Judges 2:18-19, "But when the judge died,m the people returned to ways even more corrupt...they refused to give up their stubborn ways." We fall into sin - then we are in bondage - we cry out to the LORD - GOD raises someone up - we are delivered - we serve the LORD; Then we become comfortable and begin to "compromise" GOD'S Mercy and Word with excuses until we fall back into sin; and the whole process starts all over. The story of today's Church has become the culmination of individual Christian lives; we determine how the Church preaches, compromises to get us into the pews and entertains us so that our sins become comfortable and acceptable! The Church should never be the "culmination" of individual Christians' lives; our lives should rise to the highest as GOD continually draws us back through uncompromising MODERN DAY PROPHETS!


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

I received an email this week that said, "Where is my Devotional, I read these daily, then send them to the members of my Church and my Friends, So Where is my Devotional?" These devotionals began years ago with only two people receiving them. These are written with no authority or wisdom of my own, they are the result of prayer in which our LORD told me to "write what I tell you". This was a call to obedience to one who was weak, foolish, not noble, not very smart and certainly not mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, "...GOD hath chosen weak things...things which are despised, hath GOD chosen. That no flesh should Glory in HIS PRESENCE." It is this "weakness" that becomes a true awareness that if anything good happens through any of us, it HAS TO BE GOD! It is the reality where GOD says, "Let me do what you could never do. I must do it so you will Glorify ME. I will give you MY righteousness - MY holiness - MY rest - and MY strength". It came at a time when I fell to the dust (contrite) and gave up my idols; pride was smashed, boasting silenced and thoughts and plans were abandoned. So when you say a kind word, hand someone a scripture, sit silently when someone needs to talk, or hold someone when they cry; you may be surprised how GOD uses you, and you may never know when you may hear, WHERE IS MY DEVOTIONAL? Thank YOU JESUS,may YOU BE GLORIFIED. AMEN.


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

Luke 1:45,"Blessed are you who believed...that it would be fulfilled." Later in Luke JESUS says, "MY mother is the one who hears the word of GOD and keeps it." Mary did not leave her son or stop believing, even at the cross. She not only believed, but she EXPECTED fulfillment of what GOD said! This scripture is a beautiful and powerful statement of Faith and manifestation; it provides an example and model of Faith from which we learn. Here Faith represents the foundation of true JOY because it receives the fulfillment of GOD'S promises. For Mary, not to believe and have Faith, would be absurd and "unreasonable", it was her INDISPENSABLE DUTY; OH, HOW OUR MEANINGS OF WORDS HAVE CHANGED.


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

When Mary came to Elizabeth's home, Elizabeth said, "And how does this happen to me....", Luke 1:43. This is one of the most tranquil moments in the Bible, two people filled with the HOLY SPIRIT sharing the Grace of GOD. Have you experienced being with someone "filled" with the HOLY SPIRIT where Grace abounds; you feel honored, touched and amazed? Sometimes when we feel the tranquility and peace of JESUS amidst terrible storms, how can we help but say, HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ME?


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

When you begin to read about the birth of JESUS being foretold to Mary by Gabriel, you become fascinated by her response, "Behold, I am the servant of the LORD; let it be..." Luke 1:38. Then you haven't fully comprehended the magnitude of these scriptures and you read where Mary visited Elizabeth; "and the baby leaped within 'Elizabeth's' womb and she was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT". Now, you want to go to the beginning of Luke and read that before visiting Mary, Gabriel visited Zechariah to announce the birth of John The Baptist. When this happens the Scriptures come alive, and you want to hear more and more! If someone were to ask you, where do I start to read the Bible, what would you tell them? Maybe the Book of John, because it tells you about JESUS and then the other Books of the Bible COME ALIVE. The Bible is no longer "a book to read" IT IS AN ADVENTURE! AMEN!


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

When I was shaking YOU were there to hold me. When I think about "times gone by" and become sad, YOU show me the JOY of now. When I have wanted to quit, YOU walked with me. YOU have shown me how to forgive, love and have Faith. Everyday, YOU give me something different than I have ever had; YES, EVERYDAY IS CHRISTMAS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! 2 Corinthians 1:4, "who comforts us in all our affliction, so tht we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction..." JESUS sends HIMSELF in those HE uses to lift us up. EVERYDAY IS CHRISTMAS.


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

There is no language with enough words to describe JESUS. "Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!" II Corinthians 9:15. Isaiah wrote 500 years before the birth of JESUS, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6.   When we are absorbed in HIS presence, there are no words or thoughts in this place; only sounds of praise and prayer as the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us "with groanings that cannot be expressed in words". This is the place where we express the miracle of love without words, GOD'S perfect gift, HIS SON. It is the gift we receive the moment our heart's believe. THE PERFECT GIFT, PEACE ON EARTH.


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

"Happy Holidays" instead of Merry and a Blessed Christmas! Holiday Parades instead of the Christmas Parade! What are we going to do? Do what the Scriptures tell us to do; spread the Message of the Gospel. It is the Message of Love, Hope and Forgiveness. Instead of talking how terrible things are where Christianity is leaving the United States; print up, or write, little messages and leave them in public places or hand them out to people; statements like, "Have a Blessed Christmas, you are being prayed for". Or, "You are Forgiven". This is the Season that people need to hear about Love, Forgiveness, Hope and Salvation. That is the Real Message of Christmas! Maybe this week we can text, email, leave notes and cards that just say "Merry Christmas" or JESUS LOVES YOU, do you think they will HEAR THE MESSAGE? Ephesians 1:10...to unite all things in HIM, things in Heaven and things on earth."


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

"Happy Holidays" instead of Merry and a Blessed Christmas! Holiday Parades instead of the Christmas Parade! What are we going to do? Do what the Scriptures tell us to do; spread the Message of the Gospel. It is the Message of Love, Hope and Forgiveness. Instead of talking how terrible things are where Christianity is leaving the United States; print up, or write, little messages and leave them in public places or hand them out to people; statements like, "Have a Blessed Christmas, you are being prayed for". Or, "You are Forgiven". This is the Season that people need to hear about Love, Forgiveness, Hope and Salvation. That is the Real Message of Christmas! Maybe this week we can text, email, leave notes and cards that just say "Merry Christmas" or JESUS LOVES YOU, do you think they will HEAR THE MESSAGE?


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

Go to Church, hear the message and get nothing out of it? Take a little time to read the Bible and get nothing out of it? The Bible tells us, 2 Timothy 3:16 (does 3:16 ring a bell? Associate...to John 3:16), tells us that GOD gave us scripture to teach, use to correct our actions, to train us HIS way so that we will be competent, well equipped for every good work. Do we pray and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to listen, read or speak with us and give us revelations of GOD'S Truth? Do we Apply GOD'S Word in our lives daily, or do we just "save" it for Christmas time? Then do we Repeat HIS Words we read and hear as we continually look for "instruction", "correction" and "trainingd" so that we will be competent and well equipped to do every good work. Good work like forgiving others and ourselves; giving thanks in all circumstances and asking for the HOLY SPIRIT to teach us the depths of GOD'S love. I just thought it might be something WORTH REPEATING AND APPLYING.


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