LOVE

The following is Paul expressing the concept of love as inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus:


"If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or clanging cymbal....If I gave everything I have to poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance....
There are three things that will endure - faith, hope, and love - love - and the greatest of these is love!"



Jesus matters for the simple reason that He announced a concept of love for others that was previously unacknowledged. His teachings in this regard have become the standard to which members of civilization have aspired. Very few manage to maintain that level of love for others; but we are all better off when we least attempt it. The world is a better place because Jesus gave us a deeper, richer realization of friendship....and what it means to be a friend!



Here are three questions for further study.
Please feel free to share you comments and or feed back from this devotion. Thanks. God bless you...us


1. How do you define love?

2. If you asked Christ to critique the definition you just gave, what would He say?

3. What would the ramifications of your personal relationships if love were displayed at only a shallow level?

The Graciousness of Uncertainty

But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see Him—and in seeing Him, become like Him. All of us who look forward to His Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.
1 John 3:2 The Message


Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some type of end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life.

The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Common sense says - "Well, supposing I were in that condition . . ." We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition that we have never been in.

Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious.

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring.

This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of utter expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He fills our life with surprises all the time.
When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, "Except you become as little children." Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we become worthy and serve with a finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.


Father
"Believe also in Me," Your Son Jesus said, not - "Believe certain things about Jesus." We need to leave the whole thing to Jesus, it is gloriously uncertain how You will come in, but Jesus will come. Let us always and forever remain loyal to You, Jesus. Amen

Go Beyond Reading

As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness . . . longsuffering. —Colossians 3:12

Pastor, where are the Our Daily Bread devotionals?” The words came harshly—almost in anger. The latest edition had not yet been placed in the rack outside the church auditorium. This led at least one reader to confront the pastor about their absence. Although it was not his responsibility to distribute the booklets, he felt terrible about the way this parishioner had reprimanded him for not making sure the devotional guides were there on time.

When I heard this, I was struck by the irony of this situation. Devotional booklets are meant to encourage Christian growth and godly grace. And as followers of Christ who read devotional materials, we hope we are moving toward spiritual maturity that leads to “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering”—qualities Paul says we should “put on” (Col. 3:12).

Our spiritual disciplines—reading God’s Word along with accompanying study or devotional materials, prayer, and worshiping together—should not be ends in themselves. Instead, those actions are means to becoming more Christlike, more godly, more Spirit-led. Our spiritual practice should lead to having the “Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly” (3:16). That will show in everything we do and say. — Dave Branon

I want my heart to be in tune with God,

In every stage of life may it ring true;

I want my thoughts and words to honor Him,

Exalting Him in everything I do. —Hess

Bible study is not merely to inform us— it’s meant to transform us.

Our Daily Bread - 10/11/2009

Test Your Faith

Purpose: Faith, is that alone enough to make us Christians?

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 and Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

THE TEST OF TRUE FAITH

Answer "true" or "false"

_____ 1. I study the Bible every day.

_____ 2. I attend church regularly.

_____ 3. I'm not afraid to pray aloud in front of others.

_____ 4. I listen carefully to sermons in church and try to apply them.

_____ 5. I stand up against sin ungodliness.

_____ 6. I understand basic theological truths.

_____ 7. I have a hunger for worship and prayer.

_____ 8. I'm involved in church activites and leadership.

_____ 9. I tell others about my faith.

_____ 10. I frequently sacrifice things for God, such as time and talents.

_____ Score (total of "true" answers)

_____ Bonus Question

0 to 1 = Ouch!
2 to 4 = O ye of little faith
5 to 7 = Lukewarm
8 to 10 = The Pharisees are looking for a few new recruits!



Does your score seem satisfactory?


If you got a similar number of "right" answers on a test at a work review, or school, what would your grade be?


How do we "fail" this test of faith in everyday life?


There is one more question on this test. On the line before "Bonus question" put true or false for this statement: I have committed my life to Jesus and want to follow Him in all I do.


If answered true to the bonus question, according to *2 Corintrhians 13:5, you have passed the test of faith!

*Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

The first ten questions, while important parts of the Christian life, do not make you a christian. in fact, someone can practice all of these and be a true Christian at all. The Pharisees tried to practice these things perfectly and yet were considered Christ enemies.


Take a look at Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV


8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


How does your answer to the bonus question make you feel?


What implications does this question have for the other ten qeustions?


How can we act on our decision to follow Christ?




Father, thank you for loving us to today...I would ask you to bless all of those who read this and may they realy look deep into the message. May they find the strength and help they need as they Follow You daily.
Amen

The Power

Acts 4:13
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Just a few weeks prior to this incident, the disciples were trembling for their lives as their Lord was arrested and then crucified. They had all fled in the Garden of Gethsemane and then Peter, whose boldness was legendary, had denied him three times. How many times have you run away from trouble, and or a difficult issue?
The fact that they had been serving with Jesus for three years, witnessing many miracles, including Peter’s amazing walk on the water, (how often have you gotten out of the boat, only to sink?) apparently all of this did not inspire the necessary courage to watch for an hour or to stick with Him to the end.

Perhaps the miraculous had become a bit common place for them, so that when the threat to Jesus came full force, they floundered and failed miserably.
What happened that changed their state of being so dramatically in this encounter with the Jewish leaders?

I believe it was two things:
One, that they had seen their Lord resurrected from the dead, and
Two, the Holy Spirit now filled them with that resurrection life and power themselves. The power of the resurrection was within and upon them!
The reality of God’s indwelling Presence and power, and His words, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” Should have inspired boldness far beyond any merely human courage.

This boldness amazed the Sadducees and Pharisees who despised Peter and John as “unlearned and ignorant” men. They marveled at the embarrassed and fearlessness of the apostles whose knowledge was of a different and superior kind: the knowledge of their RISEN and RESURRECTED Lord. And then the Sadducees and Pharisees noted, that these men had been with Jesus!

This power is yours, and it is mine, if we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not quenching or grieving Him. We, too, will baffle and amaze the “authorities” of our day with a Holy boldness of the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ, and though they may despise our boldness, they should take note that, “we have been with Jesus”.

Time with God

Isaiah 12:5-6

Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things;
Let this be known throughout the earth.
Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

There is great joy, excitement, and delight in the Christian life! I know I love it my cup is filled and is running over with happiness!

Do you sense the enthusiasm in Isaiah’s heart as he writes these verses? Think of the things that God has done—this beautiful world, His creativity in the sunrise and sunset every day, the wonder of this vast universe and the beauty of the night sky, the way He has set up this amazing earth for us, the miracle of conception and birth. Truly, what God has done is “excellent”. And for us who live in Colorado, we have beautiful mountains!!

But Isaiah is thinking more about what God has done for his readers and hearers. Think of what God has done for you. He has cared for you and brought you through all of life’s difficult experiences. He reached out to you and began to reveal Himself to you. And the most excellent thing of all—Jesus suffered and died for you. “Let this be known throughout the earth”!

And the ultimate cry of joy for Isaiah comes from his awareness of God Himself. “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Take a few moments and meditate (think) about the greatness of God. That God is “in your midst”. Respond to Him. Be Blessed...

To Do List from God

To Do List From God


I ran my life in search of worldly things;
My time and will were firmly in control.
I thought I had no need for what God brings;
I gave no heed to murmurs from my soul.


“You’re planning, doing all the time,” it said,
“But something else is missing deep inside.
Your mind is whirling, but your heart is dead,
So turn to God and let go of your pride.”


I did, and God said, “Here’s My plan for you:
Give your life to Me, and just let go.
Have faith and pray, and read the Bible through,
And you’ll have blessings more than you can know.”


So simple, yet it brings me perfect peace,
Living life for God the way I should.
Direction, purpose, fullness and release—
Life with God is very, very good.


By Joanna Fuchs
PoemSource.com

Pure in Heart…

Pure in Heart… Following after Christ


We need to take up our cross every day and follow Christ. With that comes a prize, eternal life with Christ!! We must rid our selfe's of self and allow God to have control. There must be a funeral in our lives to walk the talk with a pure heart and be found blameless before Christ. One must be pure in mind, thought and heart.

I would like to encourage each and every one of you to focus really hard on following Christ. For those of you who have said yes to Christ, let me encourage you to keep on running the race for Christ. I am sure that each one of you has faced the devil this week and may have even fallen down. Stand up and dust your self off and keep on running for Jesus.

The passage I chosen for today is: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Be Holy 13-15
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be Holy, because I am Holy." NIV

A Call to Holy Living 13 -15

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are His children, don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be Holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be His children--is Holy. For He Himself has said, "You must be Holy because I am Holy." NLT

A Future in God 13-16

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and Blazing with Holiness. God said, "I am Holy; you be Holy." The Message

§ In verse 13 what does it say? Can we apply this to our own lives?
§ In verse 14 what does it say?
§ What would be some of the evil desires that you face today?
§ In verse 15 what does it say?
§ In verse 16 what does it say?

If we know the evil desires are there and can harm us how then can we get past them? If we know about them, why to do we do nothing to avoid them?

In verse 15…
à What is Holy?
à Who can be Holy?
à How does one become Holy?
à Where does one find Holy?
à Does it cost to have this thing called Holy?

Verse 16…
à Who is it taking about?
à Is it something we can apply to our own lives?


Pure Heart and Pure mind… Holy Heart + Holy Mind = Christ likeness!!

Let us then go from this blog, by leaving our self’s at Christ feet and Take up our cross and following Christ always and forever.

If we seek to live our lives like that of Christ and daily seek Him, He will fill us and guide us and we will become more like Christ every day.

Who are you?

Your Heart is like a mirror reflecting who you are on the inside. What you do comes from what you think about. The seeds for your actions, both good and bad, are planted in your heart. As these seeds grow, their nature is revealed by the fruit they produce: the things you say and do. Nurture the soil of your heart and mind to produce thoughts that are pleasing to God. As you think, so you are, and so you become. Your conduct is shaped by your character, and your character is shaped by the condition of your heart. As God transforms you from the inside out, your actions will be transformed as well.

I would like to challenge you to go to a mirror and look beyond your own face, looking deep inside of you; do you see yourself becoming Christ like or more like the world?

What are other people seeing when they look at you?
How do you act at church compared to how you act at the work place?
What would your co-workers say about you?

Mark 7:20-23

How to Paint A Wall

How to Paint A Wall


While I went off to work one day,
She decided to paint the wall.
And when I came back home that night,
She was curled into a ball.


Her eyes were closed, she was breathing hard,
Her hair was very wet.
From her head to the tips of her pretty toes,
She was covered all in sweat.


She was wrapped in a jacket made of down,
With a fur coat on top of that.
The wall was glowing with new, fresh paint;
On the floor, the paint can sat.


"Sweetheart!" I cried, with a worried look,
"Are you all right, my dear?"
She lazily opened her lovely eyes,
And smiled from ear to ear.


"I knew I could do it," she said with a grin;
"I followed the paint can notes.
It clearly said 'For best results,
Be sure to put on two coats.'"


By Joanna Fuchs

Argument ϋ

How should you respond to the following argument?

The Holy Spirit is just the Christian way of describing spirit guides. Spirit guides are strong souls, either from earth's past or from other worlds, who come to earth to help us make the right choices in life. Spirit guides are loving and truthful and committed to help people find the true path. They typically speak to you in your inner soul, but may at times speak through special person who has the unique ability to channel a spirit guide's presence through the body. So there is no Holy Spirit in the Christian sense. Instead, there are many holy spirits who come to help us through life.



○ What would you say to someone who told you the Holy Spirit is actually a spirit guide who has come from the past to help you?

○ Read John 14:15-20, In what ways does this scripture contrast with the above perspective?

○ Why do you think the world can't accept the one true Holy Spirit?

○ How does it make you feel to know that the one true almighty God can dwell inside you?

○ How can you know for sure that the Holy Spirit dwells inside you?

About Jesus....

Please raise your right hand if you have read the book of Colossians, all 4 chapters in the lask 6 weeks?

I have been reading it and finding all kinds of great information. So this information deals with all chapters. I would like to encourage you to read all four chapters in the remaining days of this week. Have a pencil and paper and write down parts that speak to you and also any questions you might have. Then come back to the blog and share your thoughts and your questions. Does that sound good? I believe it will be fun.


-------------------------------------
For today, will the real Jesus please stand up? Sometimes it's hard to know what to think about Jesus. Christians say He is God with skin on - the second person of the Trinity and the carpenter from Nazareth all rolled into one. Others insist He never even existed.

We could go on and talk about the hundreds of conflicting ideas floating around about who Jesus is. But only one view can be true - which makes the others wrong....and extremely dangerous! Don't fall for the lie about Christ. Meet Him as He really is. See for yourself how superior He is to everything and everyone else in the universe. See what it means to know Him in a personal way....go now dust off your Bible and begin to discover all that is packed in Colossians! Pray, seek God, and allow Him to show you new things, or ways you need to do better in. In your study, be open and obedient to God's will.

Again I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Question...please respond

According to Colossians 1:15-20
How is Jesus Christ different from any other famous men who founded a religion?

Blessing

Hello my faithful readers!! I do hope you have enjoyed all or some of my postings. Hopefully you have gotten a blessing from them. Maybe God has in some way spoken to your heart and you have drawn closer to Him. If something like that has happen, maybe you would like to share it? You don't have to give full details, but something simple, a word or two, maybe a small sentence.

Have you ever been listening to some music and you began to really get into the music and you find yourself singing ( even though you can't really sing) maybe even doing some moving around like dancing? Then you look around and people are staring at you funny?
What about those other moments, A song begins to play, and the place where you are, becomes silent. The words began to break through and the tears begin to fall. A Holy Hush feels the room. You then find yourself truly blessed!! This happen to me a lot, this on song spoke to me...because of my current issue in life...dealing with pain all day and all night. Now in the last couple of weeks the pain as only increased.

The song is called "Healer" I believe as Christians we all go through ruff times and we all need a healer...God is my healer...Luke 1:37

I have put the song on this post..,please listen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qoQmjwv-0


Healer Lyrics
Verse:
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You

Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

[Repeat Verse]

[Repeat Pre-Chorus}

[Chorus]

Bridge:
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Seven Words That Describe...

HEAVEN...

John 14:1-3

I can't speak for others, but as I have grown in my personal relationship with Christ; I find myself looking forward to heaven. I can't wait to meet my Jesus face to face! What joy that will be. I have loved ones that I am anxious to see again. I can recall of my Grandma, who was not only a Grandma, she was my best friend. Also I had a prayer partner, who became my adopted Grandma, and one who stood in the gap for me. Day or Night I could call her for prayer, support, love and just laugh. For 20 plus years that I knew her, she would also answer her phone. There was only one time she did not answer, that was the day she took sick and pasted away two days later. We had a final phone call while she was in the hospital. She told me, "not to worry, that she would see me in a little while and that she loved me." The call went silent...the next day she went "HOME!!"
I realize we all have lost a loved one and/or a friend. Death comes and it is hard and very sad. Our hearts seam to have a void that never gets filled.
However for those of us in Christ we have a peace, comfort and assurance that those who die knowing Christ as their personal Savior, heaven will be their reward and one glorious day we shall meet them once again. What a day that will be, a day of rejoicing and praising God.

I heard a sermon that describes heaven with seven words.....

1. Heaven will be Ready
2, Heaven will be Resplendet
3. Heaven will be Rapture Divine
4. Heaven will be Restoration
5. Heaven will be Real
6. Heaven will be Reunion
7. Heaven will be Right


Spend time today dwelling on heaven. Are you ready to go, leaving this world behind you? I know that I am ready!

Ordinary People

HEROES...

Acts 28:31a
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.

