WICKED AND SINFUL

Genesis 13:13 (NKJV) 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD. 
    Left to choose what we want we often do so with the wrong motives, Lot was given the responsibility to choose the right way and he instead chose what looked good, that which would benefit him. Choosing to do some thing, because it looks good or seems practical is the practice of relying on feelings, rather than using the wisdom of God. Make no mistake we have the right to choose, that is God given, however we are held responsible for what we choose.
   Adam and Eve made the wrong choice in the garden and all mankind has paid the price of their sin. Every wrong choice leaves tragic consequences in its wake, when we are casual about sin we are leaning toward tragedy. "The men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD," and Lot made his home there?
Heavenly Father we are in desperate need of your presence and your input into our lives, help us to discern right from wrong, help us to see in advance the consequences of wrong choices. Amen

AT HIS FEET

Mark 5:22 (NKJV) 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet
    A thief turned himself over to the police saying, "I robbed a gas station in my twenties and I can not live with my self any longer." He was then 53 years old, for over 30 years he lived with the bondage of sin that would not let him go. Jarius a ruler of the system, that would put Jesus to death, found when living in disbelief is more painful than accepting the Truth, the only road to relief is in Jesus. Family tragedy has a way of opening the eyes of dark hearts and making a way for the God of creation to enter in.
   You may be living in doubt right now, you may be living a pseudo christian life style and have no connection to the Author. Today you can turn yourself in and find the Peace you have longed for, right now you too may know the Peace that others have found, how? Acknowledge to God, I have been living for me, tell Him you know it is sin, ask His forgiveness and ask Him to come into your life and live through you, tell Him your life is His for the taking, and trust Jesus from this day forward.
Heavenly Father these days are not like any other we have known, help us to trust You and look to no other. Help us fall at your feet and live in your will for your Glory. Amen

LOVE

Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV) 12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 
    A woman caught her husband cheating and lived the rest of her life in bitterness, eventually she developed cancer, her confession, "I should have forgiven and forgotten, this bitterness has taken my life." If she had only read Proverbs 27:4, she may have lived life to its fullest.
    A mother lost her child, to an accident, she was broken, she let let her heart seek God, and discovered  the Love of life she had been missing, many have come to know Christ, by her actions. The pain of losing a child helped her to establish a home for unwed mothers. Her life verse Philippians 1:6.
    A husband stands beside his dying wife, their life together has been sweet, he holds her hand caressing the gentle fingers of his bride, she whispers, "I love you and always will, God knows best," she breathes her last. Their hope came from God's Word, they let Jesus be the center of their world. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Heavenly Father we cannot hope for anything better in this life than You, may we look to your Word in every way of our lives. Amen

THE BLOOD

Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV) 11 ...; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' 
  A friend has leukemia, the disease affects the blood, he takes treatment especially for stopping the cancer from destroying the marrow in his bones, where some of the blood is produced. Blood is the life of the body without which we cannot exist, it must be healthy and must flow to all parts to maintain a productive life.
   Man has long known the loss of blood, means the end of life. God puts emphasis on blood as the vehicle for the redemption of man, Hebrews 9:22. He required the Israelites to shed the blood of animals to remind them of their need of atonement (making wrong right) to clearly show them the work of the coming Messiah.
   Jesus puts men right with God, (redemption) if they will confess sinful living, repent and ask Him to be Lord of their lives. Christ alone is the atonement for our souls, without His blood no one can get into Heaven. What are you basing eternal life on, it is only through the blood?
Heavenly Father we exist through the precious gift of life, You give that life and without You cease to be. Help us to give thanks in a way that blesses You, help us to be what You created us to be, help us to worship You with all our being. Amen
 

THE WISE

Proverbs 10:8 (NKJV) 8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 
  God knows the human heart, He created it, it has the capacity to experience so many emotions and understands far more than we give credit to. Science has not uncovered the whole of the hearts ability, to love, show anger, or even retain thought.
  A younger brother was killed, he had a tremendous love for music, the medical professionals asked for the right to help others through him, his heart was sent to an individual who could no longer function with out a new one. The recipient called and not only thanked us but wanted to ask a question, "Did your loved one have an appreciation for music," "yes, yes he did" we answered, "I have a love for music I have never experienced before."
  Our Creator wants us to hear and obey His commands, He knows far more than we ever will about what we need. Won't you be wise today and receive His commands, it is for Eternity?
Heavenly Father we are the product of your creation, we are known intimately by You, You alone know what we need, help us to listen, help us to receive, help us to retain all that You know we need. Amen

EXAMINE ME

Psalms 26:2 (NKJV) 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. 
   Life proves too often hard and drudgery, as a child when asked to do things I was uninterested in, cut the grass, take out the trash, clean your room, it took all day to accomplish. Little changes through the years, there are still things that are uninteresting, the lawn and trash are at the top of the list. What does capture me now and has since my early twenties is the amazing relationship my Creator has given to all who will receive Him, in the hearts and on the mind is the desire to please Him.
   "Wait" you say, that  is not true of me, may I ask why, why does God not capture you and why has He not become the desire of your heart? Have you sincerely confessed your sins, have you clearly acknowledged He is God, have you humbly pleaded for Him to enter your life, this is all He asks. "Yes I have," you maybe thinking, may I ask one last question, have your traded what you know in your mind, for what must take place in your heart? He will only enter the heart that wants His will above all else, you see He will examine, prove and try the mind and heart that belongs to Him.
Heavenly Father may we see your Word through You, may we forget what appeals to us and seek You with all our heart. May all our thoughts remind us You alone are God and You alone will be worshipped. Amen

YOU ARE

Mark 3:11 (NKJV) 11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." 
   People often identify with the nature they sense or observe in others, the gentle person is comforting, the  loud individual is often obnoxious, the nervous and fidgety person a restless soul. Our character observations are most often correct and reveal we understand something about others, even when we do not know them personally. So the text above revealing the insight of demons into the character and person of God is very interesting.
   Not only do the demons respond immediately in His presence by falling to the ground, they also acknowledge who He is, "The Son of God." What we find interesting is mans denial that Jesus is God and that this same God is Son, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. He is all Power, all Authority and desires that man accept Him as such. The demons have no problem acknowledging He is God, where does that leave us? Unless we accept Him as He is, "You are the Son of God," we will know the same fate as those who will forever regret.
Heavenly Father in You there is Life and in no other, in You we exist, to You we owe every thanksgiving. "Bless the Lord oh my soul, let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Amen

IN THE MORNING

Mark 1:35 (NKJV) 35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 
    Once my dad said, "Get me up early were going fishing before daylight," I dressed for fishing, and laid awake until about 4:00 AM at 4:30 he came into the room and wakened me saying, "I thought you were going to get us up?" I was so tired I feel asleep in the boat.
    Setting our sights on the wrong thing will surely wear us out, Jesus had clearly worked all day and into the night meeting the needs of people, healing, communicating, and changing lives. We read He then rises early in the morning to meet in prayer with His Heavenly Father. His secret is in what He has set His heart on, what is it, He is determined to do the will of his Father.
   To do Gods will we must first have a personal relationship with Him, that comes entirely through Jesus His Son, do you have Jesus in your heart, you can? Trust Him with all your heart, how, say to Him I have lived all my life for me, (that is sin,) I want to live all my life now for You, (that is righteousness,) will You forgive me and will You now come into my life? His promise to all, is if we will ask, we will receive, have you?
Heavenly Father in You and in You alone is life both now and forever, help us to live pleasing to You. Let our lives be light to whom You choose, may we live obediently in this life, that we might live forever with You in the next. Amen

HE BELIEVED GOD

Genesis 15:6 (NKJV) 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 
  William Borden was born wealthy, heir to the Borden Milk fortune, he left his wealth to make disciples for Jesus Christ our Lord. Williams father denounced him and the life he could have lived was left behind for the work of leading Muslims to Christ. At the age of 25 he died, never having lived to the worlds potential, his notes proclaimed his heart, "No reserve, No retreats, No regrets," the life of one sold out to his Redeemer.
   "Abraham believed God," literally means whatever God wanted for his life he accepted. Too many today claim Jesus with no commitment, salvation without Holiness, Eternity minus the relationship with Christ, it cannot be, Jesus will not allow sin into His Heaven.
    Have you really trusted Him, by believing and living for Him, then your account is righteousness.
Heavenly Father help us to live for You by living like You, Lord may our every breath be for You. Amen

