Valentines Day! What better time to talk about love,what it is and what it isn't. Many do not choose to celebrate this day as it is a forced day of intimacy created by card companies,but it gives an opportunity for preachers to preach on love and people like me to write something on it. Singles dread this day as in many cases they feel left out more aware of their singleness. Love is about loving friends and family too. So look at it that way as well.
Love is not what you see in Hollywood movies. Love is a commitment. Love is being there no matter what. If you listen to the wedding vows of a traditional wedding it will say "For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer , forsaking all others, til death do us part." There are some marriage ceremonies who leave out that part. But marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred and holy event not to be taken lightly and a commitment to be kept.
Love also is not just a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is about honor, protecting, putting the other person before yourself, and forgetting about yourself. Love is giving not taking. You may not always feel in love but sometimes love is a choice. Love learns to turn the other cheek and not pick fights. Love is kind and thinks of other people first. Love is not rude or demanding.
A perfect way to describe love and to see if you have love is to read 1 Corinthians 13 which is known as 'The Love Chapter' in the Bible and it in its' entirety says "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
I like the part in verse 5 where it says "love does not keep a record of wrongs" as one of the quickest ways to kill love is to always be bringing up the past and mistakes instead of forgetting about them. God forgives and forgets and we too are to be like Him and do likewise. Even loving a friend you learn to not dwell on their faults and mistakes.
Love is the greatest virtue to strive for. Colossians 3:14 says "Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." Love is not just mushy stuff but it is truly wanting to show another person that they are first. Every day should be Valentines Day!
PRAYER: Lord it is my desire to display Christlike love to all those people in my life. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link to enjoy wonderful song from the movie 'Fireproof' which by the way you should rent if you have not seen it.
http://youtu.be/zxRDc-z6EcQ
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
STICK YOUR NOSE IN GOD'S BUSINESS, NOT OTHERS
Have you ever thought of a majority of life's problems stem from sticking your nose in others business? No really, think about it. Why do we have to know everything? If we are not careful, for those of us on Facebook, it can get to be an addiction to see what all of our friends are doing then to feel left out if we are not included. The idea is people need to keep their noses in life in their own business.2 Thessalonians 3:11 says "We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 1 Timothy 5:13 says "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to."
Sometimes when we meddle we also end up standing in judgment over someone. That is not our job. We are not God. Matthew 7:3-5 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
I have a better idea. Instead of wondering what celebrities are doing and turning on the news each night or reading the paper first thing each day or bugging our adult children or reading about what all your friends are doing, why not get into 'God's Business' ,which would be reading the Bible. If we spent more time in the word of God and less doing the other things we waste our time on we would have less heartache and problems in life. Let's make a point to 'pry' into God's life and not others lives or at least exercise some self control over it. You will really get much more out of it and have less things to worry about if you try this new technique. And it will no doubt produce a closer relationship with your loved ones in the long run.
True peace comes when you keep your mind on your own affairs and not be thinking you have to be privy to the details of others lives. Do you want peace and true joy? Then try letting go of your need to know it all and try to focus on knowing more about God.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 says "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you." When you meddle and find out things you should not have known anyway it can breed quarrels. Proverbs 17:14 says "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." To stop a matter keep your nose in your own business. 1 Peter 4:15 says "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler." A meddler is listed there as not a good thing mentioned alongside a criminal and thief.
Try to focus on God and His business. Philippians 1:27 says "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." Your desire should be for seeking God with your whole heart. Philippians 3:10 says "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death". If you could make that your life's desire to know Him just imagine how your life would change. If you could focus on Him and not all your worries and concerns life would be much better.
Sometimes being nosy can separate friends or family members. Better to live life and keep your nose in your own business. If someone needs you to know something they will tell you. For sure this is a discipline especially for those with inquiring minds. You know the tabloid commercial that says "Inquiring Minds Want To Know! I Want to Know!" Well trust me you do not always need to know. Trust God to reveal things to you in His time.
