I CRIED

Psalm 120:1 (NKJV) ... In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me. 
   Crying out is not unusual, a student driver was practicing, traffic on the road increased, many drivers were swerving in and out of traffic and the student caught up in the moment began changing lanes erratically, stop the instructor called out and the driver hit the brakes in the middle of the road, causing cars all around to come to a complete standstill.
    When we cry out to God, He hears and listens to our heart, it tells Him our motive and desires. The heart bent on letting God work will experience great joy and fulfillment, the heart just wanting relief will suffer sadness and experience doubts.
    God hears and like a loving father desires the best for us, however we must desire His will for us above every other thing. What is your desire today, will it please God or you, you must choose?
Heavenly Father let us look up when all of our circumstances say no, let us look to You when things are easy, let us long for your Presence when there are no problems. May we then recognize that looking to You in difficult times is easy because it has become a habit. Amen

ENDURES FOREVER

Psalm 119:160 (NKJV) 160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
   When listening to others have you ever thought, I wonder how much of this true. I often hear people explain their problems many are fact and are very sad, some however are self inflicted and manufactured to embellish the situation. A man once explained, "I'm in prison because my mother hates me and told the police I hate her." After hearing Gods Word, he explained, "my mother hates what I do and she doesn't want any drugs in her house, I was caught selling drugs by the police.
   The entire truth will bring understanding, and will often lighten the burden of sin in our lives. Many, however live a life that is contrary to the Truth of Gods Word, exposed to His Truth, they often excuse away sin to justify their living practices, claiming to know God while living in a lie. All of Gods Word is truth, all of His Word must be applied, all of His righteous judgments will come to pass. Forever, must be reckoned with, do you know Him?
Heavenly Father You alone are Righteous and Holy, help us to see and understand, that part of You and obey your Word entirely. May all we do, be with your holiness in mind and our unrighteousness exposed that we might live clean, holy, lives before You. Amen

BRANCHES

John 15:5 (NKJV) 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. ... without Me you can do nothing. 
    Jesus tells His disciples the truth of life is in Him, every single person has life because of Him, no one is exempt, if Christ has not given life it does not exist. Someone may consider, but what about those who do not believe, even they exist because of Jesus. Listen to John 1:2-3 (NKJV) 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Jesus is the author of life and everything exists through Him, without Him we cannot take our next breath.
   The above verse is now clearly understood, we are a branch of Gods Vine, (Jesus) the branch that depends on Him will thrive and produce fruit, the branch that refuses the rich Graces of God will wither and die.
    Are you thriving in His abundant nutrient rich Word or languishing in the dying throes of drought? We are either producing fruit for God or calling attention from the Gardener to take the dead branches off the Vine. Without Him we can do nothing.
Heavenly Father your Love is amazing, we are counted part of the Vine of your vineyard until we prove that is not our choice. Help us to choose Life and obedience to You that we may produce the fruit of righteousness. Amen

KNOW GOD

Titus 1:16 (NKJV) 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, ... 
   What others see in our lives is actually who we are, how we present ourselves to those around us, in the casual atmosphere of our living is the person we have become. A facade is the covering up of what is under neath, for many that is exactly what is done, when the person we have become is unaccepatable to another, or, we become what we think they will accept. The quote, "When in Rome do as the Romans Do," is the picture of blending in or becoming like something that we have never been before.
   The truth of the verse above is many acknowledge God with no personal realtionship to Him. The life then becomes the testimony to what that person actually is, one who leads others astray.
     Do you know Him personally, have you confessed you are a sinner living your own life your way, have you acknowledged there is no other way to God except through Jesus and have you asked Him to come into your life and live through you? That is the only way to profess God.
Heavenly Father we have no other, You are the only way, may all who seek today truly come with a desire to know You. Let our walk be from the Source (Jesus) and let no other take your place in our lives. May we look to You in everything, seeking only your will for our lives. Amen

DAY OF THE LORD

2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV) 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
   The passage above at first sounds threatening, however when read entirely you discover, God has a plan that will liberate His saints from a world of sin and separation. In a moment in the blink of an eye, the Lord will appear for those whom He died and lives this very moment for.
   The admonition is to watch how we live and to live every moment with this knowledge of Him in our hearts, to carefully walk as today may be the day. Many have scoffed and many have doubted, but He is not on our timetable, as Israel waited for the Messiah and missed His appearing, so many will miss the soon coming of our Lord. Are you ready for the day of the Lord?
Heavenly Father let us keep careful vigilance, watching for your return. Praying that we will be found in obedience, living for You. May all we do please You. Amen

I KNOW

2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) ... for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 
  "I know whom I have believed," one of the songs I remember in church as a child, unaware of the scripture it referred to. I now know a little of the sacrifice, the early church fathers committed to their relationship in Jesus Christ. The cost was great and yet they suffered with Gods approval, He is looking still to see the heart of those who really trust in Him.
   Do you know whom you believe in, it is either you or Him, Have a blessed Thanksgiving and may all your days be spent seeking the One? He is able to keep You!
Heavenly Father thank you for all You have done, Jesus thank you for loving me with your life, Holy Spirit thank you for reminding me daily I belong to the King. Amen

PROFITABLE

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for ...
   There is much talk about investments, profit and in general managing money today, the intent is to hedge against the day of need. The things that make us comfortable cannot be purchased with money, family, friends and those who really care are not about finances they are into relationships.
   A family child was at a day care, she was told she was being ugly, breaking into tears she sat silent the rest of the day. When picked up by family to go home, she began crying again, asked why, she blurted out "why didn't you tell me I was ugly?"
   Just as finances will not protect us against catastrophe, what we understand will not protect us from the reality of facing our Creator. For many, what God will say, will resonate in eternity with many tears and no satisfaction, forever without hope. For those who have planned ahead, His Word is all the security needed, Heaven will be the source of Joy and protection we longed for. The assurance of God is for those who have completely trusted Him, and find His word more profitable than silver and gold.
   In what have you put your trust?
Heavenly Father You are all we need, let your Word be the desire of our hearts. May we read daily and carefully all that You have written for our good. Let us hedge against the Day of your appearing by absorbing all You said, that we may be found living in obedience. Amen

HE SCORNS

Proverbs 3:34 (NKJV) 34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. 
   Do you ever look around to see if anyone is watching, is there ever a concern about habits or actions that, might offend someone. God is reminding you He is watching, He is observing, He is keeping an account, every word is listened to.
  Like a mother who carefully keeps her children in line, a father who reminds his children to respect others, even nature teaches its young to survive, He, our Heavenly Father is showing us how to walk. Gods Word is intertwined with every single action in this life, every situation He is aware of, and He alone knows just what is needed to get you through.
  The Creator of all things, is looking to see if you are going to be humble, so that He may supply all you need to get through to HIM. If you will lay the smallest thing at His feet, He will meet your every need. Today, would you trust Him with all your life, you will never regret it?
Heavenly Father, You see all we do, You observe every motive, You know every down fall and every hurt we experience, help us to look to You. May we get into the habit of looking to You, and trusting You, in every thing. Amen

SETTLED IN HEAVEN

Psalm 119:89 (NKJV) 89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
  Where is your confidence today, is it near, where you may touch it, is it far away and beyond your reach, in what have you absolute assurance, that all is right and you are settled?
   A child cries out in fear of the night, his fears are realized when the parents respond, the spouse reaches out in the dark and finds comfort when the other is touched, confidence may be found in many things, however, real assurance is only found in the solid, unmoving, bed rock of Gods Word.
   Jesus reminds us, He is the Corner Stone on which all else stands, Matthew 21:42, nothing in this world may be counted on or taken in to the next. Without Jesus the child's cry is not fulfilled, the spouse finds no comfort, the world will fade away, man will find nothing is as sure as the Word of the Lord. Everyone who comes to Him will find assurance, will find comfort and will be completely confident, there is no other Way.
Heavenly Father may the Rock we look to always be our guide, may all our hope find comfort in You. Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, let everything that is within me bless the Lord. Your Word is settled, I believe and thats all I need. Amen

