“…in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

MAY 29 - Heaven and earth would never be the same. A broad smile illuminated the Father’s face; innumerable angels sang their melodious tunes, rejoicing as if frenzied, celebrating without bounds. Joy caused the stars to sparkle with a supernatural glitter, conveying great joy to shepherds who tended their herds each night. The presence of God finally came, bringing unspeakable, unquenchable joy.

Joy seems hard to come by for many people today. Why is that? I have discovered only one answer – neglect of time in God’s presence. The Bible tells us, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” If the devil can steal your joy, he can defeat you. We cannot fight the enemy without divinely-empowered strength.

I have taught this principle over the years – “Satan cannot destroy you; he can only distract you.” Satan eternally attempts to get believers to look at their circumstances. Whenever we look at our circumstances, joy begins to evaporate from our very midst, like puddles on a blistering hot day.

Joy only comes by having our focus on God’s Word and in His presence. If you want to overcome the enemy, begin to worship God and mediate on His Word day and night. As you do, joy rises within you, and no devil in hell is able to defeat you!

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that my feet are firmly planted on the Rock, Jesus Christ. In Your presence is fullness of joy. I refuse to be distracted by circumstances around me. I am strong because I have Your joy and I passionately pursue Your presence.

Family Scripture Reading

Jude

Featured Resource

The New You - CD

Have you accepted your new identity in Christ or do you continually deal with shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. The thoughts we identify with, whether good or bad, sculpt our destiny. Envision the marvelous transformation that would take place if we learned how to walk in our true identity. Imagine what life would be like if you were able to confidently identify with Christ instead of your old sin nature – nothing but victory, joy, and fulfillment. If you desire to learn the keys to walk in your new identity, this series is for you!

Posted under God's Presence

“God said, because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right…behold, I have done as you asked, I have given you a wise mind…I have also given you what  you have not asked, both riches and honor.”
1 Kings 3:11-13 (The Living)

APRIL 28 - In most cases, a computer in the hands of a two-year-old child is nothing but a mere plaything, an intriguing mass of lettered buttons, and an attractive screen of colorful images. Furthermore, that same
computer lays idle at the hands of the great-grandmother who loves gardening, baking, and sewing, seeing little rationale for even learning how to turn on the machine. Many times in life we may have the right tool in our hand, but if we don’t know how to efficiently use it, that tool becomes utterly and hopelessly useless.

After covert military strategy was generously demonstrated by Captain Wingate (specifically revealing how to effectively use their weapons against the enemy), Moshe Dayan and Haganah wisely learned the power they possessed. Accordingly the Word of God is powerless to us if we do not fully understand why God sent it and the power it possesses to accomplish great things in our lives.

If we do not acknowledge that the Word of God is powerful and that it is the discerner of the human heart, then it is totally unable to help us. Understanding unlocks the power of the Word of God to flow into the life of the believer, just as the English captain unlocked strategic military power to surge into the life of Moshe Dayan. The more fully we give ourselves to the Word of God, the more fully understanding comes into our life.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that the wealth of Your wisdom causes me to prosper in all areas of life.

Day 28: Audio Confession

Family Scripture Reading

Hebrews 12

Featured Resource

How To Have Hope For Living - CD/Book Combo

Every day, many people struggle to have hope for living. The daily onslaught of news of terrifying events around the world, coupled with their own shattered dreams in their families, jobs, finances, or health, has turned hope into despair. What is the answer? How can we have courage to face our circumstances and really have hope for living?

Dr. Robb Thompson offers trustworthy answers in his newest series, How to Have Hope for Living, on four CDs. Acknowledging that God’s Word is the source of all hope, Dr. Thompson states, “The hope He has for us is built by His promises – it’s not built by our circumstances.” Through this practical yet powerful teaching, he reveals to you the steps you must take to:

• Have courage to face tomorrow
• Get rid of negative thinking
• Experience peace in the midst of a storm
• Be a person who always has hope!

You can receive this dynamic teaching for a $30 gift to the work of this ministry. Along with the series, Robb Thompson wants to send you his latest scripture confessions, “Hope,” on a single CD. Narrated by Robb Thompson, with an anointed musical background, this inspirational CD will remind you of God’s unfailing faithfulness towards you. As you listen to these scriptures, hope will arise in your spirit and you’ll have new courage to face every day!

Also, for a limited time, Robb Thompson will also include his book, Winning the Heart of God. This book studies the life of David and reveals how you can be a man or woman after God’s heart.

Take advantage of this life-changing opportunity to discover new hope, confidence, and answers for your life!

Posted under Pursuit

“Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way.”
Proverbs 19:2 (NLT)
“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under Heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

APRIL 5 - Like nothing else on earth, relationships determine the outcome of your life. All other factors of your being—the extent of your intelligence, the graciousness of your appearance, the scope of your background—can modify that outcome, but none are as significant as the richness of your relationships. For this reason, each of us must strive to build the relationships that will launch us into the future we desire. There are people in our life who distract us from our focus and drain us of our energy, but there are also those who invigorate us as readily as a crisp, autumn day. Nevertheless, there is still a time for everything, and stepping into relationships before you are ready to make the required investment can be hazardous. It is like attempting to swim before you take lessons.

Once you discover the people with whom you can build a life, consider what it takes to make the most of those relationships:

• How will you add value to their life?
• What can you do for them that no one else can or will?
• And finally, is now the time to build these relationships?

If it is time, then pull out all the stops and go after it. If it isn’t yet time, learn to wait and prepare, because your time is coming soon.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I acquire knowledge to accompany my zeal. I refuse to be a person who moves too quickly.

Family Scripture Reading

Genesis 14

Featured Resource

Wisdom Devotional - Book

Your daily devotions will be complete with this combination package containing both leather-bound devotional and hardback journal, in the color black or burgundy.

Posted under Relationship

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)

JANUARY 2 - Asia - home to millions upon millions of inhabitants, countless numbers of them, having found the secret of Jesus Christ, currently risk their lives as they refuse to bow before idols and men. Having found the secret, they must now meet in secret, assembling in home churches all over the continent. Tiny apartments have quickly become covert places where souls are reborn and refreshed. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me”. God’s Word is powerfully alive.

Real life is a life that is surrendered to the Spirit of God.

So many individuals go through their time on this earth without experiencing the true life Heaven offers. We must come to grips with the fact that this life on earth has nothing to offer us. Whatever this world presents is nothing in comparison to knowing our Lord and Savior. This true life from Heaven abides in man because Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God is among us”.

Is there any real life apart from knowing the Lord? Many search in vain for what they need in all the wrong places. They desire to know the secret of life, but reject the very Person who can grant it to them. Like our Asian brothers and sisters, we possess the secret of life; Christ Jesus is in us, and we dwell wonderfully in Him. Now we are called to help others find the One who is life from Heaven, called to help them move in the direction of His truth. And that’s a secret we must tell everyone!

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I found the secret of life. Christ dwells
in me and I dwell in Him. I ask and it is given to me, I seek
and I find, and I knock and the door is opened to me.

Day 2: Audio Confession

Family Scripture Reading

Isaiah 1

Featured Resource

The Couch - “Narcissism” Episode - DVD

Click Image Above For More Info

In a suburb of Chicago is a small family restaurant called Opa’s. This is where a group of friends meet on a regular basis. On this week’s episode a young man called Van (with a severe case of narcissism) get’s an ultimatum from his parents. Either he needs to change or he need to move out. As usual, the friends and family in the restaurant encourage Van to schedule an appointment with the local psychiatrist, Dr. Jacob Lieberman… He may be a little eccentric, but always has great insight and leaves one feeling better about life than what it really is.

Posted under Pursuit