Friday, September 30, 2011

Choices, Wise or Not

Good Morning!! By our decisions and choices we are moving, inch by inch, either toward securing life,...or destruction. Proverbs honors us as responsible humans who take God’s moral rules seriously. Adults taught by Proverbs don’t go around banging their heads against walls, they accept boundaries. They don’t whine and complain, they embrace the notion; that we are responsible for our actions. In Proverbs’ view we don’t have to act foolishly, we have other options.

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."—Proverbs 1:32-33 (ESV)

Jesus’ teachings were greatly formed by Proverbs. Parables like the wise and foolish maidens (Matt. 25:1-13), the two house builders (Matt. 7:24-27), the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), and the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-9) all show people who acted wisely or foolishly. In our decisions and choices we are moving inch by inch toward destruction or securing life.

Threatening floods will come,...are you building on the rock, or sand?

O' Lord, give us wisdom in decision making for our well-being,...and Your glory. Amen.

"Lazy people take food in their hand, but won't even lift it to their mouth"
Proverbs 19:24 (NLT)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Know God, and Know Rest

Good Morning!! Because the workaholic believes that he must legitimize his existence by his work, he works almost all the time,...neglecting his family, neglecting his Sabbaths, and neglecting his health. When he stops working, he becomes restless and anxious. Resting from our labors is an act of trust. The workaholic does not understand this.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.—Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

In keeping the Sabbath we acknowledge that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God " (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3). Resting is one way for us to say, "You are God and I am not." Our survival, our sustenance, does not depend on us. We are called to work faithfully, but God is our real provider. In the Lord's Prayer, we ask, "Give us this day our daily bread." This childlike prayer recognizes our dependence on God. He is trustworthy and He will take care of us.

When we rest from our labors, we express our dependence on God's care and provision.

God has given us work as a gift,...not as a slave master.

"Lazy people take food in their hand, but won't even lift it to their mouth"
Proverbs 19:24 (NLT)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

God Says, and We Do

Good Morning!! The Lord speaks to us through the Bible,...but are we really willing to listen. The Lord gives leadership,...but are we really willing to follow his direction. The difficulty comes when God’s Word doesn’t seem to make sense us. So instead of doing what God says, we choose our own paths. Faith goes against the flesh,...most things God tells us to do, goes against how we feel, and what the rest of the world would suggest. We want to do all that the Lord tells us to do,...like Elijah. That means runing the race God has set before us,...no matter how uneven or rough the track.

So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.—1 Kings 17: 5, 6 (NIV)

Elijah knew what it meant to listen and obey. God will only give us as much as we can handle. As we become faithful to do what the Lord tells us in the small things, He will entrust us with bigger things to do. There is no better way to show your love for God, than to be obedient. God entrusts a mighty ministry to an obedient heart,...because an obedient heart just wants to please God regardless.

As we listen and obey the smallest of commands,...we begin to see God faithfulness build our faith to handle the next command.

Holy Spirit, help us to be faithful with the little things so that we may be faithful with all our Father has for us. Amen.

"Lazy people take food in their hand, but won't even lift it to their mouth"
Proverbs 19:24 (NLT)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Update Your GPS, Read The Bible

Good Morning!! Lost?,...use your (G.P.S.) Global Positioning Satellite, it can let you know where you are,...and give you directions. But for knowing more than our geographic location, like "where are we in the scheme of things?" or "Is the world in which we live a godless accident of changing matter over endless time?" " Is the beauty of a rose, the intricacy of an eye, the kindness of human friendship simply the whimsy of chance?" Or is there more at work? For these and other answers, Christians use their built in (G.P.S.) God's Protective Spirit.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.—Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

Today's Scripture, the very first verse of the Bible insists that all things come to be because of God. God is the wise maker and loving sustainer of all that is. It's a mind-boggling claim. Our finite brain cannot fully grasp it, but in faith we profess it. All that we know of redemption is set within the frame of God's creation. Where are we? We are in the hands and heart of God.



To pose and answer, one of the perennial questions of philosophy: Why is there something rather than nothing? Because, God makes and sustains everything!

Father God, Lord of the cosmos, Maker of Heaven and earth, open our eyes and ears and hearts to this world of wonders You have lovingly made, and to Your splendor and glory. Amen.

"Lazy people take food in their hand, but won't even lift it to their mouth"
Proverbs 19:24 (NLT)

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Bible, The Meal That Matters

Good Morning!! The other day, I was asked a question by a friend,...the question caught me off guard. The question: Why do you read the Bible? My first thought; "What kind of question is that?...we all know why we read the Bible,...right?." First of all, without God’s word, we would die. His words are our daily bread, our living water, and the very air we breathe.

