Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Be Inspired!
If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you dream it, you can become it.
William Arthur Ward
Scripture:
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (New International Version)
Who or what inspires you? Some might answer; riches fame or power. Others might say their partners, and education or maybe even a community leader. For each of us, inspiration can come from various sources.
For me, inspiration comes from many different sources. I am inspired when I see others writers living their dreams. I get inspired when I see a smile, a touch and yes, even a tear. But most of all, I am inspired by the word of God. To me, inspiration is the food that feeds my hopes and dreams; but most of all, my faith.
Inspiration is the courage to keep pressing on when life wants to stop us dead in our tracks. Inspiration is that thought or concept that renews your and your faith when you thought it was gone.
Inspiration is the faith that you can do anything but fail because the Victory has already been won!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. I call out to the Lord. He is worthy of praise. He saves me from my enemies. The Lord lives! Give praise to my Rock! Give honor to God, the Rock! He is my Savior! Lord, we come once again singing songs of praise. Lord, we honor You because You are who You said You are. You are the rock of my salvation. You are my strength. You are my salvation. You are the one and only true God! Thank You Lord for saving me. Father, Abba, Great Jehovah, You are known by many names, but no matter which name we call on, You will answer. Thank You Lord, for answering prayer. Now my Lord, we ask that You would continue to do great things in our lives. The world today is ruled by a spirit of darkness. Lord, we ask that we, Your saints, would become those lights that guide others home to You. Father, may something that we do or something that we say today, be a blessing unto someone else. May we always hide Your word in our hearts. But more importantly, may we always allow Your word and the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do and say. Now Lord, Bless us, Keep us, Protect us, Strengthen us. Lord, we could never thank You enough for our blessings. But we say thank You anyhow. We could never express just how much we love You, but we say we love You anyhow. We could never be worthy of Your grace and mercy. But we thank You for giving us those gifts anyhow. Thank You Lord. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Glory to God. Amen.
Scripture:
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (New International Version)
Who or what inspires you? Some might answer; riches fame or power. Others might say their partners, and education or maybe even a community leader. For each of us, inspiration can come from various sources.
For me, inspiration comes from many different sources. I am inspired when I see others writers living their dreams. I get inspired when I see a smile, a touch and yes, even a tear. But most of all, I am inspired by the word of God. To me, inspiration is the food that feeds my hopes and dreams; but most of all, my faith.
Inspiration is the courage to keep pressing on when life wants to stop us dead in our tracks. Inspiration is that thought or concept that renews your and your faith when you thought it was gone.
Inspiration is the faith that you can do anything but fail because the Victory has already been won!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. I call out to the Lord. He is worthy of praise. He saves me from my enemies. The Lord lives! Give praise to my Rock! Give honor to God, the Rock! He is my Savior! Lord, we come once again singing songs of praise. Lord, we honor You because You are who You said You are. You are the rock of my salvation. You are my strength. You are my salvation. You are the one and only true God! Thank You Lord for saving me. Father, Abba, Great Jehovah, You are known by many names, but no matter which name we call on, You will answer. Thank You Lord, for answering prayer. Now my Lord, we ask that You would continue to do great things in our lives. The world today is ruled by a spirit of darkness. Lord, we ask that we, Your saints, would become those lights that guide others home to You. Father, may something that we do or something that we say today, be a blessing unto someone else. May we always hide Your word in our hearts. But more importantly, may we always allow Your word and the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do and say. Now Lord, Bless us, Keep us, Protect us, Strengthen us. Lord, we could never thank You enough for our blessings. But we say thank You anyhow. We could never express just how much we love You, but we say we love You anyhow. We could never be worthy of Your grace and mercy. But we thank You for giving us those gifts anyhow. Thank You Lord. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Glory to God. Amen.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
When Bad Things Happen
Bad Things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality
of my life. I can be immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to
rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself. ~
Walter Anderson
Scripture:
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:31
Saints, Things happen in life that seem overwhelming. It may be a car accident, a robbery, a fire or the loss of a job. Sometimes when these things happen, we have a tendency to want to dwell on the "what could have happened". We could have been killed, we could have been home, we could have been gone. They could have kept me and put me in another job.
Well my brothers and sisters let me tell you what did happen. Yes, you were in a car accident, but you walked away. Yes you was robbed at gunpoint, but you walked away. Yes you loss some furniture and have to make some home repairs, but you are still here to talk about it. Yes, you lost your job, but you still have a roof over your head and food on the table.
When bad things happen, they are defining moments in our lives. How we react to our situations, both good and bad are what defines us all as individuals. Saints, bad things will happen in your life. It's just a part of living. Stuff Happens!
But rather than dwell on your losses, praise God for your victories!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, Thank You for my victories. Thank You for allowing us to walk away from situations where we could have died. Thank You Lord, for placing Your hedge of protection around us. Thank You Lord for saving us in situations when we didn't even realize that we were in harms way. Lord, I ask that You would continue to keep each and every saint that is represented here, in perfect peace. Lord, today someone will be faced with a difficult decision. I ask that You would give them a spirit of discernment. Someone will have to let a loved one go. We ask that You would comfort them and allow their loved one to leave in peace. Father, give us the courage to stand on our faith, to let go and let You take control. Lord we love You. We praise and thank You for our victories, both large and small. We ask that You would magnify Your power and Your presence in our lives today and that You would continue to bless each and everyone of our brothers and sisters. In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture:
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:31
Saints, Things happen in life that seem overwhelming. It may be a car accident, a robbery, a fire or the loss of a job. Sometimes when these things happen, we have a tendency to want to dwell on the "what could have happened". We could have been killed, we could have been home, we could have been gone. They could have kept me and put me in another job.
Well my brothers and sisters let me tell you what did happen. Yes, you were in a car accident, but you walked away. Yes you was robbed at gunpoint, but you walked away. Yes you loss some furniture and have to make some home repairs, but you are still here to talk about it. Yes, you lost your job, but you still have a roof over your head and food on the table.
When bad things happen, they are defining moments in our lives. How we react to our situations, both good and bad are what defines us all as individuals. Saints, bad things will happen in your life. It's just a part of living. Stuff Happens!
But rather than dwell on your losses, praise God for your victories!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, Thank You for my victories. Thank You for allowing us to walk away from situations where we could have died. Thank You Lord, for placing Your hedge of protection around us. Thank You Lord for saving us in situations when we didn't even realize that we were in harms way. Lord, I ask that You would continue to keep each and every saint that is represented here, in perfect peace. Lord, today someone will be faced with a difficult decision. I ask that You would give them a spirit of discernment. Someone will have to let a loved one go. We ask that You would comfort them and allow their loved one to leave in peace. Father, give us the courage to stand on our faith, to let go and let You take control. Lord we love You. We praise and thank You for our victories, both large and small. We ask that You would magnify Your power and Your presence in our lives today and that You would continue to bless each and everyone of our brothers and sisters. In Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, May 28, 2012
You Only Get What you Expect
Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of
performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do
what is necessary to make it a reality. ~Ralph
Marston
Scripture:
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26 (New International Version)
I am a lover of words. I love how words come together to form a thought. I enjoy looking for variations of words and will often times look up similar words to see if they have the same impact. Expect and confidence, are two such words. They ultimately lead you back to the same thing; Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.
When we have expectations or confidence in something, we are saying to the world; so it is said, so it shall it be done. We believe that wherever or whatever our confidence relies on shall come to past. We believe that the object of our expectations shall come to past without question or doubt. The funny thing about expectation or confidence is that we are in control of how we gauge our expectations. In other words, we set the bar for ourselves.
As children we have little or no expectations of the world. As time goes by and we begin to experience difference aspects of life, we begin to develop expectations on just about everything and everybody. Many of the things that we expect are either taught to us or we develop our own criteria for what we expect.
We expect life and people to be a certain way. We expect to obtain certain things, meet certain people or to develop certain talents and relationships. We expect certain things for ourselves and for our families. I have learned one thing in my lifetime if nothing else and that is; our expectations will frequently change.
Today I ask you, what do you expect out of life? Where does your confidence lie? Who do you trust? Where is your faith? Too often we have trust in the wrong things or people. Our confidence is often deposited in the wrong places. Our faith often lost and can’t be found. The above scripture says; “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
When we put our confidence in God everything else will fall into place.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, give faith and confidence to the ones who read these words, so that they will want to reach out their hands to their friends and pray that pain, despair, and sickness will be healed. Give them wisdom to know best how to pray, fill their prayers with the faith that heals and their hands with the power that gives life and comfort. Father God, you are my strength and my confidence I will trust in the Lord with all that I am. I will let go and let God be in control this day. I will surrender my all to him alone. Emanuel, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords. You are known by many names but we know that You are the great I Am. Father God, thank You for keeping us once again. Thank You Lord for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank You Lord for the Blood that was shed so that each of us could enter into Your kingdom. Thank You Father for loving me that much. Lord, we pray Your hedge of protection, we plead the Blood of Jesus, We submit our will to Yours as we let go and give You control over our lives. Bless Your name Lord. Thank You Lord. Hallelujah Lord. Amen.
Scripture:
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26 (New International Version)
I am a lover of words. I love how words come together to form a thought. I enjoy looking for variations of words and will often times look up similar words to see if they have the same impact. Expect and confidence, are two such words. They ultimately lead you back to the same thing; Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.
When we have expectations or confidence in something, we are saying to the world; so it is said, so it shall it be done. We believe that wherever or whatever our confidence relies on shall come to past. We believe that the object of our expectations shall come to past without question or doubt. The funny thing about expectation or confidence is that we are in control of how we gauge our expectations. In other words, we set the bar for ourselves.
As children we have little or no expectations of the world. As time goes by and we begin to experience difference aspects of life, we begin to develop expectations on just about everything and everybody. Many of the things that we expect are either taught to us or we develop our own criteria for what we expect.
We expect life and people to be a certain way. We expect to obtain certain things, meet certain people or to develop certain talents and relationships. We expect certain things for ourselves and for our families. I have learned one thing in my lifetime if nothing else and that is; our expectations will frequently change.
Today I ask you, what do you expect out of life? Where does your confidence lie? Who do you trust? Where is your faith? Too often we have trust in the wrong things or people. Our confidence is often deposited in the wrong places. Our faith often lost and can’t be found. The above scripture says; “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
When we put our confidence in God everything else will fall into place.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, give faith and confidence to the ones who read these words, so that they will want to reach out their hands to their friends and pray that pain, despair, and sickness will be healed. Give them wisdom to know best how to pray, fill their prayers with the faith that heals and their hands with the power that gives life and comfort. Father God, you are my strength and my confidence I will trust in the Lord with all that I am. I will let go and let God be in control this day. I will surrender my all to him alone. Emanuel, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords. You are known by many names but we know that You are the great I Am. Father God, thank You for keeping us once again. Thank You Lord for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank You Lord for the Blood that was shed so that each of us could enter into Your kingdom. Thank You Father for loving me that much. Lord, we pray Your hedge of protection, we plead the Blood of Jesus, We submit our will to Yours as we let go and give You control over our lives. Bless Your name Lord. Thank You Lord. Hallelujah Lord. Amen.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Learning to Pause
Remember, Learn to pause ... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you. ~ Doug
King
Scripture:
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)
So often we find ourselves running through life, going from one place to another in search of something or someone that will fulfill us and make us happy. We start as children sprinting into our teenaged years. Looking for our next milestone, thirteen, sixteen, eighteen and then finally, twenty-one; expecting something miraculous to happen that will change our lives. We can’t wait until we are grown and on our own.
Then we find ourselves in search of love; looking for that special someone who will fulfill all of our fairytale dreams in the hopes of living happily ever after. In the meantime, we run towards the right education, job, car, neighborhood, and the world around us continues to churn, as we search for the things that are supposed to make us content.
Somewhere down life’s road, we begin to realize that neither people nor things can truly fulfill us or make us happy. So we often find that we have been running around in circles, searching, waiting, wondering, when will it happen for us.
We find ourselves so busy running after things, that we forget to just pause and appreciate where we are right now. I often reflect back on “The good old days” when life seemed to be less complicated and realize that I am the one who complicated it looking for that “something” to complete me. It wasn’t until I realized that the only thing that could truly complete me was God that I learned to pause and live in the moment.
So my friends, today I urge you to pause and let something good catch up to you.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Father, too often I found myself looking for that something or someone that I thought would make me happy. I looked high and low but couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t until You found me that my life began to change. Thank You Lord, for finding me in the slimy pits of life. Thank You father for placing my feet on a solid rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You Lord for reaching down and reaching out Your hand to me. Lord, thank You for loving me enough by giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Now Lord, I ask that You would continue to bless those who come seeking a word of encouragement. Speak to our heart Holy Spirit. Helping us to always be mindful to pause, and enjoy the moment in Christ Jesus. We love You Lord, we bless Your name. We give thanks, glory, honor and praise; in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture:
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)
So often we find ourselves running through life, going from one place to another in search of something or someone that will fulfill us and make us happy. We start as children sprinting into our teenaged years. Looking for our next milestone, thirteen, sixteen, eighteen and then finally, twenty-one; expecting something miraculous to happen that will change our lives. We can’t wait until we are grown and on our own.
Then we find ourselves in search of love; looking for that special someone who will fulfill all of our fairytale dreams in the hopes of living happily ever after. In the meantime, we run towards the right education, job, car, neighborhood, and the world around us continues to churn, as we search for the things that are supposed to make us content.
Somewhere down life’s road, we begin to realize that neither people nor things can truly fulfill us or make us happy. So we often find that we have been running around in circles, searching, waiting, wondering, when will it happen for us.
We find ourselves so busy running after things, that we forget to just pause and appreciate where we are right now. I often reflect back on “The good old days” when life seemed to be less complicated and realize that I am the one who complicated it looking for that “something” to complete me. It wasn’t until I realized that the only thing that could truly complete me was God that I learned to pause and live in the moment.
So my friends, today I urge you to pause and let something good catch up to you.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Father, too often I found myself looking for that something or someone that I thought would make me happy. I looked high and low but couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t until You found me that my life began to change. Thank You Lord, for finding me in the slimy pits of life. Thank You father for placing my feet on a solid rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You Lord for reaching down and reaching out Your hand to me. Lord, thank You for loving me enough by giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Now Lord, I ask that You would continue to bless those who come seeking a word of encouragement. Speak to our heart Holy Spirit. Helping us to always be mindful to pause, and enjoy the moment in Christ Jesus. We love You Lord, we bless Your name. We give thanks, glory, honor and praise; in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
My Wake Up Call
Every
day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious
human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to
develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for
the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I
am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit
others as much as I can.” ~ Dalai
Lama XIV
Scripture:
I
keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may
be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians
1:17-19 New International
Version (NIV)
Last Friday, I woke up in a funk. I don’t know why I was having a mood, I just
knew I did. There was no one thing or
incident going on in my life to cause my disposition, but for some reason I
just felt irritated. It was just “One of
Those Days!”
I did what I always do on a work day; I woke up, got
dressed and drove to my job. As I
settled into my daily routine, my mood did not improve. If anything, I was irritated that I was being
pulled in a few different directions all at the same time.
Suddenly, my cell phone rang and I recognized it as one
belonging to my healthcare provider. The cheerful voice on the other end of the
phone simply said; “Ms. Moore, Dr. Miller wants to schedule your six month MRI
follow-up to your brain surgery.” Suddenly
it hit me, six months ago; I was in the hospital having surgery to repair two
cerebral aneurysms in my head. Talk
about a wake-up call.
Far too often we get so caught up in our day to day
lives, that we fail to see just how blessed we really are. I realized that not only was I alive and functioning,
but I was being blessed beyond all that I needed. Not only did I have my health and strength, but
I had a job to go to and family and friends to fellowship with. I was humbled as a realized that it is only
by God’s grace that I am who I am and that I am here today.
I was reminded never to get so caught up in where I am
that I fail to see where I have been.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Father
God, I come before the throne of Grace asking that You would forgive me for
taking my blessings for granted. Lord, I
ask that You would overlook my faults and that You would grant me fresh grace
and mercy. I sometimes forgot just how blessed I truly am. I thank You for my health and strength. I thank You for my job. I thank You for family and friends. I thank You for the Blood of the Lamb. The blood that renews, revitalizes and
regenerates. I thank You Lord, for
loving me even when I forgot about You.
Lord, I ask that You would continue to watch over our families and
friends and that You would place Your hedge of protection securely around us
all. We ask and pray these and all
things, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Developing Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is when your conscience tells you to do something and you don't
talk back. ~ W.K. Hope
Scripture:
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behaviour, even though one would really rather be doing something else. For example, denying oneself of an extravagant pleasure in order to accomplish a more demanding charitable deed. Thus, self-discipline is the assertion of willpower over more base desires, and is usually understood to be a synonym of 'self control'.
As a writer, I am often asked; how do you find time to write? My standard answer is that I make time. I have disciplined myself to make time to do what it is I need to do to accomplish my dreams. Writing is important to me and when we realize those things in our lives that matter most to us, we will do whatever is necessary to accomplish them.
I have also realized that being a Christian also takes self-discipline. It is so easy to take for granted our relationship with God. We can always find time to do everything else in our lives so why do we find it so hard to spend time with God?
When things are going well in our lives, we tend to want to put God on the back burner. Then we things start going awry, we panic because we have neglected to keep Him in the forefront of all that we do. When we make it a habit to do those things in our lives that are important, we learn to listen to our conscience and not talk back.
When we get in the habit of having a daily talk with God, He will become all the conscious you need.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, help us to guard our minds this and every day. When we grow weak and tired, allow a small wind, Your breath of life, to gently caress our faces, letting us know that You are right there with us. When we grow weary and almost faint, let the bread of life and the living waters, Your word, revitalize us. Father, even in our storms, we must always remember to stop and give You thanks. Even when life is assailing us, we must stop and praise Your name. Even when it seems like we don't have the strength to go a step further, we must muster the strength to uplift and exalt Your most holy name. My Lord, help us always to be mindful and protect our thoughts from the one who seeks to destroy us. Help us to remember to always guard our hearts and minds from those things that are not of You. Father, continue to be with those who are in the hospital, who are ill, who are grieving, who are faced with the challenges of the world. Father God I say a special prayer for my friends who are mothers. Strengthen them and give them what they need to protect their greatest gifts, their children. Lord, we realize that satan is out to destroy our families. We come standing in the gap and standing on Your word. We claim our children in the name of Jesus. We plead the blood of the Lamb over our babies and we refuse to give up on them. We ask and pray these things in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture:
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behaviour, even though one would really rather be doing something else. For example, denying oneself of an extravagant pleasure in order to accomplish a more demanding charitable deed. Thus, self-discipline is the assertion of willpower over more base desires, and is usually understood to be a synonym of 'self control'.
As a writer, I am often asked; how do you find time to write? My standard answer is that I make time. I have disciplined myself to make time to do what it is I need to do to accomplish my dreams. Writing is important to me and when we realize those things in our lives that matter most to us, we will do whatever is necessary to accomplish them.
I have also realized that being a Christian also takes self-discipline. It is so easy to take for granted our relationship with God. We can always find time to do everything else in our lives so why do we find it so hard to spend time with God?
When things are going well in our lives, we tend to want to put God on the back burner. Then we things start going awry, we panic because we have neglected to keep Him in the forefront of all that we do. When we make it a habit to do those things in our lives that are important, we learn to listen to our conscience and not talk back.
When we get in the habit of having a daily talk with God, He will become all the conscious you need.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, help us to guard our minds this and every day. When we grow weak and tired, allow a small wind, Your breath of life, to gently caress our faces, letting us know that You are right there with us. When we grow weary and almost faint, let the bread of life and the living waters, Your word, revitalize us. Father, even in our storms, we must always remember to stop and give You thanks. Even when life is assailing us, we must stop and praise Your name. Even when it seems like we don't have the strength to go a step further, we must muster the strength to uplift and exalt Your most holy name. My Lord, help us always to be mindful and protect our thoughts from the one who seeks to destroy us. Help us to remember to always guard our hearts and minds from those things that are not of You. Father, continue to be with those who are in the hospital, who are ill, who are grieving, who are faced with the challenges of the world. Father God I say a special prayer for my friends who are mothers. Strengthen them and give them what they need to protect their greatest gifts, their children. Lord, we realize that satan is out to destroy our families. We come standing in the gap and standing on Your word. We claim our children in the name of Jesus. We plead the blood of the Lamb over our babies and we refuse to give up on them. We ask and pray these things in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
In The Fiery Furnace
The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest
thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm. ~ Charles Caleb
Coltron
Scripture:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Have you ever wondered why sometimes it seems that it's hard being a Christian? We accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and then it seems like the more we love God and try to grow closer to him, life is constantly coming against you?
Well, I know I have. I look at my life and the lives of my saved brothers and sisters and see that each and every one of us is going through some rather difficult times. Situation after situation keeps happening. Jobs are being lost. Cars are being reposed, houses are being lost, marriages are being torn apart and the money just can't seem to stretch far enough.
But then, God gave me a revelation. Stop depending on the world, the people of this world, and the things of this world. Start looking at me instead! How many of you have noticed that the more you go through, the more you start to really study the word of God. You pray more and you look to him more. The more you go through, things and habits that you once had start falling away.
God says I put you in the furnace so that I can refine you like gold. I need to burn off all of those impurities. I know it's hot in there, but you are mine and those who are mine must be the best. Without spot or blemish. Free of sin, clean, A NEW CREATURE!
So I just want each of you to know, that it may get so hot and uncomfortable. Life will get hard and things may not always work the way we want them to, but in the end, we can praise God and rejoice at the new creature that he has created.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Thank You Jesus for my fiery furnace. Thank You Lord, for the impurities that You are removing from me. Father, we just ask that You continue to be with us as we go through. We just ask that You would take our hand and lead us on. Lord, we ask that You would help us to see those things in our lives that we have need to get rid of and give them to You willingly. Continue to bless Your saints. Bless each and every family that is represented here. Thank You father for family and friends. Thank You Lord, for Your word. Thank You Lord, for Your son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Have you ever wondered why sometimes it seems that it's hard being a Christian? We accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and then it seems like the more we love God and try to grow closer to him, life is constantly coming against you?
Well, I know I have. I look at my life and the lives of my saved brothers and sisters and see that each and every one of us is going through some rather difficult times. Situation after situation keeps happening. Jobs are being lost. Cars are being reposed, houses are being lost, marriages are being torn apart and the money just can't seem to stretch far enough.
But then, God gave me a revelation. Stop depending on the world, the people of this world, and the things of this world. Start looking at me instead! How many of you have noticed that the more you go through, the more you start to really study the word of God. You pray more and you look to him more. The more you go through, things and habits that you once had start falling away.
God says I put you in the furnace so that I can refine you like gold. I need to burn off all of those impurities. I know it's hot in there, but you are mine and those who are mine must be the best. Without spot or blemish. Free of sin, clean, A NEW CREATURE!
So I just want each of you to know, that it may get so hot and uncomfortable. Life will get hard and things may not always work the way we want them to, but in the end, we can praise God and rejoice at the new creature that he has created.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Thank You Jesus for my fiery furnace. Thank You Lord, for the impurities that You are removing from me. Father, we just ask that You continue to be with us as we go through. We just ask that You would take our hand and lead us on. Lord, we ask that You would help us to see those things in our lives that we have need to get rid of and give them to You willingly. Continue to bless Your saints. Bless each and every family that is represented here. Thank You father for family and friends. Thank You Lord, for Your word. Thank You Lord, for Your son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Character Really Does Matter
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something
is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost. ~ Billy
Graham.
Scripture:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
What is character? Webster defines it as, one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. As a writer, one of the things that I have learned to do is define the traits of my characters. I do this by examining various things about them and establishing what roles they will play in the telling of my stories.
It takes all kinds of characters to create a story. There will be good and bad characters and even the good characters will have what is known as character flaws; you know the things that make them human. Some of those character flaws might include; arrogance, dishonesty, short-temperedness, or the need to always be right.
They might be a perfectionist, nit-picky or maybe they always need to play the victim and blame the other guy. They might be selfish, miserly, stubborn, rigid or inflexible, narrow-minded, vain, prideful, or simply humorless; unable to laugh at themselves.
When you study ethics, you learn that there are six pillars of character. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. They are; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.
In the above scripture we learn that as Christians, we will have trials and tribulations that will help us to develop our characters. So often the lessons learned will be painful. Albeit, necessary. It is in the development of our character that we realize that there is hope and that hope, does not disappoint.
So my friends rejoice in your trials and tribulations because character does matter.
Be blessed.
Prayer:Father God, so often the lessons of life can be painful. They will often cause us heartache and pain. However, we realize that in everything that we go through, it is for our benefit. Without character development, we might never know the love of God. We realize that sometimes it is necessary for life to squeeze out those character flaws. We sometimes look around us at the world and wonder, why are things so wrong? How can people do some of the things that they do? We realize that there is no hope and people will do strange things in desperation. Lord, we thank You for the hope that has been given to us through Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your word that constantly encourages us and gives is the wisdom and the strength we need to change our ways. Now Lord, I ask a special blessing for one of my sisters in Christ who is faced with health issues. Touch her Lord Jesus, healing her body and calming her anxieties. Lord, so many are going through so much and we just want to ask that Your grace and mercy would rain down into the lives of Your Saints who need just a drop to refresh them and give them strength. Continue to bless all of Yours this day. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
What is character? Webster defines it as, one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. As a writer, one of the things that I have learned to do is define the traits of my characters. I do this by examining various things about them and establishing what roles they will play in the telling of my stories.
It takes all kinds of characters to create a story. There will be good and bad characters and even the good characters will have what is known as character flaws; you know the things that make them human. Some of those character flaws might include; arrogance, dishonesty, short-temperedness, or the need to always be right.
They might be a perfectionist, nit-picky or maybe they always need to play the victim and blame the other guy. They might be selfish, miserly, stubborn, rigid or inflexible, narrow-minded, vain, prideful, or simply humorless; unable to laugh at themselves.
When you study ethics, you learn that there are six pillars of character. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. They are; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.
In the above scripture we learn that as Christians, we will have trials and tribulations that will help us to develop our characters. So often the lessons learned will be painful. Albeit, necessary. It is in the development of our character that we realize that there is hope and that hope, does not disappoint.
So my friends rejoice in your trials and tribulations because character does matter.
Be blessed.
Prayer:Father God, so often the lessons of life can be painful. They will often cause us heartache and pain. However, we realize that in everything that we go through, it is for our benefit. Without character development, we might never know the love of God. We realize that sometimes it is necessary for life to squeeze out those character flaws. We sometimes look around us at the world and wonder, why are things so wrong? How can people do some of the things that they do? We realize that there is no hope and people will do strange things in desperation. Lord, we thank You for the hope that has been given to us through Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your word that constantly encourages us and gives is the wisdom and the strength we need to change our ways. Now Lord, I ask a special blessing for one of my sisters in Christ who is faced with health issues. Touch her Lord Jesus, healing her body and calming her anxieties. Lord, so many are going through so much and we just want to ask that Your grace and mercy would rain down into the lives of Your Saints who need just a drop to refresh them and give them strength. Continue to bless all of Yours this day. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Pick Up Your Cross
I have always believed that God never gives a cross to bear larger than we can
carry. No matter what, he wants us to be happy, not sad. Birds sing after a
storm. Why shouldn't we? ~ Rose F. Kennedy
Scripture:
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
Do you sometimes wonder why your life seems so hard? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you go from one bad situation to the next? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are constantly under attack? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are living the word of God and going through, but you know people who know nothing about God's word and they seem to have everything?
Do you ever cry to out to God; "Why me Lord?" and he answers; "Why not you!"
One of the things that I like to share with new believers and share with those of you have been in the word for a very long time is this; When you were in the world and not in the word satan didn't care anything about you because he already had you. When you became a disciple of Christ you that's when he became concerned. That's when he started coming after you. That's when he started throwing everything he has at you.
Unfortunately, too many people think that once they accept Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior, life would get better. Too often we think that things aren't suppose to happen to us because we believe in the word of God. Too often we think that we aren't suppose to go through bad times, be sick, lose loved ones, suffer financially, have broken relationships and the list goes on and on.
If you look closely enough at the word of God it does tell you that each and every one of us will have our own cross to bear. Just like Jesus. Wait a minute, let me back up. Each and every Christian who has been charged with being one of his disciples, (and that is what every Christian should be, a disciple), will have their own cross to bear. Now while we are carrying our cross, satan will be throwing things, dropping bombs, creating chaos, troubling the waters and doing everything else to turn you away from God. He hates each and every one of us that much and wants to separate us from the love of God.
Satan knows that as long as we have God on our side, His Grace is sufficient. We can do all things through Christ Jesus. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. No weapon formed against us can prosper. The Lord will provide.
I don't know about you, but I praise God for my cross because I'd rather carry my cross here on earth as one of his disciples and spend eternity with him, than to be fooled into believing that I can have it all here on earth and then spend eternity in hell with satan.
Be Blessed.
Prayer:
El-Elyon, Most High God , El-Shaddia, Almighty God, El-Olam, Everlasting God, Father, Abba, You who are my everything. Lord, sometimes we get weary and tired. There are days when life seems more than we can bear. There are nights that my pillow is covered in tears and it seems as though no one cares. Father, I have hidden Your word in my heart. I dwell and meditate on Your word night and day. I thank You Lord for Your word that strengthens me. Lord, You have said we can do all things through Christ Jesus. You have told us that You are with us always, even until the end of times. You are in the fiery furnace with us, on our ship that is caught in the storm, and in the valley of death. We don't ask that You come into our hearts and lives, only that You magnify Your presence. Touch us today, our minds, our hearts, our spirits, our very souls. Keep us in perfect peace. Strengthen us once again. Father, when I grow weary from the weight of my cross, empower me and order my steps so that I may continue down the path that You have chosen. Thank You Father. Thank You Lord. For the one who first carried my cross, Christ Jesus in his name we pray. Praise God, Hallelujah, Amen.
Scripture:
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
Do you sometimes wonder why your life seems so hard? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you go from one bad situation to the next? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are constantly under attack? Do you ever wonder why it seems as though you are living the word of God and going through, but you know people who know nothing about God's word and they seem to have everything?
Do you ever cry to out to God; "Why me Lord?" and he answers; "Why not you!"
One of the things that I like to share with new believers and share with those of you have been in the word for a very long time is this; When you were in the world and not in the word satan didn't care anything about you because he already had you. When you became a disciple of Christ you that's when he became concerned. That's when he started coming after you. That's when he started throwing everything he has at you.
Unfortunately, too many people think that once they accept Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior, life would get better. Too often we think that things aren't suppose to happen to us because we believe in the word of God. Too often we think that we aren't suppose to go through bad times, be sick, lose loved ones, suffer financially, have broken relationships and the list goes on and on.
If you look closely enough at the word of God it does tell you that each and every one of us will have our own cross to bear. Just like Jesus. Wait a minute, let me back up. Each and every Christian who has been charged with being one of his disciples, (and that is what every Christian should be, a disciple), will have their own cross to bear. Now while we are carrying our cross, satan will be throwing things, dropping bombs, creating chaos, troubling the waters and doing everything else to turn you away from God. He hates each and every one of us that much and wants to separate us from the love of God.
Satan knows that as long as we have God on our side, His Grace is sufficient. We can do all things through Christ Jesus. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. No weapon formed against us can prosper. The Lord will provide.
I don't know about you, but I praise God for my cross because I'd rather carry my cross here on earth as one of his disciples and spend eternity with him, than to be fooled into believing that I can have it all here on earth and then spend eternity in hell with satan.
Be Blessed.
Prayer:
El-Elyon, Most High God , El-Shaddia, Almighty God, El-Olam, Everlasting God, Father, Abba, You who are my everything. Lord, sometimes we get weary and tired. There are days when life seems more than we can bear. There are nights that my pillow is covered in tears and it seems as though no one cares. Father, I have hidden Your word in my heart. I dwell and meditate on Your word night and day. I thank You Lord for Your word that strengthens me. Lord, You have said we can do all things through Christ Jesus. You have told us that You are with us always, even until the end of times. You are in the fiery furnace with us, on our ship that is caught in the storm, and in the valley of death. We don't ask that You come into our hearts and lives, only that You magnify Your presence. Touch us today, our minds, our hearts, our spirits, our very souls. Keep us in perfect peace. Strengthen us once again. Father, when I grow weary from the weight of my cross, empower me and order my steps so that I may continue down the path that You have chosen. Thank You Father. Thank You Lord. For the one who first carried my cross, Christ Jesus in his name we pray. Praise God, Hallelujah, Amen.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
If You Praise Him, He will Come
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might
learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was
given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might
be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I
might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of
God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I
might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped
for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all
men, most richly blessed. ~
Unknown.
Scripture:
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 (NIV)
Saints of God, so often when things are going wrong in our lives, we don’t want to praise God. All we want to do is tell God all about our troubles. Our prayers tend to become more selfish and self-centered.
We have no problem asking or telling God what we want. However, too often we fail to give God praise or thanks for the things that are going right in our lives. We forget the most important aspect of prayer, Praise and adoration.
The greatest commandment that was given to man tells us to “love the Lord, thy God will all thy heart and will all thy soul and with all thy mind.” Praise and worship is one way to show God just how much we love Him and what He means to us.
When we learn to praise God in our bad times, we are opening the door so that He can show up. He becomes our light in darkness. He will give us the strength and the comfort that we need to make it through.
Remember, if you praise Him, He will come.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I try to pray and the words won't come. I toss and turn and feel nothing. My mind is dry, my heart is dull, and my soul longs for life. Hear my silent cry, my God, hear me. Breathe on us Lord renewing a right spirit within us. Even in our times of sorrow, we praise Your holy name. Lord, open our eyes and give us a discerning spirit, so that we may recognize the tricks of the evil one. Help us Lord to recognize the things and the people who are important in our lives. Not the material things that we tend to scramble after, but the greatest give ever given to us; Your son, Jesus Christ. Praise God! Keep us Lord. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your salvation. Have mercy Lord, and help us to remember to put on the whole armor of God this and every day. We love You lord, and we praise Your name. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
Scripture:
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 (NIV)
Saints of God, so often when things are going wrong in our lives, we don’t want to praise God. All we want to do is tell God all about our troubles. Our prayers tend to become more selfish and self-centered.
We have no problem asking or telling God what we want. However, too often we fail to give God praise or thanks for the things that are going right in our lives. We forget the most important aspect of prayer, Praise and adoration.
The greatest commandment that was given to man tells us to “love the Lord, thy God will all thy heart and will all thy soul and with all thy mind.” Praise and worship is one way to show God just how much we love Him and what He means to us.
When we learn to praise God in our bad times, we are opening the door so that He can show up. He becomes our light in darkness. He will give us the strength and the comfort that we need to make it through.
Remember, if you praise Him, He will come.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I try to pray and the words won't come. I toss and turn and feel nothing. My mind is dry, my heart is dull, and my soul longs for life. Hear my silent cry, my God, hear me. Breathe on us Lord renewing a right spirit within us. Even in our times of sorrow, we praise Your holy name. Lord, open our eyes and give us a discerning spirit, so that we may recognize the tricks of the evil one. Help us Lord to recognize the things and the people who are important in our lives. Not the material things that we tend to scramble after, but the greatest give ever given to us; Your son, Jesus Christ. Praise God! Keep us Lord. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your salvation. Have mercy Lord, and help us to remember to put on the whole armor of God this and every day. We love You lord, and we praise Your name. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
