Author Archives: Denise Boggs

Examine the Fruit

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“Search me Lord and know my heart, try me and know my ways and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

We can determine the condition of our heart by observing the fruit our life has produced.   To measure fruitfulness, you look over the past season or over the past year and see what has been produced.  In the fall a farmer looks over the previous growing season to determine the condition of the field.  We can also look at the past year of our life and determine the condition of our heart by looking at the harvest.

Jesus taught His disciples that their life should produce fruit – from 60 to 100 per cent.  A fruitful Christian is one that receives God’s Word and the Word that is planted in their heart produces a harvest even up to a 100 fold return.

You may have a Word from God, but if it is not given to another in love, it will not produce a harvest.  This is why the condition our heart is so important and it determines the fruit we produce.  By observing the fruit our life has produced, we can tell what condition our heart is in.

Pray this prayer daily and watch what happens: “Search me Lord and know my heart, try me and know my ways and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Awaken Your Faith?

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“Aroused by faith, Moses, when he had grown to maturity and became great…” (Hebrews 11:24).

awaken my faithIt is interesting that Moses had to be aroused by faith.  The word “arouse” means to be awakened; to be stirred up and awakened from slumbering.  We can get so consumed and overwhelmed with the struggles of life that we become discouraged to the point that our spirit slumbers, or shuts down and sleeps.

When you give in and are overcome by discouragement, you have a slumbering spirit.  An awakened spirit keeps you focused on what God is doing; even in the midst of trouble, you see the light.  There is so much bad news today that many are overtaken with discouragement.  We need to ask God to awaken our spirit.  All those who are called to be a modern day “Moses” need to wake up.  Those who are called to be a modern day “Elisha” or “David” all need to wake up and take their post.  It is not a time for some to sleep and some to work; it is a time for everyone to wake up and do what they were born to do.  We were born in this time in history for a reason.  It is time for everyone to face this reality and embrace who they are, and what they were called to do (Romans 13:11).

Pray this prayer: “Wake me up Lord – I want to discover my divine calling, and know what I am to do in the work of the Kingdom.”

Making Important Decisions

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Making Important decisions require much prayer and reflection.  If you want to make the right decision, it is vital that you seek the right source.  We want to encourage you to take every decision to the Lord.

Order My Steps

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” Psalm 37:23

order my stepsThe Lord delights in giving His children revelation. He seeks a man traveling an ordinary road, and “suddenly a light from heaven” (Acts 9:3) shines on him. And a “stairway resting on the earth” (Gen. 28:12) can reach from the marketplace to heaven, transforming a life from one of drudgery to one of grace.

Ask your heavenly Father to fellowship with you through your everyday work and service, and be your companion as you take an ordinary journey. As God orders your steps, your life will be transformed by His presence.

Ask the Lord to order your steps and then wait upon Him to do so.

I Shall be Planted

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“And he shall be like a tree planted by the river of water: that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not wither: and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1:3

 

I shall be planted“…they shall be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

As you spend time daily meditating upon the Word of God you will become strong like a huge oak tree firmly planted.  Secure and deeply rooted so the storms of life will not blow you away.

A tree that is planted beside a river has a constant water source. As you stay planted by the river of God, your life will produce good fruit. So don’t move; stay firmly planted.  Do not get discouraged, fruit is not produced overnight, fruit is produced over time.

 

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: Those that are planted… shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalms 92:12-13

The river of God is a life source; it will never run dry.  The river of God is His unconditional love.  As you experience His love and forgiveness you receive more and more life.  God’s love produces abundant life (A lot of life).  All you do is continue receiving His love, and as love flows through you to others your life will produce fruit.

Stay firmly planted by the fresh water source.

Drink until you are refreshed with the water of His Word.

 

The Power to Move a Mountain

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“You will know and understand the hope to which He called you and the greatness of His power.” Eph 1:18

Faith to move a mountainWe have access to His great power when we are in His will.  The power to create the universe, move a mountain and change history is in His hands.  He has placed me as His child, His representative on the earth, to call on Him to create, move or change something. Sometimes we get so preoccupied that we forget our purpose.

Have you ever gone into the grocery store and forgotten what you intended to buy?  After a couple of steps into the store you have a thousand voices speaking to you!  You see all the brands of cereal and the sales, and you forget what you wanted to purchase.  The same is true in our daily life.   The calls, the options, and the sales grab for our attention.

What happened to the still small voice that spoke into your spirit the moment you woke up?  Was it drowned out within the first few steps into your world?  We must realize how Christ was able to carry out His assignment on planet earth.  He set His face like a flint towards the cross and He didn’t let anything distract him.  The world could not hinder, discourage, slow down nor stop Him.  Know what your purpose is and rely on the greatness of His power to accomplish it.

Would You Like to Find a Resting Place?

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“This is my resting place forever.” (Psalms 132:14)

Resting Place of GodWould you like to find a restful place that is quiet and peaceful, but more than that, a place where you can experience the presence of God?

According to Psalm 132:14, God has established resting places, literal places that are His resting places.  God is calling each of us to find a quiet place, a resting place where we can get alone to spend time with Him.  In the story of Noah, when the world was destroyed by the flood, the first thing Noah did was send a dove out to find a place to rest.

“Then he (Noah) sent forth a dove to see if the waters had decreased from the surface of the ground. But the dove found no resting place on which to roost, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were yet on the face of the whole land. So he put forth his hand and drew her to him into the ark” (Genesis 8:8-9).

Noah represents God, and the Ark represents the safety of the presence of God.  Only when you enter into His presence will you find that place of peace and rest.  I am sure in this account that the dove was weary of searching, so God stretched forth His hand and drew the dove back unto Himself.  We are all like that dove, needing a safe place to land… a resting place here on earth, where His presence can be felt.

When you find a resting place, you will know you have found it because your spirit will be at peace.  A dove will not land where there is no peace.  You may be like the dove, searching for the right place – a resting place, a peaceful place.

God has resting places here on earth where He has established a dwelling place of His presence, “This is my resting place forever” (Psalm 132:14). Trust Him to lead you to His resting place.

What is Your Destiny?

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You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24 (New Living Translation)

What is your destiny?A person’s destiny is connected to identity which has already been determined by God.  He has chosen each of His children and called them to carry out a special purpose.  Therefore, identity is directly connected to their purpose. When a person does not know who they are, they will struggle with walking out their destiny.

The enemy has been quite successful in this generation to interfere with children coming into their destiny.  You will flounder and struggle with what you are supposed to do with your life until you find out who you are.

One of the roles in parenting is to help their children know who God created them to be, and call them into it.  Their gifting and talents should be recognized and encouraged.  A parent confirms the identity of their children through affirmation.

Many adults today are floundering because they received very little parental affirmation and encouragement.  The good news is… it is never too late to discover your destiny.

As you are in search of your destiny, watch as God places mile markers along the way to confirm you are going in the right direction. A destiny searcher will be encouraged by the Lord as He brings confirmation all along the way.

Destiny searchers are those in search of their destiny. Your destiny is directly connected with your identity, or who God created you to be. No one else is shaped, fashioned and molded like you are. You cannot know what you are supposed to do until you know who you are. Your identity and destiny are connected together. But you may ask, “How do I discover my destiny?” It can be found in several ways:

1)  Heritage – the family line may be a clue to your destiny. Look first at the gifting and abilities your father had.  Then look at your grandfather. There may be a pattern in their life that you will observe in your own. You may be following in your father’s or grandfather’s steps.

2)  Your name – sometimes your destiny is hidden in your name. When parents have named their children by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, there is destiny in the name. The Word of God does not return void; it accomplishes what God intends for it to accomplish. In the Bible, God put so much importance on the name that He even changed names when there was a major change in direction in a person’s life. In the New Testament, Saul’s name was changed to Paul after He met the Lord. In the Old Testament, Abram’s name was changed to be Abraham.

3)  Your heart’s desire – The third thing to consider as you search for your destiny is to know your heart’s desire. God places in your heart what He has called you to do. What has been in your heart for years? If there is a desire that is still alive in your heart, it could be that God has put it there. “It is God that works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” This means He puts the desire in you to do His will.

A Thankful Heart is a Lifestyle

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Peace of GodHave ever walked through the woods on a beautiful spring day and marveled at the beauty?  Better than that, have you ever walked through the woods on a beautiful day and enjoyed it with someone you dearly love? As you admired the beautiful shades of new growth glistening in the sun you may never forget the day because you experienced it with someone you love.

The beauty all around you was created for you by the one who loves you. God created all this beauty that is all around you and when you enjoy the beauty and thank Him for it, you will experience a thankful heart.   Life will never be the same once you have experienced a thankful heart.

Look for something to be thankful for in every situation and experience the lifestyle that is the secret of a person that lives and walks with God.  Live in the Peace and Love He surrounds you with, and share His love with others.

Listen to the Holy Spirit

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Today, the Holy Spirit says, “Harden not your heart” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Today, is a new day; a day that will be filled with many opportunities. The choices you make today can change your life from living in frustration, to living in a place of peace with God. The Holy Spirit is giving us a powerful key that will open the door and lead us into the life in the Spirit.  If you listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as you read Hebrews 3:8, you will enter in. Use the key; it will work even during the most painful situations. If you resist the temptation to harden your heart when you are hurt by the actions of others, you will enter into the peace of the Lord; the resting place for your soul.
 
Our human nature works to automatically block out pain when someone’s actions are hurtful. We harden our hearts so we won’t feel the pain of their hurtful actions, words, or gestures. Even though this is a natural form of self-protection, God says don’t do it.
 
“Today, if you will hear My voice, harden not your heart.” At the moment of impact, when someone’s words hurt you, don’t give in and take up an offense. If their actions are unbelievably hurtful, don’t waver and give in; it’s a trap of the enemy.  Don’t step in the trap, watch and listen to the Lord. That’s when you need to hear His voice and know what He is saying. Listen closely, and don’t give in to your feelings.
 
When Jesus was being nailed to the cross, He didn’t retaliate, He forgave. At that point He was in His earthly body and felt every bit of the pain we feel but He didn’t give in to the feelings. He responded by the Spirit and He was taken up into the presence of God. The moment you respond God’s way you will notice a wave of peace. This wave of peace comes and actually lifts you up when you do the right thing. You will be ushered into the presence of the Lord, resting and comforted in His presence. Yes, that person’s words or actions will hurt, but the God of all comfort will always lift you up.

He Will Be With You!

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“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4).

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).

 

God is With YouThe Lord has promised us that He will be with us even when we walk through the shadow of death.  He has already experienced every trial and every pain, even the pain of death.  He has gone before us and now lives to tell the story.  He can say with all authority, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).

There is nothing to fear, because you are never alone. Your Father in heaven knows what you are facing and He has promised that no matter what you go through He will be with you. The light of His presence can be experienced even in the darkest night. A ray of sunshine always follows dark clouds, and the light of a new day always follows the night.

However, you must pass through the dark night to get to the next sunny day and the same is true of death. You must pass through death to get to resurrection life. Jesus passed through death and made life possible for all who will trust Him. When we put our trust in the Lord even death is but a shadow, something you simply pass through.

Put your full trust in the Lord, He will never leave you or forsake you.