DAY 175

A field of yellow sunshine.

What really matters in this life?

I believe it's the answer to the question - Is your name written in the Lamb's book of life?

John 3:17

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Acts 16:30

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

You can know. You can be assured. Once the eternal question is resolved, life on earth can come into focus. No longer does one assured of their eternal destination need to scrap and fight for position on this planet. As heirs to the kingdom, all that the Lord has is yours already.

Luke 10:20
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

Not sure? Seek, Ask, and Knock - your Father in heaven is waiting for you. to show you His abundant life and grace through His son, Jesus.

DAY 174

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

That is wisdom!

Who hasn't thought outloud and regretted it? Behind the loud words you will most likely find pride.

Pride demands to be heard and to be right. And feels so good while giving in to it.

Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit

Trust in the Lord takes away our need to be right and to be heard.

The thing for us to do is to hear God, do and say what He would have us do and say.

Step one is to be quiet before the Lord. Then listen. Then act accordingly.

Power is not found in the loudest voice or putting another in their place because we think we know better or are the only right way.

The most powerful are humble before God, understanding that He is all in all and only His way is right.

As the Bible says - even the fool looks wise when he holds his tongue.

Be wise, listen, and hear the Lord, and then speak in His wisdom.

DAY 173

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Honor one another. Sounds easy. But in our competitive world - many clamor for recognition, climb over each other, and look for fault to broadcast to anyone who will listen. A very much vulture mentality.

To honor one another is humility - the opposite of pride.

Remembering that God knows us by name, chose us, and has a plan specifically designed for us, will help in our outlook toward others.

It really doesn't matter that he was blessed, she looks great, they make more money. Your life is not going to be better because someone else is doing worse.

So honor one another.

Because God has your place, your plan, your destiny in His capable hands.

And He is complete and has enough to take care of the entire population.

Honoring others, honors God.

DAY 172

Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Mark 12:31
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these

I am thankful to the Lord for all the people who respond to a disaster and help those in need.

Watching the news after the tornado damage, it does give one hope about mankind as you see so many rush to help others.

DAY 171

Sunshine after a storm. Bright and tinged through a prism of pink and orange the light it makes is different than that of a cloudless sky.

Psalm 40:16
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Though storms come, as they will, though many mock God and those who follow Him, as they will, though people throw out what is good and embrace what is evil, as they will- We who are alive in Christ will magnify the Lord and tell others what the Lord has done. Telling the Good News to those who are perishing. For there will come a time of judgment.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NASB)

DAY 170

The End of the World?

I don't think so. Not today anyway.

Mark 13:32
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

But at least the man who is proclaiming this as the last day put his money where his mouth is.

And who is to say, of the many who find that this is their last day, maybe some will cry out to the one name that can save them - JESUS!

And people are talking about the end times. I get a sense that the whole world understands that something is up.

^{Mark 13:33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

DAY 169

Don't waste your time chasing the devil's dogs.

I'm not sure where I heard this bit of wisdom, but it's good advice. What is a devil's dog? It can be anything that riles you up, gives you a sense that you need to defend or set something right, or an irritating individual.

Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Even though you have good intentions, the devil's dogs are often our own fleshly pride. The sly ones are those that make you feel so right when you chase after them. I am sure they are barking - sucker.

We are in the Lord's army and He is our captain. His orders and His only we are to follow. When we go off on our own we are the proverbial loose cannon.

I am talking to myself right now after a bout of running after one. Like a silly dog after a squirrel it will never catch - off I went. Okay, today I am wiser, will do what it is I am supposed to do.

And that picture of that mean looking animal - well below is my pup on a happy day.

DAY 168

Hope!

How many times have you heard or said - "Don't get your hopes up."

Yet, that is exactly where they are supposed to be. If our hope is in God, then I think that is pretty up there.

To lower our hope is fear that God is not good or worthy of our trust.

Psalm 71:14
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Set your hope high. For we serve a living loving God. He will not harm us. Although His answer may be no, we can trust Him.

Hope big, hope high, hope for the impossible. For with God, nothing is impossible.

DAY 167

What a cool looking little flower and plant.

Our God is amazing in the diversity of His creation. And it is in seeing His creation that man is held accountable.

Romans 1: 20 ²⁰For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:²¹Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²²Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ²³And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

The truth is all around. Amazing stories of proof how God created the heavens and the earth. Check out creationist sites and see what they would have to say. Evolution? It takes more faith to believe in mans explanation that disorder would jump to order than it does to believe Genesis 1:1 ¹In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Who can look at a sunset, the stars at night, or a newborn baby and not know in their hearts that there is a God. One who designed it all.

And what is more amazing - that God loves you, knows your name, and has plans for your life.

Wow! What a way to start the day.

DAY 166

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” - Romans 11:33

The Lord is so much bigger, wiser, and amazing than we can even begin to understand.

Read His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and be amazed at the new things He reveals to you in the scriptures.

The Bible is a living word just as we serve a living God. Not bound to our ideals and religious thinking, but alive and ready to quicken our spirits with His wisdom.

Seek a quiet place, ask the Holy Spirit for understanding, and read the Word.

It is amazing.

DAY 161

1 Peter 2:16-18 ¹⁶As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Honor - treat with respect.

That is not easy to honor all others. In fact, our society takes great joy in mocking everyone, especially those in authority.

And by so doing, we are not fearing God.

I would think the Lord knows what He is doing. He places authority over us - like it or not.

Along the same idea of forgive so you will be forgiven, give honor to others in the spirit of grace and you will receive grace.

Let this day be one where we walk in honor, respecting others despite what our natural mind wants to do, seeing with eyes set on heavenly things not earthly, and know that the Lord sees us and knows our hearts.

Rejoice for in Him it is all good.

DAY 165

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17

It's Monday.

When I read this verse, how can I not go gladly into the day?

My God, rejoices over me with joy, sings over me. Dances over me.

Romans 8:31
...If God be for us, who can be against us?

So go boldly into the day.

You have a new day, a new week, and God loves you.

It doesn't get better than that.

DAY 164

“As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” - Ecclesiastes 11:5

What a comfort that I have a God bigger than me.

One who places the stars in the universe just so that life on earth exists.

One that calls those stars be name and and knows my name too.

One who places authorities in power for His purpose.

One who longs for His children to come unto Him and provide the way with His son Jesus.

One who is worthy of praise and honor and glory.

One who answers our prayers. Showers us with His tender mercies and grace.

Seek Him while He may be found. Time is short.

DAY 163

Perspective - it's all in how you look at it.

Or is it?

Isaiah 55:8 ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Truth is how God sees things.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

In these chaotic times where many shout and clamor their wisdom, seek the Lord's wisdom. His truth.

Proverbs 14:12

¹²There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

DAY 162

Philippians 2:3-4 NASB

³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Basically - we are to live as Christ lived.

Hmm, easy to say, hard to do. Just think about when you drive and someone pulls out in front of you. : )

So, how do we mere mortals live like Jesus?

Good news - we don't do it on our own. Can't. If we were capable of being perfect, we wouldn't have needed Jesus and His sacrifice.

We have the Holy Spirit. Listen to Him. Spend time with Him. The Word says to guard our hearts and minds. We can do that with spending time with the Lord and learning His Word.

With Jesus, all things are possible. Even for us to smile at the person who just pulled out in front of us as we are driving.

DAY 160

Outlook - how you look outward.

Yeah, that's me. I used to hate pictures of myself. Still not my favorite thing, but at least now I don't cringe.

If you find you don't like yourself in pictures, start taking a bunch of them and you get used to yourself.

I don't look at others and go -ewww, so I figured I shouldn't do it to myself. It does work.

All this to bring me to the point of the day -- how we see others effects how others see us.

Try it, put on the shades of grace and look at others as Jesus would see them. I bet you get more smiles.

Look past the clothes, flaws, scowls, and see someone that Jesus cared enough about to die for.

Perspective is powerful.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

DAY 159

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Gospel means good news.

So what exactly is it we are to preach?

Jesus, the promised Messiah, came to redeem whosoever will believe that He is God's Son. He proved who He was by healing the sick, setting the captives free, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor.

Good news - we who believe will not perish but have life everlasting.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

1 Corinthians 9:14

¹⁴Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Mark 13:10
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Interesting Gospel verses that challenge.

DAY 158

Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

I read that little book - Heaven is for real.

About a little boy who went to heaven and came back.

His descriptions of Jesus and heaven are amazing. But what I found most interesting was how it changed my thinking. Or maybe a better way to say it is how it gave me a reality check.

I knew Jesus, knew He was real, my Savior. But now - Reality check - He is real!

And how I look at and treat others - well, He sees and knows. Yikes!

Matthew 25:39-40

³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Rejoice that Jesus loves you. Live like it and love others.

DAY 157

I like tree-covered roads. They're like hidden treasures shaded from the sun.

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Jesus covers us, shading us from the pure light of a Holy God. Without His covering, we would be undone.

And in His covering shadow, we find security and peace.

Seek the special times where you come under His shadow. Place yourself, your will, your life under the Father's care.

And rest in His good will.

DAY 156

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

As a writer, I love stories. We all have a story.

And our stories of how and when and where the Lord touched us are important to remember.

When we first believed.

When we saw His hand work in our behalf.

When he healed us.

When we saw the light of life enter a sinner.

Write down your stories. Remember them. And when the enemy comes to deceive us, trick us, and try to persuade us that God is not real or good, rejoice that you've been bought by the precious, innocent blood of the lamb and proclaim your testimony and overcome him.

DAY 155

Peaceful morning.

Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Pursue peace. How do we do that? Many times I think peace is out of my control. But is it? Are there things we can do to walk in His Peace?

Here are some ways to pursue His peace.

*The above verse says to depart from evil and do good.

Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

*Be meek, submitting unto the Lord.

Proverbs 3:1-3

¹My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

*Keep His commandments close to your heart.

Go after peace, pursue it, and delight in His goodness.

DAY 154

I awoke this morning to a beautiful bird song. The sun not up yet, the sky tinged with morning's promise, and the sweet melody of one of God's creatures caught up in joy.

Praise shouts all around us.

Glorious bird songs, bold flowers, and horizons filled with color and promise. It's a new day. God is good! How can I not join in with the praise fest?

Morning is more than getting up, breakfast, and charging into the new day. It's also a time to reset, recharge, and acknowledge that God is good.

Praise Him in the morning. Let your heart sing, your spirit recharge, and let Him set your day.

Psalm 143:8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

DAY 153

Clouds, rising white sentinels pushing upward bringing excitement, fear, hope if you need rain.

I love clouds.

There is a good reason to watch the clouds.

Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Watch, pray, and be ready. He is coming, returning as the King of Kings.

DAY 152

Shadow sentries. They appear every sunny morning and disappear as the sun rises.

Isn't this how we are to be? As the Son first shines on us, we are like the trees, soaking up what He has for us. And as our time with Him increases, we decrease until we are not and all that remains is the Lord in His Glory and His light shines through us.

Like Moses, after he was in the Presence of the Lord on Mt Sinai, his face shone so bright that he had to cover it.

John 3:30 He(Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Walk in the light and shine!

DAY 151

Rain! The thirsty ground laps up the life-giving water. You can hear the earth and the creatures giving a satisfied, "Ahhh."

Psalm 42:1
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God

Drought. It comes subtly. Maybe life is busy, too much to do, so time with the Lord decreases.

Until we notice the burned edges around our life. The joy is diminished, peace has fled, a raw gnawing in our soul sets our hearts heavenward.

Where is He?

He is as near as an aching thirsty heart. A quick answer to one of His children, if we but seek, ask, and knock.

Drink freely and often, rejoicing in His Presence and His Word.

DAY 150

Queen Anne's lace in my field. Picture is in honor of the Royal wedding. And in honor of all us who are called by His name. The Name above of all names, Jesus. For we are Royalty of the Most High.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Dance in His marvelous light.

Rejoice that you are His and a part of the Kingdom that will never cease.

Dance in His marvelous light.

DAY 149

Genesis 1:27-28 ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸And God blessed them...

After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord blessed them.

To bless means - to make holy, watch over protectively, wish well on another.

Psalm 128:1
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

If you want a blessing, read Revelation and listen and do as He says.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Bless one another. Let grace be upon your lips and alive in your hearts and you will be blessed.

DAY 148

Happy Friday!

Look at those bright little sunflowers smiling at the sun.

Jesus didn't come to give us a hard time. He came to save us from ourselves and give us joy and peace.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

So, some may ask just where is that joy and peace?

It's there, sometimes easier to see than others.

Friday challenge!

Look around:

What or who can you find to be thankful for?

What can you find that brings a smile to your face? (could be as simple as some little flowers smiling back at you. :)

Happy hunting as you walk into fields of grace and discover the goodness of God.

DAY 147

It's that kind of day. Perfect!

The same God that rules this beautiful day, also rules the stormy skies that the tornadoes were born from.

So how do we figure that into a God who is love?

He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

I don't have an answer other than we live in a fallen world. Man, through Adam, chose to go on his own.

But God did provide a way back to paradise, through His Son, Jesus.

No matter what happens in this life on earth, we who are called by His name, are secure in His loving hands. Nothing can pluck us out from His hold.

The Judgment does not come during this world but the next.

Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Comfort those who mourn, rejoice with those who rejoice, and proclaim the good news that Jesus came to set us free and we will not taste of the second death, but walk into life everlasting.

DAY 146

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Some are saying there is no hell or judgment. Deception hisses through the land. Be wise and seek what the Lord does say. We have His Word.

Jesus came to save us if we believe Him.

God is love and just.

Because of the evilness of mankind, he flooded the earth and killed all but Noah and his family.

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, but Lot was saved from out of it.

Judgment will come, but first He sent salvation through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:5-6 ⁵And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

⁶And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Be wise, seek the Lord, repent, and be saved from the judgment that will come.