WATCH IT!

7-30-2019. . . .WATCH IT!

"Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own?   Should you say, 'Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see because of the board in your own?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother."  ( Matt 7:1-5 TLB) 

Although we've all been in both positions, it is far more comfortable to be behind the pointing finger than in front of it.  We would all do well to remember the discomfort of the front position and show mercy before we so quickly take up the comfort of the rear position.  Watch it, don't be so quick to judge!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your ever-present mercy towards us especially in those times when we don't deserve it.  Help us to learn that lesson and show mercy in spite of.  Amen.

Matt 5:7. . . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

STRENGTH AND PEACE!

7-25-2019. . . .STRENGTH AND PEACE! 

"The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."  (Ps 29:11 KJV)  

Two things we can expect from the Lord, "Strength and Peace!"  With these, we can make it through and endure anything.  With strength, we can do the things that need to be done in the situation; with peace, we can maintain our sanity while doing it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for strength and peace!  Amen.

John 14:27. . . . "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." TLB

HE WILL ANSWER!

8-23-2019. . . .HE WILL ANSWER!

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises."  (Ps 143:1 TLB)  

We need not ever fear to come to God in our times of need.  With assurance, we can ask in confidence knowing that in His faithfulness, He will answer us!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers!  Amen.

Ps 92:2-4. . . . Every morning tell him, "Thank you for your kindness," and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness.  Sing his praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre.  You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy. TLB

SERVICE AND OBEDIENCE!

7-19-2019. . . .SERVICE AND OBEDIENCE!

"And so my advice is, leave these men alone. If what they teach and do is merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them, lest you find yourselves fighting even against God." (Acts 5:38-39 TLB)

Although we may not like or agree with decisions our leaders make or directions our leaders take, it doesn't mean they are not being led by God.  God has not called us to agreement, but to service and obedience.  We must address ourselves solely to these. 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for set men and women who you alone have appointed and anointed to be our leaders.  Help us to be their help and not their hindrance!  Amen.

Heb 13:17. . . .Obey your spiritual leaders and be willing to do what they say. For their work is to watch over your souls, and God will judge them on how well they do this. Give them reason to report joyfully about you to the Lord and not with sorrow, for then you will suffer for it too. TLB

GOOD CONSEQUENCES!

7-18-2019. . . .GOOD CONSEQUENCES!

"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.  I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame."  Ps 119:30-31 (NIV) 

Our choices have consequences!  The nature of the consequence is contingent upon the nature of the choice.  Bad choices bring bad consequences; good choices bring good consequences.   What's your choice?  Choose the ways of truth and hold fast to them!  So shall you experience good consequences.

Prayer: Lord, lead us daily in the ways of truth and help us to make that choice our own consistently.  Amen!

2 Chron 6:30-31. . . . Hear from heaven where you live and forgive, and give each one whatever he deserves, for you know the hearts of all mankind.  Then they will reverence you forever and will continually walk where you tell them to go. TLB

FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

7-16-2019. . . .FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Heb 11:3 NKJV)  

Archaeology, Anthropology, Paleontology and other discovery sciences (as wonderful as they are) glean their knowledge from the study of things that exist or once existed. Great knowledge and facts have been obtained this way! However, understanding the true origin of all things requires faith beyond facts!  

PRAYER: Lord, by faith we know and understand all things.  No science could ever inform us as well as your word can.  Thank you for your word.  Amen.  

Ps 33:6-8. . . .By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.   He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. NIV

A CONTAGIOUS MOVEMENT!

7-12-2019. . . .A CONTAGIOUS MOVEMENT!

“And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” (1 Peter 3:8 TLB) 

If the world is to be a better place, and what’s more, if we are to be better people, we would do well to implement this advice. Starting in our own families, our churches, and then spreading it abroad throughout our neighborhoods, cities and all around the world! What a contagious movement that would be!

Prayer: Lord, help us start a contagious movement of love and compassion that transforms not only our personal lives but the entire world. Amen!

1 Peter 3:8. . . . Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. NIV

HANG IN THERE!

7-11-2019. . . .HANG IN THERE! 

"Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward!  You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised." (Heb 10:35-37 TLB)  

We've come too far to give up, in, or out and to turn around now!  No, it is not always easy, but it is worth the fight!  Hang in there, for the greater blessings and reward are in front of us!

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes it gets really really hard to keep trusting you.  Not because of You, (for you are faithful) but because of the insecurities within us.  We want to be in control!  (As if we know and can influence the outcome of our affairs)  Have mercy on us and give us your peace as we submit both willingly and unwillingly to your will.  Amen!

Heb 10:32-34. . . .Don't ever forget those wonderful days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you kept right on with the Lord even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things.  You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. TLB

AT THE HEART OF IT!

7-10-2019. . . .AT THE HEART OF IT!

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Rom 10:10-11 NIV) 

One's mouth cannot confess what one's heart does not believe.  Listen carefully to the confessions of one's mouth to quickly discern the beliefs of one's heart.  

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for changing our hearts in such a way that allows our beliefs and our confessions to match.   Amen.

Matt 12:34-35. . . .O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  KJV

DON'T SWEAT IT!

7-9-2019. . . .DON'T SWEAT IT!

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.  (Mal 3:11 KJV)  

No matter what you do, there will always be outside forces whose sole purpose is to destroy your (produce) fruit. Their success is based upon their ability to create distractions that result in loss of focus.  God says, however, don't sweat it!  Stay focused!   I got this!  I will repel everything and everybody that comes against you.  Nothing shall hinder or abort the manifestation of your blessings and divine purpose! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always having our back!  Help us stay aligned with your will and purpose.  Amen!

  

Prov 16:7. . . .When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. (NIV)

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!

7-2-2019. . . .THE COMPLETE PACKAGE! 

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV) 

The Christian life is a life of change; ever evolving toward perfection!  God remains committed to doing His part and we must give all diligence to doing our part in becoming the complete package!

PRAYER:  Lord, we give you our lives!  Perfect us daily so that we become the complete package in you!  Amen.

Heb 13:20. . . . And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.  TLB