FORGIVE....JUST DO IT!!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. No matter whether you celebrate
this day or not, it is a day of red roses, chocolates, and hearts.
Basically a day for love. Why only have one day for love but why not
let love be your aim around the clock?

Valentine's Day puts undue pressure on young men who are not attached
because if they ask a girl out on that particular day she may get the
wrong message. Basically as my younger son used to call it years ago,
"Singles Awareness Day". Sort of catchy isn't it?

True love involves more than just being romantic. For a married couple
it is about commitment, trust, putting the other person first, and
learning to say you are sorry and ask forgiveness. The person who has
been hurt needs to show their love by not keeping a record of wrongs
as it says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, found in the infamous "love chapter"
in the Bible.

Forgiveness is a major part of loving someone. Learning to let go of
an irritation and forgive whether they asked or not. Unforgiveness
does nothing but drive people further apart and makes anger fester.
Not forgiving is our human side and it is what the devil wants. Now if
on the other hand someone is reading this who is being physically
harmed by a spouse or a date then you need to seek protection as the
individual may need help. Hopefully no one reading this fits that
category but if so get help not hurt.

Being unable to forgive breaks families apart, ends relationships of
friends, can have two adult siblings unable to communicate, and many
other things. Does not sound like a character trait for a believer to
possess now does it? It is so easy to be angry and want our way. That
is self just getting in the way.

Love is a great thing particularly when it is unselfish. That is what
it is about. Are you able to turn the other cheek, get on with life,
and show forgiveness? Are you able to pray for the person who hurt you
or maybe in worse case scenario, killed a family member? Wow that last
one is a biggie. Matthew 5:44(KJV) says 'But I say to you, love your
enemies and pray for those, who persecute you.'

Ephesians 4:32(NIV) says 'Be kind and compassionate to one another
forgiving one another just as Christ God forgave you.' I challenge
you today to make a list of anyone you are harboring something against
and pray and give that over to the Lord. If necessary pray for
restoration of a relationship when appropriate.

Is there a person in your life you need to forgive? Well then,go and just do it!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is through you that we are able to show grace,
mercy, and forgiveness to someone who may not deserve it. It is part

of what love is all about. Let me reach out to people with God's love
around the clock and not harbor things in my heart. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord:
Forgiveness by Matthew West
http://youtu.be/wz3tkHv5sbg

THE LOVE MONTH

 The entry to 2013 is now well underway and now we are at the 4th day
of February. After a series of devotions on new starts and new
beginnings, this month the primary focus will be on love. Most people
familiar with the Bible can probably tell you the "love chapter" is 1
Corinthians 13. Read it when you have a moment.

Love is patient. It is not rude. Love thinks of others first. Love is
respectful and kind . Love does not remember wrongs suffered or hold

grudges. Love forgives. Love doesn't lash out at others with hateful
words.

The greatest example of love ever was Jesus dying a painful torturous
death on a cross for us and what does He do? He forgives his accusers
and the men who nailed Him up there. Imagine that? We humans have a
hard time forgiving some things but imagine this ultimate test of
letting the hurt go. What good does it do anyway?

Is there someone in your life that has hurt you and maybe never even
knew it that you need to let go of the emotional pain before you can
move on? Some have been rejected by peers, friends, parents, spouses,
children,employers, and yes even those in their own church! Dwelling
on the pain and the injustice done will achieve nothing. Part of love
and being loving is being willing to let go. Get Christian counseling
if necessary but do not keep harboring a hurt.

The Bible sums it up pretty good when it says in Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
'Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and all
your strength.The second is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. This
is the second and greatest commandment.'

PRAYER: Father give me the ability to let go of hurts and dwell on
showing love to those you have placed in my life. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song:
http://youtu.be/3nUl0vcXrHw

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

 

BEFORE AND AFTER

When we built out home several years ago we took "before" pictures of
when it was just a empty bare lot, next while in progress, and
"after" pictures when it was completed. People attempting to lose
weight may take a "before" picture followed several months later,
hopefully, with a successful "after" picture. A girl getting her
long hair cut may take a "before" picture followed by an "after" with
her new hairdo. There may be "before" pictures of a city before a mall
was built and later "after" when the mall was complete. These are
just a few of many examples.

In the Bible we are told after we accept Christ into our hearts and
start to live for Him that we are new, inside and out. How can you
take Jesus into your heart and not be? The verse is found in 2
Corinthians 5:17(NIV) and it reads 'Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation. The old has gone the new has come.'

When a person accepts Christ he indeed is a "new creation". You are
now to have the mind of Christ and want to do things to try to be more
and more conformed into His image(See Romans 12:1-2). This is done
primarily though your new found hunger for the word of God.

I can remember back in 1975 when I rededicated my life to Christ I
was finally excited about being a believer. I wanted to get to know
Him more and more and hungered for the word of God. My sister got me a
version of the Bible called the "Open Bible" which was an excellent
tool for my daily Bible reading and study. It was fun, not boring at
all! My journey has included ups and downs, bumps in the road,
setbacks, backsliding, and coming back. God is good and faithful all
the time. The point is loving Jesus is more than being "religious".

I remembered after the "new me" came into being, wanting to carry my
Bible to church. I was visiting a church one time, and a lady who knew
me commented it was "cute" that I was carrying my Bible. Oh my
goodness, aren't we supposed to? A friend of ours we met through
Officers' Christian Fellowship in the military commented if you forget
your Bible you forgot your "sword" and were not armed for battle or
something to that effect. Almost "spiritually naked" in a sense.
>>
>> So many people take the Bible for granted. That is just fine with Satan. The more you read it the more you will learn to be like Christ and not believe the world's lies. Satan may put the idea in your head that you do not need to take it to church as the scriptures are up on a screen for us to read. Or maybe the thought is, my priest tells me all I need to know. There could be a number of excuses. But my friend, they are just that. Excuses. Make it a point to look forward to reading your Bible. If you are in a church that is not teaching you to get excited about Jesus, then find another one. 'I can't do that' you may say. 'That is the denomination I was raised in' or 'what will my relatives think if I leave the church and go somewhere else?' Knowing Jesus and loving Him is not because of a denomination but it is about Jesus and wanting more of Him in your life.
>>
Which is you want to be? Do you want to stay as only a "before" image
or do you want to be conformed to the glorious image of Christ for a
stunning "after" image? One thing is certain we can not be like Him
if we do not commit to spending time alone with Him.

I will leave you with a verse from Micah 6:8(NIV) which says 'He has
showed you, Oh man, what is good. And what the Lord does require of
you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your
God.'

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you give me a chance to be a brand new
creature in Christ and after I am complete in you to keep growing and
learning daily through the reading of your word. Give me the power to
resist the lure of the world which will try to captivate me and draw
me away from you. Also Lord help me not be holier than thou or self
righteous around others. Give me grace and love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a wonderful song to get your Saturday started off in a awesome way:
http://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo

GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU

Welcome to February!! The month of making resolutions or setting goals
is behind us although that does not mean to not to go after goals and
dreams in life. Before getting into a few devotions this month on
love, since this month is Valentine's Day, I want to concentrate on
letting you know God is for you. God loves you. If God had a
refrigerator your picture would be on it! Even if you have messed up
He does not kick you out or set you out with the trash like damaged
goods. He can and will forgive and he can and does use you for His
kingdom purposes. He forgives your sins and gives you a brand new

start. Only Satan condemns you and makes you feel worthless. You are
worth very much in the eyes of God. Always remember that!! 1
Corinthians 6:11(NIV) reminds us '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.'

Each and every day of February and every day thereafter get up and say
out loud 'This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be
glad in it!' (Psalm 118:24). ' What if I am having a terrible day or
have a jerk as a boss at work, you still want me to sing praises to
God?' Yes, is the resounding answer. Sure life can, and will throw
some junk at us sometimes. Unexpected deaths, sicknesses, loss of
jobs, betrayal of friends, a church who turns their back on you for a
bad "sin". Many disappointments can happen while on this Earth.

In the book of James 1:2-4(NIV) it says the following 'Consider it
pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many
kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its' work so you may be mature
and complete not lacking anything.'

Start February on a high note knowing you are special to God and He
wants you to come to Him with your joys and your sorrows. He is
waiting to hear from you.

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for the joy of the Lord which is my
strength. Thank you each new day is a chance for a new beginning.
Thanks for not remembering my sins and letting me have another chance.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a awesome praise song to lift your spirits.

http://youtu.be/PXsWAAhnGhc

LET THE RESOLUTIONS BEGIN!

Most of this past month I have written allot on new beginnings and

doing things over. Typically at the start of a New Year people
initially get real serious about changing things or starting something
new they need to do. The biggie is usually losing weight. That is why
on TV you will see all sorts of ads for weight loss pills, miracles
fixes, and weight loss programs. In the Christian community many may
say 'I will read my Bible through in one year' which is also very
admirable I might say. Basically a New Year is a time to throw the old

calendar out and decide to commit to something and DO IT.
Unfortunately many of those well meaning people end their resolution

before the month is over. It sounded good but they just can not get
into it. Commit is a pretty big scary word.

This week while watching one of my favorite Bible teachers, Joyce

Meyer, on her show "Enjoying Everyday Life" she said something which

struck me as a very good point. She asked the audience if they
were"dating" Jesus or ready to get "married". In a nutshell this
simply means that if you think about dating someone you go out for
maybe one or two hours and that is that. Maybe if you really like the
person you end up spending more time with them. Then you fall in love
and from then on nothing else in the world matters. Then comes the
marriage and life is good and you are together most all the time. So
back to her illustration. Are you just dating Jesus or are you
committed to Him as if you were in a marriage relationship?

Maybe it is time to make Jesus your real true first love. When you
truly love someone you want the best for them and you put them

first.You want to be with them more than anything else in the whole

wide world. Some marriages may sour because they have forgotten their
first love and vows they took. Well some relationships with Jesus may
have never gotten off the ground in the first place. Perhaps you went
to church and became a member and that was that. No real love or
"fire" for the Lord. Many folks are like that. They do the Sunday
thing and feel good about themselves for being "holy" but do not
bother to even spend time with Jesus any other time of the week. Now I
ask you, is that showing you are in love with Jesus? The answer is no.
That only shows you are a "church member". What do you need to do
about this if you fit into that category? First ask yourself the big

question. Have you ever really asked Jesus to be Lord of your life?

Did you do it at a certain age in your church only because others were
but it meant nothing? Maybe you were sprinkled as a infant. Maybe it
is time to reexamine your heart and put the fire for Jesus back in
there and live for Him and have a passion for the things of the Lord.
I am going to give you six verses to read. After you have read them
pray and ask God to come into your life if you have not already. Next

commit to pray daily and get out that Bible and get to know Him. Be in
love with Jesus!

 Romans 3:23(NIV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
 Romans 6:23(NIV)For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8(NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:13(NIV) For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Revelation 3:20(NIV) 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.

Where are you today in your walk with Jesus? This is not about a denomination thing. This is not something where you say 'I go to church there because my family always did'. Where is your heart? Do you feel a passion for the things of Christ or are you more caught up in the things of the everyday world. Is your heart broken by what breaks Gods heart? Maybe it is time now to reexamine your heart and ask Him to come in and live in your heart today or rededicate your life to Him and get serious about living for Him. Don't just "be religious" but love Jesus.

 PRAYER: Lord I thank you that you are a patient God not wishing any to perish. I thank you that it is not about a certain denomination but it is about whether I have given my heart to you Lord. I want to be serious about my walk with you. I want my heart to be broken each day by what breaks yours. Give me the strength to live out this walk in the world around me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 Click on link below and worship God in song:
> http://youtu.be/othYj8jWSwc

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

Do you ever just feel like getting back at someone for how they treated

you? It could be a spouse, a friend, or someone else. Whatever and

whoever it is not God's plan to retaliate. Romans 12:17(NIV) says 'Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody.' As spoken of yesterday we need to maintain peace

at all costs. But what about someone who said something about you that is not true or is spreading rumors? Don't you have the "right" then to get back?

The first human reaction to when someone hurts you is sadness,hurt, or the

need to say something back to them. Maybe you want to get your way or
the last word. That is not the wisest thing to do. The best way to

defuse an angry outburst or hurt feeling is to 'hold your tongue' and

try to get your emotions under control.

James 1:19(NLT) I often think would be an excellent verse for married
couples to say each and every day and to commit to memory. It simply
says 'Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be
quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.' Another
equally excellent scripture is found in Proverbs 15:1(NIV). It reads
as follows 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.' Think on that one for a moment why don't you? How much
better to say nothing back than to get the "fire of anger" stoked up
and end up in a yelling match. 2 Corinthians 13:11(NASB) tells us
'Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be
like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with
you.' See there is that word again, "peace". Peace is not achieved by
bickering or belittling. It is achieved by "turning the other cheek".
Letting go of your right to get back basically. The turn the other
cheek thing is actually found in God's word in both Matthew 5:39 and
Luke 6:29. Why not take a moment to look them up.

There may have been moments when you just felt you could not contain
yourself over something someone said about you or to you. I recommend
going to Jesus in prayer and asking God to put love within your heart
for this person no matter the outcome. Keep trying to show God's love
in word and deed.

Matthew 5:44(NLT) says 'But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you.' Leave the rest up to God.

PRAYER: Sometimes it seems it is easy to get angry at a person over
something that may be so silly. Help me Lord learn to walk away and
drop it and not cause a fight or a broken relationship. Give me
strength to walk away from potential situations Lord. Put your Spirit
within me. In Jesus' name. Amen.