FIREBALL

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 29, 2010 - Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

S - Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.

O - God was saying through the prophet that even though to man it looked like Zerubbabel was weaker than his enemies, because God's Spirit was upon him, he would be victorious over them.

A - In our weakness, God shows Himself strong. Have you ever seen a small person operating under the mighty Spirit of the Lord? They're fireballs. It's an awesome thing. You know when you witness them that nothing will stop them. That's the manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord.

P - Lord, make me a holy fireball for you. I am willing to be so yielded to your Spirit, that "mighty" and "powerful" are overcome by You.

KEEP ON KNOCKING!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/28/10 Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11 - KEEP ON KNOCKING!

S- Luke 11: 8-9 AMP - I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.

O - This encouragement to be persistent in prayer speaks of a friend who wakes his neighbor up in the night asking for bread when unexpected guests arrived.  The neighbor finally gives him bread because of his persistence.  We are encouraged to present our needs boldly, "Don't bargain with God.  Be direct.  Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in." (Luke 11:10 MSG).

A - Our son has been applying for Mechanical Engineering jobs since graduating from college a year ago.  In the meantime, wonderful character developments have been developed, such as humility, patience, peace and a stronger trust in God. The fruit of waiting has been worth the hardship presented by the wait.  But with persistence, he keeps on knocking and we know that the Lord has the job for him. Keep on knocking -  because "to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened!" (11:10)

P - Lord, I pray for our son, that you provide the right job for him in the area close to his homechurch.  I speak a bright light over his resume - that it will shine out and be seen in the midst of many applications. I ask for the door to be opened and I thank you for the fruit gained in the wait!  Wow!

"ONE THING"

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 9/27/10 – Haggai 1,2; Psalm 129; Luke 10 - “ONE THING”

S – Luke 10:41-42 – “But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

O – Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha was preparing a meal, which was not wrong…people had to eat. But Jesus was telling her that she was too preoccupied with work and her burdens, and was anxious and troubled as she tried to serve the Lord; yet she was missing the greatest and most lasting blessing. Mary was occupied with Jesus; Martha was preoccupied with what she was doing. What we do WITH Christ is far more important than what we do FOR Christ. It is out of our heart of love and passion for Him that serving must flow. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the good part; for she chose intimacy, and that intimacy will never be taken from her.

A – This passage reminds us to put first things first. Intimacy with the Lord will bring peace and joy to a heart that can then serve Him. It is so easy to get caught up in all we should be doing FOR the Lord and miss out on time WITH Him. I love the way the Message Bible puts it: “The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it — it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Being with Christ is our MAIN COURSE! Everything else we do for Him are side dishes!

P – Lord, draw us into deeper intimacy with You. Cause us to seek You, love You, and desire You so that everything else that we do for the Kingdom flows with ease from a love relationship with You.

A New Beginning

S- Ezra 3:10 - "When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the pirests intheir vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord."

O - It was a breakthrough long-awaited moment, and a new beginning.
Emotions were expressed freely: excitement, thankfulness and tears. No matter our up and down emotions, our situation, our history, we can take our place and proclaim "He is good: his love endures forever."

A - I want to take my place, to stand my ground in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving.

P - Lord, thank you for new beginnings and for breakthroughs.

Ezra 1; Psalm 84,85; Luke 7 - WE ARE BLESSED By Mary White

S -- Psalm 84:4,5, & 12 “Blessed are those who dwell in your house..” “Blessed are those whose strength is in you.” “Blessed is the man who trusts in you.”

O-- The Psalmist repeats the word blessed three times in this chapter.

A-- These three versus are linked together. Why are these people blessed? Because they dwell in God…follow Him…(going where He leads.) And trust their lives to Him. I want this for my life. I want to be in His presence, go where He leads, and trust Him with my life.

P-- Oh God help me to remember who I am in You, and that I can trust You with my hopes, dreams, and my life. Thank You for loving me and for Your faithfulness in my life and the life of my family.

Thursday Sept. 23, 2010 Dan. 11, 12 & Luke 6 Give it away

S- Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

O-Jesus shared many parables with HIs disciples and the crowd of people waiting to be healed and or touched by Jesus. Give.......Love.....Do not Judge......Know a tree by its' fruit.....use your wisdom. and you will be bless. Even though we are blessed, does not mean that life is easy. It means that we are Blessed because we have Christ and that's all we need.

