1Sam 17.32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

David said to Saul ..... What a contrast a humble shepherd lad encouraging an experienced and successful warrior of Israel! Saul, the only giant of Israel (ch. 10.23), realized that he should have been the one to accept Goliath's challenge. But a guilty conscience left him fearful and trembling. Had love for God been in his heart it would have been sufficient to cast out all fear; but he had none of the love of God abiding in him. In its place there was only the "torment" of a guilty conscience (see 1 John 2.5; 4.18). David, on the other hand, radiated that spirit of genuine optimism and courage that is the badge of "a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24.16; cf. Ps. 51.10, 11). David was as courageous as Saul was cowardly.

1 Samuel 17:33, NLT "Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been a man of war since his youth.

When the young shepherd David heard the giant Goliath taunting the Israelites, something rose up in him. He said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" God put the dream in him right there to defeat Goliath. When David told King Saul that he would defeat Goliath, you would think Saul would have been excited to finally have somebody step up to the fight, but he did just the opposite. However, David refused to believe the limitations and declared his victory before bringing Goliath down. 

The reason some people don't support or encourage you when you feel God has spoken something to you is because God didn't put the dream in them. They can't see what you see or feel what you feel. They may love you and think they're protecting you and doing you a favor by telling you what you can't do. But you have an empowerment that will cause it to come to pass. Rest assured it's on the way.

Father, thank You that I am not limited by what the people around me say or think about me. Thank You that You have qualified me to do what You have destined me to do. I will not allow others to put a limitation on what You have put in my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Psalm 133:2, NIV

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe.

In the Scripture, when they poured oil on the head of Aaron, the high priest, it flowed down to the rest of his body. This was symbolic. Oil represents favor, and when you're connected to people with favor, the more blessed they are, the more blessed you'll be. That oil of favor will flow down to you, and when you understand this, it's easy to celebrate those who are ahead of you. You know that because you're honoring your supervisor, when you're sowing respect into that colleague who's really talented, as they rise higher, you're going to rise higher because you're connected. As you connect to the favor that's on them, new doors and new levels will open for you, new talents will come out. 

God brings these favor connections across your path to help take you higher. Let where they are inspire you to be the best that you can be. You're going to become like whomever you're connected to. As iron sharpens iron, they can sharpen you. They can make you better.

Father, thank You for the favor connections whom You've brought into my life to honor and respect. Help me to recognize who they are, to sow into them, learn from them, and partner with them. I believe that You will use them to sharpen me and make me better. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

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Psalm 18:29, AMPC

For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

People can't lock you out of your destiny. God is your doorkeeper--not your boss, not your banker, not your neighbor, not your critics, not your enemies. They may shut a door, but God can take you right through it. He can make things happen that don't make sense. He doesn't have to open it. He may not do it a traditional way. God can take you around what's blocking you. He can take you over someone who's trying to stop you. He can move someone out of the way who's holding you back. What God has destined for your life will override anyone or anything trying to stop you. Leaped over a wall ..... With God's help no barrier was able to stop David in his pursuit of the enemy.

You just keep honoring God, being your best, and He will get you to where you need to be. Trust His timing. Don't be impatient because a door hasn't opened yet. God knows what He's doing. He's not going to let you miss out. Stay in peace; your time is coming. Closed doors can't keep you from your purpose.

Father, thank You that other people and circumstances cannot keep me from what You have purposed for me. Thank You that You are the doorkeeper of my life. I believe that You will take me through or over or around whatever stands in my way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Harden Heart: A new perspective

If the heart becomes hardened, the eye becomes dry. Only unconditional grace can transform a hardened heart into a grateful heart. As theologian Karl Barth puts it, 'As the beloved of God, we have no alternative but to love him in return.

Mark Galli

Exodus 4:21
“And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, seethat thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”
Harden his heart... In Christ's parable of the sower and the seed there was no difference between the seed scattered in one kind of soil and that sown in the others, or yet in the manner in which it was sown. Everything depended upon the reception given the seed by each type of soil. In like manner, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart was in no way an act of God, but rather a deliberate choice on his own part. By repeated warnings and displays of divine power God sent light designed to point out to Pharaoh the error of his ways, to soften and subdue his heart, and to lead him to cooperate with His will. But each successive manifestation of divine power left him more determined to do as he pleased. Refusing to be corrected, he despised and rejected the light, until he became insensitive to it, and the light was finally withdrawn. It was thus his own resistance to the light that hardened his heart. Even the heathen recognized that it was Pharaoh and the Egyptians who hardened their hearts, not God (1 Sam. 6.6).

It is a fascinating fact that the Hebrew word “chazaq” is translated as “hardened” in almost every account of God’s dealing with Pharaoh. But when Pharaoh “hardened” his own heart, the Hebrew word “kabed” is used. Why this difference? Actually the word “chazaq” has a literal meaning of “strengthen, courage.” For example, we read in 1 Samuel 30:6 that “David encouraged himself in the LORD,” but the word translated “encouraged” is “chazaq”—the same word which is translated as “hardened” in this passage. “Chazaq” is also translated as “encouraged” in the following verses: Deuteronomy 1:38; 2 Samuel 11:25; 2 Chronicles 35:2; Psalm 64:5; Isaiah 41:7; Deuteronomy 3:28; Judges 20:22; 2 Chronicles 31:4. When we take the true meaning of the word, we find that God actually encouraged Pharaoh’s heart to let Israel go. But when Pharaoh hardened his own heart, the Bible uses a different word—“kabed” which means “to make heavy, harden” (Exodus 8:15). But why did the “encouragement” of the Lord have the effect of hardening Pharaoh’s heart? We might just as well ask why the same encouraging, inspiring ministry of Jesus could produce a loving John and a traitorous Judas. One was softened, and the other was hardened. The same sun that softens the wax will harden the clay. Every man is exposed in some degree to the grace of Christ (John 1:9). The Lord is spoken of as a sun (Psalm 84:11) who lightens every man. Some reject the light and grow hard (Zechariah 7:12). Some accept and are softened. The end result depends on the response of each individual. 

God takes no pleasure in the suffering and death of the wicked, but rather desires that all men repent and be saved (Eze. 33.11; 1 Tim. 2.4; 2 Peter 3.9), and causes His sun to shine upon the evil and the good (Matt. 5.45). But as the sun affects different materials in different ways, according to their own nature¾ it melts wax and hardens clay, for instance¾ so the influence of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of men produces different effects according to the condition of the heart. The repentant sinner allows God's Spirit to l

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Ephesians 2:10, NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Jesus chose Peter to be one of His disciples even though he knew he was hot tempered, impatient, and would fail many times. He didn't choose him because he was perfect; He chose him because He had the blueprint for Peter's life. The messes didn't disqualify Peter; the messes simply meant he was still under construction. He knew that Peter would become one of the most respected, influential leaders. 

We all have some messy areas we need to improve in. The point is to let God make you and mold you. Stay pliable. We should be better this year than we were last year. We should be making progress. Don't let the mess become normal. The hot temper, the addiction, the negative attitude--that's not who you are. Keep growing, keep resisting that temptation, keep saying no to those carnal desires. Every time you do the right thing, it makes it a little easier the next time. There's nothing wrong with being under construction; there is something wrong with not making any progress. Expectation Speeds progress! 

Father, thank You that my life is Your workmanship and that I am under construction according to Your blueprint. Thank You that You're working in my life, and You will bring me to completion. I am looking beyond the messy areas to see the masterpiece in the making. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

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Psalm 23:6, NKJV

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...

In today's Scripture, the word "goodness" means God's favor. David was saying, "Surely favor follows me all my life." In effect, he was saying, "Favor is keeping enemies from defeating me. Favor is bringing promotion and opportunity." He didn't just think about it. He spoke favor over his life. He was releasing his faith for the favor of God. No wonder the prophet Samuel came to him and anointed him as the next king. No wonder he defeated a giant twice his size. No wonder King Saul couldn't kill him. 

You can increase in favor. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18.”When you're constantly talking about the favor of God, bragging on His goodness, you will go places you couldn't go on your own. You will overcome obstacles that seem impossible. If you're struggling in your finances, start declaring, "The favor of God is bringing increase and promotion. Favor is opening doors that I can't open." The more you thank God for it, the more you declare it, the more favor you're going to see.

Father, thank You that Your favor is following me all the days of my life. Thank You that goodness is causing me to stand out, to overcome obstacles, and to receive increase. I declare that Your favor is helping to take me to places I couldn't go on my own. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Isaiah 60:1, NKJV

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

Sometimes we are stuck in discouragement, stuck in the potholes of life, and feeling like a victim of our circumstances. Thoughts tell you, "Nothing good is in your future. You'll never get out of this." Recognize that's the enemy trying to get you into his territory. When you're positive, hopeful, and full of praise, you're in God's territory. The enemy can't cross that line. That's why he works overtime in our thought-life to get us down and discouraged because that's where negative thoughts dominate us. 

You have to take control of your thought life. That's where the battle is taking place. Don't wait for thoughts of hope and faith to come; think them on purpose. If you fill your mind with the right thoughts, there won't be any room for the wrong thoughts. Arise from the discouragement. Shake off the negatives. You're a victor, not a victim. Your light has come, and His glory is risen on you. When you come back over to His side, you'll get your joy and passion back. Come back Now!

Father, thank You that Your light has come to me and Your glory is upon me.  Help me to arise and shake off any of the potholes of this moment and fix my hope in You. I declare that I will take control of my thought life and give You all my praise. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Psalm 116:16, NLT

O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains.

Imagine what you could become without the chains that are limiting you. What could you accomplish without that chain of fear and insecurity? What kind of relationship could you have without that chain of guilt, shame, and feeling wrong about yourself? How high could you go without that chain of negative words that were spoken over you, telling you how you don't measure up and can never be successful? It's time to be freed from those chains. Your destiny is too great, your assignment too important to go around bound. 

Quit telling yourself you're stuck, you'll always struggle, you'll always be lonely, you'll always fight depression. The chain breaker, the Most High God, is working in your life right now. When you least expect it, things are going to shift in your favor. You are not going to be a slave to debt, fear, or an addiction. He is releasing you into increase, into favor, and into new levels. Ask Him to set you free, and start living from a freedom mind-set.

Father, thank You that You are the Most High God, my chain breaker, who is releasing me into increase, into favor, and into new levels. Thank You that what has limited me in the past is not going to hinder me anymore. I believe my chains have been broken. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Title: My Peace! 

Colossian 3.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The peace of Christ is here described, not as a static virtue, but as an active power. It enables man to live in tranquillity, undisturbed and trusting, amid the hardest circumstances of life. Christ, the source of this peace, becomes captain of the soul and peacefully pilots the ship of life into a safe harbor (see John 14.27: 

Rule ..... Gr. brabeuo, literally, "to be the umpire," hence, "to award the prize" (the related noun, brabeion, "prize, "to pronounce decisions,"  From the heart come decisions and policies that affect not only the individual but also the church and society. Paul here is telling the Colossian Christians to enthrone the peace that comes from Christ as the "umpire" of their lives.

This peace of Christ enjoyed by true believers is an essential part of the purpose of God through the gospel. It is impossible to visualize a Christian at war with his God and with his brethren.

In one body .....The mystic body of Christ is the organized group of believers who have as their goal the establishment of the divine purposes. Since all true Christians are part of the body of Christ, there can be no disagreements without injury to every member, thus making the entire body sick. God desires that all should be cooperative, united in love and service.

Be ye thankful ..... It is a Christian duty to be thankful. Gratitude to God may be likened to the soil in which the tender plant of peace flourishes. Thankfulness is acknowledgment that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift and the guide of the Christian in every step of life's journey. Since God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8.28), and since nothing is hidden from the eyes of Him with whom we have to do, what need is there to fear? The Christian who today lifts his voice in praise, will one day join the hallelujah chorus of redeemed men and unfallen angels. 

At the start of the day, you need to decide that no matter what comes your way--delays, disappointments, bad breaks--you're going to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. No matter what somebody says or does, you're not going to be offended. You've already made up your mind to stay in peace.

John 14.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace... Gr. eirene, corresponding to the Heb. shalom, the common Oriental greeting used by Jesus in His post-resurrection appearances. Here Jesus speaks of inward peace of soul such as comes to him who is "justified by faith" (Rom. 5.1), whose sense of guilt has been laid at the foot of the cross, and whose anxieties about the future have been swallowed up in his implicit trust in God (Phil. 4.6, 7). Such a peace Jesus terms "my peace." Such a peace the world, with all its boasted science and technologies, cannot bestow.

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Title: “Trust Your Unknown Future in the Hands of the Known God”

Text: Psalm 84:11, NLT

For the LORD God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

Sun .....God is the source of light, materially and spiritually (Ps 27.1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ;

Strength ..... Literally, "a place of safety," "a stronghold". Calvin named David's triple shield of defense against all threats, "Light, Salvation, Stronghold."

 Isa. 60.19, 20The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.The expression "Sun of righteousness" is applied to the Messiah (Mal. 4.2; Rev. 21.23; 22.25).

God not only knows everything you need in the future, but He knows when you're going to need it. He's the Source. He knows where all the good things are. He has already lined up everything you'll need. He's not going to withhold the finances, the health, the ideas, or the connections. Quit worrying about how it's going to work out. God is in control. He has unlimited resources. He knows how to get you to the right place at the right time. He can give you one idea that will catapult you to a new level. He can cause one person to come across your path who will help you accomplish a dream that seems impossible. 

Too often we're striving to make things happen on our own, trying to beat doors down. God is saying, "Ask Me for help. Call on My Name, and I will answer. Acknowledge Me every day as your source. What you're believing for, I already have prepared." Now it's time to go to Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are my provider, the source of everything good in my life. Thank You that Your favor is bringing me the right people, the right ideas, and getting me to the right place at the right time. I will call on Your name, knowing You will answer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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