THE ONES

Psalms 69:26 (NKJV) 26 For they persecute the ones You have struck, And talk of the grief of those You have wounded. 
   Recently others laughed when one was caught doing wrong, the pain in the offenders face was enough to know justice had been served. God uses circumstance in this life to bring pressure to bear on our hearts so that we recognize His chastening, with the pressures an overwhelming desire is born to repair what we have broken.
   Be careful that you do not accuse or excuse others when Gods hand of judgment is at work. The psalmist reminds us there is a price to pay for being ungodly and overwhelming another with their sins.
Heavenly Father the air we breathe is yours, help us to be thankful for every expansion of the lungs and beating of the heart. We are in need of the life You give, help us to receive it with gracious thankfulness. Amen

PRAISE OF MEN

John 12:43 (NKJV) 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 
    Many came and listened to the teachings of our Lord, little has changed for many have come and listened today, and men still love the accolades. Jesus came as a servant to save, when men discovered His mission was to die and not to lead they were repulsed, they would rather have fellowship with sin than Eternity with God.
    Friend would you rather spend your days serving the flesh, there is a price for that, is your desire to fill your vault with pleasures, there is a price for that, do you long for fellowship with sinners rather than the Presence of God, there is a price for that! Living for self will certainly condemn you to an eternity without God, for me that price is too high, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Heavenly Father these days are certain, they have been seen by You and allowed. May we long for the fellowship that saves, may we desire your Word and your Salvation over every other thing. Amen

BECAUSE OF ME

Psalms 69:6 (NKJV) 6 Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
   The Watcher of the soul expects me to watch who I am, what I do and how I act. Why, because others are watching to see if I am what I claim to be? I either belong to Christ or I do not, I walk with Him or against Him, how do you walk today?
Heavenly Father help us to live in your Word with all our hearts, help us walk just as Jesus walked. Help us Lord that others do not stumble because of us. Amen

MUCH TREMBLING

1 Corinthians 2:3 (NKJV) 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 
   I still remember the first time I was asked to speak to a  group of people, in school I was to recite the preamble to the constitution. Nervously I stood as my name was called and walked to the front of the class, "We the people" is all that would come out of my mouth, after hours of standing in one spot and sweating the teacher finally said, "You only have 3 minutes finish or sit down."
   Paul recites the weakness and fear he experienced when sent to the Corinthians, called to a ministry, he feared failure, he soon discovered it was not his power but God's at work. Friend we are called, our ministry is to share the Faith we have been given in Jesus Christ, those whom we face day in and day out, are interested in how God has worked out in our lives Salvation. Do you get weak when thinking of sharing what God has done, "Fear not," Jesus says, "I am with you." Matt 10:28; 28:20
Heavenly Father in You everything we are is complete, help his to live as one who desires above all else to do your Will. Amen
 

THE LIGHT

John 11:10 (NKJV) 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
    Once when the lights were out, we looked for flashlights to illuminate the darkness, finding none we lit oil lamps and were able to once again see. The lamps were not as bright as our flashlights, however the warmth from them served two purposes, comfort and sight.
    Jesus tells the disciples they are going to Bethany, they protest that it is dangerous, Jesus the Son of God assures them He is all they need. The understanding of the men, however was that their lives were at stake and they were afraid.
    God has a plan for our lives, nothing can hinder that plan as long as we are obedient to His will, He is the Light for our way, any other direction we go without His Light we will stumble and fall. Friend Jesus is the Way, don't attempt to walk under your own power and expect to receive Heaven, trust Him to illuminate the darkness.
Heavenly Father alone we are hopeless, in You we are victorious, help us to find The Way, may every other disturbance be left in the darkness. Amen

GREATER THAN ALL

John 10:29 (NKJV) 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
    We have all heard the stories of children bragging about their fathers, this story is one that opens the door of doubt and allows Truth to enter. Surrounded by antagonist the Lord is asked, "If You are the Christ, tell us plainly," vs 24, there was never any doubt as to whom Jesus claimed to be, the accusers were looking for a way to destroy His message. vs 31 Jesus unveils the Power of God and that He himself is the Son of that same God.
     Friend little has changed, today there are those trying to destroy His message, however time is short and the message preached from Adam to now is the same, Jesus said .., "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:5-6 (NKJV)
     Today your life can be changed and no one can take you from the Fathers hand.
Heavenly Father help us to look on You with obedience in mind, help us to listen to You and to quietly pursue your Truth. May every thought today seek Your Will for our lives. Amen

