STANDARD BEARERS!

4-30-2012. . . .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

AN ADVANTAGE!

4-27-2012. . . .AN ADVANTAGE!

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." Proverbs 18:22 KJV  It is not good that the man should be alone, so  God made a helper suitable to him!   A man can certainly choose to be alone, and that's okay!  However, should a man choose a woman to be his wife, he receives unto himself a special blessing from God.  God literally gives him an advantage (favor)  in life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessing of a loving mate!  What a blessing it is!  Amen!

Prov 18:23. . . .The man who finds a wife finds a good thing; she is a blessing to him from the Lord.  TLB

DO GOOD!

4-26-12. . . .DO GOOD!

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” (Prov 3:27 NIV)   What a thought provoking verse of scripture. Would we ever really consider withholding good from anyone, let alone those that deserve it?  To do so, especially when it is in our power to act would absolutely be out of character for a believer.   In fact, one would set themselves up for a boomerang effect.  What we send out will return to us. Certainly, we expect good from others and even more so from God. The consequences for doing otherwise is unacceptable. “Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers.” (Ps 125:4-5 NIV) Today, seek out as many people as you can and do good to them. It does not have to be something big. Perhaps a genuine warm smile. . . .a timely kind word. . . .taking a little extra work for yourself to lighten a co-workers load. They will receive good and you will feel good!

Prayer: Lord, you are good and you do good! Help me to do good always especially when it is in my power to do so. Holy Spirit, direct me today to opportunities of doing good to others. Amen!

Heb 13:16. . . . And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. NIV

4-25-2012. . . .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 viewed 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

YOUR OPEN DOOR!

4-23-2012 . . . .Your Open Door!

There is an implicit blessing declared in the opening verses of the book of Revelation. Specifically, verse three declares “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3 KJV) That’s just mind blowing! By reading. . . .by hearing the word of the prophecy. . . .by keeping those things written therein, a blessing comes upon us! What blessing? There are many, but here is just one. “ . . . Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it . . .” This moment you have just read the word. . . .you have heard it again in your spirit, now keep what has been written and by faith, walk through the open door set before you today! Each one of us has a different door, but an open door nonetheless. The open door represents opportunity! Opportunity may manifest itself in many ways. While it may not be a new job, home, car or other material blessings, it may be the opportunity to renew a relationship. . . .sow a seed into someone’s life. . . .put a smile on someone’s face! It may be giving a ride to a perfect stranger or walking up to someone at the gas station and paying for their gas. Mine is not to say what the opportunity is, but only to remind you and exhort you to know that it is there! It is exclusively yours. God has opened it and no man, woman or devil in hell can shut it. All praise be to God! “This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Ps 118:23 KJV)

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for blessing me and setting before me this day an open door of opportunity. I believe that by you bringing me to it, you have equipped me to go through it! Bless your holy name, Amen!

Rev 3:7-9. . . . "Write this letter to the leader of the church in Philadelphia. "This message is sent to you by the one who is holy and true and has the key of David to open what no one can shut and to shut what no one can open. "I know you well; you aren't strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my Name. Therefore, I have opened a door to you that no one can shut. "Note this: I will force those supporting the causes of Satan while claiming to be mine (but they aren't-they are lying) to fall at your feet and acknowledge that you are the ones I love. TLB

A NO BRAIN ER!

4-20-2012. . . .A NO BRAIN ER!

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in!" (Mal 3:10 TLB)  What belongs to God belongs to God!  The tenth (tithe) is His!  Why rob God when He has promised to bless us with much more than we give Him?  Seems like a no brain er, right!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your blessing plan!  We will never rob you of what is rightfully yours.  Amen!

Mal 3:10-12. . . ."Try it! Let me prove it to you!  Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won't shrivel away before they ripen," says the Lord Almighty.  "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord Almighty.  TLB

GIVE DON'T LEND!

4-19-2012. . . .GIVE DON'T LEND!

"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender."  (Prov 22:7 TLB)  Don't let money change your relationship with people that matter most to you!  If it is in your power to give it, just give it without expectation of return.  Better it is to preserve a relationship than to make a slave!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for blessing us with daily benefits.  Help us to be generous and give to others rather than make slaves of brothers.  Amen!

Ps 68:19. . . .Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.  KJV

BE WISE!

4-18-2012. . . .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)  There are some things that money just can't buy no matter how much of it one has!  The things that money can't buy are far more valuable then 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

 

IT MAKES THINGS HAPPEN!

4-17-2012. . . .IT MAKES THINGS HAPPEN!

"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things." (Eccl 10:19 KJV)  Money is the provision for every vision!  It makes things happen.

PRAYER: Lord, give us an endless supply of money.  Not for selfish gain, but to advance your kingdom in every area influence we have.  Amen!

Eccl 10:19. . . . A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. NIV

FIND REAL PURPOSE!

4-16-2012. . . . FIND REAL PURPOSE!

"For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it, and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows." (1 Tim 6:10 TLB)  Money is good and a tool to be used.  The love of money however, can most certainly lead to ruin.  The more one runs after it the faster it runs away.  Stop pursuing it and let it pursue you!  Find real purpose!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for placing in us a higher purpose than the pursuit of material things.  Thank you, and thank you again.  Amen!

1 Tim 6:8-9. . . . But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil-minded and finally send them to hell itself.  TLB

DO IT AND DO IT RIGHT!

4-13-2012. . . .DO IT AND DO IT RIGHT!

"Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them.   Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.  Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other." (Rom 12:9-10 TLB)  Why bother pretending to love!  Everyone knows what love really looks like and feels like so no one is fooled.  Loving for real blesses both the receiver and the giver!  So just do it and do it right!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to love each other the way we should!  Amen.

1 John 4:7-8. . . . Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  KJV

COVER!

4-12-2012. . . .COVER!

"The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer.  Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults." (1 Peter 4:7-8 TLB)  Faults, we all have them!  Instead of seeking to expose every fault we find in others, in an effort to keep our own concealed, rather allow love to cover other's faults until they, and thereby, we are healed!

PRAYER: Lord, continue to cover us in your love as we seek to cover others in our love until we all are healed! Amen.

Luke 6:41-42. . . . "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye-his little fault --when a board is in your own? 42 How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the board in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!"  TLB

COMMEND LOVE TO SOMEONE!

4-11-2012. . . .COMMEND LOVE TO SOMEONE!

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8 KJV)  In our most unlovable and unacceptable state, God caused His love to stand and extend itself towards us.   Who around us is in need of that kind of love?  Although, they may be completely unacceptable and undesirable to us, just think about where we would be if we were left in that same state.   Commend love to someone today!  They may not want it, but they certainly need it!

PRAYER: Lord, where would we be had you not commended your love towards while we were in our worst condition.  Help us to commend our love to those around us who are so disparately in need of it.  Amen!

2 Thess 3:3-5. . . . And we trust the Lord that you are putting into practice the things we taught you, and that you always will.  May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ. TLB

LIVE IT OUT!

4-10-12. . . .LIVE IT OUT!

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.   Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  (John 15:12-14 KJV)  Love is about sacrifice!  The giving of ourselves for the benefit of others without expectation of return.  It is the one commandment Jesus gave; it is the one commandment we must diligently live out!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your great love towards us.  Help us to follow your example and live out your commandment to love others as you have loved us!  Amen.

1 Cor 13:4-8. . . .Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. NIV

A DO OVER!

4-9-2012. . . .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 been dealt so to speak.  Christ however, by dying on the cross for our sins, has in effect, given us a 'Do Over!'   The question is, 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

SALVATION IN AN INSTANT!

4-6-2012. . . . SALVATION IN AN INSTANT!

Over two thousand years ago a criminal, one convicted, condemned and justifiably crucified, turned to Jesus and made a simple request. "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:42 NKJV) 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. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 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.

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

POWER AND OPTIONS!

4-5-2012. . . .POWER AND 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!

4-4-2012. . . .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 of the choice placed before us.   But then, where would our blessing be?  What God wants for us is what's 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

4-3-2012. . . .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

IT'S NOT TRUE!

3-2-2012. . . .IT’S NOT TRUE!

“For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. (1 Cor 15:15-19 NIV)   Imagine being still in your sins and lost, without help or hope! What a horrible thought indeed and a worst state to be in if it were true. Thanks be to God that it’s not true. Christ is risen from the dead and has made it possible for all who believe in Him, to rise again too!

Prayer: Lord, I can’t imagine being still in my sins, lost and separated from you! Thank for making it possible for us to never ever be in that state ever again. Amen!

1 Cor 15:20-24. . . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. NIV