A- Jesus came to Give. He Gives to us in so many ways, and all He asks is that we do the same. If we give without using a measuring cup as to what we give, He will over fill our cup to be overflowing. When we give, it's also an act of love, and selflessness as long as it is done with the right intentions. God loves a cheerful giver. Some of God's best blessings come from the unexpected giving to another. If He can trust you to give the small things, He will eventually trust you to give bigger things.....that's really the test.

P- Lord, Let us love as you love. Teach us to Give like you gave. Help us to not judge, and to treat people as we would want to be treated. Give us the wisdom to know the deceit from the enemy. Alow us to see a tree for it's fruit. Thank you for blessing us in all things, even when we can't see it. I pray a divine appt. for an unexpected opportunity to Give, to bless someone today:)

GET OUT OF MY WAY

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 22, 2010 - Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

S - Luke 5:19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

O - Some men knew that Jesus could make a paralyzed man walk. All they had to do was find a way to get the man through the crowd to Jesus.

A - How many times have I walked away from something because I didn't feel worthy enough to fight for what was mine? More than I can remember. But, one time I didn't walk away. One time I was selfish for all the right reasons. One time I fought my way to the right line to stand in front of the woman whom everybody wanted praying for them - because I was desperate for a touch from God. I was desperate to get an impartation of what this woman had. And the experience was life changing. Fight for what is rightfully yours through the promises of God.

P - Lord, I thank You that it's perfectly okay for me to be totally selfish in this one area of my life - my time alone with You. Refresh me, renew me, commission me, Lord.

WHAT IS YOUR MANDATE?

By Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/21/10 - Daniel 7,8; Psalm 137; Luke 4 - WHAT IS YOUR MANDATE?

S - Luke 4:17-19 MSG, Unrolling the scroll, he (Jesus) found the place where it was written, God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!"

O - Jesus read this Old Testament passage while speaking in his hometown synagogue.  This passage from Isaiah 61 prophesied his mandate - even years before he came to earth to minister and save the world.

A - One time I mentioned to a friend that I have a mandate from this passage.  She said she did as well!  Maybe because we have the Spirit of the Son living in us, it is common to have mandates that line up with our Savior's from this passage.  Mine is, "He has sent me to announce release to the captives (AMP), to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (NIV), to send away free those whom tyranny has crushed (Weymouth).  After being set free from the tyranny of Compulsive Eating (a 30-year struggle),  I want to help set other prisoners free.  I want to offer to others the freedom that the Lord has given me! I want to announce "FREEDOM!" to all the captives!

P - Lord, use us to minister to other people.  Give each of us a mandate that will keep us pressing into You and pressing on in our ministry to others.  May we offer comfort to others as You have comforted us.

Do you have a mandate from this passage (or elsewhere)??  Do share it with us!

HE IS SAVIOR AND DELIVERER!

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 9/20/10 – Daniel 5,6; Psalm 130; Luke 3 - “He is Savior and Deliverer!”

S – Daniel 6:27 – “He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth--He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

O – The miracle working power of God was not only evident in Daniel’s life as God rescued him from the lions, but it was a public display in front of King Darius. Darius saw that Daniel’s God lives (unlike the gods of the Medes & Persians who were dead idols); His Kingdom is indestructible; and He intervenes in people’s lives and delivers those who trust Him. As a result of witnessing the miraculous rescue of Daniel, King Darius made sure that Daniel lived in favor and honor under his reign and the reign of King Cyrus.

A – Daniel had an excellent spirit and did not live in fear of proclaiming Who his God was and what his God could do. God honored Daniel’s faith and testimony and showed Himself strong on Daniel’s behalf. As we choose to walk with an excellent spirit, and do not fear man’s opinion, we will see God show His miracle working power in our midst and before the unbeliever.

P – Lord, teach us to walk in an excellent spirit. Teach us to care about Your opinion, and not man’s. Teach us not to fear man, or even fear death; but rather to live our lives both humbly and boldly in honor of You. Show Yourself strong and mighty before all men so that they may glorify Your Name and honor You!

Living in Darkness

S- Luke 1:79 - "to shine on those living in darkness ..." (NJKV - To give light to those who sit in darkness ..."

O - Have you ever been on a cave tour, deep underground, and the guide decides to show you what the utter darkness of the cave is like. He or she turns the light off for a minute. It is a very strange feeling to be in such total darkness. You feel very isolated and almost disembodied. You can't see anyone and you can't even see yourself! I found it very uncomfortable to be in a cave in that darkness and so did a small child who was on the tour. The child began to scream, this raw terrible scream. I remember being angry, because the guide kept the lights off as that child continued to scream. Finally the lights came back on. Part of John's job description was to shine the light on those living in darkness, but at a low time in his life,while in prison, he too came to a dark place.

A - When I am in a dark place, isolated, cut off, unable to see my way out, I need to cry out to God and others to help me find my way.

P - Lord, help us to realize that we can minister to people who are in a dark place, and help us to know that when we are in a dark place, to reach out to others for help.

IT'S FREE!

by Vivian Bills

Thursday-September 16, 2010 - Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

S - Revelation 21:6 To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

O - If you are truly thirsty for the things of God, He will give you that for which you thirst.

A - "You have not because you ask not." - James 4:2 I've heard many people say that they can't hear God. How much do they want hear from Him? Is it that they want to know what things to do to gain what they want personally as opposed to just longing to hear God's voice and do His will? There is a difference, you know. Thirst for God because of who He is and He will show Himself to you. And all you have to do is ask and He gives for free, not in exchange for anything.

P - Lord, I thirst for You. Quench my thirst, Lord. Thank You that I don't have to do anything to earn Your attention! I love that it's FREE!

TELL THEM

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 15, 2010 - Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

S - Psalm 145:4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

O - The psalmist is talking to God and saying that He is so great that everybody talks about what He has done.

A - This should happen more often. It's easy to say "I believe in God and you should, too." But, it's not always easy to say why. If you don't have a reason beyond "I just do" then you should find one by contemplating your life. He IS awesome and we should be able to tell others, especially our children, why. If we don't, they might not find their own reason to believe.

P - Lord, help me to always be ready to tell of your great works. Thank you for the many physical and emotional healings I have witnessed in my life. Show me more, Lord and loose my tongue.

LIFE GIVEN TO DRY BONES!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/14/10 Ezekiel 36,37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19 - LIFE GIVEN TO DRY BONES!

S - Ezekiel 37:1,4,5  The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.  Then he said to me, "Prophecy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones... I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.'"

O - The Lord was showing Ezekiel a time in the future when He would restore Israel to one nation, under one King.  It was a beautiful picture of complete deadness being restored to abundant life.

A - The Lord has done this for us!  We have each had the breath of the Spirit of God blown into our slumbering spirits.  Now we can tell others of His life-giving Breath.  And we can also prophesy life to others, that God wants to come and bring life to the dead places in their lives.  May we be an encouraging bearer of good news to others from our own testimonies as well as from the knowing that what God has done for us, He will do for others.

P - Lord, you gave me life!  And then you restored a horribly devastating area of my death in my life - and made it beautiful!  Thank you for breathing life into the Stronghold of Compulsive Eating and restoring Normalcy to my life.  May my life be a testimony to others that You bring life where there is complete death.  You are a Life-Giving God!!

"Come Out!"

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 9/13/10 – Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18 - “Come Out!”

S – Revelation 18:4 - And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

O – Some of God’s people are in this city and He wants them to come out for two reasons: 1-the city will be destroyed and He wants them saved; 2-the city is satanic and He does not want them defiled. “Come out!” has always been God’s call to His people, for salvation means separation from the world unto the Lord.

A – This call to “come out!” can apply to each of us in our everyday lives; cautioning us to be ‘in the world but not of the world’ and to stay pure and holy before the Lord in spite of what goes on in our culture. God wants us to protect our spirit from defilement, and it requires us to be vigilant so that we don’t get caught in the flow of the world.

P – Lord, teach us to cause our devotion for You to be such that we guard our relationship with You with vigilance…refusing to allow the invasion of anything that will hinder a walk of purity and holiness.

We Always Have Choices

S- Daniel 2:21 - "He gives wisdom to the wise."

O - Daniel was part of an elite group that showed gifting for learning and leadership. This group was kidnapped and brought to a foreign country. Though much was out of Daniel's control, he realized that he still had choices. In chapter one, verse 8, Daniel chose self- control in his diet. He did this in a wise, tactful way by asking for permission and offering a 10 day trial. When faced with a life threatening situation, he wisely knew his limits and called for prayer. When given an amazing insight, he wisely remained humble and gave God all the glory. When promoted to a high position, he wisely remained connected to his friends who could keep him grounded.

A - In every circumstance, even unfair out of control circumstances, we still have choices.

P - Lord, help us to make wise choices in the area of self-control, in relationships, and in handling both successes and challenges.

NEW EVERY MORNING by Mary White

S--Lamentations 3:21 “Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope.”

O--In these passages the writer’s first 21 versus are full of lamentations, complaints and whining over the circumstances of his life.

A--The writer, in spite of his suffering, gains hope in what he knows about his God. He knows that vs.22-23 says “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails, they are new every morning…great is “His” faithfulness.”

When things get really tough, a love one is ill or dies, accidents, betrayal, loss of job etc. it is easy to become discouraged and feel hopeless…”yet this I call to mind”. This is the time to stop and call to mind who our God is and what He has for us. His "love, goodness and compassion fails not…they are new every morning."

P--Oh God, I thank you for your love, compassion and faithfulness. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. You are awesome!

Friday, September 10, 2010 Lamentations 3-5; & Revelation 15 NEW EVERY MORNING

S--Lamentations 3:21 “Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope.”

O--In the scripture the writer’s first 21 versus is full of lamentations, complaints and whining over the circumstances of his life.

A--The writer in spite of his suffering, gains hope in what he knows about his God. He knows that vs.22-23 says “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails, they are new every morning…great is “His” faithfulness.”

When things get really tough, a love one is ill or dies, accidents, betrayal, loss of job etc. it is easy to become discouraged and feel hopeless…”yet this I call to mind”. This is the time to stop and call to mind who our God is and what He has for us. His love, goodness and compassion fails not…they are new every morning.

P--Oh God, I thank you for your love, compassion and faithfulness. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. You are awesome!

Thursday Sept. 9 Lam. 1,2 Obad; Rev. 14 You Decide

Thursday Sept. 9

Lam. 1,2 Obad; Rev. 14

You Decide

S-(MSG) Rev. 14: 7 "Fear God and give HIM glory! His hour of judgement has come! Worship the make of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!

O-this passage in revelation talks about the vision of the end times, and when the harvest will come, through great tribulation the satan brings upon the earth, who pretends to be God. Those that choose God and worship Him will have eternal life, and be saved. Those that choosed the beast that will perish.

A- Reading in revelations is a wake up call. It really is going to happen one day, and it can happen any day.......what will you decide? But in reality doesn't the decision happen every day..........We will not know the day or hour of our death, so to keep my walk with Jesus to be the best it can be, and to be Ready, Ready at all times, not just in the end times.

P-Oh Father, purify my heart, purify my mind, purify, my actions so that I am always ready to meet you in heaven. Thank you for the wake up call in your word, and for your teachings, so that we have the what is needed and then decide whether to walk with you, or walk without. I choose you, forever. Amen

WITHIN YOUR TEMPLE

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 8, 2010 - Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

S - Psalm 48:9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

O - The church is where you should think about how much God loves you!

A - When I meditate on the love of God, I find joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding and rest for my soul. Some Christians say you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. My stance is - why would you want to stay away? Some people avoid church because of the other people that are there. But, why would anybody want to let mere mortals stand in the way of their relationship with God? This is where I get selfish. Get out of my way! I have a date with GOD!

P - Lord, I thank You that You are with me always and always are available for me. And thank You for the church, Lord - the special place where I can go to meditate on how unfailing Your love is! Help others to see past the faults of people and to look right into Your eyes of love.

Taking Time to Rest

By Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/7/10 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40,41; Revelation 12  Taking Time to Rest

S – 2 Chronicles 26:21 - The Land enjoyed its sabbath rests.

O – During the seventy year period of captivity in Babylon, the land of Israel caught up on it's sabbath rests. It was given a break from the sowing of crops and was refreshed and restored - for when the nation returned to the land years later.

A – Wow – this has been an amazing summer for me! I have taken more vacation and “down time” than I have in years. I have spent vacations with family, friends, and cousins. I have been to camp numerous times and even enjoyed some time of writing in the quiet and peace there. We need it! Especially when our “normal lives” run pretty hard. Are you taking any time for rest? I remember one youth pastor really encouraging our children to schedule a day of no responsibility weekly. Do you have a day? Our body, soul and spirit need to be recharged on a regular basis. Being outside in nature does wonders for me.

P – Lord, help us! We need down time but we live in such a crazy culture. We need refreshing regularly. You ordered the land to take off every 7^th year for restoration. Please help us to build regular rests into our lives – and not just for vacations, but on a regular basis, built into our schedules. We will be happier and healthier for it.

GLORIOUS AND ALL-POWERFUL!

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 9/6/10 – Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11 - “Glorious and All-Powerful!”

S – Revelation 11:17 - "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.” NIV

O – This is a proclamation of God being the Eternal One, always the same, all-powerful, and He has established His Church upon the earth. He has carried forth His glorious purposes amidst all the changes and rebellion that have occurred in the world. The setting up of His Kingdom over all the earth, and causing His laws everywhere to be obeyed, will be among the highest demonstrations of divine power. Nothing can accomplish this but the power of God.

A – It is stunning to read the climax of the ages in these chapters of Revelation! These chapters cause me to be in awe. The idea here is that Jesus has now set up His Kingdom on the earth and has truly begun to reign, and one of the characteristics of the millennium is that God will be obeyed everywhere. So far in the book of Revelation, Christ has been praised as Creator, as Redeemer, and here as King and Judge. So, my application of these verses? To adore Him for Who He is, all He has done and will do in the earth and in my life, for He alone is worthy to be praised.

P- Lord, You amaze me. Who You are drops me to my knees in adoration and worship and praise and thanksgiving. I give you reign in my life, now and forever.

Ezekiel 20, 21; Psalm 111; & Revelation 6

FEAR OF THE LORD

S--PSA. 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

O--This entire Psalm was written to praise God for His unfailing love to His people.

A--An awesome, reverent attitude towards God is the fear of the Lord. When we have and demonstrate this attitude we show that we are beginning to acknowledge who God is and the truth of His ways. This is the beginning of wisdom.

Because we have such a loving, personal relationship with Jesus, we may lose sight that He is, not only our friend and Savior, but also the all wise and knowing God, the Creator of the universe. We often think of God with human characteristics so we can better relate to Him.

The more we know God, through prayer, the Word and personal experience, the more we will comprehend His greatness, and be filled with awe and wonder.

P--Oh God I never want to lose sight of Who you are…my God, my Creator and my Savior. Thank you for being such an approachable, loving God. Help me to grow in wisdom and truth.

SPRING WATERS OF LIFE

by Cathy Weymouth

Thursday 9/2/10  Ezekiel 17-19; Rev 7  SPRING WATERS OF LIFE!

S - Rev 7:17 The MSG, "The Lamb on the throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of life (the springs of living water, NIV).

O- Although this scripture in Revelation is referring to those coming out of the Great Tribulation in the future, I am grasping it for my life today!

A - I need to come to your spring waters of life, Jesus.  You are My Shepherd now, and when I take time to meet with you, alone, I am often refreshed.  I am refreshed when I worship you at the piano alone, I am refreshed when I focus on you in the woods alone, I am refreshed when I read your Word and focus on You.

P - Lord, may we never forget the opportunity we have as Christians to experience your refreshing spring waters of life.  Thank you that we live in the New Covenant times, with your Spirit within us.  May we run to You within, drinking heartily of your refreshment.  Thank you!

BEAUTY

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 1, 2010 - Ezekiel 15,16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

S - Ezekiel 16:15 But you trusted in your beauty, and used your fame to become a prostitute.

O - Ezekiel is speaking of how the Israelites used the gifts and talents that the Lord bestowed upon them to gain what they thought was favor in the eyes of men.

A - It is desirous to be desirous. That's what it's all about as far as the media is concerned. Teens strive for it - especially girls. The goal is to be desired. But, when that is what one lives for, when the beauty begins to fade with time, then the tables start to turn. And the one previously sought after becomes the seeker - paying others to do what they found so easy to do for free before.

P - Lord, I thank you for the beauty of youth. Help me, Lord, to teach these young people that it is more important to be beautiful to the Lord than to man. This beauty will never fade, but will only grow more brilliant with time.