THE LORD COMMANDED

Psalm 106:34 (NKJV) 34 They did not destroy ... whom the LORD had commanded them,
   Somethings are not intended for us to cling to, bad habits that affect our lives should be put away, however, the habit that infects our lives and kills the body, should be put to death. How, I am so glad you asked?
  Modern age has not revealed what has been done since the beginning of time, Solomon writes, "There is nothing new under the sun." "Men are using newer drugs," yes but, the same desire for them is here and the ability to produce them has been around from the day man began to serve self and not seek God.
   The family of man has always made excuses for indulgences, the excuse says, "God wants me to be happy," the same excuse used by Satan in the garden with Eve. God never said happiness should be our goal in life, He said, "Be Holy for I am Holy." Lev 11:45 My personal wants are not included in God's plan me, He desires that I be pure.
   Some have said, "It is everywhere I go," then go where it is not. Others have implied, "I cannot control it," you must for God has said, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
   Death must come to the things that want to control my life, the things that impair me from being obedient to Him, the things that infect me and cause me to make wrong choices. Too difficult, so is spending eternity without God, "Choose today whom you will serve as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Heavenly Father You deserve so much more than we offer, help us to be obedient to these trues, that others may see You and live. Let the man or woman infected by habitual sin find freedom, let the servant of self find help, Oh God help the weak in all things to be strong, and help us put to death those things that control us. Amen

CLEARLY YOU

2 Corinthians 3:3 ... clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ... by the Spirit of the living God, ... of the heart.
   John spoke to a group of men this week about his recent past life, less than a year ago, he was a lifer in prison, with failing health. His words echoed on attentive ears as men drank in the story of a man who tried all life can offer, to the sin sick heart. Drugs, alcohol and unspeakable immorality, he was clearly ashamed of his story, yet his heart spoke of a new day and the only way out.
  The writer to the Corinthian church says, we are like a poem or literary work that is on going, continually being written. We are servants of the most High God or slaves to our selves, we are penning who we are, it is written in our hearts.
   Our story says we live for God or self, to live for God, it must be by His Spirit, to live for self, it must be my will, in either case we are just pictures of what is on the inside. The heart tells the complete story.
   John said, when he trusted Christ with his whole heart, "God washed it clean, man can't do that." Wow, God makes sinful, selfish people, something they will never be without Him, Holy, by His Spirit. I want that don't you?
Heavenly Father You are all we need, You have the only way to eternity, help all to see your Way is, the Way. Let all we do bring joy to You and may our lives be a sweet smell for those around us to experience You. Let our hearts tell the story of who You are. Amen

HE SHALL JUDGE

Isaiah 11:4 (NKJV) 4 But with righteousness He shall judge ...
    Look around and see people struggling with life, listen and hear the pangs of those who want relief. These two sense are given to us for recognition and awareness of our enviroment to protect or encourage us to react as needed. Seeing and hearing are powerful tools to discern both good and bad, so, what has that to do with judgment, I am so glad you asked?
     Gods Word says a day of righteous judgment is coming, He is preparing us for that day, it is already set and only God knows the appointed time. He has carefully given us senses to understand our environment, that we might know how to react. However, we have traded, our spiritual senses of seeing and hearing how to live righteously, for the worldly, and purchased a shriveled lemon.
    Jesus knew this and still He desired to buy back for us what we could not afford, Holiness. Holy living with the Holy God, we can now exchange, living in Light for living in darkness. Wow, what an amazing God, I can live His way and leave my way behind. God owns righteousness, He knows righteousness, He alone can supply righteous living. Trust Him today, and the Righteous Judge will give you all you need to live Holy with Him.
Heavenly Father, may all You are doing for us, others, see and hear. Let all the earth rejoice that You alone are God. May we sing triumphantly of your Love through the Messiah, and let all we do be for You? Oh God, give those around us victory in Jesus. Amen

MERCY AND JUSTICE

Psalm 101:1 (NKJV) 1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
   Nothing catches God by surprise, He already knows the heart ache, the hurt, the deep despair that affects us, and still God is praised by those who know Him. Why, I am so glad you asked?
    The writer of this verse experienced every emotion known to man, every sin that follows us and pulls us down infected David as well. Immorality, murder, broken family, and just ignoring God, still he writes from his heart, "I will sing of mercy and justice."
     David knew that God is well aware of how sin wrecks the soul, he expresses the sheer amazing delight that God will forgive us in spite of our living self centered lives. God the Father loves His creation, God the Son dies for His creation, and God the Holy Spirit, lives for His creation. What is not to rejoice over, we are loved in the most unspeakable ways that will take eternity to uncover? I like that don't you, we are His and He is ours, lets sing together of mercy and justice. God loves you!
Heavenly Father, love from You is so amazing, it moves in the most wonderful ways, we are loved inspite of us, thank you. May all I do be for You, let me breath You, that others may see You. May we sing of mercy and justice, may we rejoice in every difficulty, that all may see You? Amen

I WILL NOT ASK

Isaiah 7:12 (NKJV) 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!"
   Today men have no connection with the God of creation, because of knowledge, the bible says, "Knowledge puffs up." What does that mean, I am so glad you asked?
   We live in a day when our education, the way we observe the world is tainted by the ungodly teaching of ungodly men. They, have no connection with the God who created all things and therefore teach that there is no God.
   Recently a man needed to move his vehicle and accidently ran over his two children, both were injured one more severely than the other, the man was grief stricken and wanted to die for his mistake. His wife however quickly recognized the broken heart of her husband and the dire situation of her child and cried out to God, to help. He did, miraculously intervene, healing the child who had massive internal injuries and the husbands broken heart, the family then gave all the credit to God.
   In our verse above a king is told God will bring sure victory if you will only ask, his self centered answer based on knowledge, "I will not." How sad, most people will not ask God and therefore will never get into Heaven. This most amazing promise of God is for those who by faith will believe and accept Jesus as their Savior. Have you believed, have you trusted Him, will you do that today?
Heavenly Father, all the world is a witness of your Glorious works. We see daily your hand holding the world together through love, for your creation, thank you, for loving us still after all these years. Thank you for waiting on that last soul to trust and believe in You. May it be today, that those who need You, will look up and confess, You are God. Amen

NO OFFENSES

Luke 17:1 (NKJV) ... It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
     Our world is full of injustice, simply because of its fallen nature, sin has made its mark on our environment. The heart of man is dark until the life of God exposes our sin to the light, like a negative waiting for the shutter of the camera to reveal the light, we are in need of a permanent exposure to Gods Truth. The picture of salvation becomes clear when properly revealed to the sin sick soul.
     Jesus reminds the disciples, offense is a part of life, it will come like the desire for our next breath. However we are responsible for our part in the offense. For example, the person who satisfies their life through the expense of another, the one who sells drugs to the user, will be judged by their own standard. Jesus seems to say, I will forgive the user, but the supplier is in real trouble. Why, God zeros in on the one who causes another to sin, we can be forgiven and God offers that forgiveness, however for the person who deliberately sins there are sever consequences.
    If we will submit our entire life to Christ, He will forgive our sins, remember He is looking for the soul that will trust Him with everything. Is there some sin you cannot forgive, He can, is there some hurt you cannot overlook He will, trust Him today and know His forgiveness.
Heavenly Father help us to forgive with your forgiveness, help us to remember that You forget our sin, when we repent. Help the one who is destroying the life of another to see, and repent. Help us to trust You in everything. Amen

LET US WALK

Isaiah 2:5 (NKJV) ... come and let us walk In the light of the LORD.
   A shadow often hides things we would normally see, light is the key to seeing things clearly, however even in the light many see only what they wish. Why, I am so glad you asked?
    God said, "Let, there be light," and a world of life and incredible adventure appeared. Everything we now understand, was exposed to all of creation, to enjoy and experience. However a shadow of darkness was uncovered when man given the choice between serving God and catering to self, chose, self serving.
    Today we have both light and dark as approved means of living, conditioned by time to accept second best, man has justified the shadow of darkness as a necessary evil. We have embraced sinful living in various forms and give room to these attitudes as a part of life. Do we wish to expose these sins, a partial list is given in Galatians 5:19-21, however, most are satisfied to live in the shadow of truth?
    Gently urged from the very beginning, God continues to point us back to Holy living. Looking to a point in time God said to man, I will make a way for you to return to Me. He made that provision, when the Son of God crashed into the sinfulness of men and buried all the sins of man in a sea of forgetfulness.
     Imagine, every shadow of deceit, God placed on a death watch and nailed to a cross (sin), all sin, never to have control of anyones life again. Why then is sin still available, why are there still shadows, why is life so difficult, we must choose, to "Walk in the Light of the Lord."
Heavenly Father so many are struggling with life and death, they are in need of light, help, Oh God, those around us to see Your Light. Your Son said, He is "the light of the world," Oh Lord let us see that light. May all we come in contact with be exposed to Your Light, that men may walk with You. Amen