We Can Never Go Wrong Following God

Good Morning, When every direction looks the same, which direction do you go? We rely on our family, and most trusted friends, to point out the correct course. Although we can't see our destination, or the storms that may lie ahead, and require a change in course,...we have faith that our guides will keep us moving in the right direction, and that we'll reach our destination.
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.—Exodus 13:21 (NIV)

Our lives can take many directions, with many distractions and storms along the way that could pull us off course. But only by putting our faith in God and depend on the Lord as our navigator, can we ever hope to reach our destination. God will guide us through life just as God led the Israelites through the desert. God is always there for us and will always lead us in the right direction. We have assurance that if we trust in the Lord, we will reach our ultimate heavenly destination.

Following God will always lead us in the right direction.

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Eternal God, help us to follow where you through the Holy Spirit, lead. Even though we can't see where we are going, we put our faith and trust in you to safely guide us. Amen.

" Safety and security are  more facets of our inheritance in Christ."
(Neil Anderson's Daily in Christ, November 17, 2004)

The Lord is Our Shield...Why Fear?

Good Morning,...Great Friday!! Have A Safe And Blessed Weekend. In these most difficult days, a special strength can, and will sustain you. We don't have to live in fear. As we become better at walking with, and communing with God, obeying His Word, and recognizing that we serve a true and loving God,...no matter what we're going through, we can take comfort and refuge in Him.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff -- they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4 (NRSV)

When we recall; who we are, and who's we are,...a sense of peace should washes over us. As we pass one test and prepare for the next, each victory should make us stronger, more confident, secure and steadfast in the knowledge that the final victory is ours,...thanks to Jesus.

Fear not! God has not forgotten you.

"The Lord is my STRENGTH and my SHIELD;
my heart trusts in Him and I am helped."

(Psalm 28:7, NIV)

"More people could learn from their mistakes,...if they weren't so busy denying they made them."

God Gives Us Value

Good Morning!! On a recent trip to Wal-Mart, walking from my truck, I spotted a penny near the doors,...coming from a generation that picked up pennies, I picked up the penny and took a closer look. It was bent, scarred and just plain ugly. I kept it any way. I keep that penny at home in a large water jug, with other pennies. It reminds me of a time when I, and the world, saw me as bent, scarred, ugly, and worthless.

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?—Matthew 6:26 (NRSV)

Like that penny,...most of the world passed me by, seeing no reason to stop. It's also a reminder that there is One in our life, who sees our worth, and takes time for us. Jesus,...not only did He noticed us; He died for us. That in itself, makes us all worth something!

When we love with consistency,...we are most like God.

God, thank You for loving us. Now open our eyes, to see others who feel worthless, on our path through life. Give us the love to attend to them, and love them, as You have us. Amen.

"More people could learn from their mistakes,...if they weren't so busy denying they made them."

You'll Always Have What You Need

Good Morning,...GOD Has Great Things In The Works For You!! Often,...before I go to sleep, I read a few passages in the Bible, and think of ways they may best apply, to my life. One night I found myself reading, Matthew 7:7. But I couldn't find a connection between the passage and the problems I faced trying to meet my many obligations. I felt inadequate, for many of the jobs, I had lined up, already. As I turned off the light and drifted into sleep, but I continued to think of Moses giving oxen and wagons to the Levites. My shoulders and neck ached as I recalled that the Kohathites weren't given any oxen or wagons,...they carried the most Holy things, on their shoulders.

Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you."—Matthew 7:7 (NRSV)

The next morning, when I woke up, I realized the story could indeed apply to my life. The Kohathites had been given what they needed most, to do the job the Lord had assigned them,...strong shoulders and backs. Just as God gave the Kohathites what they needed for their task,...so God has given us all, what we need to do the tasks we're called to do. The Kohathites remind us that we have different tools than others, because our jobs are different. And we have the tools we need, in order to do the job God has given us.

Even if God doesn't give use what we want,
...He always gives us what we need.

Thank You God, for the tasks You give us to do. Thank You for giving us the tools we need to do them. Amen.

"More people could learn from their mistakes,...if they weren't so busy denying they made them."

Make And Keep, God First

Good Morning, I Thank The LORD, For Making HIMself Known,...In My Life And The Lives Of Those Around Me!! Our world is often very success oriented. We are told we must be ambitious and fight for wealth, status, and recognition. Desiring a pleasant life, and the development of one's skills to their maximum potential, is all well and good,...but how much importance do we place on our spiritual ambitions? Should a promotion, a new car, or new house take precedence over one's salvation? Are you more willing to buy a book or take a course in personal improvement or financial success than one on gaining an understanding of your Creator?

The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.—Luke 12: 23 (KJV)

Some individuals have no spiritual ambition, at all,...they seek only to satisfy their flesh, ignoring the needs of the spirit,...threatening their very salvation. In the Bible, we're told that there is a way that seems right to man, but in the end, they are the ways of death. Flesh seeks to please the needs of the flesh, while the spirit hungers for food for the soul. Desiring to care for our earthly bodies and welfare is indeed noble, but don't deprive your soul of its salvation in the process. By putting God First, all other things fall neatly into place.

Know what truly matters,...this world, and the things in it, will all pass away.

Help us Father, that we may learn to place nothing above You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"More people could learn from their mistakes,...if they weren't so busy denying they made them."

One God, One Kingdom,..One People

Good Morning, Are You Looking Forward To A Great Week?...I Am!! It's a very common emotion, but one we rarely talk about. Someone else gets picked for a task. Someone else gets asked to head a committee, lead a seminar, speak to a group, or worse,...gets credit for something you completed or started. Regardless to whether or not you have a job now, you must have experienced it at least once. After reflecting on it, we usually feel guilty for feeling jealous: wasn't that something we were supposed to outgrow in high school?...at very least once we be came a Christian. We don't even want to call it that,...because it sounds too petty.

When Peter saw that disciple, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, " What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me."—John 21: 21, 22 (AAJE)

Reluctantly, I admit to having felt this way, at times,...even though I don't like to call it jealousy. Sometimes our emotions, need a reality check. It is easy to tell yourself that they are taking "your" place, or edging "you" out,...when in fact, they are simply attempting to establishing their own place, or trying to make a noticeable contribution. And the world is always richer for having more people working together. I work and live for the day when; we get to the place where we are happy for the rich contributions of others, all around us.

"Competition between God's servants is illogical for many reasons:
We're all on the same team;
our goal is to make God look good, not ourselves....."

(The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, p. 268)

Holy Spirit, help us to remember that; there is enough work to go around, and all we do is for God,...not us. Amen.

"More people could learn from their mistakes,...if they weren't so busy denying they made them."

Consistent Faith, Is Faithfulness

Good Morning, On This, Another Fantastic Friday!! Seek opportunities to help others see their blessings.The Bible continually urges us to walk by faith, and to trust God. To walk by faith is to take risks,...to step beyond what is comfortable, into situations that have no guaranteed outcome. Yet, without fail, we still ask for assurances,...we want to see a map, or read the last chapter first. We are not satisfied just knowing the Lord can and will, take care of us, or our situations,...we need to know how and when.

"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)

God has good plans for us, plans to give us "hope and a future." All God asks is that we trust and obey the guidance given us in the Bible. Sometimes obedience to God may invite ridicule. It may mean doing what we've never done before, learning something new, or giving up something we think we cannot live without. Obedience to God can take us into risk, but ultimately it results in blessing.

Faithfulness is remaining true to the Lord and His Word
through discouragement and difficulty as well as joy and success."

(The Man God Uses, Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 16)

Holy Spirit, as you guide us into the future, help us to trust and obey the Word of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

....the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face,...and you'll send the devil packing."

(Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, ch. 69)

Use Your Freedom, For Others

Good Morning!! What is Freedom?...that's going to depend on who you ask. Ask a child, and they'll say no more school. No rules, no parents to tell them what to do. No accountability for their whereabouts. As kids, some of us dreamed of having just that kind of freedom. But in time, we have to learn that freedom is more than living without structure or rules. Even as adults, some still think that freedom means no responsibility, no accountability. They can have children and not take care of them. They can cheat on their spouses, steal from work,...take and never give. But the truth is; that for freedom to really mean something it has to have a price, a cost,....and someone to pay it.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.—Romans 6:14-15 (KJV)

The wages of sin is death.(Romans 6:23) Jesus died to pay that debt,...that you and I owed, Freedom needs a foundation and a purpose, to make it valuable. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, affirms freedom as an important part of the Christian life. But he also says to use this freedom for service and love. If you except this freedom,...paid for with the blood of Jesus,...then you'll want to reach out to others,...praying for them, leading them to God's gift of love.

This debt that was paid, for us, can never be repaid. All we can hope to do, is make an effort, to show our application and gratitude,...that others too, might be saved.

"I don't think about what would be good for me,
but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved."

(1 Cor. 10:33, GWT)

....the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face,...and you'll send the devil packing."

(Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, ch. 69)

Attempt The Difficult

Good Morning, It's Another Wonderful Wednesday,..Remember To Feed Your Spirit, Well And Often!! When it comes to physical fitness, we know that being an armchair quarterback will not get us into the football hall of fame. So why, then, do we sit on the spiritual sidelines and expect to become strong in the Lord? We expect God to use us for something great even though we live on the spiritual equivalent of junk food. We read the Bible like it was a good-luck charm, and seldom make any real effort to put into practice what it says.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.—Luke 6:27,28 (KJV)

In an effort to get in better shape, I've been reading,....and most of the advice is the same; "Take the hard way". When you think about it, this is like the spiritual advice Jesus gave when He said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you ". Being kind to those who are nice to us requires no spiritual strength; anyone can do it. But being kind to our enemies requires spiritual training equivalent to that of an Olympic athlete. We can’t do it without spiritual coaching, lots of practice, and even lots of failures.

Continually doing what’s difficult, can eventually make life easier.

Holy Spirit, give us the courage and strength, to do the hard things in life,...the right things,...the God things. Amen.

....the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face,...and you'll send the devil packing."

(Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, ch. 69)

Who Controling Your Life,...Really?

Good Morning!! The battles were horrendous, the casualties were many,...but the outcome changed everything. That's a very quick summary of the final episode of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. That trilogy jumped into the popular culture, with the three of the most successful movie adaptations, of all time. Tolkien weaves a tale of a world called Middle Earth, where these soulless, subhuman beings, are attempting to stamp out what they call the "Age of Humans." But finally,...in the concluding "Return of the King," Middle Earth's rightful king,...Aragorn, leads the humans in one last, all-out attempt to turn back the forces of evil.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,—1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

After many costly battles, there's a glorious coronation day, for the triumphant king. As the crown is placed on the head of the rightful ruler, before this jubilant crowd of his subjects,...they know the dark days are over. And the one who crowned him makes this hope-filled announcement, "Now begin the days of the King!" Isn't it time for that announcement in our lives too?,...that the rightful King is finally on the throne. Because up until now, we've been making the calls, running things our way,...giving Jesus some time, and even some money,...but not control,...not the throne.

The original word for "Lord" literally means; "the controller."
Honestly now, who's the controller in your life?...if it's not Jesus, then a rebel is on the throne,...His throne.

Holy Spirit of God, help us let go, and let God. Amen.

....the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face,...and you'll send the devil packing."

(Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, ch. 69)

Don't Go Out, Half Dressed

Good Morning!! The Bible has gives six declarations, that defy the very things Satan always uses, to get us to retreat; our deceit, unclean input, worry, fear, trusting in something other than the cross, and believing our feelings. Putting on our armor means consciously choosing the spiritual resources of Jesus,...as the ways we respond to every attack. Don't concentrate on the attack that's coming your way,...concentrate instead on the things that make you strong,...the full armor of God that makes Satan retreat!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.—Ephesians 6:`10, 11 (NIV)

The real key here is the full armor, spelled out in the verses that follow; The belt of truth,...which means each new day you declare, "Only the truth, no deceit." Since lies are the devil's main weapon, when you compromise the truth, you defect to his side. The breastplate of righteousness,...which means "only what's pure, nothing corrupt allowed in my heart." Your shoes, should be the readiness that comes from "the gospel of peace.",...which means each new day you declare "only God's peace today, not my worry." Taking up the shield of faith,...means you declare, "Only faith today, not fear!" The helmet of salvation,...well that's what guards the way you think,...salvation is the cross, and you put on that helmet when you declare,..."Only the cross and no other power to trust in." And then there's that sword of the Spirit,...the Word of God. Picking up that sword each day means you declare, "Only what God says, not my feelings."

Do not give the devil ground,...Do not retreat from him,...Defy his every attack!

Jesus, teach us to pray in the Spirit,...and for all things and everyone. Amen.

....the next time you're tempted to engage in a silly squabble, whether inside the church or outside it, refrain. When you do, you'll put a smile on God's face,...and you'll send the devil packing."

(Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, ch. 69)

Face It, Now

Good Morning!! I read that a Pennsylvania paving crew, found a dead deer in their path,...and they didn't remove it, they just paved right over it! Really? They most likely thought; "no one will see it.",...but people sure felt it later! As unbelievable as that may sound, people actually pave over obstacles in their path. It happens all the time in relationships. Instead of dealing with conflict, or problems,...we pretend they're not there, or they're not as bad,...you know,...we just pave over them.

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,—Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

Don't pave over your disagreements or the hurts,...deal with them right away, before you stuff it down, giving the devil something he can turn into bitterness and resentment. In fact, the very next verse says: "And do not give the devil a foothold." A few verses later, God commands us to deal aggressively with any "road kill" that we might be tempted to just pave over. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you."

Peace at any price usually means just war postponed,
...and bigger than it would have been, if you had just dealt with it sooner.

How many marriages could have been saved, how many family relationships could have been saved, how many friendships, ministries, churches could have been spared devastating hurts and divisions if only someone had refused to pave over what should have been confronted and removed. Help us today, Holy Spirit. Amen.

" We lose the joy of living in the present,...when we worry about the future, or live in the past."

Sow Good Seed, Because You Will Reap

Good Morning!! Most real gardeners, have a long view,...an ability to see the impact of their work, even before a single bud brakes soil. You may have never worked in a garden in your life, but you're planting seeds. Whether you realize it or not,....some of what's happening in our life today,...for better and for worse, is the harvest of some seeds we've planted, years ago. The Bible makes it crystal clear, "A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7).

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

We have to develop that long view, to keep from becoming discouraged by short-term results. Seed planted in the ground can appear to be doing absolutely nothing, for a while. Seed planted in people's lives, often look the same way. The danger is that we're tempted to keep digging or poking, at the seeds, to see if anything's happening. And, in doing so, we doom the very harvest we're hoping for. That "digging and poking" can be things like nagging,...panicking,...giving up,...turning hard, or turning bitter. So many have given up on the garden they've planted,...just before it bloomed,...The very thing God is trying to head off, in today's scripture.

The legacy of our life, should go on blooming, and beautifying people's lives,
...long after we're gone.

Holy Spirit, help us to see the lives at stake, instead of the tasks we have to do. Don't allow us to settle for making a living,...when we're really here to make a difference. Forgive us for neglecting our spiritual gardening,...the sowing we need to be doing in the life of our mates, our children, our coworkers, our friends, and all of the people God has given us to influence. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

" We lose the joy of living in the present,...when we worry about the future, or live in the past."

Sometimes, Silence Is What We Need

Good Morning, It's Another Wonderful Worshipful Wednesday!! An uncomfortable silence,...we have become so accustomed to noise that silence, most times, is uncomfortable. So much so, that we make noise ourselves to fill that silence. Noise also keeps us from thinking our own thoughts, and we often mistake noise and movement with productivity and goodness.

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."—1Samuel 3:10 (NIV)

We may also be uncomfortable with silence before God,...so we ramble on, hooked on the sound of our own voices. Yet there are some things that God can teach us only when we are silent. Because we can not talk and listen at the same time, private devotions and corporate worship must allow us time to speak and time to be silent so we can listen.

We may feel like God never speaks to us,
...but the truth is; we've filled our lives with so much noise and movement, and we never stop long enough to hear Him.

Holy Spirit, help us to make time, to clear our minds and quieten your spirits,...so that we are able to open ourselves to God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

" We lose the joy of living in the present,...when we worry about the future, or live in the past."

Delighting In Adversity

Good Morning! "Can you really make the best of a bad situation?...and why would you ever want to? " Paul speaks of delighting; " in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." When he asked God to remove a painful situation, God told him " No." How could Paul say he found these hard things of life to be positive, even sources of delight? I don't believe Paul was a masochist,...but I think he had to learn that the sooner he accepted God's " No," the sooner he could get on with looking elsewhere for God's " Yes." And God's " No" always included things he could never have come up with by himself.

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.—2 Corinthians 12: 9a (KJV)

God doesn't explain everything to us beforehand. We couldn't understand or comprehend it all anyway. As I pointed out earlier this week, our view of life and His view of life are so very different. He always has the greater view of things. Feeling sorry for ourselves is a waste of time and energy,...and slams spiritual doors. God's love is so great that even under the worst conditions of life, if can just we remain open and obedient, He will pour blessing and goodness into our hearts.

Your times might be hard,...but never without reason or purpose.

Jesus prayed to the Father, to remove the cup of suffering,...but He didn't. For the glory that was set before Him,...Jesus endured, even the cross,...and He can help us accept our difficulties too.

" We lose the joy of living in the present,...when we worry about the future, or live in the past."

Ourb Focus Should Always Be On God

Good Morning,..I Will Love The Lord, My God, At All Times!!! Many times in our spiritual journey, we begin to focus so much on our "spiritual growth", that we lose sight of God. Jesus has saved us, He displayed His love for us with the sacrifice of His life. He desires to have intimate fellowship with us. When we become more focused on our feelings and circumstances that change we can have our love affair for Jesus begin to cool down.

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered," you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."—Luke 10: 41-42 (NIV)

The secret to keeping the passion in our relationship with Jesus is to keep our focus on Him and not on our ministries or even our spiritual growth. If we constantly seek Him, to know Him more, His ways, His love, and His word, we will find there is not a need for us to focus on the other things. Jesus and our intimate relationship with Him, learning and growing with Him is the "better" which will not be taken away.

God will enable us to do the work He has called and appointed us to do,...let Jesus be your guide in the quest for spiritual growth.

Set our hearts on fire for You, and Your Word, Lord God. Amen.

" We lose the joy of living in the present,...when we worry about the future, or live in the past."

Even Making No Choice,...Is Still Making A Choice

Good Morning,...GREAT Friday!! So what Will You Choose To Do, Walk In The Light,...Or Stumble Around In The Dark? Both Judas and Peter denied Jesus. Yet the outcome for each was so different. For Peter it was a temporary laps; He responded with repentance from his heart. He wanted to be part of Jesus in every way. His heart was right but his flesh was weak. Judas on the other hand, never lost his salvation because he never had it to begin with. He knew and understood the principles that Jesus taught, but never made a commitment within his heart.

A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. and you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.—John 13:10:11 (NIV)

The reasons Judas followed Jesus were different from Peters,...Judas wanted all of the blessings without having to suffer any inconvenience. He willfully sold out. Imagine that he had walked with Jesus, experienced the love and the miracles, and yet chose darkness. We have the same choice when we encounter Jesus, to allow His love to dwell within us, cleaning our hearts and allowing us to live in the light,...or leaving our hearts unchanged, pretending to be faith-filled, and to obey only as long as the goodies are flowing.

