amount we can be doing.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Convictions and the Things That Inch Upward

How far up on the list have we let “minor” items inch toward “major” positions in recent years? Habits, indulgences and expenditures tend to creep ever upward among priorities and can eventually press biblically-based convictions out of position.  May the Lord help us to keep things in the order that the wisdom of biblical values would put them.   “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.” (Matt.8:22, Msg)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Sound of Hope

The sound of hope is never insignificant. Hope is the sound of heaven moved into the earth through songs, preaching of the Word of God, prophecy, conversation, teaching and testimonies. No hope is too small.    “…the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.” (Matt.12:21, Msg)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Consequences of Speaking Curses

Criticisms and curses which are being plenteously doled out in this nation will find a place to land. Those undeserving persons for whom they are intended will find that curses are like flitting birds that fly around with no place to land. ”Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].” (Prov.26:2, Amp) But that is not the end of it. I have heard it said that the old rabbis taught that the undeserved curse returns to roost on the roof from whence it came. Scholars believe that the wording in the Hebrew text expresses that the unprovoked curse shall return upon him who uttered it. An old Turkish quote says, “Curses, like chickens, always come home to roost.” Much of what sounds like some opinionated smart aleck just sounding off in a microphone, carries with it dire consequences if not repented of. Those who are the subject of undeserved curses should counter the curse by not receiving it and by speaking life over them and theirs, and speaking the covering of the provisions of Psalm 91.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KINGDOM CONGRESS 2019 is March 6-8, 219 at Grace International Willis,TX ** NO FEE
For Info: KC2019
____________________________________________________________________________________________


Acceptable Words

As the people of God assemble today, may they discipline their thoughts and actions and keep focused upon their Redeemer and may their speech, about one another and about events, be filled with God’s Word. May they verbally demonstrate hope for a victorious future in Christ and His Kingdom purposes. ”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Ps.19:14, NKJV)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Criticism Not Neutral

For years, the leaders of this nation and special interest groups have been filling its atmosphere with criticism and caustic vitriol. Its presence so thick in the atmosphere has increased it and made it contagious. There is an inescapable principle in the Bible. It isn’t God just getting mad at a few well-deserving individuals, it is a God-given law of the universe which tells us that no voiced vitriol is neutral. ”Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Prov.18:21, Msg)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Frustration and Reason

May we allow the Holy Spirit to reason with us when we get over into a mentality of frustration and anger, and begin to express views and attitudes that aren’t even reasonable. May He help us to recover in a timely fashion and grant us grace to repair the breaches. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD…” (Isa.1:18, KJV)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


God’s Kingdom in Effect

(Kathy Gabler) – God’s Kingdom has already been in effect, now is in effect and will be in effect always.  That contradicts that silent someday that would keep the Kingdom of God out of reach during our lifetime, or keep “righteousness and peace and joy” in His presence only a future, someday realization (Rom 14:17).  How messed up is it to think that righteousness, peace and joy are unreachable until you die?  That thinking would make “Thy Kingdom come” a death request.  Could we get any more perversely opposite to the heart of God than that?  Could we deny His New Covenant provision any louder than that?  If we think that His Kingdom (meaning His rule and His order) cannot come into earth now when we pray, is it any wonder that manifestations of His power show up piecemeal rather than bulk, or sporadically rather than continually?  Poor God.  When His stewards on earth think like that, they only accidentally stumble into agreement that opens the earth to God’s will in the now.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Marty and Kathy invite you to KINGDOM CONGRESS 2019  March 6-8, 2019
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Lord Help us Think

May the Lord help us to think through matters when they are presented to us before we act on them.    “Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them.” (Prov.3:21, Msg)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


A Season of Fear Dumping

(Melissa Gabler) —The Holy Spirit prompted me to ask for a season of “Fear Dumping”. Then I saw a picture of a chronic cycle just about at its start over place, but this time there was a button readily available to be pushed called “Fear Dump”. When we make the choice to push that button, all of the fear driving that cycle will be dumped causing that cycle to end! A season of fear dumping is upon us, PUSH THAT BUTTON!  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2Tim.1:7, NKJV)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Melissa Gabler will be leading worship and speaking at DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY 2018
September 14-16, 2018 at Grace International Church Willis,TX  936-856-2455
CLICK HERE FOR DVP2018 INFORMATION
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


May God Prosper

May the people of God see their accounts receivable increase significantly over last month. May every dime in accounts receivable be received before the deadline. May delinquent accounts from the past be caught up and paid within 90 days.  “May God prosper you and your family and multiply everything you own.” (1Sam.25:6, TLB)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The Father’s Marvelous Love

As the people of God assemble today, may they honor Him by trusting completely in His Fatherly love and wisdom toward them, and live this week in the peace and knowledge that He will never abandon them.  ”[ Divine Sonship ] Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children…” (1Jn.3:1, TPT)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Under My Father’s Shadow

When I was a small boy, there was a huge German Shepherd that would come trotting down our street every day. To my young eyes, looking through our backyard fence, he looked as big as a horse. I would tremble trying to hide behind the gatepost and hoped he did not look my way or come up our driveway. One day my father was standing outside the fence, in the driveway, talking to our neighbor. I was standing next to him. That dreaded wolf-like creature came trotting down the street and looked right at me as he passed. I simply put my arm around my father’s powerful leg, looked right at that hell-hound and stuck my tongue out as far as I could! I had no fear and wasn’t in the least concerned because I was convinced my father could handle anything that slobbering, long-toothed denizen-of-the-hood might attempt. If I am overshadowed, I don’t have a shadow. If I am hidden in the shadow of my Father, I am so close that HE is the one who is seen and I am afforded His protective covering.  ”He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” (Ps.91:1, AMPC)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Our Father Who is in Heaven

(Kathy Gabler) — Who is in heaven . . .“Our FATHER who is in heaven,” releases a son from any earthly father’s shortcomings.  There will be no hindrance in our conversation because of a father’s bad mood or because of an earthly father’s personal guilt or distraction or misunderstanding or prejudiced opinion or unjust anger or mistaken views or lack of foresight.  His being in heaven declares His Divine Supremacy while removing all human limitations.  We are praying to a powerful Father, the Father who is situated above all, the Father who controls the universe, the Father who is almighty, the Father who is subject to none, the Father who prevails over all.  Praying as a son changes the posture, scope and expectations in prayer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Our Father

(Kathy Gabler) — Our Father . . . The first emphasis in Jesus’ instruction was to start prayer from the “Our Father” position of a son to his father.  This places priority on relationship rather than protocol and on heritage rather than hierarchy.  Relationship assures us we can be confident of acceptance when we approach Him personally, face to face.  Lack of relationship (1) leaves us unsure and at a distance, (2) a questionable guest in the throne room or (3) a needy outsider having to beg.  Coming face to face is about knowing our Father well enough to see as He sees.  If we don’t come face to face, we position ourselves on the peripheral where we are susceptible prey for misbeliefs  about God.  When men are too far away to really know Him as a son, they are more apt to lean to their own understanding and create images from their own imagination and experience, like the ancient Greeks did.  The gods they created had so many human flaws that their supernatural powers over men were distorted to extremes by emotion and whim.  If misbelief misrepresents God, it corrupts the potential and purpose of relationship and the motivation of the heart.  Then there is no sonship and no “Our Father” entrance into the dimension of prayer Jesus taught.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________