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.— Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)

The Bible offers wisdom in making daily decisions. In it's pages, I find joy that there is more than what this world has to offer. And I find peace, because I know that there is unconditional love, for even me,...despite my many shortcomings.

When we discipline ourselves to read God's Word,
...we not only find answers,...we find Him.


Father God, we come to You today, to find answers. Your Word feeds us. Write it on the tablets of our hearts, so that our hearts may be filled with joy,...and rejoicing. Move us to open our Bibles daily, to get a new revelation form You. Amen.

"Lazy people take food in their hand, but won't even lift it to their mouth"
Proverbs 19:24 (NLT)

Friday, September 23, 2011

Knowing God Brings Peace

Good Morning!! The word "suffer" is not a word that brings comfort or peace. When we hear of someone suffering, we feel concern, sympathy and even sadness for that person. The definition for suffering means "Forced to bear or endure a sensation or impression (usually painful)." We as Christians, must deal with the fact that God allows suffering. Nothing on this planet, or in the universe, happens without God's approval.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.—1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

Why does this loving, gracious God allow tragedies, pain and suffering? We don't rightly know,...and we may never fully understand why God does any of what He does. But I know that we must live as He as told us to,...by faith. We must believe and trust that the Lord has a reason, for everything that happens to us. When we dig into His word, and study His teachings, then we will have more peace in times of confusion and pain.

Don't allow satan to take advantage of the painful events in our life,...continue to trust God.

Holy Spirit, help us to look beyond our pain for the moment, to see the bigger picture that God has for us. Allow us find God in what we are going through. In the name of Jesus, we pray for the perseverance to endure. Amen.

"[]____ _/ /\____
/__/ _/\_ //____/\
l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15/NIV

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Know God, Trust God

Good Morning!! God wants a relationship with us. As our Heavenly Father, He knows what is best for us. He is more than willing to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. God does not want us to just believe in Him, but to understand Him as well. God has not hidden Himself from us,...He has given us His Son, Jesus, His Word, and His Spirit.

The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.—Psalm 14:2 (NIV)

The Spirit of God intercedes for us, convicts our hearts, and leads us into all truth. We have the opportunity to seek God,...and to find Him. But we also have the ability to understand Him as we continue to choose to read the Bible, pray and submit to the circumstances that He has allowed us to encounter in our lives.

As we begin to know God, we show our trust in His ways,...as we continue to seek and submit to His will.

Thank You, Father God, for the personal message You offer to us each day, help us know You better through Your Word. Help us to be open to hearing what You have to say to us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

"[]____ _/ /\____
/__/ _/\_ //____/\
l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15/NIV

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Repent and Return To God

Good Morning!! Too many Christians today live in places of such compromise, that truth is hard to define. One person's truth is not necessarily someone else's. Our world is one big melting pot of tolerance and gray areas; unfortunately, the church is not excluded from this category. But as Christians we are called to worship in Spirit and in truth,...and to shed the light of God's love, in this world of darkness.

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."—Genesis 28:15 (NIV)

Even though we are saved by the blood of Christ,...our sin will still be dealt with. Just like everyone else, we are called to repent,...and return to the Lord whenever we discover that we are out of place. If we do not, the storms of life will threaten to take us out. We are in desperate need of a Savior,...everyday of our lives. Praise God, that He gave us His Son,...and that the times ahead are in His hands. Let's just make sure that we are in His hands as well.

Give Jesus your heart,...your life,...and your all, each day.

Holy Spirit, let us know when we are out of place. And after showing us where we're wrong,...help us get back into place,...where we are loved and protected. this we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

"[]____ _/ /\____
/__/ _/\_ //____/\
l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15/NIV

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A Word and A Promise

Good Morning!! Today's verse is a promise that God made to Jacob. As Jacob lay asleep, the Lord stood over him and reaffirmed the promise that He had given his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham. The Lord told him of how his descendants would be as the dust of the earth, scattered in all directions and blessed to be in God's family. God kept His promise and the rest of the Old Testament tells the story of His people, a people known as the children of Israel,...Israel being the new name given to Jacob by God.

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."—Genesis 28:15 (NIV)

The literal context of this verse is stated above,...but the spiritual context is just as applicable to us, today. Did you know that the Lord has a promise for your life, even in this verse? How does something written so long ago become relevant to our lives now? Many people miss out on the Old Testament message because they see no relevance to our modern day lives. But the Holy Spirit makes the message critically relevant, to our lives, right here, and right now. The promise that God gave Jacob is also a promise that He gives us. Hebrews 13:5 says that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.

Look in the Bible, and find just what you have been needing; a promise,...a confirmation,...an answer.

Holy Spirit, take the Word of God, and speak it freash and new to our hearts,...giving us a personal message, one just for us. Amen.

"[]____ _/ /\____
/__/ _/\_ //____/\
l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15/NIV

Monday, September 19, 2011

Ask and Obey

Good Morning!! We already know that our God is always ready and willing to lead and guide us,...we can come to Him with questions and He will answer. Then the real question becomes; are we willing to do what He is tells us to do?...even when His answers don't match what we expect? So often we ask for the truth, but really don't want to hear it. We must make the decision right then, to obey His Word. Otherwise, we start thinking too much, and allow the enemy time to deceive our thoughts.

"As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what the LORD tells me."—1 Kings 22:14 (NIV)

How often are we told the truth, yet refuse to act on it,...because it goes against what we want to do? Pride, selfishness, and a hard heart, are what destroy our obedience to God. The bottom line: we ask,...God answers,...we obey. If our hearts are truly set on following the Lord,...then our relationship with Him can only be one of surrender, faith and obedience.

Selective movement on truth, is not an option for the followers of Christ.

Holy Spirit, help us to remember; the Lord only has our best interests in mind, and that He knows what is best for us. Help us to be reverent in how we seek His will for our life,...and to be honest with Him about our struggles. Remove our desire to manipulate His answers, or escape His requests for obedience. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"[]____ _/ /\____
/__/ _/\_ //____/\
l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15/NIV

Friday, September 16, 2011

God Has A Plan, part 2

Good Morning!! Jacob knew that despite all his efforts and hard work, Laban's heart was changing towards him. He described it as "not favorable toward him as before." Jacob had worked for Laban who had deceived him, and changed his wages unfairly 10 times. And through it all,...Laban was completely blessed because of Jacob. Now for some strange reason, God changed Laban's heart towards Jacob. With the unfair treatment and Laban's change of heart, Jacob wanted to move on. Why? Because God wanted Jacob to leave and when leaving,...God did not want Jacob to ever look back, and regret his decision.

And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."—Genesis 31:2, 3 (NIV)

If you are feeling pushed out, or pushed around,...I encourage you to completely trust the Lord. HE knows that you might not have ever have left a place He never intended you to be,...so He changes circumstances and hearts to get you to change. For some of us, we pray for years to have our circumstances change. For many of us, we are so surprised when God intervenes and changes a heart,...but if you really examine your prayers, the change won't take you off guard. God is good like that,...you can trust Him.

God knows where you need to be,...and He will perform miracles to get you there.

Father God, we know You have plans for us prossper. we ask Your forgiveness, when we allow our own thoughts, desires, or anything else to get in the way. Today, again we pray,...Let Your Will Be Done, Amen.

"Faith without works is like a car with out gas,
...it gets us no where."

Thursday, September 15, 2011

God Has A Plan, part 1

Good Morning!! One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of Joseph. God had a plan from the beginning to raise up a nation of His people, a people set apart to be holy and dedicated to Him. But early on, attempts would be made to thwart this plan. One such attempt came in the life of Joseph. Jealously and selfishness led his brothers to sell him to a foreign people where Joseph would eventually end up as a prisoner in Egypt. But God's hand was upon Joseph and through the years of his captivity he found much favor with his superiors, being entrusted ultimately with governing the land of Egypt.

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.—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

It was God's plan to use Joseph,...and, Joseph was the one who would make sure there was enough grain to sustain the land. It was God's plan to work for good the evil that Joseph had endured. For us today, God also has a plan,...and regardless of the evil that comes against us, God will work it together for our good and His Glory. If Joseph had not been in Egypt, the famine that engulfed the land would have wiped out the entire family.



No weapon formed agaist us, can prosper.
That's Word,...and that's real!


Holy Spirit of God, keep reminding us that we are loved, nurished, and protected by the Most High God, Creater and Planner of ALL. Amen.

"Faith without works is like a car with out gas,
...it gets us no where."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Shake Off The Distraction

Good Morning!! Everything around us makes some kind of noise or movement, designed to demand our attention. It's gotten to the point that regardless of whatever we're doing, we are thinking about something else. The brain activity, and the stimuli, seldom stop in our busy lives,...even when we're suppose to be at rest. And then we wonder why we're so tired, and why we're not more prosperous in our works. The answer clearly lies in God's Word.

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, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.—Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

God promises us His blessings if we focus on Him, keep His Word close to our hearts,...and make Him the center of our thoughts. Start today by reading through the Psalms starting with chapter one and reading a Psalm a day until ending with chapter one hundred fifty (150). You will see the blessings of God as you delight in His word every day.

We will find our strength, when we make the Lord the priority of our thoughts.

Our Father in Heaven, give us all that we are ready for,...as we seek to know You better. Clear our eyes and ears, that we may better see and hear Your hand at work in our lives, each and every day. Amen.

"Faith without works is like a car with out gas,
...it gets us no where."

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

It's Hard To Love, Everybody, All The Time

Good Morning!! Do you have relationships in your life that are a grief of mind? Think about those people that torment your thoughts. You just can't get along with them, no matter how hard you try,...some how they bring out the worst in you, no matter how much you pray. And for some reason, you can’t escape the relationship. I've noticed that even if I remove myself from close encounters with people that are a grief of mind, the Lord places another relationship just like it into my life, again. Why does He do that? These people chook our peace, and for a time, will rob us of what little joy we may posess. Why can’t we just live life without all the drama and personality conflicts?

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.—Genesis 26:34-35 (NIV)

I think the answer has to do with the greatest commandments. We should love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength,...and we also need to love others as ourselves. It is so much easier to love those that are loveable. But Jesus says in Luke 6:32-36 that "if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners will do that. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.

For God is good to the unthankful and evil, as well.

O' Lord, help us to overcome these personal conflicts. Allow us time to step back from the relationship and pray that we may have a discernment to change the dynamics of the relationship. Even though that person may never change, we certainly can. Lord nudge our spirit before we act out in the flesh. Amen.

"Faith without works is like a car with out gas,
...it gets us no where."

Monday, September 12, 2011

Knowing God, Is Job One

Good Morning!! Even Jesus spent time reading the scriptures and praying to the Father. His relationship with the Father was primary and He followed His instructions,...all the way to the cross. Our goal should be to become more like Christ; until our relationship with Him is reflected in our daily lives.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. —John 5:19 (NIV)

We also have a responsibility to spend time reading the scriptures; as they are our instructions for every day living. God will give us the ability to understand and to apply His word to our life. We cannot neglect spending time building our relationship with Him through prayer and worship.

Through the Word, we discover His heart and desires and they become ours.

Father God, You are our source, and our strength in all things. We read the scriptures and ask that You give us the strength to apply Your instructions to our daily lives. And we thank You, for Your Word. Amen.

"Faith without works is like a car with out gas,
...it gets us no where."

Friday, September 9, 2011

By Faith, We Stand

Good Morning!! The Bible is clear in its teachings on faith,...it is essential to our salvation. So how do we get faith? First of all, faith is given to each of us as a gift. Everyone has faith. But we often have more faith in the things of the world, than in the things of God. We have faith that the sun will rise and set each day,....even though we have no way of controlling its movements; we just trust that it will continue to work the way it always has. But we need to grow in trusting the One who makes the sun rise and set, the One who put it there in the first place.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.—Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

How do do we get more faith in God? Our first step in gaining more faith, is by getting to know more about our God,...our Lord,...our Creator. And the way to obtain that knowledge, is by getting into His Word. When you start reading His Word, you will start hearing His voice. When you start hearing His voice through His Word, then you will see His intervention in all areas of your life. You will pray in accordance with His Will. You will know when He is leading you. You will see God answer your prayers,...and the end result: more faith!

Faith is like a muscle,...the more you use it,...the bigger it will grow.
Father God, we ask You to help our faith, by helping us to hear Your Word. We ask for more of Your Spirit, more of Your Word, put to work in our life,...in short, we ask for more faith, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"God doesn't comfort us just to make us comfortable,...He comforts us to make us comforters."

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Know Better, Do Better

Good Morning!! One of the main purposes of God’s law is to make us aware of our sin. We are often tempted to claim that we have done,...or at least willing to do all that God wants of us,...but the more we read His Word,...the more we realize just how much we've gone astray, or keep falling short. Knowledge of God’s Word convicts us of sin,...and we stand silent before Him. The whole world is held accountable to Him.

Through the law comes the knowledge of sin.—Romans 3:20 (NIV)

Since we can never plead ignorance with God... a better route is to acknowledge our sins,...both sins of commission, and sins of omission,...and to seek His forgiveness. How that works is the story of the gospel.

Our ignorance will not excuse our sin,...we are breaking God's Law,...and the Bible we've ignored continue to point out out error.

Father, Your law is good, even when it convicts us of our of sins. Forgive us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"God doesn't comfort us just to make us comfortable,...He comforts us to make us comforters."

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Ask The ONE Who Knows

Good Morning!! It has taken most of my life,...my Christian life, to realize that if I want to know something from God, then I just need to ask Him. Sounds kind of like a no-brainer, but for some reason, I spent most of my time with the Lord dealing with my personal issues, or requests. I have prayed very specifically at times,...and I have prayed for the bigger picture at times, but I have always prayed. What I did not necessarily pray about, though, were of "things to come, as set out by God." I think many of us tend to pray about the "here and now" issues, or the things that we want "to come," not necessarily asking the Lord to reveal what He is doing.

"This is what the LORD says—the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?—Isaiah 45:9 (NIV)

Why is this so important to understand? When I see verses that say to "ask" the Lord for something, then I know that must be His will. Today's verse even says, "you command Me." Instead of just focusing on the issues in our immediate path, let's ask the Lord about what He is doing down the road. We will be immensely blessed,...and will have huge increases in our level of faith. Learning to ask the Lord "of things to come" and looking for Him to answer through circumstances or situations,...removes the "self" from our self-centeredness. Our role is to ask,...then to pray for wisdom and discernment in how to go forth in whatever He shows us.

Know that the Lord is more than willing to reveal things to us,
...if we are seeking Him with all of our hearts.

Father in Heaven, help us evangelize to the lost, and awaken the saved to live empowered lives, by the Works of Your hand and Your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"God doesn't comfort us just to make us comfortable,...He comforts us to make us comforters."

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Make No Home For Sin

Good Morning, We Are Truly Blessed,...A New Week And A New Start!!! Nine times in the book of Deuteronomy, God’s people are told to "purge the evil" from among them. I’m intrigued that God gave this responsibility to humans rather than keep it for Himself. After all, we’re such unreliable judges. Some of us want to deny the existence of evil. Others want to define evil as the existence of anything that obstructs our freedom or pursuit of pleasure. In between are those who want to play with evil for their own fun and profit or appease evil, to avoid the inconvenience of conflict.

You must purge the evil from among you.—Deuteronomy 17:7b (NIV)

Sin is destructive, and wherever it is allowed to grow someone always gets hurt. Even with all our limitations, God’s plan for getting rid of evil, still involves us. He is creating a community of people committed to the conviction that goodness is good for everyone, and evil is good for no one. Take no part in evil doings, and speak out against them.

Peace is the absence of evil,...not conflict.

" The key to obedience is faith.
If you truly believe in something, you will do it. And, if you believe what God has said,...you will do what He tells you to do. "

(From Dream to Destiny, Robert Morris)

"God doesn't comfort us just to make us comfortable,...He comforts us to make us comforters."

Friday, September 2, 2011

Who Do You Believe?

Good Morning!! Today, everyone is looking for peace. We want our desires fulfilled,...and we're sure that will bring us happiness. We hear promises of fulfillment on radios, see promises on billboards, and they become a part of our thinking, through television. After hearing these promises enough times, we begin to make our daily choices because of them. Commercials promise that you can "have it your way," "we do it all for you," "you asked for it,...you got it," and "you deserve it." It suggest that this life is attainable through the things of this world. But has any of these promises really been true? Has any of the "things" we've accquired every brought us the peace we are all seeking?

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.—John 14:27 (NIV)

Because of the inability to have these promises truly fulfilled from the world, it then seems hard to believe that all the promises from the Lord will come true. Unlike the promises of the world that are conditioned, upon our spending money, and time, to benefit from their product,...Jesus has given us the promises of God,...which are free. The Lord asks only our trust, belief, and obedience.

Our attitudes, goals, and desires, should not depend on the promises of the world,...but on the promises of the Word.

Father, we know the message You sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. We thank You, for Your promises us peace,...Your promises are not empty slogans, but a real way of life; Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

"Getting to know Jesus isn't just informational, it's transformational."

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Chosen

Good Morning!! He has been called "father of the faithful",...it is with Abraham that the story of redemption really begins. For reasons unknown to us, God chose this previously unheard of man from Ur, and promises him some surprising things. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the people on earth will be blessed through you."

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.—Genesis 12:1 (NIV)

You might think Abraham must have been quite a special person,...that he must have been super talented, or greatly gifted. And you'd be wrong. There was nothing in Abraham that commended him to God. In fact, he came from a family of idol worshipers. And what's even more amazing,...is that God has chosen us too,...by no action of our own. God decided to bless us,...and make us a blessing to others.

God did not call Abraham because he was a great person,
...he became a great person because God called him.


Thank You, Lord, for choosing us. Help us to listen to what You have to say to us,...that You Will may be done, on earth as in Heaven. Amen.

"Getting to know Jesus isn't just informational, it's transformational."