THE DARKNESS

Psalm 139:12 (NKJV) 12  Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
      A little fellow hid in his room, he had spilled every cookie in the box and feared a spanking. His mother heard the noise and came looking for the cause, seeing no one but observing the mess, she quietly moved to where she could hear the conversation in the dark room. "God, said the little boy, "If you don't tell mom who spilled the cookies, I will put the quarter back I took from church."
     We all bargain with God, when the trouble arises we remember the wrong and begin to examine our offenses. Better to confess when we have sinned against God, than to wait until there is a laundry list and try to figure out what went wrong. The darkness actually exposes us to the light of light of our own scrutiny. Jesus was willing to put to death all our sins not some, remember what you do in the dark is really who you are in God's economy.
Heavenly Father let the light of truth reveal who we are now, that we may confess and receive forgiveness. May all our life be light to those around us, let every detail please You. Amen

HE POURED

Isaiah 53:12 (NKJV) 12  Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. 
    We celebrate the victory of sacrifice over sin in this season, the birth of the Savior is not a baby with good intentions, or a life style with noble results, it is not the time of year we give because giving is good. This time we have is the proving ground for the life we live, if God has entered the world through the most innocent, weak form of life, then He has also laid claim to the most sinful of conditions, mans will.
     Me, you and all who exist, must give an account for how we live, what we have done and to whom we have done it, God alone has the record. The revelation of our lives will stagger us when we see just how selfish we are, compared to God's Holy standard.
     Jesus not only set the bar, He died for all who could not reach it, He made the way for you and I to find Him, by conquering the contract of death (SIN) and leaving it in the grave. Jesus walked out of deaths grip taking you and me with Him. We who trust by faith the Lord Jesus Christ will reign victorious in Eternity. Have you considered THE baby, He alone is our Salvation?
Heavenly Father in this season help us to live that You are seen. May we give in this season like we have given all year. May this be the time of year we continue to do as we have experienced You doing. Lord let the world see You the way You must be seen, that many will come to salvation. Amen

THE MERCIFUL

Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) 7  Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
    A picture is said to be invaluable when the content touches the heart. Recently a picture revealed  two small boys in a public bath room, one was lying on the floor while the other stood on top to relieve himself, such simple gestures, yet profound understanding.
     The life we live is for us to discover our need for God and follow His leading until we take our last breath. In this life we should find Love is the gift of heaven, as well as Mercy, the two go hand in hand for the betterment of mankind. The bar is raised to the high God has ordained, "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise," Luke 6:31 (NKJV) we must walk in step with the Creator to fulfill this mandate. That step will only be taken with the power and presence of Jesus in the believer, "Blessed are those in harmony with God's Character, For they will obtain mercy."
Heavenly Father help us to live that You and You only are seen. May all our days reflect You. Amen

OUR LIVES

1 John 3:16 (NKJV) 16  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
    Soldiers lay down their lives for their country, public servants often lay down their lives to rescue others from fire or extreme danger, there is a high cost of life that often follows. However, these brave souls are most times rewarded for their sacrifice, not what is deserved but, rewarded never the less. Some have paid the ultimate price with life and limb, never being recognized, God forgive us for not demonstrating proper appreciation for their services.
    There is a higher calling, a call that receives the ultimate reward, a gift of Love that is bestowed by the Creator, empowers men to share the Eternal Truth, that anyone may come and receive Eternal Life. Jesus embraced the ugliness of sin, took it to the grave for everyone, for those who will receive His gift there is Life Eternal in the Heavens with Him. Friend, the greatest sacrifice is not, the loss of life to help another, the greatest sacrifice is to lay down your life, that another might find Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father thank you for all the brave souls that have sacrificed everything for others to live free, thank you most of all for the servants of God who laid down their lives that others might know You. Amen
 
 

WE KNOW

1 John 2:3 (NKJV) 3  Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
    Michael Guido once shared, while in Africa a tribe received the gospel, immediately one of the natives put clothes on, asked why, the response was, "We have seen the one in white telling us of this message but we were afraid, now we know the Truth." The law of God is written on the heart of the believer, Romans 2:15, it is the nature of God to reveal himself to those who love Him.
   If we have a relationship with God we will keep His Word, that all may see Him through us. What will they see, Jesus, He is the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him.
Heavenly Father in You is all we need, may we reflect your image that others may see, the only way to heaven is through You. Amen

FILLED

Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 
    One asked recently, "How do you get this relationship with Jesus, that is talked about," explaining to Him there is only the One Way to eternity, He desired more. Quoting to him Romans 10:9, he then asked, "But how do you ask Him to come in?" After facing crowds that would not repent, Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) There must be a hunger, a thirst, for Him to save us from our sins, only then does the transformation take place.
     We receive the blessings of God when we are driven to Him by a longing for His Presence, in Him alone, there is the Peace that passes understanding. The verse above then could read, "Blessed are those who long for God's character, because they will be filled."
Heavenly Father will You give us the filling we need to express this great Love You have given, in plain, simple, terms. May those around us recognize You and not our feeble attempts to explain You. Amen

INHERIT

Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) 5  Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 
   The sports arena reveals the prize goes to the strongest, like nature the weak loose and the strong survive. However, Jesus says, the meek will inherit the earth, a stark contrast to the real world.
    Enter Adam and Eve, Genesis 3 the earth and all it contains is at their disposal, given the opportunity to do as they please with an exception, "Do not go beyond the Spiritual boundaries God has established." Like any child told not to touch, the temptation is overwhelming and they succumb, the immoral blinders are off, they recognize their failure and utterly helpless condition. Sin tackles its first victims, all born to this duo experience sin and its consequences for all generations to follow.
    The first Adam fails, the second Adam (Jesus), brings redemption, forgiveness, and a restored relationship to the Father. Notice however that He, the King of Glory brings, "Strength made perfect in weakness,"2 Corinthians 12:9. We now have the perfect example of how to see this verse, "Blessed are those whose strength is under God's control, for they will inherit the earth."
Heavenly Father You are the reason we exist, help us to live that others experience you, let our lives be the Strong Light, that draws souls to You. Amen