We have Appreciation Days for mothers, fathers, grandchildren and pets.  Where are the Pastors or Priests Appreciation Days? We "hit" and "miss" going to Church, reading our Bibles and Tithing, while our Church leaders diligently and prayerfully prepare "that SPIRIT inspired" message just for us.  They have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding us along in our obedience (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13); and what does the Bible tell us to do?  "We are to overwhelm them with appreciation and love"; When is the last time you really "overwhelmed your Pastor or Priest with appreciation, love and prayer?  James 3:1, "...not many of you should become teachers in the Church, for we who teach will be judged by GOD with greater strictness".  Sometimes when I think I'll stay home from Church, I think about the Preachers who have prayed, been inspired and prepared that "special message" GOD has given them just for me.  When do our Pastors feel appreciated?  3 John 1:3-4, "...when we faithfully live GODLY lives."  Today is the Day to encourage and lift our Pastors up to the KING of Kings and OVERWHELM THEM WITH APPRECIATION, LOVE AND PRAYER.


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

"...the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call HIS name IMMANUEL (GOD is with us)."  "HE was despised and rejected by men...HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was crushed for our iniquities...but HE opened not HIS mouth ...a lamb lead to the slaughter...HE bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for us..." WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?  You are correct, JESUS! This was written 771 years before JESUS was crucified, (Isaiah 53:3-12). Even unbelievers know WHO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT!


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

Hope is a word that the world uses to convey a "wish that something good will happen"; it is defined as an emotion.  Hope as we use it implies and is substituted for "doubt".  We hope, but are not sure that those things that are "unseen will come true"; therefore we have doubt.  1 Peter 1:3, "...According to HIS great mercy, we are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST..."  Do we "hope against hope", or is our belief and faith in JESUS CHRIST and what HE says, the foundation of our HOPE?  There is no doubt in "faith, hope and love". 


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

It is time to quit believing lies about yourself.  This is what GOD says about you.  "I love you so much, that I gave MY only SON (John 3:16); Nothing can separate you from MY love and protection (Romans 8:38-39); I made you in MY image (Genesis 1:26-27); I think wonderful thoughts about you all the time (Psalm 139:17); I have great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11).  And if you think you're just a "speck" in the universe that no one will know or remember; GOD says, "I know your name, you are MINE (Isaiah 43:1).  Quit believing lies, TELL YOURSELF THE TRUTH!


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

Working for my dad was an experience. I never knew how much I was going to be paid, or even if I was going to be paid.  But one thing for sure, whatever I did had to be better than my best (because we all underestimate ourselves, according to my dad) and done right, NOT JUST GET' R' DONE.  I found my greatest reward was not in what I got paid, or even the completion of the job, it was his approval!  Luke 16:10, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..." If I did a small job to his satisfaction, I was given a bigger job; (My Reward).  Let us ask ourselves today;
whose approval do we seek?  With the responsibility GOD has given us today, are we going to do it for HIS GLORY or JUST TO GET' R' DONE?

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

When children are given "quite time" by their parents, they are to think about whatever action "put them into quite time" and think about it.  Are we wasting or not even experiencing "quite time" in our lives?  How can we have "quite time" when we don't remove the distractions?  Turning off the radio, cell phone, T.V. and going to a quite place can eliminate outside noise, but what about the inner noise? The mind is constantly jumping from thought to thought, how do we quieten or prepare ourselves?   Take one of HIS blessings and think about it alone, think of nothing else.  I think about just breathing ,  it is something so natural we take it for granted; slow, steady and deep breathes quieten me and I am prepared to meet my "closest friend".  Don't jump right into praying for your and others needs. Be quite (know that GOD is GOD) and just listen, this establishes your rhythm for the rest of the day. Good relationships need time and cannot just be another item on our agenda to be "checked off".  Psalm 119:15, "I will meditate on YOUR precepts and fix my eyes on YOUR ways...I will not forget YOUR WORD." QUITE TIME is not an appointment, it is a way of life.


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

"Easy Eddie" was the mastermind that put made Al Capone "untouchable". Capone made sure "Easy Eddie" had all he wanted including a four acre home in downtown Chicago. One night as "Easy Eddie" was watching his son play on the floor, he turned to his wife and said: "I've given our son everything except integrity, moral values and incorruptibility". The next day he went to the FBI and showed them how to put Capone into prison for life, on income tax evasion. Another Hero from Chicago, was a man named Butch O'Hare.   Butch was known for attacking over fifteen Japanese fighter planes in order to save an air-craft carrier in WWII. After he ran out of bullets, he began to dive at them with his plane until they left, thinking that he was a "mad man".  Butch became a Hero (the first to win the Congregational Medal of Honor) and they named the Chicago airport after him; Chicago O'Hare Airport.  Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and (GOD'S) favor is better than silver or gold."  Oh, do you know who Butch O'Hare's dad was?  That's right, "Easy Eddie" O'Hare!  HERO'S JUST HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT!


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

Today give GOD a very special gift, just from you to HIM.  Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about and let it be a sacrifice.  2 Samuel 24:24, "...I will not offer ...offerings to the LORD my GOD that cost me nothing." Maybe your gift will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time (you know the person you don't really want to forgive?).  Or stop everything and just go spend time alone thinking about who GOD is or even could be.   Or maybe you will call someone that doesn't hear words of encouragement and love. Then again, maybe you will give the gift of service to someone you know. We may discover that we have given a gift back to ourselves.  THIS IS OUR DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


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

"Please don't send any more of these, this is a company computer and I will get into trouble."  "Who is this?" "Please, Please stop, my boss reads my emails."  One telephone call said, "Please stop sending devotionals, as I try to keep my business, personal and religious life separate"!  These are a few of the responses I got yesterday when I accidentally hit the "mark all" button and sent emails around the U.S. to any and everybody. You name them, I sent them.  As though that wasn't enough, every telephone number I have, received a text of the devotional; again that little "mark all" button got me again! Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  As I was listening to even more responses on the phone voice mail, and this one brought me to my knees (I still don't know who this person is) ''Sir, whoever you are, thank you for the text, I have been getting them everyday for over a year.  I wake up waiting for them to come through to read.  I have terminal cancer and these touch me deeply.  I pray for everyone who receives these.  GOD Bless you." You know that "mark all" button?  It was no accident, GOD KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING! 


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

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we have to make a choice; whether it be in relationships, business or Spiritual.  We can make this decision based upon fear, greed or love.  If our solution is based upon fear or greed, the results are temporary and will lead to more confusion and uncertainty. If our decision is based upon love it is permanent, clear and unwavering.  1 Samuel 18:1, "Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David..." Jonathan did not have to choose between his father Saul, and David; Jonathan chose GOD and he was with whoever else chose GOD.  It took away "worldly uncertainty" and gave him confidence.  When Jonathan heard David give an extended explanation of his heart to Saul, and his faith in the living GOD, Jonathan knew he and David had the same heart.  Can you imagine, ONE SPIRIT, ONE SOUL in two men? Real love wants a commitment. Real love will give the armor to fight with.  When we seek GOD and HIS Truth, there are no TOUGH CHOICES.


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