TAKEN FOR GRANTED

Have you ever felt used or taken for granted? When you take a spouse for granted you could start to not doing continual nice loving things for them. You could take your mobility for granted and one day be in an accident or get arthritis and become unable to move. We could take our Bibles for granted and one day be told by our government they are being confiscated. Some foreign readers may be in countries where Christianity is grounds for death or imprisonment.

Sometimes we may take being a Christian for granted. We are a "Christian in name only". That is all fine and good to say you love the Lord and live for Him but do you really truly? Perhaps you were raised in a home that went to church, Vacation Bible school, got baptized, and all the right things. Somehow though you have lost your zeal or desire to spend time with God. Things of this world captivated you and took you away from Him. You may say, "Sunday is my only day to have fun and get things done" and I do understand that as many professions that is so very true. Many even have to work on Sunday. But on the days you are home do you desire to sit down and have quiet time alone with the Lord or do other things become more important? Only you can answer this. 

Our time on this Earth is so temporary in the big scheme of things. A hundred years from this day no one will even remember our name unless we are famous. Life is so fleeting. What are you doing to be closer to the Lord?

Joshua 24:15( NIV) says 'But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you choose for yourselves this day who you will serve whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.'

Who or what is your god?

PRAYER: Today Lord I need to say I am sorry for times I have allowed this world and it's enticements to become more important than you. I know you want me to want to spend time with you daily. I choose to not allow the world to force me to ignore you anymore. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for an awesome praise song to start your weekend.

http://youtu.be/LuvfMDhTyMA

JESUS...NOT JUST FOR EASTER!

What a joyous day this is for Christians everywhere!! This day is one
of my favorite. I have many happy memories of celebrating Easter. It
is not about egg hunts, pretty clothes, and crowded churches. It is
about a man who came so that we might have life and died a horrible
death on a cross for what? So we could ignore Him for 364 days and
come to church one day a year? So we could do our own thing and
disregard what scriptures say? So we could only cry out to Him in our
desperation? No matter what we have done or how we have treated or
mistreated Him, he is forgiving and wants you to come to Him and accept
Him into your heart. How many humans do you know who could be treated like Jesus was and just turn the other cheek? Not very many probably.

If we name the name of Jesus we are to try to follow in His footsteps and be Christlike and holy. Many times we get caught up in what is popular in the "world" and sort of leave Jesus out of the equation. This is what is happening in America today. Too many of us are complacent about our walk with Him and compromise so many things. Sin is still sin. The Bible has not changed. Hebrews 13:5(NIV) says 'Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.' Proverbs 18:10(ESV) says 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous man run into it and are safe.'

The busier we become the less time we have for things that matter. One of our priorities as a believer should be saturating ourselves in Bible teaching. How do you expect to win the battle against Satan unless you are properly "armed" with the promises in the Bible?

Why not try to get excited about Jesus on all the days of the week? He should be first place in a believers life. What do you need to do to make the feeling of Easter last throughout the year?

PRAYER: Lord I confess that at times I have not studied your word enough and may be tricked, deceived, or sucked into one of the schemes of the enemy, Satan. I purpose in my heart to put you and your word first. I know Satan will throw things in my path to distract me but help me resist and run the race to win! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a powerful worship song:
http://youtu.be/X_2qG22SPwU

SUPER SUNDAY!!

This is the day of the infamous Super Bowl long awaited by those of us
who are not football fans but love the funny commercials. Some
churches have chili cook offs and get out the big screen to celebrate
this big game. It is Super Bowl Sunday! Many people get so caught up
and excited about anything to do with football, but then this is the
Big One and it is big party time.

Every Sunday should be SUPER SUNDAY don't you think? People seem to
get so excited about the big game. Can you imagine getting that
excited about going to church each Sunday? Wouldn't that be great
instead of treating it like it is the thing you " have to do" and some
sort of obligation to check off your list to make you a complete
person?

Many non denominational churches,of which I have been a part, often

raise their hands in praise and song during the worship time before
the pastor or priest speaks. It is an awesome time of praise and
lifting up your hands in praise to the Lord. How do you think we will
act when Jesus comes back or if He were right in the room speaking?
Would we do "the wave" to honor and cheer Jesus? The Bible tells us in
Mark 8:38( NIV) to not be ashamed of Jesus. It reads ''If anyone is
ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation
the Son of man will be ashamed of them when He comes back in His
Father's glory with His Holy angels.' I do not know about you but I
find that every exciting.

Do you love Jesus? Is He SUPER to you. He is King of kings and Lord of
lords. He is the first and the last. He reigns forever more. He is not
just historical figure. He is something to be excited about. He loves
you with an everlasting love. He is often treated so poorly by
thousands of people who disregard His word in the Bible. He is mocked
in movies and on TV shows and even in the nightly news or on Sports
shows. Those players, such as New York Jets Tim Tebow, who choose to
be bold in their faith get made fun of. Stand strong is all I can say
to Tim and others like Him.

When you get a moment listen to the two things I have included below
and see if you do not get more excited about Jesus and loving Him
unashamedly. He is SUPER all the time so let's give Him the praise!

Psalm 30:4(NIV) says 'Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his
holy name.' Enjoy the day!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for your magnificence and your power.
Forgive me if I have ever ignored you or hurt you by breaking your
commandments. Lord this day and every day I choose to walk in the
truth and be a light for you and a witness wherever I go even if it is
at a Super Bowl party. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below...Do you know Him?

http://youtu.be/jaVyGsno-OE

Praise God in song by clicking this link below as well:
http://youtu.be/panB7lHCIzY

 

DELIGHTED

 What is delight? It is pure joy in my own definition. I felt great delight a few days ago as I watched my younger son get married to his soul mate and best friend who is also a beautiful  young lady inside and out. It gave me great delight and just tremendous pleasure to see them be joined as man and wife. I was DELIGHTED to say the least!

What brings you delight? On your list of things that are delightful is your love for Jesus one of them? Webster's dictionary defines delightful as 'greatly pleasing'.  Does the Lord please you?
Psalm 37:4 reminds us "Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Do you find delight in God and His word or do you find Him boring? Do you do church things but really have no quality time to sit alone and get into the word of God? You can be in church on all sorts of committees, teaching classes, and doing service projects, but do you delight in Jesus? Something to think about.

When you are delighted by someone you want to give them your time. They excite you and bring you joy. This is hopefully how you feel about Jesus. Maybe it is time to reexamine your heart and see if God has first place in your heart.

Psalm 1:1-2 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way with sinners, or sit in the seat of mockery, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates both day and night."

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I am delighted in you and want to stay delighted. The world can throw stumbling blocks my way to get me to stray from the path of righteousness you want me to stay on. I choose to be delighted in your word and grow in the knowledge of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.

STAY DELIGHTED

What delights you? Your girlfriend or boyfriend? Your spouse or fiancee?

The definition of delight is great enjoyment or pleasure. Things can delight, events, or even people can bring immense joy. But what about Jesus? Does He bring any delight when his name comes to mind or do you just yawn and say "Don't go getting religious on me now"?
What things in your life are truly important to you? Maybe a nap or good night's sleep is up there on the list after a long hard day. Maybe it is a hobby, television, movies, or playing a certain sport. Do maybe naps, hobbies, work, and friends bring you more joy than Jesus?

We are not supposed to place anything above God as sometimes we could end up almost worshipping that person or thing. Take a celebrity or rock star for instance. Perhaps you are fortunate enough to have attended a concert of a famous singer and all the people in the audience are screaming and sometimes almost feinting depending on who is on stage. Do you get that excited about Jesus or are you ashamed to praise Him with your hands lifted high in the air.

Maybe the problem is that you are 'religious' but never really asked Jesus into your heart and you do not really pray to him or think about Him much until Sunday rolls around and sometimes not even then.

In the Old Testament in Exodus 20:3 it reminds us "You shall have no other God's before me." In Exodus 15:11 it says " Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"  Meditate on that for awhile. He works wonders, he raises the dead, he heals, he sets free, he is the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth!
Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Maybe what you need is a fresh start with God. Perhaps you were turned off by legalistic churches which talked about more of what you could not do rather than God's love, forgiveness and grace. Maybe church seemed too formal and you felt you did not have the right clothes to attend. Maybe you felt judgmental eyes staring at you or the message was so formal you could not understand it. 
 Perhaps it is time to reexamine your life and start a new church that is alive for Christ and will love you no matter what you wear or what you have done. For some it is hard because you say "Well my mama went there, I was baptized here as a baby or youth, my family has always gone here" and on the excuses go. You do not get into heaven on your grandmothers' coattails or because of a certain church membership or denomination.

So where is your heart today? Do you love Jesus with all your heart? Do you want to live for Him and start delighting in Him? Today, right where you are say "Lord Jesus I want you to come live in my heart. I know I am a sinner saved by grace. I want to live for you and serve you."

You can start today renewing your excitement for Jesus and truly put Him  first or you can keep putting it off. Job 22:26 says "Surely you will find delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.". Why not turn  off your TV and turn onto Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord I want my delight to always be in you. I confess at times other things have taken first place. I want to change that now Lord and let you live in me as I seek to be more Christlike. In Jesus name. Amen.

KEEP LOOKING UP

Some days it is just hard to stay focused and positive. You start out with good intentions then something happens to throw you off your game, so to speak. So how do you react when things do not go as planned? Do you worry, fret, pace the floor, or do you think to actually give the situation to God and say "Hey Lord I need you in good times and not so good times." Does praying come to mind? The Lord wants to 'talk' to you daily by you coming to Him in prayer. Don't just wait until there is a crisis but call out to Him each and every day. Jeremiah 33:3 is often referred to as 'God's telephone number' and it simply says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.". Do you 'look up' to the heavenly father and call out to Him in prayer? Seek his face, seek his face continually.

Looking up is a good thing. Look to the heavens. There was a cute Jody call in the Army we sang while running in formation and one verse went "What's the use of looking down, Ain't no discharge on the ground.Am I right or wrong? You're right! Correct me if I'm wrong. you're right!" When you look down you will trip and fall or walk into something .Keep your eyes focused above.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Just keep focused on the prize, the goal, of knowing Jesus better!

It is so easy to get caught up in things we have no control over and Satan would love it if you would waste valuable time pondering and fretting. Let Jesus have the wheel  and let Him be your guide. Call on Him today. Keep looking up  and let God control your life.

PRAYER: Father I thank you that you do not want me to bear my own burdens. You want me to call on you and give you my cares. I thank  you Lord for being in control of my life. Help me learn to trust you and seek your face. In Jesus Name. Amen .

Click on link to listen to 2 wonderful worship songs. Be blessed. Happy Friday!
http://youtu.be/-X4Q-yFB-NQ

http://youtu.be/iv68ruS6DVE

FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS

The Bible says  in Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' How many of us really do love Him this much? When you love your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or fiancee you want to be with them and spend time with them. You want to get to know them better. You can not stay away from them. You feel joy in their presence. Do you feel this way about the Lord? This same command is called the 11th commandment and is repeated in Deuteronomy 6:5.

Is Jesus first place in your life or just an afterthought or something you barely squeeze in? Do you want to get to know Him better through his word and fellowship? Did you love Him once but something happened and that love grew cold? Perhaps life got too busy and you decided you did not have time anymore to fit Him in your schedule. There were things you would rather do than sit down and read a devotion book or make time for worship on Saturday or Sunday. Even if you can not go to church there are good teachings on line or on a CD you can get.

Maybe 2012 is the time you need to make Jesus a priority in your life once again. He is waiting knocking on the door of your heart. Why not let Him come in? Revelation 3:20 says "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

PRAYER: Father I am sorry I have not shown love to you and wanted to read your word. I know I need to spend time with you to ward off the attacks of the enemy. I know you love me even when I ignore you like I have been. I want to make you my number one priority in 2012. Help any roadblocks keeping me from doing that move out of the way. In Jesus Name. Amen. 

Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/Da9zUx6VRdg

WHAT IS KEEPING YOU FROM JESUS?

Could you care less about the things of the Lord? You say you are 'born again' but yet there is no desire to do much of anything but live in a secular world by being a 'nice and good person'? What is the cure for this?

To grow in Christ and get to know Him you have to spend time in fellowship and the Bible. Many people do not want to go to church because they say it is either too religious, 'church people' are hypocrites, or the excuse "I am only off one day a week and I do not intend to waste that day in church". Ouch. That last one really hurts. I know what the people mean who say this but it is sad that they have not found a church that loves Jesus enough to get them excited about wanting to go and brings them the joy of the Lord.

Many non denominational churches even accommodate people by adding a Saturday night service. I do not think that a huge lightening bolt is going to strike you down if you decide to worship on Saturday night because it fits your schedule better. Many may be way too legalistic and feel that the only time to go to church is the standard hour of 11 in the morning on Sunday. And when they go, they sit in the same seat and you better not try to take that seat or look out!! What if a visitor comes in and sits there? The point is the 'Holy Huddle' mentality scares many away. Don't be so quick to judge because we do not know what is in a person's heart.

 For those of you out there who have moved allot and have been faced with looking for a church home it can, in fact, be very intimidating. Do not be afraid to go outside the denomination you are used to. Just make sure it is a Bible believing church. Sometimes it is not fun going into smaller churches where cliques may exist and your presence is more evident and no one comes up to say hi. In a huge church you blend in more. Several years ago our family  visited a church where on the sign outside  it said 'The Friendly Church' and do you know the only time anyone was friendly was when they were forced to get up and shake our hand. No kidding. This type of stuff is part of why some people want nothing to do with a church.

So how do we fix this problem? First the desire for the Lord and the commitment to make the Sabbath Day important has got to be there. This does not mean you have to spend the entire day in church but at least make the effort to have fellowship with other believers one day a week. Next when you hear a good message from the pastor, priest or rabbi it can give you something to think about during the week. Many churches encourage you to bring your Bibles and take notes. I personally find note taking an excellent way to be able to remember what you have been taught. If you were in a college or high school class and there was a lecture and you did not take notes how would you be able to be successful on the upcoming tests? Same thing applies with the message. Take some notes for it is there that you start to have the word go into your brain so to speak. If you can not attend at all perhaps get some good teaching CD's to listen to in order to keep your spirit fed.

Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." If you do not hunger for the things of the Lord ask God to help restore the excitement of Jesus to you. Perhaps you need to recommit your life to the Lord and make an effort to live a life pleasing to Him. Being a Christian is not boring. It is not drudgery. If you feel this way that is because you may not be in the right church or have not asked Jesus to be Lord of your life in the first place. That is the first order of business.

Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Romans 13:12 says "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." If you do not stay connected to the 'vine' which is Jesus Christ and stay in His word, The Bible, then eventually your fire will die out and you will whither away. The enemy loves it when people make excuses about not attending church. The more he can get you to stay home and go do something else the better his chances of getting you to believe a lie and putting out your 'spiritual fire'. Do you want this to happen?

Church alone does not guarantee you admission into heaven. In fact there are probably many in churches who will not go to heaven even though they think they are 'good'. It is more than being 'good'. Matthew 7:22 says "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?"  Mark 13:36 says "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping" referring to Jesus return. He is coming back. Are you ready to meet Him? When he says to you, "do you love me" how will you answer Him and how will you be able to prove it? Something to think about I would say.

Luke 21:34 says "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."  Revelation 3:16 should wake you up if no other verse does and it says "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth" Where is your heart today? Run to Jesus. He is waiting!

PRAYER: Lord God I have not always been faithful to stay in fellowship. Also I have neglected reading your word on a daily basis. Lead me to a church where the word of God is alive and being preached in an uncompromising way. Wake me up from my spiritual stupor and wake any of my family members up who are in this same stupor of not making you a priority in life. Help them love you with all their heart and want to serve you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link and prepare to worship the Lord.
http://youtu.be/iN_DMuahD5o

JESUS!! YAWN!

The title above,sad to say, is how many so called 'Christians' treat Jesus. They go to church on Sunday but do not talk about our Lord and saviour for fear of seeming too 'religious' the rest of the week. Perhaps they have wrongly been taught when growing up that Jesus is just for Sunday and something socially acceptable to do to get 'ahead' in life. Jesus is nice to put on their resume so to speak but let's not get too serious. Then there comes a tragedy and they run to the church or to someone to pray who has a 'hotline' to God.

People get 'religious' in times of heartache and tragedy. Why not let Him into your life all the time and in every area?  Jesus should be the standard for your conduct and choices in life. You should not be a secret service Christian where you do not want anyone to know or you will blow your cover, so to speak. The lives of many of these bored secret Christians  show no difference to the world in that they use no discernment in entertainment selections for instance and see no harm in going to certain questionable movies and partying in bars. Who has been around someone who has claimed to know the Lord but then in a business meeting or social setting has taken the Lord's name in vain? I mean no different at all from their worldly counterpart.

My challenge to bored believers is to fall in love with Jesus. If you are not excited about the things of the Lord maybe you need to be in a church that is what I call 'on fire' for the Lord. Take a spiritual inventory and see if the fruits of the spirit are evident in your life.  Galatians 5:22-26 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Do you desire the pleasures of this world more than knowing Jesus? Do you desire the praise of men rather than the praise of God? John 12:43 says "for they loved praise from men more than praise from God".  If so ask the Lord to redirect  your passions to be in line with his word.

PRAYER: Father I want to have a passion for you and live for you. I know I am not to become a monk and never go anywhere but help me judge my activities by things that I could safely have you attend with me as where I am there you are anyway because you live inside of me. Help me to remember this. Give me discernment. In Jesus name. Amen.

Note: click on link for a wonderful worship song by artist Jeff Deyo
http://youtu.be/y3GmSupatEs

SPIRITUALLY FLABBY?

Just like our physical muscles need to be exercised to stay strong and toned so we need to exercise our 'spiritual muscles' so we do not become spiritual weaklings. You can not expect to look good physically if you do not take care of yourself by eating right and proper exercise. You can not wish a good physique into being. In similar fashion we can not sleep on the Bible and expect to absorb its knowledge. It takes reading it and studying it to know what is inside. There is a saying that 'going into a church will not make you into a Christian anymore than going into a garage will make you into a car.' Just sitting there is nice. Check that block off for the week. But did you get anything from the message and do you have a desire to open up the Bible the other 6 days? Do you just open your Bible on Sunday when the minister,rabbi, or priest tells you what to read or do you make a quiet time alone with him each day a priority? This is the only way to strengthen those 'spiritual muscles'.

Jeremiah 15:16 says "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." Are God's words your delight? Would you rather read the newspaper, magazine, or a book instead of the Bible? You will never become spiritually strong by just attending church one hour per week. Just like you will not have a toned body without fat and flab, unless you make the effort to work out, run, or some other form of cardiovascular exercise. You can not just wish it into existence. It takes effort, time and a change of habits and lifestyle sometimes.

1 Peter 2:2 says "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." Do you crave the Bible? 1 Corinthians 3:2 says "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready". Babes in Christ or spiritually unfit 'flabby Christians' are both conditions you need to improve upon to be strong in the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  1 Timothy 4:7 says "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." There is that word 'train' indicating putting forth some effort. You will not know the truth until you open up the pages of the Bible.

1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Being a runner and one who has run in many races in the past I know you do have to train for the type of race you are going to run if you expect to do well and hope to not get injured. In similar fashion you must train to be strong spiritually by studying God's word, the Bible.

Ephesians 6:10 is a good verse to end on and it says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

PRAYER: Lord I want to be a mature Christian and I want to desire to strengthen my 'spiritual muscles' each and every day. Many excuses may come my way as to why I do not have time for reading the Bible or a devotion but help me realize that the enemy does not want me to go to the 'spiritual gym' but he wants me to be weak and powerless. I with your help Lord will make this a priority in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

THE BIG BLACK BOOK

Are you scared of the Bible? Do you rarely, if ever, even open it up? Were you baptized as a child and given a Bible but think it is some historic book and have no desire to read it? Is the only Bible you own the big huge coffee table kind? I mean that is better than none at all but is not exactly 'user friendly'.  I heard once that a Bible falling apart was owned by someone who was not. Not saying this to say those who read the Bible more are perfect, but they have a handle on how to get through the trials of life more than say someone who never opens it up at all. The 'coffee table' Bible is a nice decoration, family heirloom and a great dust catcher, but the Bible is not supposed to be a decoration but a well used 'tool' of sorts.

2 Timothy 2:15 says "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth."  Some versions say study instead of be diligent. If you get a new phone and do not open the instruction manual that comes with it you likely will be unfamiliar with how it operates. Likewise if you do not open the Bible you will not know how to gain victory over attacks from the enemy, Satan, or even recognize them as attacks. The enemy would like to keep it that way and keep you disinterested in the Bible as he knows when you read it you will start to have wisdom, knowledge and power to defeat him. He will do all in his power to distract you, make you too busy, or keep you thinking it is the preacher, rabbi or priests'  job to know it and share it with you, but it is not necessary for you to pick it up and read it. Says who? 

Acts 17:11 says " these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." That is what we have to do if we expect to grow in Christ.  You have to search the scriptures. Matthew 5:6 says " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,  for they will be filled." What does it mean to hunger? Think about being physically hungry. No one really who is reading this has probably ever been at the point of starvation like the children we see in pictures from Third World countries with swelled bellies and ribs sticking out but we know what it feels like to miss a meal and want something to eat. Do you feel that way when you do not get to read the Bible? Do you miss it? Maybe you do not even know how to read it or where to start. Start in Proverbs in the Old Testament. It has 31 chapters so take one month which normally has 31 days and read a chapter a day. After that start reading the book of John. Pray for God to teach you as you read and clear your mind of distractions.

Many through the years have tried to get rid of the Bible as they know the power that is in it. It is the book of truth. No lies are within its' pages. It is our guidebook for life. The acronym I once heard was B.I.B.L.E. or 'Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth'. John 17:17 says "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you".  To hide the word of God in your heart you have to read and memorize some of it.

Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."  To delight means you are thrilled to be around something or someone. You are delighted or very happy.To delight yourself in the Lord you have to spend time with Him and you spend time with Him by opening up the word to get to know Him better. Psalm 1:1-3 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." There is that word again. Delight! So do you want to be delighted in Jesus? Have you truly asked Him to be Lord of your life? Maybe if you are not hungry for God's word  you  have not accepted Him into your heart. You can do that today.

Say "Lord Jesus I need you. I ask to be forgiven of my sins and I want to live for you and serve you. Come in to my heart right now Jesus.I want you to be Lord of my life.Amen." Find a good church that uses the Bible and teaches the uncompromising word of God. It is not about church membership but about a relationship with Jesus and getting to know him through the Holy Bible. The more you read scripture and hide God's word in your heart the more you will become like Him.

PRAYER: I want to thirst for your word Lord. I do not want to put the newspaper, magazines or novels before the Bible. I want the Bible to be first priority in my life and in my day. Forgive me when I have gone for days and not read it at all. I know when I do this I am giving the enemy, Satan, an opportunity to fill my mind with untruths and get me off the path of truth. I want to start today Lord to begin each day with reading the Bible. Guide me and direct me and keep distractions from me as I seek to do this.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

NOTE: enjoy a wonderful worship song as you start your weekend. Be blessed to be a blessing. Click on link below.
http://youtu.be/hGr8as7pPBE

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

Are you delighted by the Lord? I mean really truly excited to be in his presence and worship Him? As a believer we should want nothing more than to please God and be able to praise and worship him. This does not mean you check yourself into a monastery and do not do anything else but sit in church all day. But this means you truly want to live for the Lord and do things that bring you closer to Him. You go into the world but you are not 'of the world' so to speak.

Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Job 22:26 says "Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God." Job 27:10 says "Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?"

When cares and worries are weighing you down look to the Lord for your strength and start praising him even in your storm. Psalm 94:19 says "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Isaiah 58:14 says "then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Does Jesus bring delight to your soul? Call on Him today and seek His face. He can bring restoration and joy to your soul and cause you to be lifted up above the problems of life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord my delight is in you. My hope is in you. My strength is in you. I trust you Lord with all the problems and situations in life that often times seem hard to handle. Forgive me when I have let the cares of this world weigh me down. I want my delight to be in you all the days of my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Once again I have included a worship song to bring peace to your weary heart and to hopefully lift your spirits up. Click on link.
http://youtu.be/rg89UOAftXM