FINALLY

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true ... noble ... just ... pure... lovely ... good report ... virtue ... praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
   Many confess, I believe in Jesus, but I don't know what to do, I know Him but, how do I live my life? Paul adds above in verses 4-7, rejoice, don't worry, pray earnestly always, be thankful and seek God daily. Every thing we need is supplied by God for eternity, the baggage is packed, the ticket is paid for, the accommodations are 10 STAR Plus, all we need do is live in what God has already supplied.
   The anticipation of the adventure paid for in full, has us hurrying for that day, excited, joyful, did I pack everything, watching the clock, leaving the daily grind behind and looking forward to the trip. For the christian the emotions are similar, we are ready for the Supreme Adventure, (eternity), if, we have prepared by trusting in the Master Builder, (Jesus).
   What are you trusting in today, just another trip on earth, listen to the admonition of the writer, "Finally brethren ... meditate on these things," the trip of a life time is at hand are you ready?
Heavenly Father we are ready, may we stay focused on the destination, that You have prepared through your only son Jesus. Your will be done on earth and in our lives, that others may see You. Amen

THE MESSAGE

1 John 1:5 (NKJV) 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
   The Bible is the message, the world is a distraction, our lives are either light or they are dark. We are the canvas on which is revealed the strokes of the paint applied, by ourselves or the Master. A child prayed, "Lord make me good, and if at first you don't succeed please try again."
    It is me who is responsible for how I act, the tools are available for me to understand the process, what I do with the wealth of information is up to me. Can I make my self good, in part yes, can I be better than I am, most assuredly, will that get me into Heaven, no!
   The presence of Jesus Christ in the believer is the ONLY way to enter Heaven, "There is no other name given under Heaven whereby men may be saved." Acts 4:12 I am answerable to the Creator when I take my last breath, for what I have done in this life, and that alone dictates where I will spend eternity.
   Where will you spend eternity, you already know. "God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all."
Heavenly Father, help us to see clearly your instructions for living in this life. May we devote ourselves to seeking You, and let every Word You have given find its way in us. Amen

THE LORD KNOWS

Psalm 1:6 (NKJV) 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 
  When we say "we know someone," it means we are aware of their activities and we understand who they are. However we may think, we understand a person in light of their actions, and not really know who they are.
  A child was trying to sell a knife at school, he was caught and severely reprimanded, threatened with expulsion, and the parents were called. The calls went unanswered for days and finally the principal went to find the child's parents. The house was a wreck and the parent who was living in the home was in the hospital dying of cancer. The child was trying to get money to survive.
   To know someone you must know all about that person or we really know nothing. Our God knows our ways and He knows who we are and where we have come from. He knows our struggles, the way we walk and the things that motivate us, He is not surprised at the upside down thinking, or the wrong side out, ideas we embrace.
   God knows the way of the righteous and approves, He is aware of the ways of the life set on separation from Him and that way is hopeless. To know if your life is "The Way of the righteous," ask yourself, do I walk like Jesus walked? 1 John 2:6 Jesus came to show us how we are to live righteous before our Creator, and then He took all our sin on himself and went to meet death, where all sin is covered by His blood. Sin is left in the grave forever, Jesus is alive forever, and we can live with Him forever, if we trust Him with all our life.
Heavenly Father, the way of the righteous is your way, help that we may walk that way today. May we seek You early and trust You with everything in our lives, You know who we are, and You alone now what we need. Amen

