PREPARED

Ezra 7:10 (NKJV) 10  For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, ...
   What are you determined to do today, relax, finish that project, get something to eat? We have a mind set for so many things, often they are just things that have little or no value, the real worth of that thing is determined mostly by us. What if you discovered real value, real truth, real sincerity, would your priorities then change?
   For too many the discovery of a relationship with The Creator, is nothing more than passing emotions, a point in time, or an experience, for some He is the only reason we exist. Where do you stand on this Eternal issue, it means the difference between who you are and what you are becoming or what you have become and where you spend eternity?
  Ezra "prepared his heart," for what, to seek God's Heart, that is Jesus, He is the reason we live and exist at this very moment, He intervened (took my place) in judgement, that I might live in and for Him.
Have you prepared your heart, you can, you must seek the Savior of the world, in Him alone is Eternal Life.
Heavenly Father we have no other place to be, than in You, help us to live that others may see the Eternal work you have done in our lives. Amen

YOU MUST

Acts 23:11 (NKJV) ... the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."
   Have you ever been unprepared for an event, one that caught you by surprise, one that you knew about, but put off. Tests, school projects, public events all seem to have the same affect if, we have not properly prepared. However, there are those times when we know we are ready, all due diligence has been expended and for the moment we are prepared for battle.
   Paul is in the battle of his life, there are factions that wish to kill him even taking an oath of murder, plotting and planning to succeed. The Lord, as always has other plans that man cannot hinder, and the servant of God must go to Rome.
   Friend are you having a difficult time right now, is the trouble of the day overwhelming, take heart if you belong to God, He has a plan that is unfolding for His Glory in your life. If you are still breathing, God is not finished with you yet, there is an appointment you must fulfill, your Rome is just around the corner and the God of Creation will work everything out just as He planned.
Heavenly Father we are not between a rock and a hard place, we belong to You, in You we are blessed in every place we turn. May we consider today and in every moment that follows, You alone are God and "All things work together for good, for those who love You and are the called, according to your Purpose." Amen

MERCY AND TRUTH

Psalm 86:15 (NKJV) 15  But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 
   I saw a child recently who had lost all her hair, who looked pale and weak, the sight sent waves of compassion and sadness through everyone who encountered her. She managed a smile and a nod of acceptance as she was rolled into a hospital room, to be comforted after treatment for cancer. A sad picture in deed, so young and frail at the mercy of disease and the help of the doctors.
   Everyday people are exposed to suffering and helplessness in this fast moving society, of bad and even worse news. Earth quakes, famines and floods abound, news of death and starvation on every venue, where is the relief, where is the sanity in this stuff?
   Sin is to blame for societies ills, the fallen nature of mankind is the elephant in the room, the path of righteousness has been forsaken for the path of least resistance, sin has a strangle hold on all of society, sin alone is the culprit of mans lostness. That is why the psalmist can proclaim, God is full of compassion and graciousness, God is long suffering, God abounds in Mercy and in God alone is the Truth that will set us free. How, through the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, He alone stood in the place of my sinfulness and received my punishment for my sin, He and He alone will set the sinner free. Have you been set free?
Heavenly Father the life of the believer still sees the ugliness of sins curse, it still affects all. However, we praise You oh God, because You have set us free from sins curse of separation from You. You have made the day of judgment for the believer a day of rejoicing. You God, are worthy to be praised for the Love of your creation. Amen

THEY MOCKED

2 Chronicles 36:16 (NKJV) 16  But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
    Recently I heard adults mocking another, there were some bitter words passed, the one mocked was hurt beyond comfort and ran away. We have made inroads into exploring the ocean depths, space that surrounds the earth and discovering the makeup of man, yet we have not plumbed the depth of the human heart and the pain that can be invoked there. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
    We will go too far, when the conscience no longer responds to our hurtful accusations of others and we find pleasure in destruction. Have you hurt someone, quickly ask forgiveness and repent, go immediately to the offended and beg the forgiveness of the victim. We must not offend, God will stand in the gap and the price you pay may be too high, there may be "no remedy!"
Heavenly Father we are in need of your Truth in all our ways, for your Way is the Light of men. Help us to be loving and encouraging to those around us, help us Lord to stand in the gap for others. May we obey your Word in all we do. Amen

THIS THING

1 Kings 13:34 (NKJV) 34 And this thing was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as to exterminate and destroy it from the face of the earth. 
    When my children were younger they often said, "Daddy I want to be like you," that will fill a father with exceptional pride. Our children grow up too fast, imitating their surroundings, they often are mislead by the pier pressure of others, they are tempted to do things we would never have considered in our youth. The child in your home has observed every action and word that has originated from you, the things good and bad in your house have become a part of their decision making process.

    What now happens as adults in their lives has much to do with what they have been taught to consider, as in the kings of the Old Testament, some followed God, most "Did not do as their father David." What happened, they allowed their heart to lead them astray, Jesus says, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ...," Mark 7:21 (NKJV) the heart is where Jesus transforms the sinner who needs Him, into a follower. 

     Friend you still have influence over your children it is not to late to say, "Do not let your actions lead your heart astray from the Lord!" Help yourself and your children to know God expects us to follow Him in ALL our ways.

Heavenly Father we need a touch from You, we are in need Oh God, of your hand in our lives. Help us to look up and not at our surroundings. May our thoughts seek You and your ways Lord. Amen

HIS SAINTS

Psalm 85:8 (NKJV) 8  I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 
   A child was misbehaving in the grocery store, his parents were frustrated and threatened not treats if he did not stop, the child replied, "I don't care!" Many have answered the Lord in the same way, when confronted by His Word about sinful living. That is a dreadful place to stand, for God will not allow sin into His Heaven.
   If indeed we know God through the Presence of His Son Jesus, then we must seek a Holy life style, we will not permit sin to rule in our lives, we will hate the sin and desire to put it away. We are often frustrated when sin appears, but peace is soon discovered when we determine to put what comes between us and God away.
Do you have peace today, you will if you do not let sin have a place!
Heavenly Father in You we enjoy the Peace that passes understanding, it is in your Son and through Him only that we know You. Lord help us today to run from the things that hinder us from walking with You. May we always look to You and no other thing. Amen

HURRYING

Acts 20:16 (NKJV) 16  For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 
   We often hurry for appointments, doctors, meetings and events, how we need to reevaluate our priorities, the hurry for God and the need to be in His presence is the essential thing in life. Paul was sent by the Holy Spirit into His ministry, he was quite busy reaching people with the Gospel, however His mind set was that of God first and every other thing second, ministry is not a business but a mission in which the world eagerly waits for the Truth to be revealed.
    Are you in a hurry for God today, is your mind set on things above, do you have plans right now as to where and how you will worship this weekend? Put God first and you too will be in a hurry to meet with Him, to hear His voice, and to know His Presence. You will find He is more important than life itself, decide for Him and God will bless you in all your ways.
Heavenly Father let us have the mind of Paul, determined to seek You, bent on finding ourselves in your Presence. Help Lord that we might seek You early and consider You all the day long. Amen