ALL THAT IS

Psalm 103:1 (NKJV) 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
    The life of man is short and often spent chasing dreams, for some their dreams are realized while others search until they cannot. What is this living about, how do we find what we are searching for, I am so glad  you asked?
    The writer of this Psalm is offering a glimpse into the heart of the individual that has a goal oriented life. He gives the reader a taste of calling the body to task and making the flesh obey the commands of its creator.
    The picture is similar to an instrument that must be tuned to produce the proper sound, so that every ounce of pitch is achieved through the musician. A stringed instrument must be stretched to get the appropriate tone, stretching is what God does in us so that we achieve the goals He has for us. So properly tuned we vibrate with the sound of blessing or praise to God.
    Know that He is stretching you, to get what will eventually become the tune of a fine instrument that the musician, the Lord Jesus the Christ, will play for all to hear and see. Right now what reverberation are you making is it a screeching that is causing others to hold their ears and run, or is it a melody that causes our creator to lean in and rejoice over His creation? "Bless the Lord oh my soul!"
Heavenly Father, let the pressure in our lives make a melody for You, let the sound of our voices be sweet to you ears. May all we do be to glorify You, and may others see and hear You in us. Amen

THE SPIRIT RETURNS

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (ESV) 7 .., and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
   Man is a vapor Psalms 62:9, it does not matter who we are or where we have come from the end of the matter is we are all alike. We have a beginning and an end, the promise of life however, if we will allow God first place in this life, we are guaranteed a most amazing eternity. What will it be like, I am so glad you asked?
    Jesus describes heaven as His home, who better to tell of the house one lives in, than the occupants? He (Jesus) tells us that is where His Father is Matthew 10:32-33, He says the one who loves much is welcome in His house, 10:40-42, the Son of God is comfortable in saying, if you come to His house you will find a place to rest 11:28, in chapter 12: 3-8, He explains, in His house there is no condemnation, in other words when we get to His house we are safe from all worry, care, fear, and trouble, we are truly home!
    The God of eternity has promised heaven as a reward to all who believe in Jesus and ask Him to rule their lives, what is it like, real love, trouble free rest, and absolutely no judgment of any kind, we are in the House of The King. You see "the spirit returns to God" and He has the last say in what happens to you, trust Him today, it's going to be Awesome in His House!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of eternity, and thank you for loving me. Let all I do be for You, and may all the credit be given to You. Amen.

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE

Hebrews 2:3 (NKJV) 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation,..,
    The Word of God is for all people, however everyone will not receive it into themselves, there is a way of escape from this life, but few, according to the Author of life, will find it! Why doesn't everyone find salvation in Christ, I am so glad you asked?
    God has given to us His Son Jesus, so that we might receive forgiveness for our sins, God says, we have "all sinned and come short of His glory." Romans 3:23 We need to be cleansed of our sin stained living before God will allow us into His eternity, God cannot and will not allow sin into His heaven.
    The problem is our heart, it is full like a cup overflowing, of the desires for things in this life, lust for life, is eating us alive. Matthew 15:19 The answer to our living condition is found in the verse above, we are in need of salvation, from our sinful condition, and no one will escape from the prison of sin, without a savior. There is only one, Acts 4:12 (NKJV) 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
     Enter the One, who is now seated at the right hand of God, see His work of redemption on the cross of calvary, and know that He is the Savior of all who will come to Him. Acknowledge that God alone is the way into eternity and the only one who can make us clean again and we receive His forgiveness, by asking Him to come into our lives. How else will we escape, there is no other name?
Heavenly Father thank you, for your Son Jesus and for allowing Him to give His Life as a payment for my sins, thank you Lord for laying down Your life that I might have a life. Thank You, for coming into my life and giving to me the gift of eternal life, let my life be a blessing to You, that others my see You. Amen

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) 7 Do not be deceived, ...; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
     In the Old Testament the son of Solomon assumes the kingdom, he is rejected by the Israelites and flees for his life. He recognizes the issue is his leadership and he makes needed changes, however finding his way he soon falls back into sinful living and is confronted by God. The results are his repentance, and humbling, he begins to seek God again. Does this sound familiar, is your life a yo-yo of living, God has the answer?
    The things we do are a testimony to who we are, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil ...," Mark 7:21 (NKJV), and God is in the business of transforming what is wrong to right. The king,
Rehoboam, is restored because he humbled himself before God, the key to this destructive living is presented in 2 Chronicles 12:14 (NKJV) 14 And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.
    A heart that has never repented and trusted God with every area is an unprepared vessel and God says, we are to present all of our hearts to Him. The person who gives only part of the heart to God, will not get God's presence, God only inhabits the heart broken in repentance and willing to allow Him first place.
     If you will have Jesus on the throne of your heart, you must step down from your leadership to let Him lead. "Do not be deceived."
Heavenly Father, I give you every area of my life to do as You see fit, use me that others might see You. Let my life burn for You, and may nothing hinder Your work in me. Amen

THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS

 Acts 14:22 (NKJV) …, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

      There is a gospel being preached today that is not from God was not a part of the original church and will not have part in the kingdom to come. It wrecks lives, disrupts families, destroys relationships and gives license to more deception. What is this religion, I am so glad you asked?

     Today like no other time in history, the gospel is going to the four corners of the earth, it is being sent through many mediums of communication and the Word is being translated into every language. However, there is as will always be until our Lord returns, deceit, it lies in the open and is easily seen, all our problems do not disappear when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The sick are still with us, the weak live among us, and the poor will be with us until our last breath. These are the ones Jesus ministered to and it is to these we must preach the truth of God’s salvation. 

     The obvious truth is “through many tribulations” we will enter God’s eternity that is through daily life struggles we seek help through dependence on our Heavenly Father. 

     The early church flourished through persecution that would shake the faith of any believer today, remember God created us to fellowship with Him and tribulation must come so that His work may be accomplished through us. 

     We must seek God’s help in the struggle, if we were to live struggle free, Jesus would not have needed to die for my sins. He did die for my sins and He set me free to do His will, the same is true for you, have you trusted Him today?

Heavenly Father, thank you, for all You have done and are doing in this world, thank you for the life You have given us. Lord help us to accept what we are and where You have put us s that others see You in us. Amen

LET IT BE KNOWN

Acts 13:38-39 (NKJV) 38 Therefore let it be known ... 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things ...
       In prison recently a woman with many tattoos and a hardened appearance sat crying after hearing the gospel, she motioned to me and asked, how can God forgive me if I cannot forgive myself? She told of a life that would make the most hardened individual cry. What is the answer to her question, I am so glad you asked?
      God is our creator, He knows everything about me, if He is willing to forgive my sins, who am I to question Him? Paul an authority on God's Word, trained in the law, explains, everyone "who believes is justified," that is, trusting God's mercy for us, to make right the wrong in my living. No matter what I have done, God's love for me is greater, no matter how bad it looks to me, He has made (Jesus) the way, to right the wrong. Note, Paul adds, not just some things but all things are forgiven and washed away. The rules of men and the rules I have made in my life will not correct my faults and clear my sins, however the law of forgiveness in Jesus Christ will wash away everything. Wow, God loves me enough to clean the slate and say, I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25 (NKJV) that is real forgiveness, my sins will not be brought up again.
     So, God forgives me, then I must forgive myself, because He created me to love Him. Do you love Him, have you trusted Him with everything in your life?
Heavenly Father, we are Your creation, we have been bought with the price of blood, forgiving all our sins, thank you for the finished work of Jesus that sets us free form our selves and sin. Let me live the way You intended that others may see You! Amen.

NOT A WORD ON MY TONGUE

Psalm 139:4 (NKJV) 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 
    Words often come out of our mouths that surprise us, they take catch us off guard, some times funny, some times harsh, there may be some wisdom occasionally. However not a word ready to be spoken is missed by our Creator, He is aware of all that can be said.
     God warns the servant of His to be careful what is said, Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8 and James warns the tongue must be kept under control. Still the tongue is used to tell others of God's mercy, its intended use, and it is used to preach truth so that people might hear about God. The tongue can produce wonderful joy and terrible tragedy all from the same source, you and I.
      Job is attacked by Satan because of his righteous living and still he says in, Job 27:4 (NKJV) 4 My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit, he is a man who has determined to guard his words. Yes, God knows our words before they are ever uttered and He is carefully listening to our conversation, Matthew 12:36 (NKJV) 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Watch your words, we will have to answer for them!
Heavenly Father, let my mouth utter only what pleases You, let others hear only what brings attention to You, and let my mouth be a safe haven for Your Truth. May we consider all our words before they fall out of our mouths? Amen

A FOOL VENTS

Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV) 11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
     Being heard is not always the answer, we often need to wait and consider the source of the intrusion, it is probable that God is bringing into the life of the believer new insight to grow on. Wait, you are thinking there are things that must be answered imeaditely, they cannot be left undone, maybe they need to marinate before they are ready to consume?
     Have you ever encountered an explosive person, the trigger on their fuse is set off by a hair, there seems to be little control in their emotions? A woman hit a car and threw the door open to scream at the other driver, "Why don't you people look where your going, your the forth car I hit today!
     A prisoner recently complained, I didn't do it they just caught me! There seems to be a ready defense for any occasion when we explode, "It's not my fault," really, then allowing ourselves to spew volcanic ash all over others is ok?
    The scripture teaches we are to be in control of our emotions, a person out of control, is one not under the influence of the God of creation. What does that mean? We who have tusted Jesus Christ with our lives and made Him our Savior, have agreed to the contract signed in His blood, that we belong to Him. A contract signed by God will not be broken by Him, so who is doing the breaking? The person who vents is called a fool for good reason, he has no reason, the servant of God who waits on God will always be called wise. Who is in control you or God?
Heavenly Father, let all that occurs today remind me that You are in charge and nothing can touch me without Your permission. Let me respond with kind words that will point others to You. Amen

HE OBSERVES HIMSELF

James 1:24 (NKJV) 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 
    Working with kids this week one pretended he could not cut out a pair of ears with scissors, leaning over I held his project and cut it for him. A smile came across his face and he said thanks, he just wanted someone to care. Do we really care about others?
    A popular song by Branden Heath, says, "Give me Your eyes for just one-second," wanting to see the world from God's perspective. The author James, says we are like people who look in mirrors and forget what we look like. Natural to man is the ability to push to the back what we have been created to do, effectively saying to God your important, but not now. Every thing around us demands we acknowledge Him, yet we flounder in circumstances as if He didn't care.
     Early in his letter James says, "Count it all joy," it is so easy to put a smile on the face of another by just being you, God wants your life to count, only you can make that happen. The instructions are written clearly on the label, read Matthew 5:3-12, you will find we are blessed when we follow the instructions, they are tried and proven over thousands of years.
     Trust Him with all your heart and He will give you His promise of life, you will not fail when you allow God control of your life. What kind of person are you?
Heavenly Father, Your love is amazing, You made a way for all of us to get to You, thank You, that it cost You so much and yet we cannot buy this Love, it is freely given. May I trust in all you want to do in this life You have given me, and let my every breath count for You? Amen

THE LORD SEARCHES ALL HEARTS

1 Chronicles 28:9 (NKJV) 9 "...; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. ...
    How many thoughts go through our minds in a day, how many decisions are made on those thoughts, how many times have those decisions been wrong? How do we get them right, I am so glad you asked?
    In John 5, a man lies sick in public by a pool of water known for healing. Jesus enters the scene and asks the man "Do you want to get well?" His thoughts ramble and he blames his circumstances, then he blames others, does that sound familiar, the excuses of fairness and others won't cooperate.
    The story continues and the man is made completely well, no more sickness, and no more excuses, yet there is a dire warning form our Lord John 5:14 (NKJV) 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." God holds you and I accountable for what we do and how we think. What are you thinking today, know that He is searching the heart and He knows the intent? Have you trusted Jesus with everything, even you're thinking?
Heavenly Father, all we are is created by You, You know all that is in us, help us to trust You with every thought and desire, that others may see Jesus in all we do. May we stay focused on You and the promise of your eternity?

LOVE THE LORD

Joshua 22:5 (KJV) 5 ..., to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
    People are looking for things that make life better, a way to improve our living conditions, that which will ease the stress of everyday living.
    Joshua gives the exact recipe for Godly living in an earthly house, he simply repeats the instructions given by God. He has however something that most people do not, he is filled with the desire for God and surrounded by the presence of God.
    He has learned the secret many are searching for, faith has replaced searching, and absolute trust has possessed his being. Joshua knocked on God's door, He answered and the rest is history.
    Wouldn't you like to know you are walking with God, you can, simply ask forgiveness of living your way, and ask God to live His way in you. Ask Jesus to become the center of you're living and He will fill you with all you need.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the work of saving me and let my life be consumed with serving You. May our thoughts be your thoughts and all we do be your doing. Amen

AGAIN AND AGAIN

Psalm 78:41 (NKJV) 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 
      God's word is an opening into the failure of many lives the successes are there, but they are tempered with tremendous struggle. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says, they are "examples," meaning we can observe their lives and how they interacted with God's plan for them and see what He expects of us. The Bible gives us guidance, instruction, and warnings for the life we live in the flesh.
      Preparing the servant of the most high God for eternity, is a moment by moment reminder of how we must live, not by natural thinking but heavenly light. John 8:12 (NKJV) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." The Lord says, He is light, I need that illumination to see His will for me, He also says, "You are the light of the world," Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) by receiving Him (Jesus) into our selves we become light to others.
      When we do things our way, we limit God's plan for the world, how can we hinder God, He will not force you and I to do anything against our will. We may choose to do anything we wish, however as with everything we do there are consequences for our sins against God.
      Learning from the experiences of others is time honored and once was passed from generation to generation by family ties, there is an enemy destroying the fabric of our family units, it is limiting God's message to others. We must trust Him today with every area of our lives and let the lives of those gone before enrich us with their truth, through Him. How, trust Jesus, tell Him you are a sinner, ask Him to come into your life, He will right the wrong and you will no longer limit God!
Heavenly Father, confusion is in the hearts of many, help us to be light that leads others to You. Let us learn the deep truths that will light the next generation for You. May we learn by the examples You have given and trust You with living? Amen

HE ENDURED

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) 2 ..., who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, .... 
    The average person is apt to think Christianity is a stroll in the park, or tea cup religion, "I will add to my beliefs," the things that make me happy, with pinky extended "life is good!" What does this mean, I am glad you asked?
    We have only to read the Bible to find God's warriors endured hardship and suffering to pave the way for todays pretty christianity, 1 Peter 1:10-21 they payed the price of life and respect of men to present themselves living sacrifices Romans 12:1. Sit down for a few minutes with Hebrews 11:1-40 to discover their lives meant nothing as long as God's will was being accomplished. Read Paul's second letter to the 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and know that we are pilgrims here, we have no country in which to lavish luxury so that we feel good. Read the testimony of early church historians to find these martyrs gave all, nothing was as sacred to them as there heavenly home.
     Step back in time with the Israelites, 2 million strong were headed for their great adventure to "the promised land," they wanted luxury, along the way blaming God for their sinful attitudes. How many of the original group actually went in 2, that is .00000001 percent of those who went on the trip. The rest died outside the promised land, statistically speaking, "How should we then live?" Jesus said in Matthew 7:14 "The gate is narrow that leads to life, and few find it."
     Jesus died a horrible, death with few followers, His mother stood near as He took His last breath, (oh everyone considered her a liar), as He cried out to God, "Why have You forsaken Me," many went home grieved proclaiming, "this truly was God!" Luke 23:48
     But wait, I am being a little hard, isn't there some things we can embrace and God overlook, ask Lazarus! Luke 16:20-31
Heavenly Father, I hear the wake up call, let us walk as those who have no home, help us to stand against this enemy of complacency, let our hearts be tuned to Your will. Father let us too despise the shame and walk as those who are alive from the dead. Amen

THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Psalm 1:6 (NKJV) 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 
     The way of man is not hard to follow, look at what he does, observe the interests of people, the large majority are seeking pleasures for self. "God wants me to be happy," is the self taught theme, however we find no such teaching in scripture. What does God expect of the righteous, I am glad you asked?
     "The Lord knows the way of the righteous," the evidence is in their walk, their desire for the things of God, His will in their lives, and the direction He has planned, before the foundation of the world.
      So what does the Lord know about the righteous, they are blessed, and have no desire to live like others. The desire to be satisfied with God and His instruction is enough, there is a hunger for His word. The righteous are observed by others and fruit is produced, others are attracted to the source of Life. They are the picture of joy and satisfaction in living for God, there is no other source of pleasure, simply trusting God.
      What gives you pleasure, what attracts your attention, what is produced by your life style? Jesus says, "If you knew the gift of God, ...He would give you living water," John 4:10, that water produces the righteous life God knows. Does He know you?
Heavenly Father, You know our hearts and You are the source of life, help me to trust You and nothing else. I want Your gift to be my joy always. Amen

