HE DIED SO YOU COULD FORGET HIM! NOT!!

How much thought to you give to being a Christian and living for Jesus each day? Does it even cross your mind or do you wait till that one golden hour on Sunday to crack out the Bible and head for your place of worship? Do you even care about Jesus and what he did for you? Do you simply coast through your day to day life without thanking God for all the blessings he has bestowed in your life? If you are blessed to live in the United States do you take your First Amendment rights of Freedom of Religion for granted? Do you think of Jesus only in time of a tragedy such as during 911? Do you treat others like Christ would treat them? Really?

There was a small book 'My Heart, Christs' Home' by Robert Boyd Munger which I saw several years ago about meeting with Jesus in the various rooms of your home. It said if He visited you in your family room, and He is there with you, would you have to put away certain reading material and get the Bible out instead. Would you maybe have to turn the TV channel before He came in the room? Or perhaps put different clothes on? This little book went through each and  every room with similar illustrations. This book makes a good point and that is that the Lord is with you and loves you whether you give Him the time of day or not.

 How easy it is to flip on the television and zone out but make little or no time in your day for God. Look what Jesus did for you! He died so you might live! He paid the ultimate sacrifice. He does not demand you love Him but it says in Matthew 11:28 "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." He loves you even when totally ignore Him or forget to thank Him for all the blessings in your life. He loves you despite the fact the only prayer you may utter is "Thank you for my food.Amen". If you treated your spouse the way some people treat our Lord and saviour your marriage may not last long. To know Him you need to spend time with Him.

What is stopping you from wanting to be closer to the Lord?

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have given you little if any time during my busy days. Forgive me for simply checking off my obligation to attend church then living like I want to the rest of the week. Forgive me for not thanking you for all the wonderful things you have done for me. Forgive me for taking my Bible for granted as evil forces always would like to make it illegal. Lord I love you and thank you for what you have done for me. In Jesus name.Amen.

 Click on link for a song of worship and praise.
http://youtu.be/Aq8P5i9U7-g

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY WORLD!

Today we celebrate Mothers! Some of us, like yours truly, are blessed to still have a living mother. Moms are special and important first of all because of the obvious. They gave us life. Without that we would not be here. Mothers should be honored and respected each day of the year and not just wait till this special holiday to celebrate them.

The most special of all mothers mentioned in the Bible of course is Mary the mother of Jesus. Imagine back in her day being pregnant and unmarried and how the townspeople probably gossiped. Sure we know she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit but the people probably said "Yeah right Mary!" Even today some probably can tend to turn up their noses at those pregnant and unmarried but God can restore and redeem and it is a good thing that life is being carried and not aborted. Marriage of course is the way God intended for children to be raised with a mom and a dad but regardless, each child is a tremendous gift from God who has a special purpose.(See Psalm 139).

Mothers out there your role is a very special one. You get to 'raise leaders for the future' I used to say when someone maybe mocked me for staying home instead of 'using my degree'. My husband honored me with my own 'Stay Home Mom' business card so when asked what I did to stay busy or did I work I could give my card to them. He even wrote me a job description of all the duties I performed and the list was quite extensive and included such things as social coordinator, cook, laundress, business manager, physical trainer, etc. Men out there whose wives have chosen the honorable profession of being at home why not get your wife her own business card?

In addition several years later since I was a military veteran he got together with another of our military couple friends and had a 'mock awards' ceremony where he presented me with a homemade 'Legion of Service' award complete with 'military orders' .  It was so cool. Sometimes when we give up a second income and we choose to stay home and see career women out there who look like their lives are so much more fun,fulfilling, and glamorous, we made need a boost of esteem to keep us going.

Now I am not putting down career women here, as some are probably reading this right now, but I am saying for me this was the best decision I did and I  had the full support of my husband to be a total stay home mom for several years. That does not mean every thing turns out perfect but you are there for them instead of  a stranger. It is pretty important in my humble opinion.

 So take today to say thanks to your mom for all her sacrifices for you and all the things she did to get you where you are today. Some are not fortunate to have moms. Many are from broken homes, they maybe were unwanted and abused, or perhaps their mom is deceased, so if yours is around do something special for her. Another very sad scenario on this day are the moms who have had children die way too young and  I know several. My heart goes out to you and pray God will bring you comfort as only he can.

"Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the earth the Lord thy God has given you." ( Exodus 20:12).  If your mom has hurt you forgive her even if she is not around. You can not have true peace and fellowship with God until you do this.

PRAYER: Thank you for the gift of motherhood. Thank you for our mothers Lord. Comfort those who have never been able to have children and be with those who have lost children. Help we mothers of adults learn to let go and be quiet. Give wisdom to mothers of all ages.  In Jesus name. Amen.

DON'T WILT

A few days ago there were a couple tomato plants at my home we intended to plant in the garden but we forgot and they looked nearly dead.  They had been totally forgotten and had received no water. Basically they looked pretty far gone. This was seemingly a waste of money to now see them shriveled up and wilting. I immediately dug a couple of  holes in the garden and popped them in the ground giving them a big 'drink of life giving water' . A couple hours went by and they had sprung back to life!! It made me think of how water sustains life in both humans, animals and plants and also how the word of God sustains Christians. The Bible will only keep you from 'wilting' if you actually read it and apply it though. If you go too long without studying God's word, the Bible, you too will get spiritually 'wilted'. You need the 'nourishment' of God's or in other words you need to 'feed' or better yet 'feast' on the word of God. Only through knowledge of the Bible do we know the truth and are able to combat the lies and deception of Satan.   How about you? Are you wilted and almost dead or thriving each day for The kingdom of God? Be honest with yourself. I am not asking if go to church, are a member of a church or are baptized, but do you love Jesus enough to want to get to know him better and seek him daily and not as an afterthought when you fall into bed after giving maybe three to four hours that evening to meaningless television? Being 'religious' does not mean you love and serve Jesus. As a matter of fact sometimes it is a hindrance.    John 15:1-7 says “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."  Why not start today making sure nothing else squeezes getting to know Jesus through his word out of your day. You do not want to be wilted do you?  PRAYER: We are so blessed in America to have freedom to worship God openly and read our Bible openly yet many do not even pick it up except maybe on Sunday. Many people live in countries where the Bible can get your killed or arrested. We have it so good yet we ignore you and your word except if in crisis.Lord forgive us for being complacent and and not reading the Bible  which we are blessed to own. In Jesus name Amen.   Click on link and be blessed by a song of worship: http://youtu.be/RNkwbEwA-DY

WE ALL HAVE MESSED UP

Yes it is true. Even the seemingly most perfect individual on earth has messed up in some way one time or another. Remember only Jesus is perfect. You there in your 'holy huddle' thinking you are so wonderful as you trot off to church each week. Do you live for Christ when you exit the church doors or do you start gossiping, judging, backbiting, condemning, fault finding and all the rest? What good did church even do for you other than punch your religious obligation card if you act like a creature of the world when you leave?

We humans can be good at judging. Maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves but all of us have some sort of junk in our lives. No matter what it is God can restore, redeem, and rebuild a broken life. He is the God of restoration and second chances.The story is not over yet . He does not throw you out on a garbage pile and say "Well you did a horrible thing. Shame on you!" That is what Satan wants you to feel. Satan will condemn you and lie to you. But God loves you no matter what. He is standing with his arms open wide and saying "Come child". Matthew 11:28 tells us "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

1 Corinthians 6:11 says "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." God can heal broken lives and put the pieces back together  no matter what it is you have done. When you are at your lowest point and the world will not show mercy Gods' grace and mercy are there. You are not worthless and God has a plan for your life and He uses both the good and the bad to get you to where he wants you.  So when humans get in your face and judge you just say to yourself "I am redeemed, I am set free, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus" and finally "No weapon formed against me shall prosper".  (Isaiah 54:17).

PRAYER: Father I thank you for loving me and forgiving me when I have fallen short and messed up. Help me to not listen to the lies of the enemy when he tries to bring condemnation and guilt upon me. Father you have come into my life and set me free and for that I thank you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link and be blessed with a song of praise and worship.
http://youtu.be/ycknXVDCYQ0

I CHANGE NOT

I do not know about you but most folks do not like change. Computer programs change and often we are used to things and rebel against this. A major social network site is forcing people to go to their new format. Many, such as myself, hold out til absolute last minute, as fearing having to re-learn things. Film goes away and into the world of digital cameras we are thrust.

Change is probably a good thing though in some ways. Just think had changes not occurred we may be traveling on horses or reading by candlelight.Television shows change, talk show hosts change such as in case of Johnny Carson and now we have Jay Leno. Styles change, thank goodness for that we folks in 70's and 80's can attest to. Friends change depending on where you live and move. Interests change as we grow. Names of businesses change or big well known things such as Sears Tower change name since it is now Willis Tower. Changes can be confusing.

