I don't know how electricity works but I know if I flip the switch the lights come on, the car starts, the computer works and the telephone connects me to others. I just accept it, use it and yes I am more appreciative of it after I have not had it for awhile (power shortage). I don't understand Grace (GOD'S gift of HIMSELF to us) but I accept the generous, free, totally unexpected and undeserved spontaneous gift. The Greek translation is "that which brings delight, joy, happiness and good fortune. Many teach that Grace is GOD'S supernatural power within us so we can endure life's hardships. I believe these teachers have the subject and object backwards. When we have Grace we focus on HIM and not the problems. We don't even call them problems, we just know we have the assurance of GOD'S presence. Acts 15:11, "We believe it is through the grace of our LORD JESUS that we are saved..." If we doubt Grace we doubt our Salvation. So we welcome each daily "event" because we know we are being transformed to be more like HIM. Do you have worries and problems today? JUST FLIP THE SWITCH, it's a free gift we don't understand (don't have to either) just accept it and use it!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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When we face difficult decisions we have heard; WWJD, What Would JESUS DO. But WAIT (What Am I Todo?); JESUS already told us in Matthew 22: 37-40, "Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart...love your neighbor as yourself..." We don't have to labor over difficult decisions if we just obey the two greatest commandments. We won't have guilt, fear or second guess any of our decisions because JESUS Already Did Everything (JADE). Do you have a difficult decision today? Then...WWJD...WAIT...JADE...It's a "no brainer", for the mind is controlled BY THE SPIRIT! The mind is a wonderful "tool" but a terrible master!
If I am known to exaggerate how can you trust me when you really need the Truth? I used to think it was ok to exaggerate or to make a "story" more interesting. But GOD put in my heart that these exaggerations can lead others to stumble in their time of real need. Who can they trust if not one who professes to know our LORD? Many of you who know me now, know I am pretty "boring" to be around but I pray that I Glorify GOD with what I do speak. Ecclesiastes 5:4-7, "...Do not let your mouth lead you to sin..." I may not be right all the time but EVEN A BROKEN CLOCK HAS THE CORRECT TIME TWICE A DAY. Let GOD use your words to Glorify HIM!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Remember when you wanted some candy and your mother told you "no" because it will spoil your dinner? Junk food leaves us undernourished. Have you ever noticed that when you eat junk food, you may not be hungry but you won't be satisfied either? Do we fill our lives with pursuits, people and places to give us JOY and meaning? Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase; this is also vanity." Does the "junk food" of this world keep us from the "good food" or "Bread of Life"? Do we feed our flesh while the Soul is dying? Psalm 107:9, "For HE satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth...with goodness." CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION? QUIT FILLING UP ON JUNK!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Before the Penn State game, both teams met on the field, removed their helmets and knelt in prayer. Bob Brown a coach for Nebraska organized this at the suggestion of someone from Penn State. I wonder what prayer warrior heard the voice of GOD that this needed to be done for HIS glory? They did not worry about the ACLU or the Supreme Court decision of no prayers before football games. They just got busy "handing it off" to anyone who would listen. In all of this, someone knew of Bob Brown and he "carried it" to the "powers to be" at both universities! As the result, GOD used "the reverse hand off" to bring hope through love to millions. GO GOD! Isaiah 43:19, "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you see it?" GO GOD, GO GOD, GO GOD!
GOD IS GOD!!! Last night I went to Applebees for the free dinner they were providing for Veterans. As I was standing in line, the manager came asking for names to be seated. He came to a man that had his family with him and asked his name. His five year old grandson blurted out, "my grandpa is a hero"! The manger pretended to look on his seating chart and said, Oh now I see it, we would like to buy dinner for the entire family for this hero. It was a night we all will remember; a simple act of kindness. Today let us give an act of kindness as only a real HERO can do. Ephesians 6: 19, "I pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel..." WE CAN ALL BE HEROES TODAY WITH A SIMPLE ACT OF LOVING-KINDNESS!
Today I was awakened with a burdened heart. It was not from worldly worries or fears, it was something much greater. I began to pray that just for one day, THIS DAY, that everyone in the world would be in HIS Presence. To experience HIS magnificence presence, we would not want to go back to our old ways. Psalm 84:10, "Better is one day in YOUR courts than a thousand elsewhere." LORD my burden is that I am so inadequate and there is so much to be done. HE reminded me that I am to plant the seed and HE will grow and harvest it for HIS Glory. 11/11/11, do you think HE is reminding us to keep HIM first? Psalm 91:11, "For HE shall give HIS Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Today we plant! THANK YOU JESUS, I NEEDED THIS TODAY.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! The rest of the words to that song are: ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT. 1 Chronicles 29:14-17, "...Everything comes from YOU, and we have given only what comes from YOUR hand ...our days on earth are like a shadow..." I cannot even fantom my debt to GOD when I give thanks! Thanks for not living in a hell that I cannot imagine, how can I truly give thanks? It is because GOD gave it as a gift (no paybacks, just love HIM) for GOD looks at the integrity of our heart in our prayers and actions. It is not my feeble failing time after time, it is my heart "hating" the sin within me that does not glorify HIM. It is the integrity of the heart, whether it is living, praying, tithing, or giving thanks. You see, the more I meditate upon the mercy of GOD the more I realized I have no idea what HE has done for me. So I give thanks for what little I do know and especially what I don't know! YES, ANOTHER DAY OLDER BUT NOT DEEPER IN DEBT, BECAUSE IT'S ALL HIS (INCLUDING ME) ANYWAY!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Indignation is an angry reaction to something that is unfair, mean, or unjust. We have read recently about the child molestation that went on for years at a major university. One individual has been vindicated (relieved of legal liability} because he reported the incident to his superiors. But where was the "moral responsibility"? I am not talking about the man vindicated, I am talking about us! Child abuse is prevalent in the forms of sex slaves, child labor and abandonment and yet we are not angry enough to do something about it? Where is our moral indignation? Where is our love for the victims, to help them? Are we just talking about it in our "Moral Halos" and doing nothing? Don't know what to do? PRAY AND BELIEVE and if it is in your power to act, do so! Mark 3:5, "HE looked at them in anger and, deeply distressed of their stubborn hearts..." GOD did not give us good things to enJOY life; HE gave us life to do good things.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! For a long time now, whenever I found a penny I would save it and give it to the Church in tithing. Today changed that; I found a penny and was praying over it when I noticed a man staring at me. I explained that each penny had "In GOD we Trust" on it and it was a reminder to Trust GOD in all things. He smiled and gave me a hug then left. Then at McDonald's I noticed a penny at the drive through; as only GOD could do, the car in front had a big order which gave me time to get out of the car to get the penny. I found 18 more pennies, someone in the back yelled, "are you going to share"? I took the pennies and gave one to each of the drivers behind me and explained that they were pennies from Heaven where GOD was reminding us to Trust HIM. One man asked where my name was on my business card (the penny I gave him). I told him my name wasn't on it but my BOSSES name was and if he needed ANYTHING, to talk to my BOSS. Psalm 42:8, "...the LORD will command HIS loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night HIS song shal be with me..." Yep, I have a NEW BUSINESS CARD. Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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