YES I AM!

4-29-2011. . . .YES I AM!

"We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers.  But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him-how can God's love be within him? (1 John 3:16-17 TLB)  We can never pay the Lord back for giving His life for us!  What we can do is live out this new life in service to others!  Someone once asked,  'Am I my brother's keeper?'   There is only one answer for believers; "YES I AM!"

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example of love.  Help us to demonstrate that love daily through our service to others.  Amen!

1 John 4:21. . . .And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  KJV

 

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

4-28-2011. . . .WHY SETTLE FOR LESS!

"The thief 's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10 TLB)  When we consider the great price Jesus paid for our redemption, to live life in any state less than it's fullness is unacceptable!  Yet by choice, many do just that.  Disobedience; rebellion; stubbornness; willfulness are among the common attitudes that prevent one from living and experiencing life in its fullness.  Why settle for less?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to live and experience life in all its fullness.  Help us to daily say, "Never the less."  Amen.

John 10:10. . . .

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  

KJV

A DO OVER!

4-27-2011. . . .A DO OVER!

"But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved."  (Eph 2:4-5 TLB)  Life does not offer us many "Do Overs."  We have to play the hand we have so to speak.  Christ however, by dying on the cross for our sins, has in effect, given us a 'Do Over!'  What will we do with it?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us another chance.  Help us to make the best of it by being the best and doing the best we can!  Amen. 

Gal 2:20. . . .I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. KJV

MAKE A DETERMINATION!

4-25-2011. . . .MAKE A DETERMINATION!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)  Walking in the newness of life can be challenging if we are not willing to let go of the old life.  Christ's finished work at Calvary made it possible.  Now, what we have to do is determine in our hearts that it's 'Out with the Old and in with the New!"  Make a determination!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for new life in You.  Help us release the old and walk in the new!  Amen.

Gal 2:20. . . . I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  KJV

HE KNEW!

4-22-2011. . . .HE KNEW!

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34 KJV)  Although, those (and we because of sin) who were responsible for crucifying Jesus had not a clue as to what they were doing,  HE KNEW..... allowed it, submitted to it, and had enough love to cover our contempt!   Wonderful Savior you are!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for knowing all; even our deepest darkest motives.  Thank you even more for having love enough to cover our contempt.  Amen!

Gal 3:13. . . .Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: KJV

POWER & OPTIONS!

4-21-2011. . . .POWER & OPTIONS!

"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."  (John 10:18 KJV)  The power to lay down His life and take it up again hinged upon His choice to do so.  While love limited His options to one, let us be mindful that He had the power and options, but chose us!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for choosing us when You had the power and options to do something different. There is no greater love.  Amen!

 John 15:13. . . .Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. KJV

  

DON'T OPT OUT!

4-20-2011. . . .DON'T OPT OUT!

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42 KJV)  Submitting to God's perfect will is not always the easiest thing in the world to do.  In fact at times, it is down right challenging.  If we would have our way, we would opt for God to relieve us of the weight and responsibility for the choice placed before us.   But then, where would be the blessings?  What God wants for us is what is best for us and the greater good of others!  Don't Opt Out of It!

Prayer: Lord, what you want for us is best for us and for the greater good of others!   Help us not to opt out of it!

Heb 10:7-10. . . .Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  KJV