At times change makes us mad and we wonder why can't they leave things the way they were. But if we do not change we never move, grow, and progress. Can you imagine if we still were riding in covered wagons like in cowboy days? Or maybe the idea of no interstates highway say system and all of us would be on dirt roads? So you see sometimes change is a good thing. Now there is also the saying "If it is not broken do not fix it" which has some merit as well.


One thing about God and his word is that He never changes. Hebrews 13:6 says "Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever." The word of God is the same yesterday,today, yes forever. It does not get edited to suit the culture.

In Malachi 3:6 it says " I am the Lord and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed." Psalm 102:27 says "But You are the same and your years will have no end." James 1:17 tells us "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows."

I do not know about you but I am glad God does not change. Certain people may change and tend to exhibit 'Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde' syndrome where you never know who to expect. I am sure glad our Father in heaven is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever and we do not have to worry what type of personality we will be facing when we pray to him each day.



PRAYER: Father thank you for being a God who never changes. Thank you that we can depend on you and trust you. Thank you for always being there to hear our prayers. Thank you for your word which is power and truth for now and forever. In Jesus name. Amen

STAY AMAZED

Have you ever pondered the different inventions that make life wonderful? The telephone for instance and how nice and how awesome and remarkable it is that a voice can travel over airwaves. Or a color picture on television? We thought Polaroid cameras were neat in my high school days when in one minute we could see an instant picture but how about todays digital photos? How cool is all this? A refrigerator that keeps food cold and a freezer that stores ice cream is another marvel. How about flying on a jet that gets you from Los Angeles to New York City in 5 hours?  Even email is such a wonder.  This list is endless. Do you take those marvels invented by mankind for granted? I hope not. God inspired many talented people to create things we could not even imagine hundreds of years ago. God gives the mind to create and discover. It is truly amazing! But what is more amazing? Inventions are pretty terrific but what about the whole of God's creation? This past week on Saturday night we experienced what was called 'the super moon' and people were in awe of its huge size. God is pretty great isn't he? He is the creator of lots of amazing things. Many scientists try to discount God saying how dinosaurs were here roaming the earth billions of years ago and that we came about as a result of 'The Big Bang Theory'. I saw a humorous bumper sticker in my church parking lot recently which read "The Big Bang Theory: God Spoke and Bang It Happened". Now that puts it in a nutshell I would say. If you are ever in the Cincinnati area I urge you to tour the Creation Museum just across the river in Northern Kentucky. This museum literally brings the Bible and Gods' creation to life before your very eyes. Check out www.creationmuseum.org for information. God is the maker of all things. The earth and the fullness thereof it says in Psalm 24:1. It is wonderful to see mountains, seashore, waterfalls, beautiful flowers, chirping birds, newborn babies, exotic animals and even our cute little pets at home. God sure did a terrific job with all of it, but then why wouldn't He as He is God. Genesis 1:1 says " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." He did and He said "It is good!" and he was right. Stop today to be amazed at the little things around you. PRAYER: Lord you are good and your creation is amazing. Help me never tke for granted the simple joys of life that are all around us. In Jesus name. Amen!  Click on link for an awesome worship song. http://youtu.be/0xwzItqYmII

YOU ARE ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD

Do you ever feel like you do not matter and what on earth is your purpose? Do you look at others and they seem to be leading fulfilling lives but yours seems so little and wasted? That is negative thinking first of all and you need to start thinking good and positive and hopeful things. God is not the God of gloominess but is the God of hope. And you need to try to learn to be content and stop wishing for someone elses life. Philippians 4:11 tells us to " ...be content regardless of our circumstances."

Jesus loves you this I know for my Bible tells me so. You may have humans who treat you poorly but it doesn't matter because God loves you. For those people who do not act kind to you try to move on and stay focused on good things and the future and hope you are promised in Jeremiah 29:11. Do not put people on an enemies list but try to love even those who mistreat you. Even the latest thing in our techy world are those who do not want to be a facebook friend with you for whatever reason. Move on and give it to God. That is minor stuff in the big scheme of things anyway.

Just know God did not make a mistake when he created you. Psalm 139:13 says " ...He knit you together in your mother's womb." Picture that. No matter how you were born he knew you were coming. Take time and read all 24 verses in Psalm 139 and be inspired and blessed.

Start today and thank God for where he has you in life. Thank Him for loving you just the way you are. More important stop thinking you have no purpose because you do!!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for seeing to it that I was born into this world. I thank you for your caring love for me and for your plan for my life. Help me not waste the talents you have given me. Help me remember it is the enemy who tries to get me feeling 'little' but I know to you I am very special. In Jesus name. Amen.