TWO REASONS!

11-27-2013. . . .TWO REASONS!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Ps 136:1 KJV) Need reasons to give God thanks? Psalm 136:1 offers two! First, give thanks because 'He is Good.' It is an undeniable fact that, God is good and he does good!  The good God does is constantly and consistantly directed toward us! Secondly, 'His mercy endures for ever.'  Where would we be if it were not for His great mercy!   His mercy keeps us so that His grace can reach us!  While there is certainly a plethora of other reasons to give thanks, these two are good place to start!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being good and always doing good. Thank you also for your mercy without which we would be consumed. Thank you Lord, thank you! Amen.

Ps 97:12. . . . Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.KJV

THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW!

11-26-2013. . . .THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord and pray to him," they sang.  "Tell the peoples of the world about his mighty doings.  Sing to him; yes, sing his praises and tell of his marvelous works." (1 Chron 16:8-9 TLB)  As we give thanks to the Lord this week, make a special effort to publish abroad the wonderful things He has done!  CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and the like are not going to do it!  As believers and beneficiaries of His blessings, it's up to us to let the world know!  Indeed, the world needs to know!

Prayer: Lord, we give you thanks for your wonderful works and mighty acts!  While we don't have ten thousand tongues, with the one we have, we will let the whole world know!  Amen.

Isa 12:4-5. . . . In that wonderful day you will say, "Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the world about his wondrous love. How mighty he is!"  Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world.  TLB

THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

11-25-2013. . . .THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:188 KJV) Giving thanks to God in every thing is His will concerning us.  Admittedly however, we may find ourselves in circumstances and situations that we may not readily feel thankful to be in.   In fact, we'd prefer not even having to deal with them. Nevertheless, the knowledge that God is working in every situation and circumstance for our good, is cause enough to connect with His will concerning us and simply give thanks.  Don't fight it, flow with it!  It is His will, so give thanks!

Prayer: Lord, in everything we give you thanks for it is your will concerning us.  Help us in the difficult times to remember this quickly so as to not struggle against your will. Amen!

Ps 30:11-12. . . . You turned my wailing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,  that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. (NIV)

IN THE ARMS OF PEACE!

11-22-2013. . . .IN THE ARMS OF HIS PEACE!

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:5-7 6 TLB) It is easy to become anxious and uneasy about the unknown and things that are beyond our control. However, if we remind ourselves that God is in control and He has everything under control, we will be able to release our hearts and minds into the settling arms of God's Peace.  It is far more satisfying than our need to understand.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your peace to keep us free from worry, calm and steady in in the most unsettling moments.  We rest daily in it's embrace. Amen!

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

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-21-2013. . . .NEVER FORSAKEN!

 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Ps 37:25 KJV)  Ever had someone give up on you . . . .turn their back on you. . . .abandon you? Those of us who have experienced it can tell you, being forsaken is not a feeling or position to be coveted. It leaves one disappointed, discouraged and with many unanswered questions. While the possibility always exist that man will forsake us, no such possibility exist with God!  Taking a retrospective look over the years of his life, the psalmist David accurately observed: From generation to generation, God will never forsake the righteous and will always provide for their every need!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful God and never forsaking the righteous! I am grateful that I am your child and live in expectation and not in want. Amen!

Ps 9:9-10. . . . The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

NIV

INSIDE - OUTSIDE!

11-20-2013. . . .INSIDE - OUTSIDE!

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." ( John 16:33 TLB)  Outside of us situations and circumstances are constantly changing. We can expect trials and turmoil. In fact, if its not one thing, it will certainly be another. On the inside however, there is God’s Peace giving us the calming assurance that all is well and all will be well! Peace on the inside makes bearable the vicissitudes of life on the outside!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for anticipating our need for peace in an ever changing world filled with turmoil and unrest. Your Peace secures us inside while we trust you to control the outside. Amen!

Rom 5:3-5. . . .We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. TLB

TRUSTWORTHY ONES!

11-19-2013. . . .TRUSTWORTHY ONES!

"In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1-2  NIV) For every action there is a reaction; for every cause there is an affect!  It stands to reason then, when things happen or go wrong in our lives, our first impulse is to wonder what we did or maybe, did not do to cause it!   Perhaps it's neither!  Consider this possibility; it is simply because of who we are!  We have matured spiritually and live in such a way that God can trust us in adversity!   God doesn't trust Satan with us, (which is why he limits what Satan can do to us), but He trust us with Satan!   Job did nothing to cause his dilemmas, but God said to Satan, "have you considered my servant Job."     How awesome it is to think that God trust us enough to suggest to Satan, consider us!  He knows we won't fail; He knows we won't give up - give out - give in - or give over!    Like Job, we will wait until our change comes, and come, it will!!!!  Stay encouraged trustworthy ones!

Prayer: Lord, sometimes our way seems so hard and our struggles so intense.  You however, know the paths we take.  Hold us in the hollow of Your hand as we continue to demonstrate our trustworthiness.  Amen!

Job 23:11-12. . . . "I have stayed in God's paths, following his steps. I have not turned aside.  I have not refused his commandments but have enjoyed them more than my daily food. TLB

HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

11-15-2013. . . . .HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."  (Rom 16:20 NKJV)   If you have ever watched a professional boxing match, you've noticed that when the rounds are about to end, the pace of the fighters seem to quicken.  When the final round of the fight comes, the battle seems to intensify all the more because both fighters know this is there last opportunity to get their punches in!  Our battle with Satan has intensified only because he knows his time is short.  Soon, he will be crushed under our feet and our arms will be raised in victory!  Hang in there and keep fighting!  The fight is fixed! :-)

Prayer: Thank you Lord for victory through Jesus Christ.  Strengthen us to withstand the battles in order that we may win the war.  Amen.

1 Cor 15:58. . . .So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.  TLB

ARE YOU READY FOR MORE!

11-14-2013. . . .ARE YOU READY FOR MORE!

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.  (1 Chron 4:10 KJV)  Are you ready for more?   Not more things or more stuff, but increased capacity to receive more of God!  As He enlarges and expands our internal coast and inflow, correspondingly, our external coast will enlarge in order to accomodate our outflow!  More in, more out!  Again, 'Are you ready for more?'

Prayer: Lord, give us more of thee!  Stretch and enlarge our internal coast while empowering us to handle our expanding external coast!  Amen.

 Matt 5:6. . . .Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  NIV

ARE YOU SERIOUS!

11-13-2013. . . .ARE YOU SERIOUS?

"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. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest."  (Jer 29:10-13 TLB)  It is not enough to simply know that God has a plan for us, and that that plan is one for our good, with a future, and an expected end.  We need. . . . in fact, we must seek God daily to find out the details and directions of His plan.  This knowledge will not come to us automatically or serendipitously.   We must pray with the confidence of knowing that God is listening and waiting to make His plan known to us if we seriously want to know it!  Now, do you seriously want to know it?

PRAYER: Lord, our desire is know your detailed plan for our life and future.  As we continuously demonstrate our seriousness, let your plan be revealed to us!  Amen!

1 John 5:14-15. . . .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. TLB

PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

11-12-2013. . . .PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

"For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom." (Ps 1:6 TLB)  Daily the Lord scrutinizes the plans and paths of His own, ensuring their successful completion.  No detail is left to chance.  His guiding hand is ever present and persistent to prevent deviation from His desired path.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you!  When we would go astray, the presence of your guiding and persistent hand is there to prevent our deviation.  Thank you again.  Amen!

Ps 139:7-10. . . .I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.  If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. TLB

CHANCE OVER CHOICE!

11-11-2013. . . .CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

"Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle, and that wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance, by happening to be at the right place at the right time.   A man never knows when he is going to run into bad luck. He is like a fish caught in a net, or a bird caught in a snare." (Eccl 9:11-12 TLB)  A man without God is one left to live life on a "Take it as it comes" basis; absent of purpose and direction.  The fruit of his labor will be nothing and his destination will often be nowhere.  There is a better choice to be made and a better life to be lived!  It's Choice over Chance.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us a life of choice and not chance.  You daily order our steps and our stops according to your own purpose.  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

MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

11-8-2013. . . .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!  We must capitalize on our creativity and seize every opportunity!  Maximize every moment!  

PRAYER:  Lord thank you for every opportunity to do good!  May our works speak for us now and in the end!  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

GOD OF COMFORT!

11-7-2013. . . .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 us from being unstable in difficult and uncomfortable situations. It is well with our 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

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-6-2013. . . .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 making 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 hands.  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

FAITH ACTIONS!

11-5-2013. . . .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

SPEAK ONLY THESE!

11-4-2013. . . .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

LIVE LIFE GOD'S WAY!

11-1-2013. . . .LIVE LIFE GOD'S WAY!

"Every law of God is right, whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.  Your laws are wonderful; no wonder I obey them.   As your plan unfolds, even the simple can understand it.  No wonder I wait expectantly for each of your commands." (Ps 119:128-131 TLB)  Although life will not be without it's challenges, living it God's way and according to His plan and commands makes it a whole lot easier!  Live life God's way! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your plan for our lives!  Help us to help ourselves by following your plan and commands!  Amen!

Ps 119:105-106. . . . Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. I've said it once and I'll say it again and again: I will obey these wonderful laws of yours.  TLB