OPT FOR GOD'S WILL!

8-11-2010. . . .OPT FOR GOD'S WILL!

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  (1 John 2:16-17 KJV)  The things we see and the things we want in this world all have a short shelf life and will soon pass away.   If we go after things we see and want that are not in God's will, our shelf life will become short as well.   Opt for longivity!  Do God's will and live forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for options and the free will to choose.  Forgive us for our pass bad choices and help us opt for your will over the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of this life.  Amen.

1 John 2:15-17. . . . Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; 16 for all these worldly things, these evil desires-the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance-these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. 17 And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.  TLB

DEAL WITH IT!

8-10-2010. . . .DEAL WITH IT!

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."  (James 1:14-15 KJV)  What lust draws you away to the place of enticement?  Have you dealt with  it or, are you in denial?  After all, as a believer, I don't have anything like that going on in my life!  Yeah, right!  The truth of the matter is we all have to deal with things that draw us away!  Just because its not ramped sexual temptations, drugs and alcohol does not mean you have nothing to be concern about.  What about overeating, overworking, television and host of things far to numerous to mention here.  It's time to deal with it before it deals with you!

Prayer: Lord, you are faithful.  Help us to deal with the lust in our lives so that we are not drawn away and lust is allow to conceive and thereby bring about sin!  Help us not to be in denial, but to deal with it!  Amen. 

2 Peter 1:2-4. . . . Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  KJV

A LOOK CAN TURN TO LUST!

8-9-2010. . . .A LOOK CAN TURN TO LUST!

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl. I know full well that Almighty God above sends calamity on those who do.   He sees everything I do and every step I take." (Job 31:1-4 TLB)  Male or female, we would do well to understand that our eyes are the gateway to our mind and hearts.  It's not so much about what we see (our eyes are for that purpose) it's about what we 'look" at!   To see is simply vision, but to Look is to focus one's attention on!  It is at the point of attention that a look can turn to lust!  Make a covenant with your eyes!  Don't allow looks to turn to lust!

Prayer: Lord, you are able to keep us from falling!  Strengthen us now to keep from sinning with our eyes! Amen. 

Job 31:1-4. . . ."I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.  For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high?  Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong?  Does he not see my ways and count my every step? (NIV)

PUNISMENT FOR SURE, BUT NO CHANGE!

8-6-2010. . . .PUNISHMENT FOR SURE, BUT NO CHANGE!

"If his children forsake my laws and don't obey them, then I will punish them, but I will never completely take away my loving-kindness from them, nor let my promise fail.  No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said." (Ps 89:30-35 TLB)  "Solid as a Rock" is a term used to give assurance that something is secure and unchangeable.  Over time however, even rocks tend to chip and crumble a bit.  When it comes to God's covenant, there is not chipping or crumbling!  Even in the face of gross indiscretions, it remains unchanged.  There will be punishment for sure, but no change in promise!

Prayer: Lord, your are a just God who will not change.  What you promise you will bring to pass.  You punish, yet you do not change!  Bless your holy name forever!  Amen.

Ps 89:28. . . . I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.  NIV

LETS DO OUR PART!

8-5-2010. . . .LETS DO OUR PART!

"All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant." (Ps 25:10 NIV)  No covenant is without requirements.   Expecting to benefit from God's covenant without meeting the requirements of the covenant, is like expecting a paycheck at the end of the week without having gone to work!  While God lovingly and graciously shoulders the weight of the covenant He has extended to us, there yet remains a simple requirement for us, Obedience!  God has demonstrated His faithfulness in fulling His part of the covenant, now, it's up to us to fulfill ours! 

Prayer: Lord, you are faithful in all things that pertain to your covenant.  As we enjoy the benefits of your covenant let us be equally as faithful in fulling your requirement of obedience.  Amen!

Ps 103:17-18. . . . But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.  NIV

AS A REMINDER!

8-4-2010. . . .AS A REMINDER! 

"When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds,  and I will remember my promise to you and to every being, that never again will the floods come and destroy all life." (Gen 9:14-16 TLB)   Recent floods throughout the country has raised legitimate safety concerns that should be addressed.  Total destruction by flood however, is a concern that never has to be addressed again.  As a reminder of His promise, God placed a rainbow in the sky!   The next time you see a rainbow, remember to tell God thanks for His promise!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise and the reminder in the sky that you are faithful to your promises!  Amen!

Gen 9:16. . .For I will see the rainbow in the cloud and remember my eternal promise to every living being on the earth." TLB

HE'S EVER MINDFUL!

8-2-2010. . . .HE'S EVER MINDFUL!

"He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant." (Ps 111:5 KJV)  God's love for us is obvious (or should be) through His ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.  If He never does or did anything else for us, that would be enough.  However, beyond His great love for us is His promise (covenant) to us!  Even in our times of unfaithfulness to Him, He is ever mindful of His covenant!  For His own name sake He bless us and many times, in spite of us!

Prayer: Lord, you are the faithful God who is always mindful of your covenant!  You never fail!  Amen.

Ps 111:4-6. . . .Who can forget the wonders he performs-deeds of mercy and of grace? 5 He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises.  TLB