Divorce the Devil

Good morning!

I received this word yesterday morning, and I was moved to share it will all of my awesome friends and family in our LORD Jesus Christ.  I definitely receive this for my life, be ministered to by the Holy Spirit:

Beloved, it is time for you to divorce yourself from the devil and everything he has done to bring you down in defeat. Cut him off and refuse to allow him access to your activities, your bank account, your mind, your emotions and your will. He has intruded, taken liberties, and violated your boundaries. Tell him in no uncertain terms to get out of your life and refuse to allow him back in, says the Lord. Enough is enough!

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
http://ft111.com




My favorite song of the season below, felt like today was the day to share it.
He Wants it ALL Today (Forever Jones)

Indifferent...

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."    John 15:10

Mark 15:24- 32

24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!"
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.


The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus executed on a cross, a method of death that they believed brought a curse from God (Deuteronomy 21:23).  They hoped to persuade the people that Jesus was cursed, not blessed, by God.  Crucifixion was a feared and shameful form of execution.  The person was forced to carry his cross along the longest possible route to the crucifixion site as a warning to bystanders.  Death came by suffocation as the person lost strength and the weight of the body made breathing more and more difficult.  A sign stating the condemned man's crime was often placed on a cross as a warning.  Because Jesus was never found guilty, the only accusation placed on his sign was the "crime" of being "King of the Jews".  Ironic right?
Jesus could have saved Himself, but He endured this suffering because of His love for us.  He could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation and killed those who mocked him.  But He suffered through it all because He loved even His enemies.  We had a significant part in the drama that afternoon because our sins  were on the cross, too.  Jesus died on that cross for us, and the penalty for our sins was paid by His death.  The only adequate responses we can make is to confess our sins and gratefully accept the fact that Jesus paid for them so we wouldn't have to.  Don't insult God with indifference toward the greatest act of genuine love in history; nor indifference to the One who made it.

PRAYER: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:24-25).  Jesus, You have not only promised today's salvation, but an eternity of life with You.  Today I see part of Your promise, in Your work in my life; but the greater part of salvation still lies ahead of me, a promise yet unfulfilled.  When doubt pushes forward, increase my hope.  Help me to wait patiently for that final salvation.  My hope lies in You alone.  In Your Name, we pray, Jesus.  Amen.

It All Connect

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Exodus 9:16

Mark 15:24


24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.


Psalm 22:18 "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."

The Bible is a collection of books that all drives towards divine purpose... The Holy Spirit revealed through David years before, the experience we're reading of Jesus this week.  How awesome is that?  God is the God of purpose.  Your life is not random, and is not full of random experiences.  God desires to fulfill divine purpose in YOU and through YOU, by His Spirit.  It's time to allow our Heavenly Father, show us His power, so that His Name may be proclaimed in all the earth.  Just typing those words got me excited!
Don't just do what you want to do, do what God has called you to do.

Tonight - So. Cal invite

What Successful Men Do

Success in life is not an accident. It is a result of daily behaviors and living by proven principles based on TRUTH. Every man that wants more success in his life, marriage , family , career or business should attend.

Speaker: Pastor ED Smith.

Meeting from 7:15pm to 9:00pm at Zoe Christian Fellowship in Whittier, California.
www.zcf.org

Cost is FREE.

Pizza served at 7:15pm.

Activity With Purpose

If you are a young adult living in Southern California email tgndaily@gmail.com for details.

Forced...

Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God. James 4:4

Mark 15:21

21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

What do you feel people (or maybe even God Himself) are forcing you to do in life?  Do you feel forced to read the Bible?  Do you feel forced to go to church?  Do you feel forced to pray?  Do you feel forced to give up all of the "fun" stuff?  Do you feel forced to tithed?  Do you feel forced to be someone you're not?  How do you think Simon from Cyrene felt as he was forced to help the Son of God carry that heavy cross?

I ask these questions to bring about perspective.  A discipline life will never seem right, compared to a world that acts in rebellion, perversion, excess and selfishness.  Our flesh rebels against discipline in every way.  We want to lose weight, but can't acquire the discipline of eating right and working out.  We desire to go to school, but have no desire to be disciplined in studying.  We desire to save money, but can't commit to the discipline of not eating out; we can't let go of cable or shopping.  I think because we're so use to the way of the world, we often forget its way, is completely WRONG, harmful and deadly.  I'm sure Simon didn't know on the grand scale of things, what he was doing, nor who he was truly doing it for.  We too, won't know completely what living this life for God will bring to us; but God says it's good, that there is reward - and I believe that God is not a man that He would ever lie to us.  Do you wonder if Simon received revelation during that walk or after about Jesus, and if he was able to take heart in the truth of the event he was a part of.  God has left us great knowledge and wisdom of what we're apart of...

"Man" will force us to do a lot, be at work on time, pay our bills on time, dress to impress at the club... God doesn't force us to do anything.  He graciously and lovingly allows us to make a choice and choices.  He desires for us to make the right choice(s); but He will never force us to do anything.

Yes, some have experienced being forced to go to church growing up?  Some of us feel like by choosing God, we are "forced" to give up sex, getting drunk, doing drugs... but will not doing any of this hurt your life?  Carrying that cross with Jesus was an honor for Simon really.  All we are called to do by God for Jesus is an honor.   The world would like you to think and believe that living for God, limits you from everything.  Why would we believe this lie?  God promises us freedom.  Living for God delivers freedom that we, even as "free Americans" - can't truly comprehend.  But it's freedom that we can live and believe in.

Tradition gets it wrong sometimes, religious people get it wrong sometimes; but God is NEVER wrong.  This is not a message to force you to do something that you do not want to do.  It's a message to enlighten and encourage you to seek and obey to live as God created you.  We all have an area in our lives that requires godly discipline.  Don't mistake your flesh for your heart; change how you live.  Our lives represent what we believe.  People believe God is full of contradictions because WE live so contrary to His Word.  We can't blame God for our mistakes.  And how thankful we should be that God doesn't condemn us for our constant mistakes; but gives us opportunities to learn and grow from them.

Let's get on God's path, let's honor the opportunities we have right now.  Let's choose to practice God's best, by bringing discipline into our lives.  I don't care what sin you just did or how holy you believe you are.  We all are being called to go to the next level in Christ.  It may be something that has been in your spirit for a while; today is the day sweetheart.  We have a righteous calling upon our lives, we accepted it - why are we waiting to implement it?


Be bold, beloved, God is with you.

Prayer: In my own power, LORD, I cannot walk in Your statutes.  Even when my heart wants to obey, sin trips me.  My heart and mind wander into places they have no business going.  Instead of keeping Your judgments, I make my own weak ones.  Fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may glorify You in every choice I make.  When my every thought and action are directed by Your Spirit, I cannot go astray.  Give me the strength to obey You completely, so each second of my days may be filled with testimonies to You.  In Jesus' Name...

Activity With Purpose

Some one admitted to me the other day, that they have been allowing EGO and FEAR trump their trust in God.  Activity with Purpose begins here... admitting the wrong.

So if you've been stuck in this same trap, God is talking to YOU today; what is He calling YOU to do next?

I encourage YOU to do it.

Purpose keeps moving... don't allow the devil any room to use these against you.

GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU!