He Said

We rush to do whatever man ask of us, but hesitate when we get a direction from God. What has he told you to do and you are waiting for somebody to confirm it or for someone to agree that that's a good idea? Its not easy doing something simply because God says do it; something like love your neighbor, pray for those who persecute you, and give cheerfully—just to name a few. But we have to start somewhere---so lets start with loving our neighbors. Maybe by the time Christ gets back we will have accomplish many more. Lets see how many things we can do simply because God commands.

Praise & Prayer

I was having a hard time staying sleep the other night and a headache was the culprit. If you have ever woke up in the middle of the night with a pain, you know your first thought is rather serious, you imagine all the bad things that could happen, and that was me. After I wrestled with this for a few minutes, I then remembered that I was at my weakest and the adversary was using a scare tactic to keep me up and to get me upset. I began praising God and then praying in tongue. When I awoke again it was morning. Our God is faithful; he does just what he said he would do. Its not that he's slow in doing it, its that we are slow in believing it.

A Constant

In the scientific and mathematical, world a constant is a measurement or value that never changes. In the world of life, the love of God is our constant. God is love and since there is no end to him, there is no end to his love. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. He is always and forever, he is constant; therefore his love is always and forever. Love was there in the beginning and love is there in the end. His love is constant.

The Spirit works within Us

As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. Its seems that a vast number of us seek other things more than we seek his image. How many times throughout the day do we response (in words or actions) with a thought as to what the spirit would have us to do or as to what man wants us to do. The Spirit works in us; working things out and working things in. He works out our desire to satisfy flesh and work in a desire to please God.

Guarding Our Hearts & Minds

A group of words had been on my mind for the pass two days. I had mediated over the words but something didn't seem quit right. When I began studying the words I found that I was remembering them incorrectly. It concerned peace, but my recall had words where they should not have been. So wouldn't you know, in my reading this morning the right words appeared. It is comforting to know that God can dispel incorrect thoughts. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. I like the guarding of my heart and mind. Good sound comforting truth.

The Cross

Saw a minister using his artistic talents to show how Christ died on the cross for us. My mind suddenly recapped all the sins I committed, and I even thought about the failures that may await me. I thought about how Christ received the punishment for all those sins, yours included. No it was not a pretty picture when the minister finished, nor is our sin. All that ugliness was placed upon Jesus. He carried it all the way to forgiveness. Thank you Jesus.

His Word is Settled In Heaven

What a wonderful loving father we have. When he says something we can bet on it. Have you ever asked a favor and even after promising, it was not delivered; have you ever waited for someone and they never showed up; or even waited for rain and got only hotter degrees with no relief, or how about when you were a child and was promised a spanking and waited nervously all day and night and it never happen. These shifting scenes of life help you appreciate that God's word is settled forever. Jesus promised that his word would not pass away. Now if you are waiting for something that God has promised-your waiting is not in vain. It will come to pass.

Love Your Body Parts

Certain medical conditions cause certain parts of our body to receive added attention in order to function as it was created. It seems that the parts that are most necessary are the ones that need the most attention. You can function without a hand or even a foot; however if the heart, lungs or brain is weak it needs attention. Not to say that any part isn't important. But those parts that are not seen are just as important as the ones we see. In the body of Christ we are all important; if our function is one that is not known or seen by man, be confident, God is the one who put the body together and he did it in such a way that each part is beneficial to each other.

Learn from a Rabbit

I watched a smart rabbit run across my front yard, and the same dogs puzzled by a squirrel (a few weeks ago), were insanely barking in an attempt to distract this rabbit. They couldn't get to him, but they sure put up an attempt to scare him. Amazingly the rabbit stopped two times, but never looked the way of the dogs. Now I don't know the peripheral vision of a rabbit, but this rabbit never took its eyes off where he was headed. Learn from that rabbit we are to have tunnel vision in this world; not looking to the left or to the right, but keeping our eyes on where we are going. Keeping our focus upward.

Beautifying the Humble

There is a large market of beautifying products one can purchase to help the body look good. The price range is even larger. Its good to know that there is one that we can all afford. The releasing of sin. When sin vanishes, it takes the ugly with it. Giving it all to Jesus and taken what he offers in its place (salvation) causes us to be beautiful.
So what if in my physical appearance my teeth are crooked, my skin is flawed, my hair is not naturally strait or wavy, or my body in perfect proportion (according to man). I can confess that God has beautified me with salvation. And by the grace of God I am what I am-----beautiful.

GRACE

Selah: stop, reflect and mediate on this.

A Mighty Awesome One

Jeremiah was having a bad moment; he had been struck and put in stocks, he was being mocked and ridiculed, and it seemed that everything he talked about or prophesied was slow in coming. The people around him wanted him to give up so they could overpower him; even his friends were watching for his failure. All the warnings he gave only got him insults and contempt. He wanted to give up, but he couldn't. Besides having the truth burn inside him, he also knew that God was with him as a mighty awesome one, therefore those that insulted and sought to silence him would not prevail, they would stumble and fall, they would be put to shame and they would not succeed. If you are a child of God, there will always be an attempt to silence you. The enemy has so many tactics to use against you, but remember the words of Jeremiah and be confident.

The Health of my Countenance

Ever had one of those days when you just didn’t feel up to much of anything? Well this morning the enemy offer such a day. But of course by the time I got half way through my time in worship and praise the old scoundrel had moved on. The words of Psalm 42:11 were brought to my attention: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. The health of my countenance; by praising him I am lifted above circumstances and thought patterns, once the patterns change in my thought process the countenance changed, (and a whole lot of other stuff too). Praising him does a body good.

Take His Yoke

Life would be so simple if we took his yoke and learned of him instead of accepting the yoke of others. We want to look a certain way, drive a certain car, eat certain foods or drink certain drinks, and buy certain cloths, all because we have taken the yoke and learned of others. We may confess that we have never taken the yoke of others; but think about it. We make purchases based on what others say we need (think about your last purchase, was it based on what you saw in a commercial); many even chose where to worship based on an attempt to please others. We live stressful defeated lives, harnessing a yoke we were not created to wear. Aren't you tired? Jesus released us from such bondage and highly recommended we accept another ----take his yoke and learn of him. He even promise we would find rest, and that his yoke is easy.

He pleads my cause

Its such a blessing to know that where you are sent, God goes ahead of you. Whether its to the store or the garbage dump; he has already gone ahead of you and made things right. Situations turn out a lot different from what is expected, plane trips are smoother; assignments are easier;  jobs are accomplish with less difficulty; purchases are less expensive; simply put, life is just better because Jesus went ahead of us, pleaded our cause and redeemed us.

Vengeance Belongs to the Lord

Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good; after all, vengeance belongs to the Lord. But don't be surprise if he dispenses grace at the moment you know he's about to get revenge for you. Ever thought about the theif on the cross. Being a theif he had to have had victims--he stole from someone, he took things that did not belong to him. Things that the victims probably cherished and needed. But right there when his victims were probably saying "he's getting what he desires "--Jesus granted a place in paradise.  What mercy and grace.

God IS with Us

The evidence—the proving of the statement “God is with Us”. Look no further; the proof is there-- where ever you are. It is you he saved from a crash in which all the cars were totally destroyed; it is you that got a promotion for which you were not qualified; it is you who sat quiet and calm when everyone was in an uproar; it is you who suddenly decided to turn left when you should have turned right, and later learned of an accident/road block etc. Why the urging, why the quick change of mind, why the peace? Why for you, and for me---because God IS with us.

He's the Lifter of My Head

These words stuck in my mind this morning as I was thanking God for the many things he do for me. As my mind pondered the statement, I recalled a picture I saw on the back of a paper fan that could be found in a vast number of churches. It was a picture of Jesus sitting with children looking up at him. It was as if his presence had drawn their attention towards him. He lifts our head by lifting our attention away from the world and all the things that cause us to lose focus. His presence causes us to look away from the distractions and to look unto him. Thank God for allowing me time each day to be in his presence.

REST

Sitting out on the porch this morning was rewarding. There weren't any profound message, no inner wittiness when I read the Bible. Only one word resonated in my heart this morning --REST. So I stayed awhile and just rested in the truth that I song as a child---He's got the whole world in his hands.

God chose you

What a comforting thought, God chose you, before the foundation of the world. So it doesn't matter if you were the last one chosen to take your place on a team (or the leader of the group), felt rejected because others did not think you measured up (or if you were one of the others that felt that way about someone), just remember God Chose You. He chose you before you cried your first tear, before your first failure or success, before your first pain or even before your parents were allowed to hear your heart beat for the first time-----God chose you.

            Blessed Assurance

What Peace We Forfeit.

This verse in the old hymn came to mind this morning as I pondered the many issues of the day (mines, yours and even the world). “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pains we bare, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”. I grew up believing that if we had a problem we could take it to the Lord and receive the assurance that he could and would handle it--- yes that is true. But as I thought on this, I realize this morning that if we carried it to him before we made the decisions (marriage, children, jobs, money, ministry, eating, sleeping: everything); the peace would not have been forfeit. By not consulting our father in everything , we surrender the peace we could experience in everything.

In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6