Obedience Leads to Deliverance

Jonah 3:1-10

1 Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”

3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. 4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

6 When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. 7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city:

“No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. 9 Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”

10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah's message was simple, direct and filled with power. If he had tried to deliver those words on his own they would not have had the same impact. Those words had the impact they did because they came from the Lord. This reminds me of a story in the New Testament. Here it is:

Acts 19:13-16

13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

Notice here that they were trying to use the name of Jesus, not because the Lord had commanded them to, but because they heard about the success of Paul. Here is what they were trying to imitate.

Acts 19:9b-12

So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

As you can see clearly that when the Lord directs you to do something, gives you the words to say and you are obedient to what you were told you then have success. When you try to do it on your own or try to use someone else's faith for something you may have success, but any success will be short lived and you will end up worse than when you started. Just ask the seven sons of Sceva.

I also recall an instance where someone, who had a call of God on their life, tried to move before he was instructed to and he ended up killing another person. Let's see where that is from.

Exodus 2:11-15a

11 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.

13 The next day, when Moses went out to visit his people again, he saw two Hebrew men fighting. “Why are you beating up your friend?” Moses said to the one who had started the fight.

14 The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?”

Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.” 15 And sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened, and he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian.

What we see here is that Moses knew he was to look out for the Jewish people, but he acted hastily and ended up hiding for the next 40 years in Midian. Thankfully when he listened to what God told him through the burning bush and in the many instances after that time he led one of the greatest escapes ever. Speaking of which, did you ever look at just how the tribes of Israel left Egypt? If you were to take a picture from above while they were walking through the desert you would have seen that they were walking in the shape of a cross. If you can see there are little boxes and each box represents 100 men of fighting age. Look at what is written in Numbers Chapter 2 to get the exact low down.

What I learn when I study each of these cases is that it is better to be on God's side doing what He tells you to do when He tells you to do it, than it is to try and do it myself when I want to do it. I thank God that He cares enough about me to want to be that involved in my life. It is not just the big areas He wants to be involved in either, it is the everyday issues of my life down to the smallest detail. Praise God!

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

There Are No Atheists in Foxholes

Jonah 2:1-10

1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 2 He said,
“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead,
and Lord, you heard me!
3 You threw me into the ocean depths,
and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

5 “I sank beneath the waves,
and the waters closed over me.
Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
I was imprisoned in the earth,
whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God,
snatched me from the jaws of death!
7 As my life was slipping away,
I remembered the Lord.
And my earnest prayer went out to you
in your holy Temple.
8 Those who worship false gods
turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
and I will fulfill all my vows.
For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

10 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

It's been said that there are no atheists in foxholes. The meaning behind that statement is pretty clear to me. When a person is confronted with the reality that they could die at any moment, there is an acknowledgment that God does exist. Even though Jonah was not an atheist he was acting like one when he was running from the call of God on his life. Even when the storm was raging on the water when he was in the boat that wasn't enough to cause him to realize his need to listen to that call. It says that this prayer that Jonah offers to God is done when he is inside the great fish. It seems that he didn't pray this right away either since chapter 1 tells us he spent three days and three nights inside the fish and here in verse 10 it says when he prayed his prayer that the Lord had the fish spit Jonah out onto the beach.

Why do you think it took Jonah three days and three nights to pray this prayer? Why do you think it takes an atheist that long to acknowledge that God does exist? Is it ignorance? Is it willful disobedience? I would probably say it is more associated with pride than anything else. Pride causes more heartache for people than anything else or anyone else could. Pride causes us to to stupid things to others and to ourselves, which is ironic since pride would lend itself to self-preservation.

Father I am thankful that it did not take me being in the belly of a great fish before I accepted the call you have on my life. I fully embrace that call and will do what You ask when You ask me to do it. I do agree with Jonah when he states, "For my salvation comes from the Lord alone." My salvation does come from the work you did for me on the cross and I thank You for that. It is through Your sacrifice that I can know what the Father's will is for me. It is because You arose from the grave and ascended to heaven that the Holy Spirit can reveal the Father's will to me directly. I thank You for Your plans for me and if I get in the way I confess my pride to you and will put my flesh into submission to follow Your plan. I praise You today for the work You are doing in me and through me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Are You Running From God?

Jonah 1:1-17

1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

4 But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.

But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. 6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”

7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”

9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”

12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”

13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”

15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Have you ever run from what the Lord told you to do? I have, in a way. There have been times in my life when I know the Lord had told me to do something and I went in the opposite direction. It wasn't something like what Jonah was instructed to do, but it would be when He would tell me to apologize to my wife for something I said that offended her. When I would run the other way because my flesh did not want to admit it had done wrong, things would inevitably get worse. We would have a fight or I would say something that would cause her more pain. Eventually I would listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and apologize for my comments and we would work things out. How many arguments or how much heartache I would have avoided if I would just follow what the Holy Spirit was telling me to do.

Jonah is no different that you or I am. He knew he had heard from the Lord and he deliberately went in the opposite direction from where he was supposed to go. Why would he do that? Just like me it was his flesh that he was listening to. His flesh did not want to get into a confrontation with the people of Nineveh. It's kind of a contradiction if you think about it. Our flesh doesn't want to get into confrontations with others but when we listen to our flesh that is what happens. That is a typical scenario for the devil. He leads you down a path of sin and when you make a decision to partake in that invitation he is right there to point a finger or condemnation at you for what you did. Thank God Jesus doesn't operate that way, neither does the Holy Spirit. Contrary to what many in the body of Christ have been taught in their lives, the Holy Spirit's only time of conviction is to those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. "How can you prove that?" you may be asking. Here is where it comes from in Jesus' own words:

John 16:7-11 (NLT)

7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

I also love this version:

John 16:7-11 (AMP)

7However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

8And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:

9About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me];

10About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer;

11About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.

