THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

6-28-2013. . . .THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

"And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns."  (Phil 1:5-6 TLB)  How do you like me now?  The answers we receive from this question may vary from person to person at different stages of our development.  One thing is for sure however, we as Christians,  are changing daily for the better because Christ himself is doing the work!   Just wait until you see the finished product!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the work you have started in us and for your never ending commitment to complete what you started.

2 Cor 5:17. . . . Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  KJV

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

6-27-2013. . . .UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

"The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands." (Ps 138:8 NIV)  God never starts something without completing it!  The purpose He had for and set in us is yet ongoing and will be to fruition.  So life at times may get dusty, dirty and disarranged, most construction projects do; but rest assured, it will come together in the end. 

PRAYER: Lord, have your way in our lives!  Do what only you can do.  Help us to remain always in your will and out of your way.  Your will be done.  Amen!

Phil 2:13. . . . For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. KJV

LINE IT UP!

6-26-2013. . . .LINE IT UP!

"And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.  And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us." (1 John 5:14-15 TLB)  When our request aligns with His will, we can then ask what we will and with great anticipation expect to receive it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for hearing us and willingly granting us every request that is in line with your will!  Keep us in your will!  Amen.

Ps 84:11. . . . For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. KJV

DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

6-25-2013. . . .DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  (Heb 11:6 KJV)  Trusting God is not like playing games of chance where one wishes and hopes to win, but more often then not, doesn't!  Trusting God is believing Him beyond what we see (we walk by faith not by sight) until what we expect manifest!  Don't play. . . .TRUST!

PRAYER: Lord, our faith and trust is in you.  We will not weaver because we know your word is true and will manifest you will!  Our faith and trust remains always in you!  Amen.

James 1:5-7. . . .If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer. TLB

BACK TO BASICS!

6-24-2013. . . .BACK TO BASICS!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Prov 3:1-4 NIV)   Life has no road map, but if we follow some basic principles we will successfully navigate our way through it!  Follow His plan. . . .Get back to basics!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for ordering the steps and stops of our life.  Help us to stick to the plan and the basic principles you have set our for us.  Amen.

Ps 37:23-24. . . .The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. 24 If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

DO IT ANYWAY!

6-21-2013. . . .DO IT ANYWAY!

"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.'  But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:43-45 TLB)  If we are honest, most of  us would respond to this admonition from Jesus with a"I Don't Want To!"  Especially considering, the damage they've done and pain they've inflicted is still fresh and hurting.  It is okay to acknowledge that we feel that way.  In fact, we may even find it cathartic.   However, when we get through with the acknowledgement, then comes the realization that it is not about our feelings, its about our faith!  We may not want to do it, but we do it anyway!   Why. . . .because that is what Jesus says!  He knows what is best for us and we believe in Him!   So remember, Do it anyway! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to always be honest and open with you about our feelings.  Strengthen us to rise above our feelings and stand firmly on our faith in order to do the right thing and obey you no matter what.  Amen! 

Prov 25:21-22. . . . If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. NIV

EVIDENCE!

6-20-2013. . . .EVIDENCE!

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:15-16 NIV)  In a court of law, evidence is required in order to convict someone of an offense.  Likewise, evidence is required to convince the world we really know God!

Prayer: Lord, may the life we live and the good works we do be clear evidence to the world that you are God and we are your children.  Amen!

Luke 6:43-45. . . ."No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 

(from New International Version)

DO, BE, BECOME!

6-19-2013. . . .DO, BE, BECOME!

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil 2:13 KJV)  Accomplishing God's purpose is made possible by God Himself working within us and giving us enabling power that energizes our will to do, be and become!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for working within us to accomplish your divine will and purpose.  Amen!

Eph 1:7-10. . . . In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,  having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth -- in Him.  NKJV

KEEP THE PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

6-18-2013. . . .KEEP THE PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matt 6:25-26 NIV)     Food, water and clothing while essential for sustaining life, should never be elevated to a level of priority above life itself!  The clothes one wears does not make the person. . . .it’s the person (life) that makes the clothes! Keep the priorities straight!  Place emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of life! Help us keep our priorities straight and put more emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life! Amen! 

Matt 6:25. . . .Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? KJV

PRAISE IS WHAT I'LL DO!

6-17-2013. . . .PRAISE IS WHAT I'LL DO!

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Ps 147:1 KJV)   Comely…….an uncommon word meaning ‘fitting…pleasing or suitable.’  If it is fitting, pleasing and suitable to praise God, then conversely, it is unpleasing and unsuitable or fitting not to praise Him!  Yet sadly, days, weeks, months and perhaps even years go by without one utterance of praise from the millions of people that belong to Him!   I’ll not be one of those!   Praise is what I’ll do!

Prayer: Lord, I’m so grateful to you for everything. You are awesome! When I think on who you are, your love and kindness towards me, my lips can’t help but give you praise! Bless your name forever! Amen.

Ps 113:1-3 . . . . Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. KJV

LEAD US ON!

6-14-2013. . . .LEAD US ON!

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.  (Ps 139:7-12 NIV)  There is no place beyond God's reach!  No matter how high or how low; whether concealed or revealed, there God's hand is guiding us.  Somebody needs to know today, there is a way out; a way up; a way through; a way back; a way around; a way!  Take our hand precious Lord, lead us on!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your guiding hand.  Amen!

Ps 121:5-8. . . .The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. NIV

RELEASE IT NOW!

6-13-2013. . . . RELEASE IT NOW!

"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. . . ." (Eph 3:20 KJV)  Stop holding on and trying to work out things that only God can do.  Release it to Him now, and your faith in Him along with it!

PRAYER: Lord, by your mighty power alone you are able to do far more then we could every, ask, think, or imagine.  Your will be done.  Amen!

Matt 19:26. . . . But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. KJV

MUCH BETTER!

6-12-2013. . . .MUCH BETTER!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jer 29:11 TLB)  Don't doubt your future, believe in it!  It's not in our hands, it's in His; and it looks much better than what is seen right now!  MUCH BETTER!

PRAYER: Lord, when our present challenges cause us to become short sighted about our future, help us to yet trust your word and remember that it will prevail until it is fulfilled!  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

WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE!

6-11-2013. . . .WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE!

“Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them means death.” (Prov 19:16 TLB) God’s way and His will is expressed through His commands! Obey and abide by them and experience life in all its fullness. Disobey or Deviate from them, experience Death or Separation!    Life or Death? What’s your choice?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for simple choices. Help us not to complicate our lives by our choices. Amen!

Prov 19:16. . . . He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. NIV

OF COURSE GOD CARES!

6-7-2013. . . .OF COURSE GOD CARES!

 

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” Matt 6:28-30 TLB   Does God care about the clothes we wear?   Does it really make a difference to God?   While He may not be concern with the designer’s name or tag on our clothes, He is certainly concern and will see to that we in fact, have clothes.    The comparison is made to the lilies!   How beautiful they are, all arrayed with their pedals and stems!   They are designer originals and can’t be duplicated.   If He cares about clothing the lilies, ‘Does God Care about clothing us?”   Don't be of little faith in this regard!  Of course God cares!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for clothing and the capacity to choose what we want to wear. Thank you for the provision and the privilege of doing so. Amen.

 

Matt 6:28-30. . . . And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? KJV

STAND ON IT!

6-6-2013. . . .STAND ON IT!

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."  (Luke 21:33 KJV)  WORD STRONG!  We can stand on it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word that shall never pass away,  It is the foundation upon which we shall stand forever!  Amen.

Ps 138:2. . . .I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. KJV

REMEMBER WHAT YOU KNOW!

6-5-2013. . . .REMEMBER WHAT YOU KNOW!

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  (Isa 40:27-28 KJV)  It is not uncommon for us to experience times of weariness, exhaustion and even become exasperated about our struggles and challenges that may seem will never change.  God however, experiences none of these things!  He remains sovereign, faithful, powerful, in control and has every thing under control!  Don't give up, out, over or in!  Remember what you know!

PRAYER: Lord, from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God!  May our feeble mines never in frustration forget who you are and fail to rely and call on you for strength!  Amen.

Ps 90:1-2. . . .LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.  KJV

GOD'S GOT ME!

6-4-2013. . . .GOD'S GOT ME!

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isa 41:10 TLB)  No matter how serious the challenge or how mighty the enemy, we need not fear because God, by His on volition, has chosen to help us!  He promises strength, help, and most importantly, victory!

Prayer: Lord, you are my strength, my help, my Victory!  Thank you for choosing to be on my side!  Amen.

 Ps 27:1-3. . . .The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  KJV

ALL ABOUT HIM!

6-3-2013. . . .ALL ABOUT HIM!

"Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will."  (Ps 37:4-5 TLB)  When the Lord is the center of our life,  we will be the center of His and He'll prove it by giving us more and more of Him!  The desires of our heart cannot consist of material gain or worldly fame and influence; those things come when its all about Him!

PRAYER: Lord, let our heart's desire be truly for you and about you! Amen!

Matt 6:33. . . .But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV