Satisfied In The Lord

Life That Springs Forth

Donna Braman

SATISFACTION

Scripture Reading: 1Timothy 6:17-19 and Psalm 107:8-9

I became satisfied when I took my eye off of temporal things and began to seek the spiritual treasures and believe in the promises of God's word and began to covenant with him by which all blessings come. Joy filled my soul when I began to thank him and praise him for the new life he gave me.  He captured my heart and like a lover searching for her lover, I still seek his face daily and search for his presence upon waking each morning.  I meditate on him at noon day. I commune with Him in the cool of the evening.  He is the last thing on my mind as I fall asleep at night. Sometimes, I even awake in the second and third watch of the night guided by the Holy Spirit to seek direction, knowledge and discernment. I live in peace and I count it all joy when trials beset me, for I know he is working to complete that good thing he began in me.  

The storms of life nor any principality do not and can not ever separate me from the love of Christ. I live to show others his great redemptive power and his desire to restore us to the original state God planned through the cleansing of the blood of the lamb.That regeneration process that begins when we give our lives to him at the cross. You begin with the seed of Christ in you until you become with mind renewal a beautiful creation in him.  I am only blessed to be empowered to bless others, whether it is a blessing of knowledge, or material gain, or to bring healing to a hurt that I overcame through him.   I was raised up from the darkness to be a light to others to show his great mercy and grace to others and to show the power of how he can restore a messed up life.  

When others look at my life and my daily walk with the Lord my desire is for them to know that I AM THE REDEEMED! That I was bought with a price and my life is no longer mine, but I live through the one that raised me from a dead spirit to alive in him full of hope and grace. I do not dream of material wealth or to resurrect a memorial of my deeds,  but to lay hold of eternal life in a Kingdom that will never end. I'm fixated on my heavenly mansion where I will reside eternally on Victory Lane at Praise Avenue.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. He satisfies us in the morning with his steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. He opens his hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing. Oh how my soul is satisfied as with the richest foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise Him! Psalms

God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full. Mat. 5:6

Jesus said in John 4:14, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

True righteousness comes with contentment in the soul and is the greatest wealth to possess.  After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Jesus said, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35.  

SEED WORD:  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


To view other articles and writing forums by dj braman go to djbraman.blogspot.com 

PATIENCE

Donna Braman

Wait Upon The Lord

Scripture Reading: James 1:2-4

In meditating on this devotional and searching scripture this morning I saw that there are specific benefits to patience.  It is a fruit of the spirit that God gives promises to when we practice it. When living the principle of seed and harvest, patience is an ingredient to persevering in the wait time.  First, to have a perfect work, to be complete in Him and lacking in nothing, patience is the quality that you must possess. What produces patience? Hah, this is the place where we don't like to go but necessary in order to reap a harvest in our Christian walk. Patience is produced by various trials and testing of our faith. So every time you are tested count it joy because you know you are closer to reaping your harvest.

Let's take a look at the benefits of counting it all joy when the Lord puts us through things that result in patience.

1.  You will be strengthened.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

2.  You will inherit the promises according to Hebrews 6:12.

3.  He hears your cry when you pray and then wait patiently for His answer. Psalm 40:1. People give up too quickly on their prayers.  Persistence gets God's attention.

4.  Patience results in better relationships with the people we love and with those that get on our nerves as well.  Ephesians 4:2

5.  Patience results in revelation and the promise of the Lord.  Habakkuk 2:3

6.  It produces "The Rest".  Don't try to get what God is giving to others around you sooner than the Lord wants to give it to you. Psalm 37:7

7.  Patience gives you endurance to do God's will, resulting in His promises to you.

8.  It teaches us not to give up or to become weary. Most of us give up just before the promise land and miss their harvest. Galatians 6:9

9.  Patience keeps us seeking God that causes His goodness to come to us. Lamentations 3:25

SEED WORD:

A lot of us become weary on our journey to be perfected and established with God but don't faint because remember that our perseverance in the race is energized by the greatest promise of all in Habbakkuk :2:3.  For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it: it will certainly come and will not delay.  We are closer to the return of the Lord than we could even imagine.  The more I meditate on beholding His Glory and sitting at His side for 7 years at the great wedding banquet, the harder I want to work to adorn myself with his precious jewels and walk in the fruits of the spirit, no matter how many trials or time it takes to make me His perfect bride without blemish.  

INCENSE TO HIS NOSTRILS

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

The Power of Prayer

Scripture Reading: John 16:23-24

John the Revelator saw and heard many things when he was taken up into heaven.  He said he heard many voices around the throne.  I've meditated quite a bit about just who those voices belong to.  I believe they are the voices of the saints here on earth.  If that is true, then we are closer to heaven than we could ever even imagine.  John said that heaven falls silent for half an hour while God listens to the petitions of the saints. Jesus is our mediator and He sits at the right hand of God on the throne interceding for us.  Did you know that God releases angels to attend us and to protect us?  Jesus said he would give us the treasures of heaven.  

To fully understand prayer we must understand the height of Jesus' love, that precept upon precept and line upon line that he lays out for us in the gospels of just how high His Kingdom is and what our rich inheritance is through His precious shed blood and the scourging of his body. We have benefits of being a son or daughter of the King. Most of the time we receive not because we ask not. If we believe in the word then it's time we begin to believe in its power. Let's take a look today at what the word says is available to us through prayer and how God responds to it.

"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24.)  Jeremiah goes on to say, "In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me." Paul told us that while Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death.  And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for His Father.  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

If you step into some of the churches and listen to the prayers, too often you will hear a minute (maybe) of whispers without emotion or power.  If you want to stop a evil seed like King David did, then get up and shout a praise to Him and cry from your belly for deliverance for a loved one or to move a mountain you face. If Christians could get it in their hearts and minds that their praying stops heaven for half an hour, there wouldn't be a silent tongue in the church left when the preacher said, Let us Pray! You see, I'm not worried about how long the preacher preaches, or hoping he will skip the altar service so I can get to Bojangles and impress our friends with the  latest events of our lives. I want to put my voice where it counts. Next time you pray think about that silence in the throne room just so God can hear what you have to say to the one who gave you treasures beyond measure and sent the comforter to show His perfect will, and let's not forget how he sends the heavenly host to earth just to protect us, least we stump our toe.

King David knew the benefits of prayer and worship and he was a man after God's own heart.  In Psalm 50:15 he says, :Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."  James 5:16 says, the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.  I don't know about you but that makes me thirst and hunger more for altar prayer and to seek those fruitful Christians who may lay hands on me and pray.

Many times we find ourselves worrying and trying to figure things out in the carnal mind, but Paul had a better solution in Phillipians 4:6-7, he says, "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  When we look to the world to solve our problems or get on our telephone ministries to our friends, well already we've gone to the wrong source. God cannot respond to your voice when it is directed everywhere except to him.  1Peter 3:12 says, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer."  He didn't say he was attentive to voices partaking in the worldly way of talking about problems.  If we spent as much time talking to the Lord as we did our friends for solutions we would all be walking in victory. Well glory!

Jesus had quite a bit to say about prayer as well, so let's listen carefully to his words.  In Matthew 21:22, he said, "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, "I say unto you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you WILL have them."

SEED WORD: Jesus declared, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, whatever you ask of the Father in MY NAME, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

RUNNING YOUR RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

PERSEVERANCE

Scripture Reading: 5:3-5


Christians are being tested in every way and all are being challenged to raise the standard that is required in this last generation.  The Holy spirit is separating the wheat from the tares. Get ready for the righteous to be revealed. We will see healings, miracles and freedom in the church of Christ. This is the promise for the end time Body of Christ.   For those who have consecrated themselves unto the Lord it is a great time to be alive. For those who have ears let them hear and for those who have a spiritual eye let them see the power that has been endued them. The spirit has fell upon the earth like no other generation ever saw. Empowerment is for the church body for those who have persevered. The reason the tests have been so hard is because his spirit is upon the earth and if we can't walk the walk and talk the talk with the power of the Holy Spirit at our door step then we are not as committed as a lot of us think we are. Let's take a look at what the scripture has to say about perseverance and winning the prize.


"Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world." Rev. 3:10. Paul tells us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. James 1:12 says, blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  Don't worry about those who persecute you and spit at you, or the tares in the church that talk about you.  Stand up in front of them and show your allegiance to God Almighty and dare to stand and praise him for the working of his mighty power in your life that reflects a love that is bold, foolish and forever thirsty for his presence.


Then therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain for all will see your fruit and want what you've got. Never be satisfied with 30% or 60% but desire the best of his promises and yields. Revelation 21:7 promises us that all who win the victory will be given the blessings and Jehovah will be our God, and we will be His people. If we would only receive even a portion of the inheritance that Christ our Lord provided, our barns would be filled and our bodies would be healed. You need to persevere for your rich inheritance so that when you have done the will of God, and not the "me" will, you will receive what his word has promised you. Hebrews 10:36.


I don't know about others but when I need some Holy Spirit back up, I start to pray and enter his rest.  I start to do what he tells us to do most, giving to others, even when I don't have it to give. My spirit begins to dance the Meadow of dances for my lover, then I shout and praise because I remember my first love. Then truth settles in my spirit  'cause I know he's gone before me and it is already done. I was made to get up everyday and delight myself in Him. Well glory! I don't ever remember a time going before him that my heart failed to thank him for calling my name in the midst of a darkened world and delivering me from evil, and giving me that precious gift of blood regeneration that created a newness in my inner man with a new mind that produces the character to pass the tests.


Seed Word:  We also rejoice in our sufferings and testing, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

The Righteous Servant

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

WHO GOD CALLS

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:43-45

You may not have a speaking ability, or you may have been rejected, or you may think you haven't been good enough for the Holy Spirit to anoint you and put a calling on you. You may not be good looking or wear $500 suits.   We all overlook the obvious that God uses because we do not see each other as God sees us. Our understanding and standards are far below his.  Just when you think God has no significant plans for you he will show up.  He says, no eye has seen and no hear has heard the great things he has planned for you. When you say, Lord, I can not do this, let it be a yes because if you could have done it in YOUR power then God would not have called you.  God said to Moses, "Now go and I will help speak and will teach you what to say and do."

Do not look at a man's appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused that man.  For the Lord does not see as man, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7.  The real anointed may be that little old lady that sits silently praying every week for the church, the minister, the community, the sick and the nation.  Go to her when you need prayer, and it just may get passed the clouds. Don't overlook part of the body that can lift you up in the Lord.  Who knows the word when you need encouragement or under attack by the devil, consider your elders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7.

A called servant watches his tongue for he knows that death and life are in it's words, and those that love it and are careless with it will eat its fruits.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

If your gift is to encourage others, do it!  If you have money, share it generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  Remember, we shall know them by their fruits.  He must manage his own family and personal life well, and see to it that his children obey him with proper respect.

A sincere servant asks for wisdom, knowledge and discernment that he may go out and come in before the people with the ability and willingness to help others, and not to just impress others with their knowledge.  The lost are not impressed with your knowledge until they know you love them.

Called Shepherds have an awesome responsibility and most pay a heavy price to be an anointed man of God.  The word says, be shepherds of God's flock that I give under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.  There are certain stipulations for earning the crown of glory, but the most important is soul winning. 1 Peter 5:2-4.

SEED WORD:

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This is the kind of servant the Holy Spirit is searching for, one of a heart of love for others and has learned how to capture the heart of God by delighting in him.  He serves with gladness even when it gets hard.God did not equip you to look good to the church, but he empowers you for the benefit of others that would be impossible without a gift and anointing. He is not carnal minded and he has replaced self for Christ to be seen in him by all.

Happiness Comes Through Discipline

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

DISCIPLINE

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:32, Deuteronomy 8:5-6

I came out of my Mother's womb kicking and screaming to get the "me" thing right. At the age of two I would fall down in the floor and hold my breath until I passed out and just like I wanted, my Mother would then rock me for an hour.  That selfish, rebellious side of me followed me into adulthood and it worked until I began to be parented by the Lord.  There is no one that had to be chastened as many times as I did before I humbled myself to the great Potter.  It took about five years for the Lord to bridle me and believe me he threw me in the fire many times.  It was after coming out of one of these correction periods that I began to sing instead of acting toward God the way I had everyone else to get my way.  I learned that the my Father in heaven was no match and the good thing he begins in you he will finish, even if he has to throw you in the belly of a whale until you see it his way.  Many times in my early walk with the Lord my prayer often was, Lord, show me your way!  I am so thankful to him today for that tough love because I learned the way of true happiness and how to delight myself in Him.

The bible says the man whom God corrects is blessed, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.  The Apostle Paul tells us to not make light of the Lord's discipline, and to not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

King David knew this kind of love very well and he says in Psalm 94:12, Happy are those whom the Lord disciplines.  In the carnal, natural man we think we know how to achieve happiness, but we soon learn in our walk with Christ that we were so far off and all we were grasping at was temporal happiness that somehow we thought would last a life time.  But we soon learn that it disappears and each time our spirit dies a little more.

Solomon, in his great wisdom said, Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray, and to learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. Prov. 10:17 and Prov. 12:1.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening, it is painful!  But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  God commands us to discipline our children; you'll be glad you did, they'll turn out delightful to live with.  It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

When we are judged and corrected by the Lord it is his way of letting us know that we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

SEED WORD:

So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you to help you.  So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 

He Who Runs to God

Donna Braman

Guidance Series

BLESSED SHALL BE HIM WHO RUNS TO GOD

Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:8

Sometimes we have  foggy notions of what it means to be blessed and deciding who the blessed are. Today, we're going to take a look at how the scripture describes the blessed and their characteristics.

But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says; "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the HUMBLE. James 4:6. People who operate in the pride of life are not blessed.

Blessed are those who TRUST IN THE LORD and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.Jeremiah 17:7. A blessed person never looks to the world for hope, and never depends on man to build their confidence of who they are. Watch out for men who are lifted up above where God has them and only has a earthly foundation and following, it is a false trust because what can be shattered will be shattered.

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse, the blessing if you OBEY THE COMMANDS of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 11:26-27. Blessings follow the obedient Christian. Don't believe a person is blessed who comes to church with their righteous show but their personal life is in a shambles and their home is worldly.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you PEACE. Numbers 6:24-26. A blessed person has a light about them, and inner aliveness and peace in their life.  Strife, confusion and cast down in spirit is not in their character, but their spirit is one of calmness in the midst of a storm. They have the ability to keep their focus on God's word and not be side tracked by what they see in the natural.

Don't repay evil for evil.  DON'T RETALIATE when people say unkind things about you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:9. When someone calls you up and calls you everything in the book, blessed people do not get verbal back and then call someone and gossip about the accuser. That only feeds the strife, but earnestly pray how God can create a situation where you can do a kindness for this person, which always dismantles the anger.

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds NO SORROW with it. Proverbs 10:22. A blessed person does not whine and cry in pain, but accepts the place where God has put him at the moment and rejoices for he knows joy will come in the morning.  He is a praiser in the midst of darkness! It is no secret why sorrow doesn't stay with the blessed person very long. When you see a person arise from the furnace unscathed by its flames, know he is a blessed person. They can take ashes and turn them into beauty.

Blessed is he who has REGARD FOR THE WEAK; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41:1. If you have trouble from the oppressor, forget your own troubles and go help someone who is in need. When you get your focus on yourself and begin to pray for only yourself, that is when you need to start to pray for others and see how quickly God will restore your health, your finances, your family.

The Lord will give STRENGTH to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11. When calamity comes look around and see who is bold and speaks God's word over situations and always has a word for those in distress. It is not always your super religious, super spiritual, or gifted in the church that soars like the wings of an eagle, but it is the faith walkers who speak things into being. They have power in the tongue and they have boldness in the Lord and their steps are ordered by the Lord not by their own will power.

Blessed is the man who DOES NOT WALK IN THE WAY OF THE WICKED, STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, OR SIT IN THE SEAT OF MOCKERS.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2. He is righteous and his desires are to uplift people in the Lord, please the Lord, and he doesn't engage in the delights of the world. The blessed man is in this world but not of it! He is a peculiar person and does not have a carnal thinking mind.

SEED WORD: The blessed man is not running around trying to impress others of his righteousness or giftedness, but you will find him with the meek, the lonely, the hurting, the orphans, the widows, the downcast in spirit, the sick, trying to teach others how to taste and open their eyes to see how good God is. What righteous act have you done this week to show you are blessed and highly favored by Almighty God? The blessed are equipped to do the work of Jesus!

Children of the Father's House

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

THE CHILDREN OF THE FATHER'S HOUSE

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6:20-22

God tells us "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters." 2 Corinthians 6:18.

The word tells us quite a bit about what kind of heavenly Father we have as well as living principles with your earthly parents. The wisdom of Solomon says, Good friend, follow your father's good advice; don't wander off from your mother's teachings.  Wrap yourself in them from head to foot; wear them like a scarf around your neck.  Wherever you walk, they'll guard you; when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.

Honor your father and mother.  Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you. I was well into my thirties before this truth sunk in; that honor of my parents was contingent to me living long and my prosperity. That kind of lack of knowledge causes a lot of us to perish in the fulfillment of our lives.

So now, in the Kingdom family Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father.  That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. Jesus also tells us that whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1. As the father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. That little bit of fear is what produces respect with the heavenly father as well as with the earthly parents.

The bible tells us to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.  He says that when you left the womb he cradled you, since the moment of birth he has been your God and watched over you. For this reason, I bow my knees to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

SEED WORD: For those who are without earthly parents or have parents who have fallen short of their duties as a parent the Lord has this to say to you: For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take you in and cradle and nurture you. Psalm 27:10  He says in his word; "I am the Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-this is God, whose dwelling is holy.  God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. Psalm 68:5-6. I lost my earthly father when I was a young child, but I can honestly say that my new husband and his family has been the greatest gift my heavenly father has ever given me. If you have parents today tell them you love them and show God thankfulness for them this holiday season. No one has a perfect family, but the thankfulness and respect for the one he has given you is dependent on the longevity of your own life!

Forgiveness

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

FORGIVENESS

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:18 and Matthew 6:14-15


It makes more sense to forgive others when we know how we were forgiven.  By far, it is easier to forgive others than to understand how we are worthy of forgiveness and to finally forgive ourselves of the wrongs we've done in life. But unless we can let go of old beliefs that we are not worthy to be forgiven, forgiveness and mercy to others makes little sense and is not effectual.


