Colossians 3:2

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Set your mind (phroneo: think, regard, affections, to seek, to strive for) on the things above (ano: high, upwards, above, of heaven), not on the things that are on earth (ge: land, ground, world, earthly).”

SUMMARY

Think on and set your affections toward things of heaven, not on worldly things of the earth.

MEDITATION

I could easily post this verse every morning and its significance would never get old. All that we do and the reasons why we do it is birthed out of where our thinking resides. If I have thoughts that are earth-bound, always focusing on temporal concerns, it will be hard for me to see past my immediate needs or trials. If I have thoughts that are always seeing according to the Spirit, I see the greater plan. I see with Kingdom of God vision that has no limits or bounds. Today, I encourage you to rise above your earthly circumtances and set your affections on the things above. Choose to dwell with the Most High, He is called that for a reason.

John 10:27

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“My sheep hear (akouo: hearken, give audience, to attend to, understand, comprehend, consider) My voice, and I know (ginosko: perceive, understand, intimately acquainted with) them, and they follow (akoloutheo: join, attendant, accompany) Me.”

SUMMARY

My sheep hearken to and understand My voice, and I am intimately acquainted with them, and they join with Me.

MEDITATION

I often get asked a common question, “How does one get to a place where they hear God’s voice?”. It may also be worded “How do I know the voice of God versus the voice of the enemy?” For me, the answer lies within this verse. Let me ask you, how do you recognize the sound of your friends voices? How is it that you have memorized the chords and chorus of your favorite song so much that you recognize it immediately? You took the time to familiarize yourself with them, that’s how! Knowing this simple principle, I’ll never understand why so many Christians seem to think that their relationship with God will just somehow "magically" appear. You will know your Shepherd by staying close to Him and listening. I will say it again, one must intimately know their Shepherd to know His voice. One cannot ever follow Him unless they hear and heed. Today, position yourself to hear Him speak – we are a people in need of His guidance.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

“And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“And if one can overpower (taqaph: prevail over or against, overcome) him who is alone, two can resist (`amad: withstand, stay, endure, remain, continue, stand firm against) him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart (nathaq: rooted out, drawn away, snapped, separated).”

SUMMARY

And if one can overpower and prevail over him who is alone, two can endure and stand firm against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly drawn away and separated.

MEDITATION

I’d like to address the married couples today. I can’t seem to escape how the LORD is doing something new within my wife and I, together. Many things that I used to do to interact with the LORD alone, I now feel compelled by Him to include my wife in. I cannot put into words how I know that He is desiring the relationship that He has ordained to come together in unity and power in His name. Is there spiritual strength in your marriage or are you frequently overpowered and separated? (And I'm not talking about just attending "church" functions together either.) I challenge you today men, to be the initiator of godliness in your home. Women, be the beautiful Bride that you are and invite the Husband to dwell in your home. The marriage is a metaphor of The Christ and His beautiful Bride! It is time that we do our role to strengthen our two parts of the strand, for He is always faithful to fulfill His!

Psalm 112:7

“[The man who fears the LORD] will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“[The man who fears the LORD] will not fear evil (ra`: adversity, harm, displeasing, worse, sad, misery, distress, evil, injury, wrong) tidings (shemuw`ah: rumor, report, doctrine, news); His heart (leb: mind, understanding, will, inner part, resolution, determination) is steadfast (kuwn: prepared, established, readied, fixed, set, securely determined), trusting (batach: confident, bold, careless, hope, secure and safe) in the LORD.”

SUMMARY

[The man who fears the LORD] will not fear reports of adversity or distressful news; His inner parts are steadfast, prepared and established, he is confident and bold, found secure and safe in the LORD.

MEDITATION

Over the last ten days, troubling reports have seemingly been all about. Last week, my wife had to go to the doctor and received the usual good news/bad news scenario. She and I had to deliberately choose the report of the LORD. I’ve also experienced health issues from two different directions. Neither of which are either pleasant or easy to ignore. A choice had to be made. Do we fear and submit to the weakness of our flesh or do we remain steadfast, trusting in the LORD? We have, and we will continue to praise the LORD together in the midst of it all! We will read the Word over one another’s bodies and settle for nothing less than what God has promised! I encourage you to execute what you have been given in Jesus Christ. Fear not, remain steadfast and trust in Him above any and all evil reports!

Isaiah 12:3

“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (KJV)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Therefore with joy (sasown: gladness, mirth, rejoicing, exultation) shall ye draw water (mayim: watersprings, washing, refreshment) out of the wells (ma`yan: fountain, springs) of salvation (yeshuw`ah: help, deliverance, health, saving, welfare, prosperity, victory).”

SUMMARY

With gladness and rejoicing shall you get refreshment and cleansing from the wellsprings of salvation.

MEDITATION

Today, whether you realize it or not, you will “draw water” from some well. It may be from someone else’s well, it may be from a worldly well, but you will draw your necessities of your day from somewhere. It’s my prayer that you draw out of the well that contains victory, healing, prosperity and every other good thing that your spiritual man needs. Origin is everything - draw all that you need today from God’s well of salvation. It alone will provide you with life and abundance.

Psalm 96:9

“Worship the LORD in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Worship (shachah: bow, bow down, obeisance, reverence, fall down, stoop, crouch, prostrate oneself) the LORD in holy (qodesh: hallowed, holiness, dedicated, consecrated, separateness, sacredness,) attire (hadarah: beauty, honor, adornment, glory); Tremble (chuwl or chiyl: dance, to twist, writhe, whirl about) before Him, all the earth.”

SUMMARY

Bow down in reverence, laying prostrate before the LORD, in beautifully adorned holiness; Dance, twist and whirl about before Him, all the earth.

MEDITATION

A casual read of this verse may incline one to assume that we’re supposed to put on our dress clothes and cower in fear before the LORD. Oh how wrong this assumption would be! (This is a fantastic example of why one must study the Word.) I ask you, when was the last time you physically bowed down and laid prostrate before the LORD? How recently have you whirled about and danced because your love for Him is overflowing and uncontainable? My friends, we’ve hardly even begun to worship the Father! The Word says to bring a sacrifice of praise! Sacrifices cost you something – in this case perhaps your pride or complacency. Today, worship the LORD as He desires you to! May all the earth know that we are His children!

Psalm 111:2

“Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Great are the works (ma`aseh: acts, labor, doings, deeds, achievements) of the LORD; They are studied (darash: enquired of, searched, sought with care, to frequent, consulted, investigated) by all who delight (chephets: pleasure, desire, long for) in them.”

SUMMARY

Great are the works and achievements of the LORD; They are searched, studied, and investigated by all who delight and take great pleasure in them.

MEDITATION

Where does one find the many accounts of the works of the LORD? In His Word, of course. Do you long to spend time reading His Word in order to know Him more? Do you anticipate what facet of God you will encounter the next time you sit in His presence? Does your joy and purpose reside in being in relationship with your Father? Let it be so! If you think you’ve been taught or told of all that there is to God and His works, you are greatly mistaken! Short on time? You will make time for what you long for. Did you eat yesterday? Why? Because you desired to. Did you take a shower? Why? Because it is simply a necessity, right? I encourage you today to study His Word, get to know the great works of your Creator. Everything that we do should flow out of our intimacy with Him – everything.

Hebrews 5:13

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.” (NKJV)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“For everyone who partakes (met echo: take part in, use) only of milk (gala: a metaphor for the less difficult Christian truths ) is unskilled (apeiros: without any experience or inexperienced) in the word of righteousness (dikaiosune: condition acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting), for he is a babe (nepios: child, childish, infant, little child, not of age, untaught, unskilled).”

SUMMARY

For everyone who only takes part in the simple things of God is inexperienced in knowing what is acceptable to God, for he is a childish, unskilled and untaught infant.

