Verses 4-5 “When you, Lord, went out from Seir,
    when you marched from the land of Edom,
the earth shook, the heavens poured,
    the clouds poured down water.
⁵ The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
    before the Lord, the God of Israel.

^{Why it Jumped Out}

God moves Mightily. In this instance, God atmospherically defeated Israel’s enemies. He poured down water upon Israel’s enemies to drown, stagnate and hinder the enemies of God. Their fast chariots could not even be used against Israel as planned. 

How this changes my life

• I dislike suffering. I hate violence and harm, especially when it is unnecessary. But, while it is seemingly easier to physically war against foes, I have learned, it is better to pray, trust and ask God to avenge my enemies.  This Scripture reminds me of the mountains and enemies that God has invisibly dismantled before me. I believe this is every child of God’s fate. That no weapon formed against us, His Body, shall prosper, and that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against Her. 

Prayer

• Father, thank you for your Holy Word which fulfills many purposes. Thank you that is at work within our hearts. I am glad Lord for the testimonies, songs, prophecies and experiences where you won wars for us. You are faithful. You are good. You are the Only Wise God. 

Amen. 

What Jumped Out at Me:

I particularly appreciate this Scripture as it reminds me of God and Him sharing His Spirit and loving nature with us. He created us to love, to be loved and we are dependent upon His love. I often sit still and absorb, contemplate and thank Him for His love, which is so much more powerful than sin, death and everything else that man may experience. There are times when men don’t love, and there are times when men don’t love themselves, but God, our Father, who is Love, for certain, has proven His love for each one of us. For that, I am grateful. I believe His love is more precious than rubies. I think His love is worth far more than diamonds, and certainly more valuable than the arrows of temptation which every man encounters in life. Sometimes, we can feel his love, other times we can experience His love by faith and other times through hope, He reveals Himself, hence, His love. 

God is Awesome. 

How does this change my life?

Once again through God’s Word, I am reminded about this hierarchy, faith, hope and love, which shall remain. Of which, love is the greatest and is the primary thing I should focus on. Rather than striving for it, I will submit myself, and allow His love to lead me in His direction and wherever He would have me to go. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your indescribable LOVE. You loved us so much that even while we were yet sinners, your Son shed His Blood and died for us. You have demonstrated your Love towards us so much, that we are without excuse if we don’t acknowledge you. Thank you again Lord for loving me/us enough to rescue me/us, keep me/us and bless me/us the way that you have. Help us to share the Love of God in the earth every day in a way that is pleasing to You.

In Jesus Christ Name I pray, 

Amen. 

^{John 18}

^{What Jumped Out:}

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

Why it Jumped Out:

There is a way that seems right to a man that leads to his death. 

This official, with authority and on a mission, out of respect for a high priest did not recognize the Truth about Jesus and by striking, Him, attempted to silence the Words of God, condemn Him and had chosen to exalt man over the Lord, who was and is the High Priest in the Order of Melchezidek. While empowered through religion, he clearly missed the Coming of the Lord. 

How this Impacts my Life

I need Holy Spirit. There are people and scenarios that I am involved with and in some instances have measures of authority. May I never exalt man above you, your Kingdom and your Word. Without pride and arrogance, I desire to stand for the Truth in God’s Righteousness through Christ Jesus, and desire for His Kingdom to stand and forcefully advance according to His Will. 

My Prayer

Lord, thank you for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you that promotion belongs to you. Help me Lord to proclaim your Name, even during times of temptation. May my needs and desires never override, influence or sway me to defame, doubt, offend or deny you in any way. Help me to emphatically say “”No!” to worldly “duties” that bring harm. Father thank you for getting glory from the Death and Resurrection of our Lord. May your will be done in my life, 

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.  

John 4

What Jumped Out?

V10. – ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

 “How can you ask me for a drink?” asked the unaware Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus responded, with an answer that not only resolved the societal issues of the day but also resolved life and after-life issues eternally. Unbeknownst to her, this encounter with the Messiah was going to supernaturally impact her life and the entire area where she lived.

Instead, of “knowing” who He was, she was concerned about herself, while He was concerned about her-self. 

This time, while reading this Scripture, I appreciated that He used past tense verbiage, “knew”, “would have”, and “would have given”. Immediately, He knew that she had encountered the Living God and had not yet known it. How many times have I had a chance to encounter God, had a chance to do His Word, or listen to His voice, or follow the Holy Spirit but was oblivious to His Presence, His purpose, His visitation? Unfortunately, too many times, I believe.  

This reminds me to stay focused on God and His Word(s). That way I am able to live by faith in what Christ has already done. Because He suffered, bled and died over 2000 years ago, He perpetually provided full access to a fully provisional, all powerful and all-knowing God who loves very deeply. He promised and gave His believers, His Holy Spirit. Our pleasure is to be led by the Holy Spirit and wait for a chance to do His Will. We can only do this by not being “stuck in the weeds” of our days and lives. Personally, I should stay focused on the bigger Truth that Jesus Christ offered, and appreciate that some things have already done for me. Praise God, if we have received Christ and He is the Lord of our lives, we are forgiven, we are healed, and we are the righteous in Christ Jesus. He gave us this complete accessibility through forgiveness in Jesus Christ and by believing that He was the Son of God, even though we haven’t actually seen Him. 

His Word says, By His stripes, we were healed”. That means God provided healing to His people a long time ago. Let’s be united with God through His Son, the Lord, Jesus Christ.  

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for getting bogged down in the details of life. I know you have a greater purpose and calling on our lives. Therefore, I submit my life and my individual days to to, and ask that your Will is done. Mercifully Father, show me what you would have me do, and speak and accomplish whatever pleases you throughout my days and my life. Thank you for the greatest Gift of Christ. I am reminded to trust you with my future. Fuel me by your Holy Spirit, and may your perfect Will be done in my life.  

In Jesus Name, 

Amen. 

^{1 Corinthians 6:1}

⁷ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.

Verse 7(B) – Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated. 

While I did not always subscribe to this way of thinking, over the years, I have learned that there is certainly value in doing God’s Word. Esteeming others higher than oneself makes for better relationships, churches, a better country and a better world. Jesus said, ”If they slap you, give them the other cheek.” Jesus said, “Humble yourself, and you will be exalted.” In todays’ world, it seems that arrogance often prompts the need for extreme defense. Contrarily the Christian appreciates Jesus, our example, who defended the truth instead of defending Himself, even as He carried His Cross and walked to His death. 

I believe Paul was confirming that it is better to seemingly lose or be cheated than to sin and have offenses with our Christian brothers and sisters. When arrogance is present, divisions are too commonplace because when arrogance is present, man inherently becomes too easily offended. 

How does this change my life? 

I want to focus on what is important, God, His Kingdom, those He has placed in my life, and the work He has for me to do. I want to give those things everything I have. I have no interest in battling others who have disdain towards or against me. I am sincerely willing to say, “I am sorry”, and attempt to make restitution if applicably possible. If I have offended anyone, please forgive me. As I age, I notice that sometimes, their disdain does not subside even when I go out of my way to please them. 

Prayer

Father, 

Thank you for sharing your goodness with your children. Forgive us when we take our eyes off you and place them on ourselves, other people, things and more. Help us to be so close to you so that revenge, conflict, competition, greed and evil desires don’t sinfully influence our hearts, minds and relationships. May the value of people be higher on the totem poles of our lives. 

Lord, Thank you that your ways are higher than our ways. Thank you that vengeance is yours. Thank you that the victory is yours, and that you granted it to us, your children, through Jesus Christ. 

In Jesus Name. Amen.

^{Ephesians 1}

^{What Jumped Out:}

 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17)

Why it Jumped Out:

He planned and created the life of each person, so everyone was born because of and through Him. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

While this chapter usually enthuses me with words like inheritance, predestined, adoption, pleasure, riches, every spiritual blessing, redemption, wisdom, revelation, etc., this time I was attracted to and easily impressed upon by v17(b) “so that you may know him better”.

How this Bible Scripture Changes my Life:

I believe the born and the unborn have experiences with God. 

Paul stated he repetitively requests from God, that we may know God better. The Apostle Paul is not prescribing religious works nor religious activity or duty fulfillment. Instead, his prescription prompts us towards increased intimacy and a special kind of “giving” to God. This type of giving is non-material. 

Intimacy with God is giving one’s entire self to Him, including the sharing of one’s thoughts, the details of our encounters, inviting Him into our relationships, our words, conversations, and even the most minute activities, concerns and occurrences in our days. 

