SCATTERS

Luke 11:23 (NKJV) 23  He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 
    A man recently was challenged, "Will you stand against this evil," his reply, "I find that standing on any thing that causes me to exert my self, is against my creed." Friend, the Word of God calls us to stand against evil and the cost is often with life.
    The disciples had asked, "Teach us to pray," Jesus explained prayer and then began to unravel parables that confronted wrong thinking and traditions about prayer. First we must be persistent in seeking our Heavenly Father for the concerns of this life. Second we must seek God's will in prayer, that includes the direction of the Holy Spirit and third expect, God will answer the prayers of His people.
    Jesus then gives an example, casting out a demon that has caused an individual to become mute. Challenged by some in the group, He replied, "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." Luke 11:20 (NKJV) knowing Jesus has been in prayer with His Father, those watching hear Him say, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." We either pray with Jesus against evil or we become partakers in it.
Heavenly Father help us to be persistent in prayer, convinced that prayer will change the land scape of sin. We look to You who has all of life in your hands, may we look upward on knees determined to see You. Amen

HIS LOVING KINDNESS

Psalm 42:8 (NKJV) 8  The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me-- A prayer to the God of my life. 
  A man said, "My life is over, no one wants me around, no one really needs me!" Sad that so many sense the rejection of the world, no one to turn to, too many bridges burned or destroyed because of callus attention to others.
   The psalmist speaks of rejection and the need for fellowship with the Creator, remembering the sweet times of communion with others and worship in God's House. He deliberately cries to God, and knows the answer will come, God will and does deliver His chosen. Loving kindness all day and a sweet song of communion at night will come to those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Have you cried to Him today, He will hear and sooth your deepest hurts and wash away the most ugly stains.
Heavenly Father we are yours even if we do not admit it, we belong to You because we are created by You. Help us Lord to remember the days of sweet fellowship with You and forget the pain of the present. Amen

YOUR FAITH

Luke 7:50 (NKJV) 50  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
    Someone said recently, "I have done everything as a christian I know to do, this is impossible, it is no longer my problem." That friend is not the mark of the Christian, we are servants of the Most High God, every thing comes from Him, we are called to go the extra mile and give the second coat. Mark 5:40,41.
  In Luke 7 Jesus is in the house of the religious elite, a woman of the street becomes aware of the Lord's presence and enters to seek forgiveness through repentance for her sinful living. Those in the house are repulsed by the intrusion of such sinfulness, Jesus identifies their thoughts and unfolds a story of debt to a creditor. When asked who forgave more the one with little debt or the one with more, the owner of the house responded, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." Luke 7:43 (NKJV)
   We are all debtors to the creditor (God), we all owe Him our lives, why then do we live as if, He owes us? If you posses much give, if you posses little give, the One who sees the heart knows our thoughts and will reward in kind. However, if your heart betrays your thoughts and they are unkind, be prepared, there is no forgiveness of sin without repentance! May your faith in Jesus Christ save you, that you too may "Go in peace."
Heavenly Father help us to see clearly your Way. Let our thoughts show we really love those around us because, we have first loved You. May we live as those forgiven and not forgotten. Amen

HAVING DRUNK

Luke 5:39 (NKJV) And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.' "
    Someone recently said, "Its my way or the highway, another intoned, "Their both your way!" Religion is necessary to retain moral and social values, Luke the Gospel writer, brings the words of Jesus to the table of morality, explaining the difference between tradition and Truth. Many want their own value of life, over the values God ordained, the religious leaders challenged the clear teachings of Jesus and the methods He introduced.
    Jesus moves quickly to cut through the hypocrisy, feasting and fasting, new patch old garment, new wine and old wine skins, are not compatible. Jesus and religion cannot mix, just as old wine is preferred over grape juice, so religion is preferred over walking with the Son of God. One makes the partaker unacceptable, while the other saves eternally. What have you chosen, Jesus the Savior or the religion of self serving?
Heavenly Father we live by your hand, we are your creation, help us to choose wisely, that those around us may see You. May our lives shine as the light that comes from above, may every desire of our hearts seek to please You. Amen