A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE!

2-21-2012. . . .A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE!

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:17-18 KJV)  It is comforting to know that troubles won't last always.  With a change of perspective we discover, things are never as bad as we perceive them to be.  There is purpose in our pain and strength in our struggles.  Temporary pain and troubles will end, but eternity will last forever!

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the God of eternity who bids us come.  We accept your invitation and thereby have the needed patience to endure our temporary struggles.  Amen!

Rom 8:18-20. . . . Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.  For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children.  TLB

BETTER FOR IT!

2-20-2012. . . .BETTER FOR IT!

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." (Ps 34:19 KJV)  Hard to bare situations are unavoidable and in fact, inevitable.   We are not left however, without hope.  Deliverance too, is inevitable!  The lessons learned while positively dealing with present dilemmas will benefit us greatly when deliverance comes.  We will emerge better for the experience.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the assurance that deliverance from all our afflictions will come.  Help us to be patient and lean the lessons of our present dilemmas and emerge better for the experience.  Amen.

2 Cor 4:17. . . . These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! TLB

HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!

2-17-2012. . . .HIS PLAN HIS PURPOSE!  

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Phil 1:66 KJV)   The construction project that was begun in us is going according to plan and will be completed!  In spite of the many unneeded interruptions and interjections on our part, the 'Chief Foreman' remains committed and undaunted in working out 'His Plan' and 'His Purpose' in our lives!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being committed to us. Forgive us for often getting in Your way and help us to submit to Your will. Amen.  

Ps 138:8. . . . The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me;your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. (NIV)

FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

2-16-2012. . . .FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS!

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5 KJV) In spite of one's best efforts, even the called by Christ experience failure. Failure however, does not have the final word, God does. In fact, our point of failure positions us for a word of instruction that will lead us to our next success.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being there even in our times of failure. Help us to be willing at our point failure to receive your word of instruction that will lead us to success. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24 . . . .

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

DEPEND ON IT!

2-15-2012. . . .DEPEND ON IT!

"Love never fails."(1 Cor 13:8 NIV)  In a world of uncertain things, uncertain people, uncertain weather, uncertain circumstances, even uncertain futures, it is good to know we can depend on love!  God is Love and God can most certainly be depended on!  Depend on it!  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a faithful and dependable God!  Thank you that your love fails not and that we can depend on it!  Amen.   

1 Cor 13:13. . . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

2-14-2012. . . .IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,  never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them.  There are three things that remain-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.(1 Cor 13:4-13 TLB)  IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE!  Happy Valentine's Day!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for love and for showing us what real love is!  Help us to prove to the world that we are your disciples by showing love to all. Amen!

John 13:35. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  KJV

TIME TO LIVE, TIME TO DIE!

2-1-2012. . . .TIME TO LIVE, TIME TO DIE!

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die;...(3Eccl 3:1-2 KJV)  The story is told of a rich man who sent his servant into the market place to buy supplies.  While there, the servant saw death and was very frightened.  The servant returned to his master as quick as he could.  His master inquired of the servant why he was so afraid.  The servant replied, I saw death while in the market place and it frightened me.  Please give me your fastest steed that I may escape to the next town.  Upon the servant's departure, his master went into the market place and found death.  He asked death, why did you frighten my servant?  Death replied, I did not mean to frighten him, but I do have an appointment with him in the next town!   Live everyday as if it is your last.  There is no escaping our appointment with death!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for every golden moment you give us to experience life!  Help us to live life to its fullest so that when our appoint with death comes, there will be no attempts to delay or escape it.  Amen!

Job 3:20-23 . . . . "Oh, why should light and life be given to those in misery and bitterness, who long for death, and it won't come; who search for death as others search for food or money?  What blessed relief when at last they die!  TLB

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