Psalm 1 Devotional

Friends,

I’ve heard from a few of you about how things are going with the fasting and prayer. For most you are being blessed in obeying. One expressed being tested. The enemy will certainly come at our weaknesses. For me it has been humbling. As I’m reading and studying the Word I keep seeing areas that need more of His grace and my cooperation with His Holy Spirit. The weight of our sinfulness was overwhelming on Sunday as I was in church. The body of Christ is so out of touch with its compromise with our culture. We have been so de-sensitized and slowly affected that we don’t even recognize the demise.

Psalm 1: 1 tells us” Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

“Walking in the counsel of the wicked” is the beginning of the compromise. It’s being exposed to ideas and influence that are not Godly. You’re in the place where you can be tempted. Listening, watching and becoming aware of what others think that don’t line up with the Word of God. This influence could come from people at work, TV, magazines, books, movies, friends, etc. It could be a negative example of how to handle a situation. It could be unwholesome talk that doesn’t build you up or glorify God. It could be the “ultra thin, super young, perfect models in your magazine- air brushed with no flaws that sets you up for thinking you are a “hopeless case” cause you will never look that great. It lowers self esteem and set you up for the next stage. The counsel of the ungodly is all around us but most of us invite it into our homes via the TV and rented movies. The sinful compromises wrapped in mysteries, comedy, love stories and cute chick flicks have a way of weaving a deceitful web on the corners of our minds. I can remember when I was a teenager and I watched soap operas – General Hospital was my favorite. Two of the teens slipped away, said their vows to each other (without a minister or justice of the peace) then proceeded to spend the weekend together in sexual bliss. Not long afterward it was disclosed that many teens in real life had followed suit. The power of suggestion and rationalism was real and is still alive today.

“’Standing in the way of sinners” - This doesn’t’ mean getting in the way of sinners being saved; but standing among them or with them in their beliefs. Taking on their beliefs, rationalizations, pragmatism, etc. We become comfortable with the ungodly ideas we have been listening to and being influenced by. We stand with them in their arguments because they are starting to make sense to us. Surely we would want our children to participate in “’safe sex” instead of getting pregnant or STD’s. But there is no safe sex – sex outside of marriage is never safe – it’s sinful, death producing and self-destructive. But when we stand with the sinners we agree and say what they say. We see it their way and even take up their argument – “homosexuals are born that way; they can’t help themselves.”

“Sit in the seat of mockers” - Here we are participating in the ungodly idea, activity or philosophy. We have listened, agreed and now we have become one of them. The sinner has many views and even may see God’s view as a possibility. But the one who sits in the seat of mockers no longer considers God’s view as viable – his view is correct. His rationalism is truth. God is wrong – they are right. We have gone past agreement to participation and defending our right to do so.

Sisters, we can become so comfortable in the rationalization of our behavior that we don’t even realize that we are in direct opposition to God’s Word and have become a mocker to the very God we think we serve. The influence of our post modern, post Bible culture is so strong and ungodly it’s a full time job for the follower of Christ to be vigilant and sober because the enemy of our souls, like a roaring lion is seeking whom he may devour. The tide of evil influence is like a strong undercurrent pulling us into its dark, murky waters before we realize we have been captured by its powerful tow.

Hopefully, none of us are sitting with the mockers; but we may be somewhere in the first two. The enemy will condemn you which will cause you to withdraw from God and feel it’s hopeless or impossible to live godly in this modern world. Guilt and conviction, on the other hand, will cause you to run to God to confess (agree with what God says about this sin) and repent – turn from it and follow Christ. Let us come and have our consciences sprinkled with the blood of Christ that we may be cleansed from the influence and the sin of compromise that we may receive grace and mercy in our time of need.

But notice this scripture goes on to say – Blessed is the man who does not (do these things) but his delight is in the law (Word of God) day and night. Let us delight in the Word – read, meditate, memorize, speak, share and live the Word so that we will not be so close to the shore that the undertow can swallow us.

Ps. 119:11 says “’Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God.” I remember fellowshipping with some Christians (one new) who were quoting verbatim parts of movies back and forth as if they were having a conversation. They had watched these movies so much that they could recall the phrases with no problem. I was amazed. I could only quote the ending to “Gone with the Wind.” However, if it had been a scripture marathon I know I would have bypassed them in no time flat. How about you?

Verse 3 of Psalm 1 goes on to say, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

What a blessing for us who make God’s Word our delight. God plants us (so the current cannot take us away) by streams of water so we have all the water we need to grow. The water is the Holy Spirit as He leads us into all truth. It’s the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit in us (Gal 5:23) in season. Notice that the fruit is produced in season – there is a growth and maturity process. I’ve been a Christian 45 years so the maturity of my fruit should be much greater than those of you who have only recently received Christ or have know Him much less. “The leaf does not wither because there is always enough water – never a drought when we delight in God’s Word day and night.

The Word finally says, “Whatever he does prospers.” God gives us favor, power, wind beneath our wings. He causes the work of our hands to prosper. Our prayers to be answered because when we delight in His Word day and night, we grow in our relationship with Christ and our wants and desires line up with His. When we pray according to His will, we have what we ask.. (John 15)

Be encouraged. The humbling of repentance is doing its work. The delighting in God’s Word day and night during this time of fasting will bring the blessing of being planted and rooted deeply in God. Ungodly influences will be exposed for what they are. Arguments that set themselves against God will be brought low and God will be exalted in your life. It will be worth the time, the sacrifice, the gnawing hunger in your stomach, the pain of change – it will be worth it all.

Praise God – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Keep on fasting and praying. Expect God to meet you where you are. Expect God to breakthrough the darkness of our culture. God is on the throne – He reigns. The enemy is a defeated foe and he knows us. He is a toothless lion – all roar. Do not be intimidated by him. Go in the power and authority of Christ.

Father,

Thank you for Your Word that is powerful to the pulling down of strongholds and cutting apart even between bone and marrow. Lord show us if we are in walking in the counsel of the ungodly without being consciously aware. Show us if we have been standing in agreement with ungodly lies masquerading as truths. Expose the lies and set us free from their hold. Cleanse our minds. God have mercy on anyone seated with the mockers. Deliver them from their delusion and set them free to delight in your Word. Cause us to delight in Your Word. Open our minds to receive your truths with gladness of heart. Cause us to be like the deer that pants for the water brooks – may we long for your presence and look forward with great anticipation to reading and absorbing your revelation to us. Open our understanding to receive all you have for us. Enable us to believe the Word and put it into practice and that your fruit of the Spirit might be produced in us. We receive your blessings – prosper the work of our hands – prosper the prayers of our hearts. Amen.

Be blessed this week as you pray and fast.

Pregnant with Possibilities -- Angela

Repentance Devotional

Ladies,

How are we doing in our fast? We are in the fifth day of fasting and prayer expecting God for a breakthrough in our lives, marriages, families, churches and nation. One of the things we do in preparing to fast, or as we fast, is to examine our own lives through allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts for sin and repenting. The foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. If we want our prayers to be heard and answered then we need to repent of obvious sin, not so obvious sin and hidden sin.

Ps. 66:17-20 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Ps. 32:1-6 1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer. Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

The above scriptures inform us that in order for our prayers to be heard we need to acknowledge, repent and turn from our sins.

Confess every known sin that the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance

· Obvious sins

· Not so obvious sins – “leaving your first love, worldly mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual indifference, unwillingness to witness, not serving the body of Christ, not spending time in the Word and prayer.

· Sins against our country – failing to vote, complacency on moral and spiritual values, or cheating on your income tax.

· Things that are not pleasing to God. (Ask Holy Spirit to reveal)

o Living according to the flesh or old nature is not pleasing to God so any choice to live according to the flesh as opposed to the Spirit is not pleasing to God.

o Romans 8:8 “Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

o Living according to the flesh includes the things described in Galatians 5:19-22

§ Sexual immorality, Impurity, Debauchery

§ Idolatry and witchcraft

§ Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, envy

§ Fits of rage

§ Selfish ambition

§ Dissensions, Factions

§ Drunkenness, Orgies and the like

o Read Galatians 5 and 6 to check yourself with the Word

o Read Ephesians 4,5,6 check yourself with the Word

o Living according to the sinful nature includes getting entertainment and pleasure from the immorality we see on TV, movies, magazines and books.

o Living according to the sinful nature includes addictions of all kinds.

· Examine your relationships – God is all about healthy relationships and “’loving thy neighbor as you love yourself.”

o Is there someone you haven’t forgiven?

o Are you holding bitterness or resentment against someone?

o Have you been gossiping about someone and hurt their name?

o Have your broken confidences

o Have you manipulated a relationship for your own good?

o How are you treating people?

It’s’ interesting how Christ-like we feel we are when comparing ourselves with the world or sometimes other Christians. But then when we read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us we realize we’re falling short or missing the mark on many of the things mentioned in the Word. When we compare ourselves with the Word we have sin to repent and turn from.

