Good morning everyone,
Today as a nation, we celebrate this day to remember all the ones who have come before us that have served to keep this nation 'a land of the free!' That freedom has come at a price that is very hard to measure because many of those that have served did so with their life! No other nation in the world has enjoyed the freedoms and opportunities that we have enjoyed! As we celebrate today, help us to thank our Lord and Savior for the ultimate sacrifice that He gave by giving His Son as a 'sacrifice' for all. When I think about all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for you and I and they most likely didn't even know us personally, that blows my mind. 1 John 3:16 says, 'This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.' Stop for a moment and thank the Savior for allowing you to live in the country with the most freedom on the planet! May your day be filled with attitude of gratitude for God allowing you to live in such a time as this! Remember our Savior and thank Him for the example of living out the definition of Love!!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Command is to love one another! 1 John 3:11
Good morning everyone,
It seems we find every reason under the sun to make our own rules up as we make our way through life without ever consulting the Book that gives us the really important principles about how to live! One of those principles is really simple but we (myself included) really make it difficult. 1 John 3:11 says, 'For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning that we should love one another.' We don't have to go out and create the model. It has already been demonstrated through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He perfected it and He was the forerunner for us to follow suit. 1 John 4:16-17 says, 'So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world.' It is a constant battle to love without expectations. When we love because our hearts are in the right place, 'Amazing Love' will be the result. In order for lost people to desire the love of Christ, we as Christians are commanded to demonstrate it! Otherwise they get from us what they are already getting; false hope! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart that wants to love a world that is lost and disheartened! Start that love at home and let it flow wherever you go so others will ask you why you have that extra 'twinkle' in your eye!
Your brother in Christ,
p
It seems we find every reason under the sun to make our own rules up as we make our way through life without ever consulting the Book that gives us the really important principles about how to live! One of those principles is really simple but we (myself included) really make it difficult. 1 John 3:11 says, 'For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning that we should love one another.' We don't have to go out and create the model. It has already been demonstrated through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He perfected it and He was the forerunner for us to follow suit. 1 John 4:16-17 says, 'So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world.' It is a constant battle to love without expectations. When we love because our hearts are in the right place, 'Amazing Love' will be the result. In order for lost people to desire the love of Christ, we as Christians are commanded to demonstrate it! Otherwise they get from us what they are already getting; false hope! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart that wants to love a world that is lost and disheartened! Start that love at home and let it flow wherever you go so others will ask you why you have that extra 'twinkle' in your eye!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Monday, May 23, 2011
Disaster after disaster! Ezekiel 7:5
Good morning everyone,
I come to you today with a heavy heart and I feel like crying for all the folks that seem to have been effected by the recent onslaught of storms that have taken place. Ezekiel 7:5 says, 'Thus says the Lord God. Disaster after disaster! Behold it comes. Disasters seem terrible for those that go through them but for the rest of us, we disconnect our feelings and emotions to a certain degree until they hit right in the middle of our own world. Yesterday evening, a tornado hit very close to where 2 of my children live and their lives were spared. 89 other individuals (and the toll will likely be higher) were not as fortunate. Businesses, homes, entire neighborhoods were completely destroyed. The landscape of Joplin, Missouri looks like a war zone. Pray for those folks that they will find peace and comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. My daughter Ariel is standing in line as I write this to you waiting to help with the clean up process. Disasters are going to come! Will you be ready when disaster hits your life? Our only hope is in Jesus Christ. We all could be gone in a flash! No second chances! Once dead, always dead! While you have breath to breathe and blood pumping through those veins, pray that God will be the center of your universe. Those 89 people were here one minute and gone the next! They had no time to get ready. Pray that the family members of the deceased will draw close to the Lord and commit their days to Him.
Your brother in Christ,
p
I come to you today with a heavy heart and I feel like crying for all the folks that seem to have been effected by the recent onslaught of storms that have taken place. Ezekiel 7:5 says, 'Thus says the Lord God. Disaster after disaster! Behold it comes. Disasters seem terrible for those that go through them but for the rest of us, we disconnect our feelings and emotions to a certain degree until they hit right in the middle of our own world. Yesterday evening, a tornado hit very close to where 2 of my children live and their lives were spared. 89 other individuals (and the toll will likely be higher) were not as fortunate. Businesses, homes, entire neighborhoods were completely destroyed. The landscape of Joplin, Missouri looks like a war zone. Pray for those folks that they will find peace and comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. My daughter Ariel is standing in line as I write this to you waiting to help with the clean up process. Disasters are going to come! Will you be ready when disaster hits your life? Our only hope is in Jesus Christ. We all could be gone in a flash! No second chances! Once dead, always dead! While you have breath to breathe and blood pumping through those veins, pray that God will be the center of your universe. Those 89 people were here one minute and gone the next! They had no time to get ready. Pray that the family members of the deceased will draw close to the Lord and commit their days to Him.
Your brother in Christ,
p
Thursday, May 19, 2011
He began a good work.......let Him finish it! Luke 14:30
Good morning everyone,
As I come to you this morning with what God has laid on my heart, I can't help but think about the incredible picture that God is painting for your life and mine. Even before He created you, He knew that you were important enough (even in the big picture) to take the brush and complete each stroke even though He knows what it is going to look like when it is complete! Does that not blow you away? I know it does me. A good building project takes a 'good foundation' or it will not stand for the long haul. Luke 14:30 says, 'The natural man can build, but he will never be able to finish any Spiritual thing that he starts.' It can't be finished because it is not being completed according to God's plans! God created you so that you would realize this painting, this building project cannot be completed unless you allow Him to direct every stroke or allow Him to establish the foundation that will withstand the test of time! All of our days are numbered and none of us know exactly how many we are going to get. He does though and each one of them is important to Him regardless of what you think! Instead of looking at today as another day of just getting through it, ask Him to reveal to you something that you haven't noticed lately. Ask the Father to consume you with a new passion and wisdom to take the remaining days you have left and glorify Him. You will be eternally thankful!!
Your brother in Christ,
p
As I come to you this morning with what God has laid on my heart, I can't help but think about the incredible picture that God is painting for your life and mine. Even before He created you, He knew that you were important enough (even in the big picture) to take the brush and complete each stroke even though He knows what it is going to look like when it is complete! Does that not blow you away? I know it does me. A good building project takes a 'good foundation' or it will not stand for the long haul. Luke 14:30 says, 'The natural man can build, but he will never be able to finish any Spiritual thing that he starts.' It can't be finished because it is not being completed according to God's plans! God created you so that you would realize this painting, this building project cannot be completed unless you allow Him to direct every stroke or allow Him to establish the foundation that will withstand the test of time! All of our days are numbered and none of us know exactly how many we are going to get. He does though and each one of them is important to Him regardless of what you think! Instead of looking at today as another day of just getting through it, ask Him to reveal to you something that you haven't noticed lately. Ask the Father to consume you with a new passion and wisdom to take the remaining days you have left and glorify Him. You will be eternally thankful!!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Hungry for the Savior! Matthew 25:35
Good morning everyone,
So many people are hungry but they are not getting fed with food that is good for them! As I sit here at Coco's this morning having a bite to eat, I'm reminded of how important our bodies need to be fed but that is only a temporary fix. Each time we eat, our bodies use the calories we consume until we need to do the process all over. If we stop eating, soon our bodies would stop functioning all together. Our soul is the same way! If we don't get fed Spiritually, our soul starts to wither and if ignored long enough, it will eventually die with our bodies. As I have gone through the motions these last few weeks (everything has been a blur), I'm reminded of how God has never left my side even though I've not really had the opportunity to give Him the time that He needs. Fortunately I had enough in my tank to recall those Scriptures and Promises to get me through those extremely busy times. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, 'Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.' What a great promise! It is really important to know that we all go through times that we have to go through the motions. Is your tank full enough to get you through those times? Ask the Lord to fill you up to the brim so that it will sustain you when you can't make sense of the things that are happening! Matthew 25:35 says, 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.' Pray for those that don't see a need for being filled up with the Savior. Ask Him to touch their heart cords so that they can see the need to be hungry for the Savior!
Your brother in Christ,
p
So many people are hungry but they are not getting fed with food that is good for them! As I sit here at Coco's this morning having a bite to eat, I'm reminded of how important our bodies need to be fed but that is only a temporary fix. Each time we eat, our bodies use the calories we consume until we need to do the process all over. If we stop eating, soon our bodies would stop functioning all together. Our soul is the same way! If we don't get fed Spiritually, our soul starts to wither and if ignored long enough, it will eventually die with our bodies. As I have gone through the motions these last few weeks (everything has been a blur), I'm reminded of how God has never left my side even though I've not really had the opportunity to give Him the time that He needs. Fortunately I had enough in my tank to recall those Scriptures and Promises to get me through those extremely busy times. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, 'Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.' What a great promise! It is really important to know that we all go through times that we have to go through the motions. Is your tank full enough to get you through those times? Ask the Lord to fill you up to the brim so that it will sustain you when you can't make sense of the things that are happening! Matthew 25:35 says, 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.' Pray for those that don't see a need for being filled up with the Savior. Ask Him to touch their heart cords so that they can see the need to be hungry for the Savior!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Daniel was cast into the lions den! Daniel 6:16
Good morning everyone,
If we worship any god other than the One who created us, we are worshipping the wrong god! In Daniel 6:16, we find Daniel being tossed into the lions den because he refused to worship those other gods. 'Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!" Daniel believed with his whole heart that God would deliver him, whether it was a physical rescue, a Spiritual rescue, or both! He never hesitated in his conviction of serving the Almighty God. Do you have that strong of conviction who you are serving? God is the same today that He was yesterday and the same that He will be tomorrow! If we are to serve Him with our whole heart, we need to ask Him to clean us up regularly(daily) or we lose sight of who He is! No matter how pretty the picture is of the god that is being offered to you, if it ain't GOD, it is a lie! Go out today and serve the 'Risen' Savior, because no matter the cost, the end result is your 'Reward' that lasts for an 'Eternity!'
Your brother in Christ,
p
If we worship any god other than the One who created us, we are worshipping the wrong god! In Daniel 6:16, we find Daniel being tossed into the lions den because he refused to worship those other gods. 'Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!" Daniel believed with his whole heart that God would deliver him, whether it was a physical rescue, a Spiritual rescue, or both! He never hesitated in his conviction of serving the Almighty God. Do you have that strong of conviction who you are serving? God is the same today that He was yesterday and the same that He will be tomorrow! If we are to serve Him with our whole heart, we need to ask Him to clean us up regularly(daily) or we lose sight of who He is! No matter how pretty the picture is of the god that is being offered to you, if it ain't GOD, it is a lie! Go out today and serve the 'Risen' Savior, because no matter the cost, the end result is your 'Reward' that lasts for an 'Eternity!'
Your brother in Christ,
p
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Where does time fly? Philippians 4:7
Good morning everyone,
It seems as though I've not been able to catch my breath lately and so the long work days have disallowed me from doing the blog and for that I apologize for the absence. It doesn't change the fact that my heart goes out to you daily and I think of you often! Even though we are absent from each other, may the peace of God still be with you! Philippians 4:7 says, 'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' No matter what whirlwind is happening in your life or will happen, know that God can provide that peace that passes all understanding! Hallelujah! Instead of fighting a fight that you will never win, let God's peace take you through any trial that you come up against. And then never forget to praise Him all along the way because remember that everything you face now is temporal in the race for eternity! God Bless each of you and keep fighting the 'Good Fight!'
Your brother in Christ,
p
It seems as though I've not been able to catch my breath lately and so the long work days have disallowed me from doing the blog and for that I apologize for the absence. It doesn't change the fact that my heart goes out to you daily and I think of you often! Even though we are absent from each other, may the peace of God still be with you! Philippians 4:7 says, 'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' No matter what whirlwind is happening in your life or will happen, know that God can provide that peace that passes all understanding! Hallelujah! Instead of fighting a fight that you will never win, let God's peace take you through any trial that you come up against. And then never forget to praise Him all along the way because remember that everything you face now is temporal in the race for eternity! God Bless each of you and keep fighting the 'Good Fight!'
Your brother in Christ,
p
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