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***VISIT OUR LIVEPRAYER TV PROGRAM SPONSORS:
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"Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all of the faithless live
at ease?" If Jeremiah had a computer back in his day, he may have sent
Liveprayer an email with these questions that we read him asking in Jeremiah
12:1. Not a day goes by that we don't get hundreds of emails from people
asking these very questions. A woman who loves the Lord and honors Him with
her life has a husband who cheats on her, leaves her and their children for
another woman, and is now living a comfortable life while she and her
children struggle just to live day to day.
A man who faithfully serves the Lord gives decades of his life working for a
company that takes advantage of him, operates with little ethics or morals,
and lets him go just before he is scheduled to retire to save money while
those who run the company live extravagant lifestyles. A young man trying
to follow the Lord and God's Word struggles to buy a new pair of shoes while
teenage thug rappers glorifying and living lifestyles of sin wear hundreds
of thousands of dollars of jewelry and drive new exotic cars.
There is an endless list of examples of those who love the Lord, live for
Him, yet are currently struggling in their daily lives while those who deny
Christ and live in complete rebellion to Him seem to prosper and live in
great comfort and ease. So it becomes a legitimate question that the
prophet Jeremiah asks. It is a legitimate question that men who love the
Lord throughout the ages have asked. It is a proper question for those who
serve and follow the Lord today to ask. WHY DO THE WICKED SEEM TO PROSPER?
The answer to this question, like the answers to ALL questions, is found in
God's Word. You need to take time to read the 37th Psalm, all 40 verses. Read it here
The answer to this age-old question of why do the wicked seem to prosper is
found in never losing sight of the big picture of what this life is all
about. First, it is God who gives us life and we all have the same general
purpose of serving and glorifying Him with our lives. Second, we are all
going to die one day. As the Bible clearly tells us, tomorrow is promised
to none of us, so that day is not as far away as many think it is. Third,
when we die, our soul lives on for eternity. The only issue to be
determined is do we spend that eternity WITH God who created us or APART
from God who created us. Each person makes that choice in either accepting
or rejecting God's ONLY plan of salvation through faith in His Son Jesus
Christ.
So what is important to understand is that we actually have a very limited
number of days in this life here on earth. The most critical choice we have
to make during our life is what we do with Jesus, since that choice will
determine our eternal home. For those who have chosen to follow Christ,
their days on this earth are to be focused on fulfilling our God-given
purpose of serving and glorifying the Lord with our lives in whatever way
God calls each of us to do that.
If you haven't noticed, I have not mentioned having money, possessions, or
any of the things of this world. You see, those are simply the temporary
things of THIS LIFE and are meaningless in light of eternity. What happens
is the righteous, the followers of Christ get caught up in measuring
prosperity and success the way the world does by the temporal things of this
world. Real prosperity and success aren't found in the temporary things of
this world but in the eternal things of God. Things like peace and joy and
living an abundant life that don't come from this world, but from a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ!
Let me ask you a very serious question. This is actually a question Jesus
once asked. He said," What does it profit a man to gain the whole world,
yet lose his soul?" When Jesus was in the desert being tempted by the devil
for 40 days and 40 nights, at one point satan showed Him all of the kingdoms
of the world and told him to worship him and they would all be His. Jesus
answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.' "
You see, Christ understood that the things of this world are but temporary.
The REAL Kingdom is not in this world, but in Heaven. The REAL riches are
not in this world, but in Heaven.
I love you and care about you so much. It is natural in our flesh to look
at those who have chosen to reject Christ and live their lives in complete
rebellion to God and His Word and wonder why they seem to prosper while we
may be currently struggling. While they may be enjoying the prosperity this
world offers, without Jesus they are SPIRITUALLY BANKRUPT. Actually, rather
than envy these people, they are to be pitied since when their brief journey
through life is over they will be spending eternity in a place created for
satan and his fallen angels unless they come to know Jesus. Bill Gates may
be the richest man on the planet, but the moment he dies, all of his wealth
is MEANINGLESS. The ONLY THING that will matter when he stands before God
is does he know Jesus as his personal Savior.
This is also the problem with the "prosperity gospel" so many today preach
in error. There is NOTHING in the Bible that says just because you know
Jesus you are guaranteed to have great wealth in this life. What the Bible
DOES PROMISE is that if you know Christ as your Savior, you are assured of
everlasting life and that during this life you will enjoy the blessings and
provision of God. You see, God has promised to meet your needs during this
life, needs like food, shelter, and clothing. That is God's promise to His
children. The true prosperity gospel is not about dollars, it is about
BLESSINGS!
God NEVER promised you would have a million dollar home, a new Rolls Royce
in the driveway, $5,000 suits, a Rolex watch, or any of the many treasures
this life can offer. God may allow some to be blessed to have those things
during their life, but the wealth of a follower of Jesus is not measured in
the temporary things of this world, but in the eternal things of God! God
measures the heart of His children not by their bank account, but by their
obedience, their faithfulness, and their willingness to completely surrender
all they have to follow Him.
I will be praying for you today. Praying that God will speak to you through
these words about how you look on those who have chosen to live their lives
in rebellion to God, yet seem to be prospering. The fact is, they may
indeed be prosperous according to the standards of the world for a brief
season. But whatever we have in this life will one day be gone, and at that
point, the only thing that will matter is do we know Jesus. Pray for those
who you may have been envious of for what they possess. Pray that they will
come to know Christ as their Savior since salvation cannot be bought, it is
only available through faith in Jesus.
I have dealt over the years with thousands of people who had great wealth
but when the real trials of life came, they realized that all of their
wealth and possessions meant nothing. When your spouse or child or loved
one has a serious illness and is laying in a hospital bed, when you find out
your spouse wants a divorce, when you learn your child is on drugs, when the
doctor tells you that you have a serious disease, when you face many of the
major battles in life we all face, at that moment your money and possessions
mean nothing. Only a deep abiding faith in Christ can sustain you through
those dark moments in life.
There is no amount of money that can buy God's peace. There is no amount of
money that can buy God's strength. There is no amount of money that can buy
God's joy. All of those things come from your relationship with Christ and
your faith in Him. The wicked my prosper for a season, but it is the
righteous who have true prosperity for all eternity.
In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller
***If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email
at bkeller@liveprayer.com
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family
member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward
this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe. Subscribe
JERUSALEM POLICE: FORGET ABOUT !@#$ PARADE
Only one day after the Open House for Pride and Tolerance announced that the
local !@#$ parade would be held in Jerusalem on September 21, the Jerusalem
police announced on Tuesday afternoon [August 29] that they would not allow
the
parade to be held next month due to the busy holiday season.
Police officials said that if other dates are provided, they would reexamine
the
decision.
In the summer, the Open House members asked to hold the worldwide !@#$ parade
in
Jerusalem, but the organizers eventually cancelled the march, due to the war
in
southern Lebanon.
On Monday, they announced that they would hold a local parade in Jerusalem
on
September 21 (two days before the Jewish New Year). Police officials said
that
they heard about the date on the media.
(By Efrat Weiss, Ynetnews.com, August 29, 2006)
PRAYER FOCUS
Praise God for His sovereignty over this situation.
SCRIPTURE.
"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among
the
nations, 'The LORD reigns'" (1 Chronicles 16:31).
Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin
The Trumpet by Bill Burns
September 4, 2006: The sons of glory are now coming into manifestation. The sons of glory will sing with the Morning Star, and those that worship with all of their hearts will come and lift up holy hands in praise. The sons of glory are now arising whose spirit man is a bright and glorious light that many do not see, but I see, says the Lord. Arise, my children, for this is your finest hour. You have been tested and tried, and yet you stand in faith. The enemy has done what he could to convince you that you are unworthy, but I say that I love you with My whole heart. And, in My glory you shall know My love as you never have before. This love shall sustain you and bring you fully into the Holy of Holies before the Ark of My Covenant, which is a resounding demonstration of My love for you. My angels stand over it and give glory to the Most High God.
Watchmen of this new season, I call you forth. Take your position on the wall; walk into the Valley of Vision having eyes to see and ears to hear. My sheep shall indeed hear My voice; they shall dream dreams and see visions. I will open your eyes to see the works of the enemy. You shall become the most prophetic generation ever to walk on the face of the earth. The prophetic mantles of the power of the age to come are now to be given. Only believe, and you shall receive! Walk on the paths that the prophets of old walked on, for in doing so you shall discover the keys that will open the doors of my mysteries, the mysteries of these days, says the Lord of Hosts.
Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
September 4, 2006: Look up, for there is an open heaven above you. I am bringing you into the reality of covenant promises in these days of the latter rain. And, I will wipe away your tears and wash away the defilement and disappointment of days gone by. I am going to breathe on you to release resurrection life and liberty. Encourage yourself and take heart, for this is not the time to sit down or give up. Move in to the days ahead with new hope and vigor, says the Lord, for I am with you.
Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Subscribe to the Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin
Breath Prayers - Prayers you can say in one breath
*Lord, baptize me with love
*Jesus, let me receive your grace
*Reveal my sin, O Holy Spirit
*Holy Spirit, live in me today
*Lord do in me everything you need to do so you can do through me everything you want to do
*Open my eyes, Lord that I might see you
*O God, I feel empty. Please fill me
*Thank you, Lord for the beauty I see all around me.
*Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive my praise
*Keep me close to your heart, Jesus
*Holy Spirit, guide my steps
*Lord, I'm leaning on your everlasting arms
*Shed your love abroad in my heart, O God
*Dear Jesus, I receive your yoke on my life
*I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
*O Lord, let me feel your presence
*Thank you, Lord for loving me so completely
*I believe, O Lord. Help Thou mine unbelief
*My soul hungers & thirsts for God. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
*I long to draw near to you, Lord. Draw me.
*O God of compassion, have mercy on me
*Holy Spirit, lead me into the truth and keep my lips from lying
*I choose to follow you in all my ways
*O Lord, you are my treasure.
*Teach me faith, O God, and grant me hope
*Fill my heart with your compassion, O Lord
*Let no unwholesome word proceed from my mouth.
*I am weary, God. Please fill me with Holy Spirit energy.
*Teach me Thy ways, O Lord
*Bless The Lord, O my soul, let all that is within me bless His holy Name!
*I love you, Lord. I love you, Lord
*Make me a tree of life and water my spirit
*Lord, help me to be strong in this situation
*Teach me gentleness, Father
*Gracious Master, remove my fear
*Lord Jesus, help me feel loved
*Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me
*Let my words and thoughts be pleasing to you
*Praise you, my Lord Jesus. I love you
*Fill me with your Spirit, O God
*Lord, please lead me right now into the path everlasting.
*Lord, help me to speak life and truth
*Holy Sprit, protect me from the evil one
*Dear God, lead me according to your will
*O God, bless me indeed and increase my influence for you
*Keep Thy hand upon me, O Lord, and let not the evil one cause me pain
*My soul is hungry, O God. Feed me, I pray
*Lord, I am weak. Make me strong
*I lift my face to you, O God. You are my help
*Just for today, Lord, grant me a pure heart
*Draw me nearer to you, Lord Jesus
*I worship you, The Almighty, my everlasting Father.
*There is none like you, O God. You are full of majesty and grace.
*Lord, let your love pour over me like rain
*Make me feel secure in your love, O God
*Drive away my fears and fill me with light
*My hope is in you, Lord. I am satisfied
*Grant me your peace, O God
*O Lord, I ask for wisdom and courage
*May your will be done in my life today
*Father, lead me to walk in the light right now
*Deliver me, O God, from all that would oppress me and bring me shame and sorrow
*Reveal to me, O Lord, your will in this matter
*Lord Jesus, let me see through your eyes
*O God, grant me a heart full of tender mercy
*There is none like you, O God, you are a mighty fortress unto me
*I worship you, O Lord. Make me more like you
Make me pure in heart that I might see you
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND DEATH
By Paul Hume
Scripture Reading: James 4:13-17; Psa.31:15; Job 14:5
"The clock of life is wound but once,
And no one has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour."
When will I die? When will you die? No one has answer to these questions
because our blessed, all-wise, sovereign Lord, who is "the God of the spirits of
all flesh" (Num. 16:.22; Heb. 12:9), holds the number of our very months and
days, as well as years, in His power. We are not born of mere natural
accident--even though many are born out of wedlock and the like. We are born to fit into
the purposes of God. Our time of birth as well as I time of our death is in
His counsels. Little wonder the devout Psalmist could state, "My times are in
thy hand" (Psa. 31:15).
Therefore, how pointed is the inspired advice James: "Come now, you who say,
'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a city and stay a year, go
into, business and make money,' although you do not have the slightest
knowledge of tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? It is really nothing but a
mist which appears for a little while and then disappears. Instead, you ought to
say, 'If the Lord is willing, we shall live and do this or that.' But, as it
is, you boast of your proud preten-sions. All such boasting is wicked"
(William Trans.).
"Unto God the Lord," declared the Psalmist, "belong the issues from death"
(68:20). Since HE "giveth and taketh away" (Job 1:21), what can we do but live
in holy, submission to His will, and live a day at a time, seeking to be wise,
"redeeming the time" for "the time is short" (Eph. 5:15,16, 1 Cor. 7:29)? Are
YOU ready should the Lord be pleased to remove YOU by way of death TODAY?
Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why not
send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USA the
Word of God is so needed in our troubled world. It is our heart at GRACE AND
THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with
them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members
of the body of Christ.
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things
by Jesus Christ
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one
to say 'thank you?'
-- William A. Ward
GraceNTheTruth2@ AOL.COM
Grace And The Truth
www.graceandthetrut h.com
i took this out my back yard at the place we used to live in Ashland Ohio.
Hope everyone has a blesssed labor day weekend. I'm thrilled hubby will be home an extra day!! Praise God for that.
which book of The Bible are you most like?
You are Psalms because you care about others and are truley seeking God. Like David you may make a lot of mistakes but you know that God's love can forgive you as far as the east is from the west.
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