The season of Advent is a time for Christians to celebrate the coming of our Lord, Jesus the Christ, and a time to prepare for His second coming.

Isaiah 9 (New International Version, ©2010)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

This is the true beginning of our year; the anniversary of our Lord’s coming into this world as the incarnate God of love. It is especially fitting for us to begin our new year with a commitment to dedicate ourselves to service to our king and preparation for His second coming.

Isaiah 2 (King James Version)
2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

This season of Advent gives us a collective opportunity to prepare ourselves to walk in the light of the LORD.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

We are approaching the third week of Advent, the week that honors God’s love and his grace. This week is a time of remembrance that God took the time to notify ordinary shepherds in the field of the glorious birth of His Son!

As we celebrate this third week we have opportunities to live in the fullness of the 23rd Psalm. We have time to acknowledge all that God has done for us. We have time to be truly thankful.
We have time to share our blessings with others.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Philippians 4:19 (King James Version)
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Exodus 17:6
I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Isaiah 32:17 (New International Version, ©2010)
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Daniel 6:22-23 (New International Version, ©2010)
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (New International Version, ©2010)
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

He shall hear my voice

Psalm 55 (New King James Version)
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.

How awesome it is to know that God listens to our voices when we cry out to Him. What a comfort it is to go to God in prayer evening, morning and at noon.
We can renew our spirits, we can refresh ourselves all through the day.

A gentleman named Dean Workman encourages us. He tells us: “Prayer Really makes a huge difference in your life!! If you want better relationships, better health, better finances, a closer relationship with God, and a better ability to know how to fulfill God's will, Prayer is the one key that will bring you closer to making those needs a reality.” http://www.praywithfocus.com/?hop=mdaugherty

We have been encouraged to communicate with God since the beginning of time.
Gen. 3:8 says, "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."
It feels as if Adam and Eve were accustomed to God being present in the cool of the evening. They hid themselves because of their disobedience.

Scripture encourages us to communicate with God. Scripture states that "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). A fervent prayer is a sincere, focused prayer, a prayer for the ears of God.
Sometimes we need encouragement about the effectiveness of prayer. Sometimes we need reminders of the many times that God has responded to the fervent prayers of believers.
Names like David, Moses, Hezekiah, King Josiah, Abraham and Paul come to mind when we think of serious prayer warriors.
We can be encouraged by knowing that our living God will answer our prayers

Philippians 4:19 (King James Version)
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

But prayer is not just about meeting a current physical, emotional or financial need. Prayer is about the sweetness of communicating with the Holy Spirit. Prayer is about recapturing some of that sense of completeness which is experienced only in the presence of God. Prayer is about joy freely given.Prayer is about the peace of God.

Philippians 4:6-7 (King James Version)
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I encourage you to not neglect your prayer life. I encourage you to experience the joy freely given to all believers.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

“We let the things we value most take a backseat to whatever is begging for attention in the moment.” This is a quote from the book Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

It is very easy to get distracted by the “stuff” of the world. When we get up in the morning there is already a high pile of stuff waiting our attention. Today, the economy is terrible; more folks are worried about simple survival than have been since the “great depression”. We feel such a sense of uncertainty in our daily lives.
How easy it is for God, for our love of God, for our work for God to take a backseat to the worries of the world.
What do you value most as a Christian?

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version, ©2010)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If loving God and your neighbor is the greatest commandment how do we let everything else take up most of our attention. How much of our physical and emotional attention to we concentrate on that which should matter most?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (New King James Version)
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

There is great comfort in the Word of God. There is great comfort available in the Holy Spirit. The interesting thing is that the joy and comfort available to the believer is free for the asking. It is a good practice to surround yourself with the comfort, protection and joy of the Holy Spirit before we allow other stuff to seep in.
Father, God, we thank you for all that you are in our lives. We thank you for our existence; we thank you for the willing sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the protection and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Please help us to live lives that are worthy of the gifts you so freely give.
Amen.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

NowThat is a Call to Faith!!!

NowThat is a Call to Faith!!!

Romans 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Thousands of years ago an old man in a country far away was asked to believe that he would be something special. He was asked to believe that though him others would be blessed for centuries to come. He was asked to believe that he would be the father of a great nation at a time when he had not been able to be the father of even one child.
Now that is a call to faith!!!

Genesis 12 (New International Version, ©2010) The Call of Abram
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

Our God calls into being things that were not. We cannot fully enjoy the fulfillment of the promises of God until we reach a point where we can respond to His call to faith!
Is it harder to believe today that we are children of God, that we have the right to eternal life, that we have the right to blessings here and now than it was for a childless old man to believe that he would be the source of blessings for generations to come?
I am not angry with myself for coming late into the fold of God’s blessings, rather, I am grateful that he gracefully allowed me to be here long enough to wake up to His truth.
I have patience with myself because I remember that men who were walking around with Jesus every day needed faith boosters.

Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"

All that we need is available to us through faith.

Matthew 17:19-20 "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Father, God, I thank you for all you are in my life. I thank you for the gift of faith for it is truly a gift to know without a doubt that you are Love and that I am secure in that love.
Father, God, I pray increasing faith for my loved ones and circle of friends. Father, God, I pray my increasing faith as I travel The Way. Thank You, Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Now hat is a call to faith!!!

Now that is a call to faith!!!
Romans 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
Thousands of years ago an old man in a country far away was asked to believe that he would be something special. He was asked to believe that though him others would be blessed for centuries to come. He was asked to believe that he would be the father of a great nation at a time when he had not been able to be the father of even one child.
Now that is a call to faith!!!
Genesis 12 (New International Version, ©2010) The Call of Abram
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Our God calls into being things that were not. We cannot fully enjoy the fulfillment of the promises of God until we reach a point where we can respond to His call to faith!
Is it harder to believe today that we are children of God, that we have the right to eternal life, that we have the right to blessings here and now than it was for a childless old man to believe that he would be the source of blessings for generations to come?
I am not angry with myself for coming late into the fold of God’s blessings, rather, I am grateful that he gracefully allowed me to be here long enough to wake up to His truth.
I have patience with myself because I remember that men who were walking around with Jesus every day needed faith boosters.

Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"
All that we need is available to us through faith.
Matthew 17:19-20 "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
Father, God, I thank you for all you are in my life. I thank you for the gift of faith for it is truly a gift to know without a doubt that you are Love and that I am secure in that love.
Father, God, I pray increasing faith for my loved ones and circle of friends. Father, God, I pray my increasing faith as I travel The Way. Thank You, Lord.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Advent a time of remembrance and anticipation
This holy time of Advent is an invitation to rededicate our lives to God in a real way. We have so many encouraging scriptures in the Word to help us during this time of remembrance and anticipation.

(Isaiah 32:17-18) The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. {18} My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

Both the old and new testaments are filled with God’s promises of peace and joy to those who love Him.

(Isaiah 38:16-17) O LORD, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
{17} Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

(Matthew 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
{29} "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
{30} "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

These scriptures offer encouragement and promise. It is especially important to keep ourselves focused in this time of Advent. It is important to remember that this truly is a real time of celebration for Christians. There is no shame in the joy we feel as we celebrate the earthly birth of our God. There is no shame in acknowledging and accepting the special place we have in the eyes of God.

(Isaiah 54:10) For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

This season of Advent provides an opportunity to teach our children the reality of the Christian way. A dedication of a portion of our Christmas decorations and conversation can easily include reminders of the promise of the second coming.

(Isaiah 54:13) All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.

Father, God, we offer thanks for this opportunity to celebrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We offer thanks for the New Testament promise of the Second Coming. Please grant us the peace of Advent.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Advent, a Time for Peace

(Psalms 94:12-14) Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law,
{13} That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
{14} For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

This week of Advent is dedicated to the Peace of our Lord. This is a time to celebrate the peace that is available to us through the Holy Spirit. This is a time to show our gratitude for the peace that is given freely to all who believe.

(Psalms 119:165) Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

What a wonderful time to make amends and rebuild bridges at home, at work, among friends. What a privilege to work in concert with the Holy Spirit to reach out and mend the fences in our lives without concern for fault or placing blame.

(Proverbs 16:7) When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Beloved Father, we thank you for your peace. We thank you for the opportunity to celebrate this Advent season through study and application of Your Word in our daily lives. We thank you for mercy when we did not actively seek your peace and for grace extended to give us yet another opportunity for obedience.

(Isaiah 26:3-4) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
{4} Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Advent, a time for preparation

Advent, a time for preparation

Titus 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

I often speak of my gratitude that God has placed me in a fellowship where the focus is studying His Word under the leadership of a teacher who “rightly divides the Word”.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New King James Version)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In this season of Advent it is critical that we spend time in preparation and preparation is found in the Word of God.
Paul was an excellent example of an earthly teacher. Paul evidenced knowledge and understanding of the scriptures that were available to him and application to daily life.

Titus 1 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

Paul should be an encouragement to all who believe. Here was a man whose early purpose in life was to persecute those who believed In Christ and who later became our most prolific gospel writer.
Not all of us should be teachers, but all of us need to be under the leadership of a good teacher.
During this time of preparation, this time of Advent, we can pray God to show us our individual purpose, knowing that there is work in the kingdom for each of us.

1 Corinthians 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (emphasis added)

During this time of prayer, fasting and penitence we can ask for guidance as we celebrate His earthly birth and prepare for His second coming. This is a wonderful time to seek our special place in the body of Christ. This is a wonderful time to rededicate ourselves to His service.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Advent:

1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important
2. Advent
a.The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence.
b.Christianity. The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation.
What is Advent?
The word 'Advent' is from the Latin 'Adventus,' which means 'coming.' Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year (in the Western churches), and encompasses the span of time from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated.
Advent will always fall somewhere between November 27th at the earliest and December 3rd at the latest. http://observationandprinciples.com/bible-study/what-is-the-meaning-of-adv
The season preceding Christmas is a time for preparation and a time for choices. A lot of time, energy and money are spent preparing for our celebration of Christmas.
This is a season for sales and storing up of earthly gifts. This is a time for decorating and arranging our homes for visits from family and friends. This is a season of joy!

Matthew 2:10-11 (New International Version, ©2010)
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Christmas is truly the arrival of something extremely important in Christian lives but we must not fail to remember that Advent is a time for celebration of Christ’s first coming and preparation for His second coming.

Matthew 24:30-31 (King James Version)
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

We must not fail to teach our children the significance of being a Christian. This is a time to introduce or reinforce the concepts of prayer, fasting and penitence so that these premises become a part of our being. This is the time to make prayer, fasting and penitence a part of the common language of our families.
This is a time to encourage a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit and to talk about the importance of the gift of The Comforter. Now is when our children should be introduced to the peace that comes from knowing that our God is a Living God and that and that we are never left alone while we await His second coming.

Matthew 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
The Magi Visit the Messiah
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Have a great time. Enjoy the food and the fellowship, but remember that our first obligation is to “come to worship Him”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Hebrews 11:1 (New King James Version)
By Faith We Understand
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows,
I believe for everyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way,
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm a smallest prayer
Will still be heard,
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word,
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

Do you remember that old spiritual by the Platters? It was such a simple expression of faith. It was such an acceptance of the joy available in the simple things of life.

Romans 10:17 (New King James Version)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith allows us to know that there a God. Faith allows us to have a personal relationship with God. Faith allows us the comfort of the Holy Spirit. But faith does not require us to be gullible. We study to show ourselves approved. We study so that God will give us discernment.

"It is no sin to doubt some things... it may be fatal to believe everything. Faith never means gullibility. Credulity never honors God. The healthy soul, like the healthy blood system, has its proper proportion of white and red blood cells. The red corpuscles are like faith: they carry the life giving oxygen to every part of the body. The white cells are like discernment: they pounce upon dead and toxic matter and carry it out to the drain. In the healthy heart there must be provision for keeping dead and poisonous matter out of the life stream. http://www.acts17-11.com/faith.html

2 Thes 2:10b-11 (NIV) They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.

“When you have come to the edge
Of all light that you know
And are about to drop off into the darkness
Of the unknown,
Faith is knowing
One of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on or
You will be taught to fly”
Patrick Overton

This is faith.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 100 (New International Version)
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Did you wake up this morning? Now that sounds like a silly question, but every day that we wake up is another opportunity for a fuller life. Every day that we wake up is an opportunity to experience joy. Every day that we wake up is another opportunity to praise our Lord.

Psalm 118:24 (New King James Version)
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

We have choices about the ways we will use the precious time that God gives us. Sometimes we get so swept up in the mess of the day that we actually forget that we do have choices.
When we acknowledge that we can hold only one thought at a time we can make effective use of those choices. When we fill our hearts and minds with praises to God we close the door to negative thoughts.

Psalm 150 (New King James Version)
Let All Things Praise the LORD
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! u
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!

Take a hint from David and dance with all your might before the Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Only God Saves

Only God Saves
When we are given the chance to be a part of the lives of children and young adults, every day becomes an opportunity to honor one of the critical mandates of God, and that is to 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (New King James Version)

My granddaughter got wonderful news last night. A wrong had been made right with extra blessings added. After a dance of gratitude she insisted that we pray a prayer of thanksgiving and acknowledge that only God could have produced these results.
When I woke up this morning I was filled with joy just from remembering this child of my heart and the comfortable way she has of communicating with God.
I remembered a day many years ago when she questioned me about prayer and what things could she ask in prayer. I explained that we could ask God, our Father, for anything and, like any good father, He would grant those wishes best for our lives.
We have talked many times over the years about prayer, both answered and unanswered, and I have watched her grow in her relationship with the Holy Spirit.

But this morning as I researched for this blog I was led to a very short posting from a woman, another mother/grandmother, who was in great pain. She described herself as a failure in bringing up her children and helping them on the road to Christ.
I thought about the years my spiritual mentor prayed for me when I was one of the “lost”. I thought about the times that I needed the support and counsel of my church family when I felt like a failure with my own family. I thought about our obligation to “pray without ceasing” but I also remembered the many examples of persons who were “saved” when their lives were so far from examples of piety (including mine).

I wish I could share with this mother the hard won understanding that only God saves. I wish I could help her remember Paul, who was on his way to persecute the Church when God snatched him up for service, in hopes that she would realize that nothing is impossible for God, including the salvation of her loved ones.
This woman asked that no one respond to her posting and I see only one brief response and that from one of her children.

I will honor her request but pray that someone will find comfort in the understanding that God does not command us to “save” our children. That is His job. He does command us to teach them and to provide an example through our lives.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5 (New International Version)

I hope that this woman has a strong and supportive church family. I hope that she has found peace in her role as mother/grandmother .

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

I pray for all mothers/grandmothers who are trying to serve as role models for their children.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God's Covenant of Love

"Awesome God" is an American worship song which became popular in the United States during the late 1980s, composed by Rich Mullins. Its title is inspired by a biblical expression (Nehemiah 1:5, Nehemiah 9:32, Psalm 47, Daniel 9:4, etc.), variously translated as "Awesome God", (JPS, in the old-fashioned meaning "awe-inspiring"), "great" (KJV), among other alternatives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awesome_God
This was the song that was in my heart when I woke this morning.

Nehemiah 1:5-11 (New International Version)
5 Then I said:
“LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.
7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

When the chosen people of God are able to recognize and acknowledge that they have strayed from the will of God He is willing to hear their pleas for redemption. Our “Awesome God”, creator of the heavens and earth, expresses love through forgiveness and redemption.
We must not allow ourselves to be deluded by the evil one who would love for us to stay outside the protection of God’s love through ignorance and fear when all that is required is true repentance and a request for forgiveness.

Nehemiah 9:32 (New International Version)
32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

There is a continuous thread through all of these scriptures that speak of our “Awesome God” and that is His covenant of love. Nehemiah called out to God at a time when His people had sinned grievously, breaking many of God’s commandments and decrees. Yet, Nehemiah knew that God would hear the earnest prayers of His people. He knew this because he had studied God's word and learned of His love for His chosen people.

Daniel 9:4 (New International Version)
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

The entire ninth chapter of Daniel is a truly heartfelt and heartwarming prayer to God. Daniel freely acknowledges that the people of God have sinned and are not worthy and his plea is solely to the grace and mercy of God.

Psalm 47 (New International Version)
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.

We, the children of our Awesome God have been given the right to come to Him with our petitions. Let us avail ourselves of the mercy that is available to us and renewed every morning.
Our God truly is an “Awesome God”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

How Great Thou Art!!!

Psalm 8 (New King James Version)
To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

How Great Thou Art – The Lyrics
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

chorus
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

chorus

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

chorus

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

We are in the midst of studying the Psalms this quarter. What a wonderful experience! The Psalms are glorious songs of praise to our God. Songs of praise in times of great joy, songs of praise in times of trouble and fear, songs of praise in times of repentance and gratitude for forgiveness. One theme is consistent in the Psalms and that is an understanding of the greatness of Almighty God.

This song, written all the way in Sweden way back in the 1880’s, continues to warm the hearts of believers in America in the 21st century. What an awesome testament to the Glory of Almighty God.

Psalm 90
A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation
It has become my habit to meditate on God’s Word on a daily basis. I hesitate to use the term meditate because many Christians hold negative images about meditation. For them it brings up thoughts of “New Age Thinking” and Eastern religions.

I am old enough to have been caught up in the New Age Movement at a time in my life when I was searching for God in all the wrong places. I read the books, I listened to the tapes, I meditated.
I did experience the ability to focus on whatever was important to me at the time.
What I did not get was the true peace that comes from an established relationship with the Holy Spirit. I did not get direction for my life. I received no joy or understanding in the Word of God, as a matter of fact; I was hard pressed to read more than a few verses from the New Testament once in a rare while.

There was a severe restlessness in my spirit for many years and I couldn’t get a handle on the root cause.

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

How wonderful to know that it is not only good and Christian to meditate but that meditation is mandated by God.

Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1 (New International Version)
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

All About God, a Christian research site, states that the Bible mentions meditate or meditation 20 times. http://www.allaboutgod.com/christian-meditation.htm

Meditation is another gift that we have been given to open doors to a fulfilled Christian life. I am not willing to throw this great gift away. There are numerous writings on meditation for those who are interested but not sure where and how to start.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Diligently seeking Him includes meditating on His Word.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Castaway or In the Spirit?

The movie CastAway describes 4+ years in the life of a man alone on a tropical island. He had no one for companionship except “Wilson”, a soccer ball with a painted face, who became his confidant and friend.
I was reminded that we are never without companionship, mentorship and counsel after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, yet many times we fail to take advantage of the comfort that is available to us.

John 14 (New King James Version)
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As children of the Most High God we need not be afraid because we are never alone. If we were abandoned on a tropical island we would already have a friend and companion with us. But most of us fall prey to fear from time to time. I believe this forgetting grieves the Holy Spirit yet know I am guilty at times.

In the fourteenth chapter of John Jesus provides a wonderful view of the workings of the trinity in our lives. He especially encourages us to accept the special blessings available to us.

Ephesians 4:30 (New International Version)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The entire fourth chapter of Ephesians is a wonderful tapestry for living in the Holy Spirit. The focus is on the relationship with our brothers and sisters, but there is acknowledgment of the security and peace available to us when we obey God’s Word and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

Father God, we pray for guidance in our studies which lead us to your peace and to direction in our daily lives. I thank You, God, for all that You are. I ask that You keep within me this hunger for understanding.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

A Day for Rejoicing

"Sweet, Sweet, Spirit"
There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know you feel the presence of the Lord

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love
And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place

Did you ever wake in the morning with such a sense of peace that you just knew that this was going to be one of those glorious days?
Because you know it is going to be a glorious day, even when annoyances arise, nothing is a big deal.

Psalm 118:24 (New King James Version)
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Some days it is just easy to obey the Psalmist’s direction to rejoice and be glad in the day. The trick is to know that we have the power within us to make every day a day for rejoicing.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

With the power of this great shield we can make big issues into little annoyances.
I have a dear friend who truly will not let herself get sucked into negative thinking or negative speaking. She keeps her days of rejoicing by staying in God’s simple truths.
It is our duty to maintain peace within the family of God. I pray God keep me firmly in His Word of truth and spirit.

2 Timothy 2:14-17 (New King James Version
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, (emphasis added).

Hang on to your Sweet, Sweet Spirit. Deny the evil one access to your heart and mind.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Please, God, Order My Steps

Romans 8:26-27 (New King James Version)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

When I woke this morning my prayer was for special guidance on all decisions I had to make today. I have several things to work through, many of them with lasting repercussions, and I wanted to be sure that I was working within the will of God. I was not sure of the words, not sure exactly how to phrase my needs, then the gracious Holy Spirit placed the words of this song in my heart.

Lyrics to Order My Steps :
Order my steps in Your word dear Lord,
lead me, guide me everyday,
send Your anointing, Father I pray;
order my steps in Your word,
please, order my steps in Your word.

Humbly, I ask Thee to teach me Your will,
while You are working, help me be still,
Satan is busy, God is real;
order my steps in Your word,
please, order my steps in Your word.

Briddle my tongue let my words edify,
let the words of my mouth be exceptable in Thy sight,
take charge of my thoughts both day and night;
order my steps in Your word,
please order my steps in Your word.

CHORUS
I want to walk worthy,
my calling to fulfill.
Please order my steps Lord,
and I'll do Your blessed will.
The world is ever changing,
but You are still the same;
if You order my steps, I'll praise Your name.

Order my steps in Your word.
Order my tongue in Your word.
Guide my feet in Your word.
Wash my heart in Your word.
Show me how to walk in Your word.
Show me how to talk in Your word.
When I need a brand new song to sing,
show me how to let Your praises ring,
in your word (2x),

Please order my steps in Your word,
Please order my steps in Your word.

REPEAT CHORUS ( 2 X )

Please order my steps in Your word,

My friend and I were talking this weekend about our tendency to try to “help God” after we have prayed for His help. I truly believe God placed this song in my spirit to tell me to be still.
This is not a day for slogans. This is not a day for half-hearted commitment. This is truly a day when I must trust God to order my steps.
Therefore, I am truly grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I am grateful for the knowledge that He is here to guide me through.

Please, God, Order my Steps.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Promise of Greater Joy

The Promise of Greater Joy

Luke 10:17-24 (New International Version)
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

These seventy-two men had been sent out to spread the gospel. They are back with wondrous reports of power given to them, even the power to subdue demons. I can imagine how awesome it had to be to come with this great report. How thrilling it had to be to be told that there was going to be a greater joy awaiting them.

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

We are given many opportunities to be in the will of God. In even small interactions with others we can conduct ourselves in ways that tell the world of the joy of having your name written in heaven. We can be living proof that being a Christian is a matter of joy, not consternation. We can witness the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit.

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

We can stay involved in meaningful study of the Word so that we may have eyes that see.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

What if there is no hell.

Daniel 12:1 (New International Version)
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

We suppose that Michael is the great Archangel and that those written in the book are those of us who belong to God. There is great comfort in this belief, but is it enough to maintain the life of a Christian?

Daniel 12 2-3 (New International Version)
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

This scripture, Daniel 12:2-3, speaks, not only of living a life of righteousness, but of leading others to God. This scripture encourages the attainment of wisdom and compassion for the souls of others.

Matthew 25:46 (New International Version)
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Revelation 20:14-15 (New International Version)
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Some people, especially people who are outside of the love of God, believe that the only reason people believe in God is a fear of landing in hell. That might be true for some; but, anyone who held this belief would be cheating themselves of the greatest possible joy.
There is great joy available to the believer way before the time of judgment. There is the joy of a relationship with God. There is the joy of time with the Holy Spirit. There is joy in the word.

John 5:28 (New International Version)
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice.

I look forward to a time when I will hear His voice. I look forward to a time of communion with the Holy Spirit.
There is much more for me in this Christian walk than a fear of hell. I pray this joy and fulfillment is part of your life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Hope for "Late Bloomers"

Matthew 20
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.
4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

How many times I have read this scripture and heard sermons preached on this theme without a true appreciation of its personal meaning to me.

I thank You, God, for another opportunity to study your word. I thank you for leadership and direction that teaches me to look beyond an isolated verse for better understanding. I thank You for the desire to grow in my faith. I have so much for which to say “Thank You, Lord.”

One look at this scripture could be that God now opens arms to the Gentiles (those coming in late in the day) as well as the Jew (those who started early in the morning). This is a blessing to me, a Gentile. But there is a closer meaning for everyone who is still outside of the fold.

King James Version: John Chapter 9
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

How awesome it is for those of us who were “late” coming into the kingdom to know that our God receives us with open arms. How encouraging it is for those of us who are committed to the Great Commission to know that there is value in our work to bring others into the fold, no matter their age or circumstances, for as long as they breathe it is day.

“ Today this message applies to the Church. Sometimes the Church can be so closed off from the world. The message for those of us who know Jesus already is that we should long for all people to partake in the same reward that we ourselves receive when we follow after Jesus.” http://metrobibleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/17

Lord, I ask for strength and understanding to do whatever it is that You will for me. I thank You for all You are in my life. I hope that someone finds encouragement in these words.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Glad to be in the service

Glad to be in the service, Glad to be in the service,
Glad to be in the service one more time
He didn't have to let me live,
He didn't have to let me live,
Live to be in the service one more time

I'm glad to be in the service, I'm glad to be in the service
He's blessed me with my health, and then He's blessed me with my strength
And I'm glad to be in the service one more time.

Matthew 4:11 (New International Version)
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

I read a marvelous article by Ann Mary Clement which stated : “Jesus uses the verb ‘to serve’’ diakonein’ to identify his mission, and to describe what he expects of his followers (Lk 12.37, 17:X, 22:26-27). In his life he served many people but besides Jesus only angels and women are listed as the subject to this verb, and angels and women minister to Jesus himself (Mk 1:13: Lk 22.43, 8:3; Mt 8:15)” http://www.womenpriests.org/scriptur/clement.asp

And I thought, WOW. I am truly glad to be in the service, glad to be subject of the verb diakonein.

Luke 8:3 NIV
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,
2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;
3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

I am so happy to be one in service of Our Lord. I am happy to be counted as one of those who “thought it not robbery” to be subject to the Great Commission.

I’m not a theologian so I do not argue the author’s point of view but I do appreciate her statements. I do believe it is important for women to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they read the Word of God. I believe it is important for women to seek out several points of view so that they can truly become discerning disciples of God.

Matt 8:14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

So many of us have allowed ourselves to be beaten down by words of discouragement. So many of us have discounted the value of the services we provide.

Mark 15:40-41 (New International Version)40Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
41In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Be “Glad to Be in the Service“. Be happy to be counted among those who serve our Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Our Model Prayer

Many of us are unsatisfied with our prayer life. We look to others who just seem to have all of the right words to say at all times. We are inspired when they pray but we just don’t know what to say ourselves.

Sometimes this results in a reluctance to pray at all, especially in public.

Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus Christ on a daily basis, seemed to have doubts about the appropriate approach to prayer.

Luke 11:1 (New International Version)
Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

Most of us have committed the Lord’s Prayer, the Model Prayer to memory. This prayer becomes more fulfilling when we explore the magnificent wholeness in these simple words.

Matthew 6:9-13 (King James Version)
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Our Father, your father, my father. We have been given the right, as children of God, to come directly to him in prayer. Before the time of Jesus we were obligated to go to priests to intercede for us in the holy places. No layman was admitted on penalty of death. Now, Jesus himself has told us that we can directly say “Our Father”.

Which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. We acknowledge the greatness of God. We acknowledge that he is above all and we gladly give him the highest praise. .

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
We establish in our prayer a good order of things. Our first priority is to God then to our earthly concerns. It is for the glory of the Father that we pray. We know that His will is supreme. We know that things work out best for us when we submit to his will.

Give us this day our daily bread. God has promised to meet our needs when we put first the kingdom.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. This is accomplished in our model prayer. In our model prayer we seek first to glorify our God knowing that He will meet our needs.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..
We take responsibility for the fact that we have sinned. We take responsibility for the fact that we have fallen short of the mark. We have debts owed to the Father and we need His mercy.. But how do we treat folks who have trespassed against us? How close are we to following his command in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. Are we anywhere near the mandate in Luke 6:31 to Do to others as you would have them do to you?

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil God has promised in (1 Corinthians 10:13),
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God does not take Satan out of the equation. What he does do is give us the resources to deal with him. He gives us His Word. He gives us His Holy Spirit. He gives us the path to deliver us from evil. He gives us The Way.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Our “Model Prayer”. A beautiful gift from Jesus himself.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY

Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I thank God that He provides new eyes to see old truths on a daily basis. Most of us learned this Psalm as children. I know it was my favorite as a child because of all the protection and comfort it offered.

This morning I was listening to a minister on television who commented on the fact that, although we are promised a walk through the valley, some of us chose to live in the valley of death.

Some of us just won’t let go of adversity. Some of us keep revisiting old hurts and disappointments even after God has delivered us.

Many times we run back to our uncomfortable “comfort zones”, the places that are familiar to us, because our faith is not big enough to hold onto the promises of God.

Perhaps it’s time to walk through the valley of the shadow of death secure in the knowledge that God is with us.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Sweet Hour of Prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

There is such a call on my heart today to remind us of the comfort that is available to us in the gift of prayer. Sometimes when we are in the middle of strife we lose sight of the protection that is ours just for the asking.

Remember that prayer has only to be sincere, not complicated.

Matthew 14 (New International Version)
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

This prayer by Peter was answered, not because it was eloquent, but because it was sincere!

As a matter of fact, Jesus counsels us to avoid repetitious prayer.

A prayer can be the “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9–13, Luke 11:2–4) which contain all of the elements needed for heartfelt prayer. A prayer can be a song that speaks to the desires of your heart for closeness to God. A prayer can be a dialogue with the Holy Spirit who knows the desires of your heart.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

For peace in your life, start and end your day in the glorious presence of Our Lord through prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Isn’t it great that this greatest of gifts is free.

My God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Joy in Studying the Word!

Psalm 46 (New International Version)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

We are studying the Psalms during our Sunday School Preparatory Classes and I am so excited. The Psalms are a source of comfort in times of trouble. The Psalms enrich prayer and praise time. The Psalms provide examples of confession and repentance. The Psalms are awesome gifts to the believer, a pathway into the presence of Almighty God.

2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Our Sunday School Preparatory is a time when we study the lessons which will be presented the following Sunday.

It is such an interesting concept. We meet on Monday night for an hour and study the scripture presented in the lesson, background scripture, historical context. This is a time to learn the who, why, when and what that will be in the upcoming lessons. We get excited about follow-up study at home for special clarity. We explore practical applications of the lessons learned. This is a time for the Living Word.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."—John 14:26.

If you are bored reading the bible, if you find the bible confusing, find a good teaching ministry and discover the excitement of the Word of God in your life. Open the door for the Comforter and avail yourself of this wonderful gift.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Pray or Panic!!!

Sometimes you are just having “one of those days” a day when everything you plan just isn’t happening. You plan to go to the bank first thing in the morning only to discover that it’s one of those holidays you forgot because you have to work. You plan to finish that report and discover that an important piece is in your desk at home. Normally you would laugh when you discover that the blue shoes that perfectly match your suit are really the dark brown ones that don’t match anything.

But today isn’t a day you feel like laughing about anything. Every little annoyance is greatly magnified. You feel as if you should just go back to bed and start over but that isn‘t always an option in the real world.

This sounds like a set up for having a bad day. Oh, but we have choices.

We can decide to let this day just spiral down to a very dark place or we can decide to put a stop to this nonsense right away!

Matthew 6 (New International Version)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Wow! Just stopping for a moment to review this morning in a different light can put this whole day into a new perspective. What among these little annoyances is worth ruining a whole day? What is there here that can’t be fixed or just ignored at this point?

Will I let every contact that I have for the rest of the day be soured by these little blips?

Psalm 118:24 (New International Version)
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is a brand new day. This is a day when I can notice that there is a beautiful blue sky outside and it’s cooled off enough that I can enjoy sitting outside on my break. Oh, and there is a bird family that decided to make a home just outside my window and I can hear their joyful song. And on it goes. It is amazing how many reasons we have for joy when we refuse to give our day over to despair, anger or hurt feelings. How trivial the things that were about to ruin my whole day seem in contrast to the joy of the Lord!

Lamentations 3:22-26 (New International Version)
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

We are given a “memory scripture” every week at church. These are the little nuggets that we can call on when life is tough and we need the comfort of the Word. It’s amazing how well it works.

Just remembering that there is comfort and protection for my spirit in the Word gives pause to every destructive thought. It doesn’t take a long time to choose to pray rather than panic but it can have long lasting rewards.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

A Day of Opportunity

When you wake in the morning you don’t know every opportunity and challenge you will face during the day. The best way to be prepared is to arm yourself with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version)
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

How wonderful it is that our God has provided easy guidelines to get us through any day.

13Therefore put on THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

BELT OF TRUTH
No matter who or what you have to deal with during the day, if you are reinforced with truth you have no cause to fear. I teach my grandchildren that one of the benefits of a truthful life is that you have no need to remember which lie you told to whom. You can approach everyone with ease of mind and concentrate on the here and now instead of the cumbersome task of weaving a plausible web of deceit. The most lasting problem is that a person, once known a liar, has a very difficult time being believed even when telling an obvious truth.

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness means coming to any situation knowing that you are right with God and man. This is in no way that self-centered attitude that some associate with the religious. You can only be right with God with a sense of humility. God teaches us to approach our brothers with gentleness and patience.

2 Timothy 2 (New International Version)
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

There are some folks who are just natural peacemakers. Some of us have to stay prayerful and make an effort to stay in a mode of peacemaker. One of the benefits of being a peacemaker, rather than a peace breaker, is that a peacemaker inspires confidence even in the minds of enemies. How much easier your day will be when you are not met first with an air of suspicion in all of your dealings.

Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

SHIELD OF FAITH

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

We approach every day armed with a shield of faith. We have faith in the promises of God. We have faith that we can receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we stay rooted in the Word of God. Faith provides a sweet assurance in the love, grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior.

“When you have come to the edge
Of all light that you know
And are about to drop off into the darkness
Of the unknown,
Faith is knowing
One of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on or
You will be taught to fly”
Patrick Overton

Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version)
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

HELMET OF SALVATION AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We protect our heads, our minds, with the helmet of salvation. We avoid getting tossed about with all the foolishness of the world by staying grounded in the Word of God. We approach every day secure in the knowledge that our salvation is assured.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (New International Version)
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Father, God, we begin each day first acknowledging all You are in our lives. We give You the first fruits of our day in prayer, meditation and study of Your precious Word. We know that there will be trials, even for the faithful, but that we are ready to face every trial secure in the protection of Your Love.

18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Face this and every new day armed with the BELT OF TRUTH, the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, the THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, the SHIELD OF FAITH , the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Daily Pleasures, Freely Given

Psalm 19 (New International Version)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

Are you one of the fortunate ones who can truly enjoy the majesty of a perfect sunset? When you look into the skies do you appreciate the wonder of the order of the heavens? I live on the west coast where sunsets are a daily gift from God and I say “Thank You, Lord!!!”

I am not a poet but the words of the Psalms are often the songs of my heart. This one of those times.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

Many times we see laws and rules as prohibiting. We must keep our speed within limits to minimize the damage we do to ourselves and others in case of accident, we must stop at lights so that there is order in traffic, we must honor the rights of others in many ways.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

When we obey the Laws of God we afford ourselves a sweet peace. We start to understand the meaning of John’s words “4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 4-7(New International Version)

I acknowledge my absolute need of the help of the Holy Sirit in my daily life to keep me from sin. I acknowledge the ease with which I can slip into some unseemly thoughts even though I’ve gotten much better at controlling unseeming behavior.
I must daily pray:

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Check out a sunrise or sunset on whatever horizon God has given you. Enjoy the majesty of Our Lord in the daily pleasures that are freely given.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Praying the Scriptures for Your Children

I received a wonderful gift from my pastor yesterday. It was a fact sheet entitled “Prayer Power: Covering Our Kids With His Promise!” which was featured on the 700 Club on April 22, 2002.

This fact sheet was a summary of a book “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children,” by Jodie Berndt.

The author uses actual scripture. Inserting the child’s name to personalize the prayer. An example is: “I pray that (your child’s name) would continue to live in Christ, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as he was taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” from the scripture of (Colossians 2:6-7).

Colossians 2:6-7 (New American Standard Bible
6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

This could be a powerful tool for both the child and the adult, especially when the adult shares the scripture and the process with the child. I feel as if I have been given a new eye with which to see scripture, an eye for helpful tools for my grandchildren, an eye for opportunities to share the Word in a whole new light.

I love praying for my children and grandchildren. We believe that we are privileged to have the Word to guide us in our daily lives and active prayer for our loved ones is a part of daily living. Scripture says

25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:25-27 (New International Version)

All saints have the privilege of interceding on behalf of their loved ones. All saints have the benefit of the Holy Spirit in prayer and in meditation. I know that my prayers are answered when I ask to be an effective prayer warrior for loved ones. I thank God for yet another way to worship and praise Him.

May God enrich your spirit. May God bring you peace and fulfillment.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God First. A Commitment to Daily Worship

God First. A Commitment to Daily Worship

Our pastor asked us to start each day with four things.
Amen… agreeing with God for what He has planned for our day
Hallelijah, praising God just for who He is in our lives.
Thank You, Lord, for all he has done is doing and will do in our lives.
Bless the Lord Another praise to God for His eternal mercies.

Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Every once in a while we are asked to do something that is just easy. We don’t mind at all complying with these easy requests, at least not in the beginning. But, after a while, we just slide back into old habits.

Now, what gets in the way?

There a program called The Renewing of Your Mind. It speaks the truth. Until you renew your mind, you won’t change. How do we make the changes that guarantee that we will give God at least these simple acts of worship. One way is to make a determination to give God the first fruits of our day.

Are we truly in agreement with the plans that God has for our day? Do we trust that He has our best interests?

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Can we say “Amen”?

Hallelujah is a Hebrew word meaning "Praise Yahweh".

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
16Be joyful always;
17pray continually;
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

We are guaranteed daily worship if the first thing we do on rising is worship God. We are guaranteed to give thanks if we remember to thank God for the gift of a new day. We are guaranteed to give our lives to God in agreement with His will if we acknowledge, Amen to the will of God, before we start to make our own decisions about the rest of our day.

Psalm 34 (New King James Version)
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

The last five chapters in the book of Psalms (146-150) comprise what might be considered a great "Hallalujah Chorus" to this "Hallel" book -- the "book of Israel's praises," as the book of Psalms was called by the Israelites.
http://www.icr.org/article/hallelujah-psalms/

Thank You, Lord, for life. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of the Comforter. Thank You, Lord, for your mercy which is renewed every morning. Thank You, Lord, I just want to thank You, Lord.

Psalm 118 (New International Version)
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

I start my day in agreement with what You have in store for my life, Amen. I start my day singing praises for all You are in my life, Hallelujah! I start my day in appreciation for Your love, Thank You, Lord. I start my day with praise for your eternal mercies, Bless The Lord. I make a commitment to daily worship, a commitment to make God First.

Psalm 103 (New American Standard)
Praise for the LORD'S Mercies.
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits ;

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!