Introduction: Solomon writes to confirm that we are what we think – not what we EAT! How is your THINKING these days – negative? Wrong?

1. How can we CHANGE our thinking after we become a child of God? (Rom 12:1,2)

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The word “Renewing” is ἀνακαίνωσις,(an-ak-ah’-ee-no-sis), which means a renewing; a renewal or change of heart and life.

The Scriptures have the POWER to CHANGE our minds! It washes it clean.

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you….” (John 15:3)

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..” (Eph 5:26)

Instead of letting our emotions control us, the SPIRIT of God through the WORD of God is the key to CHANGING our thinking. It is a CHOICE. Are you going to CHOOSE to think on what the BIBLE declares? Are you letting your emotions RUN WILD? Truthfully, sometimes medication can affect our thought process. Recognize that. But FAITH comes by hearing the Word of God!

FAITH is taking God at His Word. Faith is not believing Jesus can but that He WILL! Do you believe?

2. How does the devil keep us bound down with negative thoughts? (2Cor 10:3-5)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

This verse leads us to believe that the enemy sows his dirty seeds in our minds, which become strongholds. A stronghold can be defined as a castle, fortress, meaning a way that Satan can operate in our minds. However, once Jesus Christ takes over our life, there is a power source to OVERCOME the devil’s lies. TRUTH TRANSFORMS! Jesus Christ is the TRUTH!!

“6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)

Introduction: Have you ever crossed over a fence and did you notice that just before you are on the OTHER SIDE you’re straddling it? In other words you’re not one one side or the other, you’re in between. Unfortunately, there are a lot of CHRISTIANS who are FENCE-STRADDLING. Are you? One week on fire, the next week ice cold. One week praying red hot prayers, and the next week not even praying. Here’s a case of fence straddling:

1. On the Fence! (Exo 32:1-6)

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 5And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. 6And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

Israel was on the FENCE! IDOLS… The world is calling us to climb on the fence. Are you going?

2. Calling those off the fence! (Exo 32:7-14)

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation…”

Moses could have said OK. But he was looking out for God’s glory, not self glory! How about us?

3. Pulling those off the fence! (Exo 32:11-14)

“And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.”

God always has a REMNANT! The Lord REMEMBERS!

4. Warning about fence straddling! (Exo 32:19-35)

“19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. 20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. 21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? 22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. 23For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. 25And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) 26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. 27And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. 28And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. 29For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day….. 30And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. 35And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.”

It’s dangerous to fence straddle!

Introduction: Have you met Lydia? This morn a friend sent me a picture of his newborn granddaughter. Guess what his son and his wife named her? Lydia. Wouldn’t you like to meet the Lydia of the Bible? She was both a wealthy woman and a wise woman. Check out how our Lord Jesus orchestrated His will in this unique situation. 

The following questions tell the story. 

1. Where? (Acts 16:13)

“13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.”

Imagine the scene…..praying by a River. There is just something “PEACEFUL” about a river. Prayer can be offered ANYWHERE because our God is EVERYWHERE!

Will you pray?

2. Who? (Acts 16:14)

“14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us.”

Prayer unites believers. 

Interestingly to note, Lydia heard Paul praying. You never know who may be listening. Evidently, Lydia was a businesswoman – a seller of purple, an expensive dye. She seemed to be somewhat religious. Or at least she was seeking the Lord.

3. What? (Acts 16:14,15)

“…whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household.”

Praise God! Jesus opened her heart through the vehicle of prayer and by His Spirit. Her whole house was saved!! And to demonstrate their obedience, they were baptized. 

4. How? (Acts 16:15)

“And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

The proof of her conversion to Jesus Christ was quickly acknowledged by all in her willingness to extend hospitality to Paul and Silas. We are not saved by WORKS but if we are saved there will be some works!

Conclusion: What a beautiful picture of the power of prayer and the quickening of the Holy Spirit with a religious lady who needed a relationship with Jesus.

Didn’t this motivate you to want to pray and obey more?

1. Who is this talking about?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

• Seals us
• Adopts us
• Predestines us
• Redeems us
• Quickens us
• Sits us
• Provides for us

2. What is this talking about?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Because Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, sin, and the grave, and ascended into heaven, He has unlimited RESOURCES! What ever we need, He has more. Hallelujah!

3. How can this be done?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

There’s a Power working in us! It is His POWER! It is provided by the Holy Spirit. Just think about that.

Conclusion: What a PROMISE! What a PROVISION! What a POWER!

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Introduction: Can you tell that Satan has people held in captivity today? Sadly, they do not realize it. While bound down in chains of sin and rebellion, he manipulates their mind, will, and emotions. Yet, there is power in PRAYER over the enemy. But ONLY because Jesus Christ has defeated Satan. And ultimately, he will be thrown in the lake of fire. That is why he knows his time is short. Meanwhile, how can we help people get FREE from the control of the enemy? Here are a few biblical insights.

1. Breaking Free from the devil calls for INTERCESSORY PRAYER! (Eph 6:17,18)

“18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

JESUS PRAYS for His followers. (Luke 22:30,31)

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Praise the Lord! Not only is Jesus interceding but we also are instructed to PRAY against the enemy. Are you? Check out the next demonically driven case of a MAD-MAN that was turned into a GLAD-MAN.

2. Breaking Free from MENTAL, and PHYSICAL torment by the devil calls for INTERCESSORY POWER!
(Mark 5:1-13)

“And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.”

This man was possessed with many, many demons. Only Jesus could help him. By the way, our task does not rely upon our own strength. Instead, our POWER to stand and pray comes from JESUS CHRIST. Please, do not ever try to engage the enemy without the Power of Jesus Christ!