SIGNS AND WONDERS

John 4:48 (NKJV) 48 ..., "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."
     The religion of most people is one of belief in God, however belief, does not produce salvation and escape from the judgment of God. Listen to James 2:19 (NKJV) 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! What then is the answer to religion and belief, I am glad you asked?
     The heart is the seat of emotions, from God's perspective, He sees the focus and intent of the heart of people. Science may insist, that is not where thought takes place, however, without the heart and the continuous beating no other function in the human will exist.
     My nature and the heart beat go hand in hand to expose what I believe. By nature we demand proof of senses or we will not respond. Meaning if I can touch, taste, see, smell, or feel it I can believe it, God requires that faith instead of sense be our guide. That causes a problem because we are trained from birth to obey the sense to live and remain safe in this life, the denial of the obvious is where we run head on into God's plan for man. God's gift to people is in Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, correct discernment, is necessary to supply the need for faith to act.
     Jesus says, "You must believe," many say I do, however their actions say differently, the refusal to trust God with every area of the life we live is the evidence, we do not believe, we only accept. That is not going to give us eternal life, we must have faith that sees God working Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, our faith in God is the key. Do you believe God will rescue you from judgment and sins consequences, He will, if you ask in faith, His Son to forgive you and come into your life!
Heavenly Father, may we set aside the sense of knowing my way will work and trust You in faith, to work through us. Let Your breath oh God fill our lungs and let us breath Your life to others. Amen

SHALL WE WHO DIED

Romans 6:2 (NKJV) 2 ...! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
     Living in the world it is easy to consider, God will over look little sins, things that are easily categorized as innocent, not noticed, that is just not true on any level of thinking. God hates sin and He will not allow sin in His heaven. What then should we do, I am so glad you asked?
     Consider the origin of sin, where does it come from, God's word says in Romans 3:23, "All have sinned,"that only says, we are sinners, where does it originate, in Matthew 15:19, Jesus says, "From the heart,"yet that is only the store house of sin. Where is its birth, Jesus says, in Luke 10:18 "Satan fell from heaven" in a flash like lightning, because of pride? Sinful pride, according to a dictionary is • the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's importance : it is the absence of moral value and completely self serving.
    The writer to the Romans says, "We who died to sin," how can we line in it, that is an impossibility, because, we are dead to that self absorbed living. The body that has died will no longer interact with the bodies of the living, because it ceases to exist as intended, it is in the state of dissolving. So then how can we continue to sin if we are dead to it, the truth lies in who we think is in control of our lives, if we belong to Christ, He must be the King on the throne of our living. The person then who does not have Jesus as their savior from sin, is subject to sin, sinful influences and its consequences. Who is in control of your life, only you know, however, so do those around you?
Heavenly Father, help me to live so that others see Jesus, no matter the cost. Let me not cause another to stumble, or slip. May I carefully examine what I do and say, so that those around me see You and nothing else? Help me to stand when everything around me says give up, may I be sensitive to any form of sinfulness and seek forgiveness immediately. Amen
  

MY STRENGTH

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) 9.., "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." ...
      The life of a believer in Jesus Christ is often difficult at best, what I mean is the struggles of living seem to compound and give way to more intense searching for relief. Why, I am so glad youasked?
       The writer to Corinth is describing personal affliction allowed by God on His faithful servant, being full of God's Holy Spirit and walking with Him is not without difficulty. The presence of God in the believers life allows the one who wholly trust his creator, the privledge of knowing our Father is in control, He is in the drivers seat, NOT my co-pilot. The very power of almighty God, is filling us moment by moment, yet the way seems clouded, it is right here that God is perfecting in His treasures the trust that we can do nothing without Him.
      Paul writes, God's Strength is made perfect in our weakness, looking at my earthly father, I cried, "daddy help me I am falling," he grabbed me just as my strength failed. The picture of not being able to fix the problem and trusting completely in Jesus, the failure in myself to stop tragedies and to help another when there is no help in me is, God doing it through me. He knows what I need and when I need it, that is suffucent to meet the difficulty head on.
      God says, to the weary, "My grace is sufficient," wow, He has a plan and all I need do is look up and He will meet that problem and put it in its place.
Heavenly Father, I need You, the world seems all too stressful, help me to see as You see, let the things that distract become dim while I look to You. You know what is best for me, I thank you for all You are doing and trust You to walk me through to the end. Thank You. Amen

HE SHOWED ME A PURE RIVER

Revelation 22:1 (NKJV) 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
     The soul of man is seeking a refreshment that will not be found in this world, it is found only in the Presence of God the Creator. How do we get to it, I am so glad you asked?
     John the author of Revelations, wrote about what he sees while alone with God isolated from everyone and everything. That is a clue to our searching, getting alone with God, we will see and hear His plans to refresh us and fill us with His presence.
    As I was in prayer this morning, the power and presence of God was especially filling, the joy that flooded over me was intense and refreshing. I prayed, "Lord if others could experience this, there would be less seeking worldly things and more time with You," I then thought, why not a hose like a filling station to refuel? God then reminded me of this chapter and He showed me, I don't need a hose (worldly thinking) I just need to seek the river that flows from the Throne of God.
    It can only be found when you are alone with God and He must be the center of all you do. The map that leads the way is first encountered in the presence of His Son Jesus, He must have complete access to the life of the believer. The instructions are then written on the heart of the redeemed, and must be followed exactly as He reveals, The Way. "There is no other name given under Heaven," the refreshing of our Creator can be found in no other place, in no other way, on our knees, in the Presence of God! Will you do that now, take time to be alone with God and find His refreshing for your self? He will show you a pure River of life!
Heavenly Father, thank you, for the love that flows as a river from Your Presence. Thank you, for the mercy You have poured out on humanity, thank you, for the cleansing fountain of the Lord Jesus Christ, bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name. Amen

WE OUGHT OBEY GOD

Acts 5:29 (NKJV) 29 ...: We ought to obey God rather than men. 
     We are very unusual characters today, our spirituality consists mainly on how we feel, do I feel like going to church, do I feel like giving back to God, do I feel like worshipping today, all indications of a heart not in tune to God. What should we do, I am so glad God has the answer?
     Jesus is the perfect example of how to live in the flesh and walk by the Spirit, that was easy for Him, He is the Son of God. However, Jesus says to you and me, "Follow Me."
   We are not following Christ when our habits display what is really inside, no hunger for fellowship with other believers, no desire to spend time communicating with God, (closet time) no drive to worship with the whole heart, what we are left with is a dish rag religion. Immediate obedience when God comes calling is often put off to when we feel like it, that is not Spiritually Living, and God says in, Romans 8:14 we must be "led by the Spirit" to prove we belong to Him.
    "Not feeling it," have you asked why, it is not God, He is waiting on you, right now ask God to forgive sinful living, right now say to Him, I have been playing Christianity, ask Him to come into your life and begin a new relationship with Him. If you do not, the only excuse you have is, "I didn't want to!"We ought to obey God!
Heavenly Father, Your Word is clear we must trust You and You must be the center of our lives, help me today to follow You with all my heart, trust You in all that occurs, wait on You for all I need, and live for You today, like tomorrow will never come. Amen

ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME

Psalm 103:1 (NKJV) 1 ...; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
    Many are unsettled by what they discover within, in Mark 7:21, Jesus says, "From within out of the heart," these things He exposes if we are honest, will take our breath. What can be done, I am so glad you asked?
    Several years ago, I received a call while traveling, a lady crying on the phone was begging for help from things she had exposed herself to. She unloaded her life in just a moment and I realized she had created a platform for attacks from the enemy. An occult store, drugs, alcohol, unmentionable night life and abuse, were her life style, she wanted out, voices, accusations, even threats were screaming at her from within, they were threatening her life!
     I asked, Are you ready to put it all away, "Yes she screamed they are going to kill me," do you want help now, I asked, "yes" she began to calm down. She then asked, "What do I need to do?" After explaining she was under attack because of her chosen life style, and how to find peace in Jesus Christ, she begged can I pray that right now, and she did.
  You may not be as severely attacked as she, but in many ways people are suffering the same harassment because of choosing to live life your way. Within your heart, there may be a host of unwanted guests, that are out of your control. Do you too want relief, simply confess to God you are a sinner living life your way, acknowledge, Jesus is the Son of God and He died for you, then ask Him to come into your life. When you trust the Son of God with everything in your life you too will experience freedom. Acts 3:19 "All that is within me bless His Holy Name!"
Heavenly Father, there are so many under attack today, help them to find You and trust You to cleanse and restore. "Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!" Amen

WAIT ON THE LORD

Psalm 27:14 (NKJV) 14 Wait on the LORD; ...!
   Many often say, "Don't pray for patience," and laughter breaks out, God expects to hear from us, that we need this gift, so that others may be blessed. How and why would I want to wait, I am so glad you asked?
    Recently in a prison an inmate who had been acting bad lost some privileges, he became angry and threw all his clothes out side his cell, leaving him naked. He had spared one shoe and the other was lying in the hall out of his reach, as I walked by he begged "give me my shoe,"I handed the shoe to him and he took it. It occurred to me odd, there was no thanks, and shoes did not cover the body, he was truly unthankful. We are often, the same way to our Heavenly Father, when clearly there must be a season of waiting, so we can observe our circumstances from a different perspective.
     Hurry often makes rash decisions, and waiting brings sense to difficulties, that is only part of what is needed, we must observe from  a broken willful attitude, that God has a very different plan than ours. He wants to bless others and bad attitudes only bring more bad attitudes, many are hurt by impatience, slow down, wait, and God will bring the right answer to your side where real healing will take place. "Wait on the Lord!"
Heavenly Father, thank you for being patient with me, thank you for loving me, thank you for making a way to receive eternal life through Your Son. May I always wait on Your answer that others may be blessed  by Your counsel? Amen

SHOUT TRIUMPHANTLY

Psalm 100:1 NKJV Shout triumphantly to the Lord all the earth.
The expressions of joy will erupt from within when the person who finds the Lord trusts Him. How, I am so glad you asked?
Deep in the heart lives the longing to rejoice, it is denied on so many levels, because of background, how we are trained, and social development. However this expression is not just pent up emotion escaping, it is the mechanism God installed in our being, to bless Him. We know what the wrong emotion will do to those around, it has the ability to create unfavorable reactions. God desires that the reaction of joy touch others, with His Spirit. To touch another with God's Joy, there must be His presence, He is received by acknowledging we are sinners separated from His Joy. Do you want joy today, simply trust Him with all your heart, and His Joy will flood you're being. Shout to the Lord and He will fill you with Joy.
Heavenly Father, we bless You with shouts of praise for You loved us when we were in our sins and gave your life that we might begin to live. Thank You for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You will do. Amen

ABOVE THE HEAVENS

Psalm 8:1 (NKJV) 1 ... have set Your glory above the heavens!
     The part of man that sees God is often the part that is hurting and desires relief, where is the part of man that recognizes Him in all he sees?
      God's glory is visible and yet invisible, it is visible to the soul that has experienced hurt and pain and knows God is in the midst of it all. God's glory is invisible to the soul that continues to blunder through life with no point of connection to the Creator. The psalmist recognizes God's magnificent name and sees His handy work in the earth and His Glory in the heavens. In-fact he describes God's Glory as a covering of the heavens. Think about that, the real Glory of it all, is cloaked until God is ready to reveal Himself to all who seek Him. If the breath of men is stolen for just a moment at the realization of all we see when looking into the night sky, imagine the sight of God in all His Glory.
     The Lord of Glory is Jesus and He wants to reveal Himself to men, those who seek Him with all their heart. Have you really sought the Lord with all your heart, would you do that now?
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us of what is coming, that which you have reserved for eyes that will see You in the Hall of heaven, where there is nothing to distort the Truth. Thank you for loving us and making a way to experience Your Love, Jesus. Amen

TIMES OF REFRESHING

Acts 3:19 (NKJV) 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
     God wants for us the best we can possibly experience while in our flesh, His plans will make the life spent on self and transformed for Him, the most exotic ever imagined. How, I am so glad you asked?
     The Lord as a plan that will transform us into something we have never been before, that is, a person filled with the very presence of God. To experience this change, we must first repent of our living for us and be unconditionally convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins. God then is free from our own willful denial of Him to act in concert with our heart. The melody that is then produced when Christ is allowed in the heart is like no other on earth. Luke 15:10 says, there is "joy in heaven" and He cares so much for the soul of man that, He put himself in place of the judgment reserved for us, and willingly died, clutching our sins.
     A refreshing experience comes from heaven that only God can bring, it cannot be worked up or worked in, it must come with the presence of the Holy Spirit and that presence will comfort, guide and instruct us in righteous living. Wow, what a God, I deserve death and separation and He offers life and forgiveness.
Heavenly Father thank you,  for the life you have given me, I did not understand until you filled this empty vessel with Your life. Thank you for living in me and thank you for loving me, let me now share this precious gift with others. Amen