In All Your Ways

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

We all like a little recognition now and then for a job well done or for going the extra mile or doing something special. It’s not why we do the things we do, or at least it’s not supposed to be, but have you ever noticed that satan will come in with his little jabs, such as Why do you do that? They’re just taking advantage of you. Or something equally as ugly. Sometimes it’s an errant thought passing through your mind. Sometimes it’s satan trying to imitate God (Numbers 22:28) by using another donkey (two-legged, usually) to talk to you; but it’s all for the same reason – to try to keep us from doing what God has taught us to do…prefer one another in love (Romans 12:10 KJV).

God continues to teach me to acknowledge Him in everything – to recognize His touch in my daily living, both large and small. I’m getting better at it, although I lose sight of it sometimes. It’s all in conditioning myself to look for Him and training my eyes and heart to see. You might think with the world flying at us in breakneck speed from so many different angles, how could we possibly condition ourselves? How do we train our eyes and hearts to see?  It’s quite simple actually. You just have to know what to look for. Don’t roll your eyes…

Think about this. It’s all about the relationship. Think of someone in your life who you really care for. Would you know them anywhere? Do you know their walk? Without seeing them, do you know their voice? If you know someone well enough, you can hear footsteps and know who it is. You can hear a cough and know who’s coughing. 

How about this? Before the world became so infected with being politically correct, luxury cars were quite distinctive. You could spot a Jaguar a mile away. Mercedes, BMWs, Lincolns, Cadillacs. Why, even the lowly Nash Rambler and Corvair couldn’t be confused with anything else, because nothing had their distinctive shape. Or did you ever play 'Slug Bug?' Maybe you called it 'Punch Buggy.' Looking for VW Beetles and smacking whoever was playing with you when you spotted one first and called it? You knew what to look for then, didn’t you? 

James 1 tells us that every good and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights. There is a distinctive mark on those. Some are very easy to see – the raise or promotion at work. The car that does NOT break down. You stay healthy while everyone else is catching something. The IRS actually INCREASES your refund. (Don’t laugh – it happened to me before.)  Some may be a little less obvious. The car DOES break down, but you actually have the money to pay for it to be fixed because of some mandatory overtime or a “surprise” blessing you got in the mail. The tires that are on sale just when you need new tires. The friend of a friend who will come put Freon in your air conditioning unit because they owed your friend a favor and your friend wanted you to receive it. That’s all God’s touch.

Harder ones to immediately recognize might be that accident that did NOT happen when the 2 trucks in front of you almost collided with each other as you were driving 65 mph down the road directly behind them. Or something like losing a job that you love through no fault of your own, but while you’re out of work, you learn how to fully trust God as your source. How about when you’ve given a repeat performance of messing up - yet again­ -  and you don’t even know how God can forgive you, let alone not be mad at you? But the next morning, you get a sweet note from someone who acknowledges the evidence of God’s gift in your life even though they’ve never mentioned it before and you've known them a long time. Can you recognize Him now?  Then give Him the recognition and praise He deserves. Better late than never.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive us for all the times we failed to recognize Your acts of love and care. Give us Your understanding, Lord. We want to acknowledge You in all our ways because we need You to direct our every step. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Stay with God

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

Encouraging the Discouraged - sometimes, we don't have the words to say, but we can always find what we need in His Word.

Psalm 27 from the Message Bible
 ¹ Light, space, zest— that's God!
   So, with him on my side I'm fearless,
      afraid of no one and nothing.

 ² When vandal hordes ride down
      ready to eat me alive,
   Those bullies and toughs
      fall flat on their faces.

 ³ When besieged,
      I'm calm as a baby.
   When all hell breaks loose,
      I'm collected and cool.

 ⁴ I'm asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I'll contemplate his beauty;
      I'll study at his feet.

 ⁵ That's the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.

 ⁶ God holds me head and shoulders
      above all who try to pull me down.
   I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
      that will raise the roof!
   Already I'm singing God-songs;
      I'm making music to God.

 ^7-9 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
      "Be good to me! Answer me!"
   When my heart whispered, "Seek God,"
      my whole being replied,
   "I'm seeking him!"
      Don't hide from me now!