Isn't that awesome! The Holy Spirit's job is to bring us to the point of accepting Jesus. Once we do that His job is to teach us about righteousness or uprightness of heart and right standing with God. That is awesome news! Some would call that Good News. That is why it is called Good News. God is not sitting up in heaven waiting for us to make a mistake so that He can punish us. On the contrary, He is sitting up in heaven with gifts for us that He wants to give us, not because of what we do but because of what Jesus did for us. What Jesus did on the cross has allowed us to be on the receiving end of God's blessings, not His punishment. That my friend is Good News.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Don’t Gloat Over Others’ Misfortunes

Obadiah 1:10-14

10 “Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,
you will be filled with shame
and destroyed forever.
11 When they were invaded,
you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth
and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,
but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.
12 “You should not have gloated
when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
in that terrible time of trouble.
13 You should not have plundered the land of Israel
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
when they were suffering such calamity.
14 You should not have stood at the crossroads,
killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.

These verses go so well with Proverbs 24:17-18a. In these verses the people of Edom had not really offered to help the children of Israel when they were being attacked by their enemies. In fact, the people of Edom thought that since their city was well protected then they wouldn't need to go and help. They were comfortable in their own "security" that they thought they had. They boasted about the trouble being someone else's and not theirs. This seems like the same arguments people use when they say we should not be involved in helping other countries, like Iraq, to get rid of those who persecute and take advantage of them. This is the same philosophy that allowed Adolf Hitler to become so powerful. Our beloved leader, Franklin Roosevelt, wanted the Europeans to take care of themselves and he did not want to get involved. Look how that turned out.

When God has chosen you to be set apart from others in the world you have a greater responsibility to those people. There is no other country in this world that gives more money to other countries, no one sends more missionary teams out, no one gives more aid to those who are hurting around the world than we do. That is what God has set this nation apart to do.

Father I thank You today that I will not rejoice when my enemies fall or be happy when they stumble. I will not stand by and watch them fall into dispair when I can help them. Everything I have is available to You to use as You see fit. Guide me and direct me in the way that I should use those resources for Your plans here on earth. May You will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

I Can Hear the Voice Behind the Word

1 Corinthians 4:20 (AMP)

20 For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul).

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (AMP)

4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],

5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

Luke 10:19 (AMP)

19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

John 1:12 (AMP)

12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name

Matthew 21:12-16 (AMP)

12 And Jesus went into the temple (whole temple enclosure) and drove out all who bought and sold in the sacred place, and He turned over the four-footed tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves.

13 He said to them, The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.

14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the porches and courts of the temple, and He cured them.

15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did and the boys and the girls and the youths and the maidens crying out in the porches and courts of the temple, Hosanna (O be propitious, graciously inclined) to the Son of David! they were indignant.

16 And they said to Him, Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus replied to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise?

Isaiah 55:1-6 (AMP)

1 WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].

2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].

3 Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.

4 Behold, I have appointed him (Him) [David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples.

5 Behold, you [Israel] shall call nations that you know not, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.

6 Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.

Romans 10:17 (AMP)

17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

Psalm 29:4 (AMP)

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Acts 22:6-9 (AMP)

6 But as I was on my journey and approached Damascus, about noon a great blaze of light flashed suddenly from heaven and shone about me.

7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me [harass and trouble and molest Me]?

8 And I replied, Who are You, Lord? And He said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.

9 Now the men who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear [the sound of the uttered words of] the voice of the One Who was speaking to me [so that they could understand it].

Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

32 And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

John 10:4 (AMP)

4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

John 5:30 (AMP)

30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? What an amazing set of scriptures! What is even more amazing is hearing the voice behind them. When God speaks to us and we actually hear what He is saying we will do what these scriptures say. We will go when He says go, stay when He says stay, buy when He says buy and sell when He says sell. We will be in the right place at the right time to do the right thing and it will be because we have heard His voice.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? I love the verses in Isaiah. What an awesome picture for us to ascend to. The verses in Romans and Psalms just give more power to them. The verses in Acts are very revealing. Did you notice that all the people on the road to Damascus saw the light but only Saul heard the voice behind the light? Such is the same today with the Word. Many people can read the scriptures, but how many have heard the voice behind them? More importantly that just hearing the voice behind them is to be obedient to that voice. How do I know? I will tell you.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? I have and will continue to hear the voice behind the scriptures. In 2002 I was laid off from what I considered to be an ideal job for me. I was an AutoCAD technician at an architectural firm workin in the healthcare division. When it happened I was going to get my resume together and start sending them out. During a church meeting the Lord told me to not send out my resume, to press into Him through His Word and He would give me the desires of my heart. What exactly that meant I didn't know at the time. So each day I would spend 3-4 hours in His Word and would work on projects around the house. A month an a half into this a friend sent me an email and asked that I call her friend to help him with his business. He wasn't familiar with computers and needed some assistance.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? I called her friend and decided to assist him with his project. The second day I was there I was sitting in his office and the Lord told me, "Learn how to run this business so I can call the other man to what I have planned for him". I said OK and proceeded to work side by side with him for the next year. Shortly after that my wife gave birth to our daughter and she spent the summer at home with the kids and loved it. She told me at the end of that time that she was giving me a year to figure out how she could stay at home with the kids at least part time. At that time my wife was making two to three time what I was. She was in sales and was very good at what she did.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? Exactly one year after I started to help this man with his business we had agreed to purchase it from him and had our first day as our business. I had never anticipated owning my own business, let alone one in the area of collections. I later figured out that when the Lord told me about giving me the desire of my heart that it meant my desire was for a better marriage with my wife, not to run a business. Working together with her each day has been the best thing for our marriage. I have taken my role as king and she is in her role as queen. We work well together and compliment each others strengths and weaknesses. Not only has our marriage increased and prospered, but the rest of our life has as well.

Did you hear the Voice behind the Word? I have heard the voice behind these scriptures and can tell you that when I follow that voice and do what He says to do I will always come out better than I did before I heard His voice. I will continue to listen to His voice and will strive to be obedient to His instructions to me. I can't wait to hear how He speaks to you and how you follow His plans for your life. Please let me know how it turns out. I know it will be great.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

I Will Not Lack Anything

Psalm 33:18-19

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.

Psalm 37:18-19

18 Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent,
and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
19 They will not be disgraced in hard times;
even in famine they will have more than enough.

Psalm 34:10

10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Deuteronomy 2:7

7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.

These scriptures are so awesome! I don't understand why it takes me so long sometimes to grasp the concept that God will not forsake me. I have had an understanding that God was always there to make sure I didn't lack for anything, but to see it in black and white and know that if it's in His Word that it is the truth is a much better place to be. I no longer have to struggle with any vain imaginations that the devil may try to put into my mind about what is going to happen or could happen. God's Word is clear and that settles all disputes. I will not lack for anything at any point in time in my life.

What is encouraging to me is the verse in Deuteronomy where this is speaking about the children of Israel during their walk in the desert for forty years. With all that they did wrong, the whining, complaining, idol worshipping, etc., God still made sure that His children were taken care of. They had bread and meat to eat each day and their clothes never wore out. How many people can say that God did that for them for 40 years? I can. God will take care of me. If He did it in the Bible then He will do it for me. I no longer have to have any discussions about lack or insufficiency because God's Word says that I will be taken care of. This does not mean that I don't have to do anything for 40 years. I will actually do more than is necessary so that I can work from any area of perceived lack into the area of more than enough. That is also the God that I serve. He will take what seems to be lack and turn it into more than enough. Don't believe me? Read it here.

John 6:1-14

1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

What you need to understand here is that these baskets they used to pick up the left overs was big enough to fit an adult man inside. Here this young boy had a snack of fish and bread and came home with 12 baskets full of leftovers! This is after feeding at least 5,000 men and who knows how many women and children. Praise God! That is the God that I serve. What an awesome God He is.

Heavenly Father I thank You that You do what Your Word says. You are faithful to make sure that we will lack for nothing but that what little we may have You can turn into more than enough. I praise You for Your Word and that You are true to Your Word. If You have done it in the past You will do it again. I will not lack for anything another day in my life. You do supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory through Christ Jesus. I thank You and praise You today for the supply You have given to me. May what You have entrusted to me be used for Your Kingdom and for Your glory and honor. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

No Fear Here

Philippians 1:28 (AMP)

28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:28 (NLT)

28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.

Philippians 1:27b-28 (Message)

Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God.

I was exposed to this verse last night by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, who was preaching for our stewardship campaign. I was struck with the voice that spoke through the scripture as I meditated on it (it wasn't Dr. Dollar's either). God was revealing Himself to me yet again. I must not have fear in me about anything. I must not be afraid of anything. Fear is a paralyzing agent for the plans of God for my life. When I fear something or am afraid of something I put limits on God for what He can do in my life. When I show fear or give in to fear I give the devil access to my life and that situation.

Romans 10:17 (NLT)

17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

If that is the way faith comes into my life, then it must be the same way fear comes into my life. If I listen to what is contrary to the Word of God then that is where fear will also come into my life. Fear is a tool of the enemy to keep us from completing the tasks God has for us and for keeping us from the Blessing. The enemy knows what can happen when the Blessing is in full operation in our lives and will do anything to keep us from getting to that point. This is why the verse in Philippians is so much needed to be a part of our everyday lives. When there is not fear the devil can't operate. Faith is the activator for God to move on our behalf and fear is the same for the devil. When fear tries to come upon me I must not be swayed by it. I must turn to the Word and see what the Word says about that situation or what the Word says about me and focus on that Word.

Fear is not OK. Fear is not welcome in my life. Fear will not have foothold in my mind or my spirit. Fear is not an option for me. Faith is the way. Faith is welcomed in my life. Faith will dominate my life and walk in this world. Faith is my only option. Anything other than faith is not OK. I am what the word says I am. I can have what the Word says I can have. I will be what the Word says I will be. I can do what the Word says I can do.

Philippians 4:19 (AMP)

19 Any my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:25-27 (AMP)

25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.

26 It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of [our] pride and [our] boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely). On what principle? [On the principle] of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith.