MEDITATION

I want you to imagine for a moment that I, a 35 year old adult, were to attend dinner at your house. When the meal is served and we sit down at the table, I reach for a small bag beside my chair. As everyone begins to fill their plates with mashed potatoes, green beans and fried chicken, I pull out a big baby bottle. I then proceed to stick it in my mouth and suck away! Would you not be apalled at such a thing! How ridiculous, right? To be blunt, I just described many of your spiritual walks. It is time that those who know the LORD begin to mature and act like responsible, wise and biblically educated adults. Today, take time, make time, to lay down the milk and move into some solid spiritual foods!

Jeremiah 17:14

“Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved,For You are my praise.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Heal (rapha' or raphah: make healthful, physician, cure, repaired, make) me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save (yasha`: saviour, deliver, help, preserved, salvation, avenge, give victory to) me and I will be saved, For You are my praise (tehillah: adoration, thanksgiving, renown, fame, glory).”

SUMMARY

Make me of good health O LORD, my Great Physician, and I will be of good health; Deliver and preserve me and I will be delivered and preserved, For You are the One that I adore and glory in.

MEDITATION

I’ve said this before, but can you imagine how vastly different this world would be if sickness, disease and infirmity did not exist? We are all confronted daily with sickness in some form. Despite its abounding presence, God’s desire is for us to be in good health. Sometimes I fear that many doubt their salvation as much as they doubt their healing, as scripturally, they are inseparable. Jeremiah understood that God was the Giver of salvation and healing as we see here that he correlated the two. Today, be found offering thanksgiving to the Father. Shower Him with adoration and glory! Expect healing in all areas of your life, great and small, for He is Jehovah Rapha, our Healer.

*I’d encourage you to do a word study on “salvation”, (sozo) for salvation is so much more than most realize.

Psalm 50:3

“May our God come and not keep silence; Fire devours before Him, and it is very tempestuous around Him.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“May our God come and not keep silence (charash: cease, concealed, be speechless); Fire ('esh: burning, flaming, supernatural fire) devours ('akal: burns up, consumes) before Him, and it is very tempestuous (sa`ar: whirlwind, storm) around Him.”

SUMMARY

May our God come and not conceal Himself, speechless; Supernatural fire consumes before Him and a whirlwind surrounds Him.

MEDITATION

It is imperative that we have a well-balanced, biblical view of God. Many only desire to speak of His abounding love and grace. Others desire to call down fire and brimstone, desiring Him to destroy all evil that is upon the earth. What we must remember is that the Word paints a vivid, extremely diverse picture of the LORD. He is multi-faceted beyond our comprehension! Lately, I have felt an increased urgency to ask the LORD to make Himself known in this hour. Above the clamor of this world, beyond the messes of men, even above our best efforts on His behalf, may He rend the heavens and make Himself known! Would you join me today to cry out as the Psalmist did? May our God not keep silent!

2 Samuel 22:33

“God is my strong fortress; and He sets the blameless in His way.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“God is my strong (chayil: man of valour 37, host, valiant, wealth, power, substance, might, ability, force) fortress (ma`owz or ma`oz: strength, fort, rock, place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold); and He sets the blameless (tamiym: without blemish, perfect, upright, without spot, uprightly, whole, complete, wholesome, innocent, having integrity) in His way.”

SUMMARY

God is my valiant, mighty refuge and stronghold; and He sets those who have been made whole, complete and upright in His way.

MEDITATION

Do you need physical healing today? God is your strong safety! Do you need provision of any kind? God is your mighty protection! Do you need strength to battle what lays before you? God is your valiant stronghold! In a world where trust and reliability are hard to come by, one thing is sure - whatever you face today, God is more than able. Make time to seek intimacy with the Father today, deemed as blameless and complete in Him. Position yourself in His mighty care.

Psalm 119:89

(This is a repost from the day after the elections with an updated "meditation")

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Forever (`owlam: everlasting, perpetual, evermore, always, continuous existence, everlasting, indefinite or unending future), O LORD, Your word is settled (natsab: stand, set up, upright, appointed, established) in heaven.”

SUMMARY

Forevermore O Lord, Your word is set up and established in heaven.

MEDITATION

On the morning of “historical change” here upon our piece of this earth, nothing has changed in Heaven. God is still in control and always will be. There is no power shift, no change of office and no "new" direction. There is one true Kingdom and the LORD alone sits on the throne – established for all of eternity. My hope, my future, my everything is in Him alone. Whether the immediate days are teeming with life or riddled with darkness, I will boast in the LORD, for He alone is King.

Psalm 28:1

“To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“To You, O LORD, I call (qara': proclaim, invite, cry out, summon, invite, commission); My rock (tsuwr: strength, mighty One), do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent (chashah: still, silent, inactive) to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.”

SUMMARY

To You, O LORD, I cry out loud and summon; my strength and rock, do not be deaf to me, for if You are silent and inactive towards me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.

MEDITATION

Have you ever been in a position where you know that if God doesn’t move on your behalf, your options are awfully undesirable? I sure have. There have been times recently where I stand at a crossroads and have a choice to make. I can surrender all of my abilities and strengths (or even lack of them) and call upon the name of the LORD, or I can just go along and "hope for the best" in my own efforts. I’ve said this here many times before - there is such great power in audibly crying out to God. Time and time again throughout Scriptures, the men of God loudly cried out to Him, and He answered. I am fully convinced that sometimes we need to exert some force behind what we are speaking. It's not about how you say it necessarily, but it is about the intensity of the heart. Today, no matter what lies before you, call out to the LORD – He is our only hope.

Matthew 7:20

“So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“So then, you will know (epiginosko: recognize, acknowledge, perceive, have knowledge of, to become thoroughly acquainted with - by sight, hearing, of certain signs) them by their fruits (karpos: that which originates or comes from something, an effect, a result).”

SUMMARY

So then, you will be able to perceive and evaluate them according to the results that their life produces.

MEDITATION

So how does one discern the true Believer from the false? Jesus told us plainly. He stated in black and white terms, good will produce good and bad will produce bad. I encourage you to surround yourself with true Believers, ones that are found to be producing good fruit. Become thoroughly acquainted with their ways, watch them, know them - wisely perceive who you share your life with. We are called to be a Body that has one Head, Jesus, the Christ. All good, Kingdom fruit comes from Him.

Acts 13:12

“Then the (man) believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Then the (man) believed (pisteuo: committed unto, put in trust with, to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in) when he saw (eido: behold, look, perceive, notice, discern, discover) what had happened, being amazed (ekplesso: astonished, to strike with panic, shock) at the teaching (did ache: doctrine, that which is taught, instruction) of the Lord.”

SUMMARY

Then the man believed and was persuaded when he saw and perceived what had happened, because he was astonished and shocked at the teaching and instruction of the Lord.

MEDITATION

People were literally amazed by someone else's teachings? Now that's odd isn't it? In a religious world full of regurgitated sermons, over-used Scriptures that everyone seems to reference over and over again until they lose their meaning and message after message that ptomotes worldly agendas - where is the awe and astonishment? In this particular verse, it was just nto what was said, it was what took place when the words were spoken. So, today, I urge you to speak with the authority and life that can only come from the LORD. May we forsake flattering, empty words spoken out of prideful agendas or mindless repitition.

Matthew 24:12

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Because lawlessness (anomia: iniquity, unrighteousness, transgression of the law, wickedness) is increased, most people's love will grow cold (psucho: wax cold, wane).”

SUMMARY

Because lawlessness and unrighteousness is increased, most people’s love will begin to wane.

MEDITATION

It has been uncommonly cold over much of our area for the last few days. I am always amazed at the changes that take place when the temperatures drop to sub freezing. Things turn hard, they crack, they become immobile - life and fluidity are subdued. Is it not the same spiritually? In Ezekiel, the LORD referenced His ability to make a heart of stone become a heart of flesh. This is the same principle. I encourage you today to abstain from a life of lawlessness and be conscious enough to make sure that your love does not grow cold and fade in this hour. Now is the time to be filled with life, movement and purpose that is ultimately derived from the Father's love.

Romans 12:21

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“ (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Do not be overcome (nikao: conquered, prevailed over) by evil (kakos: harmful, wicked, ill, bad, troublesome, injurious, destructive), but overcome (nikao: conquer, prevail over) evil with good (agathos: well, beneficial, useful, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, upright, honorable).“

SUMMARY

Don’t be prevailed over and defeated by evil and harmful things, but conquer and prevail over evil with things that are useful, excellent and upright.

MEDITATION

What is "good"? How does one define "good"? I hear many people discuss their definitions and personal opinions of this word. The thing is, its use in this Scripture is easy to define (see above). I often wonder how our world would look if instead of just complaining about all of the evil in the world, the Body of Christ decided to overcome it with good. I believe that much would look differently. Today, exude good things. Be upright, be joyful, be honorable - be an Ambassador of Christ.

Titus 2:7

“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“In all things show yourself to be an example of good (kalos: better, honest, beautiful, excellent, eminent, choice, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable) deeds (ergon: works, doings, labor, business), with purity (adiaphthoria: uncorruptness, incorruptibility, soundness, integrity) in doctrine (didaskalia: teaching, learning, instruction, precepts), dignified (semnotes/aphtharsia: purity, sincerity, incorrupted reverence, respect, majesty, sanctity, honorable).”

SUMMARY

In all things be an example of beautiful and admirable doings, with integrity in regards to what you teach and what you learn – also be found pure, sincere, honorable and dignified.

MEDITATION

I absolutely love this verse. Within it lies enough challenges to keep one on task for years. We are to set an example of exemplary deeds – we are to be set apart. What we teach others about as well as what we choose to be taught to us must meet the criteria deemed pure, according to The Word. We should be seen as one who is sincere in all we do as well as dignified. Now this has nothing to do with outward appearances whatsoever. It does however have to do with our spiritual behavior as who we are on the outside is governed by who we are on the inside. Today, choose to adopt these qualities and characteristics as part of your life. The Christ within you will be your Enabler.

Acts 13:52

"And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

"And the disciples were continually filled (pleroo: complete, made full, abounding in, liberally supplied) with joy (chara: joyfulness, gladness) and with the Holy Spirit.”

SUMMARY

The disciples were always found to be abounding with joy, gladness and the Holy Spirit (at the referred to time anyway).

MEDITATION

I've personally been challenged recently to walk in joyfulness and gladness, despite my changing circumstances. Perhaps the disciples understood something that I often do not, as I still find myself succumbing to the doldrums now and then. Today, join with me to walk continually reminded that the Holy Spirit indwells us. The LORD of all Creation has chosen to reside with us. May we learn to rise above all circumstances and be found full of joy and gladness.

1 Peter 2:16

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Act as free (eleutheros: at liberty, freeborn, exempt) men, and do not use your freedom (eleutheria: liberty, licence) as a covering (epikaluma: cloak, veil, pretext) for evil, but use it as bondslaves (doulos: devoted servant, one who gives himself up to another's will, attendant) of God.”

SUMMARY

Act as free men and don’t use your liberty that you have been given as a veil to hide evil, but use it as a devoted servant of God.


MEDITATION

One biblical reference defines freedom in Christ as “living as we should not as we please”. I thought that this is a pretty good summary. How foolish for anyone who has been redeemed and regenerated by Christ to say and do whatever he or she pleases, motivated by selfish motives. Yet this is exactly what we do when we walk according to our flesh and not the Spirit. Today, take captive every thought – control your tongue – submit your every detail and decision to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Walk in complete freedom without abusing it in any way and rejoice that you are free in Christ Jesus!

Jeremiah 33:3

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

"Call (qara': call out, cry out, utter a loud sound, call unto, cry for help, summon, invite, commission) to Me and I will answer (`anah: hear, respond to) you, and I will tell (nagad: show, declare, utter, expound, report, make known, inform) you great (gadowl: great and large in magnitude and importance) and mighty things, which you do not know (yada`: perceive, understand, acknowledge, consider, find out or discern) .”

SUMMARY

Cry out to Me and I will hear you and respond. I will make known to you great and mighty things which you don't now perceive or understand.

MEDITATION

We call, He answers. The issue at hand when people say that they just simply don't hear the voice of God is not that He is not speaking. The problem is that we are not calling out to Him. He is a God of His Word, unable to break His covenant and promises. Today, cry out to Him. Open your mouth and audibly call out to your God - He will not be silent.

Proverbs 12:1

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Whoever loves discipline (muwcar: instruction, correction, chastening) loves knowledge (da`ath: perception, skill, discernment, understanding, wisdom), But he who hates reproof (towkechah: rebuke, correction, punishment, chiding) is stupid (ba`ar: brutish, foolish)."

SUMMARY

Whoever loves instruction and correction loves understanding and wisdom, but he who hates correction and rebuke is foolish.

MEDITATION

How’s that for being blunt and to the point? There was a time in my life when anyone who went against my opinions and preferences was instantly my enemy. Looking back, I believe that this stemmed out of rebellion against God Himself. Many years and some maturing later, I see the value and importance of God’s instruction and correction. What many errantly deem as God’s wrath or lack of moving on their behalf is likely His instruction. Today, be sensitive to seek God’s motives and direction in all that you’re going through – good or bad. Heed His instruction. You don’t want to be stupid do you? I sure don’t.

Hebrews 10:25

“[Let us] not forsake our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“[Let us] not forsake (egkataleipo: leave, abandon, desert, leave helpless, abandon) our own assembling (episunagoge: gathering in one place) together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging (parakaleo: comfort, exhort, console, pray, instruct, admonish, exhort) one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

SUMMARY

Let us not abandon and leave our own gathering together, as is the habit of some, but exhorting, consoling, instructing and encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

MEDITATION

It’s no big surprise to anyone who knows my wife and I very well that we don’t attend organized church. With this being so, we often hear this verse declared to us with great force. The problem is, man has errantly deemed organized church as the only way to assemble together. Any gathering outside of a church building, for many, has absolutely no spiritual significance whatsoever. May it no longer be so! Invite someone over to your house and read the Word together. Have dinner with others and discuss the goodness of the LORD. Today, open up your “assembly box” and expand your understanding of when and where God can move. You may be surprised.

Psalm 30:2

“O LORD my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me." (KJV)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“O LORD (Yehovah: GOD, JEHOVAH) my God ('elohiym: judge, great, mighty, exceeding, the true God), I cried (shava`: cried out aloud, shouted - for help) unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me (rapha' or raphah: physician, cure, repaired, heal, make healthful; literal).”

SUMMARY

O Lord of everything, my personal and mighty God, I cried out loud to You for help and You have healed me, for You are the Great Physician!

MEDITATION

I'm often amazed at how prevalent sickness and disease really is. Everywhere you look people are afflicted with everything from cancer to addiction. Imagine for just a moment what this world would look like if sickness and disease didn't exist. Would it not be completely different than the world that we know? No cancer, no heart disease, no mental issues, not even the flu... everyday life would be drastically different. For me, this is yet another area where my responsibility to cry out unto God and say, "On earth as it is in heaven!" is clear. It is a sinful and fallen world that has enabled such detrimental afflictions to thrive. We must declare healing and deliverance in the name of Jesus, The Christ. Would you join with me in doing so today?

Psalm 5:3

“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order (`arak: array, prepare, direct) my prayer to You and eagerly watch (tsaphah:, watchman, behold, look, look up, look well, keep watch, observe).”

SUMMARY

In the morning O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will prepare and direct my prayer to You and eagerly keep watch.

MEDITATION

Recently, I checked our local weather forecast and discovered that many inches of rain were expected over the course of the upcoming forty-eight hours. Because I knew of this, I made a few preparations in advance of the rain’s arrival. Likewise, in the spiritual, we can be given an “update” as to what is to come and plan accordingly. Today, seek to hear what the Spirit is saying about what is to come. This is one of the ways that we watch and by watching, we will be ready for whatever the upcoming days bring.

