Called and Equipped

Called and Equipped

God does not make empty promises. If He brings you to it, He is faithful to empower and equip you to accomplish His will. His gifts are irrevocable; His Word and promises are immutable. He equips the called and gives strength to the weary.

Lord, we praise You and claim the victory of what You are doing in and through us...equipping us for every good work...according to Your perfect and pleasing will.

In The precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Amen!

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.

2 Timothy 3:17
so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 11:29
For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Father God

Father God,

We bow down before Your Throne and choose divine partnership with You today and every day.

We pray for Your pouring of The Holy Spirit into our willing hearts; that You ordain and anoint us with ongoing sanctification and transformation.

We pray for minds that comprehend and partake of Your immutable knowledge, and to receive this holy truth into yielding hearts.

Mold us and fill us, Father, so we can be a beacon of hope to others and lead them to Your sanctuary. Show us how to be co-laborers in the building of Your Kingdom, and may it come swiftly to this hurting world.

Continue your completion in us, Lord; bend, mold and hone us into the authentic being You created and designed in us long ago.

And may Your flame blaze brilliantly within us, Lord...so we will shine radiantly as the sun and stars in the heavens...for ever and ever...

In Jesus Christ's Name,

Amen.

Matthew 13:43
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Heavenly Hope

May The Lord ordain, anoint and order our steps as we press toward a new world.

May He bless us with a fierce faith, strengthening and sustaining our hearts, as we fight the good fight and run our race...

And may we be filled with Heavenly hope in our high calling, with our eyes on the prize of eternity with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our own works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time eternal.

Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your minds on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

2 Timothy 2:10
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1 Corinthians 9:23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

God of All Comfort

Just as The God of all comfort has mercifully consoled, counseled, encouraged and ministered to us through His Holy Spirit...let us also love, comfort, encourage and minister in love to one another.

May we be knitted together through divine appointment and anointing of The Holy Spirit...rejoicing in our ongoing transformation, restoration and sanctification.

And may we forever glorify our Father in Heaven, loving one another as He has loved us!

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...

Hebrews 13:1
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.

1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Guarded Treasure

Let us be steadfast in truth and protect the precious treasure entrusted to us through the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.

May we be vigilant in our watch, guarded against temptation and doubt in this lawless and decaying world.

For, what seems to be even the most meager compromise concerning God's Word, can lend the enemy treacherous jurisdiction to wreak havoc in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.

2 Peter 1:10
Therefore brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble...

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called "knowledge,"

Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

God Will Do A New Thing

Satan likes to utilize our shame from past mistakes to fill us with a sense of indictment. The enemy gains a stronghold through our unhealed hearts; thus, intensifying and festering our anger, guilt and regret. He uses our lingering, painful emotions to rob us of our joy and peace in the present.

Even more dangerous, the enemy can glamorize the past in a way that makes us long for pieces of our old self. This is a dangerous, slippery slope. Remember Lot's wife! Our past is the biggest indicator of how desperately we need our precious Savior!

In contrast, God says we are a new creation and justified by the Blood of Christ. God says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. God is able to restore the years the locusts have taken away. He promises an abundant life full of hope. Through His grace, every mistake can be miraculously transformed into a beautiful testimony of His love, mercy, forgiveness and splendor.

The past, along with the present and future, belong to Abba God. Therefore, let us trust and honor God by surrendering it to Him, all for His ordained and anointed purpose. Let us partner with The Balm of Gilead in a heart healing; obey and trust Him to make all things new; praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.

Let us give God all the glory for how He made a way for us through Jesus; believe and fully receive His Grace. Let us rejoice that we are reconciled by The Blood of The Lamb; sanctified, transformed and regenerated by The Holy Spirit.

Take heart, for there is no place in the present or our future for anything old. We are a new creation...kin with Christ...citizens of Heaven. If there is anything useful from our brokenness, God can certainly transform it into something beautiful, according to His Will and all for His Marvelous Glory...

Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Luke 17:32
Remember Lot's wife.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

Joel 2:25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten...

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Demonstrative Love

Our worth is decided by God and God alone...His appraisal of our value is the atoning sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

God planned our existence before creation...loved us at our darkest and worked it together for our good to spend eternity with Him.

THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN HIS!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Psalm 139:13-14
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

The Lord Is Faithful

Do not be afraid. God will not allow the enemy to swallow you up. You are a child of the Living God. He will deliver you, honor you, and will be glorified through you. God is faithful. Even your enemies will see His power.

He will keep you in sickness, and in death. He will be your comfort. He will walk you through the valley, and you will fear no shadow. Hold on to His promises.

Like a compass on a ship set your course and find your way by the promises of God. They will lead you, comfort you, and guide you through the most treacherous path. They will give you direction and wisdom and open up your own understanding to His inerrant Word.

Study God’s Word. It abounds with nuggets of courage. It will strengthen you and help you, and fill you with everlasting life and peace.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Fullness of His Love

Praise The Lord that we are more than conquerors through Christ and His fragrant offering to The Father! We claim this victory today and everyday in The Name of Jesus!

Praise The Lord for His unshakeable, unwaivering, unconditional, incomprehensible, limitless love...that we may have peace on earth today, drenched in the fullness of His love...and Eternity with The King of kings and Lord of lords!

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 5:2
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 3:17-19
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God...

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Risen With Christ

This is our unending hope of eternal life...our priceless, undefiled and promised inheritance:

Jesus Christ was resurrected on the third day by our Holy, Heavenly Father that we too may live.

Hallelujah!

1 John 3:3
All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

1 Peter 1:21
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Acts 2:32
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 6:14
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

Garment of Praise

Lord, I worship You. You are my Lord and King, my precious Redeemer. There is no other God like You, entirely full of goodness, grace, and mercy. 

You heal us when we are brokenhearted and bandage our wounds. You build us up when we are weak in our soul. You are great and powerful  O Lord, and You understand all things, even what is in my heart.

Thank you that I don't have to live with sadness hurt or depression. Thank you that you have put gladness in my heart. This day I put on the Garment of Praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness, and I glorify you as Lord of all.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,  to proclaim freedom for the captives  and release from darkness for the prisoners, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise  instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. “

Isaiah 61:1-3

“I waited patiently for the Lord, And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.”

Psalm 40:1-3

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,     and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “

Isaiah 40:28-31

Seek Me Diligently

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.

Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, 'Great is your love toward me.'

You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all. That's amazing.

But what's most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to remember forever what a gift it is to sit with You like this in stillness and quietness taking in the purity, comfort, peace, and the transforming power of Your Holy Word by Your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus, Name, Amen!
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.'
Mark 6:31

"I have not spoken in secret, In some dark land; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek Me in a waste place'; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, Declaring things that are upright.
Isaiah 45:19

“For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel, "Seek Me that you may live.”
Amos 5:4

Give It To God

Resign yourself to the will of God and seek His counsel; walk not in fear or frustration.

Run to and rest in His eternal arms.

Lay all that burdens you at His feet and take His yoke instead.

He will fight for you; He will sustain you and uphold you with His righteous hand.

Surrender it all to Him...be still...and know that He is God.

Psalm 55:2
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Isaiah 28:12
...to whom he said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest," and, "This is the place of repose..."

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Antidote for Anxiety

Let us fix our eyes on our one true necessity...The Good Portion...that which cannot be shaken or taken.

Let us lay our burdens at His feet and listen to the whisper of His Word, receiving His Truth deep into our hearts.

And as we lean into Him and take His yoke instead, our worries of today will dissipate and disintegrate. For His burden is light and, as we come to know Him, we will receive His rest forevermore.

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Luke 10:39-42
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 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."

The Family God's Design

The family is of monumental importance to God and extremely influential in shaping the hearts and minds of children.

When a home has genuine Godly characteristics, and the foundation is built on Jesus Christ, the byproduct is going to be love, grace, identity, security, and significance. However, when a family is built on anything other, it’s going to be unstable and unsafe and will produce shame, fear, guilt, neglect, and abuse: unmet needs that cripple children emotionally, into adulthood.

What is poured into the soil of our hearts, then, determines the health of our roots; or, our beliefs; which affects how we view ourselves and the world around us.

The nourishment we receive is going to have a huge impact on our tree of life. If we are nourished in God’s light, we will receive the breath of life and believe that we are precious, valued children of the living God; but, if all we receive is darkness, we are going to believe what darkness breaths: lies about ourselves and others.

Despite your background or the family heritage you received, you can be the one who applies faith in the Cross of Jesus Christ, and bring healing to the hurts that have plagued your family. Choose life!

Anchored Hope

May we attain an unmitigated understanding of Who anchors and authors our hope, help, peace and purpose.

Thus, as we wait quietly upon The Lord's will...we can say with all that we are, because of all that He is...it is well with my soul, because my hope is anchored in Him.

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and steadfast. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain...

Psalm 38:15
For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.

Psalm 71:5
For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.

Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him...

Psalm 62:1
...My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.

Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Colossians 2:5
For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.

Resisting Temptation

God will not allow us to be tried, tested or tempted beyond what He has designed us to endure without compromising our faith. He is loving, compassionate and true to His promises!

Regardless of whether the trial is a test from God or a temptation rooted in evil, if we work through it in faith, we will find deliverance.

Wait upon The Lord, armored up in Light, and His purpose will be perfected in His timing.

1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful.

2 Peter 2:9
...if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials...

Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen

Freedom From Fear

God's immutable Word tells that us He has not given us a spirit of fear. Walking in a state of perpetual fear is bondage; a spiritual battle only conquered through God and His truth.

Reacting to protect ourselves from eminent danger is a healthy fear response. In contrast, being a slave to fear produces crippling hopelessness, doubt and uncertainty...all strongholds of the enemy. False emotions beget a faulty belief system, which robs us of our peace and derails us from our authentic path of freedom.

As with any darkness, a spirit of fear is demolished by light and truth...and that Truth is The Word of God. We must don the Sword of The Spirit...read, believe, absorb and apply The Word. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

Praise The Lord that He has called us into His marvelous light and that He is with us always!

Joshua 1:8-9
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Fruits of The Spirit

Fruits of The Spirit

May our roots run deep to holy, living waters;

May we flourish in our steadfast, intimate relationship with Abba Father;

And may we produce, experience and share an abundant harvest of the fruits of The Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit...

Matthew 7:16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 12:33
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Believe In Him

Let us PRAY WITH UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE, never tossed about the stormy sea of disbelief.

Let us cling to His promises and meditate on all He has done for us both individually and collectively as His children.

Let us rest in the peace of how and when He determines to answer and deliver, according to His will.

And may we be blessed by our Heavenly Father with endurance and an increase of faith...as He molds us for Eternity.

Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Psalm 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Mark 9:23
"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

John 11:40
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"