FOUL ODOR

Ecclesiastes 10:1 (NKJV) 1  Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 
   In a group of respected professionals, an offensive story was repeated, some laughed and others just did not respond. I found my self very uncomfortable, the remarks were meant to amuse, the individual went on with the introduction, but lost the respect he had earned through years of faithful work. I confronted him afterwards and was shocked at the response, "Just trying to lighten the mood, nothing wrong with a little humor." "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV), we are in a battle for the hearts and minds of doomed souls, why give an excuse to deny The Savior of man, that He cannot control the tongue.
    The day we live in is full of the cursings of men, the Radio, TV and public have a stench of death, the foul odor is infecting the lives of the believer and there by causing many to stumble. "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42 (NKJV) 
We need the healing of Jesus, because Dead flies cause the perfume to stink! Matthew 15:30
Heavenly Father  help us to walk in integrity and honor, of the place we have found in You. May all our words be checked with The Truth that others may see You. Amen

DISTRACTED

Luke 10:40 (NKJV) 40  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
   Recently someone responded, "I am too busy for church, besides I believe in God, He knows that." Oh, the business of living today, no time for spiritual renewal, just enough time to do what I want, a hurried saturday night church service, a weekend packed, me time!
   The scriptures reveal man has not changed in his attitude toward God, since the fall into self centered living. Adam rushed to sin and lost His place with God, Jacob hurried into a life of work and no time for God, the Israelites were so busy making life about them, they had no time for God, Saul was so self centered, he had no time for God, Herrod was too busy running a nation, he had no time for God.
   What is keeping you from giving God, His time? Jesus said to Martha, "You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV) have you really given God a place in your heart or just made a way for time, to take from you what you never had? Are you Martha minded or Mary oriented?
Heavenly Father, we need time with you as much as we need air to live, we need that special alone place that You might renew us and provide spiritual strength for the day. Help us Lord to put away that which is passing away and look to You for what we really need. Amen

HE WHO WEIGHS

Proverbs 24:12 (NKJV) 12  If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? 
    There is much for man yet to discover about Gods creation, much we do not understand about our own hearts and how they function with the total being. A man was killed many years ago, his bodily functions were in tact, so the doctors used his organs to help others. The heart was sent to an individual who was soon to loose their battle for life. Some time latter the family received a call from the recipient of the heart, he had a puzzling question, "Did the person who donated the heart have a love for music," the stunned reply was, "His life was music."
     We do not know the depths of Gods Great Love, but we do know the experience of that Love, it dredges down and deep cleans the soul of man, so that he can worship his Creator. The God, knows all that we need to know, to exist Eternally with Him, He alone provides the Way, the real heart of the matter is Jesus and there is "no other name given under heaven by which a person may be saved!"
     Do you have His heart today, He is offering it freely to you?
Heavenly Father we live because of You, may we be truly thankful for the transplant of Life into us. May all our days give glory and honor to You, for You are the reason we live. Amen

ABOVE

John 8:23-24 (NKJV) 23  And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24  Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
   A lady complained recently, "I am not happy, I feel as though I do not belong here." Amazing, God was revealing to her this life is but a vapor, we are here to show God's Faithfulness to those around us by our obedience to Him. I, you, all of us were planned by God to show the universe His great Love for His creation, is it working, yes, yes and again yes?
    The windows of Heaven are open to all who put absolute faith in Jesus Christ The Son, He alone is the Way, the Truth and The Life. Intellectual christianity is the extreme border of the line drawn by our Lord, Faith is the essence of that relationship, we must acknowledge from a heart void of any other thing, a heart broken to all other stimuli, that He alone is God and the Savior of all people. "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) 
   Friend if you will know God, it must be on His terms, "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." 1 Corinthians 1:26 (NKJV) won't you simply trust Him today?
Heavenly Father our hope is in You, our help comes from above, all else is useless. Amen

A PRICE

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV) 20  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
   Years ago a mentor explained to me, when you see someone who is busy and accomplishing tasks, that is the person you put in charge. I had complained that there was no time for what he was asking me to do, instead I accepted the challenge and discovered the much more, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV)
    The price of my salvation I have no means to repay, this gift of Eternal Life comes without any strings, I am redeemed because God loves His creation, you too may know God's amazing gift of Love by simply confessing His mercy through His Son and receiving forgiveness of your sins. What is this Love that knows no bounds, it is the precious blood of Jesus spilled, once and for all times to wash away every sin of man. He died that I might glorify Him, what a small price to pay for so Great a Gift.

Heavenly Father the life I live is by faith in your Son, thank You for all You have done for me. Let my every step move closer to You. Amen

WE LABOR

1 Corinthians 4:12-13 (NKJV) 12  And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13  being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
    A woman cried, "My mother-in-law hates me she has nothing good to say to me or about me, I am so sick of this life." A man saw his son do less than he expected, "Get out there you lazy bum you didn't finish the job, when you tackle that guy hit em again," he screamed." Many are ridiculed and heckled for seemingly poor performance, however that is in the eye of the beholder, that person, that relationship may be doing the best they can.
   All God asks of us is our best, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV), if we are not seeking to do our best, we are not obeying God.
   Friend if you have received Jesus you will experience persecution, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." Matthew 5:11 (NKJV), do not look around, look up to the God of Glory and know, He is looking out for you.
Heavenly Father in You we are safe and secure, nothing can harm us, nothing can take us from your hands. May we trust all these difficult things as the tools to look to You. Amen

HE IS COMING

Psalm 98:9 (NKJV) 9  For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity. 

    As a child I remember well my father catching me doing wrong, sternly warning and then sending me to my room to wait for his punishment. Fear, anger, blame and trembling in that order fell on me, I would be punished for my foolishness. The waiting on him to enter the room was eternal, then the door creaked and the tears flooded in, there he stood disappointment on his face and resolve in his action, I was punished before he ever began. Funny, I don't remember the punishment, just the look on his face.

    Friend the God of all creation is coming to judge, righteously and with equity, He is Holy and Just, He is Loving and Kind, He is Merciful and full of Grace, but, He will not allow sin to have its place, sin will be dealt with and no sin will be accepted! You and I will enter the presence of the King of Kings and we will stand or fall based on our relationship in Him, we will live eternally forgiven and clean or eternally condemned and defiled, one in Heaven the other in hell. Rev 20:11-15 Where will you be found if He comes today?

Heavenly Father the days are revealing the evidence of your soon appearing, help us to live that others see You. May our living today exalt You and may every step point others to Jesus. Amen

MY PEOPLE

Ezekiel 37:27 (NKJV) 27  My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
    A little boy shouted, "I am superman and I will live forever," there is some truth to his declaration, if we have received Jesus we are super human and we will live forever.
    God chose the Israelite, and set His stamp of approval on them, He was with them in a pillar of cloud by day and a flame of fire by night, until they chose to reject God and His Way. Today we have the promise that was given to the nation of Israel for anyone who will trust in the Son of God, there will be the indwelling of Power and The Presence of God. He has made clear to His people they will dwell in the Presence of God for eternity, if, the heart has been set on God. What is your heart set on today, have you spent any time with the One who gives Eternal Life, if you know Him, you will?
Heavenly Father in this life we are limited to the breath we have been given by You, may we wisely breath that others may see You. Amen

TO YOU

Jude 1:2 (NKJV) 2  Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 
  A man said, "This Word preached is so exciting give me more," he was responding to a message on Mark 8:22-26. Jesus at the urging of followers, heals a blind man in stages, the picture He leaves the believer is, of men bringing men to Christ and God taking us by the hand, leading the blind to salvation and redemption in Jesus.
  Jude in this opening text, who is the half brother of Jesus, prays that God would apply Mercy, Peace and Love to the believers life, He has, He does and He will. Friend if you have trusted your life to the Savior, He has healed your blindness through His blood. You, are free to receive these gifts, Jude has expressed for the saved. However, it is up to you to embrace what God offers and let Him live through you. God does want to give us so much more, won't you trust just Him today?
Heavenly Father we are yours wether we choose to acknowledge that or not, the end of man is the beginning of Eternity, either with or without You. Help us Lord to receive all that You have planned for us, that others may see You. Amen

IN YOU

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) 5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

   Recently we sat down to eat with one, who talked the entire meal about himself and what he had done for God. He reveled to us his great service for God and how special he was in the kingdom economy of things. The entire conversation reminded us of the warning, "Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NKJV)

    God has called us to humility, service, obedience and the work of dying to self daily, if there is any other work of God, let it consume us, that we are not an offense to others or cause another to stumble. Friend, the servant of God is just that, a servant, no will of his own, no desire to walk contrary, but according to the Word of God. "Let this mind be in You which was also in Christ Jesus!"

