HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!

2-25-2016. . . .HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!  

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Phil 1:66 KJV)   The construction project that was begun in us is going according to plan and will be completed!  In spite of the many unneeded interruptions and interjections on our part, the 'Chief Foreman' remains committed and undaunted in working out 'His Plan' and 'His Purpose' in our lives!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being committed to us. Forgive us for often getting in Your way and help us to submit to Your will. Amen.  

Ps 138:8. . . . The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me;your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. (NIV)

IN GOD'S POWER!

2-24-2016. . . . 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.  As a matter of 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!  God can be trusted with our handicaps.

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

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

INSEPARABLE!

2-23-2016. . . .INSEPARABLE! 

"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)  The greatest love of all is the love God demonstrated to us through His Son, Jesus the Christ!  No way He would go to that extent and then have anything or anybody separate us from His love and the benefits thereof!  Once His love reaches us, it will most diffidently and forever keep us.  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your great love for us.  Nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us from it or you.  Grow us in your love and help us to demonstrate that same love through loving each other.  Amen.

Rom 5:8. . . .But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. TLB

WHO DOES THAT?

2-19-2016. . . .WHO DOES THAT?

"Pride ends in destruction; humility ends in honor.   What a shame-yes, how stupid!-to decide before knowing the facts! (Prov 18:12-13 TLB)  Things are not always as they appear or how they are first presented!  There is usually much more to be learned and many more facts to discover.   Don't jump to conclusions before hearing the full matter.  Who does that?

PRAYER: Lord, continually instruct us in the ways of humility and keep pride far from us.  Help us to be quick to listen and slow to judge; and both with wisdom.  Amen!

James 1:19-21. . . . Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.  Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

WHAT MORE DO WE REALLY NEED!

2-17-2016. . . .WHAT MORE DO WE REALLY NEED!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.  He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water-a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit." (Jer 17:7-8 TLB)  The Lord God is our resource and our recourse!  What more do we really need!

PRAYER: Lord, you are our everything.  Our hope and confidence is in you alone.   All other needs are artificially manufactured. In you we are satisfied.  Amen! 

Ps 40:4. . . .Many blessings are given to those who trust the Lord and have no confidence in those who are proud or who trust in idols. TLB

RELEASED!

2-16-2016. . . .RELEASED!

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom 8:1 KJV)  Imagine for a moment being incarcerated and suddenly, someone comes and tells you, you have been released under the condition, you must continue to walk in freedom and never return to this prison.  What prisoner in their right mind wouldn't accept such a release?  Exactly....the answer is obvious!  Having been released from the influence of our old nature and the condemnation of sin, what believer would opt to return to prison.  Walk in freedom....we've been released!

PRAYER: Lord, thank your giving us freedom and release from the condemnation  of sin and the influence of our old nature.  Help us Holy Spirit to follow your lead down freedom's path. Amen!

Gal 5:1. . . . Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. KJV

LOVE LIKE THIS!

2-12-2016. . . .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

LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!

2-11-2016. . . .LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!

"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 12:9-11 TLB)  When it comes to the expression, "I Love You, a mouth will say anything and usually does!"  How easily the words flow from our lips, but all to often without the legs necessary to carry it into the actions the expression requires.  Let us not love in word only, but also in deeds!  LOVE IS WHAT LOVE DOES!  

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you today for your example of love!  It was not just in what you said to us, but it was in what you did and continue to do for us.  Help us to duplicate your example in demonstrating our love to the world.  Amen!

John 13:34-35. . . . A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

IN IT TO WIN IT!

2-10-2016.  . . .IN IT TO WIN IT!

" In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win.  To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears."  (1 Cor 9:24-26 TLB)  The famous catch line from Wide World of Sports was "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!"   No one goes through the sacrifice and preparation for a competition to experience defeat.  The goal is to win!  Believers, that is our incentive in life!   We are in it, to win it; and win it we shall!

PRAYER: Lord, we faithfully run this race of life that we may ultimately receive the prize of eternal life with you! Thank you that we will not fail to reach our goal.  Amen!

1 Tim 6:12. . . .Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  KJV

LOVE LIFTED US!

2-9-2016. . . .LOVE LIFTED US!

"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 hymn "When nothing else could help - Love lifted Us!"

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your great love and it's 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

DON'T DO IT!

2-5-2016. . . .DON'T DO IT!

"For there are six things the Lord hates-no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers." (Prov 6:16 TLB) LYING is second on the list of things God hates!  Is there really any good reason not to tell the truth?  Frankly speaking, NO there isn't!  No one likes lies or liars and God hates it!  ADVICE: DON'T DO IT!

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you always.  Therefore, we will not do the things you hate.  Amen!

Ps 34:11-14. . . . Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.  Do you want a long, good life?  Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying.  Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. TLB

DON'T OVERREACH!

2-4-2016. . . .DON'T OVERREACH!

"But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42 RSV)  We were never created to be all things, to all people, at all times!  We can only be all we were created to be for the people to whom we have been assigned, and to those who have been assigned to us.  Stay in your lane and don't overreach! 

PRAYER: Lord, we are challenged daily in many areas, but especially when dealing with people.  Help us discern our proper place and keep us from being distracted from the unnecessary.  Amen!

 Gal 5:13-14. . . .For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." RSV

RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

2-2-2016. . . .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 it's fullest extent.  Reservations are now available; please see Jesus for your confirmation!

PRAYER: Lord, your love is a many splendored thing!  A lifetime is not long enough to comprehend it's 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