CHANCE OVER CHOICE!

11-11-2013. . . .CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

"Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle, and that wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance, by happening to be at the right place at the right time.   A man never knows when he is going to run into bad luck. He is like a fish caught in a net, or a bird caught in a snare." (Eccl 9:11-12 TLB)  A man without God is one left to live life on a "Take it as it comes" basis; absent of purpose and direction.  The fruit of his labor will be nothing and his destination will often be nowhere.  There is a better choice to be made and a better life to be lived!  It's Choice over Chance.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving us a life of choice and not chance.  You daily order our steps and our stops according to your own purpose.  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

MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

11-8-2013. . . .MAXIMIZE EVERY MOMENT!

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10 KJV) An opportunity denied is beyond our control, but an opportunity missed is completely our responsibility!  We must never become complacent and weary in our working to the degree that we end up squandering our opportunities!  We must capitalize on our creativity and seize every opportunity!  Maximize every moment!  

PRAYER:  Lord thank you for every opportunity to do good!  May our works speak for us now and in the end!  Amen.

James 2:18. . . .But someone may well argue, "You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing; well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can't prove whether you have faith or not; but anyone can see that I have faith by the way I act." TLB

GOD OF COMFORT!

11-7-2013. . . .GOD OF COMFORT!

“... What a wonderful God we have-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.” (2 Cor 1:3a TLB)  Life is often no bed of roses and at times it can be downright uncomfortable! Yet, it is in those times of discomfort that God manifest Himself to us as ‘The God of all Comfort’.  No, He does not always immediately change our situations and circumstances, but more often than not, He changes us in the situations and circumstances! While all hell may be breaking loose all around us, He gives us a since of well-being on the inside that enables us to emerge with confidence and experience to share with others in their time of affliction and trouble. “…And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor 1:3b) TLB

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God of all comfort! You keep us from being unstable in difficult and uncomfortable situations. It is well with our soul. Amen!

Isa 51:3. . . .For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. KJV

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-6-2013. . . .ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Cor 4:4-5)  Pointing fingers and making assumptions about individuals without knowing their full story is unwise!  Everyone is in the process of becoming!  Who they are today ,may not be who they will always remain!   Time will tell their full story!  Allow it to be so!

PRAYER: Lord, our times are in your hands.  As we evolve through the process of time, give us patience with ourselves and with others.  Amen!

1 Cor 4:5. . . .So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether someone is a good servant or not. When the Lord comes, he will turn on the light so that everyone can see exactly what each one of us is really like, deep down in our hearts. TLB

FAITH ACTIONS!

11-5-2013. . . .FAITH ACTIONS!  

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:5 KJV)  Faith always has a visible manifestation!  One can't simply say "I have faith" and not add actions with it.  Even though the object and or objectives (end results) of our faith may not be seen, the actions of what we believe will!  Faith actions will overcome great obstacles to achieve it's desired end.  How could Jesus not respond to seeing the roof where He was, literally torn off by the faith actions of the four bearing there friend!!!!  Will He not also respond when He sees the visible manifestation of ours?

Prayer: Lord, thank you in advance for responding when you see the actions of our faith.  Amen!

James 2:26. . . .For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  KJV

SPEAK ONLY THESE!

11-4-2013. . . .SPEAK ONLY THESE!

"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge." (Prov 8:8-9 KJV)  Words of wisdom and truth stand strong on legs of integrity.  They require no later explanation or recanting.  Speak only these!

Prayer: Lord, help us to guard our speech so that what we say will stand in integrity.  Amen!

Titus 2:7-8. . . .In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. KJV

LIVE LIFE GOD'S WAY!

11-1-2013. . . .LIVE LIFE GOD'S WAY!

"Every law of God is right, whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.  Your laws are wonderful; no wonder I obey them.   As your plan unfolds, even the simple can understand it.  No wonder I wait expectantly for each of your commands." (Ps 119:128-131 TLB)  Although life will not be without it's challenges, living it God's way and according to His plan and commands makes it a whole lot easier!  Live life God's way! 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your plan for our lives!  Help us to help ourselves by following your plan and commands!  Amen!

Ps 119:105-106. . . . Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. I've said it once and I'll say it again and again: I will obey these wonderful laws of yours.  TLB