Monthly Archives: January 2017

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” Ephesians 6:7-8.

A spirit of excellence is manifested CHAYIL Glory. The Bible encourages us to pursue good work ethics and a spirit of excellence because the Lord will promote and reward you.

Joseph as an excellent worker:

1) His Manager was secure.  “So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.”  Genesis 39:6.

2) The company prospered.  “From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.  The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.”  Genesis 39:5.

3) He was promoted.  “Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.  Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.”  Genesis 39:4.

4) He manifested God’s grace.  “The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”  Genesis 39:2.

5) He was consistent.  Treachery and lies landed him in prison but Joseph was consistent.  “So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.  The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”  Genesis 39:22-23

6) God rewarded him.  Joseph’s ethics, attitude, and behavior were being assessed by God for potential promotion.  “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”  Genesis 41:41. God used Joseph’s prison experience as the stepping-stone to his ultimate promotion, in charge of Egypt and with a purpose to preserve Israel.

Joseph nurtured and grew in the core values of God’s Kingdom even as Jesus and Samuel did. “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52. Our core values determine our lasting prosperity in all areas (life, work, relationships and health). The CHAYIL Pillars describe our intent to grow like Jesus and our core values: worship, wisdom, power, honor, favor, wealth, and influence. God’s plan for you is clearly stated, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2, NKJV.

Kingdom Declaration:

I rule my heart according to the principles of God to experience the manifested glory of God.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 25-26; Matthew 20:17:34

“Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17.

God cares about your work.  He declares that promotion or exaltation comes from Him.  “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south.  But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Psalm 75:6-7.  With this in mind it is good to nurture a good work attitude and behavior.

Work attitude relates to how you ‘feel’ about your work and your approach towards work.  It is intangible but can be seen and noticed by others.  Others can see it when you take pride in your work, when you aim for excellence in your work and when you have a passion for your work.

Work behavior refers to how you ‘do’ your work, how you get things ‘done’; how you contribute to the betterment of your workplace.  Its results can be measured and its effect is obvious.  A good work attitude and behavior will give you great satisfaction and provide the opportunity for God to work for you to promote or open doors of great opportunities.

God is a worker: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”  Genesis 2:2. The Bible shares about men and women who were blessed by God with special gifts and talents:  God filled Bezalel, “With the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”  Exodus 35:31. God gave women special skills: “Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun – blue, purple, or scarlet yarn or fine linen.”  Exodus 35:25. He gave some the ability to teach others: “And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.”  Exodus 35:34.

When you embrace the CHAYIL Pillars (worship, wisdom, power, honor, favor, wealth, influence) as your core values, they will influence areas of your life – how you live, work, play, and relationships. God’s plan is to bless and prosper you in all areas of your work: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Kingdom Declaration:

God will prosper me in the fruit of my womb and in the work of my hands.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 23-24; Matthew 20:1-16

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.

Many of the stories of Jesus and the miracles of Jesus included children.  In spite of a busy schedule, Jesus would often put a child on His lap as He preached.  He responded to mothers and fathers seeking miraculous healing for their children.  He raised children from the dead and delivered them from tormenting illnesses.  Jesus loves all children.

Chuck Colson writes, “When I was at Buckingham Palace … Prince Philip asked me, ‘What can we do about the crime here in England?’  I replied, ‘Send more children to Sunday school.’  He thought I was joking.  But I pointed out a study by sociologist Christy Davies, which found that in the first half of the 1800s, British society was marked by high levels of crime and violence, which dropped dramatically in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  What changed an entire nation’s national character?  Throughout that period attendance at Sunday schools rose steadily until by 1888, a full 75% of children in England were enrolled.  Since then attendance has fallen off …. with a corresponding increase in crime and disorder.  If we fill the Sunday Schools we can change hearts and restore society.”

The competition for the souls of children is getting stronger and stronger as sports, games, arts, entertainment and family outings maintain priority over children going to Church to be nurtured with God as a priority.  Practice becomes perfect.  Actions become habit and lifestyle.  Let us give our children God, the greatest and lasting gift for eternal peace and security.

Kingdom Declaration:

God created children for His purpose and glory.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 21-22; Matthew 19

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:36-40.

Jesus reveals to us that the two greatest commandments are based on ‘love’.  Love is power and acts of kindness are its fruit.  You cannot love without giving.  The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that without love we are nothing and gain nothing.

Our greatest purpose in life should then be to:

1) Love God.  We grow to love God more when we declare it as our intent and main purpose in life.  God tells us how to love Him, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5. Because love has many languages, God tells us how to love Him and what He calls loving Him, “This is love for God: to obey his commands.  And his commands are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3.  Love God daily by praying, worshipping, and living your life according to His word and His values (obedience). “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15.

2) Love others.  This again is intentional and not always easy.  It takes discipline and the choice to obey God to preserve your heart.  God tells us how to love others, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  This means that unless you love yourself you cannot truly love others.  To love others is not to be used or be subdued, but to love in purity and power.  As you respect yourself and value yourself, you will respect and value others.  Love is a choice.  You choose to love because you are powerful.  You give out of love because you are able.

Love, then, is a circle.  God loves you to flow through you to others, and then back to Him in loving worship. The ability to love is a gift and God’s manifested glory in and through you.  In love, you give to God and others.  The faithful love of God will be with you forever.

Kingdom Declaration:

I am loved and in a circle of love as I love God and love others.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 19-20; Matthew 18:21-35

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23:6

David began this Psalm with a bold declaration: “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” Throughout the verses, the power, protection, provision, and loving care of the Shepherd are exalted.

David’s confident declaration: “Surely, (most definitely) goodness (manifested glory) and mercy (forgiveness and restoration) shall follow me (walk beside, behind and around me), all the days of my life (God will never leave me and I will never leave God).”

David’s intentional decision: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  In other words, “Nothing and no one shall move me from my place of blessing and dedication to the house of the LORD.” David purposed in His heart, devotion to God and His house forever.  His promotions, his battles, and discouragement would not stop him from going to the house of God for corporate worship, teaching, inspiration, correction, and fellowship with believers.  He was a king but he needed his priest, prophet, and faith family for protection and preservation.

David’s promotion, kingdom, wealth, and glory were gifts from God that could only be sustained by God.  He prayed in times of struggles, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:12. “Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.”  Psalm 119:175. The Word of God was David’s sustaining power.  He was committed to the house of the LORD forever, and now lives in His presence forever.

Kingdom Declaration:

I shall live in the House of the LORD forever and remain positioned for His CHAYIL Glory to manifest in and through me.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” Psalms 23:5.

God called David a warrior: “Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have exalted a young man from among the people.  I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.”  Psalm 89:19-20.

Recurrent warfare was a lifestyle of David both in the spiritual and in the natural realms.  Recurrent warfare was a lifestyle of David both in the spiritual and in the natural realms.  David’s warfare included fighting for Israel and therefore involved God fighting with him and for him against satanic forces.  When your life is for a higher purpose then your warfare is at a higher level.  David was chosen to be linked with Jesus, Savior of the world, even before he knew that God had a Son.

Jesus Christ is proud of His lineage to David, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”  Revelation 22:16.  With this great heritage, God was David’s protection, provision, salvation.  David was glorified by God to bring Him eternal glory in earth and in heaven.

Like David, God will protect you in all your battles and give you victory, “Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.” Psalm 21:5.  The CHAYIL (powerful) Glory of God manifested in and through David and now you, once you believe in Jesus Christ, son of David, Son of God.  Jesus Christ is EL CHAYIL, LORD of Armies King of Glory.  He will give you victories for your sake and for His Name sake.

Kingdom Declaration:

The LORD goes with me to fight for me and give great victories for His Great Glory

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 14-15; Matthew 17

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4.

Sheep in rugged country can face danger from treacherous pathways in the hills and valleys, violent rivers in flood, extreme weather conditions, poisonous plants, diseased insects, thieves, and predators.  Yet in confidence of the Shepherd’s presence and his ability to protect, defend, and care for them, the sheep fears no evil.

With Jesus as your Great Shepherd King, you can be confident that in every dark trial, vicious attack, slanderous intentions, painful disappointment, startling bad news, He will keep you safe and secure.  His light is more powerful than all darkness.  His power is greater than all powers.  His knowledge is beyond all others, as He alone knows your future.  Your future is in His hands because you committed your life to Him.  He is never surprised about what you will face, even tomorrow.  He is in your tomorrows before you get there.  God is with you, always.

The shepherd’s rod is a weapon against evil.  Jesus taught us to pray: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”  Matthew 6:13.  As your Shepherd, the LORD is there to protect and preserve you from temptation and evil with His rod that is also His sword.  With His staff, He will lift you out of danger every time you slip or become insecure. You are glorified because your Shepherd is not only with you, He is in you, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the One who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4. When you carry His greatness in you, you are greater than all that you can face.

Kingdom Declaration:

The great and mighty God is the ONE who lives in me. Nothing is impossible with God.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  Psalms 23:3.

As shepherd and king of Israel, David was often involved in military battles and surrounded by enemy camps.  A soldier at war can get wounded, tired, discouraged and in need of restoration and healing.  David experienced great trials and painful experiences with family, work, relationships and even with personal failures.  Life sometimes throws us circumstances that can cause us sorrow, exhaustion, worry, or failure.  However, the LORD, our Shepherd, restores our soul and then leads us on a straight path.

The path of righteousness means a straight path.  God will protect us from going in circles around our destiny or in paths that run parallel to our blessing.  In His path of righteousness there is light, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”  Proverb 4:18.  With His light, you will not walk in darkness. The path of righteousness is level and smooth, “The path of the righteous is level; O upright one, you make the way of the righteous smooth.”  Isaiah 26:7.

When the LORD is your Shepherd, He will preserve you for your destiny, provide what you need, and guide you into the straight and safe path for yours and His Name sake. “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11.

Kingdom Declaration:

Jesus is the Shepherd of my soul.  I am safe and secure in His care, guidance and protection.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 9-11; Matthew 15:21-39

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”  Psalms 23:2.

God’s promise is that His Glory will rise in you to flow through you. The good news is that what God wants you to do, He will “make” you, enable you, bless you, and glorify you to do it. God said to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2. “Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.” Exodus 7:1. To His disciples Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19.

God will make, position, and cause you to manifest His CHAYIL Glory in your life.  As you learn to trust in God as your Shepherd King, He will lead you into green pastures of opportunities, favor, sponsorship, support, and strategic relationships to help you fulfill your destiny. He will make you and lead you into your path of prosperity.

When a sheep lies down it is usually a sign of contentedness, security and peace.  David wrote, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”  God was David’s Strength when he was weak, His Provision when he was in need, His Comfort when he was alone, and his hope in the midst of despair.  He wrote, “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.”  Psalm 18:35.

David experienced the manifested CHAYIL Glory of God in His life.  He survived living in a cave; he won many battles in many areas; he conquered kingdoms and grew in wealth and great influence. He wrote in his psalm of thanksgiving, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to ALL.” 1 Chronicles 29:12.  All those who trust in the LORD Jesus Christ as their Shepherd are heirs to the glory of David. The Bible calls him a witness to the peoples. (Isaiah 55:4).

Kingdom Declaration:

The LORD my Shepherd will enlarge my territory and make fulfill my God-designed destiny.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  Psalms 23:1.

For the next few days, we will mediate on this powerful Psalm that was written by David who was a shepherd, a son of shepherd and who later was referred to as the Shepherd King of Israel.  David had revelations of God that no one else had.  Most of his Psalms and writings were prophetic and related to God in ways that were eventually revealed and confirmed through Jesus Christ.

David declared, “The LORD is my light.” Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12).

David declared, “The LORD is my life.” Jesus said, “I am the way, truth, and life.” (John 14:6).

David declared, “The LORD is my salvation.” Jesus is our Salvation (Acts 4:12).

David declared, “The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11).

David declared, “The LORD is the God of Truth.” Jesus declared, “I am the Truth.” (John 14:6).

Your declaration will create your manifestation of God’s glory in you, for you, and through you. With the LORD as your Shepherd, your protection and provision are guaranteed.  Jesus is not just a shepherd.  He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life on the cross for His sheep; He died so that you will live (John 11:25); He became poor so that you can be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9); He became sin so that you can become righteous (Romans 5:19).  Jesus Christ is your Great Shepherd.

With the LORD as your Great Shepherd put your faith in Him and confidently make your declaration like David: “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Kingdom Declaration:

The LORD is my Shepherd, Provider, Protector, and King.

Read the Bible in One Year: Exodus 4-6; Matthew 14:22-36