FRIENDSHIP IS PRETTY AWESOME

 Friends are one of the greatest treasures of life! A true friend is even more special. Friends like the kind that stick closer than a brother and a friend who likes you warts and all. Friends who you can trust with your deepest secrets and thoughts and not be laughed at or put down. Friends that will go the extra mile to help you out. Friends that will change their plans if you have a need. Friends that let you cry on their shoulder and you need say nothing. Friends will not hurt your feelings. Friends are there when the world walks out on you. Friends that will not judge you or put you down. Friends that will listen.

Then there are friends who seemingly were not real friends at all who put you on the shelf because you are 'out of season' and no longer needed. Maybe you annoy them in some way and they prefer to not be around you anymore. Maybe they disagree with things in your life and cannot love you despite these 'warts'.  True, there are friends that come and go due to certain seasons of your life or places you have  lived .

 

 We are not to be ugly to these people that do this but instead be grateful for the time they were good friends and the time they were in your life. Miles and years can separate friends but a real true friend can always pick up where you left off when you are back together. A friend loves at all times. When you go through things you find out who your true friends are.

 

 Matthew 5:44 says "Pray for your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This could mean friends who have turned on you and done hurtful things. You are commanded to love like Jesus loves. We do not have the right, according to GOD'S word, to be angry and ugly back at them. Luke 6:27 says " But I tell you, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." Further  in Proverbs 18:24 it says " A man of many companions comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

Do you have that kind of friend? Are you that kind of friend? Have you hurt someone? Go ask forgiveness and pray for restoration.  There is an epidemic of loneliness out there so if you have a special trusted friend do not forget to thank them for they are truly a treasure from God above. Go look for someone who seems lonely and make a new friend!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you so much for the gift of true friendship. I thank you for each and every person you have blessed me with as friends for even if they no longer want to be a friend I learned something from each relationship. Lord I ask you to bless my friends today. Help me never be closed to making new friends and help me look for a lonely person to befriend. In Jesus name. Amen.

HEY HOT SHOT!!

 Think you are pretty special huh? You have done some pretty impressive things in your time, traveled the world perhaps, won numerous awards and honors,have a job others are impressed with (or so you hope) , know important people, and make lots of money. The things of this world are so temporal and fleeting and the best person to know is not a Hollywood celebrity but is Jesus. Do you know Him? Do you live for Him?

The things of this world, all the fame and glory and huge homes and fat bank accounts will soon pass. One day you will die. Then what? Yes for skeptics out there you will either enter heaven or hell. It is no fairy tale. As much as the media pokes fun at those strong in their Christian beliefs they too will one day find out.

 It is even possible for those in Christian service to get 'puffed up' if they are not careful. When people start patting you on the back, be careful to give God the glory and don't let it go to your head.

 Romans 12:3 says  "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."  Each of us is blessed with talents and abilities that are God given and we need not forget that.  Christian athlete Denver Bronco Tim  Tebow  is an excellent example of someone living their faith and fame with true humility. If only we could emulate those actions. Better yet do not imitate him as he is only human and humans can fail and disappoint us. Imitate Christ and seek to be Christlike! 1 Corinthians 1:11 says "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

Give God the glory for the  great things He has done!

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gifts and abilities you have given me. Help me never compare myself to others and if I am ever complimented help me receive it with true humility as your servant. Keep me from getting puffed up. In Jesus name. Amen.

TURN OFF THE NOISE

How can you hear from God if you are constantly bombarding yourself with outside noise clutter? At times in this high tech world we live in we need to put down our 'communication' devices and turn off the radio and television long enough to sit still and hear from God. There are so many distractions in our world today that we have to separate ourselves from them at times in order to have quality time alone with God. Weekends especially can be a challenge as all the other activities you want to do take center stage. You hustle about your home doing everything else but sitting down and being still and reading the Bible. You have to make a concerted effort to make a commitment to put 'time alone' with God, with 'no noise' on your daily schedule. It is vital for keeping the spiritual side of you strengthened. Just like muscles of the body get flabby if we do not work them out, the spiritual side gets 'flabby' and lifeless when not exposed to a daily dose of the word of God.

The recent Academy Award winning film 'The Artist' is a silent movie which by the way is excellent! I mentioned this to several people and they indicated they did not think they would enjoy going to a movie with no sound. (Do yourself a favor..go see this movie.)We have gotten so used to noise and distractions that we feel we can not do without them in our lives. Why do people in the city get away to the countryside? Probably to get away from honking horns and tons of people.

Isaiah 30:15 says "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it." Jesus even went up alone to a mountain top. Try it sometime. Some of us live where we have mountains. Why not take a DAWG day (Day Alone With God) and spend time somewhere in solitude praying and getting in touch with the Lord?

Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." See there it is again. Be still! In our hurried lives that is often times a huge challenge. Put 'be still' on your daily calendar just as if you would a dentist or doctor appointment. Being still helps calm the soul too. Psalm 116:7 says "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." In Isaiah 32:17 it says "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."

Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Can you just sit and rest a moment with the Lord? John 6:15 says "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." Here the word 'again' is used indicating he went up to the mountaintop many times perhaps? It is a spiritual discipline to learn to be still and wait on God. Above all turn off the noise so you can hear His voice.

PRAYER: Lord God thank you for your gift of peace and quiet. If only we would take the time to turn off the noise around us for a short time to renew our spirits. Help me Lord to be disciplined to spend time alone and in quiet with you daily. Thank you Lord for your word which renews and strengthens me daily. In Jesus Name. Amen.


Click on link for worship of the Lord in song. Happy Sunday!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=77PDYWNX#


Warning about You Tube videos: Occasionally on You Tube the link will pop up with something not very Christian. It is a shame that we can not even listen to a spirit filled song without dealing with this. I had intended to post this song through You Tube but it has sexual related things attached to it so I chose to go with God Tube instead.

MISSIONARY TO AMERICA

When you think of missionaries what comes to mind? Africa perhaps or Honduras or India? Have you ever considered that where you live is a mission field?  We are all called to share Jesus love with those around us. You do not need to spend thousands of dollars and go to Africa although that is a worthy cause and helps to fulfill the Great commission and is a good heart changer I hear. You may be reading this not from America but from perhaps Europe or Asia somewhere then where you live and work  is your mission field if you are a believer.

Where are you right now?  A doctor waiting room perhaps?At home? Maybe the service waiting area of your local car dealer waiting for oil change or waiting for a child to get finished with lessons at some sort waiting area with other moms.  Maybe you are at work. Perhaps you are getting ready to go out with friends. The point is wherever you are or wherever you go as a follower of Christ we are to be his witnesses or 'missionaries' to a hurting world around us. Smile at people. You rarely see many people smiling so that alone is a good witness. Be courteous and kind to others. Help with a need if you are able to. Get beyond yourself and make an impact in someone else's life. Do not walk around angry and revengeful but walk in peace and love.


Matthew 5:13-16 says “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Now go out in Jesus love and be a light in your world!

PRAYER: Father thank you for equipping me to go out and share your love with others through my words and actions. Help me recognize opportunities to share your love with those you put in my path daily. In Jesus name. Amen.

GOD'S BOUNDARIES

The Ten Commandments.They are meant to protect us if only we would follow them. Just like a responsible loving parent sets boundaries for their children to help them grow up safe and learn rules and discipline and not become an uncontrolled citizen in society, God too, has boundaries for the way we act, think and live.  All of them are found in the Bible if only we would open it occasionally. No matter what it is, God has a way to protect you if you follow his commands. He does not give commands to be mean. Likewise, parents do not give rules and boundaries to be mean or controllers but they give them because they love their children and want them to grow up knowing how to act.

The Bible says to love but it also says to stay away from things that wage war with your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 says "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." What are those things? Well first sin is anything that separates you from God. When you do anything God is with you. If you are unmarried and in bed with a boyfriend or girlfriend, guess what, God is there. Is He pleased? When you go to a movie filled with sex scenes and curse words, once again God is there too. When you hang out with the wrong crowd and get into trouble, there is God tagging along. A girl who goes into an abortion clinic to end her unborn babies life also has God in there with her. He is everywhere. If you are in a strip club, or gentleman's club as they call them here in the South, God too is along for the ride. Yes he is subjected to the filth you subject your earthly temple to.

If you get in the mindset that Jesus is with you at all times it may make you think twice before you do certain things.  There are consequences to sinful lifestyles too. For instance, homosexuals  and heterosexuals who have sex can end up with diseases, some of which are life threatening. Remember we are to glorify God with our bodies and having sex without being married is for sure not up on God's 'okay to do' list.  Not to mention the emotional toll it will take on you for breaking God's laws. This is just one example.

Take time to sit down and pray and read The Ten Commandments. They are found in Exodus Chapter 20:3-17. Find Exodus in the Old Testament, right after the book of Genesis and read them. These commandments have power so much that evil forces in this world try everything they can to eradicate them. We are in a spiritual battle.

Galatians 5:16 says "live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."  Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness and self control are some of the fruits of the spirit. Satan is always warring against you trying to get you off the path God wants you on. You have to resist him and run like crazy from evil. When you do not pray or read God's word you are opening the door for Satan to take you captive with lies and deception.

Psalm 73:23 says "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand".

PRAYER: Lord it is my desire to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I seek to do your will and stay on the right path of life. When the enemy tries to get me off the path help me to resist him and run to you, my Saviour and Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

DRESSING FOR GOD , PART 3

Did you wake up today and put on your 'armor of God'? Before you step out into the world that awaits you each day you need to have on your spiritual clothes as well as your clothes in your closet. You have to be armed and ready to stand up against the tests and trials that may confront you each and every day. Satan throws darts at you and spiritual armor equips you to stand up against him and his schemes. When you exit your home you are entering the battlefield so be prepared.

Have you prayed? Have you examined your heart to insure it is following God? Psalm 51:10 tells us "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Is your heart pure and holy? Do you have something against someone that needs to be forgiven and start the restoration process? Psalm 66:18 reminds us "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened". We can pray til we are blue in the face, so to speak, but you are going nowhere til you have confessed your wrongdoings and sins to the Lord.

When you dress for God are you right before God and have asked him to keep you from willfully sinning? Did you know even taking  home little office supplies here and there is a form of stealing? Also making personal copies on the office copy machine is taking things from your boss as someone has to pay for it. Cheating on a time card is another. Integrity begins at home and should follow you right out the door and into the workplace and community. So when you dress up in the morning ask God to give you a heart of integrity as well.

We can look holy on the outside by our appearance but inside have a life that is nothing close to being Christlike. In Matthew 23:25-26 it says "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

Also one more issue for dressing for God for women is do you dress modestly? Do you try to draw attention to parts of your body or show things you should only be showing to your spouse? We are to be women of modest attire. If you have a daughter you have the authority as a mom to keep her dressed in a pure and holy fashion. Do not have her dressing to make men lust after her. Glorify God in your clothing choices as well. 1 Timothy 2:9 says "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes".

And finally make sure your mouth is 'dressed' for the day? Did you curse recently, belittle someone, gossip, lie, argue, or brag? Take time now to ask God to help clean up your speech and dress it with graciousness. Ephesians 4:29 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."

Seek to 'dress up' each day both spiritually and physically and do all things to be pleasing to the Lord.

PRAYER: Father in heaven I want to be dressed for battle and armed and ready to take on any challenges the enemy, Satan, may throw at me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

DRESSING FOR GOD ,PART TWO

We spend lots of time each day getting ready to go out into the world we are in.  For some it may be more time consuming than for others. Let's say it takes you one hour to shower, do your hair, put your makeup on(ladies), shave(men) and dress.  Did you spend as much time getting your spiritual body and spiritual mind ready for the day?

Each day we enter a 'battlefield' of sorts when we leave our home. Sad to say, some folks have battles at home as well which should not be. Anyway it is important to be clothed spiritually to meet the fiery darts the enemy will throw at you through the course of the day. We put on cloth garments that are washed and pressed but yet our earthly body does not get the spiritual dressing it needs to grow in Christ and be strong in the Lord. The enemy will even put thoughts in your head like, "you can do that later on today" but the day comes and goes and you fall into bed often times not even taking the time to 'rest on the word.'  If you want to walk with the Lord and live for Him then you need to dress spiritually on a daily basis too.

It is going to take desire on your part and discipline to change bad habits and to get in the habit of dressing spiritually.  God does not look at our outward appearance but he looks at our heart. How is your heart? Is it pure and seat apart for God? 1 Samuel 16:7 says " but the Lord says to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for God sees not  as man sees , for the man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. "

1 Peter 3:3-4 says "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Do you pray, read the Bible, and insure your heart is pure? Have you forgiven those who have wronged you? Do you hold bitterness, hatred and envy in your heart? If so it is time to insure you put on your spiritual clothes as well as your regular clothes each day before going out into the world.

PRAYER: Lord I desire each day to clothe myself in righteousness and with a beautiful spirit. I will resist the attempts that Satan shoots at me trying to make me get disinterested in Christian things. I know I need to  dress spiritually daily to stay strong in the Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

           Click on link for awesome praise song.
           http://youtu.be/B0oZ6BZlQWk