WATCH IT!

2-28-2020. . . .WATCH IT!

"Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own?   Should you say, 'Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see because of the board in your own?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother."  ( Matt 7:1-5 TLB)  

Although we've all been in both positions, it is far more comfortable to be behind the pointing finger than in front of it.   We would all do well to remember the discomfort of the front position and show mercy, before we so quickly take up the comfort of the rear.  Watch it, don't be so quick to judge!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your ever present mercy towards us especially in those times when we don't deserve it.  Help us to learn that lesson and show mercy in spite of.  Amen.

Matt 5:7. . . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

A FRESH WIND OF DELIVERANCE!

2-27-2020. . . .A FRESH WIND OF DELIVERANCE!

"And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:  And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:  And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:  And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. (Deut 26:6-9 KJV)  

There is a better place for us than the place of burden and distress!  While our distress and burdens have their benefits, they will not last always.  When we turn to God and cry out to Him, He hears us and brings His mighty power to bare upon our current dilemma, with the fresh wind of deliverance.

PRAYER: Lord, what a mighty God you are!  Amen.

Ps 34:19-22. . . .Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.  He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.  Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.  The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.  KJV

PURPOSE FULLFILLED IN US!

2-26-2020. . . .PURPOSE FULLFILLED IN US!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."  (Psalms 37:23-24) 

When a man or woman makes the decision to trust and obey God, the course of their life is set by Him.  He not only sets our course, but He faithfully travels the course with us orchestrating and navigating us safely through every start, stop, stage, and struggle.  Even when we stumble and fall, He holds us steady; freeing us from any position of stagnation.  He delights in seeing His purpose fulfilled in us and through us!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for ordering our steps and walking with us as your divine purpose is fulfilled in us and through here on earth.  Thy will be done!  Amen.

Psalms 138:8. . . .The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

SUFFER INSTEAD AND LIVE!

2-25-2020. . . .SUFFER INSTEAD AND LIVE!

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." (Heb 11:24-26 KJV)  

Choosing to suffer affliction (hard to bare circumstances) is a far better choice than the enjoyment of the pleasures of sin for a moment.  We delude ourself if we believe sin has no pleasure, but the pleasure is not without severe consequences.  Suffer instead and live!  

PRAYER: Lord, like David, it is good for us to have been afflicted therefore, we have learned your ways.  Help to always choose to suffer rather than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a moment.  Amen!

Ps 119:92-94. . . .I would have despaired and perished unless your laws had been my deepest delight.  I will never lay aside your laws, for you have used them to restore my joy and health. TLB

BLESSING vs. BURDEN!

2-21-2020. . . .BLESSING vs. BURDEN!

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."  (Ps 119:71-72 KJV)

Hind sight is always 20/20.   Although there is benefit to our burdens, better it is to not have to endure the burden at all!  Learn and follow God's way on the front end and receive blessings rather than endure burdens.  

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes we can be so willful and hardheaded.  Thank you for loving us enough to correct us before we completely run a muck!  Amen.

Prov 3:11-12. . . . My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. RSV

A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE!

2-19-2020. . . .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!

2-18-2020. . . .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.   However, we are not left 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