dickbraswell

Word for Today:  February 14

Valentine’s Day Love Facts

• Love is not impatient but, instead, longsuffering.
• Love is not envious of others.
• Love is not self-centered, proud, haughty or puffed up.
• Love is not conceited.
• Love is not rude or crude.
• Love is not touchy or fretful or resentful.
• Love takes no account of the evil done to it.
• Love does not rejoice at the failures of others.
• Love believes the best of every person.
• Love bears up under anything that comes.
• Love endures every hardship without weakening (I Cor 13 Amp.)

1. LOVE encourages, builds up and edifies.
2. LOVE roots out all fear Perfect love casteth out fear… I John 4:8
3. LOVE makes your FAITH work Faith worketh by love…
4. LOVE heals sickness and keeps bodies well.
5. LOVE conquers selfishness and self-will.
6. LOVE makes marriages work and stops divorces.
7. LOVE makes your children obedient and respectful.
8. LOVE builds and bonds human relationships.
9. LOVE covers a multitude of sin. I Pet 4:8
10. LOVE forgives and forgets.
11. LOVE overlooks faults and weaknesses.
12. LOVE endures long… is patient and kind.
13. LOVE sees the best and believes the best of every person.
14. LOVE will not criticize.
15. LOVE will not wound or hurt or hinder.
16. LOVE will not find fault.
17. LOVE will not create strife and division.
18. LOVE will not gossip.
19. LOVE will not destroy or tear down.
20. LOVE suffers in silence.
21. LOVE gives expecting nothing in return.
22. LOVE speaks the truth.
23. LOVE is honest and full of integrity.
24. LOVE never fails
25. LOVE is GOD

God is Love

…God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  1Jo 4:16

Word for Today:  February 13

Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost marked a pivotal point in the history of the Christian Church.  (Acts 2)

It was the Birth and the Beginning of the New Testament Church.  The Book of Acts records this event as well as the subsequent development and growth of what we know as the “Church.”

Today, we need to go beyond Pentecost.  Pentecost was the beginning, but that was nearly 2000 years ago.  If we are to fulfill the Great Commission and prepare the earth for the Coming of Jesus, we must progress beyond Pentecost.

As we enter into a fresh new season of change, I believe God is raising up an Army…. an Army of Believers who will Believe God and who will believe the Word.  A People who are not moved by circumstance or situation but who are committed to follow Jesus to the death if necessary.  A generation of turned-on and tuned-in Believers who are not content to stay stuck, but who are determined to move on Beyond Pentecost.

It is this Body of Believers, I believe,  that will comprise the Last Days Church… The End-Time Church… the Vibrant, Powerful, Miracle-working Body of Christ… the literal, visible, tangible, living, breathing extension of God on earth today.

Word for Today:  January 12

God’s heart has never changed.

His heart has always been inclined toward man.  It is now and it always has been.  Man was originally created in order that God might have a family.  God wanted companionship.  God wanted fellowship.  God wanted relationship.  God wants to love and He wants to be loved.    God wanted to have a family to love and to bless and to keep unto Himself.

This is the Heart of God.

God wants to have children that will reciprocate His love.  God is Love, God loves and God wants to be loved.  Do you realize that God made the heavens solely for the benefit of earth? Do you know that God made the earth solely for the benefit of man?  Can you believe that God created all animal life and plant life solely for the benefit of man?  Everything and all things that God created by His power, were and are created for the benefit of man.

And God made man for Himself.

All of creation is designed to sustain human life.  Scientists are now beginning to recognize that the entire universe has been created and calibrated to support and sustain human life right here on earth.   The original Plan God had is still the same.   Even though satan entered and Adam sinned and death was brought into the earth, God has Eternally Purposed for Man to be His Own.

You belong

Word for Today:  February 11

If any man be in Christ he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new…  II Cor 5:17

Adam lived in the realm of the Spirit in the Garden of Eden.  He was created in Perfection and he lived in Perfection until the entrance of sin.

