BEING SECURE

Proverbs 11:15 (NKJV) 15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.
    The issues of standing in the gap for another are obvious, we cannot know the mind, will or intentions of others. To say, "I will make sure that person, does this or that," is the position of not counting the costs and it usually will cost us much.
    However, for God it is a completely different story, "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." 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) Our God willingly stands in the gap for us, knowing He has given the choice to do right entirely into our hands.
    God is being surety for us today, He knows the cost, have you trusted Him entirely with your life? Only God can afford the awful price of my sins!
Heavenly Father in You alone there is no other, we live and breath and have life. Help us to live this life for You, that we may please You. Amen

IS IT LAWFUL

Mark 10:2-3 (NKJV) 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 
    Recently someone cried, "Thats against the law," when a Bible was read, how convenient to use man made laws to avoid the conviction of God's Holy Word. Man has a moral compass, that tool we call a conscience, is the internal instrument of God's grace that keeps us seeking Him. We can and do hinder the work of the conscience in our lives by deliberately ignoring and suppressing its affects on our spirit.
    Jesus is questioned about the choices of men to get rid of inconveniences in our lives, the Creator reminds us, that is not the will of God. "What God has joined together, let not man separate." Mark 10:9 (NKJV) The Giver of life has a plan marriage is part of that plan, anything in this life worth doing has difficulty built in, thats what makes us mature and grow more like Christ.
Is it lawful, only if God says it is.
Heavenly Father help us to look carefully at your Word, help us to discern your Will, keep us in The Way. May we always look to you and forget the will of men. Amen

SEASONED WITH FIRE

Mark 9:49 (NKJV) 49 "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, ...
  A young lady wept recently, "Why does everything happen to me," serious mistakes in her life were related to poor decisions.
   The disciples are having a quiet discussion with Jesus, He the Master has insisted that anyone coming to Christ must come with the heart of a little child. A statement by John prompted the verse above, there are many who speak of Jesus some good some bad, some for eternal reward and others for personal gain. However our Lord reminds all who will hear, everyone will be tried or tested in their relationship with God. Struggles in this life help us to grow both Spiritually and physically, we do not live here without some difficulty, is this the reason Jesus pointed to fire, maybe, but the altar of sacrifice was surely on His mind.
   We are to be "a living sacrifice," Romans 12:1, for the Christian this is clear, the life lived for God has struggles, however the struggle produces the Spirit of service God longs for.
   Are you being seasoned with fire?
Heavenly Father the evidence of your work in our lives is a humble spirit, Lord help us to be to those around us what pleases You. Amen

PRESENT WITH POWER

Mark 9:1 (NKJV) 1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 
   A child was sitting by the door to the house just looking, his mother asked, "What are you waiting for," he answered, "Jesus," "Why are you waiting on Jesus, honey," "The teacher said He was coming and we should be ready."
   The Lord did say, "Be ready, for we do not know the hour," but there is little readiness today, most are doing business as usual from the very beginning of the world. The soul that is waiting on the Savior is waiting with each breath, with each beat of the heart.
    In this verse Jesus told the disciples about the meeting to come in the presence of God, they were not ready, He told them of His death, they were not ready, He told of His resurrection, they were not ready, He has warned us, "No man knows the day or the hour,"but be ready. When the last soul receives Jesus, the Father will sound the trumpet, are you ready?
    I believe we will not experience death until we see "The kingdom of God present with power."
Heavenly Father come quickly we need You. Amen

INTEGRITY

Proverbs 11:3 (NKJV) 3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
   Abram hears the voice of God and clearly submits to His will, God says to Abram, leave what you know and follow Me. The patriarch of the group is now Abram and He leads with a Presence not his own for God Himself, directs the travelers. As they enter the land they will live in, the nephew Lot chooses the best of the best for his living quarters, and soon finds life without Abram is very dangerous.
  Abram whom God renames Abraham, (meaning father of a multitude) has no children, Abraham believes God and the story tells us "Abraham is credited for righteousness." Genesis 15:6
   Lot knows of God, Lot knows about God, but Lot chooses to live among the most evil of people on the earth. Genesis 13:13 "The integrity of the upright guides one, the perversity of the unfaithful destroys another, this mans testimony and his family as well."
    How is your life today?

IN HIS TEMPLE

Psalms 29:9 (NKJV) 9... And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"
   On the days we gather for worship there is anticipation, an excitement, an expectation, that God will reveal Truths that will forever shake our knowledge of the Holy One. The worshipper comes with worship in his heart, he comes ready to hear the Word of the Lord, he comes in awe of The God of creation, in unison we lift Holy hands to God and declare, "Glory!"
    Oh that God's people would catch the vision, oh that His servants would stand for the Call, oh that the saints of All Mighty God would shout in unison, "You alone are God." Then with The Majesty on high we would forever rejoice in His Presence.
    However, people are not inclined to worship as God intended, they will only do what their neighbor is doing, chasing worldly dreams is all the glory many will experience. When will everyone say, "Glory?"
Heavenly Father help us to see, help us to live, help us to breath, You. May all our worship today find the Joy, You intend, may we discover You fresh as spring rain, may we know You as You expect from your creation?

LISTEN TO ME

Leviticus 26:14 (ESV) 14 “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, 
   We often correct our children by saying, "listen to me," when speaking with others, "listen to this," is heard and when we wish to make a point, "can you hear what I am saying," is asked? Much can be said, but who really is listening?
   God has given to us the requirements for His blessings, it is obedience, His Word clearly instructs the one who will abide in Him how to walk, talk and conduct themselves in this world, that is passing away. Can we really excuse anything that is contrary to the life God has called His servants to, the answer is obvious.
The person or nation that will not follow where God leads will suffer consequences that have an eternal impact. He says, "If you will not listen, and do," there is a price to pay. Why not trust Him to day with all your life and discover the blessings He intended.
Heavenly Father help us to live in the shadow of your Presence, help us to look up in spite of our circumstances. May we trust all of your Word and may we boldly proclaim You are God. Amen