 ^9-10 You've always been right there for me;
      don't turn your back on me now.
   Don't throw me out, don't abandon me;
      you've always kept the door open.
   My father and mother walked out and left me,
      but God took me in.

 ^11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
      direct me along a well-lighted street;
      show my enemies whose side you're on.
   Don't throw me to the dogs,
      those liars who are out to get me,
      filling the air with their threats.

 ^13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don't quit.
   I'll say it again:
      Stay with God.

Prayer:

Father,
          You've always been right there for us; don't turn Your back on us now. Don't throw us out, don't abandon us; You've always kept the door open. Point us down Your highway, O God; direct us along a well-lighted street... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thank God for Tears - Repost by request

You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8b

Have you ever thanked God for tears? No, I'm not crazy. Tears are a gift from God. Yes, a GIFT. First – tears allow us to express and release what’s in our hearts when we haven’t the words to do so. They are a language that God understands. God wastes nothing, so if we didn’t need them, He wouldn’t have given them to us – readily available on any given day – often without bidding… God designed our bodies to produce tears for our well-being.

Do you know that there are different kinds of tears – with different chemical properties? The two most common are reflex tears and psychic (or emotional) tears. Reflex tears come when you get something in your eye or chop onions, peppers, etc. They are designed for and function specifically to wash out irritants. Emotional tears actually contain several protein-based hormones; one of which is a natural pain-killing endorphin – leucine-enkephalin – which is why ‘having a good cry’ often makes us feel better. And not only emotionally, but physiologically, as well.

In his article, ‘Tear Toxins,’ printed in Omni, December 1982, Tom Kovach wrote the following:

     At the St Paul Ramsey Medical Center in Minnesota, tears caused by simple irritants were compared to those brought on by emotion. Researcher William Frey found that stress-induced tears actually remove toxic ‘substances’ from the body. Volunteers were led to cry first from watching sad movies, and then from freshly cut onions. The researchers found that the tears from the movies, called emotional tears, contained far more toxic biological byproducts. Weeping, they concluded, is an excretory process which removes toxic substances that normally build up during emotional stress.

Who but a loving God could or would create that? 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the gift of tears to help us while we live here on this earth. Thank You even more for the promise of Heaven, where there will no longer be a need for tears according to Your Word in Revelation 21. Father, we can hardly wait until the day You wipe every tear from our eyes because there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things will have passed away. We long for the day. Until then, let us ever be in an attitude of gratitude for all Your precious gifts to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Prepared

And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
2nd Chronicles 12:14

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, 'Be prepared'?  Most of us recognize it as the motto for the Boys and the Girl Scouts of America. No matter what it brings to mind, it's all about the same thing: doing what you know to do to be ready for what is coming. 

Our text for today refers to Israel's King Rehoboam. He had really made God angry because he and the people had abandoned God and had turned to idol worship. God was ready to kill them all, but then Rehoboam humbled himself before God and it turned away God’s wrath (vs.12). 

Preparing one’s heart is more than just saying, “Okay, God, I have time for You now.” It’s not about fitting God into our schedule. It’s about breaking up the hard ground. Crushing the clods of bitterness, selfishness. It’s about working it loose – and then holding it together by soaking it with the water of the Word. Making PREPARATION for the seeds of God’s planting. Just like preparing the soil is hard work, so is preparing one’s heart. But it’s worth it – it releases God’s grace in our lives.

Even before the dispensation of Grace in the New Testament, we find in 2nd Chronicles 30, people who had not gone through the purification process required in God's law before participating in the Feast of Unleavened Bread. However, vvs.19-20 NKJV reads, ...Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. 

We MUST prepare our hearts to have a relationship with Christ! Jesus said in Matthew 13:15, For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them. That’s not what we want Jesus to say about us.

We MUST prepare our hearts to be used by God to fulfill His purpose in our lives. 2nd Timothy 2:20-22 reads,  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. God changes our hearts, but only if we have prepared them to receive His changes.

Are you prepared?

Prayer:

Father,
         According to Your Word, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Beauty for Ashes

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth...

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives."
Genesis 6:9b-10, 17-18 NLT

We know the story of building the Ark and the Great Flood and Noah, but I never realized before that Noah was the ONLY blameless person living on earth at the time. The Word doesn't say Noah's family was the only blameless family, it says Noah... just Noah. The only one and yet his wife, their 3 sons and their wives were all saved.

Do you sometimes wonder what good it does to be the only one in your family following the Lord? Do you ever wonder if your Christian walk has any effect on anyone other than you? Any effect on the world? Well, according to our text for today, I see the entire human race being preserved because of one person who did not compromise his walk with God.

Who's to say if your walk with the Lord may be the only thing standing between those you love and total destruction? Does it sometimes feel as though your life is in ashes around you? God promises us beauty for ashes. Don't quit now. We're too close to the finish line.

Father,
We bow before You, bringing praise and glory and honor to You. Help us to stand and when we've done everything we know to do, help us to still stand. Help us to know and understand that the difference You make in our lives may make the eternal difference in the life of those we know and love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Pout vs Praise

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Philippians 4:8 KJV

One time, my friend and I were rushing from work to try to get to church on time and we were both hungry, so we decided to grab a sandwich from a local sandwich shop. For some reason, I decided to switch from my normal choice and try something different...I didn't like it. First, I was annoyed because the guy butchered the bread when he sliced it, then left a big chunk of it on the counter when he wrapped it.

It went from bad to worse, when within the first few bites, I dropped a piece down the front of my shirt. I caught myself starting to complain about the sandwich when the Holy Spirit convicted me. Immediately, I was contrite. I apologized to God and to my other friend and began to thank God that I had a sandwich at all and that I had the freedom to come to a place where they made the sandwich for me. Seems like it tasted better after that... 

Was it the same sandwich? Yes. Was the bread still butchered? Yes. Was the chunk still missing? Yes. What changed? Me. I went from pout to praise. If there be any virtue... think on these things.

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Your Word in Psalm 19 - Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me.Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

An Element of Truth

God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. 
Proverbs 20:27 The Message

It's the law now that every food item has to have a nutrition label for the consumer, listing calories and fat grams, carbs and sugars, etc, so we can make informed choices about what we put in our bodies.

Both cranberry and pomegranate juices are supposed to be very good for the body, so Cranberry-Pomegranate is one of the latest juice combos. Have you ever bought a bottle? The front label reads, "100% Juice, Cranberry-Pomegranate" leading one to believe that the bottle is some mixture, possibly 50-50 or maybe 60-40, of cranberry and pomegranate juices. Not so. With ingredients listed by the greatest measure to the least, grape juice was first. In fact, cranberry didn't fall into the list until about 5th place and pomegranate was after that. Technically, it could have been called any one of the combinations of juice, I suppose. Grape-apple. Apple-plum. Plum-cranberry, etc, but the marketing department chose Cranberry-Pomegranate because that's what sells. 

As you can see, there are many ways to present information that contains an element of truth but is ultimately misleading.

Jesus is not interested in an element of truth. He was much more specific about it in Matthew 15:10-12, Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus was not worried about offending Pharisees. Jesus has NEVER been politically correct. He never has claimed to be anything He wasn't. No New and Improved. No substitutions. No shortcuts to Heaven. No marketing spin.

Further down in Matthew 15:17-20, Jesus continued, “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you."

I suppose that the juice bottle label is more truthful in advertising than those packages that have the pop-out text  - Real Cheese - and underneath it is the reality - flavored. Not real cheese at all, but an imitation. Like imitation crab meat. And if we aren't careful, we accept the imitation as good enough and never seek the real. That is absolutely deadly if we choose an imitation of Christianity... which leads us to the question of the day.

If God were to put a label on us of all the parts that make up our whole, what would be on the list? And in order of greatest measure to the least, where would Jesus be? Do we have Jesus as our main ingredient or as the 98% inert one? Are we Spirit-flavored or Spirit-filled?

Prayer:

Father,
           Strip us of everything that is not OF You and is not pleasing TO You in our lives. Let it be that if You were to label us, by Your Grace, we would be found to be 100% pure and approved by You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Light to See

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
Isaiah 9:2 NLT

I'm sure you know the number one excuse for not reading the Word of God is that it's hard to understand. I have to admit, I used to use the same excuse. Today's promise contains the words of Isaiah, prophesying of Jesus being born into the world. The Messiah, the Light of the World. The book of Isaiah can be very difficult to read. It's not easily understood and for those of us with focus challenges, it can be really tough. I probably would never have known our text for today was prophecy regarding the life of Christ had someone not shed some light on it.