• Adam had perfect fellowship with God. He was totally righteous and free from any and all condemnation.   He did not sin before he met the enemy.
• Adam lived in Perfect and Perpetual health. He was never sick and he was never weak.  He lived in state of continual well-being.
• Adam was prosperous. He had no needs that were not met and he experienced no lack and no want.  He had food, shelter, protection, fellowship and companionship.  He was totally without lack or need.
• Adam never suffered. He never had an accident or lived under any circumstance.  He was free from fear and anxiety.  He lived by faith.
• Adam was Perfect. He was perfect in Mind, Body and Spirit.  He was strong and mentally alert.  He was perfect in every way.
• Adam orchestrated Nature and enjoyed its cooperation. The earth worked with Adam in providing an abundant supply for his every need.  The animal and plant kingdom were blessed because of Adam.
• Adam operated in and exercised Authority and Dominion over the World God had created for him. God was “number One” and Adam was “number two.”

When Adam died spiritually, that spiritual death was passed down to all his posterity… the whole human race.

Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men… Rom 5:12.

Adam’s sin resulted in the whole human race dying spiritually.  Therefore every person is born with a dead spirit.  That is why Jesus told Nicodemus:  “Ye must be Born Again…”

Our dead spirit is “Quickened” or made alive at the time we are Born Again.  This means “re-created” or “restored” (Eph 2:1).

What God did in Christ is greater than what satan did in Adam.

What God has done in us is greater than what satan can do to us.   (1 John 4:4)

We are God’s New Creation

Word for Today:  February 9

Commitment

God is extending a calling to His People in this hour… it is His call to commitment.

Commitment is the “Works” part of Faith.  Faith without Works is dead… or faith without commitment will not work.  In the book of Acts, the early Believers were committed to the point of a willingness to die for what they believed (and many did).  That is commitment.

Commitment means:

• Responsibility
• Obedience
• Dedication
• Involvement
• Sacrifice
• Singleness of heart

Many today want to know “what can the Church do for me and my family?” Commitment says “What can my family and I do for the church?”  Commitment seeks to minister.  Selfishness seeks to be ministered to.    It is not “What can I get out of it?” but rather, “What can I contribute to it?”

The Military demands commitment.  I clearly remember the day I stood before an officer in the Navy and pledged my commitment (to the death, if necessary) to the protection and defense of our great nation.  Every soldier is expected and commanded to lay down his life for his country if necessary.  He is committed to protect it at all costs.

Ministry demands commitment.

Realizing your dream demands commitment

Marriage demands commitment.  Each partner is commanded and constrained by commitment to the other.

Business… Job… Education… Aspiration…  success in life…. all of these demand commitment.

God is calling YOU to a higher measure and level of commitment to His Kingdom… To His cause… To His Church… To the Lost World…

Be Faithful

Word for Today:  February 8

The Power of Pentecost

Pentecostal Power which is so evident in the New Testament is, unfortunately, not found in many churches today.

Signs, wonders and miracles are not the only evidence of Holy Ghost Power.  Changed lives are the evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

Sin, repented of and removed is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.  Love prevailing and forgiveness toward those who have wronged us is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

Clean living and holy thinking and right doing are all evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When we care more for prayer and fellowship with the Father than we do for our own entertainment, that is evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When worship and praise God, and when Word ministry are priorities, that’s evidence of Holy Ghost Power.

When we desire God more than anything else… when we seek Him and cry out to Him and long for Him we are experiencing Holy Ghost Power.

When everything that offends is cut away and put down… when all our “idols” are smashed and reduced to dust, we have been touched by Holy Ghost Power.

You cannot experience the Power without something happening.  God’s Power inevitably produces results.

It is not more education that we need or bigger and more comfortable buildings.  It is not more efficient organization and more talented administration that we need.  It is not more professional choirs and musicians and more highly skilled worship leaders that we need.

We need the Power of Pentecost

… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.  Zec 4:6

Word for Today:  February 7

Count the cost;  pay the price

Elisha paid the price.  He met the condition.  He did what he had to do in order to receive his Anointing.  To get His Double Portion.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.   2Ki 2:9

I believe you want it, too.  Because this is the one most important thing in your life.  Whatever it takes, do it.  Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things that are before… do whatever is necessary.

In order to experience continual anointing…Repent of sin.  Get rid of wrong attitudes.  Get rid of the “content with what I’ve got” mode of living.  Get rid of criticism.  Get rid of jealousy and envy.    Get rid of greed.  Get rid of bitterness and sarcasm.  Get rid of lust and loose morals.  Get rid of connections that pull you down.  Get rid of unbelief.

There are more than likely only one or two main obstacles that stand between you and your Anointing.  So, you know what you must do.  Do it.

Put them behind you.  Put them under your feet.  Put them out of the way.

No price is too great to pay to live in the Anointing of the Holy Ghost

Word for Today:  February 6

Never lose confidence in the work that God began in you.

Being confident (peitho; inward certainty) of this very thing, that He (God) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it (epiteleo; fulfill completely), until the day of Jesus Christ… Phil 1:6

You are Called, Selected, Elected and Chosen.  You are important and you are loved.  God has begun a work in you and He will complete it.  You are not what you were but you are not what you are going to be.

Always expect every situation to turn around for your good.

For I know that this (situation, circumstance, defeat, etc.) shall turn to my salvation, (Soteria; rescue, safety, deliverance, health) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ… (Phil 1:19)

The battle is not yours… it is the LORD’S and He always wins.  Anytime, every time and all the time.

Never allow satan to intimidate you.

And in nothing terrified  (pturo:  to frighten, to scare) by your adversaries… Phil 1: 28

Where there is no fear there is no devil.  Perfect love “casteth out fear” and “fear hath torment” and “torment” is exactly where the devil lives.

Stay humble before God and expect Him to exalt you in due season.

(Jesus) made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant…. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death… Phil 2: 7-8

The example Jesus set for us is awesome.  He literally became what we are in order for us to become Who He is.

Never let go of God’s Word… no matter how impossible things seem.

Holding  (Epecho: to pay attention to; to retain) forth the Word of Life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain neither labored in vain…  Phil 2: 16

God keeps His Word.  God honors His covenant.  God fulfills His promises.  God does what He says He will do.  You can trust His Word.

Never hang on to your past.  Keep reaching forward.

I c0unt not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before… Phil 3:13

1.  The Lord is my Shepherd.  As long as He is LORD He has liberty to function as my Shepherd.  At any time, He is not my Lord, then something or someone else takes charge over me.  I am the only one who can determine the Position Jesus holds in my life.  He will gladly function as my Shepherd…. as long as I allow Him to. 

2.  I shall not want.  When I recognize Him as Lord and allow Him to function as Lord, I will never want for any good thing.  It is my choice that determines how I live.  If I have chosen Him to be Lord, then this choice has positioned me in a place of abundance…. no lack and no need.  Hallelujah.

3.  He maketh me….  Some of the things He “makes” (commands, requests, orders, tells) me to do are contrary to what I want to do.  And sometimes what He orders me to do seems inappropriate and unnecessary.  This sheep was going places and the Shepherd told him to “lie down.”  Can you imagine the excuses the sheep might have given?  “But, I don’t want to lie down, I’m not even tired yet.”  “I can’t stop now; I’ve got too much to do.”  “I’ve got to hurry and get to the place I’m going…. I’m already late now.”  “But I want to go.  They need me over there.” 

4.  To lie down.  Lie down.  Lay down.  Be still.  Be quiet.  Stop what you are doing.  Quit it.  “Stay.”  “Settle.”  Cool it.  God says:  I want to spend  time with just you, not you and your busy-ness.  Just you.  Just you and Me.  I want you to talk with Me.  Visit with Me.  Slow down and Consider Me.  You are in too much of a hurry.  Lie Down. 

5.  In green pastures.  Once I stop, I discover that the place He stopped me is a place of Green Pastures.  I was hurrying to get to some better place, but God stopped me, and I discovered that Where I Am is the Best Place.  The place of nurture.  Rest.  Peace.  Sustenance.  Where He wants me is always the Best Place.  It may look better just a little further on, but here is best.  He placed me, put me, and established me.  And now, there is Green Pasture all around. 

6.  He leadeth me beside the still waters.  Still.  There is something about this being “still.”  This means quiet.  Approachable.  Drinkable.  Available.  Where I was going, the water was too swift and troubled to slake my thirst.  I couldn’t even get one drink.  But here, the water is still, and I can drink to my heart’s content.  He leadeth.  Not shoveth.  But leadeth.  He has already been where He is taking me.  He is even holding my hand in His.  Therefore, I have nothing to fear. 

7.  He restoreth my soul.  Restoreth.  Our God (Shepherd) is a restoring, reviving, reconciling, renewing God.  Where I have been has been a place of great weariness.  The course has been exhausting.  I am drained, Spirit, Soul, and Body.  But He restores.  Connecting with Him provides strength.  Energy.  Determination.  Perseverance.  A new beginning.  A fresh start.  Renewed strength.  As He restores my soul (my heart) His strength flows outward into all the tiredness of my spirit and body.  I am Restored and ready to continue.

8. He leadeth me in the paths of Righteousness for His Name’s sake

He leads.  Makes a way.  Shows the path.  Illuminates the course of my life.  Righteousness is the way I want to live but often is not the road on which I travel.  So, He takes my hand in His, and He Leads me. He sets the pace and shows the example. He Guides me.  Keeps me surrounded by Righteousness. Right living. Purity of thought. A life focused on Spiritual things. He Protects me from any wrong step heading in a wrong direction. All of this because of His Name’s Sake.  Because of Who He Is and What He does… He ensures our integrity and binds us to His Standard… And makes us Like Him.

9. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.. I will fear no evil.  Valleys are dark places.  Especially the one marked Death. Seems no one wants to go there, but it is destined for all of us.  But in the process, we will fear no pitfall or loss of confidence.  We experience all the shadows of death but see them only as shadows.  Ethereal things.  Not Real.  Only reflections. And He is With Us.  Every step of the way.  Held by His Grip and safe from death things. “For thou are with me…”  And that’s always enough

10. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  His correction is for our protection. His “rod” gently nudges us if we begin to stray.  His “staff” is equal to a “crutch” if we are wounded along the way.  Both his Correction and His Protection are basic characteristics of a Good Shepherd.  We are encapsulated in His Divine Protection, and everything is going to be all right.   

11.  Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies. When those who desire my demise and death are surrounding me, when impossibilities threaten, and there is no one is there to encourage, to help, to stand by… Guess what the Good Shepherd does…. He Prepares a Feast for me… a private party with the most delectable and delicious nourishments available, and then, He pulls up a chair, sits down and feasts with me.  While our bewildered enemies stare in wonderment at such a reversal of their evil intent.  I am safe.  I am secure.  I am blessed beyond measure.  HE IS WIH ME.

12.  Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.  The Good Shepherd makes sure all my needs are met… He anoints my head with oil… “Anoint” signifies pouring over me all things that make me “fat” (Heb Dawshane)and prosperous and continues to abundantly provide… until my cup runs over.  I am enabled to live a life continually running over with His Blessings and I can rest secure in all life situations.  His Supply is endless, and my cup is always Full.

13. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…  For certain, without doubt, definitely and unquestionable, HIS goodness (not mine, but HIS)and HIS mercy shall literally chase after  me all the days of my life.  I will never be able to outrun the love and faithfulness of the Good Shepherd… they and HE will always be on my heels as long as I live.  Then I will come Home where He lives and stay Home.. at His House throughout eternity.. Forever.    

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  Joh 10:11 

Word for Today:  February 2

Demonstrate satan’s Defeat

 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He (Jesus) made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it…  Col. 2:15

God is a God of demonstration.

He is a God of power, authority and might.

He operates in great success and triumph.

We are called to demonstrate satan’s defeat…  satan is the illegitimate and illegal ruler of this world…  he is a defeated enemy.  he is a liar and a cheat.  he is a bigot and an intimidator.  he barks but Jesus has removed his bite.

We have been given Power over the devil and his demons.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…  Mark 16:17

satan gets his power from ignorant Believers.  he cannot do what we will not allow him do.  We have been called into the kingdom to demonstrate satan’s defeat.  We have been saved to make an open show of satan’s limitations and to parade him before the world in an open display of his powerlessness.

We can do it because Jesus did.  Jesus destroyed the works of darkness once and for all.

satan’s defeat can be demonstrated daily by every believing believer.

he roars like a lion, but he’s toothless