DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

11-27-2015. . . .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 as important that we share with others our testimonies about the great things He has done.  In so doing, others will be drawn into awareness of Him and many will be converted and believe!

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

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

VERY THANKFUL!

11/26/2015. . . .VERY 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, had someone other than God made us!  Even if we trusted that responsibility to those we feel 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 will never know.  What we do know is that we were made in God's own image and after His likeness; 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 own 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)

THANKS-GOD'S WILL FOR US!

11-25-2015. . . .THANKS-GOD'S WILL FOR US!

 "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, our preference would be not having to deal with them at all. 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; and remember, 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)

TWO GOOD REASONS!

11-24-2015. . . .TWO GOOD 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  a 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

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-19-2015. . . .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 always has and always will 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

IN THE ARMS OF HIS PEACE!

11-18-2015. . . .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

BEING IS HAVING!

11-17-2015. . . .BEING IS HAVING!

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."  (Prov 27:17 KJV)  Don't be so quick to label someone a friend. Wait for the day of adversity and see how and where they position their self.  Only a true friend will stand with you in the good times and the bad times.  They will comfort us and if need be, lovingly correct us, but will never turn their backs on us!  To be this kind of friend is to have this kind of friend.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for true friends.  Though they be few in number, their presence in our life is a blessing.  Amen!

Prov 17:17. . . .A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. TLB

FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES!

11-16-2015. . . .FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES!

"A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." (Prov 17:17 TLB)  Just because we call people our "Friend" does not make them one indeed.  The proof of a real friend is not in their ability to love and stand with us when things are going well, but in their unfailing, unchanging love and stand with us when our world has turned upside down.  It is then our eyes open to see the difference between our friends and mere associates. 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being a friend that sticks closer to us than any brother.  Help us to be that kind of friend to those with whom we are connected.  Amen!

 Prov 18:24. . . . There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  TLB

GREATER AFTER THIS!

11-13-2015. . . .GREATER 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)  No matter what we have to go through, there are two things that are for certain; 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!"  Unwavering faith in God's providential care will ultimately result in victory and greater blessings. Remember, it may be challenging now, but expect greater, 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 current dilemmas, help us always remember this and not weaver in our faith.  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

A SIMPLE CHOICE!

11-12-2015. . . .A SIMPLE CHOICE!

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment 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

PRESENT AND PERSISTENT!

11-11-2015. . . .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

TRUST GOD!

11-10-2015. . . .TRUST GOD!

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."(2 Cor 5:7  KJV)  It has been said, "when you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on."   Did any one ever stop to think that it was holding on to that rope in the first place that lead to that end?   If we let go of "our" rope now, we won't ever have to worry about coming to the end of it.  Walk by faith, not by sight! Trust God!

PRAYER: Lord, our faith is in you alone.  We've learned not to lean to our own understanding or to trust in our own abilities.  We walk by faith and our trust is in you.  Amen.

Prov 3:4-6. . . .If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. TLB

EYES ON THE PRIZE!

11-6-2015. . . .EYES ON THE PRIZE!

 "I will let everyone who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered."   (Rev 3:21-22 TLB)  Obstacles, distractions, opposition, troubles and trials are all designed to prevent us from accomplishing our objective and afterwards, taking our rightful positions with Christ. Nevertheless, with undaunted courage, we conquer every complication, challenge and condition with our eyes fixed upon the prize.

PRAYER: Lord, you created us to be conquerors!  No matter what comes our way we will remain undaunted in our quest to be ultimately seated with you on your throne.  Amen!

Heb 12:1-3. . . . Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. MSG

NOW THAT'S AN AWESOME GOD!

11-5-2015. . . .NOW THAT'S AN AWESOME GOD!

"You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!  How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"  (Ps 139:16-17 TLB)   God is completely engaged and intimately involved in every detail of our life.  It is mind blowing to think that He can be God in all His God-ness to me, (a 24/7, 365 job) without taking away or depriving any of His full God-ness to everyone else!  Now that's an awesome God worthy of all our praise!

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for being the awesome God you are!  Amen.

Ezek 34:30-31. . . . In this way they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the people of Israel, are my people," says the Lord God. "You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my men and I am your God, so says the Lord." TLB

GOD IS NOT LIKE MAN!

11-4-2015. . . .GOD IS NOT LIKE MAN!

"Lord, if you keep in mind our sins, then who can ever get an answer to his prayers? But you forgive! What an awesome thing this is!  That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised.  I long for him more than sentinels long for the dawn.  (Ps 130:3-6 TLB)  We were created in His own image and after His own likeness, yet when it comes to forgiveness there is hardly any resemblance.  We hold grudges, anger, resentment and often seek revenge on our own terms.  How awesome indeed it is that God is not like man!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being you!  Help us to be more and more like you in every way.  Help us to forgive quickly and show mercy when it is the most undeserved!  Amen.

Lam 3:21-25. . . . Yet there is one ray of hope:  his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.  Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.  My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him. TLB

  

WHERE IS YOUR NAME!

11-3-2015. . . .WHERE IS YOUR NAME!

"If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches; for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold." (Prov 22:1 TLB) A good name goes before you, but a bad name will follow you!  Our behavior, actions and choices will determine what kind of name goes before us or will be constantly lurking behind us.  Where is your name?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that we are your people that have been called by your name.  Help us to live in such a way that guards your name and our own name as well. Amen!

Prov 3:4-6. . . .If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.  TLB

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

11-2-2015. . . .MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

"This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before."  (1 Thess 4:11-12 TLB)  In this age of modern technology and instant access social media, information about everything and everybody is flying around everywhere.  Believers must be vigilant in maintaining integrity and not becoming busybodies or purveyors of gossip.  Sweeping around our own front doors is a full time job and should be our daily objective. Mind your own business!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to lead quiet peaceful lives and to mind our own business.  Help us to daily maintain our integrity and be worthy representatives of your kingdom.  Amen!

Ps 34:11-14. . . .Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  NIV