Room For ONE

Good Morning, It's Good Friday,...And The End Of Another Great Week, Enjoy!!! Have you ever noticed how backwards thing often seem? Like; you have to invite Jesus into your life,...a positive force of good. But Satan, a negative, disruptive and destructive force,...just sneaks, or muscles, his way in. Satan never waits for an invitation, and he dose not have to schedule an appointment,...he 's always available.

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.—John 16:20 (NIV)

Satan seem to always be at our sides fueling our self-pity, pointing out our shortcomings, reminding us of past mistakes, and painting a rather dismal and hopeless picture of our futures. We ask him to leave several times, but he just wouldn't go,...at least not for long. But if we can just regain our focus, and call out the name of Jesus,...the devil has got to flea,...because our souls are simply not big enough for the both of them. And as you know,...only the invited, can truly stay.

"God desires that we turn our attention from our circumstances to Him.
When our eyes are upon Him, our crisis seems so small."
(The Man God Uses, Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 98)

Lord, when life gets us down, help us to turn our self-pity into a glorious praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.

" Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.

We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.,...we are useless."

Practice Love

Good Morning, There is never a shortage of opportunities to be kind!! All Christians,...like Jesus, are to be God's physical presence on earth. The world depends on a Christian's calming presence when trouble knocks at their door. Even those that act as though they don't believe, will ask for prayer when their need becomes undeniable. But we don't have to wait until they ask,....we ought to be praying for them already.

God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.—Psalm 46:1 (AAJE)

Quiet strength in tense situations is a product of taking refuge in God. Christians are called to be compassionate as Jesus was. Alert Christians will see the needs and emergencies of others and voluntarily step up to meet the urgency of the situation.

Those who put their trust in the Lord, will be given strength,...for each and every problem.

Holy Spirit, keep us mindful that; some one, somewhere always needs our ear, our shoulder, our hands, and especially our prayers. Amen.

" Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.

We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.,...we are useless."

 

We Are Held Up By Angels, When We Obey God

Good Morning!! Why does God allow even lead! us into situations that are terrible? Why do pain and struggle come just when we are excited about a project we're beginning for God? We don't always know why. Maybe it's to grow our faith,....or so we may test our trust,... or maybe so He may prove Himself to us and those around us.

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.—Matthew 4:11 (NIV)

We may never know, but I do know this;  if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, these can be times of purification and strengthening. They purify us of whatever keeps us from walking with God and they strengthen us by teaching us how to draw upon His wisdom and power. Hardship in the service of God will never defeat us or destroy us if we keep trusting in God and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. It is often true that the greater the potential for good, the greater the opposition from Satan. When Jesus' time in the wilderness was over, angels came and attended Him,...they stand ready to attend us too.

Just imagine,...one hundred plus degrees in the blistering sun with no trees for shade. So cold at night that He had to wrap Himself in a heavy cloak. No food or water except what He brought with Him. Plus exhaustion, loneliness, poisonous snakes and the unrelenting harassment of the prince of darkness. What a way to begin a career of service to God! Thank You Jesus!!

Heavenly Father, may the hardships You allow us to experience make us wiser, purer and stronger. When You have led us through them, may we be better instruments in Your loving hands. Amen.

" Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.

We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.,...we are useless."

Do You Know What We're Being Called To?

Good Morning!! All Christians want to follow Christ,...but some only want Heaven, they expect comfort and luxury. But the truth of the matter is; the footprints of Jesus don't travel through luxurious lifestyles, and self-asserting ambitions. They lead through uncompromising stands for the glory of God,...and self-sacrificial suffering for the sake of others. So, are you ready to following His steps, now that you really know where they lead? Do you still want answer His call?

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.—1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

As Peter points out in the verse immediately before; there is no inherent glory in suffering if we are only being punished for our own wrong-doing. However, he says, if you endure the buffeting of a Christ-hating world because you are following Jesus Christ, then this is pleasing and acceptable to God. Interestingly, the possibility of not suffering and still following our Savior, is not even presented as an option. Why? Because hereunto were you called — when you received the call of God on your life, it was not only the call to salvation but the call to suffering for the sake of your Savior.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

 

"unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29) We have heard the called, Sweet Spirit of God, help up answer to the glory of God.

 

" Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.

We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.,...we are useless."

The FATHER Knows Best

Good Morning!! As we seek God's purpose for our lives, we must remember that it is His purpose and not our own. So often we allow our need to be in control, to even blind us to the path that God has laid out before us. We come up with our own solutions, opinions, and ideas about what God's will for us should be,...rather than what it is.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.—Proverbs 19:21(NIV)

Nothing is as prefect as God's way,...and everything pales in comparison. We will never find God’s will for our lives, until we are willing to let go of that need to know it all,...and run it all. We have to trust His guidance completely, and be willing to surrender ourselves totally, moment by moment, in even the smallest of matters.

When we ignore the wisdom of God's guidance,...we'll always find ourselves working harder, and accomplishing less.

Heavenly Father, You are greater than our minds are able to comprehend, and apart from You, we are nothing. All that we are, and hope to be, we find only in You. Help us to surrender ourselves completely, and seek Your guidance in all that we do. We are learning that it's not about us, or our ability, but Your ability to create value and purpose within our lives, Amen.

" Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.

We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.,...we are useless."

   

Good Seed

Good Morning!! All the things we see and hear on a daily basis help to form our attitudes,...either for good or bad. And because not everything we encounter is positive,...it is essential for us to continually seek God's Word, as our prime source for thinking. We must allow God's Word to become so deeply rooted within our hearts it supersedes all else.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.—James 1:21(NIV)

All it takes is one small seed of anger, bitterness, envy or jealousy that will eventually develop into a change of heart. It is God's Word applied to our daily challenges, which will revive and refresh our hearts and souls. Most times we're not even aware of how our attitude has changed until it's the midst of our day.

The way we think creates our attitude, and there by shapes and shows, our character.

Dear Lord, reveal to me even the smallest of offenses, so they will not grow, and manifest themselves within my heart. Amen.

" Worry is useless and unnecessary,...cast your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in Him."

Giving Freely

Good Morning!! We are not always as eager to give, as we should be,...and not just of our finances,...but of ourselves as well. If we were to be completely honest, we'd have to admit that there are many areas in our lives, where we hold on too tightly. We may be eager to give of our finances, and greedy when it comes to offering our time or talents. Or we could be the exact opposite. No one wants to feel as if they're begging, or forcing something from you,....no matter how badly they might need or want it.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.—2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

It can't mean much if someone does something for you, or gives you something, only because you guilted them into it,...you know that in their hearts they are begrudging it. I sometimes imagine God feels that way, when we go to give ourselves, our money, and time,...as we're moaning and complaining, while turning them over to Him. Get this; "If we sow nothing, we reap nothing".

When our hearts change through Christ, our motives go from how much we will gain,...to how much we can give. 

Holy Spirit, teach us to give generously without remorse, so that we may learn to receive without guilt or shame. In the name of Jesus we pray,  Amen.

" Worry is useless and unnecessary,...cast your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in Him."

No Fear Of Death, Or Dying

Good Morning!! Hopefully you read, and enjoyed in yesterday’s devotion; that God is with us even to our old age. Today the psalmist takes it a step further, with the assurance "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…" There is no evil to fear,...not even the greatest and last enemy, death,...when God is with us. As one young believer stated, when diagnosed with terminal cancer, “It is not death I fear, but the valley of its shadow,...but He is with me.” The emotional and physical pain leading up to death can often be more intimidating than the moment of death itself, because we know that death is the end of our suffering and sorrow.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

But, as the psalmist observed, even death's great shadow (under which we all walk, while on earth, in varying degrees of darkness) cannot rob us of the presence of our Savior. Therefore, there is never any need for fear. We don't have to struggle under the fear of death, or let its shadow darkened our joy, or dampened our pleasure. Know that the great Shepherd is always near His sheep,...and He has never been known to forsake a single one.

God is with us now, and He will be with us until we walk out of the valley's shadow,...and into the warming rays of the Son.

---

Why should we fear?...when we are washed in the Blood of the Lamb, and God is our all in all. Amen.

 

"Worry is useless and unnecessary,...cast your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in Him."

From Begining, To Begining

Good Morning, My Friend!! God has promised to be with us,...always.  And God is unchanging, and unchangeable. It was I, God says, Who carried you out of the womb in your infancy; and it is I, He reminds us, that will still be here for you when you grow old. Though your strength and energy may diminish, I am still able to bear you. Though your hair may become gray, I remain the same. "I will carry, and will deliver you." Rather than calling the end of our road death, God calls it deliverance. Why? Because when God is carrying you, death is only the doorway to an everlasting life.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.—Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV)

Here is the summary of God's promise: just as I made you to begin with, I am able and willing to carry you and bear your burdens, until I finally deliver you into a carefree, burden-free, never-ending life. Because I am unchanging, I will always have the strength to carry you,...and because I am unchanging I will always fulfill all my promises.

How wouldn't want to place themselves in the mighty hands, of an everlasting, unchanging God, like that?

Father God, we commit ourselves into Your arms,...the only ones strong enough to last throughout this life, and long enough to deliver us to the next. Amen.

"Worry is useless and unnecessary,...cast your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in Him."

Find Comfort And Joy In The Lord

Good Morning!! What's been filling your thoughts, and occupying your mind in recent days? maybe a loved one who's sick, an employer who's difficult, an injustice that you've observed, a longing that you've, or a sorrow that you feel? It might even be all of the above. In spite of my many tangled, confused, and anxious thoughts,...as the psalmist says to the Lord; "Your comforts fill my soul with joy".

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)

Although he describes the onslaught of anxious feelings and worries, as a "multitude", he insists that the comforts that God has provided, far outweighs and exceedingly outnumbers, the stresses of life. In fact the psalmist expresses that the encouragement that God has provided in His Word, is so intensive and so uplifting that he has been led, not only to be consoled,...but to be delighted. This speaks of a transcending comfort that is powerful and substantial enough to reverse the very trend of the mind toward worry or fear.

Our tendency to worry, fret or even to grieve, must be overruled,
...to the extent that the inertia of our thoughts, will then be moved toward the joy, peace, and satisfaction of the Lord.

Holy Spirit, help us to view the love and faithfulness of the cross, the wisdom and majesty of creation, the sweetness and surety of God’s promises, so that the anxiousness of our lives becomes overwhelmed, by the comforts and joys of our souls. Amen.

"Worry is useless and unnecessary,...cast your burdens upon the Lord, and trust in Him."

   

Encouragement And Warring

Good Morning!! It is comforting and encouraging to read that God is for us,...but there are some people that God is against, and we don't want to be one of those. The Bible tells us that He is against the wicked, the proud, and all false prophets. In other words, God is against those who walk contrary to His Word,...and those who reject His Son.

If God is for us, who can be against us?—Romans 8:31 (KJV)

 And we all know, there are certainly those who are against God,...and His people. Satan is their great adversary, and the world under his influence is against the true followers of Christ. We know from the closing chapters of the Bible, that these enemies will rage against the kingdom of God, until the very end of time. But Paul reminds us; though many may oppose,...none can prevail against those who are the people of God. God has taken sides,...and He is on the side of those who fear Him, and trust in His Son Jesus Christ.

God the Father is for His people,...because He has chosen them. The Son is for them,...because He has redeemed them with His own blood. The Holy Spirit is for them,...because He calls them irresistibly to Himself by.

Holy Spirit of God, remind us that omnipotence fights for us, this and every day, and none can overcome us. None can even harm us, when we follow God. Now help us to live and walk in the assurance of that very truth. Amen.

"Christians are ordinary people,...who are committed to the extraordinary person of Jesus Christ."

Haste Leads To Waste

Good Morning!! Being in a hurry, is often the start of our problems, in so many areas of life. A quick observation of a situation without having all the facts may lead you to draw the wrong conclusion, there by making the wrong decisions. This is especially true in relation to money, as this proverb reminds us. If we are in a rush to increase our salary, or experience worldly success, we can easily make choices that will lead to greater, and more significant poverty, in this area and others. Many marriages, homes, hearts, and churches have been emotionally and spiritually bankrupted by an unchecked hunger for more profit, more money, more material success.

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.—Proverbs 28:22 (KJV)

The one who is in as hurry to get rich, is here warned,...that the result will be poverty. This rush towards a set goal may lead to compromising standards of honesty, falling for "get rich schemes", or becoming a slave to a lender. The Bible does not condemn money,...but rather the love of it. God blessed Abraham, Jacob, Job and others to be rich, and many who have been so blessed have been generous givers and glorified God with their wealth. But to set riches as a goal, only leads to trouble. 

Do not rush toward financial gain; wait on the Lord’s good purpose, timing, and way.
This is not a wait of idleness, but a wait of expectation as one is busy doing what the Lord requires at the present.

God's way, always leads to true and lasting wealth,...allow us to wait, and do things God's way, and in God's time. This we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

"Christians are ordinary people,...who are committed to the extraordinary person of Jesus Christ."

Become The Living Church

Good Morning!! A church cannot exist without believers who are committed to meeting together for prayer, service, accountability, and most of all biblical instruction. This is just as true today as it was in the infancy of the church. While this seems a self-evident truth, many Christians do not live with this in mind. That's why Paul pointed out the need for us to faithfully gather with each other in the church,...as often as possible.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:...—Hebrews 10:24-25a (NIV)

The spiritual ignorance and apathy that many Christians experience today is chiefly due to a lack of commitment in this regard. They do not learn, mature, or benefit from the sound, practical preaching of God’s Word because they are not there to hear it, not present when it is being prayed for, or not dedicated to living it out through the body of Christ. But there is another reason, just as important as personal growth, for us to be dedicated to meeting with other saints. We are to be provoking one another to love and good works.

How can we be of help to others in their Christian walk, if we aren't there to talk with them,...pray with them,...and reach out to them?

Father God, help us to consider the needs of others today, as well as our own, and be determined anew to find our place of joyful commitment and service, in the body of Christ, for the glory of His name. Amen.

"Christians are ordinary people,...who are committed to the extraordinary person of Jesus Christ."  

 

Are You A Blessing?

Good Morning!! We are bombarded daily, with messages that encourage us to get the latest gadget, or enjoy a vacation spot, or purchase a new vehicle for ourselves because,..."you deserve it;...you owe it to yourself." But Paul tells us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the debt we ought to be concerned with, is the debt we have to others. God has entrusted us with health, with money, with time, or with resources that others may be in need of; and not have. These gifts are not meant to be pooled up, in some reservoir of ours,...we have an obligation to God, as stewards of these blessings.


We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.—Romans 15:1 (NIV)

A few verses later Paul tells us why this is so: "For even Christ pleased not himself…" (15:3). That is a big "even", because Christ (unlike us) had every right to please Himself,...and, yet, He was concerned rather to serve and to bear the infirmities and afflictions of the weak with them. We then that are strong, Paul says, ought to be doing the same thing .When was the last time you heard that message delivered to the masses?...or saw a commercial or advertisement expressing the idea of: "don't be selfish,...be concerned with someone else's needs, wants, and welfare above and beyond your own."? Don't believe the hype, our blessing are never ours alone.

God has entrusted us, to be a conduit, a tributary of blessing,...so that others maybe blessed through us.

Holy Spirit, show us the needs of others, that we we may be a blessing to them,...and thereby bless our Father in Heaven. Amen.

"Christians are ordinary people,...who are committed to the extraordinary person of Jesus Christ."

Why Do You Not Submit?

Good Morning!! To our Western, self-centered society, the idea of submission, in any form or under any circumstances, has become repulsive. We have no desire to submit to our employers, and we certainly don't consider it our duty. Respect of any authority is rejected and resisted. We go against the government,...and children are no longer taught to submit to their parents. However, no where is submission so despised as in the bonds of matrimony. The Christian foundation on which America was built,...that all are created equal,...has been misinterpreted, consciously or unconsciously, to imply that no one should have to submit to another. Yet, just as in every other area of biblical submission,...opposition to God’s way for wives stems from a misunderstanding (or lack of faith) in God’s supreme plan.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.—Ephesians 5:22 (NIV)

Jesus, being equal with God,...still submitted to His Heavenly Father. Great men like the apostle Paul submitted to wicked and undeserving rulers like Nero (and commands us to do the same). In fact, a civilized (and certainly a Christian) society can only really exist if submission to appropriate offices is recognized and maintained. God, being the designer and author of marriage, tells us that it only works if the distinctive (not essentially unequal) roles of the husband and wife are maintained. Any other model for the home will fail,...it is like ignoring the owner’s manual to marriage.

Obedience to God is the only way to glorify God. Husbands, wives, children, citizens, employees, employers, rulers,...all are to submit to the perfect wisdom and good purposes of our great God.

Holy Spirit, teach us to surrender all, as it is God's Will. Amen.

" Christians are ordinary people,...who are committed to the extraordinary person of Jesus Christ."

    

But What Does God Say?

Good Morning!! The standard by which we are to accept or reject every idea, emotion, or opportunity is whether it is “good” or “evil.” No middle ground is mentioned. How do we know what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong? The only infallible benchmark we have is God’s Word, the Bible. We can not make decisions based upon our feelings at the moment, the advice or rationale of others, or society’s changing ideas of what is acceptable.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.—1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)

Experience is not the best teacher,...instruction is. And in the Bible we find the instruction we need regarding how we are to live, what priorities we are to hold, and how we are to view the world around us. Test your decisions by the touchstone of God’s Word, and then cling to that good and right path,...abstaining from even the very appearance or possibility of evil.

We are not told to "experiment with everything"...but to prove (test) all things.

The Word says; If a thing is good, we are to “hold fast” to it, not substituting or selling it for anything. If it is evil, we are to “abstain” from it, not sampling or teasing with it in small doses. Holy Spirit, teach us to apply God's Word to every issue in our lives, then help us to whole-heartedly pursue, and hold that indicated course of action. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"I pray, that your rejoicing be made more abundant in Jesus Christ."   

All Thanks, And Glory To God

Good Morning!...On This, Another Thankful, Thursday!! Cultivating a thankful heart is the key to overcoming discouragement, grief, pain,...and even discontentment. If we develop the habit of counting our blessings then we, can learn to be content, and joyful,...even in the darkest of times, or the hardest of circumstances. But, as the psalmist here reminds us, the greatest benefit of a grateful heart, and therefore the greatest motivation to a thankful spirit, is not the blessing that it brings to us,...but the witness it is to others.

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.—Psalm 105:1 (KJV)

When we as Christians can be found searching through the wreckage of our shattered dreams, lost loved ones, or debilitating pain, and coming up with yet another reason to praise our God it is an unparalleled proof, of the power of the Lord to transform and to satisfy His people. When we publicly call upon His name,...making His deeds known among the masses,...the gratefulness of God’s children redounds to the glory of His Holy name and grace.

Anyone can be happy and thankful when everything is going well,
...but what a greater testimony it is, when God’s people are rejoicing among the ruins of their temporal pleasures!

Father God, let us shine our light in the darkness of our own heartache and loss,...where it to exalts You and does the most good, because we want to make known Your Goodness, Amen.

"I pray, that your rejoicing be made more abundant in Jesus Christ." 

  

 

Forgiveness

Good Morning!! Everywhere in the Bible, God is affirmed as omniscient,...which means all-knowing. There is nothing that goes on in the universe of which He is not aware,...there is nothing that has happened or that will happen that He does not know. We live our lives "coram Deo",...this phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God.

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.—Hebrews 10:17 (KJV)

Yet here is a purposeful statement from the one and only Omniscient, declaring that He will remember the sins of His people no more — a promise of such total forgiveness that there is no trace left of the sins committed. How can this be? The truth of the cross is that God the Father remembered every single (even seemingly small) sin that every believer has, or ever will, commit and punished Jesus Christ for each and every one of them, in our stead. Not only that, but Jesus’ righteousness is imparted to us so that we stand before God truly spotless.

Holy Spirit, guide us to the cross, because there every sin is forgiven,...every transgression is forgotten. And only the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to wash away the stain of our sins from the memory of the One True Omniscient God. Amen.

"I pray, that your rejoicing be made more abundant in Jesus Christ."  

Jehovahjireh Our Provider

Good Morning!! Jehovahjireh means "the Lord will provide" or, literally, "the Lord will see to it." By the time Abraham used this name for God, he had learned from personal experience, the truth of its claims. When asked by God to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham trusted that somehow God would still keep His promise to make of Isaac a great nation. He obeyed God by taking Isaac to the altar, but trusted,...against reason and sight and feeling,...that somehow God would provide Himself a lamb (22:8). His faith was rewarded and validated, when God replaced Isaac with a ram, for the sacrifice.

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.—Genesis 22:14 (KJV)

The fact is, God not only sees all, He sees to it all,...He will provide for all of our needs, according to His riches,...by Christ Jesus. Will you trust God to make good on His Word,...even when trusting means going against reason, sight, and feeling? Numbers 23:19 reminds us that "God is not a man, that he should lie…hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? "

We can stand and hope on the promises of God,...now and forever.

O' Lord we will trust You today, no matter what issues we may be grappling with, or what we may be confronted by. We trust You to provide for us as You have for others. We're trusting You to see it through. Amen.

"I pray, that your rejoicing be made more abundant in Jesus Christ."