HE'S LISTENING!

5-30-13. . . .HE'S LISTENING!

"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 29:11-13 TLB)  Although, we may not be able to see in the future, we can anticipate it with great expectation (hope) because we know that is shall be good!  God is more than willing to reveal this information to us if we earnestly seek Him and ask!  He's listening!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the plans of good you have laid out for us in our future!  We earnestly seek your guidance so that we never stray from the path of our hope!  Amen!

 1 Cor 2:9-10. . . .But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. KJV

CLARITY AND DIRECTION!

5-29-2013. . . .CLARITY AND DIRECTION!

"If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer." (James 1:5-7 TLB)  A life of significance is a life lived with clarity and direction.  God never intended for life to be an enigma to us, nor for us to simply wonder aimlessly through it without purpose or direction.  We know God is the giver of life, but far to often many fail to call on Him and depend upon Him as the director of life!  Need clarity and direction. . . .ask the giver and director of life and He will freely give you what you ask!

PRAYER: Lord, you are the giver and director of life!  Give us your wisdom and guidance so that we may life a life of significance and accomplish all your purpose.  Amen!

Jer 33:2-3. . . .Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' NIV

5-28-2013. . . .A CONTAGIOUS MOVEMENT!

“And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” (1 Peter 3:8 TLB)  If the world is to be a better place, and what’s more, if we are to be a better people, we would do well to implement this advise. Starting in our own families, our churches; and then spreading it abroad throughout our neighborhoods, cities and all around the world! What a contagious movement!

Prayer: Lord, help us start a contagious movement of love and compassion that transforms not only our person lives, but the entire world. Amen!

1 Peter 3:8. . . . Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. NIV

IT IS WHAT IT IS!

5-24-2013. . . . “IT IS WHAT IT IS!”

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:12 NIV) Being ‘content’ according to the Apostle Paul is a learned state of being. I believe it comes from one’s ability to to accept and deal with the reality of “What Is.” IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!I know that may be challenging for some to say, especially when we would really rather things be something different. However, to be able to look at your circumstance or situation and say ‘It is what it is’, is the first step toward engaging your faith to move in another direction. Now that I have accepted that ‘It is what it is’ all my energy can be directed toward moving from the current position instead of complaining and becoming frustrated about it or over it! If it is bad. . . .It is what it is. . . .If it is good. . . .It is what it is! Therefore, in every circumstance and situation, I am never too high in the good times or to low in the bad times or to complacent in the in between times. What was the Apostle Paul’s secret? Knowing, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ( Phil 4:13 KJV) So can we!

Prayer: Lord, You are the source of my strength and the strength of my life! In you I live, I move and have my being! Help me Lord, to rest in you. Amen!

Heb 13:5-6. . . . Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me!

SPEED BUMPS!

5-23-2013. . . . SPEED BUMPS!

“Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing, and you will see the wicked destroyed. I myself have seen it happen: a proud and evil man, towering like a cedar of Lebanon, but when I looked again, he was gone! I searched but could not find him! But the good man-what a different story! For the good man-the blameless, the upright, the man of peace-he has a wonderful future ahead of him. For him there is a happy ending.” (Ps 37:34-38 TLB)  Did you think or expect to arrive at your destiny without running into any difficulty or challenges? It would be nice, but it is unrealistic and unfruitful. The truth is, there are many things to learn on the road to our destiny and we would miss them all if we did not run into a ‘speed bump’ every now and then. Speed bumps are designed to slow us down when we are traveling to fast through certain zones. Are you currently in a zone where you feel you should be progressing much faster, but for some reason, no matter what you do, things are moving at a much slower pace then you would like. Perhaps you have hit a speed bump. Instead of being frustrated and fighting against the current, slow down and take careful notice of what is happening and going on around you. It is for your good and will equip you with the knowledge and experience needed as you continue on your journey towards your destiny. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for ordering my steps as well as, my stops! Help me to be patient and learn what I need to learn when I am in a slow zone. Amen!

Ps 37:23-24. . . . The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. TLB

THE TIPPING POINT!

5-22-2013. . . . THE TIPPING POINT!

Popeye the Sailor Man was a favorite cartoon watched by thousands of kids daily. Popeye lived a relatively normal life dealing with issues concerning his friends, his personal relationship with his girl, and of course with his enemies. In each episode, it seemed Popeye would get to a point where he could go no further or take anymore and he would say, "That's all I can stands and me can't stands no more!"   At that point, Popeye would turn to his source of strength, a can a spinach!   The spinach refreshed and strengthened him to deal with and dispose of the pressing dilemma. What do you do when you have reached your tipping point?   Who do you call. . . . Where do you turn for your source of strength and refreshment?   David offers a great option; "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Ps 61:22 NKJV) David recognized that his own strength, his own emotions, his own will was not enough to properly deal with and handle effectively what he was facing. He needed and looked to something higher. . . yea, even someone higher then himself! He looked to God as his rock (stability). It is a good model and wisdom dictates we take heed when we reach our next tipping point.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my rock of stability! Even when I feel overwhelmed, help me always look to you as my source and strength and never lean to my own understanding. Amen!

Ps 62:5-8. . . . My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. KJV

THE NEXT MANIFESTATION!

5-21-2013. . . . THE NEXT MANIFESTATION!

“How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!” (Ps 139:17 TLB)  The question is raised in Psalms 8, “What is man that thou art mindful of him. . .”? Put another way, ‘What is man that he is always on your mind’?  This very moment, we are in God’s mind and on God’s mind.  What an awesome revelation to know that God is constantly thinking of us.   His thoughts of us are always good and never evil. ( Jer 29:11) God’s thoughts are also His plans;  His plans are His manifested will!   Everything good that happens to us is a result of God’s thoughts in eternity being realized and carried out as our lives unfold.  Approach each day with excitement and the expectation of seeing what God has planned for us next!   Get ready for the next manifestation!

Prayer: Lord, I am so glad you are always thinking of me and that I am never off your mind! You are so awesome and all your works are marvelous. Thank you for the privilege of experiencing them.

Ps 139:1-5. . . . O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. TLB