* 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