In HIS Hand Ministry of Waldorf, MD

And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.” Then the other woman said, “No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” And the first woman said, “No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” Thus they spoke before the king.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The eighth commandment (Exodus 20:15), tells us not to steal. Pretty straight forward! GOD said “You shall not steal.” The woman in the wrong has possession of a child that does not belong to her, which makes her a thief. Plain and simple . . . she stole someone else’s baby. Now she stands before the king and claims “possession is 9/10 of the law.” She wants them to believe that since she is holding the child, the baby belongs to her! A thief will lie to keep that which belongs to someone else (covet). Every thief will lie to convince themselves and others that they deserve what does not belong to them! Satan is a thief, and he will always lie to try and take what belongs to GOD!

Even if you only have 1/10 of faith (the size of a mustard seed), you belong to the Holy Father of Salvation! Don’t let the devil steal your joy!! Don’t even give him possession!

False Witnessing - 1 Kings 3:21-22 (NKJV)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16), tells us not to bear false witnessing against our neighbor. Both women were standing before the king and both women were claiming that the living son was theirs. Of course both of these women could not have given birth to the same son, therefore one of them was bearing false witness against the other. The woman in the wrong had a wrongful desire (covet) to have the living child and she was willing to falsely accuse the first woman who is the real mother. Some folks will go to the extreme to have what others have . . . even if they have to bear false witnessing against them.

If I Can't; No One Can - 1 Kings 3:25-27

3 comments

And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” but the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

------------------------------------------------------

The tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17), tells us not to covet. The definition of covet is: to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others. In most cases, just as this woman did, we covet when there is something missing from our own lives. When we lose what was dear to us, we initially began to look for someone who has what we want, and our hearts will covet what they have. The woman in the wrong was willing to see the baby killed, just to keep the other woman from having her own child! She had an attitude of “If I can’t have him; no one can have him” We see this type of attitude today! People will try to destroy someone else’s relationship, because they can’t have one of their own! Just know that what GOD has for you is yours! Stop spending precious time trying to take what is others, and focus on what GOD has for you! Understand . . . there is a difference between admiring and coveting! Admiring will edify others and coveting will attempt to destroy others!

Iron Man - Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

----------------------------------------

Iron sharpens iron . . . butter cannot sharpen iron! Therefore a friend cannot be “soft”. Be compassionate . . . but not soft! Be an Iron Man when your friend is in need of the truth! A friend can’t be soft about the truth, yet a friend can be compassionate with the truth! We should thank GOD for the Iron Men & Women in our lives!

Sifted Indeed - Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

And the LORD said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

----------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a message to every Christian! Indeed, satan has asked for you, just as he has asked for those before you! Job was a righteous man before the LORD and satan asked for him! I’m sure you know of someone in your family who has had to go through some sifting! And if it has not happened to you yet . . . keep on living! Because satan will indeed ask for you too! JESUS is praying that our faith should not fail! NOTICE: You can fall without failing. Nothing and no one can pull us from the Master’s hand! So be faithful and don’t give up. When you fall, get back up in the name of JESUS. As I have said many times before, it is not an “IF”, but a “WHEN” you are sifted . . . know that the Lord is on your side! What satan means to harm you with, GOD will turn it for the good! Read the book of Job! Then thank GOD that you are considered wheat to the enemy and not a tare!

Chaft In The Wind - Luke 22:31-32

----------------------------------------------------------------

When we become a part of GOD’s Kingdom, satan wants to sift us as wheat. I’m sure most of us never had to sift wheat like they did in the old days, but during the time of satan asking for Simon, sifting wheat was done in a two-step process by farmers. 1) Threshing and 2) Winnowing. To loosen the chaff from the grain, the wheat would be spread out on the floor and beat. This threshing would cause the edible part of the wheat to be loosen. Then the wheat would be tossed in the air to allow the chaff to blow away in the wind. The slightest wind would blow the chaff away during the winnowing process. Notice, it didn’t take a strong wind to blow the chaff, simply a breeze would blow it away!

We are wheat! Satan wants to sift us! Don’t focus on the chaff blowing in the wind . . . but be reminded of the edible grain that stays in place! Our situations will blow in the breeze, but our faith should be like the grain of wheat . . . or . . . the size of a mustard seed! Every farmer should say Amen!

Be There - Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

----------------------------------------------------------------

The first SOD of this week spoke about JESUS telling Simon that he is not on satan’s menu, and that HE prayed for his faith not to fail! Yesterday’s SOD showed how JESUS was letting Simon know that even though he would be affected by denying HIS Savior three times, he would return to CHRIST. Today let’s look at JESUS saying, “strengthen your bretheren.” at the end of verse 32. We know that perseverance must finish its work so that we will be complete and lacking nothing (James 1:4). And when its work is done . . . and we are completed . . . we must “Be There” for others. JESUS is telling Simon that when it is all over, and you have made it through the self-criticism . . . the “pity-party” and you become transformed into a stronger faith in the LORD (You will return to HIM) . . . be there for others!

When You Return - Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

Scripture of the Day
Luke 22:31-32
"When You Return"

And the LORD said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

------------------------------------

There is so much in these two verses, that we could actually spend the whole week on them! JESUS is telling Simon that he is not on satan's menu, however, he is also letting Simon know that HE has prayed for his faith not to fail! Now let's park here! Because JESUS goes on to say, "and when you have returned to ME, . . ." I'm sure Simon didn't pick up on what JESUS was saying at the time, but we can see that, JESUS already knew how Simon would be affected by denying HIS Savior three times. Simon was going to go

through a time of self-criticism, a feeling of self-failure, a place where satan comes in and tells you, "you never believed in JESUS!" JESUS it telling Simon, that after all of that, you will return to ME. Notice the

verse says Should not fail, but then it goes on to say WHEN you have returned! JESUS didn't say "if you return" or "should you return" HE is letting Simon know that, "you MAY fail the test, but you WILL return!

Family, if you see yourself as a failure and self-shame has overcome you to the point of turning your face away from JESUS, please be encouraged! When you return to HIM . . . when you face HIM again, HE will wipe away your tears.

Not On The Menu - Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Can you imagine hearing these words during that time! “(Insert your name), satan has asked for you”. Most of our response/question would be, “LORD what did you tell him?” in a very sheepish way! And to hear JESUS say, “I have prayed for you . . . “ Is like hearing HIM say, I told satan that you were not on the menu! Even though satan will spend the rest of our lives trying to destroy us . . . we should be encouraged that JESUS has taken us off of satan’s menu! It doesn’t matter who you are, what your personality is like, just know . . . if you have JESUS . . . you are not on satan’s menu!

Unveiled Liberty - 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 (NKJV)

But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away. Now the LORD is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the LORD.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the one person who is looking for peace, joy and happiness . . . I’d like to recommend JESUS! HE who is much more than a name to cry out, but a name to believe in! A name to cling to! A name to trust in! HE is the ONE to accept as the lover of your soul . . . your best friend . . . and more importantly . . . your Savior & LORD! Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty! And if the Spirit of the LORD is in your heart, then that is where you will find peace, joy and happiness. You can’t find Liberty on the outside until you Unveil Liberty from the inside! And with an Unveiled Liberty, that starts from the inside, you will see the likeness of GOD’s glory transform into the same image just as by the Spirit of the LORD.

People are hurting! It could be the person sitting right next to you, or someone a thousand miles away! Please share . . . the Word of GOD with them! Let them know that the JESUS-size hole in their heart can only be filled with JESUS! Please don’t suggest a T.V. show, a self-help book, or trinket to wear around their neck! Please suggest the Liberty of the LORD!

Let Us Pray Against the spirit of Loneliness

Rightfully Jealous - Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV)

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your GOD, am a jealous GOD, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

---------------------------------------------------------

I know people who feel like GOD cannot be love if HE is a jealous GOD! Some have even turned away from HIM, because they heard or read that HE is a jealous GOD. In fact, the Bible (KJV, NKJV, NIV) refers to “jealous GOD” six time. However, each reference is made to those who are operating outside the Will of GOD. GOD does not envy us, but HE is a jealous GOD. I pray that the next paragraph helps those who still struggle with this. (This is only an example! We don't have a dog)

I have two sons. My sons know me. I provide for them . . . I have been there since the day they were born. I knew their names before they came out of their mother’s womb (she picked the names). For seventeen years . . . I have been the best father I can be to them. I don’t think I have to ask either one of them “Who is your dad?” Whenever they need something or they are in trouble . . . they know that they can call dad and he will be there! But for some reason . . . after all these years of knowing who I am and what I have done for them . . . they start calling our pet puppy “Dad” Right in front of me . . . they begin to thank the puppy for keeping them safe and taking care of their every need for the past seventeen years. They give the puppy hugs and kisses! They cry when the puppy goes into the backyard, but don’t even turn in my direction when I leave early in the morning to go to work!

I think it’s clear that I would not envy my sons, but I would be a little jealous that they have turned from the one who has given them everything they have, and has never demanded love back. I would not envy the puppy either, because I am the one who provide everything it needs too!

GOD provides everything for us, yet some of us will praise a golden calf . . . the wind . . . the moon . . . even our new car, and can’t even say “Thank You LORD for saving me!” Yeah! I think we have a better understanding of “jealous GOD”

Obedient Through It All - Philippians 2:8 (NKJV)

And being found in appearance as a man, HE humbled HIMSELF and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

--------------------------------------------

One of the biggest mistakes we make as Christians is thinking our sacrifice is more important than obedience. We sacrifice our families, by working a job that keeps us away from ministering to the very ones we say we love! Sometimes we feel that the best should be left for sacrifice and those around us are starving right before our very eyes! Saul lost his anointing because of his lack of obedience. He though sacrifice was more important . . . this is the same mistake we make from time to time. Even though JESUS was the ultimate sacrifice. HE sacrificed it all for you and me! BUT . . . HIS sacrifice was not of HIS own will, but was a result of HIS obedience to the FATHER . . . even to a death on the cross!

Deep In Love - 1 John 4:15-17

If anyone acknowledges that JESUS is the Son of GOD, GOD lives in him and he in GOD. And so we know and rely on the love GOD has for us. GOD is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in GOD, and GOD in him. In this way, love is made complete among us that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like HIM.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Family,

This morning as I was doing my devotion, I felt this overwhelming Love of the LORD! I know HE loves me, but when I realize just how deep HIS love goes, it brings me to a deeper relationship with HIM! Just when you think you can’t Love any deeper . . . GOD brings you to the core of Love! HE draws us deeper to the center of LOVE! Because GOD’s Love is so deep . . . I find myself falling Deep In LOVE with The Creator . . . more and more! And with confidence, I know HIS Love is complete until judgment! Please walk in HIS Love. Like quick-sand . . . you will find yourself falling deeper and deeper in love with HIM unto the point that you are swallowed up and surrounded by that love!!

Return Of An Unwanted Guest - Luke 11:24-26

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Someone may be thinking, “How did the evil spirits (all 8 of them) get back into the man’s house if he swept it clean and put it in order?” I’ve heard lots of people say that they opened all the windows and doors to their home, and they swept out all the evil spirits . . . sending them on their way! Their house was in order! Yet, two days, two weeks . . . maybe years later, it’s all back again!

Once the unwanted guest is gone, you have to invite . . . let me rephrase that . . . you have to accept the invitation of the perfect guest! The Word of GOD tells us that light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place. So when you clean out all the dark places in your life, you have to let the light in! The man only cleaned up to give the evil spirits (all 8 of them) a chance to make a worst mess of his life. But if he would have let JESUS into his life . . . when those wicked spirits came back to kick in the door . . . JESUS would have been standing in the doorway, and the evil spirits would have to flee and never come back again!

A Righteous Wallop - Hebrews 12:10-12 (NIV)

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but GOD disciplines us for our good, that we may share in HIS holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The older folks would keep us in line with a good wallop to the backside or the head . . . depending on how upset they were . . . you could get walloped on the neck, or under your arm pit! Yeah . . . most of the time . . . I deserved that wallop, but I never liked them! I don’t care what I had done, I never got use to those wallops! Now I see how those smack-downs help develop me for a world that will take every chance it can to wallop me! Even though a righteous wallop hurt, we can learn!

Here is something very important I have learned over the years! When the world wallops you . . . it’s to tear you down and leave you on the ground! When GOD wallops you . . . you will be lifted up into righteousness and have peace!

Not So Fast - Proverbs 19:2 (NIV)

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

----------------------------------------------

In the book of James it tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger!! Often times we want to defend something or someone that we know very little about. Full of zeal and passion . . . without the right information (knowledge) is a path in the wrong direction. It’s like watching the fastest person in the world running a race in the wrong direction . . . at the Olympics . They are full of zeal, but missing the way!

Remember this! Information is Knowledge (by hearing and seeing), Application is Wisdom (take what you know and apply it), and Understanding is by the grace of GOD (outside of grace; you will never truly understand).

HE is Greater Than Grand 1 John 4:4 (KJV)