The book of Acts shows the history of the Christian church and its expansion in ever - widening circles to Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome - the most influential cities in the western world. Acts also shows the mighty miracles and testimonies of the heroes and martyrs of the early church - Peter, Stephen, James, Paul. All the ministry was prompted held together by the Holy Spirit working in the lives of ordinary people - merchants, slaves, jailers, church leaders, men, women, Gentiles, Jews. Many unsung heroes of faith continued the acts of the Holy Spirit, changing the world with a changeless message: Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord for all who call upon Him. Today we can take part in the continuing story of the spreading of the gospel, bringing that same message to our world so that others may hear and believe.

Heaven Awaits

When you finally take your long - awaited vacation, you may have anticipated it for weeks or months leading up to the time you leave. You've planned and prepared, but you don't know exactly how it will go once you're there. You know enough to look forward to your time of much needed rest and recreation with pleasure.
This is similar to the hope you and I should have for heaven. God reveals just enough about your eternal home to give you something to anticipate with joy and to encourage you to obey. Just has you still have to go to work to earn your vacation in this life, you will still have struggles to work through before you can enter heaven. Everyone dreams of moments of joy and times real rest. God has promised you these things! Are you eager to see what He has planned for you?

WE LIVE WITH GREAT EXPECTATION, AND WE HAVE A PRICELESS INHERITANCE - AN INHERITANCE THAT IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU. PURE AND UNDEFILED, BEYOND THE REACH OF CHANGE AND DECAY. AND THROUGH YOUR FAITH, GOD IS PROTECTING YOU BY HIS POWER UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THIS SALVATION, WHICH IS READY TO BE REVEALED ON THE LAST DAY FOR ALL TO SEE. SO BE TRULY GLAD. THERE IS WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TO ENDURE MANY TRIALS FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
1 Peter 1:3-6

I am truly looking forward for that day to come. I must confess in the last few days my pain level as increased and still is climbing higher.
However at the end of the passage I liked (laughed) the way Peter sopke of trials. That they only last a little while. Please! Do they really?
Pleass pray with me as I deal with this increasing PAIN
Thanks

'Twas the Night Before Tax Day"

'Twas the Night Before Tax Day"

April 15, 2003*

'Twas the night before Tax Day, when all through the nation
many creatures were stirring, due to procrastination.
The receipts were stuffed in a box without care,
in case of an audit, they all would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
Each one an exemption-- Bless their sweet heads!
And Mama in her curlers, and I in my shorts,
had just settled our brains to file our reports.

When down in my stomach there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to take care of the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up--

After taking antacid I returned to my chore,
I can't afford to delay anymore.
When, what to my bleary eyes should appear,
but miniature fine print! Was it like this last year?

But with new motivation, so lively and quick,
" List your exemptions. Total, line six."
More rapid than eagles, the dependents they came,
I scribbled them down while I called them by name:

Now there's me and my spouse,
and our children... that's four.
I turned to my wife,
" Is it too late to have more?"

Filing Status? Married.
Social security numbers? A plethora!
Income on line seven:
" Wages, salaries, tips, etcetera."

And then, in a twinkling, I heard down the hall
the ticking and tocking from the clock on the wall.
The deadline approaches, increasing distress.
Can you spell "relief"? It's not "I-R-S"!

The stump of a pencil I held tight in my teeth.
It made me talk funny- "I thounded like thith."
But the task was so serious- So demanding and stressful
that it knotted my guts like a bowl full of pretzels.

Now drenched all in sweat from my head to my feet,
I can't let this daunt me! "Taxes!... Must... complete!"
Now where was I? Ah, yes-- I totaled the sum.
Amount from line 35: "Adjusted Gross Income".

Itemized deductions: How much and how many?!
" Attach Schedule A" or we won't receive any!
Taxable income? Whoa! That looks like a lot!
Oh, wait a minute... I misplaced that dot!

As crunch time approached I worked even faster.
Nearly spilling my coffee once, narrowly averting disaster.
I spoke not a word, but went back to my work,
and finished the forms amongst mayhem and murk.

And how 'bout all those forms: W2 and W4!
Not enough for you? Don't worry, there's more!
Form 1099 and Schedules A, B and C.
Not only 1040, but 1040-A and -EZ!

Add that line, subtract this one. Put that calculator to use.
Now divide by the square root of the hypotenuse!
Filing my own taxes! Would I live to regret it?
Instructions... deductions... "Earned Income Credit."

Hours of ciphering and scratching my head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
When finally finished, I was shocked. I was stunned.
I could hardly believe it! Can you say "REFUND"?!

I sprang to the car, to my wife gave a whistle,
Then away we both flew, like a self-guided missile.
Just a few blocks away-- Would we make it in time?
As we turned the corner, "Doh! Look at that line!"

But we finally mailed it, assuaging all fear,
Forgetting it for now, (only to repeat it next year!)
But a thought crossed my head, 'ere I tried not to mind it,
" Before I sealed it, did I remember to sign it?!"


*
© Copyright 2003 Glen Davis

How are you feeling today?

You've been feeling strange all week. At first you had trouble sleeping. Then came the headaches. Yesterday your teeth began hurting and your fingernails turn blue for several hours. This morning you realized it was time to call your family doctor when, after a morning jog, your spouse/parent asked if you'd been sprayed by a skunk. The doctor tries to hold her breath as she asks you questions. She nods knowingly as you list off your symptoms. After looking in eyes noting your swollen eardrums, she orders some lab work. A few hours later shall returns to tell you, " just what I suspected--you have an extremely high number of microbes in your liver." "what?" " oh, don't worry. You have a common ailment we call odoramonia. We'll put you on an antibiotic and get eating a balanced diet, and you will be fine."

Aren't doctors amazing? By examining us and noting our symptoms, they're usually able to diagnose our physical ailments and prescribe the proper treatment. God does the same thing in our spiritual realm. By looking at our actions ( or lack of action) God can tell us exactly what attitudes and desires need healing. His Word gives detailed prescriptions for curing the wrong behavior patterns.
Is your spiritual life on the sick side? Are you fighting worldly infections or possibly even the disease of disobedience?
Seek advice from the Great Physician. No matter what your ailment is God's Word has a message just for you.


1 Peter 4:12-14 (New International Version)

Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Have a wonderful day!

Have a wonderful day!


Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

I got this email a long time ago, found it in my file of humor. So I thought I would share it with you and see what you think...

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.”

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head.

“Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.

“Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”


My thought is:

ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us and have a wonderful day!

The Repentant

The Repentant


Luke 18:1 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

This is the story about a tax collector and a Pharisee. The Pharisee saw himself as someone who needed no repentance. He went up into the temple to pray. The story tells us he prayed to himself, and not to God. He claims that he was unlike other men, not an extortion, he was not an adulterer, or even as the tax collector he saw praying. The story does not tell us much about the tax collector, other than that he recognized his need for God. The Bible tells us that Jesus recognized the tax collector as the one who went down to his house justified in God's sight, rather than the Pharisee who prayed to himself. We are taught here, as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), that the penitent unrighteous is more acceptable to God than the righteous who makes no confession of their sins.

This puts us on a rather personal level with our relationship to God. In our personal prayer time with God, lifting yourself up as the Pharisee did will bring judgment on you. Coming before God with a broken and a contrite spirit will draw you near to God. In Psalms 34:18, David is touched by God, when he says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The apostle Paul was a man of prayer. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Paul tells us not to be anxious for anything. We can be sure that God will receive our prayer requests and we can be sure that He will answer them according to His will. Amen?


Prayer:
Heavenly Father, guide us in our prayers to you. Help us to have our prayers be prayers of repentance and thanksgiving. We give praise and glory to you and we ask for forgiveness of the wrong that we do to you and others. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

God Hears You

"The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayer."
1 Peter 3:12

Do you sometimes feel that no matter how hard you pray, God doesn't hear your voice? Well, you're not alone. We all feel that way from time to time.

The truth, however, is that God does hear every prayer, no matter how big or small it seems. Because of God's love for us, God always has our best interest in mind, even when it doesn't appear that way to us. God sees the big picture and knows exactly what we need.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

In this verse, God is reassuring us that He is always listening to us, watching over us, and taking care of us.

Therefore, God always answers our prayer. Though, sometimes His answer is yes, sometimes it's no, and sometimes it's to wait. We may not always understand WHY God chooses to answer the way that He does. The good thing is that it's not our responsibility to know why.

God knows we don't understand His answers sometimes. For those times, God provides comfort and peace to us through the Holy Spirit. Our job, though not easy at times, is to accept God's decision by trusting Him.



Prayer:
Ask God to help you trust Him even when you don't feel you have answers to your prayers, or don't understand the answers to your prayers

Why Me ?

"Why Me?"
is the first question we ask when tragedy strikes. I know I did, more then once!

For some of us, the same question pops up when we have a flat tire. Or get a cold. Or get caught in a freak rain/snow shower. The color of the carpet in the sanctuary gets changed without you knowing.

Why Me, God?
Somewhere along the way, we have become convinced that life should be wonderful all the time. If you are a Christian, you may believe God should protect you from every hardship, large and small. God is good, so life should be fair. But life isn't fair.
You learn that lesson early from the schoolyard bully or a clique of cruel girls/boys. Just about the time you forget, you're reminded with another painful lesson that it hurts as much as it did when you were ten years old.


Why the Answer to "Why Me?" is Not Satisfying
From a biblical perspective, things started to go wrong with the Fall, but that's not a very satisfying answer when things go wrong with us, personally.
Even if we know the theological explanations, they bring no comfort in a hospital room or in a shut-in's home, or a funeral home.
We want down to earth answers, not textbook theories about evil. We want to know why our own life is so miserable.
We can ask "Why Me?" until the Second Coming, but we never seem to get a response, or at least one that brings understanding to us. We never feel the "light bulb" go on so we can say, "Ah, so that explains it," and then get on with our lives.
Instead, we're left groping with why so many bad things happen to us while seems like the godless people are prospering. and us who obey God are doing the very best of our abilities, but things keep going wrong. What gives?

Why? I think we have become spoiled!

It's not just that we think our lives should be good because God is good. We have been so conditioned in our western culture to have a low pain threshold, both physically and emotionally.
We have shelves full of pain relievers to choose from, and people who don't like those turn to alcohol or illegal drugs. TV commercials tell us to pamper ourselves. Any type of unpleasantness is treated like an insult to our own happiness.
For most of us, famine, the ravages of war, and epidemics are images we watch on the news, though it is real it is not something we have to deal with firsthand.
When then suffering hits home, instead of asking "Why Me?", why don't we ask, "Why Not Me Too?"
Stumbling toward Christian maturity, it's become a cliché to say we learn our most valuable lessons in pain, not pleasure, but if we are serious about our Christianity, we eventually learn during our pain to keep our eyes on one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ.
While physical pain can be overwhelming, it is not the most important thing in life. Jesus is. Experiencing financial loss can be devastating, but it really doesn't matters. Jesus is what should matter. The death or loss of a loved one leaves an unbearable vacuum in your days and nights. But Jesus Christ is still there.
When we ask "Why Me?", we make our circumstances more important than Jesus. We forget the temporaries of this life and the eternity of life is with Him. Our hurt's makes us overlook the fact that this life is preparation and heaven is the great payoff!!

One of the most mature of Christians, Paul, told us where to look: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)
It's hard to keep our eyes on the prize of Jesus, but He is what makes sense when nothing else does. When He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6, NIV), Jesus was showing us the path through our "Why Me?" experiences.
Pain can only delay us.
Suffering is so unfair. It kidnaps our attention and tries to force us to look at our pain and take focus off Christ. But there's something suffering cannot do. It cannot steal Jesus Christ from us. A Great Amen....
You may be going through a terrible ordeal at this moment, such as divorce or unemployment or serious illness, or like me which I am in major pain that never goes way. It is constant.
You and I don't deserve it, but there's no way out. We have to keep going. We can manage this with the help of the Holy Spirit; just keep our eyes focused on Christ and the great reward of heaven. Let us not focus on the issue for this will only bring us down.
With Jesus, you and I WILL make it through this journey of life. Pain may be an unavoidable detour, but it cannot keep us from reaching our final destination.
Some day, you and I will stand face to face with our Savior. We will gaze on the beauty of our new home, filled with never ending love. We will look at the nail scars in Jesus' hands.
We will know our unworthiness to be there, and we will be filled with gratitude and humility, then we will ask, "Why Me?"*





* As I was preparing for a devotional for today... I ran across this one in file. However it was not finish. As I looked it over, it spoke to me deeply. It was like God speaking to me, and refreshing what I already new! The meds the Doctors give me, acts like bandaid....
so many people ask me how I deal with all this pain. The answer is Jesus.
In the past week or so God has given me this blog, I believe it so my voice could be heard. I praise Jesus today for loving me, and I am looking ahead for better days!

“The Oars of Faith”

“The Oars of Faith”

Have you ever gone out on a canoe and or a rowboat?
I have gone on many in my younger days. I gone with the teen group from church and also with my scout group, it was always a blast.
Tipping people over, racing, and showing off, only to look stupid!! I recall two canoe trips that turn out to be a really bad nightmare...
One was at church camp. We were going on a half hour trip and at end was super, and a service. We were to go until we saw the sign. Well it took us over 4 hours to find it!! OUCH!! At this point it was getting dark! Some people were lost for 8 plus hour!
The second one was in scouts. We had canoed into a remote spot with all the camping stuff. We set up tents and had a fun. In the early morning hours, my friend and I went and let lose of the canoes. Theyou all floated way!!
By sunrise not one canoe remained.
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How many oars do you need when taking out a rowboat and or a canoe?
Well today I would like to show you how faith and a rowboat, and or a canoe work together.
To have faith you need a second part, just like a rowboat needs two oars,
just like grass needs rain to grow,
like we need water to be healthy
like Pastor Don needs Coca-Cola, and so on.
You need to do something for Christ besides come to church on Sundays.
To have Faith in Christ you must be “Active, Believing, and Visible” 7 days a week…

James 2:14-26

Faith without deeds is like a rowboat. James the author asks us “what good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?”

In this passage it tells us that faith has 3 characteristics:
Faith is… Active (verse 17) what does that word mean? According to Mister Webster it means... process of doing. like me typing this devotion, I am active

Do you recall Nehemiah...( 3 )
He was obedient with God yet he did not rebuild the walls by himself everyone got active and did his or her part in the rebuilding of the walls...
Noah put his faith in action when building the boat!!
The disciples put their faith in action by starting the church...(Acts)
Jesus Himself put His faith in action when he walked up the hill of Calvary to die on the cross for you and I.

Faith is... Believing (verse 18) what does that word mean? According to Mister Webster it means...regarded as true, trust in and according to the Bible dictionary it means...considers to be true, trust
The blind man believed, and reach out in Faith and was healed, a woman who had been dealing with bleeding her whole life cried out in faith, believing if she only could touch Him. Her faith now moved into action, which then healed her.
The great story of Abraham and his son Isaac, Abraham had faith and believed that God would provide a lamb. And God provided the lamb after Isaac asked, “Dad where is the lamb that is to be sacrifice?” Just then a ram rustled in the bush.
Christ believed that He would rise from the dead in three days because His Father had told Him so.
When was the last time you just simply believed because Christ told you so?

Faith is… Visible verse (20-22) and once again what does this word mean? According to the dictionary it means, that it can be seen, Obvious to the eye. Like look at this blog it is visible right? Or is it?
Have you ever gone into a really dark cave and turn the lights out? The inside the cave goes from visible to invisible right? But we know there are walls around us because we just saw them before turning the lights out right? So turn the lights back on, and everything becomes visible again.
Like taking a brand new soda can, you can’t see what really is inside until you open it!! Well your life won’t be visible for Christ until you open it up to Him and allow Him to shine in you and through you. So that your life is like a lamp on a hill bright and shinning for all to see!


Christ must be visible in all you do, all you think, and in all your decisions, all your thoughts, your actions, reactions

Does this all make since?

Faith and Deeds MUST work together!!

A deed is an act…when you do something with what you have

Faith without deeds is like being in a rowboat (canoe) but only having one oar, not using the second oar. Where do you go? You go in a circle! Deeds without Faith are the same. You will only go in a circle using only one oar. However, when you use the oar of Faith and the oar of Deeds together, then you go somewhere. The challenge for you is to grasp this idea now, so you can use it the rest of your life. Now is the time to go and do something for the Lord and allow your Faith and Deeds to work together so that you can be active, believing, and visible for Christ. Because faith without action (deeds) is dead and faith alone won’t get you into heaven. And just like faith, deeds done without faith is dead, deeds alone won’t get you into heaven. But when you mix the two together and allow Christ to use you, He can and will do great things through you and your life.

Dirt In Our Eyes

Dirt In Our Eyes

Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:23-25


Watching a recent horse race, (channel 602 on Direct TV) yes in my channel surfing I have stopped to watch!! Any way getting back to where I was going.
I heard the announcers talking about the winner of the Kentucky Derby, (last yrs) and how during the race the horse had trouble keeping up and trouble seeing. You see the jockey and the horse was getting dirt in there eyes from the other horses kicking it up, yet the horse was able to continue to run the race and win…with the help and encouragement from the jockey. Way to go…
We can compare this story to us because we are in a race. The race of life, trying to keep our eyes focused on the finish line. Which of course is Jesus Christ.
Well just like the jockey and the horse, we too get dirt in our eyes….
What do we do?
Do we stop, and not finish?
Do we look for encouragement from someone?
Do we press on?
Do we cry and have a pity party for ourselves?

You might be wondering what kind of dirt do we get in our eyes?

For example:

You find out that your marriage of 20 years; the wife is calling it quits …ouch

You find out that yet again you have to deal with a change of Pastors…

You find out that your best friend since kindergarten is spreading gossip about you over the Internet (Facebook, Twitter)…

You discover that your favorite pet has died…

You go in for a normal health check up and you hear words like cancer…

A love one passes away….

You show up to work, and after working 30 plus years, they say they no longer need you…



The dirt of life seems to entangles us as we try to keep our eyes on the prize, the great finish…

So how do we continue on? How do we finish the race?

We stay focused on Christ; seek help from Christ, and through prayer, daily reading of His word, and encouragement from those running the race with us. We look at the end results and the great prize in which we seek after!

Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day. Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up. When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do? You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. God, you did everything you promised, and I'm thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life.

Psalm 56 The Message


May you be blessed today

I am praying for all my readers

PRAYER

Well as of today, I have had zero responses for what my blog should look like.
So today I am going to talk about prayer.


Prayer has inspired countless books, debates, songs, poems, and lives. Though there is little that is new to be said about prayer, consider the following perspectives:

Prayer is simply communication with God. Christianity talks about a personal God, not a " force," "concept," or " abstract idea." God is a person-we can know Him. Imagine that! Small, limited, finite human beings are invited to know God in a personal way. WOW! How cool is that? Without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this concept of knowing God personally would never happen.

What happens when we spend time with God? Basically, three things;

1. We can tell God what is on our mind: our worries, joys, fears, hopes, PAINS - everything.

2. In our prayers we can hear God: this requires less talking, and more listening. - most of us are better talkers then listeners - but listening to God can be very rewarding experience. Imagine in your own personal relationships you always talk and never listen, if how would that effect your relationships with others?

3. When we pray we are in the presence of God. Prayer brings us into the throne room of God ( Hebrews 4:16 ) , where we may present our request, praise, confessions, etc.


We can speak to God in the way we would to our most trusted friend. God wants us to speak to Him daily. The more time we spend in the presence of God it will began to have an effect on us: we will begin to become more like Him.
Have you ever noticed that when two people spend a lot of time together, they began to talk, act, and even think alike? The same principle applies to our own relationship with God.

So how much do you resemble God?

Go today to God and spend some quality time with Him. You will not regret it, instead you will be blessed.

Happy Monday

Hello readers...I hope and pray what you have been reading has been a blessing to you.

This past week I have been asking myself, are my devotionals the way my blog should be? Or should I change my format all together? I have not yet figured out what that new format would look like?

So I thought why not ask you, my readers what they would like to see?
I came up with a crazy way of working out this issue of change it, or keep it.
It would work like this, why not, you my readers respond with...keep it the same, or give some thought into a new format. Sharing your ideas.
I am now giving you a voice, speak out and let responses began...

I will then look over your responses and go from there.

So please in the next couple days let me know how you feel.
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Today I am so gratful for the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Why, because now we can go boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:16

JESUS HAS RISEN

JESUS HAS RISEN INDEED!!


Jesus is alive, death could not keep Him in the tomb,
because of Jesus death and His resurrection, You and I can have eternal life. John 3:16
Also His death and resurrection gives us a personal relationship with God.

Amen Amen

EASTER: THE GREATEST LOVE — EVER

EASTER: THE GREATEST LOVE — EVER

The Apostle Paul teaches us the resurrection of Jesus, celebrated at Easter, is the foundation on which Christian faith and life is based: "If Christ had not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach, and you have nothing to believe." (1 Corinthians 15:14)

Salvation begins with repentance of sin, confessing Jesus is Lord, and believing that God raised Jesus from the dead. Of course, believing in Jesus' resurrection is also to believe in certain crucial truths.

Believing in the resurrection is to believe, no matter what happens to us, God is in full control of our lives, just as he was in full control of Jesus' life, while He was on earth.

Believing in the resurrection is to believe eternal life will ultimately prevail over the sin and death that surrounds us in this world.

Believing in the resurrection encourages us not to submit to the evil in the world, and leads us to hope. Hope strengthens us in our spiritual warfare against the forces of evil: "The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world." (John 16:33)

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe the fullness of life, which we all seek, will be gained by following the teachings of Christ: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23-24).

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe that death is not the last word in our lives, but a doorway to abundant, everlasting life. Believing is the beginning, and the key. For with belief comes the Holy Spirit into our hearts to guide us toward everything else God has waiting for us.

At Easter, we celebrate the greatest Love the world will ever know — the Love that offers hope and peace and life to anyone willing to accept it. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may it be more meaningful than ever to you and to everyone you love. *





*This devotion was from an e-mail that I received yesterday. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

My visit

Well tonight... I am laying on the couch in much pain and pondering my visit to my new pain doctor.
At first he seemed to be very nice and concerned about the pain I was in. After a long discussion about my past back issues and surgeries, then he went over the different medications that I was taking.
In our discussion, He would say not so nice words about my family doctor, who he knew personally. It was about this one pill I take for my muscle spasms, which has been highly praised by other doctors and my family doctor.
He claimed that it was not used to treat muscle spasms. He said it was not worth taking. He even told us to look it up on the web after we got home. We did just that, and he was wrong. It only treats muscle spasms.

But getting back to my exam, he had me stand with my back facing him. Cindy was standing in front of me. Because I can somewhat stand, but I am unstable. He refused to let Cindy help me. He even raised his voice at her and told her to sit down and be quite.
Then he was checking my lower back, and I am not sure what he pushed on my lower back, but I almost fell. I bent over and he helped me back to the bed. I of course cried out (real tears) in a lot of pain. It hurt so bad. I never ever cry at a doctors visit!
He then told me to sit on the edge of the bed and to lay back. As I started, he then went and pushed me straight down. Hard and fast. He said to me, "I was to be man and do this without help and not to move so slow."
I once again cried out louder, and my pain was so intense that I was crying. He shouted in my face, "just relax, just relax"
Ouch...I am sorry but how does one relax when they just got pushed down on the bed, and just before that, was pushed in back during the exam that I almost fell?

So after that drama, he tried to explain that I needed to go see another doctor to learn to breath and relax, to help with my pain. Something about me being to tense!
Well if he had not pushed me around and caused my pain to jump off the chart. I might not be so tense! True?

He then told me that the meds I was taking needed some changes. He told me that when the meds I have now run out, he then would get me different pain meds.
He gave me a order for a drug, that would work better with my muscle spasms, and help me with my sleep.

We looked this med up as well, and it was used to treat people who have high anxiety attacks. So far what we have read about this drug, it does not treat muscle spasms or sleep.
This guy is really strange, and a little mean. I don't have anxiety attacks!

I do give God praise, because as much as I wanted to punch this man in the face and then tell him to just relax, I never acted out my anger though!

We are now looking to see what the next move will be for us. We know that we should not return to him.

Pray for Cindy and I as we go through this mess, and also as we look for a different pain doctor.
Thanks

"It's Friday but Sunday's comin"

Today is Good Friday.

On this day Christ is nailed to an old rugged cross, for the sins of everyone in the world. The past, today and for the future.
John 3:16

Most if not all as send this video, "It's Friday but Sunday's comin"
If you have or have not, I would ask and encourage you to watch this video today and allow it to speak to your heart today. May you be blessed.

You will need to copy (cut and paste) this link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naajYZSbWdw

Maundy Thursday

Readings

John 13:1-17
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

Reflection

"So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14

I admit, I have done very few foot washing. I have seen this traditional foot washing, which has given me the opportunity to experience the most humbling act of service. Still, I can't avoid feeling this is little more than just a symbolical act that often gets forgotten or dismissed as part of the worship routine. After all, it only lasts for a few moments and it quickly gets lost among the still many other urgent things you need to do for the upcoming Easter weekend.

Jesus probably had a different sort of thoughts in mind as He washed the feet of His disciples. This wasn't just routine. As Jesus enjoyed His last supper with His disciples, He was probably thinking of His impending death and the suffering and pain He was about to experience. Maybe Jesus was wondering about what was going to happen to His beloved friends once He was gone. In between a ritual dinner and his preparation for the cross, Jesus took the opportunity to teach yet another lesson about the kingdom of God.

Jesus' washing of the feet summarizes the message of the cross. Just like the foot washing, the cross is an act of humbleness, done out of love, that is ultimately intended to serve others. By washing their feet, Jesus exemplifies to His disciples that the master is only in as much as he is willing to become a servant. If we can understand this, we can begin to understand Jesus' sacrificial act of service in the cross, because "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt. 20:28).

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Prayer

God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new covenant for all people, and in the washing of feet He showed us the dignity of service. Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these signs of our life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.