How precious are your thoughts, oh God...

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

{Psalm 139:17}

The Bible has many references telling us how much it pleases God for us to trust Him for our every need. Jesus told the disciples, "Look at the birds...they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more of value than they?" 

God values our trust in Him above every other character quality. How do we strengthen our trust in God? By spending time in God presence, by praying, by worshipping, and by reading His Word. 

We develop trust also as we step out in faith and discover; that God really can be trusted. Are we truly trusting God for every need in our lives? Have a blessed day!  

In the beginning...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

>>>>-----------Gensis 1:ONE--------> 

What image comes to mind when you read this verse? Can we even begin to comprehend the power it took to bring into being the billions of stars that astronomers are still discovering with their high powered telescopes? Can we begin to understand the wisdom it took to develop the complex laws that would govern the whole creation,from the smallest subatomic particles to the swirling galaxies of outer space? 

"Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been seen, being understood from what has been made (rm1:20). 

Don't ever underestimate God's power-and don't ever underestimate His love for us! Have a blessed weekend.

Everlasting Love ❤️

I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

>>--------Jeremiah 32:3-------->

Who can describe or measure the love of God? Our Bible is a revelation of the fact that God is love. 

When we talk of His justice, it is justice tempered with love; righteousness,its righteousness founded on love; atonement for sin, atonement necessitated because of love, provided by love, finished by love. 

No matter what sin we have committed, no matter how black, dirty, shameful or terrible it may be, God loves us. 

We may be at the very gate of Hell, but God loves us with an everlasting love. The proof? Jesus Christ Gods only Son,went to the cross for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son"(jn3:16). This should be enough proof. Have a blessed day the weekend is only hours away!  

What is persecution?

Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

>>-----> 2 Timothy 3:12

Millions of Christians experience persecution everyday. Faithfulness to Christ can mean: 

•rejection by our families

•loss of a job

•social ostracism

•injustice 

•violence

•imprisionment

•death

We may never meet anyone who has experienced serious persecution this side of heaven, but their commitment and courage should challenge and inspire us all. 

We may never face the same situation they do - but every believer knows what it is to swim upstream against the current of the unbelieving world. We know the hurt of friends and family who mock us, or the co-worker who scorns our integrity. 

Don't let them sway you! Be faithful to Christ who, for your sake,"endured the cross, scorning it shame"(heb12:2). Have a blessed day. 

Jesus: doorkeeper

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them.

<<John 20:26>>

There is much about Heaven we don't know. But we do know Heaven will be more glorious than anything we can imagine. 

One truth God has revealed is one we sometimes overlook: in Heaven we will have new bodies-ones which will be free from the pain and death of this present world they will be like Christ's body after the resurrection. 

Can you imagine this? I can't -not fully. But this verse reminds us God cares about our physical bodies-and so should we. It tells us too, that someday all evil and sin will be destroyed, and we will be part of "a new heaven and new earth,the home of righteousness" (2pt3:13). Are you ready? Have a blessed day! 

Don't Worry for Anything

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

>>Philippians 4:6<<

What do you do when you have a problem? Do you worry? Most of us do. But does worry solve the problem? No, it does not. 

If it doesn't solve the problem, why worry? The Bible tells us: "Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord" (2kings19:14-15). 

Instead of turning to the Lord as a first resource, we often turn to Him as a last resort. Follow Hezekiah's formula. Turn to God first with your problems,for only He is capable of handling them in a way that will be in your BEST interest- and according to His PERFECT will! Have a blessed day.

Jesus: The Example

He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

<<{Hebews 5:8}>>

The Greek word for example comes from ancient school life. It refers to something written down by a teacher so it can be followed and copied exactly by the student learning to write. 

Christ is our copybook. We look to Him as our teacher. His suffering gave us an example to follow, so we can learn how suffering is to be borne. 

How did Jesus bear it? By not giving in to despair or doubt. By looking beyond His suffering and seeing the glory that was to come. By remembering the Father was with Him and would use His suffering for good. We would do well to do the same. 

Are you following Christ example in your suffering? Have a blessed weekend! 

The Body of Christ

For we are members of (Christ's) body.

>>{Ephesians 5:30}<<

The only thing which counts, as far as our salvation is concerned, is our relationship to Christ. Nothing can take our salvation away, not whether we are good or no matter how bad we are. 

But if we are committed to Christ, God also wants us to become part of a fellowship of believers. God wants us to grow in our faith. 

One way to do this is through our fellowship with other believers. The Bible tells us, "Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another"(heb10:25). 

Allow God to lead you to a church-to a body of believers-where you can grow spiritually, if you are not already involved in a local church. Get involved in a Bible study, a prayer group or service project and watch your relationship and faith grow... I dare you! Have a blessed weekend! 

As Far As The East Is From The West...

As far as  the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

{Psalm 103:12}

If we could know beyond a shadow of a doubt God had completely forgiven us, what reason would we have to keep feeling guilty? Absolutely none! 

God offers us exactly that: Complete and total forgiveness, no matter what we have done. We don’t need to wonder if we’ve been forgiven; we don’t need to carry around a burden of guilt. 

If memories from the past return immediately remind yourself of the truth from 1John 1:9- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins." 

We need to thank God for this truth and the great sacrifice Christ has made for us! Have a blessed day the weekend is only hours away!

When is a Christian a Hypocrite?

Greater love has no one than this,that he lay down his life for his friend.

John 15:13

Has anyone accused you of being a hypocrite because you didn't show them Christian love? No every accusation like this is justified; sometimes the accused is just being selfish, demanding or unrealistic. 

We aren't hypocrites just because we don't meet every demand. Would we really be helping them if we met their every demand, no matter how selfish? 

Sometimes love says NO, because,that is what is best for the other person. Let us not love with words or tongue,but with actions and truth(1jn3:18). This is the kind of love God showed us when He sent Jesus into the world to die for our sins. 

May we be the example we are called to be and have wisdom in every situation. Have a blessed day! 

Changing Your Mind

Have you had a weed in your yard you couldn't get rid of, no matter what you did, it still came back? Sinful thoughts can be like that. 

When we come to Christ, He begins to change our thinking. But some of our old thinking hasn't been killed. When they do come back, Satan will try to deceive us into thinking that we have failed Christ, because of our old thoughts. 

Don't be surprised when our old way of thinking crop-up, it took us a long time to develop this thinking, it will take time for Christ to change our old thinking. 

Don't let our old thinking linger. Let the word of God fill you and renew your mind every day. When our minds are on Christ, satan has little room to maneuver. Have a blessed day.

As for me and my house...

These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me win their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

<Isaiah 29:13>

Do you serve God only with your lips? Outwardly the Israelites in Joshua's day were followers of God-but in their hearts they were idolaters. They were to decide whether they wanted to serve the true God or serve their idols. Likewise, we must decide whom we will serve. 

Will we forsake everything false and turn wholeheartedly to Christ? Will we decide to serve the true and living God? If so, what idols must you first forsake? Will you be able to declare as Joshua did, "As for me and my household we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Have a blessed day! 

Peace I Leave With You

"Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you." 

John 14:27

Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. It will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere (V.Havner). Worry and anxiety have hounded us since the beginning of time, and modern man with all our innovations have yet to find the cure for the plague of worry. 

What is the answer? First, imagine a ferocious ocean storm beating against a rocky shore. But then imagine in a crevice in the rocky cliff-you see a small bird its head serenely tucked under its wing, fast asleep. It knows the rock will protect it and thus it sleeps in peace. 

Christ is our ROCK and we are SECURE in His hands. He is God's promise to us. The storm may rage, but our hearts are at rest. Have a blessed day the weekend is only hours away! 

God's Standards in Post-Modern Society

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

{Judges 21:25}

Is our society today any different from the ancient society in this verse? Sadly, not different enough. 

Too many people feelthe old moral standards are useless and out of date. They feel they ought to be free to make up their own minds about what is right and wrong. What is actually being said is there is no such thing as right or wrong so we should be free to decide how we want to behave. 

The moral standards God has given us are always best-for society and for us as individuals. The reason is because God created us, He loves us and He knows what is best for us. 

Don't be misled by those who deny God's moral standards. His ways are always best! Have a blessed day! 

We Are Not Crushed

Those who keep Heaven in view remain serene and cheerful in the darkest days. If the glories of Heaven were real to us, if we lived less for material things and more for things eternal, we would be less easily disturbed by the things of this present life. 

This is not escapism. If anything, a firm faith in the future should makes us more responsible in the present. The real escapism, I would contest, is refusing to face the future God has prepared for us. 

In these days of uncertainty, the trusting and forward looking Christian remains optimistic and joyful, knowing that Christ someday must rule and that "if we endure, we shall also reign with Him" {2 Timothy 2:12}. Have a blessed day. 

Cleanse Us

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." 

{Psalm 51:7}

Do you believe God can't forgive you for something you've done? If so, know that those thoughts are from Satan. Satan will do almost anything to make us think God hates us and won't forgive us. 

One of Satan's favorite tricks is to encourage is to keep dredging up the sins of our past. Here's the truth: if we have honestly turned to Christ and asked Him to forgive us, then we are forgiven-TOTALLY AND ABSOLUTELY!  

So don't believe your emotions and don't let the memories of the past defeat you. The Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin"(1 John 1:7). This is God's promise to us and God cannot lie! Have a blessed day. 

He Is Our Peace

"He, Himself is our peace, who...has broken down the middle wall of separation."

{Ephesians 2:14}

It has been said that "There are two things that will never be solved-the problem of race and war." Perhaps this is true; only time will tell. 

Both racism and war have their origin in the pride and covetousness of the human heart. Until our hearts are changed, we will fallback into the same destructive sins. 

Does this mean we throw up our hands in despair and refuse to do anything about racism or war - absolutely not! Christ shattered the prejudices of His day by reaching out to those of another race, and He expects the same of us today! 

The object of the cross is not only to pardon us of our sins; but also to change our lives! Have a blessed day! 

Listen

"There is a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak."

{Eccelesiastes 3:1,7}

When we are hurting, we value the presence of a friend who will just listen. But when someone we know is hurting, we often are tempted to do anything but listen. We often chatter away and give unwanted advice instead of just letting them share their burdens with us.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is listen quietly when a friend has a problem, letting them share their feelings and assuring them we care - even if we don't have any answers. 

We should also be praying for our hurting friend - and let them know we are praying. When we do talk we should encourage them. 

Remember: God can work in unexpected ways to bring good out of bad. Have a blessed weekend. 

Burdens

Sadly, we often don't realize how heavy another persons burden is until we walk along a similar path. Most of us are insensitive to the sufferings of others until we experience them ourselves. We become wrapped up in our own circumstances, and we overlook the need of those around us - even members of our own family. 

But this isn't Gods plan. We are to show love by bearing one another's burden. 

We can't change the past-but we can change our behavior now. With Gods help we can be burden-bearers to those around us now. 

Ask God to show you how and to whom you can be an encouragement and a blessing! Have a blessed day the weekend is only hours away!

Are We Living In End Times?

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back." 

{Mark 13:35}

Are we living in the end times? Will Jesus return soon? The world does seem to be getting worse. Jesus taught that certain events or signs would point to His return and certainly we see many of theses today. 

We know Satan will thrash about in one last burst of evil, hoping to capture as many souls as possible before his inevitable end. So is Christ coming near? 

It may well be- BUT in the mean time we must be alert and ready for His coming by being certain of our commitment to Christ and approaching every day as it were our last. Don't be caught off guard. Have a blessed day! 

Holy God

"The Lord our God is righteous in everything He does."

{Daniel 9:14)

The Bible tells us that God is loving and merciful and that is absolutely true. But this truth makes some people wonder how He could send anyone to Hell. 

Sins like murder, rape, or violence are an offense to our holy and pure God (as is every sin). God will not simply ignore evil nor pretend it doesn't exist; doing so would be unjust. 

If someone hates God and chooses to do evil, God will not overlook that lifelong rebellion. The Bible is very clear: "He has set a day when he will judge the world with justice" (Acts 17:31). 

Those who know and trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, know that someday evil will be destroyed and Christ will reign forever! Have a blessed day.

Many today sense there must be something more to life than material things and they seek for a deeper spiritual reality. However, their search takes them down paths that will not lead them to the living God. 

Remember: God took upon Himself human flesh and became a man (a fact that should STAGGER our imagination). If we want to know what God is like, we need to look no further than Jesus. 

Pray for people who are searching for God, that they won't be deceived or led down a path that will only take them away from God. Only Christ can meet the deepest hunger of our souls. Have a blessed day! 

Desiring to Follow Jesus

Is discipleship always costly? No, it may not cost us our physical lives, but it will cost us. It will cost us our plans, our will, and selfish desires. 

Jesus' standard has not changed:"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Instead of us controlling our lives, we turn them over to Christ as Lord. 

Someone once said "Salvation is free, but not cheap," - meaning it cost Christ His life, and it will cost us as well. It is never easy to give control of our life to Christ - but it will always be worth it. 

In regards to turning over control of our lives, could anything be greater? Could anything be more fulfilling? 

Follow Christ and at life's end we will be able to say "no regrets!" Have a blessed day.

Heaven and Hell

"In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and...called to him, Father Abraham have pity on me...because I am in agony in this fire."

{lk16:23-2}. 

It isn't fashionable today to talk about Hell - but the Bible is clear: God created us with a soul,or spirit, that will live forever.  When we die, we will continue to exist - either in Heaven or Hell. 

Hell is reserved for those those who reject God and turn their backs on Him. You do not want to go to Hell.  It is a place of absolute loneliness and hopelessness. 

The good news is God doesn't want us to go there. Jesus paid the price for our sins; He took upon Him the death and Hell we deserve. 

Trust Christ as our Lord and Savior and thank God that we can spend eternity with Him in heaven! 

Whatever you do in my name...

"Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do."

{John 14:13)

 

Prayer links us with God's true purposes, for us and the world. It not only brings the blessings of Gods will to our personal lives, but it also brings us the added blessing of being in step with God's plan.

Prayers also (in ways we may never fully understand this side of heaven) makes us partners with God in what He is doing in the world. God works through our prayers. 

Remember: we must seek GOD'S GLORY in our prayers and not just our own selfish desires. If we are to have our prayers answered,we must be willing to give God the glory when He acts-no matter what the result. Have a blessed day.

Keeping Angels in Perspective

"His angels...keep you in all your ways."

{Psalm 91:11}

In the bible angels occasionally assumed visible form, for example at the birth of Jesus.  But usually angels go about their business unseen unrecognized. They never draw attention to themselves, but point us to Christ. 

CS Lewis once said that we tend to make one of two errors about satan: we either make too little of him or we make too much. The same could be said of angels. Don't make too much of them. On the other hand, don't worship them or become preoccupied with them. 

Remember: God has given "His angels charge over you,to keep you in all yours ways." Instead, thank God for His angels and rejoice in their unseen watchfulness over us. Have a blessed day. 

Are you looking forward to Heaven?

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again...
{John 14:3}

"Hope is one of theological virtues." {CS Lewis}

Lewis meant that looking forward to heaven is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but something we are meant to do. This doesn't mean we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history,you will find that the Christian who did the most for the present world were those who thought the most of the next. 

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at the earth, and you will get neither."
{CS Lewis} 

In the midst of the pessimism, gloom, and frustration of this present hour there is a bright beacon of hope: Jesus' promise "If I go... I will come again and receive you to myself". Have a blessed day.

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is...joy...

{Galatians 5:22}

The word joy is hardly used today in our Christian vocabulary. The main reason is because we confuse joy with happiness, and come to believe joy is found in pleasure, security, and prosperity. Joy is not the same as happiness-although they may overlap. 

Happiness depends on circumstances; joy depends on God. Happiness vanishes when life turns painful; joy keeps going and even may grow stronger. Joy comes from a living vital relationship with God. It comes from the fact that we may not see God but we "believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy"(1 Peter 1:8). It comes from a life submitted to Christ - no matter the circumstances. Have a blessed day.

How is your prayer life?

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
{John 16:24}

What a privilege is ours - the privilege of prayer! We can only do this because Jesus has opened the way. 

We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. 
We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud. 
We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting. 
We are to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient. 

Pray believing in the promise of Gods Word that "if we ask anything according to HIS will, He will hear us"(1 John 5:14). 

How's your prayer life? Have a blessed day! 

Who Do You Say I Am?

Who do you say that I am? {Matthew 16:15)

CS Lewis pointed out that there are 4 possible conclusions that one can reach about Jesus: either He was a liar, He was self-deceived, He was insane, or He is the Son of God. Which is He? 

The logical conclusion is that He is the Son of God. A liar couldn't have taught the lofty moral principles that Jesus did. A self-deceiver couldn't have preformed the miracles that Jesus did. A lunatic couldn't have held up under the pressure the way that Jesus did. 

There is an even more compelling reason to believe Jesus is the Son Of God:His resurrection from the dead. In all of history,only one person came back from the grave! Who do you say He is?