THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!

 6-30-2023. . . .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

FAITH BEYOND FACTS!

 6-29-2023. . . .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, to understand 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

MINDFUL NOT MINDLESS!

6-28-2023. . . .MINDFUL NOT 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 once freed, would willingly submit their self to bondage of any kind?  Only the mindless.  Be mindful not 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

LET'S BELIEVE IT!

6-23-2023. . . .LET'S BELIEVE IT!

But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, "Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up-the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 43:1-3TLB)  

We are redeemed - we are called by name! He is with us - We will survive - We will come through!  God said it, that settles it!  Now, let's believe it!

PRAYER: Lord, whatever you say is what we believe and live by.  Thank you for your words to us!  Amen!

Jer 29:11-13. . . . For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. TLB

GOD'S TATS!

 6-22-2023. . . .GOD'S TATS!

"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore?  But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you — never.  Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands.  The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight."  (Isa 49:15-16 MSG)

Pressing problems and disturbing dilemmas may at times cause one to question whether or not, God still sees and cares; or has He completely forgotten about us.  In those moments don't loose hope!  God asks, "Can a mother forget the baby to whom she's given birth?"  God answers and reminds us now that, even if they do forget, "I WILL NEVER FORGET!"  In fact, our names are tattooed on the back of His hands.  He sees, cares, and knows all about us at all times and won't forget us ever.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for being a faithful God.  You never forget us and will always supply all our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Amen!

 Ps 121. . . Shall I look to the mountain gods for help? 2 No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too!   He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping.  Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender.   He protects you day and night.  He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.  He keeps his eye on you as you come and go and always guards you. TLB

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS!

 6-21-2023. . . .STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron 16:9 KJV 

God is keenly aware of every person that is fully committed to Him, and He is constantly seeking opportunities to show Himself strong on their behalf. Although, being fully committed may in some way suggest that we are flawless; we most certainly acknowledge that is not the case.  It is in those very areas of our weakness that God seeks to and in fact, manifest His strength. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9 KJV

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your strength in my areas of weakness. It is through your manifested strength that I become stronger. Thy will be done! Amen.

2 Cor 12:10. . . . Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. KJV

SOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

 

8-16-2023. . . .SOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

"Don't be misled; remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!  If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him." (Gal 6:7-9 TLB)

How did this get in my life, is a question all of us could ask.  The answer and truth of the matter is, we sowed it there!  A harsh reality it may be, but no less true.  The remedy; sow something different to get something different!

PRAYER: Lord, your laws and principles are set and do not change.  Help us to heed them and thereby provide for ourselves a life pleasing to you and enjoyable for us.  Amen!

Prov 3:13-18. . . . The man who knows right from wrong and has good judgment and common sense is happier than the man who is immensely rich! For such wisdom is far more valuable than precious jewels. Nothing else compares with it. Wisdom gives: a long, good life, riches, honor, pleasure, peace.  Wisdom is a tree of life to those who eat her fruit; happy is the man who keeps on eating it. TLB

LIFE LESSON!

 6-15-2023. . . .LIFE LESSON!

"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?  (Matt 7:1-3 TLB) 

Life lesson 102 is one we would all do well to learn and live by.  "Love your neighbor as yourself; treat others as you would want to be treated....Period, IT!

PRAYER: Lord, help us to live together in peace and harmony always.  Amen.

Matt 22:37-39. . . . Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.   And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. KJV

RELAX AND RECEIVE!

 

6-14-2023. . . .RELAX AND RECEIVE!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."(Matt 6:33 KJV )   The constant pursuit of things is exhausting, futile and never satisfying. Flip the script.... let things pursue you!!!!    Focus on the source from which all ‘things’ come; God, His kingdom, and His righteousness!   Now relax and prepare yourself to receive! 

Prayer: Lord, you are the source of all things. Keep us forever focused on You and not what we can get from You! Amen!

Matt 6:31-33. . . . "So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.” TLB

STILL SIN!

6-13-2023. . . . STILL SIN!

"No one who has become part of God's family makes a practice of sinning, for Christ, God's Son, holds him securely, and the devil cannot get his hands on him.  We know that we are children of God and that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control." (1 John 5:18-20 TLB)  

The highest court in our land has the power to change the laws that govern our country, but they are powerless to change the laws that govern our souls.  God's laws do not change and ALL unrighteousness is still sin.

PRAYER: Lord, have mercy upon these United States!  Thank you for being faithful and never changing in spite of the changes occurring all around us.  Amen.

1 John 5:18-19. . . . We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. NKJV

GOD'S GOT ME!

 6-8-2023. . . .GOD'S GOT ME!

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isa 41:10 TLB)  

No matter how serious the challenge or how mighty the enemy, we need not fear because God through His on volition, has chosen to help us!  He promises strength, help, and most importantly, victory!

Prayer: Lord, you are my strength, my help, my Victory!  Thank you for choosing to be on my side!  Amen.

 Ps 27:1-3. . . .The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  KJV

GET BUSY

 6-7-2023. . . .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 is in our hearts to do, 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 us to not get distracted or sidetracked with excuses; and when the time comes, grant us rest without regret.  Amen!

WAIT PATIENTLY!

 6-6-2023. . . .WAIT PATIENTLY!

"If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.   Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." (1 Peter 5:6-7 TLB)  

God has His eye on you, watching everything we do.   No matter what it looks like, He is working everything out according to His own plan and not our agenda!  Rest in Him and wait patiently while He does what He does!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for keeping your eye and your hand on us!  Without you, we would certainly run a mock!  Lord keep us day by day!  Amen.

Matt 11:28. . . .Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. KJV

THE AMAZING!

6-2-2023. . . .THE AMAZING!

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

God is always available to us when we call Him, and the conversation is always fruitful.   If allowed, He will amaze us with the amazing!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being available to us when we call.  Continue amazing us with great and mighty things we do not know.  Amen.

Isa 65:23-25. . . . I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! TLB

REST YOUR MIND!

 6-1-2023. . . .REST YOUR MIND!

"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 your 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 for being in control and having everything under control!  We give you are 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