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."