* Fast and Furious

But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Galatians 6:8b-10 The Message

I left the house at 6:30 this morning. I got home about 10:30 tonight with several items still to be completed before I can 'lay me down to sleep.' It's been a long day in a week that seems to be twice as long as normal. Sixteen hours away from the house is too much. That means it will be almost a 20-hour day by the time I'm done. I began to read some of the previous Promises because as hectic as this week has been, it becomes too easy to lose sight of where God has been leading me.  Here's what I discovered - I need to ask forgiveness, then repent and turn from this. It wasn't that long ago God was teaching me how to say no. How did I forget?

While re-reading some of the Promises from years back, I discovered this one...

We live in a fast and furious world. This highway sure seems to have a lot of potholes, detours and roadblocks, but there doesn't seem to be any speed limit signs or designated pit stops. We work crazy hours, the A/C is on the fritz, the car's making a weird noise, kids, grandkids, elderly parents, veterinary bills, health issues, funerals... I don't know where the time goes... We get up early and go to bed later than we wanted to and every minute in between seems to clamor for attention from something or somebody.   At this point you might be thinking, This is your Promise for Today? Is this supposed to make me feel better? 

No, those are the facts. Life. Things that are actually happening. For those of you who have been on this journey with me for a while, you know about facts vs. Truth. The best illustration is the story of my life. Facts are: A drunk, drug abuse, and the garbage that goes with it. The TRUTH is: Born-again child of the Most High God, walking in His righteousness - in right standing with the Father, my Redeemer, Deliverer. You see, God's Truth always - ALWAYS - overcomes the facts of life.

Fast and furious world, no time - those are the facts, but the Truth is found in Matthew 11:28-29 NLT, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

In the midst of our hurry-scurry world, that's our Promise for Today and every day. If we will take the time to spend the first part of our day with Him, He will give us rest and we will be strengthened for the rest of our day.

Be encouraged, Dear Ones. God is a faithful God. Look above the circumstances! Look above the cares and trials of this world to the Author AND the Finisher of our faith. If He started it, He WILL finish it. In a world where there is too much going on, I offer you Truth over the facts of your life. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayer:

Father, 
         Thank You for Your Truth. In these crazy times we live in, help us to keep our focus on You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In the tough times, Father, when it's hard to see and understand, cover us with Your wings of mercy and grace when we come to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Gold In the Rule

Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.
Matthew 7:12 The Message

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is probably much more familiar to you as The Golden Rule. JFK paraphrased it for Americans in his famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." And a few decades ago, some smart aleck re-wrote it saying, "Do unto others before they do unto you." Unfortunately, it was a sign of the times.

If we stop navel gazing, demanding that our needs be met, and look to see what we can do to help someone else, then we stop the vicious cycle of me, me, me! It's amazing how it works.  So many times, I hear good people whining, "When is it my turn?" "Who is gonna take care of me?"

We've talked lots about paying it forward and random acts of kindness. Will some people take advantage? Yes, unequivocally yes. They will, but they are not why we do it. We do it because it's the right thing to do - imitating our Father who pours rain on the just and the unjust. While there may be a handful who are greedy with it, there will be so many more who will appreciate what you've done, so you're planting good seed. And the truth of the matter is that they're not taking advantage, if you're offering it up, anyway.

It's a rule-of-thumb guide for all our behavior. What would you like to reap in your life? You don't plant cotton and expect to harvest corn, do you? Are you planting the seeds that will produce the harvest you desire? There's the real Gold in the Rule.

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for the gifts You put in our lives. May we always remember how much You love us and then act accordingly. Help us to live each day by Your every Word, imitating You in both Word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Heartily Thankful

    Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 
    Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:14-16 NLT

It's all in how you look at it. First day back to work after vacation...
Will I lament and grumble because I had to go back to work or  -
will I give thanks that I have a position with a boss I respect, and people I like, one that affords me a flexible schedule, and provides a good wage?

It's easy to grumble. What does our text read today? ...you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let's choose the path that leads us always back to the Lord our God. Will we choose to be hardly thankful or heartily thankful?

Prayer:

Father,
          We pray Your Word, It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High. It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night, with harps, and with music of praise. For You have made us glad by what You have done, O Lord. We will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Give us opportunity to tell of Your excellent greatness, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Sealed With A Kiss *

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

Isaiah 53:4-6 NLT

From Matthew 26 - The Message...Jesus told them, "Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says, I'll strike the shepherd; helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered.  But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee."

Peter broke in, "Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't."
"Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times."

Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.

Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."

Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?"
When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way."
When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.

When he came back the next time, he said, "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going! My betrayer is here."

The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one—seize him."

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us our sins by the precious Blood shed for our redemption... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Tell All the Nations *

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
1st Chronicles 16:23-35 NLT

Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens!
Honor and majesty surround Him;
    strength and joy fill His dwelling.

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord,
    recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Give to the Lord the glory He deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into His presence.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before Him.
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
    Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise!
    Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise,
    for the Lord is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Prayer:

Father,

           We cry out, Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank Your holy Name and rejoice and praise You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Ribbons of Love

If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:15 NKJV

Alan Neel said it best when he said, "Love is a commitment that requires sacrifice that is expressed in complete obedience."

It's really not about what I can or cannot do. It's about love. 
Do I love Him?  Do I love Him enough to be faithful to what He has instructed me?

If I love Him like He loves Me, then I am not free to do whatever I want to do. My love for Him binds me to Him and restricts me from acting in ways that are contrary to what He has purposed for my life.

Talk is cheap. Prove your love by what you won't do. Be willing to be tied securely with the ribbons of His love.

Prayer:

Father,

How like the enemy of our souls to cheapen the very words that express our love and commitment to You. Remove the distractions and let us focus completely on You, Father, to love You and keep Your commandments. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Life or Death Questions

"Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Isaiah 43:5-7 NKJV

Are you close to giving up? Do you sometimes wonder if the prayers you have prayed in earnest for your loved ones have been for naught? You haven't seen any change and you know time is getting short. I know that battle. Is that you?

Stop right here and ask yourself these life or death questions.

1. Is God's Word true?
2. Do you believe His promises in spite of what you see or do not see?
3. Do you choose to walk by faith in Him and not by sight - no matter what?

What is your answer?

Do not let doubt and fear rob you of your faith in Almighty God.  ALL mighty God.

 2nd Peter 3:8-9 tells us, But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 16:31 tells us the answer and provides the Promise for our children and grandchildren for what we and they must do to be saved...“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

1. Is God's Word true? Yes, it is!
2. Do you believe His promises in spite of what you see or do not see? Yes, I do!
3. Do you choose to walk by faith in Him and not by sight - no matter what? Yes, no matter what!

Be encouraged to continue to walk in faith, trusting God for the salvation of your loved ones. Don't give up!

Prayer:

Father,
          I will praise You in Your sanctuary; Praise You in Your mighty firmament! I will praise You for Your mighty acts; and I will praise You according to Your excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen 

* Goød God - Whose Idea?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...
Psalm 1:1a NKJV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

I'm bad about wanting to figure a quicker way - one that takes less time, less energy and maybe less money - and then I have the nerve to hope I can get the same result. Sometimes, that works out on the less than essential projects, but on the things that really matter, it generally does not work out. I have found that there's a reason the recipe says to make it the night before or refrigerate for 8 hours before baking. And there's a reason why you shouldn't try to put on the second coat of paint before the time specified on the can... just to name a (very) minor two.

Ever had a good idea that went bad? It seemed like the right thing to do - all your planning seemed to be sound - you checked with your friends and they all agreed it was good, but it still went horribly wrong. Do you have any idea why? Whose opinion did you seek? Okay, so it was your best friend - but does that best friend have a working knowledge about your idea? Do the people at work have any idea about your idea or do they only know what you've told them? Does it sound good to them only because you are persuasive or passionate about it? Should we be ruled or overruled by our passion?

We should ALWAYS ask the One who knows best. It might seem right, but it may be very wrong. Do you want a good idea or a God idea? Only one will work.

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for not acknowledging You in all our ways so that You will be the One to direct our paths. Forgive us when we try to run things by ourselves. Help us fully recognize our need to lay down our seemingly good ideas for Your ideas. We need Your ideas, God, and only Yours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen