A Word from the Lord

Early this morning, while preparing to minister, the Holy Spirit directed me to Psalm 16:5. This verse is a wonderful encouragement during these days of economic distress.

"O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot."

The Lord is my Source - He is the measure of my inheritance.
The Lord is my Satisfaction - He is the cup that I reach for every day.
The Lord is my Security - He will protect and keep what has been prepared for me.

The Lord Himself is the reward of the righteous! Therefore, I will not fear for He is all I need!

Travel update from Pennsylvania

We have been in Pennsylvania for about 2 weeks. It has been cold and we have seen snow on several days! Quite a change from Florida. But then again, we have heard that it has been unusually chilly back home.

We have enjoyed wonderful times of blessing as we sang and preached in Stroudsburg and Waynesboro. We are looking forward to being in Altoona next Sunday.

The church and congregation in Altoona hold a special place in our hearts. It was at Pleasant Valley Assembly in Altoona that Jan and I began our ministry in the fall of 1973.

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Faith in a Promise

The Gospel writer, Matthew, tells us of a woman who found healing as she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. (Matthew 9) Could it be this woman based her faith and determination on a word found in the Prophecy of Malachi?

About 400 years had passed since the Prophet gave God’s people a unique promise concerning the coming Messiah. Malachi 4:2 reads, “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings”. Bible scholars have been puzzled over the meaning of “wings”. Most commentators have supposed the term to be a metaphor for rays of the sun. This would certainly fit with a title of the Messiah being “The Sun of Righteousness.”

The Hebrew word that is translated “wings” is kanaph. Included in the meanings of this word is – edge, extremity, or corner of a garment. So the prophecy of Malachi could just as easily have been translated, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in the hem of his garment”.

My heart resonates with this translation and perhaps this is how the woman read the verse too! In her desperate determination and success in touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, she acknowledged Jesus as the promised Messiah as well as her healer. Her act of faith produced an immediate commendation from the Lord Jesus.

She did much more than touch a hem of a garment; she grasped a promise of God. And she was healed!

By the way, she started something! Read Matthew 14:36

Daily Confessions for November 21

Speak these words over your life today.

I am the captain over my eyes!
Evil images will not enter into my spirit for I am training my eyes to follow righteousness.

I am living in the time of favor!
God has established blessings for me, for my children, and for my children’s children.

I am blessed beyond measure!
My sins are forgiven; my diseases are healed; and my youth is restored.
I am rescued from destruction, crowned with kindness and mercy, and filled with good things.

I am a minister of the Lord!
The fire of God’s Spirit has ignited my heart with a fervent desire to serve Him.
Every day gives me a new song of praise to my God.

I am chosen by the Lord!
We are in a covenant relationship and He will never forget His promises to me.

Master Principle for November 19

THE WORLD SEES WHO I AM, BUT JESUS SEES WHO I WILL BE.

Near the beginning of John’s gospel, we read that Jesus was introduced to a man called Simon. The Scripture tells us that, “Jesus looked at him”. That “look” went beyond the immediate and reached into the future. Jesus saw who Simon was and beyond that, Jesus saw who Simon would be. Not just who he could be, but who he would be.
“You are Simon [a pebble]”, Jesus said. This was how the man was known both as a person and a personality. Jesus then prophesied that in the coming years this man would change. And the change would be so distinct and dramatic that people would see Simon as a completely different person.
“You shall be called Cephas”, Jesus said. The great expositor of the Bible, the Holy Spirit Himself, then includes His comment, “which is translated, A Stone”.
A pebble – a follower, insignificant, easily moved, easily overlooked
A stone – solid, established, foundational, immovable
The change did not happen in an instant, but it did happen.
Our full potential will never be realized if we allow the world to define us. Our true destiny can be attained only when we discover and step into the Lord Jesus’ definition of who we will be.

The Master's Principle for November 9

AUTHENTIC WORSHIP ATTRACTS THE PRESENCE OF GOD

In His conversation with a woman that He encountered in Samaria, Jesus declared a clear principle when He prophesied, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23
The true worshiper does not withhold his worship until the time is right and the atmosphere is conducive. Instead, he offers his exaltation because always and everywhere our God is worthy of our worship!
The Father responds to the holy mention of His name -
- dark moments brighten when we worship!
- closed doors open when we worship!
- immovable hindrances are swept aside when we worship!
- strong temptations are overcome when we worship!
- negative thoughts are banished when we worship!
- our environment becomes alive and filled with glory when we worship!

News!

As of yesterday, Gary and Jan are both citizens of the USA!

"The land of the free and the home of the brave"

God bless this wonderful country!

Daily Confessions for November 7

Speak these words over your life today.

I am not ashamed!
The Lord has delivered me from the enemy’s snare.
Good things are waiting for me in the presence of the Lord.

I am secure in the time of trouble!
I am surrounded with songs of deliverance and guided by His eye.

I am the Lord’s work!
I am created and prepared uniquely and individually by God.

I am the object of His attention!
The Lord has instructed His angel to watch over me and I will not lack for anything.

I am prospering according to His pleasure!
The Angel of the Lord is chasing away those who would steal my blessings.

Daily Confessions for November 6

Speak these words over your life today.

I am vindicated!
My feet are secure in my integrity and established in truth.
I not will slip or fall.

I am not worried!
The Lord will hide me and keep me where the enemy cannot find me.

I am being lifted up!
The Great Shepherd is carrying me into a place of safe refuge.

I am strong in the Lord!
I am blessed with the peace of the Lord!

I am healed!
My weeping has ended and joy has come like the morning sun.
My sadness has passed and my feet are wanting to dance.

Daily Confessions for November 5

Speak these words over your life today!

I am crowned with majesty!
He has given me a scepter of strength, goodness, and honor.
I am surrounded by the presence of my Lord.

I am a resting place for the Spirit of God!
The Lord is seated on my praises.
Even in the middle of a great assembly, the King will hear and know my voice.

I am under the special care of my Shepherd!
I am cared for and led by Him. I am protected, even in the valley of the shadow of death.
I am invited to eat at His table.
I am anointed with oil and filled to overflowing.

I am a seeker of the face of my God!
I will ascend into the high and holy places of His dwelling and receive the blessings that await me.

I am a student of the way of the Lord!
I dwell in prosperity; my children are blest; and the Lord is showing me the hidden things.

Daily Confessions for November 4

Speak these words over your life today!

I am the Lord’s delight!
I have a good inheritance and I will not be moved.

I am tested and found pure!
I am determined to avoid the path of the destroyer.

I am established on a Rock!
I am surrounded by walls, and armed with strength.
I am strong enough to run through a troop, agile enough to leap over a wall, and prepared
to be victorious over those who oppose me.

I am a student of the Word of the Lord!
My soul is converted; my thoughts are wise; my heart rejoices; and my eyes have clear vision.

I am anointed by the Lord!
The King hears my call and answers me.

Daily Confessions for November 3

Speak these words over your life today!

I am captured by His attention!
The Lord’s throne is in heaven, but His eyes are on me!

I am safe!
The Lord hears my sighing and rises to my defense.

I am excited!
My heart and my lips sing of His generosity.

I am no longer in bondage!
The Lord has delivered me from the captivity of sin and self.

I am righteous!
The Lord honors me and welcomes me into the tabernacle of His presence.

Daily Confessions for November 2

Speak these words over your life today!

I am heard in Heaven!
My prayers and my tears do not miss His attention!

I am a flaming and sharpened arrow sent by God!
He is preparing me for battle.

I am crowned with glory and honor!
I am unique among all that God has created.

I am protected in the day of battle!
Death cannot hold me.

I am patient!
I wait confidently for my King to remove
the oppressor and establish the humble.

Daily Confessions for November 1

Speak these words over your life today.

I am like a tree that produces abundant fruit!
I will succeed in whatever I do.

I am a child of the King of heaven and earth!
No enemy can stand against me.

I am shielded, protected, sustained by the Lord!
The blessings of the Lord are upon me.

I am set apart for the Lord Himself!
I will sleep in peace and dwell in safety.

I am looking upward!
The Lord surrounds me with His favor and makes His way straight before me.