II Kings 1:8 ” He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.”

The Prophet Elijah of the Old Testament…He was recognized by this outfit…his clothing symbolizing his power…so much, that false prophets of that time would attempt to copy his attire.  This unusual garb of camel’s-hair and leather illustrated Elijah’s focus was on God, not on his physical comfort or tradition.  Later, John the Baptist adopted the same outfit…”Ministering in the spirit and power of Elijah.” ( Luke 1:17)     Jesus, Himself, even compared  the two in Matthew 11:14 in this way,  ” And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”

II Timothy 2: 9 ” But God’s Word is not chained.”

God’s Word is not bound by human law.  It’s not confined or hindered by man’s thought process.  It’s not shackled by old traditions.  It’s not restrained by political correctness.  No, God’s Word…His omnipotent Voice, is free to be released wherever and whenever He chooses.

Nahum 1:3 ” The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”

Our Lord is long-suffering, wishing none to perish.  And if we but turn to Him, the Lord is willing to forgive all wickedness, rebellion, and sin.  Yet the Lord will never  exonerate the corrupt or allow them to go free.

Psalm 5: 11 ” But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. “

Many friends are either headed to the Mission Field, or already  serving around the world.  My prayer,  is that God would shield them from harm…covering them all  around, with a hedge of protection.  May their confidence and trust ever be in You, Lord, as they go forth spreading the Good News of the Gospel.

Romans 11:33 ” Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! “

We can’t begin to know the abundant treasures available to us from the Lord.  With Divine counsel and guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can move forward fearlessly…having God-given insight and intimate fellowship from above.

II Chronicles 20:20 ” Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘ Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.’ “

Faith in a brand new Christian starts out small.  It grows with every trust building experience…just like that Lincoln Log set you had as a kid.  Faith is built one log or block at a time.  And for those times  when your faith is not strong…look to Godly people who can come along side and shore up  your wavering faith.

Acts 10:15 ” Do not call anything impure God has made clean.”

The Lord showed the Apostle Paul that all men – whether Jew or Gentile – were made in His image.  This powerful encounter with God so impacted him, that later in Romans 10:12, Paul declares, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all…”

Haggai 1:5 ” Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘ Give careful thought to your ways.’ “

Today is the day the Lord would like you to assess your walk with Him.  Are you doing everything He desires…or has life gotten in the way?   Has your path veered  off course from the perfect plan He set out for you?  Prudently, mindfully, evaluate your ways…and the Lord will faithful to reveal any changes that need to be done.

I Chronicles 17:4 ” Go and tell My servant David, ‘ This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build Me a house to dwell in.’ “

David was a man after the Lord’s heart, but he was also a warrior who had shed much blood in many battles.  The Lord gave David the vision for the Temple and all the plans…but it was his son, Solomon, who actually built it.  In I Chronicles 22:9, God tells David that he’ll have a son who will be a man of peace and rest…and he will build My Temple…and that’s what the name  Solomon means…peace.

II Corinthians 12:7 ” To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh…”

Many think that Paul’s affliction was some kind of chronic skin disease such as psoriasis, which causes unsightly red scaly patches of irritated flesh.  Regardless of the cause for his torment and annoyance, Paul went on to say that he had begged the Lord three times to take it away, but each time the Lord had replied, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” ( II Corinthians 12: 8-9)  Paul’s fulfilled destiny didn’t rest in himself, but in what God did through him…and it really didn’t matter what the “outside” of the temple looked like, for it was the inside that  God was concerned with.