(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning everyone. I was talking with some friends a couple days ago about a mutual business that they are involved in. The lack of positive results came up so they consulted me as I have in previous years had success in this area. That caused me to go back and look at how they were approaching the marketing end of the business. Some of it was a little shaky. They are now in the process of cleaning up some things. I went into scripture to get an example of doing things given by God but coming up short of success. May it help you in a situation you may be going through.
Today’s Prayer
(This is personal)
Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for my being able to see, to hear, to speak, to move about this morning. I’m blessed because You are a forgiving and understanding God. You have done so much for me. I have witnessed your hand of blessing, your miraculous power in my life and the lives of those I love, and you just keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me, my family, and my internet church family safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a positive and Christ-focused attitude and plenty of gratitude. Please clear my mind of distractions so that I can hear from you and please direct my steps today. Thank you so much, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s eat.
I was reading the book of Joshua and learning from the word when it struck my spirit why we as people are not successful in some of our endeavors; because we sometimes step outside of God’s will to get things done. I was reminded of how God blessed Joshua and the people of Israel with a victory in the battle at Jericho.
Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory. They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was devastated. “Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?” (Joshua 7:7). In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle. However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire nation for one man’s sin.
Whenever we act without God’s complete blessing on our activity, we can expect Him to thwart our plans. God’s word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops. Whenever we go into any endeavor, be it a business or even a ministry, we should make sure there are no unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort: unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits, dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises. These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace and ministries, which God wants to bless, but can’t because He is committed to upholding righteousness. His name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives.
Is the Lord able to bless your enterprises today? If not, you may need to go back and clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure the blessing of God today.
Quote of the Day
It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the Grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY