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!!!