RESPONSE AND RESPONSIBILITY!

1-31-2019. . . .RESPONSE AND RESPONSIBILITY!

"God blesses those who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles.  He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies. He nurses them when they are sick and soothes their pains and worries."  (Ps 41:1-3 TLB)   

Who really are the poor?  Are they only those we frequently pass on street corners begging or sleeping under bridges?  Are they not also those that have material goods, but are starving for the life-giving food of the gospel?  Both groups are the poor!  Yet, God has his eye and hand on them.   The greater question becomes, what is our response and responsibility to the poor?  As we have opportunities, we, like God, should have our eyes and hands on them.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for blessings us and supplying all our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  In our prosperity, help us to not be oblivious to the needs of those who are less fortunate then we are; especially those that are desperately in need of your life-giving word!  Bless us all Lord!  Amen.

Luke 18:22-25. . . ."There is still one thing you lack," Jesus said. "Sell all you have and give the money to the poor-it will become treasure for you in heaven-and come, follow me."  But when the man heard this he went sadly away, for he was very rich.  Jesus watched him go and then said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."  TLB

IT'S MOVING TIME!

1-30-2019. . . .IT'S MOVING TIME!

"The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: (Deut 1:6 KJV)  

Although where we are may be good, comfortable, stable and even desirable, it was never intended for permanency.  There is more for us, so we must expand our borders.  Yes, this will require moving out of our comfort zones, but we will be better for it.  It's been good, but it's also been long enough!  MOVE FORWARD!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing us to our current place.  Give us wisdom to understand there is more for us and the courage to move forward towards it!  Amen.

Deut 2:7. . . . The Lord your God has watched over you and blessed you every step of the way for all these forty years as you have wandered around in this great wilderness; and you have lacked nothing in all that time.' TLB

THANK GOD FOR A HELPER!

1-29-2019. . .THANK GOD FOR A HELPER!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Rom 8:26 NIV) 

We are never alone or at a loss when we pray.  We have help!  The Holy Spirit himself is praying with us and for us.  He keeps us on track with God's perfect will.  We can be so off at times; not even knowing how to pray or what to pray for.  Thank God for a helper!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit!  Thank you Holy Spirit for always interceding on our behalf and keep us on track with the Father's will.  Amen.

Rom 8:26-28. . . . And in the same way-by our faith --the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don't even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will.  TLB

RUN-RUN-RUN!

1-25-2019. . . .RUN-RUN-RUN!

The Lord is a strong fortress. The godly run to him and are safe. (Prov 18:10 TLB)   

There is no shame in our game!  We run and we know where to run.  We don't run out of fear, we run because of favor.  God, Himself is our security.  Our safe place from every enemy and foe.  So, saints, RUN-RUN-RUN!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our fortress and strong tower.  We gladly run to you and are safe.  Amen.

Ps 61:3-5. . . I shall live forever in your tabernacle; oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings! 5 For you have heard my vows, O God, to praise you every day, and you have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name. TLB

STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD!

1-23-2019. . . .STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD!

"And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD."  (Gen 12:7-8 KJV) 

Just because we have heard and obeyed God's initial instructions, does not mean He has nothing else to say or has no further instructions to give!  We must stay in constant touch with God.  We must call upon Him often and allow Him to continuously direct our path!  STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD!

PRAYER: Lord, it is so necessary to always hear from you!  You have commissioned our journey, now please direct our path.  Amen!

Ps 37:23-24. . . . The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. KJV

BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

1-23-2019. . . .BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

"And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us."  (Heb 2:17-18 TLB)

Suffering and temptations are a necessary part of our development process.  In fact, when they occur we have not only a way of escape, but we have a helper that uniquely knows and understand our struggles because He's been there and done that!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for knowing and understanding our struggles and temptations. Thank you for faithfulness, mercy, and help!  Amen.

1 Cor 10:13. . . . There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  KJV

RESPOND WITHOUT DELAY!

1-22-2019. . . .RESPOND WITHOUT DELAY!

"So Elisha left; he took his yoke of oxen and butchered them. He made a fire with the plow and tackle and then boiled the meat—a true farewell meal for the family. Then he left and followed Elijah, becoming his right-hand man." I Kings 19:21 MSG

When the call comes, one must answer!  Whether the call is to preach, serve, or to move out into previously uncharted waters, be assured that the anointing (grace/favor) is upon you to do so.  So respond quickly without delay!

PRAYER: Lord thank you for your call and the anointing to accomplish the task before us.  Help us to respond quickly without delay!  

Isaiah 6:8. . . . And then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us?” I spoke up, “I’ll go.  Send me!”

HUMBLED AND HELPED!

1-17-2019. . . .HUMBLED AND HELPED!

"For this thing, I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from 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 12:8-9 KJV

That aggravating thing in our lives we want God to remove could possibly be the needed thing in our lives to keep us focused and on track!  Whatever deficits in strength we incur as a result of such things, are nullified by the power of God's grace upon us.  The blessing is we are humbled and helped at the same time! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for humbling and helping us through the power of your Grace.  Amen!

2 Cor 12:10. . . .Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

1-16-2019. . . .THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

18I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.19The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.  Romans 8:18-19

The process of becoming is not always smooth and without pain and even suffering.  Every beautiful pearl of great worth began with an irritation.  Evolve and endure the process because the world is anticipating the finished product.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the process of becoming.  Let your glory be revealed and unveiled in us.  Amen!

Psalms 138:8. . . .The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

PERSONAL ASSURANCE!

1-15-2019. . . .PERSONAL ASSURANCE!

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.  I’ve called your name. You’re mine.  When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.  When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God,  Isaiah 43:1-4

We have a personal assurance from God, that no matter what we face or go through, everything is going to be alright.  God is always with us and is working in every situation for our good.  So heads up and shoulders back!  Go through with the assurance that you'll get through!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your personal assurance that everything is going to be alright.  We trust you and walk by faith and not by sight.  Amen!

Romans 8:28 kjv. . . .  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

PREPARATION AND OPERATION!

1-11-2019. . . .PREPARATION AND OPERATION!

7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 

Time and Seasons are exclusively in God's control!  He gives us time for the purpose of preparation; seasons He gives for operation!  Opportunity favors the prepared!  We should make wise uses of our time in preparation so when opportunity comes we can operate confidently in our season!

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you that our times and seasons are in your hands.  Help us to prepare in advance for our season of operation.  Amen!

Psalms 31:14-15. . . .But I trust in you, Lord;  I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.  

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME!

1-10-2019. . . .IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME!

These men of faith I have mentioned died without ever receiving all that God had promised them; but they saw it all awaiting them on ahead and were glad, for they agreed that this earth was not their real home but that they were just strangers visiting down here.  And quite obviously when they talked like that, they were looking forward to their real home in heaven.  Heb 11:13-14 TLB

Most of us have become so comfortable living here on earth that we seldom think of and remember that this world is not our home!  We are pilgrims and strangers visiting and passing through.  For many, we have become so attached to things and people that we can hardly imagine ever leaving.  Nevertheless, all of us are going to leave this place whether we want to are not; whether we are ready or not.  It's just a matter of time.  So the question becomes: Where will we spend eternity?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for preparing a place for us so that when we leave this place, there is no question as to where we are going!  We anticipate and look forward to being with you forever.  Amen!

John 14:1-4. . . .There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly. 4 And you know where I am going and how to get there." TLB

ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY THE ANGELS!

1-9-2019. . . .ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY THE ANGELS!

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, Rev. 5:11

The largest event venue in the world is the Indianapolis Motor Speed Way seating some 257,000 and 400,000 when the infield is utilized!  Quite a number!  Yet this venue would not come close to being able to accommodate the number of angels in heaven. Just one group of them numbered ten thousand times ten thousand!  That's One Hundred Million in one group!    Just think about that for a moment!  How big must heaven be?  Think about this while you are at it!  Their sole job is to minister to those that shall inherit salvation!  Cue the song:  All night and all day - the angels keep watching over me!

PRAYER: Lord, you are awesome and worthy to be praised!  Thank you for the myriads of angels that praise your name and do your bidding in taking care and watching over your saints.  Amen!

Hebrews 1:13-14. . . .But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?   Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? 

BE GOOD DO GOOD!

1-8-2019. . . .BE GOOD DO GOOD!

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. Psalms 119:67-68

If we are honest, we must take ownership of most if not all of the bad and undesirable things that happen in our lives.  Again, most if not all are a result of our own choices!  God's desire and thoughts of us are for good and not evil; to give us a future and an expected end.   He is good and He does good.  If we follow good, we will not only see good, but we also will be good!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for creating us in your own image and after your own likeness.  You are good and do good.  Help us to choose to be just like you in every way every day. Amen!

Psalms 119:33-35. . . .Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

THE URGENCY OF NOW!

1-7-2019. . . ..THE URGENCY OF NOW!

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.   And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  Acts 1:9-11KJV

NOW is so fleeting!  As quickly as it arrives it's gone.  We would be advised, therefore, to seize every moment and never take it for granted that we will always have them.  Jesus could return for us at any moment so what we can do, what we should do, and what we must do has to be done NOW!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus the Christ!  While we await His return we will seize every moment and make it count. Amen!

1 Thess 4:16-18. . . . For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.   Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  KJV