"Knowing about God may interest us,
...but knowing God will change us."
(OUR DAILY BREAD, May 20, 2007)

Examine our hearts Lord. We don't want to be like Judas,...we want to choose Your light. Let it flood our souls, and illuminate the darkness. Forgive us for our failures and restore us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering,...and receive without forgetting."

Love And Prayer, Go Hand In Hand

Good Morning, My Friend...I Know Someone Needs This, Just As Much As I Do!! Love and prayer are two of the most powerful weapons we possess,...but they are not designed to destroy,...instead they are meant to break through the darkness, creating a path for the light and love of Jesus Christ. As we face many enemies each day, both on a personal level, and among nations of the world, we have a tendency to disregard the power and ability of love and prayer.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.—2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)

We get discouraged when we pray, only to see the situation unchanged or even worsen, and when we love, only to have it trampled on and thrown back at us. Yet something mighty is happening, though it may be unseen, strongholds are being broken and brought down, hearts are being touched and changed. We must not allow ourselves to believe, even for one second, that the love we extend and the prayers that go forth are not making a huge difference in our personal situations,...and in the world.

Each and every prayer breaks down a stronghold,
...and each act of love touches a heart.

When a bomb is dropped, the results are immediate. Our prayers bomb the spiritual realm, and while we don't always see the repercussions of them,...it does not lessen their effectiveness.

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering,...and receive without forgetting."

More Light Is The Key

Good Morning,...It's Far Too Nice A Day To Be Focusing On The Negative!! What we see as a clear and distinct object in the day, can take on a completely different look, as the shadows of the night approach. As dark shadows creep into our lives, it becomes easier to give into our imaginations and fears, than to demonstrate our faith and trust in God.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?—Psalm 27:1 (KJV)

While darkness can sometimes bring a feeling of hopelessness, and fear of what might be,...we have the light of Jesus Christ dwelling within us. And it's His light that cuts through the darkness,...revealing the truth, and assuring us that He loves us. He has not forgotten us, He will never leave us or fail us, and we have nothing to fear.

When you become consumed with worry and fear, it's because you've placed your faith and focus, somewhere other than the Lord.

How will you every truly see your blessings, if you're always looking for the next thing to go wrong.

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering,...and receive without forgetting."

Let Go, And Love Like God

Good Morning, What A Tremendous Tuesday!! I was thinking about yesterday's Spiritual Food, and it occurred to me that we often are nicer to a total stranger than we are to those close to us. Have you ever noticed that we'll say hurting and hurtful things to the people we love,....that we wouldn't ever consider saying to a stranger? I think I know why; because...." closeness often breeds contempt ".

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me there fore, which of them will love him most?—Luke 7:41,42 (KJV)

With time we build little grudges from things we've heard or seen,...little things that alter our view of some one,....little things that we just can't seem to let go of. Because we have not been able to let go, our speech starts to change. When we see or hear something,...we say you always say this or you always do that. But with strangers there is no bad history, there is only the moment. You smile your best smile, you speak softly and you are patient,...because this is how you want to be thought of,....how you want to be remembered.

Treat everyone around you as though they've never hurt you,....never disappointed you,...never let you down. And they will see you the way you'd like to be seen and remembered.

Holy Spirit of God, teach us to let go,...so that all those in need of God's love,...may find it in us. Amen.

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering,...and receive without forgetting."

Be A Reflection Of Love

Good Morning, Here's To A Magnificent Monday!! Let's start our week off with love. Love is immortal. It is a grace which will continue to be manifested through all eternity. It will continue after all spiritual gifts have passed away,...in time or in eternity, love will never cease to be. It is imperishable. It is supreme among the things that abide.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.—1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

The supremacy of love lies in the fact that love is a part of God's essential being. "God is love." This great chapter was not just written for beauty, or to rebuke us because of loveless lives, but to arouse us to instant and continued action.

Love; no matter how much we give,...we'll always have more.

Holy Spirit of God, teach us to love, as our Father in Heaven loves. Amen.

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering,...and receive without forgetting."