Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 31

Day 31

Nehemiah 8:10 Amplified Version

 "••.for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold."

The scripture says the joy of the Lord is your .... That tells me the joy of the Lord is mine. I have the joy of the Lord. When the apostle said, "Rejoice in the Lord always," (Philippians 4:4) he affirmed that joy is something we possess. We have control. If we run out of joy in our souls, we are connected to the source and can stir up joy anytime we want to. Joy is also listed as part of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). It came with our salvation package.

The psalmist said in Psalm 43:4, "...to God my exceeding joy." Isaiah 51:11 says that the redeemed of the Lord will return and come with singing to Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. We possess a joy that has no end. It is never unavailable or inaccessible. Jesus, according to John 15:11, expressed His desire for His followers to have joy. He told them He shared things with them so His joy might be in them and that their joy might be full, complete and overflowing.

According to Romans 14:17, the kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Spirit. The Word of God clearly removes any excuse from us for not being able to enjoy life. I am not talking about just having fun, but living a life of joy overall. Surely we can experience sorrow ­temporarily, but we have the joy of the Lord to say, "Time's up!" to sorrow and mourning. We can escort them out and watch them flee away. They should never stay around long enough to sap away our strength and send us into a period of defeat. The joy of the Lord is ours, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

I have the joy of the Lord. His joy makes me strong.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 30

Day 30

Matthew 24:6 Amplified Version

 ''And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet."

Jesus commands us to be at peace in the midst of trouble. He said, "See that you are not frightened or troubled." That means our peace should be undisturbed. He has given us the ability to remain calm. Our goal should be not only to experience peace, but to abide in it;not only to have it come and go, but to remain. We can have undisturbed peace.

Did He really mean that even in the midst of trouble and perilous times, we can keep our peace? Yes! He demonstrated that when He fell asleep on the boat while the storm was raging. When they woke Him up feeling that they had a legitimate reason to be disturbed, He rebuked them. He did not sympathize with them and justify their fearfulness. He said they had little faith. Then He demonstrated that He was in control as He rebuked the storm and caused everything to return to normal. He didn't jump up and dash out to see the storm. He did not panic. His peace was not disturbed. He paused to rebuke them, even though they indicated it was an emergency and their lives were in jeopardy.

I have undisturbed peace. God gave it to me. He told me I could have it, and I receive it.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 29

Day 29

Numbers 6:22-23, 26 Amplified Version

"And the Lord said to Moses, Say to Aaron and his sons, This is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them.....• The Lord lift up His approving countenance upon you and give you peace [tranquility of heart and life continually]."

Peace was obviously something God wanted for His people from the beginning. The priests were instructed to pronounce a blessing upon God's people, and that blessing included peace from God.

The psalmist said in Psalm 4:8 that he would lay down in peace and sleep because of God's care for him Psalm 29:11 calls peace a blessing from God that He wills for His people. Psalm 85:8 says God will speak peace to His people. Throughout the Word, it is obvious that true peace is a blessing from God and something He desires for His people to have. Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6 and the Lord of Peace in I Thessalonians 3:16. Peace is described as part of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22. Romans 14:7 tells us that the kingdom of God is peace.

It is obvious that God wants peace for His people and that He has provided it for us. We must "see" that and prepare to possess it.

I see that God is the God of Peace and wants me to enjoy His peace. I have the peace of God.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 28

Day 28

Isaiah 53:5 Amplified Version

" ...the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well being for us was upon Him,..."

See! The price has been paid and Jesus has obtained peace for  us. The word peace, used in Isaiah 53:5, according to the Strong's Concordance Hebrew dictionary, includes the meaning safe - well, happy, friendly; also welfare - health, prosperity, peace.

Luke 2:14 quotes the angelic chorus as saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." They announced peace on earth at the advent of Jesus Christ to earth as a human. The Strong's Concordance defines the Greek word translated 'peace' in Luke 2:I4 as peace, prosperity - one, peace, quietness, rest set at one again.

In both the Old Testament and the Gospels, we see that peace involves our well being, as well as a state of mind. In Philippians 4:7, Paul talks about a peace that passes understanding, which indicates a sense of well being that cannot be explained logically. God causes us to know all is well in a way we can understand, although we cannot explain how we know it.

Before leaving this planet physically, Jesus pronounced His peace upon His disciples. He explained in John 14:27 that it was a peace the world could not give. It was His peace. It was the kind of peace that caused Him to walk with great confidence as He fulfilled His mission. He experienced this peace despite the constant opposi­tion of His family and the religious leaders; despite the misunderstanding of followers and disciples; despite the challenges of the devil through people and through nature.

Five times in John we find reference to Jesus speaking peace to His disciples. It was obviously something He wanted them to possess. Paul greeted the church in various cities with the expression, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," or he used similar words saying the same thing. He picked up the spirit of Christ, who wanted so much for us to experience God's peace. Paul quoted from the Old Testament to point out that the ungodly have no part in God's peace (Romans 5:1). The peace of God is for the people of God. Those of us who have made peace with God (Romans 5:l) are entitled to enjoy the peace of God.

Since everyone cannot experience this, we should appreciate the fact that Jesus paid a heavy price to provide us with peace. Out of appreciation, we should "see" ourselves with it and possess it.

I see that God has provided peace for me. I declare that I have the peace of God. It is mine.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 27

Day 27

Joshua 6:2 NIV

 ''Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men."

Before God gave Joshua instructions on how to fight, He told him to see his victory. He told Joshua the battle was won before it got started. The Israelites were not going to try to obtain victory. They were going to receive what was given to them. Although we fight to possess what is already ours, it is a good fight, because it is a fight of faith. This means we see the end from the beginning. It is difficult to get someone to give up a fight when he is tired, hurting and feeling defeated, if he knows he cannot lose. The knowledge that the victory is his, that he cannot be defeated and that the end of the story shows him alive, well and enjoying his prize, causes him to press on, despite his feelings. He presses on, because he knows the enemy will run out of ammunition before he runs out of strength. It is when he is not sure of his victory that he can entertain giving up. "What if I do all this and die?" "What if I run out of strength and lose?" These kinds of questions can lead to giving up. That is why God wants us to take time to "see" what He has already given us before we enter the fight. When we meditate and rehearse our pre-determined victory long enough, we will indeed have a good fight of faith.

Let us then, over the next several days, take a look at what God has given us. Let us see what we should fight for, knowing the outcome of our fight is guaranteed victory. As we look, keep in mind that we will "see," first and then follow the instructions on how to obtain what we see. After God told Joshua to "see," then Joshua had to listen and follow instructions. God not only tells us what we have, but He also coaches us through the fight. So, we need to stay in touch!

I will take time to "see" what God has given me. I will also stay in touch with Him to receive instructions on how to possess what He has provided.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 20

Day 20

Ephesians 6:3 NIV

"That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy life long on earth."

This promise was spoken with a commandment, which indicated it was a benefit. It was something desirable that God would make sure we enjoyed if the conditions were met. Without looking to see what the commandment is, we can just look at the fact that God desires life to go well with us and for us to enjoy long life. If that was not His desire, He could not have offered it to us.

More than giving us a way to experience a good long life, God was telling us a way already designed to produce it. When the com­ mandment was given to honor parents, it was given to God's people, who were told to pass their godly heritage on to their children. When the parents were honored, the godly family could be preserved, and the godly heritage could be passed on along with a godly lifestyle that would tend to life. Even as we grow older, honoring our parents in a way that is possible and appropriate should be a natural outcome of a Christ-like character and the fruit of the spirit. So, it is a spiritual indi­ cator to help us as we examine the quality of our spiritual lives. Even though we may be past the age of obeying our parents, we never outgrow the need to show respect and gratitude wherever and when­ ever possible.

The main point for this meditation, however, is not as much hon­ oring parents as it is affirming God's desire for us to have a good long life. Whether it is honoring our parents, or observing any other command given us, we want to be certain about what God wants for us and cooperate with Him to see His desire fulfilled in us.

I will cooperate with God and receive what He wants me to have - a good long life.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 19

Day 19

Genesis 13:14, 15 amplified version

 "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him, Lift up now your eyes, and l.ook from the place where you are, northward and south• ward and eastward and westward. For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity for ever."

It was after Abram had given Lot first choice to take the land he wanted, that God told Abram he could have all the land he could see in every direction, including the direction Lot had selected. Abram gave generously and in faith. He had the right to choose first. He was responsible for Lot being blessed and being where he was. Yet he was not hesitant to give the best. He believed in God's integrity and was already experiencing the blessings of God.

We must learn to give fearlessly. Give in faith. We do not need to make sure we get the best choice, even though we may have the right to it. When we don't feel obligated to look out for ourselves, God will feel obligated to look out for us. God will respond when we give in faith and not in fear.

I will give generously. I will give fearlessly. I will give in faith and God will reward me.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 18

Day 18

Proverbs 22:1, 2 KJV

 "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all."

It is not how we look on the outside that makes us most attractive or nnattractive. It is our inner beauty or ugliness that determines our true condition. We may be rich enough to dress in beautiful clothing decked with silver or gold, but if we cannot be trusted becanse there is no integrity inside, we may as well be naked.

In verse two, Solomon refers to the equality of rich and poor before God. God enjoys seeing us blessed financially and materially. However, He is not responsible for the riches of the crooked, nor is He pleased with them, because their hearts are not right. God enjoys participating in the prosperity of those who serve Him. The outward manifestation of material prosperity in our lives only pleases God if it goes along with spiritual prosperity on the inside.

We are not trusted and admired by the right people because of what we possess naturally, but because of what we possess spiritual­ly. No riches can substitute for integrity, a good name and for loving favor. We will possess the more valuable riches when we aim to please God with each decision we make more than anything else. He will give us a good name and surround us with favor.

I will walk with God by faith and please Him. He will give me a good name and surround me with favor.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 17

Day 17

Isaiah 37:17 amplified version

 "Incline Your ear,0 Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, 0 Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock, reproach, insult and defy the living God."

The attacks and threats of the enemy against God's people are attacks and threats against God Himself. Since He has delegated authority and responsibility to us, the Father awaits our call to get Him involved. Prayer was established by God. If there was no need for us to invite God into our circumstances, there would be no need for the prayer of petition. God responded after Hezekiah petitioned Him.

God has feelings. Hezekiah recognized that, as he appealed to God's emotions in bringing out the offensive manner in which the enemy addressed God. Our Father responded and defended Himself verbally by passing judgment against the enemy.

It is important that we understand God's position on our well being and approach Him properly. He loves us, cares for us and always wants us victorious. We represent Him in the earth. We should not approach Him as though we must convince Him to care. He already cares. We should not approach Him as if we are waiting for Him to initiate action. He is waiting for us to get things started. We should not approach Him in fear. We approach him in faith. He is able, and He will deliver us.

When we make the right connection with the Father, the enemy's time will be running out. Let us wait on God in faithful anticipation. There is no rock like our Rock. He is faithful and true. He never fails. He knows how to care for what belongs to Him. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:..." (Psalm 37:7a)

When I am attacked, I will cry out to my Father, the Almighty God. He will hear and answer me and deliver me from the hands of my enemy. He will avenge me of my adversary.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 16

Day 16

Ezekiel 47:13 Amplified version

 "Thus says the Lord God: these shall be the boundaries...."

 God, Our Father sets boundaries. Adam was limited in what he could do. Boundaries were set for the property of each tribe of Israel. Satan was limited in what he could do to Job. A boundary was set for the sea at the shore. Many other lines were drawn in the Word of God. It is God's love and power that causes Him to "draw lines."

When the Father draws lines for us, we must remember that as a Father, He has a responsibility to care for His own, and He knows what is best. Thank God for the boundaries He established because of His great love for us. We should joyfully heed His instructions.

It is indeed encouraging and comforting to know assuredly that God has set definite and secure boundaries for our enemies. There is none who can pluck us from His hand. There is none who can throw us into Hell. We cannot be tested beyond our ability to overcome. The Father's Word reveals our advantage over our enemies in many instances.

Greater is He that is in us. We overcome the world with our faith. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.

Out of gratitude to our Father, we can observe the boundaries He has set for us and praise Him for the boundaries He has set for our enemies. Thank Him for His great love that causes Him to "draw the lines."

I observe the boundaries God has set for me and thank Him for the ones He has set for my enemies.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 15

Day 15

Psalm 56:4 amplified version

 "By (the help of) God I will praise His Word; on God I lean, rely and confidently put my trust; I will not fear; what can man who is flesh do to me?"

Every time fear presents itself, we have a choice. The psalmist, David, knew his choice and declared that he would praise the Word and trust God. He compared God and man and realized God was greater by far. He considered that the greater one was on his side, so it was like putting a man against God when a man came against him.

We must realize that God is on our side and we are on God's side. When a man comes against us, he is coming against God. At that time we can easily answer the question, "What can man do to me?" The answer is, "Nothing!" However, we must take the responsibility of "hiding" in God. In response to fear, we must position ourselves in God so that the enemy attacks God and not us. We do that by express­ing our confidence and reliance on God. He has given us dominion and authority and made Himself available to us.

David said, "I will praise His Word...." Let us praise His Word, which declares that the angels are protecting us and that God is on our side, never leaving us, faithful and true to us.

I will rehearse God's Word that reveals His divine protection for me. I will stay "in Him." He always protects me.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 14

Day 14

Psalm 61:2 Amplified version

 "From the end of the earth will I cry to you, when my heart is over­whelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I - yes a rock that is too high for me."

The places God is leading us to will be too high if we follow natural instincts. The journey with God is a faith journey. Only He knows the way. To help us see this, we hear words from Jesus like: "...the sheep listen to His voice and heed it, and He calls His own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out," "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you..." We need God's help and guidance to go where He has designed for us to go. He is the way.

If it seems I have lost my way and I am far from the mark, I will cry out to God and He will lead me to the right place He has for me.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 13

 

Day 13

Galatians 3:3 amplified version

"Are you so foolish and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?"

Whatever God wants for us is made evident in His Word. His Word reveals, or is, His Will. Whatever He wants us to be or do is in His Word. He cannot ask us to be or do anything without providing what is needed to accomplish the task. (No sane person would ask a toddler to change a tire or an adult to make a cake with no ingredi­ents available. When one is asked to do something, it is obvious that the one doing the asking believes that the one being asked has the capability of carrying out the request.)

So, when we find ourselves struggling to do or be what we believe God wants, we may have to face the fact that we do not have the innate ability to accomplish God's plan for us. Yet we do have the ability outside ourselves. Hear words recorded in scripture: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength", "The Lord is the strength of my life", "For by thee I have rnn through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall."

Let us commit to God what we desire to accomplish and then confess it by faith. We can call it done as a way of accepting that He has heard our prayer and answered, because He is faithful.

I commit my desires to God and believe He is working in me to accomplish them. I believe and, therefore I confess that it is so. I live by faith.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 12

Day 12

Galatians 3:3 amplified version

"Are you so foolish and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?"

 Man's attempt to reach God is religion. God's reaching down to bring man up is what Jesus came for - to restore  relationship between God and man. It is "relationship" we must pursue, not "religion." With religion, we work hard to be good and please God, depending on our innate abilities. When we respond out of our relationship with God, we cooperate with what He has done and is doing. We put confidence in His righteousness and the strength He gives us. To do this, we must walk by faith, because we are using power not tangible to our physical senses.

Paul said in II Corinthians 4:13 NIV,  "It  is written:   'I  believed;therefore  I  have  spoken.'  With  the same  spirit  of  faith,   we also believe and therefore speak." We speak, or confess, because we believe, not because we see it or have contact with something through our natural senses.

In our attempt to please God, we must commit all our concerns to Him and, believing He is perfecting those things that concern us, confess our faith. If we need help with our mouths, for example, after committing this area to God in faith, we make declarations such as, "My speech is always with grace and I always answer appropriately." This confession is based on Colossians 4:6. All our confessions should be based on God's Word.

I will depend on the Holy Spirit to help me live a life that is pleasing to God. After committing my concerns to God, I will make confessions of faith in line with God's Word. I have a spirit of faith.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 7

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Day 7

Ephesians 6:16 NIV

 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

Every plan, every intent of the enemy will fail. He will not achieve his goals. It may appear he has won - just like it appeared he won at Calvary. However, what appeared to be a victory for him actually turned out to be a major defeat.The shield of faith is the faith of God we use to protect ourselves from the attacks of the enemy, which are intended to injure us. The faith of God is based on the Word of God. Therefore, we can only use this faith when we have "Word" connected with it. If God says, "they will persecute you," then faith cannot quench that. Faith does not go contrary to God's word. However, faith can be used to overcome the persecution and win, because God's Word says in all these things we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:35-37). So, although faith cannot stop persecution and other things we are told we will experi­ence, faith is still active in the midst of those circumstances to make us ultimately victorious.

Paul and Silas were persecuted, but through their suffering, God wrought a mighty miracle. He not only delivered them from jail and gave them safe passage to their next destination, but he also caused the jailer and his household to be saved. (Who knows how many lives were affected as the jailer continued to tell his story of conversion?)

The bottom line is, whether we are persecuted or not, all attempts of the enemy to defeat us will fail as we walk by faith - as we employ our faith as a shield.

With my shield of faith, I put out the fire of every dart, or arrow, the devil shoots at me, and I am consequenfly unharmed. Every plan of the enemy against me fails.

Come Up Higher, Vol.1 | Day 6

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Day 6

John 15:15 NIV

 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

When we begin to have an instinctive perception of what the Master is doing, we move from strictly a "servant" status to a "friend­ship" status. We should prefer to be friends of the Lord.

A friend more quickly recognizes what his friend is doing, because of all the intimate information previously disclosed to him. Because of prior knowledge about important things, he can put "two and two together." Or, he just has a feel for that person and can tell what they are thinking, or what they are up to. Friends are also more informed than acquaintances, because people tell their friends about their plans.

Abraham was informed about God's plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He was classified as a friend of God. Abraham was not living in Sodom. His nephew, Lot, who was classified as a righteous person -  meaning he had some type of relationship with God- was a resident of the twin cities. Yet Lot was not informed of God's plans when Abraham was. It was the mercy of God that caused Lot to be rescued just in time. However, Abraham was informed earlier and was given the privilege of negotiating with God over the matter.

I am a friend of Jesus. He tells me everything.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 5

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Volume - Day 5                                      

Scripture: Job 31:1a Amplified version

 "I dictated a covenant - an agreement - to my eyes..."

 We must make a decision to set our spiritual eyes on God's Word. We must dictate to our natural senses, so they do not hinder, or dis­courage us. Elisha, after learning that the Syrian armies were approaching his house to capture him, chose to turn his attention to the armies of Heaven, who were defending him. He knew the Syrians were no match for his protectors. As a result, he experienced peace, calmness, control and, most of all, victory!

The Word of God says in Revelation 12:11 NIV, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." This indicates that these saints focused on the powers made available to them by God, rather than the devil's seemingly strong attempts to defeat them.

We should carefully examine our choices and make a quality decision to take the divine approach offered us by God. Choose life. Choose blessing. Since we have no innate power to guarantee either, we will be choosing to cooperate with God, thereby receiving both. How do we cooperate? As Amos wrote, "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3 NIV) There must be agreement. To agree with God includes contemplating what He says about a thing and rejecting anything to the contrary. If our direction ever disagrees with God, to continue walking with Him, we must change, since He will not.

I wlll focus on and contemplate God's Word, rather than any circum­stance that goes contrary to the Word.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 4

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Volume 1- Day 4

Scripture: Job 31:1a Amplified version

 "I dictated a covenant - an agreement - to my eyes..."

 The spiritual parallel to the concept of making a covenant with the physical eyes about physical things is to make a covenant with the spiritual eyes about spiritual things. This concept can greatly affect our faith. II Corinthians 4:18 (Kenneth S. Wuest translation) says, "While we are not contemplating the things that are seen, but the things which are not seen, for the things which are not seen are eternal." The KJV says, "While we look not at the things which are seen..."

We can dictate to our minds to focus on the greater realities instead of the lesser ones. God always has an answer to our chal­lenges. To focus on the challenge with only natural thinking can create an impossible or, at least, difficult situation - a real problem. Disgust, discouragement and dismay can result from this approach. How futile and unnecessary this common practice can be. As one songwriter wrote: "Oh! what peace we often forfeit, oh, what need­less pains we bear!" Since God always has an answer, as evidenced in II Corinthians 10:13, we should focus on Him through reliance on His Word, communion with the Holy Spirit and the confession of our faith.

I wlll focus on the solution to every problem - God and His Word.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 3

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Volume 1- Day 3

Scripture: Job 31:1a Amplified Classic Version

 "I dictated a covenant - an agreement - to my eyes..."

 The pocket Webster School and Office Dictionary gives the fol­lowing definitions for the word dictate:

1.  (verb) to express (words) orally so that another may take the words down in writing 2. to command expressly 3. to impose or set forth (order, terms, etc.) with or as with authority and finality, or arbi­trarily 4. to make (something) necessary or inescapable; require.

Job made a quality decision about what he would look at. He was a man of integrity and considered it mandatory that he keep his word to himself, even though this was a private decision. It seemed unrea­sonable to him to entertain making any changes about that which he had already determined not to do. We are observing a certain attitude of a man who was not 'born again,' since that experience was not available; or 'spirit-filled,' since that dispensation had not come in. However, he had self respect and an awesome fear, or reverence, of Almighty God that definitely affected his behavior.

Obviously, just being 'born again,' 'spirit-filled' and having whatever else is available is not sufficient to give us the quality of character Job had. Regardless of what we have available, nothing eliminates the need for integrity of heart, a fear of God, godly self­ respect, and the ability to make quality decisions.

I have integrity of heart. I reverence God. I have godly self-respect. I make quality decisions and see them through.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | DAY 2

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Volume 1- Day 2

Scripture: Daniel 4:17 NIV

 This decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sov­ereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men."

It is so important that we realize that God is to be credited for all the good things of life. No sweet apple owes its sweetness to itself. No swan can boast of its beauty as an accomplishment. All things were created by God and for His pleasure. Although there are special endowments of supernatural abilities from time to time, even natural abilities are traced back to the handi­work of the Creator of all things. Nothing good is the result of haphazard evolution. Everything that works well and looks well is the result of a specific plan, deliberately set in motion by the Almighty in the beginning.

Even Jesus did not credit his innate abilities for the marvelous works He did. Although He knew He was God manifested in the flesh, He gave the Father all credit for the works He performed.

I will daily give God praise for all He does in me, for me and through me.