NOT OF THE WORLD!

5-31-2011. . . .NOT OF THE WORLD!

"And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.   Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize."  (2 Tim 2:3-5 TLB)   As a good soldier, our lives are not our own.  We are under orders and they, must be the priority of our life.  We don't take orders from the world and are not obliged to follow it's demands.    We are in the world but not of the world!

Prayer: Lord, you are our commander and we must follow your orders at all times.  Help us and strengthen us so that we don't deviate.  Amen!

Rom 12:2. . . . And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  KJV

NOT OF THE WORLD!

5-30-2011. . . .NOT OF THE WORLD!

"And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.   Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize."  (2 Tim 2:3-5 TLB)   As a good soldier, our lives are not our own.  We are under orders and they, must be the priority of our life.  We don't take orders from the world and are not obliged to follow it's demands.    We are in the world but not of the world!

Prayer: Lord, you are our commander and we must follow your orders at all times.  Help us and strengthen us so that we don't deviate.  Amen!

Rom 12:2. . . . And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  KJV

WORK & WORSHIP!

5-27-2011. . . .WORK & WORSHIP!

"Six days a week are for your daily duties and your regular work, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest before the Lord your God. On that day you are to do no work of any kind, nor shall your son, daughter, or slaves-whether men or women-or your cattle or your house guests. For in six days the Lord made the heaven, earth, and sea, and everything in them, and rested the seventh day; so he blessed the Sabbath day and set it aside for rest."  (Ex 20:8-11 TLB)   All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!  Well, I don't know about Jack's dullness, but I do know that without periods of rest and recuperation, we will suffer burn out!   That was never God's intention for us.  There must be balance!  Try Work and Worship; its a great counter balance.

Prayer: Lord, help us to follow your example and command to work and rest.  Amen!

Deut 5:12-15. . . . "'Keep the Sabbath day holy. This is my command.  Work the other six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God; no work shall be done that day by you or by any of your household-your sons, daughters, servants, oxen, donkeys, or cattle; even foreigners living among you must obey this law. Everybody must rest as you do. TLB

PROVEN WORTHY!

5-26-2011. . . .PROVEN WORTHY!

"Everyone's work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished. Then every workman who has built on the foundation with the right materials, and whose work still stands, will get his pay." ( 1 Cor 3:13-15 TLB)  Integrity should be the bases and foundation upon which our work should be built.  Tested under fire or otherwise, it will always be proven worthy.  

Prayer: Lord, help us have integrity in all we do.  Amen!



1 Cor 15:58-16:1. . . . Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. KJV

GET BUSY....GET TO WORK!

5-25-2011. . . .GET BUSY....GET TO WORK!

"Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding.  (Eccl 9:10 TLB)  Anything worth doing, is worth doing well!  If we are going to do anything, the time to do it is now, without delay.  Death is coming to us all.   Let's die without regret over what we could have or should have done.  So write the book; the song; start the business; change the career; accept the calling!  Whatever it is in your heart, Get busy.....Get to work now!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us the time we need to accomplish all that is in our hearts to do.  Help not get distracted or sidetracked with excuses and when time comes, grant us rest without regret.  Amen!

John 9:4. . . .I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. KJV

QUALITY CONTROL!

5-24-2011. . . .QUALITY CONTROL!

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.  (Ps 90:17 NIV)  The favor of God resting upon us is like a quality control of sorts!  With the proper attitude and approach, our work will never be called into question.  It will excel and exceed the rest.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our jobs.  Let your favor rest upon us and establish the work of our hands.  Amen!

Ps 1:1-3. . . . Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  KJV

AS UNTO THE LORD!

5-23-2011. . . .AS UNTO THE LORD!

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:22-24 KJV)  It is honorable to work and earn a living.   Although we may sometimes dislike our job and perhaps, even our employer, we must remember our jobs are a blessing to us!  Therefore, we must do the best we can do at all times knowing that our service is unto God and not unto man.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a job.  Helps us do our work as unto you and not to men.  Amen!

Eph 6:5-8. . . . Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;   With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. KJV

HOW CAN WE FAIL!

5-20-2011. . . .HOW CAN WE FAIL!

"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore."  (Ps 105:3-4 KJV)  In every endeavor of life, heeding these words of the psalmist will ensure success.  With His presence and His strength, how can we fail!

Prayer: Lord, there is no failure with you!  Be present with us and strengthen us in and through every endeavor of life.  Amen!

Ps 89:16-18. . . . They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation and in your perfect righteousness.  You are their strength. What glory! Our power is based on your favor!  TLB

EMBRACE GLORY!

5-19-2011. . . .EMBRACE GLORY!

"For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:8-9 KJV)  Giving God our all includes our weakness and inabilities!  Our weakness and inabilities are opportunities for God's strength to be made manifest in us.  Seek not to be released from them; embrace them and embrace glory!

Prayer: Lord, manifest your strength through our weakness and inabilities.  Let your glory be shown.  Amen!

2 Cor 12:8-10. . . . Three different times I begged God to make me well again.  Each time he said, "No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.  TLB

CONTENTMENT AND SATISFACTION!

5-18-2011. . . .CONTENTMENT AND SATISFACTION!

"Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing  prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Neh 8:10 NIV)  Nothing brings greater joy than to be put in remembrance of God's precious promises to us, and His faithfulness in bringing them to pass in our lives!   Past failures are just that; past!  The joy of the Lord is our source of great contentment and satisfaction; it is our strength for service to others.     

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your joy and the strength to serve others.  May we never loose our contentment and satisfaction in it.  Amen.

Ps 29:11-30:1. . . . The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. NIV

NO ABATEMENT!

5-17-2011. . . .NO ABATEMENT!

"I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent us on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then!  So I'm asking that you give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as spies we found the Anakim living there in great, walled cities, but if the Lord is with me, I shall drive them out of the land." (Josh 14:10-12 TLB)   To the faithful and obedient, the strength of the Lord is sustainable for our current assignments, tasks and battles, as well as, all future ones, with no abatement! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for strength to meet every challenge both today and in the future. Amen!

2 Sam 22:40-41. . . . For you have given me strength for the battle And have caused me to subdue All those who rose against me.  You have made my enemies Turn and run away; I have destroyed them all.  TLB

SUCCESS & VICTORY ASSURED!

5-16-2011. . . .SUCCESS & VICTORY ASSURED!

"The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.  (Ex 15:2 KJV)  Much more than mere human power and ability, The Lord Himself as our strength, is an energy force within us, around us, and for us that is stronger than any other power or force imaginable. In His strength Success and Victory are therefore assured; failure and defeat are only options when we operate in our own strength.

Prayer: Lord, you are my strength and my song!  I sing your praises continually for by your strength you have gotten me the victory!  Amen.

Ps 18:31-34. . . . For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?   It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.   He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.   He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  KJV

PROPER JUDGMENTS!

5-13-2011. . . .PROPER JUDGMENTS!

"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 2:15-1 NIV)  In our flesh we are incapable of judging any matter or person properly because we are influenced heavily by our emotions and the opinions of others; both of which change as frequently as the weather.  With the mind of Christ however, which is already resident within us, we can think and see matters clearly and thereby, make proper judgments.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your mind!  Help us yield to your way of thinking and not lean to our own understanding.  Amen!

1 Chron 28:9-10. . . .Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will permanently throw you aside. TLB

OPT FOR MIND CONTROL!

5-12-2011. . . .OPT FOR MIND CONTROL!

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Rom 8:6-8 NIV)   How often do we hear in our mind that little voice telling us we shouldn't do something, say something, or think something?  If the answer is more often than not, it could be that we have a mind that is rebellious towards God!  A rebellious mind towards God is always filled will turmoil and struggle; it is never at peace.  The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace!  Opt for mind control!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for peace of mind through your Spirit's control.

Isa 26:3 . . . Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  KJV

DON'T GET CAUGHT UP!

5-11-2011. . . .DON'T GET CAUGHT UP!

"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar, who long ago preceded you, a kingdom and majesty and glory and honor.  He gave him such majesty that all the nations of the world trembled before him in fear. He killed any who offended him and spared any he liked. At his whim they rose or fell.  But when his heart and mind were hardened in pride, God removed him from his royal throne and took away his glory."  (Dan 5:18-21 TLB)  One should never get caught up or carried away in thinking more highly of one's self than one should.  The mirror of reality always reflects the truth.  Come to the knowledge of the truth before God makes an adjustment in your position!

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy at times to get caught up in our own hype and be swept away with pride.  Keep the mirror of reality in front of us so we can always remain humble.  Amen.

Prov 16:18-19. . . . Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.  KJV

COMMITTED AND SUBMITTED!

5-10-2011. . . .COMMITTED AND SUBMITTED!

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matt 22:37 KJV)  If we were to take a snapshot of the thoughts of our minds right now, this very second, would those thoughts reflect a mind totally committed and submitted to God?  To love God with all our mind means exactly that.  Our every thought must be brought into subjection to God's will.

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to love you completely and totally.  May our every thought be brought under subjection to your will!  Amen!

2 Cor 10:4-6. . . . (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. KJV

A CHANGED MIND!

5-9-2011. . . .A CHANGED MIND!

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom 12:2 KJV)  How one thinks is directly correlated to how one behaves.  The world is relentless in it's demands for us to be conformed to it's ways of thinking and behaving.  A changed mind with purpose however, will produce a life focused on pleasing God and not the world.

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you in all our ways.  Renew or minds daily that we may walk in your perfect will.  Amen.

Rom 12:2. . . .Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. TLB

STANDING OVATION!

5-6-2011. . . .STANDING OVATION!

"She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age.  When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.    She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy.   Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband." (Prov 31:25-28 TLB)  The value of a good mother is beyond calculation.  She is the glue (so to speak) that holds the family together.  She is wise, kindhearted, stern when needed, and most of all, always loving.  Give the lady a standing ovation!  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for good mothers!  On their special day, especially bless each one of them and reward them double for their labors.  Amen!

Prov 31:30-31. . . . Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.  Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.  TLB

LET'S CHECK OUR SELF!

5-5-2011. . . .LET'S CHECK OUR SELF!

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Tim 1:5-6 NIV)  Some things are taught, others are caught!  What are our children catching from us?  Are they as fortunate as Timothy was to see faith modeled by his mother and grandmother in such a way that it caused him to be drawn into it?  Or, are they catching directions down that road that seems right to man, but the end there of is the way of death!  Let's check our self! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our children and the opportunity to parent them.  Help us train them up in your ways and model faith for them to the degree that they catch it and run with it.  Amen!

2 Tim 1:5-6. . . . I know how much you trust the Lord, just as your mother Eunice and your grandmother Lois do; and I feel sure you are still trusting him as much as ever. This being so, I want to remind you to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you. TLB

DOING BETTER!

5-4-2011. . . .DOING BETTER!

"The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!" (Prov 23:24-25)  Is the life we are now living bring joy to our parents?  If our life is not pleasing to our earthly parents, it stands to reason we are not at all pleasing to our heavenly Father.  In the formative years we perhaps didn't know any better; but now that we know better, we should be doing better!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our parents!  Help us live in such a way that it brings them joy continuously.  Amen.

Ex 20:12. . . ."Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."  NIV 

EACH ONE REACH ONE!

5-3-2011. . . .EACH ONE REACH ONE!

"There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother." (Prov 30:11 KJV)  If it is true that "It takes a whole village to raise a child", then we must do a much better job with this current generation.  Each one reach one!

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for be remiss in our responsibilities to this current generation.  Help us help them and there by make the whole better.  Amen!

Prov 6:20-23. . . .Young man, obey your father and your mother. 21 Take to heart all of their advice; keep in mind everything they tell you. 22 Every day and all night long their counsel will lead you and save you from harm; when you wake up in the morning, let their instructions guide you into the new day.  TLB

5-2-2011. . . .RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE!

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."  (Ex 20:12 KJV)  Our parents are deserving of our honor and respect at all times!  We are not responsible for their actions towards us, (good or bad) but we are responsible and accountable for our actions towards them! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our parents.  Help us to honor them at all times and help them to be honorable at all times.  Amen!

Deut 5:16. . . .Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  KJV