What's going on, it 104 degrees, it will soon be August and Christmas is a long way off?  Exactly! At Christmas we work at the homeless shelter passing out food for our "day" of giving, then we "rest up" for next year.  Be Careful!  In pride, Peter thought his faith was stronger than all the other disciples and swore that he would never leave JESUS.  Then when the time of testing came, he denied even knowing CHRIST.  The "evil one" uses our "resting on our laurels" to keep us ineffective for GOD'S Kingdom today!  He wants us to be so "prideful" that when the time of testing comes, we too will fail.  The "evil one" wants our failures to wound us so much that we feel disloyal to our faith and overwhelmed with shame.  Mark 14:27, "...I will strike the SHEPHERD, and the sheep will be scattered." So, instead of getting a "Froppie Loppie" (whatever they are called) at Starbucks use your coffee grounds two or three times and give the LOVE of CHRIST to a Church or any organization that feeds the poor today!  MAKE SOMEONE'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL TODAY!


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

Do we pray earnestly for all to know CHRIST, that the homeless are fed, and that our families are protected?  BUT, do we keep "just a little" back, and give everything except that secret chamber of our heart that we do not want to give up?  How can we be FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT if we don't allow HIM access to all of us?  John 7:37, "...If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink..." Thirst is an imperative need which must be satisfied.  A man "parched" by thirst will give anything to be able to quench it.  Fullness of the HOLY SPIRIT is given to those who truly thirst.  It is given to those who are prepared to pay the price, to abandon all if necessary to receive THE HOLY SPIRIT! How can we even hope to be FULL of the HOLY SPIRIT when we pray 90% PRAYERS?


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

Could it be that the true definition of Freedom and Integrity is being able to say "No" without offering an explanation, reason or excuse?  When someone asks us to do something, do we give an "apology" of "justification" because they make us feel like it is our duty or obligation?  Are our lives filled with such integrity that our Character is enough that our words can be believed without swearing or giving excuses? You see, he who will break the third commandment will not hesitate to break the ninth also.  Matthew 5:37, "Let what you say be simply 'yes' or 'No'." Let your words agree with your thoughts, and let your thoughts have no doubts; YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE AN EXCUSE.


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

Is the worldly law and the moral law the same? Has one digressed to relative "truth" (arbitrary and subjective absolutes), while we "conveniently" deny the other exists?  Without an objective standard of Truth, whoever gains the most political power will dominate. If a person feels there is no consequence to his actions, he is less constrained to treat people fairly.  But a Christian has moral restraint because he is ultimately accountable to GOD.  The law is to be "used" and "obeyed" according to its own spirit and design, and use it for the purpose GOD has given it.  1 Timothy 1:8, "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully."  In the United States same want to use the law for its convenience and self-preservation (which is its destruction).  They further contend that the United States was not founded on Christianity but on religious freedom.  By the way, what was the purpose of the Pilgrims when they came to America as stated in the "Mayflower Compact"?  Contrary to popular opinion, their purpose was not to find religious freedom, they already had found religious freedom in Holland.  Their purpose is clearly stated (in the Mayflower Compact) as being for the "Glory of GOD and advancement of the Christian Faith".  The Pilgrims were missionaries.  DOES THIS SHOCK YOU?


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

Is "good enough" good enough?  Just think for a moment, if 99% were good enough; 220,000 checks would be deducted from the wrong bank account in the next hour, telephone companies will misdirect 13,140 telephone calls every minute, and 200,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written each year.  If good enough is not good enough for life in modern society, what  makes us think "good enough" is good enough to get us into Heaven?  The only solution to our imperfection is the perfect sacrifice by a perfect person for imperfect people, JESUS CHRIST.  Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD... not by works, so that no  one can boast..."  You see, the revelation is that it is no longer our sin but if we accept and love the pardon!  I have heard commented so many times, "how can a supposed to be, loving GOD send people to hell"?  GOD doesn't send people to hell, HE gives us a choice.  If through Faith, we accept and agree with the "Pardon" (free gift of GOD) we say, "THY will be done".  If we refuse the free gift of Salvation, GOD says, "thy will be done.  GOD gave us a choice because. GOOD ENOUGH, IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.


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

2 Corinthians 3:18, "...we all with unveiled face...are being transformed into the same image...For this comes from the LORD WHO is the SPIRIT."  When Moses came down from the mountain after meeting with GOD, he had to put a veil over his face so the Israelites could look at him.  In the days of JESUS, people would work a metal so fine that their image reflected the light in such a way that they became more beautiful.  The Scriptures reveal the FACE OF GOD, and our devotion (selfless dedication, adoration and passion) to reading, believing and applying them makes us more radiant reflecting GOD in our lives.  Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a variety of rainbow colors in a beautiful butterfly, "flying flowers"; we are being transformed into the same image as JESUS. From one degree of Glory to another we become the "light" in a world of darkness.  OTHERS SEE THE SPIRIT, NOT THE IMAGE.


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

Do we have to visualize something for it to be real?  Do we prefer the presence of GOD beyond the Blessings of life, or even life itself?  When we think of, talk with, pray with and meditate on GOD, do we have to recall some picture we have seen to make HIM real?  Do we visualize instead of Spiritualize?  Do we really marvel at GOD'S creative power in the world, and in us, then do we rely on HIM for protection and strength?  Do we really pray and expect results? Psalm 63:3, "Because THY loving kindness is better than life..." The VOICE and confidence we have within says VISUALIZATION DOESN'T MAKE IT REAL!


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

Yesterday is not remembered and tomorrow never comes.  The endless procession of mankind through generations has made little impact on our lives and purpose.  We don't learn from our past because it is soon forgotten; and we can't depend on any future moment for what we need now.   Ecclesiastes 1:11, "There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be remembrance of later things..."  Why does the majority of the human race live and die in obscurity?  Because their yesterday's are forgotten and their tomorrows never come.  Let us not depend on any future event for knowing JESUS, because we need HIM now and all we have is now.  Our purpose is no longer obscure, we are to please HIM and this will please ourselves. This moment is all we have, because TODAY, IS YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW.


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

Is creation and life really that simple?  Do I really want to understand the "mysteries" of life?  A mystery would not be a mystery if it were understood. If I knew all of the answers to mankind's questions, Heaven would be a very disappointing place because my understanding is so limited.  Man cannot phantom enough questions to even approach GOD.1 Corinthians 2:10, "...For the SPIRIT searches everything even the depths of GOD."  I don't have to understand everything, I only have to have faith and trust in the ONE WHO does.  IT'S REALLY THAT SIMPLE!


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

"Every tear wiped away; death shall be no more; no mourning, crying, nor pain..."  (Revelation 21:4). In this world "death" spares no one; our loved ones, the wise, the good, the useful and the lovely, all die.  It is not a question of why or when we die, because we don't!  Heaven is the "unhindered" fellowship with GOD. Heaven is rising in the morning with certainty and lying down at night with assurance. Love lets us not cry because someone is temporarily gone but to reJOYce because it happened.  We can have Heaven here on earth now and we will see our loved ones again, IT'S ALL A TIMING THING!


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