Gearing Up For The Day (2)

Running marathons has never been my thing or strength. I'm able to run a bit and then walk some before I pick up the pace again in my neighborhood. If any of us are to have any success in running in our walk with God, you have to learn to gear up and be patient with God and yourself.

After being a pastor for several years, I've had the opportunity to see many people walk in their journey with God. Some start out so excited and passionate with God, and then they fall by the wayside with deadly discouragement and their doubts.

The writer of Hebrews reminds each of us that were not the only ones running in this race. We are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses. It encourages me to know, were not in this thing alone. God has called many to run this race. Just as He helped Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Joshua, David, Daniel, Peter James and John and many others, so He will not leave you and I out.

He says; "Let us lay aside every weight." It's tough to run with extra unnecessary weight on your body. I've recently dropped 18 pounds in the last few months. Wow is it easier to run being a few pounds lighter. Nine months ago it took me on the average of 23 minutes to walk and run a mile. Big runner right? Now it takes me about 12 minutes to do my walk and run in a mile.

The point is it's taken several months to get to this point. It's real easy to quit when the run is hard. I'm still planning on shedding more pounds, because it's easier to run when you a bit lighter.

In order to run this race, the writer says; "run with patience." Chill out friend, be patient with yourself. I haven't cut my time down with ease and overnight. It takes time to create disciplines and time to trim back from the table and shed the extra weight that needs to come off. The flesh screams out for what it wants, only God can help us to overcome the stuff that tries to get in the way.

"Stay with it, don't give up, or give in till you get where God is trying to take you. God has a design and plan for you to finish strong and not finish dead.

We can all do this thing by looking unto Jesus who is the author and the finisher of our faith. What is it that you need to lay aside? Is it a hurt from a betrayal from a dear friend? Have you concluded that God let you down? Have you said; "I'm through, I'm finished, I'm bailing?" Joseph could have easily thrown in the towel had he not learned the virtue of patience.

God says; "Let us not be weary in well doing, in due season you shall reap if you faint not." (Galatains 6:9) Don't give up or give in, There is a reward for those who will gear up to succeed. Gear up each day with patience that God is for you and not against you. Who knows soon, you may be in a marathon.

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Gearing Up For The Day (1)

Before I take my run in the mornings, I know there are some essential things that I must do in order to have a good run. Stretching is critical for my run and so is gearing up and stretching my mind each morning with the word of God. Have you considered the healthy things you must do to have a great journey in your walk with God? Am I leaning on the Holy Spirit to lead me in the right direction today? Am I living my life with His joy and peace in my spirit? Am I being a light that is reflecting the love of Christ?

It's is a God thing to gear up the right way each day. It's also a fleshly thing to gear up with negativity. It's easy to gear up with the morning news and the stress and the pressures of the day. The flesh is easily convinced to complain about what's going on in the White-house, the School-house, and even the Church-house. Consider gearing up your mind each day on the good things of the Lord and what He has done for you?

Why did the Psalmist say; "It's a good thing to sing praises to the Most High"? He knew the value of placing his focus on his God that was greater than all of his problems. He knew there was no sickness, no enemy, no financial challenge, no battle or Red Sea crossing, and no fiery furnace that was too difficult for him to overcome.

Most of our problems stem from stinking thinking. Where is your mind heading today? It's so valuable to start out each day with the manna of God's word. No wonder Jesus said; " Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." If you starve your spiritual man from the pure water and bread of life, you will die from spiritual malnutrition.

You need to understand that you're thinking leads to decisions, which leads to actions, which leads to habits, which leads to character, which leads to your destiny. One wrong turn on the interstate can lead you further from your destination. It's also true with the thoughts you allow to get in the soil of your heart. "As a man thinketh, so is he. What your thinking on will eventually come out of your mouth and the steps that you take.

David said; "Bless the Lord o my soul and all that is with in me bless His Holy name. You're on target today by filling and stretching your mind with the good things of God.

Has the Lord saved you, given you the Holy Spirit to empower you, to lead you, to encourage you? Has He given you His peace and His joy for the journey? Has He not promised to meet and supply all your needs? Has He not promised that He would never leave you nor forsake you? Has He not promise that; " When you walk through the waters I will be with you and through the rivers they will not overflow thee and when you walk through the fire you will not be burned?"

Keep it up friend, gear up each morning with His word and His praise and take note you will be healthier, more vibrant, more alive to live out, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper." You will live out, "Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world."

dannysdevotional.com

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God's Timer and Thermostat

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

When will I get the new promotion, when will I find my marriage partner, when will my kid get right with God, when will I come out of this valley, when will this test end?

All of us want to see God do it now. "Let us not be weary in well doing but in due season you shall reap if you faint not." (Galatians 6:9)

One of the fruits of the spirit is patience. Without it you will find yourself producing Ishmaels. Abraham got tired of waiting on God, so he thought he would give Him some assistance. Sarah said take Hagar, she will give you a son.

Abraham took Hagar and she gave them Ishmael. For 13 years there was a cosmic void in his heart and marriage. After years of misery God said; "Walk before me and be thou perfect." (Genesis 17:1)

God is saying; "Chill out, settle down." God's timetable isn't yours, but His timing is perfect. "To everything there is a season and every purpose under the heavens." Years ago I made some brownies; I wanted them so bad I took them out a bit early. They were all gooey and undone. Friend if God takes us out of the heat and pressure to soon, it will interfere with the finish product that He is planning and working on in our future.

God has his hand on the timer and the thermostat. He does know what He is doing. Yes you may have a season that your heart is uneasy. You're waiting for the breakthrough, the miracle, the heavens to open up for your dream. But remember God is working on your patience and your character make-up.

When Abraham listen, God said now Sarah will have a son, and it will be the one that I have ordained. Isaac came in their late years. Impossible with man but nothing is impossible with God. God is the same yesterday today and forever. Isaac was the promise that had been given and he came in God's timing.

God hasn't forgotten you and the dreams He has placed within your heart. It's all about His timing and the character and faith He's constructing in your life. Faint not, and He will bring it to past.

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One Crack In The Door

Joshua 16: 10 They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day.

All a snake needs is a crack in the door to get to some warm cozy place. A serpent can get through one cracked window, one small opening to get where he wants to go. Israel did not drive out the Canaanites out of Gezer. It would bring heartache and grief to their future.

God has created a plan of victory for each of us. Satan is always looking for some opening to come in and make havoc of our lives. He wants us to believe that it's okay to live with anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, or a tongue that feeds on gossiping about others.

My wife wouldn't settle to go on to bed knowing a rattlesnake is in the house, we would leave the house and check into a hotel for the night until we knew the rattlesnake was dead. If we are to live a life of joy and peace and purpose, we must mortify or put to death the deeds of the flesh.

If you live after the flesh you will die, if you mortify the deeds of the body you shall live. (Romans 8) Ephraim was content to allow the Canaanites to stay in their place and live among them.

Have you gotten content with your habit of greed, or stealing from your boss? Have you said; "Nobody is going to find out about the affair, my hate and bitterness towards my neighbor?" Friend God already knows what's in your heart.

Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and pure heart. (Psalm 23:3,4) God sees all and knows all. What's the saying; "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile." The expression is in reference to I gave them the car for a day and they have been gone for a week. If you allow the devil a place in your life, He will ultimately destroy your life.

God comes to each of us through His Holy Spirit, and He will use a blog, a devotion, a message from your pastor, or a podcast from a unknown speaker. God is interested in you making heaven your home. He loves you so much that He doesn't want any of us getting bit with the poison of the serpent. The thief is out to kill you. If he can just get in your house, maybe you will get content living with vices in your life.

Today drawl the line in the sand and say enough is enough. Slay the intruder of sin and iniquity. Refuse to settle for less than God's best for your life. Today say; "Anger you will not have dominion in my life. Refuse to allow bitterness, pornography, jealousy, unforgiveness, lying, stealing from your employer to continue.

Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us.(Hebrews 12:1b) You can't imagine the freedom there is in living victorious over sin. God has already provided the weapons for each of us to slay the things that is out to destroy us. Go ahead; claim today "No weapon formed against me shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17)

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Failure? " Get Up"

Joshua 7:1-26

I don't know of anybody who doesn't feel like quitting after a great failure. Joshua has come off a great win from Jericho and now is ready to defeat his second territory Ai. He takes 3000 of his warriors but ends up discouraged and defeated running for their lives, losing 36 of his men.

What could have gone wrong? Were we not called to go in and possess the land? Has God changed His mind? The people were saying; "We should have stayed in the wilderness."

Joshua was on his knees and face weeping before the Lord and God comes and says; "Get Up, there is sin in the camp. Someone has taken of the gold, silver and the expensive garments and hid them in their tent." God was very clear that the first-part, the first win, the first city belongs to me.

Joshua was instructed to take the first part and place it in the treasury of God. Jericho was the first win of the ten cities that they would fight. God takes offense when we take the first-part, the first win, the first part of the check. God doesn't take it lightly when we steal from him. God instructs Joshua to uncover the wickedness of Achan's sin before Israel can move forward.

