Beware of False Friends 04.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday April 30, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of I KIngs. Please read Chapters 21-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2021-22&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the covetousness of Ahab leading Jezebel to murder Naboth, and the death of Ahab and Jezebel is foretold. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we must be careful who we associate ourselves with.

Ahab ruled the northern kingdom of Israel where his capital was the city of Samaria. His evil, wasted life is summed up in just a few words, There were none like, Ahab. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." (I Kings 21:25-26).

Ahab invited Jehoshaphat, his daughter's father-in-law who was the king of Judah, to join him in a war to regain Ramoth-gilead, a strategic fortress on the Syrian border. Four hundred of Ahab's paid prophets unanimously assured the two kings of a great victory. "And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king." (22:2-6).

However, godly Jehoshaphat, having an uneasy feeling with the unanimous decision of facing such a grave crisis, asked for prophets of God to be called. "And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so." (22:7-8).

Ahab sent the messengers to get Micaiah. The messengers attempted to persuade Micaiah to agree with the false prophets and assured him that by doing so he would win the king's favor and be released from prison. But neither fears nor favors tempted Micaiah to betray his calling. He refused to be intimidated even by the presence of two kings and his 400 experts. Micaiah's one vote of opposition was rejected by Ahab who fulfilled the very prophecy proclaimed by Micaiah. There were 400 yes votes to one no vote, a miserable minority, but truth is seldom with the majority. Though he was slapped, dragged back to prison, and threatened with cruel treatment, the faithful Micaiah persisted in maintaining the truthfulness of his message and called upon the people to bear witness to it. "And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you." (22:25-28).

God's presence can transform a dungeon into a palace when one is aware of God's presence. I saw the Lord was the response of this lonely prophet. A revelation from the Lord revealed the shallowness of earthly greatness. Many have sacrificed truth and good conscience for popular opinion or earthly treasures. Micaiah chose to wait for future rewards and endured the suffering he faced by not following those false prophets. We need to admire and follow the words of the Apostle Paul, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:22-24).

We must be careful with whom or what we align our lives, hanging around the wrong person can cause great affliction in the end. Only by reading God's Word daily can we keep from making wrong decisions and falling into the control of wordly people. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." ( II Thessalonians 3:3).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed By Micaiah, who would say only what God instructed him to say (I Kings 22:14). Jesus faithfully told others only what God told Him to say. "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." (John 8:28).

Today's Psalm: 16:8
"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy. Because I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net

God is With You 04.29.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday April 29, 2008 and today we will continue our study on the book of I Kings. Please read Chapters 19-20 in your Bbile or Click Here to read. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2019-20&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jezebel's threat against Elijah; Elijah's flight; the call of Elisha; and Ahab's death being foretold. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God is always with you and has great things in store for all who endure life's struggles.

Apparently, Elijah believed that the miraculous fire from heaven and the end of the drought not only would prove Baal to be a false god but that it would result in Ahab and Jezebel's conversion to the One True God. However, when Ahab rushed toward his palace to tell Jezebel what had happened she quickly responded. "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there." (I Kings 19:1-3).

Avoiding the ruthless Jezebel was not weakness, but wisdom. However, feeling defeated and discouraged, Elijah prayed that the Lord take him, "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (19:4). However, God had other plans in store for him and he took care of him while he was in the wilderness. God lovingly provided for Elijah's physical needs by sending an angel to supply nourishment after his long journey. "And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God." (19:5-8).

Often our mountaintop spiritual victories will be quickly followed by opposition or a time of testing in a solitary place. It is during these times when the Lord wants us to seek Him for support, He values His people and does not want them to whither and die, He wants them strong and able. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).

When we stand before the Lord, each person's work will be judged, not by how spectacular it was but by its true eternal worth. All of us have moments of disappointment when it seems we have failed. Often our estimation of what we should achieve and God's estimation are far apart. We are not called always to be successful, but we are called always to be available and to remain faithful to God. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthian 1:9).

Although he did not know it, Elijah did accomplish what God wanted him to do. One of his great successes was that the leaders in Ahab's kingdom went home with a renewed conviction that The LORD, He is the God. For centuries Elijah's faith and faithfulness have given encouragement to millions of believers. "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them." (Psalm 145:18-19).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the unnamed prophet who prophesied victory to King Ahab so that he would know his victory was controlled by God: I am the Lord (I Kings 20:13,28). "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57).

Today's Psalm: 145:20
"The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy."

Today's Prayer:

04.29.08
Dear Lord,
As we examine the emotional pain of our lives, when it seems as though You’ve forgotten about us, we often start out with the question of “Why?” But in hindsight we realize that those struggles taught us practical truths that we could not learn overnight but over time, and that there truly was purpose in our pain and in Your timing. Help us to model integrity and steadfastness in the midst of the severe struggles and sweeping storms of life. Your eternal purpose is greater than our temporal pain. Remind us that it may not just be for our own instruction but for others looking on who may learn from our difficult experiences. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a terrfic Tuesday and God Bless you.
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net

Depend on God 04.28.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday April 28, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Kings. Please read Chapters 16-18 in your Bible or Click Here to read. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2016-18&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the evil kings of Israel; Elijah, the prophet, Elijah's announcement of drought; Elijah fed by ravens and the widow; him raising the widow's son; and his contest with prophets of Baal. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God will always take care of our needs, but in order to do that we must depend on Him and put our trust and faith in Him to get us through all of our difficulties.

With Ahab's reign began a new and very ungodly era in the history of Israel. Idolatry and wickedness flourished. Following his marriage to Jezebel and the establishment of Phoenecian idolatry, Ahab introduced Jezebel's worship of Baal as the religion of the nation. "And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." (I Kings 16:29-33).

During his reign, true Israelite worshipers were unpopular and feared for their lives. Then, the prophet Elijah boldly declared to Ahab the there will be no rain in the land for years. "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (17:1).

In times of extremity God reveals Himself as the source of our daily necessities, God provided Elijah with what he needed. "So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook." (17:5-6). Then the water of the brook on which Elijah had depended gradually diminished and disappeared. When genuine faith is tested, it brings glory to God and works for the good of the believer who put their trust in HIm. "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee." (17:8-9). Elijah put his trust in God as did the widow women and they were both blessed. "And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." (17:13-16).

Christians are the representatives of God and are here to confirm His faithfulness. Our attitude, words and actions must all declare that He alone is our true and infallible Source of supply. It is imperative, therefore, and supremely so in financial matters, that we be in a true sense independent of men and wholly dependent upon God. If there is any weakness here, He will be robbed of the glory that is due only to Him. As God's servants, we must show forth the abundance of His spiritual resources and rely on Him for all things.

After 31/2 years of no rain, Elijah again, approached the king and informed him that Israel's drought was the result of he and his house rejecting the Commandments of the LORD. "And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table." (18:18-19). He then challenged the 850 false prophets to call on the name of their gods to consume their sacrifice. "Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under." (18:22-25).

After a full day of Jezebel's prophets frantically praying to no avail, "And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." (18:29). Elijah called the people to witness what God can do, "And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." (18:33-38).

What a great sight that must have been to see God working and proving to all the false prophets that there in only One True God. Elijah illustrates how the power of God is released when we pray and are obedient to His Word.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through Elijah, whose faith God provided flour and oil for the needy widow at Zarephath (I Kings 17:13-16). Christ is our Provider, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).

Today's Psalm: 55:17
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 86
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Have a wonderful Monday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit: A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net

Inspiration of God 04.27.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday April 27, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Kings. Please read Chapters 14-15 or Click Here to read. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2014-15&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Ahijah's prophecy; reign and death of Rehoboam; Abijam's wicked reign and Asa's good reign in Judah. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that the Bible is the only book inspired by God.

Jeroboam forsook his God-given opportunities for what he thought were political advantages. The withered hand, the rent altar, and the message of rebuke from the mysterious young prophet of Judah were some of the many warnings to this self-serving king who in spite of them continued to reject God.

Then, a time came when Jeroboam's eldest son became seriously ill. "At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick." (I Kings 14:1). Surely in his heart Jeroboam realized that the false priests he had hired could not provide comfort or receive any message from the One True God. But it was also obvious that his calf gods could not help him. The seriousness of his own son's illness caused him to send his wife disguised as a peasant to Ahijah the prophet whom he had ignored, who was now very old and blind, seeking assurance that their son would not die. "And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child." (14:2-3).

The blind prophet at Shiloh boldly said, "Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone. Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it. Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die." (14:7-12).

What stands out is the contrast between the clever, well-planned attempt of King Jeroboam to deceive the prophet of God and the prophet's open, straightforward answers. Our God deals in simplicity and truth.

Beware of any person whose conversation, conduct, or activities promote other books as equal to the only God-inspired Guide to Life. Satan is the instigator of deception and lies. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9).

Ignoring any portion of the Word of God or adding to God's Word is as wrong as taking away from it. There are many good Christian books, but the Bible is the only inspired Guide from our Creator. "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:19).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through Asa's ridding the land of idols and sodomites (I Kings 15:11-14). Christ cleansed the Temple, "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:12-13). As Christians, we are the Temples of God, bought with His own blood and are cleansed of all unrighteousness when we confess our sins.

Today's Psalm: 48:14
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

Have a great day and week.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net

True Word of God 04.26.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday April 26, 2008 and today we will continue our study on the book of I KIngs. Please read Chapters 12-13 in your Bible or Click Here to read. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2012-13&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Rehoboam and Jeroboam, tribes rebeling against Rehoboam and going to Jeroboam, an unnamed prophet, and the death of a disobedient prophet. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that there is only one True Word of God and we are to follow that and only that.

King Solomon's son, Rehoboam inherited the power and a treasury full of wealth. However, Solomon left the kingdom morally and spiritually bankrupt. "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee." (1 Kings 12:1-4).

Rehoboam foolishly took the counsel of a young man which threatened the nation with additional taxes and even more cruel treatment. "And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.....So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents." (12:13-14,16). This blunder caused the people to rebel and declare a new king as the Lord had earlier ordained. "So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only." (12:19-20).

However, Jeroboam feared that if people returned to Jerusalem to worship, His Northern Kingdom would return to the house of David therefore he built two golden calves. "And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan." (12:26-29). But the true God-appointed priests refused to participate in Jeroboam's two unauthorized locations at Dan and Bethel and moved to Jerusalem. In order to maintain his two altars, King Jeroboam was forced to hire men who were willing to participate in the worship of idols.

There is much in our religious lives today that is as cheap and superficial as the First Church of Jeroboam. Men, methods, and movements can all be bought with money, and only a few remain who cannot be bought with the king's influence or rewards.

Beware of the influence of those who should know the right answers, yet whose daily conduct and conversation reveal an inconsistent life. It is not difficult to recognize obvious sins such as theft, murder, or adultery and reject them. Christians often miss God's best by becoming involved in something that is not spiritually profitable. We must beware the suggestions or activities of "friends" that would get us sidetracked from doing what God has given us to do, even when it seems to be only "temporary." Satan will often use an "old prophet" to influence us from doing what we know is the will of God. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves......Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:15,21).

The greatest danger to the Church is not the outside world, but in fundamentally-sound believers who, have lost their "first love" and grown indifferent. "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:1-5).

It is of utmost importance that Christians guard against plans that distract us from the true written Word of God. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Distorting God's Word in order to justify our actions is never acceptable to God and will always lead us to failure, not only spiritually, but in all that we do. Some may live for the world and have many things, but eventually all that will end if we are not guarded with the shield of God.

Today's Psalm: 119:114-116
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."

Today's Prayer: Psalm 28
Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

Have a great day and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net

P.S. I apologize for not getting this out yesterday, today's message will be posted this afternoon.