Comfort In The Word

Good Morning!! God comforts us in His Word,...the Bible. When we read His messages of love, we discover His character. When we unwrap His promises, we receive the great comfort that is meant just for us. We are reminded that God is good, and that God is sovereign. And we are told that His sovereign goodness is at work in this universe on behalf of all believers. God comforts us with His Spirit too. In fact, the Spirit of God is called our Comforter. When no human can understand, when no words can relieve,...the Spirit of God is still able to minister to our soul. By pointing us to the finished work of Christ, and drawing us to the person of Christ, the Holy Spirit sets our feet on solid ground,...even when our world looks to be falling apart around us.

who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.—2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)

And there is still another way, Paul tells us, in which God comforts us,...the very trials and consolations we have experienced, will be used to help others through their personal pains. God's Word brings comfort to others, as we share with others, the scriptures that have helped us. The Spirit of God brings comfort as we testify of the sufficiency of Christ,...even in the midst of our personal agonizing. Through the very comfort that we ourselves have received, others receive comfort; this, in turn, consoles us that our trial has not been in vain.

We are blessed, that others may be blessed,
...and we are tested, that others may see us go through,
...and they themselves, may have hope of over-coming.

 

Holy Spirit, help us today,...not just for ourselves, but that others may be comforted. Amen.

 

Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke,...Be Mindful!" 

What Should Come Before The Will Of God?

Good Morning!! What drives you? What motivates you?...What sustains you? Jesus revealed to His disciples, when they could not understand His passing up a meal,...that His driving motivation was the will of His Heavenly Father. Notice that it is does not satisfy Jesus' appetite; to simply know the will of God, or to study His works. Jesus says His fulfillment, is found in actively engaging in the work of God,...and persevering until it is completed.

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.—John 4:34 (NIV)

Too often people think of Christianity as a set of rules or beliefs only. But following Christ invariably means hungering to know the Will of God, and being satisfied only when we are fully engaged in it. Nothing else can substitute for active obedience,...and yet, Jesus takes it a step further than obedience; His mission statement includes completion, of the work that God has for Him to do. Jesus is not just trying to salve His conscience,...or make a show of obedience,...His satisfaction only comes in the achievement, of God's purpose for Him here on earth. 

The Will of God,...know it,...and don't fill up on anything else.

Lord we want to hear the Word, eat the Word, and most of all we want to live the Word,...help us today, Father. Amen.

"Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke,...Be Mindful!" 

Armed With The Word

Good Morning!! Jesus could have called down twelve legions of angels to assist Him at any time,...yet, He chooses to face the temptations of the devil in the wilderness with nothing but the Word of God,...which by the way, is the same, and only, weapon that we have, against Satan's temptations. It is as if Jesus is showing us just how powerful, just how effective, God's Word is in the midst of spiritual battle. So that we will trust It's strength, for our own struggles. Jesus faces Satan's three temptations, by quoting the Bible. What other tool could we hope for than the very one Jesus Himself wielded,...in times of personal temptation?

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.—Matthew 4:10 (NIV)


But these verses do not just magically appear to our minds in the moment that we need them. We must be reading, memorizing, listening to, absorbing God's Word in every way we possible can. We must be people of the Book,...Bible-steeped soldiers of the Kingdom of Christ. Jesus knew the right answer, from God's Word, at the right time for the right temptation,...we must strive to know, and do the same. It is only then that we will be able to, with authority and conviction, repel the approaches of Satan effectively.

There Is Power in the Word,...learn to use It!

Lord help us today, to wrap ourselves in Your Word. Allow it to become our first language, so that in times of need, we can respond as Christ did. We have all we need, at any time when we have a Spoken Word from the Bible. Amen.

"Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke,...Be Mindful!" 

The Countdown

Good Morning!! Many believers of the world's three great religions...Christianity, Judaism, and Islam... are expecting the coming of the Messiah soon. There is a sense that we could be living in the countdown to God's wrap-up of human history... the personal return of Jesus Christ. No one can predict the coming.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.—1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV)

That's only for an unbelieving world,...but because of the signs in the Bible, those Christians alive at the time should be able to feel its approach.  Thessalonians 5:4-6, says "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others: but let us watch and be sober." I'm not a prophecy specialist,...but since Jesus was here, there has never been an Israel... until now. There's never been the prophesied return of the Jews to their land, from all over the world... until now. There's never been the technology for an antichrist to identify and regulate the commerce of every person on earth with the mark of the beast... until now. There's never been in modern times the possibility of the prophesied temple to be rebuilt... until now.

Don't be afraid,...be aware.

"For the Christian, the return of Christ is not a riddle to be solved, or a code to be broken,

...but rather a day to be anticipated."

(Grace for the Moment, Max Lucado, p. 292) 

 "Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke,...Be Mindful!"  

There Is A Right, And A Wrong, Learn Them

Good Morning!! With all the new philosophies, technologies, and insights that we have today, is this promise still relevant? You may be asking yourself; "Do we really need to understand these things?" The answer is a resounding; "Yes!" We need to understand righteousness,...we need to understand judgment, and equity (justice). You see, these truths are not like Plato's philosophy, or Shakespeare's observations, or Isaac Newton's theories. These truths are more like law the law of gravity,...it never becomes irrelevant,...and always needs to be understood.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.—Proverbs 2:9 (NIV)

If we don't understand what is right and wrong,...what is good and bad,...what is fair and equitable,...how to make wise decisions,...then we'll be like the people jumping off of a building, that does not understand the law of gravity,...or it's consequences. Thinking we are too enlightened or educated for "that nonsense", won't keep us from crashing to the ground. Similarly, if we don't understand the eternal and unchanging standard of righteousness,...which is founded in God's good and immutable Character and Word,...then we will come crashing down, sooner or later. Life will be like studying for the wrong test,...or preparing for fire, and getting flooded,...we'll be caught suddenly and tragically unprepared. There is no defying or suspending the Truth of God.
 

Those who pursue God's Truth, are promised understanding of; "every good path."

Holy Spirit, remind us to ask for God's wisdom, in every day,...in every action,...on every decision. Help us to see, the hard to see dangers. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

"Loneliness comes from forgetting about the One who is always with us."

Teach The Babies

Good Morning!! Many parents feel an obligation to their children,...to raise them up in a good environment. So they cart them off to Sunday school, or send them to a Christian school,...assuming that they have fulfilled their obligation. However, if we ourselves are not actively engaged in the Christian faith, then we really can't expect our children to fall in love with it,...just because they have been exposed to it externally.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.—Deuteronomy 6:6, 7a (NIV)

It is not enough to pass on God's Word to our children and grandchildren. We must first receive, and embrace it, in our own hearts,...as their first caregivers and instructors. There is no way to share a love for God and His Word with our children that we ourselves do not daily and vitally experience. 

We must make a daily, overriding, unrelenting determination as parents and grandparents, to teach our children the Christian faith,
...just as it was done for us.

God's Word must continually and carefully be emanating from our heart, and be diligently communicated to the hearts of our children.

 "Loneliness comes from forgetting about the One who is always with us." 

Move Towards God

Good Morning!! More than we know, God loves and understands humanity. If this world would just renew it's commitment to God,...the whole world would see Him restore and refresh it all, It starts as our own lives become illuminated with His light and love.

Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored.—Lamentations 5:21 (NIV)

The world has become so distracted with day to day responsibilities, that it's failed to recognize small and subtle changes in it's relationship with God. So many souls are weary and hungry for God,...without even know it. If we are willing to admit our neglect and turn back to God we will once again see Him working within each experience,...need,...and person we come into contact with.

Restore us, O Lord God Almighty: make Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. 

(Psalm 80:19)

 

Father God, forgive me, as little by little I have allowed myself (like the rest of the world) to become distracted with other things,...and have neglected my relationship with You. I seek You, and ask that You restore and refresh my soul,...purify my heart and allow Your light to illuminate every part of my life. In Jesus name I ask, Amen.
 

All For The Glory Of God

Good Morning!! God will be glorified by us, no matter what,...either in forgiving us, or in condemning us. But our goal should be that He is glorified in us. When we grab from the gracious hand of God, and run away thoughtlessly to enjoy His benefits, His abundant grace does not receive the glory it deserves.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.—2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)


Every person,...every situation,...every thing is allowed, through the wise and omnipotent hand of God, for our sakes. He is, like the potter, shaping this world for His own purposes, and He purpose is our good,...if we are one of His. But the good of those who love God, is not God's only motivation. His primary motivation,...because He is God, is always and rightly His own glory. And so, we are reminded, God has purposed our good for His glory.

 Don't be fooled,...we are never blessed, for our sake alone.

We must allow ourselves to become a soundboard for the glory of God. May each blessing sent our way reverberate to the glory of His name, through our conscious and joyful thanksgiving. In Jesus', Amen.

"Loneliness comes from forgetting about the One who is always with us." 

Love, Pass It On

Good Morning!! As you know, one of the things we all long for is love, to experience love, to both love someone else, and more importantly, to be loved by someone else. The ultimate in being loved is to experience the love of God. The Bible says, "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5). The love being spoken of here is a love which is experienced. It is not the same love which is demonstrated through words and actions.

God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die.—John 3:16 (AAJE) 

The Bible does tell us how God demonstrates His love. It says, "God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). To see and understand this demonstration of God's love is very important. To see Christ's death on the cross as the payment for your personal sins can be life transforming. Yes, you must accept the love of God demonstrated, shown forth, on the cross. But just as important is your need to experience God's love in the depth of your being. You can only experience God's love as that love is literally poured out within your heart through the Holy Spirit. And Jesus says, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Luke 11:13).

Love really is the gift, that keeps on giving.

Father God, we thank You, for Your love, grace and mercy. Holy Spirit teach us to love unconditionally,
...allow us to love others as Jesus loves us. Amen.

 

"Loneliness comes from forgetting about the One who is always with us." 

Fear No Evil!

Good Morning!! Not exactly an encouraging forecast in today's verses, is it?,...but it is, what it is. Evil men are multiplying in number, and in wickedness. Not only are they set on deceiving others,...but they themselves are becoming so hardened against God, that they justify their wickedness, even to themselves,...deceiving themselves. Why would Paul have been so open about the coming days of difficulty, and sinfulness? Because he wanted us to be forewarned,...and in so doing, be even more committed to patient perseverance, in the truth.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,—2 Timothy 3:12-14 (NIV)

Yes, it is discouraging, when fewer and fewer are standing for the truth of Jesus Christ,...of course it is disheartening to see increasing numbers of people giving in to the deceptive pleasures, and the propaganda of our age. But, Paul insists, "do not forget the things you have learned, and know to be true". Do not compromise God's perfect Word for the fallible thinking of fallen heads. Do not relinquish, or even reduce, your commitment to live for Christ. Have the many voices of modern seducers, caused you to question the veracity of Christ's call upon your life?

Do not be deceived.

Holy Spirit, help us to continue upon the course that Christ has set for us,...trusting in the truth we've learned from Him. And may His name increase in glory, even in the midst of this wicked climate. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 "Christianity should be carried in our hearts like a song." 

 

Be Kinder

Good Morning!! Please, Thank you, Can I help you?, and I love you; these few words and more can change a mood or disposition for the better. These few words, say we care.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.—Colossians 4:6 (NRSV)

It's hard to believe the impact that a few kind words can have. I wonder how many times we've been so distracted by our own concerns that we've missed an opportunity to speak words of encouragement, support and kindness to someone else in distress.

 

Be open to the many opportunities we have to say the words that others need to hear.

 

Don't be fooled, people that say " I don't care." really do,...they just want to know that you care too. 

 

"Christianity should be carried in our hearts like a song."

 

Give, As Giving To God

Good Morning!! In our human nature we tend to be selfish, self-centered and consumed with our own interests,...motivated to pursuing our own plans. But today's verse, tells us, that spirit leads to poverty. In contrast, the one who by grace, loves his neighbor, considers others and looks for opportunities to minister to them,...is the one who "will be refreshed." God has promised that the one who sows bountifully, will reap bountifully. It's a principle, that Paul tells us concerns our giving,...but it reaches into every avenue of Christian service.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.—Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

No one is more impoverished than the covetous man, who finds no joy in giving, or the person, who is so caught up in their own plans, that they have no time to pray for, or minister to others. But when one is giving generously of their money, their time and themselves,...they are then watered with great joy in serving God.

Just as an individual with a giving spirit is enjoying showers from on high,...the same is true of a church that possesses that generous spirit.

Holy Spirit, make us a church with a giving spirit,...a church which is honoring Jesus Christ, as we faithfully ministers to all those in need. Amen.

"Christianity should be carried in our hearts like a song."

Chrisianity Is Worth It

Good Morning!! Although we will have tribulation, He has overcome the world. Although we will fall into various trials, we can count them a joy knowing that the trying of our faith is working patience in us. Although we will face tribulation, we glory in tribulation knowing that through our suffering the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?—1 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

At first glance, Peter's question may not seem to have an encouraging answer. After all, thousands of martyrs, including most of the apostles, discovered that there is great harm in the pathway of Christ. Hasn't every saint found that following Christ, leads to suffering for Christ? Didn't Christ Himself tell us repeatedly that it would be so? The answer of course to each of these questions is yes. Yet the same Jesus who warned us "they will persecute you" (John 15:20),...also promises us that "there shall not an hair of your head perish" (Luke 21:18).

 

Following Christ is the better way,...not the easier way.

 

Lord, help us today, to walk the path that You've laid before us without fear,...and teach us to count it all joy, as we go through. Amen.

 

"Christianity should be carried in our hearts like a song."

 

 

The Church

Good Morning!! The purpose, and goal, of the church is to glorify God. Although our attention and efforts, are so easily and often diverted toward building programs, political games, or personal relationships,...none of these can be a replacement for the foundation of, or the motivation for church involvement. The church exists to glorify God in the world,...but we cannot do this by our own strength. That is why Paul prays that this glory will come by Christ Jesus. The more we rely on our own ingenuity, business savvy, or personality for the success of the church,...the less God is glorified, in or by the church.

...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.—Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)

Any organization can thrive, through careful business models and market research,...but Christ's church dies without Christ. God is glorified in the church only as Christ as looked to as the sole source of strength and motivation and direction for the church. God has not left the church merely to the inventions and power of any person, or earthly organization, that they may be puffed up. Instead, He has purposed that glory will be given to Him, through Christ Jesus,...for all time.

Don't just go to church,...become a part of the great purpose of the church!

 

 Lord, we pray that we may decrease, so that You can increase. Amen.

 

"Christianity should be carried in our hearts like a song."

 

Be Patient, Have Hope

Good Morning!! A night of weeping can sometimes appear to be endless. Sorrow can come on us in waves, often hot on the heals of disappointment. And if physical pain wracks our body, or physiological pain has griped, or broken you heart,...the night just seems to stretch on and on. Weeping does indeed endure.

 ...weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.—Psalm 30:5b (NIV)

But here is the great consolation of Scripture. Joy may seem to appear to be slow, in getting to us, but it is irresistibly moving toward us,...and will reach us, with the darkness-shattering power, of dawn. Now matter how severe the shadows, no matter how stormy the darkness, if we can just hold on,...the dawn will come, and the night will be easily and quickly, forgotten. No darkness is so great, that the coming of the Son does not drive it away.

Joy is coming,...just hold on!

Holy Spirit, help us to remember; that no matter how dark things seem,...the best is yet to come. Amen.

 "The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie."

Serving Others

Good Morning!! What have your goals and thoughts, been about this day? Are you planned the day in such a way as to better your own situation, or as to better the situation of others around you? Is your great concern the fulfillment of personal ambitions,...or is your ambition to lose yourself in the service, and benefiting of God's people, around you?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.—Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

What mindset do you think invariably leads to serving others?...Humility. When we begin to see ourselves as undeserving of the least of God's blessings,...then and only then, can we start to esteem others,...better than we do ourselves. When our own faults are clearly before our eyes, we have no room left for criticizing others. And when we, in genuine and personal humility, esteem others as we ought, we will cease to look for ways to please ourselves and begin to look for ways to please God,...by helping others. Rather than using others, to better ourselves, we will use ourselves to better others.

How we plan our day,...how we use our time,...how we spend our money,

...these are all barometers, of true humility.

 

Holy Spirit, allow our self-esteem be transformed today into service for others. May we find the great joy and satisfaction, that only and paradoxically comes from giving up on our own pleasures,...for the sake of others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

"The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie." 

 

Be Clothed With Humility

Good Morning!! Humility is submission to God. We may not understand some of the providences unfolding in our lives, but we still bow in submission, and know God is working His Will,...and accomplishing His purposes. It means believing what God says, accepting what is in His Word,...and not making any attempt to explain it away.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.—1 Peter 5:6b (NIV)

Humility starts by recognizing our need for grace. The humble have a great sense of their own weakness, and know they must come to the throne of grace, to find mercy and grace, to help in time of need. They know they need grace to pray, grace to overcome the world,...and grace to minister to others.

Humility is simply an acknowledgement of unworthiness,
...and the minute you're sure you have it, you've lost it.

Because we believe in God, we have no need to fear or panic,...we just pray.

"The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie."

Doing It God's Way

Good Morning!! What criteria do you use in order to decide, for or against a particular action, ambition, or way of life? Do you weigh the financial benefit, the career advancement, or perhaps the physical pleasure that any given opportunity may afford? Paul tells us, first, to walk as children of light. In other words, our lives ought to be radically, fundamentally, unmistakably different that those who do not claim Christ as their Lord and Savior. Light is glaringly different than darkness.


For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,...and find out what pleases the Lord.—Ephesians 5:8b, 10 (NIV)

We should not be asking the same questions that any one in the world would ask, in our same situation. We should not be making decisions that reflect the priorities and self-seeking ways of sinful, unsaved individuals. We should not have the same goals as those who don't have an eternal perspective. In short, Paul says, we should be testing everything to see,...not whether it is pleasing to our palate or to the world,...but what is acceptable to the Lord. Is this thing in agreement with His Word? Will this draw me closer to Christ? Does this further the cause of Christ in the world, through me?

God has not left us in the dark regarding how to walk as children of light,
...take His Word, discover what is acceptable to the Lord, and walk in it as a child of light.

 

Sweet and Holy Spirit, help us to make God's way, our ways. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

"The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie."

 

In Gratitude, There Is Joy

Good Morning!! We crab, about our jobs, our bosses, our cars and our homes. Thousands of people struggle daily with discouragement and frustration,...or at least with discontentment, even though they are surrounded by prosperity and property. Why is this? Why does there seem to be so little contentment, in the midst of such enormous wealth? Perhaps it is because we have neglected to develop grateful hearts. If we pray at all,...then our prayers are largely taken up with requests for family and friends and health and blessing. But how often do we pause to bless the Lord, to praise Him for the many benefits He has given to us already?

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—Psalm 103:2 (NIV)

In today's verse,  we are encouraged to develop the habit of gratefulness. Not a single blessing of God should be taken for granted,...not a single benefit should come to us, without our carefully marking it as yet another unmerited favor,...from our heavenly Father. It is also interesting that this admonition is an entirely inward one. The psalmist is actually speaking to himself, addressing his own soul. He is keeping a close check on his spirit and correcting trends that he sees there toward ingratitude,...complaining,...or dissatisfaction. As we ought also, to stir ourselves up to habitual, genuine, God-centered gratitude,...which will then lead us to habitual, genuine, God-centered praise.

In the muck, clamor, and distractions of life, how easily we forget the Lord's many blessings to us.

Holy Spirit of God, help us to be mindful, and grateful always, In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie."

 

Lift Him Up

Good Morning!! The call to worship should never be just more of "the same old, same". The call to worship demands "a new song" to the Lord,...it demands His praise "from the end of the earth." Many of us have grown up in Christian homes, gone to Christian churches, heard Christian songs and sermons,...maybe even attended Christian schools. As a result, our familiarity with the subject of Christ, can easily lead us to old-hat, absent-minded, parrot-like expressions of worship and prayer. You know, the lines that someone starts, and we finish. That's not worship,...and it simply will not do.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth,—Isaiah 42:10a (NIV) 

 

This new song, may be an old hymn, newly discovered,...or familiar words, freshly considered,...or new meditations, leading to new exaltations. But we must come to worship with a sincere searching, deeply felt song of praise. On the other hand, there are some who have never heard of Jesus, or who have never considered His claims, or who have rarely and barely been exposed to the Word of God. If this is you,...you may not even know what God expects of you. Well, He demands praise, from every corner,...and every object, of His creation,...none are except. No matter who you are, or what you've done,...where you've been, or where you are, come to Him with reverent fear, and with fresh zeal, and praise Him,...as He deserves to be praised.

For all You've done, and are yet to do,...we praise and worship You.

 

All that we have, we offer up to You Lord God. We will worship and praise You, forever more. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

"God's presence is a life preserver, that keeps the soul from sinking in a sea of trouble."