COMFORTED

Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) 4  Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 
    An uncle died recently, he was the type of person, when he spoke people listened, to him life was about joyful living and giving of yourself to others. His passing was quick and unexpected, yet a peace settled over the family for the mercy of God.
   There is the need to experience God and not just know about Him, for enjoying God is the absence of self, that we might experience the infilling of His Presence. Simply, the Lord desires we put everything in our life at His disposal, to use as He wills.
   The verse above could read, "Blessed are those who grieve over sin, for they will be comforted." If we will allow ourselves to know God, we must grieve over our sins, we will desire to put anything that gets in the way of His Mercy away. God wants to fellowship with us, however, sin must be put away.
Heavenly Father to live with You we must live by You, help us to learn of You that we may be light to those around us. Amen

POOR IN SPIRIT

Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) 3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
   A man invested himself in his business to the point that he worked almost 20 hours a day, his wife complained the bills were not getting paid and she rarely saw him, the kids needed a dad not a roommate. He replied, "We have put every dime we have into the business, if its going to work I have to spend the time or we loose every thing."
   When we get to the place where we are willing to let God have every thing, there we experience Him. To know Jesus Christ we must first acknowledge He is the only way, not, "I will try this and see if it works." That is not casting our cares on Him, that is seeing if you can bowl a strike. Walking with Jesus is not a game, it is the way to Eternity. The verse above might easily say, "Blessed are those who have nothing to lose, they will see the Kingdom of God!"
Heavenly Father we look at the only source of life and know that You alone are our God. Help us to live that all may see You. Amen

IN VAIN

Galatians 2:21 (NKJV) ... for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
    A man confronted Jesus asking about eternal life, The Lord clearly explained his need of obedience to God's Word, the man replied, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack," Matthew 19:20 Jesus gently pointed to the righteousness of God, saying, "Follow me!"
     We cannot become righteous apart from God, we may do some righteous things but, they will never impart to us Eternal Life, that alone comes from the Presence of Jesus Christ in the life of the believer. The obvious Truth is we have no part in God's Heavenly Eternity until we come face to face with Jesus, the absence of the Peace of God is evidenced by the longing to KNOW. What I need to know, is that God has approved of me and He cannot until He sees RIGHTEOUSNESS, it may only be seen through the sacrificial blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Do you desire Heaven, come to the Heavenly Jesus and you will find Eternal Life.
Heavenly Father blessed is your Name, blessed are those who put their trust in Jesus. Help us to live that others see You. Amen

NO RULE

Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV) 28  Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.
    A little fellow was caught in the pantry eating the last cookies, his dad scolded him, and the thief broke into tears, "I can't help myself they are so good." As we mature in Christ the ability to stand firm grows, spending time with God in His Word is most important. The prayer life that we must cultivate grows because what He has put in us desires to fellowship with who He is. The Holy Spirit of God gives us insight to the True Love of God and lets us focus on the will of God, which is to live through us, that others may see Him.
    Like the little fellow in the cookies, we some times feel we must take the sweetness of others for our own, God has given to each what he needs, we must simply receive and the flood of rejoicing will come. Have you been seeking His will, be patient when the time is right for you God will give what you need, however, you must spend time with Him.
Heavenly Father help us to be deliberate in prayer with You, may our praise come with the determination to see You in the lives of those around us. Amen

RIGHTEOUS

Proverbs 25:26 (NKJV) 26  A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. 
    Asked to participate in immoral activity a young man refused, he was ridiculed and pushed away, however one noticed his conviction and sought him out. Why do you not do as the others do he was asked, "I have been taken captive by the King of Glory," he replied, "And who is that, " he was asked, "Don't you know Jesus", he questioned? The man stood in silence as he listened to the message of salvation, when the Truth dawned on his heart, he quickly asked, "Can I have this King of Glory as well?"
    If the young man had done as the others the opportunity for witness would have been lost, instead he led another soul to Jesus. What is your stand today?
Heavenly Father we have less time now than we had yesterday, help me today to be faithful to share with those around me, You. Help me to be faithful and truthful that You may be seen in every detail of my life. Amen

THAT DAY

Isaiah 29:18 (NKJV) 18  In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. 
    A young man said, "I hear the words coming out of your mouth, but they don't make any sense," another replied, "That is because you don't want to hear!" We live in a fearful day, many are calling "evil good and good evil" Isaiah 5:20 be on your guard that you are listening to God and not men.
    Isaiah is revealing the works of men they have turned to religion, rather than the Presence of God, he literally calls the religious deaf and blind. The world is embracing the truth of 2 Thessalonians 2:11, the "Love of the Truth" they have rejected and therefore they perish. However Isaiah also says a day is coming when they will hear and see, pray that we are in that day, that mens eyes and ears will be opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father help us to reveal the Word to those around us, help Lord that the blind may see and the deaf hear before it is too late. May our lives be light not darkness to those around us. Amen

MIGHTY IN GOD

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) 4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
    Recently someone complained, "I cannot sense God's working through these difficult circumstances, every where I turn I hit a road block." Further conversation revealed this person had not spent time alone with God recently and the prayer life had fallen by the way side.
    God has empowered man through the Lord Jesus Christ to face any problem, time spent alone with Him prepares us for the day of difficulties that will surely come. We have a weapon given by God to deal with the deceitfulness of this world, it is prayer. Prayer is the vehicle that reaches the ears and heart  of God, legions of heavenly beings are unleashed to the christian warrior who looks to God. Walls have fallen, secrets revealed, nations defeated, kings hearts turned, the dead brought to life and unbelievable healing, by the mighty weapon prayer.
      We are not alone in the battle, we are part of the campaign, that will usher in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fight on mighty warrior of God, He will soon appear and all who have trusted in Him will see Victory.
Heavenly Father we see the works of your hands, every where we look nature acknowledges You. Lord help those around us to see, You are God and You alone are our help. Amen

CONFIDENCE

Proverbs 25:19 (NKJV) 19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. 
      A football team was struggling on the field, one player out meant inexperience had to fill the void, a crucial play at the 9 yard line meant 4 more downs. The ball was snapped and handed to the full back he shifted to the left and had to immediately move to the right, too late he was tackled for a 4 yard loss.
The player who could have gotten the job done, was sidelined because he habitually missed practice for   his alcohol addiction.
     Many feel as if we have been let down, the church has not done its job, like the missing player, sidelined for foolish living. We are admonished, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV), the days we live in are ripe for the disciple of Christ to witness of His great Mercy. To be a key player you must be a disciple of Jesus Christ do you know that to be true, He walks in the lives of those who really belong to Him!
Heavenly Father we have the blessing of your Presence, may we walk as those who are alive in Jesus Christ, may the world see we are yours. Let the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ touch the lives of those around us for your Glory. Amen

BECOME RICH

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) 9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 
   When we stumble on generosity today we often think, "What a special person to give to others," however, for the child this often comes naturally. Years ago we noticed children playing, naturally help another, one child was trying to go hand over hand hanging on the ladder bars, he was failing miserably, one child saw the struggle, grabbed the child around the waist and lifted up until he had crossed on every wrung. Oh that we would act on the impulse to help others the same way.
   God did just that for you and I, seeing our struggle with the Truth of obediently serving Him, He made The Way clear for us to follow. Jesus came and showed man that serving God is a pleasure not drudgery, living for the Creator who made us is fulfilling, not a waste of time. We are here for just a short time, then the door of Eternity opens for us to embrace, friend, if you have not prepared by trusting the Savior in your heart, you are not prepared!
God has a plan to make us rich in Him, but we must accept His offer, it must be the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father your gift is amazing, we have every need met, every breath accounted for, every heart beat is known to You. Help us to live that You may be well pleased with your children, let those who see us see You. Amen

GODLY SORROW

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV) 10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 

    Mrs. Beale spoke harshly to her neighbor, convicted of the wrong, she tried to convince her self it was justified, still she felt guilt, opening the door she yelled, "You started it, I finished it, I'm sorry." That is not dealing with wrong, the Bible says, "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19 (NKJV) the Word of God also declares, But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15 (NKJV). We must sincerely experience sorrow for our wrong, that alone is the evidence we want God's will and not our own.

    The worlds sorrow is a pang of conscience and little regret, Godly sorrow brings us to our knees where we ask God's forgiveness and the forgiveness of the offended. Not "If, I have offended," but  "I know that I have offended both God and you, will you forgive me?" We are warned not to listen to foolishness instead, "Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," 1 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father help us to live with those around us in peace, may they see in us Jesus, may our lives reflect the mirror image of You. Bless those we communicate with and use them to bless others. Amen

NO SAVIOR

Isaiah 43:11 (NKJV) 11  I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. 
    A little fellow dressed like super man ran into the room and shouted "There is a dark force out side," his mother mocked, "What will we do," "I am the only one who can save you," the little one replied. The world is indeed dark, the force of evil is powerful and there is hope, but salvation can come only through the One, there is no other. Jesus came that all may have salvation through Him, Isaiah points to this future event and reminds those who will hear, God was before the beginning and He will be after the end. At the appointed time the Savior did come and calls all to repent and believe.
    Anyone may come to the source of Life and Redemption there is no darkness that will hold Him back, if you will allow The Savior to enter in? John 14:6
Heavenly Father we know that You are God, there is no other, we know that Eternity is in You, there is no other way. Help us Lord to share that Truth with those around us, that they too may know You. Amen

FOR ALL

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV) 15  and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
    The Titanic hit an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. on the night of April 14, 1912 and sunk just over two-and-a-half hours later, there were not enough life boats to rescue all on board, life boat #7 could seat 60 people, but left with only 24, one with room for 40 only had had 12 souls aboard. The Titanic was not prepared for the disaster that sunk the ship, neither were most of the 1500 people who were forced to swim in an icy sea or drown, in all only 6 that plunged into the frigid waters were rescued alive, while those in the life boats looked on.
    One of the men known from that disaster to help others was John Harper, he not only put his daughter in a life boat and gave his life vest to another, his personal mission was asking of the welfare of others, from one to another he swam pleading "Are you saved," for their confession of the Savior as he simply froze to death and drown. John was a minister who cared for lost souls, Jesus came that lost souls might be saved, John did not live for himself but for others, Jesus died that others might live, John Harper lived his life for the One who gave His life for all. Who are you living for?
Heavenly Father help us to live that others clearly see You, may our lives like lights in the dark point lost souls You. Amen

THEY DESPISED

Psalm 106:24 (NKJV) 24  Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe His word, 
     The Israelites were promised a land of milk and honey, a place where families could be raised, God would be their fence, He was their guard, The Presence of God would be their redeemer and they would worship Him in Truth and Spirit. One catch however was made clear, "... They will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?" Deuteronomy 31:16-17 (NKJV) The nation of Israel left God out of their daily living and God left them to the mercy of godless rulers.
     Fast forward to today America, the nation that is repeating the failures of past civilizations, we still need God, He is still on His Throne, Jesus is still the reason we exist, there is no other way, it has been tried before,  "... Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 1:3 (NKJV)
Let us not despise what God has given, Let us believe His Word!
Heavenly Father we have sinned against you and all of heaven, help us to humbly seek what we have despised and return to You, the living God. May our prayers reach the Throne of your Grace and may You move oh God against you enemies. Amen

THE SPIRIT

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) 17  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

     My grandmother was severely abused as a child, broken hands, left in freezing weather, forced to live with people who were no relation, she found peace in the Presence of God, He was her Comfort, her Peace and her Salvation.  She lived with the most amazing confidence and internal Spiritual understanding, she was indeed the picture of God's Grace in flesh. When we come face to face with The Savior, transformation follows or we reject entirely His redemption. 

    The Israelites came face to face with God and they begged Him to leave, seeing the reflection of God on Moses, they urged him to cover his face. Many came face to face with Jesus, many turned away, but the few who embraced the One, called The Christ, were changed forever. 

   The Lord is indeed Spirit, and the Spirit will fellowship with believers who have received His Spirit. Are you having fellowship with God or the spirit of your choosing, if you have received Jesus into your life "You are anew creation, old things have passed away and all things have become new," in you. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Heavenly Father may I worship You in Truth and in Spirit, may my life be a living sacrifice for You. May we as believers be a sweet smell of mercy to You and those around us, let every breath exalt You. Amen

THEIR REQUEST

Psalm 106:15 (NKJV) 15  And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.
    This Psalm reminds us the Israelites did not understand, they did not remember and they rebelled against God their redeemer, but God still spared them for His Great Names sake. This sounds so much like us today, misunderstanding what God wants, forgetting what He has done and living a self absorbed life that has little place or time for our Maker. The Psalmist writes, He gave them what they wanted (the desires of the heart) and then allowed the work of self centeredness to destroy their relationship with the Savior.
     It seems as though little time is left to correct the devastating spiral of destruction, we have embraced. God has been faithful, we have not, however, the repentant will experience forgiveness and salvation for Eternity. John the baptist preached repentance, Peter preached repentance, John the revelator preached repentance all in the Name of Jesus who also preached, "Repent or you will likewise perish." Luke 13:5
    Friend, we have time but it must be today, 2 Corinthians 6:2, right now will you acknowledge that Jesus is the only way to heaven and you are willing to give your entire life to Him, trusting in Him only? Romans 10:9
Heavenly Father we are looking to You, we are looking up, You alone are God help us to see, your Glory in your Son Jesus. May we acknowledge with every breath that our hope is in You. Amen

TO COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1:4 (NKJV) 4  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

    "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and the world laughs at you" Rob P, age 8, from  a child's perspective the world can be cruel and unforgiving, for many adults the same sense is true. The real truth is sin, has made mere men foolish in their search for significance. We are the creation of a God who has unlimited Love for His masterpiece, rather than an abstract piece of art, we are the living breathing image of the God who is all Righteousness.

    The fear of not fitting in is a mute point for the christian, we have a higher calling than groveling in the mire of defeat, we belong to the God who puts all enemies under His feet. Ps.110:1 Are you living with discouragement, don't, Psalms 2 says, God is on His throne, Psalm 4, says he will hear your prayers, Psalms 6, says, he is long suffering, if you have received Jesus Christ, The Lord into your heart, you have been set apart for Eternity with the Creator. 

     The camping trip of this world is but the stage, for the real living of the next, DO NOT be down cast, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV) He will comfort you!

Heavenly Father nothing has taken You by surprise, You knew this before the foundation of the world, help us to live that all may recognize You. May we walk in the integrity of your Word, may all your enemies see You are God. Amen

THEN COMES THE END

1 Corinthians 15:24 (NKJV) 24  Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 
    A man cried, "Its over, I have wasted my life, there is nothing more I can do," he then heard of the Mercy of God, he trusted Jesus as his personal Savior and his life began new. The one who hears of the Love of God and receives Him, gets a new start, the life is filled with new hope and great expectations of what God will do, it is no longer what I can do.
    Friend if you are discouraged know that, God is still on His throne, nothing has surprised Him, He alone raises up and He alone brings low, our plans are not His, it is His plans that are ours. Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost, He is the Rescue, He is the Light, He is life in Him is everything we need. Trust Him today, look up not out and you will find the end of all things worldly.
Heavenly Father we look to You to show us how to live in this generation, help us to live as though You are coming today. May all our cares be to look up and see You, may all our prayers be for your Glory. Amen

