Hearing Instruction

Isaiah 55:3, “Incline thine ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

Morning friends! Is it not a great day to understand how actually hearing something can lead to so much better understanding? Many times we are caught not listening, but actually we just are not hearing what is being said, or what we are reading. All day we listen, sometimes just to hear the sounds around us; like birds chirping, wind blowing through the trees or tall grass, barking dogs in the distance, a baby’s cooing, etc. Then in comes reality where we listen to our car cranking, the radio as we travel to work, school teachers, or at work; then the sounds in those places drown out everything. There are people who cannot hear any sounds which is sorrowful, but sometimes a good thing! Every day we have to find inside ourselves the ability to hear some important things; like instructions. There will be times when we choose to hear, but never actually listen; then we have to ask for it to be repeated. Commonly, people tend to close off by being distracted by things that truly are not important. Focusing on the task at hand in order to accomplish a goal, we need to follow instructions; whether verbal, or written. God provided instructions in His word that if followed, our lives would be less dramatic, less stressed; just better! God chose several people throughout the Bible to do His will so they would teach others, and they would be rewarded just by following instructions. In every one of their lives, they tried doing it alone without God’s instructions and they began failing. They lost their family, belongings, almost their relationship with God. But; then God! He gave them and us the ability to realize how much He can do for us, within us, and through us! Next time you feel something isn’t going right, stop and take time to commune with God; hear God; so you can see if you were listening to His instructions or are you just NOT hearing His instructions!

Scriptures:

Read: Deuteronomy 4:12-13,29-31, Psalms 139:23, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:1, Isaiah 30:21, Jeremiah 33:3, Romans 10:17, Matthew 13:9, John 8:31-32, Hebrews 2:1-3, Psalms 85:8, John 8:47, John 10:16, 27, Hebrews 2:1, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:19, Revelations 3:20, Hebrews 3:15, Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 41:13, Luke 1:37, Luke 11:23, Mark 4:4, Matthew 7:24, Deuteronomy 28:1-2

Prayer:

Father, today is a new day. A day to be thankful for your instructions! We thank you Lord for allowing us to try doing it alone, for never leaving us, but mostly for bringing us back to your word! Please Lord, continue to give us the ears to hear and not just listen to what you are trying to instill in our hearts and lives. Help us to overcome the obstacles by relying on the instructions you provided. Amen.

Preparations of the Heart

Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Hello again! This is the day to finally come to terms with our hearts. Our heart is the most delicate of all body parts in means of feelings or emotions, even decision making. Today let us ponder on whether we have prepared our hearts with true understanding. From the moment we are born our hearts become open to care, love, dependence, on the family God has given us. Early in our lives our hearts beat with emotions of joy, acceptance, belief. We all have the innate or essential ability to feel the right thing from the wrong; we know right from wrong. Until we prepare our hearts we still have that urge to just try “it” anyway! Like as a child being told that something is hot, but that inner urge takes over, thus leading to the consequence! This doesn’t mean to not take chances; it means to make the right decision while taking that chance! As becoming adults, we need that preparation of how to endure life with such a delicate organ. Herein lies the answer to all matters of the heart. By giving our hearts to God and accepting His guidance in our choices during our journey in this world, we can get our hearts in alignment with His teachings. Accepting Him releases into our hearts a humble attitude. Humility and empathy can give a more aligned heart to embrace change whether it is good or bad. Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” NIV We must learn to be discerning, accepting of uncertainties; encouraging to others as well as oneself; never losing hope; doing what God called you to do, and live as if today is the day Jesus returns. Take time today to see if you are preparing your heart with the instructions God has provided!  

Scriptures:

Read: I Samuel 16:7, Ezekiel 36:26, I Chronicles 28:9, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Psalms 10:17, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 37:4, Psalms 51:10, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 2:37, Luke 16:45, Romans 10:10, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 4:2-4, II Timothy 2:12, Hebrews 10:22, James 4:8, I Peter 3:15

Prayer:

Father, today we thank you for giving us a heart that can learn and accept the promises you have given. We thank you for the preparations within your word that can allow us to build our hearts by being aligned with you! Help us Lord to accept the uncertainties, forgive us when we stray, and lead us back to you. Please go with us through each moment of every day, preparing our hearts. Amen.

Powerball Blunders

Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

Good morning! Thankful again to see another day, aren’t you? This seems like the title adheres to just gambling! But, it really refers to any blunder or mistake that you may have encountered that just power balled into more than you believed it could. But right now, you can correct it and then survive it! Relax, get a breath, focus, but most of all trust God to find the right answers and decisions. He provided an instruction manual just for these times; the Bible! Finding strength to overcome the obstacles placed in our paths is what He does best! He can provide the comfort, the understanding, and the solution. We have to come to the realization that we cannot do anything on our own. Sometimes we have to rely on others to step in and provide some extra help in some situations; but ultimately we must rely on God! When moments seem to be power balling, we must pause and retrace our starting position. Then we must examine the situation and see where we made the error. The last step in any of these moments is to ask for forgiveness; first to God, then to the person/persons or possibly to your own self. God is the ultimate forgiver of our mistakes; but as in these worldly mistakes; we know we possibly caused hurt, words criticized, actions endangered some person or thing; including ourselves. Our power balling into a situation without thinking through, or asking God to guide caused the blunder. The healer of all wounds or mistakes is with you always; waiting in the background; showing grace, love, and patience. He may have allowed that blundering obstacle, but it may have been a teaching moment; a moment He needed so you would come back to His instructions! Let’s take today to understand yesterday is gone, but today is here for acceptance; and tomorrow is ready for us to move forward to correction! Find God again, trust Him to guide you, have faith that He can and will help you to learn that power balling blunders only come when you stop putting Him first in actions and reactions!

Scriptures:

Read: I John 5:4-5, Romans 8:37-39, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 46:1, James 1:12-16, I John 1:8-9, II Chronicles 7:14, II Peter 3:9, Romans 12:19, Romans 13:4, Romans 15:4, Proverbs 28:13, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 4:32, Psalms 19:12-14, Mark 11:25, Philippians 13:13, Proverbs 16:3-5

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come now asking for peace, comfort, understanding in whatever situation is holding us captive. Please Lord, give us the answers we seek; help us to have trust in the instruction you can provide during any situation. Thank you for the guide book you provided so we can find in your words the answers we need. Help us to endure the choices we have made and the consequences of our actions. Lord, please help us to be receptive to the corrections by asking forgiveness from you and then to those involved. Show us Lord how to let go of yesterday, begin today, and head into tomorrow. Amen.

Turn Upward

James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Greetings Friends. “This the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24. What a way to greet the day; all positive and joyful! Sure, the year is new and inviting; new and exciting; new and full of possibilities! Today we want to focus on looking to God in all aspects of our lives. Sometimes we cannot grasp how we will move forward; but therein lies the real answer. If we believe, have faith, have trust, accept love and guidance from the One who knows our path; we have already taken the first and best step. We all search for answers; but are we searching in the right direction? Have we paused and taken time to look upward? In the quietness of the early morning; at the beginning of every day; have we chosen to meet with God? When we let the negative thoughts enter into our minds, do we let them take over or do we call on the One who can bring peace, understanding, and the vision of positive affirmations to light? Look back to that first sentence! The day the Lord made; the joy the Lord brings; do you believe what you read? God has the answers, we need only to search Him and ask. Turn your tunnel vision into a tunnel with the light shining at the path ahead. He has already designed a journey for us; we need only to ask “what next Lord”! If fear creeps in; ask for His peace; if indecisiveness exudes, ask for His truth; if doubt avails, ask for His strength to come down into you. II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” So this year is beginning new! You are beginning new! Let us take today and turn to Him; look upward for the answers; trust and obey; believe He has the answers! From this point on, let’s turn upward and receive what is new!

Scriptures:

Read: Psalms 46:10, John 3:16, Isaiah 55:6-7, James 4:7-8, Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 3:5-7, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalms 55:22, I Peter 5:5-11, I John 4:17-19, Proverbs 16:9, John 14:6-7, Matthew 7:13-15, James 1:2-8, Matthew 6:14-15

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come to you today thanking you for this day. Thanking you for allowing us another day to trust in your guidance. We humbly ask for you to come into our hearts daily so we will have peace, love and joy in this day and every day. Help us Lord to choose you in the path you created so we can continue in your service. Help us today Lord to let others see you in our lives. Thank you Lord for showing us that we need only to ask and you will provide. Amen.

Consistent

I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” KJV

Hello Friends! I pray you have already given praise to God for the day and all it will bring. Today we want to talk on being consistent in everything that we do. So many times God emphasized to His followers on how they would be rewarded for their diligence in being faithful. He never faltered in ensuring that their paths would lead them to better things; and the fulfillment of all His promises. When we become stedfast, immovable, consistent; in the calling He provides; life just becomes more positive. There will always be times that we feel overwhelmed or emotionally flooded; only to realize we forgot who is in control. We must never be someone we are not; or be one thing today and another tomorrow. Becoming strong in our trust and faith in God will allow us to push through. As we trust in His guidance we are ensured that He will lead us on the right paths; that He will give us the ability to share with others His grace and love. The first thing to do is to be consistent in prayer, patience, and joy; which means we must push out negativity. Sometimes when we are faithful in the small things it will lead to greater responsibilities; God is always faithful to finish the work He starts in you; asking only that you have consistent faith. As we persevere through the task of every day; we know the end results will turn out the best when we are stedfast and determined. The same goes for becoming a disciple for God. We may think we are not capable or worthy; but doing good works, showing kindness, thinking of others, is actually the step in the right direction. As the old saying goes, “you may be the only Bible someone ever reads”. This means your behavior, your actions, your caring attitude; are the things that people will remember and want to know how you are able to continually be positive. Showing others God’s way of living starts the chain reaction that leads to consistency. God ask us to try and never grow weary in doing good; because these acts of kindness, even the small ones, will lead to rewards beyond measure and bring you closer to Him. So today, why don’t we just keep being consistent in the good and throw out the negative. When life throws you lemons, just make the lemonade! Only good can come from good works; be who God called you to be daily; always be consistent !

Scriptures:!

Read: Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 13:8, Philippians 1:6, Malachi 3:6, James 5:12, I Peter 5:8-9, Galatians 6:9, Luke 16:13, Titus 2:7-8, I Corinthians 10:21, Colossians 3:23-24, John 15:4, Hebrews 10:23, James 1:4, II Thessalonians 3:13, Proverbs 16:3, I Corinthians 9:24, Matthews 25:21, Romans 12:12, Luke 16:10

Prayer:

Dear God, today we say thank you for your steadfast love and grace. Thank you for all your consistency in guiding us to be more like you. Help us God to continue doing the good works and showing the example to everyone around us. Please God, when we feel we are not able, come inside our hearts and remind us of your saving power, giving us strength to continue on. Help us Lord to let others see you within everything we do. Amen.

Moving Forward

II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.”

Good Morning! Praise God for a new year and all new beginnings. Let us take the time to thank Him for just opening our eyes to this bright and beautiful day. Whether you are in the sunny climates enjoying the warmth or whether you are in the bitter winter days of biting cold; be forever thankful and praise God that you were given this day. Today let us think on what this new chapter of our journey may be holding; think of all the new opportunities we will be given; think of how precious life is; think on how you as a new you can begin again. As we start our day let us take time to go to God in prayer asking for His guidance in our new year; asking for Him to continue bringing His blessings and thank Him for anything and all things that will be in the days to come. When you finish praying start planning what positive actions you can bring to your new year’s path. Maybe you are ready to join Him in spreading joy, love, compassion to everyone you meet. Are you making changes in how you will be worshiping Him, serving Him, sharing Him? The new year can be a great and exciting journey just by you turning over your life to the one who can make all things new. Maybe we all need to take this opportunity to list ways our lives can be beneficial to others as well as ourselves! Today is what we all celebrate; New Year; a time to move forward in every aspect of our lives. Just remember, that though there will be memories of the old, this new year is to be a forward movement. The past is not there to pull us back; its purpose was and is to teach us how to let go and move forward. Today let us use the past like a cannon that shoots us straight and forward! Changes are always for the best; they help determine our ability to move forward. Hold on to what was as a reminder of what can and will be. So, get moving, start the planning and let’s get this year moving forward!

Scriptures:

Read: Philippians 3:13-14, Proverbs 4:25, Isaiah 43:18-19, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 32:8, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalms 23:4, Romans 12:2, Exodus 14:14

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come to you now thanking you for the past year. We thank you for all that we endured; whether trials, temptations, grief, success, or anything that you helped us to push through. Father, you were there through it all and provided everything we needed and for that we are truly grateful. We are coming to you now asking that you please continue to guide us, lead us, love us through the new year. Please help us Lord to keep moving forward by allowing you to be the center of our lives so that everything will fall into place just as you have planned. Amen.

Waking To New Mercies

Matthew 5: 7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

Salutations my friends! It’s another day! First off, let us all thank God for the opportunity to wake and to acknowledge all His mercy! Every day is a gift; fully transformed into new experiences. Put aside any negative feelings. Place your thoughts toward the good that can happen today! Obtaining peace, even in trials, will allow us to experience God’s mercy, and teach us how to show mercy. The Bible depicts stories of people who received mercy: Adam & Eve, the Prodigal son, David, Paul, even Zacchaeus. Through all their tumultuous lives and countless others, God gave mercy in every situation. God chooses those who will make an effort to not only receive mercy but who will direct their lives to show mercy to others. A. W. Tozer said, "Mercy is not something God has: but something God is.” Now that was a mouthful of truth! Stop and think of every situation you have had throughout your life, then think of how that moment could have ended badly but… mercy! Even those moments you thought ended bad, but did they? Was it not for your good that your journey’s path was redirected, even in those bad moments? And thinking of all the positive outcomes; do you thank God for His mercy that was shown during those times also? Today, why don’t we ponder on the positive and then take heed to realize you are daily waking to new mercies!

Scriptures:

Read: Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:7, Hebrews 4:16, Lamentations 3:22-23, Psalms 23:6, Psalms 25:6-7, 10, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 30:18, Ephesians 2:4-5, Titus 3:5, James 3:7, I Peter 1:3, Romans 12:1-2, Psalms 51:1, Micah 6:8

Prayer:

Father, today, we come humbly asking you to bless us with the ability to have mercy in every moment of our lives, even when we are unsure, hurt, angry. Thank you for allowing daily mercy in our own situations. Go with us now and always, providing a path that will lead us to show mercy to others. Amen.

You Whisper Peace

II Thessalonians 3:16, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means, The Lord be with you all.”

Morning! Awaking to a new day is such a blessing. Many days have left you wondering about everything. Sometimes you feel stuck in the journey. But are you really stuck? Maybe, are you just realizing you have put God on the back burner? Could you have just gotten impatient on God’s timing for what you thought would be instant? It’s time to find peace even in the struggles. Finding that positive focus takes time and effort. Perhaps if you took time to go in your quiet place and call on God; that whisper of peace would come! Every day is another opportunity to reach a true peace in work, family relationships, friend relationships, personal relationships and especially in a spiritual relationship. We should feel honored to be allowed to enjoy every day. One step to finding peace, is to make sure that your immediate circle of friends and family share in your beliefs and are on board with having less drama in life’s journey. The second step is to be positive in living, thinking, even in behavior; whether in private or in public. And third; bring God back to help you receive true peace! There is a voice, can you can hear it? That small but mighty voice; it’s just a whisper; but it’s there. The voice resounds with love, brings comfort, fills you with peace. Finding peace in a tumultuous world is a never ending job; but finding peace within is just an act of acceptance. Which means, bringing God into everything outward and inward. The answer lies in His word, your answers to any questions are there. Let today be the day to hear Him whisper peace to you.

Scriptures:

Read: Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Romans 8:24, Romans 5:1, Psalms 23, Psalms 29:11, Psalms 119:165, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Philippians 4:13, Ephesians 4:1-3, Ephesians 5:20, John 14:27, Isaiah 26:3

Prayer:

God, we know you are here; here just waiting to hear our acceptance to peace. Please guide us in our journey to find peace by allowing your strength to become our strength. Thank you for your voice that speaks peace to us even in troubled times. Help us God to add peace to our daily routines by studying your word. Thank you for the whispers of peace and giving us another opportunity to hear you. Amen.

God Sees What You Cannot

Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Greetings all! Today let’s be thankful for everything! Let us realize all of our potential which we have been hiding within ourselves. God gave you so much knowledge and understanding from the moment you were conceived. He knows you like no one else. You have within your being to achieve whatever you want, but most importantly, what will make you happy inside and out. Just because you cannot do the same things as a sibling, cousin, friend; doesn’t mean you don’t have a gift hidden inside you. Every individual has strengths in the gifts they were provided with. You may be a scientist, an architect, a motivational speaker, possibly mom of the year! Whichever path gives you confidence in yourself, gives you utter joy and peace within, is the gift God gave you. What you cannot see or rather what you are not allowing yourself to see, at this moment, is your inner abilities. That confidence that you are worth way more than the world says you are. The one you need to come to is God; the one who created you to begin with. Rely on His truth, His knowledge, His love and understanding. Open up your eyes to see what God knows is there! Ask Him for that courage, that lifting, that guidance. You are more than you believe, and there are others who can see that too! Look how far you’ve come through this journey! Now, open your eyes and see what God already knows you are capable of doing and get to it! Opportunity awaits because God can see what you cannot!

Scriptures:

Read:  Isaiah 41:10, Romans 15:13, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalms 56:3-4, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 26:4, Psalms 28:7, Matthews 19:26, Romans 8:18,31, Colossians 2:5-7, Psalms 55:22, Psalms 19

Prayer:

Dear God, I come to you and humbly ask for your reassurance, your loving kindness, your love. I ask you Lord to forgive me for not applying all the talents you have provided within me. Lord, thank you for helping me to come back to you and your guidance. Please Lord help me now to overcome and find that inner courage to move on through the journey you have laid out for me! Thank you for seeing me! Amen.

Feeding In The Famine

Galatians 6:9, “An let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Morning! Today is here! Morning has come to us all again. Let’s talk about the many feeling as if they are in a famine. That their souls are just not fulfilling within and without. When we become lost in ourselves and the negative thoughts, the actions of others; stop! It is feeding time! Find joy in the midst of troubles! Go back to the word; you know, the Bible you left lying on the dresser, maybe the coffee table, possibly the book shelf! Get it down, pray and ask God to open up the passage that can help you get fed. It is so hard when the world has taken away the positive and everything around the world focuses on the negative. But, God is in control and His word will take away the hunger and thirst; thus filling your soul with hope! Yes, you have forgotten how He gave you your life, knowledge, success! God has already given you so many things; while working through you, allowing you to push towards your goals. You became empty when you placed His word on a shelf; thereby losing the guidebook to all journeys! Now, take this guidebook, share its message in your everyday actions, reactions, and feed others while you feed yourself! A famine only last as long as you sit back and not apply yourself to find the solutions. With God all things are possible; so get busy and be fed in the famine!

Scripture:

Read: Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Ephesians 2:1-7, Galatians 6:3-4, John 6:35, Psalms 23:4, Matthew 4:4, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 25:35, Jeremiah 15:16, Romans 10:17, Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 40:1,31, Titus 3:3-7, Psalms 73:25, James 2:14, Mark 8:34-38, John 6:51, Psalms 119:15-16

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your words, your teachings, your promises. Please Lord, come and fill me again so I can do the work we have all been called to do! Give me strength to apply all your messages to my life so I can be a filling to others who are in a famine. Thank you Lord for giving me a famine to endure so I can come back to you and be fed again! Amen.

Life After Let Down

Luke 1: 37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Hello! It’s morning again! You have the chance to begin again. If yesterday left you feeling exhausted, depressed, heavyhearted, in a burnout; just downright miserable, there is hope! We already know that life is hard. Jobs are hard. Dealing with other people is really hard! This world sometimes only offers the negative. This is the time to reach deep inside to the person God created. Remember that God makes no mistakes. He is in every moment of our journey through this world on a path to life eternally with Him. You are strong, you are able, you are beautiful/handsome, you are loved. Choose to be happy, choose to be different! Think positive even in a negative situation! So you didn’t get what you were working for, maybe it was because God has a bigger plan. If you check your past, you will see you have already come way further than anyone imagined and it was because you pushed yourself! Add God’s guidance and you can move even further! Lamentations 3: 25-26, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” KJV Stop trying to do it alone; He is always there to encourage and direct; just open up and listen! Let the ‘let down’ go and know it was just another step on journey! Take in a fresh breath, release it; now decide to be positive! This world can only offer you things, but There really is life after you have been let down!

Scriptures:

Read: Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:28, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:1-3, Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 20:1, Colossians 8:8-14, Matthew 10:39-40, Matthew 16:25-27, II Corinthians 4:7-9, Psalms 32, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Romans 12:19-2

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me through my good days and my bad. Help me when I feel down to know that if I allow you into my heart, that you can bring me peace and understanding. Please Lord help me to know that my journey here is only a step towards you. Thank you for helping me understand that my future is still intact because of you Lord. Thank you for the promise of life after all the let downs. Amen.

That Glorious Light

II Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined I our hearts, to giveth light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Good morning! Thankful for another day and an opportunity to focus on the light of day. Sure, many people have jobs that begin way before the sun has broken the tree line and rises up. But there is another light that shines even in the darkness. A glorious light that reflects within us; working to keep our lights shining even in the struggles of every day! Even though you feel lost, worn, just tired; there is a light at the end of every tunnel when you trust in God. Do you recall the children’s song ‘this little light of mine’? It constantly sends the message of not hiding the light, but to let it shine, let it shine! It also wants us to not hide our light, Jesus, but to let Him shine through us! Where do you find that light? By accepting Jesus light that shines through all darkness. Deep in the depths of our souls lies the glorious light that can break through the darkness! Allow God to open that hidden light so that even in the struggles He brings the light. Even after the storms the rainbow bears all the colors of the world reflecting on what God created. The clouds will float away revealing the sun to shine its light; then like at night, the moon and stars burst the reflections of celestial light! There is no darkness that His glorious light cannot break through! Today let us begin with the light inside shinning out so others will want to experience God’s glorious light also!

Scriptures:

Read: John 8:12, Revelation 21:23, I Peter 2:9, Isaiah 60:1-2 & 19-20, Isaiah 9:2, Psalms 18:28-30, Ephesians 5:8, Psalms 123:1, Luke 1:78-79, I John1:7

Prayer:

Father, we come today asking for You to take away the darkness and reflect the light allowing us to go forth daily with You. Thank you for giving us a way out of darkness, pain, sorrow. Thank you for waking us to a new day which will give us new opportunities. Go with us now helping us to show others the glorious light that lives inside us. Amen.

Christmas Up There

James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Good morning! Blessings today to you and all you are experiencing. Today let us ponder on gifts, whether real or imagined, wished upon or received. Throughout the year many receive gifts for the celebration of many things; birth, achievements, graduations, marriage, pregnancy, anniversaries. But do we set our sights on gifts of greater value like love, acceptance, trust, faith, hope, salvation even resurrection? Are we thankful for all we have or all we can receive through the birth, life and death of Christ, whose gift is greater than any other? Do we ponder on those who are not here, but who taught us more about all these Godly things? Why have we just dwelt on what they gave here and not what they are being given in heaven? Can we not fathom the celebrations that happen up there? Worship is a gift and few here on earth get that luxury unless they live in a free country; a country that allows them to worship God! Our gifts here are but a mere pebble upon the ground to the joy of what gifts await us in heaven! The real Christmas down here happened once; but it gave us the ultimate gift! We as God’s beloved people must not stop the celebration of a savior who came to save! The worldly gifts down here are not the ones that will give us access to Christmas in heaven! We must find a way to understand that the gift was given, then taken, then resurrected, so that we could receive the ultimate gift! Today focus on Christmas up there! Cherish the fact that family members, friends, others; are celebrating a NEW life, a wonderful SAVIOR and an ALMIGHTY GOD! Let us celebrate by sharing what gifts down here will lead to Christmas up there!

Scriptures:

Read: John 3:16, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:14, 26-35, Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:8-14, Matthew 2:10-12, Psalms 34:8, John 1:4,14, James 1:17, Acts 20:35, Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:14-16

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come now accepting the ultimate gift of salvation! Thank you Lord for sending the greatest gift! Thank you Father for giving more than we deserve. Teach us now and every day to worship you here as we will in heaven. Help us to celebrate by sharing that gift with everyone we meet, wherever they are, so that one day we all can celebrate with you in heaven! Amen.

Chaotic World

John 16: 33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Greetings friends! Today we want to praise God even in this chaotic world! Every day there are obstacles, there are trials and there are temptations. No one can turn on the television or radio without hearing some sort of tragedy. The world of media looks for the ugly, the torn, the hurting, the negative of every country, every race; just to exploit their pain and despair. Why not exploit the good? Why not give a light in a world of chaos so that the dark is extinguished? Today and every day find you a focal point of joy! The chaos is but for a moment; take hold on your chaos! Steven Furtick said, “You can have peace in your soul even when there is chaos all around you! Instead of asking God to get you out of it, ask Him what His purpose is for you while you’re in it!” What can you do to get through anything? Take time to get in tune with God! Put on the armor of God learning about truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation. Learn that the positive spirit, your sword and armor is the Bible; His word abounds with the knowledge to overcome all chaos! Take time to receive the truth about His righteousness, then receive His peace, have faith in His promises, receive salvation and be filled with His spirit. Most of all, take the Bible as the sword to help guide you in all things! There can be peace in this chaotic world, just believe and trust God to show you!

Scriptures:

Read: Ephesians 6:11-17, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Isaiah 40:29, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 46:1, I John 5:4, Deuteronomy 20:4, I Corinthians 10:13

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, come now and fill our hearts and souls with your abounding peace, love and fulfillment! Thank you for providing the armor for which we can battle all obstacles in this chaotic world! Thank you for bringing joy in the midst of sadness. Lead us now into the battle knowing we can win! Show us the ultimate victory in a chaotic world! Amen!  

Rejoice In The Response

James 1:19, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Morning! Are you rejoicing in the response? Are you rejoicing in the valleys of struggle as well as the mountains of success? When we are obedient, and faithful in doing God’s will our words become aligned with God’s. Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” KJV Sir Isaac Newton’s quote has been used time after time. He said, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” This quote is a great way to understand how to rejoice in the response! Every day we are approached by someone in conversation, recognition, greeting, phone calls, text, letters, email, etc. How we respond to any moment whether to a loved one, a friend or a stranger can determine the rest of our day or night! Our mindset should always be on that popular saying, “What would Jesus Do”, in any and every situation. Do we take time to think before we react? Do we count to ten so our mind is able to process? Do we take in a deep breath, close our eyes, relax our body? When we take our focus away from God and His teachings thus allowing the devil to reside where only God should be, this causes us to be in the wrong spirit. Never do anything in the wrong spirit because the results will take our joy and the joy of others. Our focus needs to not focus on what others think or say of us. Remember to rejoice in what God thinks of you. Pray that God helps you to become less sensitive to negative reactions toward you. Become the encourager even in the darkest of moments. Jesus asked his Father to forgive those who persecuted Him, while enduring unfathomable pain and ridicule. His thoughts were on what He was giving to others. Push yourself today to find positivity in all things; even the negative! Find peace within and show it on the outside while rejoicing in the response!

Scriptures:

Read: Proverbs 25:11, Psalms 119:42-44, Matthew 12:35-36, Hebrews 4:12, I John 3:18, Proverbs 23:16, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:32, Proverbs 14:29, Colossians 3:8, Matthew 15:11, Colossians 3:12, James 1:19-20

Prayer:

God we come to you asking for your strength to fill us and allow us to respond in joyful voices. Fill us with your presence so our reactions will become less like the devil and more like your son’s! Thank you for giving us the tools to find that joy in responding! Help us Lord to rejoice in the response! Amen.

Peace In Pieces

John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Good morning. As you awake to start this day, think positive. Today just give yourself the chance to have peace inside and out. Realize that true peace comes in pieces and it’s never the same. Life is like a jigsaw puzzle; constantly looking for the right pieces; finding which ones fit best! Try to find it in everyday moments; the little things and the big things! As you read the paper; though articles may hold turmoil somewhere else; pray for them and be thankful it is not here. Find it in a warm bath or shower after a hard day of work; when you feel relaxed, the pieces become whole! We will always need different parts in life to complete total peace; even the ugly parts! Through struggles we must find peace so that we overcome those negative times. Maybe you find peace while outside; gardening, walking, sitting in the sun or shade; running or jogging! It is possible to have prayer time anywhere because this allows God to come down and dwell with you giving you peace! We can even find peace in knowing our children are enjoying playing sports, acting in plays, singing at concerts; any event they are a part of! Joy inside brings peace! Even in death, we can receive peace in the knowledge that loved ones or friends are no longer suffering! In all things God can bring peace. He can bring the pieces together that will give you peace. Open up today to all the pieces that can provide you peace!

Scriptures:

Read: Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:15, II Corinthians 1:3-4, Proverbs 17:18, Proverbs 25:24, Proverbs 21:9,19, Ephesians 5:20, Ephesians 4:3, John 14:24, Psalms 29:11, Isaiah 26:3

Prayer:

Father, thank you for providing the pieces in this life that bring peace to a tumultuous world. I pray for the ability to find answers in your word to help with complete peace. Bless each of us as we place the pieces of peace into our hearts and minds to allow your presence to fill us. Amen.

Out of the Dark

Psalms 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Hello good friends! Today came with a joyful noise; sing praises for this day! In this day let’s talk about talking, listening, hearing. Have you ever been without communication? No way to hear from anyone? Lost in the midst of solitude that is hard for anyone else to fathom! Why do we cry, become irate with anger, scream, yell, just reaching for something unreachable? Why do we question what is to be or situations that we endure? Does this darkness give us peace or solace? Does it release adrenaline that keeps us alive? Our human brains, even with high IQ’s, cannot explain the thoughts and feelings that form in our inner brain cells when we allow negativity to enter! Our hearts fill with unexplained emotions formed during loss, during rejection, during anything negative. Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” KJV When we allow the darkness to dwell inside we lose the positive feelings that carry our joy, our peace, our hope, our faith. Open up the Bible and look for the words of people who felt the same but found joy even in the valleys because they sought then found God. We must not fall to the darkness of defeat, fear. We must open our hearts to the sole provider of peace; Jesus. Even at the lowest, He is there to allow us the release of emotions, so we can feel His presence. Go ahead and scream out, let God hear you, then ask for Him to come down and fill you with His presence. Pray; because prayer gives you a direct line to the Father. He can bring you back out of the dark.

Scripture:

Read: I Corinthians 7:8-11, Psalms 119:76-77, Matthew 5:4, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 12:12, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer:

Lord, I come in earnest prayer and supplication, asking for your presence in my heart and soul. I thank you for allowing me to release the pain through my voice to relieve me of pressure building up inside. Thank you for not leaving me alone in times of distress. Place in me comfort, peace and love. Grant me your strength to persevere through the valleys and climb the mountains laid before me. Help me to continue reaching you through prayers. Amen.

He Called My Name

John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Another day has come! We are blessed and thankful God allowed us to see this day! So today, think about how we are called. Were you called to rescue people like firefighters, policemen, armed forces? Were you called to be a physician or surgeon, nurse or tech, for people? Maybe you were called to teach, instruct, lead. Could be that you were called to be a cashier on route to management or your own business? The calling is endless with so many choices! There comes a time when you will hear God call you. Even in the job or career you have been working at, God needs you to be a disciple; showing others how much better life is with God in it! You may have doubts; you may think your small endeavors will be inadequate; but God uses even a child. Keep your mind open to hear that small voice inside your mind that beckons to you to listen. It will cause you to feel emotions against anything that is negative. You will be trying to make a choice and if it’s the wrong choice God will call you by name! He will be that voice that says check that twice; check the pros and cons! Ponder on whether that choice will benefit you in this moment or in the future? Be sure you are praying; be sure you are checking God’s word to gain guidance. You can choose to be called to the right choice. When He calls, He also provides the instructions in His word to guide you on your journey. Is He calling to you? Have you ignored that voice that is pricking at your heart? Open yourself up to what He can offer, He has your plans already laid out, it’s up to you to hear Him calling your name!

Scripture:

Read:  I Peter 2:9, Hebrews 12:11-13, Proverbs 4:26-27, I Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 20:16, Acts 9:15-16, I Corinthians 1:27

Prayer:

Lord, I come to you in humble praise thanking you for calling my name so I may have eternal life with you. Please give me strength to allow you to reach me, using your knowledge to guide me in all things of this world. Also, Lord, forgive me when I ignore your calling, but prick my heart so I can come back to you and hear your voice. Thank you again for my calling whether great or small. Amen.

Running Home

Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Greetings friends! Let us be thankful for the day. Are we having a good week? Are the powers of heaven reaching down to give you joy, peace and understanding? Has life handed you the worst or the best? How are you planning on adjusting the negative into a positive situation? Can we change our perspective so that the bad can become better? The day has not yet begun so there is hope. Maybe it means running home in your mind to remember your past for the advice that helps your future. Praying to God is the main way to ease that uncertainty; to allow His peace to calm you. But maybe you need to run to someone else whom you believe can pray with you, and possibly have advice. Do you have a certain person; like a close friend, a relative, a pastor, a mentor? Jonah chose to run from God and not do the task he was asked to complete. But a negative action reminded him that the positive will and can lead you away from the negative. The prodigal son ran to live in the negative world only to be reminded of the positive good he lost. Upon returning he was welcomed with open arms! God doesn’t leave you and He always welcomes you back home! We gain the tools needed in His word to make this life journey with the good and the bad to become livable. He offers the knowledge within His word to nurture and teach you how to make the best of anything that comes your way! Gain the trust and faith you need to help you to run home if you need to. So go for that run, that jog; just go for that next step on your path! Always remember and know that He will be there and if you feel lost, just come running home!

Scriptures:

Read: Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Deuteronomy 5:1-14, Luke 1:37, Psalms 139: 23-24, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 4:13,Isaiah 40:29-31, Proverbs 4:11-14

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving us the knowledge from your word to know that you are a forgiving Father and your arms are always open! Please continue to provide a place for us to run to in times of trouble. Thank you for all the teachings you gave to enlighten us in the ways of your commandments. Protect us when we stray and give us the faith to know we can always come home to you. Amen.

Ever Changing

Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (NLT)

Morning! Are we ready to take on this world and anything that is in our path? Today may we notice that nothing can or will stay the same. You may think, yes it does; but does it? We grow spiritually, mentally, physically; daily, weekly, monthly and yearly! The house you grew up in was built one way, but it had additions, whether shelves, steps, flooring, even the people who came inside; to live or to visit. All things have to endure change to move on in growth. If we stayed the same we would miss out on God’s blessings! Had you not went to the gym, would you have grown physically; or challenged yourself; or met a new friend? Had you not taken that first job, would you have grown mentally with more knowledge and gained important experience? That tree your family planted, did it stay a seedling or continue to thrive and grow? Ever changing your experiences leads to knowledge, memories, and to the journey God planned just for you. There are people who say they cannot deal with change, but you need to notice the little changes so you can proceed through the big changes. The journey you will travel has good and bad experiences, but they offer so much more. The best change will be your willingness to let God be your guide. You will definitely notice changes for the better. Open up your mind, heart and soul to the changes; you just might be moving in God’s planned direction! Only good things are in the outcome of His plans even with the ever changing of things around us!

Scriptures:

Read: II Corinthians 4:16, II Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:19, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:21-24, Romans 6:3-7, Psalms 51:8-13

Prayer:

Father, I come to you humbly asking for the ability to accept changes however big or small they may be. Help me Lord to grow and proceed through the journey you have planned for me. Thank you for each change you have provided for the growth of my own personal life. Use me Lord to show others the possibilities that come with those changes. Amen.