While faithfulness to Jesus Christ is important, knowing Him better is not being overly “faithful” or overly “dedicated” to religious activity, but instead by giving every aspect of our lives over to Him and including Him in not only our days, but also, the minutes and seconds of the day. To know Him better, we should invite Him into everything with praise and thanksgiving. By doing so, we are giving our seconds, minutes, hours and days to God. Proverbs 16:3 says, “What you submit to the Lord will be established (or succeed).” Since He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), I believe He is waiting for us to draw closer to Him by simply inviting Him into and giving to Him the intimate parts of our lives.

Sometimes we have problems or situations that we don’t take to Him. Since He created everything, He can fix everything.   

My Prayer

Lord, forgive me for when I have kept you at a distance, for not inviting you to have your way in areas of my life that I thought I had control over or didn’t think you were interested in. Thank you that whatever we commit to you will succeed according to your Word. Therefore, God fully enter in to my entire life not because of the so many blessings that come with your Presence, but so that I may know you better.

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.  

Prayer suggestions that can help you get to know Him better:

Overeating

Smoking

Cursing

Lying

Pornography

Bitterness

Unbelief

Lust

James Chapter 5

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Verses 1-6, 42-44  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Why It Jumped Out? 

They were physically together. 

Many church going Believers have experienced powerful moves of God while at church. We are all witnesses and have benefitted from certain “services” where God healed, intensely visited, consumed and spiritually enriched the environment with His Presence or pouring out of His Spirit. We all have tasted God’s goodness in different ways during certain in-church gathering experiences. 

How this changes my life

• Currently, many people are opting to participate in remote participation because it’s much simpler to hear the message and touch base online. But this Scripture reminds me of the importance and value we have when we actually meet in person, agree in His Name, and worship Him in Spirit in Truth, corporately. 

Because, on line, I wonder, if we will experience the same revealing of God’s glory, power and Presence as we have when we go to the House of God. I am valuing the times I have had in the House of the Lord. Im Thankful that my house is the House of God. 

Prayer

• Father, thank you for your Holy Word. May Your Power, Presence and manifold blessings continue to be present, continue to be revealed, continued to be granted to us and people who desire You, even though they don’t go to church. I pray that you would supernaturally draw people to the House of God through online ministry, ultimately, drawing people to you, personally.  

In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Verse 4-5: ⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 

Verse 11:   ¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 

^{Why it Jumped Out}

The church at Thessalonica had adapted to a positive stance in their suffering, which please Paul and seemingly God. Many modern churches are in simple challenges amongst each other and enjoy many commodities the world has to offer. 

Through verse 11, I am reminded that it is God who makes us worthy of His calling. Anyone can try to fulfill the gifts described in Ephesian 4:11, but it is God who creates ministry and the minister.

I am reminded that Paul often defended his Apostleship in Christ who was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. I appreciate his defensive position.  

How this changes my life

• I am reminded that when suffering God spoke to me that “I am His Minister.” Therefore, I did not create what God has done in my life, nor did I create those He healed and received. I am to follow His lead and not follow this carnal world.   

Prayer

• Father, thank you for your Word and Holy Spirit who guides us into righteousness. You are the potter and I am the clay. 

In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Verses 14 ¹⁴ When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

^{Why it Jumped out}

The king reminded me of our Father because the king was well aware of their political jousting, jockeying, slander and setup, and he was greatly distressed. The king’s distress reminds me of Eph. 4:30, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Darius and Daniel’s bond had already been sealed.

The king loved Daniel and desired to rescue, save and deliver him. But,he could not go against his words. 

Because of Daniel’s faith and true relationship with the king, the envious characters in this account attempted to use principles that were in place against Daniel and the king. The king was faithful to his word and God delivered Daniel. The characters got their unprosperous rewards. 

How this changes my life

• Sometimes people you love try to use your faith against you, to test your faith if you will. To prompt you to move against God so they can accuse you. I am reminded that being faithful to God is worth suffering through any loss of relationship that I have to encounter. When accused, the Words of God become our defense. If suffering results, trust in God and He will see me through. And, I am not to manipulate things to work towards others’ demise to have my way in circumstances. 

Prayer

• Lord, forgive me Father for my sins. May I not be a weapon formed against others, unless you would have me to be, and may no weapon formed against me prosper. Help me to walk purely in my life. Lord, 
• Always watch over us, and coordinate activities using our lives to accomplish your Will through us. 

In Jesus Name, Amen.