MOVE AHEAD OF THE STORM!

2-28-2017. . . .MOVE AHEAD OF THE STORM!

"Finally, the seventh time, his servant told him, "I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea."  Then Elijah shouted, "Hurry to Ahab and tell him to get into his chariot and get down the mountain, or he'll be stopped by the rain!"  And sure enough, the sky was soon black with clouds, and a heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm. Ahab left hastily for Jezreel, and the Lord gave special strength to Elijah so that he was able to run ahead of Ahab's chariot to the entrance of the city! (1 Kings 18:44-46 TLB) 

What starts out small could develop into a raging storm.  Don't get caught gazing at the clouds.  Be proactive and move ahead of the storm!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for insight and foresight.  Help us to always be prepared and in position before the storms of life come.  Amen!

 Ps 55:8. . . . I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."  NIV

STAY ALERT!

2-24-2017. . . .STAY ALERT!

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.   Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." (1 Cor 15:33-34 KJV) 

 Be careful not to let the godless speak words of corruption in our atmosphere.  Words have power to change actions!  Stay alert!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the ability to guard our hearts and minds.  Help us to be ever mindful of those who don't honor you in their words or actions.  Amen!

Ps 1:1-2. . . .Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. TLB

THINK RIGHT DO RIGHT BE RIGHT!

2-23-2016. . . .THINK RIGHT DO RIGHT BE RIGHT!

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8 KJV)  

Every action is initiated by a thought!  The purer, truer, lovelier the thought, so shall the resulting actions be. Think right, do right, be right!

PRAYER: Lord, purify our minds that our thoughts and actions will be pleasing to you and all mankind.  Amen! 

Prov 16:1-3. . . .The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.  KJV

DON'T PERPETRATE!

2-22-2017. . . .DON'T PERPETRATE!

"For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done."  (Heb 4:12-13 TLB)

Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."  While that may be true of people it is not true of God.  We cannot fool God any of the time, so why try!  He knows all and sees all.  His word penetrates and permeates our entire being revealing every hidden detail and motive.   Just the thought of that should increase our gratefulness and appreciation of His grace and mercy.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word and for your grace and mercy!  You know us inside out and yet love us.  Help us to always be open and honest with you and ourselves.  Amen! 

 Lam 3:21-23. . . .This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  KJV

RELEASE THE POWER!

2-21-2017. . . .RELEASE THE POWER! 

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."   ( Heb 4:2 KJV)

The power of God's word is irrefutable and undeniable.  Yet, that power is rendered powerless if we don't have the faith to believe it!  Have Faith and release the power of God's word to do and accomplish all it was sent forth to do in your life!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your word that is quick, powerful, and able to accomplish all that you sent it to accomplish.  Helps to never render your word powerless through a lack of faith or unbelief.  Amen.

Isa 55:10-12. . . . so also is my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it.  TLB

STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

2-16-2017. . . .STRENGTHEN THE MIND!

"I, Wisdom, give good advice and common sense. Because of my strength, kings reign in power, and rulers make just laws. (Prov 8:14 TLB) 

Strength of body is good but strength of mind is better!  Wisdom is the mind's key source of strength yielding guidance and wise decision making power.  Strengthen the mind through wisdom and experience real life-changing power!

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom that strengthens our minds and enables us to experience real decision making power that brings benefit to all.  Amen.

 Prov 24:5-6. . . . A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.  Don't go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors. 

OWN IT!

2-15-2017. . . .OWN IT!  

"I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." (Jer 1:5 TLB)  

Who we are and our purpose began and was set in the mind of God long before we ever arrived on the planet!  We are already who God purposed us to be.  It's time for us to believe it, OWN IT, and without fear, reveal ourselves to the world!

 PRAYER: Lord, thank you for creating us and putting purpose within us!  Guide us as we without fear, reveal ourselves to the world.  Amen!

Matt 5:14-15. . . . You are the world's light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.  TLB

LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS!

2-14-2017. . . .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 everyone'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

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

2-10-2017. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! You are growing and flourishing because of where you are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life are simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

2-17-2017. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! You are growing and flourishing because of where you are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life are simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

2-10-2017. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! You are growing and flourishing because of where you are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life are simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

GROWING AND FLOURISHING!

2-10-2017. . . .GROWING AND FLOURISHING! 

“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care.” (Ps 92:11-14 TLB)  Have you seen it….can you feel it? It’s happening! We are growing and flourishing because of where we are planted. The brief moments of uneasiness we sometimes experience in life are simply God pruning and caring for those planted in His garden!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our caretaker. We are growing and flourishing daily because we are planted in your very own garden. Thank you! Amen.

Isa 61:3. . . .To all who mourn in Israel he will give beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. TLB

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE!

2-9-2017. . . . WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE!

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!"   "Sir," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again." (Luke 5:4-5 TLB)

Our past experiences are not always an accurate predictor of future performance!  Although we may have previously tried and failed at an endeavor, does not mean the endeavor is no longer worth pursuing.  Try it again!  Timing is everything.  Ask the Lord for guidance, wait for His go ahead, then give it all you've got!  What do you have to lose?

PRAYER: Lord, we seek your guidance in every endeavor we pursue.  Although we may have failed in the past, guide us through and to the path of success.  Amen!

Dan 2:20-22. . . .God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and all power.  World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence.  He reveals profound mysteries beyond man's understanding. He knows all hidden things, for he is light, and darkness is no obstacle to him. TLB

STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

2-8-2017. . . .STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:7KJV)  

Advice is good and there is certainly wisdom in a multitude of counselors, but don't listen to nor take advice from just anyone.   Everyone has opinions and will offer them freely if given the opportunity.   Stay true to the inner you!  If it's a different beat you march to, train your ears to never deviate from it and march right into your destiny!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for making us fearfully, wonderfully and unique.  Help us to always stay true to who you created us to be.  Amen! 

Ps 139:14. . . .Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. TLB

SAME LOVE!

2-7-2017. . . .SAME LOVE?

Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need. (Rom 13:10 TLB)  A genuine love for others is not optional; it is required of all us who are truly God's children.  God loved and loves us at our worst. His love for us should give us perspective in times when it seems difficult to extend that same love to others.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us at our very worst.  Your love for us gives us perspective in times when it seems difficult to extend love to others.  Amen.

1 John 3:14-15. . . .We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.  Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. NIV

OBEDIENCE IS A CHOICE!

2-3-2017. . . .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

WHAT GOD REQUIRES!

2-2-2017. . . .WHAT GOD REQUIRES!

"It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain's offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God. (Heb 11:4TLB)  

What we offer to God may be excellent as well as, a sacrifice.  However, the question becomes, 'Is it acceptable to God?' Is it what God really wants and requires?  Cain's sacrifice was more than likely an excellent one, however, Abel's sacrifice is described as 'More Excellent'! Why?  It was what God required!   When sacrificing to God, consider first is it merely what we desire or is it what God requires!

Prayer: Lord, may our sacrifices unto you always be what you require and let what we desire always be the same. Amen.

Heb 11:4. . . .By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. KJV

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

2-1-2017. . . .THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

"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) 

There is no need to hide what hinders us, nor deny the thing or things that keep damaging or destiny! Thorns in the flesh they are.  Jesus says to us what He said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee!"  There is strength in our struggle!  That's good enough for me!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace that is always sufficient for us.  We acknowledge and entrust our weaknesses into your hands. Amen.

2 Cor 12:10. . . .Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.KJV