ARE YOU SERIOUS?

11-12-2021. . . .ARE YOU SERIOUS?

"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."  (Jer 29:10-13 TLB)  

It is not enough to simply know that God has a plan for us, and that that plan is one for our good, with a future, and an expected end.  We need. . . . in fact, we must seek God daily to find out the details and directions of His plan.  This knowledge will not come to us automatically or serendipitously.   We must pray with the confidence of knowing that God is listening and waiting to make His plan known to us if we seriously want to know it!  Now question is, do we seriously want to know it?

PRAYER: Lord, our desire is know your detailed plan for our life and future.  As we continuously demonstrate our seriousness, let your plan be revealed to us!  Amen!

1 John 5:14-15. . . .And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.  And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us. TLB

CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

11-11-2021. . . .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

CHOICE OVER CHANCE!

11-10-2021. . . .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!

11-5-2021. . . .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 when we are given them!  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

ALLOW IT TO BE SO!

11-4-2021. . . .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

SPEAK ONLY THESE!

11-3-2021. . . .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!

11-2-2021. . . .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