WITHOUT CONTROVERSY

1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
  Without argument God is exactly whom He says He is, no one can refute His commands, counsel, or judgment, He alone is God. He alone created, he alone sustains, He alone holds the outcome of everything that exist in His hands. So then what is man or who are we to question His motives or design?
   Paul writes to his protege Timothy and explains Gods ways for the church, instructing him how to manage the local gathering of believers. Timothy is clearly shown how to officiate in the church and how those around him should function as well.
   Godliness is a mystery and we see that Godliness, reflected in His flesh (Jesus), by the Presence of His Spirit (Holy Spirit), the announcement of Angels, the preaching of His Power, the obvious, overwhelming reception by believers and the fact He walked out of the grave alive and is now seated in Eternity.
   How should we respond to this, simply, reverently, confess He alone is all we need, and without Him we could not exist. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and live through you His way. Great is the mystery of Godliness.
Heavenly Father may every breath we breath exalt You. May every action, consider You, let all we do focus on our need for You. May those around us see You in us and may we always seek your Face. Amen

THERE SHALL BE A DAY

Jeremiah 31:6-14 (NKJV) 6 For there shall be a day ... And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD."
   Have you noticed some people are not satisfied, with anything, and there are somethings things that never satisfy. Contentment is an elusive quarry, we try so many things in life that look appealing or from appearance seem to be the one thing that will bring satisfaction, yet it never materializes. We come into this world with a built in "peace meter" it is designed with the latest technology, the most intricate details, and is activated in a split second.
   We have a desire for peace, Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you," John 14:27 but know, this peace is just a small taste of the eternal peace to come. In Matthew 10:34 Jesus said, "I did not come to bring peace," He is reminding us that peace in this life from this world is not possible, it will only be fulfilled in the believer through Jesus Christ "On that Day."
   You will know true peace, but only if you know Jesus Christ as Savior, and that peace comes when He does. Do you know Him, then you know peace, and your are satisfied with His goodness.
Heavenly Father we are looking up, yet the world seems so difficult, we are looking to You, but all around us is trouble, help us to remember that You alone are God and a Day of Peace is coming. We will be satisfied in You and there will Peace in your Goodness. Amen

FACE REFLECTS FACE

Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV) 19 As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man.
    Questions reveal answers, however the answer is not always what we expect, neither is every answer correct. A student was asked, "Where was the American Declaration of Independence signed? Answer, "At the Bottom," true but not the answer.
    God asks, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man am," answers were varied and not accurate, then He asked, "Who do you, say that I am?" Answer, "You are the Christ, son of the Living God." Matthew 16:13-16 Only the ones who know the Teacher know the answer. He will only be the Christ the Savior of the world to those who know Him personally.
    A persons heart really does reveal who they are, all you need do is examine yourself, to find the answer. So what is the question, I am so glad you asked? Who is God the redeemer of the world to you?
Heavenly Father you have created all things, therefore everything belongs to You. We are yours to do with as You please, help us be today what You have created us for, let others see You in us. May everyone we come in contact with today see YOU! Amen

TEACH ME

Psalm 119:33 (NKJV) 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.
  To focus on anything for a length of time, seems drudgery until we find what interests us. The thing that holds our attention is what we really are interested in. "What we are in the dark, when no one is looking, that is who we are!" Oswald Chambers If we want to know where our heart is seated, what the affection of our life is, all we need do is find what captures our attention.
  The psalmist reaches out to The Creator and implores, "teach me," he knows what is wrong inside, there is no desire for God, or His ways. True to all people, there is no desire for God until, we recognize who we are, when the reality of our living crashes into the facts of Gods eternity, we begin to investigate our motives and seek answers.
  There is a resonating joy that follows the heart seated in Jesus, why, He is teaching that heart His statutes and there is a desire to keep them to the end. Are you excited about worship, are you looking forward to spending time with believers, are you planning to look up and see the Creator this weekend? My prayer is that you are.
Heavenly Father may all who know You seek You with all their heart. Let every soul offer honest Praise to You and may every place of True worship, exalt You with all their being. "Bless the Lord oh my soul!" Amen

AGAINST ME

Matthew 12:30 (NKJV) 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 
  Have you ever felt the pressure of those who stood in the way, maybe you have been ridiculed or been the object of others condescending talk. The cruelty of others is some times unbearable, forcing us into bitter retreat, or lashing out at the offenders.
  Jesus says, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 (NKJV)  Those who practice hurting others are thieves, their mission is clear, however the Lord of all things points us to Him and reminds us He has purchased life for the believer. We need life, this one is short lived and full of trouble, Jesus wants to give something of such abundance, it will take eternity to discover and receive it.
  The life we live must be in accord with the Savior, if we live opposed to Him or opposite of His life    
that living is against Him and we are scattering those who would follow Him, away.
   Ask Gods forgiveness today, trust in Him now, believe His truth at this moment and you will find rest, peace and comfort in Him. No one can take that away from you.
Heavenly Father bless those who trust You, show mercy to those who deny You. Help us to help others see You, may all we do point those around us to You. Let us look to You and forget the things that hurt and wound, we are yours. Amen

OPEN MY EYES

Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) 18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 
  There are so many technological advances today it is easy to get excited about the next gadget that will make life better. The evidence however points to this being true from the very beginning of time, we are constantly improving our surroundings to get more done with less effort. Then we schedule a work out day to improve our cardiovascular system because of, our doctors words "lack of exercise." So, naturally (human nature) we look for better ways to do the task at hand.
   I wonder if observing the Psalmist words, "Open my eyes," is a thought on the minds of anyone today? Consider the idea that our eyes are closed to God and what He wants to do in our lives, that we cannot see Him by choice. He is available, He is present, He is waiting, but we choose not to see Him. Like the child who puts his hands over his eyes and says,"I can't see you," you therefore are not there.
  God is here and He is waiting on us to look at the "Wondrous things," He has prepared for those who will attempt to see. Would you be honest with yourself and ask, does God have my mind, my heart and my ear, have I really given everything to Him? When you begin to seek Him He will be found, then He will open your eyes to see Wondrous things from His Law. Your excitement for Him will prevail over  the little things in this world, get excited about God today, its eternal.
Heavenly Father open our eyes to see those things hidden to hearts that will not seek You. Let us know You the way You intended. Help us to see You that we may know your ways and help others to see them as well. May we seek You with all the breath we have? Amen

THUS SAYS THE LORD

Jeremiah 21:4 (NKJV) 4 'Thus says the LORD God ... "Behold, I ... 
   There is always a day of reckoning, a moment when we must face the difficult circumstance and justify or excuse it. Report cards from school were always for me a day of reckoning. When man lives his life entirely his way there is a day he must answer for all he has done, in himself and to all those around him.
   In the verse above Israel has turned from The God, for the gods of the land they live in, they have forsaken the God of creation for the god of self serving, they have become brutal to their children and denied they were once the envy of all the world. They find themselves down and out again and this time with consequences that seem impossible to survive, they again turn to God and beg salvation, but it is too late the line has been drawn and they now face God as their enemy and He has said enough.
   Everyone of us will face this day, we will answer for what we have done, how we have lived and to whom we have given allegiance. If we have looked unto Jesus, and made Him our reason for living we are safe, if He is the hope of our lives we are secure, if The Redeemer has become our faith for the future, we will experience eternal life with Him. Gods word to us is "Behold I," are you looking to Him?
Heavenly Father You made the way for us to live with You. You supplied all we need for safe shelter from the coming storm of judgment. In You alone we live and breath, help us to stand in this adversity and look to You. Amen

NOW

Psalm 118:25 (NKJV) 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
   Have you ever wanted something now, later will not do, it must be in this day or ...? What will happen if we wait, maybe reason will prevail and we realize it wasn't all that important, maybe we see through a fresh set of eyes and recognize we didn't really need that thing, well, so much for things.
   Suppose we look at the person who needs an organ to survive and mere hours prove the difference between life and death, then how do we process the word NOW? How about the person who has lost their job and bills must be paid now, or they loose what they have? The word NOW becomes extremely important and of necessity the cry is for help now, not later when all is lost.
   God knows our struggles and He has a plan for us if, we are willing to come to grips with life His Way. Our Creator is not on our time schedule, however, He does recognize that some needs must be met now, the child dying of cancer, the single mother struggling to pay a bill. These things are a part of life, and the Psalmist recognizes that the time is now, today is the day for relief.
   When we come to God His way, all of Heaven and earth is at our disposal, The Lord of all things will make the way straight. If you will cry out to Him now, know that He will meet the need and so much more, trust Him today with your whole heart.
Heavenly Father we give our lives to You that You may use us as You please. May all You want to do through me be accomplished. Let me live today as if it is my last. May others be blessed that look to You only. Lord use us now that You might be blessed. Amen

HE WHO COMES

Psalm 118:26 (NKJV) 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 
   We find things get us excited when they exceed our expectations, for instance going to the gas station and finding gas for .50, that is enough to make you want to buy a tractor trailer load for a rainy day. Rare and maybe unlikely, it stirs the imagination to want something and find it true. For the most part humans are optimists looking for something better, seeking the next best thing, however that doesn't apply for everything.
   In most people service to God is more in the line of duty, rather than looking for the blessing God wants us to have and finding He has prepared far more than we could imagine or expect, we often find religion drudgery. Why, because our gaze is on the horizontal instead of the vertical. Jesus gives an amazing oration on things that are blessed from Gods perspective, it may surprise you that they are not what we would call blessings, because they deal with the heart the seat of who we are, or must be. Matthew 5:3-16
   The Psalmist writes, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," we are blessed by what must become the focus of our lives, namely Jesus, nothing else will satisfy.
Heavenly Father we need You, we need your Presence, we need your Infilling, we need your Hand in our lives. Lord help us to look to You and nothing else, may all our thoughts be consumed with what You want to do in us. Amen

MY STRENGTH AND SONG

Psalm 118:14 (NKJV) 14 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 
   Recognizing the source of life and its benefits brings one to the realization, that supernatural forces are at work around us. Things we cannot explain away by mere science, the perfect tilt of the earth, the bird and its ability to recognize its kind, the stars holding their place, are minor examples of a universe that moves to a source of power yet undefined by mans thought. At a glance, we appear to be players on a field of dreams that keep getting pushed back by bad calls.
   Intellectual confusion about our existence is clouding the ability of the human mind to receive truth and simply ignore the obvious, God is on the throne of creation. Man has a built in guidance system far superior to any man made device, he comes equipped with the unique desire to seek out God and the amazing ability to sort through the mountains of ill conceived information and find the source of Truth.
   Put this to the test of your will, simply bow your head, honestly ask God to reveal Himself to you, ask Him to make an end to your desire and your will, and simply trust in the Name (Jesus) that is above every name. When He reveals to you His presence, ask Him to forgive you of living for you and come into your life. Note, Romans 10:9 (NKJV) 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. You too, will be able to say, The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

Heavenly Father You are all we need, every other thing fades in your Presence. Let all those who seek You today find You, True and Faithful and may every sincere prayer of trust in You be honored for your Glory. May every person that You make whole, begin to seek You with a desire to know your will. Amen