WE SEE

John 9:41 (NKJV) 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
     A man in jail, listening to the Word of God kept repeating "I see, I see," one of the younger prisoners ridiculed him saying, "Why do you keep saying I see, you can't even read anymore your so blind." The man replied, "I had to come to jail to really see, God is showing my heart what I could not see before with my eyes."
    The religious leaders surrounded Jesus and asked "Are we blind also," His response was deafening, they were watching a former physically blind man, spiritually worship God, they were standing in the Presence of God and refused to acknowledge who He is, "Were they blind," YES indeed.
Heavenly Father in You we see, in You we live, in You we know Truth, without You we have no hope. Help us today to live for You, putting aside every desire that is not lived for You. Amen

THE LIGHT

John 9:5 (NKJV) 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 
   Reassurance is the act of removing someones doubt or fears, a child stricken with fear is often reassured by its mother or father. John writes, Jesus reaffirmed in seven different statements that He is the only answer to sins stranglehold. "I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the door of the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way the truth and the life and I am the true vine."
   God has sent His Son to reassure us, all who will turn to Him will be saved, however it is more than just acknowledging Jesus is God's Son, more than just going to church, more than just talking about God, it is living a life set apart in obedience to The King of Glory. The soul that comes to Jesus must be broken, all allegiance must be given the Son through confession of sin and that soul must then receive Jesus as Lord and Savior by His blood that is spilled for all mankind.
He is "The Light of the world."
Heavenly Father, there is no other Name under heaven by which men may be saved, help us Lord, to live by your Spirit, that all may see Jesus. Amen

THE REFINING POT

Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV) 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. 
    Bobby peeked carefully into the cookie box, his mother asked why do you keep looking in that empty box, "Because I believe it will have cookies in it." Many believe they have salvation from God, when there is nothing on the inside, they are as empty as the cookie box, they keep going to church and naming the name of Jesus, but the life of that person is not producing fruit.
    In Luke 13:7-9 Jesus paints the picture of a barren tree, if it will not produce fruit, He says it will be cut down. God tests the heart to see if it will produce, friend the troubles of life are given to help us produce. May all that you experience today bring Glory and Honor to God.
Heavenly Father find in me the life You are looking for, help me to be all that You desire. May every breath I take be for your kingdom Glory, help me I pray to live the way You planned today. Amen

IF YOU

John 8:24 (NKJV) ... for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." 
    The human life is the testimony to what is believed, a little fellow jumped from his bed with a batman cape unfurling behind, "Come Robin," he called, "We must save this house!" The house does need saving, however it is each individual that must be saved from the curse of sin that will condemn every life.
     What you believe is the foundation to how you live, however Jesus very clearly says, if we do not believe in Him there is no eternal life in Heaven. The masses that have looked to Jesus have all had differing perspectives, the Word of God has one interpretation, however there are many applications, in that is the key to spending eternity with Christ.
     Jesus is God and He says, ..."I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12 (NKJV) Do not let what you believe cause you to "die in your sins."
Heavenly Father we are lost in this world without You, we need The Light, to guide our lives, we need a personal relationship in You. Help Lord our weak opinions and endless complaints, help us to walk in your Truth and no other. Amen

IF I

Psalms 66:18 (NKJV) 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. 
     Iniquity comes from the Latin iniquus meaning not equal or just, our english equivalent is immoral or grossly unfair. The psalmist is considering a truth that my sins effectively build a wall between myself and God. When I allow wrong thoughts or motives to infect my attitude that clearly affects my prayer life and spiritual standing with the Creator.
    Do you believe God is not hearing your prayers, that He has some how abandoned you, friend it is not Him but you. Take an inventory of recent actions, if this has been going on for some time, consider where it first started, there you will find, willful sin that entered between you and God.
    Cleansing will take place when sin is confessed and repentance is applied, God will hear and renew your times with Him. Don't allow iniquity to invade your life, for He will not hear!
Heavenly Father, we need a fresh experience with You every day, we need Oh God your Presence at all times, help us Lord to trust You with every area of our lives. Amen

THEIR UNBELIEF

Mark 6:6 (NKJV) 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
     The man who will not examine himself, instead finds fault with others, is one on a foolish mission. This story finds Jesus among His own neighbors and friends, those He grew up with, there is amazement at His teaching, doubt of His authority and sheer denial of His ability to heal. Why such resistance to the obvious, familiarity, it over looks what God does in another, it denies the truth and slanders the reality.
     When men will not accept the Truth of Jesus Christ, He moves on to those who will, He finds others who will believe and experience His absolute forgiveness. Have you been forgiven, is your life lived in confidence that Jesus suffered and died for you, has the blood of the Lamb been applied to your life, maybe you too have been too critical and Jesus has moved on? Won't you ask His forgiveness and surrender your whole life to Him today?
Heavenly Father, help us to remember You came for us, You gave for us, You made the way through Jesus, The Savior of all, who will look to You. Amen

EVEN HIS BROTHERS

John 7:5 (NKJV) 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
    The world has an amazing influence on our thinking, the Lord Jesus is ridiculed and rejected by his siblings, not unusual you may be thinking, however, His desire to know His Father above all else must have been obvious. When missing from His family for two days, He was found by them in the Temple, talking about the Word and having meaningful conversations with knowledgeable teachers. Jealousy, may have been the issue but it seems underlying even that, is our ability to be persuaded by the attitudes and things of this life.
    Friend you may be struggling with pressure from others, it may be the environment or the world view, you should know this, God loves You so much He sent His Son to pay for sin when we could not pay the price ourselves. He died even for the family that rejected Him, He laid down His life willingly, that all our guilty past might be washed away. There is no other Name under heaven, that saves, cleanses, and gives us Eternal life. Believe, your eternity depends on it! Romans 10:9
Heavenly Father, help us to bless You in every way we walk, help us Lord to please You in everything we do, may all our efforts be with You in view. Amen

BECAUSE YOU ATE

John 6:26 (NKJV) 26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 

    The life of the christian is filled with the Presence and Power of Jesus Christ, He is our source and supply of all things. We cannot exist as human beings without him, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men," John 1:4 (NKJV) nor does the Christian try to live his life apart from The Christ, "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35 (NKJV) 

   Many try to come to Jesus on their terms, He has no place in Heavens eternity for the soul that desires to have eternal life without obedience, that is sin and sin will not enter Heaven. For those who go to Him for the snack, you run the risk of missing the Banquet. What will you do with the One called Christ?

Heavenly Father to live in You is to live in peace, not my peace but yours. May we seek You with all our heart and may every breath exalt You. Amen

THEY ALSO SING

Psalms 65:13 (NKJV) 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing. 
    A little girl was singing on the front porch, her daddy asked why, "The birds are happy and I am happy too, she replied. There is a joy that makes the soul sing, often my wife walks around humming a tune the evidence of a contented soul.  Hear Nehemiah the Lords servant, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) Have you let God put a song in your heart, everything in Gods creation does what it was created to do except for, man.
   The life that God has given will sing for joy when it finds, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (NKJV)
Heavenly Father in You and You alone we live, all other living is without Hope. Amen

YOU CHOOSE

Psalms 65:4 (NKJV) 4 Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts...
   Do you remember the days when sides were chosen to play games, someone would be captain and begin to pick the ones they thought best for the job? The feeling of being chosen was satisfying and filled one with a sense of well being. Friend today Jesus has chosen those who are His, they are the ones who follow Christ with all their heart, they are the ones who have a sense of purpose and direction, they are the ones who know God is their Savior and King.
   You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.  John 15:16  Our Redeemer says, we are to bear fruit because we are a part of the fruit bearing Vine, the only way to bear fruit is in His courts, If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 


Heavenly Father our hope is in You, our strength is in You, our Eternity is in You. Help I pray us to live your Way. Amen

A FALL

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 
   A man angry with life declared, "I will never trust anyone again!" Why? He had gained a large sum of money that he did not work for, so called friends helped him spend the money, the ability to attract others through finances was gone and no one wanted him around any more.
   We think popularity is the price of success, however, success is measured no by man but God. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:3 (NKJV) Prosperity is the abundance God provides for those who follow Him with all their heart, money, homes, houses and cars are the outward signs of earthly desires. God desire for us to seek Him, letting His hand provide all we need.
Heavenly Father help us to check out attitude at the door of your Truth, may we look to Jesus and forget the desire of this world. May all our thoughts please You, may we rest in your ways and no other. Amen

IN THE SHADOW

Psalms 63:7 (NKJV) 7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
    A little fellow walked behind his dad trying to step into his tracks in the sand, no matter how far he jumped he still could not match his feet to the bigger stride, finally he blurted out, "Dad walk closer." We are often in the shadow of others sometimes by choice and some by necessity, Jesus was always in the shadow of His Father and gladly declared, "... I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." John 5:19 (NKJV)
    For the christian to walk in the shadow of our Creator is a gift beyond compare, He has given everything needed to successfully complete the mission of life and that is, to live like the Son.
    Are you rejoicing in the shadow of your Savior, you can, simply trust everything to Him today.
Heavenly Father in you we exist, in You we live and breathe, help us to walk in that amazing shadow of your Presence that all may see You. Amen

MY FOOD

John 4:34 (NKJV) 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
    Many claim to know Christ and to maintain a relationship with Him, if that is so, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6 (NKJV) Jesus told the disciples He had food they did not know about, it was the food of Heaven, that food is obedience, that is what fills that is what satisfies, that food alone will provide the Spiritual nourishment we crave.
   Do you really know Him, then you will seek the will of Him who created you and you will finish His work.
Heavenly Father help us to obey, help us to walk in the Way, help us to see that obedience is your Will. Amen

TRULY MY SOUL

Psalms 62:1 (NKJV) ... Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.
   The soul that has put its trust in the Savior, has time for God. David has made time for God a priority, He has divulged to all who will hear in songs, poems and prose the relationship all should have with their Creator.
    Are you struggling today to make sense of living, the art of waiting on God is simply spending quality time with Him. To know Him is to love Him with all your heart, however, you cannot know the Living God without first having Him enter your being.
   Salvation is a gift from our Maker, He has made a way for us to receive Eternal Life in His presence, it comes through and in the Name of Jesus. Do you know Him, then you will wait in silence for Him.
Heavenly Father to know You is know Salvation, to know You is to know there is no doubt of our relationship with You. In all the things we face there is the assurance we belong to You, thank you for the amazing Gift of Life. Amen

HE WHO DOES THE TRUTH

John 3:21 (NKJV) 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
    A little fellow went straight to his room, the same routine happened each day, finally his mom asked why, "I have a secret and I am not ready to tell, " he replied, soon the day arrived and with big smiles and joy he produced a crudely carved boat, handing the prize to his dad he announced, "Dad you said you always wanted a boat now we have one together."
    Everything is revealed by light, a day for all things done in secret will come, however the one who belongs to Christ will practice daily righteous living. The thought of offending God brings fear and the desire to please Him is always the rule of the day. To live in Truth we will want everything we do to be seen in The Light, we will want everyone to know we belong to God.
Heavenly Father the words of our Lord bring conviction that every area of our lives belong to You. We are not hidden from You but exposed, help Lord that we might live righteous before man and You. Amen

IN MERCY

Proverbs 16:6 (NKJV) 6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
   In the gospel of Luke chapter 15, is an amazing account of this very verse, a son falls for the allure of the world and leaves everything for its deceit. Broken he returns to his home to find mercy and truth stands in the gap where judgment should have been administered. Mercy being his father receives him with open arms, Truth is, he should have been rejected, but standing in the gap is Love (Jesus) and only Love prevails.
   Friend He still stands in the gap (between heaven and hell), Jesus offers Mercy and Truth, the world offers rejection and lies, turn to Jesus and be forever forgiven, continue in the world and experience forever judgment. Fear God and evil has no place, give place to evil and God has no forgiveness.
Heavenly Father, thank you that we may still come to You and experience forgiveness of sin and self serving. Thank you for dying in our place that we may live eternally, thank you that the spilling of your Blood cleanses those who receive from all sins. Amen

HE KNEW

John 2:24 (NKJV) 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
   A little fellow stood up in his chair and announced, "I know what your thinking, I spilled my drink so I can't have another, but I can." We often pretend we know what others are thinking, how foolish to believe we know what another observed from their perspective.
   God alone knows what men think, He knows if we really love Him or just have an affinity for Him. Many who associated with the Lord found Him friendly and warm, charming and alarming, healing and revealing, but that in no way qualified them for eternity. The one who finds a relationship with Jesus is the one who has entrusted every area of his life to Him. He knows you do you know Him?
Heavenly Father in You alone we receive eternity, in You alone we live and breathe, help us to live every moment for You that all, may see You. Amen