For Each His Own

The one who sins is the one who dies. The son shall not be punished for his father’s sins, nor the father for his son’s. The righteous person will be rewarded for his own goodness and the wicked person for his wickedness.
Ezekiel 18:20 Living Bible

In Deuteronomy when the law was given, God said He would visit the iniquity of the fathers unto the third and fourth generations of offspring. What a horrific situation! So when reading this lifeline in Ezekiel, we can breathe freely and CHOOSE to live independently of anyone else's sins and bad choices. It is a promise too good to be ignored!

This passage in Ezekiel 18 (1-32) weaves in and out of generations through righteousness and wickedness and all their options, but we get to CHOOSE. Just as Joshua declared in chapter 24, verse 15, But if you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey. Will it be the gods of your ancestors beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites here in this land? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

But the great news is that it's your choice and you will only be judged for your choices. Make them good and wise.

Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for Your Word that You will punish or reward each according to his own actions. We choose to turn from our sins while there is yet time. Give us a new heart and a new Spirit. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Love of Counsel

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 27:9 NLT

I find it interesting that in this proverb, a friend's counsel is compared to perfume and incense, scents used to soothe one's soul. Well, more than one soul, for sure. Do you know that in the US alone the scented candle industry is valued at over 3 billion dollars? Yes, BILLION...

We love freshening our homes and offices with scents that are pleasing to our olfactory senses. We use them for aroma therapy and stress reduction. There is just something so comforting about the combined light and fragrance that invites you to come in, sit down and relax...

In the same way, when you're in need of a true friend's counsel, there is nothing sweeter or more loving. Trusted counsel is comforting in its ability to keep us safe, to help break down the walls of stress we build, to keep our hearts from hardening. That's what love does.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for faithful friends - those You've entrusted to us and us in return to them. Thank You for those with arms that hug us close, hands that reach out in support, and for those whose hearts beat in time with our own to lend strength for those days that need help. Thank You, Father, for these friends You've so lovingly given us as Your heart and hands extended. Bless them, Father, richly and often. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Feeling Hopeless

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:28-31a NIV

Life is tough. We put up a good fight, looking to the hills whence comes our help. However, sometimes bad things seem to keep hitting until we want someone to call a penalty for piling on. They seem to pile so high that we lose sight of our help. It's in those times that hopelessness creeps in, stealing our peace, our joy, our very strength... but God!

God has given us so many promises regarding His strength for us, His love, His ever-present help in times of trouble. His purpose for our times of trials and suffering. Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Let us pray for one another as Paul prayed for us in Romans 15:13, 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name. Amen

KNOWING AND TRUSTING - Pr. Alan Neel

Hebrews 3: 19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

God’s plans are always good! But there are times when they may not look or feel good! It’s in those times that we have to trust and believe. 

Unbelief is a natural by-product of our selfish and sinful nature. So, our initial response is rejection! Let’s remember, that only by a relationship with Jesus do we begin to overcome our sinful instincts and trust God in every circumstance. 

NO MATTER WHAT - GOD HAS A PLACE FILLED WITH PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY WAITING FOR US TO INHABIT! KNOWING GOD ENABLES TRUST IN GOD!

Historically Speaking

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Psalm 105:4 NASB

Psalm 105 is considered to be one of two historical psalms, Psalm 78 being the other. But with every recollection of what God has, there is a call to praise Him for His wondrous works. A reminder of everything He promised, everything He has done, and all that He will do.

Every covenant God has ever made is STILL in effect. Historically speaking, covenants were/are binding contracts for life until both (or all) participants died. To this day, we still have rainbows. Genesis 9:13-16 NLT,  I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 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. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth. Every time we see a rainbow and admire its beauty, God is also looking at it and remembering His covenant with us! Think about that! 

Let us rejoice, remember and reiterate this awesome Truth - our GOD IS NOT DEAD. Therefore, we still have and always will have cause to praise Him!

Prayer:

Father,

          We will give thanks to You, Lord, and call upon Your Name. We will make Your deeds known among the people. We will sing to You, sing praises to You; and tell of all Your wonders. We will boast in Your holy name. We will seek You, Lord, and Your strength. We will seek Your face continually for You have remembered Your covenant forever, the Word which You commanded to a thousand generations. Remind us, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Slice and Dice

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NASB

Proverbs 14:12 tells us, There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death. As an example, have you ever gotten into a situation in life where you wish you had made a different choice? That somehow, if you'd had more information, you might have come out of it okay. Or you actually had the information, but decided that way would be painful, and you'd rather take the easier way? 

Our flesh wants to avoid pain, right? A two-edged sword - slicing and dicing - is not our first choice. And the Word of God is sharper than that? Yes, thank God, it is! It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts! It is able to deliver us from the ways that seem right and lead us to the Way that IS right. It may be painful to submit our will and our ways to the Lord, but He is the only One who can lead us to life eternal. 

Prayer:

Father,

           We don't want to go the way that seems right. We want to follow You. Give us eyes of understanding to rightly divide Your Word and hearts to follow Your leading. Slice away any self-deception and reveal to us Your Truth, so we are able to judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Still Called Today

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB

There are times in life when day after day, it seems like we just can't get away from the ugly side of life. That seems to come in seasons, and lately, it seems to be a long season - one of disaster, disappointment, destruction, and death, no matter where you are. Sometimes it happens subtly - in the day-to-day of life. Other times, it happens overwhelmingly, day after day, with no relief in sight. It's in those times - in the day after day of it that the number one question I hear is, "Where is God in all this?"

Satan would like nothing better than to convince you that God isn't there for you, that He wasn't there for you, that He won't be there for you. How do we deal with that?

If we try to fight those lies on our own, more than likely, we'll end up in some deception. The Truth is that bad things are going to happen in life. Jesus warned us that they would. John 16:33, NASB These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  So, we need to come together and encourage each other day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” Because the Word of God also promises that He will take what satan meant for bad and turn it around for our good. 

Dear Ones, there IS good. Look for it. Remember, we find what we are looking for - good or bad. Let's shine the light of Truth, share the Light of His Truth, help each other, and encourage one another, while it's still called today.

Prayer:

Father,
           Keep us ever mindful of the Light of the World. Help us to properly hold the Light so others may see You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen