OBEDIENCE IS A CHOICE!

2-28-2014. . . .OBEDIENCE IS A CHOICE!

"Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways-doing evil because you knew no better.  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 TLB)  Obedience is a choice!  As God's children, we are without excuse when we choose to follow our old nature and do things that dishonor who God is!  Remember, we were made in His image and after His own likeness.  We are God's visible image in the world.  When the world sees us, what is their impression and opinion of God?  Don't distort His image through disobedience! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating us in your own image and likeness.  Help us daily to represent you to the world in a way that draws them to you and not drives them from you!  Amen.

Col 3:10-11. . . . You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you. 11 In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all. TLB

SENSES BUT NO SENSE!

2-27-2014. . . .SENSES BUT NO SENSE!

"This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah: '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." (Matt 13:14-16 TLB)  Senses don't automatically equate to sense.  One may have eyes and not see.....ears and not hear. (senses)  The result, a complete absence of understanding. (sense)   Hardly seems possible, but it's true.  Don't be guilty of having senses, but no sense!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating us with senses.  Help us not be guilty of having senses without sense!  Amen!

Prov 1:5-6. . . . A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.  KJV

YOU'll GET WHAT'S COMING TO YOU!

2-26-2014. . . .You'll GET WHAT'S COMING TO YOU!

"And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him. (1 Peter 1:4-54 TLB) What God has for us, it is for us! What He has and freely gives is eternal life to all who believe in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ! He does not stop there however! By His mighty power He daily blesses, keeps, protects, and ensures that we will get to the place where we will receive what is promised to us! Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for eternal life through your Son, Jesus! Thank you that by your power you ensure that we will get what's coming to us. Praise your Holy Name! Amen.

Jude 24. . . .And now-all glory to him who alone is God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord; yes, splendor and majesty, all power and authority are his from the beginning; his they are and his they evermore shall be. And he is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into his glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy. Amen. TLB

SACRIFICE COST!

2-25-2014. . . .SACRIFICE COST!

“But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Sam 24:24 NIV) A sacrifice that cost us nothing is not a sacrifice at all. God’s sacrifice cost Him all! Should not our sacrifices be the same?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. There is nothing of value I possess that is not worthy of being sacrificed to you. Amen!

1 Chron 29:12-14. . . . Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. KJV

DON'T BLOCK THE BLESSINGS!

2-23-2014. . . .DON’T BLOCK THE BLESSINGS!

“I, the Lord, have sworn by myself that because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son from me, I will bless you with incredible blessings and multiply your descendants into countless thousands and millions, like the stars above you in the sky, and like the sands along the seashore. They will conquer their enemies, and your offspring will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth-all because you have obeyed me." (Gen 22:16-18 TLB) The very thing in your life you are unwilling to sacrifice could also be the thing blocking you from God’s choice blessings.

Prayer: Lord, let there be nothing or no one standing between me and thee! Your thoughts for me are for good and not of evil. Therefore, I have nothing to fear. Amen!

1 Sam 15:22. . . ."Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him. TLB

DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME!

2-21-2014. . . .DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME!

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.  For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."( Eccl 8:5-6 NIV)  Never let emotions provoke bad decisions!  While one's current position, relationship, job and/or employer for the moment, may be undesirable and even untenable, don't be impulsive and leave before it is time!  Such actions will cause more harm than good.  Discern the right time!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for discernment.  Help discern the times and wait patiently on you.  Amen!

Heb 10:35-36. . . . Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. KJV

IN GOD'S POWER!

2-20-2014. . . . IN GOD'S POWER!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  (2 Cor 12:9 KJV)  Our handicaps do not disqualify us for service to God.  In fact, in many cases, they qualify us for a greater demonstration of His power through us.  Although, the apostle Paul had a handicap in his flesh, his handicap was not a hindrance to God accomplishing mighty things through him.  Like Paul, our accomplishments are not in our own strength, but in God's power!  Trust Him with your handicap.

Prayer: Lord, your ways are certainly not like ours.  What we often think would disqualify for us, is the very thing you use to demonstrate your power in us!  Thank you that our handicaps are not hindrances to you. Amen!

Phil 4:13. . . . I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV

BETTER FOR IT!

2-19-2014. . . .BETTER FOR IT!

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." (Ps 34:19 KJV)  Hard to bare situations are unavoidable and in fact, inevitable.   We are not left however, without hope.  Deliverance too, is inevitable!  The lessons learned while positively dealing with present dilemmas will benefit us greatly when deliverance comes.  We will emerge better for the experience.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the assurance that deliverance from all our afflictions will come.  Help us to be patient and lean the lessons of our present dilemmas and emerge better for the experience.  Amen.

2 Cor 4:17. . . . These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! TLB

A MUCH BETTER WAY!

2-18-2014. . . . A MUCH BETTER WAY!

"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Ps 110:1 KJV)  Our enemies are not just our enemies, they are His enemies too!  As such, they are being dealt with and will soon be in a position of submission to Him and us.  Resist the temptation to deal with them yourself; God has a much better way!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being our Savior and Lord!  Every enemies destiny is to be made your footstool.   As it has been written, so let it be done.  Amen!

Ps 37:1-3. . . . Never envy the wicked!   Soon they fade away like grass and disappear.  Trust in the Lord instead. Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety. 

TLB

WALK IN VICTORY!

2-17-2014. . . .WALK IN VICTORY!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57 KJV)  In every situation and circumstance victory is assured because of what Christ has done for us.  Know today that God has a plan in place; although, there are problems we will have to face.  Understand however, that all God's promises are at stake and none of them will fail.  Walk in Victory!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us victory in every situation and circumstance.  We walk confidently in your promises.  Amen!

Rom 8:37. . . . but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. TLB

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

2-14-2014. . . .IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,  never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them.  There are three things that remain-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.(1 Cor 13:4-13 TLB)  IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!  Happy Valentine's Day!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for love and for showing us what real love is!  Help us to prove to the world that we are your disciples by showing love to all. Amen!

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  KJV

TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

2-13-2014. . . .TRANSPORT AND TRANSMIT!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them." (1 Cor 13:4-7 TLB)  Love one song writer wrote, "Is a many splendored thing!"  When in full operation, it's the only thing!  Be a transporter and transmitter of it!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the gift of love!  It is what there world need now and what the world needs most!  Use every believer to be the transporters and transmitters of it!  Amen.

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS!

2-12-2014. . . .LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS!

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13 KJV)  Real love knows no limits!  To love with no limits takes vulnerability, not gullibility!   Love is no one's door mat, but every one's doorway into life and happiness!  Love without limits!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for loving us without limits!  Keep loving us into life and happiness.  Amen!

Eph 3:17-18. . . . And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love;  and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it.  TLB

FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

2-11-2014. . . .FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!
"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5 KJV) In spite of one's best efforts, even the called by Christ experience failure. Failure however, does not have the final word, God does. In fact, our point of failure positions us for a fresh word of instruction that will lead us to our next success.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being there even in our times of failure. Help us to be willing at our point failure to receive your word of instruction that will lead us to success. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24 . . . .

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

LOVE LIKE THIS!

2-10-2014. . . .LOVE LIKE THIS!

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."  (1 Peter 4:8-9 NKJV)  Hate harms, leaving gaping wounds exposed for all to see!  Love on the other hand, heals and covers; though the offenses be many.  Love like this!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no greater example of love that covers than yours!  Many times over you could have and perhaps, should have exposed us, but your great love covered us.  Help us Lord, to love like this!  Amen.

Ps 86:15. . . . But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. NIV

MAKE A DECISION!

2-7-2014. . . .MAKE A DECISION!

"I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.  And here is how to measure it-the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me."  (John 15:12-14 TLB)  Love is more than a feeling, Love is a choice!  Feelings are fleeting and can often change like the passing of seasons.  Jesus' love for us is not based upon his feelings, but base upon his decision to obey his Father and submit to his will!  He expects, ye even demands the same of us.  Make a decision!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your decision to love us!  Help us to follow your example and do likewise! Amen.

Deut 7:9-10. . . ."Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps his promises and constantly loves those who love him and who obey his commands." TLB

LOVE LIFTED ME!

2-6-2014. . . .LOVE LIFTED ME!

"For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are-high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us."  (Rom 8:38-39 TLB)  To the same extent love went to reach us, is to the same extent love will go to keep us!  Whether on the highest mountain or in the lowest valley, there is no place it cannot reach us!  In the words of the old him, "When nothing else could help - Love lifted men!"

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your great love and its inseparable power to reach and keep us.  Amen!

1 Cor 13:13. . . .There are three things that remain-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love. 

TLB

LOVE STEPPED IN!

2-6-2014. . . .LOVE STEPPED IN!

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  And since by his blood he did all this for us as sinners, how much more will he do for us now that he has declared us not guilty?"  (Rom 5:8-9 TLB)  Guilty as charged; that's what we were!  Worthy of being convicted, condemned, and crucified!  But, love stepped in and changed our position because of his purpose!  What a mighty love!

PRAYER: Lord, when we consider your mighty love for us, we can't help but bow in humble submission to your will and bless your name at all times!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Thank you Lord, Amen! 

John 15:13. . . .Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  KJV

RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

2-4-2014. . . .RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE! 

"And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it."  (Eph 3:16-18 TLB)  It is a lifelong lesson to comprehend the vastness of God's love!  Only eternity with him will reveal its fullest extent.  Reservations are now available; please see Jesus for confirmation!

PRAYER: Lord, your love is a many splendored thing!  A lifetime is not long enough to comprehend its fullness.   Thank you for eternity!  Amen.

John 3:16-17. . . . For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. TLB

HEAR AND HEED!

2-3-2014. . . .HEAR AND HEED!

"For long ago the Lord had said to Israel: "I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to me." (Jer 31:3-4 TLB)  Love is in the air; surrounding us and drawing us ever closer and closer to Him!  How can so many remain oblivious to its presence, and how long will they remain oblivious to its call?  He that hath an ear let him hear and heed before time runs out!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your everlasting love!  May all the world hear and heed its call before it's to late!  Amen.

2 Peter 3:8-9. . . .The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. NIV