THOSE WHO DWELL

Psalms 24:1 (NKJV)  The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
    A child ran to her mom crying, "I love you, I love you," the expression from the child is absolute trust, complete identification with the one who meets every need. The Psalmist expresses what so many have denied, Everything belongs to God, no person, no thing is left out, like the child we can and should put complete trust in Him.
    Someone recently penned, "Everything is God's," another answered, "Can't we just refer to him or her as the goddess or deity, why do we have to use god," Psalms 14:1 (NKJV)  The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. Anyone who has any inkling of a personality wants to be recognized, and the Creator God, Jesus, says through, John 1:1-3 there is no other, He alone created, He alone must be worshipped, honored, exalted and sought after with All our being.
    Have you denied God, He loves you, have you walked away from Him, He is waiting for you, have you been living for you, He died for you, if you will trust Him today, He will show you all things, He is doing for you.
Heavenly Father, may we look to You when no one is, may we seek You when others won't, may we with all our heart long for You. Amen

MAKE IT SECURE

Matthew 27:65 (NKJV) 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."
   We have doors and windows to protect from the cold, the heat, the wind and rain, locks provide security from the elements outside, against burglary and just plain fear of the unknown. The Pharisees lived in fear of losing their authority and when they had successfully put Jesus away, their new found fear was of the people believing another lie and thinking He had risen from the dead. The door of the tomb of death must be locked so no one will pretend He is risen.
   Many today lock the imaginary door of me, myself and I against intrusion by anyone especially God, man cannot lock God away or out of this life we exist because of Him not in-spite of Him. Jesus, tells us He is the Door of life and no one will receive His Eternity without first coming through that Door. Go ahead make your life "as secure as you know how", remember however, God was not locked in a tomb guarded by men, He was laid there to prove Mercy and Grace to a world lost in sin.
Heavenly Father help us to see with your eyes the life we must live to receive Eternal Life. Amen

WHOEVER FINDS ME

Proverbs 8:35 (NKJV) 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; 
   Once a child was missing, frantically searching the mother cried, "Oh God help me find my child," over an hour later the child emerged from behind the couch. Finding her mother crying, she asked, "why are you crying mommy." The joyful mother replied, "I thought you were lost and I was afraid," the little girl responded, "I was hiding and fell asleep."
    God is not asleep or hiding, He is however waiting on us to come seeking Him, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 (NKJV)
To find God we must cry out after Him as the mother for her child, there must be within the heart of a seeker the desire to know Him more than this life.
   We all are searching, our search must be refined, the desire to know God must be more than the life we live. Find God and you find His favor, find Him and you will receive Eternal Life (Jesus).
Heavenly Father help us to seek You early, help us to search You out while You may be found, help us to long for your Presence. Thank you Lord, for waiting on us, thank you, for giving us what we do not deserve, eternal life in your Son Jesus. Amen

I DO NOT KNOW

Matthew 26:74 (NKJV) 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" ... 
   The life of the believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is filled with the intrusions of life, we are constantly in contact with people, and so Gods plan is fulfilled in our lives. What do I mean, God desires that we give testimony of Him, some interpret this to mean a verbal conversation others the way we live, but the entire human relationship is needed to fulfill Gods Law, in us.
   Peter has been in constant contact with our Lord and multitudes of people for three years, he knows the Master communicates and interacts with others as God intended. He now comes face to face with the most surreal exercise of his life, to intentionally share His faith in God and the Christ or reject he has any knowledge of the Savior.
   He does reject and there proves his life with Jesus is a lie, many today are living Peters life, saying one thing in religious circles and living directly apposed in the real world. Do you know the Man?
Heavenly Father our lives are knit to the fabric of your creation, we are the essence of You, help us to live as You plan that we might please You. May all our trials exalt You may every breath bring another closer to You, help us obey as we should. Amen
   

THE FLESH IS WEAK

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) ... The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
   We sincerely believe the body is under our control and so it is, however the ability to make the flesh do as we choose is lost to selfish motives. We have habits that are not in Gods plan for our lives, when we are needed to pray for another we often excuse our lack of attention for weariness, yet we push through for our own desires saying it must be done.
  Jesus tells the disciples I must go to Jerusalem to die, they protest, but when they find themselves in the garden of need, sleep is in control of their flesh, and they leave The Master to fight Satan's attack alone. "I would never do what they did we nobly opine," however, we do on a daily basis.  We read, But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) Paul urges his hearers to stay in control of the body it will lead us astray.
    Have you been challenged by our Lord to a task, stay on target, the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak?
Heavenly Father help us to stay on target with your plans for our lives, help us to be disciplined to obey your Word and deliberately push through. May we fight the desire to leave a task undone, may we trust everything You place before as from your hand, that we might learn of You. Amen

IN THE WHOLE WORLD

Matthew 26:13 (NKJV) .., I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, ..." 
   Two little fellows were talking as they walked, one said, "but my dad is bigger than everyones dad," the other replied, yeah but my dad owns the whole world. Children see parents in a different light when they are young, as they mature the mystery of adult hood weakens until they too seem bigger than life.
   The transition from acknowledging we need God, to the personal relationship with Jesus the Christ, is only the child like faith to see God bigger than any problem. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
   Are you preaching to others the wonderful mysteries of our God? For the child the father is bigger than life, what is God the Creator to you?
Heavenly Father You are wonderful in all your ways, You put the stars in place, You make the sun to shine, You cause the heavens to twinkle with delight. Help us to share your wonders with everyone we see, may we always have a word of encouragement for others. Amen

LORD, WHEN?

Matthew 25:37 (NKJV) 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
   The Love of God is an amazing personality, He meets needs that others never see, He is an expression of the Father in the lives of believers, He is the Righteousness that is touching the lives of those who have little or no hope. For the christian the work of God is that which His servants are not conscious of doing, because it is the overflow of their walk with Jesus.
   Standing before our Creator in Heaven, we will give an account of what has been done in our flesh (the lives we live), we will not be aware of the things God has done through us for others, because it is as natural as breathing. For one standing before God it is a terrible thing, for another its is the reason we live. Are you walking with Christ, you are a blessing to others, you are the savor of Life to a world, that needs hope, help and Salvation.
Heavenly Father may we look to You in todays tasks, may we walk as one who desires Christ, may our lives encourage others. May we please You and bless your Holiness, through obedience. Amen

THE DAY OF TROUBLE

Psalms 20:1-5 (NKJV) ... May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 
   There are some who will stand in the gap for a friend, when trouble or pain finds its victim, a friend who stands closer than a brother is our God. The prayer of David, is amazing faith in the Creator God, hear the prayer from the palmists heart and you discover this God is His redeemer as well.
   Our baby girl was found without breath and blue one night many years ago, grabbing her I realized she was extremely hot with fever, jumping in the shower with her in my arms I ran cold water over both of us, she began to move and I blew into her face to get her to breath, she responded and we gave praise to God.
   The suffering of so many is without faith in Almighty God, He is our Shield, He is our Defender, He is our Redeemer, this Great God will wait until we prove we have no desire for Him, before He lets go. Are you still breathing, is there still life in your body, He has not let go of you!
Heavenly Father in You alone we exist, may we look to You in every difficulty, may our every thought exalt You. Amen

HE WHO DOES SO

Proverbs 6:32 (NKJV) 32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
    An inoculation is meant to keep us healthy, being exposed to so much sickness and unhealthy situations we may need an immune boost. We trust the doctor or a medical professional to get us through the process and often tell ourselves it is worth the trouble.
   However, we are slowly being inoculated against the undeniable Truth of Gods Word, that is, adultery in this day and age is acceptable with no real consequences. Movies, TV, and adds both public and private tell the sad story of adulteress encounters that are quote "normal" behavior. We are warned adultery destroys, families, relationships and more important it destroys the soul. The disgrace of this behavior is never removed, the consequences and reminders are always with us.
   There is hope, God forgives our sins and will, if we repent, wash us clean, have you been made clean by the Blood of Christ, trust Him and you will have the inoculation you need to get to Heaven.
Heavenly Father cleans our eyes, help us to see sin as You see it. Help us to recognize the enemies plan to deceive, and may we sincerely trust your Word over the worlds lies. Help us to walk in your light and no other, may we look to You for everything and in every way. Amen

JUSTICE MERCY AND FAITH

Matthew 23:23-25 (NKJV) 23 Woe ... you, ... have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith ... inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
   We are often confronted with moral choices, Jesus tells us the basis for our choosing must be, justice, mercy and faith. Along these lines we must stand or fall, what is right, what will help others, and what will put God right in the middle. The child caught doing wrong confesses, "I couldn't stop," however we are mature in our understanding, there is no excuse for the adult, sin either reigns in us or it does not.
   Extortion is a threat, it involves a habit, the motive behind it is to satisfy self, self indulgence or excess is meeting what I want head on and deliberately applying the resource to me.
   Our Lord says many in authority fall into this trap, when humility and serving others must be our life-style. If we have named the name of Jesus as the authority in our lives, we must put justice, mercy and faith above every other thing, regardless of the cost.
   What motivates you today?
Heavenly Father every ounce of our being is owned by You, we are created by You and in your Image. Help us today to live like You require, help us to breath as You intend, may all our movements today Glorify You and may others see justice, mercy and faith in our lives.

YOU SAHLL LOVE

Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 
    A little fellow touched the candy rack in the grocery store, looking at his mother he said,"I love candy." "I know, she replied, "however thats too much for such a little fellow," "but mommy, my tummy likes it too," the boy pleaded.
   An intelligent man questioned Jesus, "What is the greatest command," The Master replied, "Too love God and to love your neighbor," my translation. Jesus always silences the critics, know one has caused Him to stumble or tricked the Savior of the world. Why, He is very God, He is the reason we exist, in Him alone is life and light, there is no other. What we desire is our own way, like the child we make any excuse to get what we want.
   For some their desire is for God, what is yours?
Heavenly Father we cannot breath without You, help us to look to You in every thing. May all our thoughts be of You, let our longings be in You. Amen

THESE SIX THINGS

Proverbs 6:16 (NKJV) 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
   If there is an ounce of godly character in us we will seek to obey the powers that are over us, Hebrews 13:17, however law is far more than keeping us out of trouble, God established law to keep us and direct our lives. To know what laws of the land will protect us is good, but many protect others from us.
   Gods law will direct us to Him, His law will, teach us Truth, The Law will guarantee we find Jesus as our Salvation. Knowing this, we are warned if we name the Name of Jesus as our Redeemer the higher laws of God must be obeyed, so seven things are a must to avoid if, we serve the Most High God.
   What are they, they are the things God hates, they are the things that He will not accept in His servants, they are the things that separate, have you broken His Law?
Heavenly Father help us to be sensitive to the Truth You have given, help us to obey, and avoid the sins that will hinder and hurt others. May we humbly obey your Truth that others may see You. Amen
 

FOREVER AND EVER

Exodus 15:18 (NKJV) 18 "The LORD shall reign forever and ever." 
   The heart of man is more than the seat of emotions, it can be the dwelling place of God. A man wanted to hear more about God, he was near death and asked for the preacher, "help me to understand," he said. "What do you wish to understand," was asked, "I want to know why I feel the need for God now, "the preacher replied, "life is for living for God many think it is for themselves, the moment we take the last breath we will never undo what we have done."
   Many are ready to hear about God when there is difficulty, few seek Him when things are well, Jesus said, "A narrow gate leads to eternal life and wide path leads to destruction, few find it," my translation of Matthew 7:13. 
   The song of the redeemed is for those who have experienced His salvation, have you, has God removed the darkness form your life, are you now walking in the light? "The LORD shall reign forever and ever."
Heavenly Father may our hearts look to You, may our breath be for You, may our thoughts be of You. Let every experience be recognized as from your hand. Amen

EYES MAY BE OPENED

Matthew 20:33 (NKJV) 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
   A prisoner questioned how do I know God will hear my prayer, I want His will for my life? In the Old Testament we read, "The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined." Isaiah 9:2
   In Matthew 20, two blind men hear Jesus is approaching, they cry out for attention, when told to be silent by the crowd, they cry even louder and the Lord responds. Jesus knowing their desire still questions, "What is that you want from Me," the Master knows but we must articulate the deep desires of the heart. The men no longer want to be blind. When we want to see more than the darkness that surrounds us, Jesus will hear the cry of our hearts.
Heavenly Father hear Oh God the cry of our hearts, we need You, help us to be obedient, help us to live for You, help  us Lord to walk in the light You are. May our prayers exalt You, may our living please You, may our every thought bear witness of You. Amen