Nov 30 - From Self to God

Daily Devotion

From Self to God
The eternal God is thy refuge.  Deuteronomy 33:27

A place to flee to, a sanctuary.  An escape from misunderstanding, from yourself.  You can get away from others into the quiet of your own being, but from yourself, from the sense of your failure, your weakness, your sins and shortcomings, whither can you flee?

To the Eternal God your refuge.  Till in His Immensity you forget your smallness, meanness, limitations.

Till the relief of safety merges into Joy of appreciation of your refuge, and you absorb the Divine, and absorbing, gain strength to conquer.

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee: Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion. Psalm 20:1,2

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord, even as Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites by praying this blessing I bless the readers of our encouragement ministry by pronouncing this very personal blessing upon each of them today: 'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.'  

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Nov 29 - When Two Agree

Daily Devotion

When Two Agree

If two of you shall agree.

I am the Truth. Every word of Mine is true. Every promise of Mine shall be fulfilled.

First, "gathered together in My Name," bound by a common loyalty to Me, desires only of doing My Will.

Then, when this is so, I am present too, a self-invited guest, and when I am there and one with you, voicing the same petition, making your demands Mine, then it follows the request is granted.

But what man has failed perhaps to realize is all that lies behind the words.  For two to agree about the wisdom of a request, to be certain it should be granted, and will be granted (if it should be), is not the same as two agreeing to pray that request.

Nor forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord, even as the water, sun, and nutrients from the soil make the plants flourish in the summer we are reminded that as we are faithful in reading Your Word and applying its Truths to our lives – we, too, will thrive spiritually.  Our roots will go deep into the fertile soil of faith and our tendrils of spiritual life will reach heavenward as we keep our hearts and eyes focused upon Jesus.  Thank You, Jesus, that You are the One who establishes our faith through Your redemptive work on the cross of Calvary.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

 

 

Nov 28 - The Way of the Spirit

Daily Devotion

The Way of the Spirit

Jesus, we come to Thee with Joy.

The Joy of meeting Me should more and more fill your lives.  It will. Your lives must first of all be narrowed down, more and more, into an inner circle of life with Me (the three of us), and then, as that friendship becomes more and more engrossing, more and more binding, then gradually, the circle of your interests will widen.

For the present do not think of it as a narrow life.  I have My Purpose, My Loving Purpose, in cutting you away from other work and interests, for the time.

To work from large interests and a desire for great activities and world movements, to the inner circle life with Me, is really the wrong way.  That is why so often, when, through all these activities and interests, a soul finds Me, I have to begin our Friendship by cutting away the ties that bind it to the outer and wider circle.  When it has gained strength and learned its lesson in the inner circle, it can then widen its life, working this time from within out, taking then to each contact, each friendship, the inner circle influence.

And this is to be your way of life.

This is the way of the Spirit. Man so often misunderstands this.

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in  the air. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord, any words we speak or pictures we draw cannot fully describe your infinite love.  Your boundless love reaches beyond the heavens and yet it penetrates our individual hearts.  It is only in experiencing a personal relationship with you that we begin to sense the inexhaustible and pure love that comes only from You.  Even as the waves of the ocean are powerful and wash over the rocks may Your abundant love fill my life to overflowing so that Christ’s love is seen through me.  

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Nov 27 - Not Thwarted

Daily Devotion

Not Thwarted

Not our wills but Thine, O Lord.

Man has so misunderstood Me in this.  I want no will laid grudgingly upon My Altar.  I want you to desire and love My Will, because therein lies your happiness and Spirit-rest.

Whenever you feel that you cannot leave the choice to Me, then pray, not to be able to accept My Will, but to know and love Me more.  With that knowledge, and the Love, will come the certainty that I know best, and that I want only the best for you and yours.

How little those know Me who think I wish to thwart them. How often I am answering their own prayers in the best and quickest way.

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  Luke 22:42

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord Jesus, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life.  You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath.  When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart.  When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey. Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself.  Thank You for being my Supreme Savior and the Sustainer of my soul.  In Jesus Name.

 Amen.

 

 

 

Nov 26 - My Beauty

Daily Devotion

My Beauty 

The prophet realized the Truth of My later saying "He that hath ears to hear let him hear" which might be rendered "he that hath eyes to see let him see."

The God who was to be born upon earth was not to be housed in a body so beautiful that men would follow and adore for the beauty of His Countenance.

No! He was to be as one whom the world would despise, but to the seeing eye, the Spirit that dwelt in that body should be so beautiful as to lack nothing. "Yet when we shall see Him, there is no Beauty that we should desire Him."

Pray for the seeing eye, to see the Beauty of My Character, of My Spirit. Nay, more, as faith saw the Beauty of the Godhead in One who had no form or comeliness, so pray to have that faith to see the Beauty of My Love in My dealings with you, in My actions.  Till, in what the world will distort into cruelty and harshness, you, with the eyes of faith, will see all that you could desire.

Know Me. Talk to Me. Let Me talk to you, so that I may make clear to your loving hearts what seems mysterious now and purposeless ("having no form nor comeliness.")

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground ... and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  Isaiah 53:2

 

 

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord, for many the circumstances in life are so uncertain.  The solutions to our problems can be very perplexing and seem beyond our grasp.  There are many things about tomorrow that we don't seem to understand.   But we know Who holds tomorrow, and we do know Who holds our hand.* Thank you, God, that You don't expect us to have all the right answers or to fully understand all that concerns us.  You simply want us to trust You as we hold on to Your unchanging hand while You go before us making our paths straight.  Grant us the grace to trust You more.  

In Jesus name

Amen.

Nov 25 - The Heavenly Beggar

Daily Devotion

The Heavenly Beggar



Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  Revelation 3:20

Oh, ponder again these words and learn from them My great humility.

There is that gracious invitation, too, for those who yearn to realize a happiness, a rest, a satisfaction they have never found in the world and its pursuits.  To them, the pleading answer to their quest is "Come to Me and I will give you rest."

But to those who do not feel their need of Me, who obstinately reject Me, who shut the doors of their hearts so that I may not enter, to these I go, in tender, humble longing.  Even when I find all closed, all barred, I stand a Beggar, knocking, knocking.  The Heavenly Beggar in His Great Humility.

Never think of those who have shut you out, or forgotten you, that now they must wait, you have no need of them.  No!  remember that, the Heavenly Beggar, and learn of Me, humility.

Learn too the value of each man's happiness, and peace and rest, to Me, his God; and learn, and learning, pray to copy the Divine Unrest until a soul finds rest and peace in Me.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  John 10:9

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

 In the maze of life's events where we're often a passenger on the rollercoaster of life's ups and downs, may we never lose sight of You, Jesus.  You are the unseen but ever-present Shepherd who protects, guides and tenderly comforts us in all our trouble. Thank You, Lord, that when change is constantly about us, You remain steadfast, faithful, and dependable.  You are the Anchor that keeps us grounded in the unseen but eternal truths we build our lives upon.  Keep us faithful and help us to always believe!  

Amen.

 

 

Movie - Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 5)

Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 5) 

 

Nov 24 - Suffer To Save

Daily Devotion

Suffer To Save

Take each day's happenings as work you can do for Me.  In that Spirit a blessing will attend all you do.  Offering your day's service, thus to Me, you are sharing in My Life-work, and therefore helping Me to save My world.

You may not see it, but the power of vicarious sacrifice is redemptive beyond man's power of understanding here on earth.
 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  

Colossians 3:23-24

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Lord Jesus, help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life.  Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk.  As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy.  Because I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory.  

 Amen.

 

 

Movie - Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 4)

Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 4) 

 

Nov 23 - Earth's Furies

Daily Devotion 

Earth's Furies

In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

 John 16:33

Then you may ask why have you, My children, to have tribulation if I have overcome the world.

My overcoming was never, you know, for Myself, but for you, for My children. Each temptation, each difficulty, I overcame as it presented itself.

The powers of evil were strained to their utmost to devise means to break Me.  They failed, but how they failed was known only to Me, and to My Father, who could read My undaunted spirit.  The world, even My own followers, would see a Lost Cause. Reviled, spat upon, scourged, they would deem Me conquered.  How could they know My Spirit was free, unbroken, unharmed?

And so, as I had come to show man God, I must show him God unconquered, unharmed, untouched by evil and its power. Man could not see My Spirit untouched, risen above these earth furies and hates, into the Secret Place of the Father. But man could see My Risen Body and learn by that, that even the last attempt of man had been powerless to touch Me.

Take heart from that, for you must share My tribulations. If evil is to leave you unchallenged you must be evil.  If evil challenges you, if trials press sore,  it because you are on My side, and, as My friends, exposed to the hate of evil.

But be of good cheer.  You walk with Me.  I conquered evil at every point, though man could only see it proved beyond all doubt when I rose from the dead. And in My conquering Power you walk unharmed today.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

1 John 3:8 

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Dear Lord, fill my mind with loving thoughts today. Grant that I may spend the
hours of the day gladly working with you according to Your will.

Help me just for today and be with me in it: in the long hours of confinement , that
I may not weary or grow slack in loving You; in conversations, that they may not be
to me occasions of uncharitableness; din the day's worries and disappointments, that
I may be patient with myself and with those around me; in moments of fatigue and
illness, that I may be mindful of others rather than of myself; in temptations; that I may
be generous and loyal , so that when the day is over I may lay it at Your feet , with its
successes which are all Yours, and its failures, which are all my own, and feel that
life is real and peaceful and blessed, when spent with You as the Guest of my soul.

 Amen.

 

 

 

Movie- Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 3)

Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 3) 

 

 

Nov 22 - Only Love Lasts

Daily Devotion

   
Only Love Lasts


Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a a tinkling cymbal.  1 Corinthians 13:1

SEE that only Love tells.  Only what is done in Love lasts, for God is Love, and only the work of God remains.

The fame of the world, the applause given to the one who speaks with the tongues of men and of angels, who attracts admiration and compels attention, it is all given to what is passing, is really worthless, if it lacks that God-quality, Love.

Think how a smile, or word of Love, goes winged on its way, a God-Power, simple though it may seem, while the mighty words of an orator can fall fruitless to the ground.  The test of all true work and words is - are they inspired by Love?

If man only saw how vain is so much of his activity! So much work done in My Name is not acknowledged by Me. As for Love. Turn out from your hearts and lives all that is not loving, so shall ye bear much fruit, and by this shall all men know ye are My disciples, because ye have Love one toward another.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.  1 Corinthians 13:13

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Help me forgive those who judge me, Dear Lord. May I remember that they do so only because they do not really know me and they are not aware of the beauty that each soul possesses by your Grace.

 

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

I pray that my prayers of thanks and gratitude for all of the abundance and blessings that have been bestowed upon the people of earth, I and my family be accepted.  Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Amen, amen, amen.  Praise and Glory to our Father, Almighty GOD.

Movie - Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 2)

Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 2)

 

Nov 21 - Radiant Joy

Daily Devotion

Radiant Joy

Not only must you rejoice, but your Joy must be made manifest.  "Known unto all men."  A candle must not be set under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all who are in the house.

Men must see and know your Joy, and seeing it, know, without any doubt, that it springs from trust in Me, from living with Me.

The hard dull way of resignation is not My Way.  When I entered Jerusalem, knowing well that scorn and reviling and death awaited Me, it was with cries of Hosanna, and with a triumphal procession.  Not just a few "Lost Cause" followers creeping with Me into the city.  There was no note of sadness in My Last Supper Talk with My disciples, and "when we had sung an hymn" we went out unto the Mount of Olives.

So trust, so conquer, so joy.  Love colors the way. Love takes the sting out of the wind of adversity.

Love. Love. Love of Me. The consciousness of My Presence, and that of My Father, we are one, and He - God - is Love.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Movie - Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 1)

Rev. Dr. Jackie McCullough - Take the Preacher off Mute (Part 1)

Nov 20 - Mysteries

Daily Devotion

Mysteries

Your Hope is in the Lord. More and more set your hopes on Me. Know that whatever the future may hold it will hold more and more of Me. It cannot but be glad and full of Joy.  So in Heaven, or on earth, wherever you may be, your way must be truly one of delight.

Do not try to find answers to the mysteries of the world.  Learn to know Me more and more, and in that Knowledge you will have all the answers you need here, and when you see Me Face to Face, in that purely Spiritual world, you will find no need to ask.  There again all your answers will be in Me.

Remember, I was the answer in time to all man's questions about My Father and His Laws. Know no theology. Know Me. I was the Word of God. All you need to know about God you know in Me. If a man knows me not, all your explanations will fall on an unresponsive heart.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  Psalm 43:5

Nov 19 - Hills of the Lord

 

 

 

Daily Devotion

Hills of the Lord

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh form the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  Psalm 12:1,2

Yes! always raise your eyes, from earth's sordid and mean and false, to the Hills of the Lord. From poverty, lift your eyes to the Help of the Lord.

In moments of weakness, lift your eyes to the Hills of the Lord.

Train your sight by constantly getting this long view.  Train it to see more and more, further and further, until distant peaks seem familiar.

The Hills of the Lord.  The Hills whence comes your help.  A parched earth looks to the Hills for its rivers, its streams, its life.  So look you to the Hills.  From those Hills comes Help.  Help from the Lord - who made Heaven and earth.

So, for all your spiritual needs, look to the Lord, who made Heaven, and for all your temporal needs look to Me, owner of all this, the Lord who made the earth.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  James 4:10

Nov 18 - Quiet Lives

 

Daily Devotion

Quiet Lives

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant ... enter into the joy of thy Lord."  Matthew 25:21 

These words are whispered in the ears of many whom the world would pass by unrecognizing.  Not to the great, and the world-famed, are these words said so often, but to the quiet followers who serve Me unobtrusively, yet faithfully, who bear their cross bravely, with a smiling face to the world.  Thank Me for the quiet lives.

These words speak not only of the passing into that fuller Spirit Life.  Duty faithfully done for Me does mean entrance into a Life of Joy - My Joy, the Joy of your Lord.  The world may never see it, the humble, patient, quiet service, but I see it, and My reward is not earth's fame, earth's wealth, earth's pleasures, but the Joy Divine.

Whether here, or there, in the earth-world, or in the spirit-world, this is My reward. Joy.  The Joy that carries an exquisite thrill in the midst of pain and poverty and suffering.  That Joy of which I said no man could take it from you.  Earth has no pleasure, no reward, that can give man that Joy.  It is known only to My lovers and My friends.

This Joy may come, not as the reward of activity in My service.  It may be the reward of patient suffering, bravely borne.

Suffering, borne with Me, must in time bring Joy, as does all real contact with Me.  So live with Me in that Kingdom of Joy , My Kingdom, the Gateway into which may be service, it may be suffering.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.  Isaiah 12:3

Nov 17 - Dazzling Glory

 

Daily Devotion

Dazzling Glory

Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  Isaiah 60:1

The glory of the Lord is the Beauty of His Character.  It is risen upon you when you realize it, even though on earth you can do so only in part.

The Beauty of the Purity and Love of God is too dazzling for mortals to see in full.

The Glory of the Lord is also risen upon you when you reflect that Glory in your lives, when in Love, Patience, Service, Purity, whatever it may be, you reveal to the world a something of the Father, an assurance that you have been with Me, your Lord and Savior.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  2 Corinthians 3:18

16 Nov - Union Is Power

Daily Devotion

Union Is Power

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  Matthew 18:20

Claim that promise always.  Know it true that when two of My lovers meet I am the Third.  Never limit that promise.

When you two are together in My Name, united by one bond in My Spirit, I am there.  Not only when you meet to greet Me, and to hear My Voice.

Think what this means in Power.  It is again the lesson of the Power that follows two united to serve Me.

 Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.  Exodus 25:8

Biblevers - Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

 

15 Nov - By My Spirit

By My Spirit

Man is apt to think that once in time only was My Miracle-working Power in action.  That is not so.  Wherever man trusts wholly in Me, and leaves to Me the choosing of the very day and hour, then there is My miracle-working Power as manifest, as marvelously manifest today, as ever it was when I was on earth, as ever it was to set My Apostles free, or to work miracles of wonder and healing through them.

Trust in Me. Have a boundless faith in Me, and you will see, and seeing, will give Me all the glory.  Remember, and say often to yourselves, "not by might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord."

Dwell much in thought upon all I accomplished on earth, and then say to yourselves, "He, our Lord, our Friend, could accomplish this now in our lives."

Apply these miracles to your present day need, and know that your Help and Salvation are sure.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Mark 16:20

Song - The Heart of Worship

The Heart of Worship (worship video w/ lyrics)

 

 

 

Biblevers - Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

 

 

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

 

 

14 Nov - Devious Ways

Daily Devotion
Devious Ways
Life is not easy, My children.  Man has made of it not what My Father meant it to be.

Ways that were meant to be straight paths have been made by man into ways devious and evil, filled with obstacles and stones of difficulty.

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known:  I will make darkness light before them and crooked things straight.  Isaiah 42:16

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

 

 

Nov 13 - Every Problem Solved

Daily Devotion
Every Problem Solved 
Man has such strange ideas of the meaning of My invitation "Come unto Me."  Too often has it been interpreted as an urge to pay a duty owed to a Creator or a debt owed to a Savior.

The "Come unto Me" holds in it a wealth of meaning far surpassing even that.  "Come unto Me" for the solution of every problem, for the calming of every fear, for all you need - physical, mental, spiritual.

Sick, come to Me for health.  Homeless, ask Me for a home. Friendless, claim a friend.  Hopeless, a refuge.

"Come unto Me" for everything.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things you have need of, before ye ask him.  Matthew 6:8

Prayer 4 Today

Prayer 4 Today

Song - Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin

Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin

Biblevers - Hebrews 12:14

 

 

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

Biblevers - Jeremiah 17:7

 

 

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord."

Jeremiah 17:7

 

 

Biblevers - 1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18

 

 

 

 

Nov 12 - The Voiceless Cry

Daily Devotion

The Voiceless Cry

Jesus, hear us, and let our cry come unto Thee.

That voiceless cry, that comes from anguished hearts, is heard above all the music of Heaven.

It is not the arguments of theologians that solve the problems of a questioning heart, but the cry of that heart to Me, and the certainty that I have heard.

Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.  Psalm 17:1

Biblevers - 1 John 4:18

 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

 

 

 

Nov 11 - Heaven's Colors

Daily Devotion
Heaven's Colors

Looking back you will see that every step was planned. Leave all to Me. Each stone in the mosaic fits into the perfect pattern, designed by the Master Artist.

It is all so wonderful!

But the colors are of Heaven's hues, so that your eyes could not bear to gaze on the whole, until you are beyond the veil.

So, stone by stone, you see, and trust the pattern to the Designer.

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Proverbs 4:12