Sight

It seems that most often when we go to our Lord in prayer, it is out of want.  We all have needs and God has already promised to take care of all of them.  But how often do we pause to even think of the abundance that He has given to us without us uttering a word?  I’m sure that most of us would love to receive a million dollars.  Yet, He has blessed us with so much more.  Consider the value of your eye sight.  What is that worth?  I pray that we are not a people too blind that we fail to go to our Lord in thanksgiving.

Psalm 84:10-11 (NIV)
10  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

The best gift to receive is eternal life…

Is Ok, Okay?

It seems that society makes changes on words and then the dictionary adopts many of those changes.  Ok is just as acceptable as okay, at least that is what I have discovered.  Then, thru works a third of the time while through is used two thirds of the time.  Are you confused?  How do you use A.M. and P.M.?  As I looked that up, I found that your usage should be based on your surroundings. My question is who okays (oks) these changes or establishes the rules that we use? 

One thing that I do know, God never changes and His love for me is everlasting!  As believers, we are a blessed people living in an ever-changing world because of who we belong too.

Malachi 3:6-7 (NIV)
6  "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
7  Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'

Romans 8:31-35 (NIV)
31  What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

May God richly bless you and yours this Christmas season.

Have you seen a train make a U-turn?

It takes miles to turn a train that is on a track.  There is no need for a steering wheel on a train.  Steering is not required in a locomotive because navigation is achieved by the rails/tracks. ... There is no steering in a train as all the steering is monitored by the control station. The train's wheels are fixed and it is only the rails that give direction to the moving train which are controlled via control tower.  Who controls your direction?

Ephesians 4:14 (NIV)
14  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

John 14:24-27 (NIV)
24  He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25  "All this I have spoken while still with you.
26  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Road Rage

With the Christmas Holidays upon us, there is more opportunity to experience road rage.  As believers, we are to be the Christ others see in us.

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

― Stephen R. Covey

“If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. . . . The world will be yours and everything in it, what's more, you'll be a man, my son.”  Rudyard Kipling

Ephesians 2:14-17 (NIV)
14  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15  by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16  and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Be A Blessing To God

We have just experienced a season of thanksgiving for the many blessings received the past year. As Christmas approaches, we turn our focus on blessing others with gifts, cards, and words of gratitude. Even when we find ourselves facing tough times, we can count our blessings and be a blessing to others. King David, despite being pursued for his life, encourages us to be a blessing to God with all that we do and in all situations. I, too, want to encourage you right where you are in life to choose to bless God.

Psalm 63:3-5 (NIV)
3  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (bless you)
4  I will praise (bless) you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (bless you)

Value of a Christian Love

A family was in a serious traffic accident. The youngest son, Mike, was seriously injured and needed blood. His big brother, Danny, was only 8-years-old, but had the same blood type. Danny's Dad explained carefully how important it was for Mike to have blood, and how great it would be if Danny could help out. There was silence for a while, then Danny said, "Yes, Daddy, I'll give my blood so Mike can get better." They put the needle in his vein and drew the blood they needed. Once the needle was back out, Danny looked up at his Dad, and with tears running down his cheeks said, "Daddy, when do I die?" It was only then that his Dad realized that Danny didn't know he was just giving some blood. He thought he was giving his life.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13