4-22-2011. . . . A Friend of God!!!!  (repost 09)

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23 KJV)  Abraham was called ‘a friend of God’.  If God were interviewed today and were asked, what kind of friend is (insert your name)?  What would His answer be? After careful and honest consideration of what you think God’s answer would be, if you’re pleased, good for you!  Stay consistent and improve. If on the other hand, you find you’ve come short of the measure of being ‘a friend of God’, be encouraged!  Start today; this very second. . .do something about it! There is nothing we can do about our past but there is plenty we can do to improve today.

PRAYER: As a direct result of my concentrated efforts, may the answer God gives about me today be better than His answer yesterday!

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)

HE KNOWS, HE LEADS!

7-20-2011. . . . HE KNOWS, HE LEADS!   (repost 09)             

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” (Ps 23:3 NKJV)  As we travel along this road of life, we know not what is ahead or what awaits us just around the next bend. Yet without delay or fear, we continue advancing forward confidently with the assurance of knowing we are being lead alone the paths of righteousness. When we follow His leading, we will never get lost or stray off the path of divine purpose (for His name sake).   Like Abraham, without knowledge of the destination, we can trust Him for the journey. “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous…” ( Ps 1:6 NKJV) So relax and don’t worry. Enjoy the journey for He is leading us into what He has ordained and promised!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you know the path of the righteous and that your are guiding our every step. Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but thou art mighty – hold me with thy powerful hand. Amen!

Job 23:10-14. . . . But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. KJV

YES I AM!

7-20-2011. . . .YES I AM!   (repost 09)

“Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 21-23 NIV)  Blessed assurance Jesus is mine!  How wonderful it is to be saved and secured in our salvation.  Is it enough however, to be secure in our own salvation or do we have a responsibility to help secure others?   Put another way, ‘Am I my Brother or Sister’s Keeper?   Are we concerned about people in our family, in our neighborhoods and on our jobs who we know do not have a relationship with the Lord?  What about persons we see and know are in situations detrimental to their lives?   Do we ignore them and continue on to heaven anyhow or do we take action?  ‘Am I my Brother or Sister’s Keeper?   Yes I Am!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me. Give me a heart for those who are lost and enable me to witness effectively to them when our paths cross. Amen!

Prov 11:30. . . .The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. KJV

IM COMING OUT!

7-19-2011. . . .I’m Coming Out!  (repost 09)

 “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.” ( Ps 34:19 NIV)  Although it is impossible to control the many afflictions that we have to endure in life, it is encouraging to know that we will not be devastated, defeated or overcome by any of them!  We will emerge out of them all!  We have not a promise to be kept from afflictions, but rather a guarantee to be delivered in them, through them and out of them! So when going through gets tough and discouraging, just remind yourself and declare, ‘I’m coming out!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the assurance of deliverance from all my afflictions. Strengthen me to endure my afflictions until deliverance comes. Amen!

John 16:33. . . .These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. KJV

IT'S TIME TO LET IT OUT!

7-18-2011. . . .It's Time to Let it Out!  (repost 09)

At the age of twelve, Jesus upset His parents by disappearing (as kids tend to do) while on their way back from a trip to Jerusalem. When they found Him after three days, He said to them “know ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV) As followers of Christ, we also must be about the Father’s business!  Our lives were not meant to be a mere insignificant existence. We were born, rather, ‘born again’ to do great things. “…But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” ( Dan 11:32 KJV) Greatness is in us!  It’s time to let it out!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of knowing you and through you I shall do great things. Amen!

John 14:12. . . .Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. KJV

LET IT!

7-15-2011. . . .LET IT!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." (Col 3:15 NIV)  Peace will reside - Peace will abide - Peace will preside over our lives if we let it.  Let It!

Prayer: Lord, your peace passes all understanding and keeps are hearts and minds.   Your Peace abide - Your Peace reside and Your Peace preside over our lives.  Amen!

Phil 4:5-7. . . .Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV

HIS PERFECT PEACE!

7-14-2011. . . .HIS PERFECT PEACE!

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!" (Isa 26:2-4 TLB) One source calculates that some 60,000 thoughts pass through the human mind daily, and about 56,400 of those are about our own needs, wants, and concerns.  Another source says it is impossible to determine because of the difficulty of defining what a 'thought' is.  Either way, its safe to say,our minds are filled daily with countless thoughts.  How many and how often do those thoughts turn to the Lord?   That is equally how often we experience and will experience His perfect peace!

Prayer: Lord, our trust is in you!  May are thoughts turn often to you that we may continuously experience your perfect peace.  Amen!

Isa 26:3-4. . . .You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. NIV

PROSPERITY PROMISED!

7-13-2011. . . .PROSPERITY PROMISED!

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.  O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces." (Ps 122:6-8 TLB)  The promises of God always hold true especially as it relates to His chosen people and the Holy city, Jerusalem.  Now more than ever before, we must remember Jerusalem in our prayers and pray for it's peace.  Prosperity is promised to those that do.

Prayer: O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.  This I ask for the sake of all my brothers and my friends who live here; and may there be peace as a protection to the Temple of the Lord. Ps 122:7-9 TLB.   Amen!

Psalms 122. . . .I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.  Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:  Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.  For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.  Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.   For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.  Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. KJV

FOLLOW IT!

7-12-2011. . . .FOLLOW IT!

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Heb 12:14 KJV) Peace will always lead us into places of peace and abide with persons of peace.  If one finds their self in a place of confusion and disorder, among people of contention and violence, Peace has gone another way; Follow it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we are a people of peace who know peace.  Help us always follow and dwell where ever peace leads.  Amen!

 James 3:17-18. . . .And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. TLB

7-11-2011. . . .STABILITY!

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  (Phil 4:7 KJV)  Thoughts and emotions can often run rampant as life presents it's unexpected twist and turns.  Yet in the mist of unrestrained thoughts and emotions, the peace of God is present to  ensure and bring stability to our heart and mind.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your peace that stabilizes are thoughts and emotions even in the most hectic moments of life.  Amen!

Col 3:15. . . .Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.  TLB

FREE INDEED!

7-8-2011. . . .FREE INDEED!

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  (John 8:36 KJV)  He was there in the beginning and He is there at every new birth liberating any and all who are willing to experience freedom indeed.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making us free indeed!  Lead us as we live and  enjoy our freedom in You.  Amen!

Rom 5:18. . . . Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. KJV

TRUE FREEDOM!

7-7-2011. . . .TRUE FREEDOM!

"You are free from the law, but that doesn't mean you are free to do wrong.  Live as those who are free to do only God's will at all times.  Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government." (1 Peter 2:16-17 TLB)  Being free is not without it's restrictions!  The ability to exercise restraint in all areas that would dishonor God is the demonstration of true freedom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the freedom to exercise restraint in all areas that would dishonor you.  Amen.

Rom 6:17-18. . . . Thank God that though you once chose to be slaves of sin, now you have obeyed with all your heart the teaching to which God has committed you. And now you are free from your old master, sin; and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.  TLB

ONLY THE MINDLESS!

7-6-2011. . . .ONLY THE MINDLESS!

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Gal 5:1 KJV)  Being made free by Christ is a privilege and blessing.  Staying free is a choice!  Who willing submits themselves to bondage of any kind?  Only the mindless.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for freedom!  Help us Lord to always be mindful of our freedom and choose to stand firm in it!  Amen.

 Rom 6:16-17. . . . Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  NIV

LET FREEDOM RING!

7-4-2011. . . .Let Freedom Ring!   (repost)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1-2 NKJV)  My country tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died! Land of the Pilgrim's pride! From every mountain side, Let freedom ring! We are blessed beyond measure to live in the United States of America. We should never take for granted the freedom we enjoy. Much blood was shed and many gave their lives to secure liberty and justice for all. As we celebrate and commemorate Independence Day, for our country, let us also use this occasion as a reminder of the freedom we enjoy in Jesus! His blood was shed and His life was given to secure our freedom as well. This freedom is an eternal freedom that carries with it the responsibility of maintaining it.   Enjoy your freedom and surrender it to nothing or no one! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the freedom I enjoy being an American, and more so the freedom you have provided me through your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen.
John 8:36. . . .If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. KJV

NO PERMANENT ADDRESS!

7-1-2011. . . .NO PERMANENT ADDRESS!

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19 KJV)  God's economy is not based upon supply and demand.  It doesn't fluctuate up or down and is not influenced by market trends!  His supply is more than abundant and in fact, endless!  Therefore, don't fret!  It is from that same supply our need will be met.  Lack has no permanent address here!

Prayer: Thank you Father for supplying all our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus!  Thank you that lack has no permanent address here.  Amen!

Eph 3:20. . . . Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. KJV