Be Still

Good Morning!! "Be still" is a phrase we use a lot as parents. Children have an abundance of energy that seems to have no bounds at times, no matter where they might be. The command to "be still" usually comes when either the energy level has reached a fevered pitch, or when the environment is not conducive to the overabundance of activity,...such as riding in a car, or sitting in church. However, getting a child to be still just by speaking the words is most often a waste of time at best,...sometimes, more serious action is required.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

As children of God, we are not all that different. We tend to lead overactive lives, filled with busyness and activities that seem to have few boundaries themselves. The difference is that, as adults, we have no one telling us to "be still", and slow down. We think; the busier we are, the better it is,...for us and for those around us. Most of us even feel better, just by staying active and over stimulated. Our society not only endorses this behavior, but has, for the most part, created the standards for it. How many of us would like to be known as weak, feeble, or a slacker? We most likely would be insulted by such terms. But God says that we are to "be still," which is defined in Hebrew with such words. God is the One who tells us not to put anything above, or before Him in our lives,...not even our energy levels and activities.

God wants more of us,
...and He wants our undivided attention when we are with Him.

Father God, it is Your command that we "be still", be weak, and to be at rest before You. Help us to take the time to stop and be still in Your presence today . We pray that other can "know" You as Lord and Savior,...and that you can be with them in stillness and peace. Allow us to be more ready to listen and obey as You call us into alignment with You Will today. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

"True Christian love helps those who can't return the favor."

Sin Has No Hold, On Us

Good Morning!! Even though we are supposed to be dead to sin, sin's strong appeal can often still cause us to struggle with feeling that we're more alive to it, than we are to Christ. But Romans 6:1-11 teaches us that what is true of the Lord Jesus Christ, is true of us,...in terms of our relationship to sin and death. God the Father allowed His Son to "be sin" in order that all the sins of the world,...-past, present and future, -would fall on Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). W

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.—Romans 6:11 (NIV)

When Jesus died on the cross, our sins were on Him,...but when He rose from the grave, there was no sin on or in Him. When He ascended to the Father, there was no sin on Him. As He sits at the Father's right hand, there is no sin on Him. Since we are seated in the heavenlies in Christ,...we too have died to sin.

It doesn't matter whether we feel dead to sin or not,
...we are to consider it so, because it is so.

Sweet Spirit of God, When we choose to believe what the Word says is true about ourselves and sin, and we will walk forward. On the basis of what we believe, our right relationship with sin will work out in our experience. Don't allow us to put our experience ahead of our belief, so that we may fully know the freedom that Christ purchased for us on the cross. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"True Christian love helps those who can't return the favor."

HE Lives In Us

Good Morning!! Where does God dwell? The verse below tells us that God had a place made, just so He could dwell with the people. But this place was no ordinary dwelling,...it was a holy place, a sanctuary where the people could enter into the very presence of God. This sanctuary was built to the finest detail, using the best of precious metals and stones. As the Israelites transported this mobile dwelling place throughout their travels in the desert, they never needed to upgrade, redecorate, or fix-up,...even after 40 years! The presence of the Lord kept all things restored, refreshed and renewed.

"Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them."—Exodus 25:8 (KJV)

It is hard to imagine how these people could have been anything but eternally grateful, and in awe of God's miraculous power in their lives. But, the Bible tells us that they were stiff-necked and complaining. And what about us? Are we satisfied for long with the things given to us by God? Even more so, what about the promise we have that His Holy Spirit lives within us? John 1:14 says that the Word became flesh and tabernacled (dwelt) among us. Jesus came to earth to dwell with us. He left us with His Holy Spirit who dwells within us today,... so we are now God’s dwelling place,...all those who have accepted Jesus as Savior.

Get your eyes off of earthly homes,...fix them upon Jesus, and our eternal home with Him.

Father God, we are so very thankful that You haven't gotten bored with Your new temples, or dwelling places, on earth. Your goodness and mercy endure for ever. Amen.

"A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed."

Internal Warring, We Only Hurt Ourselves

Good Morning, My Friend!! So many people can't seem to get it through their heads that God is quite able to handle His church by Himself. The thing that keeps us from being better blessed, isn't the lies of the enemy, nor is it mis-guided or mis-guiding, ministries. What they don't realize is that the number one thing, that stands in the way of God's blessing His people,...is their own unwillingness to do things His way.

Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.—Jeremiah 30:23 (KJV)

Keep your eyes on Jesus to walk in the will of God,...don't let anyone cause you to lose focus. There will always be people to set themselves against you, as you attempt to do the will of God, and walk in the will of God,...but God will deal with them, as only He can.

Don't block your blessings,...be obedient!

An obedient people, won't have baskets big enough, to hold all the blessings.

"A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed."

We All Need Mercy

Good Morning!! If listing the most unpopular virtues of the Christian life, humility, would have to be near the top of the list,...if not number one. Not thinking more highly of oneself, than one ought, flies in the face of worldly teachings. Our culture, teaches that we must compare ourselves with others. Many teachings on self-worth depend on looking at others, that may be considered lesser. "I am as good as. . ., I am better than. . ., or I am a pretty good person, when you compare me with . . . ", and on it goes. This false image-building, also goes on in our religious life too.

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'—Luke 18:13 (NIV)

But as Christians, our understanding of life, ought to leads us to confess our shortcoming as sin,...and give God the glory for our accomplishments. Every segment of life, has their own pecking order, down to the homeless, on the street. One claims to be better than, or not as bad as, another. Arrogance and "false pride" are very much a part of our lives. That's why we sing: It’s me, it’s me, O Lord Standing in the need of prayer not the deacon, nor the preacher Not my mother, nor my father- but it’s me, O Lord. Standing in the need of Prayer.

Humble people, know themselves,
...they don't need to apologize for their strengths, or cover up their weaknesses.

Lord, we join the publican who prayed,..."Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner." Amen.

"A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed."

It's Important To Remember

Good Morning!! Think about how much information goes into our brains on a constant basis. We live in a world filled with constant stimuli, with each piece fighting for a place of priority in our thoughts. Our days begin with so much to do that our digital day-planers and calendars, need more power. Sometimes I'm amazed at just how soon I can forget something,...regardless of the, tools or tricks I might use to help me, not forget. I'm thankful that the Lord knows this shortfall within me,...and within all of us, as human beings.

Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.'"—Exodus 16:32 (NIV)

The Lord instructed Moses on how to store the manna, as their reminder of how He fed them in the wilderness for forty years. Sadly, as the Bible reveals to us their continuing story,...these people would soon forget how good God was to them, again. But God did not want them to forget, and He does not want us to forget either. One of the best blessings in my life, has been the habit of writing a daily devotional. Writing out my prayers, my thoughts and feelings, and my personal evidence of God’s hand in my life, has strengthened my faith and trust in Him. I can look back over past issues and read about the amazing times He intervened in my circumstances. Sometimes I read old thoughts, or understandings, that I've written and shared,...only to realize how much I grown. They've become my personal testimony, of who God is in my life.

I invite you to commit yourselves to finding an activity, to keep as a testimony of how awesome our God, and Savior truly is.

Father God, we thank You, for the many ways You help us to know, and remember Your faithfulness. Amen.

"A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed."

Eyes On The Prise

Good Morning!! We know that we are a faith community,...standing on God’s promises. While we know that's true, still we frequently feel insecure. When our insecurities seem to be all there is to life,...we must learn the prayer of our fore-parents: "Lord, O' Lord, O', my good Lord, keep us from sinking down." When we call, He hears and cares.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,—Psalm 30:11 (ESV)

After Jesus grants Peter’s request to join Him, by walking on the water, he leaves the security of his boat and walks on the billowing waves. The moment he takes his eyes off Jesus, and sees water under his feet,...he realizes that water is not made for walking and begins to sink. Peter's walking on the water story, to join Jesus, is our own. Faith often fades when faced with cold facts. Jesus admonishes Peter for his lapse in faith,...but nevertheless, lifts him and us, above the overwhelming tides.

Fixing our eyes on the problems, causes us to forget the Problem-Solver.

Lord, when our faith grows weak, place us on firm footing that we may not grow weary in well doing. Amen.

"A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed."