HIS HEART FRETS

Proverbs 19:3 (NKJV) 3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.
     It is very easy today to look around and find very little to be content with, which is odd, because there are more people today with more extras than ever before. Just one hundred years ago we had horse and buggy problems today were unhappy if the electronic convenience doesn't perform to our satisfaction. What are we to do, I am so glad you asked?
     The Lord says, we are foolish to worry, and the reason we do is because we want our way. The reaction of worry to things we can hardly control is the symptom not the problem. When we will not trust God with all the problems, worry raises its ugly head, and know, this is rebellion to God.
     The heart of the problem is the problem with the heart, God sees the beating of our hearts and sees the internal turmoil, however we hardly recognize the symptoms of worry and angst over things. Our Creator knows we cannot handle pressure well, and provides a way of relief Matthew 11:28. Our Savior wants us to come to Him, with all the trouble that confronts us and trust Him, would you do that now?
Heavenly Father we need You in all our ways, we trust You to do what is needed for us. Let our hearts be tuned to You so that we don't worry over what we cannot fix. Help us to look to You and remember that You love Your children and nothing is too difficult for you. Amen
    

NOT MY WILL

Luke 22:42 (NKJV) 42 saying,...; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
    Confronted with difficulties, we often cry out to God for relief that we understand, we want answers that satisfy what we believe, however God is not in the habit of answering that kind of prayer. Then what should I be praying, I am so glad you asked.
     A young lady in prison said, "I want to get out, to be with my family," she was asked, "is that what God wants for you," puzzled she replied, "what should I be asking for?" Our prayers are the revelation of our hearts inmost thoughts, they reveal what we actually believe, our beliefs tell on us, God sees the heart and knows what is best for us, it most often is not what we are seeking.
     He allows circumstances in our lives to bring us to maturity in Him, if it is uncomfortable we will pray, get me out of this, if it hurts we pray stop the hurt, Jesus was facing cruel death, but that death would allow anyone who will come to Him, to posses eternal life. He prayed, "not My will," you see Jesus sets the example to pray according to God's will, not ours for the Heavenly Father sees the whole picture, and we only see our struggle. All of eternity is affected from God's perspective, and if Jesus dies for my sins and makes a way possible for me to experience His Glory, then God's plan is perfected. He wants everyone to know what Jesus did and to experience His eternity, however sin has no place in heaven and blood had to be shed for the washing away of sin. The Son cried, "Yours be done," our prayer must be like that of the Savior, not my will, but yours Lord. Will you pray for God's will today, then know He hears your prayers!
Heavenly Father, You are loving us even when we don't understand, You are acting even when we cannot see, thank you for loving me through the difficulties in my life, and thank you for making a way to eternity through Your Son Jesus. Bless the Lord oh my soul, in everything bless His Name. Amen

THERE IS A FRIEND

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV) ..., But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 
     In this life a person who will, be a friend in spite of the circumstances is rare, and we often call them friends. Where do you find a real friend, I am so glad you asked.
     A real friend is just that because you can share any and all issues and be confident your conversations are between the two of you. Areal friend will put you before themselves, a real friend loves you for you, a real friend will trust you and you can trust them. Yet this doesn't make a real friend, Jesus said, "you are my friends if you do what I command," and "I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father." John 15:14,15 He knows what friends are!
     The Creator desires to share in conversations with us to reveal His love and character to man, it is man that refuses to be the friend of God, we are very busy with living, and often forget our real friend is the one who can give us His life. Remember Jesus said, "I came that they might have life..," He wants to give us more than we can determine to get, but it must come supernaturally, with the presence of God. He (Jesus) wants to put eternal life in us and as His personal friend, share in life's experiences with you. Trust Him today as the best friend you will ever have and watch His life in you, prove what a friend can be.
Heavenly Father thank you that You are what a friend should be, we can trust You with anything, You will guard us and keeps us, for we are Yours. Thank you for making me your friend, thank you for trusting me with Your Word, thank you for loving me with Your life. Let me now live for You so that, others may see You are the friend of men. Amen 

BE MERCIFUL

Luke 6:36 (NKJV) 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
    Jesus was so out of character with us, His character lived in harmony with the character of His Father, namely God, listen to John 4:34 ..., "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. His mission, was to be, like food is to the body, so the servant is to the master and the Son is to the Father, total harmony in God. How is that possible, I am so glad you asked.
    The Son of the most high God points to the mercy of God, one of His character qualities, the urgency of this charge from Jesus is to be, we cannot be what is not in us to begin with. However there is a way and He provides that infusion of God's character by His very presence, listen to those who witnessed Jesus character, "with authority and power he commands," Mark 1:27 Jesus is in harmony with the Father.
     Character is sought for in the heart of men and it is God who is looking to see if there are those who exercise His character in their lives. Mercy cannot be worked up it cannot be worked in, Mercy must come supernaturally from the person of Jesus, it is only received by His presence and that presence must be in us. To receive His Mercy, we must receive Jesus into our person and that is only done by first recognizing that, I need food that I do not have. Ask Jesus to forgive you of living for you, believe He alone is the source of salvation from sin, and ask Him to come in and take control of your life, "He will save you and Mercy will reign in you. I like that don't you!
Heavenly Father I need You, I need Your character of Mercy, let my will be put away for Yours, and let the life of Christ reign in me. May I carefully listen to You that others may hear You in me, and may all you want to do in me be accomplished. Amen         

I WILL UPHOLD YOU

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) 10 ..., I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
      We are in the habit of falling for one thing or another, many things will motivate us, exercise, a book, movies, even another person, but seldom do we maintain our resolve. Fear will motivate, but when that is diminished, so goes our persistence. Where is our resolve, I am so glad you asked.
       Dependence on the flesh is a losing proposition, the body must be fed to maintain, we are in need of a continuous source of fuel and rest. We make resolutions and often they are just wishful thinking, the Creator of heaven and earth does not just promise, He forms a contract (covenant) and He follows through.
       The Word of God is just as sure as the gravity that holds us down, His presence is as the presence of air and the green scenery, He alone sustains the sun, causes the moon to reflect, and keeps all things in their place. The stars are where they were put from the beginning, as is the presence of man, He has a plan, He knows what we need and He strongly says, "I will hold you up with My righteousness in just My right hand." His contract with the servant of God, is to hold him and keep Him, to protect him, and guard him, nothing can remove the servant from the Creators presence. Romans 8:37-39 Then let us honestly trust Him with everything, the Father says, "I will never leave you or forsake you," Deuteronomy 13:6 that means we cannot be lost if He has our heart. Wow, God can not lose what He created, don't you want that security today, trust Jesus with all your heart.
Heavenly Father, we lose everything even the sight of where we have been, help us to remember, when we trust You there is no need to fear, for all things belong to You. Help me to look to You and no other. Amen.

MY SIN IS ALWAYS BEFORE ME

Psalm 51:3 (NKJV) 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
     A little boy said, "I don't feel so good," why he was asked are you sick, "no," he replied "I was told not to eat the cookies and I did." God put within every human being a conscience and it springs to attention the moment we determine to do the wrong thing. Why, I am so glad you asked.
     Our Creator has plans for a moral, righteous, relationship with people, we are made in the image of God and He has designed us for worship. The most fulfilling part of our existence is to worship God truthfully, that is only accomplished if we are free of our sinful nature. That part, our sinfulness, excludes us from being intimate with God, He will not allow sin in His presence.
     Jesus paved the way for the righteousness compass, to right itself and point directly to God. He alone is the answer to our failure to live properly before God, God's word says, "Walk before me and be perfect," 1 Kings 8:61, we cannot do that in the strength of our flesh, there must be an enabler. The One who will set us right before God is Jesus the savior of all people. Have you trusted Him with all your guilt, have you said to Jesus "my sin is always before me," have you asked Him to forgive you, He will, and He will set you right with Him, that you may walk before Him in truth and righteousness. Do that today!
Heavenly Father, You alone are God, there is no other, let us live today before you in truth and righteousness. May we seek You with all our heart and let go of all the things that hinder us from worshipping You. Amen

LIVING BY FAITH

Habakkuk 2:4 (NKJV) 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
      A firefly is not a fly, a prairie dog is not a dog, and a person full of pride is not successful but deceived. Many things are not what they seem, God's Word very clearly tells us what we are not and explains how to be what we should. How you may be asking, I am so glad you asked.
      "Pride goes before a fall," Proverbs 16:18 the evidence of a wrong attitude is usually seen in what we put value in, it is a noose around our neck, it holds a prominent place in our lives, the object of our affection is strangling the presence of God. A person caught in this mind set will often not recognize the symptoms and have no awareness of the offense to God and man. Pride can elimate us from heaven and do more harm to those around us, causing their fall as well.
      The person of Godly chararcter will recognize the sinful condition called pride, and eliminate the source from their lives. Have you "examined yourself" today, 2 Corinthians 13:5 to see where you stand with God, do it now and know you are in His will. Ignore pride and you will not live by faith!
Heavenly father help us to look beyond our self and see as You see, let the scales fall from our eyes and let me see me the way You do, help me to examine my life and expose the things that do not please You. Let me frogive in others the things that have held me captive, use me to do You will. Amen

STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD

Acts 7:55 (NKJV) 55... and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 
      We often spend time gazing, but that is largely unproductive, it has little value and simply just wastes time. When people find something boring, the attention is lost and wandering thoughts prevail, what will capture our attention, what will keep us on track, I am so glad you asked.
      Stephen is a man under the amazing influence of the Holy Spirit, he has been ridiculed, attacked, lied about and judged by the religious institute as a heretic. This servant of God has unveiled history to the religious leaders of the day and they have failed to hear the truth and react as wise men. God's Truth has exposed a light they are not familiar with, it looks into the heart and unveils the darkness within, for most the reaction is anger and resentment, but Proverbs 9:9 says, "instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still." When we are caught in sin, the underlying attitude, who we are, escapes its managed boundaries and comes flooding out, anger is most often the result, and murder is found lurking in the shadows. Jesus died for this kind of heart, and any heart that harbors sin.
     Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, but He will stand, to see you doing His will, living even your last breath for Him. What is in your heart today that has not been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb? Anything the heart can hold Jesus can make clean, how? Let Him know you are a sinner, believe in His ability to make you clean, trust the Life of Jesus Christ in all your ways and He will save you from you!
Heavenly Father I am lost without You, I can not make myself clean, there are things that want to control me. Help me today to trust You with all things in my life, let every breath be for You, that others may see Jesus in me.

WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO

Ruth 1:16 (NKJV) 16 ...; For wherever you go, I will go; ....
     The heart must be broken before it will follow the Creators plan, the entire person is brought into the light of God's direction by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. We say from our head "I will do God's will" and lack the ability to move when God's plan unfolds. What is the problem, I am so glad you asked.
      God is always giving direction to His creation, he moves in and out of circumstances in our lives and we barely notice His awesome presence. In a moment there is the distinct clarity of what we should do and it is often lost to reasoning, pondering, brooding over the sheer weight of the issue. A man said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go," Jesus replied, "foxes have holes, birds have nest, I have no place," the Son wanted the one under conviction to see, we cannot follow Him with our eyes, we must be willing to go in our heart.
      Jesus offers eternal life, that life is free, the conditions are simple, "follow Me," He says, will you follow Him, then prepare right now by saying to Him, wherever You go, I will go." Remove the desire to weigh the cost of following Him and you will see the most amazing light of truth unfold, He is leading already and waiting on you move in step with Him. Are you waiting, don't, are you thinking how, do not, He is showing you the way even now.
Heavenly Father we want to move as You direct, I take the first step in following You, let me focus only on the step and trust You entirely to lead as I need. Where You lead Lord, I will follow. Amen

WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ...
      Our thoughts betray us to ourselves, our actions betray us to others. What does this mean to me, I am so glad you asked.
      In Matthew 6:21 Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there is your heart," we know there are things in this life that will steal our focus of God and yet we persist. They are things we put value in and cling to, like there is nothing more important. God's Word points to the heart that is pursuing the wrong things, our treasure must be in heaven, where God can use them, through us. What are you treasuring today, is it things, places, family, give them to God, seek Him and your treasure will be in heaven.
Heavenly Father, may we make You the treasure of our lives, let us trust in You and nothing else. Amen

IT IS NOT OF THE FATHER

1 John 2:16 (NKJV) 16 ... the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 
      Pride is an ugly emotion that robs the soul of tenderness with others, it separates and inflicts damage to all who come in contact with it. What can be done with pride, I am so glad you asked.
      In Job 35:12 he says, God will not answer prayer because of pride in man, Psalms 10:4 says, the proud will not seek God, and Proverbs 16:8 says, pride is the begining of destruction. God has made clear the path of the prideful, it will lead to separation from God. There is hope in this generation for the proud, Jesus says, "I came that they might have life and have it abundantly," His promise to you and I is relief from thinking we are something when we are actually just what God made us. We are created to serve Almighty God not our selves and His plan will bring more pleasure to us than we can begin to stir in and of oueselves. Pride must be put away, but only God can accomplish what we tend to overlook, He wants all of our attention not some, pride will not stand in the presence of God, neither will it thrive.
       Let Jesus Christ have your entire life today and you will experince freedom from the shackles of pride, however only continous contact with Him will keep that sin away.
Heavenly Father we need Your presence, to remain clean from sins stains, help us to cling to You, because we can do nothing without You. Amen

HE GAVE THEM THEIR REQUESTS

Psalm 106:15 (NKJV) 15 And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul. 
     It is easy to ask God for what we do not have, it is hard to receive what we do not need! What does that mean, I am glad you asked.
     Our lives are filled with cares and desire if we have no God to turn to, He wants to give us what we need, because our attention to Him is so distracted we often let desire become our god. We can ask for the wrong things, they have nothing to do with what God needs to do through us, so others are attracted to Him. Our Father often withholds our petitions because we do not see the whole picture, James 4:3 that prayer request will do more harm than good, however if we persist when God says no, we do so at our own peril. When once desire is fulfilled, there comes a hardness into our lives because that thing often replaces God. The results are disastrous we no longer hear the song of our God because the heart has been stolen by lust of the flesh.
      You can find comfort in a better way, 1 Corinthians 12:31 (HCSB) 31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way, He wants for you to have the best, but you must trust Him. Do that today, tell the Christ who died for all our sins you will trust only Him today.
Heavenly Father let my heart be stirred by what comes from Your hand, let me be satisfied with what You provide and let nothing distract me from You. May all You give to me be used to bless those around me. Amen

FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD

Romans 1:20 (NKJV) 20 ..., so that they are without excuse,
     Creations abundance, gives the amazing evidence of God's love for all things, especially humans. He put man over all that is created to rule and to use for his own good, however, as man denies God's presence he also rejects God's grace. How, you may have asked, and I am glad you did.
     Sin has a cruel hold on the person of men, it strangles the spiritual possibilities out of the potential worshipper of God, it has infected creation to the point of divine denial, and man stands on the brink of God's judgment. Excuses are made for sinful living, even the "church" is playing the game of it's not my fault and God says, "they have no excuse," why because even the invisible things of Almighty God are understood. The wind blows and we cannot see it but we witness it's amazing power, all nature has order and yet there is not seen a governing hand, unseen elements exist and there is no explanation. Why then is there denial of God's deserved worship, we have embraced a sinful nature and have become self-serving. God's word says, "they are without excuse," The Holy God must judge sin and put it away!
     If you would trust God today, your sins would be washed completely away, He would remember them no more. He has made a way for us to live with Him forever, that is through His Son Jesus, ask forgiveness right now, repent of your way of believing and believe in Jesus, and ask Him into your life, to rule where you once ruled and He will save you from sins excuses.
Heavenly Father help us to ignore the sinful desire to make excuses for our sins and just ask forgiveness, help us to trust You in every thing, let You Word rule our hearts and use us for what pleases You. Amen

BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) 3 ...has begotten us again to a living hope..., 
    A man came to Jesus at night and asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life," Jesus replied, "you must be born again." The truth exposed here is, we are born in a state that will not please God, because it has in it the stain of death, which is sin. What can we do, I am so glad you asked.
   God has made a way through His mercy and given us hope, He says, we can be reborn into the right relationship with Him. Jesus says, "I came that they might have life and have it abundantly," we can receive a new transformed relationship to God sin free, by allowing the Lord Jesus to wash away our sin and come directly into the person we are. The presence of Jesus, is the Holy living God, who has created all things, He provides all our needs whether we believe in Him or not. The God, wants to fellowship with us, but He cannot abide sin, it separates us from Him, however it (sin) made the way to Him easy because it cost Him so much. Jesus died for my sins, He died for yours, and He alone makes us clean so that we may have fellowship with God.
   Simply confess your sins, repent of living life your way and trust in Jesus alone, ask Him if He will come into you and manage your life! You will be born again. Romans 10:9
Heavenly Father, we need You, thank You for what You have done for us, thank You for making the way clear, and let our lives bless You in all we do. Amen

