SET, SETTLED, STRENGTHENED!

12-31-2011. . . .SET, SETTLED, STRENGTHENED!

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Heb 10:38-39 KJV)  As we embark upon this new year, we the just, do so with unwavering determination to carry out the mandate to live by faith!   We have SET ourselves, (made a decision to stand no matter what); We have SETTLED ourselves, (placed ourselves in firm position for something greater); STRENGTHENED ourselves, (empowered ourselves by and through the word of God).  We enter this new year with EXPECTATION (20 the number of expectation) knowing that God by His divine authority is going to change the rules!  What once worked against us, will now work for us! (12 the number of divine authority and appointment; governmental foundation and perfection).   Advancement, promotion, change and establishment is coming to the SET, SETTLED and STRENGTHENED!  You are ready, you are set, now go in faith and go in God!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for a brand new year!  You have always been in control and we acknowledge that you are sovereign.  By faith we now walk through this year and every year you bless us to see.  Thy will be done!  Amen.

 Heb 10:35-39. . . . Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.  KJV

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

12-23-2011. . . .MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ, Coretta and I thank you for following and supporting "Excerpts For Living." Your prayers, comments and words of encouragement continue to be a source of blessing and inspiration for us. We wish you and your family all God's choice blessings during the holidays. We pray that the joy of Jesus will fill your hearts and homes to overflowing and that His love will forever embrace and keep you!

From our family to your family, have a Merry and very Blessed Christmas!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus! I pray for every person that reads this blog. I pray that you will blessed them beyond measure and show them great and mighty things they have not even imagined! I declare health, prosperity, protection and provision in and over their lives as well as, their families and everyone they are connected to. Finally, may your peace that surpasses all understanding keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! In the name of our blessed Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!

Num 6:24-26. . . .The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. KJV

ONLY JESUS CAN!

12-22-2011. . . .ONLY JESUS CAN!

Acts 4:122. . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV   "Santa Claus can't bring Salvation. . . .Only Jesus Can!"  He's the only reason for the Christmas Season!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the true gift of you Son. Through Him alone comes salvation.  May all the world receive your great gift.  Amen!

Acts 4:11-12. . . .For Jesus the Messiah is (the one referred to in the Scriptures when they speak of ) a 'stone discarded by the builders which became the capstone of the arch.'    There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them."  TLB

CHRISTMAS LIVING!

12-21-2011. . . .CHRISTMAS LIVING!

 "His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and are! (Acts 17:27-28 TLB)    "Christmas Living is the best kind of Christmas Giving."

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving your Son. Jesus, thank you for giving your life! May my live duplicate your example of sacrificial giving. Amen!

Acts 4:32. . . .All the believers were of one heart and mind, and no one felt that what he owned was his own; everyone was sharing.TLB

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

12-21-2010. . . .WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matt 2:1-2 KJV)   If only all men were as wise as these. What are we seeking? Who are we seeking and who's sign are we following?  More importantly, where will we end up by following them?  "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isa 55:6-7 KJV)  Wise men still seek Him!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your Son! May we forever lift Him up that He may drawn all men unto Him! Amen.

Isa 55:6-9. . . .Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call upon him now while he is near. Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon! "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours. TLB

NO ROOM IN THE INN!

12-20-2010. . . ..NO ROOM IN THE INN!

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7 KJV)  No room for them in the inn?  Jesus the Christ....waiting to be born, but men say, 'No room in the inn'. Our lives should never become so inundated, occupied or otherwise obligated to the degree that we have no room for Him?  Are we busy this Christmas season filling our homes with gifts from the mall instead of filling our hearts with the gift of Him? Is there still, 'NO ROOM IN THE INN?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus the Christ! May all creation make room and readily receive Him. Amen!

John 1:10-12. . . .He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: KJV

HIS WORD ENDURES FOR EVER!

12-16-2011. . . .HIS WORD ENDURES FOR EVER!

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV)  Everything we have is temporary and will pass away.  Somethings sooner, other things later, but all will pass away.  There is however, one thing we have that will never pass away and that is New Life which came about by His word!  Our 'New Life' from Him, will continue into,'Eternal Life' with Him.  It's certain, because His word endures for ever!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the certainty of your word that endures for ever!  We live out our new lives for you now and look forward with joy, to living our eternal life with you in the place you've prepared for us!  Amen.

   

Heb 12:27-29. . . . And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:   For our God is a consuming fire. KJV

A POWERFUL KEY!

12-15-2011. . . .A POWERFUL KEY!

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24 KJV) One should not deduct that whatever is desired no matter what it is, can be received. That's simply not true. Our desires must be in line with God's will. The key point here is that one 'Believes' in association with what one prays. Why pray if you don't believe what you say you will see? We have a powerful key. . . .just, Believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you hear and answer our prayers. We believe you through faith and stand in expectation of receiving those things we desire. Amen!

Mark 11:22-24 24. . . .Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours! TLB

DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

12-11-2009. . . .DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." (Matt 2:166 KJV)  Divine purpose will always draw demonic opposition!  The good news is, no matter what the enemy does to try to stop us, and no matter how many attempts he makes to try and kill us, all his efforts will fail and Divine purpose will prevail!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your divine purpose concerning us will always prevail! Thy will be done. Amen!

Isa 54:17. . . .No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. KJV

COMPLETE SUBMISSION!

12-13-2011. . . .COMPLETE SUBMISSION!

"Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true." And then the angel disappeared." (Luke 1:38 TLB) We may not understand everything that the Lord speaks to us or desires to do through us. In fact, some things may be virtually inconceivable to us. Nevertheless, as Mary responded, we too should respond in complete submission. 'I am your servant' therefore, whatever you say is what I will do!' In so doing, blessings come to us and through us!

Prayer: Lord let your awesome will be done in me and through me. I am your servant. Thy will be done. Amen!

Ps 138:8. . . .The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.KJV

ABILITY AND AVAILABILITY!

12-13-2011. . .ABILITY AND AVAILABILITY!

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"  (Luke 1:31-34 KJV)  With the Holy Spirit's involvement, our natural ability and availability can produce supernatural results!

PRAYER: Lord, we are available to you.  Be it unto us according to your word!  Amen!

Luke 1:36-37 . . . .And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible. KJV

IT'S TIME!

12-9-2011. . . .IT'S TIME!

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3 KJV)  IT'S TIME!  It has always been time and will continue to be time to read, hear and keep God's word!  Every word is true and will come true!  IT'S TIME!  Believe it!

PRAYER: Lord, your word is true and will come true!  Thank you for your precious word and the blessings that come to us by reading, hearing and keeping your word!  Amen.

Job 23:11-12. . . . My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.  I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. NIV

THE BEST HANDS!

12-8-2011. . . .THE BEST HANDS!

"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (Ps 31:15KJV)  "You're in good hands with Allstate," slogan of this well known insurance company.  The implication is that there is no need to worry about anything because with Allstate, you're protected.  To an even greater degree, the same can be said of being in God's hands.  We have no need to worry are fear anything or anyone.  We are not only in good hands, we are in the best hands.

PRAYER:  Lord, your hands are the best hands and we are thankful to be in them!  Amen.

Job 23:10. . . .But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

KJV

ALL TIME FRIENDS!

12-7-2011. . . .ALL TIME FRIENDS!

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Prov 17:17 NIV) True friends never let you down, but are always there when we are!  Thank God for all time friends!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being a friend that sticks closer than any brother.  Thank you also for early friends that mimic you!  Amen!

Prov 17:17. . . . A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. TLB

TIME WILL TELL!

12-6-2011. . . .TIME WILL TELL!

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Cor 4:4-5)  Pointing fingers and make assumptions about individuals without knowing their full story is unwise!  Everyone is in the process of becoming!  Who they are today ,may not be who they will always remain!   Time will tell their full story!

PRAYER: Lord, our times are in your hand.  As we evolve through the process of time, give us patience with ourselves and with others.  Amen!

1 Cor 4:5. . . .So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether someone is a good servant or not. When the Lord comes, he will turn on the light so that everyone can see exactly what each one of us is really like, deep down in our hearts. TLB

TIME!

12-4-2011. . . .TIME!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"(Eccl 3:1. . . .NIV)  The clock of eternity is ticking and 'Time' is rapped up in it!  Time is not as long as eternity, so we can't afford to waste one second of it!  It's time!  Get started. . . . do all that is in you to do until your time is up!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us time and purpose!  Help us to make the best uses of the time we've been given!  Amen!

Eccl 8:5-6. . . . Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. KJV

GOD OF COMFORT!

12-2-2011. . . .GOD OF COMFORT!

“... What a wonderful God we have-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” (2 Cor 1:3a TLB)  Life is often no bed of roses and at times it can be downright uncomfortable! Yet, it is in those times of discomfort that God manifest Himself to us as ‘The God of all Comfort’.  No, He does not always immediately change our situations and circumstances, but more often than not, He changes us in the situations and circumstances! While all hell may be breaking loose all around us, He gives us a since of well-being on the inside that enables us to emerge with confidence and experience to share with others in their time of affliction and trouble. “…And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor 1:3b) TLB

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God of all comfort! You keep me from being unstable in difficult and uncomfortable situations. It is well with my soul. Amen!

Isa 51:3. . . .For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. KJV

BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!

12-1-2011. . . .BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Heb 11:6 NIV)  God is our source and our recourse. He is the supplier of all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  However, if one is to receive from Him, one must first believe in Him!  First believe and then receive!  

Prayer: Lord, I believe you and I believe in you! You reward all those who believe and seek you. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Heb 11:6. . . .You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. TLB