Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 117

Day 117

James 1:5 Amplified Version

"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him."

Why would James suggest that we ask God for wisdom if we lacked it? It appears as though we should not accept a lack of wisdom in the time of need. James went on to say that God gives it liberally, without finding fault with us. That is indicative of God's desire for us to always have the  understanding  we need, as well as direction on how to proceed.

The Bible states in James 1:6 that we should ask in faith, without doubting, if we hope to receive wisdom from God. If we are told to have faith and not doubt, then that alone indicates that the wisdom is certainly available to us. If we know that it is available to us, then there is no need for doubt.

Since God gives wisdom generously, it is up to us how much we have. The limitations are not on His end. Proverbs contains several admonitions for us to get wisdom. Again, this shows that wisdom is available. Let us increase in wisdom today by asking for it and by confessing that we have it by faith. Solomon suggested that we call wisdom our sister and understanding our close friend.

I believe I receive wisdom from God today. Wisdom is my sister and understanding, my close friend.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 1 | Day 116

Day 116

I Corinthians 9:27 Amplified Version

"But I [like a boxer] I buffet my body -- handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships --- and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit -- not stand the test and be unappproved -- and rejected as a counterfeit]."

Our bodies will not experience full redemption until Jesus calls us to Heaven. When, in the twinkling of an eye, we exchange corruption for incorruption and mortality for immortality, we will collect the balance of what is due us in the redemption of our bodies. Meanwhile, our bodies  remain earthly. We are responsible for managing them properly.

As long as our bodies are in this world, we are subject to sickness and disease. To live in health, we must follow natural laws and take advantage of the spiritual laws given us, to make up for what natural laws cannot do.

Another part of being in the world is being subject to the lust of the flesh. Our bodies have feelings, and those feelings can lead us into temptation. Therefore, we must discipline ourselves to endure temptation and live above sin. Paul talked about disciplining and subduing his body, so he would not  become unfit himself, after helping others to overcome. We must do the same, if we want to guarantee success. It is very important that we have a habit of roughing up our bodies and making them subject to our spirits.

Through fasting, we can teach our bodies that our bellies are not our gods. The lust for food has hindered people from obeying God. Like Jesus, we need to be able to miss a meal and say, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me."

Through exercise, which helps us maintain good health, we can teach our bodies to follow our commands. As our bodies learn to follow instructions, we will be able to obey the Holy Spirit and get up when we feel like sleeping. Our bodies will understand that they may not participate in sin, no matter how appealing it may be.

By strengthening our spirits, we stand a better chance of remaining healthy physically. We are also more likely to stay out of trouble. Our goal should always be to nourish our spirits more than our bodies. Spiritual domination will help eliminate fleshly failures. So, let us send a clear message today. May our bodies hear us say, "You will not eat more than you should. You  will eat what I permit you to. You will exercise until I say it is enough. You will read, meditate and pray at my command and not at your convenience. You will obey me." ("I" and "me" represent the spirit inside, which God intends to dominate us, as He leads.)

I will discipline my body to assist my spirit. My body will not dominate me. I will fast, pray, and exercise, and do whatever the Holy Spirit leads, to establish the proper order of command: spirit, soul, then body.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 115

Day 115

Psalm 1:3

"And He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in its season and its leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper"

In this verse, the psalmist describes the forecast of a person who meets the following criteria:

 1.  He does not follow ungodly counsel.

2.  He does not stand in the path where sinners walk.

3.   He does not participate in scorning or mocking.

4.  His delight is in the law of God.

5.  He habitually mediates God's Word day and night.

This person will experience victory at all times. Like a tree planted by the river, he will never be away from his source of life. Consequently, his due season will always be on time. He will never dry up, and all he does will prosper.

It is easy to understand how that kind of godly living  will produce prosperity. Romans 8:6 says, "...to be spiritually minded is life and peace." When we give God's Word priority in our lives and separate ourselves from all that  displeases  the Lord, we cannot help but win. That does not mean we will not face challenges or obstacles. It means we will always win in the end.

When we really understand what God's commands are for, we can easily delight in them. They are  not just to restrict  us, but rather to benefit us. I John 5:3 tells us they are not grievous or burdensome. So, let us pray today that our spiritual eyes will be opened to understand the sweetness of God's Word, so we will have no difficulty in habitually mediating it.

I will follow only godly advice and stay in the path of righteousness. I will refrain from scorning or mocking. I will absolutely delight in God's Word and habitually meditate it. Everything I do will prosper.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 114

Day 114

Psalm 29:11 Amplified Version

"The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the lord will bless His people with peace."

It is so comforting to know that as God's people,  we have a source of supply that is not available to the world. How often have we wondered how we would make it with our natural strength? Then, when the strength of God kicked in, we  were able to testify that because of Him, our mission was accomplished, and we were still standing.

The psalmist, David, said the Lord will give strength. He must have realized that every time he ran out of his own  abilities, God's supernatural power came to keep him winning.

Our loving Father cares for us and is very particular about us. He always supplies what we need. Let us open up and receive from Him. Although we must do our part to take care of ourselves, He is a very present help when we need more than what we have to make it.

I am grateful for the divine supply that meets my human deficiency. I receive strength from God today to accomplish what needs to be done.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 113

Day 113

I Thessalonians 1:3 Amplified Version

 "We ought and indeed are obligated [as those in debt/ to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly, and the love  of every one of you each toward the others is increasing and abounds."

The God kind of faith is not of this world. Therefore,  it is neither obtained or maintained by simple existence on this planet. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. Doing the Word, or acting on faith that comes keeps it alive. Faith that is not acted upon dies. As James said, "Faith without works is dead." If there is no corresponding action to our faith, it becomes useless.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians,  expressing his gratitude to God for what he saw happening among them. One thing he observed was that their faith was growing.  One way to maintain faith is to see that it grows. For faith to grow, it must continue to be fed faith food -- God's Word. Then  it must be exercised. We must be doers. Also, since faith works by love, we must nurture our love walk by confessing and  practicing love. Paul not only observed that the Thessalonians' faith was growing, but he also noticed an increase in the love they had toward each other.

Let us feed and exercise our faith today. Since we have a spiritual life to maintain, we need spiritual food and exercise,  just like our physical bodies need physical  food  and exercise. Let us also nourish our love walk, which helps everything else function properly.

I will feed and exercise my faith today. I will also nurture my love walk. As a result, my faith will grow and he maintained.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 112

Day 112

Acts 14:9-10

 "The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked"

Acts 14 records the marvelous healing of a man  who was born a cripple and had never walked. He heard Paul preach the gospel and developed faith to be healed.

It is interesting to note that details about the content of Paul's message were not given. It was simply stated that he preached the gospel. This indicates that healing for the physical body through Christ is a very fundamental part of the gospel.

Over the years, in many circles, the gospel has been diluted. Doubt and unbelief have caused some to eliminate physical healing as part of the gospel. This account of Paul preaching at Lystra indicates that the first century Christians saw healing as a fundamental part of the good news about  Jesus. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The crippled man could not get faith for healing, unless he heard it offered in a convincing manner. Paul convinced him by explaining the benefits of Jesus' mission to earth

We must become convinced that healing is available to us through Jesus Christ. As we read the gospels, the book of Acts, and the letters to the churches, we should get a clear message that healing has been provided for us. The only thing that can hinder us and make the good news ineffective is our entertaining traditions  that are contrary to the  Bible. Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 15:6 (Amplified Version), "So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God - depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect."

May we discard every tradition or any other hindrances to our receiving the benefit Jesus suffered to provide for us. He was brutally whipped 39 times, and the Word says with those stripes we were healed. Let us gratefully receive deliverance from sickness and disease.

I will build faith for healing, because it has been given to me. By the stripes of Jesus, I was healed.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 110

Day 11O

Psalm 27:1

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Since God is our Creator, it is obvious that we owe all honor and praise to Him for all we are able to do  naturally. When the psalmist, David, said the Lord was his light and salvation and the strength of his life, he was recognizing God as his source for more than just natural things. He was declaring his acceptance of God as a personal Savior. That enabled David to receive supernatural help. He experienced strength he would not have had within the boundaries of human limitations.

A songwriter wrote that the blood (referring to the blood of Jesus) that gives strength on a daily basis would never  lose  its power. He was alluding to a source of strength that surpasses human ability.

Jesus referred to Himself as a vine, and to us  as  branches that draw life from the vine. He cautioned us that we must stay connected to Him to avoid becoming useless. There is a supernatural source of power available to us, but only if we choose to benefit from it.

Let us choose to draw strength from God today. Like David, may we, from our hearts, declare the Lord to be the strength of our lives. As we declare it, let us realize that we need to stay connected to Him to be able to go beyond our natural abilities. He will help us do what we cannot  do without  Him, and we will glorify Him for it.

The Lord is the strength, of my life. I remain connected to Him, thereby drawing life from Him. I will glorify Him for all I can do, because of His life flowing in and through me.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 109

Day 109

I Corinthians 15:57

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

God gives us victory, so we should not feel we  must earn it. We were unable to obtain it for ourselves. Our heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die, descend into Hell, and be raised from the dead for us.

Colossians 2:14 tells us the evidence of our guilt and unworthiness was nailed to the cross, where Jesus died. That freed us from doom. The forces of darkness would have kept us bound, but verse 15 reveals that Jesus triumphed over them. God did not need to fight them for His sake. Darkness was never a threat to Him. It was done for us. Jesus became a man and represented us in the battle of the ages. He won! Therefore, we win!

Let us lift our hearts, our heads and our voices today and declare our victory boldly and proudly. We cannot brag on ourselves, but we are certainly proud of our Savior. What a privilege to be children of the Most High God. May we accept our victory with an attitude of gratitude. First, we must act as though we believe God. Then, we must let our dedication to Him demonstrate appreciation.

I believe God has given me victory. I will conduct myself accordingly. I will demonstrate my appreciation through my dedication to Him.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 108

Day 108

Jeremiah 23:16

"Titus saith the Lord of Hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord."

Jeremiah proclaimed to the nation of Israel that the prophets they were listening to had not heard from God. He said they were false prophets, declaring their own visions. They had not spent time with God. From their own minds came visions  that would tickle the ears of listeners.

An important observation here is that the prophets had not spent time with God. All of us have creative minds given us by our Creator. Whether men are saved or lost,  their  minds affect the quality of life they will enjoy, as their ideas are transformed into goods and services. Since we all have  the ability to get visions from our imaginations, as Christians we must spend time with God to be certain our visions do not conflict with His. (The word "vision" refers to our goals and plans, not just dreams or apparitions.)

Our own dreams and plans may be exciting and motivating. However, spending time with God can save us time and money. It can spare us disappointment and frustration. It is good for us to see clearly from the natural perspective, but as people of God, we have an advantage we should use. We can see from God's perspective and adjust our plans accordingly. A songwriter wrote that we forfeit peace, and bear needless pains when we do not carry everything to God in prayer. If we do not take advantage of the counsel available to us, we deserve all the trouble we encounter.

Let us submit our plans for approval. Perhaps the plans were put in our hearts by God. That does not excuse us from checking with Him on our strategy. Our walk with God should  be one of consistent fellowship. His complete plans for our lives are often revealed line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.

I will stay in constant fellowship with God. He will give me visions for my life and ministry. I will receive both  the vision and the strategy to flow with it step by step.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 107

Day 107

Genesis 1:1

 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

 It is of no small significance that the Bible tells us of the preeminence of God. If anything began before Him, then our search would not begin or end with Him. However, knowing that nothing came into existence without Him enables  us  to recognize where our total source is. For some reason, we often seem to forget this simple fact. Perhaps, we forget to acknowledge His proper position because we do not see  Him with our physical eyes. That is why the Bible teaches us to walk by faith and not by sight.

Genesis 1:1 is not regarded as a particularly outstanding scripture that affects our daily living. However, when we grasp the impact of this verse, we may reconsider how often we should meditate on it. If we owned a product and needed help understanding how it worked, we might ask someone we thought was knowledgeable about it. If, while consulting that person, the maker of the product walked in, the attention of everyone would probably go immediately to him. Who would know better how something operates than the one who made it?

If we were attempting to get more understanding about an incident to help us know how to respond properly, we would look for people who were there when it happened. It would probably help us if someone, who had insight into why it happened, could be found.

How much more would we seek God for help, if we  were aware that He were the creator of everything, and that He was here before anything existed? He has insight into the reason for every incident that occurs on earth.

We forget sometimes that God has the answer to everything. Sometimes, we simply forget He is present. Let us celebrate both His preeminence and His presence today. It will help life go easier. We will turn to Him first and not as a last resort, when we finally remember who He is and where He is.

 I will celebrate the preeminence of God and His presence. As a result, I will more easily overcome life's challenges.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 106

Day 106

Acts 13:3 Amplified Version

 "Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away."

Sometimes, a mission we are about to embark on can stretch our faith beyond the limits we have already experienced. According to Acts 13, the ministers who heard from God about Paul and Barnabas' ministry saw fit to fast before they sent them away. The church was still fairly young, and the trail Paul and Barnabas would be blazing was new. As Jesus pointed out in Matthew 27, fasting sometimes helps rid us of unbelief. As a result, our faith is strengthened.