I John 1:6-10

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

There is no need for condemnation as we are confronted with our sin. We confess – agree with what God says about our sin – it is damaging to our relationship with God, it’s’ displeasing to God – it’s not beneficial to us. We repent (turn from what we are doing and turn to God and following His way). Then God is faithful and just to forgive and purify or cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He does the cleansing and purifying so that we can desire to do His will. Phil 2:13 “For it is God who is all the while at work in you causing you to want to obey and then giving you the power to obey.” (TLB).

We can walk in the righteousness of Christ and then the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Lord, we thank you that you are merciful, compassionate, and patient with your children. Though we sin you do not give up on us. You know our frail frame and that we are made of dust. But you also know the power of your Spirit residing in us and have greater things prepared for us to be and do. Thank you for your blood that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Open our hearts and minds as we examine ourselves before you. Open our eyes to see the hidden sins that are tripping us up and keeping us from walking worthy of our calling. Protect our minds from the lies or condemnation of the enemy as we are in this process of repentance. Expose every foothold we have given the enemy through an unholy alliance or agreement with his lies. Expose any door, window or crack we have left open to our soul in which we may be oppressed by the enemy. We break any alliance or agreement with the enemy and agree with Your Word – we are free and free indeed. We throw aside the sin that so easily distracts and ensnares us. We choose to walk by faith in obedience to your Word. Thank you for your enabling power called grace to walk in holiness. Amen.

Notes for Pregnant with Possibilities

Women’s Retreat April 20, 2007

Ladies you may order your own CD from the church for Pregnant with Possibilities. I will request that it be downloaded on our website also so you can listen to it from your computer.
Getting off the sidelines

We are pregnant with possibilities:

• Things that squelch our possibilities:
• Devilish Low Self worth
• Dreaded Comparison Syndrome
• Doubt
• Demoralizing Fear
• Disobedience

Isaiah 26:17-18
“As a woman with child and about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain,
so were we in your presence, O LORD. We were with child, we writhed in pain,
but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation (deliverance) to the
earth; we have not given birth (life) to people of the world.”

GOD IS CALLING US TO FULFILL OUR DESIGN – BE WOMEN:
· ARISE!
· COME FORTH FROM!
· AWAKEN FROM OUR DENIAL!
· RUN TO THE ROAR!
· BE FULLY ALIVE!
· DREAM!
Be An Ezer Knegdo

These are desperate times – Eph. 5:16 “Make the most of every chance you get these are desperate times” – The Message

• Be Relators
• Be Communicators
• Be an Influence
• Be a Connector
• Be Intuitive Sensing – observant – responsive
  

BIRTHING IS OUR DESIGN
CONCEPTION
Mary birthed a Savior -Luke 1:27 -37

When the World needed a Savior God went to a woman.
When Israel needed deliverance God called on a woman
Jocabed –the Mother of Moses; between a rock and a hard place. She didn’t bring her circumstances upon herself.
· Jocabed a woman of FAITH
· Jocabed - FOCUS
· Jocabed – TRUST
§ RUN TO THE ROAR
Hannah - I Samuel 1 (shame filled; cursed and forgotten by God)
Hannah represents those of us who are broken in spirit
· Hannah’s song in I Samuel 2:
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has then inherit a throne of honor.”

Isaiah 54:1-"Sing, , …burst into song, shout for joy, 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

Elizabeth – mature God was not done with her yet!!!

God wants to birth something new:
“Forget about what’s happened; Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? I am making a way in the desert And streams in the wasteland. Isa. 43:18-19

Fresh Anointing of Isaiah 61-1-3 (read)

IT WILL TAKE CONSECRATION -cleansing, set apart unto God; His
Joshua 3: 2-5 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards [a] between you and the ark; do not go near it." 5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."
· Isa. 1: 16
· Isa. 1:18
· Cleansed and Set Apart
CONSECRATION always precedes birthing an outpouring of the Holy spirit.
· Joshua 3:4 “You have not passed this way before”

"The wonders God wants to perform in our tomorrows are prepared for in our todays." quote by Beth Moore
Consecration through Prayer:
Cleansing Prayer
Intercessory prayer
Standing on the Wall Prayer
Authoritative Prayer
Warfare Prayer
Fasting Prayer
Worship and praise
Breathing Prayer

Let’s’ believe God to birth a fresh anointing and His will and purposes in us.
Count the Cost -- Run to the Roar!! You are pregnant with Possibilities!