WHO'S ON THE LORD'S SIDE!

4-30-2021. . . .WHO'S ON THE LORD'S SIDE!

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."  (3 John 11KJV) 

Who's on the Lord's side?  It is not in what we say that gives proof, it is in what we do!  It is our deeds that reveal our side!

PRAYER: Lord, let our daily deeds clearly show and tell the world that we are on your side.  Amen!

Ps 34:12-14. . . .What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.  KJV

BE WISE!

4-29-2021. . . .BE WISE!

"Say there!  Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink-even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk-it's all free!  Why spend your money on food that doesn't give you strength?  Why pay for groceries that do you no good?   Listen and I'll tell you where to get good food that fattens up the soul!"  (Isa 55:1-2 TLB)  

No matter how much of it one has, there are just some things that money cannot buy!  The things that money cannot buy are far more valuable than the things it can.  Money can buy temporal things but not eternal ones.  Be wise and keep both in proper perspective!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for temporal things and the money to purchase them.  Thank you more so for the things you give us that are eternal.  Help us to be wise and keep both in proper perspective.  Amen!

2 Cor 4:17-18. . . . 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.  KJV

NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN!

4-28-2021. . . . No Deposit No Return!

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. ( Heb 13:1-3 NIV)

Many of us can remember a time when soft drinks came in glass bottles. The glass bottles were reusable and as such, when returned, a deposit was paid. As time advanced the bottles changed and were no longer reusable. Each bottle was stamped with the words ‘No Deposit No Return’. In essence, the bottling company was saying "This bottle is of no further value to us, therefore, don’t return it to us!   In much the same way as the bottles, daily we dispatch people in and out of our lives determining them to be of no further value or uses too us.   Is it a stretch to draw this parallel. . . . probably.   Nevertheless, consider the number of people that cross our paths each day.   Many are unhappy, hurting, angry, discouraged, confused and abused.   More often then we think, just a small deposit into their lives could make a difference or change their circumstance.   Are we to be the world’s problem solvers. . . .not exactly.  But, perhaps a deposit of a smile or a kind word; perhaps a few minutes to listen to someone vent or to pray with someone feeling sad could be all that's needed. You’ll be surprised at the return a small deposit can bring.  But remember, No Deposit, No Return! Think about it! 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be sensitive to the people you allow to cross my path today. Where I can make a deposit, help me to do so. Amen!

Prov 18:2424. . . . A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. KJV

HE IS WITH US!

4-27-2021. . . .HE IS WITH US!

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Ps 23:4 NIV)  

Whether in times of trouble or tranquility, there is no greater comfort than to know that God is with us.  No matter the situation, (good or bad) with both rod and staff He is lovingly shepherding our steps and our stops.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for lovingly guiding us through the ever-changing circumstances of life.  We will never walk in fear with you by our side.  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

WHERE IS THE POWER?

4-23-2021. . . .WHERE IS THE POWER?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt 28:18 KJV) 

Where is the Power? Think for a moment. Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth!”  Therefore, He has all power. . . . .He lives within every believer. . . . consequently, All power resides within every believer!   To know this is to know Victory!

Prayer: Lord, all power in heaven and in earth is with you. Thank you for bringing your power to us. Give us now wisdom to access and utilize your power properly for your glory. Amen!

1 John 4:4. . . . Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. KJV

YES, I AM!

4-22-2021. . . .YES, I AM!

"We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers.  But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him-how can God's love be within him? (1 John 3:16-17 TLB)  

We can never repay the Lord for giving His life for us!  What we can do is live out this new life in service to others!  Someone once asked,  "Am I my brother's keeper?"   There is only one answer for believers; "YES I AM!"

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example of love.  Help us to demonstrate that love daily through our service to others.  Amen!

1 John 4:21. . . .And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  KJV

IN ALL THINGS!

4-21-2021. . . .IN ALL THINGS!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28 NIV)   

In the face of trouble, tragedy, calamity and chaos, the KJV rendering of this verse (…All things work together for good…) seems ambiguous and contradictory.  The truth of the matter is, many things are actually 'NOT' working for our good, but are designed to take us out, disturb our faith and disrupt our destiny. The NIV rendering of this verse makes it poignantly clear that it is not ‘the things’ that are working for our good, but ‘GOD WORKING IN ALL THINGS’ for our good! No matter how difficult or challenging the circumstance, we can remain encouraged and our faith strong knowing that God is working IN ALL THINGS for our good!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for working in all things for our good! In our times of distress and discouragement; trouble and tragedy, help us to trust you and remember this fact. Amen!

Ps 34:19-20. . . . A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. NIV

INCREASE THE NUMBERS!

4-20-2021. . . .INCREASE THE NUMBERS!

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Prov 17:17 NIV)  

 A friend’s love prevails through all circumstances. In the toughest of times, the bond is likened to that of a brother. Value these kind of friends for they are few! Be this kind of friend and increase the numbers!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving and loyal friends. Help us to be this quality of a friend. Amen!

Prov 27:9. . . . Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. NIV

WE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!

4-16-2021. . . .WE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18 KJV)  

There are no forces including the forces of hell that can prevail against the true Church that Jesus himself is building.  It's time the church step up and be the church on the prevailing issues of our day and stop wimping out; opting rather to be politically correct and go along to get along.  Outside forces will only prevail if we let them.  It's past time we stop letting them!  Boldly SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT we have the advantage!

PRAYER: Lord, help us be the church you are calling for us to be in this modern era.  Empower us with boldness to speak up and speak out against all unrighteousness!  Help us through the demonstration of your love to be the change agents that lead sinners to repentance!  Amen.

2 Peter 3:8-10. . . .But don't forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord.  He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.  The day of the Lord is surely coming, as unexpectedly as a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the heavenly bodies will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be burned up. TLB

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!

4-15-2021. . . .WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!

"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. The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved." (Acts 2:44-47 TLB)

We would be hard-pressed to find this biblical paradigm of the Church existing anywhere in the world, although, it should.  What changed?   Where once there was common-ism, there is now individualism; where once there was humanitarianism, there is now materialism.  Where once there was continual fellowship, there is now denominational partisanship; where once there was interdependence, there is now dysfunctional co-dependence.   It, therefore, should come as no surprise that church attendance, participation, and interest has decreased.  Yet, God remains faithful to His Church!  So then, the real question for us is not "What changed" but, "What Needs to Change?"  Easy answer. . . . US!

PRAYER: Lord, how far we've strayed from your original plan and have engrafted our own agendas.  Help us, Lord, to be the church you designed us to be.  Amen!

 Eph 4:1-6. . . . .As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  (from New International Version)

CLARITY AND DIRECTION!

4-14-2021. . . .CLARITY AND DIRECTION!

"If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer." (James 1:5-7 TLB) 

 A life of significance is a life lived with clarity and direction.  God never intended for life to be an enigma to us, nor for us to simply wander aimlessly through it without purpose or direction.  We know God is the giver of life but far too often many fail to call and depend on Him as the director of life!  Need clarity and direction. . . .ask the giver and director of life and He will freely give you what you ask!

PRAYER: Lord, you are the giver and director of life!  Give us your wisdom and guidance so that we may live a life of significance and accomplish all your purpose.  Amen!

Jer 33:2-3. . . .Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' NIV

WHAT GOD SAYS HE MEANS!

4-9-2021. . . .WHAT GOD SAYS HE MEANS!

"Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never, never fail you nor forsake you." That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, "The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me."  (Heb 13:5-6 TLB)   

What God says, He means!  We can depend on His word.  If He says He is with us, He is there not only in presence but also as our resource and help.  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your abiding presence and for being an ever present help to us.  We are comforted in knowing you will never leave nor forsake us.  Amen!

Rom 8:31-32. . . .What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? TLB

STANDARD BEARERS!

4-8-2021. . . .STANDARD BEARERS! 

"Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much."  (James 1:26-27 TLB) 

Words have power and have the potential to leave a lasting impact. Therefore, it is vitally important that people in general pay attention to what they say and how they say what they say!  It is even more so important for Christians!  We of all people should be the standard bearers for good and controlled speech.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the ability to communicate with words.  Help us to realize that our words have power and never to abuse the uses of them.  Amen!

James 1:26-27. . . .If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. NIV

STAY SHARP!

4-7-2021. . . .STAY SHARP!

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Prov 27:17 NIV)  

Daily we encounter many people. What impact are they having on our lives and perhaps more importantly, what impact are we having on the lives of others?  The sharpening process is not always comfortable but it is always necessary.   Stay sharp and challenge others around you to be sharp!

Prayer: Lord, continue to make us sharp in order that we may have a positive and sharpening impact on the lives of others. Amen!

Prov 27:19. . . . As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. (NIV)

TAKE TIME WHILE THERE IS TIME!

4-6-2021. . . .TAKE TIME WHILE THERE IS TIME!

"I will judge each of you, O Israel, and punish or reward each according to his own actions. Oh, turn from your sins while there is yet time. Put them behind you and receive a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, O Israel?  I do not enjoy seeing you die," the Lord God says. "Turn, turn and live!"  (Ezek 18:29-32 TLB)  

Nowadays, no one wants to talk about are even hear about sin.  God, on the other hand, has not changed his position on it!  He will judge it and punish us for it if we don't repent.  Take the time while there is yet time to get it right and make it right!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy!  Help us to never take it for granted and continue in our sins.  Amen!

Ezek 36:26-27. . . . And I will give you a new heart-I will give you new and right desires-and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.  And I will put my Spirit within you so that you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. TLB

SALVATION IN AN INSTANT!

4-2-2021. . . . SALVATION IN AN INSTANT!

"Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Luke 23:42 NKJV) 

Over two thousand years ago a criminal, one convicted, condemned and justifiably crucified, turned to Jesus and made a simple request. The thief knew not when Jesus would enter into His kingdom, only that He most certainly would. Therefore, it is conceivable that he believed his request would be fulfilled at some point in the future and not immediately. To his surprise however, Jesus immediately responded to his ‘faith’ not just his request. Although he was a thief….guilty, convicted and condemned, he received salvation in an instant! Amazing! Jesus still responds immediately to ‘faith’ with salvation in an instant. Though one be a sinner….guilty and deserving of death, the gift on God (eternal life) is available to all who confess and believe. ….If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:9 KJV) Jesus accepts us where we are and like we are. He saves us and then transforms us from how we are. When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! All these new things are from God who brought us back to himself through what Christ Jesus did. (2 Cor 5:17-18 TLB) On this ‘Good Friday’, remember Jesus’ sacrifice made it possible for us to have ‘Salvation in an Instant! Tell everyone you know!!!!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and saving me. Thank you for sacrificing your life for my sins and for the sins of the world.  Amen!

Luke 23:39-43. . . . And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. KJV

BE STILL!

4-1-2021. . . .Be Still!

‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10 NIV) 

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we must remember to reserve some time to "Be Still".   In moments of stillness, we are able to discern and receive God’s instruction and direction.  Motion and movement are not indicative of presence.  The Prophet Elijah witnessed the Wind, the Earthquake and the Fire (motion & movement) but the Lord’s presence was not in them.   After these, however, he heard a "still small voice." (ref. I Kings 19:11-12)  Don’t let your preoccupations and occupations keep you from acknowledging that God is in control and he has everything under control. So go ahead . . . .do what you do, but in all your doing remember, "Be Still."

Prayer: Lord, You are the Lord and Mighty God!  All things are in Your control and under your control. Help us never become so preoccupied or occupied that we don’t have time to be still and know that you are God. Amen!

Isa 45:5-7. . . . I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. NIV