Paul was about to face hostile Jews, who were rebellious against the message that Jesus was the Messiah. He would meet Gentiles, who were profiting from the worship of idol gods and would not sit quietly while their customers turned to the true God. Then, there were the intellectuals, who would scoff at the idea of someone being raised from the dead. Most of all, there was the unknown, which could always have brought fear.

Denying the flesh and concentrating on spiritual things through fasting and prayer always strengthens the spirit and allows faith to increase. Paul and Barnabas, along with the other ministers at Antioch, were very wise to fast and pray before launching their challenging ministry. May we humbly see and follow their example, as we are lead by the Spirit of God. We must know, however, that we are fasting to prepare  ourselves and not to guarantee successful ministry. Successful ministry is guaranteed by obedience to God and by faith.

I will fast and pray to prepare  myself  for  ministry. I will fast and pray to get rid of unbelief and to strengthen my faith.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 105

Day l05

Acts 13:2 Amplified Version

 "While they were worshiping the Lord  and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

While prophets and teachers were fasting and worshiping God in Antioch, they heard from God. The Holy Spirit revealed to them God's wisdom about a certain part of the apostolic ministry. Paul and Barnabas, who subsequently  went on a successful missionary journey, were set apart for team ministry at that time.

It seems absurd to think of putting a bank card in a cash machine and going through the proper procedures, but not knowing cash is coming out. Although the money would come out in that instance, we could  leave the machine empty  handed. It is important that we know what to expect when  we practice  the Word of God. We can obtain this knowledge by reading in  the Bible about those who served God.

In Acts 13, we see that the results of fasting and ministering to the Lord produced wisdom and direction. When  we set aside time to fast and minister to the Lord, we should not walk away without looking for results. Sometimes, our failure to receive may not have been a lack of response on God's part. It could have been our lack of expectancy. We may have walked away after doing our part, instead of looking and waiting for God's response.

I will expect and wait for God's response to  my ministry to Him. He always responds. I must always anticipate His response.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 104

Day 104

Ezra 8:21 Amplified Version

 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions."

King Cyrus of Persia had received a command from God to build the temple at Jerusalem. Once construction got underway, enemies began to interfere. Ezra, an Israelite priest, was coordinating the efforts to complete the project. There was danger along the route they had to travel, but Ezra was ashamed to request protection from the king. He had bragged to the king about God giving favor to all who seek Him.

Before they left for Jerusalem to take items they needed to complete the temple, Ezra proclaimed a fast. They were seeking God's direction.

Fasting allows us to quiet our bodies and tune in to the Spirit of God. To get the full benefit, we must not only abstain from food, but we must also seek God during the time we would normally be eating. It is important for us to realize that our helter-skelter behavior in times of crisis is not due to God hiding direction from us. We race about, because we do not take time to receive His guidance. Sometimes, receiving the insight we need requires more than just a few minutes of prayer and quietness before God. Fasting and dedicating our meal time to  seeking God can make a tremendous difference in our ability to receive from Him. Jesus once told His disciples fasting could eliminate unbelief that would hinder mighty works of God from being performed through them.

We should be ashamed to fall desperately before the ungodly for help, when we have boasted about how great our God is. Surely, all we have said about God is true. So, let us seek His face for guidance as to how He plans for us to accomplish the tasks He has set before us. God is not haphazard. If  He orders an ark to be built, the package always comes with specific instructions.

I will seek God for direction to accomplish the tasks set before me. When necessary, I will fast and pray, and God will give me revelation.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 103

Day 103

James 5:14

 "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:"

It is interesting to note that James asked, "Is there any sick among you?" It sounds like sickness among the Body of Christ was not acceptable to them. James gave instructions to the church on how to get the sick back to health.

The leaders of the church in its early stages were intolerant of sickness and disease. There is no record of anyone giving God glory by remaining sick. James 5:15 said the elders' prayer of faith would save the sick, and the Lord would restore him. Although doctors and medicine were available during that time, that was not where the Christians were told to look for  their deliverance. No one condemned the medical profession or gave any commands to shun physicians. Christians simply assumed that God was the source of their help. They also assumed that healing would always be the result.

James was very bold in his statement in verse 15 about the Lord raising up the sick. He used no "ifs" or "buts." Very matter-of-factly, he said God would raise them up. What is our attitude about sickness and disease? Do we tolerate it as just a normal part of life? Is seeking God's help a last resort?

Let us catch the spirit of James, relative to healing. If disease attacks our bodies, let us treat the occurrence as  an illegal invasion. We must not flow with it, but resist it.  If we need assistance, let us call for spiritual  help first. May we  look to God always and expect total victory, whether we use  a doctor's help or not.

I will be intolerant of sickness and disease. If it comes my way, I will look to God as the source of my healing and health.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 102

Day 102

I Peter 2:24

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Should we feel trapped by sin, as though we are powerless against it? What an insult it would be to the sacrifice Jesus made for us, for a child of God to accept defeat by sin. Jesus bore our sins in His body at Calvary, so we could be liberated from the power of darkness. We are also delivered from sickness and disease, because He took all of it upon Himself. Because of the stripes he bore, we are delivered from sin and sickness.

We must declare our victory over all the works of darkness. The songwriter wrote that we are signifying the Lord's death until He comes. When we do this, we should be reminding ourselves of what He took for us, so we can be free.

 I declare victory over sin, sickness and disease. Because of what Jesus did for me, I am free.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 101

Day lOl

Psalm 21:7

 "For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved"

David went through many challenges in his life. He had some tremendous victories. He also made some very foolish and costly mistakes. David's failures were enough  to cause anyone  to become completely discouraged with himself and doubtful about having a healthy relationship with God again. However, David believed in God's mercy. After honest repentance, he received that mercy and lived to be an old man--his relationship with God still intact.

Most of us have not messed up "big time" as David did, measuring by human standards. Yet, in whatever ways we have fallen short, we are often tempted to feel permanently defeated. We will probably continue being Christians, but our zeal and excitement may have diminished in some aspects of our lives. Subconsciously, we may begin to relate to circumstances based on our shortcomings. Now, some things are obvious connections to our past. However, unless the Holy Spirit shows us this connection, it is not our business to guess or assume. On the  other hand, if He does show us, then, God's grace will help us through these things and make it easier for us.

Let us remember that we cannot punish ourselves without insulting the blood of Jesus. Even in the things we suffer for obvious reasons, we are to respect the blood and expect God's grace to create good from our negative circumstances. We must always, like David, trust in the Lord and rely on His mercy. It is  a gift, not an earned reward. Then, we too, will not be moved. May we be inspired to go full steam ahead, having put away every self-created weight, as we endeavor to avoid vain imaginations that rob God of the pleasure of making us all  we can be.

I will trust in and rely confidently on the Lord, knowing that through His mercy and steadfast love, I will remain firmly planted in Him. I will forget the past and let  every  day be a new day of adventure with Him, not assuming anything is a hindrance, unless He has revealed such to me. Even with obvious hindrances created by my own doings, I  will  expect His grace to assist me. Regardless  of the mistakes  of the past or shortcomings of the present, I will rely on God's love for me and His divine ability to make me all I can be. I  am going for the gold!

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 100

Day l00

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."

In Romans Chapter 7, Paul described the spiritual warfare he experienced. He would do wrong when he really wanted to do right. In verse 24, he asked who could deliver him from his wretched condition. Then, in the next verse, he declared that victory comes through Jesus Christ. This preface must be read to understand Romans 8:1.

The "therefore" in Romans 8:1 is there,  because  of Romans 7:25. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, because Christ gives us the victory in the war against  sin. Romans 8:2 says the law of the Spirit of life, under which we now operate, has freed us from the law of sin and death. We are never unable to resist sin. Sin is what produces death. Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to see themselves as those who walk after the spirit and not the flesh. We have complete victory over sin, but we must still exercise our wills-­ our choices to walk in what is ours.

There is no condemnation to us who are in Christ. There is no need to beat ourselves over the head for sins and failures, as though we are helpless. If we fall, we must face the fact that we do so, because we choose to walk after the flesh - not  because  we could not help it. So, we should just repent and get back to walking in the spirit. That does not mean we should take sin lightly. We should be truly sorry and have honest repentance. However, it does not profit us to permit  condemnation,  since that would be participating with Satan, instead of God.

God does not wink at sin, but he does not want us to magnify failure. When we are sincere, He is ready to forgive, cleanse and lift us. Our Father wants to restore us and take us higher in Him, where we fail less and less, and please Him more and more. Our enemy, Satan, on the other hand, wants to condemn us and discourage us, so we will feel unworthy to serve God. He would like to discourage us until we fall lower and lower and please God less and less.

Let us open our eyes, then, and see the forces on both sides. Let us choose God's side. As long as our Lord reaches out to us, let us disappoint the devil and respond pleasingly to Our Father, who loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die in our stead.

I wilt turn away from the road to condemnation and follow the road to restoration. With God's help, I will live higher above sin every day.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 99

Day 99

Malachi 3:6 NIV

 "I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

God's patience is remarkable. His endurance and mercy are beyond description. He keeps His Word, even when  we fail to do our part. In Malachi 3:6, it looked like God had run out of every reason, except for His integrity, to refrain from destroying Israel. Yet, He still loved them.

The goodness of God should lead us to  repentance. When we consider how merciful He has been to us, despite our unfaithfulness, we should fall down and worship Him. There is none like our Father. He is rich in mercy and loving kindness, and His love for us cannot be matched. What we see in God should make us do all we can to serve Him faithfully and bless Him continually.

Let us look at the Father today and be changed. Let us cancel our plans to do wrong today, no matter what may tempt us. Whoever we may have planned to retaliate against, let us forgive, release and bless them in the name of the Lord. If we would give away all the mercy we receive, we would never punish anyone ever again.

I will examine myself today. If I need to repent for past sins or unfaithfulness, I will. If I need to  repent  for  things I am tempted to do today, with God's help I will. I will live this day, mindful of the mercy of God toward me, so I can show more love toward my fellow man.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 98

Day 98

Hebrews 11:27

"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible."

Moses was able to deal with Pharaoh fearlessly. He left Egypt with sufficient courage to make it all the way to the promised land. The only reason he could endure the things he faced, from the beginning to the end, was he was able to see something beyond the natural realm.

The author of Hebrews said Moses saw Him who was invisible. When there is no natural reason to go on, only the assurance that we have supernatural help enables us to press forward. Endurance is produced by focusing on a goal, believing we can make it all the way.

We must first, however, have a goal - a purpose. As Christians, the most important goal for us is completing our divine assignment. We should want our lives to count. The love of God in us should make us reach out with a desire to help as many people as we can.

Secondly, we must know we have the strength to make it. Paul once thought God had to deliver him from the assignment Satan had brought against him. He was bothered over and over again, no matter where he went. After a while, he felt as though he could not take any more. Then, the Lord informed him of the power of grace that was his. His concern was over. He happily moved forward, realizing he had what he needed to win and defeat every attack of the devil. He acknowledged that when he had run out of his own ability, the power of Christ would rest upon him. Not only was that comforting to Paul, but it was thrilling. He boasted about his own inability, so he could experience the power of Christ upon him.

Let us focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let us follow His example. He concentrated on  the  reward before Him, to produce the endurance he needed to  reach  the end of the race.

I will focus on the Lord, who is the source of  my strength. I will endure to the end, knowing that  a  reward awaits me, if I go all the way.

Come Up Higher, Vol. 2 | Day 97

Day 97

Ephesians 6:17

 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God."

The soldier's helmet is the piece of armor that protects his head. The skull is the part of the head which covers the brain. The brain sends messages to the entire body and gives instructions on how to function. If something goes wrong with the brain, the whole body becomes dysfunctional. Thinking processes become confused, and our effectiveness as a part of society is reduced or eliminated.

The spiritual armor of salvation protects our brains from improper spiritual thinking. If we do not see ourselves in light of the great salvation, which has been provided for us, our thinking processes become confused. Our effectiveness as a part of the army of God is reduced or eliminated. Through salvation, we have been made the righteousness of God. That means we have a right to stand before God as if we have never sinned. We can go boldly before the throne of grace to receive mercy and help in times of need. If we sin, we can be cleansed immediately, as we confess our sin with sincere regret. Without this consciousness, we rob ourselves of fellowship with the Father. We  bear needless pains and burdens, because we misunderstand our relationship with God.

Our salvation has provided physical and material prosperity. We do not need to be sick or poor. Without this enlightenment, we will accept sickness and lack, which make us unable to fulfill the plan of God for our lives in the best way possible. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and he needs us healthy, so we can be used by God more effectively. It costs money to accomplish the things we are assigned to do. If we do not understand that God supplies our needs, we will accept lack and not progress as we should.

Our salvation has provided emotional health. Jesus  gave us His peace. Without this knowledge, we will accept confusion and depression. Like many around us, we will say things like, "This is driving me crazy." The peace of God enables us to stay calm, when it would otherwise be impossible. When we stay calm, we remain under control. When we are under control, we can make better decisions. When we make better decisions, we become more of an asset to the Kingdom of God.

Let us study all that is included in our salvation, and put our helmets on snugly. God wants us to be effective, and we owe it to Him to give our best.

I will he aware of my salvation and what is included in it. I will he an asset to the Kingdom of God.