Here is what the bible has to say about forgiveness to us and then further scripture on forgiveness to others.
"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves; and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then they will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.


"I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins," says the Lord. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord.  "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."


"I, even, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."
Now if the Lord doesn't remember our sins, then how can we remember old transgressions of others?


"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  The bible says when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.


"Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Luke 6:38


SEED WORD: You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

God's Will

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

God's Will For Your Life

Scripture Reading: Prov. 3:5-6, Prov. 2:3-5 1 Peter 4:19, Romans 12:2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  He has shown you what is good.  So, what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you.

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.  Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep my teachings, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

The Lord delights in every detail of your life, and it is He who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. So keep persevering so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised in His word.

SEED WORD:

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will see that Jesus' teachings are from God, and he will see if man's teachings are from God or from their own authority as well.  John 7:17

Grace Will Abound

Donna Braman

GRACE WILL ABOUND

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 4:15-16, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Peter1:13, Romans 5:1-2

     For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

     For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.  We should live in this evil world with self control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

     Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

     Because we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.

SEED WORD:

     I can not count the times that God's grace fell on me when I wasn't even deserving of it.  It was during those times that I dropped the pride in my life and humbled myself  for without him I would have stumbled on my own two feet. There are times when you just can't do anything about a situation and that is when his grace will step in if we let our pride go.

Divine Guidance

Donna Braman
A Series of Guidance 
Devotionals

DIVINE GUIDANCE

Scripture: Isaiah 42:16

God tells us in his word that he will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths.  He will guide us and turn the darkness into light before us and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things he says he will do, he will never forsake us!

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.

     The Lord will send you an angel and He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither sleep nor slumber.  The Lord watches over you.  He is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

     The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."  God's eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all of his steps!  You will hear a voice say, "This is the way; turn around and walk here as I direct you."

     God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path.  The Lord will show you the way, and He will teach you your paths.  He will lead you into all truth.  He is the God of our salvation, on him will I wait all the day long.

SEED WORD:

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way right, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness! Proverbs 11:5

Further Scripture: Job 34:21, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 121:3-6, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23


For further information, or teaching lessons and articles go to: djbraman.blogspot.com

Thankfulness

Donna Braman

THANKFUL IN ALL SITUATIONS

I am filled today with such a thankful heart I hardly know where to begin.  But I thank the Lord this morning for the people who are a blessing to me, my family and friends and neighbors, the children in my life, for my brothers and sisters in Christ, for pastors and teachers who are a part of my life, for those who have loved me even when I was not so loveable, for the friend who built my deck, for the people he put in my life to serve and to help. I even am thankful for the thoughtful postman I have.

    Thank you Lord for the many ways You use these people to meet my needs, brighten my path, and lighten my load, to enrich my knowledge of You, and to counsel or correct or nourish me, building me up in the faith. How good and how pleasant it is to enjoy rich fellowship with those who love You!  Thank you Lord for every person you have brought into my life.

     I am thankful for those who have been in my life that have disappointed me, for I know we all have flaws, and that only you are flawless.  I'm thankful Lord that you have taught me to love even those with an ugly edge, and not to force others to meet my needs, for You are the only one that can meet my deepest needs and You are the one that is always available.  This makes me even more glad to have You as my deepest love, a friend that is always there.  My wonderful counselor, my ever present help in trouble, available around the clock.  How wonderful that I belong to You, the pure, unpolluted source from which all downstream love flows.  So I delight in people here in my earthly world, but first and last I come to You, the only perfect person, the only ideal person, the only One whose love is flawless, the only One who is worthy of my highest praise.  O, God, who is like You? There is none to compare with YOU!

     Some of the people who have hurt me the worst are the ones who drove me to your feet, upon Your Love 

to feed.  I'm grateful too, through all life's way no one could satisfy and so I found in You my rich and full supply.

     I am most thankful to You Lord for my husband, for each specific strong point and admirable quality you gave to me in my life partner.  Thank You for bringing us together, and for the way Your love sweetens our earthly love! I bless and praise You Lord for the many benefits You have given me through this dear one called my husband.  He lifts me up when I'm down.  He loves me even when I get an attitude, he loves me when I look my worst, he hurts when I hurt and he laughs with me over the silly, funny things. But most of all He loves You and we both make our home a house of love for you, that foundation I am so very blessed to have.

     Thank You Lord that we get to share our life, rewards, and inheritance with YOU.  Who can compare with You?  You are the strength of my life, and my portion forever.  Thank You that You are so vastly wonderful, so utterly and completely delightful, that You can meet and overflow the deeper love I have for you onto others.  My tower, My stronghold and Your name is Yeshua (Jesus).

     I thank You today Lord for my son, that beautiful wonderful gift you gave me 26 years ago that took my heart and love as he was laid upon my chest to nurture.  He has been a blessing to me ever since, even when he threw down in the floor at 2 years old fighting sleep, even when he spilled the bucket of paint on the new carpet at 9, even when he poured my Paul Mitchel shampoo on the hall floor for a makeshift slip and slide at 7, even when he whispered something ugly to me at age 12 and got whapped on the back end. He is all grown up now and graduated from UNC in 2007 and is in China teaching children English for a year. He is still the catcher of my heart.  The goodness of him far outweighs the natural behaviors of growing up.  I love the unique mind he has and the visible kindness like when he brought me breakfast in bed at 11. All the bear and eskimo kisses in elementary school, all the paintings he did that reflects his inner beauty. The consciousness he has to beautify and keep God's earth clean and natural.  He loved me still even when I got frustrated as he taught me this thing called COMPUTER, networking and widgets and all that goes with being a writer these days. Most of all I love him for taking the time to spend those days with me at church and building me a raised garden bed like Martha Stewart's before he left for China.  I pray blessings, protection and guidance from the Lord to Him and that the Lord will give him peace and joy throughout his life.   

SEED WORD:

I ask each and everyone of you to take the time today to get a piece of paper and write down the people you are thankful for and why and tell them.  Don't leave out the people who have angered you, hurt you or disappointed you, for even those relationships we are to be thankful for as they help mature us in the Lord and teach us the fruit of the spirit. Write down the blessings the Lord has provided for you, your health, your job, the food on your table, the family members, and thank him for the provision he gives you that enables you to GIVE to others in need.  Don't forget to share your meal this Thanksgiving to a shut in, to a lonely neighbor, or to simply go out of your way to lift someone up who is struggling with something, a word of comfort or a word in prayer!

Thank You Lord

Donna Braman
Praise and Thanksgiving
Devotional Series

THANK YOU LORD FOR MAKING ME ADEQUATE

2 Corinthians 3:5

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 10:24, John 15:15, Ephesians 4:16

I'm so grateful Lord, that the Christian life is not a rigorous self-improvement course or a do-it-yourself kit, that it is not a call to prove myself or improve myself by overcoming my own shortcomings and failures, in my own way or by own resources.  But it is You that is at work in me and in my situation, to break old patterns of thought and action, to create within me both the desire and the power to do Your gracious will, and to make me a joy to You in new ways.

Thank You for the many ways You use other people to counsel me and help me grow, and yet that Christ Himself is the Answer to my hang-ups, the one Source who can meet my deepest needs.  How I rejoice that He is wonderful in counsel and mighty in power, and that He heals from the inside out.

Thank You too, for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength.  I praise You that He is in me to enlighten me through Your Word, to flush away my anxieties and fears, my resentments and hostilities, my guilt and regrets, as water flushes away dirt and trash to keep me filled with Himself and to flood my heart with Your love.  Produce in me Lord the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Enable me Lord, to give thanks for all things as the hours and days and weeks pass.  I rejoice that You are able to do far more than all I ask or think according to Your power that is at work in me, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

SEED WORD:

The Holy Spirit sends others to us to counsel us and to help us grow. He is also the Source who can meet your deepest needs, and it is in allowing Him to live through us that makes us adequate. Take time to thank Him today and rejoice that He is wonderful in counsel and mighty in power, and that He heals from the inside out! 

All Situations

Donna Braman

BE THANKFUL IN ALL SITUATIONS

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 63:9

1Thessalonians 5:18

Thank You, my gracious and sovereign Lord, that You have been with me and carried me from the day of my birth until today...that You have known my whole life, from beginning to end, and that You wrote in your book all the days that You ordained for me before one of them came to be.

Thank You that in Your gracious plan to bless and use me.  You've allowed me to go through hard times, through trials that many people go through in this fallen world.  How glad I am that You're so good at reaching down and making something beautiful out of even the worst situations!  How encouraged I am when I think how You did this for Joseph, how his brothers hated and abused and betrayed him.  Lord, You worked these things out for blessing both for Joseph and his family and for countless other people.

I praise You that the things that happened in my past, both enjoyable and painful are raw materials for blessings, both in my life and in the lives of others.  So I thank You for the specific family into which I was born and the opportunities You did or did not provide. I thank you also for my extended family and my in-laws you have blessed me with. 

I thank you Lord for the things in my past that appear to be limitations, hindrances, bad breaks, the wounds of old hurts, the unmet emotional needs, the mistakes or neglect of other people, even their spite toward me or wrongs of me.

SEED WORD:

We don't like to revisit bad experiences or bad relationships but when we can be thankful for the hard times and bad experiences we then can begin to see how God put those in our lives to bring us to where he wants us to be.  When we can let go of blame we can begin to see what it is in us that God is trying to remake or correct. It is not about the other person at all, but about how God can help us to grow in a test of our love, patience, forgiveness and commitment to His ways. Sometimes, now I just say Lord, show me what it is in this situation that can make me a better person or grow in You from this test or trial.

Love By Design

Donna Braman

LOVE BY DESIGN

Scripture: Psalm 95:6, Psalm 139:13-16

For Thou didst form my inward parts, Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13.

I give thanks to You, O Lord and I stand in awe of You, for I am wonderfully made.  Marvelous are Your works!  Thank You that You uniquely designed and created me, with the same care and precision You used in creating the universe.  That you formed me in love exactly to Your specifications, that You embroidered me with great skill in my mother's womb.

I'm grateful that my looks, my abilities and my personality are like a special picture frame in which You can portray Your grace and beauty.  Your love, Your strength, Your faithfulness, to the praise of Your glory.  I rejoice that You have gifted me for the special purposes You have in mind for my life.  I thank You for Your loving wisdom in allowing the things that have influenced me throughout my life, the things that have prepared my heart to respond to You and live for Your glory.  I might not have turned to You if things had been different!

  

It's wonderful to know that You are not the least bit dissatisfied with my inborn talents, intelligence, aptitudes, appearances, and personality, for your hands have made and fashioned me.  I am one of Your original masterpieces!

I worship and bow down, I kneel before You, my Maker and my ever present help in trouble.

I thank you Lord for the Mother that you gave to me, to be the vessel that bore me and nurtured me to adulthood, took care of my needs, and desires.  I thank you Lord for her, even when we disagree for without her I would have never been!.

I thank you Lord for all the unique experiences I've had because they are all in your plan to make me everything that you have planned for me and even in my greatest pain is born my destiny of greatness.

SEED WORD:

Sometimes it's difficult to be thankful for our parents and for the painful experiences of our lives, but God will begin to implement His plan for our lives when we humble ourselves and learn forgiveness and accept  His unique design of our lives.  The greatest destinies have been born out of pain!

Equipped

Donna Braman

BELIEVERS MINISTRY DAILY DEVOTIONAL

EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, for man to be adequately equipped for every good work.

Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:16-17, Isaiah 55:8, Psalm 119:17

I glorify You for giving us Your Word Lord, that wonderful written revelation that gives us You and your Plan.  As snow and rain fall from the skies to meet our needs, so You have condensed Your thoughts, which are vastly higher than all human thoughts, into Your Holy Scripture.  I'm so grateful that You cared enough to communicate with us in this clear, unchanging, always accessible way, so that Your thoughts are now available at all times to refresh and nourish and teach me -  that you are still a communicating God, speaking these words to me as I am attentive to You, as I read and meditate with a listening heart.  

What a privilege it is to store Your Word in my heart, where You can use it at any moment to bless me and guide me...to keep me from sinning against You. You are a storehouse of inspired words that the Spirit can bring to my mind to help others.

Thank You that in Your Word I can see Your face and hear Your voice.  I can discover Your will and Your seasons, Your patterns for living and serving.  I can develop deeper faith and confidence.  Thank You that the Holy Spirit inspired Your Word and uses it to enlighten and guide me, and to change me more and more into Your image, from one degree of glory to another. 

SEED WORD: The word is living and it cuts through bone and marrow, if we will speak it and preach it, it will do powerful things. It doesn't need us to correct or judge another. It convicts on its own to new converts, sinners and Christians who have stumbled. All God needs for us to do is to be faithful with His Word and to uplift others in his word and to restore those who come to us back into his favor and righteousness. 

Mystery

Donna Braman
11-10-09

BEHOLD, I TELL YOU A MYSTERY, WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP,

BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED...

I magnify You, my God, for Your absolute purity, honliness and justice as the Judge to whom all people must give an account.  I praise You that Your fairness is intertwined with everything You do, that when the time is ripe You will end all sin and injustice, all corruption, all immorality...that You will right all wrongs and reward all loving service and suffering for Your sake.

Thank You that Your Son will return from heaven with a shout of triumph, that the dead in Christ will be raised imperishable...and in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be utterly changed.  We shall see the radiance of His face and the glorious majesty of His power.  It will be a breathtaking wonder and splendor unimaginable to all who believe!  Thank You that "whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future" You have planned for us.

What a joy it is to know that the government will be on Christ's shoulders, and that there will be no end to the increase of His government and peace...that His Kingdom will be established with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom...a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  You will never be voted out; no coup will ever dethrone You.  For all eternity You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  To You be the glory and the dominion forever and ever!

SEED WORD:

I ponder what it will be like for seven years with Jesus at the grand wedding supper.  I imagine Abraham being there and us getting to witness a greater laugh than he did when God told him of the birth to come from his barren wife.  I imagine King David worshipping and dancing before his son and rejoicing that when at age 16 when he slung that rock into Goliath's head he foreshadowed the crushing of Satan's head, the evil seed that Jesus' blood destroyed.  Think of the ways you might interact with all the souls now and that has been that you will see in heaven and what it is that they mean to you..  I can see myself jumping up and dancing with King David and oh what joy Jesus will have to be with us all.  Why, I'll bet you King David's crown is so big, and he is little man, will  be taken off and sat at the feet of his, great, great, great whatever grandson, the King of  Kings and the Lion of Judah!

Purpose in the Storm

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28-29

Believers have a choice about how they will respond to life's trials. Either they can cast blame while becoming resentful and bitter, or they can turn to the Lord and ask, "What is Your purpose for me going through this difficult situation?"

Since recognizing God's purpose and plan is the way that faith grows, Christians have the right to ask "why?" Like a child learning new concepts, we see that when x happens, God does y, just as He promised. For instance, in the Old Testament, King David made destructively wrong choices for which God allowed CLEANSING STORMS into his life. The leader of the nation had wandered off the right path, but painful experiences drove him back to the center of the Lord's will. We might consider the divine method cruel, but David would disagree. He wrote, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word...It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:67-71).

Returning believers to right fellowship is only one of God's purposes for a life storm. Some difficulties are meant to blow away all distractions so we can focus our attention on the Lord and what it is that he's calling us to do. Other trials break our worldly mold so that we can be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Our personal pleasure is not the top priority. God's primary concern is to shape a wise and obedient servant who loves him and desires for him to reach the destiny and assignment God has for him for without obedience and learning how to fellowship and listen to God's instruction in his word and His Holy Spirit we take a road that is less fulfilling than God's plan for us and true joy and happiness can only come when we are walking in the will of God.

SEED WORD: When a storm rages into our life, the Lord is already planning how to turn destruction into good. Seek His objective, and work with Him to acheive it. The promise of Romans 8:28 is that we will reap gain from our losses. Sometimes, it is our pain and losses that we learn from and that God uses to bring about our divine assignment. I have learned two things in the midst of trials. One, that the sooner I start to praise and speak his word into my situation that His Spirit guides me through it more quickly. Secondly, I start to sing thanks for I know through his word that joy comes in the morning and manifestation of His Holy Spirit is on the way and I'm about to be promoted to a higher level of service to my Lord and have a closer, more intimate relationship with the Father. I had to go around the mountain a few times with trials before the Potter could shape this lump of clay into His design. You see, we have to be renewed in his image before we can be of much use in His Kingdom. After a few years in my walk with the Lord I learned the hard way how to go through fires instead of allowing these tests to paralyze me, or turning to my own power to change them, or resorting to the world's way of reacting to them which is to place blame and try to skirt around the trouble. Are you SINGING yet?

If you would like to leave a comment or need prayer contact me at: djbraman@gmail.com

None Like Thee

Donna Braman
11-09-09

THERE IS NONE LIKE THEE, O LORD; THOU ART GREAT

AND GREAT IS THY NAME IN MIGHT!

Scripture:

Jeremiah 10:6, Psalm145:3,5-6 and Daniel 5:23

I magnify You, O Lord.  I exalt Your name for You are great and highly to be praised.  I praise You for the glorious splendor of Your majesty and the power of Your awe inspiring acts.  Your power is unlimited, absolute, beyond imagining.  You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or dream of.  "There is nothing too hard for You."

Who is like You?" Majestic in Holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?"

O Lord Most High, You rule over the heavens and the earth, for You made all things by Your great power, and You keep them existing and working by Your mighty Word.  You are exalted high above every star and galaxy in the entire cosmos, yet You are also "the God of all mankind,"  the great, personally present, personally involved God who loves, rescues, and takes care of all who trust You.

You exercise Your gracious authority over all nations, and over each individual in all the world.  There is none like You, the true God, the living God, the everlasting King of the Universe. The only God I bow to.

I praise You for Your sovereignty over the all the events of my life and over the details.  With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted or without reason.   You hold in Your own power my breath of life and all my destiny and determine my steps.

SEED WORD:

Every trial that God allows to happen in our lives is a platform on which we reveal ourselves to God, our love and devotion and commitment and faith to Him and as others look on.  I thank Him today that I can move into the future without a false image of who I am in Him, and without defensiveness, or falsely trusting in the power of self.  But to be able to stretch out both my hands to whatever lies ahead, for He holds the future and He goes ahead of us to prepare the way and outcome when we can trust Him enough to rest in his everlasting love that never abandons us.

To see other sites of Believers Ministry go to djbraman.blogspot.com