SO SHALL YOU BE

Jeremiah 11:4 (KJV) ... Obey my voice, ..., according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
   There is a reward for most everything we undertake to do. The runner who crosses the finish line first gets the prize, the new mother a child to love, the farmer a crop, knowing this why are we so quick to avoid obedience to God, when He explains in detail all we need do, to receive the reward.
   Man has the ability to choose what he desires, the only creature in creation that God bestowed thought to, and man may choose to live for God or not. All of our choices bring consequences, for the Israelites the choice was to worship the gods of the people with whom they lived, their choice was fatal, God allowed them to become captives to other nations. Many are held captive today, to one thing or another, we are captives of the choices we make.
   Make a choice for eternity today, choose to serve God, the reward is eternal life and a life filled with the expectation of Gods soon appearing, choose to serve yourself and the reward is eternal separation from God and a life of hopeless drudgery. Listen to Gods voice, do what He commands, and you will be His child. Oh, by the way, you have already chosen, by the way you live.
Heavenly Father we look to You as your children, help us to see all that will draw us closer to You. Let none of your words escape our hearing and may we obey all you have commanded us to do. Help us to be your people, and may You continually be our God. Amen

FROM THE LORD

Colossians 3:24 (NKJV) 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
    In this nation it is so easy to enjoy many things, baseball, hunting, hiking, biking, shopping even eating is an easy venture. Looking forward to weekends, serves a purpose, it fulfills a desire to accomplish something satisfying, however these things mask what God our Creator has called us to.
   Hear Jesus say, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work," John 9:4 and to those who are busy he replies,  "... you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and _______ has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away ..." Luke 10:41-42
   Our focus is the clue to the desires of the heart, what are you longing for, what makes your day better, what choices have you motivated, to accomplish the task at hand? If it is the works of God that have you excited, then know, "that from the Lord you will receive the reward." If it is the things of this world that have your heart, you are not serving God.
Heavenly Father, blessing are in your hands to give as You please, bless us Lord according to our diligence for You. Let everything that is not of You be put away, that we might be found living obedient lives in this world. May all You want to accomplish in us be fulfilled. Amen

THE HARVEST IS PAST

Jeremiah 8:20 (NKJV) 20 "The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!"
  Many tears are shed, for those we love, and there is no lack of want for them to have better, than has been received. The prophet Jeremiah wept over the sins of Israel, and the judgment that God showed him would come. The people chose sin over service and self over a relationship with the God of creation. Turning away from the Truth and seeking pleasures over righteous living, God gave them the desires of their hearts, however they received lean souls. Ps 106:15
   The mother of the thief, desires the same mercy for her child as the mother of the child, sick and dying of a terrible disease. Mercy is available for both, and God does what is best, however we often misunderstand what He is doing.
   The cry of anguish is heard by our Father and His ear is turned to the broken hearted, but the heart that is unrepentant and stubborn will not receive mercy. God is looking at His creation waiting for that last soul to make the choice, choose God and live, reject Him and eternal separation. For many, "The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved," for the few, Psalm 40:1 (NKJV) ... I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
   What will you do?
Heavenly Father look on us with favor and know we are but dust, show us your ways that we may follow You and be saved. Give us eyes today to see You and trust your way, let nothing hinder us from acknowledging You are our God. Let us look up when we realize there is no other way, and give Glory to You. Amen

HIS CROSS

Colossians 1:20 (NKJV) ... having made peace through the blood of His cross.
   We find ourselves uncomfortable when there is strife or turmoil around us, when the environment we live in is upset, there is a desire for peace. While flying to California one year, two young ladies were paying a lot of attention to our middle son Charlie. The conversation was about many things and finally Charlie age 3 blurted out, "this is so frustrating," his statement sent the ladies in to hysterics. They would occasionally turn around in their seat, look at Charlie and burst into laughter again.
   The Word of God (Jesus) came to make peace with man through the only means, blood and that blood had to be that of God. God was not reconciled to man until, the time was right for redemption, then Jesus came lived a life of righteousness, embraced all our sins and died on a cruel cross. He alone took my sins and yours to the grave, there He left them and walked out, setting us free to live righteous with God once again. However, we must now choose to live for God through Jesus, He has already chosen us. John 15:16
    What will you do with The Creators gift of life, you must choose, His peace?
Heavenly Father your love is most amazing, it gives life that we do not deserve, it brings peace where there is none. In You we will live eternally if we choose You alone. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen