We're Special

Good Morning!! We as Christians, often seem to blend in with the world,...becoming nearly indistinguishable from non-believers. Is it becauce we prefer to remain unnoticed in our surroundings?

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.—1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

Our world is a sinful place, and Christians are called to be holy people. Our words and our actions should show us to be different, for the sake of Christ.

Would anyone be surprised to learn that you are a faithfilled Christian?

Heavenly Father, You have called us to be holy and set apart. Give us courage to live as Your holy witnesses, even if it means that we must step out and step up. Amen.

"Our needs can never exhaust God's supply."

Love For God, Part 2

Good Morning, What Drives Your Love For GOD? part 2: We may sometimes base our relationship with God on what we can do for Him,...and who knows it. God wants us to share the gospel, feed the hungry, visit the sick, teach His Word, give our money, pray for peace and work for justice. These are things the Lord has commanded us to do. So we feel good about ourselves and our relationship with God so long as we are able to "make a difference" in the world for God. But when regardless of our best efforts we don't feel useful to God, or no one else can see it, then we allow our relationship with God to suffer.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.—Deuteronomy 6:5 (KJV)

God wants our relationship with Him to be based not on what He wants from us or what anyone else thinks, but rather on mutual love. The greatest command is to love the Lord with every part of ourselves. When we love God for who He is, we have the basis for a relationship that will be filled with wonder and joy. Do you love the Lord regardless of what you can do for Him?

"As Christians, we spend time with God each day so He will have opportunity to set His agenda on our hearts.
This way nothing will be able to take us by surprise because the Father, who loves us, will have prepared us."

(The Man God Uses, Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 102)
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, even when we don't seem very useful. Just in Your presence, we find joy and peace. Amen.

"Live out Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness,
...today and every day."

Love For God, Part 1

Good Morning, What Drives Your Love For GOD? part 1: We may base our relationship with God on what God can do for us. We need God to protect, heal, guide, provide, get us through, open doors, close doors, answer questions and way too often,...give us things. This kind of relationship thrives on need. The greater the need, the greater our desire is for God. But when the need subsides then our relationship with God also subsides.

So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.—Deuteronomy 6:5 (AAJE)

God wants our relationship with Him to be based not on what we want from Him, but rather on mutual love. The greatest command is to love the Lord with every part of ourselves. When we love God for who He is, we have the basis for a relationship that will be filled with wonder and joy. Do you love the Lord regardless of what He can do for you?

"The Lord, has prepared a place for us,
...and now He's preparing us for that place."

Gracious Lord, we love You. We want to know and love You more every day. Amen.

"Live out Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness,
...today and every day."

Criticize Or Compliment

Good Morning!! Our sinful nature pushes us toward the negative, we tend to; major in things that should be minor and minor in things that should be major. Although a dozen people treat us pleasantly, we are more likely to remember and resent the one person who treated us poorly. If someone does well in all areas except one, we will probably criticize that one, more than compliment them on what they do well.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.—Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Rarely if every, do we get to choose what happens to us, but we can choose our response. And we can choose what we will dwell on,...what we allow to become part of us. We can choose to be kind and gentle even when others are not. We can choose to fill our minds with good and positive thoughts even when negative things are happening around us or to us.

We can choose to rejoice in the Lord even when we can not rejoice in our situation.

Because Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,...life brings suffering and tears as well as laughter and success.

"Live out Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness,
...today and every day."

Willing To Be Lead

Good Morning, My Friend!! "I Want To Be Like JESUS." We all said it, but have you really though about it? Turn the other cheek, speak only kind words, helping with out being judgmental,...these are just a few of the traits we think of when we think of Him. But what about this; Jesus was led by the Spirit. He was always conscious of God the Father's presence with Him. No matter where He was or what He was doing, Jesus was open and obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Although there were many competing voices and many pressures brought upon Him, Jesus listened for and was obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.—Matthew 4:1 (KJV)

We are led by many things. We are often led by our desire for wealth or pleasure or power or recognition. We are led by the expectations of others, our parents, peers, neighbors and even bosses. We are led by messages in advertisements as well as things we see on TV and in the movies. We are led by sinful habits that we have allowed to take root in us. We may even be led by false promises of Satan. It is good to take a personal inventory from time to time to see what or who is leading us, who is influencing us, lest we be led astray. That's why more than ever; ' I want to be like Jesus!"

Only the Spirit of God leads us where we can find hope, purpose, life, truth and all that we really desire.

Whether consciously or unconsciously, nothing can lead and influence us unless we allow it to, unless we give it permission and power over us.

"Live out Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness,
...today and every day."

No Denying

Good Morning!! On the night of His arrest, Jesus again called Peter, James, and John to accompany Him. But when Jesus is arrested, the disciples flee,...even after having witnessed the transfiguration. Like-wise, many times we too, experience the reality of God's glory in our lives,...only to struggle when confronted with real-life fears and temptations.

Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."—Mark 14:29-30 (NIV)

Despite our failure to stay with Jesus, or even claim Him at times,...God has continually responded to our failures with yet more displays of love and forgiveness. In the face of dismal human shortcomings, God's glory and grace still shines forth to heal, reconcile, and restore us all.

By failing to follow Jesus,...are we not also denying Him?

Most gracious and loving God, forgive us for not living as those who have witnessed Your glory. Help us to better display our faith, in Your wonder working power. Amen.

"Live out Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness,
...today and every day."

In God,...We Trust, Hope and Wait

Good Morning!! In the Bible, tragic stories aren't merely about the consequences of sin,...they're also about the ways God is present in our suffering. This story tells of desperate choices made by suffering people and ruthless decisions by arrogant leaders. But rising in the midst of the chaos, like a beacon of hope, is the prophet Elisha. His word comes true in precisely the way he predicted. God’s strength, mediated through him, gives the people hope.

"This is a day of good news . . ."—2 Kings 7:9 (NIV)

The theme verse above is spoken by four leprous men who realize that they should share the good news of God’s miraculous deliverance. But we do not always experience such miraculous solutions to problems. Life does not neatly tie up every loose end. Tragic situations are not completely resolved to our satisfaction. But we trust, we wait, and we hope for the day of good news. We rest in the Savior whose own tragic suffering reveals that God is always with us.

God is our most supportive friend, the most patient of listeners.

In the midst of tragedy, Father, strengthen our faith. Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Proclaim God, Everywhere

Good Morning!! One month ago, I was told that; like it or not, I was being moved to another position. I would remain a foreman, but I would be driving a service truck again, and I would be working for a guy that was so bad that; two of his three foremen were willing to take a lateral move,...with less chance of advancement and no increase in pay. I was stunned, angry, and I felt cheated. I didn't see God at work,...nor did I want to.

Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that [Elisha] would at least come out to me, pray to the LORD his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me!"—2 Kings 5:11 (TEV)

Then with help, I remembered that it's not about me, what I want, think, or feel. It is, and always has been, about reflecting Jesus and proclaiming the Good News. Things are not suddenly perfect,...but they are getting better,...because God has place in their midst, someone that cares. I had my own ideas about how God should work, but God showed me another way to witness by doing something as simple as being myself,...in different place.

When we accept daily events with a heart for God,
...we're given the grace to recognize God's answer to prayer.

O' God, help us to recognize Your answers to our prayers, and to live a life that gratefully, relects Your trates. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"The LORD is your shepherd,
...so why whould you ever need to worry."

Seeing With Love

Good Morning, It's A Wonderful Worshipful, Wednesday!! Sometimes, we look at the world with a sort of spiritual blindness,...unaware of what we are missing. We may fail to see that our remarks and actions cause people to feel hurt or humiliated. We miss the need that cries out in the faces of others. We are like the blind man who, when he was partially healed, could see people; but they looked like moving trees. But when the man came back to Christ again, he was enabled to see clearly.

I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.—Mark 8:24 (NRSV)

To see clearly, we also need Christ's help. Day by day we need to ask, "Lord, what do You see that we are missing?" Jesus saw generosity in a widow's gift,...and greed hidden behind pious faces, and long prayers. He saw God's care for us, in God's care for a tiny sparrow. In the needy, the naked, the prisoner, the stranger, He saw people longing to be welcomed.

Loving eyes see the world most clearly.

Father God, help us to see the world through the eyes of our Savior, and to go where His vision leads. Amen.

"The LORD is your shepherd,
...so why whould you ever need to worry."

Family Identity

Good Morning!! Christians, like little children, change a little each day. And also like little children,...those that are closest to us, never notice the many small changes. But family or friends who do not see us for an extended period of time, are always amazed, at how much we've changed. We are slower to anger, calmer, more mature. Even though kids change,...there is still that recognizable family imprint. Not only do they resemble us physically, they learn our family values.

All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:18 (NRSV)

As we spend more and more time with our Heavenly Father, and church family, read the Bible, and pray, God's nature within becomes more visible. We become more and more like Christ and reflect the family attributes. Others can recognize Christ in us. We bear God's imprint.

You're in the Family,
...don't you want people to see the Father and Son in you?

Sweet Spirit of God, make us more like Jesus,...day by day. Amen.

"The LORD is your shepherd,
...so why whould you ever need to worry."

Faith And Works,...Not Or

Good Morning!! When we become Christians we should accept the “whole package” offered by Jesus. This includes His authority over our lives. If we don't accept Jesus as our Lord, master and authority,...isn't that somehow implying that He's not worth being accepted also as a Savior? Christ is either fully competent and reliable, or He's not.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.—James 2:18,19 (NIV)

Saying that accepting Jesus means agreeing to follow Jesus, does not suddenly make our obedience a condition for salvation. No cured patient brags that they earned their recovery, by faithfully adhering to her doctor’s orders. But neither do they expect a medicine to save their life, if they don't follow the prescription! God’s good news is not just a ticket to heaven,...sin is a deadly disease,...intimacy with God is true wellness. Do we dare, be selective, as to which parts of the treatment we assent to.

Eternal life is a free gift from God based on Christ’s death on the cross,
...not something we achieve by merit or personal performance.

Heal us, Great Physician. Make us fit both for eternity and for living out this day. Amen.

"The LORD is your shepherd,
...so why whould you ever need to worry."

Help Me Love Better

Good Morning!! When God surveyed His vast creation, He declared, "This is very good" But the Bible notes one exception in Genesis 2; it was "not good that the man should be alone." So God fix that by making "a helper" for Adam. Unfortunately, this common translation, makes it sound like, the woman is very much subordinate to the man. Adam was primary. Eve was his helper. Adam was the CEO,...and Eve his secretary, brought into the story to help him get his work done.

It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.—Genesis 2:18 (NRSV)

Wrong! You see, the word used here for “helper” (the Hebrew word ezer [rhymes with "razor"]) occurs twenty-one times in the Old Testament, and in all but five occurrences it refers to God as our helper. "Our ezer is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth". (Ps.124:8) "Happy are those whose ezer is the God of Jacob". (Ps.146:5) In other words, whenever we run into difficulties in our lives, we need someone to stand beside us, to encourage us, to help get us through. God Himself is our ultimate ezer. But He has also provided an ezer within skin,...specifically our partners in marriage.

With this sense of equality between male and female, it is no wonder that God goes on to give His ideal for marriage;...that the man and the woman may "become one flesh".
(Gen.2:24)

Thank You, God, form all who have been blessed enough to have an "ezers" in our life,...may they too help us in times of trouble. Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Out of the Comfort Zone

Good Morning!! Sometimes I am content with my life as it is. Other times, I find myself out of my comfort zone and forced to wonder if God is trying to tell me something,...something about the complacent life I'm living, something about moving beyond my self-imposed borders to see and meet the needs of others.

Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.—Matthew 14:29 (NRSV)

Stepping out of our comfort zone is not easy. We're forced to see things we don't really want to see. We feel the need to do things, that we don't want to do. But this is when and where, the blessings come,...this is when God uses us most.

We can't walk on water,...until we get out of the boat.

O Lord, move us out of our complacency. Lead us beyond the comfortable places of our lives so that we can do what You want us to do. Let Your Will be done. Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Reduce Tension, Focus on God

Good Morning!! Tension is a condition of modern life, that few of us can escape. Busy parents and grand-parents, often must feed children, and get them off to school,...shop, cook, clean and hold down jobs. Those striving to succeed at work, often have to leave home early, and return late in the evening weary. How can any family,...even a Christian family, withstand the pressures? How can relationships with children or spouse be nurtured if the family has no time together? We make no time for communication with one another,...and even less for God!

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

We were not created to live this way. Jesus said that we will have troubles in this world, but he also said that he has overcome the world. (See John 16:33.) Even though we can't easily escape the pressures of the world,...I know of no other solution, than to keep our focus on God and His Word.

God is our most supportive friend, the most patient of listeners.

Our Father, thank You for allowing us to come to You. Help us understand when, and how to; let go and let You,...when we're feeling overwhelmed by life's many burdens. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Sanctification

Good Morning, My Friend!! When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, God begins a cleansing process, that's called "sanctification." We come to God with our fears, pain, and sins. God tenderly holds us,...and gently washes us, with the water of His Spirit and His Word.

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us...through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.—Titus 3:4-6 (NIV)

Our minds are filled with this positive thought,...there is life beyond this world's pain and death. Christ did rise, and the day will come, when we will live with Him in a new eternal home.

We are being cleaned, by the kindness and love of God.

Sweet Spirit of God, come into our life and cleanse us, from all that would keep us from experiencing the full life our Father wants for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Compassion Is The Solution

Good Morning!! These days we often hear of demonstrations, unresolved conflicts, and bitter quarreling among the people of the world. The Bible advises us to reflect God's light,...but instead we often block God's light. I am saddened by this reality, especially when the conflicts and quarreling occur within my own family, church or place of employment.

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?—1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)

When people speak carelessly, feeling get hurt, and relationships are damaged. We need God's guidance as we move. When we allow God to direct both our words and our actions, our conflicts can be settled, and we discover the peace of God for our lives.

We will find solutions to our problems only when we show genuine humility and compassion for one another.

Father in Heaven, shine Your light upon our lives, and let Your mercy come through as we learn to forgive,...as You have forgiven us, and strengthen us, for joyful obedience to Your Word. Amen.

"No matter who our boss is,...we are really working for God."

Grace Is Motive Enough

Good Morning, And A Great Friday!! With remarkable compassion and stunning mercy God has chosen not to terminate His people,...with the wrath they have deserved. As Christian believers, we have been delivered from a life of faithlessness, and pointless existence.

"For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them."—Hosea 14:9 (NRSV)

The deliverance we have experienced in God from our sinfulness is not permission to wallow in a half-hearted faith. God’s grace is not intended to leave us apathetic or disinterested in holiness and righteousness, but becomes for us the motive that urges us forward. We have experienced the mercy and grace of God supremely in Jesus Christ,...don’t you think we ought to do something about it?

God’s people are called to walk forward,...and up right.

Gracious God, allow us to change in response to Your grace. Amen.

"Wealth doesn't nessisarily mean blessed."

Good Morning!! I believe that difficult times can help us to grow in our understanding of God. During hard times, God opens our eyes to see that joy does not come from a life without trials or heartaches. Joy comes from deep, abiding faith that increases as we mature in our relationship with God,...our Savior, Jesus Christ.

"Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning"—Psalm 30:5 (NRSV)

As I grow older and look back on life, I clearly see that everyone has good times, as well as times of grief, discouragement, and hardship. However, there is one constant in all this: When Christ is at the center of our lives, His love and patience see us through any and every trial.

When the strength of the LORD is the source of your joy,
....the joy of the LORD will also be the source of your strength.

Heavenly Father, open us to Your joy,...in good times and in hard times. Help us to cling to the promise that You are always with us. Amen.

"Wealth doesn't nessisarily mean blessed."

Anger Hurts, Let It Go!

Good Morning!! Anger is an explosive package, that we must learn to handle with care. If we hang on to our anger, it will destroy the hearts of those closest to us, when it blows up. Plus, holding our anger leaves no room for forgiveness,...and can allow bitterness to get a foot-hold in our lives. Try to remember to let go of all anger, as quickly as possible.

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.—Ephesians 4:26 (NRSV)

A good strategy for forgiving is to write down, as much of a description as you can, of the situation that has made you angry. Then identify the people you need to forgive and begin to pray that you might forgive them. God will help us to offer that forgiveness.

Use the Love of God, to defuse your anger.

Holy Spirit, help us not to sin in our anger. Instead, teach us to let go of our anger and forgive others,...as we are forgiven. Amen.

"Wealth doesn't nessisarily mean blessed."

Foresight or Insight?

Good Morning!! How have you experienced God at work in your life? Most of us are like Samuel,...we don't expect God to call or speak to us. And because we haven't invited Him in to our lives, we don't easily recognize His voice when He calls to us.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to [God's] purpose.—Romans 8:28(NRSV)

All my life I have been a very independent person who rarely asks for help. But when I finally asked for God's help, I began to see how God had been at work in my life,...all the time. Looking back on the events in my life, I realize that God cares for our individual needs,...and without our even asking, provides loving care. I believe that the people and events in our lives work together to help make us aware of God's love for us,...and move us to where He wants us to be.

Even before we are ready to respond, God is reaching out to us.

Dear God, thank You, for helping us to understand the great love You have for us. Amen.

"Wealth doesn't nessisarily mean blessed."