The Prince, The Frog, And The Nightingale

Friday, January 10, 2025

Once upon a time, there lived a frog, a nightingale, and a prince. The nightingale used to sing the most beautiful of songs with the most beautiful of voices. Whenever the nightingale started to sing, the frog would begin to croak. So when the frog croaked, the nightingale would stop singing. One night, the prince was walking by and stopped hoping to hear the nightingale sing its beautiful song, but there was no singing. The only thing he could hear was the croaking of the frog in the distance. “Aren’t you going to sing?” asked the prince. “How can I sing when all day long that stupid bullfrog makes those horrible noises? It’s obnoxious! It’s horrible, don’t you hear it?” said the nightingale. “Yes” said the prince. “But I wouldn’t hear it if you would stop complaining and start singing.” Let the one who has ears to hear, hear. You don’t have to deal with that bullfrog. You could be singing. Start singing to the glory of God. Praise the Lord, and the croaking will disappear.

From Message #522 – Drowning out Haman
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today’s Mission – Today, whenever you encounter a croaking frog, anything not of the Lord, start praising it away.

To D

The Prince, The Frog, And The Nightingale

Friday, January 10, 2025

From Message #522 – Drowning out Haman
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today’s Mission – Today, whenever you encounter a croaking frog, anything not of the Lord, start praising it away.

King Of The Scapegoat Nation

Thursday, January 9, 2025

In the Biblical ceremony of Yom Kippur, the sins of the people were symbolically placed on the head of a goat which was then sent into the wilderness to carry them away. It’s from this that we get the word ‘scapegoat’ meaning someone blamed for the problems, wrongdoings, mistakes or faults of others. God linked Israel to the scapegoat, over three thousand years ago. Of all the peoples in history, Israel stands above all for being the scapegoat of the nations. From ancient times to our day, the Jews have been the most accused, slandered, and vilified of peoples. But Messiah is the King of this scapegoat nation. He took the sins of all upon Himself and carried them away. If you belong to Messiah, then you are part of Israel. You, too, are called to bear the burdens, problems, and even the unjust treatment of others, and love them in return. The Lord, your Scapegoat, bore your burdens to bring you salvation. Thus, you are called to be a little scapegoat; to bear the burdens of those around you, so you might also bring them to salvation.

From Message #149 – The Scapegoat
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to bear the burdens

Angels Looking Down

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

I’ve sometimes been asked why Jews wear caps called yarmulkes or kippahs on their heads. The Rabbi’s give different reasons, but the fact is no one knows for sure. But some explain it that it’s because of the angels looking down, so they won’t see bald heads. That’s just tradition, but it’s written in the Scriptures that even the angels long to see what God is doing in you. In the original Greek, it reads that the angels passionately, eagerly, long to catch a glimpse of God’s purposes on earth. Some believers act like this planet is just a cosmic waiting room to get out of as soon as possible. But that’s not what God’s Word says. So if even angels long to see, then your life and what you do with it must be something important. You don’t have to wear a yarmulke, but do something for the angels. Start overcoming, being courageous, being sure, victorious, loving, step out, and stand up! Do what you know God put you on earth to do. The angels are watching. Give them something to talk about.

From Message #515 – Even Angels long to look
Scripture: Exodus 29:9

Today’s Mission – Today, live your life as if every moment the angels were looking down on you.

You Will Have Traveled Hundreds Of Miles After Reading This

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

It may seem like nothing’s really happening where you are at this point in time. But that’s not really the case. Every second the earth is moving 18.5 miles in its journey. Every tick of the clock, you’re 18.5 miles away from where you were before the last tick. When you count to 10, you’re about 200 miles away from the place you were when you started counting. It’s not just true for the earth; it’s true for all earthlings, including you and me. Every life is changing. Every soul is moving either towards God or away from God. Your life is heading somewhere. It’s meant to head for glory. That’s why the Lord says; “I know the plans I have for you, plans for Shalom, not for calamity.” God wants to bring your life to a good place. Since you’re going places anyway, make sure you’re always moving towards God and not away from Him. Don’t stay where you are, because you can’t. Move ahead in love, ahead in faith, ahead in righteous action, and ahead in all things godly, because in God, you’re going places.

From Message #508 – Dance of the Heavenly Circles
Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Today’s Mission – Today, especially follow the leading of the Lord and move ahead in righteous action.

Doubting Your Assurance Of Doubt

Monday, January 6, 2025

Zacharias was performing his priestly duties in the Holy Place inside the Temple, when an angel of the Lord appeared and told him that he and his wife would have a son in their old age. His response was, “How can I be sure?” That’s a good question. How can we be sure about anything? If we can’t be sure of anything, then we can’t be sure about not being sure, because doubt requires faith. If you doubt then ultimately you’re trusting in your doubt, your reasoning, and your own judgment. Can you really trust yourself, your feelings, or your reasoning? Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways are higher than our ways. So, either way, faith or doubt, you have to trust something or someone. Doesn’t it make sense to trust God whose ways are above you? Because if you’re afraid to really believe in something, you’ll never live for anything. If you’re afraid to trust in what’s good, you’ll trust in what’s not good – you’ll trust in doubt. So why put your faith in doubt? Stop putting faith in doubt, and put it where it belongs, with God.

From Message #501 – The Dumb Priest
Scripture: James 1:5-8

Today’s Mission – Today, start practicing holy doubt ” start doubting all your doubts ” and anything that is not of God.

The Builder Of Flowers

Monday, December 30, 2024

Hebrews says that God is the builder of everything. In other words, when you see leaves, butterflies or flowers, they have a builder. The most complex HDTV cannot compare to the complexity of the human eye. The most complex stereo system cannot compare to the complexity of the human ear. All the electrical systems known to man cannot compare to the complexity of one human cell. And the most complex computer ever devised by human intelligence cannot compare to the complexity of the human brain. So why would anybody believe that these things came about by accident? Would you believe a TV came about with no builder? Would an atheist believe it? Of course not. So which is more ridiculous? The fact is God is The Builder of everything. So be strong in that and rejoice in the fact that He also built you. He gave His life for you, and He’s now building your life into something good and precious. So let Him build you. And be built up, because God is The Builder of everything. How much more so your life?

From Message #708 – The Footstool World
Scripture: Hebrews 3:4

Today’s Mission – Today, take time to appreciate all the wonderful things of God’s creation.

How I Lost Three Hundred Lunches

Thursday, December 26, 2024

When I was in high school, I started a rock band. In the process, I skipped lunch every day for a long time and saved enough lunch money to buy a sound system. Not long afterward, a thief broke in through the window and stole it all – about three hundred lunches out the window. In the same way, there is no shortage of pursuits in life that end up not being worth all the work in the end. The world is filled with people who spend their lives sacrificing their peace, their relationships, their time, their integrity, their joy, even their health and their relationship with God. And for what – money, ambition, status? What are you spending your life to get, and what are you sacrificing to get it? Is it worth it? Look at your life and be blessed with what you do have! Treasure the time, your loved ones, and all the blessings God’s given you. Otherwise, you might end up on your death bed regretting all you sacrificed, and all you lost…, just like three hundred lunches out the window.

From Message #673 – The Pyrrhic Victories
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4

Today’s Mission – Are you sacrificing something precious for a goal that is not from the Lord? Correct your path today. And restore that which you sacrificed.

Moving On With Messiah

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

In Luke 4, Messiah is ministering in Galilee, and the multitudes want Him to stay there teaching and healing. But he says, “I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Messiah is saying in effect ‘I have to move on.’ So if Messiah says, “I have to move on,” then what must you say? One of the greatest ways to grow dead in your walk is to simply stay where you are; stop journeying, stop stepping out in faith, stop moving ahead. Messiah’s always moving on, and if you’re His follower, so must you. Have you been stuck in the same rut; dwelling in the past, stuck in anger, pondering what you once had in your life but lost? The Lord’s not staying in it, and neither should you. Move on with your life. Step out in faith. If you want the continuing presence and joy of the Lord in your life, then you have to move on with the Lord. For moving on is the only way to go when you’re going with the moving on Lord.

From Message #684 – The Other Cities
Scripture: Hebrews 6:1

Today’s Mission – Today, seek the Lord on where you need to move forward and then move on with Him.

The Person Of Mizot

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

In Hebrew ‘mizot’ means ‘who is this?’ Song of Solomon, 6:10 says “Who is this who shines like the dawn?” The Bride’s maidens are inquiring into the identity of the Bride. So, why do they say ‘Who is this?’ when they should know? In the same way, the Bride of Messiah should have a quality that makes others say ‘Mizot?’, ‘Who is this?’ even to those who know her best…just as with the maidens of the Bride. The Bride must always be surprising. And she is to surprise by always changing by the grace of God. You are the Bride of Messiah. So are you surprising people? Are you making your maidens say “who is this”? You need to. Start today. Think of unexpected acts, unwarranted gestures of grace, or unexplainable actions of compassion you can do this week. Surprise your family, your friends, your congregation, your enemies, your co-workers, and all the rest. Surprise them because you are the mizot person – it’s your job to surprise the world!

From Message #675 – She Like the Dawn
Scripture: Song of Solomon 6:10

Today’s Mission – Today, do an unexpected act of grace, mercy and compassion for someone in your life.

The Dangerous Power Of The Tongue

Monday, December 23, 2024

In 1975, a court awarded $107,000 to compensate a family in the case of a man who was killed by slander. John Abercrombie, a retired Air Force colonel with a distinguished World War II combat record, was accused of stealing a can of Danish bacon worth 63 cents. He was later found innocent, but the accusation broke him. He grew depressed, and finally, his heart gave way, and he died. It bears out what the Bible says: ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue.’ Slander is a type of murder. When you speak words of slander, false accusation, hatred, criticism, discouragement, you’re in possession of a dangerous weapon and you can actually kill somebody with it. Such words over days, weeks, months and years can break somebody’s spirit; ultimately even take away their health and their life. Speak words of life, love, encouragement, compassion, and thanksgiving instead. For if words of hate bring death, words of life can raise the dead. Speak a new word of life today to somebody who needs it. For death and life are in the power of your tongue.

From Message #1123 – Shutting the Dragon’s Mouth
Scripture: Psalm 34:13

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to speak no words of death, of negativity ” but speak only life ” and a word of life to somebody who needs it.

The Habits of God

Friday, December 20, 2024

Luke 4:16 says, ‘as was His custom, He (Messiah) entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.’ It was His custom. There are bad customs and traditions, but there are also good ones. If Messiah had customs, and we’re to live in imitation of His life, then we also have to have good, holy customs, and godly habits. Start developing good habits and customs, such as the habit of daily prayer, daily time in the Word, and the daily doing of good works. Practice the habit of saying no to temptation and to anything else that’s questionable. Make it a habit and as a priority of yours to share the Gospel, of not compromising, and of applying the Word to your life every day. Develop a zeal for the habit of forgiveness, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, and goodness. Let it be said of you and of your time on earth that you followed the good, you became good, and you did good all the days of your life as was your custom.

From Message #654 – Messiah in the Pulpit
Scripture: Daniel 6:10

Today’s Mission – Today, set out to develop daily and life-long habits that will bless your life and lead you to become the person God called you to be.

Three Life-Changing Words

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Paul, wrote in 1 Timothy: ‘even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy… Messiah came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.’ In effect, Paul is saying, “I was wrong.” He not only said that at the end of his life, he undoubtedly said it, acted on it, manifested it and lived it from the moment he encountered God on the road to Damascus onward… It all started there with three holy words: I was wrong. Had he never been able to say those words he would’ve never been forgiven, given a ministry, and been able to preach the Word, write the epistles and change the world. In fact, everything he ever said or wrote all rested on three initial words: I was wrong. Those three powerful words turned the chief of sinners into the foremost of apostles. Those three words in the grace of God will set you free from the old and open up your life to the healing and glory of God. It all begins when you say, “I was wrong.”

From Message #646 – The Power of Being Wrong
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:13

Today’s Mission – Today, if you have a situation that calls for it, don’t be afraid to say “I was wrong.”

A First-Rate Original or A Lousy Imitation

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

In one Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown was asked if he’d like to have been Abraham Lincoln. He answers, “I’m having a hard enough time just being me.” When you die, you will not be asked why you weren’t Paul or some other great Christian leader. God made you precious and unique. Nobody else can fulfill your calling, nor can you fulfill the calling of anybody else. So when you try to be somebody else instead of yourself, you become a second-rate imitation. When you try to fulfill somebody else’s calling instead of your own, you actually sin against God, because He didn’t make you to be somebody else. The holiest thing you can do is be the best, godliest, on fire for the Lord you that you can be. And you can be, for it is written I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me. So forget about what everybody else is doing, and focus on being faithful to God’s calling for your life. Be yourself in His grace and your life instead of ending up a second-rate imitation. Be a first-rate original.

From Message #966 – The Heavenly Calling
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15

Today’s Mission – Today, forget about what everybody else is doing or saying or thinking, and focus instead on just being faithful to God’s calling for your life.

Inspecting Your Fruit

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

I’m a novice when it comes to the fruit and produce section at the supermarket. So I eye the fruit, hold it up, move it around, apply the pressure, throw it back. I haven’t the slightest idea what I’m doing, but it looks professional. But as believers, we have to learn to be good at fruit inspection. In the Lord, fruit is very important. In fact, it’s essential. In Galatians, we’re told that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are to be the primary fruits that are to come out of your life; not anger, bitterness, selfishness, impurity, jealousy, lust, pride, fear, or discord. So, what are the true fruits of your life? It’s time to do some fruit inspection. Take a good honest look, eye them over, lift them up, examine them, test them, apply the pressure, and see if they’re good and true. If not, throw them back and do whatever you have to do until the fruits of your life will hold up on the day of judgment in the hands of The Final Fruit Inspector.

From Message #639 – Bananas, Pineapples, & Nuts
Scripture: Matthew 7:17

Today’s Mission – Today, take a good honest look at the fruit you are producing and do whatever it takes to bring forth good fruit.

The Perfume Of The Spirit

Thursday, December 12, 2024

In Ruth 3:3, Naomi tells Ruth to wash, anoint herself with oil, and then go down to Boaz. This is the fateful night when Boaz turns his eyes to her. Boaz is called her goel: the kinsman redeemer. Messiah is our Goel. In the same way, we want Messiah’s eyes to turn to us. Reyach is a Hebrew word for perfume. It comes from the Hebrew word ruach which means spirit. So how do we turn Messiah’s eyes to us? We cleanse ourselves and adorn ourselves with the fragrant oil of the Ruach – the Holy Spirit. In Hebrew ruach and reyach, spirit and perfume, are virtually identical. Thus, the way to make yourself beautiful and live a life of sweetness is to live in the Spirit of God. It is only the Spirit of God that can make a life truly sweet and beautiful. So take some beauty tips from Ruth today: bathe – cleanse yourself in God’s grace; put on the Reyach – apply the Spirit to your life liberally. Then go right into the presence of your Beloved; your Kinsman Redeemer and your life will be filled with His sweetness.

From Message #460 – Uncovering His Feet
Scripture: Song of Solomon 1:12

Today’s Mission – Today, apply the Spirit to your life liberally and spend time with your Beloved.

The Things That Bobs

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Once while leading a tour to Israel, on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, I had everybody write something they needed to get out of their life on a piece of paper. I put the pieces in a bag and with much solemnity threw it into the water, as casting all those things into the sea of God’s forgetfulness. The only problem was that the bag wouldn’t sink. It kept bobbing up and down … a profound lesson. Often we cast things out of our lives and expect never to deal with them again. Then when something bobs back up for a moment, we get discouraged and give up. The fact is, usually the old junk will not often disappear from our lives instantly. Often it bobs up and down for some time. But don’t let that get you down. Keep standing in your freedom. Keep pushing that old junk down into the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Eventually, just like that bag on the Sea of Galilee, it will stop bobbing, and disappear completely from your life.

From Message #454 – A Tour of the Promised Land
Scripture: James 4:7

Today’s Mission – Today, push that old habit or sin down into the sea of forgetfulness and stand firm in your freedom.

The Actual Distance To Heaven

Monday, December 9, 2024

How far away is heaven? We often measure distance by time. We’ll say, “The supermarket is 10 minutes away,” “The next city is 30 minutes,” “Your vacation is a 10-hour flight,” “That galaxy is millions of light-years away.” So how longrndoes it take to get to heaven? If you’re born again, it takes just one breath, your last. So the distance between heaven and you is one sigh. Therefore, heaven is closer than the nearest galaxy, continent, city, or local supermarket; it is closer than the house next door or the room down your hall. Heaven is closer to you than anything on earth – just one sigh. So remember whenever you sigh, feel down, lost in this life, lonely or far away from God – that sigh is a reminder of just how close heaven is to you. It’s also a reminder that you don’t have to die to know the wonders of heaven. Messiah said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is in your midst.” So reach out for the love of heaven. It’s the Lord’s joy to give it to you. All the blessings of heaven are waiting to come into your life… just one sigh away.

From Message #857 – Forty Million Heartbeats
Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Today’s Mission – Live this day as if heaven were one sigh away – and when you sigh, know that heaven is even nearer.

Lines And Circles

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

A curved line is moving in more than one direction at once. After a while, it will curve back on itself and make some kind of a circle. Making circles is fine when it comes to geometry, but it’s not fine when it comes to your life. When you waver back and forth between God and the world you’re moving in two directions at once. You’re going through life double-minded. Thus, the journey of your life becomes curved. And that means you’ll end up eventually curving right back to where you were before – in a circle, going nowhere. So do you want your life to end up going nowhere, or would you rather have your life go somewhere – and making a difference? Then you have to stop going in two directions. You have to choose to go in only one. A straight line goes in one direction. Thus a straight line is the only one that goes somewhere in God. So choose the Lord with all your heart, live all out, 100%, single-minded, no compromise, and on fire for God – that’s when you’ll start going places!

From Message #433 – The Shannah
Scripture: Luke 9:62

Today’s Mission – Today, put away all wavering and double mindedness and choose the Lord with all your heart. Live single-minded and on fire for God.

The Blackout of The Blind

Thursday, December 5, 2024

In the heat wave of 1959, New York City, experienced a power failure. People found themselves without air conditioners or lights. Those on upper floors found themselves without lights or elevators. However, in one of those buildings, the blackout didn’t cause as many problems. It was the Guild for the Jewish Blind. The building was filled with 200 blind employees and 70 sighted employees. When the lights went out, the sighted workers were helpless, but the blind workers had no problem at all. So the blind workers who knew every inch of the building without sight led the helpless sighted workers down the steps and onto Broadway. There’s a profound truth in this. The Scriptures tell us to live not by our eyes, but by faith and not by sight. If you live by sight, you’ll end up lost, helpless and overcome by the dark. But, if you live by faith and not by sight, then it won’t matter how dark things around you become because your light will never be turned off. So walk by faith, and you’ll never find yourself in a blackout.

From Message #928 – Raging Faith
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

Today’s Mission – Today, make

The Blackout of The Blind

Thursday, December 5, 2024

From Message #928 – Raging Faith
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

Today’s Mission – Today, make

The Sign of The Fish and The Beaver

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Rivers are important in God. In the days of the Kingdom, rivers of living water will flow from the House of the Lord in Jerusalem. Rivers represent God’s Spirit; always giving and flowing. One of the first signs of the faith was that of the fish. But for many believers, a more accurate sign would be the beaver. Many believers act more like beavers than fish. We dam up the flowing of God’s Spirit in our hearts and lives with unforgiveness, bitterness, compromise, fear, and doubt. We dam up our lives with walls against others. When you build them, you dam up your life to missing the blessings God would have you know. As long as you live with dams, your life can’t flow in the blessings of God’s Spirit. So if you want to live with the blessing of God’s Spirit flowing freely in your life, break open that dam. Break open that dam of unforgiveness, bitterness, compromise, gloom, fear, and that wall against that person. Then let the river of God’s blessing flow into your life because you’re a child of blessing and not a beaver.

From Message #350 – Living Waters from Jerusalem
Scripture: Ezekiel 11:19

Today’s Mission – Today, tear down that dam that has hindered the blessing in your life or heart, and let the Spirit flow!

The Altar and The Glory

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Do you want to see the miracles, the presence, the fullness, and the glory of God in your life? Three thousand years ago, the Temple of God was dedicated by King Solomon. The priests offered up thousands of sacrifices, and the glory of God descended on the temple so thick and so heavy that the priests couldn’t stand to minister. First, they offered their offerings and then the glory fell. Sacrifice and glory go together. It happened in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Testament as well. The death of Messiah was the ultimate sacrifice. What came after? The resurrection, the glory of God – First the sacrifice, then the glory. So, if you want the glory of God to overflow in your life, you must first have the sacrifice. If you want God’s glory in your life, lay your life on the altar and give it to Him. Live your life for the Lord and your life will be a glorious one. Follow Him with all your heart and the glory of God will come down. For where there is sacrifice, the glory is sure to follow.

From Message #1194 – Footsteps on the Altar
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1

Today’s Mission – What is the Lord calling you to sacrifice or offer up today? Do it. And move in the glory.

Cracker Jacks and The Presence of God

Monday, December 2, 2024

As a child, I liked the snack, Cracker Jacks. It was unique in that, deep inside every box was a prize. In some ways, it shows the difference between our faith and every other ideology, or religion. With other belief systems, you try to follow the teachings and practices. But the Gospel isn’t just about trying to follow a teaching or practice. It contains a gift, something real that’s given to you. It’s not about what’s true. It’s the giving of the Gift of Truth itself – Himself. You can’t live the Christian life without His supernatural presence residing in you. It’s like holding a box of Cracker Jacks, but not reaching in for the prize. For God so loved the world that He gave the greatest of gifts. That giving isn’t complete by teaching, doctrine, going to church, or Bible studies. They’re good, but the giving is made complete by receiving. It’s time you reach deep down into your faith, into the blessing of the gift. It’s as simple as pulling a prize out of a box of Cracker Jacks.

From Message #1080 – The Presence & the Power Word
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Today’s Mission – Today, take time to go deep into the Lord’s presence… and obtain the Prize.

The Secret of The Greatest

Friday, November 29, 2024

Yochanan the Immerser or John the Baptist was in a sense the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was also a priest, a Nazarite, and Messiah called him the greatest of those born of women. Yet he said “I immerse you with water for repentance, but He who comes after me is above me. I am not worthy to untie His sandals.” Everything he was, all he did, said, and stood for – all of it had only one purpose – to lead to Messiah. That’s why he was the greatest of all. His life, more than any other, led directly to Messiah’s redemption. If you want to live a great life, then make Messiah the object and purpose of all you do. Make Him the goal, aim, and reason. Whatever you do, do it for Him and to His glory. Whatever thing you endeavor to do, or spend time and energy pursuing, if it doesn’t lead to Messiah, put it away. Make your life 100% leading directly to Messiah- your words, actions, gifts, endeavors, and your heart. Then the life you lead will lead to greatness.

From Message #224 – Yochanan The Immerser
Scripture: Acts 11:23

Today’s Mission – Today, make it your aim that everything you say and do is aimed at and leads to Messiah.

The Red Sea Vs The Creation

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Some theologians struggle with believing the Red Sea parting. They’ve theorized that the sea consisted only of about a foot of water and the Israelites were able to just walk across it. But that begs the question “How did the Egyptian army drown in a foot of water? That, in itself, would have been a miracle! And which is harder, for God to create the universe with countless galaxies, stars, planets, oceans, and seas or making one of those seas part in two? After creation, parting a little sea is a piece of cake. You may be dealing with a problem in your life. It may seem there’s no way out, no way to overcome and have victory, or no end in sight. Is your problem any greater than it was for the Hebrews? Your Red Sea isn’t too big for the God who created the galaxies. Trust the Lord and believe the miracles. Start proclaiming the victory. Then the hand of God will move again, the waters will split, and the horse and rider will be swept into the sea.

From Message #1331 – Crossing The Red Sea
Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17

Today’s Mission – Today, proclaim the victory over your Red sea crossing. Give thanks before the water parts.

The Genesis of Love

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The word ahavah is Hebrew for love. In Genesis 22:2 God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering…” It’s the first appearance of the word ‘love,’ or ‘ahavah’ in Scripture. And this first appearance is speaking of the love of a father for his son. The Bible is about the love of the Father, for His Son. This is the first love of the universe. This is the love that makes all other loves possible. It’s a sacrificial love. It’s not a love that demands, needs, requires, or loves only to get back. It’s an offering. It is to give without seeking anything back. So, too, love with the same love in your life; the love that asks for nothing in return, expects nothing, lets go, and sacrifices everything. Bless somebody today with total sacrificial giving, and selfless love. For this is the first love. This is Ahavah. This is Calvary. This is Messiah. This is our salvation, and this is our faith.

From Message #134 – Love Notes
Scripture: 1 John 4:16

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to live a day of sacrificial love; loving, and blessing others while expecting nothing in return.

More Than Forgiveness

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Luke 6:37 says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” The Greek word translated as forgive in that Scripture is apoloo’oh. In Acts, the same word is used to speak of the disciples ‘sending away’ the other disciples on their journey. We tend to think of forgiveness as an overlooking of sin. But the word apoloo’oh means far more. God’s forgiveness isn’t just to overlook a sin. It’s to literally ‘send it away.’ Forgiveness is an act of actively sending the sin or issue into the hands of God, never to be taken back. When the disciples sent the other disciples on their journeys, they laid hands on them, prayed for them, escorted them out of the city, or sent them off on ships – apoloo’oh. So it is with God’s forgiveness. It isn’t enough to overlook sin, you have to take the time to send it out of your life once and for all. Take that offense, hurt, or wound, and by the power of God’s love, escort it out of your heart, and life. Set it off in a ship of grace, into the sea of God’s mercy.

From Message #153 – Notes on Forgiveness
Scripture: Titus 3:5

Today’s Mission – Today, practice actively sending away from your life that which has no business being there.

UFO Cults Vs Christians

Monday, November 25, 2024

At a meeting in Oregon a man claiming to represent beings from another planet contended that soon, selected people from earth would be taken to this planet. But, in order to prepare for their departure in a UFO, they would have to sell all their worldly goods. About twenty people were convinced, sold everything and followed the man out of their town. Every so often a cult leader comes along speaking of some apocalyptic event, and people give up everything to follow a lie. And yet the followers of the true Messiah are often the least likely to give up their comforts to follow Him. We of all people have something so great that letting go of anything else should be an easy thing. The Lord never called us to be foolish or crazy. But He does call us to give up our hold on what is only temporary. So let go of that thing you’re holding on to. Give to the poor, and those in need, because you have a sure hope and a real destination… and you don’t need a UFO to get there.

From Message #412 – The Radical Heart
Scripture: Proverbs 23:17,18

Today’s Mission – Today, let go of anything that is distracting, keeping, or hindering you from your time, your love, and your devotion of God. Spend the time with Him.

Counterfeit and Real Blessing

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Four salesmen perpetrated a hoax on a farmer in Brazil. They tricked him into investing his life savings into a machine that would ‘print money.’ They loaded it with real cruzeiro notes, worth about $20 each. When they demonstrated the machine, the farmer was astounded. He handed over the equivalent of $45,000 for it. After the salesmen left, the machine wouldn’t print out anything anymore. Outraged the farmer brought the machine to the police and pleaded with them to make it work! The truth is, you can’t buy a money-making machine. If you want to make money, you have to work for it. So it is with things which are worth far more than money; a great marriage, a good prayer life, a life of integrity, joy, peace, and fullness. All these things take work. You can’t just demand a good life or a happy marriage. All these things must be cultivated. All of them require godly habits, godly attitudes, and godly actions. Follow the way of righteousness day in and day out. You’ll end up with more treasures and riches than you ever could’ve printed with a money-making machine.

From Message #1191 – The Pleasure Principle
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Today’s Mission – Today, practice cultivating the foundations of blessings, actions of integrity, self-control, righteousness, prayer, purity, and love.

Steam Kettle Theologians

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A missionary cleverly trying to teach natives in Africa about the locomotive train by using planks of wood to represent the tracks, lined up carts one in front of the other, and oxen at the front with a steam kettle around one’s neck to represent the engine. Yet, if one of the natives had looked at this and rejected the idea of the train as ridiculous, maintaining that nothing of the kind existed, he would have been right. So it is with all our theologies, ideas, and imaginings of God. All our words and thoughts fall far short of the real thing. God is far more. He’s greater and better than anything we’ve ever preached, sung, thought of, or dreamed about Him. God is more. And so there is so much more of God that we have yet to discover, learn, and know. That’s why the Scriptures tell us to seek the Lord continually. Never stop seeking Him. Get beyond the words, the doctrines, and the thoughts. Come into the Holy of Holies where the real presence of God is. For everything else is just wooden planks and steam kettles.

From Message #22 – The Stranger
Scripture: Isaiah 55:9

Today’s Mission – Today, block out some real good time to just meditate on the awesomeness and majesty of God.

Duped By The Stuffed Bear

Monday, November 18, 2024

When I was growing up the carnival would come to town every year. They had games that were rigged to make it nearly impossible to win the prize. They had basketball with a hoop so small that it was almost impossible to get the ball into it. But hoping to win a stuffed bear for my mother, I made attempt after attempt to win the prize – each time shelling out more money. People tried to stop me, but I would not be stopped. I finally won, and it only cost me $34.00… for a stuffed bear that cost about .50¢ to produce! So, too, there are a lot of pursuits in life that are not worth winning. You might be striving for success, money, position or possessions but losing everything that’s truly valuable in the process. Don’t strive to win a worldly victory that will end up making you lose your family, your marriage, your peace, your intimacy, and life with God. Give up that empty pursuit, and find your peace with God… or you could end up paying $34.00 to win a stuffed animal that’s only worth .50¢.

From Message #673 – The Pyrrhic Victories
Scripture: Psalm 34:14

Today’s Mission – Today, put aside any pursuit that is not of God and is fruitless. Pursue Him.

Broken Pieces And The Carpenter

Friday, November 22, 2024

It’s actually a Jewish tradition that the Messiah would be a carpenter. Why a carpenter? A carpenter specializes in putting things together. A carpenter takes pieces of material and out of them forms something beautiful. If you’re human and living on this planet, chances are you’ve seen parts of your life break apart – dreams, relationships, promises, and hearts. We’ve all experienced missing pieces. Our lives need the hands of a carpenter. Messiah’s specialty is to take the brokenness and piece it together until your life turns out to be something beautiful. Your part is to let Him have all the pieces. Bring to Him all of your brokenness – your sorrows, losses, frustrations, hurts, and wounds. Give Him your broken dreams, relationships, promises, and broken hearts – all of it. Put them all into Messiah’s hands. You don’t have to struggle with your life. You can entrust it into His hands because His hands are the hands of a carpenter. He is the Master Carpenter of life. So, let Him be the Carpenter of your life. That’s when your life will come together and become something beautiful.

From Message #86 – The Fallen Sukkah of David
Scripture: Isaiah 44:24

Today’s Mission – Today, give the Lord any part of your life or heart that is or has been broken. Trust Him to redeem the broken pieces.

Don’t Lose Your Head!

Friday, November 15, 2024

As a child, before I knew the Lord, I participated in Halloween. The most inexpensive costume was the headless man. We would lift our jackets over our heads, ring the doorbell and stand there with our bags out, trusting they would be filled since we couldn’t see anything. A man walking around without his head is the stuff of horror movies. However, a lot of believers are basically running around without their heads. They run after the latest trend, movement, teaching, emotion, sign, wonder, problem, or circumstance. They’re following everything but the Lord. They think it’s the Spirit, but they’re really following feelings and circumstances. One day they think God’s telling them to get married, and the next day to be single. It’s the amazing headless Christian. We must be open to the moving of God’s Spirit but we must also make sure we are grounded in His Word. God gave you a head, use it! In order to love the Lord with all your mind, you must keep your head. For headless Christians are just plain scary.

From Message #652 – Little Monsters
Scripture: Acts 20:29-30

Today’s Mission – Today, take a Word of God and root and ground yourself in it. Stand by it the entire day.

The Cub Scouts Who Worked Against The Police

Thursday, November 14, 2024

In Surrey, England, two cub scouts decided to do a very special good deed for all the motorists in their area. They stood on the side of the road warning the cars of a police radar trap just ahead. When the organization found out what was happening, they quickly put an end to it. Sometimes what we think are good deeds aren’t really good. They may be nice, but nice isn’t always good. It might be nice to agree with people to make them feel good, but sometimes the very thing that makes them feel good hinders them from ever becoming good. Living simply to please people, giving them what they demand, isn’t the way of righteousness. If someone is drunk and wants to drive home, you can be nice and let them go. The good thing to do is to stop them. It doesn’t feel good, but it’s the most loving thing you can do. You’re not called to be agreeable and nice, you’re called to be good, and sometimes love has to be tough. God isn’t always agreeable, but He’s always good. You be the same.

From Message #376 – Truth in Love
Scripture: 3 John 1:11

Today’s Mission – Walk in righteousness and do what is good today.

On The Edge of The Race

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

When I was a boy, I would go sledding with friends. We always started out sitting on top of the hill, right on the edge. It only took the slightest push for gravity’s momentum to kick in and do the rest. That little nudge made all the difference between going somewhere or going nowhere. So too it is in our lives. It is written that God has already prepared good works for you to enter into, but it’s not going to happen if you just sit there on the edge of fulfilling God’s calling on your life. All it takes is just a little push for you to begin, that first step of righteousness, of holiness, of courage, of ministry, of overcoming fear. Take the first step against fear, worry, complacency, apathy, inertial, and that rut. Start moving to victory. One little nudge is the difference between a life of going nowhere and a life that’s moving in God’s Spirit. Do what God is calling you to do. Then, in the momentum of the Spirit, the ride will begin!

From Message #294 – Healing
Scripture: John 16:7

Today’s Mission – Today, take that first step towards victory and break out of that rut.

The Sons of Deity

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Greek mythology tells of supernatural beings who were children of the gods. There was Hercules, son of Zeus, and Perseus, another son of Zeus. Of course, it’s all a myth. The amazing thing is that something even more supernatural than this actually does exist. Those who are born again are divine beings. They are children of the Living God. That’s much greater than being a child of Zeus. What an awesome thing it is to be born again. In mythology, the children of the gods were considered to be supernatural beings, with supernatural powers, heroes who overcame great odds, colossal foes, and bringing deliverance. You are a supernatural being, with the supernatural powers of the Spirit. You are called to be a hero, to overcome great odds, and to bring deliverance in every situation by the power of Messiah. In the new birth you’re a child of God- by His Spirit, more valiant than Perseus and stronger than Hercules. Live like it, for it’s no myth.

From Message #608 – The Butterfly’s Child
Scripture: Galatians 3:26

Today’s Mission – Today, live as a child of Deity. Walk in the supernatural power of God and overcome all things.

The God of The Everyland Land

Monday, November 11, 2024

One of the many things that makes Israel so amazing is that it’s filled with landscapes of every kind. Its western coast is the Mediterranean seashore. Its northern border has a snow capped mountain. In its middle is the fertile valley of Jezreel. Above the valley is the beautiful hills and Sea of Galilee. In its south is the barren moonscape of the Negev… and so much more – all in a piece of land no larger than the state of New Jersey. Our God is the God of Israel. He’s the God of the everyland land. He’s not only the God of the mountains, He’s the God of the valleys, the high places and the low, the beautiful planes, and the dry and barren wilderness. In your life, He’s not only the God of your mountaintops, but of your valleys as well. His love for you is everywhere. He will be with you in every landscape of your life. As He is faithful to you in every moment and place, so live faithful to Him. He’s your everyland God – you be His everyland disciple.

From Message #451 – The Waters of Zion
Scripture: Acts 17:24

Today’s Mission – Today, see yourself walking hand in hand with your Father God, whether it’s a mountain top or a valley.

Interrogating The Interrogator

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned for his faith by the communist government of Romania. He was interrogated and tortured day in and day out. One day he said to his interrogator, “You interrogate me all the time. Now I want to interrogate you. Have you ever been in love?” “What kind of question is that?” said the interrogator. Wurmbrand answered, “I once fell in love with the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Not long after we met, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. She loved me! When anybody asked how I was, I answered, ‘She loves me.’ So here you are, asking me so many questions, and the one thing I can tell you is, ‘Jesus loves me.’ So when you come to know the love of God, you won’t have to ask so many questions. His love will answer the questions in your heart.” So, you too might have a lot of questions in your life, but remember the words of the prisoner. In the end, it’s God’s love that’s going to matter. Whatever you’re going through, let go and say, “But God loves me.”

From Message #502 – Mercy and Truth
Scripture: 1 John 4:16

Today’s Mission – Today, no matter what comes your way, dwell on and rejoice in the fact that God loves you.

Facing The Ninevites

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The prophet Jonah was called to preach judgment to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the royal city of the Assyrians. The Assyrians were some of the fiercest, most savage peoples of the ancient world. So why wasn’t Jonah afraid to confront the Assyrians? He first ran away. But after three days in the stomach of a fish sent by God, Jonah was more afraid of God than of man. If you’re a child of God and you’re afraid to share the Gospel because of what people might think of you or whether they’ll accept or reject you, what you’re saying is you fear man more than God. Jonah could only fear the Assyrians if he didn’t fear God, and you could only fear others if you don’t fear God. If you fear God most of all and He’s with you, then it’s impossible to fear anything or anyone else. Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world. Therefore, go and preach the Gospel to all men and fear no man- only God.

From Message #392 – Keys of Revival
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17

Today’s Mission – Today, fear God only, and don’t be afraid to share Messiah with everyone.

Facing The Ninevites

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

From Message #392 – Keys of Revival
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17

Today’s Mission – Today, fear God only, and don’t be afraid to share Messiah with everyone.

Before The Bread

Monday, November 4, 2024

There’s a secret of abundant life and victory found in The Lord’s Prayer. It said, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and, “Give us this day our daily bread-“. The secret is right there: the will- “Your will be done”- and the want- “Give us this day our daily bread”. Notice, it’s the will that comes first. Messiah gave us this to be the model prayer of our heart. God does care about your needs and desires, but He doesn’t want you to be wrapped up in them. If you want to live victoriously, do it according to The Lord’s Prayer. Put His will before your want, even before your need. If you live by what you want or need, your life will always be wanting and needy. But if you live by His will, your life will always be in His will. So, seek His will above your needs and you won’t dwell in need. Live by His will, not by your want, and you’ll never be wanting for any good thing.

From Message #482 – As it is in Heaven
Scripture: Psalm 34:10

Today’s Mission – Today, put the Lord’s will before your wants and needs.

AMERICA’S REAL PROBLEM

Friday, November 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
   Many Christians believe that if they can elect the right people, place into position the right Supreme Court justices, pass the right laws, they can save America. We should, by all means, vote and do all we can to impact our government. I am the first to encourage that. But that alone won’t save America. Though politics play an important part, America’s problem is not ultimately political. It is not ultimately economic, and not even ultimately cultural.
   America’s problem is ultimately spiritual – and so only a spiritual answer can solve it. If we change laws but not hearts, then the unchanged hearts will, in time, change back the laws. We should seek to change unrighteous laws, but if we don’t change hearts, we will lose everything in the end. The overturning of Roe V. Wade was momentous and by the hand of God. But without the overturning of hearts, people will seek abortion, if not one way, then another, if not in one state, then another, until they can overturn the overturning itself. A recent poll found that 66% of Americans oppose the total overturning of Roe V. Wade with 29% in favor. How long can that be sustained if hearts don’t change.
   According to another recent poll, the percentage of Americans who want to overturn the legalizing of gay marriage is 28%. The percentage in favor of legalized gay marriage was found to be around 70%. As for the more conservative, as in Republicans, the percentage was somewhere around 50%. Among young Americans, the percentage is even higher than 70%, but then about 1-in-5 to 1-in-4 young Americans now consider themselves LGBT in one form or another. With regard to America’s future, it is that last percentage, that of the young, that will prove the most important. We must face the fact that we are living in a nation in a state of apostasy.
   In the years 2016 to 2020, the American government was led by a Republican and conservative administration. And there were many accomplishments that conservatives and Christians could boast in – executive orders issued on behalf of life and religious liberty, the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, the Jerusalem Declaration, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Abrahamic Accords, the recognition of Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights, and more. But at the same time, America’s spiritual, moral, and cultural decline, apostasy, and fall, did not stop. If anything the indoctrination of its children in the classroom, online, and in mass media, into the ways of immorality and godlessness only increased. If we don’t change those things, we will not change America’s trajectory – or its fall.
   Electing a more godly or moral administration will not matter in the end, if there is no changing of hearts, no turning back to God, no revival. On the other hand, electing an ungodly or immoral administration will not matter in the end, even if we do change hearts, if the nation does turn back to God, and if true revival does come to America.
   This month, let us now vote with our prayers, and fervently plead with God for revival. It is that only that can save this nation. And May God greatly bless you this month as you do!

Your brother and co-laborer

in His love and service,