Israel deals with Achan and his family. They are taken and stoned, burned with fire. All the people realize the importance of giving God the first part, the first win. So many wonder why they're not living under God's blessings? Do you take the first -part? Have you placed within your possessions the tithe? God cannot and will not bless you when you choose to take what belongs to him. God warns us not to rob from Him. (Malachi 3:8-10)

When Joshua recovers what has been taken, he places the first- part in the treasury of God. Now they are ready for battle. Now they are ready to move forward. Now they are again under God's blessings. Now they can expect God's favor and blessings on their journey. Ai will now be defeated because everything has been placed in order.

Don't take another step until you have placed in order the first-part that belongs to God, and victory will be yours. He is no respecter of persons. "Get Up" Victory and Triumph belongs to the people of God.

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Spiritual Amnesia?

Joshua 4:6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?

Forgetting things can be very annoying and very painful. How many times have you gone back to the house because you forgot something?

This nation had a horrible history of soon forgetting what the Lord had done for them. They hadn't been out of Egypt across the Red Sea and 3 days later they're murmuring at Marah with no water. Israel had a habit of soon forgetting what the Lord had done for them. It is written in Psalm 78:11,106:13 that they soon forgot what God had done for them. God was conveying to Joshua the importance of remembering the works of His mighty hand.

Years ago I started writing down all of my miracles in a little black book. I was amazed how quickly it added up as I listed each of them out over the years. There will be times of discouragement that you will need to remind yourself of God's faithfulness. David must have been keeping record, He writes, "Many O Lord are thy wonderful works which you have done, if I were to number them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40:5)

When you spend time alone with God in prayer, what a great way to thank the Lord and Hallowed be thy name for the things He has done for you. There will be times that you will need to chase the devil and his doubts off. The Devil really doesn't want to stick around and hear about the good things that the Lord had done for you.

God instructed Joshua to place 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan river so that when the kids ask what are those stones, they could rehearse to their kids the amazing power of God that took them across the river over into the promise land.

Have you started writing down your miracles? Have you taken the time to write out about the day He saved you, filled you with the Holy Spirit, got you out of a jam with your finances, your marriage, your kids, your health, your not going off the edge of a cliff and so forth?

If you're discouraged today or in one of those tough seasons, go ahead begin to read about the past miracles He has done for you. That is if you have your own little black book? If not begin your own today. O will it make a difference in your pressing forward in the journey.

dannysdevotional.com

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Manna Was Never Seen Again

Joshua 5:12 No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan.

It's easy to live in the past, the good ole days. God is a God that provides fresh manna for each of us each day. In those days He wouldn't allow Israel to hoard up the manna for a week or a month, when they did, worms got in it. Was God now bringing them a new way of provision?

As Israel had obeyed the Lord in crossing the Jordan, God would now do a new thing. They would take the precious land that was gifted to them and plant seed in the ground. After their working the land, they would then take the harvest and eat from the land.

God says no manna appeared on the day they ate from the crops of the land. The manna was never seen again. From that time on they ate from the crops of Canaan.

It's easy to live in the past. Moving ahead isn't that simple for some of us. We want to hold on to the way we use to do things. For some odd reason we think the past is more holy than the present.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Living in the past will never bring your heart a rush. God says; Today is a new day. Are you planting the seeds today to reap the harvest for tomorrow?

Years ago we built a new sanctuary, yes that was exciting but what about the seeds that are being planted for the future? I ask myself, What about the church's 96 acres of land that hasn't yet been developed? God was telling Israel, it's a new day and now you will eat off of the fruit of the land.

I encourage you not to make a god out of your past. God never again dropped the manna from the sky, because God was now feeding them from the means He had provided in the new land. They would have to work the land in order to have food for their families.

Think next time you get down and depressed about the good ole days, there's nothing wrong with the sweet memories of victory, but move on to better things God has ordained for your life. Who would want to miss out on what He is planning for the future. "Not Me." I'm pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

dannysdevotional.com

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Invest and Invite (2)

About 20 years ago I made my first investment into a stock. I placed a thousand dollars for the investment and waited for several months to see what would happen.

Are you making an investment today into your family, your close friends, the associate at work, those you come in contact with? When I lived in Central Florida I had a neighbor, Foy that I wanted to reach for the Lord. After him having a heart attack, I knew I could do something tangible to show the love of Christ. Weekly I began to cut his 1- acre lawn.

God declares that each of us is called to invest into this great harvest field that desperately needs the Lord as their savior.

The forth thing we need is a Compeller within us. I have a bass boat that I take out to fish the river. Without a propeller at the bottom of the engine, I wouldn't go very far. Jesus said to go out and compel men to come in that my house may be full. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you're life. John 14: 17 states that the Holy Spirit shall not only be with you but In You.The Holy Spirit will give you thoughts like "Go ahead an mow Foy's lawn as well." Power to step up and do things the flesh wouldn't nornally do.

The fifth thing we need is Confidence.Fear will hinder you from making your investment. What if I lose my friend, what if they think I'm a nut? What if they say mean things about me? Jesus said; "I send you out as lambs among wolves." Yes people will be mean and will think we are a bit odd. "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that should show forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

After a year on my first investment, I had seen a nice return. A better investment was after a few months of mowing my neighbors yard, we became better friends. In that year he experience more complications with his heart. In that season I was able to lead Foy to the Lord. What a moment of leading him to Christ and hearing him call on the Lord to come into his heart.

A few days later, Foy left this earth and was called into eternity. Was the investment in Foy worth it? You better believe it and one day I look forward to seeing him in heaven. Invest and Invite and make a difference into someone's life today. God will place people in your path, a neighbor, a co-worker, an acquaintance. God opens up opportunities for us to make investment into someone's eternity. Some plant, some water, but God gives the increase.

dannysdevotional.com

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Invest and Invite (1)

Proverbs 11:30b  "He that winneth souls is wise."

Who are you investing in? Apple, GE, General Motors, Intel? I'm sure you that have set up a 401k have seen some returns over the years. It was about 6 years ago I sat in Silverthorn Colorado with my brother n law discussing buying Apple at 65.00 a share. I said; "But what if it goes down to 40.00?"

I'm not against investing in good companies but there is a better investment that each of us can make. Do you have a neighbor, a co-worker, a son or daughter, a cousin that has still not received Christ as their Lord and Savior?

The greatest investment you will ever make on earth is to plant God's love and His trajectory plan of salvation into a person's life. There are a few things that each of us need in order to do that.

First is a Commitment to go into the harvest field. Farmers receive a crop each year because they go and plant into the fields. Have you made a commitment to plant God's love today into somebody's life?

Second we need Compassion.When Jesus saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion. Allow God's love to flow to those around you at work, next door, as you go about your day. God will give each of us opportunities to show the love of Christ.

Third we need Courage. Fear attempts to hinder each of us in opening our mouths and sharing about what Christ has done for us. Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to speak up and tell others your powerful testimony of salvation.

Jesus sent out his disciples and He commissioned 72 others to change their world. As they obeyed His words they came back declaring great results and a return on their investment.

What are you investing in today? Yes I missed an opportunity to buy apple at 65.00 a share, my brother n law was much smarter and bought it. Today apple is around 600.00 a share. More important how many opportunities are you and I passing up to invest into people's lives. The most important thing in life is to plant God's seed and make an investment into someone's eternity? Plant and water into someone's life today that will forever change their eternity.

dannysdevotional.com

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Noah Found Grace

In the days of Noah, the world had become a sewer but the word says; "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:8 

God gave him specific instructions in a time where the world had gone to pot. Is it possible that you can find your way out of a black dark hole? When things have gotten so bad that you can hardly see your way going forward? Would there be any hope for Noah and his wife and his kids in this sewer hole environment?

When God shines his favor on your life, there is always a way out of your dilemma. God tells Noah that he is going to destroy mankind. He gives him details to build and ark 450 feet long, 45 feet tall, and 75 feet wide. He lays out a blueprint for him to build it 3 stories high, put a window 18 inches from the top with a door on the side of the ship.

God tells Noah that He is going to destroy the world with a flood. It's amazing to me that regardless of how dark and bad things are in life, God always has a plan of deliverance for his kids. There has never been a situation yet that God didn't have a way out or a plan of victory for his own.

The key to getting out of your dilemma's is to follow closely to his word. The word of God will never fail you. The culprit in missing God's plan is when doubt and discouragement attempt to throw us off. Noah could have said; "but Lord, where am I going to get all the teakwood? Where am I going to find the chainsaws, the blades, where am I going to find the scaffolding, where am I going to find time to do this project and take care of my family at the same time? Where am I going to find the support that I need to make this happen? How am I going to catch a tiger and put him in the ship?"

The answer is taking it one step at a time. The situation before you and I today may look impossible. The key to getting through your ordeal is just one action at a time. Noah didn't build the ark overnight; it took Noah 100 years to build this ship. God had a cup of grace for each challenge that he would face along the way.

He could have focused on his doubts, his questions, his concerns, his just not knowing how, but rather he chose to just simply listen to God and obey. Where would he and his family have ended up, had he not used his faith to move forward one day at a time? 

One day God said; it's time for you to load up the ship with your family and the one of every species male and female. It was his obedience that brought their deliverance. When the rain began to fall, somebody had obeyed their way out of their darkness with the grace of God.


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