Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27
When we think of peace in the world, thoughts of things being quiet, still, easy and euphoric may come to mind. Everything outwardly is easy and calm. This is how the world describes peace. When things are this way, life is usually easy and good. But what about the times when things are chaotic and there are wars and rumors of wars? When things outwardly appear frightening and there is talk of shortages, famines and pestilence, there is a way to have an inward peace. This kind of peace that comes from within is what causes you to rise above every negative situation. The peace of mind and inner stillness allows you to have joy in the midst of the storm and remain calm when everyone else is all but fainting from fear. This kind of peace is available to you and it is only found in Jesus Christ. Today when chaos and turmoil comes knocking on your door, look to Jesus to fill you with peace from within and you'll find yourself rising above every negative situation. Peace!
Have A Blessed Day
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Words That Ruin
Proverbs 16:28, NIV: A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
All the sugar coating in the world does not change the truth about gossip. Your words may be dipped in honey, and spoken softly, light-heartedly to another. But don’t be fooled. For many there are of us who justify ourselves, slipping our words beneath the cover of so called concern. What is it that stirs in us a need to gossip? Is it envy, anger, jealousy, or strife? Is it an insatiable curiosity that peaks and all the more when we peak the curiosity of someone else? Whatever the reasons, all are rooted in sin. It is truly amazing how powerful words can be--and how easy it is for some to act as though their words are no big deal. Gossip is spread, the damage is done, and when caught by our words we say, “Oh, you’re blowing it out of proportion.” Do we blame the victim as though he somehow deserved it? Do we try to act as though we did nothing wrong? Jesus does not take a soft position on such things. He tells us, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment,” and, “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged.” It is trouble enough as we look on others with the sinful judgments of our hearts, but how much more terrible for us to allow the cancerous thoughts to be spread from our lips to the ears of others.
Have A Blessed Day
All the sugar coating in the world does not change the truth about gossip. Your words may be dipped in honey, and spoken softly, light-heartedly to another. But don’t be fooled. For many there are of us who justify ourselves, slipping our words beneath the cover of so called concern. What is it that stirs in us a need to gossip? Is it envy, anger, jealousy, or strife? Is it an insatiable curiosity that peaks and all the more when we peak the curiosity of someone else? Whatever the reasons, all are rooted in sin. It is truly amazing how powerful words can be--and how easy it is for some to act as though their words are no big deal. Gossip is spread, the damage is done, and when caught by our words we say, “Oh, you’re blowing it out of proportion.” Do we blame the victim as though he somehow deserved it? Do we try to act as though we did nothing wrong? Jesus does not take a soft position on such things. He tells us, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment,” and, “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged.” It is trouble enough as we look on others with the sinful judgments of our hearts, but how much more terrible for us to allow the cancerous thoughts to be spread from our lips to the ears of others.
Have A Blessed Day
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Draw Your Attention To
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Your attention is something that can be given, lost, or stolen. It can be requested, as in, "Can I have your attention;" drawn, "Let me draw your attention to...;" or demanded, "Let me have your complete attention." Our attention is something all too easily distracted…are you still with me here? And for most of us, the span of our attention is something that could certainly be improved upon. With that, I would like to draw your attention to what needs your attention: Jesus, your Bible, your quiet times, your church, etc. Regularly giving your attention to the things of God does far more than fulfill some religious duty. As you put your attention on Him within your day, your attention is drawn to the things of God all throughout the day. It puts you in a frame of mind that is more Christ centered, and focused on abiding in Him. As you give Him your attention, your eyes become readied to see God at work around you. Your heart is more receptive to His guidance, and you become more attentive to the needs and concerns of others. Today, many things will demand your attention, but there is no better place to set your attention than on the fruitful and glorious things of God.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
Your attention is something that can be given, lost, or stolen. It can be requested, as in, "Can I have your attention;" drawn, "Let me draw your attention to...;" or demanded, "Let me have your complete attention." Our attention is something all too easily distracted…are you still with me here? And for most of us, the span of our attention is something that could certainly be improved upon. With that, I would like to draw your attention to what needs your attention: Jesus, your Bible, your quiet times, your church, etc. Regularly giving your attention to the things of God does far more than fulfill some religious duty. As you put your attention on Him within your day, your attention is drawn to the things of God all throughout the day. It puts you in a frame of mind that is more Christ centered, and focused on abiding in Him. As you give Him your attention, your eyes become readied to see God at work around you. Your heart is more receptive to His guidance, and you become more attentive to the needs and concerns of others. Today, many things will demand your attention, but there is no better place to set your attention than on the fruitful and glorious things of God.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I Will Show You
Genesis 12:1, NIV: The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”
How many more times must the Lord prove Himself worthy of your trust before you will trust Him for all you are worth? We so often say, “If only You will show me a sign,” or “speak to me once more through Your Word.” However, you may have God’s answer, and yet wait for more--wanting to make absolutely sure you understand His will before making a move. But the answers often reside on the other side of obedience. God leads us, but we must take a step before He can lead us to take another. It is not our place to require God to reveal all ahead of us before we choose to follow. I ask God what to do. He answers, “Follow thou me.” I ask, “Where will you lead me.” He answers, “Come and see.” If I hesitate, saying, “But Lord, first let me…” take care of this or that, then I miss my opportunity for obedience to Him in that moment.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
How many more times must the Lord prove Himself worthy of your trust before you will trust Him for all you are worth? We so often say, “If only You will show me a sign,” or “speak to me once more through Your Word.” However, you may have God’s answer, and yet wait for more--wanting to make absolutely sure you understand His will before making a move. But the answers often reside on the other side of obedience. God leads us, but we must take a step before He can lead us to take another. It is not our place to require God to reveal all ahead of us before we choose to follow. I ask God what to do. He answers, “Follow thou me.” I ask, “Where will you lead me.” He answers, “Come and see.” If I hesitate, saying, “But Lord, first let me…” take care of this or that, then I miss my opportunity for obedience to Him in that moment.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Vengeance is Mine
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide; for the day of their disaster is at hand and their doom comes speedily.
Have A Blessed day
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, in the time when their foot shall slide; for the day of their disaster is at hand and their doom comes speedily.
Have A Blessed day
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Waiting For a Magic Wand
1 Corinthians 9:24, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
“Lord, make me a preacher of Your Word,” Victor prayed to God. “With all my heart I so badly want to show others the way.” Each day, Victor fell on his knees in his mountain home, and prayed the very same prayer. And each day, after his prayer, he would go about his daily work--wondering why the Lord had not responded as he expected. He seldom left his mountain home. He seldom saw anyone. He seldom read the Bible. It may seem a bit odd to think that someone would pray as Victor did; that someone would ask to be a preacher, and not seek out those to whom he would preach. It may seem strange that someone would want to proclaim God’s Word who seldom reads it. Yet so many of us ask things of God and wait for Him as Victor did. Maybe we ask God to help us grow in the knowledge of His Word, yet we fill our time until there is no time to read and study. Perhaps we ask God to help us to overcome a sin, yet do not take action to avoid circumstances that tempt us. And so, we sit and we wish and we wonder why it’s so hard to be what God wants us to be. God has great things in store for us that we will never know so long as we sit by waiting for the easy fix, or the wave of a magic wand.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
“Lord, make me a preacher of Your Word,” Victor prayed to God. “With all my heart I so badly want to show others the way.” Each day, Victor fell on his knees in his mountain home, and prayed the very same prayer. And each day, after his prayer, he would go about his daily work--wondering why the Lord had not responded as he expected. He seldom left his mountain home. He seldom saw anyone. He seldom read the Bible. It may seem a bit odd to think that someone would pray as Victor did; that someone would ask to be a preacher, and not seek out those to whom he would preach. It may seem strange that someone would want to proclaim God’s Word who seldom reads it. Yet so many of us ask things of God and wait for Him as Victor did. Maybe we ask God to help us grow in the knowledge of His Word, yet we fill our time until there is no time to read and study. Perhaps we ask God to help us to overcome a sin, yet do not take action to avoid circumstances that tempt us. And so, we sit and we wish and we wonder why it’s so hard to be what God wants us to be. God has great things in store for us that we will never know so long as we sit by waiting for the easy fix, or the wave of a magic wand.
It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Choice is Ours
Joshua 24:15, NKJV: And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
A day will come when each of us will face the one true Judge. On that day, there will be no appeal to a higher court. Truth will not be relevant or subjective, but based on what is. Nothing will remain hidden that was hidden. All will be laid bare before the Judge, the Lord. And when the final arguments are heard, and those that have chosen to seek to live for themselves and deny Christ are faced with their consequences, there will be a great cry. Some will be broken with sorrow. Some will be speechless. And some will have the audacity to blame God. Augustine said, "A man may lose the good things of this life against his will; but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent." There are so many people who seem to believe their misfortune is the fault of someone or something else--perhaps a parent, or society, or some other life circumstance. But concerning our choice to seek self or seek God, there is no one else to blame. We choose Jesus, or we don’t. The choice is up to each of us.
Have A Blessed day. It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
A day will come when each of us will face the one true Judge. On that day, there will be no appeal to a higher court. Truth will not be relevant or subjective, but based on what is. Nothing will remain hidden that was hidden. All will be laid bare before the Judge, the Lord. And when the final arguments are heard, and those that have chosen to seek to live for themselves and deny Christ are faced with their consequences, there will be a great cry. Some will be broken with sorrow. Some will be speechless. And some will have the audacity to blame God. Augustine said, "A man may lose the good things of this life against his will; but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent." There are so many people who seem to believe their misfortune is the fault of someone or something else--perhaps a parent, or society, or some other life circumstance. But concerning our choice to seek self or seek God, there is no one else to blame. We choose Jesus, or we don’t. The choice is up to each of us.
Have A Blessed day. It is my prayer that God will Bless you EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU CAN ASK OR THINK!
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