YES I AM!

4-29-2011. . . .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 pay the Lord back 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

 

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

4-28-2011. . . .WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

"The thief 's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10 TLB)  When we consider the great price Jesus paid for our redemption, to live life in any state less than it's fullness is unacceptable!  Yet by choice, many do just that.  Disobedience; rebellion; stubbornness; willfulness are among the common attitudes that prevent one from living and experiencing life in its fullness.  Why settle for less?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to live and experience life in all its fullness.  Help us to daily say, "Never the less."  Amen.

John 10:10. . . .

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  

KJV

A DO OVER!

4-27-2011. . . .A DO OVER!

"But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved."  (Eph 2:4-5 TLB)  Life does not offer us many "Do Overs."  We have to play the hand we have so to speak.  Christ however, by dying on the cross for our sins, has in effect, given us a 'Do Over!'  What will we do with it?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us another chance.  Help us to make the best of it by being the best and doing the best we can!  Amen. 

Gal 2:20. . . .I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. KJV

MAKE A DETERMINATION!

4-25-2011. . . .MAKE A DETERMINATION!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)  Walking in the newness of life can be challenging if we are not willing to let go of the old life.  Christ's finished work at Calvary made it possible.  Now, what we have to do is determine in our hearts that it's 'Out with the Old and in with the New!"  Make a determination!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for new life in You.  Help us release the old and walk in the new!  Amen.

Gal 2:20. . . . I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  KJV

HE KNEW!

4-22-2011. . . .HE KNEW!

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34 KJV)  Although, those (and we because of sin) who were responsible for crucifying Jesus had not a clue as to what they were doing,  HE KNEW..... allowed it, submitted to it, and had enough love to cover our contempt!   Wonderful Savior you are!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for knowing all; even our deepest darkest motives.  Thank you even more for having love enough to cover our contempt.  Amen!

Gal 3:13. . . .Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: KJV

POWER & OPTIONS!

4-21-2011. . . .POWER & OPTIONS!

"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."  (John 10:18 KJV)  The power to lay down His life and take it up again hinged upon His choice to do so.  While love limited His options to one, let us be mindful that He had the power and options, but chose us!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for choosing us when You had the power and options to do something different. There is no greater love.  Amen!

 John 15:13. . . .Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. KJV

  

DON'T OPT OUT!

4-20-2011. . . .DON'T OPT OUT!

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42 KJV)  Submitting to God's perfect will is not always the easiest thing in the world to do.  In fact at times, it is down right challenging.  If we would have our way, we would opt for God to relieve us of the weight and responsibility for the choice placed before us.   But then, where would be the blessings?  What God wants for us is what is best for us and the greater good of others!  Don't Opt Out of It!

Prayer: Lord, what you want for us is best for us and for the greater good of others!   Help us not to opt out of it!

Heb 10:7-10. . . .Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  KJV

ENDURE!

4-19-2011. . . .ENDURE! 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God."  (Heb 12:2 TLB)  Let us remember this week and always that the pain and agony Christ experienced for us was very real, yet for our sake, (the joy of presenting us faultless before the presence of His glory) He endured it!  Because He went through, He is able to help all those that are going through!   ENDURE!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for going through for us!  Strengthen now everyone who is going through that they might endure to the end.  Amen!

Heb 2:17-18. . . .For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.  TLB

BLESSING & SACRIFICE!

4-18-2011. . . .BLESSING & SACRIFICE!

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isa 53:3-KJV)  The greatest blessing required the greatest sacrifice.  Even in the face of rejection and humiliation, He never wavered from His mission and so, accomplished it for our sake.

Prayer: Lord, how nimble of mind and void of understanding we can sometimes be.  Thank you for accomplishing your purpose in spite of us.  Amen!

Isa 53:5-6. . . . But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed-and we were healed!  We-every one of us-have strayed away like sheep!  We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! TLB

PATIENCE PAYS OFF!

4-15-2011. . . .PATIENCE PAYS OFF!

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." (Ps 40:1-3 KJV)  For all those who are going through, in just a few more days, from your mouth a new song will emerge!  A song of joy and praise unto the Lord because once again, He has delivered!   Hold on and don't give up.  Patience pays off!  

Prayer: Lord, I trust you and know that you hear me and will come through.  I will wait patiently on You and even sing your praise before my breakthrough and deliverance!  Amen.

Heb 10:35-36. . . .Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."  KJV

NO STATUS QUO!

4-14-2010. . . .NO STATUS QUO!

"Then, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won't become bored with being a Christian nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience.  (Heb 6:12 TLB)  As Christians, there is no such thing as 'Status Quo' so trying to maintain it is meaningless.  There must be a constant press toward the mark for the prize promised.  Strong faith and patience will help us accomplish the goal.

Prayer: Lord, should we ever become to comfortable with where we are in you, shake us up until we recognize we still have a ways to go.  Amen!

 Phil 3:13-15. . . . Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  KJV

HIGH OR LOW STRESS LEVELS!

4-13-2011. . . .HIGH OR LOW STRESS LEVELS!

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Eccl 7:8 KJV)  Patience over impatience is the preferred demeanor as we move from the beginning to the end of a process, project or season.  It could mean the difference between high or low stress levels.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a patient spirit and low stress levels.  Amen.

Rom 12:10-13. . . .Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  KJV

NOT EASY!

4-12-2011. . . .NOT EASY!

"May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ toward the other." (Rom 15:5-6 TLB)  It's not always easy getting along with others!  Sometime it is because of them, other times (if we are honest) it is because of ourself.  The truth of the matter is, God is still working on each of us.  He will give us the patience we need until the process is complete in each of us.

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of patience, strength and encouragement.  Thank you for being patient with us and guiding us in being patient with others. Amen!

James 1:4. . . .But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  KJV

THE END GAME!

4-11-2011. . . .THE END GAME!

"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." (James 1:2-4 TLB)  No problem, challenge nor difficulty will last forever; so patiently go through in order to get through.  It's all about the end game!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for times of testing that come to strengthen and grow us!  Help us stay focused on the end game!  Amen. 

Heb 10:35-36. . . .Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  KJV

HE KNOWS!

4-8-2011. . . .HE KNOWS!

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nah 1:7 KJV) God cannot be fooled; He knows and responds to those that truly place their trust in Him!  Either we trust Him or we don't.  He knows!

Prayer: Lord, you know well all who put their trust in You.  Thank you for be our help in times of trouble and a strong hold against our enemies.  Amen!

Isa 26:3-4. . . .Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.   Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: KJV

NOTHING TO CHANCE!

4-7-2011. . . .NOTHING TO CHANCE!

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Prov 3:5-6 KJV)  No one in their right mind would willfully engage in a came of Russian Roulette.  The stakes are too high; the results unpredictable; and one mistake could be deadly!  Failing to trust God and following our own way should be view in much the same way!  The stakes are to high; results unpredictable; and one mistake could be deadly!  Leave nothing to chance.  TRUST GOD!

Prayer: Lord, our trust is in you.  The stakes are to high not to!  With you, we expect and have predictable outcomes.  Amen!

Prov 3:5-6. . . . Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV

TRUST ON!

4-6-2011. . . .TRUST ON! 

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (Job 13:15 KJV)  Circumstances even leading to death do not justify compromising our trust in God.  If we die, we are with Him; and if we live, we are yet trusting Him.  Trust on until the end!

Prayer: Lord, I will trust you forever!  Amen.

Ps 3:1-3. . . .LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. KJV

HISTORY & LEGACY!

4-5-2011. . . .HISTORY AND LEGACY!

"O Lord, you alone are my hope; I've trusted you from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly-no wonder I am always praising you! (Ps 71:5-6 TLB)  A history of trusting God builds a legacy of trusting God!

Prayer: Lord, let each passing day of trusting you build a legacy worthy of passing on generations following us.  Amen!

Ps 71:5-6. . . .For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.  By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. KJV

TRUST HIM!

4-4-2011. . . .TRUST HIM!

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (Ps 18:2-3 KJV)   When God is for us, all those that are against us are of little or no consequence!  Don't sweat it. . . .Trust Him!

Prayer: Lord, in you we trust.  We are safe and secure in spite of the existence of enemies.  Our trust remains strong in you!  Amen!

Rom 8:31. . . . What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  KJV

CAUSE FOR PRAISE!

4-1-2011. . . .CAUSE FOR PRAISE

"He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.  Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Ps 107:29-31 NKJV)   The words of Thomas Hastings' hymn comes to mind: "Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land; I am week but thou art mighty, hold me with thy powerful hand."  Through every storm of life we have the assurance of God's hand guiding us to safety.  Surely this is cause for praise!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your guiding hand that brings into safe harbor from every storm of life.  To you we give thanks and praise!  Amen.

Prov 18:10. . . . The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.  KJV