Monday, May 27, 2013
One Choice, One Decision
If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you
disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is
compromise. ~ Robert Fritz
Scripture:
To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:9-11 (New International Version)
As I look around me at the world today, I wonder, how did we get here? The world has literally gone crazy. People are losing their jobs. Fathers are killing babies. Mothers don’t protect their children the way they used to and those that have would deny those who have not.
It would be so easy to say, “that it’s not my fault. I wasn’t the one who caused these problems, somebody else did. I am not the one who took all the money and ran these companies into the ground. It’s not my problem, it’s theirs.”
Saints of God, whether you want to admit it or not, it is our problem and it is our fault. We are the ones who chose to live beyond our means. We are the ones who wanted more, more and more. We are the ones who wanted what we want and to hell with those who don’t want it as bad as I do.
We chose to ignore the warning signs that our economy was in danger. We chose to turn a blind eye to those who were less fortunate than ourselves. We wanted what we wanted when we wanted it and in essence, we chose silver and gold over knowledge and rubies instead of wisdom.
Now we are in a place that forces our hands and causes us to question our greed for the finer things in life that were bought on the precept of “buy it now and worry about paying for it later.”
Now that it is later, what will you choose? What is the right decision to make?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, as I look at the world around me, my heart is heavy with grief. We chose silver and gold over the things that you taught us in Your word. We chose to turn a blind eye to those who were less fortunate than ourselves and now we find that we too have lost our way. Father God, forgive us for our sinful ways and desires. Help us O’Lord to return to your teachings and to putting our faith and our trust in You. Lord, help us to see the trappings of the devil for what they are, a way to cause havoc and cause us to turn away from You. Lord, I come before the throne of grace asking that You would once again take me down the path that You would have me to follow. Help us Lord, to thirst after Your Word instead of the way of the world. Lord, thank You for keeping me and my household safe from all hurt harm and danger. Your word tells says I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Help me Father to return to a more righteous way of living. Now Lord, I ask that You would bless those who stand before You in need of a breakthrough. Touch that Father, that Mother who needs to know that the Holy Spirit is with us always, even in bad times and that He will never leave us or forsake us. It is in His most Holy Name that we submit this prayer. Amen.
Scripture:
To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:9-11 (New International Version)
As I look around me at the world today, I wonder, how did we get here? The world has literally gone crazy. People are losing their jobs. Fathers are killing babies. Mothers don’t protect their children the way they used to and those that have would deny those who have not.
It would be so easy to say, “that it’s not my fault. I wasn’t the one who caused these problems, somebody else did. I am not the one who took all the money and ran these companies into the ground. It’s not my problem, it’s theirs.”
Saints of God, whether you want to admit it or not, it is our problem and it is our fault. We are the ones who chose to live beyond our means. We are the ones who wanted more, more and more. We are the ones who wanted what we want and to hell with those who don’t want it as bad as I do.
We chose to ignore the warning signs that our economy was in danger. We chose to turn a blind eye to those who were less fortunate than ourselves. We wanted what we wanted when we wanted it and in essence, we chose silver and gold over knowledge and rubies instead of wisdom.
Now we are in a place that forces our hands and causes us to question our greed for the finer things in life that were bought on the precept of “buy it now and worry about paying for it later.”
Now that it is later, what will you choose? What is the right decision to make?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, as I look at the world around me, my heart is heavy with grief. We chose silver and gold over the things that you taught us in Your word. We chose to turn a blind eye to those who were less fortunate than ourselves and now we find that we too have lost our way. Father God, forgive us for our sinful ways and desires. Help us O’Lord to return to your teachings and to putting our faith and our trust in You. Lord, help us to see the trappings of the devil for what they are, a way to cause havoc and cause us to turn away from You. Lord, I come before the throne of grace asking that You would once again take me down the path that You would have me to follow. Help us Lord, to thirst after Your Word instead of the way of the world. Lord, thank You for keeping me and my household safe from all hurt harm and danger. Your word tells says I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Help me Father to return to a more righteous way of living. Now Lord, I ask that You would bless those who stand before You in need of a breakthrough. Touch that Father, that Mother who needs to know that the Holy Spirit is with us always, even in bad times and that He will never leave us or forsake us. It is in His most Holy Name that we submit this prayer. Amen.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Is My Living in Vain?
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease
one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest
again, I shall not live in vain. ~ Emily Dickinson
Scripture:
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Matthew 25:23 (New International Version)
One of the many jobs that I have held over the years was in the programming/production department of a local television station. There would be times I would be called upon to answer telephone calls from angry viewers when their favorite soap opera or talk show was interrupted with breaking news. There was one very disturbing observation I noticed about many of these calls, these angry callers were often the elderly and I realized that television was frequently their only company.
I was reminded of this by a television special that aired here in Detroit a few years ago, about an elderly woman named Marabel Chanin, an 87 year old woman who died alone. The story so captivated the world that it spawned a need to create a news special to discover how something like this could happen. You see, Marabel had never married or had children. Her body lay unclaimed in the Wayne County Morgue for over four months.
As I listened to her story, I discovered that one of the reasons that she had been left alone, was because she had chased away family and friends. I find it heartbreaking to think that anyone could live to be almost 88 years old and have no one to care about them in life or death.
As Christians we have been charged with loving one another. Not just ourselves or our immediate family but all whose path we will cross. I challenge you to do to take a long hard look at yourselves and ask the question; Is my Living in Vain?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes we get so caught up with our lives and with ourselves that we fail to see the hurting world around us. My prayer to You this night is that I will see all humanity as my brothers and sisters. I choose to bless others as You have blessed me. Create in me a right spirit and help me to realize that it is not all about me. Help me O’Lord to have empathy to those who are in need and to give a portion of what has been given to me so that others can see You working in my life. Magnify the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow it to light my path as I walk in a dark world so that You may be edified in the works that I do, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Scripture:
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Matthew 25:23 (New International Version)
One of the many jobs that I have held over the years was in the programming/production department of a local television station. There would be times I would be called upon to answer telephone calls from angry viewers when their favorite soap opera or talk show was interrupted with breaking news. There was one very disturbing observation I noticed about many of these calls, these angry callers were often the elderly and I realized that television was frequently their only company.
I was reminded of this by a television special that aired here in Detroit a few years ago, about an elderly woman named Marabel Chanin, an 87 year old woman who died alone. The story so captivated the world that it spawned a need to create a news special to discover how something like this could happen. You see, Marabel had never married or had children. Her body lay unclaimed in the Wayne County Morgue for over four months.
As I listened to her story, I discovered that one of the reasons that she had been left alone, was because she had chased away family and friends. I find it heartbreaking to think that anyone could live to be almost 88 years old and have no one to care about them in life or death.
As Christians we have been charged with loving one another. Not just ourselves or our immediate family but all whose path we will cross. I challenge you to do to take a long hard look at yourselves and ask the question; Is my Living in Vain?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes we get so caught up with our lives and with ourselves that we fail to see the hurting world around us. My prayer to You this night is that I will see all humanity as my brothers and sisters. I choose to bless others as You have blessed me. Create in me a right spirit and help me to realize that it is not all about me. Help me O’Lord to have empathy to those who are in need and to give a portion of what has been given to me so that others can see You working in my life. Magnify the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow it to light my path as I walk in a dark world so that You may be edified in the works that I do, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Monday, May 13, 2013
I Lost a Good Friend Today
If I
die, don't cry. Look at the sky & say goodbye.
Scripture:
Jesus Wept.
John 11:35
I
lost a good friend today. She was like a sister to me.
We met many years ago while we both were in high school.
Funny, I don’t remember much about that time, only that we met and became
friends. She was outgoing and friendly, while I was rather
shy. It didn’t matter. She was still a great
friend.
Then like high school friends do, we drifted
apart and went our separate ways. Several years and two marriages
later; one for her and one for me, we reconnected at a local television station
and continued our friendship as if no time had elapsed since our first
meeting. Except this time, we both had children and our sons who
were only two months apart, became friends as well. I lost a great
friend today.
Then, my marriage fell apart and I began to
flounder. There she was, standing on the sideline, willing to hold
my hand and be my friend when so many others decided that I was no longer a part
of the married club and revoked my card. She would stand with me
and my children even when it felt like others had deserted me, there she stood,
willing to lend a hand and a shoulder to cry on. She refused to
let me go. I lost a good friend today.
Even when she came to me and told me of her
illness, she continued to be my friend. She loved me through all
my selfishness, tears and tantrums. She didn’t want others to know
of her illness for fear of them treating her differently. She
wanted people to know and love her simply because of who she was and not pity or
protect her because of her illness. I lost a good friend today.
She went home to be with her mother and her
father. Her Sister will be there too. She will see
other family members and well as old friends. I lost a good friend
today, but God gained another Angel.
Prayer:
Jesus wept.Monday, May 06, 2013
Praise Him for the Closed Door
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at
the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. ~Helen
Keller
Scriptures:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6, For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee I will wait all day. Psalm 25:5, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8.
A few years ago, a friend shared a story called “Praise him for the Closed Door.” It spoke about how we need to learn to praise God for closed doors.
One reason God closes doors is because he hasn't prepared anything over there for us. Another reason may be because what's behind door number one may cause us harm. And yet still, behind door number two may be a trap that satan has prepared for us.
The story went on to further state, that God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces you to change your path. The closing of yet another will cause you to change your path again. Then finally, you open the door and you walk right into your blessing.
So Saints of God, instead of trying to beat down the door, praise him for the detour he is sending you on. Praise him for your blessings that are on the way.
But most of all, praise him because we serve an awesome God!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, many of us are standing before a closed door. Lord, some of us have been trying to beat that door down. Father, You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. You have already told us that You would open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing. A blessing that would overflow with Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Lord, we come thanking You for closing that door. Lord, we come thanking You and praising You because we know that our blessings are on the way. We praise You this day, because You are the Lord, my God. Praise His name. Hallelujah,. We worship and exalt You this day. Bless Your Holy Name Lord. Lord, some of us were ready to give up. But Lord, we realize that You haven't failed us yet. Praise God! Some of us have cried until we have no more tears to cry. But today my eyes are filled with tears of joy. Thank You Jesus. Father, we will Bless Your name all the day long. Hallelujah,Praise God. Amen.
Scriptures:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6, For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee I will wait all day. Psalm 25:5, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8.
A few years ago, a friend shared a story called “Praise him for the Closed Door.” It spoke about how we need to learn to praise God for closed doors.
One reason God closes doors is because he hasn't prepared anything over there for us. Another reason may be because what's behind door number one may cause us harm. And yet still, behind door number two may be a trap that satan has prepared for us.
The story went on to further state, that God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces you to change your path. The closing of yet another will cause you to change your path again. Then finally, you open the door and you walk right into your blessing.
So Saints of God, instead of trying to beat down the door, praise him for the detour he is sending you on. Praise him for your blessings that are on the way.
But most of all, praise him because we serve an awesome God!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, many of us are standing before a closed door. Lord, some of us have been trying to beat that door down. Father, You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. You have already told us that You would open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing. A blessing that would overflow with Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Lord, we come thanking You for closing that door. Lord, we come thanking You and praising You because we know that our blessings are on the way. We praise You this day, because You are the Lord, my God. Praise His name. Hallelujah,. We worship and exalt You this day. Bless Your Holy Name Lord. Lord, some of us were ready to give up. But Lord, we realize that You haven't failed us yet. Praise God! Some of us have cried until we have no more tears to cry. But today my eyes are filled with tears of joy. Thank You Jesus. Father, we will Bless Your name all the day long. Hallelujah,Praise God. Amen.
