We're Special

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love For God, Part 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love For God, Part 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Criticize Or Compliment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Willing To Be Lead

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Denying

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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