For God so loved the [whole] world…

3:16 Eye Blacks

by DR. David Jeremiah - posted February 10, 2017

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Recommended Reading: John 3:10-17

When he was playing for the Florida Gators, Tim Tebow decided to write Bible verses on his eye blacks, and one Saturday he chose John 3:16. It was a televised game, and Tebow later learned 94 million people googled “John 3:16” during the game. How do 94 million people not know John 3:16?

• According to John 3:16, God’s love is extensive. For God so loved the [whole] world… His love extends to every tribe and nation, to every believer and non-believer.
• His love is expensive. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…The Lord loved us enough to sacrifice His own Son for us.
• His love is expansive. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him…“Whoever” is a wonderfully inclusive word that reaches all who respond.
• God’s love is eternal: … that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Because of Christ we have an endless life of blessing. What a message to share with the millions who need John 3:16!

What a big God that we serve. I’m out playing a silly game, and I put these things under my eyes and it’s amazing what God can do.
Tim Tebow

 Read-Thru-the-Bible: Numbers 7

REJOICE, O BARREN!

by Joseph Prince – posted February 10, 2017

Galatians 4:27

…”Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor…

Barrenness. What a painful and frustrating condition. Yet, in Isaiah 54, God’s Word to those who are experiencing barrenness is to rejoice—“Sing O barren”!

Why? Because in the previous chapter, it tells us that the chastisement for our peace fell upon Jesus. (Isaiah 53:5) The word “peace” here in Hebrew means completeness, soundness, health, safety and provision. In other words, all these benefits are yours today because Jesus has already been punished at the cross for your peace. That is why you can start rejoicing.

So God wants you right now, in whatever area you are barren, to start rejoicing as if the fruit or yield you want to see has already come. He wants you to start thinking, speaking and acting as if the barrenness is no more.

If you are financially barren, start planning for what you would do when your finances increase. I am not saying that you go out and spend recklessly, but start making plans for increase. The time to do this is when you are still in what your natural eyes see as a barren stage.

You may say, “Pastor Prince, you don’t understand, the banks are chasing me!”

God says, “Rejoice because you are well provided for in Christ.” In Christ, you are already blessed with every spiritual blessing, including financial provision. (Ephesians 1:3) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

If you are sick, start planning to do what you have not been able to do. Don’t rejoice only when the healing manifests and the pain is no more. Rejoice now in your healing because Jesus has already borne your diseases and carried your pains, and by His stripes you have already been healed. (Isaiah 53:4–5)

Whatever barren situation you are in, rejoice and tell God, “Father, because of the sacrifice of Your Son, I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. You have already given me everything. So I am going to act like it is so and rejoice!”

Thought For The Day

Start thinking, speaking and acting as if your barrenness is no more.

Ask Big

by Joel Osteen – posted February 10, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession."
Psalm 2:8, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

God doesn’t want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of His blessing. Not only does He want to meet our needs, He wants us to be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others, too. When we pray and ask God for something, it opens a supernatural door. Our faith gives God something to work with. Faith is what pleases Him. Faith moves mountains. Did you know that it pleases God when we pray bold prayers and ask Him for big things? God loves it when we step outside of the realm of the possible and totally believe what He can do. With God, all things are possible!

Today, get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put your faith to work because God is faithful. He has big things in store for you, and He says to ask Him!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father, today I come to You with an attitude of faith and expectancy. You said that if I ask anything according to Your will, it will be done. So I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life and believe for big things in 2017 in Jesus’ name! Amen."

Both Men and Women

by Joyce Meyer - posted February 10, 2017

…I will pour out my Spirit upon all people…. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.
—Joel 2:28-29 NLT

I believe that most women possess a sixth sense that God did not give to men. It's often called women's intuition, and it's the real deal. Men are usually very logical, while women tend to be more "feeling" orientated. For example, a male manager might look at a job candidate's résumé, job application, college GPA, and work history and be ready to hire him, based on the "facts." However, this male manager's female counterpart might evaluate the same candidate and intuitively pick up on personality quirks or subtle-but-destructive attitudes that don't show up on paper. 

This does not mean that women are innately better leaders than men or that their instincts are based on a special God-to-woman frequency to which men aren't attuned. In fact, a woman's emotions can also get her in trouble, and she frequently needs the left-brain logic of a man to help her see things clearly.

The point is that women and men need one another; they can complement one another. Neither the man nor the woman sees the whole picture clearly or completely. That's why men and women should work together, side by side in harmony, respecting one another as equals.  

Lord, I thank You for making me the way You have. Help me to use my intuition and other gifts to be a blessing, and surround me with those who will help me see clearly. Amen.