Introduction: Have you ever felt down? Discouraged? What can you do? How can we stay encouraged in a discouraging world?

Checking out the life and times of David helps us to know what to do in a time of discouragement.

“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.”

It was a bad day for David and the men along with their families.

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

Even in bad times, our Lord is there with us! Never forget, He promised not to leave us or forsake us. David knew where to turn in troubled times. Do you? Will you?

“And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

God’s Word cannot fail. Jesus Christ will prevail. After inquiring of his Lord, he was given a promise. Therefore, he had to trust the Lord. Will we trust the Lord?

Conclusion: Will you follow these steps to get up when you are down? God’s Word was given to us as an example with principles to follow.

Our God is faithful!

Introduction: Why does Jesus save us, and forgive us? Just to take us to heaven when we die – those who trust in Him? The answer is that is not all. We become His children by His “Grace” thru “Faith” to multiply His family with “Good Works.” But how are good works produced?

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath be fore ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath be fore ordained that we should walk in them.”

The word is ποίημα,(poy’-ay-mah). It means a thing made, a work, workmanship. In other words, God made us. But why did He make us?

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

Our God made us in order to produce “Good Works”! How does that make you feel? It should create within us a sense of responsibility. After all, there will be a day of accountability – at the JUDGEMENT SEAT of CHRIST (2Cor 5:10).

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

The word “ordain” is προετοιμάζω: (pro-et-oy-mad’-zo). By definition it means to prepare before, or to prepare or appoint beforehand, to predestine. In other words, our Lord is telling us that His purpose for making us a “workmanship” was to produce “Good Works”!

How are you doing?

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

The words “walk in them” are the word “περιπατέω” (per-ee-pat-eh’-o). Breaking it down, it means how we conduct our life, or how we live. In other words, it means lifestyle. It does matter. We are stewards of the Grace of God.

Conclusion: Putting those words together it spells the following: God made us. He placed us in God the Son, Jesus Christ. His intention was that since we were in Christ, we would produce good works, which was His main objective for leaving us here on earth.

Jesus came to earth to live a life without sin and ultimately die for our sins. From there He arose sending His Spirit to live in us and thus produce the GOOD WORKS. And in so doing, that He would be glorified!

A Great Plan from a Great God!

Introduction: Jesus lovingly warned His disciples to pray when things look bad. This is in the context just before He returns in glory and power.

Are you praying about the End Time Events? If not, why not? And if so, how should we pray?

A closer look at the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help us understand the importance of prayer during the end time of God’s economy.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).

We will all stand before Jesus whether at the Great White Throne Judgment (for unbelievers) or at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers).

“Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

Does it seem to you the world is at war, whether directly or indirectly? Greed, hate, and selfishness are driving nations against nations. Jesus forewarned us that it would be this way.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”

Today CHRISTians are in  the fire stoked by hatred and hostility from the Antichristian governments. Groups claiming to be followers of Jesus are twisting the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16), and attempting through ungodly laws to force everyone to go along with their views. If anyone objects because of conscience or conviction they will be lambasted, persecuted and perhaps thrown in jail.

But why should we be surprised? Jesus was crucified and all of His disciples were martyred (except John), not including Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Lord. Are we exempt from being lightning rods? The blood of the martyrs runs knee deep down through the centuries. Satan knows his time is short. Therefore, we can expect more to come. Our Lord prewarned us of these days.

Stand strong. Keep fighting the “Good Fight of Faith”! Choose to love and forgive without compromising truth!! Our Lord will bless you.

“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Fear is the opposite of Faith. How can we have Faith if we live in Fear. While we are to FEAR the Lord (Prov 1:7 – reverence), Jesus encouraged us not to fear man. Furthermore, if we are aware of the TIMES explained in the Scriptures, then we should have confidence that our God is in control of the nations, kings, and events to come in the future. Why “fear” when Jesus is “near”? Besides that, why “fear” when Jesus  is “here”!

Are you afraid?

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Life is short. Eternity is long. Heaven is real. Jesus is coming. Are you ready? Pray.

Introduction: This devotion will be in two parts, the BAD NEWS and then the GOOD NEWS. By the way, the word “Quicken” means to come alive!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

“2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

* What does it mean to be “dead in trespasses and sin”?

The word “trespasses” is παράπτωμα,(par-ap’-to-mah), which means a false step, a trespass: a falling away, lapse, slip, sin. We have all gone astray, like sheep without a shepherd. But the Great Shepherd sought us and bought us!

* What does it mean to “walk according to the prince of the power of the air?”

Who is this? How do we see this playing out today? No doubt this is a description of Satan. Certainly the spirit of Antichrist is prevalent today. He uses this world system which is diametrically opposed to the Will of God. Yet, the Lord is still in control.

* Explain – our “conversation in the lusts of the flesh, by nature children of wrath”?

We were born with a sin nature; we choose to sin against God; i.e. it is our very nature. Go ahead and admit it.

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

This does not mean just to know “about” Him, but instead to really have a relationship with Him. Do you? First, we have to be born into His family.

“Being conformable unto his death..Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus lived obediently to His Father’s Will, even to the point of death. Are we willing?

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

If Paul had not arrived, then none of us have arrived. Do you agree?

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The past, present or future can weigh you down. The key to focusing correctly is forgetting the water already under the bridge and looking forward to what is in front of the boat…. to what lies ahead… as the Lord wills.

Are you doing that?

Conclusion: Make it your life’s goal. To Know Jesus & let Him be known!!

Introduction: There is power when we unite. The importance of unity is seen throughout the Bible. Here are some examples of unity:

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

While it is true this passage is in the context of Christian discipline, it is also consistent with other biblical teaching concerning unity in prayer.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

When the Church comes together to pray there is power. Spiritual boldness is the result. Are you a bold witness?

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man  much.”

This does not mean that we need a preacher or a pope or another person (Christian) to confess our sins to. Instead, it reveals the importance of Christian accountability.

Are you accountable to anyone?

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Such oneness existed between the Father and the Son that should carry over to every child of God who has been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Can you relate to the oneness between the Father and the Son?

Do people see Jesus in us?

Conclusion: While Unity is emphasized in the Scripture, there needs to be discernment exercised when it comes to the ecumenical movement. As Bible believers, we can agree to stand against the moral ills of our land but when it comes to compromising the Word of God we must be strong in our faith.

Introduction: Tucked underneath the mighty prophetic work of Elisha is a provision our Lord made for him. Who did He use? How were they used to serve the Lord? Let’s see.

1. A Great Woman from Shunem! (2Kings 4:8)

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.”

2. A Provision out of a Prayerful and Careful Vision! (2Kings 4:9,10)

“And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”

What a Blessing! This met a major need in the prophet Elisha’s life. Rest…  Refreshment…. Renewal … Do you stand in need of these? Do you know someone else that is in need of this? Remember. We reap what we sow.

3. Speaking of Reaping Benefits! (2Kings 4:11-16)

“And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. 14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

God rewarded the Shunammite woman of great faith with a child. Keep in mind, Jesus honors sacrificial service.

Conclusion: Do you have God’s Vision? Has He given you Provisions to be a Blessing? Isn’t it interesting that while we reach out to meet others needs, our Faithful Lord uses others to reach out to us!

So let’s pray to be a Blessing to others.

Introduction: Is Jesus’ kingdom coming? When? And how? What has to happen before His Kingdom is inaugurated? Should believers pray for His kingdom to come?

By the way, four of them have already come and gone {Babylon, Medo Persian, Grecian, and Roman}. The fifth prior to Jesus’ kingdom is yet to come. Here is his description:

“And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”

Whereas Jesus Christ was the “Stone that the builders rejected,” He will also be the Stone cut out of the mountain that will crush the Antichrist.

His kingdom shall overthrow all kingdoms. So that His glory and power will sovereignly reign over all the earth.

Conclusion: Get ready. His kingdom is coming. No one can stop Him! So let’s pray…”Thy Kingdom come.”

Introduction: Pride. Are you boastful? At times we can be braggadocio and not even realize it. All through life our ego can get the best of us. While some see nothing wrong with it, God’s Word speaks against it. In fact, James writes, “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

Our Lord Jesus Christ gives a comparison between a proud person and a humble person. Notice the difference:

“9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

1. Did you see how the Pharisee prayed to himself and about himself? His problem was that while he was telling God all the “good things” he did, he forgot to mention any wrongdoings! Don’t we do the same sometimes? Next, he had a critical spirit with a self-righteous attitude. What did Jesus think about his prayers?

2. Did you pick up on the Publican’s heart-felt prayer? (Luke 18:13)

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast,
saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

His prayer reached heaven because instead of bragging he saw himself in the light of God’s holiness.

3. Did you hear what Jesus said about the Publican’s prayer? (Luke 18:14)

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

The world operates opposite of the Christian life. Even Lucifer was full of pride. That cost him his position in heaven.
So the choice is ours.