Permission is hereby freely granted in advance to anyone who may wish to use, preach, teach, print, copy, duplicate or distribute any of my books, study guides, posters, or devotionals as long as neither the content nor the authorship is changed... Dr. Dan Cheatham
FORWARD FREELY. This devotional is updated each week, each year. The freshest content is near the top of each week's devotional. Content from previous years for any given week is included below the fresh content. NOTE: If you have the option to do so, please add us to your 'buddy', 'accepted', 'approved' or 'trusted sender' list to ensure you continue to receive our messages. Thanks. This Week's Memory Verse is Ephesians 4:27c NIV: "Do not give the devil a foothold."
Week 43
Eagles feed on a variety of food.
Eagles have the ability to switch the magnification of their eyesight. They have at least three levels of separate magnifications which enable them to see objects up close from near, distant, and very distant. They can see a distant object up to a mile or two away as if it were right in front of them, whenever they wish.
If left uncontested, a simple FOOTHOLD can grow into an obstinate STRONGHOLD.
Ephesians 4:27c NIV - Do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:27c AMP - Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].
Ephesians 4:27c KJV - Neither give place to the devil.
Romans 13:14 KJV - But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV - (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Any weakness or temptation not resisted will get worse.
Any temptation resisted twice quickly loses its power. (Mike Murdock)
Satan’s favorite entry point into your life is through someone close to you. (Mike Murdock)
A stronghold can be in the environment around us, in people around us, or in a point of weakness holed up inside of us. In other words, we need to pull down strongholds both on the outside and also on the inside.
Resist the devil! Attack him with faith talk!
Faith-talk demoralizes the enemy! Pace the floor. Quote the scriptures aloud! Stand your ground!
Fear-talk attracts the enemy.
Trash-mouth the devil by quoting the holy scriptures aloud to his scrawny little face! Smash-mouth Satan in Jesus’ name!
James 4:7-8 KJV - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Don’t be alarmed if the enemy drags up some weakness from your distant past and tries to trip you up with that very same thing again. The devil may try to stir up old feelings or old temptations against you. He hopes that you will take the bait by you saying, “Well, I thought I had been delivered from this a long time ago. Where in the world is this coming from? I guess I never really got free from this junk after all!” If the enemy can get you to feel like you really weren’t delivered, then he can trip you up again. He tries to make you feel embarrassed for even having to deal with that temptation again after so long a time. The enemy’s tactic is to work you from two angles at once: both CONDONING the sin and CONDEMNING you for the sin. But the truth of the matter is, “Indeed, the Lord has already delivered you from that old thing.” The devil is lying to your mind. When you feel tempted, you FEEL sinful. But you have not sinned until you act upon the sinful feeling that is being suggested. To FEEL sinful is NOT to BE sinful. So resist the temptation to sin again in that area that was once a weakness in your life. Know that the Lord has given you both: 1) PARDON FROM sin and, 2) POWER OVER sin!
So you gave into the temptation anyhow and did it again! Is the victory truly lost as the devil keeps screaming at you? Has The Blood lost its power? Is The Blood not powerful enough to cleanse you thoroughly once again? Has the blood ceased to be in perpetual motion? Still your Advocate stands at the right hand of the Father. Still The Blood on the mercy seat before thee Father is pleading your case! Still your second attorney, the Holy Ghost, stands by your own right hand, also pleading your case. How could you lose against sin, for you have a legal defense team in both geographic locations: Jesus at the Father’s right hand in heaven, and the Holy Spirit at your own right hand here on earth. Both are pleading your case! Wow! You are the winner either way!
1 John 1:9 KJV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 6:14 KJV - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
We must understand that there are seasons of spiritual warfare. Some of the enemy’s favorite times to attack you are: 1) When you’re fatigued, 2) When you’re sick, 3) Right after a major victory in your life, 4) When you are bored and unchallenged, 4) On top of another major battle you are already fighting, and 5) When you are low or empty of Bible reading, or careless in your prayer life. WHAT WE MUST REMEMBER IS THAT IF THERE EXISTS A SEASON OF WARFARE THEN THERE NECESSARILY EXISTS A SEASON OF VICTORY, PEACE, AND REST! You and I will not forever remain in a season of warfare. The season will change soon! God guarantees it!
Romans 16:20 AMP - And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Psalm 1:3 AMP - And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].
Surprise is a favorite tactic of the enemy.
The enemy would blindside us.
The element of surprise may catch us off guard and snoozing. That’s why Jesus told his disciples to “watch and pray.” That’s why the Bible commands us to “be vigilant, be sober, because your enemy roams about as a lion.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14a,b KJV - Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…
You are headed somewhere! But make peace with your present station in life lest you die of frustration over not making enough progress!
If God gives you a dream for your life and ministry, the dream will most likely have to die numerous times and be resurrected before you ever see its fulfillment. You will have to give it back to God on numerous occassions in order to keep the dream from becoming a god in itself. This is because a dream from God can only be accomplished by the power of God. A God-Dream will also kill your flesh on the way to its fulfillment. Just look at the processes required to finally make David king of Israel, and Joseph vice-regent of Egypt. If God gives you a dream, you will be called upon to sacrifice it like Abraham was with Isaac. The highest principle of God is RESURRECTION. Man gets all the blessings and God gets all the glory when He alone resurrects something that has completely died!
Quitting is not an option!
John 6:66-69 MSG - After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”
Repositioning may be an option, but quitting is not! Reevaluating may be an option, but quitting is not! Repenting may be an option, but quitting is not! Rethinking a matter may be an option, but quitting is not. Regrouping may be an option, but quitting is not! Restrategizing may be an option but quitting is not!
As Believers we don’t need more power. Rather we need to recognize and release the power that is already ours! (Unless, of course, we have yet to receive God’s second free gift for the believer called the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” See Acts 2:4, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 8:12-18, Acts 9:17, Acts 10:44-48)
According to Acts 1:8, I already have the power. The question is whether or not I am using it.
Acts 1:8 KJV - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
If I am not using the power, that is my fault, not God’s.
We need to quit praying for the power. This is unscriptural. Instead we need to stir up the power He has already deposited within us, yield to that power by dependence on the Spirit, and exercise it constantly.
Christians are the only people who pray for something they already have.
When we use our faith, the power will automatically go into motion. When we are lazy with our faith, power is not manifested.
Power – Greek: “Dunamos.” Our derivative words are Dynamite, Dynamic, and Dynamo.
I have the power to be a witness of Jesus Christ. I have the power to heal the sick. I have the power to cast out demons. I have the power to worship in spirit and truth. I have the power to be a blessing to mankind. I have the power to control myself. I have the power to pray effectively. I have the power to praise. I have the power to change situations around me. I have the power to speak up and pray up. I have the power to control my tongue. I have power with God. I have power over myself. I have power with men. I have the power to prosper and succeed. I have continuous self-replenishing dynamo power. I have explosive spontaneous dynamite power. I have exciting operative dynamic power. I have the power! It is God’s power; but it is mine!
I loose the power of God!
I release the power of God!
I exercise the power of God!
I speak the power of God!
I apply Holy Ghost power!
I choose to use Holy Spirit power!
The power of God is mine to dispense at will.
Matthew 10:8 NCV - Heal the sick, raise the dead to life again, heal those who have skin diseases, and force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help other people freely.
True freedom occurs when we throw ourselves into meeting the needs of someone else, instead of focusing on our own problems.
I decide what I wear every day... both in the natural AND in the supernatural. I can either wear the spirit of heaviness or the garment of praise... my choice. Mourning or the oil of joy... again my choice. The beauty of my future or the ashes of my past... it's really up to me. The old man or the new man... I decide which to put on. Similarly, just because a clothing salesman offers me a certain outfit to wear, it doesn't mean I have to buy it. I can say, "No, I don't want that shirt!" I can say to the devil and my flesh, "No, I won't buy that emotion. No, I won't keep that thought! No, that's not my style!"
Just like I can choose the drink or candy I want from a vending machine, I can choose what attitude I wish to possess and exude all day long. I make the selection... not God, and not the devil. Its up to me to decide my attitude. And God's power will leap into motion to enforce my choice if I choose correctly!
I can put off things and I can put on things.
Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV - That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
I have something to say about what I continue to think upon. I don't have to let my mind run wild. I can place my own thoughts in check by the power of God's Word on my lips.
Learn to enjoy overcoming because when you are through overcoming your present struggle, there will be another to overcome. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WANT ALL THOSE OVERCOMERS' REWARDS THAT JESUS OFFERS IN THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION! I want those rewards, so quitting is not an option. Its too late to turn back now. I've come too far to look backwards. Stopping is not a luxury I can afford.
Lord, make me rugged like yourself. Jesus, your heart was always full of tenderness for people, but there was a ruggedness about you that enabled you to endure some tough stuff. Ruggedize me, Lord. Put your backbone in me. Place your endurance in me I pray!
Breaking Down Psalm 18:1-2 KJV - I love you, O Lord, MY STRENGTH (You cannot stop me!). The LORD is MY ROCK (You cannot move me!), MY FORTRESS (You cannot get to me!) and MY DELIVERER (You cannot keep me down!); my God is MY ROCK (I say again, you cannot move me!), in whom I take refuge. He is MY SHIELD (You cannot beat me!) and THE HORN OF MY SALVATION (You cannot reach high enough to where I am in God!), MY STRONGHOLD (You cannot break the Lord's grip on my life!).
By NATURE God is a REWARDER; only by necessity must He be a punisher.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek him.
Matthew 6:4 and again in Matthew 6:6 KJV - ...thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall REWARD thee openly.
Hebrews 10:35 NIV - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
2 John 1:8 NIV - Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be REWARDED fully.
There are both PRESENT REWARDS NOW & ETERNAL REWARDS THEN for serving the Lord faithfully!
Revelation 22:12 KJV - And, behold, I come quickly; and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give every man according as his work shall be.
THE FOUR ETERNAL CROWNS ARE:
1. The Crown Of Righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, KJV - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. SO WHAT IS THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REWARDED FOR?
2. The Crown Of Life: James 1:12, KJV - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Revelation 2:9-11, KJV - I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. SO WHAT IS THE CROWN OF LIFE REWARDED FOR?
3. The Crown Of Glory: 1 Peter 5:1-5 KJV - The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. SO WHAT IS THE CROWN OF GLORY REWARDED FOR?
4. The Imperishable Crown: (KJV: Incorruptible Crown, also called the "Crown of Rejoicing.") 1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV - And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 KJV - For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 NKJV - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 NKJV - For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. SO WHAT IS THE IMPERISHABLE CROWN REWARDED FOR?
The Proofs of any legitimate Authority are Provision, Protection and Promotion. (Dr. Mike Murdock)
The Proofs of any Legitimate Spiritual Authority are 1) Anointing, 2) Morality, and 3) Tenderness.
Betrayal can only defeat you if you allow it to make you Bitter. But you can make a choice to let God make you Better, instead of Bitter, despite the painful experience. You have POWER OVER YOUR BETRAYER... THE POWER TO FORGIVE, FORGET, AND MOVE ON WITH GOD!
FORGIVE! Mark 11:25 - "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." FORGET! Philippians 3:13-15 KJV - "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. MOVE ON! Luke 9:5 KJV - "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out... shake off the very dust from your feet..."
He died for me; I will live for Him! He lives for me; I will die to self for Him!
Ultimately, it's easier to Obey than to Stray!
The Lord: "I want my people WELL! I also want my people WELL OFF! And finally, I want my people to serve me WELL DONE!" 3 John 2 KJV - "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Matthew 25:21 KJV - "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
You are either SPRUNG or HUNG by the friends you keep.
A 3x5 Friendship can never help you accomplish your 8-1/2 x 11 Dream. (Dr. Mike Murdock)
I NEED mentors in my life.
I NEED spiritual coaches in my life.
I NEED proteges in my life.
I NEED to be coaching someone spiritually.
I think I'd rather DIE following Jesus, than to PETRIFY in disobedience to God's will for my life.
FOLLOWING CHRIST IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT ALWAYS BEST! Luke 9:23 - "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels."
Jesus would rather we make many mistakes trying to use the giftings and talents He has given us to help others, than for us to cower in fear that we might make a mistake. Matthew 25:25 KJV - "And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." Matthew 25:28 - "Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents."
To be free from Hastiness on the one hand, and also free from Hesitation on the other, is to be Free Indeed!
To discover your gifting(s), ask yourself three questions. 1) What do I enjoy the most? 2) What do I do the best? 3) For what do people remember me the most?
Before you can ATTACH to God's new plans for your life, in your heart you may first have to DETACH from God's former plans for your life.
Bury your past! Marry your future!
Two Ways To Miss God's Will: Move out of it! -OR- Fail to move with it! There is such a thing as jumping out ahead of God and there is also such a thing as dragging your feet.
He who ignores Details, Derails!
He who masters Details, Sails!
If you really desire to be all you can be, and you are truly willing to pay the price of obedience by investing your time, loyalty, and money over a period of years: Partner financially with a true God-called Pastor to grow up fast. Partner financially with a genuine New Testament Prophet to prosper fast. Partner financially with a soulwinning Evangelist or Apostle to be fruitful and productive fast.
Beware of the Pharisee Flu! Jesus told them that by their traditions of men they were making the Word of God of no effect!
And beware of the Sadducee Syndrome! Jesus told them they were in error because they were not thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures and the demonstration of God's power!
Pastoring a church requires a soft heart AND... thick skin!
Jesus was the most gentle leader ever born, yet he had a rugged personality, capable of dealing with both the soft and firm sides of his two-edged sword of leadership. A secure leader, He was not brutish or callous in his leadership style. But neither was he a pushover. His leadership style was gentle as He led by example, yet he knew when and how to be firm, uncompromising and unswerving! He understood as someone has said, that a necessary burden of leadership sometimes involves becoming unpopular, if required. Criticism, misunderstanding, misjudgment of one's motives, and opposition are just some of the occasional burdens that go with wearing a leadership mantle. They come with the territory! One should not be in leadership if he or she cannot commit in their heart to God to stay sweet in their spirit, despite the opportunities to become callous.
Jesus knew when and how to lay aside his leadership garment to wash feet. He also knew when to wear his leadership garment in a bold manner, by making a whip, leaning into his leadership, and driving out the troublemakers!
