HAVE NO FEAR, JUDGE!

2-29-2012. . . .HAVE NO FEAR, JUDGE!

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:14-16 NIV)  The spiritually immature are not capable of judging properly which is why the scriptures instruct them to judge not less they be judged.  The spiritually mature however, are compelled because of their capability, to judge all things!  Have no fear!  Judge and judge rightly.  The world needs us to do so!

PRAYER: Lord, you have called us and prepared us to judge all things.  Empower us with the boldness to walk in our calling without fear.  Amen!

1 Cor 2:15-16. . . . But the spiritual man has insight into everything, and that bothers and baffles the man of the world, who can't understand him at all.  How could he?   For certainly he has never been one to know the Lord's thoughts, or to discuss them with him, or to move the hands of God by prayer. But, strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.  TLB

WHO DOES THAT?

2-28-2012. . . .WHO DOES THAT?

"Pride ends in destruction; humility ends in honor.   What a shame-yes, how stupid!-to decide before knowing the facts! (Prov 18:12-13 TLB)  Things are not always as they appear or how they are first presented!  There is usually much more to be learned and many more facts to discover.   Don't jump to conclusions before hearing the full matter.  Who does that?

PRAYER: Lord, continually instruct us in the ways of humility and keep pride far from us.  Help us to be quick to listen, slow to judge and both with wisdom.  Amen!

James 1:19-21. . . . Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.  Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

RSV

WATCH IT!

2-27-2012. . . .WATCH IT!

"Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own?   Should you say, 'Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see because of the board in your own?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother."  ( Matt 7:1-5 TLB)  Although we've all been in both positions, it is far more comfortable to be behind the pointing finger than in front of it.   We would all do well to remember the discomfort of the front position and show mercy, before we so quickly take up the comfort of the rear.  Watch it, don't be so quick to judge!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your ever present mercy towards us especially in though times when we don't deserve it.  Help us to learn that lesson and show mercy in spite of.  Amen.

Matt 5:7. . . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

A FRESH WIND OF DELIVERANCE!

2-24-2012. . . .A FRESH WIND OF DELIVERANCE!

"And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:  And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:  And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:  And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. (Deut 26:6-9 KJV)  There is a better place for us than the place of burden and distress!  While our distress and burdens have their benefits, they will not last always.  When we turn to God and cry out to Him, He hears us and brings His mighty power to bare upon our current dilemma, with the fresh wind of deliverance.

PRAYER: Lord, what a mighty God you are!  Amen.

Ps 34:19-22. . . .Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.  He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.  Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.  The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.  KJV

SUFFER INSTEAD AND LIVE!

2-23-2012. . . .SUFFER INSTEAD AND LIVE!

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." (Heb 11:24-26 KJV)  Choosing to suffer affliction (hard to bare circumstances) is a far better choice than the enjoyment of the pleasures of sin for a moment.  We delude our self if we believe sin has no pleasure, but the pleasure is not without severe consequence.  Suffer instead and live!  

PRAYER: Lord, like David, it is good for us to have been afflicted therefore, we have learned your ways.  Help always to rather suffer than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a moment.  Amen!

Ps 119:92-94. . . .I would have despaired and perished unless your laws had been my deepest delight. 93 I will never lay aside your laws, for you have used them to restore my joy and health. TLB

BLESSING vs. BURDEN!

2-22-2012. . . .BLESSING vs. BURDEN!

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."  (Ps 119:71-72 KJV)  Hind sight is always 20/20.   Although there is benefit to our burdens, better it is to not have to endure the burden at all!  Learn and follow God's way on the front end and receive blessings rather than endure burdens.  

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes we can be so willful and hardheaded.  Thank you for loving us enough to correct us before we completely run a muck!  Amen.

Prov 3:11-12. . . . My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. RSV

A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE!

2-21-2012. . . .A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE!

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:17-18 KJV)  It is comforting to know that troubles won't last always.  With a change of perspective we discover, things are never as bad as we perceive them to be.  There is purpose in our pain and strength in our struggles.  Temporary pain and troubles will end, but eternity will last forever!

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the God of eternity who bids us come.  We accept your invitation and thereby have the needed patience to endure our temporary struggles.  Amen!

Rom 8:18-20. . . . Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.  For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children.  TLB

BETTER FOR IT!

2-20-2012. . . .BETTER FOR IT!

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." (Ps 34:19 KJV)  Hard to bare situations are unavoidable and in fact, inevitable.   We are not left however, without hope.  Deliverance too, is inevitable!  The lessons learned while positively dealing with present dilemmas will benefit us greatly when deliverance comes.  We will emerge better for the experience.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the assurance that deliverance from all our afflictions will come.  Help us to be patient and lean the lessons of our present dilemmas and emerge better for the experience.  Amen.

2 Cor 4:17. . . . These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! TLB

HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!

2-17-2012. . . .HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!  

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Phil 1:66 KJV)   The construction project that was begun in us is going according to plan and will be completed!  In spite of the many unneeded interruptions and interjections on our part, the 'Chief Foreman' remains committed and undaunted in working out 'His Plan' and 'His Purpose' in our lives!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being committed to us. Forgive us for often getting in Your way and help us to submit to Your will. Amen.  

Ps 138:8. . . . The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me;your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. (NIV)

FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

2-16-2012. . . .FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5 KJV) In spite of one's best efforts, even the called by Christ experience failure. Failure however, does not have the final word, God does. In fact, our point of failure positions us for a word of instruction that will lead us to our next success.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being there even in our times of failure. Help us to be willing at our point failure to receive your word of instruction that will lead us to success. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24 . . . .

The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. 24 If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

DEPEND ON IT!

2-15-2012. . . .DEPEND ON IT!

"Love never fails."(1 Cor 13:8 NIV)  In a world of uncertain things, uncertain people, uncertain weather, uncertain circumstances, even uncertain futures, it is good to know we can depend on love!  God is Love and God can most certainly be depended on!  Depend on it!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful and dependable God!  Thank you that your love fails not and that we can depend on it!  Amen.   

1 Cor 13:13. . . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

2-14-2012. . . .IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,  never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them.  There are three things that remain-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.(1 Cor 13:4-13 TLB)  IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!  Happy Valentine's Day!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for love and for showing us what real love is!  Help us to prove to the world that we are your disciples by showing love to all. Amen!

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  KJV

TIME TO LIVE, TIME TO DIE!

2-1-2012. . . .TIME TO LIVE, TIME TO DIE!

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die;...(3Eccl 3:1-2 KJV)  The story is told of a rich man who sent his servant into the market place to buy supplies.  While there, the servant saw death and was very frightened.  The servant returned to his master as quick as he could.  His master inquired of the servant why he was so afraid.  The servant replied, I saw death while in the market place and it frightened me.  Please give me your fastest steed that I may escape to the next town.  Upon the servant's departure, his master went into the market place and found death.  He asked death, why did you frighten my servant?  Death replied, I did not mean to frighten him, but I do have an appointment with him in the next town!   Live everyday as if it is your last.  There is no escaping our appointment with death!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for every golden moment you give us to experience life!  Help us to live life to its fullest so that when our appoint with death comes, there will be no attempts to delay or escape it.  Amen!

Job 3:20-23 . . . . "Oh, why should light and life be given to those in misery and bitterness, who long for death, and it won't come; who search for death as others search for food or money?  What blessed relief when at last they die!  TLB

"

STAY DETERMINED!

2-10-2012. . . .STAY DETERMINED!

"Everyone shall hate you because you belong to me. But all of you who endure to the end shall be saved." (Matt 10:21-22 TLB)  Determination fuels endurance.  Haters and hecklers along the way are those who without determination, have long since quit.  Endure until the end and obtain the prize!  Don't run our of fuel!  Stay determined!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you in advance for the prize awaiting all who endure until the end.  We remain determine!  Amen.

Phil 3:15. . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV

GET READY - BE READY - STAY READY!

2-9-2012. . . .GET READY - BE READY - STAY READY!

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."  (Eccl 9:11KJV)  Opportunity favors the one who is prepared for it!  Time and opportunity come to  all but, not all can cease the moment of visitation.  Get Ready - Be Ready - Stay Ready!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for time and opportunity.  May we ready ourselves for our moment of visitation.  Amen!

Prov 10:5. . . .A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.  TLB

STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

2-7-2011. . . .STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:7KJV)  Advice is good and there is certainly wisdom in a multitude of counselors, but don't listen to nor take advice from just anybody.   Everyone has opinions and will offer them freely if given the opportunity.   Stay true to the inner you!  If its a different beat you march to, train your ear to never deviate from it and march into your destiny!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for making us fearfully, wonderfully and unique.  Help us to always stay true to who you created us to be.  Amen! 

Ps 139:14. . . .Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. TLB

  

IN IT TO WIN IT!

2-6-2012.  . . .IN IT TO WIN IT!

" In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win.  To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears."  (1 Cor 9:24-26 TLB)  A famous catch line from Wide World of Sports was "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!"   No one goes through the sacrifice and preparation for a competition to experience defeat.  The goal is to win; that is the believer's incentive in life!   We are in it, to win it!

PRAYER: Lord, we faithfully run this race of life that we may ultimately receive the prize, eternal life with you! Thank you that we will not fail to reach our goal.  Amen!

1 Tim 6:12. . . .Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  KJV

GOT IT, GET IT, GOOD!

2-3-2012. . . .GOT IT, GET IT, GOOD!

"But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:18-19 KJV)  As we give to others and ensure their needs are supplied, God will give to us and see to it that our needs are supplied!  Got it - Get it - Good!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for supplying all are need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus!  Help us follow your example and by seeing to the needs of others.  Amen!

Matt 25:37-40. . . .Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  KJV

GRACE GIVING LEADS TO GRACE LIVING!

2-2-2012. . . .GRACE GIVING LEADS TO GRACE LIVING!

"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God."  (Acts 2:44-47 TLB)  The New Testament paradigm for giving and caring for the needs of others seems foreign in this 'Every man for himself ' culture we live in.   Under the law, the tithe; under grace, whatever it takes!  Many churches and therefore, people are suffering because as believers, we just haven't gotten it yet!  Although, we tithe and give offerings (and as well we should) when will our faith grow to the new testament level of giving?  Is not the God of the tithe also the God of grace?  If under the law He opens a widow of heaven, how much more will He open under grace?  Grace giving leads to the experience of Grace living!  

PRAYER: Lord, give us a heart to trust you more especially in the area of giving.  Grow us to the level of grace giving in order that we may experience your grace living! Amen.

2 Cor 9:8-9. . . .God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.  It is as the Scriptures say: "The godly man gives generously to the poor. His good deeds will be an honor to him forever."   TLB

2-1-2012. . . .WHAT KIND OF GIVER ARE YOU?

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7 NIV)  Giving from the heart to others and to support the work of ministry not only makes them feel good, it makes the giver feel good as well.  God loves this kind of giving and these kind of givers!  What kind of giver are you?

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you that we are cheerful and willing givers!  We gladly support the work of ministry and without reluctance, we give of our own to help others.  Amen.

 Luke 6:30-31. . . . Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't worry about getting them back.  Treat others as you want them to treat you. TLB