IS THE LORD COMING TODAY?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV) 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, ...
    The christian has a great expectation, there is reason for the one who has asked Jesus to come into their lives, for the one who longs for Him to lead, and is happy to just follow. For the person who has trusted in the saving grace of the Lord, there is indeed a day coming when we will hear the voice of the One, who died for the sins of all men, and His voice resonate in the heart and ears of the believer. When will that happen, I am so glad you asked.
     Jesus says in Luke 6:23, "on that day leap for joy," we are to be looking for the return of our Savior any day, expectantly, it will be a moment of victory for the believer, the crescendo of the song of our heart. Jesus will return, Acts 1:11, "in like manner" as He departed, the world needed redemption, it needed a savior, men were struggling for peace, there were impossible odds and lives that were torn apart, life was hard and men were at an em pass, living between heaven and hell.
     Today, we still need a savior after 2000 years of religion, there is the need for God to step in and save us from our selves. Get ready, Hebrews 4:7, "today if you will hear His voice," God promises today you can experience Him in all His fullness, today you can know Him personally and hear Him clearly say to you, I love you with an everlasting love. Today you can meet the Savior of the world, today, all we need is just a prayer away, will you trust Him TODAY?
Heavenly Father the return of our Lord is from Your hand, we are waiting on You oh God, to signal it is time, let those who seek You with all their hearts trust in Your plan. May we be looking expecting at any moment, Your appearance and may we ready ourselves in fellowship with Your Son right now. Amen 

GODS SPECIAL TREASURE

Proverbs 17:24 (NKJV) 24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,... 
      The confusion of knowledge and wisdom is easly put away if we understand where this attribute comes from. Knowledge is the "facts, information or skill, acquired by a person through experience or education" Webster's. Wisdom is a gift from God, it is actually a part of Him and He gives it to His children. How do we get wisdom, I am so glad you asked.
      Wisdom is "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment;" Webster's, and so much  more, it is the work of finding God's order in this life and my life being conformed to His will. God says, those who seek Him are wise, Psalms 14:2, our actions, our life style, our words, tell the story of our wisdom, not from mans perspective, but God's. The only way to get wisdom is through the Son, Jesus Christ, He must live in us for us to have His attributes. Our creator says, "not many are wise" 1 Corinthians 1:26, obedience is the key, the Son also says, "the way is narrow and only a few will find it," are you a part of the few, are you openly obedient, then know that your life is a special treasure to God for you are truly wise.
Heavenly Father, we know that You are looking for an obedient wise servant, one that seeks You with all their being. Help us today to wait on You and trust You with all of our heart.

TO YOU WHO WILL HEAR

Luke 6:27-31 (NKJV) 27 "But I say to you who hear: ..., 
     The ability to understand what others are saying is sometimes miss leading, circumstances, and inflections will confuse the message. To listen without distraction is often difficult, however the life of the individual speaking says volumes. What should we do, I am so glad you asked.
     Jesus is usually surrounded by crowds, they all want the attention of the healer, the one who supplies needs, Jesus looks into the crowd and says, "to you who listen." The Lord knows most will not listen, they are too busy getting what they want, He is about to share what a person needs to be identified with salvation in Jesus Christ.
     First, unconditional love, that is loving those who attack you, second, deliberately doing something of value for another, even if they hate you. Thirdly we are to bless the person who has made a point of lashing out at us, fourth, we are to ernestly pray for the betterment of the one who has chosen to harm you. Fifth we are to give, that is we should supply to the one asking, what they need. The emphasis being on treating others as we wish to be treated, however we must realize these things are accomplished only in the power and presence of the Lord. This type of love is supernatural, it comes through a personal relationship to the Reedemer, Jesus. Do you know Him, then these qualities are your life style, do you want to do these things, then you must get to know Him!
Heavenly Father, let us see in others their hurts and their needs that they might see You, in us. Help us to consider the other more important than ourselves, and let those who long for You find You in the lives of those they associate with. Amen

WHAT IS WAITING AT YOUR DOOR?

Genesis 4:7 (NKJV) 7 ..., sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." 
    Love is the emotion that drives the human heart to seek relationships, we long for the affections of others, however, lust is also an emoton that drives us to sin. God put love in the heart of man so he would love like God, love loses control when we desire what we do not need. What is the problem, I am so glad you asked.
    In the text above a picture is drawn of sin, simply waiting for an oportunity, a deep emotion of desire is exposed by our Creator and the answer to the problem is presented. The author of love says, we can avoid the trap of desire by doing the right thing. There must be right relationships, right thinking, and right doing, God wants us to be aware of the ability to live righteously before Him. He has made the way for you and I to know Him in His love, through his Son. Jesus says in, John 14:6 (NKJV) 6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He produces in the believer, right relationships, right thinking, and right living, and that is all we need to love properly! What is waiting at your door, will you trust Him with your whole being today?
Heavenly Father let the love of the Lord Jesus Christ rule in our hearts today, let us trust Him with every task, every though and every realtonship. May we seek Your Love and nothing else, that others may see You in all we do! Amen

MEDICINE THAT REALLY HEALS

Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV) 22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. 
    The human body can be observed like a book, that tells the story by its cover, emotions are observed outwardly in most people, while only some are hidden to the eye. Laughter is seen as health and sadness an indication of internal conflict, the truth about our lives is most often observable and repairable. How do we fix a broken spirit, I am so glad you asked.
    The Word of God identifies the vey heart of the problem, we are governed internally and externally by the emotions that well up inside us. Is that scientific and medically accurate, well medicine is discovering that those who are shown love during sickness heal faster than those who are just patients. Read Ecclesiastes 2:24,25 "who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him," our health physically and spiritually is directly related to how we have embraced God.
    Joy is an emotion that is healing, however it is only temporary, unless you have met the author of joy. Jesus says in, John 15:11 (NKJV) 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. He the Son of God offers complete well being if, we really hear His Word, that is, accept the Word, embrace the Word, and maintain the Word. This is done by receiving Jesus into the heart, confessing sin, repenting, and asking Him to be the new center of your life. Will you be joyful, only if you know Him!
Heavenly Father Your Word is clearly the reason for joy, Jesus came to give us eternal life, I am a treasure, that You gave your life for, thank You for dying for me. Let me now live for You that others may see You and rejoice.

LET HIM DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD

1 Samuel 3:18 (NKJV) 18 ..., "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him." 
     Many acknowledge there is a God, very few accept, what He desires to do in our lives. Why is it so hard to trust God, I am so glad you asked.
     From birth we are taught to trust the five senses, when uncomfortable we cry, when hungry we eat, these and the other senses are sharpened to satisfy our wants not our needs. God promises to meet our needs Philippians 4:19 in Christ Jesus, what we want most often speaks of the fleshly desires. However, what we need, may only be discerned by the presence of the Holy Spirit whom we receive through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. See in John 14:26 "He will teach you all things," we must be taught by the Spirit of God, difficulties and trials are circumstances the teacher uses.
     My sense of smell will be offended, but God may be asking me to help the extremely sick, my comfort can be affected, but He may be calling me to a difficult task. You see, God wants the best for you, but that may not be what you consider the best. What ever darws me close to my Creator that, is what God is using to teach me! Are you willing to turst God with everything in your life, that is the difference between a Christ-one (christian) and the world. "It is the LORD."
Heavenly Father, thank You for the things that make me seek You, thank You for the struggles that bring me to my knees, thank You for those You have put in my life that remind me to trust You. Please do what seems good to You! Amen

CAN I DO THAT NOW?

John 10:28 (NKJV) 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 
    Jesus gives to us what He is, Eternal Life! This Life is the supernatural work of the presence of God in the believer, who has by faith asked forgivness of all sin, confessed Jesus as the Christ and then received Him into their being. So what is the problem with the unsaved soul, I am so glad you asked.
    I received a call from someone recently, disturbed by the message of the gospel, "will you meet with me, and answer my questions," they asked? We met, and over the next hour we talked about the work of Jesus in the human heart, verse after verse was read with little results, then the person said, "just tell me plainly." I was stunned, we had discussed how to get to Christ 10 different times. Three things came to mind, first, recognize you are sinning against God, by running your own life, ask forgiveness of God for all your sin. Second, Jesus is the Son of God, there is no other way or name under heaven, He is the only way, tell The Father you know Jesus is the only way. Then, knowing that Jesus is who He declares He is, Holy and completely Righteous, ask Him to now come into your life and rule your life, that you will no longer be in control of your life!
    My friend breathed a sigh of relief, and spoke in a voice everyone could hear,"CAN I DO THAT NOW?"
Heavenly Father thank You for Your precious Son Jesus, thank You for making a way for us to have eternal life. Thank you Lord for this privledge and that it cost You so much to offer eternity for my sin. Thank You for loving me. Amen

DO WE REALLY SEE?

John 9:41 (NKJV) 

41 ...; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains. 

   Man has looked through the eyes of religion at Jesus for over 5000 years, He still is a mystery to the soul that does not know Him personally. For the soul that has walked in deep dark places and searched for some light, some meaning, some glimmer of hope, struggled for understanding, sought some type of rest, it is only the soul that will acknowledge Him as Redeemer and Savior, that soul, will find peace and rest. How can I make this happen, I am so glad you asked.

    Jesus uses a 

man born 

blind, to prove our need for God, He puts clay on the blind mans eyes and commands Him to go by faith and wash his face and the obedient man returns with his sight. To the doubter this is impossible, to the believer it is truly a miracle, for the person blind in their relationship to God it is frustrating, to the one who can clearly see righteousness it is, the Power of God. Jesus says to the doubter and to the religiously ignorant, "you say, We see." Therefore your sin remains," we are guilty and deserve judgment because we make no room for God in our conclusions. 

   To know Jesus, we must trust Him with every thing in our lives, thoughts, trials, trouble, disaster, doom, everyhthing we experience, must come under the cover of the blood of Jesus and His cleansing power. We are guilty of sin, until we trust Him with ALL our lives and He comes into our lives. Do you SEE, I pray you see Him who saves all who truly come to Him!

Heavenly Father help the unbelief and blindness of those who have not heard about Your Son, let Your Light show another Your Love through me. Keep me from hindering anyone that wants to see You, let me not be blind to the soul that is seeking You. Amen

ALIVE FROM THE DEAD

Romans 6:13 (NKJV) 13 ..., but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, ... 
     Jesus was more alive than any other person, every soul He encountered was both troubled about their sin and excited to be in His presence. He lived as the image of God, clothed in righteouness, while walking in God's Presence, He came to set sinful man right with God again. How do we embrace this, I am so glad you asked.
    The writer to the church in Rome says, we are to come before God as those who are alive, no longer living as dead people. Look around you in church today, where is the excitement about Jesus, what are people really living for? We must cast of those dead alliances and embrace the new life in Jesus Christ, He alone lifts us out of the extraordinary decay in living and puts in us a New Life. God never intended for man to be bogged down in sin, we choose that for ourselves. The Lord Jesus Christ wants you present with Him, living in and through you, so that others see His Glory. When you trust your life to Jesus Christ, He will make you a living example of His mercy, how are you representing Him today? Let's present ourselves today before The Son, as those who are "alive from the dead," so others will be drawn to Him!
Heavenly Father here I am for You to use as You see fit, let the Joy of Jesus live in me, may others see my determination to live for You. Amen

PLANTED WHERE NEEDED

Psalm 1:3 (NKJV) 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, ... 
    Every thing has a purpose, we may not know what that purpose is, but its existence proves God's hand and His amazing Love. Here the righteous are compared to trees that have been planted by streams of water where they can thrive. What is the reason, I am glad you asked!
    First, planted, indicates (purpose) meaning a plan or intentional, God deliberately plants His children where they will do the most good from His perspcetive not ours. Second there is water, (His Word) an abundance of what is needed to do the work He has called us to, if we embrace the Source we will grow. Third His strenghth, is embeded in us, as a trees natural fibers support it to endure trials so we will withstand the tests of time. Fourth the fruit, or the produce of the tree is evidence of God's fore sight in planting to get the most of the servant and offer a pleasant taste to all who will eat from His tree. Fifth, the leaves are always green, there will always be shelter and beauty for the soul searching for protection and help in God. Sixth, there is the obvious, God expects what He plants to succeed, that means "God's work done God's way for God's purpose," will bring Godly results.
     Be encouraged today, God has a plan for you, and His plan will not fail, trust Him right now, with everything and you too will find His hand in your life! You have been planted where you are!
Heavenly Father help me to thrive where you have planted me, use me to meet the needs of others, let the water of Your Word encourage those around me, may Your Strength be mine and let Your Spirit teach us Your ways. Thank You for those who have paved the way with their lives and thank You for working through them to encourage us. Amen

THROWING STONES

John 8:7 (NKJV) 7 ..., "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
    There is a curious nature in people to attack another for sinful living, even when they know there is obvious sin in their own lives. The christian is called to a higher standard by the very presence of Jesus Christ, however we will not escape judgment if we condem others, knowing sin in our own lives goes un checked. You may be thinking, God will forgive me through Jesus and you are correct, however we are accountable for what we do after we have received Jesus forgivness. Jesus says, Matthew 22:39, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," if, we can over look sinfulness in our own lives, then shouldn't the same be true for our neighbor?
    What are we really in love with today, is getting my way as important as showing some one Jesus, your facial expressions as well as your physical out reach tell the tale. When I react to another unfavorably, I am out of character with my Lord, He wants me to love all not some.
    Let God have every are of your life and you will begin to see His love reaching out to others even those of your own household. Wouldn't it be nice to have peace in your house today?
Heavenly Father we are flesh and of the dust, help us to see You loving those around us let us see from Your heart how to meet the needs of others, let me incourage another, Father let me help my brother, may I bless and not hurt those around me, let me Love with Your Love. Amen

HOW SHOULD I REACT?

James 1:19 (NKJV) 19 ..., let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 
     Emotions are difficult at best to control, the authors tone suggests, this is understood by the christian, they must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The individual that can control their emotions will experience God's righteousness. What does that mean, I am glad you asked.
    When the believer under conviction of the Holy Spirit asked Jesus Christ to be the center of their lives, they willingly submitted to the Creators plan for every human being to be set right with God again. Jesus says, "My peace, I give to you," why does He offer peace, because the soul is tormented without the presence of God, daily the cares of life, like weeds in a new garden choke out the sun, moisture and nutrients. Our heavenly Father wants to nuture us with the water of the word, however that will only take place if we first, listen, carefully consider and then slowly respond as we have insight. Too many react like a dropped glass and shatter all around, leaving sharp jagged areas for others to get hurt on. We must be careful as christians to hear all that is being presented or we will cause others to stumble and God gives sever warning to our reactions. See Matthew 18:6, as you trust God to day with your circumstances know He has designed the best for you, He has considered you and He is preparing the way before you.
Heavenly Father thank you for loving me and for making plans to use me, let today be the day I trust you with every problem and let me walk carfully in this life so that others see You. Amen

GOD PUTS US IN THE FIRE

Psalm 66:10 (NKJV) 10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. 
   The process of refining silver is tedious, once the proper amount of heat is applied the impurities in the metal rise to the surface and must be carefull skimmed off to get pure silver. When silver has reached its maxium potential, it must continually be polished and cherished. The psalmist says, "You ave refined us," what is that to me, I am so glad you asked.
    God loves His creation so much He is willing to put any effort into making a finished product that is pleasing to Him. You and I are created beings and as His special people we are created for "good works." Titus 2:14 Our Father loves us so much He has designed into us the ability to meet anothers need, just as God meets every need we have. However, the blessings that are shared with others cannot be truly enjoyed until we have been through the fires of trials. This purifying work is often uncomfortable and undesirable, yet God's promise is to go through the process with us. Are you struggling today, take heart Jesus has been there, is life hurting, He has made a way, is life too much to bear, He is the way, won't you trust Him today?
Heavenly Father may we embrace the trial that You may be exhalted in our lives, refine me Lord that others may see You. Amen