I Am So Very Thankful

I will give You thanks with all my heart;I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. Psalm 138:1

Today marks the end of a 'school calendar year' of praying with the Moms in Prayer group I am a part of. At the end of each year it is very exciting because we have a 'Thanksgiving celebration' to give thanks once again to many answers to prayer during the year. Our group consists of college/career/and military moms.

To be thankful for things helps you stay focused on the positive things of life. God does care and it is a comfort to go to Him with prayer and thanksgiving. Complaining and being ungrateful comes easy and usually drags other people down besides the one doing it. If you have trouble being thankful stop a moment and just sit with a pen and paper or your computer and make a list of all the things you are grateful for. I have a blessing jar at home where each day I put one thing I am thankful for or blessed because of.

No matter what is going on in your life,keep praising Jesus through the storms as one day you will indeed see the sunshine.

PRAYER: At times I have forgotten to get up and say thanks for another day of life and another day to try to be a blessing in this world. Forgive me Lord for not being more thankful. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of Thanksgiving:
http://youtu.be/xtxmSAqMtDA

For more info on Moms in Prayer go to www.momsinprayer.org

Coffee Time

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Recently when I was at one of my favorite local writing caves(coffee shops) which just happens to be Christian, the tune 'Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing' was coming over the PA system. What a joy to hear that song and to really soak in the true meaning of what this song was saying. 

Here I was having time to write when many people had no choice but to go to work. Yes I felt blessed indeed. Not to say that work is not a blessing because God has each of us where we are to serve Him and to hopefully do it joyfully. Take time and do this exercise today. Make a list of your blessings. Food, clothing, shelter, friends, money, a Bible to read, freedom, good health, family, mobility, vision,hearing, and on the list goes. Each person is unique so the lists would be different. 

When you tend to want to complain about your 'lot' in life stop and count your blessings naming them one by one. Then indeed you will see what the Lord has done. 

PRAYER: Lord I do indeed thank and praise you for how you watch over me and have me right where you want me. Forgive me for ever complaining or comparing myself to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Got Friends?

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.Proverbs 18:24

Friends are extremely important to me. In my 30 years moving around with the United States Army many of our fellow military and civilian friends have become like a second family to us. We have shared holiday meals and done many things together. I am blessed with a very  large Christmas card list. There have been losses of friends though too, some to early death and some who just were tired of being my friend. Those hurt.

If you have ever been jilted by a dear friend it is very painful and confusing. Nothing you can say or do matters so it is best to let it go and shake the dust off your feet so to speak. Concentrate on the friends who do appreciate you with all the quirks that come with you. Don't force anyone to like you. Only God can change a heart. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the blessing of friendship. Thank you for the way. You have brought people into my life and the lessons I learned from those who "unfriended" me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY OTHERS

When you love someone you are happy for them and rejoice with them when good things happen in their life. You are not jealous of them if they get ahead, are honored, lose lots of weight , publish a book, get promoted, are voted queen, or win a race. It is tempting to feel envious of people who are succeeding when you may not be. God has a plan and purpose for everyone's life. Are you able to praise a friend who has had something good happen to them or do you get jealous?

Lately in the US government there is a move afoot to make people "without" envy those who “have“. They are calling it "income inequality". All this attempts to do is divide the classes of people and create envy. The more people hear this they start wanting other peoples things and their money, even if they did not work to earn it.

The Bible tells us in Exodus 20:17(NIV) that 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." That is simply put and easily understood. Be glad for what you have and thank the Lord for it. If you are reading this in the United States of America, no matter what your income level, you are rich compared to the rest of the world. It is time to rejoice and be glad and not glorify Satan by complaining and being jealous of others.

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for the material blessings I have in my life Lord. Every time I start to want more or feel envy help me stop and thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Do you ever sit and be still and ponder all that the Lord has done for you? If not in this year of new beginnings why not try that.  Psalm 68:19(KJV) says 'Blessed be the Lord thy God who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.' The Lord is the creator of this magnificent world. He is still on the throne even when chaos or doom seems to be around us. He has given us food to eat, sunshine to stay warm and light the day. He has provided life and breath.

Psalm 103:1(KJV) reminds us to bless Him. 'Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me. Bless His Holy name.'  2 Corinthians 9:15(GNT) says 'Let us thank God for His priceless gift.'

Do you find yourself complaining instead of praising?  Are you ungrateful for the many blessings in your life? Do you always seem to want more and not content with what you are blessed with? Psalm 37:1(KJV) says 'I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.' Is God's praise continually in your mouth? Are you able to praise Him even in hard times?

Hebrews 13:5(NIV) is a good verse to conclude with. 'Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you not forsake you."'

What is keeping you from praising God today?

PRAYER:Thank you for the things you have done for me Lord, and blessed me with in my life. At times I have acted like a spoiled child so please forgive me. I choose to praise you and not give the enemy a foothold. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BLESSINGS OF GROWING OLDER

 So many people seem to dread birthdays. Those days that send you over 30, over 40, over 50, over 60 and so on. Each and every day is a gift from our creator.

Seems like the "growing younger" market is thriving. People striving to regain or recapture youth. I am not condemning this as I have done it too. There are commercials touting a miracle cream to take away spots and wrinkles modeled on television by a "twenty something" girl who will not see this occur for years. Why not embrace where God has you in life and look for ways to prosper and grow right where you are? Stop thinking you are too old for trying new things. You should want to keep working for the Lord and seeking to do things for his kingdom and making an impact in the world. It is good though to keep "God's temple", your body, in shape to be able to enjoy the years He gives you though.

Job 12:12 tells us 'Wisdom is with aged men and with long life is understanding.' I don't know about you but I kind of like having advanced wisdom. Older people can sort of get left behind and sadly made the butt of jokes but we are to love, honor,and respect them. You can indeed learn lots from those who have "gone before you".

2 Corinthians 4:16 is a superb verse of hope and cheer. It says 'Therefore we do not lose heart, for though our outer man is perishing, our inner man is being renewed day by day.'

Embrace where you are in life. Do not succumb to depression because you have another birthday but celebrate another day to live for Jesus and make an impact in this world.

PRAYER: I am so thankful Lord for each and every day of life you have given me. Forgive me if I start thinking I am washed up. I know at any age there is always hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dedicated to our firstborn son Matthew Miller who celebrates his 31st birthday today.

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

Several years ago a close friend of mine gave me a button which said "Too blessed to be Stressed"! Think about that phrase for just a moment. If you are reading this from the United States you probably truly are extremely blessed beyond measure. Even people in poverty in the U.S. often are much better off than those in Third World nations.

Stop for a moment and list the blessings in your life. Write them down. Things like food, clothing, freedom to worship, freedom in general, friends, great marriage, family that loves me,car to drive, bike to ride, ability to walk,great healthcare, and on the list will go. It is in fact true,I for one am "too blessed to be stressed".

Yet sometimes we find ourselves caving into fear,worry,cares of this world and we start to get "stressed out". Why do we allow ourselves to do this when we know we have a loving God who wants us to give Him our cares? Perhaps we are not focused on God and His goodness like we should be.

Psalm 34:1(NIV) says 'I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be on my mouth'. When you take time to praise Jesus and thank Him for your blessings you will have very little time to be down in the dumps. Why not try it today?

PRAYER: You are so wonderful Lord. Your blessings are new every single morning. You are so wonderful to me. I thank you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BEWARE! WORDS HAVE POWER!

Is your mouth full of blessing or cursing? If you are a parent of a child make sure your words are building them up and not tearing them down. Husbands need to be careful to treat the "wife of their youth" with the highest honor she is deserving of not speaking to her harshly as she is a gift from God. May you never utter angry hateful words to a spouse or anyone else. Remember mean talk does not come from God. If people could control the words they speak there would be lots of lawyers out of work. Get control of that mouth and the words you say.

Before you speak think how it will affect the person on the receiving end. If what you have to say is unkind then better to not say it. James 3:10(NIV) says 'Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Brothers and sisters this should not be.'

If only believers would get serious about their speech. James 1:26(NIV) says 'Those who consider themselves religious but yet do not keep a tight reign on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion is worthless.' We are told in Proverbs 4:23 to "guard our heart for out of it flow the issues of life."

 

Would you rather be around a man or woman of pure speech or one who curses and takes the Lord's name in vain? We are not perfect and God forgives but sometimes I think the modern culture encourages swearing by things in the movies or on television. The "F" word becomes so common place it almost seems acceptable which is scary and sad. Would you talk ugly if you were speaking to our Lord? Of course not!

Ephesians 4:29(NIV) says 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Start today trying to be aware of your words and how they affect people. Ask God to help you if you are weak in this area. May the words you say be praises to our God above.

PRAYER: Lord I want my words to bring forth good feelings and praise and not hurt someone. If I have said something inappropriate I ask forgiveness. I choose to start today to let only good things come forth from my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and listen to a wonderful praise song to get your Monday started right:

http://youtu.be/d0Qx1e33Ook

SALVATION ARMY BELLS

 

This time of year, if your community is still blessed, and atheists have not tried to stop it, one of the best Christian charities around and their familiar bell ringers, are in front of some stores such as Wal Mart, ringing their familiar bells and taking donations up in their familiar red kettles. I admire the ones who have to stand out in very cold places up north, such as in my recent trip to the windy city, Chicago, and one enthusiastic ringer had two bells really going at it probably to stay warm.

I look forward to seeing Salvation Army out there and being able to give to them. Some places in recent years banned them, which indeed is sad. This organization does one of the most worthy things during Christmas and year round.

Speaking of bells, I am the unfortunate sufferer of noise in my ears otherwise know as tinnitus. It can really drive me nuts if I let it. Sometimes it is a buzzing, a humming, a roar, sometimes it sounds like crickets but this past week, oddly enough, it has reminded me of Salvaton Army bells. I found this humorous in a way. I am very thankful to God that I can hear this buzzing and ringing as if I were totally deaf there would be no sound at all. On the particular day I heard that rhythmic bell ringing in my head it just made me smile. I said, 'do I dare use this in a devotion or will someone send men in little white suits to come pick me up and take me away?' It is a good illustration of the gifts of God to us and being able to help others so I said, 'why not!' 

Do you like to give or do you just do it out of obligation? Giving should be a fun thing and not because we feel at Christmas we "have to do it" or what if I give and it makes someone feel bad since they did not give back to me. The point is, we give because we love and some people have the gift of giving. If you receive a gift from someone and do not have something for them, do not despair. That person, in the spirit of Christmas, wanted to bless you so leave it at that. It is a joy to give but equally a joy to be a cheerful receiver. Do not feel bad if you are empty handed. 

Enjoy this Christmas season but try to let the spirit of Christmas go on throughout the year. Find ways to be kind to people and bless them. It does not have to cost you any money.  Give a smile. Open a door for someone. Do little act of kindness. Be polite. Be creative. Do not let Christmas stress you out because that was never Jesus' intent do you get so frazzled that you hate to see this day roll around each year. Be thankful for family, friends and what God haas given to you. All that we have is from God anyway. 

Luke 6:38(NIV) says 'Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,will be put in your lap. And the measure you use it will be measured back to you.'  I heard a story on the radio recently about a young 7 year old boy who when asked what he wanted for Christmas simply said for his family to give the money to missionaries instead of buying him gifts. Now that indeed is an unselfish giving spirit. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for all your gifts to me. I thank you for Christmas as it is a reminder of our giving to you and to others. Forgive me if I let the worlds'  way of celebrating take away from the real meaning of this special day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BE NICE TO EVERYONE

Can you turn away when insulted or hurt or do you feel like getting back and getting the last word? Are there people you feel you can not love or who you do not feel like praying for? Some of these people may be complete strangers such as evil people in our world such as dictators or tyrants. They make you mad and you can not find it within you to lift them up in prayer.The Bible does command us to overcome evil with good(Romans 12:21 ) and to pray for our enemies(Matthew 5:44).

Do you ever catch yourself thinking bad of someone or judging them when in fact you need to remember they were created by God too and all of us have our faults? In one of my devotions awhile back I mentioned trying this little experiment. When you feel like being critical of someone first ask why you are doing that? Next give them over to the Lord. Third,  say to yourself as you pass people "I love you and I love you and I love you." We have no idea what people are going through anyway. Stop that critical spirit.

Romans 12:14-15 says to "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." So yes, even if a person has hurt you, it is necessary to keep praying for them. Proverbs 24:17 is a good scripture to end on and it says "Do not gloat when your enemy falls. When they stumble do not let your heart rejoice."

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus sometimes it is hard to get along with different personalities but. You command us to love one another. Help me Lord as I seek to love like you love. In Jesus name. Amen.

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

A few days ago on WAY FM Christian radio the morning DJ's were discussing the Third  World nations and mission trips. They had said how once you go to a Third World nation on a mission trip your life is changed by what you saw and you become more grateful for what you have in your life. They referred to our minor problems as 'First World Problems'. I got to thinking about that and even though I have never been on a mission trip I am indeed grateful for many things. I am sure if I ever am blessed to get to go on one I will be even more appreciative of my blessings.

Later after I heard them discussing this I was at my local car dealer getting my car serviced when a gentleman in the waiting room struck up a conversation with me. A commercial came on TV for a Stryker knee and I nonchalantly made a comment I was glad I did not have a fake knee. He said "I have a fake leg" and proceeded to pull up his pant leg displaying a prosthesis decorated with Alabama memorabilia. It was then I felt very 'little' and ashamed of my comment. I apologized. He said not to worry. This got us in to talking about being grateful. It is funny how the Lord opens doors to chat with strangers.

 Do you ever stop and think of the many things you have to be thankful for? Even a poor person in the United States would be extremely blessed if compared to a resident of a Third World nation. Most of us have a place to sleep at night. Nearly all of us can have access to medical care. We are blessed with clean running water and flush toilets. Most Americans not living where there are subways own a car or truck or perhaps a motorcycle or bicycle. But even if we have no transportation we have shoes on our feet so we can walk places without damaging our feet.  There is food to eat and we do not have flies landing on us or any open sores to get infected by disease. We are blessed to have vaccines to help prevent life threatening illnesses. I could go on but you get the point.

 What are you thankful for today? Your friends, your family, a job, good health? Psalm 107:1 reminds us to "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good His love endures forever." Will it take a visit to a poverty disease ridden Third World country to make you sing  out your praises to God? In the big scheme of things our minor inconveniences and complaints are nothing compared to what the individuals in far off lands go through on a regular basis. Our creature comforts are something they could not even imagine.

Start today waking up grateful for a mattress you slept on, a roof over your head, a car to take you places, a shower, money for gasoline, food to eat,friends to hang out with, employment, a family, clean water to drink and so much more. God is good!! Could you or would you still bless Him without all these things?  Philippians 4:11 says " I have learned whatever state I am into be content." 1 Timothy 6:8 says "But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that."

 We all probably know the story of Job and how he literally lost everything then later it was restored. Job 1:21 says "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart .The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for each day of life and good health and each blessing in my life. Forgive me when I have complained about where I live, the food I have to eat, the traffic jams, the lines at a store or bank and so much more. In the big scheme of things life is pretty good. For that Lord I give you thanks and praise. In Jesus name. Amen

GOD BLESS AMERICA...HOPE SO!

We in America are at a unique crossroads between liberty and tyranny. We have been blessed and given  freedoms from God,which our government, who works for us by the way, is trying to take away. Many have been lied to and deceived or because of endearment to their parents political party, even though naming the name of Jesus, can not see domination of the people right on our doorstep. It is happening in a very subtle way. Destroy the economy, make people dependent on the government, de-fund the finest military in the world and therefore lose the ability to wage war, allow Muslim extremists special rights and you have a mixture for disaster. Many feel we need to tolerate each other, don't pray if it offends others, and give away our money to those too lazy to work. They call it a nice word, 'fair' to make it seem alright. Tomorrow I will write about work it today I am writing to say we need to wake up. God is giving us another chance.

This is not about a person or a political party but is about Spiritual Warfare. Wouldn't the enemy, Satan, just love tearing apart the most free and God fearing country on earth? The answer is yes and he is in the process of attempting that right now. Satan and  his warfare are subtle and deceptive and that is why we need to be constantly on guard. Do not be so in love with a particular political party that if they go against God's word you do not run the other way.


1 Corinthians 16:3 says "Be on your guard. Stand firm in your faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." Further  in 1 Peter 5:8 it reminds us "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Satan is deceptive. He is not going to appear with a red suit, horns, and pitchfork but will work through those he has captured and lied to to trick more people. He hates prayer and the name of Jesus, I can assure you. He would like nothing better to get rid of everything Christian from our great land. Do not be mad at those working on his side but lift them up in  prayer.

I have something on my refrigerator at home from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC which reads "First they came for the Socialists but I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a  Jew; Then they came for me and there was no one let to speak for me." Writing by Pastor Martin Niemoller.

Basically this is telling us to stop taking freedom for granted or feeling someone is a bit extreme thinking free speech is really threatened just because we have a Constitution and things such as that. Evil will not follow the rule book or the Constitution but it will steam roll and take over and only God  will be able to save us. The enemy likes it when folks do not take threats to our liberties seriously. He is a divider,liar and destroyer. It says that in John 10:10 "The thief does not come but to kill, steal, and destroy. I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly."

Galatians 5:1 says "it is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be entangled again in a yoke of bondage." 2nd Corinthians 3:17 reminds us "Now the Lord is a spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom." I do not think it makes God happy when dictators act like God and lord over their people. God did not intend that. We have a Constitution and Bill of Rights that gives us freedoms too if only they are adhered to. Many are ignored by our current administration. The founding fathers intended for government to be limited and to answer to the people, not become bullies trying to dominate and divide us. But we skeptics in America have had it way too good and often do not even read our Bibles and pray. The creature comforts we enjoy often lure us away from God. We listen to people more than we do the voice of God our Saviour. We tune into the TV more than tuning into the voice of God. This is sad indeed. It says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that "If my people who are called my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land."

Are you willing to do that today? Can you really truly get serious about God and thank Him for the wonderful freedoms we enjoy? Loving Jesus is not saved just for Sunday. To be victorious you need to be connected to Him around the clock. This nation can be saved. It is not too late.

God Bless an America whose Government says marriage is just not between a man and woman and says it is okay to kill innocent unborn babies in the name of choice? Hmm. Blessings or cursing?

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. The people he has called to His inheritance."

PRAYER: Lord I love freedom and I hate the enemy and how he is trying to trick people in order to destroy our wonderful nation. People buy into lies and then start trying to remove your name from our world. Lord Jesus I thank you that you are still in charge and on the throne. No mere man or government is greater than you. Thank you for saving us and protecting us and blessing us with freedom. Forgive me for not speaking up when liberty is threatened. In Jesus name. Amen.


Click on link for awesome song of praise.
http://youtu.be/KudssJKRBB0

PROSPERITY, PEACE, PROTECTION:HOW LONG WILL WE HAVE THEM?

Right now in this wonderful nation we enjoy an immense amount of blessing like no other country in the world. We are in a spiritual warfare battle now where I feel the enemy is trying to take this great nation out. Many have become complacent and seem to not think we could 'fall' and lose the blessings of God.
In my lifetime I have seen the end of prayer in the classroom, the taking down of the Ten Commandments, the confusion and misinterpretation of separation of church and state, the killing of babies being legalized and encouraged  by our own government, and most recently trying to say the homosexual lifestyle is perfectly okay.  If we continue to change what is the definition of right and wrong to suit our own political and social needs God will remove the blessings of peace, prosperity and protection from us we currently enjoy. We are not just in a  physical fight but in a spiritual battle  as well as I mentioned above.

Psalm 33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance". Our nation has been turning its' back on God. Romans 1:18-32 gives a warning of what will occur when we allow this to happen. Take a moment and read it.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." The enemy, Satan, does not like anything where the name of Jesus is lifted up. This nation was indeed founded upon God but little by little Christian values are being eroded and citizens are believing lies planted in their head about the history of this great land.

We have a chance to save this great nation and the religious freedoms we had from it's founding. Even the church state thing was misinterpreted and to this day is still being used against the church. It was meant to protect the church from the government intrusion. The enemy is coy and sly. The more you hear things they more you are convinced they are true.

It is time for Americans to get on their knees and cry out to God to save this land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 clearly states "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Commit that verse to memory and think about what it is saying. Humbling yourself could be fasting. Many churches in the month of January nationwide are in a fasting movement. In that verse it says to 'turn from your wicked ways". First people have to realize what they are doing is wicked as many are fooled by the enemy. Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

We need to commit to pray for leaders eyes to be opened to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to pray for those believing lies to be set free from the veil of darkness. People are in spiritual darkness. No nor knows day or hour of when Jesus will return. This has been a favored nation. All of us need to be on our knees praying and take this seriously. Look around you. Wake up. It is not a good thing when people start changing the Bible to justify sin. Ignoring God and kicking him out of life by taking meaningless oaths on a Bible is totally wrong and deceitful. It is time to get serious about following God's word and keeping this nation free and enjoying liberties only God can provide.
PRAYER: Father we yearn to be a Holy nation again. Many have turned to their own ways. Help those in leadership in our government put God truly first. Remove those from office who will not acknowledge you or who take false oaths. We look for Godly men and women who truly look to you for guidance. Help us be alert to  liars and deceivers out there. Let us ears to hear. Wake  people up. Help us listen to your voice Lord. In Jesus name.Amen. 

Note: Click on link below and enjoy a song to go along with this devotion.
http://youtu.be/13yY9sXFKB8

BLESS OTHERS

Several years ago I commented on a co workers'  big beautiful red apple that was in their lunch box as a few of us gathered at Ft Knox to eat lunch. This person says to me, "Here take it!" I said" I can not take that, it is yours." The person replies "if you do not take this you are denying me a blessing." I have never forgotten that.

When you share what God has blessed you with you are truly blessing the other person. Everything we have is from Him anyway. James 1:17 says "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." In Luke 6:38 it says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Do you have food you could share with someone hungry? Does a friend need to borrow a car and you have a spare? Some people are blessed with an 'extra vehicle'. Perhaps you own a camera and a friend does not so you loan yours to them to use for a special event. Do you have lots of coats in your closet and you know someone who needs one? Why not share? Don't be stingy. All this belongs to God. He is the one who has blessed us with the ability to gain wealth. We are only stewards of it here on earth. Maybe you have a extra sofa you are not using in your garage that is in good shape and someone needs one. Consider donating it and 'blessing' them. Once you start loaning things or giving things away it makes you feel good. 

I just love 'Extreme Home Makeover' on TV where a family, in some sort of need, is given a brand new mortgage free home usually donated by a local builder. The recipients are crying and shouting "oh my gosh" after  the crowd shouts "move that bus!" to reveal the finished product. A brand new home  would be a fantastic blessing  for a family!

Sometimes human nature makes it hard to part with our 'stuff' especially if it is of high monetary value. God's nature says to share. Here in the Madison County, Alabama a local Christian radio station, WAY Fm, has something they call 'The Drive Thru Difference' where you pay for the car behind you at the drive thru and hand the clerk a note, unsigned, that says " I just paid for you no strings attached just because",  or something to that effect.  The person who receives this may be having a horrible day and God spoke to you maybe and said "why not pay for that guy behind you?"  How cool is that to be able to bless that way and to get that blessing?

Proverbs 19:17 says " He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."  The person may not be literally poor but have a need at the time that you are able to meet.  Don't hoard your blessings and don't just give old worn out stuff you would not want. A church youth group out in Arizona  was having a lock in one night and was told to bring canned goods for the local food shelter. Some teens brought things they did not like from home such as succotash, creamed corn, canned tomatoes, and other items. What happened, I was told, is that it was time to eat and as a teaching point whatever the young person had brought to donate, they ate that night. So those with cans of beef stew, good soup, tuna, and other good things were okay but the succotash was not a real treat. The point was learned by the teens that evening I would venture to say.

Are you able to bless someone? What is stopping you? You never know how your kindness will affect someones life.

PRAYER: Lord help me find ways to be a blessing to those people in my life and to strangers as well. Give me a generous and content spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

Do you have what you need in life to be comfortable? Most of us living in the United States do. We are truly a blessed nation. Even the poorest family here is better off than some in Third World countries. God has blessed us because we have honored and kept him first in this country. God does not call us to just sit around in a big cushy chair though. He wants us to get in the trenches and help others.

James 1:17 says "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Psalm 136:7 says "who made the great lights--His love endures forever" God made all things. The sun, the moon, the stars, the rivers and streams, the oceans, the mountains, the trees, the flowers, the chirping birds, water to drink, air to breathe. He is the creator of it all! We have much to give thanks for!

Matthew 7:11 says "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
John 3:27 says "To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." God is the giver or all things. In God dwells no bad thing. Certain people like to blame God for bad things that happen. God does not cause bad things but he can redeem them.

Some people may be overly blessed with an abundance of riches and as long as they do not worship those and keep God first that is okay. Isaiah 55:2 says "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Matthew 16:26 says "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Just do not forget God if you start climbing the ladder of success. Deuteronomy 8:18 says "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

Psalm 68:19-20 says "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. He that is our God is the God of salvation, and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death." I heard once of a prisoner of war who was saying if you had a doorknob on the other side of the door you had much to give thanks for. Think about that one. A door knob. You can open the door and leave and be free to roam about. A prisoner can not. Some people in other countries do not enjoy the blessings of the freedoms we currently do. Give God thanks each day when you wake up for the freedoms we enjoy in America. Evil forces are trying to take many of them away.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.  Do not start your day without saying something like "Lord I thank you for another day. I thank you for my health, my family, my friends and the material blessings you have showered upon me."

Lamentations 3:22-23 says "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lord you are good and your mercies do truly endure forever. Thank you Lord!

PRAYER: Father may I never take for granted the gifts you have given to me. Thank you for where you have placed me in life and thank you for just the gift of my family and my friends. Truly relationships are key to being fulfilled. But the best relationship and best gift is you Lord. Help me never to forget to wake up daily and give thanks. Shine your light through me and use me to help spread your love. In Jesus Name, Amen!.

Note: Click on link to listen to a wonderful praise song by Christian artist Matt Redman

http://youtu.be/7Qp11X6LKYY