The Road Travelled is Difficult (BUT THE DESTINATION IS WELL WORTH IT!)

God has predestined a journey for each of us.  The journey will not always be easy, but God did not promise us easy; He promised us that He would never leave us.  There will be bumps in the road; there will be unforeseen (by us, NOT God) obstacles, hinderances, storms, and, yes, loss of material things, a job, or even more importantly a loved one.  We will have to strive hard to make it past all these trials and tribulations, but the One Who predestined this road trip for us will see us through, if we let Him.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)

Now let's look at the other side of life's difficult journey if we allow the Lord to rule, rest and abide in our lives.  The Lord will take care, giving us a peace and a joy that no man can take away.  He will be our everything here on earth and as it says in the most familiar passage and the basis of Christianity:  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

At the end of life's travel, if we believe , we get to go home and be with the Father.  Hallelujah!

What a promise; what a destination!

Be A Thermostat !

Can you change the climate of a room when you walk into it?  Is there a difference in the atmosphere, a better atmosphere after you have arrived?  If you have answered these questions yes, then you are a  human thermostat.  This is what Jesus wants us to be.  A climate or environment filled with tension, anger and strife needs someone who can come in and change the state of that environment.  Many times in families, there is someone that affects that change out of reponsibility, a father for  respect, a mother for love, a "big mama", but a Christian should be able to walk into any situation and affect such change.  On a job, it may be a boss, but a Christian has been taught by Jesus in His "Sermon on the Mount", how to be a human thermostat.

The eight beatitudes were taught by Jesus to provide the saved believer the correct approach to achieve "supreme happiness" (beatitude).  This approach or attitude should be one of humbleness, meekness, love, and self-sacrifice.  If you approach life in this manner, then you will be blessed ( totally satisfied).  This is a selfless approach that turns outwards towards others and gives us the ability to be a thermostat to affect change by leading by example.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."   Matt 5: 3-10

A Prayer of Faith ( Read aloud everyday !)

Father, in Jesus’ name I thank you for Your loving kindness toward me and for Your Word which says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is now sitting at the right hand of God.  I thank You, Lord, that I have been set free from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your Son.  I am forgiven of all sin.  My past is behind me.  I am born again.  I am a new person.  I am set free from sin and from the effects of sin.  I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Lord, because You have forgiven me I forgive those who have trespassed against me, and from now on I’ll bless those that curse me and pray for those that would treat me unfairly.

Heavenly Father, I ask that You fill me up with the knowledge of Your Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  I open up my heart to You, Lord, that I may know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  The Word of God is truth and I proclaim that Your truth sets me free.  Lord, I accept your Word for instruction, doctrine, and correction in order that I may be perfected, and prepared for every good work.

Jesus, You are my Shepherd.  I thank You that You lead me beside still waters and that You make me lay down in green pastures.  In Your presence Lord is fullness of joy and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.  I believe Your Word which says in Isaiah 48:17 that You’ll teach me to prosper in all that I do and that You’ll lead me in the way that I should go.

In the name of Jesus I take authority over the evil one that would try to kill, steal, and destroy my life.  Luke 10:10 says that I have authority over all the power of the enemy, and I demand that Satan take his hands off my life and my finances.  I bind you evil spirits and I break your power and I command you to leave my right now in Jesus’ name.  I resist the devil and he flees!

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You lead me out of all temptation and deliver me from all evil.  I thank You Lord that You are my refuge and that You have given Your angels charge over me to deliver me in time of trouble.  I praise Your name Lord, and thank You for the riches of Your grace.  Blessed be the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

God is Always There !

Times are rough; the economy is failing, people who were making a great living not so long ago are unemployed and when they go seeking jobs, they hear "you're over-qualified for this or that position."  These same folks find themselves at the food bank, a place where they may have donated not so long ago.  Millions of foreclosures, lots of credit card debt and the bills keep on rolling in.  We lived beyond our means and were caught up in a freestyle system, a system designed for us to fail, not prosper.  I know, because I made the same mistakes.

                 So who do you depend on when these things start weighing down on you. You can only ask family and friends for so much help, because they have their own lives to contend with. Do you give up and throw in the towel. There has been a lot of that. Suicide and murders are at an all time high. Everyday, we hear several tragic stories of family ruin.  We respond with, "what is going on; what is happening; I don't understand; he seemed like a gentle person; they seem to be so happy?"  Murder, suicide and family ruin is at an all time high because we try to appear to be what we are not.  

                We need a power higher than Man to guide, direct, and protect us. God is always there to provide what you need. He can do what people cannot do for you! So trust in God; know that he is there for you in the darkest of times, even when it seems like there is no hope, no way out.

                "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8)

So You Want to be Better off Financially...

The Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands...if you obey the Lord your God and keep His commands and decrees...and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 30:9,10)

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. (Psalm 112:1,3)

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth. (Proverbs 22:4)

In these three scriptures are given the way to be better off financially; to receive the blessings of the Lord as it pertains to your wealth and prosperity.  It simply tells us to obey the Lord's commands and to have reverence and fear of Him that deserves all glory and honor.

Sometimes this is hard to understand when it seems that the people who live in and of the world with no regards for God seem to have all the riches and fame.  It makes you wonder if living as a Christian is worth it.  Why am I struggling when sinners are having all the fun.
Financial prosperity often comes at a cost of a man’s soul.  It is difficult to accumulate wealth and follow God at the same time.  There have been, and still are, wealthy people who are living for God and use their wealth for the good of others.  Such people are very rare because the effect of wealth is usually to corrupt the owner of it. Greed and self indulgence are frequent outcomes.  That is why Jesus said that we could not serve two masters.  We can either serve God, or we can serve mammon (material wealth), but not both.

Trust in the Lord and He will take care of all your needs and more. Trust!

Lord, I pray that everyone that reads this blog first trust in You, oh Lord, and that through this trust and honor to You receive all the blessings that can be bestowed upon them. I thank You in Jesus mighty Name... Amen.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33 (KJV)

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

Thank You, Jesus, for loving me while I was your enemy, and living deep in my sins.  Thank You for having such great love for Your Father, and for all of creation that You gave up Your life on the cross so we could receive salvation.  I'm so glad God loves us unconditionally, that is how He could let His only beloved Son die on the cross for us.  Thank You for Holy Spirit Who lives in us, and is our constant guide and keeper.  Thank You, God, for teaching us how to love You, ourselves, and each other through Your Word.  We love You, Lord!  Happy Valentines Day.

Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited, 1 Corinthians 13:4 (ISV)

Take Nothing and Making Something (THAT'S HIS SPECIALTY)

We all know the story of the feeding of the multitudes.  John the Baptist had been beheaded at the request of Herrod's daughter on the king's birthday; Jesus was told this news by John's diciples and withdrew, but the people saddened came to Him and being Jesus with the compassion only He has, healed the sick among them.  As it was getting late, the diciples urge that the people go so they could go buy themselves something to eat, but Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
 “Bring them here to me,” he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matt 14: 16-21 (NIV)
How how does God get into Godless places; He sends in God filled people, but that's His specialty.  We want situations on our jobs to change for the better , but are we complaining instead of praying.  There is power in prayer and prayer changes things.  After all, God answers prayer because that's His specialty.  Wondering where your next meal is coming from and how the bills are going to get paid?  God always provides, but that's His specialty.  We pray for family and friends to be saved. We know God can and will save souls, after all look what He did for wretches like us, but that's His specialty.  Oh come on now, let's talk about finances, you know money!  We need it and we want it, and money has it's place.  In fact, let's take a detour into scripture about money so we can dispell the misinterpretation of scripture that money is the root of all evil.  1Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."  The reason we have such a struggle with money or better yet the lack of it, we don't budget wisely; we don't tithe (at least 10%) like we should (Malachi 3:8-10); we don't save for a rainy day.  Oh, we want God to bless us, and we're praying for change to come in some area of our lives, but are we doing our part to help make this happen?  It was once said that there is no greater insanity than doing the same thing and expecting to get different results!  There is nothing too big for our God.  He can turn a thing around.  He can make the impossible possible.  He can do anything, but fail.  God can change our situations in a twinkling of an eye, but that's His specialty.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25 (from Aunt Mamie's scripture slices box)