THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

3-26-2021. . . .THE LESSON IS OURS TO LEARN!

"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too."  (Matt 5:43-45 TLB) 

 If we are honest, this is one of the hardest biblical imperatives to carry out.  The last thing we want to do is be good to someone who is being a low down dirty dog to us; let alone pray for them! However, as true sons and daughters, we are called to do exactly that!   The lesson is ours to learn and not so much for the benefit of our enemies.

PRAYER: Lord, your ways are best and will benefit us greatly if we follow them.  No matter how difficult it may be, help us to follow your ways concerning our enemies.  Amen!

Matt 5:46-48. . . . If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much.  If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?   Even the heathen do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  TLB

THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

2-25-2021. . . .THEY ARE WHO THEY ARE!

"Simon Peter replied, "Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God."  Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, and one is a devil."  He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would betray him. (John 6:68-71 TLB) 

Everyone walking by our side is not on our side, even though we have chosen them to be so!  While the betrayer's actions inflict pain, they also open the door to destiny!  They are who they are; let them be!

PRAYER: Lord, there is no greater example than yours of how to bare the presence and burden of a betrayer.  Give us grace to bare our burden with the same knowledge and patience.  Amen!

Matt 26:20-24. . . .That evening as he sat eating with the Twelve, he said, "One of you will betray me." Sorrow chilled their hearts, and each one asked, "Am I the one?"  He replied, "It is the one I served first.  For I must die just as was prophesied, but woe to the man by whom I am betrayed. Far better for that one if he had never been born." TLB

ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

3-24-2021. . . .ORDAINED TO MAKE IT!

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." (Matt 14:22-24 KJV)  

Walking in divine purpose does not mean we will never face opposition; we will!  Stay the course and weather the storm.  We are ordained to make it through to the other side!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the winds of opposition that blow against us.  Help us stay focused and on the course as we pursue your divine purpose.  Amen!

2 Cor 4:8-10. . . .We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. 9 We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.  TLB

THE STANDARD WILL BE LIFTED!

3-24-2021. . . .THE STANDARD WILL BE LIFTED!

"Oh, love the Lord, all of you who are his people; for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but harshly punishes all who haughtily reject him.  So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord." (Ps 31:23-24 TLB)  

The dividends of faithfulness are a daily cause for optimism.  We can anticipate God's intervention whenever the enemy decides to sweep in like a flood.  The standard will be lifted against them.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being faithful to the faithful.  Our trust remains securely in you.  Your blessings upon us makes us rich beyond measure.  Amen!

Ps 46:1-2. . . . God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.  And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. TLB

TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

3-23-2021 . . . TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

"Jesus realized what they were discussing and said, "No, that isn't it at all! Can't you understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?  'Your eyes are to see with-why don't you look? Why don't you open your ears and listen?'  Don't you remember anything at all?  (Mark 8:17-18 TLB) 

What a travesty for one to have 20/20 vision and yet be proverbially  "blind as a bat!" How tragic that no matter how loudly the truth is blasted in one's ear, they still don't or more sadly, won't hear it.  If God can do anything, He can do every thing!  If He did it once, He is well able to do it again and again and again!  TRACK HIM - TRACE HIM - TRUST HIM and BELIEVE HIM!

PRAYER: Lord, you are yet the God who does wonders that are beyond understanding and  miracles cannot be counted!  Do it again Lord!  We trust you and we believe you!  Do it again!  Amen.

Job 9:10. . . .He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. NIV

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

2-19-2021. . . .THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9 KJV) 

There is no need to hide what hinders us, nor deny the thing or things that keep damaging or destiny! Thorns in the flesh they are.  Jesus says to us what He said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee!"  There is strength in our struggle!  That's good enough for me!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace that is always sufficient for us.  We acknowledge and entrust our weaknesses into your hands. Amen.

2 Cor 12:10. . . .Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.KJV

STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

2-18-2021. . . .STAY TRUE TO THE INNER YOU!

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:7KJV)  

Advice is good and there is certainly wisdom in a multitude of counselors, but don't listen to nor take advice from just anyone.  Everyone has opinions and will offer their's freely and unfiltered if given the opportunity.  Stay true to the inner you!  If it's a different beat you march to, train your ears to never deviate from it and march right into your destiny!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for making us fearfully, wonderfully and unique.  Help us to always stay true to who you created us to be.  Amen! 

Ps 139:14. . . .Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. TLB