Matthew 19:30

"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first." (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

"But many who are first (protos: first in time, place, rank, influence, honor) will be last (eschatos: lowest, uttermost, last state, latter end, last in time or in place and temporal succession; last in rank and grade of worth); and the last, first."

SUMMARY

Many who hold high influential places of honor will be brought to be the lowest and those who are already laid low will be exalted to the highest place.

MEDITATION

You don't have to look very far to see an example of someone fighting their way to the top. Reality TV shows depict people literally doing whatever they can to defeat their rivals - financial news speaks of takeovers and deceit - corporate ladders demand you be first - even within the church, positional status seems to elevate ones importance. My friends, we need to be a people of the Word. Today, willingly take the lower, less desirable role. Serve and walk in humility. May we be found living for a Kingdom where earthly status and reputation mean nothing in comparison to our eternal honor.

Mark 7:8

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Neglecting (aphiemi: leave, forsake, let alone, depart, abandon, leave destitute) the commandment (entole: precept, order, command, charge) of God, you hold to the tradition (paradosis: ordinance, instruction, teaching) of men.”

SUMMARY

Forsaking and abandoning the commands of God, you hold on to the instructions and teachings of men.

MEDITATION

Welcome to modern day, positional Christianity. The opinions of men, the preferences of congregations - much as become all about our wants and needs above the LORD’s. May it not be so! Today, as an equal part of the Body under the Headship of Christ, hold tightly to the commands of God alone. No teaching, no program, no service should ever take the place of living a life completely devoted to the LORD and His laws.

Psalm 66:2

“Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Sing the glory (kabowd: honor, splendor, reputation) of His name; make (suwm: set up, appoint, give, ordain, establish) His praise (tehillah: adoration, thanksgiving, renown, glory, fame) glorious.”

SUMMARY

Sing the honor, glory and splendor of His name; establish His renown and fame as glorious!

MEDITATION

As an avid sports fan, I am often amazed at people’s over-the-top antics at sporting events. Arms raised, voices bellowing loud, fearless praise of their team - all while proudly sporting their teams colors. There is never any question who they’re cheering on. This always causes me to step back and parallel my praise for the LORD. Is it also as obvious who I am praising? Does my life display my thanksgiving and adoration of the Father? Do I fearlessly offer glorious praises to Him? Imagine a world where Believers really worshipped the LORD as He deserves – in all occasions! The power within this level of praise would surely outweigh the roar of a football stadium! Today, may we, His people, truly praise the LORD!

Proverbs 11:28

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.” (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“He who trusts (batach: confidence, security) in his riches will fall (naphal: fail, fall down, cast down, fall away, lie down), but the righteous (tsaddiyq: just, lawful) will flourish (parach: bud, blossom, grow, break forth, spring up) like the green leaf.”

SUMMARY

He who places his security in his riches will fall down, but the lawful and just will spring up and flourish like the green leaf.

MEDITATION

What a message that this generation needs to hear! Lawlessness abounds everywhere you look – and I’m not talking about the world either, I’m talking about the Church! Those who claim to be in the Body of Christ can no longer place their hope and trust in the riches of buildings, possessions and earthly wealth. The Word does not reference “Good Christians”, but again and again, law-keeping righteous ones are the ones that please the LORD and flourish. Today, make every effort to be deemed righteous. Live a life that honors the laws that God set in place – it will be what deems you as one who will endure to the end.

Galatians 5:16

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (NASB)

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

"But I say, walk (peripateo: go, walk about, be occupied) by the Spirit, and you will not carry out (teleo: finish, fulfill, accomplish, pay, perform, execute, complete) the desire (epithumia: lust, craving, longing - for what is forbidden) of the flesh (sarx: carnally minded, the body; natural or physical origin)."

SUMMARY

I say to you, go forth and be occupied by the Spirit and you will not fulfill the longings and cravings of your natural man.

MEDITATION

How do you live for the LORD as a new year has now arrived? You walk by the Spirit. How do you deny your flesh and live as Christ? you walk by the Spirit. How do you begin a year that is rooted in the eternal Kingdom purposes of God? Walk by the Spirit. Happy 2009!