PRAYER: Lord God I want to know you better. When I get into the habit of thinking I need to know more of what is going on around me and tend to lean on nosy side help me to run to you and your word and focus on the truths in the Bible. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link and worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/JU4U8_wMdRs
Sometimes when we meddle we also end up standing in judgment over someone. That is not our job. We are not God. Matthew 7:3-5 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
I have a better idea. Instead of wondering what celebrities are doing and turning on the news each night or reading the paper first thing each day or bugging our adult children or reading about what all your friends are doing, why not get into 'God's Business' ,which would be reading the Bible. If we spent more time in the word of God and less doing the other things we waste our time on we would have less heartache and problems in life. Let's make a point to 'pry' into God's life and not others lives or at least exercise some self control over it. You will really get much more out of it and have less things to worry about if you try this new technique. And it will no doubt produce a closer relationship with your loved ones in the long run.
True peace comes when you keep your mind on your own affairs and not be thinking you have to be privy to the details of others lives. Do you want peace and true joy? Then try letting go of your need to know it all and try to focus on knowing more about God.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 says "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you." When you meddle and find out things you should not have known anyway it can breed quarrels. Proverbs 17:14 says "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." To stop a matter keep your nose in your own business. 1 Peter 4:15 says "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler." A meddler is listed there as not a good thing mentioned alongside a criminal and thief.
Try to focus on God and His business. Philippians 1:27 says "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." Your desire should be for seeking God with your whole heart. Philippians 3:10 says "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death". If you could make that your life's desire to know Him just imagine how your life would change. If you could focus on Him and not all your worries and concerns life would be much better.
Sometimes being nosy can separate friends or family members. Better to live life and keep your nose in your own business. If someone needs you to know something they will tell you. For sure this is a discipline especially for those with inquiring minds. You know the tabloid commercial that says "Inquiring Minds Want To Know! I Want to Know!" Well trust me you do not always need to know. Trust God to reveal things to you in His time.
PRAYER: Lord God I want to know you better. When I get into the habit of thinking I need to know more of what is going on around me and tend to lean on nosy side help me to run to you and your word and focus on the truths in the Bible. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link and worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/JU4U8_wMdRs
Sunday, February 12, 2012
THE TO-DO LIST
You get up in the morning and most likely if not going to a job still have many jobs to perform and have a 'to do' list to follow. Does this 'to do' list include having a quiet time with God and praying? If not why not? If you want to grow in Christ and not just be a 'Sunday Christian' or a church member then you need to make some sort of effort to get to know the Lord. Being a Christian and following Christ is not just about being 'religious' as some think, nor is it about going to church. It is about knowing the Lord and wanting to spend time with Him. You should not plan your day without also writing down 'start the day with the Lord.'
Did you know scripture tells us to "Search the scriptures" (see John 5:39) and also to"teach them to our children?" Deuteronomy 6:6-8 tells us "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates". When you do not make time in your day for growing close to the Lord that means you are allowing the cultures thoughts into your mind instead of God's word. Many today are believing lies and justifying sin primarily because they either choose to not believe the Bible or because they listen to the worldly secular news more than the truth in God's word. Be careful as Satan can deceive you and take you captive. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says "so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes." Satan can get you to believe lies and water down God's word. Do not allow that to happen!
What changes do you need to make in your daily schedule to allow Christ to have first place in your schedule? If you do not desire his word perhaps your love for him has grown cold. Do not allow the worlds way of thinking to squeeze out the truth of God. 2 Timothy 3:15 says "and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Parents have a big responsibility to not just feed and clothe their newborn, but to be reading God's word to them even as they lie in the cradle.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my path and a light unto my path".(Psalm 119:105). Right now take a moment and write down your schedule for the day and make sure you put 'Read the Bible' and 'Pray' on there. If you do not know where to begin why not start with the book of John or Psalms. Desire Gods' word more than gold. In Psalm 19:9-10 it says "The fear of the Lord is pure,enduring forever.The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;they are sweeter than honey,than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned." Another good verse is Psalm 119:72 which says "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." Do you find God's word more precious than anything? It has everything you need to get you through each and every day if only you would make time to put Him in your day.
Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Do you? Really? Then let Him know by making him first priority and spending time in the word each day. If you love a person you want to be with them. Likewise if you love the Lord you want to get to know Him by reading the Bible. Start today and put God first!
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the Bible. I am grateful to live in a country where I can read it freely without being arrested. Help me to not take it for granted and to find it and dust it off and start learning how to defeat the enemy. Give me the desire to do this and do it daily I will resist the devil and he has to flee according to James 4:7. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link this wonderful day the Lord has made and be blessed.
http://youtu.be/gVi4jth2XSg
Did you know scripture tells us to "Search the scriptures" (see John 5:39) and also to"teach them to our children?" Deuteronomy 6:6-8 tells us "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates". When you do not make time in your day for growing close to the Lord that means you are allowing the cultures thoughts into your mind instead of God's word. Many today are believing lies and justifying sin primarily because they either choose to not believe the Bible or because they listen to the worldly secular news more than the truth in God's word. Be careful as Satan can deceive you and take you captive. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says "so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes." Satan can get you to believe lies and water down God's word. Do not allow that to happen!
What changes do you need to make in your daily schedule to allow Christ to have first place in your schedule? If you do not desire his word perhaps your love for him has grown cold. Do not allow the worlds way of thinking to squeeze out the truth of God. 2 Timothy 3:15 says "and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Parents have a big responsibility to not just feed and clothe their newborn, but to be reading God's word to them even as they lie in the cradle.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my path and a light unto my path".(Psalm 119:105). Right now take a moment and write down your schedule for the day and make sure you put 'Read the Bible' and 'Pray' on there. If you do not know where to begin why not start with the book of John or Psalms. Desire Gods' word more than gold. In Psalm 19:9-10 it says "The fear of the Lord is pure,enduring forever.The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;they are sweeter than honey,than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned." Another good verse is Psalm 119:72 which says "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." Do you find God's word more precious than anything? It has everything you need to get you through each and every day if only you would make time to put Him in your day.
Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Do you? Really? Then let Him know by making him first priority and spending time in the word each day. If you love a person you want to be with them. Likewise if you love the Lord you want to get to know Him by reading the Bible. Start today and put God first!
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the Bible. I am grateful to live in a country where I can read it freely without being arrested. Help me to not take it for granted and to find it and dust it off and start learning how to defeat the enemy. Give me the desire to do this and do it daily I will resist the devil and he has to flee according to James 4:7. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link this wonderful day the Lord has made and be blessed.
http://youtu.be/gVi4jth2XSg
Saturday, February 11, 2012
GRACE
God is great. He forgives and moves on. People have a hard time forgiving and forgetting. Some people even who claim to love Jesus can not seem to show love and grace to those who messed up but say they forgive but then shut them out of their life. Doesn't sound like the grace God gives. If you say you are a Christian then you need to learn to live and love like Jesus. Holding grudges will not cut it. We are talking love and total forgiveness. What if God said, "well I would forgive you but you did it so many times so I am sorry but I can't"! Well good news. God is not like people,thank goodness! Even those people who have messed up in the ultimate way of ending up in jail deserve to have God's grace. Even someone who has murdered can be forgiven. God is like that, yes He is!
Why can't we humans follow his lead? We make up our own little rules for who we accept and who we shun. God does not say," I can not take the way you act or your personality! Leave me alone!" Now that may seem funny to think of God talking that way because He never would. I am trying to make a point. God forgives so we too should be like Him and forgive and show grace to those people.
Romans 3:23 reminds us "We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory". Yes each and every one of us. "Come on down"! If you think well I am not that bad or my sin is not that bad well think again. No categories of sin to God. Sure some have worse consequences but it is still sin. Who are we to play God and decide who deserves His love. He loves all of us even the most vile person who turns their back on Him which many do today. We might just start to think we are pretty good. Look out for that type of haughty attitude as your downfall may be waiting around the corner.
In 1 John 4:20 it says "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." When you are hateful and condemning and putting people down you are certainly not showing the love of Christ. In John 8:7 it says "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Are you able to show God's live to everyone and be kind and a salt shaker for Christ? If not ask the Lord to come in and change your heart.
PRAYER: Lord I want to be more like you and be willing to not stand in judgment over those who have fallen short because we all have. I know you extend grace so help me learn to do the same. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link to worship the Lord with a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/GI5Yiyv5O0s
Why can't we humans follow his lead? We make up our own little rules for who we accept and who we shun. God does not say," I can not take the way you act or your personality! Leave me alone!" Now that may seem funny to think of God talking that way because He never would. I am trying to make a point. God forgives so we too should be like Him and forgive and show grace to those people.
Romans 3:23 reminds us "We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory". Yes each and every one of us. "Come on down"! If you think well I am not that bad or my sin is not that bad well think again. No categories of sin to God. Sure some have worse consequences but it is still sin. Who are we to play God and decide who deserves His love. He loves all of us even the most vile person who turns their back on Him which many do today. We might just start to think we are pretty good. Look out for that type of haughty attitude as your downfall may be waiting around the corner.
In 1 John 4:20 it says "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." When you are hateful and condemning and putting people down you are certainly not showing the love of Christ. In John 8:7 it says "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Are you able to show God's live to everyone and be kind and a salt shaker for Christ? If not ask the Lord to come in and change your heart.
PRAYER: Lord I want to be more like you and be willing to not stand in judgment over those who have fallen short because we all have. I know you extend grace so help me learn to do the same. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link to worship the Lord with a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/GI5Yiyv5O0s
Friday, February 10, 2012
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW
Anti Christian forces are at work in our world to try to remove God from everything. Some are trying to rewrite the Bible or get rid of it altogether. But guess what? God has the final word and in my Bible it says "Every knee will bow".
A human leader may become tyrannical and try to act like God but He is not God and in the end God has the final say. We in the United States have a government based upon the word of God although forces are at work to reeducate children trying to take away this religious heritage. Evil is out there and evil does not like our God given freedom. Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Human leaders can lie and twist scripture to trick and deceive people. This displeases our heavenly Father and He wins in the end anyway! Deception is a tool of the enemy. John 8:36 says "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Our freedom is God given and it is only mere man who tries to lord over us and remove our freedoms.
Guess what? God is still in charge and firmly on the throne and He does not like it when people try to remove Him from His own creation and change the Holy scriptures to try to justify government programs and sin. Not a good thing to do. Mankind may think they are all powerful but God is the one who gives power and He does not like it when the power is used to put people in bondage. Don't be messing with God. He is way more powerful than the great and powerful Oz everyone feared in the Hollywood Movie 'Wizard of Oz'.
There is a definite attack against Christians and morality today. We have strayed a long way from the days of our Founding Fathers. The Separation of church and state clause in the Constitution was meant to protect the state from infringing upon the church but now it is being reversed to use against people of faith. Atheist groups come into communities and try to say you can not say a prayer at a football game. It is time for God's people to not take this freedom for granted and to be in prayer for this great nation so it does not fall into tyranny.
It is like the frog in the pot of water where the heat is slowly turned up til it dies. That is what is happening in America. Many do not want to believe it or do not have time to deal with it or say "I do not get involved in politics." Complacency is just what the enemy wants to happen. He wants lethargic busy Christians who are blinded to the truth to do nothing. This is not about a Republican, Democrat, or Independent but about following truth and righteousness. Do what the Bible says and you will be okay. Many totally ignore God and kick Him right out. Beware, the day is coming when every knee will bow and everyone will have to answer for what they have done. Political correctness has gone haywire and has taken God out of the equation and has edited His word to justify sinful despicable lifestyles and then Christians are called biased and hateful. Imagine that!
Philippians 2:10-11 says " at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.". Romans 14:11 says "It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Man may think he has the final say but God is on the throne. It is time for America to wake up and cry out to God to heal this land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says " 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
1 Corinthians 16:13 says "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." Do not lose hope! God has the final say. God will not continue to bless this nation if we continue to ignore Him and his law.
PRAYER: Lord God we need you in our country and in our world. This is your creation and yet man has tried to topple you off your own throne. Father these people who do this need you in their heart. Open blind eyes to see the truth. Bring revival to our land. Lord thank you for the comfort we have in knowing you are on the throne. Evil may be in our world but you are bigger. I pray that men and women of faith who say they love you wake up and start praying to bring back God to America. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link for a powerful song.
http://youtu.be/KYtCanpBhVg
A human leader may become tyrannical and try to act like God but He is not God and in the end God has the final say. We in the United States have a government based upon the word of God although forces are at work to reeducate children trying to take away this religious heritage. Evil is out there and evil does not like our God given freedom. Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Human leaders can lie and twist scripture to trick and deceive people. This displeases our heavenly Father and He wins in the end anyway! Deception is a tool of the enemy. John 8:36 says "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Our freedom is God given and it is only mere man who tries to lord over us and remove our freedoms.
Guess what? God is still in charge and firmly on the throne and He does not like it when people try to remove Him from His own creation and change the Holy scriptures to try to justify government programs and sin. Not a good thing to do. Mankind may think they are all powerful but God is the one who gives power and He does not like it when the power is used to put people in bondage. Don't be messing with God. He is way more powerful than the great and powerful Oz everyone feared in the Hollywood Movie 'Wizard of Oz'.
There is a definite attack against Christians and morality today. We have strayed a long way from the days of our Founding Fathers. The Separation of church and state clause in the Constitution was meant to protect the state from infringing upon the church but now it is being reversed to use against people of faith. Atheist groups come into communities and try to say you can not say a prayer at a football game. It is time for God's people to not take this freedom for granted and to be in prayer for this great nation so it does not fall into tyranny.
It is like the frog in the pot of water where the heat is slowly turned up til it dies. That is what is happening in America. Many do not want to believe it or do not have time to deal with it or say "I do not get involved in politics." Complacency is just what the enemy wants to happen. He wants lethargic busy Christians who are blinded to the truth to do nothing. This is not about a Republican, Democrat, or Independent but about following truth and righteousness. Do what the Bible says and you will be okay. Many totally ignore God and kick Him right out. Beware, the day is coming when every knee will bow and everyone will have to answer for what they have done. Political correctness has gone haywire and has taken God out of the equation and has edited His word to justify sinful despicable lifestyles and then Christians are called biased and hateful. Imagine that!
Philippians 2:10-11 says " at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.". Romans 14:11 says "It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Man may think he has the final say but God is on the throne. It is time for America to wake up and cry out to God to heal this land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says " 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
1 Corinthians 16:13 says "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." Do not lose hope! God has the final say. God will not continue to bless this nation if we continue to ignore Him and his law.
PRAYER: Lord God we need you in our country and in our world. This is your creation and yet man has tried to topple you off your own throne. Father these people who do this need you in their heart. Open blind eyes to see the truth. Bring revival to our land. Lord thank you for the comfort we have in knowing you are on the throne. Evil may be in our world but you are bigger. I pray that men and women of faith who say they love you wake up and start praying to bring back God to America. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link for a powerful song.
http://youtu.be/KYtCanpBhVg
Thursday, February 9, 2012
REJECTION
This word alone sounds hurtful and evokes pain for many. Friends reject us, spouses can reject us, bosses can reject us, co workers can reject us. For those who have never felt the sting and pain of rejection,rejoice! It is awful. To be 'put on the shelf' is a hurtful, painful thing. Sometimes you can not get away from the feeling. It takes time for the wound to heal.
The good news is that people may disappoint but God never does. He sticks closer than a brother. There is a verse in Psalm 118:16 that say " The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid,what can man do to me?" Still humanly it is hard to endure rejection by anyone. It is only with God's help that we can emerge victorious and not be bothered by this and trust God to get you through it. Romans 8:31 says "if God be for us who can be against us.". Psalm 56:4 tells us " in God whose word I praise, in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me." Proverbs 19:11 says "a man's wisdom gives him patience. It is to his glory to overlook an offense." Luke 6:27 says "love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." Now that is a tall order and only through the power of God's love inside of you are you able to do this supernatural act.
You have to give up thinking you want to get back at someone, and simply pray for them. Matthew 5:44 tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Remember when Jesus was being crucified upon the cross and he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"(Luke 23:34). How many of us could react that way when being hurt or tortured? Not too many. Human nature says "lash back" and God's nature says "love and forgive and move on".
When we go through the 'valleys' in life that make us want to give up God is there to get us back up to the mountain top. Remember he alone will see you through and has a brighter tomorrow waiting.
PRAYER: Father you are my best friend, my comforter, my restorer, my redeemer and I thank you for lifting me up out of the miry pit at times. Thank you for the lessons I learn in the valley that I can learn from to help others who are hurting later. In Jesus name. Amen.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
SIMMER DOWN NOW, YOU HEAR!!
Does anyone out there have trouble waiting and being calm? It is easy to get excited about stuff but sometimes we need to 'simmer down now' and be calm and not overreact to things or get excited and impulsive and do or say something we may regret later. Overreacting without thinking, planning or praying can backfire. Acting on something on spur of moment is not good. For instance in a business deal it is best to not rush to judgment but to get all the facts. When you are buying a house you shop around and not act impulsively or you may make a bad decision. Telemarketers prey on impulsive people who do not think and end up whipping out the plastic and running up bills and spending money they do not have on something they do not need.
Sometimes this rushing into things can take the form not only of signing a contract we have not read thoroughly but it could be in the form of chattering away with our mouth or clicking on those computer keys. Once something is said it is gone forever.
Misunderstandings can occur and hurt feelings and in some cases it takes quite awhile to undo misspoken words. Sometimes the words were spoken with no harm intended but were taken out of context by the receiver. Some people may get angry and not want to forgive a mistake. Those are people I feel sorry for as that is not what God would want. He wants love, restoration, mercy and reconciliation. But he also wants us to be careful with our impatience and flapping tongue which often can be misunderstood or be a perfectly honest totally innocent mistake.
Waiting and patience are keys to having a happy, productive, peaceful, stress and worry free life. 'Jumping the gun' leads to trouble in many areas.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Be patient. Hang in there. Hebrews 12:3 says "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Psalm 37:7 tells us "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Are you able to use the fruit of the spirit of self control to help you wait for things in God's time? If not, call on God as He can heal and deliver.
PRAYER: Lord at times I get impulsive and impatient and I need to learn to relax, let go, and let you take the controls of my life. Help me slow down and wait for you and be patient when praying to wait for your perfect timing for answers. Help me not be hasty with my mouth as well. Help what I do and say bring glory to you. In Jesus name,amen.
Note: Got idea for title from friend at first church we went to here in Huntsville who always said "Simmer Down Now". Thanks Robin!
Sometimes this rushing into things can take the form not only of signing a contract we have not read thoroughly but it could be in the form of chattering away with our mouth or clicking on those computer keys. Once something is said it is gone forever.
Misunderstandings can occur and hurt feelings and in some cases it takes quite awhile to undo misspoken words. Sometimes the words were spoken with no harm intended but were taken out of context by the receiver. Some people may get angry and not want to forgive a mistake. Those are people I feel sorry for as that is not what God would want. He wants love, restoration, mercy and reconciliation. But he also wants us to be careful with our impatience and flapping tongue which often can be misunderstood or be a perfectly honest totally innocent mistake.
Waiting and patience are keys to having a happy, productive, peaceful, stress and worry free life. 'Jumping the gun' leads to trouble in many areas.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Be patient. Hang in there. Hebrews 12:3 says "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Psalm 37:7 tells us "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Are you able to use the fruit of the spirit of self control to help you wait for things in God's time? If not, call on God as He can heal and deliver.
PRAYER: Lord at times I get impulsive and impatient and I need to learn to relax, let go, and let you take the controls of my life. Help me slow down and wait for you and be patient when praying to wait for your perfect timing for answers. Help me not be hasty with my mouth as well. Help what I do and say bring glory to you. In Jesus name,amen.
Note: Got idea for title from friend at first church we went to here in Huntsville who always said "Simmer Down Now". Thanks Robin!
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