Trust

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust Him - it's a must!

Never Stop Dreaming

Keep the dream alive! Never stop dreaming! God has a purpose and plan for your life. He has placed those dreams in you and it is He who will make them alive and come true.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
- Hebrews 10:23

Like a Ripple

Like a ripple in the water you have gently touched someone's life.
You are blessed to be a blessing!
Genesis 12:2

Love Shows Forgiveness

"Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then He (Jesus) said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'" - Luke 7:44-48

What's in today?

Today I will rejoice and be happy.
Today I will love others as myself.
Today I will be the light in dark places.
Today I will help a friend in need.
Today it may be a stranger who needs my help.
Today I will enjoy every opportunity that comes.
Today I will not walk alone.
Today my Best Friend is with me wherever I go.
Today I am provided all that I need.
Today is a new day with new mercies and today
... I will sing to the Lord!

Psalm 149

More on Time

Romans 8:18-21

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subject to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

From suffering to glory... I can't wait but... I must. We must... He's coming for us in time. His time.

Value Time

To value something is to give that something worth for its usefulness or importance to the possessor. How worthwhile is it? Do you desire it? You may be asking right now, "Is she speaking about time?" Yes.

Our time is one of the most valuable assets we own. Each of us has been given the same amount of time in a day. We show how we value it with how we spend it. Many of us waste much of our time. We spend it frivolously on things of unimportance or we often let others steal it from us. We often exchange so many hours a day for unproductive tasks like watching the television, surfing the web, or kicking back and listening to itunes. Hours slip away without our being aware.

It's time to take time and see where we are spending time. Take a day or two or even one week and keep a log of what you do each day and how long it takes you to do it. You'll soon see where you can save time and get those things on your "to do" list done. You may find time to get that hour in each morning with the Lord or an extra hour to read that good book you've wanted to read. There may even be time to have an hour or two with the family in the evening or time to take a walk with your spouse and enjoy the days end before dark sets in. Think about it. Think about time. There are better choices to be made when time is a valuable asset in your life.

Part of the problem with time is we don't look at it as valuable or worthwhile. Use your time wisely. Don't squander it. Use wisdom in governing your use of time. May your time be spent in a different light beginning today - make it time well spent!

"Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly (cautiously, sensitively, as a person would walk through thorny terrain), not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time (capitalizing on every appropriate opportunity), because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
- Ephesians 5:14-17

An Unexpected Time

For me this was a day of being snowed in. The rain turned to snow, schools were canceled, and our little town was shut in from the rest of the world. Since I live out of the city limits and out in the country my husband and I were shut in and spent the day inside with a toasty-warm fire burning, playing solitaire, reading, sleeping and when awake we were also admiring God for His way of amazingly designing the weather for moistening the land which so desperately needs it at this time of year. There's the rain and the rushing of the river water roaring that keep you awake and then the freshly fallen snow that seems to add a perfect peaceful serenity to the land and its surroundings. On days like these you can slumber in sweet peace or take the opportunity to clean out a closet that's needed cleaning or read a good book. Whatever it is make it a time of unexpected joy and celebrate your time and the circumstances with praise and thanksgiving. God is smiling on you. In fact, He's even singing! Shouldn't you be?

" The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

"... be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:18-19

Time

"For everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
...A time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to dance;
A time to keep silence, and time to speak; a time for love, a time for hate..."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, 7-8

What time is it for you?

It's time

It's time to get on with it. Don't delay. You have today.
Take your best shot.
You plus God can do it.
Nothing will be impossible for you today.

"For with God nothing will be impossible." - Luke 1:37

Do You Know?

When we know whose we are, who He is that we belong to, and the favor and joy He bestows upon us; we are more than in the know, we are at peace and have great joy giving thanks in all things.

"Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. " - Psalm 30:4-5

Did you know you are called "saint" when you belong to the Lord? Did you know he showers you with His favor all the day long for all your life? Have you sensed the joy that comes every morning in the new day ahead? Yes! Yes! Yes! Praise the Lord and give thanks today!

No Greater Joy!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. - III John 1:4 NKJ

"Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them." - Proverbs 13:24 NLT

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. - Proverbs 22:6 NLT

People Need the Lord

When we discover this new life in Christ and the means of living a godly, holy life we are renewed to living on purpose! We "see" a God who created us to love us and in turn longs for our love. It is our purpose in life to live to glorify the Lord. It is our purpose to show others the way to a life like ours. People need the Lord. Show them the Light of Jesus Christ today!

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" - John 14:6

"... trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." - Isaiah 61:3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." - Ephesians 1:3-6

Take My Life

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for
Faithfulness is what I need
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what You want from me

Take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord

Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need
Righteousness, righteousness is what You want from me

(Scott Underwood. Copyright 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing)

This is something the world has forgotten and simply walked away from today. You don't hear much preaching today on holiness or righteousness. Maybe on faithfulness but then that's usually about God and His faithfulness to us. God is all these things and He has called us to be holy, faithful and righteous just as He is.

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14

"... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness..." - I Timothy 6:11

Holiness

God himself in his essential nature is holy. Persons, places, things, and times set apart or consecrated to God and, therefore, sacred are holy. Holiness in a person is a quality of character and actions that are in harmony with God's nature and expressed will. Only God provides this.

The Bible teaches that God's essential nature is holy. Both the Hebrew word godesh and the Greek word hagios refer to separation of what is temporal or impure. God is Israel's Holy One. (Isaiah. 1:4) and the New Testament proclaims, "You alone are holy" (Rev. 15:4). God's holiness is intimately linked with righteousness. (Isaiah. 5:16)

In the Old Testament the concept of holiness leans toward separation. Holy sites and objects were rigorously kept separate from the common, and interaction between Israel and surrounding peoples was discouraged.

In the New Testament, however, holiness leans toward dynamic involvement. God's people are saints, holy ones (Romans 1:7, I Corinthians 1:2). The body of the believer has itself become the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives within (I Corinthians 6:19). The Christian has been set apart to God - but not set apart from involvement with unbelievers (I Corinthians 5:9,10).

New Testament holiness is not a matter of isolation but a moral dynamic - the power of the indwelling Spirit of God (Romans 12:2, Galatians 3:20) - which enables the believer to live a truly good and loving life in a society marred by evil, selfishness, and sin. By living a life that reflects the essential nature of God, the believer both glorifies the Lord and serves as a beacon, attracting others to Christ.

Praise the Lord!

See Colossians 3:12-13 for further study.

Information above was taken in part or directly from The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary.

Godliness

Godliness is... those who have received and responded to God's grace; those whose faith in God is expressed by obedience. Godliness is thus summed up in worshiping God and putting ones religion into practice, which includes demonstrating such virtues as righteousness, holiness, and the "fruit of the Spirit". The New Testament emphasizes the Christian's call to live a godly life in an age that is essentially evil.*

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."
- Titus 2:12

I Timothy 4:7; 5:4, II Peter 3:11

*Taken from The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary on godly, godliness.

Practicing Godly Living

The book The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawreance came recommended to me one time by a very good friend whom I love very much and because of this I read the book. The book actually is a compilation of letters by a monk, Brother Lawrence. What I remember the most is the letter where Brother Lawrence is in the kitchen of the monastery where he works, he is the cook, and carries out his assignment from God. It is here in the daily routine of things that Brother Lawrence glorifies the Lord. Whatever task is at hand he does it as unto the Lord. He does it to please God. In this one letter it's his example of simply picking up a straw that has fallen to the floor and discarding it - he does it as unto the Lord! It's as simple as that. Thanks, Brother Lawrence.

Hospitality

Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
in honor giving preference to one another,
not lagging in diligence, fervent inspirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

We are given to hospitality. Paul exhorts us to walk in love and behave like a Christian. Love is to be the guiding principle in a Christian relationship with believers as we read above, but also with non-believers and even our enemies. Read verses 14-21 of Romans 12.

And above all things have fervent love for one another,
for love will cover a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
As each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

I Peter 4:8-10

Again we read, from Peter this time, that we are to love and practice hospitality to all.
Maybe we ought to be practicing this more. I believe it's true that practice make perfect. The more we do it the better we get at it, right? Let us practice godly living unto others God has placed in our lives today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime.

Are You Washing Feet?

Jesus' example of washing the feet of His disciples is something we don't do today. We don't walk on dusty roads wearing sandals from one place to the other like Jesus and the disciples use to do. Someone today might get offended if you requested they remove their shoes and you washed their feet upon entering your home. I know I went to a home once to visit and was asked to simply remove my shoes and thought something funny was up. I then found out this was a custom in their home and a daily practice for them, too, whenever they entered their home.

I have had my feet washed before in a hands-on demonstration when taught from this verse in the Bible at church and I've washed the feet of others when teaching from this verse in Sunday school class, but it's not an everyday thing we do today. However, in this example we do learn the key to our Christian life is to serve others because that's what Jesus was doing when He washed the disciples feet that day. How do we serve others today if we're not washing feet?

There was a time in my life when we were having some difficulties financially and another Christian couple in our church were too. They were actually very dear friends of ours and they maybe were more financially stressed than we were but looking back I'm not sure that was so. Anyway, through prayer and our friendship we decided to live together and they moved into our house.

I tell you this because the Lord has brought it to my remembrance for today to explain a huge difference in our service to others. I'm not condemning myself and I can't go back and change my actions at the time, but the Lord and I have dealt with it and He has forgiven me (my friends have, too) and I have learned from it.

During the time they lived with us some challenges came up with things like who could do what and when in the house. As a very immature Christian I chose to be the one who ruled over them instead of serving them. This is important. These were friends, people I loved. Instead of loving them through being a gracious hostess and serving them in my home I became a bossy, disgruntled and unhappy person wanting God to do something! He did. They moved out. I thank the Lord we're still friends, but I missed an opportunity to be a blessing by serving others.

Hospitality is a grand way to serve. It's also one of my gifts. I have had others in my home and served them like royalty but this time I failed. I want to encourage you to not miss any opportunity God may send your way to serve and be a blessing in another's life whether it be opening up your home to someone, giving a ride to someone, taking a meal or cookies to a neighbor or shut-in, or calling or sending a card of encouragement to someone you know who is ill or just needs to be remembered.

Take heart to what Jesus has taught us by His examples in the Word. He has asked you to serve others and He has gifted you with the means to do so.

"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

John 13:1-17

Polished

I don't know about you, but I'm not completely polished yet nor will I be for some time to come.
Some areas are more polished than others but just when I think I'm there... the Lord is good, He points out to me another case of "itis" I have in another area of my life He wants to do business in.

God hasn't polished me to a complete place of His perfection yet, nor has he you, or has he? You may think so but that's between you and God and I won't go there. Until I've walked in your shoes or you've stepped into mine we mustn't bicker, gossip or condemn one another. This is not the love of God. God has called us to serve and love one another.

My point to day? Let's not be so hard on each other. We need each other. We can help each other grow and develop in godly character as we grow along side each other.

There is only One I know who was and is perfect. His name is Jesus. He is our example.

Jesus said to his disciples and those gathered around Him, "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." - John 13:15

In I Peter 2:21 we read, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps..." Look it up, read it for yourself. "...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness!"

So I leave you with this from I Thessalonians 5:11:
"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."


John 15:12

What Will It Be?

"Be ye holy for I am holy."
God is a holy God. He is all holiness.
Am I holy?
We are called to be holy.
Holy is without sin.
How can this be for me?
God is, but me?
God makes the way for us to be holy and live in holiness.
We must choose to be responsible and take this responsibility seriously choosing not to sin, choosing to obey God.

What are those "specifics" that God is speaking to you this year? They're the things that keep popping up and you know deep down inside you that you are convicted to do something about them but you keep on keeping on... in this sin. Your self-control has gone out the window and when this "thing" flares up you go right on doing it without a second thought. Or the thought is there and you push it aside. Do we think God doesn't know? He knows and He is waiting for us to grab the bull by the horns and take care of what this "thing" in our life is! Maybe it's more like "things"!

The choice is ours.
God has made the way.
He is making the way clear to you and me.
He desires our obedience.
He desires that we please Him.
His desire is no sin.
His desire is for us to be holy because He is holy.
His reputation is at stake when we claim to be Christ-ians and sin.

Leviticus 19:1-2, I Peter 1:13-16, II Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6:12-14, I Corinthians 10:13, I Samuel 15:22, Acts 5:29, I Thessalonians 2:4, Proverbs 16:7, II Corinthians 5:20-21

The breath of God

My God. The One who's moving mountains. He made the mountains. He made the seas. He made you and He made me. He is amazing. He is the Creator of the Universe.

He took and made a man from dust... dust! What gave man life was when He, the Creator of the Universe, breathed His own breath into him! Would it be any different today? Do you know you have the breath of God in you? Imagine, it's the breath of God in you! Yet, it's true, for every baby born to a man and woman God, God, breathes His breath into that baby and that baby becomes alive!

Without God we can do nothing. That's right, nothing! Not even breathe.

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit for without Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

He can move the mountains!

My God. He can move the mountains!

He removes the mountains...
Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong...
Jesus said... if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there." and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

He is a mountain moving God! Seek Him in your mountain moving today.

Job 9:5, Psalm 30:7, Matthew 17:18

Amazing

Our word for the year is "work", right? That's what we discussed yesterday as we pondered the glorious splendor of God's works...

then it was amazing for me the entire day and even early this morning... I was sent an email about finances and... work... and then another. I was then sent another email regarding a devotional by Jerry Savelle on finances and work and being debt free or rather living debt free and in financial abundance...

it was a devotional I just read early this morning by Max Lucado... guess? Work! Yes, we have workdays! Every day is a workday! Max Lucado got me thinking about God working as He does all hours of the day, everyday and in all places. God is conducting His holy business. He expects us to work.

Work hard for the Lord!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." - Colossians 3:17

I leave you today with this in mind from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Vol. II:

"He (God) uncommons the common by turning kitchen sinks into shrines, cafes in convents, and nine-to-five workdays into spiritual adventures."

Simply amazing, isn't it? God works... He works in ways we cannot often see or understand but then other times we see and understand and know He is talking to us specifically about something specifically.

Open up your day for the Lord!

You might think it is difficult to ponder God's glorious splendor when you're up at 4:30 in the morning getting ready for work; going back to work - your job - after two glorious weeks off. But it is not difficult at all. Not when the word for the year is "Work!" "Work hard!"

Why do you suppose that would be a word from the Lord for someone an entire year? It is most likely because that person has wanted desperately to be debt free and able to serve the Lord without any regard for the need of money.

Debt limits you. With debt you are unable to do all that you are called to do because it - debt - is a constant nag at you until it is gone. Get rid of it now! "Work hard, get out of debt and save!" Open up your day for the Lord! Open up your entire life for what He wants to do in and through you!

Enjoy the glorious splendor of the LORD whenever and wherever you are now.

Glorious Splendor

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.
~ Psalm 145:5

For What It's Worth

It's a new day! It's a new year! 2010 is here! We choose. What will today bring and our tomorrows... just as I hope you have sought the Lord the past seven days for this year, I hope each day you will rise to the new dawning and say, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Add to it by saying, "Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!" It is in the looking back, "I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." and present, "We have blessed you from the house of the LORD, God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You." And to the future, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:21-29)