3. Breaking Free from MENTAL, and PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL torment by the devil calls for INTERCESSION which leads to TRANSFORMATION! (Mark 5:15-20)

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

Did you notice the instantaneous CHANGE? That is the POWER of God!

Introduction: Over the last few months and couple of years, there have been more and more sightings of strange phenomena in the sky. What is it? Where did it come from? Why hasn’t the government declared it as disembodied spirits? Is it just weather balloons? Atmospheric changes? Satellites? Drones? Military technology? Just recently has the government decided to do a serious investigation into this unknown realm. Their research and conclusions have been lacking with adequate explanations. Could some of this be a set up from the real enemy Satan? Certainly, there is undeniable proof for future demonic activity. Consider the following biblical evidence:

1. Satan’s strategy to deceive! (Matt 24:4,5,11,24)

“4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you…..”

Deception is one the top of the devil’s agenda. Are you being deceived? Only remedy…walking in the LIGHT!

2. The unseen Principalities of the air! (Eph 2:2)

“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.”

There are unseen forces combating in the heavens. If our spiritual eyes could be opened, we would see them.

3. The intensity of Signs and Wonders in relation to end-time Prophecy! (2Thess 2:7-10)

“7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Be aware of Signs and Wonders. Yes… Jesus can perform them but so can the devil.

4. The final overthrow of Satan’s schemes by Jesus Christ! (Rev 20:10; Rev 19:20)

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

Satan is a defeated foe. But for now, he remains formidable foe.

Introduction: Are there any parents/grandparents that can relate to this? Don’t you LOVE when your children/grandchildren call you just to talk? (not just for money??)

One reason that happens is because they enjoy a relationship with you. Likewise, our Heavenly Father desires for His children to call Him. His ears are open to our call.

1. When you COUNT your BLESSINGS! (Psa 34:1-4)

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Prayer and Praise are cousins… they come from the same family! It is truly “AMAZING what PRAISING can do!”

2. When we are AFRAID! (Psa 34:4-6)

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Fear= False 

           Evidence

           Appearing 

           Real

Are you feeling fearful today? Call upon the Lord Jesus. 

3. When we need PROTECTION! (Psa 34: 7-10)

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 😯 taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

The enemy would love to hinder you and me. Therefore, we need to call on the name of JESUS! He’s our ROCK!! He’s our FORTRESS! He’s our DELIVERER! In Him will we TRUST.

4. When we are in trouble or afflicted! (Psa 34:15-19)

“15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

The word “affliction” is  רַע, which means bad, evil. Please notice: The text does not say “any” but instead “MANY.” But as we call upon the Lord, He delivers us!

Conclusion: Here are 5 REASONS we need to REACH out to HEAVEN. Will you do it this moment?

Introduction: Are you praying in FAITH? Some pray in FEAR! But what does it mean to pray in FAITH? Consider the following:

1. Jesus taught it! (Mark 11:22-24)

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

In other words, if we are not praying in faith then we cannot Please our Lord (Heb 11:6).

2. James bought it! (James 5:13-16)

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14Is 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: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

This means praying in the will of God.

3. The devil fought it! (Luke 22:30,31)

“31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

If the devil can block our prayers he will! Is he working in you? Jesus overcame him. We can overcome the devil through Him!

Introduction: Do you ever get DISCOURAGED? Probably everybody gets DISCOURAGED every once in a while. In fact, according to the Bible, most of God’s choicest servants got DOWN. But they did not stay DOWN.

So how do we get up when we are DOWN. 

Here are a few suggestions that will help pick you up or you can share this devotion with others to help keep them ENCOURAGED.

1. Cross over the bridge of UNBELIEF or DOUBT! (Job 23:10)

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

After getting hit from the blind side, Job staggered back to his feet in pain and grief but refocused his sights on the God of not only the GOOD times but also the God of the BAD times as well. 

Where is your focus?

2. Instead of always asking WHY, we need to ask WHAT and WHERE! (1Pet 1:6,7,8)

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

WHAT is God up to in this trial? HOW are we to respond?

WHERE is this taking us spiritually?

These are legitimate questions that need to be asked during times of DISCOURAGEMENT.

3. Look OUTWARD instead of INWARD! (2Cor 1:3-5)

“3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Conclusion: Are you DISCOURAGED? Why? Things you cannot change? Angry? Frustrated? Irritated? Or…..are you going to reread this devotion & ask WHAT, WHERE, and HOW am I to respond?

Hopefully this will help!

Introduction: “Flow River Flow…” I love that song….the words to that song are heart – moving.

Here is the first stanza:

Lord The Light Of Your Love Is Shining,
In The Midst Of The Darkness Shining,
Jesus Light Of The World Shine Upon Us,
Set Us Free By The Truth You Now Bring Us,
Shine On Me. Shine On Me.

1. Did you notice the words…Light of Jesus Love? (1John 4:7-12)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Oh what great LOVE our Lord has for us!

Here is the second stanza:

Shine Jesus Shine
Fill This Land With The Fathers Glory
Blaze, Spirit Blaze,
Set Our Hearts On Fire
Flow, River Flow
Flood The Nations With Grace And Mercy
Send Forth Your Word
Lord And Let There Be Light.

2. Did you notice the words, “Flow River Flow”? (John 7:37-39)

Jesus said,
“37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

As we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit, He flows through us!

Conclusion: Check out the last stanza:

Lord I Come To Your Awesome Presence,
From The Shadows Into Your Radiance,
By The Blood I May Enter Your Brightness,
Search Me, Try Me, Consume All My Darkness,

Shine On Me. Shine On Me.
As We Gaze On Your Kindly Brightness.
So Our Faces Display Your Likeness.
Ever Changing From Glory To Glory,
Mirrored Here May Our Lives Tell Your Story.
Shine On Me. Shine On Me.”