Happy Is The One Who Finds Wisdom

                                     When The Door Slams

This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I the LORD, have spoken!                 Jeremiah 23-24 NLT  

              Here's what you must do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role- play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.

            The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are ignorant. They are full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Heavenly Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. 

            For when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it. 

            But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and that way. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the LORD to give you any solid answer. 

            Think about this: What adjustments do you need to make in your thinking in order to truly believe God will give you a solid answer?   

Petition: So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understand our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same tastings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. there we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                            Never Rest Ministries

                    

Lifestyle The Ways Of God And The Ways Of Satan

                                     When The Door Slams 

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT). 

            In times like ours, it is more than ever so necessary for the individual to train himself, or be trained, according to objective norms of good, and learn to distinguish these from the purely pragmatic norms current in his society. He will come to know the difference between the "ways of the Lord God and the ways of Satan." We cannot trust our society to tell us this difference.        

            Everything is confused, and the men of our time blindly follow now the Lord God and now Satan, blown this way and that way by every changing wind of urgency and opportunity, judging only by what seem to them to be the immediate consequences. We must recover our inner faith not only in God but in the good, in reality, and in the power of the good to take care of itself and us as well, if only we attend to it, observe, listen, choose, and obey.  

            The Lord God wills that we act humanly, therefore intelligently. The Lord God wills that we act for His sake, for of the truth, not out of concern for immediate material interest: therefore He wills that we act in a "detached manner." Detachment is not pure indifference, but ...a concentration of attention on the subject of the act itself, not on the results or the consequences. We are not responsible for more than our own action, but for this we should take complete responsibility ...

            Think about this: We have only to judge whether the act is right, just, and accords with truth and love here and now, because we "believe in the good" and are therefore convinced that, whatever consequences may follow, they will certainly be good ones, beneficial to ourselves and to society. 

Petition: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever        (1 John 2"15-17 NLT).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.              

                                                    Never Rest Ministries               

God's Grace Is Sufficient For All

                                             When The Door Slams 

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.                           Psalm 34:17-22 NIV.  

            This is how we know what real love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16).  Throughout His earthly life, Jesus was constantly exposed to personal violence. At the beginning of His ministry, His own townsfolk: They got up, drove him out of town , and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was build, in order to throw him off the cliff (Luke 4:29). 

            The religious and political leaders often conspired to seize and kill Him. At length He was arrested and brought to trial before Pilate and Herod. Even though He was guiltless of the accusations, He was denounced as an enemy of God and man, and not worthy to live.

            The sufferings of Jesus also included the fierce temptations of the devil: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1).

            Remember, too, Jesus knew in advance what was coming, and this enhanced His suffering. Jesus knew the contents of the cup He had to drink; He know the path of suffering He should tread. Jesus could distinctly foresee the baptism of blood that awaited Him. Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples of His coming death by crucifixion.

           Jesus, came to suffer for our sins. As a result of His suffering, our redemption was secured. Christ living in us will enable us to live above our circumstances, however painful they are. Perhaps you who read these words find yourself almost crushed by the circumstances which you are now facing. You may wonder how much more of this suffering can you stand. Don't give in to the enemy! God's grace is sufficient for you and will enable you to rise above your trials.  

            Think about this: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or violent death?...But in all these things we have full victory from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.

            Renewal: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark word and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesian 6:12-13).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                Never Rest Ministries 

    

                      

The Powerful Weapon Of Intercessory Prayer

                                             When The Door Slams

Jesus answered them, "I assure you: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea, it will be done. And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:21-22 HCSB). For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37 HCSB).  

            The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won't suffer punishment for the father's iniquity, and a father won't suffer punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him (Ezekiel 18:20 HCSB). 

            These words from the LORD should end the controversy once and for all. Each adult is responsible for his own behavior, and that of no one else. So where does this leave us as Christian parents? Are we without spiritual resources with which to support our sons and daughters? Absolutely not! We are given the powerful weapon of intercessory prayer which must never be underestimated.

            The Scriptures teach: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect (James 5:16 HCSB). God's answer to our requests will not remove the freedom of choice from our children, but He will grant them clarity and understanding in charting their own course. They will be given every opportunity to make the right decisions regarding matters of eternal significance. I also believe the LORD will place key individuals in the paths of the ones for whom we pray--people of influence who can nudge them in the right direction. 

            Think about this: "What would Jesus want me to do first? What would He want me to forget? Who would He like me to forgive?" Establish clear goals so that there is purpose to your life. More important, be clear about what reality matters. This will help you to deal with the waste-products of your life, to dump the unnecessary disappointments or the criticism that comes from someone who doesn't matter anyway. Receive from your LORD GOD and Master the poise of a balanced, unhurried mind that knows the will of the Father in all things--and you will begin to be guilt free.   

             Confession : The LORD hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19 HCSB). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                   Never Rest Ministries

The Belief System Of Closed-Mindedness

                                                     When The Door Slams

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 16:25). Then Jesus began by telling them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He, and they will deceive many (Mark 13:6). These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, and entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity-for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them"       (2 Peter 2:17-19 NIV).  

            First and foremost, the belief systems of the cults are characterized by closed-mindedness. They are not interested in a rational cognitive evaluation of the facts. Practically every cult has certain characteristics that can tell the careful observer that something is wrong.

            For instance, what does a group think about Jesus? Jesus Christ is God, LORD of all, the only source of salvation. Constantly, a cult will put something else on an equal footing with Christ...a ritual that is equal to Christ, or a doctrine equal to Christ, or a leader who is equal to Christ. In other words, even if it acknowledges Christ as Savior, it will say that you need something else before you can get into heaven....

            Second, cults frequently attempt to instill fear into their followers. The followers are taught constantly that salvation comes through the cult. "If you leave us, you will lose your salvation," they say. 

            The third area has to do with the exaltation of the leader of the cult. Cults often center around a man or woman who is trying to gain power, money, or influence from manipulating people....When someone says he has a unique insight from God or is the special one that God has anointed to reach the world, you are dealing with cultic behavior. 

            Think about this: The unwillingness of the leaders to let the people grow up. A true shepherd will do everything he can to bring Christian people to maturity as quickly as he can. He will not seek to avoid necessary teaching, nor will he try to keep people from maturity. Many religious leaders maintain spiritual dependence so that their followers lose the ability to make independent, rational decisions.  

            Thanksgiving: You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 118:28-29). As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long-though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds (Psalm 71:14-17 NIV). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.  

                                                    Never Rest Ministries           

Real Leaders Expand Their Dreams

                                             When The Door Slams

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV

            Even as we become self-reliant and take responsibility for planting the seeds that will grow into the trees of our own success, we face an equal responsibility of planting shade trees for the benefit of others. One of God's great rules for the harvest of success is that the crops we sow and reap must be for the benefit of others, too--not crops grown and reaped at their expense. The harvest of seed of selfishness always results in personal and group famine, pestilence, and drought.

            Success does not mean standing victoriously over a fallen enemy. It is standing side by side with persons you have helped. Success is a matter of raising not only your own water level but the water level of all around you so that all the ships in the harbor can embark on prosperous voyages.

            You are truly successful when you can extend a strong hand to someone who is reaching, searching, or just trying to hang on. There is divine purpose in bringing out the best in one another. Selfish people have narrow thinking and live in a narrow world. Real leaders expand their dreams, goals, plans...and efforts...beyond themselves to say, "I live every moment, enjoying as much as I can, relating as much as I can, doing as much as I can--and giving as much as I can."  

            We live in a "me" world--facing the challenge of turning a "me" generation into a "we" generation. The elusive preoccupation we have in self-gratification and self-indulgence has too often been defined as personal success. Personal success, in my opinion, is only success if it also results in success for those with whom your life is intertwined. 

            Think about this: Giving changes us deep down, deep inside. It is more blessed to give than to receive. That is not just a truism stated by Jesus; it is a reality substantiated day in and day out by observing what happens to people when they give. 

Confession: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV)  

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.         

                                                Never Rest Ministries        

We All Need Someone Who Understands

                                              When The Door Slams  

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity Proverbs 17:17. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24 NIV.

             A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." 

            "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" 

            "Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. 

            As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing it best to catch up... "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. 

            The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." 

            With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."  

            Think about this: My friend, the world is full of people who need someone who understands. That is the ministry to which God has called each of us.

Affirmation: Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 HCSB.        

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                    Never Rest Ministries