CHRISTMAS LIVING!

12-22-2022. . . .CHRISTMAS LIVING!

 "His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and are being! (Acts 17:27-28 TLB)  

  "Christmas Living is the best kind of Christmas Giving."

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving your Son. Jesus, thank you for giving your life!   May my life duplicate your example of sacrificial giving. Amen!

Acts 4:32. . . .All the believers were of one heart and mind, and no one felt that what he owned was his own; everyone was sharing.TLB

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

12-21-2022. . . .WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matt 2:1-2 KJV)  

If only all men were as wise as these. What are we seeking? Who are we seeking and who's sign are we following?  More importantly, where will we end up by following them? "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isa 55:6-7 KJV)  Wise men still seek Him!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of your Son! May we forever lift Him up that He may drawn all men unto Him! Amen.

Isa 55:6-9. . . .Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call upon him now while he is near. Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon! "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours. TLB

NO NEED TO FEAR!

12-20-2022. . . .NO NEED TO FEAR!

Ps 46:1-3. . . . God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.  And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. TLB 

In a time of need, what good is it to have someone present with you that proves to be unable or more often then not, unwilling to help!   God is not only present with us, but He is both willing and able to help us.  Therefore, there is no need to fear when God is near!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for always be present with us!  You are willing and well able to help us in our times of need!  Thank you for your inexhaustible capability.  Amen!

Ps 48:14. . . . For this great God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide until we die.  TLB

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

CHARGE IT!

12-16-2022. . . .CHARGE IT!  

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23 KJV) 

Abraham believed God and God charged his account (imputed unto him) with righteousness. When we believe God, He charges our account as well. Not only with righteousness, but with favor, peace, joy and unlimited blessings! Believing God is like telling Him, 'Charge It'! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your favor and all your blessings. We will keep believing you. Amen!

Eph 1:17-197. . . . That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, KJV

IT'S ESSENTIAL!

12-15-2022. . . .IT'S ESSENTIAL!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps 119:105 KJV)  

As headlights are essential to an automobile, so the word of God is essential to and in the life of believers! During the daytime the illuminated headlights of an automobile enables others to see it coming and during the nighttime, they enable drivers to see where they are going! God's word illuminated in the lives of believers, enables others to see Christ through them, while at the same time, makes the believer's path clear as they continue walking with Christ! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that illuminates my life and directs my path. Amen!

Ps 119:101. . . .I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. (NIV)

THINK ABOUT IT AN BE ABOUT IT!

12-14-2022. . . .THINK ABOUT IT AN BE ABOUT IT!

"There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Prov 18:24 TLB)  

It has been said that "A friend in need is a friend in deed."  Most of us have lived long enough and much to our chagrin, have found that statement to be true.  While our frustration may be warranted in most cases, the real question to pondered here is, 'What kind of friend our we?'  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly! (Prov 18:24 KJV)  Friendless in times of need results from failure to be a friend in times of need!  Think about it and be about it!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being that friend the sticks closer than any brother!  Help us to never be guilty of failing to be a friend in times of need.  Amen!

Prov 17:17. . . . A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. TLB

THE WORD WILL STAND!

MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

12-9-2022. . . .MAINTAIN A GOOD BALANCE!

“The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” (Matt 27:21-23 KJV) 

Never be overly inflated by commendation nor deflated by criticism. Maintain a good balance. The same people that sing your praise and commend you one day, may be the some people who call for your crucifixion the next!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to maintain a good balance when it comes to people, so that we are never swayed from our focus whether commended or criticized. Amen!

Matt 27:24-26. . . . When Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing, he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this good man. The responsibility is yours!" And the mob yelled back, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after he had whipped Jesus, he gave him to the Roman soldiers to take away and crucify. TLB

HEARING CHECK! UP!

12-8-2022. . . .HEARING CHECK UP!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17 KJV) 

How's your hearing? To answer that question one need only check the level of their faith!   Little faith is a result of little or not much WORD!  In scripture, the correlation is clear.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  The 'Word' then can be viewed as a spiritual 'hearing aid' of sorts! Therefore, increased intake of the Word equals increased hearing resulting in increased faith!  Check up complete.

Prayer: Lord, we love your word for by it we hear and our faith is increased. May your word always be our daily bread! Amen.

Job 23:11-12. . . .My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. 12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (NIV)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND JUDGEMENT!

12-7-2022. . . .ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND JUDGEMENT!

"Tell them how the Lord our God dried up the river right before our eyes and then kept it dry until we were all across! It is the same thing the Lord did forty years ago at the Red Sea!  He did this so that all the nations of the earth will realize that Jehovah is the mighty God, and so that all of you will worship him forever."   (Josh 4:23-24 TLB) 

There is really only one world "SUPER POWER" and He is the Lord God Almighty!  Whether He is acknowledged as such by all nations and all people at this time does not change the reality of who He is!  The time is coming (sooner rather than later) when there will be no choice but to acknowledge; and with that acknowledgement will be His judgement!  

PRAYER: Lord, we pray for our world and world leaders that they may come to know and acknowledge that you alone are the Almighty God!  Empower us now to be your witnesses without fear!  Amen!

Acts 1:7-8. . . . But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  NIV

HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER!

12-6-2022. . . .HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER!

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV)  

Everything we have is temporary and will pass away.  Some things sooner, other things later, but all will pass away.  There is however, one thing we have that will never pass away and that is "New Life" which came about by His word!  Our "New Life" from Him will continue into "Eternal Life" with Him.  It is a certainty because His word shall not fail and will endure for ever!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the certainty of your word that endures for ever!  We live out our new life for you now and look forward with joy, to living our eternal life with you in the place you've prepared for us!  Amen.

 

Heb 12:27-29. . . . And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:   For our God is a consuming fire. KJV

WE ARE WHO WE ARE!

 

12-2-2022. . . .WE ARE WHO WE ARE!

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.   But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  (Matt 4:3-4 KJV)  

We are who God says we are!  What the tempter says or what our haters say is of little or no importance.  We don't have to prove who we are, (Jesus didn't fall for it) just be who we are!  Never feed off what the world has to offer, (bread alone) but live by the proceeding and prevailing word of God!  It will constantly and consistently lead us and verify to the world that we are who we are!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for declaring, even before we were formed in the womb, who we are!  Living by your proceeding and prevailing word verifies to the world that we are who we are!  Amen.

Heb 11:3. . . . Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. KJV

WE NEED GOD!

11-30-2022. . . .WE NEED GOD!

2 Chron 7:14-16. . . . then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.  I will listen, wide awake, to every prayer made in this place. TLB  

In times like these, we need God!  In fact, there is never a time that we don't need Him.  The people with the ability to contact God are those that are connected to God!  If there is to be change in the world, the people of God must call on Him to make it happen!  He's waiting to hear from us and He is willing and able to help us!

PRAYER: Lord, we need you!  The world needs you!  You, Lord, are our shield; our glory and the lifter of our heads.  Lord send your peace and be our peace.  Amen!

Heb 4:16. . . . So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need. TLB

STRONG RESISTANCE!

11/29/22. . . . STRONG RESISTANCE!

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV) 

The devil will never give up on testing us to see if at any point we will weaver in our faith.  It is the only way he can win; the only hope he has to steal, kill and destroy our established position of victory.  This is why we must be ever vigilant and alert to ensure that we offer him nothing less than strong resistance in the faith.   He'll have no alternative but to flee in haste.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us the gift of faith!  With it, we will resist the devil and push back his advances in opposing your Kingdom.  Amen!

1 Peter 1:7. . . . These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.  TLB

THANKFUL!

BE THANKFUL!

11-25-2022. . . .BE THANKFUL!

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:17-18 TLB)  

Whatever happens to us, for us, even against us, we know that God is at work always for our good.  Bad things will happen to good people and good things will happen to the same.  In both instances, our disposition remains the same. BE THANKFUL!

Prayer: Lord, in everything and for all things, we remain thankful.  Amen!

1 Thess 5:16-18. . . . Be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV

VERY THANKFUL!

11/24/2022. . . .VERY THANKFUL!

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Ps 100:3-4 KJV)  

Consider for a moment who we would be, how we would be, or even perhaps, if we would be had someone other than God made us!  Even if we trusted that responsibility to those we feel really care the most about us, the truth of the matter is, they would make us something and someone different than who we are now!   Whether that would work for our good or not we will never know.  What we do know is that we were made in God's own image and after His likeness; the result is beautiful and wonderful!  For this, we are Thankful and continually bless His name!

PRAYER: Lord, we are thankful that you created us in your own image and after your own likeness.  Yet, you gifted each of us with our own uniqueness.  For this, we remain and will forever be thankful!  Amen.

Ps 139:14. . . .I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  (NIV)

THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

11-23-2022. . . .THANKS-THE WILL OF GOD!

 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:188 KJV)

Giving thanks to God in every thing is His will concerning us.  Admittedly, however, we may find ourselves in circumstances and situations that we may not readily feel thankful to be in.   In fact, we'd prefer it if we didn't have to deal with them at all. Nevertheless, the knowledge that God is working in every situation and circumstance for our good, is more than cause enough to connect with His will concerning us and simply give thanks.  Don't fight it, flow with it!  It is His will, so give thanks!

Prayer: Lord, in everything we give you thanks because it is your will concerning us.  Help us in the difficult times to remember this quickly so as to not struggle against your will. Amen!

Ps 30:11-12. . . . You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,  that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.

NOW THAT'S AN AWESOME GOD!

11-22-2022. . . .NOW THAT'S AN AWESOME GOD!

"You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!  How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"  (Ps 139:16-17 TLB) 

God is completely engaged and intimately involved in every detail of our life.  It is mind blowing to think that He can be God in all His God-ness to me, (a 24/7, 365 job) without taking away or depriving any of His full God-ness to everyone else!  Now that's an awesome God worthy of all our praise!

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for being the awesome God you are!  Amen.

Ezek 34:30-31. . . . In this way they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the people of Israel, are my people," says the Lord God. "You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my men and I am your God, so says the Lord." TLB

LET GO AND LET GOD!

A POWERFFUL KEY!

11-18-2022. . . .A POWERFUL KEY!

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24 KJV)

 One should not deduct that whatever is desired no matter what it is, can be received. That's simply not true. Our desires must be in line with God's will. The key point here is that one 'Believes' in association with what one prays. Why pray if you don't believe what you say you will see? We have a powerful key. . . .just, Believe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you hear and answer our prayers. We believe you through faith and stand in expectation of receiving those things we desire. Amen!

Mark 11:22-24 24. . . .Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours! TLB

IT'S ESSENTIAL!

12-17-2022. . . .IT'S ESSENTIAL!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps 119:105 KJV)  

As headlights are essential to an automobile, so the word of God is essential to the life of believers!   During the daytime the illuminated headlights of an automobile make it possible for others to see it coming and during the nighttime, they enable drivers to see where they are going! God's word illuminated in the life of believers make it possible for others to see Christ through them, while at the same time, makes the believer's path clear as they continue walking with Christ! 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that illuminates our life and directs our path. Amen!

Ps 119:101. . . .I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. (NIV)

STILL STANDING!

 

10-15-2022. . . .STILL STANDING!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor 15:58 KJV) 

 A group of friends were bowling one evening.  They each tried hard to make a strike but as it turned out, there would always be one pin left standing.  Although the pin was shaken and rocked from side to side from the force of the impact, it settled and remained standing.  The enemy and even life in general may at times attempt to bowl us over and strike us out.  Don't fall over.  Be the last pin standing.  We've got plenty to stand for!

PRAYER: Lord, when the storms of life are raging, continue to stand by us and strengthen us to continue standing with and by you.  Amen!

Ps 18:1-3. . . .I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  KJV

NEVER FORSAKEN!

11-11-2022. . . .NEVER FORSAKEN!

 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Ps 37:25 KJV)  

Ever had someone give up on you . . . .turn their back on you. . . .abandon you? Those of us who have experienced it can tell you, being forsaken is not a feeling or position to be coveted. It leaves one disappointed, discouraged and with many unanswered questions. While the possibility always exist that man will forsake us, no such possibility exist with God!  Taking a retrospective look over the years of his life, the psalmist David accurately observed: From generation to generation, God will never forsake the righteous and always has and always will provide for their every need!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful God and never forsaking the righteous! I am grateful that I am your child and live in expectation and not in want. Amen!

Ps 9:9-10. . . . The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

NIV

BEST HANDS!

11-10-2022. . . .THE BEST HANDS!

"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (Ps 31:15KJV)  

"You're in good hands with Allstate," is the slogan of a well known insurance company.  The implication is that there is no need to worry about anything because with Allstate, you're protected.  To an even greater degree, the same can be said of being in God's hands.  We have no need to worry or fear anything nor anyone.  We are not only in good hands, we are in the best hands.

PRAYER:  Lord, your hands are the best hands and we are thankful to be in them!  Amen.

Job 23:10. . . .But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. KJV

WORK ON SAINTS!

11-9-2022. . . .WORK ON SAINTS!

"My enemies will fall back and perish in your presence;  you have vindicated me; you have endorsed my work, declaring from your throne that it is good.  (Ps 9:3-4 TLB) 

As challenging as it may be, pay no attention to the many naysayers that have no problem expressing their venomous opinions and judging our call, charge, and commission. God himself puts his stamp of approval on us (the anointing) and we have no need for man's approval, affirmation or sanction.  God vindicates His anointed and declares our works good!   So, Work on Servants!

PRAYER: Lord, you alone have called us and qualified us to do what we do.  Help us to look only to you for approval and vindication from the accusations of our enemies.  Amen! 

Ps 27:1-3. . . .The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger-whom shall I fear?  When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me. TLB

WHO IS LISTENING!

11-8-2022. . . .WHO'S LISTENING!

"Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception.  My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it.  My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind-if it is only open!  My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold." (Prov 8:6-10 TLB)  

The ability to listen is a skill we all need to hone.  By simply listening, we are able then to distinguish between right and wrong; good and wise counsel or deception.  Listening makes the best uses of hearing!  Why bother hearing if we're not really listening!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sense of hearing.  Help us use it to its greatest degree of effectiveness by listening!  Amen.

Matt 13:16. . . . But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  KJV