MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ, Coretta and I thank you for following and supporting "Excerpts For Living." Your prayers, comments and words of encouragement continue to be a source of blessing and inspiration for us. We wish you and your family all God's choice blessings during the holidays. We pray that the joy of Jesus will fill your hearts and homes to overflowing and that His love will forever embrace and keep you!

From our family to your family, have a Merry and very Blessed Christmas!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus! I pray for every person that reads this blog. I pray that you will blessed them beyond measure and show them great and mighty things they have not even imagined! I declare health, prosperity, protection and provision in and over their lives as well as, their families and everyone they are connected to. Finally, may your peace that surpasses all understanding keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! In the name of our blessed Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!

Num 6:24-26. . . .The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. KJV

CHRISTMAS LIVING!

12-21-2012. . . .CHRISTMAS LIVING!
 "His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and are being! (Acts 17:27-28 TLB)    "Christmas Living is the best kind of Christmas Giving."

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving your Son. Jesus, thank you for giving your life!   May my life duplicate your example of sacrificial giving. Amen!

Acts 4:32. . . .All the believers were of one heart and mind, and no one felt that what he owned was his own; everyone was sharing.TLB

ONLY JESUS CAN!

12-20-2012. . . .ONLY JESUS CAN!

Acts 4:122. . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV   "Santa Claus can't bring Salvation. . . .Only Jesus Can!"  He's the only reason for the Christmas Season!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the true gift of you Son. Through Him alone comes salvation.  May all the world receive your great gift.  Amen!

Acts 4:11-12. . . .For Jesus the Messiah is (the one referred to in the Scriptures when they speak of ) a 'stone discarded by the builders which became the capstone of the arch.'    There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them."  TLB

DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

12-18-2012. . . .DIVINE PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL!

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." (Matt 2:166 KJV)  Divine purpose will always draw demonic opposition!  The good news is, no matter what the enemy does, or how many attempts he makes to try and stop or kill us, all his efforts will fail and Divine purpose will prevail!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your divine purpose concerning us will always prevail! Thy will be done. Amen!

Isa 54:17. . . .No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. KJV

DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!

12-14-2012. . . .DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!"They can see that you are a letter from Christ, written by us. It is not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not one carved on stone, but in human hearts." (2 Cor 3:3 TLB) Our lives are an open letter from God to the world, written by the Holy Spirit within us! When the world reads us, let what is written be a witness unto Him. Take care that the way we live does not rewrite the script.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that our lives are a living and open letter from you to the world. Help us to daily put our pens down and simply allow your script to be read as written. Amen!1 Cor 3:16-17. . . .Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (NIV)

WHO AND WHAT HE FINDS!

12-13-2012. . . . WHO AND WHAT HE FINDS!

"His coming will not be delayed much longer.  And those whose faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them."  (Heb 10:37-38 TLB)  While we know not the day nor the hour, we are fully persuaded that the coming of the Lord is nearer then ever before!  Every believer should daily examine their self and ask the question, "If the Lord shows up right now, will He be pleased with how He finds me?"  We should live our lives by faith and in a manner that no matter what time He shows up, He'll be pleased with who He finds and what He finds!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for life!  Help us daily live our lives in a way that is always pleasing to you!  Amen.

James 5:7-8. . . .Now as for you, dear brothers who are waiting for the Lord's return, be patient, like a farmer who waits until the autumn for his precious harvest to ripen. 8 Yes, be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.  TLB

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

12-12-2012. . . .GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

"Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.  My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." (Ps 89:33-34 KJV)  A clear picture of God's great faithfulness can be seen in the life of King David.  Although, he had some great victories and accomplishments, he also had some great transgressions and failures.  While David certainly incurred punishment for his transgressions, God remained committed (faithful) to His promise to David.  We too, like King David have had some transgressions and failures for which we receive chastisement.  Nevertheless, God remains committed (faithful) to His promises to us!  Therefore, our song of praise remains, GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to us.  Truly they are new every morning and wonderful to experience.  Great is thy faithfulness!  Amen.

Ps 89:30-35. . . . If his children forsake my laws and don't obey them, then I will punish them,  but I will never completely take away my loving-kindness from them, nor let my promise fail.  No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said.  For I have sworn to David (and a holy God can never lie) that his dynasty will go on forever, and his throne will continue to the end of time.  TLB

FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

12-11-2012. . . .FORGIVE FREQUENTLY!

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4 NIV) The act of forgiving while challenging if one considers the frequency with which it is required, is rendered much easier to give when that same one considers the frequency they too must request it!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiveness in spite of the frequency of request!  May our daily request diminish until they are no more. Amen!

Luke 11:4. . . .Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. NIV

MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

12-10-2012. . . .MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” (Matt 27:21-23 KJV) Never be overly inflated by commendation nor deflated by criticism. Maintain a good balance. The same people that sing your praise and commend you one day, may be the some people who call for your crucifixion the next!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to maintain a good balance when it comes to people, so that we are never swayed from our focus whether commended or criticized. Amen!

Matt 27:24-26. . . . When Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing, he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this good man. The responsibility is yours!" And the mob yelled back, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after he had whipped Jesus, he gave him to the Roman soldiers to take away and crucify. TLB

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ, Coretta and I thank you for following and supporting "Excerpts For Living." Your prayers, comments and words of encouragement continue to be a source of blessing and inspiration for us. We wish you and your family all God's choice blessings during the holidays. We pray that the joy of Jesus will fill your hearts and homes to overflowing and that His love will forever embrace and keep you!

From our family to your family, have a Merry and very Blessed Christmas!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus! I pray for every person that reads this blog. I pray that you will blessed them beyond measure and show them great and mighty things they have not even imagined! I declare health, prosperity, protection and provision in and over their lives as well as, their families and everyone they are connected to. Finally, may your peace that surpasses all understanding keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! In the name of our blessed Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!

Num 6:24-26. . . .The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. KJV

IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

12-7-2012. . . .IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (1 Tim 4:9-10 KJV) As we labour (work) for the sake of the Gospel, it is true that we will sometimes suffer and be subject to reproach. (ridicule - criticism -opposition) It goes with the territory!   Nevertheless, we continue to trust in the one who is the 'Savior of all men', but more importantly, the Savior of we that be believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for salvation! Because I believe, I have an everlasting assurance that cannot be changed or revoked. Amen!

2 Sam 22:31-33. . . .As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. KJV

IT'S ESSENTIAL!

12-6-2012. . . .IT'S ESSENTIAL!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps 119:105 KJV)  As headlights are essential to an automobile, so the word of God is essential to and in the life of believers! During the daytime the illuminated headlights of an automobile enables others to see it coming and during the nighttime, they enable drivers to see where they are going! God's word illuminated in the lives of believers, enables others to see Christ through them, while at the same time, makes the believer's path clear as they continue walking with Christ! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that illuminates my life and directs my path. Amen!

Ps 119:101. . . .I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. (NIV)

A SIMPLE CHOICE!

12-5-2012. . . .A SIMPLE CHOICE

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the command-ment shall be rewarded." (Prov 13:13 KJV) Destruction or reward. . . . .Trouble or success! To despise the word is to know it and not do it! Who in their right mind chooses certain destruction? C'mon now! It's a simple choice, right?

Prayer:Lord, thank you for your word! By it shall we live and by it comes our success. Strengthen us to never deviate. Amen!

James 1:22-25. . . .And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does. TLB

HEARING CHECK!

12-4-2012. . . .HEARING CHECK!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17 KJV) How's your hearing? To answer that question one need only check the level of their faith! Little faith is a result of little or not much WORD!  In scripture, the correlation is clear.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  The 'Word' then can be viewed as a spiritual 'hearing aid' of sorts! Therefore, increased intake of the Word equals increased hearing resulting in increased faith! Check up complete.

Prayer: Lord, we love your word for by it we hear and our faith is increased. May your word always be our daily bread! Amen.

Job 23:11-12. . . .My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. 12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (NIV)

IT WILL HAPPEN!

12-3-2012. . . .IT WILL HAPPEN!

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth:It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa 55:11 NIV) God's word once spoken, proceeds from eternity to it's predestined purpose in time! Because the word is so quick and powerful (Heb 4:12) occasionally, it arrives in advance of time's readiness to receive it! It however, cannot return to God empty; it therefore, prevails (hovers over) until time (and us) is ready to receive it's manifestation! If He spoke it, stay encouraged!IT WILL HAPPEN!

Prayer: Lord, we live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from you mouth. May your proceeding and prevailing word always find manifestation in my life. Amen!

Jer 1:12b. . . . I will hasten my word to perform it. KJV

SPEAK ONLY THESE!

11-30-2012. . . .SPEAK ONLY THESE!

"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge." (Prov 8:8-9 KJV)  Words of wisdom and truth stand strong on legs of integrity.  They require no later explanation or recanting.  Speak only these!

Prayer: Lord, help us to guard our speech so that what we say will stand in integrity.  Amen!

Titus 2:7-8. . . .In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. KJV

FAITH ACTIONS!

11-29-2011. . . .FAITH ACTIONS!  

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:5 KJV)  Faith always has a visible manifestation!  One can't simply say "I have faith" and not add actions with it.  Even though the object and or objectives (end results) of our faith may not be seen, the actions of what we believe will!  Faith actions will overcome great obstacles to achieve it's desired end.  How could Jesus not respond to seeing the roof where He was, literally torn off by the faith actions of the four bearing there friend!!!!  Will He not also respond when He sees the visible manifestation of ours?

Prayer: Lord, thank you in advance for responding when you see the actions of our faith.  Amen!

James 2:26. . . .For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  KJV

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-28-2012. . . .ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Cor 4:4-5)  Pointing fingers and make assumptions about individuals without knowing their full story is unwise!  Everyone is in the process of becoming!  Who they are today ,may not be who they will always remain!   Time will tell their full story!  Allow it to be so!

PRAYER: Lord, our times are in your hand.  As we evolve through the process of time, give us patience with ourselves and with others.  Amen!

1 Cor 4:5. . . .So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether someone is a good servant or not. When the Lord comes, he will turn on the light so that everyone can see exactly what each one of us is really like, deep down in our hearts. TLB

GOD OF COMFORT!

11-27-2012. . . .GOD OF COMFORT!

“... What a wonderful God we have-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” (2 Cor 1:3a TLB)  Life is often no bed of roses and at times it can be downright uncomfortable! Yet, it is in those times of discomfort that God manifest Himself to us as ‘The God of all Comfort’.  No, He does not always immediately change our situations and circumstances, but more often than not, He changes us in the situations and circumstances! While all hell may be breaking loose all around us, He gives us a since of well-being on the inside that enables us to emerge with confidence and experience to share with others in their time of affliction and trouble. “…And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor 1:3b) TLB

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God of all comfort! You keep me from being unstable in difficult and uncomfortable situations. It is well with my soul. Amen!

Isa 51:3. . . .For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. KJV

BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!

11-26-2012. . . .BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Heb 11:6 NIV)  God is our source and our recourse. He is the supplier of all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  However, if one is to receive from Him, one must first believe in Him!  First believe and then receive!  

Prayer: Lord, I believe you and I believe in you! You reward all those who believe and seek you. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Heb 11:6. . . .You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. TLB

BE THANKFUL!

11/21/2012. . . .BE THANKFUL!

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Ps 100:3-4 KJV)  Consider for a moment who we would be, how we would be, or even perhaps, if we would be if someone else had made us!  Even if we trusted that responsibility to those that really care the most about us, the truth of the matter is, they would make us something and someone different than who we are now!   Whether that would work for our good or not we'll never know.  What we do know is that we were made in God's image and after His likeness and the result is beautiful and wonderful!  For this we are Thankful and bless His name!

PRAYER: Lord, we are thankful that you created us in your image and after your own likeness.  Yet, you gifted each of us with our own uniqueness.  For this we remain and will forever be thankful!  Amen.

Ps 139:14. . . .I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.  (NIV)

THANKFUL

11-20-2012. . . .THANKFUL!

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:17-18 TLB)  Whatever happens to us, for us, even against us, we know that God is at work always for our good.  Bad things will happen to good people and good things will happen to the same.  In both instances, our disposition remains the same; THANKFUL!

Prayer: Lord, in everything and for all things, we remain thankful.  Amen!

1 Thess 5:16-18. . . . Be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU AGAIN!

11-19-2012. . . . THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU AGAIN!

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Psalms 136:1 KJV  THANK YOU! (O give thanks to the Lord) THANK YOU! (for He is good) THANK YOU AGAIN! (His mercy endures forever)

PRAYER: Lord, Thank you, thank you and thank you again.  You are good and your great mercy endures forever!  Thank you.  Amen!

Ps 92:1.    . . It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:  KJV

A FRIEND OF GOD!

11-16-2012. . . . A Friend of God!!!!

"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)

A SIMPLE CHOICE!

11-15-2012. . . .A SIMPLE CHOICE!

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the command-ment shall be rewarded." (Prov 13:13 KJV) Destruction or reward. . . . .Trouble or success! To despise the word is to know it and not do it! Who in their right mind chooses certain destruction? C'mon now! It's a simple choice, right?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word!  By it shall we live and from it comes our success.  Strengthen and help us to never deviate from it. Amen!

James 1:22-25. . . .And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does. TLB

COMMITTED TO THANKS!

11-14-2012. . . .COMMITTED TO THANKS!

 "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." (Ps 30:11-12 KJV)  It spite of the difficulties, troubles and trials that life brings our way, God always brings us through with joy. Weeping may endure, but joy emerges!  As a result, thanks and praise should continually be in our mouth!

Prayer: Lord, I will forever give you thanks a praise because you are awesome! You turn all my life's sorrows into joy! Thank You! Amen.

Ps 75:1. . . .Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. KJV

DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

11-13-2012. . . .DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people." (1 Chron 16:8 KJV) It is important that we always give thanks to God! It is equally important that we share with others the great things He has done. In so doing, others are drawn into awareness of Him and many will be converted and believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all things. As I call upon you I also call upon others to know you and praise you for your great and might acts. Amen!

Ps 18:49. . . .Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.KJV

KEEP UP THE IMAGE!

11-12-2012. . . .KEEP UP THE IMAGE!

"But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. He himself has said, "You must be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16 15 TLB) God is Holy!  We were made in His image and after His likeness!  As a result of disobedience, sin perverted our image. However, through His obedience, Jesus the Christ restored it!  God would never ask us to be something we could not be. We therefore, must do all we can do to keep up the image!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating us in your own image and after your likeness. Help us Lord to keep up the image! Amen.

Lev 11:455. . . . For I am the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You must therefore be holy, for I am holy."TLB

SUCCESS PLANNED!

11-9-2012. . . .SUCCESS PLANNED!

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Prov 11:14KJV) Good advise and wise counsel are essential prerequisites for any successful endeavor.  Why travel an unsuccessful road others have already explored?   Failure avoided is success planned!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for providing us with good people who instruct us in the ways of success!  Help us to be humble enough to ask and receive from them!  Amen.

Josh 1:6-7. . . .

 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. NIV

THE PRINCIPAL THING!

11-8-2012. . . . THE PRINCIPAL THING!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get Under-standing." (Prov 4:7 KJV) The acquisition of ‘WISDOM’ is to be a continuing priority in our lives; in fact, scripture says it is the principal thing! What benefit have we in gaining wealth, fame or positions of notoriety without the wisdom to sustain them. Keep the main thing the main thing. Get Wisdom!

Prayer: Lord, wisdom comes from you. We have not because we ask not. Give us wisdom daily in liberal doses! Amen!

Eccl 7:11-12. . . .Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. KJV

AFTER THIS!

11-7-2012. . . .AFTER THIS!

So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.  After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. (Job 42:12 &16 KJV)  Two things are certain about whatever we have to go through; there is a 'Beginning' and an 'Ending' to it!  It's really not a matter then, 'what we go through,' but 'how we go through'   what we go through!  For believers, unwavering faith in God's providential care will ultimately result in victory and greater blessings.  Remember, it may be challenging now, but better things are coming AFTER THIS!!!!!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love and providential care that always results for us in victory and blessings! Through the intensity of our dilemmas, help us always remember this and not weaver.  Amen! 

Job 23:10-12. . . . 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.  KJV

LET HIM HEAR YOU!

11-6-2012. . . .LET HIM HEAR YOU!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. (2 Chron 7:14-15 KJV)  It's healing time!  God is waiting to hear from those of us who are called by His name!  Speak up saints and let Him hear you!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for all your blessings, especially the blessing of living in a free republic where we can participate in the process of choosing our leaders.  Guide us wisely in and through this process so that we emerge one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all!  Amen.

Rom 8:28-32. . . .And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.  For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him-and all along he knew who would-should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us "not guilty," filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory.  What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?  TLB

NO "I's" AT ALL!

11-5-2012. . . .NO "I's" AT ALL!

"For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it.  Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.  If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind. (Prov 8:11-13  TLB)  Pride, arrogance, and deceit view the world through big "I's" but cannot see!  Humility views the world clearly with no "I's" at all!

PRAYER: Lord, help us daily to have a clear view of our world and eliminate all the big "I's" that cannot see.  Amen.

Matt 13:14-17. . . .They hear, but don't understand; they look, but don't see!  For their hearts are fat and heavy, and their ears are dull, and they have closed their eyes in sleep,  so they won't see and hear and understand and turn to God again, and let me heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. TLB

MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

11-2-2012. . . .MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10 KJV) An opportunity denied is beyond our control, but an opportunity missed is completely our responsibility!  We must never become complacent and weary in our working to the degree that we end up squandering our opportunities!  Capitalize on our creativity and cease every opportunity!  Maximize every moment!  

PRAYER:  Lord thank you for every opportunity to do good!  May our works speak for us!  Amen.

James 2:18. . . .But someone may well argue, "You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing; well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can't prove whether you have faith or not; but anyone can see that I have faith by the way I act." TLB