Friday, August 31, 2012

Following God is Risky

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.


God often requires His people take Risk to follow Him.
Not from His point of view as He knows the plan
But to His people, He asks hard things.

Go out into the deep!
Not stay by the shore, safe, but the deep.

To Moses, He put them between an army and a sea.
His people were to go into the land of giants
To the Joshua, go around that armed city

To the parable of the talents. 
the ones who risked all received even more.
to the one who played it safe -  it was taken from him.

God requires risk because to take risk requires faith.
He asks us to step out where we see no step.
He asks us to believe in faith
Trust

Take the risk today.
Follow Him!

Strike out into the deep, the place you've been afraid to go
to meet with the Great I AM and
open your heart, the deep places
and stay in faith
waiting

Believing
Trusting in the Lord of All
Listening to His voice and His commands
And Fall in Love with the Creator your Father in heaven.

Risk it


Thursday, August 30, 2012

A rising sun

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
 the LORD's name is to be praised.



Life got you down?
Circumstances treading on your faith?

Praise the Lord.
When you don't know what else to do,
Praise Him.

He is always worthy of praise.
His goodness and love is not dependent on our feelings.

Praise Him in the morning and into the night.

He is worthy!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Watch and Pray


Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Temptation fueled by lust is hard to overcome.
Beware of the hooked barbs that sink into your heart and soul.

How to fight?

The verse gives one big answer.
Watch and pray. Be on guard and stay connected to your heavenly Father,

And you won't enter into temptation.

The wandering eye and heart stumble into temptation.
Stay on guard for there is one who seeks to devour you.

Our enemy sets traps to ensnare us.

But the Lord has given us armor and weapons to fight with.
Stay strong in the Lord, Wise in His ways.
And pray.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

What Shall We Do?

John 6:28-29


28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.



People want to do the works of God.

What does God say?
Believe on Jesus whom He hath sent.

Until you believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God
God in the flesh.
There is no work you can do for God.

Jesus did only what the Father told Him.
Unless we believe in Jesus, we cannot hear to know what to do.

Believe on Jesus 


Monday, August 27, 2012

What do we do?

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
 because he trusteth in thee.


It would seem in some Christian circles that once we know the Lord
our job is done. God will take care of us.

While it is true that the Lord watches over us, He often gives
us steps to take.

Salvation is by grace and a free gift. 
But even a free gift must be picked up.

IF you want perfect peace - The Word give us two 
qualifiers.
Keep you mind on the Lord
And Trust Him.

Jesus came to give us an abundant life, 
but it is our choice whether we take it or not.

Friday, August 24, 2012

I love the Lord!

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore 
will I call upon him as long as I live.




Have you ever called unto the Lord and He answered?
To know that the Lord of the Universe sees you?
He does.

And He loves you. 
YOU!

Not loves just mankind, but you individually.
You matter to the Lord.

Let that seep down into your soul.
Let that ignite a passion for God in your heart.

Be encouraged. 
God sees you and loves you.

Seek Him that He may be found.
He is not hiding.
Just waiting
Patiently.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

He loves me.


The Lord has a way of reaching us if we look.
One day, I had my trusty iphone camera and searched for 
something interesting to take a picture of.

Wasn't really thinking of God, but looked down and saw
that He was thinking of me.
It was no coincidence this flower had a heart formed
from its tendrils.

A symbol from above.
He was with me.
Even though I didn't deserve it
He was reaching out to me to show me He loves me.

If you're having a down day, look around and expect to see
His love for you.
His touch

It may come in the form of a flower with a heart
It may be a smile from a clerk
A hug from a friend

But HE does love you!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The God of My Life

Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.


I love this verse. 
Amazing how you can find treasures in His Word.
Just think, as night gives way to day, His
Lovingkindness toward you rises with the sun.

Put that in your mind as you go out today.
God commands His lovingkindness toward  you.
And tonight, go to bed realizing that His song is with you.

The God of  my life.
My Lord and my God
I pray to you.

Continuously acknowledging that He is God.
Not shaken by the things around me, but turning my words
and thoughts in prayer to the God of my Life.
Knowing that His lovingkindness covers me during the day
and by night He sings over me.

Search the scriptures today and find a treasure. 


Monday, August 20, 2012

Still

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.


Be still.
Sounds simple enough.
But in our rush rush world,
how many of us actually achieve 
the state of being still?

When was the last time you stilled yourself?
To sit in silence, no TV, radio, music,
No phone, computer, tablet?

Can we even do it?
For five minutes, ten, and hour?

Jesus went away to the wilderness, alone.
To be still. To pray to the Father.

If He, being God, needed to pull away from the craziness
of the world, how much more do we?

Let's develop our stillness.
Go away to a quiet place alone
and be still.

Start with five minutes.

Be still.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Voice


Woke up this morning and couldn't talk.
Laryngitis from a sinus infection headed south.

What an odd feeling. I am silenced.

And I think of those who don't have a voice.
The unborn, the elderly, the mentally challenged.
Those who live in countries with repressive governments.

Isn't the church to be the voice of those silenced?
To sound the alarm to protect the voiceless?

In America, we have stood by and watched as over 
50 million children have been silenced in the womb.

Lives snuffed out without ever seeing the sky.

We who have a voice, we who have the hope of glory
must sound out for those who can't.

Sometimes, silence is golden,
sometimes it is a crime.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Do you hear the rap on the door to your heart?
The small voice that 
whispers, I AM.

Now is the time to answer.
To encourage your family and friends to answer.

Fellowship with God. 
Who would resist?

The world clamors there is no One God.
But be still and listen to your heart.
Hear it?

Open the door
and  your life will never be the same.



Monday, August 13, 2012

What must I do?

Acts 16:29-31

29 Then (the jailer) he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling,
and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.



Maybe you've heard about the end of the world. The Mayan calendar, an asteroid coming, 
famines, and earthquakes, droughts and pestilence. 
Maybe you've heard of Jesus Return.

Fear. Fear insights panic and sends a world into a frenzy.
How can you keep calm and have peace?
Can you be saved?
And how?

The jailer,  it was his responsibility to keep the prisoner in chains or he would die.
But God intervened. Paul and Silas were set free yet
remained in the prison so that the jailer and his family might be saved.

Believe on the Lord Jesus.
What does that mean?
Jesus, the only begotten son of God, left heaven
to come to earth. A sinless man. God in the flesh.
He lived the sinless life and paid for the sin of the world.
Nailed to a cross, the perfect sacrifice.
His body and blood the final sacrifice that would open the Holy of Holies
To all who called on His name.

Jesus died for whosoever would call on His Name 
And rose again from the dead three days later.
Jesus defeated death.

No more was man separated from God. 

Be Born again of the Spirit.
Call out to Jesus and yield your will to His.
Repent and ask for His forgiveness.

Be Born Again 
And you need not fear again.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Rejoice!

The LORD reigneth; 
let the earth rejoice;...


Rejoice!
Bask in the goodness of God.
Know that He reigns.





Thursday, August 9, 2012

When fear strikes - run to the shadow.

Psalm 91



He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.



What a time we are living in. Drought, Pestilence, Famine,
Wars and rumors of wars, Earthquakes, Asteroids,
And the list goes on.

But I have good news. Run to the Almighty.
Cling to Him and abide in the secret place.

What is that Secret Place?
I believe it is Jesus Christ.
In Him we are safe
By His blood we are cleansed an can enter the Holy of Holies.

Do you know Jesus?
Have you answered His knock and invited Him in to your heart?

If not, it's not too late. 

Jesus Said
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Now is the time.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

His Pleasure

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: 
he will beautify the meek with salvation. 


Have  you considered how God takes pleasure in you?
Isn't that a fantastic concept! The God of the universe, sees you and smiles.

Since the Olympics are on, recall the story made into the movie Chariots of Fire.
The runner made the statement that when he ran, he could feel God smile.

And I believe when any of His children tap in an do what they were designed to do
He smiles and takes pleasure.

Just as any parent watches their child and can't help but smile when they accomplish a task.  
And not even accomplish a task but delight themselves doing a God-given talent.

So go out today. Walk in the path He has set before you
And know that God Almighty takes pleasure in you.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Belt of Truth

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,
 the LORD is our king; he will save us. 


The Belt of Truth
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

Stand!  The assault of the enemy comes. Stand!
The temptation is to run. Flee when the enemy comes.
But the opposite is true.

Resist the devil and he shall flee.

Standing in the face of opposition - whether it be in finances, health, physical attack, mental, or problems with people in your family, workplace, school - 
Stand.

And you can stand by knowing the truth and proclaiming that truth.

God will save us. Has saved us.
Do you know a scripture to quote for the circumstances you are in

Find one. Memorize it. Say it aloud until it gets deep inside you.
Believe it 
And 

Stand. 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Time to Keep the Armor of God On

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able 
to stand against the wiles of the devil.


As you step out in the gifts the Lord has given you, don't leave home without your armor on.

The Helmet of Salvation
Your mind covered with the knowledge that Jesus died for you and lives for and in you.

As I was pondering on the helmet of salvation, I realized that not only is it to cover our minds, but also on how we view others.

How differently we will react when we see others,
even if they have done or said something against us, 
when we view them with the idea of salvation in mind.

Jesus covers us so that we can see the lost and extend Mercy toward them.

Put the armor on, the days are evil and devil roams about looking to whom he may devour.
Make him think twice before coming after you.
Dent his teeth with the Helmet of Salvation.

Be Wise Christians

Friday, August 3, 2012

It's time to shine!

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.


Shine! Let the Light inside you shine in the darkening world.
Where hate shouts, let your words be wise.
Pray always, put on the whole armor of God
And stand.

Not in defiance, but as those holding the hope of the world.
For we who are called by His name, 
We have the Hope of Glory
Jesus in our hearts, the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us.

So Shine, Hold up the Banner of the Lord
Let His Peace surround you
and don't be dismayed when the enemy attacks

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.



Thursday, August 2, 2012

Sky Pics

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 


I love puffy white clouds, watching them sail across the blue ocean of sky. 


Have you ever made pictures out of them? To one person it is a dragon, to another a dog, to another a tree.


We are all unique and see things from different perspectives.
But God's Word is clear.
And if we stray, or are not sure, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.


But the Word of God is not dead, two-dimensional, black and white words on a page. IT is Living and comes with its own teacher - the Holy Spirit.


The verse says to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. There is a world of difference in the I know and the doing.


And even in the doing of the word, we are not left alone. Jesus left us with the same power that raised Him from the dead. We are not powerless to do the things of the word.


When we fail in the doing, it is the flesh. Walk by the Spirit that you may do the things in the Word.





Wednesday, August 1, 2012

When looking down the barrel

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 


That the world is a stress-filled dangerous place is not news.

But we who are alive in Christ need not worry and walk in fear.
He is our hiding place, our hope. 

Stand tall, walk in confidence.
Jesus holds us in His hands.
and nothing - nothing - nothing
can separate us from His love.

Fear Not!