There are times when we cross the line of mature, thoughtful behavior into foolishness, defined as that characteristic of a fool; biblically there is one explanation for foolishness—an absence of wisdom. If specific incidents of foolishness stood alone, isolated from every other detail of our lives, that would be one thing; but the opposite is true—actions attract and words establish certain allegiances. A stroll on the wrong side of God’s line opens an invisible door, the results of which we will see again in a surprisingly future setting, and surprisingly at a time we least need or expect it.

Don’t be careless with your time and actions. Remember that your words are the most powerful force in the universe—God said, ‘Light be!’ and the entire universe flooded with light. Your words advance either wisdom or something other than wisdom, and it is words that train us; even children watch and listen, and then imitate what they see and hear. The wise man builds on a rock, not sand; on consistent performance, not impulse.

Amen.

Matthew 7:24-26

Our eyes factor prominently into the impression we give. In natural and spiritual terms the eyes reflect the presence of weakness or strength—whether we are shallow of thought or possess depth of character; and most of all the eyes convey authority, or its absence.

To measure the impact of one person’s presence, remove that person—remove that presence; to demonstrate the value of an excellent spirit, remove the one carrying that spirit—that presence.

I have benefited from those whose very presence significantly impacts everything because their place of authority with God is established and their countenance and expression supervise the atmosphere. If one is a king, in the sense of one sent by the Lord for a task or purpose, then everything hinges upon kingly authority to command evil.

“A king who sits on the throne of judgment
Scatters all evil with his eyes.” (Proverbs 20:8, NKJV)

Aligned with Him, I rely upon His presence in my life as his king-representative, knowing there is no word that can overthrow His Word, and that the presence He ordains includes vision to discern and scatter evil. The eyes have it!

Amen.

Proverbs 20:8
Matthew 8:9-10
Revelation 1:6
Revelation 5:10

“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work…So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.” – Nehemiah 4:6, 16-18 NKJV

In routine and day-to-day matters, the calling upon your life has an effect on everything you do. Biblically, we are called to the ministry of reconciliation—to bring those in conflict over their relationship with the Lord, to the Lord.  That is our calling. In addition to this calling, we are gifted specifically with spiritual gifts that allow is to follow the leading of the Lord specifically, so that we ultimately accomplish the purpose for which God created us. Because we are called, we increasingly understand the unique gifting and purpose He created within us; because, as He places a demand upon that treasure inside, your highest sense of fulfillment is realized. There is nothing like it!  Every person is created this way and each has ability to specialize in building the Kingdom—each one is appointed to do certain things. Sadly, many choose to “live to themselves,” ignoring the calling, squandering the gift, and neglecting their unique, special, divine purpose. Don’t do that—don’t waste what God has placed within; rather, invest it!! Then each day when your work is complete, ask yourself: Did I obey the calling? – Did I contribute my gifts? – Did I live from a sense of sovereign purpose?

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6)

Amen.

Nehemiah 4
2 Corinthians 5:18-21

A man with a revelation is not at the mercy of the man with an argument.

Jesus entered fields of healing—healing every imaginable sickness and disease. In every town and village He ministered divine healing to the people, restoring health to broken bodies, casting out the demons of infirmity, and setting back in order what had become twisted and “confused.” He established the will of His Father. Matthew 9:18-28; 35-36

Jesus saw the harvest of healing that was coming and directed His disciples to pray: The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields. Matthew 9:37-38

The harvest Jesus referred to was not souls, it was healing—though of course, healing is a sign and souls will surely follow. We are the laborers He was calling for—you and me. The field is the people Jesus made provision for, affirming yet again His Father’s will, healing – His own life the purchase price to redeem that field from the ravages of disease and brokenness:

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him. Isaiah 53:5, The Message Bible

He took the punishment, the stripes; truthfully, you are already whole—really. The Cross is your testimony—all the proof you need. Revelation waits as belief outlasts the odds; the knee will bow to something, it might as well be Truth.

Amen.

Matthew 9, a chapter of healing
Isaiah 53:5, NLT

The word-term blessing or any of its derivatives – blessed, blessedness, blessings – conveys the biblical idea of happiness, benefit or praise.

Its first use in Scripture is Genesis 1:22 as God completes the fifth day of creation: “And God blessed them saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’

The word is derived from a Hebrew root barak, meaning “to kneel” and the inference is one of a significant precedent—of the relationship of blessing between Creator and creation, existing immediately, in the beginning. All people and lands ultimately follow this precedent, called to be a blessing.

In blessing His creation, the LORD instituted a continuous flow of giving and receiving; given by Him, given back to Him… again and again, repetitively, setting in motion the act of adoration. The creation receives blessing and ministers it back again, a fact evidenced by His workmanship in those He created, a reflection and open display of His glory! (Psalm 19:1)

Pray blessing:
Father, Lord I bless you! I bless my family and declare blessing to them today. I pray that as a family we will be a blessing in every situation and circumstance, marked by Your blessing as blessed and called to be a blessing.

Amen.

Genesis 1:22-23Psalm 19

First things always belong to God. Old Testament precedent and New Testament principle establish God’s people in this truth.

Parents experience firstfruits with their firstborn child. According to Deuteronomy 21:17, the firstborn is the beginning of their strength, the legacy they will leave. The first fruit from anything is the beginning of more to come.

In the same way, every firstfruits offering results in blessing. The rule of the firstfruits proves our obedience to God’s Word and obedience always results in blessing. This offering is given to God—to His representative. (Ezekiel 44:30)

“Honor the Lord with your wealthm with the firstfruits of your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9)

The firstfruit is the whole of the first time there is an increase; this first ensures there will be more—a continual harvest and increase. The honor given the Lord with the giving of firstfruits demonstrates recognition of the Source from which it originated. Unlike the non-Christian for whom increase is attributed to the self-god saying ‘with my own enterprise I have done this,’ for the Christian, “increase” is holy because it always come from God.

Your firstfruit offering is the “first” of any increase received:
• The firstfruits of your grain and your new wine and your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you shall give him. (Deuteronomy 18:4)
• The best of all the firstfruits of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household. (Ezekiel 44:30)

Pray this way:
Father, I pray first for leaders and those in authority—I ask You to strengthen them today with humility, realizing You are their Source and therefore the One due honor for every successful increase in their lives. I pray for my family concerning the increase appointed for me today! Every situation in my life reflects this abundance, therefore I declare You are the Source of every increase of mine and of the fruit of my increase. I joyfully bring my offering—the first fruit of more fruit to come! In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Deuteronomy 21:17
Ezekiel 44:30
Proverbs 3:9
Deuteronomy 18:4