Heavenly Father the life of Christ is, the life of Christ, help us to hear and obey. Let our lives be a daily sacrifice to You, may those around observe You and nothing more. Amen

APPLY

Proverbs 23:12 (NKJV) 12  Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.
   A man said, "I am tired of all this learning, when do we practice what we have learned?" He is a "christian," who says, he has not yet practiced his faith in God. Interesting, we learn from the very beginning of our relationship to Jesus Christ that we are to share what, He has done in us and what He is continuing to do. Friend, if you have not yet begun to share what Jesus has done to you, it may be He is not in you. Paul says there are those who are, "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV) Pray, that is not you!
Heavenly Father we need to act upon what we know, help us to walk in your Will, for your Glory. Amen

I KNOW

Job 19:25 (NKJV) 25  For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 
    A speaker was introduced as "A woman of great faith," as she stepped onto the platform she responded, "I am not a woman of great faith, I am a woman with a Great God!" Putting things in perspective really makes clear, God is the only reason we exist.
     Job is a man that puts God above every other thing in his life, he finds himself at a crossroads of suffering, persecution and blame from so called friends, Job reminds himself, not only does the Savior live, He is coming back. We too must embrace this position when trials are overwhelming us, God has not forgotten or forsaken His servants, we are in the right place at the right time and He will redeem His beloved. Today, right now, put God before your next worry, the immediate fear, and experience the new found freedom to say, "I know my redeemer lives!"
Heavenly Father we need You, help us to look at the facts, first, You are still God, that has not changed it never will. Second, may we focus on the work of our Lord and the saving Grace You have provided, third, may our thoughts expose your Mercy and may your Love prevail over our fears. "Bless the Lord Oh my soul, let everything within me bless His Holy Name." Amen

DO NOT BE CONFORMED

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 
     Teenagers often make the statement, "I want to be different, I don't want to be like everyone else," then they proceed to buy the most popular clothes, shoes and deface their bodies with jewelry and tattoos. Really, you want to be different, these are the same practices since the beginning of the fall of man. Adam and Eve were led into sin by the same desire to do and be different, that sin separated them from God and His plan of eternity for all men.
    Do yo really wish to be different, go and help another person, give to them that which will meet a need, reach out and touch another person with your actions, of help and giving. Take upon yourself to feed one who has little or nothing to eat, help a mother who is forced to work because of family difficulties, lend a hand to a neighbor who can not get things done on their own. Do you really want to be different, don't do what the world does, let Christ do in you what you cannot do own your own. Trust Him today and let God transform your life into something really different!
Heavenly Father, in You we will be what we cannot be without You. Help us to live your way for your Glory. Amen

BLESSED

Psalm 94:12 (NKJV) 12  Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law,
     "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1 (NKJV), God has made a place for the fool and the believer, for one the consequences are impossible to imagine, for the other the reward for obedience is inexpressible. Friend have you considered where you stand in The Creator's economy, the one who has chosen to believe in God, has come through the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the one who rejects the knowledge of God, has denied why we were created, we are eternal.
       Today, right now, you either belong to Eternity (Jesus Christ) or you do not, you have a personal growing relationship with the Word or you do not! Where do you stand?
Heavenly Father, to look up we must acknowledge You, any thing else is just looking. Help us to live in the Truth, by the Power of the Presence of Jesus, may your Holy Spirit find in us an obedience  to all of your Word for all of our lives. Amen

BY FAITH

Romans 9:32 (NKJV) 32  Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.
    The child is often afraid of what they do not understand, the dark is a good example of the fear that lurks within, light on the other hand resolves the issues for the child and he is again content. Many struggle with physical and mental sins, the problem is not one of "I can fix this my self," the problem is faith not applied.
    The writer to the Romans points out, faith is missing in the battle of wills and until that Faith is embraced there will be no victories. Friend, when you by Faith in Jesus Christ trust Him with your sins, you will experience victory, remember "... if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 (NKJV), He gives the victory over sin but He must do it. Take your sins to Jesus and let Him nail them to the cross of redemption.
Heavenly Father we have no power over sin to stop its temptations, we do however have You. Help us today to look up and not around, for You are ALL we need. Amen

BEHOLD

Job 5:17-24 (NKJV) 17  "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18  For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. 19  He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you. 20  In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword. 21  You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes. 22  You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23  For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. 24  You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss. 

   Content is the soul that trust in the Lord, joy his companion and peace his home. Friend, in God alone dwells all that we need, every care is taken into account, won't you trust Him today?

Heavenly Father may all who look up today see You, may every soul that longs for your Presence find satisfying your Word. Let every breath of man today ascend to You as a sweet smell of our longing to worship. Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless the Lord. Amen

BECAUSE HE

Psalm 91:14 (NKJV) 14  "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 
   You have seen the child that constantly calls out the parents name, tugging at clothing and generally demanding attention. That child is often in need of discipline and direction.
   Consider now your prayer life, God the Father has mercifully offered salvation to His creation, rather than receive this Love with the gratitude of an undeserving sinner we often take the position He owes us something. Listen to the Psalmist, God still has our best interest at His heart and He will deliver us from the trial when it is the right time.
   Friend are you right now expecting God to intervene, He will when we recognize we are in His care, He will meet every need when we determine to know His Name!
Heavenly Father You alone deserve all our praise, You deserve all our attention, You are worthy of every accolade. May our every thought give credence to Your Word and Your Gift of love to all men. Amen.

WRETCHED MAN

Romans 7:24 (NKJV) 24  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 

    A child was observing in awe a friend who had died lying in state, pulling her mother aside she loudly whispered, "When do they get up?" The mother wisely replied, "Honey he is really not here, he has gone to be with Jesus." This is the essence of the testimony of the christian, once we have been redeemed by the Blood of The Lamb, we no longer live, He lives in us. Galatians 2:20 

    The one who belongs to Jesus has died to self, they no longer live to serve self but others, the christian has in fact attended his own funeral and the world is asking, "When will that old dead self get up?" Friend if you belong to Jesus, you have died and the old man will never rise again!"

Heavenly Father help us to receive our place in You as forgiven, redeemed, made clean, washed and invested with New Life. May we today exhibit what you have done for the believer in Jesus. Amen

CHRIST JESUS

Romans 6:23 (NKJV) 23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

     While in Burbank California some years ago, I witnessed a man fall to his death, an earth quake had shaken the Los Angeles area and many were in fear of their lives, buildings, roads and homes were leveled and some were sleeping in the streets. 

    We are not prepared for calamity, when it arrives, often there is a rash decision process, many times people just shut down and live in a daze. There is a price to pay for not being prepared, caught of guard surprised by the event, however you wish to define it, our character is called into account. God is right now speaking to your character, how will you respond to His challenge, what will you do with this earth quake we call life, for too many the wages of self-serving is death, separation from God, for the few there is Life Eternal and that Life is, Christ Jesus! There are only two gates in life, one is eternal life the other eternal death, through which gate are you walking? Matthew 7:13-14

Heavenly Father help us today to look to You, may our thoughts today exalt You, may the way we walk today reveal to others we trust in You. Thank you for the life You have entrusted to us, help us to live like You. Amen

TEACH US

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV) 12  So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
    A five year old was celebrating his birthday, he reached out grabbed a handful of cake and said, "Now I can go anywhere and do anything, everybody knows its my birthday." Our world is often large in our own eyes, we tend to think, everyone thinks as we do, that is the conundrum of life.
    Moses writes from the experienced eyes of age, from the eyes of a life of hardship, and difficult leadership, he muses over the things God has wrought in his life and concludes, not only is God in control, He knows what we need and when we need it. Moses came face to face with the Creator and concludes, time is short make the most for God, of what you are.
    Friend we have not one guarantee, God is in control of the next breath we receive, what will you do with the life He has granted you? Live for Him and the reward is Eternal Life with Him!
Heavenly Father help us to learn even more as we mature, help us to absorb like a sponge the Truth that makes us free from the bondage of sinfulness. Lord may our every prayer be, help us to observe the times that we may live obediently. Amen

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Romans 4:3 (NKJV) 3  For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
    Our lives tell the story of who we are and what we were, tombstones sometimes tell us a little about the person, like this one in a Georgia cemetery: "I told you I was sick!" or this one in Richmond, Virginia, on Margaret Daniels grave at Hollywood Cemetery: "She always said her feet were killing her but nobody believed her." Funny yes, and still we must consider how we too lived our lives, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)" we either belong to Jesus or we do not, it cannot be both.
    The word of God says, Abrahams belief was enough for God to bless him and all mankind after him, if they would seek God. Abraham was faithful and it is recorded for all Eternity. What will God record about us, I pray it is said, "They trusted Jesus, walked with Him, and lived righteous!"
Heavenly Father we need You, help us to walk as if our Eternity depends upon it, we know that it does. Help us Lord to seek You early and to exalt You with our living, may we put aside our desires and make You the object of our affection. Amen

CALL TO ME

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) 3  'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' 
    Tooth decay so says the dentist is typical of those who do not care for their teeth, daily cleansing and eating properly are key to dental care. You must says the dentist "Have a desire to take care of your teeth." The Lord says, "And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine. Leviticus 20:26 (NKJV)," the God of all creation calls His people Holy, if they have followed His instructions to the letter. The servant of God must walk daily with Him, the servant of God must obey all of His Law, the servant of God must fully comply with His will. This CANNOT be done as long as we do not posses the Spirit of God.
    Like the desire to take care of yourself, the desire to serve God must posses us, we must have a relationship with the Savior of our souls before we can serve Him. How, Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of All mankind, unless He is first given our whole being, there is no salvation. Remember daily walking with God is key.
Heavenly Father help us to trust You above all things, help us live by your Word and no other. Lord, help us to walk by Faith and not the things we see, may we look at your Truth and no other. Amen