WHO'S ON THE LORD'S SIDE!

4-26-2018. . . .WHO'S ON THE LORD'S SIDE!

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."  (3 John 11KJV) 

Who's on the Lord's side?  It is not in what we say that gives proof, it is in what we do!  It is our deeds that reveals our side!

PRAYER: Lord, let our daily deeds clearly show and tell the world that we are on your side.  Amen!

Ps 34:12-14. . . .What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.  KJV

YES, I AM!

4-25-2018. . . .YES, I AM!

"We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers.  But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him-how can God's love be within him? (1 John 3:16-17 TLB)  

We can never repay the Lord for giving His life for us!  What we can do is live out this new life in service to others!  Someone once asked,  "Am I my brother's keeper?"   There is only one answer for believers; "YES I AM!"

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example of love.  Help us to demonstrate that love daily through our service to others.  Amen!

1 John 4:21. . . .And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  KJV

WHERE IS THE POWER!

4-24-2018. . . .WHERE IS THE POWER?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt 28:18 KJV) 

Where is the Power? Think for a moment. Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth!”  Therefore, He has all power. . . . .He lives within every believer. . . . consequently, All power resides within every believer!   To know this is to know Victory!

Prayer: Lord, all power in heaven and in earth is with you. Thank you for bringing your power to us. Give us now wisdom to access and utilize your power properly for your glory. Amen!

1 John 4:4. . . . Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. KJV

RELEASE A PRAISE!

4-20-2018. . . . .RELEASE A PRAISE! 

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Ps 107:8 KJV) 

One doesn’t have to look very far to find reasons to give God praise, but just in case some reasons are needed, here are a couple!   His ‘Goodness’ and His ‘Wonderful Works’.   Now, for the rest of the day, take note of these two reasons for praise.  They are (He is) at work in our lives. We can't-miss ‘Goodness’. . . cause if we check behind us we’ll find it following us all the days of our lives alongside its partner, mercy.  After checking behind, then look forward and see the manifestation of His ‘Wonderful Works’! Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done… (Ps 40:5) Behold creation. . . . His wonderful works; Look in the mirror. . . . His wonderful works!  Every time we recognize His ‘Goodness & His Wonderful Works’, we should take a moment and release an instant praise!  By the end of the day, we will be amazed at how much God does for us that we take for granted or simply overlook. Even more amazing is the fact that we fail to give God praise for the same. Make praise a part of your daily routine. Praise always gets God's attention and draws Him closer to us. 

Prayer: Lord, You are worthy of praise, therefore we freely and continuously praise your name for your goodness and your wonderful works! Amen!

Ps 111:1-4. . . . Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. KJV

Excerpts For Living: NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN!

Excerpts For Living: NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN!: 4-17-2018. . . . No Deposit No Return! Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing ...

NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN!

4-17-2018. . . . No Deposit No Return!

Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. ( Heb 13:1-3 NIV)

Many of us can remember a time when soft drinks came in glass bottles. The glass bottles were reusable and as such, when returned, a deposit was paid. As time advanced the bottles changed and were no longer reusable. Each bottle was stamped with the words ‘No Deposit No Return’. In essence, the bottling company was saying "This bottle is of no further value to us, therefore, don’t return it to us!   In much the same way as the bottles, daily we dispatch people in and out of our lives determining them to be of no further value or uses too us.   Is it a stretch to draw this parallel. . . . probably.   Nevertheless, consider the number of people that cross our paths each day.   Many are unhappy, hurting, angry, discouraged, confused and abused.   More often then we think, just a small deposit into their lives could make a difference or change their circumstance.   Are we to be the world’s problem solvers. . . .not exactly.  But, perhaps a deposit of a smile or a kind word; perhaps a few minutes to listen to someone vent or to pray with someone feeling sad could be all that's needed. You’ll be surprised at the return a small deposit can bring.  But remember, No Deposit, No Return! Think about it! 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be sensitive to the people you allow to cross my path today. Where I can make a deposit, help me to do so. Amen!

Prov 18:2424. . . . A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. KJV

BE WISE!

4-12-2018. . . .BE WISE!

"Say there!  Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink-even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk-it's all free!  Why spend your money on food that doesn't give you strength?  Why pay for groceries that do you no good?   Listen and I'll tell you where to get good food that fattens up the soul!"  (Isa 55:1-2 TLB)  

No matter how much of it one has, there are just some things that money cannot buy!  The things that money cannot buy are far more valuable than the things it can.  Money can buy temporal things but not eternal ones.  Be wise and keep both in proper perspective!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for temporal things and the money to purchase them.  Thank you more so for the things you give us that are eternal.  Help us to be wise and keep both in proper perspective.  Amen!

2 Cor 4:17-18. . . . For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  KJV

WE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!

4-11-2018. . . .WE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18 KJV)  

There are no forces including the forces of hell that can prevail against the true Church that Jesus himself is building.  It's time the church step up and be the church on the prevailing issues of our day and stop wimping out; opting rather to be politically correct and go along to get along.  Outside forces will only prevail if we let them.  It's past time we stop letting them!  Boldly SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT we have the advantage!

PRAYER: Lord, help us be the church you are calling for us to be in this modern era.  Empower us with boldness to speak up and speak out against all unrighteousness!  Help us through the demonstration of your love to be the change agents that lead sinners to repentance!  Amen.

2 Peter 3:8-10. . . .But don't forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord.  He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.  The day of the Lord is surely coming, as unexpectedly as a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the heavenly bodies will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be burned up. TLB

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!

4-10-2018. . . .WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!

"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God. The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved." (Acts 2:44-47 TLB)

We would be hard-pressed to find this biblical paradigm of the Church existing anywhere in the world, although, it should.  What changed?   Where once there was common-ism, there is now individualism; where once there was humanitarianism, there is now materialism.  Where once there was continual fellowship, there is now denominational partisanship; where once there was interdependence, there is now dysfunctional co-dependence.   It, therefore, should come as no surprise that church attendance, participation, and interest has decreased.  Yet, God remains faithful to His Church!  So then, the real question for us is not "What changed" but, "What Needs to Change?"  Easy answer. . . . US!

PRAYER: Lord, how far we've strayed from your original plan and have engrafted our own agendas.  Help us, Lord, to be the church you designed us to be.  Amen!

 Eph 4:1-6. . . . .As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  (from New International Version)

THE END GAME!

4-6-2018. . . .THE END GAME!

"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." (James 1:2-4 TLB)  

No problem, challenge nor difficulty will last forever; so patiently go through in order to get through.  It's all about the end game!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for times of testing that come to strengthen and grow us!  Help us stay focused on the end game!  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

THEM AND US!

4-5-2018. . . .THEM AND US!

"May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ toward the other." (Rom 15:5-6 TLB) 

It's not always easy getting along with others!  Sometime it is because of them, other times (if we are honest) it is because of us. The truth of the matter is, God is still working on them and us.  Remember, He will give us the patience we need until the process is complete in them and us.

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of patience, strength and encouragement.  Thank you for being patient with us and guiding us in being patient with others. Amen!

James 1:4. . . .But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  KJV

KEEP TRUSTING

4-5-2018. . . .KEEP TRUSTING! 

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (Job 13:15 KJV) 

Circumstances even leading to death do not justify compromising our trust in God.  If we die, we are with Him; and if we live, we are yet trusting Him.  Keep Trusting Him until the end no matter what!  He does not and He will not fail!

PRAYER: Lord, I will trust you forever!  Amen.

Ps 3:1-3. . . .LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. KJV

BE STILL!

4-3-2018. . . .Be Still!

‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10 NIV) 

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we must remember to reserve some time to "Be Still".   In moments of stillness, we are able to discern and receive God’s instruction and direction.  Motion and movement are not indicative of presence.  The Prophet Elijah witnessed the Wind, the Earthquake and the Fire (motion & movement) but the Lord’s presence was not in them.   After these, however, he heard a "still small voice." (ref. I Kings 19:11-12)  Don’t let your preoccupations and occupations keep you from acknowledging that God is in control and he has everything under control. So go ahead . . . .do what you do, but in all your doing remember, "Be Still."

Prayer: Lord, You are the Lord and Mighty God!  All things are in Your control and under your control. Help us never become so preoccupied or occupied that we don’t have time to be still and know that you are God. Amen!

Isa 45:5-7. . . . I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. NIV