A CONTAGIOUS MOVEMENT!

5-29-2020. . . .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 a better people, we would do well to implement this advise.   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!

Prayer: Lord, help us start a contagious movement of love and compassion that transforms not only our person 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

“IT IS WHAT IT IS!”

5-28-2020. . . . “IT IS WHAT IT IS!”

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:12 NIV) 

Being ‘content’ according to the Apostle Paul is a learned state of being. I believe it comes from one’s ability to to accept and deal with the reality of “What Is.” IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!I know that may be challenging for some to say, especially when we would really rather things be something different. However, to be able to look at your circumstance or situation and say "It is what it is," is the first step toward engaging your faith to move in another direction.  Once one has accepted that "It is what it is'’ all  energy can be directed toward moving from the current position instead of complaining and becoming frustrated about it!   If it is bad. . . .It is what it is. . . .If it is good. . . .It is what it is!   Therefore, in every circumstance and situation, we are never too high in the good times or to low in the bad times or to complacent in the in between times.  o can we!

Prayer: Lord, You are the source of my strength and the strength of my life!  In you I live, I move and have my being!  Help me Lord, to rest in you. Amen!

Heb 13:5-6. . . . Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me!

SPEED BUMPS!

5-26-2020. . . . SPEED BUMPS!

“Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing, and you will see the wicked destroyed. I myself have seen it happen: a proud and evil man, towering like a cedar of Lebanon, but when I looked again, he was gone! I searched but could not find him! But the good man-what a different story! For the good man-the blameless, the upright, the man of peace-he has a wonderful future ahead of him. For him there is a happy ending.” (Ps 37:34-38 TLB)  

Did you think or expect to arrive at your destiny without running into any difficulties or challenges? It would be nice, but it is unrealistic.  The truth is, there are many things to learn on the road to our destiny and we would miss them all if we did not run into a ‘speed bump’ every now and then. Speed bumps are designed to slow us down when we are traveling to fast through certain zones. Are you currently in a zone where you feel you should be progressing much faster, but for some reason, no matter what you do, things are moving at a much slower pace then you would like.  Perhaps you have hit a speed bump. Instead of being frustrated and fighting against the current, slow down and take careful notice of what is happening and going on around you. It is for your good and will equip you with the knowledge and experience needed as you continue on your journey towards your destiny. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for ordering my steps as well as, my stops! Help me to be patient and learn what I need to learn when I am in a slow zone. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24. . . . The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

GET BUSY....GET TO WORK!

5-21-2020. . . .GET BUSY....GET TO WORK!

"Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding.  (Eccl 9:10 TLB)  

Anything worth doing, is worth doing well!  If we are going to do anything, the time to do it is now, without delay.  Death is coming to us all.   Let's die without regret over what we could have or should have done.  So write the book; the song; start the business; change the career; accept the calling!  Whatever it is in your heart, Get busy.....Get to work now!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us the time we need to accomplish all that is in our hearts to do.  Help not get distracted or sidetracked with excuses and when time comes, grant us rest without regret.  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

AS UNTO THE LORD!

5-20-2020. . . .AS UNTO THE LORD!

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:22-24 KJV)  

It is honorable to work and earn a living.   Although we may sometimes dislike our job and perhaps, even our employer, we must remember our jobs are a blessing to us!  Therefore, we must do the best we can do at all times knowing that our service is unto God and not unto man.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a job.  Help us do our work as unto you and not unto men.  Amen!

Eph 6:5-8. . . . Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;   With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. KJV

HOW CAN WE FAIL!

5-15-2020. . . .HOW CAN WE FAIL!

"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore."  (Ps 105:3-4 KJV)  

In every endeavor of life, heeding these words of the psalmist will ensure success.  With His presence and His strength, how can we fail!

Prayer: Lord, there is no failure with you!  Be present with us and strengthen us in and through every endeavor of life.  Amen!

Ps 89:16-18. . . . They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation and in your perfect righteousness.  You are their strength. What glory! Our power is based on your favor!  TLB

PROPER JUDGMENTS!

5-14-2020. . . .PROPER JUDGMENTS!

"The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:  "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"   But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:15-1 NIV) 

In our flesh we are incapable of judging any matter or person properly because we are influenced heavily by our emotions and the opinions of others; both of which change as frequently as the weather.  With the mind of Christ however, which is already resident within us, we can think and see matters clearly and thereby, make proper judgments.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your mind!  Help us yield to your way of thinking and not lean to our own understanding.  Amen!

1 Chron 28:9-10. . . .Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will permanently throw you aside. TLB

A CHANGED MIND!

5-13-2020. . . .A CHANGED MIND!

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom 12:2 KJV) 

How one thinks is directly correlated to how one behaves.  The world is relentless in it's demands for us to be conformed to it's ways of thinking and behaving.  A changed mind with purpose however, will produce a life focused on pleasing God and not the world.

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you in all our ways.  Renew our minds daily that we may walk in your perfect will.  Amen.

Rom 12:2. . . .Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. TLB

DON'T GET CAUGHT UP!

5-12-2020. . . .DON'T GET CAUGHT UP!

"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar, who long ago preceded you, a kingdom and majesty and glory and honor.  He gave him such majesty that all the nations of the world trembled before him in fear. He killed any who offended him and spared any he liked. At his whim they rose or fell.  But when his heart and mind were hardened in pride, God removed him from his royal throne and took away his glory."  (Dan 5:18-21 TLB)  

One should never get caught up or carried away in thinking more highly of one's self than one should.  The mirror of reality always reflects the truth.  Come to the knowledge of the truth before God makes an adjustment in your position!

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy at times to get caught up in our own hype and be swept away with pride.  Keep the mirror of reality in front of us so we can always remain humble.  Amen.

Prov 16:18-19. . . . Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.  KJV

OPT FOR MIND CONTROL!

5-8-2020. . . .OPT FOR MIND CONTROL!

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Rom 8:6-8 NIV) 

How often do we hear in our mind that little voice telling us we shouldn't do something, say something, or think something?  If the answer is more often than not, it could be that we have a mind that is rebellious towards God!  A rebellious mind towards God is always filled will turmoil and struggle; it is never at peace.  The mind controlled by the Spirit however,  is life and peace!  Opt for mind control!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for peace of mind through your Spirit's control.  Amen!

Isa 26:3 . . . Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  KJV

EMBRACE GLORY!

5-7-2020. . . .EMBRACE GLORY!

"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)  

Giving God our all includes our weakness and inabilities!  Our weakness and inabilities are opportunities for God's strength to be made manifest in us.  Seek not to be released from them; embrace them and embrace glory!

Prayer: Lord, manifest your strength through our weakness and inabilities.  Let your glory be shown.  Amen!

2 Cor 12:8-10. . . . Three different times I begged God to make me well again.  Each time he said, "No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.  TLB

DOING BETTER!

5-5-2020. . . .DOING BETTER!

"The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!" (Prov 23:24-25) 

Is the life we are now living bring joy to our parents?  If our life is not pleasing to our earthly parents, it stands to reason we are not at all pleasing to our heavenly Father.  In our formative years we perhaps didn't know any better; but now that we know better, we should be doing better!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our parents!  Help us live in such a way that it brings them joy continuously.  Amen.

Ex 20:12. . . ."Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."  NIV 

CONTENTMENT AND SATISFACTION!

5-1-2020. . . .CONTENTMENT AND SATISFACTION!

"Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing  prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Neh 8:10 NIV)  

Nothing brings greater joy than to be put in remembrance of God's precious promises to us, and His faithfulness in bringing them to pass in our lives!   Past failures are just that; past!  The joy of the Lord is our source of great contentment and satisfaction; it is our strength for service to others.     

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your joy and the strength to serve others.  May we never loose our contentment and satisfaction in it.  Amen.

Ps 29:11-30:1. . . . The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. NIV