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John 16:5-16RG AUDIO 052012

Derl had the privilege of going on several tours with senior adults. They toured England, Greece, and Turkey. Each tour featured a guide who rode with them on the buses. They told them about the local areas. The guides were hired for their knowledge of the country and the sites visited.

Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to be our guide to all truth. The definition of truth includes words and thoughts like honesty, integrity, actuality, or conformity with fact or reality. The Holy Spirit will guide us to an honest lifestyle, free from lies and falsehood. He will direct us to integrity. We will not sacrifice our core values of life. The Spirit will lead us to moral, ethical, and spiritual behavior that is verified by God’s Word.

O.W. Holmes says, “Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day, like a football, and it will be round and full in the evening.”

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Deuteronomy 28:2 WEB
  and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you,
if you shall listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.

Promise #140:    All My blessings will overtake those who obey Me.

Deuteronomy 28 is a chapter that starts with all of the promises of God to Israel if they simply listen to the voice of God and follow His ways. We read that there are a truckload of blessings that God wants to pour on all of us who simply say 'yes' to His plans and purposes. In today's promise, we read that these blessings will actually overtake us as we live our daily lives.

When I think of God's blessings overtaking us, I picture everyone running the race marked out for them that the writer of Hebrews mentions in chapter 12:1-2 and while we are running, God's blessings catch up to us and overwhelm us!

I know it wouldn't be fair to mention Deuteronomy 28 and all of the blessings that God desires to give without also acknowledging that this same chapter ends with all the curses that await those who disobey Him. I really don't want to dwell on the last half of this chapter because I know that it is our Father's heart to bless and not to curse.

The New Covenant is a covenant of blessings. We know from Galatians 3:13-14 that Christ became a curse for us so that the blessing that God blessed Abraham with would be ours in Christ. In Ephesians 1:3 we read that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places because of Jesus. God's heart is that His blessings would overtake you in every area of your life today.
Photo by Barry Adams

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Acts 1:9-12RG AUDIO 051912

World War II raged across the world in 1942. In February Japanese forces tightened their grip around the Philippines. President Franklin Roosevelt  ordered General Douglas MacArthur to relocate to Australia. On the night of March 12, 1942, the general and his staff were taken to the island of Mindanao. Later he was picked up by a Navy B-17 and landed in Australia. On March 20 at a small railway township in South Australia, he made his famous speech in which he said, “I came out of Bataan and I shall return.”

True to his word, General MacArthur returned to the Philippines on New Year’s Day, 1945, liberating the people of the islands.

Centuries before MacArthur’s famous speech, the risen Lord Jesus Christ stood on the Mount of Olives speaking to his followers. Suddenly a cloud lifted him out of their sight. Christ’s angels gave hope to the troubled group with his message, “I shall return.”

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Proverbs 19:17 WEB
  He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh;
he will reward him.

Promise #139:  I will repay those who are kind to the poor.

In yesterday's promise, we talked about how God says He won't forget all the love you have shown Him by loving others. In today's promise, King Solomon writes in Proverbs 19:17 that God promises to repay us when we give to the poor. This Scripture actually says that when we give to those who are needy we are actually lending to the Lord. I can't think of a better person to have a business transaction with than our God and Father!

There is an old saying that says 'We can never outgive God". My prayer today is that each and every one of us would see the incredible blessing there is for us when we are merciful to others just like our heavenly Father is merciful to us. The whole point is not to give to others to get from the Lord, but it is such a wonderful thought that God sees our gifts to the poor as investments in Him and He promises to repay all that we sow in this life.

May each one of us embrace the joy of giving to those less fortunate around us because we know that God loves a cheerful giver!  May His dividends to you far outweigh your generosity! As Paul the Apostle exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8... Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. (WEB) Photo by Barry Adams

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Acts 1:1-8RG AUDIO 051812

Several years ago I watched a speaker demonstrate how the Holy Spirit can fill the life of a believer. He placed a large clear jar on a table. Into it he placed large rocks to the brim. He asked, “Is the jar full?” The response from the audience was, “yes.” Then he took pebbles and poured them into the jar, and they slid down and around the rocks. Again, the speaker asked, “Now, is the jar full?” Again, the audience responded, “yes.” Taking a container of sand he poured it over the rocks and pebbles and still the jar received the sand. Asking the question again, “Now, is the jar full?” The congregation responded, “yes.” Water glasses were brought in and poured over the whole contents, and still there was room.

In our lives, crowded as they are with work, concerns, family, church services, secular events, study, there still remains room for the inflowing presence of the Holy Spirit. He gives us his refreshing Spirit to carry on with life to its fullest.

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Hebrews 6:10 WEB
 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love
which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.

Promise #138:  I will not forget the love you have shown Me by serving others.

Today's promise simply says that God will not forget all the love you have shown to Him by serving others. The New International Version Bible translation of Hebrews 6:10 says... God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (NIV)

We are called to not grow weary in doing good, but to keep on running the unique race marked out for each one of us. Sometimes that it is easier said than done though. I am sure at one time or another we have all been tired and even discouraged in the race that we have been called to run. Today's encouragement is simply don't give up! God sees your heart and is touched by the way you have shown your love to Him by loving and serving others.

My prayer today is that each one of us will feel our Papa's smile from heaven over our lives and that His affirmation would energize and encourage us to keep fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith so that we will not grow weary. (Hebrews 12:1-2) God loves you and does not forget the things that you have done to show your love to Him! Even if others forget what you've done, your heavenly Father will never forget!
Photo by Barry Adams

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Matthew 28:16-20RG AUDIO 051712

I love coffee, but that has not always been true. My kids got me started drinking flavored coffee with lots of cream. I have been accused of drinking coffee in my cream! I will stop at most any coffee shop to get a cup. I believe the idea of relaxation appeals to me more than the taste. I take my laptop to work, watch people, and sip the coffee.

There is a local coffee shop that my wife and I visit occasionally. After only a couple of times the young man behind the counter saw us coming in. Before we could say anything he said, “One large coffee and a chai tea with skim milk and extra hot.” I was blown away by his memory.

The last words of Jesus were to drive into the memory of the disciples that they would not be left by themselves. They would not have to face the dangers, threats, or temptations of the world or Satan alone when their Lord went to heaven. No, Jesus would be with them and every believer throughout all ages! This is exciting news for today’s disciples!

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Isaiah 54:13 WEB
All your children shall be taught of Yahweh;
and great shall be the peace of your children.

Promise #137:   I will teach your children My ways and give them great peace.

In today's promise, we read how the Lord says that He will be faithful to teach our children His ways and give them great peace. For those of us who have children, this promise is very dear. God is a family man (so to speak). It was His idea to create a family structure where we would all be fruitful and multiply and have dominion throughout the earth. (Genesis 1:28)

His eyes are on our children and He promises to teach them His ways and to give them great peace. My wife and I have three adult children and one son-in-law. As any parent would, we desire for them to know the Lord's ways and live a peaceful life. When I read today's promise, my father's heart cries out 'yes and amen!'

Whether your children are experiencing the fulfillment of this promise or not, don't give up. Keep praying for them and believing that our Father's heart is to bless our children more than we would want them to be blessed. May God give each one of us the grace to trust Him with the loving care of our kids. Our Father is indeed a family man and He will be faithful to watch over our children!
Photo by Jeff Epp

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Matthew 10:32-42RG AUDIO 051612

“Your life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once,” wrote Lillian Dickson.* Jesus said investing our life totally in him will help us to make life worth living on our journey. In Jesus we find a relationship with the Creator; life becomes authentic, transparent, self-giving, and redemptive as we involve God in it daily.

The life devoted to God brings us into an existence that is holy–a life of clean living; not prudish, but clean.

The life devoted to God brings us into living today. In a “Peanuts” cartoons, Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. She tells Charlie that life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it to see where they’ve been, others so they can see where they are. Charlie sighs deeply and blurts out, “I can’t even get mine unfolded.” Jesus has come to help us unfold our deck chairs.

The life devoted to God is eternal. Not only will God be with us in this life, but he offers eternity to us.

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Psalm 23:6 WEB
 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

Promise #136:  My goodness and mercy will chase after you all your life.

The Hebrew word for 'follow' in this Bible verse is pronounced 'radaph'. It means to run after, chase, hunt, or pursue. It is a very descriptive word that King David chooses when he talks about how goodness and mercy will follow him all the days of his life.

Just picture goodness and mercy relentlessly hunting you down all the days of your life. Never stopping, never ceasing in their pursuit of you. This is the blessing that is the inheritance for every son and daughter of the Father of Lights. His goodness and His mercy will run after us, chase us and pursue us... all the days of our life!

May the reality of our Father's love and the intensity in which He pursues us become more real today than it has ever been before. God loves you because He is love and He cannot help but love. His love for you is not conditional or based upon your performance. His love is pursuing you and my prayer is that it will overtake and overwhelm you today!
Photo by Eric Boldt

Click here to read another daily blog by Barry Adams at Fatherheart.tv

Matthew 10:17-31RG AUDIO 051512

My wife and I received a gift certificate to attend a live performance at a dinner theater. After a great lunch and relaxing time prior to the performance we settled into our seats as others took their places. She leaned over to me and whispered, “These are great seats.” I agreed. Coming in directly behind us I heard a lady loudly announced to the members in her party–several times–“these are terrible seats!” I chuckled to myself and thought, “Lady, it’s all in your perspective.”

Perspective gives us a fresh breath of air. It is a new dimension that broadens our spiritual, emotional, mental, and social life! Perspective liberates us from the urgent. Perspective encourages us to stay alert and alive to the future. It introduces us to hope and promise of a brighter day! Perspective helps us go through the drain of the week and fills us with a river of determination, creativity, and light. Take time to be quiet and listen to God. Let him lift the fog to perspective so that you can catch a clear view.

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John 16:15 WEB
 All things whatever the Father has are mine;
therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.

Promise #135:  All that I have is yours because you belong to Jesus.

Today's promise is at the very heart of the gospel message. All that belongs to the Father belongs to Jesus and all that belongs to Jesus belongs to us because we are one with Him. The Amplified Bible says John 16:15 this way... Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. (AMP)

It is the Holy Spirit who now lives in us that reveals, declares, discloses and transmits all that the Father has given to Jesus...to us as well. The more that we meditate on this simple promise, the more it will transform our thought life and align us with our true destiny as beloved children of the living God. In His high priestly prayer of John 17, Jesus makes a profound statement when praying to His heavenly Father... I in them, you in me. (NIV)

Colossians 1:27 says... Christ in you, the hope of glory. May this revelation become very real to us. Because of the finished work of the cross, we are now one with Christ and co-heirs of His glorious inheritance. (Romans 8:15-17) May faith rise up in our hearts today to simply believe that this is the gospel truth and the reason why Jesus died for us. Photo by Barry Adams

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Matthew 10:1-16RG AUDIO 051412

There were 65 million glued to the television sets on March 7, 1955. Most television sets were black and white, but the production of Peter Pan was in color, a live broadcast as part of “Producers’ Showcase.” Mary Martin played the part of Peter Pan as she had done on Broadway.

The story revolves around the Darling children and their encounter with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. When asked where he comes from, Peter responds, “Never Never Land”

Jesus tells his disciples to go out and preach this message, “The kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 10:7). Heaven is the Ever Ever Land of the heart. It begins the moment Christ is asked into your spiritual life. Heaven is the place of God’s eternal home. It is transcendent and changeless. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, heaven is the Christian’s eternal home as well. I have begun my spiritual journey to the Ever Ever Land of heaven . . . have you?

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Psalm 5:3 WEB
  Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice.
In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.

Promise #134:  I hear your voice when you call to Me in the morning.

God is with us when we are awake and He is with us when we sleep. King David declared in Psalm 139 that there was no place that he could go to escape the presence of the Lord. In today's promise, King David writes that the Lord is listening to our prayers when we call out to Him in the morning.

Think about this for a minute. God watches over us when we are sleeping and He is right there ready to hear our prayers the moment that we wake up! It absolutely amazes me when I think of how attentive our heavenly Father is to our needs. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:8 that our heavenly Father knows what we need before we even ask.

So when you first open your eyes tomorrow morning, think of this promise. God is waiting to hear from you. His heart is longing for us to commune with Him morning, noon and night. He is always watching over us and He is listening for our voice when we rise in the morning.
Photo by Barry Adams

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John 21:20-25RG AUDIO 051312

Soon after I became a Christian and enrolled in college to prepare for the ministry I became a bit confused about the practices of other ministerial students around me. “How could he do that, or how could she say that, and still be a Christian?” I was quick to tell them what I thought of their ways. In short, I felt everyone had to follow our Lord in exactly the same way I was doing it. An older and wiser Christian friend noticed my judgmental attitude. He took me aside and offered this advice, “There will be a lot of things that others will do which you will not understand, but walk in the light that God gives you and don’t be worried about the other person.”

When Peter heard Jesus describe the kind of death by which he would suffer, Peter no doubt wanted to know if John would suffer the same end. Jesus’ words to Peter are for us as well, “Don’t worry about the other person, but simply follow me.”

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Psalm 12:7 WEB
 You will keep them, Yahweh.
You will preserve them from this generation forever.

Promise #133:  I will keep watch over you and guard you forever.

In Psalm 12, King David talks about the wickedness that existed in his generation and how the poor were being abused by the ungodly of the day. In the midst of this seemingly depressing situation David declares that even though ungodliness and pain surrounded him, the Lord would be faithful to watch over all His loved ones.

The NIV Bible says the Lord will keep the needy safe and protect us forever. The NLT Bible says that the Lord will protect the oppressed. Which ever translation you prefer, the point in today's promise is that the Lord has promised to watch over us and guard us forever...even in the midst of an ungodly generation.

We all know that we are called to be in the world but not of the world. My prayer today is that each one of us would feel completely safe in our Father's hands, knowing that He has promised to watch over us and guard us forever...even in the midst of very trying circumstances.
Photo by Steve Taylor

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John 21:5-19RG AUDIO 051212

It is a very painful experience to allow our minds to travel back over time and remember an unpleasant event. It may be something we did to cause others pain or something dreadful that was done to us.

In John 21, Jesus lovingly asks his disciple, “Do you love me?” (v. 17). He asked the question not once, not twice, but three times. No doubt Peter’s mind raced back to that very moment when he denied Jesus three times when questioned by the maid servant and others gathered near the high priest’s house. In addition, the smoke from the charcoal fire on the beach was exactly the kind of fire that Peter had warmed himself by on the night of his denial. It was painful for Peter to be taken back to the “scene of the crime,” but it was a restorative move that helped to change his life.

Jesus often takes us back and walks us through the sins we have committed in order to break our denial and face the truth about ourselves. Just like the apostle Peter, we must face it in order to get over it.

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Psalm 46:1 WEB
 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
 
Promise #132:   I am a very present help for you in times of trouble.

In today's promise, the psalmist makes the declaration that God is ready to help us at the first sign of trouble. He is always with us and is our refuge and strength when we need shelter from the storms that come our way. Reading from the English Standard Version Bible, I want to read Psalm 46:1-3...

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.n2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah (ESV)

When we read the first three verses of this psalm, we can full appreciate the result of us embracing the promise that God is a very present help for us in time of trouble... We will not fear. Even if the earth itself gives way, we will not fear. If the mountains are thrown into the sea... We will not be afraid. Though the waters roar and the mountains tremble... We will be safe in the secret place of the Most High.

In a time when natural disasters are at an all time high and there are increasing wars and rumors of wars, we need to be convinced that God is who He says He is. He is our ever present help in our time of trouble and He promises to be our refuge and the very strength of our life. May the revelation of this promise bring a peace to all of us that passes our understanding.
Photo by Eric Boldt

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John 21:1-14RG AUDIO 051112

Have you ever had days when you wanted to throw your computer out the window, and go back to the simplicity of a pen and paper? I have worked for countless hours trying to solve a computer problem. When I was about ready to give up, my assistant would calmly walk up behind me and offer a simple suggestion that fixed everything. It can be very humbling, and makes me realize how much I need to learn yet about the growing field of computer technology.

Jesus’ disciples had toiled all night and not caught a thing. So, when they heard the voice coming from the beach telling them to throw their net on the other side they probably felt they had nothing to lose. They followed his direction and much to their surprise the nets yielded 153 fish! To their credit the disciples were wise enough to know that something miraculous had just happened.

Jesus is still calling out to his disciples, giving instructions. When we give up on our foolish attempts and follow his ways life takes on an abundance that is beyond our imagination!

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Deuteronomy 31:6 WEB
  Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them:
for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”
 
Promise #131:  Be courageous, for I am with you and I will never fail you.

These words were spoken by Moses at the very end of his life when he told the Israelites that he wasn't going to accompany them into the promised land. I can't imagine how the nation of Israel must have felt when their trusted leader of 40 years told them that his time of leadership was at an end. They must have been struggling with fear because Moses encouraged them not to be afraid.

Moses went on to repeat this word of encouragement face to face to his trusted assistant Joshua in verses 7-8. It was important for Joshua to get a grasp on this promise from God as well because he was to be their new leader and the champion of their conquest of the promised land. In the time that these words were spoken, Israel was about to face literal giants in the land of Canaan so they needed to know for certain that God had promised to be with them wherever they went.

While it is not likely that any of us will be facing literal giants in our daily life, we are all facing giants of discouragement, fear and despair in one way or another. My prayer is that this promise from God spoken thousands of years ago to Israel would bring comfort and strength to each one of us today.

We don't have to be afraid. God is with us and He will never leave us. May this truth go deep into our hearts so that we will have the strength we need when we face our own giants. God will not fail us!
Photo by Barry Adams

Click here to read another daily blog by Barry Adams at Fatherheart.tv