Why be a Christian; does it put money in the bank: or food on the table? Do we not know that when we keep our eyes on JESUS, Miracles happen? Peter stepped from his boat and walked on water at JESUS' Word; then when he began to look at the waves and the storm around him (HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF JESUS) he sank. 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face, BEHOLDING...are being transformed into the same image ...by the Spirit of the LORD." We are transformed by BEHOLDING JESUS, not by working at it! When we keep our eyes on JESUS we rise above our "storms", he puts us at the right place at the right time and provides us with every resource we need. When we keep our eyes on JESUS, we become more like HIM - full of health, strength, wisdom and life! Do you have insurmaountable circumstances? Keep your eyes on JESUS and expect Miracles; it's better than PUTTING MONEY IN THE BANK!

At the V.A. hospital I sat down next to a man who was "muttering" out loud. It was soft and melodious, even soothing. His physical body was next to me but his Spirit was in a much "higher" place. I remembered reading once, "biblical meditation involves giving voice to the scripture..." In Hebrew, "hagah" means "to mutter" or say out loud. Psalm 1:2, "...he meditates day and night." Joshua 1:8, "...but you shall meditate on it day and night." Today when you read a scripture, speak it out loud, "meditate" over every word, let it feed and nourish you; do this and you will be lifted to a place free from oppression and fear. You will feel the embrace of our Loving GOD! The soldier opened his eyes and began to smile; I WONDER WHAT HE WAS MUTTERING?

In grade school I traded my "yesterday's corn bread" and a little milk for the biggest and best "Peanut Butter and Jelly" sandwich. Until today, I haven't thought about that corn bread or regretted giving it up; but I have often thought about that "Peanut Butter and Jelly (strawberry by the way)" sandwich many times and enJOYed it over and over in my memories. Then, (later in life) I was offered total protection, no worries, no fear, to be completely provided for and taken care of; AND GET THIS, I WILL LIVE FOREVER with all those I love and with HIM; if I would take just  a few minutes to listen to HIS story. I DID, AND HE DID! I can't help but sing praises, write psalms and tell others about HIM! I was once asked; "how did you make that sacrifice"? Where, When, How, What Sacrifice? I GUESS, I JUST DON'T GET IT! Hebrews 13: 15,16; "...continually offer to GOD a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of our lips confess HIS name. do good and share with others...for GOD is pleased."  NOW,  DO YOU GET IT?

"...eat and drink..and send portions to anyone who has nothing...for this day is HOLY to the LORD your GOD..." (Nehemiah 8;10). Do we really believe in GOD and have a relationship, or do we "accept" that there "might" be a god and attempt to "prove" HIM with a "What have YOU done for me lately" attitude? When we desire and ask for a relationship with GOD first, HIS gifts and protection become Blessings that we share with others as a form of Worship. This Worship, this JOY of our relationship with HIM, then becomes A PRIVILEGE OF SHARING, FOR THIS DAY IS HOLY TO THE LORD!

How many times do "we decide" to be a better person, for whatever reason, only to see it last a week or so, if that long? When we try to be "good" we will always fail because of our "imperfect" will, "imperfect" knowledge, and "imperfect" relationship with GOD. We are trying to achieve "Perfection" through "Imperfection". "...when that which is perfect comes; that which is imperfect vanishes away." (1 Corinthians 13:10). When anything which is perfect is seen or enJOYed, then that which is imperfect is forgotten, laid aside and the desire for "imperfection" vanishes. Experiencing the Perfection of CHRIST changes us from the inside out. Just as the moon and stars fade when the sun comes, we experience a brighter "light" in our new "self", and no longer desire our old self. Our change is not by degrees, or different levels of progression; it is an instant and all encompassing transformation when we are exposed to GOD'S Perfection; To be who GOD created us to be, IS NOT A MATTER OF WILL POWER.

Are you thankful that GOD gave us this extra day to experience HIM, to know HIM better than we did yesterday and to be LIKE HIM? Luke 9:29, "And as HE was praying, the appearance of HIS face was altered, and HIS clothing becamce dazzling white." JESUS' prayer was a "Favored Communion" with GOD, so much so, that while HE was still communing and speaking, HIS prayer was heard and answered. JESUS was transformed (HIS transformation) as HE prayed! When we pray from the deepest depths, where our groanings cannot be expressed, we are suddenly transported to Heaven on earth. Prayer lets us know HIS "quickening Grace", and makes our faces shine "whiter than snow". Our prayers fetch down brilliance, majesty, light, strength and HOLY JOY that makes our face shine as we are transfigured and transformed JUST LIKE JESUS!

Trying to describe what happens when we experience GOD'S love, takes us the highest of high  places, where there is no time, and beauty abounds beyond our imagination.  It is like looking at the sunrise on earth and yet with all its magnificence, you experience a far greater presence.  Love is not a Thing, nor do any words describe Love's inner Being; Love is Living; "GOD is love..." (1 John 4:8).  "Love is having the Glory of GOD, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal...no need for sun or moon, for the Glory of GOD gives light..."  (Revelation 21:11,22).   Experiencing GOD'S Love, defines GOD'S love!  Love comes, LOVE DEFINES LOVE.

Do you, or have you, known someone who always expressed a kind loving presence around you? Did they give you a "spontaneous hug" even though you were "cranky" (I use "cranky" because it softens the pain of my actual belligerent, prideful, selfish self)? Did you just want to be around them no matter what you were feeling; were you drawn to them, even wanted to be like them? You did not read some words, someone didn't open your eyes where the "bush burned", the "skies opened up" and the "earth shook". It was not just the "usual intellectual acceptance" of GOD that we have been indoctrinated and conditioned to believe is our Salvation; we actually "experienced" GOD through this person! When we think of this person, tears often come (like rivers of JOY) when we think about their "graciousness", their Mercy and their love. "See what kind of love the FATHER has given to us, that we should be called children of GOD..." (1 John 3:1). Does your heart break for others to "know" and experience GOD through personal revelation? Did GOD send this special person to show you, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT, TO BE PERFECTLY LOVED?

You can't read it, or hear it from someone else. GOD'S love for us begins in a personal revelation of HIS love for us and what HIS SON did for us on the Cross. Others will try to describe it but there are no words. Living in, and knowing HIS love for us, goes far deeper than words, it is the Revelation HE gives when the eyes of our heart are open to HIM. No one can do it for you, and you can't do it for yourself. Just ask GOD to show you the depth of HIS love for you. "...ask and it will be given to you..." (Luke 11:9). Spend time alone asking HIM to show HIMSELF to you; we are not talking about five or ten minutes reading a devotional or one scripture; we are talking about asking GOD to reveal HIMSELF to you. JUST LET YOUR HEART BE BEFORE HIM! This could be some of GOD'S favorite times and yours too.

Is today one of those days already? You know, where you're having to "fit" GOD in so you can get on with the "necessities" of life, like work, family and obligations. I ask you to try this (come on just try it), since GOD offers to manage all of our affairs for us, let us once and for all hand them over to HIM so that we can devote all of ourselves to HIM. We have two prayers we can pray to accoumplish this; (1) FATHER, save me! or (2) FATHER, Glorify YOUR name! (John 12:27). What do you think is THE PRAYER GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS?