IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

11-30-2016. . . .IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY!

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (1 Tim 4:9-10 KJV) As we labor (work) for the sake of the Gospel, it is true that we will sometimes suffer and be subject to reproach. (ridicule - criticism -opposition) It goes with the territory!   Nevertheless, we continue to trust in the one who is the 'Savior of all men', but more importantly, the Savior of we that be believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for salvation! Because we believe, we have an everlasting assurance that cannot be changed or revoked. Amen!

2 Sam 22:31-33. . . .As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. KJV

DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!

11-29-2016. . . .DON'T REWRITE THE SCRIPT!

"They can see that you are a letter from Christ, written by us. It is not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not one carved on stone, but in human hearts." (2 Cor 3:3 TLB) Our lives are an open letter from God to the world, written within us by the Holy Spirit. When the world reads us, let what is written be a witness unto Him. Take care that the way we live does not rewrite the script.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that our lives are a living and open letter from you to the world. Help us to daily put our pens down and simply allow your script to be read as written. Amen!

1 Cor 3:16-17. . . .Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (NIV)

BE THANKFUL!

11-22-2016. . . .BE THANKFUL!

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:17-18 TLB)  Whatever happens to us, for us, even against us, we know that God is at work always for our good.  Bad things will happen to good people and good things will happen to the same.  In both instances, our disposition remains the same. BE THANKFUL!

Prayer: Lord, in everything and for all things, we remain thankful.  Amen!

1 Thess 5:16-18. . . . Be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV

MESS UP FESS UP!

11-17-2016. . . .MESS UP FESS UP!

"Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected?  If God doesn't punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren't really God's son at all-that you don't really belong in his family.  Since we respect our fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God's training so that we can begin really to live?" (Heb 12:7-9  TLB)   If left to our own devices, we would all run amok and our human tendencies would have us running completely off the rails.  Even with God's hand heavy upon us, we still at times veer from the prescribed path.  Out of love, God does not throw us away, but He lovingly corrects us.  So when we mess up,  we simply fess up and allow God to lovingly straighten us up.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for lovingly correcting us whenever we veer from your prescribed path.  Amen!

Eph 2:1-7. . . .Once you were under God's curse, doomed forever for your sins.  You went along with the crowd and were just like all the others, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air, who is at work right now in the hearts of those who are against the Lord.  All of us used to be just as they are, our lives expressing the evil within us, doing every wicked thing that our passions or our evil thoughts might lead us into. We started out bad, being born with evil natures, and were under God's anger just like everyone else.  But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved-  and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms-all because of what Christ Jesus did.  And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ. TLB

LIFT UP A STANDARD!

11-16-16. . . .LIFT UP A STANDARD!

"Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand.  No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous."(Titus 3:1-2)  Our country's current political crisis should for believers, be viewed as an opportunity to lift up and demonstration a standard of righteousness.  If there was ever a time for us to be the salt and light we are commanded to be, now is that time!  C'mon believers, lift up a standard!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate that we belong to you.  In spite of our current crisis, help us to lift up a standard of righteousness.  Amen!

 Phil 2:14-16. . . . In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.  TLB

THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY!

11-15-16. . . .THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY! 

"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen.  If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.  Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear."  (Rom 13:1-3)  Make no mistake about it.  God is in control and He has everything under control.  Our responsibility to him and to those he has placed in authority, namely our government officials, is to respect and obey them. In doing so we do not abdicate our obligation to always speak truth to power nor our right to peaceful protest.   We simply adhere and submit to the ultimate authority who is God!  

PRAYER: Lord, we acknowledge that you are our ultimate authority and power!  We respectfully submit to those you have placed in authority over us and obey the laws of the land.  Guide us and strengthen us as we daily do so.  Amen.

Isa 1:19-20. . . . If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich! 20 But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken."  TLB

SPEAK THESE ONLY !

11-10-2016. . . .SPEAK THESE ONLY !

"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

RENEWED STRENGTH!

11-9-16. . . .RENEWED STRENGTH!

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. (Isa 40:29-31 MSG)  Just when the devil thinks he has us defeated because we've grown weary and seemingly, out of strength to continue the fight, God renews our strength and causes us to rise up and triumph over the enemy once again!  Don't give in; renewed strength is coming to you!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always causing us to triumph over our enemies and giving us renewed strength in our most needful times.  Amen!

2 Sam 22:33-36. . . .God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. 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 exists 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 that from generation to generation, God had never and will never forsake the righteous.  He will always provide for their every need!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful God and never forsaking the righteous! We are grateful that are your children 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

SUCCESS PLANNED!

11-4-2016. . . .SUCCESS PLANNED!

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Prov 11:14KJV) Good advise and wise counsel are essential prerequisites for any successful endeavor.  Why travel an unsuccessful road others have already explored?   Failure avoided is success planned!  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for providing us with good people who instruct us in the ways of success!  Help us to be humble enough to ask and receive from them!  Amen.

Josh 1:6-7. . . .

 

 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. NIV

THE PRINCIPAL THING!

11-3-2016. . . . THE PRINCIPAL THING!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get Understanding." (Prov 4:7 KJV) The acquisition of ‘WISDOM’ is to be a continuing priority in our lives. In fact, scripture says it is the principal thing! What benefit have we in gaining wealth, fame or positions of notoriety without the wisdom to sustain them. Keep the main thing the main thing. Get Wisdom!

Prayer: Lord, wisdom comes from you. We have not because we ask not. Give us wisdom daily in liberal doses! Amen!

Eccl 7:11-12. . . .Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. KJV

AFTER THIS!

11-2-2016. . . .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)  Two things are certain about whatever we have to go through; 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'   what we go through!  For believers, unwavering faith in God's providential care will ultimately result in victory and greater blessings.  Remember, it may be challenging now, but better things are coming AFTER THIS!!!!!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love and providential care that always results in victory and blessings for us! Through the intensity of our dilemmas, help us always remember this and not weaver.  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

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-1-2016. . . .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 make 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 hand.  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