Mood:  amorous

S.

Psalm 22:3 (NKJ) But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.

O.

God is morally sacred, set apart, prepared, dedicated, shows Himself majestic, honored and appointed. He is sitting down, dwelling, inhabiting, settled, and remaining in the true colors and sounds of our praises to Him. We show ourselves, as we praise Him, crystal clear....nothing hidden. We show ourselves as who we really are; mad men/woman and fools, in love with our God. He loves this. Because our actions are louder than words. When we show ourselves as fools, who we really are, He inhibits us.

A.Praising God in front of people can be very hard, especially when we think we are being watched. But what if we ALL acted like the people we truly are inside; foolish for God. We would ALL be God's 'nothings'. The more we praise Him as 'foolish nothings' the more He can come into us and BE HIS-SELF! He can consume us in our praises to Him. And that's EXACTLY where I want Him to be!

P.Father, Help me to show You, in my crystal clear worship and praise to You, that You are EVERYTHING to me!

Mood:  sharp

S.But I replied to them that it was not the custom of the Romans (Strength, Power) to give up freely any man for punishment before the accused had met the accusers (satan) face to face and had opportunity to defend himself concerning the charge brought against him.

O.Festus told the king the history behind Paul's case and why he was being charged. He also told how Paul's accusers had no power in charging Paul with any crime until they came face to face with them.

A.There is no power in an 'accuser' unless you give him that power. Until the 'accuser' can come face to face with the 'accused', there is no accusation that can stand. That's where the 'Agent' comes in. When we stand behind the 'Agent/Attorney' and allow Him to defend us, no accusations will ever hit us. We give the 'accuser/satan' no handle to hold onto....no leverage to use in overpowering us with guilt or shame, fear or control. That is why it's so important to confess sin quickly. Jesus steps in between us and satan and destroys satan's handle on our souls. He has nothing to hold on to to accuse us with. Jesus has broken off that 'handle' of control.

P.Jesus, THANK YOU that You are my Divine Attorney! Thank You for taking my sin on the cross and breaking satan's handle off my life. Forgive me, Jesus, for my sins...ALL of them. I don't want any handles on this utensil that satan can use! ONLY broken stubs!

Mood:  surprised

Scripture

Acts 24:15, 16 (NKJ) This being so, I myself always strive (train, to form by art) to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Observation

Paul is saying here that both he and his accusers agree that the dead will be risen, both the righteous and the sinful. This sorta puts the righteous man and sinful man on equal terms in that both the sinful and righteous will be judged. After we are risen, we are separated...the just and the unjust; two lines will form. The goats vs. the sheep. But until that time, we will be in the same line. In that same line, which is in THIS present time, we have no place in our lives to judge others. We are to ONLY see the good in others; actually train our minds to SEE only GOOD. In this way, we don't pre-judge ourselves or others wrongly and cause ourselves and others to stumble with our wrong judgment.

Application

I HATE offense/pre-judgment. It makes me feel terrible! This scripture tells me how to get rid of taking on offense. It says to train my mind to only see the good in people; to put on the 'rose colored glasses of God' in order to see through love. In this way, no offense or judgment can take a stand in my thinking. I will have 'God's eyes' and can see through love (only good traits) and not what is offensive to me!

Philippians 4:8 says:...whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

THAT is what I need to train my mind to do straight out of God's Instruction Book! THAT stomps out offense!

Prayer

Father, I ask that You open my spiritual eyes to only the good in others. I pray Philippians 4:8 over my life, Father. Blind me to judging and help me in my training to stomp out any offenses that I may take on or give to others.

Mood:  lyrical

S.Acts 22:1, 2 (AMP) 1 BRETHREN AND fathers, listen to the defense which I now make in your presence.2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue they were all the more quiet. And he continued...

("Hebrew" comes from the meaning: "The opposite side of the Jordon" and Jordon means 'to go down' and "to cross over". The word tongue means"to mingle thought with thought". Translated in symbolism, "Hebrew tongue" means " those who have gone past the 'going-down -into-sin" stage and are coming up out of sin, and they are now speaking the language of freedom; "the mingling of our thoughts with the thoughts of OTHER Jordon crossers; Believers") 

O.Paul was trying to convince the 'orginal chosen' by God, the Jewish people, that he was obeying what God told him to do; to preach to the Gentiles, too. This enraged the Jews. They didn't want to believe that Paul had heard God through Jesus. But when they heard Paul speak in their language, Hebrew, they knew he was one of them. He understood them. They understood him. Because of this, they wanted to hear him out. 

A.I have met people that I just KNEW were Believers, without them saying a word about it. How? By the way they talk and the joy and freedom that is in their words and actions. They ooze Jesus through their demeanor! This makes me want to hear them, to 'mingle thought to thought' because this Believer speaks my language! They have 'crossed over the opposite side of the place of going down' (Jordon) like I have! We two, are the opposite of going down...we are going UP and speak the same Kingdom dialect! As we stand talking in the Kingdom Dialect, we hold fast in the fact of who we are; the sons and daughters of the Most High God....that makes us relatives! We quietly understand each other, as  Paul and the Jews were connecting through language in this scripture. Language connection causes people to listen!

P.Father I thank You for Your heavenly Kingdom Dialect! Thank You that the words You have given us through the Bible connect Your people and we recognize YOU in each others words! Open my eyes wider to see more of my bros and sisters in You! Open my ears to knowing Kingdom Dialect. Open my mouth more, to pour out Your Kingdom dialect to others, Father. I WANT TO KNOW YOU THROUGH KNOWING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE KINGDOM!

Mood:  bright

S.Psalm 24:6, 7 (NKJ) This is Jacob( "Supplanter" or 'one who takes the place of something through force'), the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face, Selah. Lift up your heads (thinking), O you gates (opeinings to thoughts), and be lifted up (aided), you everlasting doors (entrance/to free/to plough), and the King of Glory shall come in.

O.Those whose hearts desire to know God's presence need to THINK! We are to lift up our thoughts, actually HELP them up, to think on the everlasting freedom that God has given us. In that way of thinking, our Abba Father can then enter our thoughts! This is being a 'Jacob', the supplanter who FORCES to replace our own way with God's way! Holy Spirit enters us here, and the circle of change in our mind and spirit begins and constantly continues. We are rerouted around those 'mind-mines' that satan has strategically placed in our thinking. Then God completely defuses them...destroying the lies satan has told us!

A.How many times have I allowed satan through the door of my thoughts to set up his 'mind-mines'? In this scripture Holy Spirit has shown me that I can avoid those 'mind-mines' by being a GOOD "supplanter"! I can FORCE out untruths and replace them with God's truths. Thinking on God's Word opens the door to 'higher thoughts', HIS thoughts, and reveals where satan has set those 'mind-mines'! I am in a state, right now, of constant change by Holy Spirit. He teaches me the way around those 'mind-mines' while He permantently defuses them...and I LOVE it!  

P.Father, I know that my thoughts go round and round, because that's how I change. I thank You that You have come into my mind, that was full of 'mind-mines' and continue to reroute my thinking. I pray, Father, that You would continue to strengthen my thoughts into Your Truths! You truly are my Hero!

Mood:  bright

S.Acts 20:7, 8 (NKJ) ......Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

O.It was midnight and dark as it can get...outside. But INSIDE this 'upper room' it was ILLUMINATED with the LIGHT of MANY LAMPS! The 'upper room' represents our thoughts. The 'lamps' are lit in our minds by the Word of God. When we THINK GODS WORDS, we light the wick of our thoughts...and our mind becomes illuminated, shining light in the darkness of negative thinking, the thoughts put there by the evil one.

A.Negative thinking truly has darkened my thoughts at times, especially in times of trials or difficulties. Satan loves this. He loves to twist my thoughts into thinking I am NOT what God made me to be...and what God says I am! But when I seek the Light of God's Word, all those dark and negative thoughts scatter. Negative thinking can not STAY in darkness when I expose it to God's Light. I have the mind of Christ and all darkness has to flee because I have lit the fuse of His Word!

P.Jesus, I SO thank You for the Word, and that YOU are the Word! I praise You for illumination of Your Word in my mind and spirit! You truly Light up my life, Lord!

Mood:  quizzical

S.Acts 18:14, 15 (NKJ) And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 'But if it is a question of words and names (character) and your own law (regulations), look to it yourselves (Greek; "GAZE BACKWARDS"); for I do not want to be a judge of such matters."

O. The Jews were about to learn a lesson from the governor of Achaia (Greek for 'governor of trouble'). The lesson was to LOOK TO THERESELVES...LOOK BACKWARD to see if they were DOING what they were PREACHING! He was not willing to judge them in right or wrong. They needed to judge themselves, first, by HOW THEY PRACTICED WHAT THEY PREACHED!

A.Am I living out what I say? Do I look backwards at myself to see if I'M living out what I tell others about? Do I judge others without judging myself first? If I am, then I have NO right! Keeping my eyes off others and onto myself when judging should be my way of life. My words, character and God's regulatons should not just be spoken of, they need to be LIVED OUT....by ME!

P.Father, help me to practice what I preach. Help me to live out what I know You want me to be...and in front of others. Help me be true to myself; YOU IN ME!

Mood:  spacey

S. Acts 17:16 (NKJ) Now while Paul waited for them (Timothy and Silas) in Athens ("Uncertainty"), his spirit was provoked (sharpened/stirred) within him when he saw that the city (place of warring/battle) was given over to idols. (full of too much devotion and obsession to false notions or to a visible thing of which has no substance)

O.Paul was expecting his friends, Timothy and Silas...but he waited with uncerainty, not knowing when they'd show up. As he waited, anger was stirred up in him because this great city was full of false idols and had THE God as just one of them. Could God's presence even dwell here?

A.Paul waiting for his friends reminds me when I wait on the presence of God. And when I wait, I never know when or where He'll show up. Sometimes what hinders my spirit from His presence is sin. These sins could be 'false idols or notions'. Am I putting worries higher than God? Am I giving fear or intimidation dominion over my thoughts instead of letting God have them? These are sins. Thoughts that BLOCK God's presence. My mind needs to be free of worry, fears, intimidation and anything that 'sets itself higher than God'. Then His presence, His very Spirit, can freely move in and around me.

P.Father, forgive me for setting my mind on anything but You. I ask that You raise up in me a hate for sin and any of the things that could try to set itself up higher than You in my mind and spirit. I want You alone to be first in my life!

Mood:  mischievious

S.Acts 16:37-39 (NKJ) But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans (Strong, Powerful), and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? And the officers told these words to the  magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard they were Romans (Strong, Powerful). Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out and asked them to depart from the city.  (the word 'city' comes from the Greek words for 'warfare, battle, fight, war')

O. In front of everyone, Paul and Silas had been beaten and scourged. Now, because the officers had found out Paul was a Roman, they knew they had made a mistake and that they would eventually be punished for it by their superiors. Romans held great statis and it was against the law to harm them when untried. These officers knew they had made a great mistake and now tried to cover it up by BEGGING Paul and Silas to LEAVE SECRETLY! As the story continues, Paul and Silas refused to leave in secret. They wanted the whole city to know they were FREE and that they had been IMPRISONED FOR UNJUDGED WRONGS. They DEMANDED to be SEEN as FREED because POWER and STRENGTH was in their DNA!

A.I want the enemy to BEG me to leave the battle because He knows I am the GUARANTEED WINNER! I want him to see that the power and strength of Jesus lives in me and know that he can not keep me in a battle. I ooze freedom! I want the power and strength of Jesus to bring the enemy 'fear and awe' of me. The enemy will know he's made a mistake in messing with me and Jesus! Like the Israelites being escorted out by their oppressors, Egypt, I want the enemy/oppressor to escort me out...BEG me to leave! All SEE and KNOW that they are FREE!

P. Thank You, Jesus, for the power and strength You have given me. Thank You that these cause the enemy/satan to shake in his boots! Raise up that power and strength in me, Lord, and the authority to use it so that the enemy will not even attempt to battle with us!

Mood:  lazy

S. Acts 15:38, 39

But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one (who was Mark, and in Greek means "Defense" which means 'justification') who had departed from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work/toil. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted/seperated from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

O. Paul and Barnabas got into a tift over taking Mark with them to visit the cities that they had already preached the Good News in. Paul insisted that Mark had left them in the middle of the 'work' and so he didn't deserve to go with them. Barnabas insisted that Mark should come anyway. In anger, they parted. They had a difference of oppinion on who DESERVED to be part of the reaping of this ministry.

A.When any of us pause to think about it, NONE of us deserve to work for God. We can not do anything that would be worthy of Him on our own; no amount of working/labor can get us closer to God. But we have been JUSTIFIED through Jesus! This means that Jesus is our DEFENSE and HE is our JUSTIFICATION! All we need to do is TRUST in Jesus, because He's ALWAYS doing HIS job! WE rest in HIS works! This is where the seperation comes in. We are to SEPERATE works from grace. God's grace is SUFFICENT for us!

P.Father, You made it so easy for me to follow You! And yet as a human I try to make it into work. But You have told me to 'rest' because it's all been done through Jesus! And so, Father, I pray for rest and trust in You...COMPLETELY! Teach me how to rest in You with complete trust. Seperate WORK and FAITH in my life, Father.