* Thank God

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
    His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
    His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
    His love never quits.
Psalm 136:1-3 The Message

God remembered us when we were down,
    His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
    His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
    His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
    His love never quits!
Psalm 136:23-26 The Message

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You that Your love never quits! Thank You for reminding us. Cause the Truth of it to take root and grow in our hearts to engulf us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* What's Your Treasure?

Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
Luke 12:33-34 TLB

During the Christmas season, there are so many different emotions flying on a collision course with the world around us. Some people are like children, they can hardly wait and stars are in their eyes and they break into song at the drop of a hat or the jingle of a bell. Others are so sad, remembering the family member or friend who did not live out the year and they break into tears without warning. Still others are angry and frustrated with the stress of trying to buy something for everyone on their list while wondering how they're going to pay for that AND the house bills.


Let me encourage you to take a step back and just breathe in - big breath - and breathe out. Again. Breathe in, breathe out. 

Have we lost sight? Perspective? For God so loved the world that He gave... (John 3:16). Jesus loved us so much that He came to earth (Luke 2) so He could lay down His life for us (John 10). Why?!? Because God loved us - we are His treasure - He came to Earth because that's where we are. 

Where's your heart? What are your thoughts? Where will your heart and thoughts lead you? Are you selling your inheritance for worldly instant gratification or will you hold fast to the greatest treasure ever given to mankind? 

Prayer:

Father,
          Open the eyes of our hearts - we want to see You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Simple Truth

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 
2nd Timothy 3:16 NLT

I talked with a woman whose husband decided he no longer wanted to be a husband and full-time father. A man - who at one point - walked with the Lord... or at least gave a very good impersonation of one who did. In the course of providing Scripture with consequences for the different scenarios, she would reply, "But he doesn't believe that. He doesn't believe that will happen."

And I know what she says is true: He doesn't believe there will be any consequences as long as he provides materially for them. 

Let me explain something. If it comes down to what the Word of God says or what you believe, which do you believe God accepts as Truth? It doesn't matter if you and hundreds or thousands or even millions of other people don't believe it, either; if the Word of God says it, then it is Truth. Your not believing it does NOT make it untrue.

That's the simple Truth.

Prayer:

Father,
          Purify our hearts and minds! Cause Your righteousness and Truth to rise up within us and make us more like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Letting Loose

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!  
Luke 2:19-20 The Message

I've heard today's Scripture passage hundreds of times - most of us have - but I've never read it in The Message until tonight.

Somehow the image of the shepherds "letting loose" to glorify and praise God for everything they had heard and seen paints a much better picture in my mind of their total response to being visited by angels and then witnessing the Christ child.

I've seen and enjoyed some pretty incredible things in my life that can only be attributed to the Lord! And if you think about it, you probably have, as well. When was the last time you let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything you've heard and seen? 

Prayer:

Father,
           We choose to let loose of all bitterness and strife. We choose to let loose of thinking we know everything. We choose to let loose of unforgiveness and strife. Help us, Father, so we can really let loose and praise You as You deserve to be praised. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Who to Believe?

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

Skimming through the news and articles, it's all about the oil prices per barrel, and the shale market, and OPEC, and all the conspiracies behind this or that action. The political pundits are sure we're heading to destruction and ruin and the collapse of Wall Street. Others are sure we'll be just fine - just a little shaking down. So who do you believe? What do you believe?

The truth is - in this world, there's only one thing we can be sure of - and I'm not talking "death and taxes." Hebrews 13:8 NKJV reads,  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He's not moved by rising or falling prices of anything. He is God and we are not. Who are you going to believe?

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for Your written Word that remains alive and well and is not changed by anything. Thank You for the solid rock on which we can stand no matter what falls around us. We give You praise for these things and so much more. In Jesus' Name we pray.

Psalm 128 - The Lord Rewards His Faithful People *

The Lord will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws. Your fields will produce, and you will be happy and all will go well. Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children. That is how the Lord will bless everyone who respects him.

I pray that the Lord will bless you from Zion and let Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live long enough to see your grandchildren. Let’s pray for peace in Israel!
Psalm 128 Contemporary English Version

* What Time

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 KJV

I had something else planned to write this evening, but I keep coming back to this verse in King James. Maybe somebody needs to be reminded. 

Scripture doesn't tell us we'll never be afraid, but it does tell us not to fear. There is a difference. 

Fear will come - just like every other test and trial - but in God's Word, there is an answer - an antidote - for every one of them, including fear. 

The miraculous thing is the antidote is the same for each of them... trust in God.

Some might say that I'm over-simplifying the message. No, it's not easy to trust God in the middle of it all. It's quite difficult. It takes FAITH. Ask Peter. Ask Abraham. Ask Mary...and the list goes on and on.

What time? Every time, any time, all the time. Wherever, whenever. Trust in God. He not only has the answer, He IS the answer.

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for not exercising the measure of faith You have given each of us. We choose to trust You - no matter the circumstance. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. 

* Preparing for a Reunion

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

Mark 13:3-4 NLT

Several years back, my siblings and I planned to get together. For the occasion, we were going to a new place and my nephew advised me not to try to find it in the dark. It’s one of those places that is best found in the light of day. The clan began gathering Thursday, more Friday, others Saturday. And all of it was over on Sunday. So basically, it was a mini-reunion. However, the label of “mini-reunion” is a misnomer. There is no such thing as a mini when it comes to our family. It’s almost as if there was an unwritten law that Italian families had to have one member for each letter in their last name making it an acronym. If you knew how to spell your last name, you could name all the kids in the family… Dante Ilario Giovanni Imilia Anthony Carmine Isidro Nicholas Teresa Octavio… Thankfully, in the “Americanizing” process of changing the last name, some were shortened!

Acronyms are their own language. And now with IMs and texting, abbreviations and acronyms are in danger of running amuck. I’m all for a good acronym, but it can get a little crazy…  However, there is one I rather like: B.I.B.L.E. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Actually, it’s not a true acronym, but it is a great backronym - a phrase constructed after the fact to make an existing word into an acronym.  And it is a good warning – we do need basic instruction before leaving Earth.

You see, God has planned a reunion. The family started gathering a long time ago, some not so long ago, and for others, just today. I don’t know about tomorrow though, because it’s not promised to anyone…but the day is coming when He’ll call us all home. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?” The answer is in the Bible. We have to prepare. Do you have enough oil for your lamp? You can’t find it in the dark. You need the Light. It can only be found in the required B.I.B.L.E.

Is JC ur BFF? b/c He’ll BBIAB & AFAIK u can’t DIY. Pls, even if u r fubar, np. He LM & is w8ing 4u2 CHB. K? HTH… *

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and understanding. Your Word tells us that if we lack wisdom, we have only to ask You. Thank You for writing it all down for us. Birth anew in us the desire to study Your instruction manual. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Is Jesus Christ your best Friend forever? Because He'll be back in a bit and as far as I know, you can't do it yourself. Please,even if you are fouled up beyond all recognition, no problem. He left a message and is waiting for you to call Him back. Hope this helps...

* Daily Decision

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.  1st Peter 1:13-17 The Message

I was thinking about the toxicity of life and what could be done about it, when I remembered the parent's story of the teenagers still living at home who wanted to watch an R-rated movie. Mom said no. The teenagers began to whine and wheedle, "Oh, Mom, c'mon! It's not that bad. It only has a little cussing in it. And only one sex scene..." Mom said it would not be good for them, no matter how little it was. Teens wanted to argue about it, but Mom quieted them with a promise to sleep on it and let them know her final decision the next evening.

After school the next afternoon, the teens came home to the smell of fresh brownies in the kitchen. Oh, they were SO excited! Mom's brownies were the BEST! Before they took a bite, Mom said, "I want to let you know one little thing that's in there. I put half a teaspoon of dog poo in the batter, but it's only a little bit - half a teaspoon. It's not that bad."

Nobody would eat the brownies. None of us would, either, and yet we "eat" stuff day in and day out that is bad for us. Stuff that doesn't promote spiritual health and well-being. Think about it.

Quote from Alan Neel, "Discernment is a daily decision to determine what is toxic." Let's remove the toxins in our lives; including the two-legged ones, too.

Prayer:

Father, 

          Help us to see the true toxicity level of those things in our lives and give us the strength to cast them off and to not look back. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

On the Day He Comes *

Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. 

1st John 2:28 Good News Translation

 My children, the end is near! You were told that the Enemy of Christ would come; and now many enemies of Christ have already appeared, and so we know that the end is near. These people really did not belong to our fellowship, and that is why they left us; if they had belonged to our fellowship, they would have stayed with us. But they left so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us.

But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth. I write you, then, not because you do not know the truth; instead, it is because you do know it, and you also know that no lie ever comes from the truth.

Who, then, is the liar? It is those who say that Jesus is not the Messiah. Such people are the Enemy of Christ—they reject both the Father and the Son. For those who reject the Son reject also the Father; those who accept the Son have the Father also.

Be sure, then, to keep in your hearts the message you heard from the beginning. If you keep that message, then you will always live in union with the Son and the Father. And this is what Christ himself promised to give us—eternal life.

I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ.

Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God's child. 1st John 2:18-29

Prayer:

Father,

         Make Your Word alive in our hearts! Help us heed Your instructions implicitly. Live large in us, Lord, so that we may accomplish all You have set before us BEFORE The Day You come. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Trip Advisory Thanksgiving

Do this and you will never ever be lost. In this way you will receive a rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

2nd Peter 1:10b-11 CEB

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. - a national holiday. Lots of people travelling this week and returning home later in the weekend. Regardless of your mode of travel, I hope you have great directions for your final destination. 

When I travel on the road, I always like to have the AAA Triptik. They're great - maps laid out in a spiral flip binder in doable miles per page without being overwhelmed by the overall trip. The route to travel is clearly highlighted along with bits of vital information: the terrain is described (mountainous, flat lands, rolling hills), rest stops and road construction are marked, AAA-recommended hotels are noted with information to make reservations, etc. It will even warn you of speed traps! It's nigh on impossible to get lost while using a AAA Triptik.

As one who can get lost so frequently that all roads look familiar, I am thrilled to find today's promise - Do this and you will never ever be lost. Since our destination is the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, it would behoove us to follow the trip advisory that God has laid out for us. If we go back a few verses in our text for today, we find this vital information:

     By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory. Through his honor and glory he has given us his precious and wonderful promises, that you may share the divine nature and escape from the world’s immorality that sinful craving produces.

     This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. If all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

These are the things we must do, so that we will never be lost. 

Peter goes on to tell us, Whoever lacks these things is shortsighted and blind, forgetting that they were cleansed from their past sins.

Let's not get lost. God has given us the directions for our journey - His Word. It has all the vital information we need. The route is clearly highlighted. Use it! Don't take one step without it.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the ultimate Triptik. We are so grateful that You have paid the way for us to get to You. We want to be around Your banqueting table on the day You call us home. Keep us ever mindful of the trip advisories in Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Regardless of your mode of travel, please be aware of your surroundings and stay safe.

* Where He Leads

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 NKJV

I was remembering my sweet friend, Jenny, who passed away in March 2011.

When Jenny got sick, she invited our mutual friend, Darleen, and me to come visit. It seemed unbelievable that it had been seven years since the three of us had been together. Years before, we met originally because we were all in a tough time in our lives that had us grasping earnestly for God. Even though our lives and careers were - and still were - so vastly different, we had one common denominator – our desire for more of the Lord. 

We were not raised the same. We were not born in the same state of the U.S. We didn’t go to the same schools or colleges. We were not the same age. We didn't look anything alike. We all loved music, but not the same kind (one loved traditional hymns, one loved the Hillsong-type, and one loved Southern Gospel). We didn’t even have any friends in common who brought us to that place. Only God could have gotten the three of us together in the same place at the right time and connected our hearts.

We shared the Reader’s Digest© version of our lives of what God had done since last we saw each other. In each instance, we marveled at how God constantly - strategically - placed (and continues to place) people in our paths 'for such a time as this.' We talked for 3 hours straight about the miraculous and loving way God does this – and that was with shortened versions! 

Have you ever stopped to think about this God phenomenon in your life? People you would never have met if God hadn’t intervened. For instance, I could tell you about those I’ve never met who are on this Promise list and yet God caused our paths to cross (albeit cyber paths) and how we have strengthened each other in this journey of life. And if I start on the ones I actually know, I’ll never get done here tonight! 

Jenny and her husband would have celebrated their Diamond Anniversary in September of 2011 – married 60 years and they were still crazy about each other. A sixty-year marriage is a definite orchestration by God, but logistically, they should never have had the opportunity to meet.

Jenny was in college in Houston when her friends convinced her to go to school in Austin, so she checked out and finished her semester in Austin. She didn’t like it and came home to Houston to try to beg her way back into her former school. Well, her grades from Austin were not what they needed to be and the Houston registrar told Jenny that she had to return to Austin and take summer school courses to bring up the grades in order to be able to return to Houston for the next semester.

Jenny was NOT happy. The fraternity houses were closed for the summer – her friends were gone until the Fall – she was sure it was going to be absolutely miserable.  Meanwhile, over in El Paso, RG needed to get to Austin, but he didn’t have a car. A friend of his was heading to Austin to see a girl he had fallen in love with at the college, but the girl was only allowed to double date (my, how times have changed!). RG’s friend agreed to give him a ride, but in exchange, RG would have to go on a blind date with whoever the girl "drug up."

Six hundred miles later, RG really tried to back out, but the friend wouldn’t let him out of the car until RG gave his word that he would show up. Jenny was the blind date and it was the LAST blind date for both of them. Jenny and RG never dated anyone else and were married in September 1951.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24 NLT 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for every mountain, every valley, every blocked road and raging river of life …for You were there and lovingly placed one of Your children to be Your hand extended. Thank You for all the paths You have caused to strategically cross in order to fulfill Your divine plan for our lives. Help us to comfort others as You have comforted us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Like A Child

Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:3-5 God's Word Translation

There's a little girl at my church named Shayla. Her mother is part of the Praise and Worship team. When the music starts, Shayla moves toward the front of the church and enters in with her whole heart (proof that children learn what they live). Yesterday, our pastor's wife asked Shayla to go up on the lower part of the stage to get a handheld microphone. She ran to do her bidding, slipped and slid into the corner, recovered, picked up the microphone, and ran back... and in those few seconds, she managed to deliver a complete illustration of God's expectation of us.

The pastor's wife asked Shayla to get the microphone, fully expecting that Shayla would and she did. Children rise to our expectation of them.

Shayla ran to do her bidding, slipped, fell, and got back up to run back to her - mission accomplished.

And in that instant, I felt God speak to my heart, "Oh, that ALL my children would run to do what I ask them to do! And if they slip and fall, just get back up and keep going, then run back to Me!"

I was convicted to my toes! How often do we - as adults - stand and argue with God? Debating because we'd rather do things our own way or not at all?

Prayer:

O Father!
            Forgive us for all the times we did not hasten to do Your bidding! Break the rebellious spirit in us and deliver us into Your light. Father, may we be like children who RUN to do whatever You ask of us, no matter what! Create in us clean hands and a pure heart, we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen

* Seasoned

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

What does it mean to be seasoned? If your first thought turns to food, I understand, but that's not where I was going with it. (smiling) Although, that is an illustration we can all relate to.

We understand that a seasoned soldier or a seasoned teacher is one who has been through the battles - been through lots of seasons - one who has learned how to survive through the change. The question is - how were they seasoned? Were they salted to perfection or over-salted? Was the blend of the multiple seasonings allowed to bring out the flavor of their lives or did they sit in them too long and become bitter?

Top chefs know the remedies for correcting mistakes made with seasonings. However, even they say some mistakes just have to be tossed and then they start over. Our good news is that even if our seasoned lives have become irreconcilable to life as we know it, God can and will fix it, if we ask Him. His Word tells us He makes all things new and God is trustworthy. We may have to soak in something for a season, but if we are following Christ, we will come out of it with a sweet savor. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Sometimes the seasons and seasonings of life seem overlong and overpowering, but we choose to trust You in all of it. We invite You into our lives to stir up our souls and make us into Your already planned process so that we can be properly-seasoned witnesses of Your faithfulness. Cause us to be an appealing sweet savor to reveal Your love to those around us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Getting Close to God

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7b NLT

Christians everywhere love this portion of Scripture. In the middle of every battle we face, we encourage ourselves and each other with this passage. We whisper it, shout it, pray it, repeat it like a battle cry... and wonder why the devil won't flee. And then whine to God, "Why isn't it working?"

In this age of bottom-liner business, summarized suppositions, Readers Digest condensed versions of life, we're-so-busy-we-don't-have-time-for... we tend to only skim through and pick those portions that we think apply directly to us or the circumstance that we're in. The Truth is - it ALL applies directly to us. It's either something we should do or examples of what we should not do.

In context, this passage (vvs 7-10) in James reads, So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

All Christians want to be closer to God. But wanting something is much different than actually doing what it takes to get it. James tells us exactly how to get close to God. First, we must humble ourselves. Other versions read submit yourselves. That involves voluntarily and purposefully, intentionally giving ourselves to God, our WHOLE life - desires, dreams, plans - to HIS choices for our lives - even when it's not what we WANT. 

If we are not feeling close to God, it's not because HE has moved away from us.

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive us for leaving You in the dust of our lives as we run off to do whatever we think is more important. The Truth is that NOTHING is more important than You. Father, we humble ourselves before You, submitting our life - all of it - to Your will. We cast off the temporary pleasures of life that lead us away from spending eternal time with You. Forgive us, Father, and help us to walk toward You. We want to be close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Such a Thing

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Jude 1:24-25a NLT

It was the old slip, trip and fall routine. Have you heard it? The voice in my head running the litany of my past sins and trying very hard to convince me that I would slip. I would trip up. I would fall away. After all, "so-and-so did and they were a better Christian" than me...  

Can you imagine such a thing? Oh, I looked around a little bit, saw and recognized the memory lane markers and messes of my life, but I wasn't buying it. Not paying any more tolls on that road. My life has been bought with a price. It was paid in full at Calvary. I am redeemed. In my heart sprang forth the music, ♪♫ In my hurt, at my worst, when my world falls down - ♪♫ Not for a moment, will You forsake me...♪♫

Then I turned to His Word and found His Truth - His Truth that negates the facts of our lives. The facts being who and what I was; however, His Truth is who I am...through Christ. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you [me] from falling away and will bring you [me] with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Able to keep me from falling away? Can you even fathom being without a single fault?!? Only God can do such a thing...

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for salvation and redemption. Thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son to reconcile us to You while we were yet sinners. It's overwhelming - this love You have for us. Help us to help others find Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray.

* Raising the Standard

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
1st John 2:6 NLT

We need something to motivate us. Something that will cause us to reach up. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that without a vision, the people perish.  Where are you headed? Have you figured out where you want to go? Once you decide the destination, you can plot the necessary steps to get there. Do we have attainable goals set to keep us on track? What's your first milestone? Any idea?

I want to make Heaven. That's my goal. How do I get there? First, I must accept that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, that He died to pay for my sins, and that He rose from the dead on the third day. But if I want to live in God, I'm supposed to live my life as Jesus did.

So, how DID Jesus live? Specifically speaking? He was prayerful and full of the Holy Spirit. He was loving and forgiving, unselfish and giving, and He was purposeful and destined. Every day.

I don't know about you, but I can manage to be most of those on a given day, with reminders. However, the Word of God states that we are to DAILY pick up our cross and follow him. We cannot do that by ourselves.

We cannot live a Christian life by our own standard - it has to be God's standard. You see, when God raised His standard - Jesus, His Son - then He raised our standard, too. 

Prayer:

Father,
        Your Word tells us when the enemy comes in like a flood, You will lift the standard against him. You are righteous and holy. Let Your Truth prevail in our lives, as we endeavor to live by Your standard. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Seeing Fruit

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a NLT

We've been talking about seasons. In the Fall is a great time for harvesting apples, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, asparagus... mmmmm, good stuff. The oranges are just now turning the right color and a whole 'nother crop of pomegranates are about ready. I love watching the plants and trees bud, blossom, and deliver. I can see what's coming and know how good it's going to be when it ripens and matures.

We're supposed to be God's harvest. What does He see as He watches us? Do we blossom? Are we growing? Is there any evidence of His fruit in our lives - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, or Self-Control? What DOES He see?

Prayer:

Father,
            We know it is only by Your Grace that we even have life, but we want to honor You in all our ways. Lord, we want to pass the fruit inspection of our lives. Help us to perfectly reflect You to a seeking world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Can't get my computer to connect...too frustrating to type one finger from phone...

Taking a Stand +

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Philippians 3:13-16 The Message.

Christ giving His life for ours as the final Blood sacrifice for our sin is the ultimate freedom. The Crucifixion is what allowed and enabled every other freedom that we have and enjoy.  We need to remember - we MUST remember - true freedom comes with a great price. There are things we must know in every fiber of our being in order to be able to make and take a stand for freedom.

As Houston, Texas pastors square off against demands from city government, I just want to take a moment to remind us again of the price paid for the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted. There is ALWAYS a price for freedom.

Bill Belew, Christian Worldview Examiner, wrote the following:

******************************************************Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence ?

 Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

 Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

 Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

 They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

 What kind of men were they?

 Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.  He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

 Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

 At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.  He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

 Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

 John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Skipping down, Mr. Belew goes on to write: Remember: freedom is never free! 

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What will we do when it's our turn. Will you take a stand?

Prayer:

Father,

         Drive it home deep within us. Let us not make light work of the price of freedom, but rather, let us make true freedom our life's work in all arenas of our lives and for all people. It is Your will that none should perish, but that all should have everlasting life. Thank You for sending Your Son to pay the price for our sins. Lord, make us courageous in the fight to stand for Your Truths. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen  

* Redeemed, Renew, Repeat

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV

I read something recently that caused me to seriously contemplate about who I would have been and what I might have accomplished had I not rebelled against God. It brought me to another level of understanding God's grace. It's so humbling to confess to God that I recognize and acknowledge that I have not lived His perfect plan for my life and all because of my own rebellion and bad choices. And in that moment of confession, it was absolutely overwhelming to realize how in spite of that, He has redeemed my life and all because of His perfect love.

It is not to be taken lightly. Scripture tells us, You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 1st Peter 1:18-19 The Amplified Bible. I repeat, It is not to be taken lightly.

Christ's sacrifice - His life for ours - redeemed us from sin. He did it once and for all. Hebrews 9:12 tells us, Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Eternally redeemed. 

We, on the hand, need to take up our cross DAILY (Luke 9:23), renewing our hearts and minds, choosing to put to death in us the sins of the flesh. Taking full advantage of God's mercies that are new every morning. Renew. Repeat. Until He comes again.

Prayer:

Father, 
          We've got a song the angels cannot sing - we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Great is Your faithfulness to us! Create in us a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen