DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

5-31-2019. . . .DON'T PLAY. . . .TRUST!

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  (Heb 11:6 KJV)  

Trusting God is not like playing games of chance where one wishes and hopes to win, but more often then not, doesn't!  Trusting God is believing Him beyond what we see (we walk by faith not by sight) until what we expect manifest!  Don't play. . . .TRUST!

PRAYER: Lord, our faith and trust is in you.  We will not weaver because we know your word is true and will always manifest your will!  Our faith and trust remains always in you!  Amen.

James 1:5-7. . . .If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer. TLB

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

5-30-2019. . . .UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

"The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands." (Ps 138:8 NIV) 

God never starts something without completing it!  The purpose He had for us and set in us is ongoing and will come to fruition.  So in spite of the fact that life at times gets dusty, dirty, and disarranged, most construction projects do; but rest assured, it will come together and be completed. 

PRAYER: Lord, have your way in our lives!  Do what only you can do.  Help us to remain always in your will and out of your way.  Your will be done.  Amen!

Phil 2:13. . . . For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. KJV

KEEP THE PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

5-29-2019. . . .KEEP THE PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matt 6:25-26 NIV)   

Food, water, and clothing while essential for sustaining life, should never be elevated to a level of priority above life itself!  The clothes one wears does not make the person. . . .it’s the person (life) that makes the clothes! Keep the priorities straight!  Place emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of life! Help us keep our priorities straight and put more emphasis on the essence of life rather than the things of life! Amen! 

Matt 6:25. . . .Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? KJV

REMEMBER WHAT YOU KNOW!

5-28-2019. . . .REMEMBER WHAT YOU KNOW!

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  (Isa 40:27-28 KJV) 

It is not uncommon for us to experience times of weariness, exhaustion, and even become exasperated about our struggles and challenges that seem never-ending.  God, however, experiences none of these things!  He remains sovereign, faithful, powerful, in control and has everything under control!  Don't give up, out, over or in!  Remember Who you know and What you know!

PRAYER: Lord, from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God!  May our feeble mines never in frustration forget who you are and fail to rely and call on you for strength!  Amen.

Ps 90:1-2. . . .LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.  KJV

HONEST TALK!

6-23-2019. . . .HONEST TALK!

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11-12 KJV)  

As believers, we should always be cognizant of our behavior especially around unbelievers.  One wrong statement or comment that we may feel is innocuous and innocent, could very well be the thing that causes someone to miss an opportunity to believe.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people you allow to cross our path.  Helps us to always be alert and aware of what we say and what we do!  Amen.

Titus 2:6-8. . . . Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. NIV

HISTORY AND LEGACY!

6-22-2019. . . .HISTORY AND LEGACY!

"O Lord, you alone are my hope; I've trusted you from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly-no wonder I am always praising you! (Ps 71:5-6 TLB)  

A history of trusting God leads to a legacy of continually praising God!

Prayer: Lord, let each passing day of trusting you lead to a legacy of continually praising you now, and forever more.  Amen!

Ps 71:5-6. . . .For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.  By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. KJV

ONLY THE MINDLESS!

6-21-2019. . . .ONLY THE MINDLESS!

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Gal 5:1 KJV)  

Being made free by Christ is a privilege and blessing.  Staying free is a choice!  Who willing submits themselves to bondage of any kind?  Only the mindless.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for freedom!  Help us Lord to always be mindful of our freedom and choose to stand firm in it!  Amen.

 Rom 6:16-17. . . . Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  NIV

BE RESPONSIBLE!

5-16-2019. . . .BE RESPONSIBLE!

"Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them."  (1 Tim 6:17-18 TLB) 

Those who have much have a great responsibility to be responsible and accountable to God.  What is done with one's riches is of far greater and lasting value than the riches themselves.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the blessing of riches.  Help us to be responsible and accountable to you and to do all we can when we can to be a blessing to others in need.  Amen!

Luke 12:48b. . . .Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater. TLB

NO RESOLVE AND NO WINNERS!

5-16-2019. . . .NO RESOLVE AND NO WINNERS!

"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (Prov 15:1) 

In a heated (overheated) argument, there is no resolve and no winners; the damage left in its wake is often irreparable.  Avoid this outcome at all cost!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be pro-active and not re-active in guarding ourselves against being provoked to anger.  Strengthen us and quicken us to be on guard against the tricks of our enemies.  Amen!

Prov 15:4. . . . Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. 

BE DONE AND MOVE ON!

5-15-2019. . . .BE DONE AND MOVE ON!

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (Ps 34:19 KJV)

The life of the righteous is not without its challenges and rightfully so.  We too must go through difficulties and problems.  As we go through, however, we are assured that we will get through because the LORD has promised it!  So go through, get through, be done, and move on!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for deliverance from all our afflictions.  With the assurance of your promise we endure and press on!  Amen.

Ps 23:4. . . .Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  KJV

ASK GOD!

5-14-19. . . .ASK GOD!

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer 33:3 NKJV) 

When circumstances and challenges continually plague and perplex our mind, and in spite of exerting our best efforts to resolve and find solutions for them, none can be found; ASK GOD!  He will hear and He will answer!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always hearing and answering our cries to you!  In spite of us trying to fix things on our own before we turn to you, You are still there ready to hear and respond to our cries for help.  Thank you.  Amen!

Ps 61:1-2. . . .Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  NKJV

HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

5-9-2019. . . . .HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING!

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."  (Rom 16:20 NKJV)   

If you have ever watched a professional boxing match, you've noticed that when the rounds are about to end, the pace of the fighters quickens.  When the final round of the fight comes, the battle seems to intensify all the more because both fighters know this is their last opportunity to get their punches in!  Our battle with Satan has intensified only because he knows his time is short.  Soon, he will be crushed under our feet and our arms will be raised in victory!  Hang in there and keep fighting!  The fight is fixed! :-)

Prayer: Thank you Lord for victory through Jesus Christ.  Strengthen us to withstand the battles in order that we may win the war.  Amen.

1 Cor 15:58. . . .So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.  TLB

LET HIM HANDLE IT!

5-8-2019. . . .LET HIM HANDLE IT!

"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 TLB)   

Why worry about things that are out of our control. Worrying increases stress while doing nothing to facilitate a solution to the pressing problem.  The things that are out of our control are never out of God's control.  Tell Him about it, thank Him for it, and let Him handle it!  Then, rest your mind!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that you are in control and you have everything under control!  We give you our stress and receive your rest.  Amen!

Phil 4:6-7. . . . Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV

NO RESOLVE AND NO WINNERS!

5-7-2019. . . .NO RESOLVE AND NO WINNERS!

"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (Prov 15:1)  

In a heated (overheated) argument, there is no resolve and no winners; the damage left in its wake is often irreparable.  Avoid this outcome at all cost!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be pro-active and not re-active in guarding ourselves against being provoked to anger.  Strengthen us and quicken us to be on guard against the tricks of our enemies.  Amen!

Prov 15:4. . . . Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. 

HOE YOUR ROW!

5-3-2019. . . .HOE YOUR ROW!

"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")  When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"  Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."  (John 21:20-23 NIV)

We all have our charge to keep and God to glorify.  Everyone's charge is important although, how they are carried out may differ.  Don't get caught up in the "What and How" of someone else; stay focused hoe your own row.

PRAYER: Lord, you are the God of us all!  Thank you for giving each of us purpose.  Help us to stay focused on all that has been assigned to our hands to do.  Amen.

John 9:4. . . .I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.  KJV

DEFINE CONFINE REFINE!

5-2-2019. . . .DEFINE CONFINE REFINE!

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (Phil 3:13-14 KJV) 

We should never allow our past hurts, failures, and disappointments to define who we are, nor to confine us from reaching the places we are destined to go.  Rather, we should allow the experiences of our past to refine us for our future victories that are certain if we continue to press toward them!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness.  Through every test and trial, you have strengthened us to be able to keep moving forward toward certain victory!  With your help, we will reach our appointed goal.  Amen!

Job 23:8-11. . . .Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 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.  KJV

ALL WILL BE WELL AND GO WELL!

5-1-2019. . . .ALL WILL BE WELL AND GO WELL!

"Then the Lord said: "The good figs represent the exiles sent to Babylon. I have done it for their good.  I will see that they are well treated, and I will bring them back here again. I will help them and not hurt them; I will plant them and not pull them up.  I will give them hearts that respond to me. They shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with great joy." (Jer 24:4-7 TLB)  

God's full commitment to His people is unquestionable.  His divine purpose will be completed in spite of times of displacement, disappointment, and downright disobedience on our part.  When we turn to Him with fully surrendered hearts, He will ensure that all will be well and go well with us!

PRAYER: Lord, thank for your unquestionable commitment to us and our well being.  Your mercy and grace are amazing!  For this, we continually give you praise.  Amen!

Lam 3:21-24. . . . Yet there is one ray of hope:  his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.  Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day. TLB