Have you ever noticed that the more we need to see detail or the more we require a better view, the more light we need? Operating rooms, doctors and dentists and almost the entire medical field require intense light to perform. Our Father, the Great Physician, has given us the Light of the world for all to see. You might be thinking, That's a little over the top. I don't have anything that urgent... No?  Have you ever said... Turn on the light, I can't see...Come here under the light, so I can see what I'm doing...I need more light than what I have here... 

In truth, the vast majority of us never think about light, in and of itself, but rather as a tool, an aid for seeing, However, light is vital to our lives in more ways than we ever think about - for sustaining the life cycle itself, if you think about the whole ecological realm. Here's something on a smaller scale that I was thinking about, but I hope it may make as big an impact.

How many times in our lives have we gotten up in the middle of the night and stubbed our toe because we didn't turn on the light? In familiar territory, where we know the lay of the land. Of course, something might have been out of place - that happens at times - but more often than not, we smack it on something that's been in the same place for a long time. (Can I get an Amen? or perhaps a commiserative Ouch!) If we'd turned on the light, or had a nightlight, or used a flashlight, our chance of walking into something because we didn't see it would be virtually non-existent.

There are so many obstacles in our path as we wend our way through life. If it's silly (and hazardous) for us to walk around in the dark in our own homes, why then, do we try to walk through life without any Light? How many obstacles trip us up and cause us to fall because we didn't see them? Psalm 119:105 NLT, a very familiar text, reads, Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Wouldn't we like to see where we're going? And if we know where we're going, wouldn't it be best to be sure the way is lighted? We could avoid a lot of pitfalls and problems with the proper Light.

John 1:1-5a NKJV, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness...

Spend time in His Word, the Light of the world - a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. The Light to see where we're going AND to make sure we get there.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for providing everything and the Only thing we'll ever need to see our way clear to You. Give us understanding. Open our spiritual eyes so that we may see. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No Matter

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 NLT

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:Job 13:15

A wish is an unfulfilled longing; it is not hope. Hope is an expectation, but it is not faith. Faith is believing, but it's empty without the ability to trust. Trust is when you know that you know that you know no matter what the circumstances, God is there.

Unfulfilled longing:
      I wish things could be better.

Expectation:
     I hope things get better.

Believing:
     I have faith that things will get better.

Trusting - according to His Word - no matter what:
  
Psalm 46:1-3, God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed,  And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled...

Psalm 61:1-4, Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Psalm 62:6-7, He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

I have believed a lot of things in my life that turned out not to be trustworthy. But I have come to know that I know that I KNOW God IS trustworthy, no matter what I see. No matter what I hear. No matter what I feel. No matter what anyone else feels or says or does. His Word is true. Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him... no matter what.

Prayer:

Father,
          Life isn't always easy, but You tell us in Your Word that Your yoke is. We choose to yoke up with You, Lord. We choose to trust You no matter what. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Past the Storm Clouds

When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. 
Genesis 9:14-15 NLT

There was a lot of chatter at work today about Tropical Storm Cindy, and the level of concern depended largely on which news venue they listened to. Here in southeast Texas, 45 mph winds are not cause for great concern among the general population, and 4 inches of rain seems about standard for a summer storm. I guess the difference is sustained winds versus gusts.  

I was on my way home from church this evening and watched the storm clouds begin to gather. Thick and dark and rolling in like tumbleweed, but every now and then, I'd catch a quick glimpse of sun in the cloud break. Then about halfway home, I saw a snippet of a rainbow behind the bloated clouds. It winked out a few times, and just as I arrived home, the clouds parted and the rainbow appeared - beautiful and vibrant as the covenant it represents. Mere moments later, it was swallowed up in clouds as though it had never been, but I still knew it was there.

It was a great illustrated sermon of the storms of life. If we know God and we know His Word, we should know that we can trust Him no matter what we see. Yes, the storms of life will come. Yes, the clouds will gather and life will seem dark. Yes, the winds will blow, and we may not see what we want to see. But this we know - above it all - the Son of God still reigns. His covenant with us is forever.  As God's Word assures us in 2nd Corinthians 4:18, So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Look past the storm. You will find Him. He is there.

Prayer:

Father,

            Thank You for illustrating Your love and promises to us. Thank You that Your covenants are forever. You always provide what we require to be able to trust You. What a loving Father You are! Keep us ever mindful to look past the storm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Not-so-simply Love

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
1st John 4:16-19 NLT

Do you remember your first love? Do you remember how that felt? You could talk for hours. You were content just to sit and bask in the presence of your beloved. Just to be near was enough. You wanted to be better - to be more - to be everything that person "deserved" so you would be loved in return. Ahhhhh...first love...
Oh, you just knew that person was perfect... or at least, perfect for you.

What about love that has stood the test of time? Day in and day out, week in and week out, months in and months out. Years... Your love has matured. You are committed. And you'll take the tried and true over the giddiness of new. Oh, you wish he didn't ________ or wouldn't ___________ or that he would ______________. And her? If she would just ______________ or not ________________. You know what I'm talking about.  However, you realize the only perfect person was crucified for being perfect and there is no one else who even comes close to being in danger of crucifixion for perfection. 

What if there really was such a thing as a perfect love? A perfect mate? A perfect relationship? Someone who was perfect for real, but at the same time would overlook your imperfections? Someone who could see past any physical flaws or your neediness or your inabilities. Someone who would love you no matter what you did, no matter what you said, no matter what you looked like. Someone who spoke the love language of your heart. Someone who knew exactly what it would take to love you and make you feel that love all the way inside. Someone who never leaves, is always there. Someone whose whole goal is relationship with you. Someone who wants what is best for your life - to promote you and the abilities you have and who will do and has done everything necessary to make that happen. Someone who has proven to be steadfast and true through the test of time and for all eternity.

Let me arrange the introduction. His Name is Adonai. God the Lord. Your ultimate perfection is guaranteed through His perfect love gift - His Son, Jesus Christ. God doesn't just love. He IS love and He commands us to love.

Prayer:

Father,
♪♫ O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Plant Thine own image deep on my heart. ♪♫* In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* hymn "O To Be Like Thee" by Thomas Chisholm and William Kirkpatrick

The Right Time

At the RIGHT TIME, I, the Lord, will make it happen.
Isaiah 60:22c NLT

When we’re at the 11^th hour and we are unable to fix it or make the ends meet, when our body is wracked with pain and we cannot find relief, when our loved one dies… In the midst of trouble and hard times, sometimes it’s difficult to remember that God is working all things for our good. The enemy of our soul would love for us to lose sight of this Truth, would love for us to be angry with God, would love for us to give up and walk away.

It is at these times when we must know what we believe. Will we choose to believe God's Truth over the facts and circumstances of our lives? Will we choose His Word above what we can see, hear, touch, and feel?

How many times have you experienced just the right word of encouragement at just the right time? How many times has an unexpected check or blessing come in the mail at just the right time - when you had no idea one was coming? How many times has someone you connected with years ago come back into your life to walk alongside you at just the right moment? That's God! Here's what else His Word has to say about it.

Romans 5:6 

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the RIGHT TIME and died for us sinners.

2 Corinthians 6:2 

For God says, “At just the RIGHT TIME, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Galatians 4:4 

But when the RIGHT TIME came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

Galatians 6:9 

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the RIGHT TIME we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Ephesians 1:10 

And this is the plan: At the RIGHT TIME he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

1 Timothy 2:6 

He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the RIGHT TIME.

1 Timothy 6:15 

For, at just the RIGHT TIME Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Titus 1:3 

And now at just the RIGHT TIME he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

1 Peter 5:6 

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the RIGHT TIME he will lift you up in honor.

That's our God. At the RIGHT TIME, HE will make it happen.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for loving us enough to take our weaknesses into account and sending us Your reinforcements. Thank You for continuing to work Your plan for our lives in spite of our failed attempts. Keep us ever mindful that Your timing is perfect, flawless, and is ALWAYS the right time. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Failing to Quit

When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”
Matthew 26:20-22 NLT

Have you ever wondered why Jesus picked the particular twelve as His disciples? Several of them seemed questionable at times to me. 

Today, my pastor taught an extraordinary lesson on this Scripture passage. I've been thinking about it most of the day and thought I'd share it with you.

Did you ever pick up on the fact that EACH one asked Jesus if they were the one who would betray Him? They each knew they were capable of it... After all, most of us are aware of our character flaws and failures.  In fact, before the night was over, they would also abandon Him at the Garden of Gethsemane to save their own necks.

They failed Him. Miserably! 

However, they did NOT quit, and Jesus knew they would not.  In Mark 16:7, the angels told the women to go tell His disciples and Peter that Christ would meet them in Galilee. 

They did not get hung up in their failure. They did not quit. They spread the Gospel everywhere they went.

Have you ever failed? I know I have. Thank God, He had a plan. Christ died on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Our failures. So, just don't quit coming back to the Cross.

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for every time we have failed You and let You down. Restore us, O God, to right-standing with You. Thank You for choosing us. Overwhelm us with Your grace and mercy. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

*The Old Stuff

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2nd Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 

We live in an age and time when only the newest, latest, greatest, fastest, sleekest whatever is considered to be of any value to the movers and shakers of this world.

Well, I'll tell you - I'm not the latest, greatest, fastest, sleekest anything, and by this world's standard, I am an old thing. However, I am not measured by this world's standard. The standard I use to measure my life is the Word of God - and according to His standard, I am new - a new creation.

In our text for today, it clearly states, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Please notice that it does not read - only some things have become new. It says all. All things have become new for those who are in Christ; those of us who have chosen to accept His sacrifice for the sin in our lives - the old things. 

In the God's Word Translation - verse 17b reads, The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
Is it true?

Has the old way of living disappeared? Have you stopped hating?Are you finished fighting with your brother?  Done worrying? Done with fear? Just to name a few...

Has a new way of living come into existence? Do our lives reflect Christ's love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? The old me has had a tendency to want to hang on to things - physically and spiritually. I want ALL things to be new in Christ. I want to completely be a new thing, according to His Word.

Prayer:

Father,
          Create in us, O God, a right spirit. One that understands we must let go of the old way of living in order that ALL things can become new in Christ. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

When, Not If

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
Matthew 6:34 NLT


Jesus was very clear about His teaching. Matthew 6 is one such great illustration. He didn't leave much room for misinterpretation. Jesus didn't say "IF you do good deeds..." He didn't say "IF you pray" "IF you feel like praying..." "IF you fast..." Read what He said...

   “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ² When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. ³ But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴ Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

 ⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

 ⁷ “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! ⁹ Pray like this:
   Our Father in heaven,
      may your name be kept holy.
   ¹⁰ May your Kingdom come soon.
   May your will be done on earth,
      as it is in heaven.
   ¹¹ Give us today the food we need,
   ¹² and forgive us our sins,
      as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
   ¹³ And don’t let us yield to temptation,
      but rescue us from the evil one.
 ¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
 ¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Prayer:

Father,
         Illuminate Your Word to our souls. Cause it to come alive in us so that we can pass along the fruit of it to a hungry world. In Jesus' Name we pray.

Can You See Me?

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
1st Peter 3:12 NLT

I remember when my children were small, I couldn't decide if my name was "Mom-watch!" or "Mom-c'mere!" Either way, it involved me looking to see what my children were doing. Now, they're adults and when we get together, it's "Mom, look at this!" "Mom, did you see...?"

Our Promise for Today tells us our Heavenly Father is watching over us. Isn't that reassuring? And His ears are open to our prayers... "See, Abba? See? Do You like what I'm doing? Am I doing it the way You want me to?"  It's amazing how some things don't change that much. 

According to Peter, God is watching and listening if we are doing right, but He turns His face against those who do evil. 

So the big question is, "Can You see me?"

Prayer:

Father,
          Create in us a right spirit because we want to be right with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Separated

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV

The darkness of man is because of the absence of God's light. The darkness of the soul is because something has separated it from being in God's presence. Sometimes, we're in a dry place. We wonder how we ever got so far away... Have you ever been there? The real question is, How do we get into or BACK into His presence? Psalm 100...

Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.

The Bible also tells us that God sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17). When was the last time you sang a love song back to Him?

Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Oftentimes, that's how we get separated. We think we've made ourselves a success. We think we own the talents God bestowed on us when we were being formed in our mother's womb. Let us acknowledge His - God's - marvelous works! 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

How many times is it written, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good...?

For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for foolishly thinking we can do life on our own. We cannot do anything apart from You. We acknowledge and thank You for all the provision You have made, are making and will make throughout our lifetime as we walk with You. And we will go on thanking and praising You, giving all glory and honor unto You, O God. Keep our hearts and minds and eyes tuned to You, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Excel

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

1st Corinthians 14:12 NKJV

Unless we are born independently wealthy, most of us have to work at something to make a living. God laid out all sorts of guidelines for working. It was never His intention that any of us should be slackers. He gave each of us gifts and/or talents with which to make that living. However...

Often in our climb up the ladder, we forget some very important things, and the most important is this - If it wasn't for what God gave us, we would have nothing and no hope. He gave us ALL of our abilities, no matter what they are. A keen mind, a gift of hospitality or generosity, a gift of organization, service, singing, speaking, writing. The ability to be a friend. God will develop all that He has given us if we give it back to Him as a sacrifice of our lives. God wants us to be successful MORE than we want to be successful, but not for the same reason.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 tells us,  If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today."  It's to establish and confirm the covenant. It's to edify the Body of Christ - the Church. He equipped us for His glory, to fulfill HIS purpose in us, through us, FOR us...for each other. It's our Promise for Today and every day -  Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Prayer:

Father,

           For those gifts we recognize at work in us, and for the latent that lie waiting for You to make room for them in our lives, we pray Your blessing and increase so that we may excel in the edification of Your Church. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Attitude Adjustment

This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NLT

Attitude comes from the heart of a person, not the mind. Joshua was a man with attitude, although not in today's negative vernacular. You see, as much as humanly possible, Joshua understood who God is. Joshua understood made in His likeness - created in His image. 

Joshua quietly followed Moses and served him. He listened, observed and absorbed. He went with Moses when Moses went to meet with God... and stood and waited. However, God also listened, observed and absorbed the heart of Joshua.

After 40 years of faithfully following and serving Moses;  40 years after having seen the Promised Land - knowing what was waiting there and not being able to go straight into it because of some mamby-pamby naysayers; 40 years of being in the dessert, because of something he, Joshua, was not to blame for;  after 40 years - FINALLY standing at the Jordan with Moses - making plans to take millions of people into the Promised land, and Moses died. 

What then?

In an article written by Jan Greenwood, I read this amazing insight. God did not MAKE Joshua brave - He COMMANDED him to be brave (Joshua, chapter 1). God required an action of faith in response to His words. 

When faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, do we succumb or overcome? Our attitude about God and about life will literally make or break us. Joshua chose to obey - and we know how his story ends.

With God, our heart's attitude is everything. Do we need an attitude adjustment? 

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to see and understand. Give us wisdom to govern our attitude according to Your Word so we will make the right choices. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What Are You Wearing

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 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.
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

Ours is a society that judges people by how they look - the cut of their clothes, their shoes, bags, what they drive. All subject to scrutiny and often fodder for the "Do you believe that?" crowd. Do we ever once look on the heart? However, to quote Alan Neel, "God did not call us to be the Equity judge." In truth, we are instructed to judge NOT... 

Where do we get off thinking we're entitled to judge anyone?

In Isaiah, the Word tells us that We are ALL infected and impure with sin [emphasis mine]. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Is that what we're wearing? God forbid.

Following our text for today, we must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

What's that you're wearing? Is it time for a complete wardrobe change? 

Prayer:

Father,
         Turn up Your Refiner's fire. Burn away that which is not pure before You. We're calling for a complete wardrobe change. We want to be dressed in YOUR righteousness.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen

In Triumph

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
    and the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?
7 Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
    I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
    The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live
    to tell what the Lord has done.
Psalm 118:5-9, 14-17

This is my story - I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. He alone is my Strength and my Song, and He has given me the victory!

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for Your Word that You provided for us - to teach, train and exhort us. Let it come alive in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen