DON'T DO IT!

1-29-2021. . . .DON'T DO IT!

"For there are six things the Lord hates-no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers." (Prov 6:16 TLB) 

LYING is second on the list of things God hates!  Is there really any good reason not to tell the truth?  Frankly speaking, NO there isn't!  No one likes lies or liars and God hates it!  ADVICE: DON'T DO IT!

Prayer: Lord, our desire is to please you always.  Therefore, we will not do the things you hate.  Amen!

Ps 34:11-14. . . . Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.  Do you want a long, good life?  Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying.  Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. TLB

DON'T OVERREACH!

1-28-2021. . . .DON'T OVERREACH!

"But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42 RSV)  

We were never created to be all things, to all people, at all times!  We can only be all we were created to be for the people to whom we have been assigned, and to those who have been assigned to us.  Stay in your lane and don't overreach! 

PRAYER: Lord, we are challenged daily in many areas, but especially when dealing with people.  Help us discern our proper place and keep us from being distracted from the unnecessary.  Amen!

 Gal 5:13-14. . . .For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." RSV

DON'T OVERREACH!

1-27-2021. . . .DON'T OVERREACH!

"But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42 RSV) 

We were never created to be all things, to all people, at all times!  We can only be all we were created to be for the people to whom we have been assigned, and to those who have been assigned to us.  Stay in your lane and don't overreach! 

PRAYER: Lord, we are challenged daily in many areas, but especially when dealing with people.  Help us discern our proper place and keep us from being distracted by the unnecessary.  Amen!

 Gal 5:13-14. . . .For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." RSV

RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

1-26-2021. . . .RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE! 

"And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it."  (Eph 3:16-18 TLB) 

It is a lifelong lesson to comprehend the vastness of God's love!  Only eternity with him will reveal it's fullest extent.  Reservations are now available; please see Jesus for your confirmation!

PRAYER: Lord, your love is a many splendored thing!  A lifetime is not long enough to comprehend it's fullness.   Thank you for eternity!  Amen.

John 3:16-17. . . . For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. TLB

DRAW AND DRINK!

1-22-2021. . . .DRAW AND DRINK!

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (12:2-3 KJV) 

There is nothing more comforting than the confidence we have in the Lord to save and deliver us from all our fears.  The spirit of fear which is not from the Lord, will at times come upon us in an effort to threaten and paralyze us.  However, with power, love and a sound mind we draw and drink deeply from the wells of our great salvation!  Don't be afraid, DRAW AND DRINK!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the confidence we have in you!  We need not ever be afraid to draw and drink from your well of salvation whereby our thirst is always quenched.  Amen!

Ps 56:9-12. . . . The very day I call for help, the tide of battle turns. My enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me!   I am trusting God-oh, praise his promises! I am not afraid of anything mere man can do to me! Yes, praise his promises.  I will surely do what I have promised, Lord, and thank you for your help. TLB

RUN-RUN-RUN!

1-21-2021 . . .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

THIS IS YOUR CUE: MOVE FORWARD!

1-20-2021. . . .THIS IS YOUR CUE: MOVE FORWARD!

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

Although, the place 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

HE KNOWS US!

1-19-2021. . . .HE KNOWS US!

"My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27 TLB) 

One the easiest ways to get to know someone is to have continuing conversations with them.  As a result of having continuous talks with Jesus, we can easily discern His voice even among the myriad of other voices speaking around us.  Thus, we do not often go astray because we follow Him that not only knows the way, but more importantly, knows us by the way!    

PRAYER: Lord, it is wonderful to hear your voice daily.  Speak to us and through us as we grow to know each other better and better.  Amen!  

John 6:66-69. . . . At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.  Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going too?"  Simon Peter replied, "Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life,  and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God."  TLB

CHECK YOUR LIFE!

1-15-2021. . . .CHECK YOUR LIFE!

"You must obey these laws that I will tell you today, so that all will be well with you and your children, and so that you will live forever in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Deut 4:40 TLB) 

When God speaks to us it is for our good.  Our responsibility is not just to listen when He speaks to us, but more importantly, to obey what He says!  Things will be well when we do and not so well when we don't!  Check your life; how's things with you?

PRAYER: Lord, your plan is that all will be well with us and everyone connected to us.  Help us to stay aligned with your will by obeying your words.  Amen!

Ps 84:11-12. . . . For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.  KJV

A PLOT AND A PLAN!

1-13-2021. . . .A PLOT AND A PLAN!

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32 KJV) 

Believers please know today that Satan is not omniscience; only God is!  Consequently, the only thing Satan has for us is a plot. Nevertheless, for every one of Satan's plots, God has a plan! Be reminded and encouraged by this and then, remind and encourage your fellow believers!

PRAYER: Lord, thy will be done in us, through us, and for us today and every day!  Thank you for a plan for every plot of the enemy.  Let your will be done.  Amen!

John 10:10. . . .The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

1-12-2021. . . .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) 

As one song writer put it, "Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide us til the day is done!"  We are not alone in our struggles.  Jesus, our Savior did not save us and then leave us!  He has been through what we are going through and more importantly, He knows how to bring us through.  He's been there and done that!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being our merciful and faithful High Priest.  Help us through our struggles and bring us to perfection.  Amen.

1 Cor 10:13. . . .No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. MSG

STAY FOCUSED!

1-8-2021. . . .STAY FOCUSED!

"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) 

FOCUS: to direct all one's attention and effort towards reaching the goal ahead.  In this new year we must not allow "distractions" to draw us or "attractions" to detour us off our course.  Stay FOCUSED! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for a brand new year and all you have planned for us in it.  Help us to maintain our focus and advance toward the fulfillment of your divine purpose.  Amen!

Ps 138:8. . . .The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don't abandon me-for you made me. TLB

GOOD STEWARDS AND STUDENTS!

1-8-2016. . . .GOOD STEWARDS AND STUDENTS!

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."  ( 2 Peter 3:18 KJV) 

As a buffer against wickedness and in preparation of the coming of the Day of the Lord, we must commit and submit ourselves to growing daily in grace. There must be movement; today's grace is sufficient for today.  The lessons taught us by grace today leads us into the classroom of grace tomorrow.  Be a good stewards and student of grace!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your grace.  Help us daily to be good stewards and students of your grace.  Amen.

John 1:16. . . . And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  KJV

GREAT GRACE!

1-6-2020. . . .GREAT GRACE!

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:4-9 KJV) 

What a wonderful gift to receive especially when we were unfit and undeserving to receive it: God's Grace!  As a result of having received it, we now experience it's ever unfolding richness!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for such an amazing gift; your Grace.  Help us to daily show our appreciation for your great gift by living in obedience to your will and word.  Amen!

Rom 5:1-2. . . .Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. KJV

THE ONE THING WE NEED!

1-5-2020. . . .THE ONE THING WE NEED!

My grace is enough; it's all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness. (2 Cor 12:9 

As we enter a brand new year with fresh aspirations and lofty expectations, it is comforting to know that in spite of what happens or does not happen to us and for us this year, God's Grace is sufficient for us.  It will keep us, sustain us, guard us, protect us, provide for us and most importantly, keep us.  The one thing we need for this new year is God's Grace. 

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for a brand new year.  A year we've never seen before and one we will never see again.  Thank you for giving us the one thing that we need to get us through this year, Your Grace.  It is truly sufficient for us.  Amen. 

 Ps 84:11. . . .For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. KJV

I AM THE BLESSING!

1-1-2020. . . .I AM THE BLESSING!  

"What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me?  I'll lift high the cup of salvation — a toast to God!  I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people."  (Ps 116:12-14)

Welcome to a brand new year and for all who are ready, welcome to the SHIFT!  The blessings God has bestowed on us in all previous years have prepared us for this moment.   God is shifting us from being GETTERS to being GIVERS; from just RECEIVING BLESSINGS to BEING A BLESSING!  Notice here that I did not say He is shifting us into being BLESSERS; for He alone retains that status.  We are literally "THE BLESSING!"  Take a moment right where you are and speak it into your atmosphere: I AM THE BLESSING!  Where ever God sends you and whatever circumstances you find yourself in, know that you are there as THE BLESSING and God has deposited something in you to give in or to that situation!  Remember, the SHIFT is not about getting, it's about Giving!  WE ARE THE BLESSING!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for trusting us enough to shift us into being the blessing!  As we proceed in this new year, help us now in every circumstance and situation to be cognizant of our responsibility to be THE BLESSING and discern what and how to give.  Amen! 

2 Cor 4:7. . . But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  KJV