A LEAN SOUL

Psalm 106:15 (NKJV) 15 And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.  

    Belief without a change of heart brings only trouble to the one proclaiming Christ. The person who claims to know God personally yet does not walk in His counsel will find a confusing set of circumstances await. God will give man what he asks for with consequences. The Psalmist says, "He gave them what they wanted," be careful what you ask for you may not be able to handle what you get. Once the enemy of cravings is fed it wants so much more, and you will not be able to tame the hunger it produces.
   Know also that once our desire begins to feed in this world, our desires for God to rule our lives will change as well. Note, first God gives what we ask for, we do not seek His government in the matter (God what do you want for me) instead we demand His "blessings." Second, there is no thought for consequences, the desire for God to give what we need rather than what we want is replaced with the desire for more. A hardness to God develops and we will no longer seek His direction. vs 12-14
   What have you asked God for that you need to give back to Him so that He will continue the blessings He planned for you? Put God first again and He may remove the curse!!!
Heavenly Father would you forgive us when we seek what will harm, give us a spirit of discernment that we may stay close and never stray into sinful desires. Father help us to prayerfully ask, is this Gods will for me and will this bring Glory to Him. Amen

NO PLACE

Matthew 8:20 (NKJV) 20 ... but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 

    Many want to follow Jesus, but our Savior says, "I have no place." God comes crashing into mans rationale and the wreck produces a keen awareness that He is different from our expectations, this Jesus says devotion means owning nothing, following means absolute surrender.
   Within the church today, so many claim Jesus as Savior, however Lord of the life is omitted. There is an earthly presence of another Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11:4 What is wrong you ask? There is a desire for happiness without Holiness, there is fire insurance but no cleansing from sin, and a santa claus who gives things without rules we must obey. Who is this Jesus, he is the god of our choosing.
    However, Jesus the Son of God says, "... whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 16:25 (NKJV) Finding our relationship in Jesus is as simple as letting God have all our problems and trusting Him alone. Will the trouble go away? Maybe, but the clear truth is He makes a way through our fears and doubts and we begin to walk lock step with Him! Then, "you will know the Truth and the Truth will make you free!"
Heavenly Father how we struggle with every day things help us to see that nothing in this world is of any value, help us to lay up treasures in Heaven.

OUT OF THE HEART

Matthew 12:35 (NKJV) ..., and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 

    The heart holds the truth about who we are, the heart reveals the thinking and the motivation of our lives. Jesus says, "every word will be accounted for" the actions of man and the words of man, God is watching with eternal interest. God will not allow sin in Heaven, sin has no chance in the presence of All Mighty God.
    What is wrong with that person is often asked, that person has a treasure of evil in their heart that is aching to get out. Jesus says, "good comes from a good heart as evil comes from an evil heart," how clearly our Lord reveals the problems of men. What is stored in your heart, what comes out of your mouth when you are pressured, how do you treat those who mistreat you, these tell the story of the heart?
    God's presence guards our hearts Philippians 4:7 who or what is guarding your heart?
Heavenly Father the evidence of our lives is the treasure of our heart, thank you that You want every part of my being surrendered to You. Thank you that Jesus can and will cleanse what we cannot see, if we will surrender every thing to Him. Lord help us to entrust the whole being to You. Amen

HIS CALLING

Psalm 50:1 (NKJV) 

1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down. 

    The God of all creation is in a continual process of calling day in and day out for the lost to come home. The picture of a mother crying out for a lost child comes to mind the tears and longing for the tender reunion of two souls separated by events of wrong choices.
     However, more clearly The God of all things is calling for the redemption of souls and the judgment of sin. God in His perfect plan for man, desires mans restoration to his proper place in God as before the fall into sin. We are being called daily by the unseen Spirit of All Mighty God to come out of our sinful stupor and into His Glorious Light of Truth. What is that you ask? The overwhelming flood of deliverance through the blood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:22 We must come to God His way, there is no other way! Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart, He wants to have fellowship with you.
Heavenly Father thank you for seeking me and for making a way for me to have fellowship with You, thank you for the precious life of Your Son Jesus and thank you that there is only One Way! Thank you for speaking to all the earth every day, You are God. Amen

GOD WILL REDEEM

Psalm 49:15 (NKJV) 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah 

     What is your confidence in today, your ability to do your job, maybe the skill to drive safely, could it be you are satisfied with who you are, or that you can take care of yourself? The Psalmist sees life through the eyes of redemption, he puts his trust in God alone for we all find the grave, wether we seek it or not. Trusting the flesh will only disappoint, for time erases all our efforts of self serving and washes them into nothing. No matter how successful we strive to be or have become, nothing we accumulate will go with us in to eternity. Satisfaction in this life will only come when we acknowledge our need of a Savior and trust Him completely.
     Jesus is the only person ever to go to the grave and walk out, He alone can satisfy the restless weary soul and send peace into the heart of the lost. Are you confident that you will spend eternity with God? You can say with confidence "God will redeem my soul" if you trust Jesus Christ today!
Heavenly Father, as we pause for reflection (Selah) may the faith that pleases you overwhelm us with the knowledge that we are yours through your Son Jesus, and nothing can take us out of your hands. Amen

WHO IS?

Luke 13:23 (NKJV) 23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" ..., 

    Everyone following Jesus sees lives touched by His presence and power, healings, the dead raised to life, tormented people finding peace, lepers cleansed, what kind of human wants the best for all other humans? The question can only be answered by the Creator of all flesh only God can love all flesh and want the best for every person. If this is true then "are there few who are saved?" To observe Jesus and His earthly ministry you would assume many were being saved, the Creator however says, "strive" (make every effort) "to enter the straight gate" (narrow way). Why? Jesus says, Eternity with Him only comes through Him, how many were really trusting Him and not His miracles, very few. Look around very little has changed, He is still seeking those who will follow Him with all their heart, will you?
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your amazing Son Jesus who died for the sins of all people, Lord help us to see our desperate need of You and sincerely seek You every day with all our heart. Let those who are really searching for You hear and obey! Amen

CHOOSE TODAY

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) 15 ... choose for yourselves today ....as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

   Joshua has a leaders heart he wants the best for all those who follow him. "Choose today," he challenges the people. This story brings two important points to mind, one God is looking to see what choice you will make between serving God (worship) or serving self (worldliness) and secondly if you will follow through in your commitment to trust Him with everything in your life. One must follow the other, you cannot serve God and self, if Christ has been trusted with the whole being then serving God is the Spiritual response. Have you chosen Jesus, have you done that today, then I thank God for His work in your life, it is only through Him you will get Eternal Life in Heaven.
Heavenly Father, thank you for all those who have trusted you with the whole heart, who have laid down every burden so that you may have first place in the heart. I ask for those who are struggling right now that they might hear and obey your challenge, "choose today!" Amen