Proclaim the Good News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer:

Father,

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

In the Genes

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
Ephesians 1:5-6 NLT

A long time ago, I used to work at an elementary school. As the registrar, I was often amazed by the younger siblings who would come to start school and they would be the spitting image of their older sibling at that age. Strong family genes. 

1st John 3:2 tells us, Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. How strong are our genes? What will we look like? Or more importantly - Who do we look like?

I'm sure we all know families that look so much alike, you could put them in a room with hundreds of people, and still be able to pick out who was in their gene pool.  I'm reminded of a time, several years ago - it was a gathering of friends at Gringo's with a new waiter who didn't know we'd ever been there. We straggled in, coming from all directions, and when we were finally gathered, the waiter looked at all of us and said, Oh, I get it. It's a family meeting!
We smiled and replied, Yup, that's it - a family meeting.

The only ones related were the two friends married to each other.  Proof positive - adopted into the family of God, our Abba Father. Strong enough through Christ to see our family resemblance. Can others see your resemblance?

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for adopting us into Your family and making us joint-heirs with Your precious Son, Jesus. When we grow up, we want to be just like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Again

Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all!

All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.

And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.

He will never give up on you. Never forget that.
1st Corinthians 1:7-9 The Message

There are times I just LOVE the Message Bible! Tonight is one of those times. This Scripture passage IS the message. It says it all.

I'm not adding anything else... read it again and again and again... until the Truth of it gets deep in your spirit, and you get it...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 119, O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind You promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as You promised. Let praise flow from my lips, for You have taught me Your decrees. Let my tongue sing about Your word, for all Your commands are right. Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow Your commandments. O Lord, I have longed for Your rescue, and Your instructions are my delight. Let me live so I can praise You, and may Your regulations help me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Talk is Cheap

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

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

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

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

Talk is cheap. Prove your love by what you won't do. 

Prayer:

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

Live Like We Believe

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1st Corinthians 4:20 NLT

A question has been raised concerning living what we believe vs. living what we've learned. Are they the same? If not, does it matter which one we live? Good questions...

Here's what I think. I think we live our lives based on what we believe - about God, about others, and about ourselves (no matter what it is). For instance, if we believe we CAN do something - we're right, we can! By the same token, if we believe we CAN'T do something - we're right again, we can't...

However, we do learn a lot of things. You can teach a child that hot will burn. But generally, they will still reach for fire. It is imperative that we are careful about what we learn and how we learn it because we must be on guard about what we come to believe. 

You see, if we truly believe the Word of God, we will act accordingly. If we don't believe the Word of God, we will act accordingly.

Let's not just talk it. Let's walk it, and live what we believe, and believe so we may live - truly live.

Prayer:

Father,

         Quicken Your Word in our hearts and minds. It is living and powerful and rightly divides between soul and spirit. Father, give us wisdom to know what to believe, preferably without getting burned. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Surrendered

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
2nd Corinthians 5:15 NLT

I believe God gave me a fighting spirit. My parents helped the idea along. My first name comes from the Greek language and means "strong, brave" - my middle name means "strong warrior" - and yet, I'm female. However, I feel as though the spirit of "Remember the Alamo!" emanates from my bones.

I could regale you with many tales of conflict, but I won't. Our purpose is to glorify God, not to be an embarrassment to Him by bragging on our before stories. 

I cannot get away from the idea of surrendering. I have realized just exactly how foreign it is to my nature. And yet, that is what we are called to do - surrender to the Lordship of Christ and live our lives accordingly. Without exaggeration, I have sung this song at least several hundred times in my life; I Surrender All. I sang it passionately and with what I thought was my whole heart... but today, I know that is not true, but it is the prayer of my heart.

Think about this for a moment - in a today sort of moment.  What does it mean to surrender? Well, the good people at Merriam-Webster define it like this:

a: to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort>
b: to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
c: to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner
d: to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

None of it sounds like something I want to do in and of myself, but God IS still God. The Truth is - He is the one true God and He rules by HIS rules, not mine. He didn't ask me what I thought, He invited me to follow Him. And to do that I must surrender my will to His. Will I? Will you?

Prayer:

Father,
         According to Your Word, give me the knowledge to wrap my head and heart around surrendering and the wisdom to know how to walk with You in it. My heart is to surrender to You, O God, and walk fully in YOUR ways. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

The Three R's

Then Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Shelters in the presence of the Lord our God.
1st Kings 8:65 NLT

I came across a verse in 1st Kings 6:7, that reads, The stones used in the construction of the Temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, ax, or any other iron tool at the building site.  While thinking about the significance of that, I also read our text for today, in chapter 8, verse 65. I don’t remember ever hearing about the Festival of Shelters. But they celebrated it at the end of the dedication of the Temple... the one they built with no sound of tools at the site.

The Festival of Shelters is an ancient Hebrew festival that calls us to remember, resist and rejoice. We remember that we are all homeless wanderers in a land that is not our own. We resist the powers of pride and greed that create wealth for a few and poverty for many. And we rejoice that God has given us a harvest that provides more than enough for an abundant life. 

The Festival commemorates God’s instructions to Moses and the Hebrews: “You shall live in shelters seven days: all citizens of the land shall live in shelters…” (Leviticus 23:42). The Festival calls all of God’s people, especially those who live in good houses and celebrate plentiful harvests, to not forget the God who rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt and who fully provided for His people in the wilderness, despite their rebellion. 

As we remember where we’ve come from, let us resist the temptation to be self-seeking and self-serving, and rejoice that God – in His infinite mercy – has made a way for us where there was no way. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Just as we applied ourselves to learn The Three R’s at school, let us more so abide by these: Remembering Your goodness toward us, resisting pride and self-sufficiency, and rejoicing that You go before us and make the crooked way straight, loving us and teaching us to be true followers of You. Help us to successfully finish the race You have called us to run. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

How Amazing

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.
Psalm 111:1-10 NLT

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Prayer:

Father,
           I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of Your Word - Your faithfulness to show us exactly what we need and how it can only be found in You. Open our eyes and our hearts to You, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No Worries

And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6b-7 NKJV

If you turn on a radio, TV or computer, you know there is an overwhelming amount of debate over the current circumstances. I'm not seeing much reconciliation or attempts to go to someone in love to discuss differences. Here's what I DO know. I don't like what's happening in this country. I haven't for a long while. However, I am not going to be caught up in all the angst. I am a sojourner here. 

That's not to say that I don't love this country or that I won't pray for the world. According to 2nd Chronicles 7:14, if we want our land to be healed, we must do much more than pray. But our comfort should be that this world is not our home. Philippians 3:20 NLT ...we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Luke 12: 22-26 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

For those of us who follow Christ - no matter where you live right now - here's the Good News - this world is not our final home.  That's not open for debate. It is simply the Truth.  And there is NO corruption in Heaven because there is NO corruption in the Lord our God and King. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for being the Lifter of our heads - for lifting us above the circumstances of life. Thank You for the measure of faith You have given us to be able to believe in You and trust Your Word. You are God and we surrender to Your will. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Be Careful Little Feet

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Luke 8:11-15 NLT

Reading this, my thoughts went back to a song I learned as a little girl, Be Careful. It was being careful little eyes; little ears; little tongue; little hands; and little feet. As a child, it was all about staying out of trouble and away from bad things. As an adult, my perspective has changed. 

These days, I think of it more from the angle of being intentional about where I look. Is there someone God wants me to see as I go through my day? Intentional about what I hear - is what I listen to edifying? Will it build my faith? Am I hearing God's voice whisper in my ear? Intentional about what I say? Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken... Oh, help me, Jesus! Are my words even fit to be spoken? Are my hands intentional to help others? Do my feet carry me to where I need to be? And that brings me to our Promise for Today.

The seed being sown is God's Word. It's always good. There's not one bad seed in it, and yet as we read this passage, so much of it does not produce to its full potential. It was all the same seed. Is there anything wrong with the seed? No, not at all! Given the right Light and good soil, it will grow and flourish and produce an incredible harvest. But if I'm not in the right place to receive it...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray according to Your Word; Direct our footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over us. You brought us up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; Set our feet upon a rock making our footsteps firm. Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Guide our footsteps into Your paths of righteousness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Free

The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

How many times have you read this portion of Scripture and held on to it for dear life - or used it when ministering to someone who was heartbroken? Have you ever wondered if God really understood the depth of your broken heart? I'm not trying to be fractious or facetious. I've had people express that very question to me.

Let me assure you, He knows.

There are some horrible, deplorable, gut-wrenching events that take place in the lives of those around us and in our own lives. Some we know about. Some we don't... not until much later. Some we read about and throw a prayer heaven-ward, but are we actually touched with the feeling of their situation? For instance, when was the last time we thought about and fervently prayed for the many posts of missing children or the prayer requests on Facebook alone? Do we just post a praying hands emoji or do we actually pray? Scripture tells us Jesus is touched with the feeling of our situations.

If we do even just a little study on the word thrauo - which is the Greek word interpreted as 'oppressed', we will find that it means to break, break in pieces, shatter, smite through. If we go to the original reference (Isaiah 61:1), we find that the Hebrew word definition translates to break, break in or down, break in pieces, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench, rupture (figuratively), to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked, to shatter...  If we put that in our Promise for Today, I'd say that pretty well covers it, wouldn't you?

Anything that crushes or shatters our life tends to create a prison of our own making. It is from THAT prison Christ came to set us free. Free to be who God created us to be. Free to free others from the chains of their souls, no matter where they may be.

Truly free.

Prayer:

Father,
            Continue to illuminate Your Word so that we understand and are able to walk in the freedom that You alone can and have provided for us. And as we grasp the Truth of Your Word, help us to give the keys to those around us who need a way out of the prison of their souls. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Clean Inside and Out

Didn’t the One who made the outside also make the inside? Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.
Luke 11:40-41 The Message

Have you ever tried to clean a tight spot? A small place, no room to maneuver? You can't even get enough light in there to see to clean in the tiny, dark spaces. That's a good word picture of how our hearts can be when we close off to others. When we've been hurt and no longer want to let anyone close enough to hurt us again. We just build the wall higher and tighter. It just gets darker, and there's no room in there for anyone else. It's not a good place to be.

However, compassion leads to a larger capacity within our hearts. As we make room for others, light pours in and we have a better view of our behaviors. We are quicker to identify and clean up those thoughts that could lead us back into captivity. We are able to be proactive in cleaning out those areas that were hidden from our sight. As we pour out to those around us, even more areas of our hearts are lit up by God's love and grace working in us.

Yes, as we Turn both [y]our pockets and [y]our hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then [y]our lives will be clean...

Prayer:

Father,
          Give us clean hands and pure hearts, according to Your Word. Give us a fresh anointing of compassion for our fellow man. Pour a new and living anointing into us for understanding Your Word, so that we may be washed clean by it - inside and out. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Following the Plan

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:11-12 NLT

So many people ask, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Obviously, there is not one standard answer to that question. However, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you don't know the answer, please be assured you are following the One who DOES know. God has a plan for everything. He's had it before the foundation of the world and there's a reason for all of it.

There have been times I've asked God, "What's the reason for this?" especially when it's not obvious to me why I am where I am in certain situations. BUT, Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. And while I may not have been able to see why I was in a certain place or situation, once I move down the path, continuing to trust Him, following in His footsteps, I am able to look back and see clearly why I was there.

Generally, it's one of four reasons.

1. Organizational structure

For example, Nehemiah was the king's cup-bearer, that was his job, but God had another plan - for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The story is a fascinating tale of favor with God and with King Xerxes, about a cup-bearer with tremendous organizational skills.

2. Financial aid

As much as people HATE to talk about the M-word in church, some things just take money to accomplish. I'm not talking about grand cathedrals, etc, (although if that's what God called you to build, do it). I'm talking about supplying the needs of the Body and those who spread the Good News and that often takes practical application, such as paying the bills for electricity and running water. 

3. Divine Order 

Sometimes you get somewhere because you've been-there-done-that and you can help by instructing others in how it's done or at least encouraging them in the process.

4. Obedience
Simply living your life in obedience to follow God no matter the circumstances. What a powerful testimony and encouragement that is to those within your sphere of influence.

Yes, God has a plan for everything. So, while you may not be able to see what you are supposed to be doing in a certain place or situation at this moment in time, continue to follow His footsteps. HE knows where you are and why you are there and He is trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father,
           Oh, the comfort in knowing that You lead us and we can follow, safe and secure, because You never leave us or forsake us. Father, help us to know this Truth deep in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

If Jesus is...

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Luke 5:16 NLT

I have been asked if Jesus is part of the Godhead, why did He need to pray? Good question, even better is, if Jesus prayed, why don't we?

The other day, someone mentioned Matthew 6:8 and asked, if God knows what we need before we ask, why do we ask? However, if we read what was said before and after that statement, we realize it is taken out of context. Jesus was talking about vain repetition - just saying words over and over - rather than praying from a heart full of faith in God.

Jesus prayed on Earth because He was human and knew there was no way to do life without communicating with the Father. He prayed alone, He prayed with others, He prayed FOR others. He prayed short prayers, He prayed all night long. He prayed inside buildings and outside in nature.

In His most desperate time on Earth, He prayed for an answer and the answer was 'No' (the Garden of Gethsemane). It is important to note that His prayer didn't go UNanswered, but it wasn't answered the way WE would have wanted if we'd been praying for a way out. It is VITAL to note that Jesus prayed, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine..." (Luke 22:42), just as He taught us to pray in Matthew 6, "...Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

And even TODAY, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). So, if Jesus is praying, shouldn't we be?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,
                                  May Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Forgiven

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
1st John 1:8-1st John 2:1 NLT

Ever had one of THOSE days... you know the one when you're snuggled in so warm and cozy and waking up slowly, contentedly stretching and ready to hit the snooze alarm when all of a sudden in mid-stretch you realize there's a vague recollection of already having whacked the alarm twice. In one svelte move, you're throwing off covers, feet hit the floor and as you grab up the phone to peer incredulously at what time it is, you're already full speed ahead, adrenalin-pumping, throwing the clothes in the dryer, praying the touch-up cycle will suffice in place of ironing, as you race to the shower and pray for God's help in clearing traffic and fixing your hair - all in the same breath...

Then you get to work and the mad dash you made to get there seems as though it may be the high point of the day. Try as you might, there just doesn't seem to be any way to recover and all you hear in your head is the line from Casting Crown's song, East to West I can't bear to see the man I've been rising up in me again... The Bible tells us that satan is the accuser of the brethren. It also tells us, if we will remember, that he's A LIAR and the father of all lies! The first line of our text for today reassures us with TRUTH - If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. We're not stuck there. We don't have to stay there.

Bottom line - if we were never going to need forgiveness, Christ wouldn't have come and laid down His life to purchase our forgiveness. He wouldn't be our Advocate, pleading our case before the Father. Yes, confessing our sin to Him and asking forgiveness is the beginning of our relationship, but it's not all there is. Let's keep moving forward. We have a long way to go - as far as the East is from the West.

Prayer:

Father,
           There aren't enough words within my command to properly thank You for all You've forgiven in my life. Or to definitively express what I feel regarding Your mercy and Your grace... To say I love You seems so trite given the way the world has lowered the value of that precious expression, but I know that You, Father, look on the heart. Look on my heart, Lord. Read what is there for You. Remove everything else that does not reflect You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Called by Name

Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that he had said this.
Luke 24:5b-8 NLT

In the depths of grief and despair, it's difficult to remember even the important things. It's as though the disconnect affects everything. The details are lost under a mountain of memories and can't make their way to the top through the ocean of shock and (or) tears. Shock and grief can make you feel as if all the oxygen is being sucked out of your world. And as we all know, the brain doesn't operate well without oxygen. 

Christ was kind enough to warn His loved ones what was going to happen, but they were still in denial. In John 20, Mary Magdalene discovers the body of Christ is missing and runs to tell Peter and John. Later, after they're gone, she is still weeping at the tomb. How often do people go back to a graveside because it was the last place they 'saw' their loved one? It's human nature. Blinded by her grief, she didn't even recognize her beloved Savior until He called her by name. "Mary!" (verse 20)

God's Word tells us that He has ransomed us. He has called US by name and we are His. (Isaiah 43). Will we accept the ransom He paid for us on the Cross at Calvary? In our griefs, will we answer His call - that all who are weary and heavy-laden will come to Him and find rest? 

Prayer:

Father,

          There aren't enough words to properly thank You and praise You for all You have done to buy us back and redeem us from sin, death, hell, and the grave. But we believe Your Word - that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the Cross at Calvary to pay for our sins and that on the third day, He arose victorious over death, hell and the grave. We accept Jesus as our Savior and wait for the final day on this earth when You will call us home because we are Yours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Fired Up

With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
James 3:9-12 The Message Bible

Have you ever had someone in your life who repeatedly frustrated the fire out of you? At some point, you decide you've had enough and you're just going to tell them exactly how you feel! You feel justified in your anger and frustration and you're not holding back any longer. You let them have it! Both barrels...

How'd that work for you?

If, on every other day, you live your life to follow Christ, then in this instance of, Oh, it will feel good to tell them off, it only takes a second or two after you've spouted off to get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.

And if we would take the time to pray and submit our will and our flesh to the leading of the Holy Spirit BEFORE we blow, we would realize that we really don't want to sow that kind of garbage in someone's life. Since we reap what we sow (and we do!), do we really want to reap the harvest of our bad attitudes? Think about it for a moment. That would equate to a lot less profit on our return, and a lot of extra work trying to remove the garbage thrown out there.

Continuing in chapter 3, verses 17 & 18, Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

Jesus never said it would be easy. In truth, He told us it would be hard...but it's not impossible.

Prayer:

Father,
           According to Your Word, O Lord, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Paralyzed by Sin

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5: 18-20 NLT

Healing was flowing (vs 17c), and their faith was high. They knew was this was the right time. This was the right place. All they had to do was get him to Jesus. Yes, there were obstacles in their way. First the crowd, then the roof. Still, they pressed on and after all that, managed to lower him right in front of Jesus. So, what do you think the friends thought when He said, ...your sins are forgiven?  Jesus saw their faith; that was not why they brought him. The plan was to get him there so Jesus would heal him.

Then to top it off, the church leaders start arguing with Jesus over whether or not his sins are forgiven, while he, the paralytic, is now the cynosure of all eyes - lots of eyes because remember, the place was packed. In all reality, probably just a few minutes, but if it were you lying there, how long would it seem to be?  

Let's freeze it for a moment and think about it. Okay, my sins are forgiven, now what? I'm not going anywhere. Chaos has broken out around me. People are staring at me. I feel vulnerable and exposed. What do I do?!? 

Wait for it? Wait for the Word - Jesus' Word - even when it might seem that He's not paying attention to you. Wait for it - search for the answer. It's in His Word. He gives us what we need most. We want physical healing; He wants to give us complete healing. He wants to make us whole. Even when everyone's watching and it seems like nothing is happening... Jesus will turn to us with a Word, just like He turned to the paralyzed man in verse 24 and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 

Life lesson - press in, press on, praise God! Don't be paralyzed by sin anymore, but don't move until He tells you to. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for sending Christ to die for the forgiveness of our sins so that we can be made whole. Help us to hear and obey when You speak to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

That's Sobering...

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT 

I stopped at the store to pick up a few items I needed. While there, I noticed a bin of discounted CDs that contained re-releases of music I listened to years ago. I picked two - one Christian artist and one American blues singer.

Music is amazing! You hear an old favorite and it takes you back to a particular time or place. That's exactly what happened as soon as I got back in the car and slipped in the CD of the blues. The music strummed down the inroads of memory lane and the vocals massaged and manipulated me back to that time in my life... I cranked it up and hit the repeat button many times.

This morning when I woke up, the melody playing in my heart was from that blues CD. It's not "bad" music, but it is not conducive to worship. It hasn't put me in a mindset of prayer. It has not lent itself to assisting me to focus on the Lord and seek His direction for today. It's not what I normally wake up hearing in my heart. Verse 23 of our text for today reads, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Determines the course of my life... That's a sobering thought. What else am I allowing into my heart?

Prayer:

Father,
           Awaken our hearts to only You, Lord. Always shine the Light of Your Truth into our lives so that everything we do is pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Looking a Little Ashy

…To give them beauty for ashes…

Isaiah 61:3b NKJV

Science will tell you that millions of years ago, large pockets of carbon dioxide were deep beneath the Earth’s crust. "Extreme heat and pressure caused the carbon atoms to crystallize forming diamonds," according to the website www.library.thinkquest.org. Extreme heat… fire from the depths of the Earth.

Did you know that the depth of a diamond is actually the height of a diamond? It is measured from the very bottom of the culet to the table facet at the top. However, there is another term related to diamonds that most people don't know. It is Depth %. 

According to the aforementioned website, depth % is the height of a diamond (measured from the culet to the table) divided by the width of the diamond. The depth % is critical to creating brilliance and fire in a diamond. A depth % that is too low or too high will cause light to leak out of the stone, causing the diamond to lose sparkle.

Have you ever experienced extreme heat from pressure in your life - the kind that felt as though it came from the pit of hell? Although the depth % may be critical to creating brilliance and fire, the good news is that the height and width of the Cross were in perfect proportion, so keep reaching for Jesus. There is no light, no love and no life lost in Him. Even when it feels like all that’s left is ashes, Christ came to give us beauty for those ashes.

Prayer:

Father,

           In all things, for every circumstance and event of our lives, we cannot always know or understand Your ways, but this I know. You are God and You are holy and You are righteous and nothing can separate us from Your love. You are our eternal hope. Give us beauty for ashes, Father. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

The Same Word

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luke 4:3-4 KJV

We know who Jesus is. We know He is the only begotten Son of God, equal part of the triune Godhead. Our Saviour. In John 1:1-4 NKJV, we read,

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.

Through study, we understand the Word to be Jesus. He is the living Word. John 1:14 NKJV tells us, 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

So, Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, to dwell among us, to set us free from our rebellious, sinful nature so that we can live eternally with Him. THAT Jesus, that's the One - who when being tempted by satan said to satan, IT IS WRITTEN...

Now if the Saviour of the world, who - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God - THAT Jesus fights and defeats the enemy of our soul with "It is written..."    why would we think that we could do it withOUT reading and KNOWING the same written Word of God?

Just something to think upon going into the weekend.

Prayer:

Father, 
          Thank You for Your Word; for speaking to us, for having men write it down for posterity, for becoming flesh and living it out before us. Thank You that we are able to study it and live accordingly. Illuminate Your Truths to us. Write them on the tablets of our hearts, O God, by Your Holy Spirit, that we have the power to be Your sons and daughters. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It'll Get Done

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 NLT

One commentary I read had this observation:

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren't making progress in your spiritual life? When God starts a project, He completes it! As with the Philippians, God will help you grow in grace until He has completed His work in your life. 

When you are discouraged, remember that God won't give up on you.  He promises to finish the work He has begun. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God's promise and provision. Don't let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him. 

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the promise that You will complete the work You began in us. We're counting on it, Lord, and asking for Your mercy and grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to walk it out in our lifetime. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Understanding the Purpose

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Luke 2:48-52 NLT

At 12, He understood His purpose. He was to be about His Father's business, but His earthly parents did not understand. This is the last story we read about Jesus' childhood. For the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, there isn't one other record of Him. However, we know that the Saviour of the world lived in submission to His earthly parents. Jesus knew that all authority is placed by God the Father, and if He was to be a man of authority, He had to submit to authority - to God's authority and the authority God placed in Jesus' life. What is the main point? Obedience.

And because He did, He grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Jesus understood the purpose of submission. He understood the great power of obedience and He walked it out in His life. How do we know that? Romans 5:19 assures us, For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. And also because 18 years later - when Jesus re-emerged onto the scene - He was fully equipped to complete His purpose... in obedience. 

And He did.

Prayer:

Father,
           We understand so little about submission to authority and complete obedience from the heart. We want to know it more. Forgive us, O God! We want more of You and less of ourselves. Help us to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand that we may fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Without Fear

We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Luke 1:74-75 NLT

How important do you think it is to serve God without fear? For as many times as it appears in the Scriptures to fear not, I'd say God is not just suggesting that we don't, but commanding that we don't. Why? Because He IS love and perfect love casts out all fear. 1st John 4:18 reads, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

So, let me share with you how important it is to NOT be fearful. Revelation 21:7-8 AKJV reads, He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [emphasis mine].

The fearful and unbelieving are lumped right in with perverts and murderers, and all liars... NONE of whom has a place in heaven.

Prayer:

Father,
             Help us to trust in Your perfect love at all times. We know You have our best interests at heart always. Help us to trust Your sovereign goodness and move forward with confidence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

How to Know What's Going On

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
Luke 1:15c

At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy."
Luke 1:41-44 NKJV

Elizabeth knew about Mary's pregnancy before Mary told her, even though Mary had only been pregnant for days (see Luke 1:39). How did she know? She surely wasn't showing - there was no baby bump in that short amount of time. If we look back, we know the angel, Gabriel, told Zechariah the priest that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, John, the baby, leaped within her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Remember, John was already filled with the Holy Spirit.)  The Holy Spirit revealed it to both John and his mother. Mary knew because the Holy Spirit had overshadowed her.

How can we know the mysteries of Scripture unless they are revealed to us? How can they be revealed to us unless the Holy Spirit does the revealing? John 16:13 NKJV tells us, However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. We must know God's Word to be able to fulfill our purpose in being here. We must receive the Holy Spirit to be able to know the depth and mysteries in God's Word. It's how we can know what's going on... 

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for sending Your Son to provide our salvation and redemption. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to lead us into all Truth; past, present and future. Reveal Yourself to us, Lord, so that we may know the Truth and the Truth will set us free. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Psalming Words

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! 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, to train and to exhort. Let it come alive in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen