THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

11-20-2018. . . .THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

 "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, we'd prefer it if we didn't have to deal with them at all. Nevertheless, the knowledge that God is working in every situation and circumstance for our good, is more than cause enough to connect with His will concerning us and simply give thanks.  Don't fight it, flow with it!  It is His will, so give thanks!

Prayer: Lord, in everything we give you thanks because 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 thanks unto thee forever.

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-16-2018. . . .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 exists 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 will always 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

INSIDE - OUTSIDE!

11-15-2018. . . .INSIDE - OUTSIDE!

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." ( John 16:33 TLB)  

On the outside of us, situations and circumstances are constantly changing. We can expect trials and turmoil. In fact, if it's not one thing, it will almost certainly be another. On the inside, however, there is God’s Peace giving us the calming assurance that all is well and all will be well! Peace on the inside makes bearable the vicissitudes of life on the outside!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for anticipating our need for peace in an ever-changing world filled with turmoil and unrest. Your Peace secures us inside while we trust you to control the outside. Amen!

Rom 5:3-5. . . .We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. TLB

ARE YOU SERIOUS!

11-13-2018. . . .ARE YOU SERIOUS!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest."  (Jer 29:10-13 TLB)  

It is not enough to simply know that God has a plan for us and that His plan is for our good, with a future, and an expected end.  We need, in fact, to seek God daily to find out the details and directions of His plan. This knowledge will not come to us automatically or serendipitously.   We must pray with the confidence of knowing that God is listening and waiting to make His plan known to us if we seriously want to know it! Now, the question is, do we seriously want to know it?

PRAYER: Lord, our desire is to know your detailed plan for our life and future.  As we continuously demonstrate our seriousness, let your plan be revealed to us!  Amen!

1 John 5:14-15. . . .And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.  And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us. TLB

IN THE ARMS OF PEACE

11-9-2018. . . .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

AFTER THIS!

11-8-2018. . . .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!   So then, It's really not a matter of what we go through, but rather, 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 for us in victory and blessings! Through the intensity of our 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!

11-7-2018. . . .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

A FRIEND OF GOD!

11-6-2018. . . . A FRIEND OF GOD!!!!!

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23 KJV)

Abraham was called "a friend of God."  Ask yourself: Am I a Friend of God?  If God were interviewed today and were asked, what kind of friend is (insert your name)?  What would His answer be? After careful and honest consideration of what you think God’s answer would be if you’re pleased, good for you! Stay consistent and improve. If on the other hand, you find you’ve come short of the measure of being "a friend of God," be encouraged! Start today; this very second. . .do something about it! There is nothing we can do about our past but there is plenty we can do to improve today.

PRAYER: Lord, as a direct result of my concentrated efforts, may the answer You gives about me today be better than Your answer yesterday!  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)

GOD OF ALL COMFORT!

11-2-2018. . . .GOD OF ALL COMFORT!

“... What a wonderful God we have-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” (2 Cor 1:3a TLB) 

Life is often no bed of roses and at times it can be downright uncomfortable!  Yet, it is in those times of discomfort that God manifests Himself to us as "The God of all Comfort."  No, He does not always immediately change our situations and circumstances, but more often than not, He changes us in the situations and circumstances!  While all hell may be breaking loose all around us, He gives us a sense of well-being on the inside that enables us to emerge with confidence and experience to share with others in their time of affliction and trouble. “…And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor 1:3b) TLB

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God of all comfort! You keep us from being unstable in difficult and uncomfortable situations. It is well with our soul. Amen!

Isa 51:3. . . .For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. KJV

FAITH ACTIONS!

11-1-2018. . . .FAITH ACTIONS!  

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:5 KJV)  

Faith always has a visible manifestation!  One can't simply say "I have faith" and not add actions with it.  Even though the object and or objectives (end results) of our faith may not be seen, the actions of what we believe will!  Faith actions will overcome great obstacles to achieve it's desired end.  How could Jesus not respond to seeing the roof where He was, literally torn off by the faith actions of the four bearing there friend!  Will, He not also respond when He sees the visible manifestation of ours?

Prayer: Lord, thank you in advance for responding when you see the actions of our faith.  Amen!

James 2:26. . . .For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  KJV