BE STILL

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) 10  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 
     A little fellow was wiggling in church, his mother leaned over and whispered be still, he looked up and said, "My sitter won't sit no more!" We are impatient of the circumstances, many times waiting is so tedious there is the desire to make something happen. God very clearly says, "Be still," He knows what is needed we must wait on Him. The results of God working through, compared to our muddling are obvious, His work is eternal, ours is finite, He is heavenly we are earthly.
    Jesus came to bring us salvation, redemption from our sin filled lives, He has made the Way, trust Him today and all our cares become His, He will keep His own.
Heavenly Father we are in need of You, help us to trust is your plans and wait on You. Amen
   

SWEET TO HIM

Psalm 104:34 (NKJV) 34  May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
    A song is often sweet to the soul, soothing and relaxing, there are places that offer rest and relaxation from the cares of the world, a stillness that gives rise to reflection. There is however only One place where man may enter and find the Peace that is borne of God and intended solely for the transformation of the spirit in man. That place may only be found where Jesus has made the way, He cut through the jungle thicket of the world, over grown with the vines and brush of distractions, the Way once clear and sought after, has become distant and many are misinformed as to the exact location.
    Friend Jesus took on Him the entire sin of the world, cutting through the thick darkness of self serving, He alone embraced the ugliest of sinfulness and forced it to the grave. His blood covered the Way with the crimson Truth, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 9:22 He forced back the thick vegetation that hides the path that leads to Life, Jesus is, "The Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him." John 14:6 Are you seeking the Way, meditate with Him today, He is waiting on you?
Heavenly Father help us to trust what You have already done, help us to live in what You have already accomplished. Let us walk in the Light that is yours that all may see You. Amen

BY MY SPIRIT

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV) 6  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
    We see snap shots of life, our memory and sense are triggered by stimuli we often recognize as pleasant, past or present. I saw a photo recently that reminded me of a child hood trip where fish were caught, mountain streams were clear and cold and the images of mountain peaks called out to be conquered. These things can fill us to overflowing with joy for past experiences, and cause us to long for days gone by.
   The Word of God to Zerubbabel is one of encouragement, we do not need to worry about how God will do the work, or how it was done in the past, we must have faith that He will accomplish what He has planned. He does not need the strength of men or the power of equipment, just His amazing Holy Spirit is enough. God is in the frame of advancing His kingdom, not the thoughts of men, the sole purpose for which I have been created is to Glorify Him.
    Are you attempting eternity by your own strength, stop, we enter Heaven only by the Redemption of Jesus, The Christ, who's life was given as payment, for my sins and yours. He is that Spirit by which all men can see God.
Heavenly Father, in You all things work together for good, for those who trust in your Spirit to lead guide and direct us. Help us Lord to move in the areas You have called and to maintain the position of prayer and faith. Amen

NOW GOD

1 Corinthians 12:18 (NKJV) 18  But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

    A child complained over his dinner, "This is not what I want," a man groaned over his work, "It's not my job," a woman cried, "Why do I have to go through this?" Everyone observed accurately that there is a measure of unfairness in what we expect for ourselves. However, we soon discover the gift of life is more than me, it is more than what I want, it is us together making up the combined and corporate act of humanity for a single purpose, that is established from before time began. What is it, the action of seeking The God who, holds all things together, that we might respond to His Love by choice.

   We are created, we have purpose, we are owned, we are beings given life that we might worship the One who created us. "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV) Someone might ask, "Why,""Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" Romans 9:21 (NKJV), we belong to God, The Maker may do with the created thing as He pleases. 

   Are you struggling right now, is this life a little cloudy, do troubles overwhelm you, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NKJV), His promise is to take all you have and give you all you need! 

Heavenly Father to live we have been approved by You, may every breath I take, be one of thankfulness and gratefulness. Let my thoughts please You, Oh, God, may my life exalt You in all You are doing in me. Amen