Because we are Loved, we are RICH. Because we are Provided for, we are RICH. Because we smile and others smile too, we are RICH. We have no Debts, because JESUS paid the Total Price, we are RICH. Because we have Everlasting Life with JESUS and those we Love, we are RICH. Because we are Content and no longer Tempted by the World, we are RICH! Because our Relationship with GOD increases upon Increases, we are RICH! 1 Timothy 6:9, "Because those who desire to be rich (worldly rich) fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires..." We HAVE NO DEBT and have everything we need, WE ARE RICH. AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY TAXES!
Let the Poor say, WE ARE RICH
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Everyone one earth, regardless of race, religion or nationality, has one thing in common. THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME EVERY DAY. Look at our view of TIME in our daily comments: "not enough time to do everything", "where does the time go", "I will try to find time", "I am hard pressed for time", or "rush hour traffic". In spite of all the "modern technology" to "save us time" we are still like trains; "always on the move, always in a rush, and always late". When we emphasize performance, accomplishments or "doing something all-important," we "lose the capacity to simply ENJOY GOD"! Time is the past, present and future that we all try to live in THE NOW. No wonder we become "anxious" when people try to make us "hurry up" and "get this or that done" because it interrupts our natural flow of sequential events to spend with GOD.
2 Peter 3:8, "...with the LORD one day is as a thousand years..." I guess we could define our relationship with GOD as, do we want to "BURN OUT" OR "SAIL OUT"? Do we "defend" and "excuse" ourselves when we pray? Or have we buried our "sins" so deep that they only come to our conscience very infrequently. But, Mercy Me when "these buried sins" burst forth, it is more than we can bear! We just want them to end, to go away, because we just can't handle them. So we make excuses, defend or bury our sins when we pray. GOD already knows our evil deeds and thoughts, but we refuse to be TRUTHFUL with HIM. Our GOD is a forgiving, loving GOD who wants us to be free of our "Bondage" once and FOR ALL TIMES. Perhaps our GREATEST FEAR, IS OURSELVES. We are not afraid of being "exposed" to the world; but knowing GOD KNOWS AND YOU KNOW, and NOT TRUSTING GOD TO FORGIVE. Psalm 7:1, "O LORD my GOD, in YOU do I trust, save me from my pursuers and deliver me." OUR GREATEST PURSUER IS OURSELF.
The Disciples must have wondered "WHAT WAS HE THINKING"? HE insisted they go ahead in the boat, while HE stayed behind and prayed. Then the storm came, JESUS appeared, and calmed the storm. "And they were utterly astounded"? Are we JUST "FAIR WEATHER CHRISTIANS"? When the Sun is shinning and we have enough to pay our bills, we proclaim the "MIRACLES OF JESUS". But let a little "adversity" creep in, or a storm that rocks our every foundation; then we become like everyone else. We Doubt the every reason of our existence, JESUS. Do we need more Miracles to Believe? Mark 6:52, "...they did not understand...because their hearts were hardened". Do we have to see JESUS and HIS Miracles to know HE is always with us? Would continual Miracles "open our hearts" to HIM. We say, "O Never us LORD"! But when a Storm comes to we become FAIR WEATHER CHRISTIANS?
INSPIRATION - "to breathe life in it". And the Bible is "INSPIRED" by GOD", 2 Timothy 3:16. GOD breathes life into THE SCRIPTURES! Reading the LIVING WORD, INSPIRES AS IT BREATHES LIFE INTO US! People won't remember what we have said; and it is more improbable that they will remember what we have done. But they will always remember if we INSPIRED them and how we made them feel. INSPIRE (Breathe Life) others with loving actions; INSPIRE ourselves, by reading the Scriptures; and having "gentle" thoughts about ourselves. Today, GOD'S WORD INSPIRES US TO BE, "WHO WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN".
A Beautiful, Gentle Thought, This is a time when our prayers go beyond words and beyond imagination; This is a time when we do not ask why or offer GOD advice. TODAY is this day. John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Prayer is the humble intimacy with GOD where LIGHT SHOWS THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD. TODAY IS THIS DAY.
The things we need to remember to be a Good Witness for the LORD are infinite. The things we need to remember so others know we are Christians are even more than that. To remember to have JOY, Forgiveness at all times and to be "Spiritually Correct" when we speak, is more than we are capable. All of these things we try to remember so that we assure ourselves a "place in Heaven" is nothing more than "Manufactured Salvation". GOD has two homes that soon become ONE. The first is in Heaven, the second, is in a grateful heart. One of the most powerful prayers is, "THANK YOU, JESUS". 1 Chronicles 16:8-9, "...give thanks to the LORD, call upon HIS name...make known HIS deeds...tell of HIS wondrous works..." When we GIVE THANKS, there is nothing to REMEMBER, everything is natural and instantaneous; JOY, Forgiveness, Love, Provision and all the OTHER THINGS WE CAN'T REMEMBER!
Joseph was sold into slavery and forgotten. Then AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME he was put in charge of grain distribution, and became the second most powerful person in the Country. The Israelites were lead out of Egypt, again at JUST THE RIGHT TIME. Romans 5:6, "... while we were still weak, at THE RIGHT TIME CHRIST died for the ungodly..." Have we learned that GOD Provides (even when hunger pains us), HIS Presence (when no one else is around), and HE sends Encouragement (in the midst of our worst storms); JUST IN TIME! Even though we don't deserve it, even though our sins are many, GOD Blesses us (in spite of our actions and in spite of ourselves). GOD Glorifies HIMSELF through, and with us, at JUST THE RIGHT TIME, even if we are the only ones who know it. Yes, HE Blesses us continually (when there is no one else, even ourselves) at JUST THE RIGHT TIME!
Have we learned to Trust and COUNT ON HIM YET? Do people disappoint us; do they make us angry; are we hurt from their actions? Are people so busy "Preaching" and "Witnessing" that their testimonies about CHRIST appear to be self-serving? Is the world so disappointing that there is little or nothing that we look forward to? Job 6:18, "I am like a caravan lost in the desert, searching for water..." Our disappointment, anger, hurt feelings and irritations by "do-gooders" is not caused by people or the world. It is caused by our being incomplete; Colossians 2:10, "...and you are complete in HIM, who is the head of all rule and authority..." When we know who we are, why we're here, and where we're going, no one will disappoint, anger or hurt us. In fact, we may learn something from all the "do-gooders", because GOD can use even "false prophets" to show us the TRUTH. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE COMPLETE.
Do we know why many Celebrate the Feast of Epiphany? Epiphany is the insight into the reality and essential meaning through a common place occurrence. Some say the Epiphany is the Baptism or JESUS while others say it is when the Magi brought gifts to JESUS. The Epiphany is when it was revealed to the world that JESUS was THE MESSIAH and GOD to the world. Matthew 2:11, "...and they fell down and worshiped HIM...then offered their treasures..." Maybe the Magi offered themselves AS THEIR FIRST GIFT TO JESUS.
Did we just have an EPIPHANY? |
About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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