Isaiah 53:5 (AMP)

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. What are you listening to today? Whose voice are you turning your ear to? Is it God's voice or the devil's voice? I pray that as the day goes on you listen to the still small voice of God and He will direct your path and He will do what He says in His Word. Do not be afraid. Tell the devil, "No Fear Here!" Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Love is Restoration in Action

Amos 9:11-15

11 “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David.
I will repair its damaged walls.
From the ruins I will rebuild it
and restore its former glory.
12 And Israel will possess what is left of Edom
and all the nations I have called to be mine.”
The Lord has spoken,
and he will do these things.
13 “The time will come,” says the Lord,
“when the grain and grapes will grow faster
than they can be harvested.
Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel
will drip with sweet wine!
14 I will bring my exiled people of Israel
back from distant lands,
and they will rebuild their ruined cities
and live in them again.
They will plant vineyards and gardens;
they will eat their crops and drink their wine.
15 I will firmly plant them there
in their own land.
They will never again be uprooted
from the land I have given them,”
says the Lord your God.

I love the fact that the Lord does not forget about His children. Even when they don't listen to His voice or follow Him as they should. How many times have we seen parents not communicating with one of their children because of bad choices they have made or because of hurtful words that may have been exchanged? I have witnessed it in my own family. The one who suffers the most is usually the parent. I can imagine the disappointment in Jesus knowing the sacrifice He made for everyone and that a lot of people don't accept His sacrifice. The pain and suffering He went through was impossible to fathom in this day and age.

I am probably most thankful that He did it and would have done it if it was just to redeem me from being lost. He loves me that much. These verses today remind me of the story of the prodigal son. The previous two chapters in Amos deal with the sins of God's people and what their punishment should be for their disobedience. Thankfully God does not stop with what their punishment should be but He also talks about what He is going to do for them to restore them. God is not the God of destruction and punishment, He is the God of restoration and love. Love does require punishment sometimes, but it usually hurts the one doing the punishing more than the one being punished. Most parents can attest to that.

I am thankful that I do not need to wonder around worried about how God is going to punish me. Having accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I know that all my sins, ones already committed and ones yet to be committed, are covered under the Blood of Jesus. Through that blood God sees me as righteous. Not by any works that I can do, but because of the sacrifice of what Jesus did for me on the cross. If salvation were up to what we can do then no one would be able to be saved. It is only through the atoning work of Jesus that we can be made holy in God's eyes.

Father I thank You today for showing Your love to me by sending Jesus to die on the cross for the sins I commit. I thank You Jesus for being obedient unto death to make it possible for me to approach the Father as righteous and to have access to heaven. I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit and His influence and guidance in my life. I thank You that You set the bar for what true love is and how we can show that love to others. I thank You for the work You are doing here on earth and can't wait to see You face to face. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Don’t Be Too Proud of Yourself

Amos 6:1-8

1 What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,
and you who feel secure in Samaria!
You are famous and popular in Israel,
and people go to you for help.
2 But go over to Calneh
and see what happened there.
Then go to the great city of Hamath
and down to the Philistine city of Gath.
You are no better than they were,
and look at how they were destroyed.
3 You push away every thought of coming disaster,
but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.
4 How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds
and lounge on your couches,
eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock
and of choice calves fattened in the stall.
5 You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp
and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.
6 You drink wine by the bowlful
and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.
You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.
7 Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives.
Suddenly, all your parties will end.

8 The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his own name, and this is what he, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says:

“I despise the arrogance of Israel,
and I hate their fortresses.
I will give this city
and everything in it to their enemies.”

These verses speak to exactly what the Word says in Proverbs about what happens to the proud. We cannot go on with our lives in a sense of preserving self and being taken up with the cares of this world and how it affects us. If we just focus on self and our own preservation we then become arrogant about what happens to those around us and how we can use the resources given to us by God to assist others. When we do this we set ourselves up for failure.

God does not give us what He does for us to consume it of ourselves. We are to share what He has given to us with others. This is not just speaking about the money or financial things He gives to us because He gives us life, breath, abilities, etc. that we must share with others. We all have gifts and talents that need to be shared with others because they are not gifted in the same way that we are and our gifts and talents can edify and provide an encouragement to their lives. When we follow God's direction for our lives He will show us the areas we can serve others and be of a benefit to the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Father I seek Your direction as to where You want me to serve for Your Kingdom. Your Holy Spirit will guide me to make changes where I need to so that everything You have given to me can be used for Your glory and honor. I praise Your holy name and give You all the praise for what You have done in my life and what You will do through my life. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Seek the Creator, Not the Creation

Amos 5:8 & 14-15

8 It is the Lord who created the stars,
the Pleiades and Orion.
He turns darkness into morning
and day into night.
He draws up water from the oceans
and pours it down as rain on the land.
The Lord is his name!

14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.

I love verse 8. How many times do people ask you what your horoscope is or what sign are you so they can look up your horoscope. Why look to the stars for answers in your life when you can look to the One who made those stars? How awesome is our God whom we serve! He has control over the day and the night. He brings water through a cycle to evaporate, turn into clouds, rain on the ground, flow into streams and rivers that flow into the ocean so the process can start all over again. How creative is that? I couldn't come up with that for a million years. How can anyone say that it is through evolution that these things came about. It takes more fatih to believe in evolution than it does to believe in a creator.

Verse 14 is right on the money. Many verses in Proverbs speak of this. Do what is good, stay away from evil and you will live. When we do that we allow God to be our helper. When we not only stay away from evil but we have a hatred towards it so we don't go near it we will live and do what is good. I have heard that the people who work for the secret service who investigate forgery of our money never study the forgeries themselves. They study the real thing and when they see something that is not like the real thing they know it and can point it out. That is what we are supposed to do. We are supposed to study the real thing, Jesus Christ, and everything that does not line up with His Word we know is not from Him. This is very reassuring to us since His Word doesn't change we can rely on it for the truth that we seek.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

God Speaks, Are You Listening?

Amos 3:3, 7, 10-11

3 Can two people walk together
without agreeing on the direction?

7 Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything
until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.

10 “My people have forgotten how to do right,”
says the Lord.
“Their fortresses are filled with wealth
taken by theft and violence.
11 Therefore,” says the Sovereign Lord,
“an enemy is coming!
He will surround them and shatter their defenses.
Then he will plunder all their fortresses.”

These verses start with a very compelling thought, "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" Physically it is impossible. Mentally it is just as impossible. Spiritualy it is definitely impossible. When I think about my relationship with my wife I reflect on these words. Early on in our marriage I tried a couple of jobs that she didn't really like and it was a struggle each day not only to do those jobs but to deal with her not liking them. One time we were laying on the floor in our apartment and I told her that I felt like I was called to be a pastor. I was expecting any reaction from her except the one I got. She was not comfortable with being a pastor's wife. Having learned through the other jobs I told her that since God had brought us together that if He wanted me to be a pastor then He would call both of us. Little did I know what being a pastor was truly about. What I do now is where I am a pastor. I counsel people in their finances every day and reach out to those who are hurting with the love of God. My "congregation" is not your typical one, but this is definitely where I am supposed to be. Best yet is that my wife is by my side and we are doing this together. How much better could it get?

Verse 7 really makes me thankful for those people who are true prophets of God. I am glad that God doesn't just do something to us or for us without first telling us about it. Look throughout His Word and see that He was telling the Israelites about the coming Messiah. When all the prophecies were fulfilled when Jesus came it should have been plain to their natural sight that Jesus was who He was. Unfortunately most of the Jews at that time did not see it. They put human interpretation and expectations on who the Messiah was going to be and how He would come into this world and what He would do. I am so glad that God still operates this way. Most of the time He doesn't need to have a prophet tell me something because He can tell me Himself. If I refuse to listen He may use a prophet, but I do not need one to get His direction for my life. I used to think I did, but now I know better. It is much better to get it straight from God than through a prophet because their flesh will get into the way and put a spin on it that God did not want and that will distort the true message. When you get the direction from God Himself it is clear and you understand what He is saying. You get the entire message and it is in a way that you can grasp a hold of and use, without having to ciphen through someone else's interpretation.

Verses 10 and 11 remind me of the proverbs that speak of the wealth of the wicked. The wealth that God brings is so much more appealing than what this world has to offer. God will make you rich without adding any sorrow with it. The world's riches will only bring sorrow and toil. Who needs that? This would explain why so many famous people, according to the world's standards, are found doing really stupid things like getting busted for DWIs or possession of illegal drugs or having nervous breakdowns. They have all kinds of wealth but they also have a lot of sorrow with it. It's great to know that as God increases my territories and brings the wealth of the sinner into my house that there will be only joy and happiness with it. I was looking over our companies marketing goals for the next three years and was extremely blessed to see what can happen if everything goes at a normal rate. Two years into it our company could sow seed at a rate of 75% of our income and still cover all its bills, pay our future employees well and meet all of its obligations. That is so exciting for me to think about. That would equal over $1,300,000.00 of seed sowing money into the Kingdom! Praise God! I can't wait to see how this works out. God will definitely get all the glory because it is His plan and is blessed to succeed.

Father I thank You and praise You for Your Word. I thank You that it is the source of truth in my life and that Your Word doesn't change it changes those who read it. I thank You that You reveal Yourself to me through Your Word and how I can apply Your Word and Your Truth to my life each day. You are an awesome God and I am proud to serve You with everything that I am. I praise You and honor You today. May Your Name be praised forever! Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

The End is Revealed

Joel 1:15

15 The day of the Lord is near,
the day when destruction comes from the Almighty.
How terrible that day will be!

Joel 3:14-16, 20-21

14 Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
15 The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will no longer shine.
16 The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth will shake.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a strong fortress for the people of Israel.

20 “But Judah will be filled with people forever,
and Jerusalem will endure through all generations.
21 I will pardon my people’s crimes,
which I have not yet pardoned;
and I, the Lord, will make my home
in Jerusalem with my people.”

These verses are a prophecy of the end times and what will happen. It is awesome to think that God told His people about this way before it happens. Since Jesus has not yet come again the words of this prophecy are yet to be fulfilled. The Words of Jesus describe these events.

Matthew 24

1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) 16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

23 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.

26 “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! 27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Part of what Jesus spoke about was what happened to Jerusalem in 70 AD and the rest has yet to be fulfilled. He also describes it here:

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

The book of revelation also sheds some light on what will happen.

Revelation 20

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

The Defeat of Satan

7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Final Judgment

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

That is pretty amazing. God is so good to us to provide us with a plan so that we can avoid going through what is described in these verses. His Son Jesus came so that we might be saved. Those who confess His name before men will also be confessed by Him before His Father in heaven. When He does that we are part of the heavenly host who help usher in His return. Praise God forever!

Father I thank You that You cared for me to send Your Son Jesus to die for my sins. I thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to be my guide and to reveal Your truth to me. I pray for those who don't know You that You bring someone across their path to reveal Your truth to them. I thank You and praise You today for Who You are and for what You did for me. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Turn, Give, Receive, Praise

Joel 2:12-13, 25-32

12 That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.

25 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
26 Once again you will have all the food you want,
and you will praise the Lord your God,
who does these miracles for you.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
27 Then you will know that I am among my people Israel,
that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other.
Never again will my people be disgraced.

28 “Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.
30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—
blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.
32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved,
for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,
just as the Lord has said.
These will be among the survivors
whom the Lord has called.

I can't help but love the Lord even more now than I did before reading this. He sees all that we do that is not according to His Word. He has every right to be angry with us and want to punish us. He is very slow to anger and is eager not to punish us for what we do against Him. Who in earth could do that?

I want justice and I want it now! That is something I heard on a TV commercial recently. We live in a society where we want a lot of things. Not only do we want a lot of things, but we want them now! We can't wait for anything. We have fast food, cash machines, cell phones, laptops, 24 hour news, etc. We need what we need and we need it now!

I am so thankful that God does not work that way with us. If He wanted justice every time we messed up we would be in a world of hurt. Praise God that He doesn't do that! I am so thankful He doesn't react the way I do. I struggle with my flesh a lot when it comes to issues with anger. My temper seems to be the shortest with my wife and kids. I need to put my flesh in submission when it comes to their actions. I need to realize that they are not working against me and that their actions were not meant to cause me pain. At those moments I need to remember how God is with me, slow to anger and quick to forgive. That is God's way. "for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish." (v. 13)

What I love most about God is that He is simple in His requests from us. All He wants is our heart. I assume you know that I am not talking about your blood pump that sits in your chest. He is after our soul, which is comprised of our mind, will and emotions. If we can control those areas of our life with God's help we can then be more effective in ministry for His Kingdom.

Father I turn to You and confess my sins. I give You my heart, my soul, my mind and all that I am so that You can mold me through Your Word to be the man You want me to be. I receive Your forgiveness and I receive Your Holy Spirit within me to guide me and teach me Your ways. I give praise to You and You alone for who You are and for what You will do in me and through me today. All the praise and glory belong to You. I come to You in the name of my savior, Jesus. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

The Truth Doesn’t Change

Lamentation 5:19 (NLT)

19 But Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5:19 (MSG)

And yet, God, you're sovereign still, your throne intact and eternal.

Lamentations 5:19 (AMP)

19 But You, O Lord, remain and reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations.

Lamentations 5:19 (CEV)

19You will rule forever, LORD! You are King for all time.

I love looking at the different translations of this verse. It gives a little bit different perspective on the same truth. The truth revealed in this verse is that God is the same forever. He is the one constant we can look to in our life, no matter what is going on. God is always the same. What He spoke to Adam and Eve is just as true today as it was then. The blessing He spoke to Abraham was true for him then and it is true for me today. What Jesus said when He was on earth was true then and it is still true today. As I watch the news I get more and more filled with joy because I know that as the world runs around looking for something that is true and constant that I have already found it and don't have to worry about it. I love what the scriptures say here:

Numbers 23:19-20

19 God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
20 Listen, I received a command to bless;
God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!

God doesn't change His mind like we do. He doesn't think something is right today and false tomorrow. What happens to me here on earth is no more of a surprise to God than my expectation of the sun coming up today. I know it's going to happen and God knows what is going to happen to me before I do. I am so glad that He doesn't change the way He does business. I would think that anyone who tries to put their faith into something that changes a lot could get confused quite easily. What's true today may not be true tomorrow. With God that is not the case. If He says in His word that I was healed because of the stripes Jesus took on His back then I am healed. If He says that I am blessed because I am in Christ then I am blessed. If He says that I am saved because I believe in Jesus and what He did for me and I confess it with my mouth then I am saved. I don't have to worry about how my body or my mind feels or thinks about it my spirit knows it to be true. I also like the fact that God does not turn His back on us or forget about us. See it in this scripture.

Malachi 3:6-7

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Praise God that He doesn't change and He is waiting to be with us, when we decide we want to be with Him. Our relationship with Him and the quality and depth of that relationship is totally dependant upon us and how we pursue Him. He will spend as much time with us as we want. If we don't pursue Him He won't force Himself on us. He never has and never will operate that way.

Luke 15:11-24

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

What I love about this is that this is the way God looks at us. He sees us coming from a long way off and runs to greet us! He runs to us when we turn to Him! PRAISE GOD FOREVER! I don't have to convince Him to come to me. I don't have to beg Him to come to me. He runs to me when I am still far off and embraces me when I come to Him. When I confess my sins to Him He quickly forgets them like they never happened and wants to throw a party for me to welcome me back. WOW! How awesome is that? Why would anyone want to worship or fellowship with anyone or anything else when they know that God is this way? If God doesn't change and He doesn't treat people differently than everyone should want to embrace this truth for themselves. At least I would think that they would.

Father, I am so glad that I have embraced this truth about You and that You love me so much that You would send Your Son to die for me so that I could have fellowship with You. I thank You and praise You today for being the only source of truth in this world and that I can count on Your Word working today just like it did for everyone I read about in the Bible. I praise Your name today. I love You. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Being Rich Without Sorrow

Lamentations 4:1-5

1 How the gold has lost its luster!
Even the finest gold has become dull.
The sacred gemstones
lie scattered in the streets!

2 See how the precious children of Jerusalem,
worth their weight in fine gold,
are now treated like pots of clay
made by a common potter.

3 Even the jackals feed their young,
but not my people Israel.
They ignore their children’s cries,
like ostriches in the desert.

4 The parched tongues of their little ones
stick to the roofs of their mouths in thirst.
The children cry for bread,
but no one has any to give them.

5 The people who once ate the richest foods
now beg in the streets for anything they can get.
Those who once wore the finest clothes
now search the garbage dumps for food.

These verses remind me so much of the words of Jesus:

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

What we have here on earth can be destroyed in a moment in time. That is why it doesn't pay to put your trust into uncertain things and to put all your trust in God. Even if all that I had was gone it can all be replaced. If I go through that situation like Job did I could claim double for my troubles on the back end.

Job 42:10-15

10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! 11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

12 So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.

That's what I call blessing. It also reminds me of another scripture:

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

When the Lord blesses you it is not going to make you sorrowful. Many people today who are very wealthy are also very sad. Having the money, houses, cars, etc. doesn't give you joy. You may be temporarily happy about the stuff, but when it comes time to pay for it, maintain it, insure it, etc. you lose any happiness you may have had. How many times have you watched the news to hear about a successful celebrity commit suicide? I have read those articles a number of times. Most people would say this comment when asked about having that much wealth, "Let me try it and I bet I wouldn't do it". I used to say that. Why is it that so many people continue to buy lottery tickets, especially when the dollar amount gets over $100 million? They don't realize that they may have the perfect intention of staying the same person if they won the money, what they don't realize is the people around them changing. Their perception of you changes and pretty soon you have no friends and you end up changing because of it. To me that doesn't sound like a process filled with joy. It sounds pretty sorrowful.

Lord I thank You that when You make someone rich You don't add sorrow to it. We can truly enjoy what You give to us because we are going to use it appropriately for Your purposes to be fulfilled here on earth. I thank You that You are making me more rich and that I can be joyful about that. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

It’s Not at Bad as You Think

Lamentations 3:21-31

21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”

25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.
27 And it is good for people to submit at an early age
to the yoke of his discipline:

28 Let them sit alone in silence
beneath the Lord’s demands.
29 Let them lie face down in the dust,
for there may be hope at last.
30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them
and accept the insults of their enemies.

31 For no one is abandoned
by the Lord forever.

Even in the midst of this person's lamenting they found it appropriate to acknowledge the faithfulness of God. This teaches me that no matter what may be going on around, not matter how bad it may seem, I need to remember that God is faithful and His mercy never ceases. Praise God!

This person is also acknowledging that the Lord is good to those who depend on Him. I see here a couple of times it also mentions waiting quietly or in silence. Setting time away with the Lord in quiet solitude is a great thing to do. We should strive to do it every day. During these times is when God will most likely communicate with you so that you can hear Him and know that it is His voice. You won't be answering phones, emails or faxes and you won't be watching TV or updating your Facebook status. It's just time for you and God to sit down and go over His plans for you that day or to review what happened that day.

A guy in my discipleship group gave me a great idea to use with the kids. When his children were younger they used to have what they called a God hunt. During this hunt the kids would recall a time during the day where God showed Himself in a small way to them. This taught them to look for God in the small things in life and not just wait on the big things to happen. If we realize that He is intimately involved in many areas of our lives, especially the small ones, we can then be able to grasp that when something big happens that He wants to be involved in that too. How cool is that?!?

It looks like this is what is happening with the person here. They are in the midst of a great time of frustration, loss and despair. Yet they found time to remember that God is good God and He cares for us. This is important to remember when everything seems to be going wrong. God cares for you more than you may care for yourself or certainly more than anyone else will care for you. Who else would send their Son to die for billions of people with no guarantee that they will acknowledge or even accept that act of love? You don't get much more caring than that.

I know for myself one of the things the Lord has had to work on in me is that when I see what I think is this mountain of a problem that I am facing that I need to refocus my perspective. He gave me two analogies to show this. I once had this "problem" I thought was HUGE and didn't know of any way to get around it or over it. God told me to picture this mountain coming at me. As it approached He told me to turn my body 90 degrees to the right. As the mountain passed by I saw that it was no thicker than a piece of paper. What I thought was this huge mountain to overcome was really nothing but a fake mountain. It had no depth to it and so I didn't need to give it as much consideration as I had. The other time He told me to look at the mountain as I normally would. He then instructed me to look up to heaven and then asked how big the mountain was. I noticed that the mountain was now no larger than a small little hill. My eyes were focused on the mountain and not on Him, that is why it seemed so large. When we focus on the problem it can get bigger and bigger until we don't know what to do. This is when we need to change our perspective of the mountain. Either we turn to the side and let it pass us by and realize that it wasn't as big as we thought or we look to heaven and seek Jesus, who will bring the mountains into submission so that they are as small as mole hills.

Proverbs 3:5-6a (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do.

These verses will go a long way to help us calm down and don't get too worked up over what we consider to be large mountains or obstacles in our daily lives. Trust God, Listen for His voice and don't try to figure it out on our own. He is waiting for us to come to Him so that He can counsel us on the right approach to handle the situation at hand.

Here is an example of that. Last fall I went to the Men's Advance with 200 other guys from my church. I went up there to seek God's direction for my businesses. I wanted to get some direction and insight into where I needed to go with them. I spent two marvelous days up there and didn't come back with the answers I thought I would get. God had other plans for me. On Friday night when I was praying after the session the Lord told me to start a discipleship group. Prior to going up to the Advance the Lord was dealing with me about being willing and obedient. With my businesses I was being obedient but was not willing. With discipleship I was willing to lead one but wasn't obedient to start one. So I started praying about the group. When should we meet, where should we meet, who should come, what should we study, etc. I was praying about this all day Saturday. Sunday morning I was reading the bible and praying about the group and the Lord told me what to do. He told me to hold it on Monday nights from 7:30 - 9:00 and I was to invite the men from the golf league I was in during the summer. I was to hold the group in my house from September through April and out at the course May through August. I set up a meeting with the Pastor at our church who oversees the men's discipleship groups and told him what the Lord shared with me. He encouraged me to do it and we set a start date. I never did get what I though I needed that weekend because God wanted me to change my focus off the problem and onto what He had planned for me. I have since gotten the direction that I was looking for, but I don't think I would have gotten it if I hadn't taken my focus off the "problem" and not heard His plan for me. What an awesom God we serve!

Lord I praise You and honor You today. You care for me enough to reveal Your plan to me. I thank You that You love me more than I love You. I thank You that Your will for me is to prosper and succeed. I thank You that Jesus came so that I can have and enjoy life in abundance to the full until it overflows. I thank You that You are a God of the overflow and that in all areas of my life You will overflow through me onto others. Holy Spirit continue to guide me and teach me about His love so that I can share that with others. I woship You and You alone for You are worthy to be praised. I love You. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved

Know Jesus, Know Peace

Lamentations 2:9-12

9 Jerusalem’s gates have sunk into the ground.
He has smashed their locks and bars.
Her kings and princes have been exiled to distant lands;
her law has ceased to exist.
Her prophets receive
no more visions from the Lord.

10 The leaders of beautiful Jerusalem
sit on the ground in silence.
They are clothed in burlap
and throw dust on their heads.
The young women of Jerusalem
hang their heads in shame.

11 I have cried until the tears no longer come;
my heart is broken.
My spirit is poured out in agony
as I see the desperate plight of my people.
Little children and tiny babies
are fainting and dying in the streets.

12 They cry out to their mothers,
“We need food and drink!”
Their lives ebb away in the streets
like the life of a warrior wounded in battle.
They gasp for life
as they collapse in their mothers’ arms.

I struggled with this chapter on what to share. I see why this book is titled Lamentations. Webster's Dictionary defines the root word lament as follows:

1. to feel or express sorrow or regret for, 2. to mourn for or over, 3. to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret, 4. to mourn deeply, 5. an expression of grief or sorrow and 6. a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, esp. in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.

This whole chapter is exactly that. I could see where these verses could probably apply to people who lived in Germany during World War II or in much of Europe during that time. It would also seem like something being cried out by those living in Darfur (not the city in Minnesota) in this day and age. Many countries experience the horrors of war. This chapter is a recollection of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. Who wouldn't have sorrow and grief when your city, neighborhood and home is being destroyed? I can't even begin to imagine how those people felt back then or how those in Darfur feel now.

I praise and thank God that I was born where and when I was. I am so grateful that I do not have to live in that type of environment. I do not know what it means to truly be in want for the basic necessities of life. By 95% of the world's standards I am rich. There are people living in distant countries who have never had the opportunity to see something like indoor plumbing or electricity. Not too mention a pleasure like a solid roof over their head at night. Most people don't get to experience having a car, let alone two of them.

What this chapter brings to mind for me is a thankfulness that I have not had to live through that type of trauma. I praise God for Jesus and His expression of love for me on the cross. I praise God that I can live in His Blessing. I praise God that He cares for me just as much as He cared for the citizens of Jerusalem. I praise God that I have the Word to turn to when I need encouragement, instruction, guidance, deliverance and correction. He cared enough for me to have everything I need in it to succeed in life. I am truly grateful that He shows me the right way to live and to reveal His love for me through His Word.

Did the people of Jerusalem really deserve to go through what they did? Not for me to judge. They were given instructions on how to live and were told the consequences of their choices beforehand. If they chose to disobey God's Word and follow His plan then there would be consequences for their actions. It doesn't mean that every person wasn't following God. They were living under earthly kings, not by God's choice but by their choice. When they chose to live under an earthly king they also chose to take on the responsibility of protecting their kingdom and their way of life. They did this without the full backing of God. They were subjecting themselves to someone they could see and weren't following closely the One the couldn't see. That is still a pattern with man today.

1 Samuel 8:4-9

4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. 9 Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”

As we see here it was the people who were rejecting God as their king and wanted a king like the rest of the nations. This is the same argument is used by my kids when they want something that the other kids have. Mankind does not apparently learn from the mistakes of the past when left to their flesh to guide them. Those who follow the spirit are not lead into those types of situations. Do I still make mistakes? Yes. When I make them it is obvious that I am following my flesh and not the spirit. Thankfully I can repent of that mistake and move forward. Hopefully I learned from my mistake so that I don't repeat it again. When I do it will still be because of my flesh. I can't wait to get out of this flesh suit and live in the spirit in heaven with Jesus.

Father I thank You for Your Word and for the guidance it brings to my life each day. I thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for my sins. I thank You Jesus for following God's plan for your life so that through Your sacrifice I can approach the Father and have a relationship with Him. I thank You for being with me each second of each day. I stir up my spirit to reveal Your plan to me so that I can follow it closely and keep myself from harm. I thank You for the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth to me and shows me the way of love. I bring these thank offerings to you in Jesus Name. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved