DAY 119

Purple craze of Spring.

I love the colors and life that seems to spring instant from trees and ground this time of year. Resurrection time.

A reminder that Jesus died for our sins, but that wasn't the end of the story. For in three days, He rose from the dead. Resurrection! Jesus' dead body alive and alive forevermore. The First Born of the dead.

And we too will come alive. When we hear the trumpet and our Master calls we will change from mortal to immortal.

So what do we have to do? What are the rules of our Christian life? How do we get in on this life everlasting?

John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jesus left us with two rules - Luke 10:27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Don't stress. For the Father sent us His Holy Spirit.

John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Believe in Jesus the only begotten Son of God. Ask and you shall Receive.

Walk humbly, seek God, and listen to His Spirit. And do as He says.

The days of this earth are growing short, but life everlasting awaits anyone who cries out to the Lord in the name of Jesus.

Don't wait.

DAY 118

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

The Word, God's letters to us. Our instruction manual from our Maker.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

How important is the Word of God? If Bibles were outlawed, how much of God's Word would you know? IF our Bibles were changed - would we know?

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We live in perilous times. We need to know the Word. Start small. Find a verse that speaks to your heart. Study it. Let it go deep inside you, in your heart, in your mind. And ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

DAY 117

Fall from Grace

Weeds. They started fresh and green trumpeting Spring's arrival. Then they turned yellow, mildewed.

And so I found in my heart weeds of fleshly sin. I took the Grace, the gift God gave me, and threw it at another person. Not with love or out of compassion, but with irritation, as in 'why are you bothering me - take this.'

Hours later, my heart was pierced by Holy Spirit's light. I'd sinned. I'd recklessly tossed a gift from my Heavenly Father at another.

I sympathized with Moses, who took his gift of grace and beat the rock in anger. He missed out on the promised land for that act.

Yikes. I repented. Genuinely cut to the core, I asked for forgiveness for taking something so precious and tossing it like it was something I had any right to use in such a way. And then with such little care at another living breathing soul that my Savior died for.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Praise the Lord, He picked my up, dusted me off and forgave me. I am clean, now, wiser now.

Treasure the gifts He gives you. And have compassion on those you are to pass the gift on to. We are earthen vessels but through God's grace we can pass His gifts onto others.

Walk in His Grace mindful that Grace is God's given to us to pass on to others.

DAY 116

The air tingles with the newness of life. Overnight leaves bud out, flourishing the trees with vibrant greens.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Awesome how our Father in heaven uses even the trees and grasses to point to the way of salvation. Every year, they 'die' and then are raised anew with the spring.

How should we walk in the newness of life? Read Romans 6.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and guard your heart and walk in the newness of life. Not bound by the past, by sin, but free to live for Him, in Him, and by Him.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Receive the gift and walk in the newness of life.

DAY 115

MMMM! Got to love donuts.

And then we know the saying about those unhappy souls who are always looking for the hole in the donut.

Why miss out on sooo much by looking for what you don't have? Sounds silly when we think about it, but it is so easy to do.

Advertising works on this idea. You need....

So, take it to a higher level. Is this what we do when we are refusing to be grateful? Could we even begin to list all the things we can and ought to be thankful for? I think if we were honest, this would take way longer than we would want to do.

Psalm 26:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Psalm 116:17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

2 Corinthians 9:11
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

I am thankful that I can write, have breath in my lungs, friends I adore, family that loves and supports me, a church and Pastor who is strong in the Word, a home, food, water, air, cars, and mostly for a loving heavenly Father, a mighty savior who redeems me, and life everlasting.

These are but a few of my favorite things for which I am so grateful.

DAY 114

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

2Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

GRACE - I am coming to love that word and what it means. For grace is totally a one way gift. From God to man through Jesus Christ. God's favor, pleasure, lovingkindness showered upon us.

Our response to the Grace of God - thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And as we learn to walk in the Grace of God also learn to look at others through that grace.

Just whisper the word - Grace. Let it sink down deep into your soul. Let it be the window you look through, that you see others in light of God's grace.

And give thanks. In all things. At all times acknowledging to yourself and the world that God is good and worthy to be trusted, believed, and worshiped.

Walking in grace and thanksgiving will disarm the enemy of some of his key weapons. For if you walk in grace and thanksgiving when the enemy points out you lack something, you can laugh and point out all that the Lord has given and done on your behalf.

Walking in the knowledge of God's Grace toward you and responding with thanksgiving will build your faith, give you joy and peace, and open the door to the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

DAY 113

A pure spring day. Got to love the sun, the flowers, and the perfect temperature.

We have a holy God. How can we stand before Him? His awesome majesty, brighter than a thousand suns, would turn us into crispy critters if we dared stand before Him on our own.

Praise the Lord, He sent His son, Jesus, as the final sacrifice on the cross. Jesus took our imperfection, our ugly sin, and nailed it to that cross. But He didn't stop there. No he died and went into hell and took the keys of hell and death and rose again to sit at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, conquered death that we may have eternal life.

Revelation 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

So what do we have to do? How do we come to the Father?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And then after we have confessed our sins we can --

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Grace. Live in His grace. Look with eyes filled with gratitude. For the Lord has made a way where there was no way.

DAY 112

Tender leaves of spring.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God loves us. So, is there something we must do?

Believe. Like any gift, you have to receive it and believe the gift is yours.

John 15:9 (NASB) "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

John 15:10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

How do we abide in His love? Praise and worship the Lord. Study His Word. Pray. Rejoice in Him. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Guard your hearts and minds from the doubts the world encourages and the lies of the enemy. Give Him thanks in all things.

And as you abide in His love, you will come to know Him and the more you know Him you will desire Him more and His love will be like streams of living water flowing out of you and onto those around you.

You can't outgive God.

DAY 111

Full blown and blowing Spring. I love the new life that comes over the trees, grasses, and flowers.

Love, the love of God, how do we know He loves us?

There are times when you can feel that warm joy and peace. Maybe when you see an awesome site, or know that He worked on your behalf.

But what about the times when you feel dead, lost, alone? Is He still there and still loving you?

YES! God's love is not conditional. His grace is poured over us, like a never ending river of life, His love showers us. In those dry times, we don't see it or feel it, but it is still there. We don't see the wind, but it is there regardless.

Grab hold of His Word to sustain your faith in the dry times. These are rocks we can stand on. Truth that is not based on our feelings or circumstances.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Joh 15:9 - I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ...

These are but a few. Search and find those that speak to your heart and memorize them.

Stand fast and do not be deceived. God loves you.

DAY 110

Ephesians 6

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Dig into the word and put on that armor. Write down verses that speak to your heart and memorize them.

Be ready so that when the enemy comes you can raise your shield of faith and extinguish his fiery darts. And then wield your sword - The Word knowing that through Jesus we can overcome the world. And resist the devil.

Find the treasures that the Lord has provided in His Word. Polish them, cherish His Word, and believe.

DAY 109

Tender new life.

It amazes me how tender and tenacious life can be at the same time. God is mindful of that. How He formed us out of dust, but designed us to live with Him and with Him overcome the world.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

⁷Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

⁸For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Trust in the Lord and you will hang tough through life's storms. More than that you will see that it is the Lord hanging on to you.

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

DAY 108

Time -- Is like an ocean wave forever rolling on. For once you think you have it, you look and find it gone.

Can't hold it, can't keep it, can't store it away. Like the Manna the Lord showered on the children of Israel in the wilderness, the time you've been given is for use now.

Mark 1:15
And (Jesus) saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel

Luke 21:8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Ephesians 5:15-17

¹⁵See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Today, seek the Lord, rejoice in His Goodness, and wisely use the time He has given you.

DAY 107

Matthew 24:7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Wars and rumors of wars - check

famines and pestilence - check

earthquakes - definitely check

My oil is full - workin' on that

Read Matt 25 about the 10 virgins. 5 wise and 5 foolish.

Matthew 25:4

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Oil usually signifies the Holy spirit. So, is my light shining? Where do I get this oil?

From the Lord. Seek Him, get to know Him deeply, and worship Him. Abide in Him.

How's your oil tank? Check your fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Learn to be grateful, accepting God's grace, and giving it to others and your tank will begin to fill.

DAY 106

Psalm 8:9
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

And what is that NAME?

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved

In time of trouble, cry out the Name, Jesus. In times of joy, Praise the name, Jesus. In times of prayer, pray in the Name, Jesus.

Jesus - the name you need to know. The One you need to believe. Lord of all.

DAY 105

Jeremiah 29:13

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Seeking God, just how do we do that?

He left us a journal of letters and books, Study His Word.

Get up early before the day becomes cluttered and pray, praise, and worship Him.

Listen and do as He tells you.

And rejoice.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God is good and greatly to be praised.

DAY 104

1. Psalm 30:10
   Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
   

John 15:16

¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

What a relief that the Lord is our helper. And that He sent His Holy Spirit to always be with us to comfort and lead us. We are not alone.

And that in a nutshell is what the Bible is all about. We were never designed to live without God and we need Him. Our loving Father in heaven made a way for us to be reconciled by His son Jesus Christ.

Why try going it alone? Take God at His word and seek Him. You won't be disappointed.

DAY 103

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

In these days of trouble, pray, give thanks, walk in the grace that He has shed upon you, and extend words of life to those around, remembering:

1. John 15:4-5
   Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
   5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Don't be fearful, instead cling to the Lord and listen and do what He says. We are His laborers but only as we abide in Him.

Praise always to Name Above All Names - Jesus - the Prince of Peace, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain, Our Redeemer and Savior!

DAY 102

Psalm 107:20
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Praying for the nation of Japan. That the people would see the mighty hand of the Lord comfort them. That they would know the truth and out of this darkness would come to know the joy of salvation.

For our God is merciful, desiring that all may be saved. He reaches out His hand and calls for those perishing to reach out and take His offer of life.

And out of desolate lands, He brings new life. A life everlasting.

So may it be with Japan.

DAY 101

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

I hear the word grace whispering in my spirit. Sifting my thoughts and views of others, grace changes me.

The abundant life given by our Heavenly Father. Not because of what we have done, but because He is Love.

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Walk in grace and rejoice in the free gift the Lord has bestowed upon us.

DAY 100

2 Peter 1:4 ²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Stuff. Materialism has crept into our culture so deeply that things, toys, goods, and entertainment have consumed us. We are a nation of not only consumers but a nation of the consumed. Even our faith has been bought out by the need for stuff so that we can prove we are blessed.

The abundant life in Jesus is so much more than stuff - the big house, fancy car, or luxurious vacation. Not that there is anything wrong with having these things, but they are not what the abundant life is all about.

An abundant life is one lived fully in the knowledge of God's love and grace.

The garden of Eden oozed abundance for its occupants. But the serpent perched in the one forbidden tree. His forked tongue darting in and out whispered to the woman - you lack.

How often do we set aside the promises and gift of Grace God offers us and choose to believe the lie - that we lack?

Choose life this day. Resist the enemy and his message of lack and walk according to the promises of our God who loves us wholly.

DAY 99

1 Peter 3:15 (New American Standard Bible)

¹⁵but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

I'll be on the road again today. I love to travel. And one thing that I enjoy thinking about on my wanderings, I am carrying the Holy Spirit in me to places I go.

Praying for the lands and people around me and rejoicing that He lives and HE lives in me.

Be Ready

DAY 98

Grateful

I wondered why this wasn't spelled greatful. Then couldn't figure out what was good about a grate - a frame of metal bars for a fireplace.

Aha! Grateful is derived from the latin - gratus - also the derivative of grace.

Grace is the freely given unmerited favor and love of God.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” - 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

So next time you say you are grateful - know it is from the favor of God and His love.

DAY 97

Abundance

John 10:10 Jesus said ....

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And He promises to give us life more abundantly.

Do we believe it?

I was asking the Lord why I find it so easy to find fault. I don't like that critical outlook that I so easily fall into.

His answer - You are seeing through eyes focused on lack.

Hmmm, thought about that. Of course He is right.

I was actually thinking that if someone didn't do something as well as I thought, that put me closer to doing it right, -- closer to Him

Not true. God loves each one of us wholly. It doesn't matter what so and so did or didn't do. His love for me is complete.

God does not operate in lack. He can create a universe with a word, feed 5000 with a loaf of bread and 2 fish. He can meet my needs and everyone else's without shorting anyone else.

He is all in all. Trust Him. Look through eyes focused on the abundant life in Christ. He has it all.

DAY 96

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” - Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Psalm 9:10

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Trust Him. HE is our only hope. All else will fail -friends, companies, nations. But the Lord your God will see you through the hard times.

Don't run when He calls but listen and do as HE says.

Revelation 2 ¹¹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

Listen

DAY 95

Isaiah 25 (NASB)Song of Praise for God's Favor

¹O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

DAY 94

This tree is shouting, "Spring is here!"

I stopped and took a picture of this tree. Many years I pass by a beautiful tree or flower, thinking that I'll take a picture tomorrow. But by the time I get around to it, the flowers are gone.

Reminds me of the manna the Lord showered on the children of Israel in the wilderness. They could only use a day's worth and couldn't save it or store it.

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

Why do we fret over tomorrow and miss what the Lord has for us today? I know that the Lord has treasures and special blessings for me, but often I miss them, choked out by the troubles of this world, even the pleasures of this world.

I purpose to set my eyes on the Lord and watch for His Mighty Hand. And rejoice in the goodness of God. Proclaiming that He is Lord. TODAY, as well as yesterday and tomorrow.

DAY 93

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Take God at His word. He is good to all. And all includes everyone. Look for His good in your life, knowing that the enemy seeks to plunder your joy and faith.

Do we go through hard times? Yes, but never alone.

Joshua 1:9(NIV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.””

Go, run the race set before you. Rejoicing that the Lord is with you and not against you.

DAY 92

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The birds are singing spring is near. The trees are preparing to open up with new life.

God's promise for new life is illustrated by His creation every year. It will happen.

Even if you are in the dark of a troubled time, look for the evidence. A spark, a tender ember of faith that says He is watching over you.

That small whisper that says HE will work all things for good to those called according to His purpose.

Purpose this day to walk in the newness of Life evidenced by the glory of God that shouts all around us.

DAY 91

Yep, I'm on another mini road trip. This beautiful animal lives at Fossil Rim Wildlife Park.

The wonder and array of the variety of animals the Lord created amazes me. I can just picture the Lord having fun making such a diverse world, and then bringing them to Adam to name.

Evolution? Takes a lot of faith to believe this all crawled out of a slime pit. If it was all about survival of the fittest, seems like everything would be brown or green.

Just look around at the glory of God's creation. His fingerprints are on everything.

Just ask Him.

Revelation 4:11 ¹¹Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

DAY 90

Little wisps of fog float across the pond looking like clouds on earth. One of my surprises for the day. The Lord was telling me He always provides things of wonder for us to see, but we often miss them.

See how many treasures you can spot today. They might look like a kind smile from a stranger, or a sweet song from a bird welcoming spring.

Maybe even discover how you can bring joy to someone else.

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

It doesn't take any more time to think on what is good than it does to think on what's wrong.

Choose to look for the good things, trust God to handle what's wrong, and rejoice in the day.