Have you ever thought, "if I could just sit down with GOD, have HIM tell me what I am to do here on earth, then everything would be OK"?  Well, you can and HE has made it so easy!  "Rejoice always (in order to Rejoice always, we must pray without ceasing to experience our uninterrupted peace and JOY in HIS presence), pray without ceasing (prayer is like breathing, it is the essence of our living, in order to live we must breathe and prayer is the breath of our Spiritual life), give thanks...for this is the WILL of GOD for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Giving thanks comes so naturally when we are Rejoicing and Praying, it is actually the fruit of rejoicing and praying. You that always prays is forever giving praise, whether you are in comfort or pain; and both in prosperity or in great adversity.  GOD'S WILL and WORD for us today is:  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.  You will have uninterrupted peace in HIS presence.

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

1 John 3:17, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does GOD'S love abide in him?"  Recently we had a devotional about a person who couldn't pay their utilities, mortgage, food for family or medical.  We received a lot of responses but one left me amazed.  This person said, "GOD has put on my heart to do what I can", and then sent money, prayers and little notes Praising GOD for that individual.  It was more than enough to pay the utilities and with the left over, the recipient became the giver to even another person in need.  Sometimes we think and say, "when we get more money or we become millionaires, I'M GONNA do this or that act of kindness".  We say, "oh well GOD knows my heart and that I WANNA help".  Be careful, because GOD does know our hearts and "The heart can be deceitful" (Jeremiah 17:9).  Oh, and the person that Obeyed GOD to help this person?  They are not millionaires, they are not cancer free, and they have to try and work everyday even when they don't feel so good.  They are DOERS of the WORD, not just GONNA'BES or WANNA'BES.  I pray GOD'S Message here touches all of our Spirits.

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Ecclesiastes 12:13, "The end of the matter, all has been heard.  Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments..."  I never saw my dad afraid of anything, he was a strong and tough man.  One Sunday my nephew was hanging out with my dad when my mother said, "let's all go to Church".  My dad replied, "when it is time, I'll go".  My mother left and a big thunder storm came.  My dad was getting some water from the faucet when lightning hit the house and came through the faucet knocking my dad back.  He grabbed my nephew, loaded him in the car and went to Church.  When asked later if GOD had scared him with the lightning, he replied, "Nope, HE just reminded me it was time to go to Church".  I guess there is a time for everything, EVEN REAL MEN FEAR GOD!

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

1 Peter 2:16-17, "Live as people who are free...Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear GOD..."  Freedom can be to act and think without confinement, restraint or fear.  Freedom can also mean, to act with abandonment and with careless disregard of consequences.  !Freedom by definition gives us two choices: The First, Unconditional Love removes all limitations and the Free Spirit controls us; The Second, we choose our selfish wants and desires of which keeps us in bondage.  Yes, JESUS has given us the choice of accepting HIS free gift of ETERNAL LIFE with HIM where HE has already PAID THE PRICE, or refusing it.  If we refuse, we will pay the price with Eternal damnation and Hell separated from HIM and the opportunity to be with HIM.  You see, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!  Today is a day of memories; let us always choose the Beautiful Memories and pray for each other.

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

2 Chronicles 15:7, "But you take courage! Do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  I was listening to some old timers (I don't include myself although I am their age, because I lack their wisdom; just a sign of respect) talk this morning.  They concluded with, "if we didn't have a good enough job to support our families and some of the things we wanted, then we worked two jobs!"  Do we treat our respective "religions" the same way?  Is our Religion nothing less than seeking GOD? Do we inquire after HIM in all occasions?  Do we apply HIM in ALL of our lives?  Our relationship with GOD never comes if we do not pursue HIM with uncompromisable "heartfelt" desire.  GOD wants ALL of our heart or none at all!  I wonder on Judgement Day if JESUS will say, "FATHER, here's a friend of mine who believed in ME as his LORD and SAVIOR.  He believes I was born of the virgin Mary, that I am your SON and that I died for his sins.  FATHER, I would like for him to stay there JUST AIN'T NO QUIT IN 'EM!

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Romans 7:20, "Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it..."  Many of us have read this statement in one form or another, and then there are those of us who live it daily!  It is as though I am self-contradicting. On one part my Will and heart is repulsed by sin, my reason and conscious condemns it vehemently, I find no excuse nor excuse myself for sinful actions and yet on the other part, sin seems to be a natural inclination that continues within me.  I am so "imperfect" wanting to be "perfect" for GOD.  Perhaps this is the "Thorn" in my side.  The more pure and Holy our heart is, the more quick is our awareness of the sin within.  I thank GOD for this awareness of my weakness and HIS Greatness! It is a constant desire for the beauty of Holiness as abundant Grace is given me.  As sinful as I am, HIS Grace and presence is where IMPERFECTION BECOMES PERFECTION in HIS eyes.Have a Blessed Day, you are being prayed for today.

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Proverbs 30: 6, "Do not add to HIS words, lest HE rebuke you..."  Some of us are so busy "interpreting" and "promoting" GOD'S WORD that our "Creativity" is leading to "Destruction"! We all started out with great enthusiasm in our quest for GOD, but somewhere we followed the wrong "fork" in the road which leads to destruction.  We accept "drama" over "Divinity"; we prefer "presentation" over "Preaching"; we want to be "entertained" instead of "Enlightened"; we equate Blessings to be "quantity" over "quality"; and we have pursued "innovation" rather than "Salvation".  It has come to the point that we accept "interpretation" not "Inspiration" of the Scriptures. A wise person recognizes their ignorance and that the WORD of GOD is TRUTH!  Are we so naive that we really believe we can "ENHANCE" the wisdom of GOD? Have we become so "Innovative" in our beliefs that our pursuit of GOD is nothing more than CREATIVE DESTRUCTION?

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Numbers 6:24-26, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make HIS face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up HIS countenance upon you and give you peace."  When we tell someone to "have a Blessed Day" or when someone asks us how we are, and we reply, "I am Blessed", do we really know what we are saying?  To be Blessed is to "be favored by GOD".  GOD Blesses us by giving us HIS presence.  The Blessing of GOD isn't  just the absence of war or conflict, but total Favor and Peace within.  Being Blessed also means we are guarded and protected by GOD.  So when you wish someone "A Blessed Day" or responding "That you are Blessed" you are taking yourself and those around you into the Spiritual Realm.  For me, it has always been a conversation "starter".  Someone will stop and look at you; they will say thank you; or say "how nice".  They are open to receive the WORD just by explaining what a Blessing is.  I encourage you today to say to someone, "HAVE A BLESSED DAY".

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

1 Timothy 2:1, "...I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people."  Supplication is to ask GOD to provide for another; Prayer is to initiate and activate a relationship with GOD through deliberate communication; and Intercession is to plead on behalf of another.  Do we not try to help others because we are unsure about our abilities and resources to help?  Do we feel inadequate?  Do we not pray with them because "Mercy Me what would they think"?  I have learned that when I not only pray for, but also WITH someone they know my sincerity and willingness to give.  When they hear someone talk with JESUS on their behalf, healing (whether of the body or soul) starts taking place right then.  You both see it, feel it and know it!    Today we have the opportunity to pray for other people; we can pray for each other, IT'S LIKE JUMPING INTO A COLD CREEK THE FIRST TIME, you kind of dread it, but you really want to do it, then after you do, you are so refreshed and glad you did it that you keep doing it over and over again, JUST TRY IT!

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that HE WHO began a good work in you will bring it to completion..."  Those first six words are POWERFUL and bring us to our knees.  To be sure; is to be confident, assurance of success, bold and trustful.  There is no doubt, there is no other GOD and there is no other Truth.  GOD wanted us to know the work of Grace in our Souls; something we can not do for ourselves and HE is doing it deliberately and not by chance.  HE said, "I will NEVER leave nor forsake you..."  GOD does not abandon what HE starts, what HE does is good, and HE chose us to bring it to completion (albeit, in my case, kicking, screaming and not wanting to give up my selfish ways).  When I am looking for encouragement I USE THE  "N" WORD, NEVER! Of this I am sure:  HE will "NEVER" leave or forsake me; and HE WHO began a good work in me will bring it to completion. AMEN!

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!