Horizons Unlimited March 17, 2024 through March 25, 2024
HORIZONS UNLIMITED

Sunday March 17, 2024: Wisdom Is for the Upright
Monday March 18, 2024: Some Things Require Your Attention
Tuesday March 19, 2024: Jesus Rules and Reigns Forever
Wednesday March 20, 2024: Let Your Heart Keep My Commands
Thursday March 21, 2024: Just Stay on the Main Road
Friday March 22, 2024: Never Lose Your Praise
Saturday March 23, 2024: Gifts Are to Be Shared
Sunday March 24, 2024: Being Built
Monday March 25, 2024: God's Approval But Not His Promises

Horizons Unlimited PDF Archive


Sunday March 17, 2024
Wisdom Is for the Upright


Proverbs 2:7, NKJV: He stores up sound wisdom for the upright: He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.

There is no price tag on wisdom. Yet God, who alone is the dispenser of wisdom, gives it as a gift to His people who diligently seek to do what is right in His sight.

God stores up for us sound wisdom and it never violates another person, the laws of the land you are living in when you receive it, His Word in any way, or the laws of nature.

People have shared with me some bizarre things they said God told them to do. I used to ignore it knowing that time would prove them wrong. What I found was there were too many disasters where they almost didn't recover or unnecessary damage resulted. Now I tell them when I know what they are saying does not line up with the Word of God. I strongly suggest they return to the Lord for a clearer understanding of what they thought He said. At that point I am released from the matter.

Recently a lady said to me, "But the voice was loud and clear." My response was that the devil sometimes whispers in your ear but if he knows you are prone to obey loud clear voices, he will accommodate that also.

Where does that leave you? Being upright and walking uprightly is about more than confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. It is about daily doing things God's way. That requires daily communication with Him and submission to what He says.

One very valuable lesson I have learned is that the Holy Spirit only leads and guides into truth. He cannot lead you down a path of deception or in a lie. He gets His instruction from Jesus Christ who only leads into what is beneficial for His people. Doctrines and teachings are plural; there are multiples of them. However, truth is singular. There is only one truth and it comes to us from the one true God.



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Monday March 18, 2024
Some Things Require Your Attention


Proverbs 27:25-27, NLT: After the hay is harvested, the new crop appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in, your sheep will provide wool for clothing and your goats will be sold for the price of a field. And you will have enough goats’ milk for you, your family and your servants.

Someone told me years ago to “find a need and meet it.” That is a sure way to stay employed.

Our economy is based on producing, buying, and selling. One of the best ways I know to get this to work is not so much producing for your own profit but to help someone else produce his own crop. He, in turn, likely will help you get something of your own.

Jesus said, “If you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:12). There is nothing wrong with being an entrepreneur, but I have observed far too many failures because no one was committed to serve another. They wanted to be the boss and did not take time to get the wisdom of their successful boss on avoiding the pitfalls of being an entrepreneur.

Unless and until you are willing to help someone with his own business, God can’t trust you with your own.

There are so many sparsely attended churches today because those who were assigned to assist a pastor with his work decided that they wanted the title “pastor” and did not wait for God to call them and allow the one they helped to send them out. Years later these same anxious people are still struggling, or worse, gave up on ministry altogether.

When you take the “hands off” or “that is beneath me” attitude, you are about to miss your call.

Get involved and stay involved as the Spirit directs you and never let someone else know more about your sheep than you do. After all, they are your future clothing and, to the degree you care for them, will be the measure God will provide for you.



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Tuesday March 19, 2024
Jesus Rules and Reigns Forever


Daniel 7:14, NKJV: Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.

Folks, this is talking about none other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

It matters not who is in charge or how bad things get, Daniel 7:14 gives us the conclusion of God’s story and it is always for our good and His glory.

This verse is for you and me but it does not exclude others. We will all serve Him. We don’t have to speak the same language with our tongues as long as our hearts are the same toward Him.

His place of authority is a gift from our Father and He will rule forever. His area of authority shall not pass away or be destroyed.

I don’t know about you, but I intend to be in His camp and on His team.

The election of the President in the United States occurs every four years. Elections occur at different times in other countries. At best we can have the same president for eight years which, depending on the devil’s activities, is not a long time. It may be prestigious but when every day you have to deal with terrorists and wars and lack of vaccine for the elderly, it surely cannot be glamorous.

Jesus, however, was not elected. He was approved by the Father and given a government that would encompass the whole earth and it was going to be upon His shoulders. No one ever was going to displace Him and He was going to run things forever His way.

Every time I read this I get excited. The media only reports what they see and think they know.

We have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and we get it from God’s Word. Since it says Jesus is going to rule and reign forever and His dominion would never be destroyed, I made my choice. I vote for Him. He makes my calling and election sure every time.



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Wednesday March 20, 2024
Let Your Heart Keep My Commands


Proverbs 3:1, NKJV: My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands.

I wrote in my Bible years ago, “Before your flesh can apply it, your heart must keep it.”

Most failures occur trying to keep the commands of God in the flesh without regard for the heart being the “power ball” to perform what “thus saith the Lord.” We are asked to guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23). We are told to control our flesh and renew our minds (Rom. 8:13; 12:2). God talks to us through our hearts, and our hearts must be the keeper of what He says to us.

Failure to guard our heart and filter out that which never should be allowed in, will result in destructive choices in life. Destructive choices not only affect the ones making the choices; others can be negatively affected too.

To “not forget” God’s laws suggests that one must first be exposed to them. They must be taught accurately and read intently and regularly. Ignorance of His laws is no excuse for the defeat we experience by default. When our heart is trained to keep God’s commands, our minds think clearly and our flesh behaves Godly. I have yet to meet a Christian who has purposed to keep the commands of God being mean to others and stingy with His blessings.

“How do you practice the presence of the Lord?” you may ask. Learn what He has said, apply it to your life, and continue to move forward regardless. God is not a God of reverse unless you didn’t get what He said the first time around. Even then, He tells us to forget what is behind and press forward. The high calling of God in Christ Jesus is always before us. Everything He is and every word He has said is attainable and shall come to pass for all who forget not His laws and let their hearts keep His commands.



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Thursday March 21, 2024
Just Stay on the Main Road


Isaiah 35:8, NKJV: A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it. But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.

It is all about staying on the main road. You don't have to be an Einstein, in fact, you can even be a fool; just don't be foolish enough to get off.

It does not say "A" Highway of Holiness, as though there are options. No, it is "The" Highway of Holiness. It is one main road that can be found only by a continued commitment to live for the Lord.

In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says, "Enter by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it." We hear so much about our liberty in Christ Jesus that we think we have a license to do whatever we want. Anything that is the least bit difficult, we want to avoid. The difficult narrow gate is a piece of cake compared to the price to be paid if the wrong choice is made.

We must reprogram ourselves to stop looking for instant gratification and ask the Lord's help for the long haul. He promised to teach us the "good and the right way" (1 Sam. 12:23). You may not know where to get started, but you know to continue the way you are going cannot be profitable. First Samuel 12:20 reads, "Then Samuel said to the people [that includes you], 'Do not fear, you have done all this wickedness: yet do not turn aside from following the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart.'" To turn aside and go after other things is choosing that which is empty, unprofitable, and without deliverance. Why? Because they are nothing (1 Sam. 12:21).



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Friday March 22, 2024
Never Lose Your Praise


Psalm 63:7, NKJV: Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

We often sing a song that says, "If the devil can't steal my joy, he can't steal my blessing." The devil may not be able to steal your joy, but you can lose your joy. I've been there. For a believer whose personality and makeup are usually joyful that can be a frightening moment.

What I found out when my joy could not be found was that I still had the ability to praise. Praise was a choice I could make when joy was nowhere in sight. Praising by faith can and will restore your joy. If it seems to diminish again, don't lose hope and give up. Treat it the same way you do the other fruit of the Spirit.

I don't know all the reasons why a person can suddenly lose his joy, but I do know how to get it back. Choose to rejoice. Follow hard after praise. It's easy when this comes naturally, with little or no effort. Never allow the feeling of not wanting to rejoice stop you. It's not about flesh or feeling. It is a choice you make.

How badly do you want your joy back? There may be times you will have to contend for it. I can tell you this; if you have ever lost it and you get it back, you'll never take it for granted again. You'll have greater respect and appreciation for it. Trust me, nothing else matters when you are void of His joy.

Drop everything today and ask God to show you how to get in the "shadow of His wings." Then, start rejoicing. If Peter's shadow could provide healings for the infirm, how much more will the wings of the Almighty hover over you to offer you a chance just to rejoice. It is in the rejoicing by faith that your joy will be restored. Never lose your praise.



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Saturday March 23, 2024
Gifts Are to Be Shared


1 Peter 4:10, NKJV: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another.

Each one of us, at one time or another, has received a gift. Even Jesus, as a baby, was given gifts at His birth. However, He did not come into the world to receive gifts. He was given to the world as a gift, and a very high price was paid to insure that each of us has opportunity to experience Him. God did not give Jesus because we deserved Him. He gave Him because we needed Him. Think about it. You and I would never have had access to the Father without the gift of Jesus Christ.

Because of Jesus, those of us who believe in Him have certain gifts. Because of the Holy Spirit, those who believe in Him also have certain gifts. I am not speaking of abilities, skills, and talents. I am speaking of the supernatural gifts given that impact the lives of others. If it's supernatural, it comes from God the Father.

He never gives gifts for us to selfishly hoard. What He provides is what we need to work with Him to meet the needs of others. What He does for others through us is in the form of spiritual gifts. In fact, if you have received a supernatural gift from God, you can't use it for yourself anyway. When using it on behalf of another, it is to be without charge. Freely you have received, freely give.

If you are aware that God is performing some special miracle through you, He's not trying to make you some "big cheese." He is trying to get you to see that He considers you trustworthy, which means more responsibility not more personal gain. When you work with and for God, you never have to concern yourself with "what's in it for me?" Just do your job for Him and watch how He rewards you.

Your gift is to be shared without a price tag. Someone needs what you have. God is observing.



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Sunday March 24, 2024
Being Built


1 Peter 2:5, KJV: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

What a mistake it is to think that we have arrived with no need to continually improve.

Moses, at the command of the Lord, built a tabernacle in the wilderness that was a portable "house" in which the children of God could worship Him.

Solomon was used to build a temple for the same purpose. It was the exact copy of the tabernacle. He used only the finest stones. Yet, in time, it was destroyed because anything made by man is subject to change and destruction.

God's desire was always to live with and in people and Peter reminded us that we, the people of God, are being built into a spiritual house. Spiritual houses cannot be destroyed because they are not subject to the elements and effects of this world. Spiritual things are immune to carnal behavior.

Once obedience to the things of God starts, our spiritual houses are built. It begins with our acceptance of Jesus Christ as the primary focus of our lives. Solomon required all of the stones in the temple be quarried at the quarry so that no hammer or chisel was heard in the temple (1 Kings 6:7). This was done with such precision that, once the stones were brought to Jerusalem for the building, only a mallet was used to put each stone in place.

Jesus and the Holy Ghost are the hammer and chisel for us, His lively stones. We are worked on daily as we allow ourselves to be built into spiritual houses. When we reach the assembly, their work allows us to tell others what they have done to make us holy priests, able to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. The church building is not where we come to get fixed; it is where we share how we were built and who the architect is.



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Monday March 25, 2024
God's Approval But Not His Promises


Hebrews 11:40, NLT: For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.

It is quite clear to me that the Old Testament saints, apart from us, should not be made perfect. In fact, the NEB says, "That only in company with us should they reach their perfection."

Everyone listed in Hebrews 11 had God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God promised (Hebrews 11:39 NLT). Yet His approval never allowed them access to His promises; it was always on God's mind for us to obtain the promises with them. The promises could only be had through Jesus Christ, though the promises were made to Abraham. Until Jesus declares that the race is over for all, no one gets the prize or the promise.

Jesus has not yet appeared, although it won't be as long as it has been. Why do I say that? Because some of the things that still must occur before He appears in the sky for us are just starting to take form. Oh, happy days! It was a happy day when He washed my sins away. But that won't hold a candle to what we'll experience when He appears to take us to be with Him forever.

Like the Lord, I desire all people to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. Once I was able to grasp that this earth is not my home and my citizenship is that of a heavenly country, the things of this world began to lose their appeal. Jesus did not die just so I could live better here. He left here to prepare a better place for me to live eternally with Him. The approval has been given, and the promises have been made. Let's get the show on the road or in the sky. I'm ready, how about you?



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